Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope: Steps on the Route to Success

Development of the SOuthern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope is nearing completion atop Cerro Pachón in Chile. The facility and many accessory systems have been completed and are operational. The dome is installed and in the final stages of debugging, the telescope mount is being assembled on site after a successful trial integration and complete test at the contractor's facility, and the optical system is well on its way to completion later this year. Many instruments are under development with one in the final phases of integration and laboratory testing. This paper summarizes the status of the major subsystems, provides measured performance parameters where available, and outlines the remaining plans for the telescope development and subsequent commissioning.
Asymptotic Analysis of the Maxwell Garnett Formula Using the Two-Phase Composite Model

In this paper, a two-phase computational model of a composite (TwPM) with cylindrical inclusion of square cross-sections and small sizes is proposed. The applied asymptotic techniques devoted to the analysis of the constructed TwPM are validated through a comparison of the results reported by others. A simple analytical formula of the reduced heat transfer parameter for small size of inclusions is derived, and an asymptotic character of Maxwell Garnett (MG) formula is illustrated.
The parABSm system is involved in megaplasmid partitioning and genome integrity maintenance in Thermus thermophilus

Abstract The characteristics of the parABS system in polyploid bacteria are barely understood. We initially analyzed the physiological functions and mechanisms of the megaplasmid parABSm system in the thermophilic polyploid bacterium Thermus thermophilus. Deletion of parABm was possible only when a plasmid-born copy of parABm was provided, indicating that these genes are conditionally essential. The cell morphology of the parABm deletion mutant (ΔparABm) was changed to some extent, and in certain extra-large or twisted cells, the nucleoids were dispersed and damaged. Compared with that of the wild type, the frequency of anucleate cells was significantly increased. Genome content analyses showed that ΔparABm had lost ∼160 kb of megaplasmid and ∼23 kb of chromosomal sequences, respectively. Genome fluorescent tagging and PFGE experiments demonstrated that the truncated megaplasmid was frequently interlinked and could not be segregated correctly; thus, certain daughter cells eventually lost the entire megaplasmid and became twisted or enlarged with damaged nucleoids. Further, we found that when the megaplasmid was lost in these cells, the toxins encoded by the megaplasmid toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems (VapBC64_65 and VapBC142_143) would exert detrimental effects, such as to fragment DNA. Thus, parABSm might ensure the existence of these TA systems, thereby preventing genomic degradation. Together, our results suggested that in T. thermophilus, the megaplasmid-encoded parABS system plays an essential role in the megaplasmid partitioning process; also it is an important determination factor for the genome integrity maintenance.
A comparative evaluation of intranasal α2-adrenoceptor agonists and intranasal midazolam as premedication in pediatric sedation: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Midazolam and α2-adrenoceptor agonists have been widely used off-label as intranasal sedatives for children. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of two interventions in pediatric sedation. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2022. All randomized controlled trials used intranasal α2-adrenoceptor agonists and midazolam as sedatives in children were enrolled. Parental separation, anesthesia induction or facemask acceptance, sedation level, different hemodynamic parameters and adverse events were considered as outcomes. Results Totally 21 studies with 1,495 patients were included. Only one study reported comparison between midazolam and clonidine met the inclusion criteria, and patients in clonidine group had significantly better mask acceptance compared to midazolam group. Compared with midazolam, using of dexmedetomidine was associated with higher rate of satisfactory parental separation (52.88% vs 75.18%, RR = 0.70, with 95%CI [0.55, 0.90]), anesthesia induction or facemask acceptance (60.92% vs 81.47%, RR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.68, 0.84]) and less incidence of postoperative pain and nasal irritation. Conclusion Compared with midazolam, dexmedetomidine should be considered as the preferred intranasal sedative option for pediatric patients, since it provides more satisfactory sedative level with less incidence of several side effects. But insufficient evidences about effects of intranasal clonidine and overall low and moderate quality evidences evaluated by GRADE system indicate that superiority of intranasal α2-adrenoceptor agonists in pediatric sedation needs to be validated by more studies with high quality and large sample size in future.
Effective bet-hedging through growth rate dependent stability

Significance How is it possible that microbial populations can robustly adapt to an immense variety of environments when their regulatory circuitry is extremely noisy and of limited accuracy? We propose that the remarkable adaptability of microbial populations can be explained by the combined effects of two experimentally observed phenomena: 1) that gene regulation is inherently noisy, causing individual cells to randomly switch between different phenotypic states, and 2) that the slower cells grow, the noisier they become. As a consequence, whenever cells encounter a new environment, they stochastically explore new phenotypes, only to stabilize after reaching a fast-growing phenotype. We propose that this growth rate dependent stability may play an important role in adaption of all microbes.
Glabridin Inhibits Aspergillus fumigatus Growth and Alleviate Inflammation Mediated by Dectin-2 and NLRP3 Inflammasome

