Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic troponin elevation assessed by myocardial T1 mapping in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background: Cardiac troponin detected with sensitive assays can be chronically elevated, in the absence of unstable coronary syndromes. In patients with chronic coronary artery disease, clinically silent ischemic episodes may cause chronic troponin release. T1 mapping is a cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique useful in quantitative cardiac tissue characterization. We selected patients with anatomically and functionally normal hearts to investigate associations between chronic troponin release and myocardial tissue characteristics assessed by T1 mapping. Methods: We investigated the relationship between cardiac troponin I concentrations and cardiovascular magnetic resonance T1 mapping parameters in patients with stable coronary artery disease enrolled in MASS V study before elective revascularization. Participants had no previous myocardial infarction, negative late gadolinium enhancement, normal left ventricular function, chamber dimensions and wall thickness. Results: A total of 56 patients were analyzed in troponin tertiles: nativeT1 and extracellular volume (ECV) values (expressed as means ± standard deviations) increased across tertiles: nativeT1 (1006 ± 27 ms vs 1016 ± 27 ms vs 1034 ± 37 ms, ptrend = 0.006) and ECV (22 ± 3% vs 23 ± 1.9% vs 25 ± 3%, ptrend = 0.007). Cardiac troponin I concentrations correlated with native T1(R = 0.33, P = .012) and ECV (R = 0.3, P = .025), and were independently associated with nativeT1 (P = .049) and ventricular mass index (P = .041) in multivariable analysis. Conclusion: In patients with chronic coronary artery disease and structurally normal hearts, troponin I concentrations correlated with T1 mapping parameters, suggesting that diffuse edema or fibrosis scattered in normal myocardium might be associated with chronic troponin release.
Effect of CDH1 and CDH2 genes polymorphisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility in a sample of Iranian population: A case‐control study

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a global malignant epithelial neoplasm affecting the oral cavity. Cadherins, as an adhesion molecule, are involved in cell−cell interaction. We aim to study the effect of two cadherin polymorphisms on OSCC risk in southeast of Iran.
Socioeconomic and residence‐based related inequality in childhood vaccination in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Evidence from Benin

Childhood vaccination remains a cost‐effective strategy that has expedited the control and elimination of numerous diseases. Although coverage of new vaccines in low‐ and middle‐income countries increased exponentially in the last two decades, progress on expanding routine vaccination services to reach all children remains low, and coverage levels in many countries remains inadequate. This study aimed to examine the pattern of wealth and residence‐based related inequality in vaccination coverage through an equity lens.
A Decrease in CD44 on Cell Surfaces (MKN-45 cell line) After RELA Knockout Using CRISPR/Cas9

The NF-kB signaling pathway was introduced as a key pathway in carcinogenesis that is induced by inflammation in gastrointestinal malignancies. The RelA transcription factor is an important component of this signaling pathway. Furthermore, CD44 is implicated in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assay the effect of RELA knockout on CD44 expression in MKN45 cells. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to knock out RELA in MKN-45. The median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD44 before and after RELA knockout is analyzed in MKN45. The CRISPR/Cas9 vector pSpCas9 (BB)-2A-Puro (PX459) was used for gRNA cloning (two guides). The MKN-45 cell line was co-transfected. The purified co-transfected cells with puromycin were cultured and used for the RELA gene expression assay by real-time PCR. Flow cytometry was used for the analysis of the MFI of CD44+ in MKN45. The results showed that 180 nucleotide sequences between exon 2 and exon 3 of RELA were deleted in MKN45. RELA expression significantly (P<0.001) decreased after CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. Compared to the control group, the MFI of CD44 in transfected cells significantly decreased (P <0.001). Knockout of RELA significantly decreased CD44 expression in MKN45 cells. It can be concluded that the NF-kB signaling pathway via RELA is related to CD44 expression and consequently the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. More studies about this relationship are recommended.
Bringing light onto the Raunkiæran shortfall: A comprehensive review of traits used in functional animal ecology

