Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Primer on DNA Methylation and Its Potential to Impact Maternal Depression Risk and Assessment During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

Depression onset during and after pregnancy is prevalent and associated with significant implications for maternal, child, and family health. Although environmental risk factors important to the expression of pregnancy-related depression are well known, knowledge of the genetic underpinning is limited. Given the joint contribution of environmental and genetic factors to depression risk liability, DNA methylation presents itself as an ideal biomarker to investigate basic mechanisms and opportunities for translational research to care for pregnancy-related depression health outcomes. This article is an introduction to DNA methylation and its potential to serve as a marker of depression risk during pregnancy and the postpartum. This commentary discusses current clinical uses of DNA methylation–based testing and how it may be applied to perinatal depression clinical care and management.
Effects of autophagy inhibitor 3-Methyladenine on ischemic stroke

Abstract Background: Ischemic stroke is a huge threat to human health globally. Rescuing neurons in the ischemic penumbra (IP) is pivotal after the onset of ischemic stroke, and autophagy is essential to the survival of IP neurons and the development of related pathological processes. As the most common autophagy inhibitor, 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) is widely used in studies related to the mechanism of neuronal autophagy in ischemic stroke; however, there is no consensus has been reached on its effects of neuroprotection or neurodamage, which hinders the development and clinical application of autophagy-targeted therapy strategies for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Methods: We will search the following electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Participant intervention comparator outcomes of this study are as flowing: P, animal models of ischemic stroke; I, received 3-MA treatment merely; C, received only vehicle or sham treatment, or no treatment; O, Primary outcomes are infarct volume; neuro-behavioral scores. Secondary outcomes are cerebral blood flow, blood–brain barrier permeability, cerebral hemorrhage, brain water content. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15.1 will be used in data analysis. The characteristics of the studies, the experimental model, and the main results will be described, the quality assessment and the risk of bias assessment will be conducted. A narrative synthesis will be made for the included studies. Besides, if sufficient qualitative data is available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. I2 statistics will be used to assess heterogeneity. Discussion: This systematic review and meta-analysis of the autophagy inhibitor 3-MAs effects on animal models of ischemic stroke can help us to understand whether inhibiting autophagy brings protection or damage to IP neurons; in addition, it also helps to clarify the specific role of autophagy in cerebral infarction. Therefore, this study can provide evidence for the future development of therapy strategies targeting autophagy and bring more hope to patients with ischemic stroke. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020194262.
Qiweibaizhu Decoction Treats Diarrheal Juvenile Rats by Modulating the Gut Microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and the Mucus Barrier

Background Qiweibaizhu decoction (QBD), a classic Chinese herbal formula, has been widely used for treating diarrhea in infants and children with spleen deficiency syndrome for centuries, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. The gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and intestinal mucus are closely associated with diarrhea. Methods In this study, the composition of the gut microbiota in diarrheal rats was analyzed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. The concentrations of colon SCFAs were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The expression of mucin 2 (MUC2) in the colon was detected by immunofluorescence. Results Diarrhea significantly changed the diversity and structure of the gut microbiota and disrupted the mucus barrier in juvenile rats. QBD did not significantly change the diversity and structure of the intestinal flora, but it enhanced the increasing tendencies of Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia and decreased the abundance of Turicibacter (P=0.037) and Flavonifractor (P=0.043). QBD tends to repair the mucus layer and promote MUC2 expression in juvenile rats with diarrhea. Moreover, S. boulardii significantly increased the abundance of Parasutterella (P=0.043). In addition, QBD treatment tends to increase the propionic acid concentration during diarrhea, but its levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total SCFAs were lower than those in the S. boulardii group. Conclusion S. boulardii significantly increased the abundance of Parasutterella, leading to increased production of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, consequently leading to alleviation of diarrhea. In comparison, QBD affected diarrhea via regulation of the intestinal flora, especially by increasing the abundance of Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia, resulting in mucus barrier repair, protection of the intestines, and treatment of diarrhea.
Construction of a Glycolysis-related long noncoding RNA signature for predicting survival in endometrial cancer

