Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linkage between Psychological Factors and Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Preliminary Study

Substantial evidence has accumulated showing that psychological distress affects immune regulation, the response to cancer treatment, and survival. The effect of psychological parameters on the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment has not yet been studied. This preliminary study aimed to (a) examine the associations between psychological factors and responses to ICI treatment and (b) assess the associations between psychological factors and blood measures of sPD-1, sCTLA-4, and cytokines that may alter the effect of ICI treatment. The participants were 62 individuals with advanced cancer, aged 18 years or older, who were candidates for ICI treatment as a new line of treatment. The participants answered questionnaires and provided blood samples and medical data prior to the start of ICI treatment and 3 months after. Perceived health status was positively associated with better responses to ICI treatment. In the subsample of participants with biomarkers, worse health-related quality of life was associated with higher IL-6 and sCTLA-4; emotional distress and sleep difficulties were associated with higher sCTLA-4; and better perceived health was associated with lower IL-6 and TNFα. sPD-1 was not associated with psychological measures. This preliminary study found for the first time that some psychological measures could be linked to responses to cancer treatment, possibly via pro-inflammatory cytokines and sCTLA-4.
Marine Resources Management in Sorong Regency in Environmental Communication Perspective

The potential of marine resources in Sorong district, West Papua is very abundant, especially in the fisheries sector and encourages the economy and development of the State and can prosper the surrounding community. Suboptimal utilization results in a less prosperous community so that many social conflicts occur that threaten the disintegration of the nation. This study aims to analyze the management of marine resources in Sorong Regency in the perspective of defense management using a descriptive qualitative research design. The results of this study show that the management of marine resources in Sorong Regency is still not effective and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The economic aspect, the lack of understanding of fishermen related to the marketing system results in oligarchs so that those who benefit a lot are not fishermen. Ecological aspects, the use of fishing gear that is not environmentally friendly such as fish bombs and cantrang results in damage to marine ecosystems. The social aspect, open access management has resulted in fisheries production, both capture and aquaculture, starting to decline.
The current system of geomagnetic bays

It has been suggested that the observed magnetic deflection during a geomagnetic bay is the superposition of magnetic effects of the Hall current system, and the westward electrojet, which is current flowing down field lines from the outer magnetosphere, along the high conductivity strip at the base of the auroral arcs and up field lines into the outer magnetosphere. A theoretically predicted flux tube flow that agrees with the observed motions is used to predict the magnetic fluctuations at the earth's surface and gives good agreement with observation. It is found that the vertical currents are important in determining regions of positive and negative bays.
Toward photothermal damage detection during laser osteotomy using optical coherence tomography

Feedback systems have been utilized to reduce the possible thermal side effects of lasers for surgery by means of temperature monitoring to control irrigation systems. In this study, we investigated the potential application of optical coherence tomography as a means of detecting bone dehydration status. We investigated the penetration depth of the OCT laser and its respective relation to the hydration status of bone. A deep-learning method was utilized to differentiate between different levels of water content in bone tissue (fresh/hydrated, dehydrated, and carbonized) based on the OCT images. The proposed model achieved an accuracy of 0.912 on an independent test set, demonstrating its ability to accurately predict the state of the bone considering these three conditions. We believe this method can potentially accelerate the detection of dehydration during laser surgery, improving the safety of using lasers with real-time feedback.
A STUDY ON ASSOCIATION OF SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE, DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE, AND PULSE PRESSURE WITH INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN RELATION TO PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Objective: This study aims to probe the relationship among pulse pressure (PP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal persons and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Design: This was an institution-based observational study. Methods: This study was conducted on 240 patients attending the ophthalmology department and glaucoma clinic of a tertiary hospital. Included subjects were asked about their ocular and systemic problems and undergone detailed examination of eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber by slit lamp, visual acuity, refraction, and fundus examination. IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometer. Blood pressure was measured by sphygmomanometer. Results: In this study, we found that SBP, DBP, PP, and IOP – both eyes were found to be higher in subjects with POAG than normal control subjects. Among these, differences in mean SBP, DBP, and IOP – both eyes between subjects with POAG and normal subjects were statistically significant. IOP was found to be positively correlated with SBP, DBP, and PP both in subjects with POAG as well as in normal subjects. Conclusion: Although involving a limited number of eyes, the key findings of the study suggest that IOP is positively correlated with PP, SBP, and DBP. This opens up the possibility of early detection of glaucoma patients with raised PP, SBP, and DBP.
A DISTINCTIVE THEROPOD DINOSAUR FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA (MEXICO)

