Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Risk Threshold for Hemoglobin A1c Associated With Albuminuria: A Population-Based Study in China

Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a kind of common microvascular complication of diabetes. This study aims to explore the possible links between blood sugar level and albuminuria, providing the exact cut point of the “risk threshold” for blood glucose with DKD. Methods The relationship between blood glucose and albuminuria was modeled using linear and logistic regression in the REACTION study cohorts (N= 8932). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression model. Two-slope linear regression was used to simulate associations between blood glucose and ACR. Results We found that the increase in ACR was accompanied by increased HbA1c, with a turning point at 5.5%. The positive correlation remained highly significant (P<0.001) when adjusted for age, sex, marital status, education, smoking status, drinking status, BMI, waistline, SBP and DBP. In subgroup analyses including gender, obesity, hypertension, and smoking habits, the relationship was significant and stable. Conclusions We determined a risk threshold for HbA1c associated with albuminuria in a Chinese population over the age of 40. HbA1c ≥ 5.5% was positively and independently associated with ACR. These results suggest the necessity of early blood glucose control and renal function screening for DKD in at-risk populations.
Defective Neutrophil Transendothelial Migration and Lateral Motility in ARPC1B Deficiency Under Flow Conditions

The actin-related protein (ARP) 2/3 complex, essential for organizing and nucleating branched actin filaments, is required for several cellular immune processes, including cell migration and granule exocytosis. Recently, genetic defects in ARPC1B, a subunit of this complex, were reported. Mutations in ARPC1B result in defective ARP2/3-dependent actin filament branching, leading to a combined immunodeficiency with severe inflammation. In vitro, neutrophils of these patients showed defects in actin polymerization and chemotaxis, whereas adhesion was not altered under static conditions. Here we show that under physiological flow conditions human ARPC1B-deficient neutrophils were able to transmigrate through TNF-α-pre-activated endothelial cells with a decreased efficiency and, once transmigrated, showed definite impairment in subendothelial crawling. Furthermore, severe locomotion and migration defects were observed in a 3D collagen matrix and a perfusable vessel-on-a-chip model. These data illustrate that neutrophils employ ARP2/3-independent steps of adhesion strengthening for transmigration but rely on ARP2/3-dependent modes of migration in a more complex multidimensional environment.
Exosomal miR-92b-3p Promotes Chemoresistance of Small Cell Lung Cancer Through the PTEN/AKT Pathway

Resistance to first-line chemotherapy drugs has become an obstacle to improving the clinical prognosis of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Exosomal microRNAs have been shown to play pro- and anti-chemoresistant roles in various cancers, but their role in SCLC chemoresistance has never been explored. In this study, we observed that the expression of exosomal miR-92b-3p was significantly increased in patients who developed chemoresistance. Luciferase reporter analysis confirmed that PTEN was a target gene of miR-92b-3p. The PTEN/AKT regulatory network was related to miR-92b-3p-mediated cell migration and chemoresistance in vitro and in vivo in SCLC. Importantly, exosomes isolated from the conditioned medium of SBC-3 cells overexpressing miR-92b-3p could promote SCLC chemoresistance and cell migration. Furthermore, we found that plasma miR-92b-3p levels were significantly higher in patients with chemoresistant SCLC than in those with chemosensitive SCLC, but the levels were down-regulated in patients who achieved remission. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that SCLC patients with high miR-92b-3p expression were associated with shorter progression-free survival. Overall, our results suggested that exosomal miR-92b-3p is a potential dynamic biomarker to monitor chemoresistance in SCLC and represents a promising therapeutic target for chemoresistant SCLC.
Community Assembly Processes as a Mechanistic Explanation of the Predator-Prey Diversity Relationship in Marine Microbes

Predator and prey α-diversities are often positively associated; yet, understandings of the underlying mechanisms require manipulative experiments and thus remain unclear. We attempt to address this issue by deciphering how α-diversity of predator and prey influences each other’s community assembly processes, which subsequently determine their α-diversity. The occurrence of assembly processes was indicated by the mean pairwise taxonomic index within a community (αMPTI), assuming assembly processes left traceable imprints on species’ phylogeny. Specifically, αMPTI quantifies deviations of observed phylogenetic distances from that of random, so that it can be used to hint at the occurrence of non-random/deterministic assembly processes. Larger αMPTI of a community implies the occurrence of weaker homogenizing deterministic assembly processes, which suggests that this community might be comprised of less similar species and thus has higher α-diversity. We hypothesize that higher predator and prey α-diversity would be positively associated with each other’s αMPTI, which would then be positively associated with their α-diversity. To test the hypothesis, we calculated Shannon diversity and αMPTI for heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF; predator) and bacteria (prey) communities in the East China Sea (ECS). The HNF Shannon diversity was found to be positively associated with αMPTI of bacteria, which was then positively associated with bacterial Shannon diversity. In contrast, bacterial Shannon diversity did not correlate with HNF’s αMPTI. We argue that top-down control is one of the explanations to the positive α-diversity association among trophic levels in microbes of the ECS.
The GIMAP Family Proteins: An Incomplete Puzzle

