Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Ferruginol Analogues in Sk-MEL28 Human Melanoma Cells

Ferruginol is a promising abietane-type antitumor diterpene able to induce apoptosis in SK-Mel-28 human malignant melanoma. We aim to increase this activity by testing the effect of a small library of ferruginol analogues. After a screening of their antiproliferative activity (SRB staining, 48 h) on SK-Mel-28 cells the analogue 18-aminoferruginol (GI50 ≈ 10 µM) was further selected for mechanistic studies including induction of apoptosis (DAPI staining, p < 0.001), changes in cell morphology associated with the treatment (cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing), induction of caspase-3/7 activity (2.5 at 48 h, 6.5 at 72 h; p < 0.0001), changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (not significant) and in vitro effects on cell migration and cell invasion (Transwell assays, not significant). The results were compared to those of the parent molecule (ferruginol, GI50 ≈ 50 µM, depolarisation of mitochondrial membrane p < 0.01 at 72 h; no caspases 3/7 activation) and paclitaxel (GI50 ≈ 10 nM; caspases 3/7 activation p < 0.0001) as a reference drug. Computational studies of the antiproliferative activity of 18-aminoferruginol show a consistent improvement in the activity over ferruginol across a vast majority of cancer cells in the NCI60 panel. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that the derivatisation of ferruginol into 18-aminoferruginol increases its antiproliferative activity five times in SK-MEL-28 cells and changes the apoptotic mechanism of its parent molecule, ferruginol.
Small-scale moisture availability increase during the 8.2-ka climatic event inferred from biotic proxy records in the South Carpathians (SE Romania)

In this paper, we present high-resolution early Holocene pollen, plant macrofossil, charcoal, diatom, biogenic silica, and loss-on-ignition records from a mountain lake in the South Carpathians in order to reveal ecosystem response to the 8.2-ka climatic oscillation. We found significant changes both in terrestrial vegetation and lake diatom assemblages in the northern slope of the Retezat Mts between c. 8300 and 8000 cal. yr BP. Rapid changes in relative frequencies and pollen accumulation rates of the major deciduous pollen types associated with peaks in microcharcoal accumulation rates suggested that vegetation disturbance mainly took place in the mixed-deciduous forest zone, where woodland fires partially destroyed the populations of Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus, and Corylus avellana and facilitated the establishment of Carpinus betulus in the forest openings. The diatom record furthermore showed the spread of a planktonic diatom species, Aulacoseira valida, at 8150 cal. yr BP, coincidently with a short-lived expansion of C. betulus. Since diatom blooms mainly occur in spring in the Retezat Mts, increased spring water depth and increased water turbulence were inferred from these data. The expansion of C. betulus against F. excelsior and C. avellana at the same time suggested a modest increase in available moisture during the growing season. Taken together, these data imply that during the 8.2-ka event, winter and spring season available moisture increased, while summers were characterized by alternating moist/cool and dry/warm conditions.
Single Tree Segmentation Using Airborne Laser Scanner Data in a Structurally Heterogeneous Spruce Forest

In this study, we present a new method for single tree segmentation and characterization from a canopy surface model (CSM), and its corresponding point cloud, based on airborne laser scanning. The method comprises new algorithms for controlling the shape of crown segments, and for residual adjustment of the canopy surface model (CSM). We present a new criterion that measures the success of locating trees, and demonstrate how this criterion can be used for optimizing the degree of CSM smoothing. From the adjusted CSM segments, we derived tree height and crown diameter, and based on all first laser pulse measurements within the segments we derived crown-base height. The method was applied and validated in a Norway spruce dominated forest reserve having a heterogeneous structure. The number of trees automatically detected varied with social status of the trees, from 93 percent of the dominant trees to 19 percent of the suppressed trees. The RMSE values for tree height, crown diameter, and crown-base height were around 1.2 m, 1.1 m, and 3.5 m, respectively. The method overestimated crown diameter (0.8 m) and crown base height (3.0 m).
Procedimiento para obtener curvas i-d-tr a partir de registros pluviometricos