Background: long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been widely studied and understood in various cancer types. However, the expression profiles of glycolysis-related lncRNA in endometrial cancer (EC) have poorly been reported. Methods: In this study, we retrieved the “Glycolysis” gene list from Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) and screened prognostic glycolysis-related lncRNA using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) RNA-seq dataset. Then, TCGA UCEC patients were randomly divided. Lasso algorithm and multivariate cox regression analyses were then performed to further select hub prognostic lncRNA and to develop a prognostic signature. The efficacy of the signature was also evaluated in the TCGA EC cohort. Moreover, we constructed a nomogram to predict EC patient outcomes. Results: Univariate cox analysis identified thirty-six glycolysis-related lncRNA correlated with EC patient prognosis. Among them, five lncRNA were further selected as hub lncRNA that mostly relate to EC patient outcomes, which are AL121906.2, BOLA3-AS1, LINC01833, AC016405.3, and RAB11B-AS1. A prognostic signature was then built based on the expression and coefficiency of five lncRNA. The efficacy of the signature was validated in part of and the entire TCGA EC cohort. In addition, the risk signature could precisely distinguish high- and low-risk EC patients and predict patient outcomes. The nomogram exhibited absolute concordance between the predictions and actual survival observations. Conclusions: The glycolysis-related lncRNA signature model and the nomogram may provide a new perspective for EC patients outcome prediction in clinical use.
Prevalence of Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Associated Factors among HIV/AIDS Patients at Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia

Background Cryptococcosis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection. High morbidity and mortality are frequently observed among hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients, particularly having CD4 count ≤100 cells/μl. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 HIV/AIDS patients. A cryptococcal antigen test was performed for all patients along with medical chart and laboratory registration book review. Cryptococcal antigen was detected from serum by using Remel Cryptococcal Antigen Test Kit. Data related to possible associated factors were extracted from patients' charts and laboratory registration book. Data were coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression analysis was done to see the association between dependent and independent variables. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Finally, data were presented in the form of texts, figures, and tables. Result Among 140 serum cryptococcal antigenemia-tested study subjects, 16 (11.43%) were positive for serum cryptococcal antigen. Of them, 43.8% (7/16) were pulmonary tuberculosis coinfected, 31.2% (5/16) were extrapulmonary tuberculosis positive, and 25% (4/16) had bacterial bloodstream infections. In addition, 68.7% (11/16) had CD4 count less than 100 cells/μl, 18.7% (3/16) had CD4 count 100–150 cells/μl, 50% (8/16) were antiretroviral therapy defaulters, and 31.3% (5/16) were naïve. In this study, the majority, 75% (12/16), of the serum cryptococcal antigen-positive subjects were clinical stage IV. Of the assessed associated factors, tuberculosis coinfection (AOR: 0.04; 95% CI [0.005–0.25]) and antiretroviral therapy status (AOR: 0.02; 95% CI [0.001–0.5]) were significantly associated factors enhancing serum cryptococcal antigenemia. Conclusion In this study, the high rate of cryptococcal antigenemia was observed among hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients, and it is alarming and highlights the need for improving CD4 status, expanding serum cryptococcal antigen screening, and strengthening regular cryptococcal antigenemia surveillance systems.
The Relationship of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) contributes to injury due to the alteration of the expected atonia during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It occurs before the overt signs of Parkinson's disease (PD). The co-expression of PD and RBD is characterized by non-tremor predominant subtype and higher incidence of freezing. Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating symptom seen in PD patients that lead to falls. While this phenomenon is understood poorly, the involvement of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and the neural circuits that control locomotion and gait have been examined. This network has also the same control for REM sleep and arousal. The close relationship between PD and RBD and FOG's consequences has led us to explore the relationship between RBD and PD with FOG. This review provides an overview of the neural connections that control gait, locomotion, and REM sleep. The neural changes were seen in PD with FOG and RBD, and sensory and motor changes observed in these two diseases. The functional neuroanatomy that controls REM sleep, arousal, and locomotion overlap significantly with multiple neural circuits affected in RBD and PD with FOG. Visual perception dysfunction and motor symptoms that primarily affect gait initiation are common to both patients with RBD and FOG in PD, leading to freezing episodes. Prospective studies should be conducted to elucidate the relationship of RBD and PD with FOG subtype and find innovative treatment approaches and diagnostic tools for PD with FOG.
A Calculus of Tracking: Theory and Practice

Abstract Online tracking techniques, the interactions among trackers, and the economic and social impact of these procedures in the advertising ecosystem have received increasing attention in the last years. This work proposes a novel formal model that describes the foundations on which the visible process of data sharing behaves in terms of the network configurations of the Internet (included CDNs, shared cookies, etc.). From our model, we define relations that can be used to evaluate the impact of different privacy mitigations and determine if websites should comply with privacy regulations. We show that the calculus, based on a fragment of intuitionistic logic, is tractable and constructive: any formal derivation in the model corresponds to an actual tracking practice that can be implemented given the current configuration of the Internet. We apply our model on a dataset obtained from OpenWPM to evaluate the effectiveness of tracking mitigations up to Alexa Top 100.
Fluid-Rock Characterization and Interactions in NMR Well Logging