Abstract Trait‐based approaches elucidate the mechanisms underlying biodiversity response to, or effects on, the environment. Nevertheless, the Raunkiæran shortfall—the dearth of knowledge on species traits and their functionality—presents a challenge in the application of these approaches. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the trends and gaps in trait‐based animal ecology in terms of taxonomic resolution, trait selection, ecosystem type, and geographical region. In addition, we suggest a set of crucial steps to guide trait selection and aid future research to conduct within and cross‐taxon comparisons. We identified 1655 articles using virtually all animal groups published from 1999 to 2020. Studies were concentrated in vertebrates, terrestrial habitats, the Palearctic realm, and mostly investigated trophic and habitat dimensions. Additionally, they focused on response traits (79.4%) and largely ignored intraspecific variation (94.6%). Almost 36% of the data sets did not provide the rationale behind the selection of morphological traits. The main limitations of trait‐based animal ecology were the use of trait averages and a rare inclusion of intraspecific variability. Nearly one‐fifth of the studies based only on response traits conclude that trait diversity impacts ecosystem processes or services without justifying the connection between them or measuring them. We propose a guide for standardizing trait collection that includes the following: (i) determining the type of trait and the mechanism linking the trait to the environment, ecosystem, or the correlation between the environment, trait, and ecosystem, (ii) using a “periodic table of niches” to select the appropriate niche dimension to support a mechanistic trait selection, and (iii) selecting the relevant traits for each retained niche dimension. By addressing these gaps, trait‐based animal ecology can become more predictive. This implies that future research will likely focus on collaborating to understand how environmental changes impact animals and their capacity to provide ecosystem services and goods.
Distance and density dependence in two native Bornean dipterocarp species

Abstract The Janzen–Connell hypothesis proposes that density and distance‐dependent mortality generated by specialist natural enemies prevent competitive dominance. Much literature on Janzen–Connell mechanisms comes from the neotropics, and evidence of the role of distance and density‐dependence is still relatively sparse. We tested the predictions of the Janzen–Connell hypothesis in a South‐East Asian system dominated by mast fruiting species. We hypothesized that seedling survival would decrease with distance and density, seedling growth would increase, and herbivory would decrease, according to the predictions of the Janzen–Connell hypothesis. Experiments were conducted to determine the strength of the Janzen–Connell mechanism by manipulating the density and identity of tree species as a function of the distance from parent trees. Survival of conspecific seedlings was reduced near adult trees of one species, but not another. High densities of seedlings decreased the growth of conspecific seedlings of both species. In both species, herbivory rates decreased with distance in low‐density areas. This study indicates that dipterocarp species experienced weak Janzen–Connell effects of distance and density dependence at the growth stage studied. Future studies in this system might focus on earlier life‐history stages such as seeds and small seedlings, as well as studying mortality during mast‐seeding events.
The effectiveness of tivantinib for MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma: A protocol for meta analysis

Background: The efficacy of tivantinib for MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma remains controversial. We conduct this meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of tivantinib versus placebo for MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through November 2022 and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of tivantinib versus placebo for MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: Three RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma, tivantinib showed no obvious impact on overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52–1.13; P = .18) or progression-free survival (HR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.56–1.08; P = .14). In addition, tivantinib was associated with the increase in grade ≥3 neutropenia (odd ratio [OR] = 11.76; 95% CI = 2.77–49.89; P = .0008) and leukopenia (OR = 14; 95% CI = 1.68–116.82; P = .01), but demonstrated no impact on the incidence of grade ≥ 3 anemia (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 0.14–53.43; P = .51). Conclusions: Tivantinib may not benefit to the treatment of MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma.
Cascadic multigrid for the advection-diffusion equation

In this report, the Cascadic Multigrid method (CMG), viewed as a «one-way» multigrid method not involving pre-smoothing or restriction steps, is defined and tested in the case of a simple 2D advection-diffusion problem. Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel smoothers are employed. While the Cascadic Multigrid method is very effective for relatively small Reynolds numbers, the convergenc- e rate deteriorates when advection and diffusion approximately balance each other. However, for larger Reynolds numbers, the method improves somewhat and achieves a mesh-independent convergence rate. In the next step, we recommend that the CMG method should be designed and tested for boundary layers in conjunction with adaptive meshes and/or semi-coarsening.
An Image Fusion Algorithm Using Wavelet Transform

A multisensor image fusion algorithm using wavelet transform is proposed in this paper.The principles of choosing high frequency and low frequency coefficients are discussed respectively.While choosing high frequency coefficients,we select these that have maximal absolute values and verify the consistency of these coefficients.When choosing the low frequency coefficients,we design three approaches.The first method is average method,which decreases the contrast of images in some degree.The second method is combination of average and selection proposed by Burt,which uses average method and selective methods alternatively according to the match degree of two images.The third method is based on edges of images,selecting the pixels that might be on the edges possibly from original images.The algorithm is used to fuse several multi-focused images.The results show that this algorithm can preserve all useful information from primitive images and all targets in the fused image are very clear.However,if we choose low frequency coefficients by the third method,the effect of fused image is the best.
Bioinspired figure-ground discrimination via visual motion smoothing