En este trabajo se sugiere un procedimiento para estimar las curvas Intensidad-Duracion-Periodo de Retorno(I-D-Tr) a partir de registros pluviometricos. Tal propuesta se apoya en el analisis de los resultados obtenidos en 33 estaciones pluviograficas de la Republica Mexicana, en relacion con el cociente lluvia-duracion.
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Occurring in an Adult Presenting with Chronic Lymphedema: A Case Study and Literature Review

Patient: Male, 42-year-old Final Diagnosis: Dermatofibrosarcoma protruberans Symptoms: Chronic lymphedema • inguinal mass Clinical Procedure: Resection of inguinal nodes • wide local excision Specialty: Dermatology Objective: Rare coexistence of disease or pathology Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare soft-tissue tumor typically located in the trunk. We report a unique case of DFSP in the right inguinal region of an adult presenting with chronic lymphedema. Only 1 case of DFSP and chronic lymphedema association has been previously reported in the literature. Since we could not provide adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), we conducted an extensive review of its application in similar cases, exploring various surgical treatments. Case Report: A 42-year-old Cameroonian man with unexplained chronic lymphedema presented with a tumor in the inguinal region of the affected limb. The patient underwent wide local excision (WLE) of the mass, including regional lymph node dissection. Pathological exam confirmed DFSP with a fibrosarcomatous component. Adjuvant RT was considered but not pursued due to the patient;s non-compliance. Conclusions: This DFSP is reported for its rarity of site and the unique co-occurrence with chronic lymphedema. Considering both conditions are uncommon and the rarity of site of the DFSP, we assume that in this patient, chronic lymphedema was a contributing factor of occurrence of the DFSP. Remarkably, no prior reports have detailed an association between chronic lymphedema and DFSP onset. For that reason, we want to point out the value of better follow-up of chronic lymphedema and better knowledge of DFSP treatment options to improve patient healthcare and limit DFSP recurrence. In addition, we found adjuvant RT is an interesting treatment option that might be considered in all patients undergoing surgical excision, even in cases where negative surgical margins were achieved.
RESEARCH ON DAMAGE MODEL OF SINGLE JOINTED ROCK MASSES UNDER COUPLING ACTION OF FREEZE-THAW AND LOADING

For rock masses under freeze-thaw and loading in engineering structures in cold regions,using rock-like materials produced rock specimens with different geometric characteristics,based on the freeze-thaw experiments and uniaxial compression test,the influence of crack dip angle and crack length on the rock masses strength were studied;and combining mesoscopic damage theory and macroscopic statistical damage model,the damage model of freeze-thaw and loading rock masses were established;at the same time,damage degradation mechanism of jointed rock masses under the coupling action of freeze-thaw and loading were discussed. The research results show that:(1) The freeze-thaw damage is a process of fatigue damage;and loading damage is an uneven distribution process of stress field and deformation. (2) Freeze-thaw and loading with different mechanisms promote rock crack initiation and propagation;hence induced damages couple with each other,the coupling of the two will make the total damage deterioration. (3) Crack length and freeze-thaw cycles on total damage is larger;the influence of crack dip angle on the total damage is relatively small. (4) under the same cycles of freeze-thaw,damage degradation of cracking rocks is more serious than the intact samples.
Optimization of Animal Detection in Thermal Images Using YOLO Architecture

—The article presents research on animal detection in thermal images using the YOLOv5 architecture. The goal of the study was to obtain a model with high performance in detecting animals in this type of images, and to see how changes in hyperpa-rameters affect learning curves and final results. This manifested itself in testing different values of learning rate, momentum and optimizer types in relation to the model’s learning performance. Two methods of tuning hyperparameters were used in the study: grid search and evolutionary algorithms. The model was trained and tested on an in-house dataset containing images with deer and wild boars. After the experiments, the trained architecture achieved the highest score for Mean Average Precision (mAP) of 83%. These results are promising and indicate that the YOLO model can be used for automatic animal detection in various applications, such as wildlife monitoring, environmental protection or security systems.
Intelligent IoT Anklets for Monitoring the Assessment of Parkinson’s Diseases

