Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene signatures with predictive and prognostic survival values in human osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a common malignancy seen mainly in children and adolescents. The disease is characterized by poor overall prognosis and lower survival due to a lack of predictive markers. Many gene signatures with diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values were evaluated to achieve better clinical outcomes. Two public data series, GSE21257 and UCSC Xena, were used to identify the minimum number of robust genes needed for a predictive signature to guide prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The lasso regression algorithm was used to analyze sequencing data from TCGA-TARGET, and methods such as Cox regression analysis, risk factor scoring, receiving operating curve, KMplot prognosis analysis, and nomogram were used to characterize the prognostic predictive power of the identified genes. Their utility was assessed using the GEO osteosarcoma dataset. Finally, the functional enrichment analysis of the identified genes was performed. A total of twenty-gene signatures were found to have a good prognostic value for predicting patient survival. Gene ontology analysis showed that the key genes related to osteosarcoma were categorized as peptide–antigen binding, clathrin-coated endocytic vesicle membrane, peptide binding, and MHC class II protein complex. The osteosarcoma related genes in these modules were significantly enriched in the processes of antigen processing and presentation, phagocytosis, cell adhesion molecules, Staphylococcus aureus infection. Twenty gene signatures were identified related to osteosarcoma, which would be helpful for predicting prognosis of patients with OS. Further, these signatures can be used to determine the subtypes of osteosarcoma.
Rediscovery of Pogostemon dielsianus (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae), a rare endemic species from southwestern China, after one century

Abstract Pogostemon dielsianus (Lamiaceae) was described in 1913 based on a single gathering from northwestern Yunnan of China collected in 1905, and thereafter no further collections were observed until 2019. We rediscovered the rare endemic species in Lushui County, Yunnan. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on four cpDNA markers (rbcL, rps16, psbA-trnH, and trnL-trnF) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region confirmed its infrageneric placement within subg. Pogostemon. Based on observations of the rediscovered population of P. dielsianus, we updated its morphological description, provided an illustration, and discussed its distribution. Under IUCN criteria, the species was categorized as “Critically Endangered (CR)”.
Isomers and carbon-13 hyperfine structures of metal-encapsulated fullerenes M@C82 (M = Sc, Y, and La)

The formation of two isomers of C 82 with a metal inside, M@C 82 (M=Sc, Y, and La) was first identified by ESR spectroscopy. The production ratio of two isomers found for M@C 82 suggests that the cage structure of the isomers of M@C 82 is closely associated with those of the empty C 82 . However, contrary to the existence of four or more distinct isomers of empty C 82 , the observation of only two metallofullerene isomers strongly suggests that a metal is selectively encapsulated in the C 82 cages with particular structures
Normative and Equated Data of the Original and Basic Versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment among Community Dwelling Saudi Arabians

Introduction Currently, there are standard and basic versions of the MoCA, the latter designed for those with lower educational achievements. Community-based normative data on these versions of the MoCA from Arabic populations are deficient, and there is little data demonstrating how both scales perform in comparison. We aim to obtain normative performances from both versions and equate the measures of both scales. Methods Community-based recruitment of healthy volunteers ≥ 18 years of age. Participants underwent testing with both versions. Demographic data was collected with regard to age, gender, years of education, diabetes, and hypertension. Regression analysis was performed to determine significance of variables, and the circle-arc equating method was used to equate the two scores from each scale. Results 311 participants were included in the study. The mean (sd) age was 45.8 (15.96), females were 184 (59.16%), and the duration of education was 12.7 (5.67) years. The mean scores on the MoCA-A and MoCA-B were 21.47 (4.53) and 24.37 (4.71) (P < 0.0001), respectively. Multivariate regression showed significance of age and years of education in both versions (both variables with P < 0.0001). Correlation coefficient between the two scales was 0.77 (P < 0.0001). The largest equated difference between both MoCA versions was four points in those scoring from 10-20 on the MoCA-A. Conclusion We present normative data from a large Saudi Arabian community-based sample with two different MoCA tests, and an equating graph is presented to determine the corresponding expected performance between the two scales.
Pharmacological Neuroenhancement: Current Aspects of Categorization, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Drug Development, Ethics, and Future Perspectives

