Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Nomogram for Predicting the Risk of Premature Delivery Based on the Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women

Background Maternal thyroid dysfunction and autoantibodies were associated with preterm delivery. However, recommendations for cutoff values of thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity and thyroid-stimulating homone (TSH) associated with premature delivery are lacking. Objective To identify the pregnancy-specific cutoff values for TPOAb positivity and TSH associated with preterm delivery. To develop a nomogram for the risk prediction of premature delivery based on maternal thyroid function in singleton pregnant women without pre-pregnancy complications. Methods This study included data from the International Peace Maternity and Child Care Health Hospital (IPMCH) in Shanghai, China, between January 2013 and December 2016. Added data between September 2019 and November 2019 as the test cohort. Youden’s index calculated the pregnancy-specific cutoff values for TPOAb positivity and TSH concentration. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of premature delivery. The nomogram was developed according to the regression coefficient of relevant variables. Discrimination and calibration of the model were assessed using the C-index, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, calibration curve and decision curve analysis. Results 45,467 pregnant women were divided into the training and validation cohorts according to the ratio of 7: 3. The testing cohort included 727 participants. The pregnancy-specific cutoff values associated with the risk of premature delivery during the first trimester were 5.14 IU/mL for TPOAb positivity and 1.33 mU/L for TSH concentration. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that maternal age, history of premature delivery, elevated TSH concentration and TPOAb positivity in the early pregnancy, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus were risk factors of premature delivery. The C-index was 0.62 of the nomogram. Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the Chi-square value was 2.64 (P = 0.955 > 0.05). Decision curve analysis showed a positive net benefit. The calibration curves of three cohorts were shown to be in good agreement. Conclusions We identified the pregnancy-specific cutoff values for TPOAb positivity and TSH concentration associated with preterm delivery in singleton pregnant women without pre-pregnancy complications. We developed a nomogram to predict the occurrence of premature delivery based on thyroid function and other risk factors as a clinical decision-making tool.
Emerging Progress in Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Challenges and Opportunities

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is a common condition that affects up to 70% of pregnant women. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is considered the serious form of NVP, which is reported in 0.3–10.8% of pregnant women. NVP has a relatively benign course, but HG can be linked with some poor maternal, fetal, and offspring outcomes. The exact causes of NVP and HG are unknown, but various factors have been hypothesized to be associated with pathogenesis. With the advance of precision medicine and molecular biology, some genetic factors such as growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) have become therapeutic targets. In our review, we summarize the historical hypotheses of the pathogenesis of NVP and HG including hormonal factors, Helicobacter pylori, gastrointestinal dysmotility, placenta-related factors, psychosocial factors, and new factors identified by genetics. We also highlight some approaches to the management of NVP and HG, including pharmacological treatment, complementary treatment, and some supporting treatments. Looking to the future, progress in understanding NVP and HG may reduce the adverse outcomes and improve the maternal quality of life during pregnancy.
How a Star’s Death Can Reveal a Black Hole

Studying invisible objects in space that are hundreds of millions of light years away may sound impossible. But, in recent years, astronomers have developed a new way to investigate a type of invisible and distant objects—super-massive black holes. Black holes are the most densely packed objects in the Universe. When stars get close to super-massive black holes they can be torn apart, which produces a relatively brief but informative flash of light. These star-destroying events can help us to discover the locations of the most massive black holes in the Universe, but only if we know how to find and interpret them. In this article, we will discuss different ways we can “see” black holes, and particularly what we do and do not yet understand about stars getting “tidally disrupted” by them. Light Year The distance light travels in a year, which is 5,878,625,370,000 miles.
Does the Carbon Emissions Trading Policy Increase Corporate Tax Avoidance? Evidence from China

Based on the natural experiment of carbon emissions trading pilots in China, this paper investigates the effect of environmental regulation on corporate tax avoidance. The results show that: 1) Market-incentivized environmental regulation significantly increase the level of corporate tax avoidance. 2) Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect is more obvious on the non-state-owned firms, firms with severe financing constraints, and firms in highly competitive industries. 3) We find that the reduction of cash flow is the channel for environmental regulation to affect corporate tax avoidance. 4) Further analysis shows that government subsidies can alleviate the enhancement of tax avoidance by environmental regulation. The more government subsidies a company receives, the less tax avoidance it has.
Evidence of Microglial Immune Response Following Coronavirus PHEV Infection of CNS

Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) is a highly neurotropic coronavirus that invades the host central nervous system (CNS) and causes neurological dysfunction. Microglia are key immune cells in the CNS, however, whether and how they response to PHEV infection remains unclear. Herein, microglial activation and proliferation were detected in the CNS of PHEV-infected mice, as along with the proinflammatory response. Moreover, the production of proinflammatory cytokines induced by moderately activated microglia limited viral replication in the early stage of infection. Microglial depletion assays showed that during late infection, excess activation of microglia aggravated neurological symptoms, BBB destruction, and peripheral monocyte/macrophage infiltration into the CNS. Using an in vitro brain slice model, PHEV was identified to specifically and moderately induce microglial activation in the absence of peripheral immune cells infiltration. Consistently, macrophage clearance from circulating blood indicated that peripheral monocytes/macrophages crossing the BBB of mice were responsible for excess activation of microglia and CNS damage in late PHEV infection. Overall, our findings provide evidence supporting a dual role for microglia in the host CNS in response to coronavirus PHEV invasion.
Sequence Divergence and Functional Specializations of the Ancient Spliceosomal SF3b: Implications in Flexibility and Adaptations of the Multi-Protein Complex

Multi-protein assemblies are complex molecular systems that perform highly sophisticated biochemical functions in an orchestrated manner. They are subject to changes that are governed by the evolution of individual components. We performed a comparative analysis of the ancient and functionally conserved spliceosomal SF3b complex, to recognize molecular signatures that contribute to sequence divergence and functional specializations. For this, we recognized homologous sequences of individual SF3b proteins distributed across 10 supergroups of eukaryotes and identified all seven protein components of the complex in 578 eukaryotic species. Using sequence and structural analysis, we establish that proteins occurring on the surface of the SF3b complex harbor more sequence variation than the proteins that lie in the core. Further, we show through protein interface conservation patterns that the extent of conservation varies considerably between interacting partners. When we analyze phylogenetic distributions of individual components of the complex, we find that protein partners that are known to form independent subcomplexes are observed to share similar profiles, reaffirming the link between differential conservation of interface regions and their inter-dependence. When we extend our analysis to individual protein components of the complex, we find taxa-specific variability in molecular signatures of the proteins. These trends are discussed in the context of proline-rich motifs of SF3b4, functional and drug binding sites of SF3b1. Further, we report key protein-protein interactions between SF3b1 and SF3b6 whose presence is observed to be lineage-specific across eukaryotes. Together, our studies show the association of protein location within the complex and subcomplex formation patterns with the sequence conservation of SF3b proteins. In addition, our study underscores evolutionarily flexible elements that appear to confer adaptive features in individual components of the multi-protein SF3b complexes and may contribute to its functional adaptability.
Electroclinical and Multimodality Neuroimaging Characteristics and Predictors of Post-Surgical Outcome in Focal Cortical Dysplasia Type IIIa

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIIa is an easily ignored cause of intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. This study aimed to analyze the clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging characteristics in FCD type IIIa and to search for predictors associated with postoperative outcome in order to identify potential candidates for epilepsy surgery. We performed a retrospective review including sixty-six patients with FCD type IIIa who underwent resection for drug-resistant epilepsy. We evaluated the clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging features for potential association with seizure outcome. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore their predictive role on the seizure outcome. We demonstrated that thirty-nine (59.1%) patients had seizure freedom outcomes (Engel class Ia) with a median postsurgical follow-up lasting 29.5 months. By univariate analysis, duration of epilepsy (less than 12 years) (p = 0.044), absence of contralateral insular lobe hypometabolism on PET/MRI (p Log-rank = 0.025), and complete resection of epileptogenic area (p Log-rank = 0.004) were associated with seizure outcome. The incomplete resection of the epileptogenic area (hazard ratio = 2.977, 95% CI 1.218–7.277, p = 0.017) was the only independent predictor for seizure recurrence after surgery by multivariate analysis. The results of past history, semiology, electrophysiological, and MRI were not associated with seizure outcomes. Carefully included patients with FCD type IIIa through a comprehensive evaluation of their clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging characteristics can be good candidates for resection. Several preoperative factors appear to be predictive of the postoperative outcome and may help in optimizing the selection of ideal candidates to benefit from epilepsy surgery.
Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac MRI: Is Clinical Adoption Forthcoming?