A new, distinctive, large theropod (Labocania anomala, n.g., n. sp.) is de- scribed from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian? ) rocks of Baja California, Mexico. The specimen is fragmentary and resembles the tyrannosaurids in the structure of its ischium. The cranial elements preserved are relatively more massive than among other described theropods, and differ from those of the typical tyrannosaurids in that there is no an- terior extension of the supratemporal fenestrae onto the frontals, the mandibular articular surface of the quadrate is cylindrical in form, and the quadrate was apparently inclined posteriorly in the skull rather than being vertical.
Vitamin D Improves Cognitive Impairment and Alleviates Ferroptosis via the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Aging Mice

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent mode of cell death associated with the occurrence and development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, there are no effective drugs available to prevent or treat these aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. Vitamin D (VD) is an antioxidant and immunomodulator, but its relationship with ferroptosis in aging-related neurodegenerative diseases has not been extensively studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of VD in learning and memory in aging mice. To examine whether VD protects aging hippocampal neurons, we used physiologically active 1,25(OH)2D3. We established aging models in vivo (C57BL/6 mice) and in vitro (HT22 cells) using D-galactose (D-gal). The results demonstrated that VD could improve learning and memory in mice aged via the use of D-gal, and it reduced damage to hippocampal neurons. VD could regulate ferroptosis-related proteins (increasing GPX4 expression and decreasing ACSL4 and ALOX15 protein expression levels), increasing GSH levels, reducing MDA and intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, as well as total iron and Fe2+ levels, and improving mitochondrial morphology, thereby alleviating ferroptosis in aging hippocampal neurons. Additionally, VD activated the VDR/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis. Notably, when the VDR was knocked down, VD lost its ability to activate Nrf2. Consequently, inhibiting Nrf2 decreased the protective effect of VD against ferroptosis in aged hippocampal neurons. In summary, VD activates the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway through the VDR, effectively preventing ferroptosis induced by aging in hippocampal neurons.
Comparison of laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube in general anesthesia in children

At present, there is no relevant expert consensus indicating which ventilation device is more efficient for general anesthesia. The present literature review and meta-analysis compared the effects of the laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal intubation on airway complications during general anesthesia. The keywords ‘laryngeal mask airway’, ‘endotracheal tube’, ‘tracheal tube’, ‘children’, ‘pediatric’, ‘anesthesia’, ‘randomized controlled trials’ (RCTs) and ‘randomized’ were used to perform the literature search in PubMed. Quality assessment was performed by two reviewers according to domains defined by the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Data extraction, risk of bias assessment and quality of evidence assessment were performed with the Cochrane tool. A total of 16 RCTs were included. The results indicated that the effects of the laryngeal mask airway group on heart rate variability [mean difference=-13.76; 95% CI, -18.19-(-9.33); P<0.00001], the incidence of hypoxemia [odds ratio (OR)=0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.97; P=0.04] and the incidence of postoperative cough (OR=0.22; 95% CI, 0.12-0.40; P<0.0001) were significantly lower than those of the endotracheal intubation group. The success rate of one-time implantation in the laryngeal mask airway group was significantly higher than that noted in the endotracheal intubation group (OR=0.20; 95% CI, 0.07-0.59; P=0.003). However, no significant differences were noted between the two groups in bronchospasm, sore throat, mucosal injury, nausea and vomiting and reflux aspiration. In conclusion, the results indicated that laryngeal mask airway application can reduce complications during general anesthesia compared with endotracheal intubation.
Specific neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with functional decline trajectories in Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia: a five-year follow-up study

Background Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are often overlooked and under-identified symptoms associated with dementia, despite their significant impact on the prognosis of individuals living with the disease. The specific role of certain NPS in functional prognosis remains unclear. Aims To determine the association of different NPS with functional decline in people living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Lewy body dementia (LBD). Methods This is an analysis of data from the Dementia Study of Western Norway (DemVest) with 196 patients included of which 111 had AD and 85 LBD. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Rapid Disability Rating Scale (RDRS-2) for activities of daily living were administered annually for 5 years. NPI total score and individual items with RDRS-2 trajectories were analyzed with linear mixed models. Results The LBD group exhibited higher levels of functional impairment and a greater burden of NPS at baseline. Over the 5-year follow-up, hallucinations, aggression, depression, anxiety, apathy, disinhibition, aberrant motor behavior, nighttime behavior disturbances, and abnormal eating patterns were significantly associated with the decline in functional abilities in individuals with AD, as well as irritability and aberrant motor behavior in those with LBD. Discussion These results highlight the relevance of early detection and intervention of these particularly relevant NPS, due to its potential of also impacting physical function. Better detection and management of these NPS could improve functional prognosis in people living with dementia. Conclusion Specific NPS demonstrate relevant distinct associations with Longitudinal trajectories of functional decline in AD and LBD.
Trabecular Meshwork Movement Controls Distal Valves and Chambers: New Glaucoma Medical and Surgical Targets