Overview: Long-term survival of T lymphocytes in quiescent state is essential to maintain their cell numbers in secondary lymphoid organs and in peripheral circulation. In the BioBreeding diabetes-prone strain of rats (BB-DP), loss of functional GIMAP5 (GTPase of the immune associated nucleotide binding protein 5) results in profound peripheral T lymphopenia. This discovery heralded the identification of a new family of proteins initially called Immune-associated nucleotide binding protein (IAN) family. In this review we will use ‘GIMAP’ to refer to this family of proteins. Recent studies suggest that GIMAP proteins may interact with each other and also be involved in the movement of the cellular cargo along the cytoskeletal network. Here we will summarize the current knowledge on the characteristics and functions of GIMAP family of proteins.
Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of diode laser as an adjunct to modified Widman flap surgery for the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A randomized split-mouth clinical trial

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is mainly initiated by plaque biofilm which may require treatment using periodontal flap surgery. Recently, diode lasers have become popular in the field of periodontology owing to advantages such as antibacterial effect, promoting angiogenesis, and providing hemostasis. However, scientific data on application of diode laser in periodontal flap surgery and its benefits are limited. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the adjunctive effect of removal of remnant pocket epithelium by 980 nm diode laser and biostimulation in modified Widman flap (MWF) surgery for the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis with pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥5mm post Phase I therapy were selected for this split-mouth study. MWF surgery was performed in Group 1, and in Group 2, MWF surgery with adjunctive diode laser de-epithelization and biostimulation was done. Clinical parameters including PPD, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and gingival index were recorded at baseline and 3 months following treatment, and postprocedural pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] score) was assessed 1-week posttreatment. In addition, colony-forming units/milliliter (CFU/ml) of anaerobic bacteria at baseline and 3 months were microbiologically examined. Results: MWF surgery along with diode laser led to a significant improvement in Group 2 compared to Group 1 in clinical parameters such as PPD, relative clinical attachment level, VAS score as well as microbial parameter CFU/ml after 3 months. Conclusion: Diode laser as an adjunct to MWF in chronic periodontitis can provide enhanced clinical attachment gain with little postoperative discomfort.
A First-Principles Study on the Role of an Al2O3 Overlayer on Fe2O3 for Water Splitting

Understanding the role of an overlayer material on a catalyst is crucial for improving catalytic activity. Iron(III) oxide (α-Fe2O3) is a widely studied catalyst commonly used for solar water splitting. Recently, the water splitting efficiency with α-Fe2O3 was enhanced by deposition of an α-Al2O3 overlayer. In order to understand the origin of this improvement, we perform first-principles calculations with density functional theory + U on the α-Fe2O3(0001) surface with an α-Al2O3 surface overlayer. We find catalysis is unfavorable directly over α-Al2O3 and rather takes place over α-Fe2O3 exposed areas. In agreement with experiment, we find that α-Al2O3 coverage decreases the overpotential required for water oxidation on α-Fe2O3. We explain this improvement through the decrease in the work function of α-Fe2O3 upon α-Al2O3 coverage that aids in extracting electrons during the water oxidation reaction. We suggest that selecting an overlayer with a smaller work function than that of the catalyst as a strategy.
Paracetamol for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm babies born before 32-week gestational age: academic unit experience

Background: It remains unclear which treatment approach is most advantageous for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. Despite the presence of previous trials and meta-analysis, a correct and univocal strategy for closure of PDA is still under debate. Till now, standard medical treatment for PDA closure has been indomethacin/ibuprofen, percutaneous transcatheter closure, or surgical ligation. Up to date, new strategies have been reported with paracetamol. The aim of this study was to present our experience with intravenous (IV) and oral paracetamol for closing PDA in preterm neonates born before 32-week gestational age (GA). Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from a tertiary hospital in Minia University; Egypt. Eighty-seven preterm neonates born before 32-week GA with hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) were enrolled. They received 15 mg/kg/6 h for 5 days IV or oral paracetamol for ductal closure. Our NICU guidelines before the current study state that only hsPDA is treated with oral ibuprofen based on the decision of the neonatologist after discussion with pediatric cardiologist. The study aims to vary the practice to use IV or oral paracetamol instead of ibuprofen to avoid side effects of nonsteroidal drugs in preterm babies. Results: During the study period, 140 babies <32 weeks admitted to the NICU assessed for eligibility to the study, 87 of them received IV or oral paracetamol for the treatment of hsPDA for a total of 5 days. Forty-five babies received IV paracetamol, while 42 received oral form with closure rate of 82.22% and 80.95%, respectively. Successful closure on paracetamol was achieved in 71 of 87 babies (81.6%). Conclusion: This study concluded that paracetamol is not only an alternative treatment in closing PDA but also may be the treatment of choice in future.
An SCC-DFTB/MD Study of the Adsorption of Zwitterionic Glycine on a Geminal Hydroxylated Silica Surface in an Explicit Water Environment