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the area of knowledge that develops computerised models to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These algorithms are programmed to learn and identify patterns from “training data,” that can be subsequently applied to new datasets, without being explicitly programmed to do so. AI is revolutionising the field of medical imaging and in particular of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) by providing deep learning solutions for image acquisition, reconstruction and analysis, ultimately supporting the clinical decision making. Numerous methods have been developed over recent years to enhance and expedite CMR data acquisition, image reconstruction, post-processing and analysis; along with the development of promising AI-based biomarkers for a wide spectrum of cardiac conditions. The exponential rise in the availability and complexity of CMR data has fostered the development of different AI models. Integration in clinical routine in a meaningful way remains a challenge. Currently, innovations in this field are still mostly presented in proof-of-concept studies with emphasis on the engineering solutions; often recruiting small patient cohorts or relying on standardised databases such as Multi-ethnic Study on atherosclerosis (MESA), UK Biobank and others. The wider incorporation of clinically valid endpoints such as symptoms, survival, need and response to treatment remains to be seen. This review briefly summarises the current principles of AI employed in CMR and explores the relevant prospective observational studies in cardiology patient cohorts. It provides an overview of clinical studies employing undersampled reconstruction techniques to speed up the scan encompassing cine imaging, whole-heart imaging, multi-parametric mapping and magnetic resonance fingerprinting along with the clinical utility of AI applications in image post-processing, and analysis. Specific focus is given to studies that have incorporated CMR-derived prediction models for prognostication in cardiac disease. It also discusses current limitations and proposes potential developments to enable multi-disciplinary collaboration for improved evidence-based medicine. AI is an extremely promising field and the timely integration of clinician's input in the ingenious technical investigator's paradigm holds promise for a bright future in the medical field.
Tetrahydrobiopterin Administration Augments Exercise-Induced Hyperemia and Endothelial Function in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, auto-immune disease with variably progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, as well as vascular dysfunction. Recently, we demonstrated a decrement in exercising skeletal muscle blood flow and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in SSc, but the mechanisms responsible for these impairments have not been investigated. Thus, we sought to determine if acute administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), would improve hyperemia and brachial artery vasodilation during progressive handgrip exercise in SSc. Thirteen patients with SSc (63 ± 11 years) participated in this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Tetrahydrobiopterin (10 mg/kg) administration resulted in a ~4-fold increase in circulating BH4 concentrations (P < 0.05). Cardiovascular variables at rest were unaffected by BH4 (P > 0.05). During handgrip exercise, BH4 administration increased brachial artery blood flow (placebo: 200 ± 87; BH4: 261 ± 115 ml/min; P < 0.05) and vascular conductance (placebo: 2.0 ± 0.8; BH4: 2.5 ± 1.0 ml/min/mmHg; P < 0.05), indicating augmented resistance artery vasodilation. Tetrahydrobiopterin administration also increased brachial artery vasodilation in response to exercise (placebo: 12 ± 6; BH4: 17 ± 7%; P < 0.05), resulting in a significant upward shift in the slope relationship between Δ brachial artery vasodilation and Δ shear rate (placebo: 0.030 ± 0.007; BH4: 0.047 ± 0.007; P < 0.05) that indicates augmented sensitivity of the brachial artery to vasodilate to the sustained elevations in shear rate during handgrip exercise. These results demonstrate the efficacy of acute BH4 administration to improve both resistance and conduit vessel endothelial function in SSc, suggesting that eNOS recoupling may be an effective strategy for improving vasodilatory capacity in this patient group.
Back to the Future: Spatiotemporal Determinants of NK Cell Antitumor Function

NK cells play a crucial role in host protection during tumorigenesis. Throughout tumor development, however, NK cells become progressively dysfunctional through a combination of dynamic tissue-specific and systemic factors. While a number of immunosuppressive mechanisms present within the tumor microenvironment have been characterized, few studies have contextualized the spatiotemporal dynamics of these mechanisms during disease progression and across anatomical sites. Understanding how NK cell immunosuppression evolves in these contexts will be necessary to optimize NK cell therapy for solid and metastatic cancers. Here, we outline the spatiotemporal determinants of antitumor NK cell regulation, including heterogeneous tumor architecture, temporal disease states, diverse cellular communities, as well as the complex changes in NK cell states produced by the sum of these higher-order elements. Understanding of the signals encountered by NK cells across time and space may reveal new therapeutic targets to harness the full potential of NK cell therapy for cancer.
Heat Flow and Thermal Source of the Xi’an Depression, Weihe Basin, Central China