Herein, we provide evidence that human regulation of aqueous outflow is by a pump-conduit system similar to that of the lymphatics. Direct observation documents pulsatile aqueous flow into Schlemm’s canal and from the canal into collector channels, intrascleral channels, aqueous veins, and episcleral veins. Pulsatile flow in vessels requires a driving force, a chamber with mobile walls and valves. We demonstrate that the trabecular meshwork acts as a deformable, mobile wall of a chamber: Schlemm’s canal. A tight linkage between the driving force of intraocular pressure and meshwork deformation causes tissue responses in milliseconds. The link provides a sensory-motor baroreceptor-like function, providing maintenance of a homeostatic setpoint. The ocular pulse causes meshwork motion oscillations around the setpoint. We document valves entering and exiting the canal using real-time direct observation with a microscope and multiple additional modalities. Our laboratory-based high-resolution SD-OCT platform quantifies valve lumen opening and closing within milliseconds synchronously with meshwork motion; meshwork tissue stiffens, and movement slows in glaucoma tissue. Our novel PhS-OCT system measures nanometer-level motion synchronous with the ocular pulse in human subjects. Movement decreases in glaucoma patients. Our model is robust because it anchors laboratory studies to direct observation of physical reality in humans with glaucoma.
Static magnetic field assisted thawing improves cryopreservation of mouse whole ovaries

Abstract Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is considered to be the only means to preserve fertility for prepubertal girls and women whose cancer treatment cannot be postponed. However, ovarian tissues are inevitably damaged by oxidative stress during cryopreservation, which threatens follicle survival and development, and thus affects female fertility. Therefore, reducing tissue oxidative stress injury is one of the major challenges to achieving efficient cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, especially for whole ovaries. Here, we proposed a new method to improve the antioxidant capacity of whole ovaries during cryopreservation, static magnetic field assisted thawing. The results demonstrated that the antioxidant capacity of the ovarian tissue was significantly improved by static magnetic field treatment. In addition, ovarian tissue allograft transplantation was carried out, which successfully achieved vascular regeneration and maintained follicular development. The findings of this study not only provide a new reference for the preservation of female fertility, but also is a major step forward in the cryopreservation of tissues and organs. It will have good application prospects in the field of assisted reproduction and cryo‐biomedicine.
Producing College Sports for ESPN: A Vygotskian Approach

In 2019 the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference signed an agreement with ESPN to stream men’s and women’s basketball games on its affiliated streaming service. In response, the Manhattan College Communication Department developed a Sports Media Production program to teach undergraduate students the basics of live sports production. The goal was for undergraduate students to participate in the production of forty games per year, including shooting, editing, generating replays, inserting graphics, and mixing five tracks of audio. Over the past three years approximately eighty students have taken part in these live productions, with audiences ranging from several hundred to ten thousand. This paper will explore the successes and challenges of developing a program of instruction out of a public/private partnership. Through the implementation of Vygotsky’s Scaffolding theory, students are immersed in both learning and teaching production from the moment each new season begins, while simultaneously exploring significant issues in Sport and Media Studies as part of the curriculum.
Preparation of Self-Assembled, Curcumin-Loaded Nano-Micelles Using Quarternized Chitosan–Vanillin Imine (QCS-Vani Imine) Conjugate and Evaluation of Synergistic Anticancer Effect with Cisplatin