This semi-annual report briefly summarizes the progress since the 1st Annual Report issued September, 2000 and the next annual report. More detailed results will be in the annual reports. The main emphasis on fluid properties was on measurements of the relaxation time and self-diffusion coefficient of ethane and propane. Ethane is similar to methane while propane is more similar to the higher alkanes. The ratio of T1 and T2 is demonstrated to be a function of both viscosity and the NMR frequency. The diffusion-induced T2 in a uniform magnetic gradient was simulated in one dimension to seek improved understanding NMR diffusion in restricted geometry. Analytical solutions can be found for this system if the correct region of validity is used. Estimation of permeability of vuggy carbonates has been problematic because the pore body size does not correlate well with pore throat size. CT scans and CPMG NMR measurements were made on a set of vuggy carbonate rocks.
Gastric metaplasia of the duodenal mucosa in Crohn’s disease: novel histological and endoscopic findings

Abstract Background and study aims Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy are useful for differential diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) of the large intestine and ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to identify novel histopathological and endoscopic findings in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with CD who did not have Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients and methods Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on patients with CD and UC. Mucosal lesions detected were subsequently observed using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (M-NBI), following which biopsy was performed. When no mucosal lesion was detected on conventional endoscopy, M-NBI and biopsy were performed on four sites: the gastric body, gastric antrum, duodenal bulb, and second portion of the duodenum. Results The prevalences of gastric metaplasia (GM) were 48 % (24/50) and 16 % (8/50) in the CD and UC groups, showing a significant difference (P = 0.001). In 23 of 24 patients with histologically proven GM in the CD group, mucosal lesions were detected using conventional white-light imaging (C-WLI). In 22 of 24 patients with histologically proven GM in the CD group, disappearance of normal villous structure and the presence of curved marginal crypt epithelium were noted using magnifying endoscopic findings characteristic of GM (M-GM). A combination of C-WLI and M-NBI yielded a significantly increased specificity (P = 0.004) and accuracy (P = 0.039). Conclusions The prevalence of GM in the duodenal mucosa was significantly higher in patients with CD than in controls. The identified endoscopic findings may be useful as novel indicators for the histological diagnosis of GM in the duodenum.
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone in Esophageal Cancer Patient

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a disorder of fluid and sodium balance characterized by hypotonic hyponatremia, low plasma osmolality, and increased urine osmolality caused by excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Malignancy is one of the most common causes of SIADH, but SIADH in esophageal carcinoma is very rarely reported. In this case report, a 74-year-old male patient of moderate differentiation of squamous cell esophageal carcinoma had a recurrent electrolyte balance disorder despite repeated corrections. The patient experienced improvement after fluid restriction and drug administration.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Paternal Stress in Offspring Development and Diseases

The major biological function of the sperm cell is to transmit the paternal genetic and epigenetic information to the embryo as well as the following offspring. Sperm has a unique epigenome. An increasing body of epidemiological study supports that paternal stress induced by environmental exposures and lifestyle can modulate the sperm epigenome (including histone modification, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNA expression), sperm-egg fusion, embryo development, and offspring health. Based on the existing literature, we have summarized the paternal exposure on sperm epigenome along with the representative phenotypes of offspring and the possible mechanism involved.
Microwave Hydrothermally Synthesized Nanocrystalline Co-Zn Ferrites

Co-Zn ferrite nano-powder was synthesized using the Microwave- Hydrothermal (M-H) method. The powder was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The densification of nanoferrites was done using two methods: a) conventional and b) microwave sintering. Electrical and magnetic properties of the sintered samples were measured at room temperature. Electrical properties such as dielectric constant (ϵ'), dissipation factor (D), initial permeability (μi) and quality factor (Q) were measured over a wide frequency range (10 kHz to 1 MHz). The Curie temperature has been determined from the permeability versus temperature plots. It was found that the enhanced electrical and magnetic properties were observed for microwave sintered samples.
Flowering Dynamics in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Based on Heat Units

