Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual functions in children with craniopharyngioma at diagnosis: A systematic review

Childhood craniopharyngioma is a rare and slow growing brain tumour, often located in the sellar and suprasellar region. It commonly manifests with visual impairment, increased intracranial pressure and hypothalamic and/or pituitary deficiencies. Visual impairment in childhood adversely affects a child’s daily functioning and quality of life. We systematically reviewed the literature to provide an extensive overview of the visual function in children with craniopharyngioma at diagnosis in order to estimate the diversity, magnitude and relevance of the problem of visual impairment. Of the 543 potentially relevant articles, 84 studies met our inclusion criteria. Visual impairment at diagnosis was reported in 1041 of 2071 children (50.3%), decreased visual acuity was reported in 546 of 1321 children (41.3%) and visual field defects were reported in 426 of 1111 children (38.3%). Other ophthalmological findings described were fundoscopic (32.5%) and orthoptic abnormalities (12.5%). Variations in ophthalmological testing methods and ophthalmological definitions precluded a meta-analysis. The results of this review confirm the importance of ophthalmological examination in children with craniopharyngioma at diagnosis in order to detect visual impairment and provide adequate support. Future studies should focus on long-term visual follow-up of childhood craniopharyngioma in response to different treatment strategies to provide insight in risks and ways to prevent further loss of vision.
Ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells density in the retina of the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu)

In the present study, we investigated the topographical distribution of ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells in the retina of the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), a diurnal neotropical mammal of the suborder Suina (Order Artiodactyla) widely distributed across central and mainly South America. Retinas were prepared and processed following the Nissl staining method. The number and distribution of retinal ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells were determined in six flat-mounted retinas from three animals. The average density of ganglion cells was 351.822 ± 31.434 GC/mm2. The peccary shows a well-developed visual streak. The average peak density was 6,767 GC/mm2 and located within the visual range and displaced temporally as an area temporalis. Displaced amacrine cells have an average density of 300 DAC/mm2, but the density was not homogeneous along the retina, closer to the center of the retina the number of cells decreases and when approaching the periphery the density increases, in addition, amacrine cells do not form retinal specialization like ganglion cells. Outside the area temporalis, amacrine cells reach up to 80% in the ganglion cell layer. However, in the region of the area temporalis, the proportion of amacrine cells drops to 32%. Thus, three retinal specializations were found in peccary’s retina by ganglion cells: visual streak, area temporalis and dorsotemporal extension. The topography of the ganglion cells layer in the retina of the peccary resembles other species of Order Artiodactyla already described and is directly related to its evolutionary history and ecology of the species.
Hemoglobin point-of-care testing in rural Gambia: Comparing accuracy of HemoCue and Aptus with an automated hematology analyzer

Background Anemia is one of the most impactful nutrient deficiencies in the world and disproportionately affects children in low-resource settings. Point-of-care devices (PoCDs) measuring blood hemoglobin (Hb) are widely used in such settings to screen for anemia due to their low cost, speed, and convenience. Here we present the first iteration of Aptus, a new PoCD which measures Hb and hematocrit (HCT). Aim To evaluate the accuracy of Aptus and HemoCue® Hb 301 against an automated hematology analyzer (Medonic®) in Gambian children aged 6–35 months and the Aptus’ usage in the field. Methods Aptus, HemoCue® and Medonic® were compared using venous blood (n = 180), and Aptus and HemoCue® additionally using capillary blood (n = 506). Agreement was estimated using Bland-Altman analysis and Lin’s concordance. Usage was assessed by error occurrence and user experience. Results Mean Hb values in venous blood did not significantly differ between Aptus and HemoCue® (10.44±1.05 vs 10.56±0.93g/dl, p>0.05), but both measured higher Hb concentrations than Medonic® (9.75±0.99g/dl, p<0.0001). Lin’s coefficient between Aptus and Medonic® was rc = 0.548, between HemoCue® and Medonic® rc = 0.636. Mean bias between the PoCDs venous measurements was -0.11g/dl with limits of agreement (LoA) -1.63 and 1.40g/dl. The bias was larger for the comparisons between the Medonic® and both Aptus (0.69g/dl, LoA 0.92 and 2.31g/dl) and HemoCue® (0.81g/dl, LoA 0.17 and 1.78g/dl). ROC curves showed an AUC of 0.933 in HemoCue® and 0.799 in Aptus. Capillary Hb was higher with Aptus than HemoCue® (10.33±1.11g/dl vs 10.01±1.07g/dl, p<0.0001). Mean bias was 0.32g/dl with LoA of -1.91 and 2.54g/dl. Aptus‘ usage proved intuitive, yet time-to-results and cuvettes could be improved. Conclusion Both PoCDs showed a relatively limited bias but large LoA. Aptus and HemoCue® showed similar accuracy, while both overestimated Hb levels. Aptus showed promise, with its operation unimpaired by field conditions as well as being able to show HCT values.
The effect of Zizyphus Jujuba fruit lotion on improvement of nipple fissure pain in breastfeeding primipara women