Flies detect and track moving targets among visual clutter, and this process mainly relies on visual motion. Visual motion is analyzed or computed with the pathway from the retina to T4/T5 cells. The computation of local directional motion was formulated as an elementary movement detector (EMD) model more than half a century ago. Solving target detection or figure-ground discrimination problems can be equivalent to extracting boundaries between a target and the background based on the motion discontinuities in the output of a retinotopic array of EMDs. Individual EMDs cannot measure true velocities, however, due to their sensitivity to pattern properties such as luminance contrast and spatial frequency content. It remains unclear how local directional motion signals are further integrated to enable figure-ground discrimination. Here, we present a computational model inspired by fly motion vision. Simulations suggest that the heavily fluctuating output of an EMD array is naturally surmounted by a lobula network, which is hypothesized to be downstream of the local motion detectors and have parallel pathways with distinct directional selectivity. The lobula network carries out a spatiotemporal smoothing operation for visual motion, especially across time, enabling the segmentation of moving figures from the background. The model qualitatively reproduces experimental observations in the visually evoked response characteristics of one type of lobula columnar (LC) cell. The model is further shown to be robust to natural scene variability. Our results suggest that the lobula is involved in local motion-based target detection.
Prevalence and predictors of musculoskeletal health complaints among sedentary, monotonous urban workers: A survey in Bangladesh

Background Monotonous and sedentary work is significantly associated with the worst health of workers. There is a scarcity of data investigating the musculoskeletal health of sedentary workers working in low-income and middle-income settings. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and predictors of musculoskeletal health complaints (MHC) among Bangladeshi shopkeepers. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data from 1553 Bangladeshi shopkeepers aged 18 years and above were analyzed. MHC was measured using the musculoskeletal subscale of the subjective health complaints scale. The descriptive analysis helped to compute MHC prevalence and compare the prevalence across groups. Regression analysis revealed the predictors of MHC for the shopkeepers. Results The prevalence of MHC among shopkeepers was 58.0%. The prevalence of low back pain was the highest (55.5%), followed by neck pain (48.0%) and upper back pain (43.5%). Regression analysis identified sex (aOR 1.301, CI 0.996 to 1.700), age (aOR 1.405, CI 1.047 to 1.886), body mass index (aOR 0.495, CI 0.397 to 0.617), and substance abuse (aOR 1.998, CI 1.136 to 3.514) as independent predictors of MHC among the shopkeepers. Furthermore, significantly higher odds of MHC have been found among tobacco users (OR 1.234, CI 1.009 to 1.510). Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of MHC and unhealthy lifestyles among shopkeepers in Bangladesh. Shopkeepers should be provided with better health literacy to follow healthy lifestyles and prevent MHC among this cohort.
Encoding and Storage of Information in Mechanical Metamaterials

Information processing using material's own properties has gained increasing interest. Mechanical metamaterials, due to their diversity of deformation modes and wide design space, can be used to realize information processing, such as computing and storage. Here a mechanical metamaterial system is demonstrated for material‐based encoding and storage of data through programmed reconfigurations of the metamaterial's structured building blocks. Sequential encoding and decoding are achieved in the three‐dimensional (3D) printed pixelated mechanical metamaterial via kirigami‐based “pixels” with programmable, temperature‐dependent bistability. The mechanical metamaterial is demonstrated via a multistep deformation of encoding messages of texts and surfaces with arrays of binary data, and then decoding them by applying a predetermined stretching and heating regimen to sequentially retrieve layers of stored information and display them on its surface. This approach serves as a general framework to enable the encoding and storage of data with mechanical metamaterials.
Non‑coding RNAs: Role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the regulation of autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma (Review)