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the fastest-growing neurological diseases in the world, characterized by impaired speech and walking abilities in patients. Currently, doctors usually assess the severity of PD based on these indicators. However, these methods have problems such as vague diagnostic criteria, low quantification, and poor accuracy. Therefore, how quantifying and assessing PD and its severity level by accurately and timely measuring the gait characteristics of patients is a great challenge. This article aims to develop a portable wearable smart anklet that can identify and grade PD patients by quantitatively measuring their gait characteristics. The method of this article mainly includes three aspects: first, an Internet of Things anklet ( $19\times 26\times6$ mm) is designed and manufactured to measure the three-axis acceleration and three-axis angular velocity at the patient’s ankle; second, the gait data of 40 PD patients (ten-grade one patient, 16-grade two patients, and 14-grade three patients) are collected and 150 gait features are extracted; finally, feature engineering and optimized K-nearest neighbor (KNN) multifeature classification algorithm are used to detect and accurately classify the abnormal gait patterns of PD patients. The results of this article show that the method can effectively quantify the degree of illness of the patient’s gait in nine parameters and achieve a classification accuracy of 96.5%, significantly better than other existing methods based on gait measurement. This novel, convenient, and efficient PD diagnosis auxiliary tool will provide strong support for the formulation of personalized treatment plans for PD patients.
Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Older Adults

Simple Summary In this review article, we describe the landscape of available treatments for older and medically unfit patients with AML. We review the historical practice of AML treatment in older adults before discussing the current standard of care therapies and future therapeutic options. We highlight some of the challenges facing the care of older adults with AML including underrepresentation in clinical trials and shed light on the importance of evaluating clinical outcomes that are relevant to our patients and their values. Abstract Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy predominantly affecting older adults. Despite the advancements in new therapies for AML, older and medically unfit patients continue to suffer from poor outcomes due to disease-related factors such as the mutational profile and patient-related factors such as comorbidities and performance status. In this review, we discuss a spectrum of therapeutic options for older patients with AML starting with a historical perspective and ending with therapies being investigated in clinical trials. We review the standard of care treatment options including combination venetoclax and hypomethylating agents, in addition to targeted therapies such as FLT3 and IDH inhibitors. Lastly, we shed light on challenges facing the care of older adults and their representation in clinical trials.
A Machine Learning-Based Virtual Screening for Natural Compounds Potential on Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by neural cell death, characterized by the overexpression of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and extracellular deposition of amyloid plaques. Currently, most of the FDA-approved AChE-targeting drugs can only relieve AD symptoms. There is no proven treatment capable to stop AD progression. Many natural products are isolated from several sources and analyzed through preclinical and clinical trials for their neuroprotective effects in preventing and treating AD. Therefore, this study aims to explore and determine potential candidates from natural bioactive compounds and their derivatives for AD treatment targeting AChE. In this study, feature extraction was carried out on 1730 compounds from six plants resulting from literature studies with limitations on international journals with a minimum publication year of 2018 and database searches, then classified using machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Hit compounds predicted to be active and inactive in the selected model were then processed through ensemble modelling. From 1730 compounds, there are 986 predicted active compounds and 370 predicted inactive compounds in the LR and RF ensemble modelling. Quercetin, Kaempferol, Luteolin, Limonene, γ-Terpinene, Nerolidol, and Linalool predicted active found overlapping in two to three plants in both LR and RF models.
Carbohydrate dynamics in kiwifruit