Background: Pain and nipple fissure are the most common problems during the lactating period, which can lead to an early stop of breastfeeding. Zizyphus Jujuba fruit is one of the oldest medical species, which contains anesthetic and anti-inflammatory compounds. This study aimed to determine the effect of Zizyphus Jujuba fruit lotion on soothing nipple pain. Methods: This double-blind, clinical trial was performed on 100 primipara women with sore nipple in the gynecology clinic of Qaem Hospital of Kerman, Iran, in 2015. Â The participants were randomly divided into two groups of breast milk (n=50) and Zizyphus Jujuba fruit lotion (n=50). In one group, the breastfeeding women put 5 drops of their own milk on their nipples five times a day, and in the other group, the women put 0.5 ml of Zizyphus Jujuba fruit lotion on their nipples and areola five times a day after breastfeeding. The severity of pain was studied by using pain numerical scale before the intervention, on the third postpartum day, and after the intervention on the 7th and 14th postpartum days. To analyze the data, Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests were run, using SPSS version 22. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The severity of pain score between the two groups was not significantly different before the intervention. However, this amount indicated a significant difference between the two groups on the 7th and 14th days after the intervention (P=0.02, P=0.01, respectively). Conclusion: It seems that Zizyphus Jujuba fruit lotion can lower sore nipple pain faster than breast milk, but more studies are required on this issue.
Curcumin Regulates ERCC1 Expression and Enhances Oxaliplatin Sensitivity in Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells through Its Effects on miR-409-3p

Background Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) resistance is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of colorectal cancer. The resistance mechanism(s) of colorectal tumors to L-OHP may be related to the regulation of ERCC1 by cancer-expressed miRNAs, but no in-depth studies on the miRNAs that affect drug resistance have been performed. Curcumin (Cur) can reverse the drug resistance of cancer cells, but its effects on ERCC1 expression and miRNA profiles in colorectal cancer have not been studied. Methods To study the regulation effect of curcumin on ERCC1 expression and its effects on miRNAs, the L-OHP-resistant colorectal cancer cell line HCT116/L-OHP was established. MTT assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to investigate apoptotic induction. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis were used to evaluate the expression of drug-associated ERCC1, Bcl-2, GST-π, MRP, P-gp, and survivin. Results HCT116//L-OHP cell lines were successfully established. The combination of L-OHP and curcumin could reduce L-OHP resistance in vitro. In addition, combination therapy inhibited the expression of ERCC1, Bcl-2, GST-π, MRP, P-gp, and survivin at the mRNA and protein level. Curcumin was found to inhibit ERCC1 through its ability to modulate miR-409-3p. Conclusion Curcumin can overcome L-OHP resistance in colorectal cancer cells through its effects on miR-409-3p mediated ERCC1 expression.
Swim with the tide: Tactics to maximize prey detection by a specialist predator, the greater sea snake (Hydrophis major)