Recent pharmacoepidemiologic studies suggest that pharmacological neuroenhancement (pNE) and mood enhancement are globally expanding phenomena with distinctly different regional characteristics. Sociocultural and regulatory aspects, as well as health policies, play a central role in addition to medical care and prescription practices. The users mainly display self-involved motivations related to cognitive enhancement, emotional stability, and adaptivity. Natural stimulants, as well as drugs, represent substance abuse groups. The latter comprise purines, methylxanthines, phenylethylamines, modafinil, nootropics, antidepressants but also benzodiazepines, β-adrenoceptor antagonists, and cannabis. Predominant pharmacodynamic target structures of these substances are the noradrenergic/dopaminergic and cholinergic receptor/transporter systems. Further targets comprise adenosine, serotonin, and glutamate receptors. Meta-analyses of randomized-controlled studies in healthy individuals show no or very limited verifiability of positive effects of pNE on attention, vigilance, learning, and memory. Only some members of the substance abuse groups, i.e., phenylethylamines and modafinil, display positive effects on attention and vigilance that are comparable to caffeinated drinks. However, the development of new antidementia drugs will increase the availability and the potential abuse of pNE. Social education, restrictive regulatory measures, and consistent medical prescription practices are essential to restrict the phenomenon of neuroenhancement with its social, medical, and ethical implications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the highly dynamic field of pharmacological neuroenhancement and elaborates the dramatic challenges for the medical, sociocultural, and ethical fundaments of society.
Research on the measurement of intracranial hemorrhage in rabbits by a parallel-plate capacitor

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) carrying extremely high morbidity and mortality can only be detected by CT, MRI and other large equipment, which do not meet the requirements for bedside continuous monitoring and pre-hospital first aid. Since the biological tissues have different dielectric properties except the pure resistances, and the permittivity of blood is far larger than that of other brain tissues, here a new method was used to detect events of change at the blood/tissue volume ratio by measuring of the head permittivity. In this paper, we use a self-made parallel plate capacitor to detect the intracranial hemorrhage in rabbits by contactless capacitance measurement. The sensitivity of the parallel-plate capacitor was also evaluated by the physical solution measurement. The results of physical experiments show that the capacitor can distinguish between three solutions with different permittivity, and the capacitance increased with the increase of one solution between two plates. At the next step in the animal experiment, the capacitance changes caused by 2 ml blood injection into the rabbit brain were measured. The results of animal experiments show that the capacitance was almost unchanged before and after the blood injection, but increased with the increase of the blood injection volume. The increase of capacitance caused by blood injection was much larger than that before and after blood injection (P < 0.01). The experiments show that this method is feasible for the detection of intracranial hemorrhage in a non-invasive and contactless manner.
Isotopic Labeling of Soil Nitrate Pools Using Nitrogen‐15‐Nitric Oxide Gas

In N cycling studies, soil NO 3 - pools are typically labeled by adding solutions containing 15 NO 3 - . The associated increase in moisture may perturb the system and preclude measurement of N-cycle processes in relatively dry soils. This study examined the feasibility of using 15 N-NO gas to label soil NO 3 - pools without addition of water. Soil samples (ashed, oven dry, or with soil water potentials ranging from - 3.7 to - 0.2 kJ kg -1 [1 MPa = 1 kJ kg -1 ]) were exposed to various quantities of NO gas (0-600 mg NO-N kg -1 soil). Maximum recovery of NO-N in soil NO 2 - and NO 3 - pools occurred after 90% in ashed soil. Relative increases in either NO 2 - or NO 3 - depended on the initial NO concentration and the soil treatment. In general, higher soil moisture resulted in higher NO 2 - /NO 3 - ratios. Within 20 h of addition of 15 NO, almost all of the NO 2 - was converted to NO 3 - ; however, a small amount was also converted to NH 4 + and organic N. These results demonstrate that 15 NO can be used to label soil NO 3 - pools without addition of water. Depending on the objectives of the study, however, it may be necessary to monitor the enrichment of a variety of other soil N pools as well.
miRNA-Dependent CD4+ T Cell Differentiation in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by multifocal lesions, chronic inflammatory condition, and degenerative processes within the central nervous system (CNS) leading to demyelination. The most important cells involved in its pathogenesis are those which are CD4+, particularly proinflammatory Th1/Th17 and regulatory Treg. Signal cascades associated with CD4+ differentiation are regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs): short, single-stranded RNAs, responsible for negative regulation of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Several miRNAs have been consistently reported as showing dysregulated expression in MS, and their expression patterns may be elevated or decreased, depending on the function of specific miRNA in the immune system. Studies in MS patients indicate that, among others, miR-141, miR-200a, miR-155, miR-223, and miR-326 are upregulated, while miR-15b, miR-20b, miR-26a, and miR-30a are downregulated. Dysregulation of these miRNAs may contribute to the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory processes, since their targets are associated with the regulation of Th1/Th17 and Treg cell differentiation. Highly expressed miRNAs can in turn suppress translation of key Th1/Th17 differentiation inhibitors. miRNA dysregulation may result from the impact of various factors at each stage of their biogenesis. Immature miRNA undergoes multistage transcriptional and posttranscriptional modifications; therefore, any protein involved in the processing of miRNAs can potentially lead to disturbances in their expression. Epigenetic modifications that have a direct impact on miRNA gene transcription may also play an important role.
Adaptive Feedback Control of Combustion Instability in Annular Combustors