The term autophagy describes a process that supports nutrient cycling and metabolic adaptation that is accomplished via multistep lysosomal degradation. These activities modulate cell, tissue and internal environment stability, and can also affect the occurrence and development of cancer. Previous studies have mostly described autophagy as having dual effects in cancer, serving to limit tumorigenesis in the early stages of cancer, but promoting tumor progression in certain types of cancer. There have been indications in recent years that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as types of non-coding RNAs, play major roles in the occurrence, invasion, development and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in the migration of HCC cells by governing HCC cell autophagy. Therefore, understanding which miRNAs and lncRNAs play such roles and the relevant molecular mechanisms is critical. The present review highlights the significant functions of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the regulation of autophagy in HCC and the relevant mechanisms, aiming to provide novel insight into HCC therapeutics.
Application of glycemic qualification rate based on fingerstick glucose monitoring in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objective To explore the appropriate application of glycemic qualification rate (GQR) calculated by fingerstick blood glucose (BG) monitoring for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by analyzing the relationship between BG control and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods Fingerstick Blood Glucose data during the second and third trimester of singleton pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were collected. GQR which is defined as the percentage of fingerstick BG values reaching the targets of BG control in a period of time was calculated. Patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles (tertile 1, GQR <56.25%; tertile 2, GQR 56.25–75%; and tertile 3, GQR ≥75%). Pregnant outcomes were compared among the three groups. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to analyze the potential relationship between GQR and pregnancy outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the cutoff values. We also explored that whether twice or three times monitoring per day would be adequate for GQR calculation, so we brought in two or three glucose measuring times per day to explore the relationship between new GQR and adverse outcomes. Results A total of 311 patients diagnosed with GDM were analyzed. In univariate analysis, the incidences of cesarean section of tertile 1–3 groups were 61.4%, 58.7%, and 44.9%, respectively (p < .05). The incidences of neonatal hypoglycemia of tertiles 1–3 groups were 19.8%, 18.6%, and 8.7% (p < .05). The difference of composite outcomes was statistically significant (p = .001). After adjustment, the patients with worse BG control (lower GQR) had higher risk of cesarean section (tertile 1 – aOR = 2.029, 1.128–3.648), neonatal hypoglycemia (tertile 1: aOR = 2.498, 1.082–5.766) as well as composite outcomes. The ROC curve of GQR indicated the predictive value for neonatal hypoglycemia (area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.612 (0.532–0.692)) and neonatal composite outcomes (AUC 0.593 (0.528–0.657)) with optimal cutoff values of 81.1% and 73.5%, respectively. We also explored that whether twice or three times monitoring per day would be adequate for GQR calculation. The result showed that GQR only calculated by FBG + 2hPG after lunch (2h AL) per day also had well relationship with cesarean section (tertile 1: OR = 2.412, 1.322–4.398), neonatal hypoglycemia (tertile 1: aOR = 4.497, 1.607–12.586), and neonatal composite outcomes (tertile 1: aOR = 1.959, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.114–3.444, p = . 020). Conclusions The GQR calculated by the easily applicable fingerstick BG is related to occurrence of cesarean section and neonatal hypoglycemia in GDM women. GQR ≥ 80% is recommended for better pregnancy outcomes. As for the number of points monitoring per day, GQR calculated by FBG + 2h AL was an optimal option for better pregnancy outcomes if mothers needed to simplify the process of monitoring.
Functional Reference Limits: Describing Physiological Relationships and Determination of Physiological Limits for Enhanced Interpretation of Laboratory Results

Functional reference limits describe key changes in the physiological relationship between a pair of physiologically related components. Statistically, this can be represented by a significant change in the curvature of a mathematical function or curve (e.g., an observed plateau). The point at which the statistical relationship changes significantly is the point of curvature inflection and can be mathematically modeled from the relationship between the interrelated biomarkers. Conceptually, they reside between reference intervals, which describe the statistical boundaries of a single biomarker within the reference population, and clinical decision limits that are often linked to the risk of morbidity or mortality and set as thresholds. Functional reference limits provide important physiological and pathophysiological insights that can aid laboratory result interpretation. Laboratory professionals are in a unique position to harness data from laboratory information systems to derive clinically relevant values. Increasing research on and reporting of functional reference limits in the literature will enhance their contribution to laboratory medicine and widen the evidence base used in clinical decision limits, which are currently almost exclusively contributed to by clinical trials. Their inclusion in laboratory reports will enhance the intellectual value of laboratory professionals in clinical care beyond the statistical boundaries of a healthy reference population and pave the way to them being considered in shaping clinical decision limits. This review provides an overview of the concepts related to functional reference limits, clinical examples of their use, and the impetus to include them in laboratory reports.