Theoretical work on amino acid monomers interacting with a silica surface is very important in the field of biomaterials. However, the adsorption of an amino acid monomer on the geminal silanols of silica surfaces has rarely been studied. In this work, we study zwitterionic glycine adsorption on an edingtonite surface covered by geminal silanols using molecular dynamics simulations based on the density functional tight-binding method. By introducing 140 water molecules into the systems, we directly considered the solvent effect. We found that both the amino (NH3+) and the carboxylic (COO−) groups of glycine can directly form hydrogen bonds with geminal silanols. However, unlike the COO− group, the NH3+ group cannot be persistently sustained on the surface. Therefore, the dominant configuration is the COO− group pointing toward the surface. Our study not only provides a molecular level understanding of the interactions between inorganic materials and biochemical molecules but also demonstrates a feasible t.
Parents’ perception of cyberbullying of their children in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: The effect of cyberbullying varies from the small levels of discomfort to serious psychological and social issues. Studies on parents' perception of cyberbullying in Saudi Arabia are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine parents' awareness and perception of cyberbullying of their children in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done on 1249 parents in Saudi Arabia using a standardized validated questionnaire. The questions were on cyberbullying and its association with the school, the difference between cyberbullying and traditional bullying, the importance of parents' attention and their knowledge of cyberbullying, and the platform on which they think cyberbullying occurs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Qualitative data were presented as frequencies and percentages while mean and standard deviation were computed for quantitative data. Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests, as appropriate, were applied to test for statistical significance. RESULTS: About 43% parents strongly agreed that cyberbullying was more harmful than bullying in the schoolyard. Parents reported that video games were the most common social platform for cyberbullying. About 64% parents strongly believed that cyberbullying caused psychological harm, and 78% parents responded that it was important to monitor the child's use of the Internet. Seventy-eight percent of parents strongly believed that schools should be proactive in addressing cyberbullying. As for the parents' role, 72.8% strongly believed that parents should be more proactive in addressing cyberbullying, whereas 27.9% thought that parents' involvement would reduce it. Most participants (75.1%) said that more laws should be passed to prevent or punish cyberbullying. CONCLUSION: There is a need to raise the awareness of the Saudi community about the effects and consequences of cyberbullying.
Efficacy of transmuscular quadratus lumborum block in the multimodal regimen for postoperative analgesia after total laparoscopic hysterectomy: A prospective randomised double-blinded study

Background and Aims: Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum Block (TQLB) is a novel regional anaesthesia technique, however, its analgesic efficacy as a component of multimodal analgesia (MMA) in Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) is not well studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of TQLB as a component of MMA for postoperative pain in TLH. Methods: A prospective double-blind randomised controlled study was done after approval from the ethical committee and informed patient consent. After randomisation, 37 patients in Group-Q received 20 ml 0.375% ropivacaine and in Group-C, 37 patients received saline in TQLB bilaterally after TLH surgery. All patients received intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with fentanyl along with diclofenac 75 mg every 12 h. All the patients were assessed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours. The primary outcome was the time to first analgesic request. The secondary outcome measures were total fentanyl consumption in 24 hrs, pain scores during rest and movement, postoperative nausea-vomiting, sedation and complications related to local anaesthetic and TQLB procedure. Results: The mean [standard deviation (SD)] time to first analgesic request was 7.8 (1.5) hours in Group-Q and 3.2 (1.0) hours in Group-C (P < 0.0001). The mean (SD) dose of fentanyl used in 24 hours was 167.3 (44) μg in Group-Q and 226.5 (41.9) μg in Group-C (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The ultrasound-guided TQLB provides effective postoperative analgesia after TLH surgery in a multimodal analgesia approach. It reduces the fentanyl consumption and improves the visual analogue scale (VAS) score.
Learning between Buyers and Sellers Along the Global Value Chain

This paper analyses learning between buyers and sellers as a new channel through which international trade affects product introduction across different production stages within firms. Using detailed plant level data from the Indian manufacturing census, I find that (i) 45% of multi-product plants produce at least one product pair that is connected in the Input-Output matrix, (ii) 40% of new products added by plants every year are either upstream or downstream to products previously produced by them, and (iii) exogenous increases in upstream export market access cause firms to add new products that are downstream to their previous production sets. I attribute this effect to plants learning about new products from their downstream buyers. To analyze the effects of trade policy on firm scope I build a dynamic quantitative general equilibrium model of Global Value Chains with knowledge spillovers arising from buyer-seller linkages along the value chain. Potentially multi-product and multi-stage producers in the model invest in R&D to increase their product sets and benefit from knowledge spillovers from domestic and foreign markets. Trade policy counterfactuals show that cross-stage product innovation decreases as the economy liberalizes due to convergence in technology levels across countries in general equilibrium.
Electrical properties optimization of silver nanowires supported on polyethylene terephthalate