An adaptive feedback control strategy for axisymmetric annular combustors is developed. The controller uses the pressure perturbation at a fixed axial location downstream of the flame—provided by multiple pressure measurements around the combustor circumference—as the control input. Control is achieved via modulation of the fuel flow rate at multiple fuel valve locations. The controller is implemented in a computational low-order thermoacoustic network model of an annular combustor. Time domain simulations show that the controller stabilizes both longitudinal and circumferential unstable modes (including the simultaneous control of multiple unstable modes), even from within the limit cycle. By changing the flame transfer function with time, it is shown that control is retained following a large change in the combustor operating conditions.
pH-responsive colloidosomes and their use for controlling release

In the past eight years, several examples of colloidosome microcapsules have been developed. Such microcapsules systems are offering alternative options for the encapsulation and release of active ingredients on the basis of the size exclusion properties of their colloidal membranes. Here, we use latex particles sterically stabilised with a responsive polymer as the building blocks for the colloidosome microcapsule membranes and demonstrate that the designed microcapsules can be used as a pH-responsive system to control the release of water-soluble species on the basis of size exclusion. For their manufacture, an oil-in-water emulsion is prepared using the latex particles to stabilise the emulsion. The latex particles are reacted in situ, using an oil-soluble cross-linker, to permanently link the steric polymers on adjacent particles, thus producing a robust capsule shell. The oil core is subsequently removed from the encapsulated emulsion droplets using a solvent exchange mechanism to give water-containing microcapsules suspended in water. As the oil is removed, the microcapsules initially collapse on themselves but they can be easily re-swollen to their initial spherical shape using a combination of polymer expansion within the membrane and induced chemical potential differences between the microcapsule cores and the bulk. We show here that the responsive polymer on the surface of the constituent particles within the monolayer forming the microcapsule membrane can be induced to expand and contract through changes in the dispersion pH as a result of its weakly basic nature. Using a fluorescently-labelled dextran molecule, we demonstrate its successful uptake within the core of the microcapsules at low pH where the capsule membrane is expanded and the pore size is maximised. Altering the pH to higher values results in the contraction of the membrane and closing of the surface pores; under these conditions we show that the dextran can be successfully retained within the microcapsules. Finally, we demonstrate the pH-dependent release of the labelled sugar by readjusting the pH to acidic conditions.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) isolated from Leonurus japonicus in Korea

Abstract We have determined the mitochondrial genome of A. gossypii isolated from Leonurus japonicus in Korea. The circular mitogenome of A. gossypii is 16,044 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a single control region of 797 bp. AT ratio is 83.8%. 88 SNPs and 4 INDELs (175 bp) were identified against mitogenome of A. gossypii isolated from cotton species. Especially, largest INDEL (170 bp) was in the control region. Phylogenetic trees show that four A. gossypii mitogenomes were clustered in one clade.
Fish Tank Granuloma Presenting as a Nasal Cavity Mass