SummaryRates of fruit growth, on-vine changes in the soluble and insoluble carbohydrate pools, and subsequent changes during storage were examined on kiwifruit from vines having moderate to very high crop loads (20–50 fruit m−2). In accord with previous studies, vines carrying the highest loads exhibited a 18% decrease in mean fruit weight and a two-fold increase in total yield compared with those having the lowest crop loads. Rates of dry-matter accumulation in the fruit varied in proportion to total yield and remained constant over the entire season – a result that deserves further investigation. Effects of crop loading on the carbohydrate composition of fruit were small and after reviewing the available literature we conclude that the primary determinants of fruit composition are genetic and climatic. Relationships between the various fruit quality variables were used to develop a predictive model of soluble solids concentration of fruit at eating ripeness from harvest measurements of fruit density (we.
Yeast Hydrolysate Inhibits Lipid Accumulation via Regulation of Lipid Accumulation-Related Genes in a Drosophila Model of High-Sugar Diet-Induced Obesity

The increasing frequency of processed food consumption has led to the higher ingestion of sugar, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity. Yeast hydrolysates (YHs) inhibit body fat accumulation. However, the action mechanism of YH in relation to high-sugar diet-induced obesity is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the biological effects of YH on lipid accumulation and verify behavioral changes and carbohydrate metabolic gene regulation in high-sugar diet-fed fruit flies. Adult male flies (Drosophila melanogaster; 2–5 days old) were exposed to 20% sucrose for obesity induction. In high-sugar-fed Drosophila, the effect of YH was compared with that of yeast extract. The effects of YH on body conditions and lipid droplet size were quantified and analyzed. Behavioral factors were evaluated by analyzing circadian rhythm patterns and neurotransmitter content, and a molecular approach was used to analyze the expression of metabolism-related genes. Dietary supplementation with YH did not reduce total sugar content, but significantly decreased the triglyceride (TG) levels in Drosophila. A behavioral analysis showed that the total number of night-time activities increased significantly with YH treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, YH effectively regulated the gene expression of insulin-like peptides related to carbohydrate metabolism as well as genes related to lipogenesis. The TG content was significantly reduced at a YH concentration of 0.5%, confirming that the active compound in YH effectively suppresses fat accumulation. These findings support that YH is a potential anti-obesity food material via regulating carbohydrate metabolism in Drosophila.
Climate‐controlled aggradation and cyclicity of continental loessic siliciclastic sediments in Asselian–Sakmarian cyclothems, Permian, Hugoton embayment, USA

Siliciclastic intervals in Lower Permian carbonate–siliciclastic cyclothems in western Kansas record climate control on facies progression, deposition and preservation. The 26 000 km2 study area comprises seven marine‐continental (carbonate–siliciclastic) cyclothems caused by glacioeustasy. Core data and a three‐dimensional geological model provide a detailed view of the sub‐surface on a gently sloping ramp. Siliciclastic intervals in the cyclothems are fine‐grained red beds with extensive pedogenic features, indicating a continental origin. Bed geometry (sheet‐like deposits that thin to the east), lateral grading, grain size (very fine‐grained sand to silt) and grain angularity (sub‐angular to angular) suggest that the sediment is loess sourced from the west, probably the Ancestral Rocky Mountains. There is a repeated record of glacial‐cycle‐scale, climate‐controlled cyclicity within siliciclastic intervals that has not been recognized previously. Aeolian silt grain size coarsens upward towards the middle, then fines upward in each siliciclastic interval. When sea‐level was high (interglacial) and carbonate production flourished, aeolian sedimentation nearly ceased, suggesting increased vegetation and rainfall at the source. As sea‐level fell, fine‐grained siliciclastic sediments were deposited under relatively dry, but seasonally wet conditions on an exposed ramp. Laterally graded coarser grained siliciclastic sediments with diagnostic fabrics indicate drier conditions with seasonal rainfall during a continued relative fall in sea‐level. The coarsest siliciclastic sediments were deposited during the lowest sea‐level and driest conditions, but still with sufficient seasonal moisture to allow vegetative cover and bioturbation. Subsequent upward fining is correlated with sedimentological indications of wetter conditions during relative sea‐level rise. Unlike common sequence stratigraphic models that relate siliciclastic sediment accumulation to base‐level rise, continental deposits were preserved because plants and pedogenesis stabilized aeolian sediment. The aggradational landscape formed by this process had several metres of positive relief that reduced accommodation for overlying marine carbonate strata. Thus, this mechanism for continental siliciclastic aggradation has a significant effect on sequence stratigraphic architecture.
THECAMOEBIANS (TESTATE AMOEBAE) AS PROXIES OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND RECLAMATION SUCCESS IN CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS IN THE OIL SANDS OF ALBERTA, CANADA