Abstract Purpose The research was used to uncover the mechanism of glabridin in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in anti-fungus and anti-inflammation. Methods In vitro, RAW 264.7 cells were infected with A. fumigatus with incubation of glabridin in different concentrations. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR), Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to assess the inflammatory severe and alternation with the intervention of Dectin-2 siRNA and glabridin. In vivo, A. fumigatus keratitis mouse models were established by spore intra-stromal injection and treated with glabridin or PBS. And disease scores, inflammatory mediators, and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining were exhibited to demonstrate the therapeutic efficiency of glabridin in vivo. Morphological interference assay monitored fungal germination. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the growth of fungi. Results In RAW 264.7 cells and mouse keratitis models, noncytotoxic 16 μg/mL glabridin showed significant inhibition in the expression of Dectin-2, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α after A. fumigatus infection, almost similar to the intervention of Dectin-2 siRNA. PAS staining illustrated the reduced hyphal distribution in cornea stroma with glabridin treatment. Glabridin remarkably inhibited A. fumigatus growth through delaying germination and disrupting the integrity of the hyphae membrane. Conclusion Glabridin plays an anti-inflammatory role in A. fumigatus challenge via suppression of the Dectin-2 and NLRP3 inflammasome, and plays an anti-fungal role through delaying germination and changing the hyphal integrity. KEY MESSAGES Glabridin plays an anti-inflammatory role in A. fumigatus infection of RAW264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and through Dectin-2 mediation. Glabridin decreases fungal distribution and inflammation in mouse A. fumigatus keratitis. Glabridin inhibits A. fumigatus growth by delaying germination and disrupting cellular structure in vitro.
Virulence Factors of the Gut Microbiome Are Associated with BMI and Metabolic Blood Parameters in Children with Obesity

The alteration of gut microbiome composition has been commonly observed in diseases involving inflammation, such as obesity and metabolic impairment. Inflammatory host response in the gut can be a consequence of dietary driven dysbiosis. ABSTRACT The development of metabolic diseases is linked to the gut microbiota. A cross-sectional study involving 45 children (6 to 12 years old) was conducted to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements, food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), and feces samples were obtained. Using the body mass index (BMI) z-score, we categorized each participant as normal weight (NW), or overweight and obese (OWOB). We determined 2 dietary profiles: one with complex carbohydrates and proteins (pattern 1), and the other with saturated fat and simple carbohydrates (pattern 2). The microbial taxonomic diversity and metabolic capacity were determined using shotgun metagenomics. We found differences between both BMI groups diversity. Taxa contributing to this difference, included Eubacterium sp. , Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Dialister, Monoglobus pectinilyticus, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Intestinibacter bartlettii, Bacteroides intestinalis, Bacteroides uniformis, and Methanobrevibacter smithii. Metabolic capacity differences found between NW and OWOB, included the amino acid biosynthesis pathway, the cofactor, carrier, and vitamin biosynthesis pathway, the nucleoside and nucleotide biosynthesis and degradation pathways, the carbohydrate-sugar degradation pathway, and the amine and polyamine biosynthesis pathway. We found significant associations between taxa such as Ruminococcus, Mitsuokella multacida, Klebsiella variicola, and Citrobacter spp. , metabolic pathways with the anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary data. We also found the microbiome’s lipooligosaccharide (LOS) category as differentially abundant between BMI groups. Metabolic variations emerge during childhood as a result of complex nutritional and microbial interactions, which should be explained in order to prevent metabolic illnesses in adolescence and maturity. IMPORTANCE The alteration of gut microbiome composition has been commonly observed in diseases involving inflammation, such as obesity and metabolic impairment. Inflammatory host response in the gut can be a consequence of dietary driven dysbiosis. This response is conducive to blooms of particular bacterial species, adequate to survive in an inflammatory environment by means of genetical capability of utilizing alternative nutrients. Understanding the genomic and metabolic contribution of microbiota to inflammation, including virulence factor prevalence and functional potential, will contribute to identifying modifiable early life exposures and preventive strategies associated with obesity risk in childhood.
Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) intake on human serum lipid profile: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Dyslipidemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Effect of ginger supplementation on lipid profile in humans remains controversial particularly in diabetic patients. A systematic search was performed covering PubMed, Medline, and Scopus, Web of Science (ISI), and Google scholar from January 2010 to January 2022. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) study design, at least one of lipid profile components triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐C), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL‐C) measured before and after ginger consumption. For quantitative data synthesis, a random‐effects model was applied. Pooled data showed that ginger intake reduced TC (SMD −0.44; 95% CI: −0.86, −0.02; p = 0.025) and TG (SMD ‐0.61; 95% CI: −1.14, −0.08; p = 0.024) levels significantly, but it has no significant effect on improving HDL‐C (SMD 0.40; 95% CI: −0.01, 0.80; p = 0.057) and LDL‐C (SMD −0.34; 95% CI: −0.81, 0.13; p = 0.153). Ginger supplementation decreased TG in obese and diabetic subjects more efficiently. In terms of ginger dose, the result of meta‐regression found to be significant only for TC, so that increasing daily doses of ginger reduces TC levels by (β: −0.67; 95% CI: −1.28, −0.07; p = 0.028). Therefore, ginger could be considered as an effective lipid lowering nutraceuticals.
Development of a data platform for monitoring personal health records in Japan: The Sustaining Health by Integrating Next-generation Ecosystems (SHINE) Study