The fitness of a predator depends upon its ability to locate and capture prey; and thus, increasing dietary specialization should favor the evolution of species-specific foraging tactics tuned to taxon-specific habitats and cues. Within marine environments, prey detectability (e.g., via visual or chemical cues) is affected by environmental conditions (e.g., water clarity and tidal flow), such that specialist predators would be expected to synchronize their foraging activity with cyclic variation in such conditions. In the present study, we combined behavioral-ecology experiments on captive sea snakes and their prey (catfish) with acoustic tracking of free-ranging sea snakes, to explore the use of waterborne chemical cues in this predator-prey interaction. In coral-reef ecosystems of New Caledonia, the greater sea snake (Hydrophis major) feeds only upon striped eel catfish (Plotosus lineatus). Captive snakes became more active after exposure to waterborne chemical cues from catfish, whereas catfish did not avoid chemical cues from snakes. Movement patterns of tracked snakes showed that individuals were most active on a rapidly falling tide, which is the time when chemical cues from hidden catfish are likely to be most readily available to a foraging predator. By synchronizing foraging effort with the tidal cycle, greater sea snakes may be able to exploit the availability of chemical cues during a rapidly falling tide to maximize efficiency in locating and capturing prey.
L’encéphalopathie de Gayet Wernicke: aspects cliniques et anomalies radiologiques

L´encéphalopathie de Gayet Wernicke (EGW) est une urgence neurologique secondaire à une carence en thiamine (vitamine B1) le plus souvent secondaire à l´alcoolisme chronique. L´objectif de ce travail est de rappeler certaines situations cliniques évocatrices d´EGW autre que l´éthylisme et les différentes anomalies en IRM autour de 4 observations. L´âge moyen des patients était de 40 ans (2 femmes et 2 hommes). Le tableau neurologique comportait des troubles de la vigilance chez tous les patients, des troubles oculomoteurs dans 2 cas, et une ataxie cérébelleuse chez un seul patient. La notion de vomissements chroniques était notée dans 2 cas, un jeûne prolongé dans un cas et l´alcoolisme pour le dernier. L´IRM cérébrale avait révélé des anomalies évocatrices d´EGW chez tous les patients avec une prise de contraste pour un cas. Le déficit en thiamine était confirmé chez 2 patients. Dans notre contexte l´EGW semble être plus fréquente dans d´autres circonstances pathologiques autres que l´alcoolisme chronique (vomissements chroniques, dénutrition sévère, un jeûne pathologique, et chimiothérapie.). Le contexte clinique peut faire suspecter d´autres pathologies comme la thrombose veineuse cérébrale, l´accident vasculaire cérébral, ou un autre trouble métabolique mais l´IRM a permis de les écarter et de poser le diagnostic d´EGW. L´IRM cérébrale présente un intérêt primordial dans le diagnostic de l´EGW. L´absence ou le retard de la mise en route du traitement influence le pronostic.
Integrated Analysis of Hub Genes and miRNAs in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Purpose The aim of this study is to identify hub genes and miRNAs by the miRNA-mRNA interaction network in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) disease. Methods The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMis) and mRNAs (DEMs) were selected using data of DCM patients downloaded from the GEO database (GSE112556 and GSE3585). Gene Ontology (GO) pathway analysis and transcription factor enrichment analysis were used for selecting DEMis, and the target mRNAs of DEMis were filtered by using miRDB, miRTarBase, and TargetScan. Cytoscape software was used to visualize the network between miRNAs and mRNAs and calculate the hub genes. GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were used to analyze the mRNAs in the regulatory network. Results A total of 9 DEMis and 281 DEMs were selected, from which we reconstructed the miRNA-mRNA network consisting of 7 miRNAs and 51 mRNAs. The top 10 nodes, miR-144-3p, miR-363-3p, miR-9-3p, miR-21-3p, miR-144-5p, miR-338-3p, ID4 (inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation 4), miR-770-5p, PIK3R1 (p85α regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)), and FN1 (fibronectin 1), were identified as important regulators. Conclusions The study uncovered several important hub genes and miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of DCM, among which, the miR-144-3p/FN1 and miR-9-3p/FN1 pathways may play an important role in myocardial fibrosis, which can help identify the etiology of DCM, and provide potential therapeutic targets.
Mechanistic Insights into the Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Atherosclerosis