Objective: To describe the sequential pattern of reproductive development of Medicago sativa L. (flowering dynamic) using the relation between principal floral stem nodes and accumulated growing degree day (GDD) in different environmental conditions, and to determine the use of this relationship as a predictor of the seed harvesting date. Design/Methodology/Approach: It was carried out in random blocks and factorial arrangement of 25, with two repetitions. Each repetition was made up of 30 plants. Results: The flowering dynamic followed the same pattern between varieties, with a linear relation between GDD and number of floral nodes. The year A0 was different from the years A1 and A2. Therefore, A1 with cutting, and A2 with and without cutting presented less GDD during the flowering stage. In contrast, A0 showed more GDD during this period. In the different environmental conditions, the linear curves of flowering dynamic turned erratic after the tenth floral node (300 GDD) due to a low rate of plants with more than 10 floral nodes along the principal stem. Study Limitations/Implications: It is necessary to have a meteorological station near the alfalfa seed production site, in order to specify the GDD required for predicting the correct moment to harvest seeds. Findings/Conclusions: The reproductive development of M. sativa presents a linear relation between the number of floral nodes and GDD, which allows the prediction of the optimal seed harvesting date, in any environmental condition present.
Application of a Kinetic Model of Bioaccumulation Across a pH and Salinity Gradient for the Prediction of Cadmium Uptake by the Sediment Dwelling Chironomidae

A kinetic model for the prediction of metal concentrations in aquatic organisms was applied for the prediction of cadmium concentrations in the sediment dwelling dipertan larvae, Chironomidae. Cadmium concentrations were determined in Chironomidae sampled along two distinct environmental gradients: (1) an acidity gradient (from pH 5.0--6.5) and (2) a salinity gradient. Comparison of predicted and observed values indicated that the kinetic model was successful in predicting concentrations in chironomids sampled along the acidity gradient but not the salinity gradient. Separation of routes of cadmium uptake into food and solute sources indicated that ingested sediment accounted for 60--100% of total invertebrate cadmium concentrations, however, the relative importance of water increased as a function of decreasing acidity and salinity. These results support the refinement of a kinetic model for predicting cadmium concentrations in sediment-living invertebrates, such as Chironomidae. By allowing for uptake from food and water the model highlighted the potential for routes of cadmium uptake to be pH and salinity dependent. For monitoring purposes, both vectors and the potential for the relative importance for each vector to change needs to be considered when assessing the degree of metal exposure to sediment ingesting invertebrates which inhabit systems with either a natural ormore » anthropogenically induced garment in key water chemistry variables such as salinity or pH. « less
Mesh size distribution determination of interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels

The importance of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs) in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields is continuously growing because of their mechanical and drug carrier tailoring opportunities. This paper deals with the physico-chemical characterization of an IPN hydrogel based on calcium-alginate and a dextran methacrylate derivative. The attention is focused on the determination of IPN mesh size distribution. For this purpose, two different approaches were applied, namely using a combination of rheological and low field NMR characterization, and cryoporosimetry. Appropriate mathematical models were developed for the interpretation of the experimental data. Both approaches led to a mono-modal mesh size distribution spanning the same size range but characterized by different mean values (25 nm, Rheo-NMR; 44 nm, cryoporosimetry). This is probably due to mesh widening upon water freezing. Moreover, release experiments of a model protein – myoglobin – from the IPN were performed and the obtained data were combined with the results of the two above mentioned approaches. Release tests yielded an estimation of the mean mesh size that is closer to that obtained according to the rheology–NMR approach than that resulting from cryoporosimetry measurements.
A Survey on Text to Pictographs Communication

- This paper describes different text to pictograph systems and its issues for people who are unable to read and write, but still want to communicate with the outside world. A pictogram is also called a pictogramme, pictograph, or simply picto. In internet activity an icon is an ideogram that conveys its meaning to a physical object through its pictorial resemblance. Pictorial communication systems convert natural language text into pictures to assist people with limited literacy. A picture
A Novel Based Wind/Solar Electric Vehicles for Green and Clean Environment

As the world population is increasing day by day and there is an increase in the use of energy in the same order, so it is essential to keep our energy resources very high to meet the demand. It is the fact that due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuel resource worldwide, it became essential to search for alternative sources of energy. For transportation mode, the electric vehicles found the difficulty of charging the batteries after propelling few kilometers. This paper proposes a wind/solar based electric vehicle which can charge the batteries on mobility. It will increase its mileage as well as helping to keep the environment green and clean. The proposed model of the electric vehicle is driven on the same principles as used in electric vehicles. The top (roof/bonnet) of the vehicle is equipped with 420W flexible solar panel, the windscreen and four windows covered by a 410W flexible solar panel which could only be utilized while on parking. The surrounding of the area is equipped with 460W flexible solar panel; a 400W micro wind turbine is located at the front of the vehicle behind the condenser, the combination of small wind turbines adjusted between the two layers of vehicle external body and PV panels. MATLAB/SIMULINK model presented that by utilizing the combination of PV panel and micro wind turbine provide extra power to charge the 30.7 kWh Lithium (Li)-ion battery and is increasing the range up to several kilometers, while the model runs for one sunny day.