Background The Sustaining Health by Integrating Next-generation Ecosystems (SHINE) Study was developed as a data platform that incorporates personal health records (PHRs) into health-related data at the municipal level in Japan. This platform allows analyses of the associations between PHRs and future health statuses, and supports the production of evidence for developing preventive care interventions. Herein, we introduce the SHINE Study’s profile and describe its use in preliminary analyses. Methods The SHINE Study involves the collection of participants’ health measurements and their addition to various health-related data from the Longevity Improvement & Fair Evidence (LIFE) Study. With cooperation from municipal governments, measurements can be acquired from persons enrolled in government-led long-term care prevention classes and health checkups who consent to participate in the SHINE Study. For preliminary analyses, we collected salivary test measurements, lifelog measurements, and gait measurements; these were linked with the LIFE Study’s database. We analyzed the correlations between these measurements and the previous year’s health care expenditures. Results We successfully linked PHR data of 33 participants for salivary test measurements, 44 participants for lifelog measurements, and 32 participants for gait measurements. Only mean torso speed in the gait measurements was significantly correlated with health care expenditures (r = -0.387, P = 0.029). Conclusion The SHINE Study was developed as a data platform to collect and link PHRs with the LIFE Study’s database. The analyses undertaken with this platform are expected to contribute to the development of preventive care tools and promote health in Japan.
CircADSS contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development by regulating miR‐431‐5p/TOP2A

CircRNAs participated in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the regulation function of circRNA adenylosuccinate synthase (circADSS) on HCC development is not clear. RT‐qPCR and western blot were performed to detect RNA expression. Cell proliferation was analysed by CCK‐8 and EdU assay. Cell cycle distribution was analysed by flow cytometry assay. Cell migration and invasion were measured by transwell assay. Mechanism assays were employed to examine the interaction between miR‐431‐5p and circADSS, or TOP2A. Xenograft mouse model was constructed for in vivo assay. CircADSS and TOP2A expression were boosted, while miR‐431‐5p was limited in tumour tissues and cells. CircADSS silencing decreased HCC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, as well as EMT. MiR‐431‐5p inhibitors or ectopic TOP2A expression could restore the effect of circADSS knockdown on HCC progression. There was target relationship between miR‐431‐5p and circADSS, or TOP2A. Knockdown of circADSS suppressed tumour growth in vivo. CircADSS could regulate HCC cell malignancy by miR‐431‐5p/TOP2A axis.
Transition Models for Multivariate Longitudinal Binary Data

In many settings with longitudinal binary data, interest lies in modeling covariate effects on transition probabilities of an underlying stochastic process. When data from two or more processes are available, the scientific focus may be on the degree to which changes in one process are associated with changes in another process. Analysis based on independent Markov models permits separate examination of covariate effects on the transition probabilities for each process, but no insight into between-process associations is obtained. We propose a method of estimation and inference based on joint transitional models for multivariate longitudinal binary data using GEE2 or alternating logistic regression that allows modeling of covariate effects on marginal transition probabilities as well as the association parameters. Consistent estimates of regression coefficients and association parameters are obtained, and efficiency gains for the parameters governing the marginal transition probabilities are realized when the association between processes is strong. Extensions to deal with multivariate longitudinal categorical data are indicated.
Marine Fungi Select and Transport Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacterial Populations from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Sediments