Mycobacterium marinum is a free-living nontuberculous mycobacterium that is widely distributed in freshwater and seawater around the world. Granulomatous skin infection from M. marinum in people who are exposed to fish or aquatic environments is a rare condition known as fish tank granuloma. The granuloma mainly occurs on the skin of the upper limb, in a few cases on the face, and rarely in the nasal cavity. We describe a case of M. marinum infection that presented as a nasal cavity mass. A 57-year-old woman who was receiving infliximab for psoriatic arthritis visited our hospital with a complaint of right nasal obstruction. A granulomatous mass with an irregular surface was found in the anterior part of the right nasal cavity. Tissue biopsy revealed granulation tissue. Since the application of steroid ointment did not reduce the size of the mass, the tumor was resected under local anesthesia, and the base was cauterized. The pathological finding was an inflammatory granuloma with negative Ziehl–Neelsen staining. The granuloma recurred 3 months after resection. The interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test was positive, and therefore, a mycobacterial tissue culture test was performed because of suspected nasal tuberculosis, which identified M. marinum. The nasal cavity mass disappeared 2 months after the administration of minocycline, followed by clarithromycin, and subsequent discontinuation of infliximab. M. marinum infection can cause an intranasal mass. IGRA and the mycobacterial tissue culture test are useful for diagnosis. As in this case, the nasal lesion may be excised as an inflammatory nasal granuloma, and therefore, there may be many more “hidden” cases of M. marinum infection. If nasal granulation is present, the possibility of M. marinum infection should be considered.
Epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Its incidence has grown alongside the increasing global prevalence of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The risk of progression to hepatocellular carcinoma for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients over 5 years is 8%, and despite targeted and immunotherapy treatment advances, HCC maintains a bleak 5-year survival of 19%. NAFLD’s primary risk factors are components of metabolic syndrome as well as possible sleep disturbances. NAFLD is most common among men 50-60 years of age, though incidence in women catches up after menopause. In the US, Hispanics are most likely to develop NAFLD and African Americans least likely, in part due to the prevalence of the PNPLA3 gene variant. With NAFLD risk factors especially prevalent in underserved populations and developing nations, public health interventions, earlier diagnosis, and novel treatments could curb the growing disease burden.
Focal mechanism analysis and parameter estimation of Zhangbei-Shangyi earthquake from differential SAR interferometry

On 10 January, 1998 an earthquake of Ms=6.2 occurred in the Zhangbei-Shangyi region of North China. The surface seismic deformation was measured in the previous study using the 3 pass ERS-1/2 SAR differential interferometric technology (D-INSAR). In this note the focal mechanism of Zhangbei-Shangyi earthquake is estimated from the D-INSAR measurement of surface deformation based on a standard elastic dislocation model for seismic displacement The inversion procedure is an iterative, linear least-squares algorithm. Through the relation between the focal parameters and displacement in the line of sight direction measured in the radar interferogram, the optimum focal parameter set is derived. The results show that the seismic fault of Zhangbei-Shangyi earthquake is a thrust fault dipping SW with a Large right-lateral displacement component. The strike and dip are 95° and 30° respectively on a fault patch of 12 km long by 14 km wide. Its hypocenter is located at N40°58′, E114°21′, and 7.5 km in depth. The estimated slip vector is 0.728 m with a rake of 105.95°, the trend of slip is NW13.26°, and M0 2.69×1018N · m.
Growth Factors in Oral Tissue Engineering: New Perspectives and Current Therapeutic Options

The present investigation is aimed at systematically analyzing the recent literature about the innovative scaffold involved in the reconstructive surgeries by applying growth factors and tissue engineering. An extensive review of the contemporary literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines by accessing the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus Elsevier databases. Authors performed the English language manuscript research published from 2003 to 2020. A total of 13 relevant studies were included in the present review. The present systematic review included only papers with significant results about correlation between scaffold, molecular features of growth factor, and reconstructive surgeries in oral maxillofacial district. The initial research with filters recorded about 1023 published papers. Beyond reading and considering of suitability, only 42 and then 36 full-text papers were recorded for the revision. All the researches recorded the possibility of using growth factors on rebuilding atrophic jaws. Different growth factors like morphogenetic factors, cytokines, and inflammatory ones and their application over different scaffold materials were recorded. Further investigations should be required in order to state scientific evidence about a clear advantage of applying tissue engineering for therapeutic purpose.
Estrogen deficiency – a central paradigm in age-related impaired healing?

Wound healing is a dynamic biological process achieved through four sequential, overlapping phases; hemostasis, inflammation, tissue proliferation and remodeling. For effective wound healing, all four phases must occur in the appropriate order and time frame. It is well accepted that the wound healing process becomes disrupted in the elderly, increasing the propensity of non-healing wound states that can lead to substantial patient morbidity and an enormous financial burden on healthcare systems. Estrogen deprivation in the elderly has been identified as the key driver of age-related delayed wound healing in both genders, with topical and systemic estrogen replacement reversing the detrimental effects of aging on wound repair. Evidence suggests estrogen deprivation may contribute to the development of chronic wound healing states in the elderly but research in this area is somewhat limited, warranting further investigations. Moreover, although the beneficial effects of estrogen on cutaneous healing have been widely explored, the development of estrogen-based treatments to enhance wound repair in the elderly have yet to be widely exploited. This review explores the critical role of estrogen in reversing age-related impaired healing and evaluates the prospect of developing more focused novel therapeutic strategies that enhance wound repair in the elderly via activation of specific estrogen signaling pathways in regenerating tissues, whilst leaving non-target tissues largely unaffected.