Dyslipidaemia has a prominent role in the onset of notorious atherosclerosis, a disease of medium to large arteries. Atherosclerosis is the prime root of cardiovascular events contributing to the most considerable number of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Factors like cellular senescence, genetics, clonal haematopoiesis, sedentary lifestyle-induced obesity, or diabetes mellitus upsurge the tendency of atherosclerosis and are foremost pioneers to definitive transience. Accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (Ox-LDLs) in the tunica intima triggers the onset of this disease. In the later period of progression, the build-up plaques rupture ensuing thrombosis (completely blocking the blood flow), causing myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart attack, all of which are common atherosclerotic cardiovascular events today. The underlying mechanism is very well elucidated in literature but the therapeutic measures remains to be unleashed. Researchers tussle to demonstrate a clear understanding of treating mechanisms. A century of research suggests that lowering LDL, statin-mediated treatment, HDL, and lipid-profile management should be of prime interest to retard atherosclerosis-induced deaths. We shall brief the Ox-LDL-induced atherogenic mechanism and the treating measures in line to impede the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
Comparative mitochondrial genomes of four species of Sinopodisma and phylogenetic implications (Orthoptera, Melanoplinae)

Abstract In this study, the whole mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from four species were sequenced. The complete mitochondrial genomes of Sinopodisma pieli, S. houshana, S. qinlingensis, and S. wulingshanensis are 15,857 bp, 15,818 bp, 15,843 bp, and 15,872 bp in size, respectively. The 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) begin with typical ATN codons, except for COXI in S. qinlingensis, which begins with ACC. The highest A+T content in all the sequenced orthopteran mitogenomes is 76.8% (S. qinlingensis), followed by 76.5% (S. wulingshanensis), 76.4% (S. pieli) and 76.4% (S. houshana) (measured on the major strand). The long polythymine stretches (T-stretch) in the A+T-rich region of the four species are not adjacent to the trnI locus but are inside the stem-loop sequences on the major strand. Moreover, several repeated elements are found in the A+T-rich region of the four species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 53 mitochondrial genomes using Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) revealed that Melanoplinae (Podismini) was a monophyletic group; however, the monophyly of Sinopodisma was not supported. These data will provide important information for a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationship of Melanoplinae.
Do Party Ties Increase Transfer Receipts in Cooperative Federalism? - Evidence from Germany

Cooperative fiscal federalism needs a multi-level consent to decide on the allocation of intergovernmental transfers. We study how parliamentary representation of municipalities on the federal level influences the allocation of federal transfers to municipal governments under this type of federalism. Using a regression discontinuity design in close electoral races, we find that a directly elected member of the federal parliament, who belongs to the party that leads the federal government, induces higher infrastructure transfers from the federal government to a local jurisdiction. However, our results show that this effect only unfolds, if the parliamentarian’s party is simultaneously leading the state government. Moreover, we identify party competition on the local level as motive behind the strategic use of federal funds. Thus, while supporting the swing voter hypothesis, our results suggest that federalism inherently entails restrictions for misusing intergovernmental transfers for political reasons.
Association Between DNA Damage Response, Fibrosis and Type I Interferon Signature in Systemic Sclerosis

Increased endogenous DNA damage and type I interferon pathway activation have been implicated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. Because experimental evidence suggests an interplay between DNA damage response/repair (DDR/R) and immune response, we hypothesized that deregulated DDR/R is associated with a type I interferon signature and/or fibrosis extent in SSc. DNA damage levels, oxidative stress, induction of abasic sites and the efficiency of DNA double-strand break repair (DSB/R) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from 37 SSc patients and 55 healthy controls; expression of DDR/R-associated genes and type I interferon–induced genes was also quantified. Endogenous DNA damage was significantly higher in untreated diffuse or limited SSc (Olive tail moment; 14.7 ± 7.0 and 9.5 ± 4.1, respectively) as well as in patients under cytotoxic treatment (15.0 ± 5.4) but not in very early onset SSc (5.6 ± 1.2) compared with controls (4.9 ± 2.6). Moreover, patients with pulmonary fibrosis had significantly higher DNA damage levels than those without (12.6 ± 5.8 vs. 8.8 ± 4.8, respectively). SSc patients displayed increased oxidative stress and abasic sites, defective DSB/R but not NER capacity, downregulation of genes involved in DSB/R (MRE11A, PRKDC) and base excision repair (PARP1, XRCC1), and upregulation of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, BBC3). Individual levels of DNA damage in SSc PBMCs correlated significantly with the corresponding mRNA expression of type I interferon–induced genes (IFIT1, IFI44 and MX1, r=0.419-0.490) as well as with corresponding skin involvement extent by modified Rodnan skin score (r=0.481). In conclusion, defective DDR/R may exert a fuel-on-fire effect on type I interferon pathway activation and contribute to tissue fibrosis in SSc.
Persistent collapse of biomass in Amazonian forest edges following deforestation leads to unaccounted carbon losses