Nano-micelles are self-assembling colloidal dispersions applied to enhance the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, the conjugate of quarternized chitosan and vanillin imine (QCS-Vani imine) was synthesized using the reaction of a Schiff base characterized by proton-NMR (1HNMR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and FT-IR. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), particle size, and zeta potential of the resulting product were determined. The QCS-Vani imine conjugate was used as a carrier for the development of curcumin-loaded nano-micelles, and their entrapment efficiency (%EE), drug-loading capacity (%LC) and in vitro release were investigated using HPLC analysis. Moreover, the nano-micelles containing curcumin were combined with various concentrations of cisplatin and evaluated for a possible anticancer synergistic effect. The anticancer activity was evaluated against lung cancer A549 and mouse fibroblast L929 cell lines. The percent yield (%) of the QCS-Vani imine conjugate was 93.18%. The curcumin-loaded QCS-Vani imine nano-micelles were characterized and found to have a spherical shape (by TEM) with size < 200 nm (by DLS) with high %EE up to 67.61% and %LC up to 6.15 ± 0.41%. The loaded lyophilized powder of the nano-micelles was more stable at 4 °C than at room temperature during 120 days of storage. pH-sensitive release properties were observed to have a higher curcumin release at pH 5.5 (cancer environment) than at pH 7.4 (systemic environment). Curcumin-loaded QCS-Vani imine nano-micelles showed higher cytotoxicity and selectivity toward lung cancer A549 cell lines and exhibited lower toxicity toward the normal cell (H9C2) than pure curcumin. Moreover, the curcumin-loaded QCS-Vani imine nano-micelles exhibited an enhanced property of inducing cell cycle arrest during the S-phase against A549 cells and showed prominently induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells compared to that with curcumin. The co-treatment of cisplatin with curcumin-loaded QCS-Vani imine nano-micelles presented an enhanced anticancer effect, showing 8.66 ± 0.88 μM as the IC50 value, in comparison to the treatment with cisplatin alone (14.22 ± 1.01 μM). These findings suggest that the developed QCS-Vani imine nano-micelle is a potential drug delivery system and could be a promising approach for treating lung cancer in combination with cisplatin.
Diagnostic Utility of Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) on Induced Sputum Versus Gastric Aspirate Samples for the Diagnosis of Paediatric Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) in children is neglected, mainly due to a lack of sensitive diagnostic tools. Paediatric TB is now a global priority. More paediatric TB cases are being recorded as a result of the introduction of Xpert® Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/rifampicin (RIF) (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, USA). This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB in children. Methods: We recruited 70 paediatric patients with probable pulmonary TB and their gastric aspirate (GA), and induced sputum (IS) samples were collected between January 2021 and June 2022 in Saifai, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, at the Microbiology Department of the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (U.P.U.M.S.). All samples were subjected to smear examination, Bacterial Activation of Continuous Temperature and Environmental Control - Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (BACTEC-MGIT) culture, and Xpert MTB/RIF. Results: The specimens included 70 GAs and 70 IS samples. The total number of specimens were 140 and we collected GA as well as IS from each of the patient enrolled in the study. When compared to microscopy, GeneXpert provides a quicker and earlier detection of paediatric TB. The sensitivity of the cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) against mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) was 75.0% for GA samples and 63.64% for IS samples. Conclusion: Paediatric TB, owing to its paucibacillary nature and difficulty in the collection of samples, makes the diagnosis difficult by conventional methods. Our study shows that smear and culture yield in GA samples are superior to those of IS samples and the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay is also significantly different in GA and IS samples, but a combination of GA and IS yielded the best results.
Weed infestation of a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop under the conditions of plough and ploughless tillage

A field experiment was conducted in the period 2007- 2009 in the Uhrusk Experimental Farm (Lublin region) belonging to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Different tillage systems - plough and ploughless tillage - were the experimental factors. In the plough tillage system, tillage involved skimming done after the harvest of the forecrop and autumn ploughing. In the ploughless tillage system, only the herbicide Roundup 360 SL (active substance - glyphosate) was applied after the harvest of the forecrop. In both tillage treatments, spring tillage involved field cultivating and the use of a tillage assembly consisting of a cultivator, cage roller, and harrow. The present experiment evaluated weed infestation of the crop expressed by the number and air-dry weight of weeds and their species composition. Under the conditions of ploughless tillage, air-dry weight of weeds in the spring wheat crop was shown to increase significantly compared to plough tillage. The tillage systems under comparison did not differentiate the number of weeds per 1 m 2 . Spring wheat sown using plough tillage was colonized most extensively by the following weed species: Avena fatua L. , Stellaria media (L.) Vill. , Galium aparine L. , Amaranthus retroflexus L. , Chenopodium album L. , and Consolida regalis Gray. In the ploughless tillage treatments, the following weeds were predominant: Stellaria media (L.) Vill. , Avena fatua L. , Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Love, Papaver rhoeas L. , Amaranthus retroflexus L. , Galium aparine L. , and Chenopodium album L.
The Response of ClO Radical Concentrations to Variations in NO2 Radical Concentrations in the Lower Stratosphere

The response of ClO concentrations to changes in NO_2 concentrations has been inferred from simultaneous observations of [ClO], [NO], [NO_2] and [O_3] in the mid-latitude lower stratosphere. This analysis demonstrates that [ClO] is inversely correlated with [NO_2], consistent with formation and photolysis of [ClONO_2]. A factor of ten range in the concentration of NO_2 was sampled (0.1 to 1×10^9 mol/cm^3), with a comparable range in the ratio of [ClO] to total available inorganic chlorine (1% ≤ [ClO]/[Cl_y] ≤ 5%). This analysis leads to an estimate of [ClONO_2]/[Cl_y] = 0.12 (×/÷2), in the mid-latitude, lower-stratospheric air masses sampled.