Thecamoebian (testate amoebae) assemblages in samples collected in August 2007 and June 2008 from Suncor Energy Inc. Constructed Wetlands Test Facility, Fort McMurray, Alberta were found to respond to varying levels of oil sands process-affected water/materials (OSPW/OSPM). Oil sands process affected material is characterized by elevated conductivity and naphthenic acid concentrations, and a strong relationship was found between thecamoebian assemblages and both of these impact-indicator constituents (r 2 =0.707 and r 2 =0.743, respectively). Wetlands highly impacted by OSPM contained low-diversity assemblages dominated by centropyxid thecamoebians (Centropyxis aculeataandC. constricta) andArcella vulgaris. Less-impacted sites, in contrast, had higher relative abundance and more-diverse assemblages dominated by difflugiid thecamoebians, primarilyDifflugia oblonga,D. urceolata, andCucurbitella tricuspis. Thecamoebian assemblages responded quickly to a deliberate reduction in the rate of OSPW input to some sample sites between 2007 and 2008, with increases in species diversity and relative abundance of difflugiids. At sites with little annual change in water quality, the thecamoebian assemblages were comparable, indicating reproducibility of thecamoebians as a contamination proxy. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed the strong controls of Na/(Ca+Mg), Na/SO 4 , naphthenic acids, Na, alkalinity, and conductivity on the thecamoebian communities, although many of these are intercorrelated. Rmode cluster analysis emphasized the interannual similarity of the thecamoebian faunas at the same sites and the community changes at sites where the OSPW character changed. Q-mode cluster analysis showed that four main thecamoebian strains and species (Centropyxis constricta ‘‘aerophila’’,Centropyxis aculeata‘‘discoides’’,Cucurbitella tricuspis, Difflugia oblonga‘‘glans’’) significantly influence assemblage composition. The study suggests that thecamoebians are useful environmental proxies capable of gauging the impact of oil sands materials in reclaimed areas and have the potential to monitor the progression of aquatic reclamation initiatives. They also appear to be useful in gauging the success of various reclamation mitigation options, such as fertilization. The addition of nutrients resulted in higher species diversity and greater relative abundance of difflugiid thecamoebians than at a parallel site that had not been fertilized, suggesting a faster improvement in aquatic ecosystem health with nutrient loading. The rapid generation time of these protists, together with their apparent sensitivity to OSPM, make thecamoebians useful biomonitors of the progression of aquatic reclamation in oil sands operations.
Identification of Crocetin as a Dual Agonist of GPR40 and GPR120 Responsible for the Antidiabetic Effect of Saffron

Crocin, a glycoside of crocetin, has been known as the principal component responsible for saffron’s antidiabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Crocetin, originating from the hydrolytic cleavage of crocin in biological systems, was subjected to ligand-based virtual screening in this investigation. Subsequent biochemical analysis unveiled crocetin, not crocin, as a novel dual GPR40 and GPR120 agonist, demonstrating a marked preference for GPR40 and GPR120 over peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)γ. This compound notably enhanced insulin and GLP-1 secretion from pancreatic β-cells and intestinal neuroendocrine cells, respectively, presenting a dual mechanism of action in glucose-lowering effects. Docking simulations showed that crocetin emulates the binding characteristics of natural ligands through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, whereas crocin’s hindered fit within the binding pocket is attributed to steric constraints. Collectively, for the first time, this study unveils crocetin as the true active component of saffron, functioning as a GPR40/120 agonist with potential implications in antidiabetic interventions.