Amazonia lost 947 million tons of carbon induced by forest edge effect between 2001 and 2015, about 30% of deforestation losses. Deforestation is the primary driver of carbon losses in tropical forests, but it does not operate alone. Forest fragmentation, a resulting feature of the deforestation process, promotes indirect carbon losses induced by edge effect. This process is not implicitly considered by policies for reducing carbon emissions in the tropics. Here, we used a remote sensing approach to estimate carbon losses driven by edge effect in Amazonia over the 2001 to 2015 period. We found that carbon losses associated with edge effect (947 Tg C) corresponded to one-third of losses from deforestation (2592 Tg C). Despite a notable negative trend of 7 Tg C year−1 in carbon losses from deforestation, the carbon losses from edge effect remained unchanged, with an average of 63 ± 8 Tg C year−1. Carbon losses caused by edge effect is thus an additional unquantified flux that can counteract carbon emissions avoided by reducing deforestation, compromising the Paris Agreement’s bold targets.
Compression and reconstruction of extremely-high resolution holograms based on hologram-lightfield transforms

Holography is often considered as the most promising 3D visualization technique, creating virtual images indistinguishable from the real ones. However, one the main barrier to the adoption of holographic displays in wide 3D viewing systems is the very large amount of information contained in a hologram. Indeed, a hologram with a large size and wide viewing angle contains terabytes of data, urging the need for holographic data coding algorithms. In this paper, we propose a data coding algorithm suitable to the compression of holograms containing several billions of pixels. In our proposed approach, each holographic frame is subdivided into pixel blocks which are 2D Fourier transformed. The pixels thus obtained are rearranged to form new complex-valued segments whose amplitudes have characteristics close to orthographic projection images. These segments are ordered in sequence and their real and imaginary parts are encoded using the High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) Main 4:4:4 coding profile with 4:0:0 chroma sampling.
Warning Visitors about the Potential Dangers of Dingoes on Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia

Situations where potentially dangerous animals are habituated to park visitors occur around the world. Interpretation may reduce the risk to visitors in these areas by forewarning them of the dangers of these animals. When interpretation is used in these situations, the message must be disseminated, understood, and acted on by all visitors if it is to be successful. “Be Dingo-Smart” is an interpretive program that warns visitors about the dangers of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) on Fraser Island (Australia). Our survey of campers to the Island found that different demographic groups of visitors paid attention to, read, or deliberately ignored the different types of media used in the program. When the media was read it increased people's knowledge about dingoes on Fraser Island. This finding suggests that interpreters need to use a range of media targeted to specific groups to overcome the differences in motivations and preferences of visitors when attempting to disseminate essential messages. Additionally when a range of media and messages are used, interpretation needs to be part of an integrated visitor management strategy.
RegLine: Assisting Novices in Refining Linear Regression Models

The process of verifying linear model assumptions and remedying associated violations is complex, even when dealing with simple linear regression. This process is not well supported by current tools and remains time-consuming, tedious, and error-prone. We present RegLine, a visual analytics tool supporting the iterative process of assumption verification and violation remedy for simple linear regression models. To identify the best possible model, RegLine helps novices perform data transformations, deal with extreme data points, analyze residuals, validate models by their assumptions, and compare and relate models visually. A qualitative user study indicates that these features of RegLine support the exploratory and refinement process of model building, even for those with little statistical expertise. These findings may guide visualization designs on how interactive visualizations can facilitate refining and validating more complex models.