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is the enhancement of the electrical properties of thin films obtained from silver nanowires (AgNWs) deposited on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) support. First, AgNWs were obtained by the “polyol” liquid phase synthesis method in the presence of chloride ions. After purification, the AgNWs were successively deposited on a flexible support of PET by doctor blade method. To improve the adhesion of the AgNWs coating to the substrate, thin films of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were interposed between the layer of AgNWs and PET substrate. The properties of the thin films have been studied depending on the number of AgNWs layers and heat treatment procedure. Characterization of pure AgNWs as well as of AgNWs/PMMA/PET structures has been carried out by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy. The sheet resistance of the transparent conducting films was determined by four point probe measurement. Best results in terms of homogenous conductance across the film and optical transmittance have been obtained for samples prepared by deposition of four successive layers of AgNWs. Further heat treatment improved the conductivity of AgNWs on the PMMA/PET substrate. For these films, the sheet resistance decreased from 41.25 to 29.55 Ω/sq after 40 min of heat treatment in air at 150°C.
Motivations on online book-shopping of university students in China

E-commerce is developing really fast in China. The existence of local famous online book stores along with Amazon leads to recession of physical book stores. More and more people turn to buy books online which makes physical book stores become a place only for exhibiting hardcopies. Young and highly educated people are the main group contributes to the growth of internet user scale in the past 5 years in China. The purpose of this dissertation was to study the motivations drive university students to buy books online based on utilitarian and hedonic motivation value. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from China. Results show that, two utilitarian values and one hedonic value were identified. Ease to Access and Cost Saving are utilitarian values, the results show that both of them have significant positive influence on utilitarian motivation of online book shopping. Ease to Access has much important impact on utilitarian motivation than Cost Saving. Authority & Enjoyment has significant impact on hedonic motivation of online book shopping motivation as a hedonic value. Hedonic motivation has positive influence impact on search intention in the context of online book shopping, while utilitarian motivation do not affect search intention. Both utilitarian and hedonic motivation have no impact on purchase intention of online book shopping. The results show that search intention triggers purchase intention. Hedonic motivation could generate search intention and indirectly generate purchase intention, which is the phenomenon called impulsive shopping.
WIP: Cultural Diversity and Teamwork Effectiveness: A Systematized Literature Review

Siqing Weir received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Engineering Education at Purdue University. After years of experience of serving a peer teacher and a graduate teaching assistant in first-yearengineering courses, he is a research assistant at CATME research group studying the existence, causes and interventions on international engineering teamwork behaviors, the integration, and implementation of team-based assignments and projects into STEM course designs and using mixed-method, especially natural language processing to student written research data, such as peer-to-peer comments. Siqing also works as the technical support manager at CATME research group.
Prognostic Role of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Transcription Factors in Carcinoma- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

♦Corresponding Author: Subramanian Vidyalakshmi, PhD Department of Biotechnology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India Email: vids21@gmail.com, svd.bio@psgtech.ac. in Please cite this article as: Subramanian V, Catherine XJ, Murugesan R. Prognostic role of Emt-transcription factors in carcinomaA systematic review and meta-analysis. Middle East J Cancer. 2021;12(2):161-71. doi:10.30476/mejc.2020. 83099. 1135.
Effect of fat levels in early phase on growth performance and meat characteristics in twin lambs

This experiment aims to study the effects of dietary fat level during the suckling period on growth performance and meat characteristics in twin lambs. Thirty pairs of male twin Hu lambs were divided into two groups, namely high fat (HF) and normal fat (NF). Lambs in HF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing 26.89% and 5.07% of fat, whereas those in NF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing 15.15% and 2.80% of fat, respectively, from eight to 60 days of age. From 60 to 120 days of age, all lambs were fed a starter feed containing 2.80% fat. The results showed that lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight (12.78 kg versus 11.63 kg, P = 0.020), average daily gain (162.4 g/day versus 141.1 g/day, P = 0.019), apparent digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.018) and gross energy (P < 0.001). No difference was observed between HF and NF group in slaughter performance during eight to 60 days of age. Lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight at 120 days of age (P = 0.035). However, no difference was observed in nutrient digestibility, slaughter performance or meat quality at 120 days of age. In summary, HF diet in the suckling period showed long-lasting beneficial effects on the growth performance of lambs.