The Xi’an Depression of the Weihe Basin, located in the transition zone where the North China, Qinling and Yangtze plates collide with each other, is an important area of geothermal energy utilization in China. Studies of heat flow and thermal sources are of great significance to the exploration and development of geothermal resources in this area. In this paper, six temperature logs boreholes, and 14 thermal conductivity samples have been used to study the geothermal gradient and terrestrial heat flow in the area. The results show that the geothermal gradients of Xi’an Depression range from 20.8 C/km to 49.1 C/km, with an average of 31.7 ± 5.0 C/km. The calculated heat flow is 59.4–88.6 mW/m2, and the average value is 71.0 ± 6.3 mW/m2, which indicates a high thermal background in the area. The high anomalous zones are near the Lintong-Chang’an Fault zone in the southeast, the Weihe Fault in the north, and the Fenghe Fault in the central Xi’an Depression. These deep and large faults not only control the formation of the Xi’an Depression but also provide an important channel for the circulation of groundwater and affect the characteristics of the shallow geothermal distribution. The temperature of the Moho in the Xi’an Depression ranges from 600 to 700°C, and the thermal lithosphere thickness is about 90–100 km. The characteristics of lithospheric thermal structure in Xi’an Depression indicate that the higher thermal background in the study area is related to lithospheric extension and thinning and asthenosphere thermal material upwelling.
Association of Circulating Magnesium Levels in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease From 1991 to 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a medical and social challenge worldwide. Magnesium (Mg) is one of the most frequently evaluated essential minerals with diverse biological functions in human body. However, the association between circulating Mg levels and AD remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of 21 studies published between 1991 and 2021 to determine whether the Mg levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are abnormal in AD. Literatures were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data without language limitations. A pooled subject sample including 1,112 AD patients and 1,001 healthy controls (HCs) was available to assess Mg levels in serum and plasma; 284 AD patients and 117 HCs were included for Mg levels in CSF. It was found that serum and plasma levels of Mg were significantly reduced in AD patients compared with HCs (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] [−1.36, −0.43]; P = 0.000). There was statistically non-significant for Mg level in CSF between AD and HCs, whereas a decreased tendency were detected (SMD = −0.16; 95% CI [−0.50, 0.18]; P = 0.364). In addition, when we analyzed the Mg levels of serum, plasma and CSF together, the circulating Mg levels in AD patients was significantly lower (SMD = −0.74, 95% CI [−1.13; −0.35]; P = 0.000). These results indicate that Mg deficiency may be a risk factor of AD and Mg supplementation may be a potentially valuable adjunctive treatment for AD. Systematic Review Registration: www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/, registration number CRD42021254557.
Understanding the Impact of Hydrogen Activation by SrCe0.8Zr0.2O3−δ Perovskite Membrane Material on Direct Non-Oxidative Methane Conversion

Direct non-oxidative methane conversion (DNMC) converts methane (CH4) in one step to olefin and aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen (H2) co-product. Membrane reactors comprising methane activation catalysts and H2-permeable membranes can enhance methane conversion by in situ H2 removal via Le Chatelier's principle. Rigorous description of H2 kinetic effects on both membrane and catalyst materials in the membrane reactor, however, has been rarely studied. In this work, we report the impact of hydrogen activation by hydrogen-permeable SrCe0.8Zr0. 2O3−δ (SCZO) perovskite oxide material on DNMC over an iron/silica catalyst. The SCZO oxide has mixed ionic and electronic conductivity and is capable of H2 activation into protons and electrons for H2 permeation. In the fixed-bed reactor packed with a mixture of SCZO oxide and iron/silica catalyst, stable and high methane conversion and low coke selectivity in DNMC was achieved by co-feeding of H2 in methane stream. The characterizations show that SCZO activates H2 to favor “soft coke” formation on the catalyst. The SCZO could absorb H2 in situ to lower its local concentration to mitigate the reverse reaction of DNMC in the tested conditions. The co-existence of H2 co-feed, SCZO oxide, and DNMC catalyst in the present study mimics the conditions of DNMC in the H2-permeable SCZO membrane reactor. The findings in this work offer the mechanistic understanding of and guidance for the design of H2-permeable membrane reactors for DNMC and other alkane dehydrogenation reactions.
Business Process Management – A Traditional Approach Versus a Knowledge Based Approach

The enterprise management represents a heterogeneous aggregate of both resources and assets that need to be coordinated and orchestrated in order to reach the goals related to the business mission. Influences and forces that may influence this process, and also for that they should be considered, are not concentrated in the business environment, but they are related to the entire operational context of a company. For this reason, business processes must be the most versatile and flexible with respect to the changes that occur within the whole operational context of a company. Considering the supportive role that information systems play in favour of Business Process Management - BPM, it is also essential to implement a constant, continuous and quick mechanism for the information system alignment with respect to the evolution followed by business processes. In particular, such mechanism must intervene on BPM systems in order to keep them aligned and compliant with respect to both the context changes and the regulations. In order to facilitate this alignment mechanism, companies are already referring to the support offered by specific solutions, such as knowledge bases. In this context, a possible solution might be the approach we propose, which is based on a specific framework called Process Management System. Our methodology implements a knowledge base support for business experts, which is not limited to the BPM operating phases, but includes also the engineering and prototyping activities of the corresponding information system. This paper aims to compare and evaluate a traditional BPM approach with respect to the approach we propose. In effect, such analysis aims to emphasize the lack of traditional methodology especially with respect to the alignment between business processes and information systems, along with their compliance with context domain and regulations.