The study provides advances for understanding fungal-bacterial relationships, particularly on the selection and dispersion of bacterial communities by fungi, which are crucial for the organization of microbial communities and their functioning in coastal PAH-contaminated sediments. The transportation of bacteria via fungal hyphae (fungal highway) results in bacterial selection; in particular, fungal hyphae offer adequate conditions for the transport of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria through hydrophobic patches for the colonization of novel niches. ABSTRACT The organization of microbial communities in marine sediment relies on complex biotic and abiotic interactions. Among them, the interaction between fungi and bacteria plays a crucial role building specific microbial assemblages, resulting in metabolic networks adapted to environmental conditions. The fungal-bacterial interaction (FBI) includes bacterial translocation via fungal mycelia, allowing bacterial dispersion, and ecological niche colonization. In order to demonstrate that the translocation of bacteria through fungal mycelia involves bacterial selection, the mycelia of two fungi isolated from marine coastal sediment, Alternaria destruens F10.81 and Fusarium pseudonygamai F5.76, showing different strategies for uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), homogenous internalization and vacuole forming respectively, were used to translocate bacteria through hydrophobic hydrocarbon contaminated sediments. A. destruens F10.81 selected four specific bacteria, while bacterial selection by F. pseudonygamai F5.76 was not evident. Among the bacteria selected by A. destruens F10.81, Spirochaeta litoralis, known as strictly anaerobic bacterium, was identified, indicating that A. destruens F10.81 selects and transports both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Such a result is consistent with the observed formation of anoxic micro-niches in areas surrounding and affected by fungal hyphae. Our findings provide new insights on the selection and dispersion of bacterial communities by fungi, which are crucial for the organization of microbial communities and their functioning in coastal PAH-contaminated sediments. IMPORTANCE The study provides advances for understanding fungal-bacterial relationships, particularly on the selection and dispersion of bacterial communities by fungi, which are crucial for the organization of microbial communities and their functioning in coastal PAH-contaminated sediments. The transportation of bacteria via fungal hyphae (fungal highway) results in bacterial selection; in particular, fungal hyphae offer adequate conditions for the transport of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria through hydrophobic patches for the colonization of novel niches.
Development of a Dynamic Nomogram for Predicting the Probability of Satisfactory Recovery after 6 Months for Cervical Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Cervical traumatic spinal cord injury (CTSCI) is a seriously disabling disease that severely affects the physical and mental health of patients and imposes a huge economic burden on patients and their families. Accurate identification of the prognosis of CTSCI patients helps clinicians to design individualized treatment plans for patients. For this purpose, a dynamic nomogram was developed to predict the recovery of CTSCI patients after 6 months.
Emotional, inflammatory, and genetic factors of resilience and vulnerability to depression in patients with premenopausal breast cancer: A longitudinal study protocol

Background Psychosocial stress and depressive disorder have been associated with cancer as putative contributors to worse prognosis. On the other hand, cancer diagnosis is a recognised life event that can contribute to distress and depressive states. Humoral and cellular inflammation can promote depressive disorder by means of decreased monoamine synthesis, glutamate neurotoxicity, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and glucocorticoid resistance. This protocol objectives are to observe the interactions between psychosocial variables and biochemical and immunological biomarkers in a longitudinal, prospective design; to identify inflammation-related depression endophenotypes in breast cancer patients and to understand if early diagnosed and treated depression in this population will translate in better inflammation status and better global prognosis. Methods Prospective observational cohort, composed by 100 consecutive premenopausal patients, diagnosed with non-distant metastatic breast carcinoma and with no history of major psychopathology or other organic illness. The participants will have an in-person assessment in three different moments, along illness treatment and follow-up, with respect to cytometric, immunologic, and psychosocial parameters and will be tested for depression vulnerability and resilience inflammation-related functional genetic polymorphisms. Additionally, at years 5 and 10 post enrollment, patients`medical records will be assessed. As a control cohort, all patients excluded due to psychiatric history or past psychiatric treatments will have their clinical records assessed at years 5 and 10 after admission. All the data will be managed with the SPSS® software. Discussion and conclusion This study is an original longitudinal cohort of breast cancer premenopausal patients, with a comprehensive approach to psychosocial, clinical, inflammatory, and genetic variables. It expects to provide evidence regarding the links between genetic, cytometric, immunologic, and psychosocial factors, their potential contribution to the pathophysiology of depressive disorder, breast cancer course, progression, and prognosis. It may further contribute with data to better efficacy of the psycho-oncological interventions. Trial registration National Commission of Data Protection (CNPD) 13413/2017; Ethics Committee of IPOP project code CI-IPOP81/2017.