Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discovery of a Radio Halo (and Relic) in a M 500 < 2 × 1014 M ⊙ Cluster

Radio halos are diffuse synchrotron sources observed in dynamically unrelaxed galaxy clusters. Current observations and models suggest that halos trace turbulent regions in the intracluster medium where mildly relativistic particles are reaccelerated during cluster mergers. Due to the higher luminosities and detection rates with increasing cluster mass, radio halos have been mainly observed in massive systems ( M500≳5×1014 M⊙ ). Here, we report the discovery of a radio halo with a largest linear scale of ≃750 kpc in PSZ2G145.92-12.53 (z = 0.03) using LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) observations at 120–168 MHz. With a mass of M500=(1.9±0.2)×1014 M⊙ and a radio power at 150 MHz of P150=(3.5±0.7)×1023 W Hz−1, this is the least powerful radio halo in the least massive cluster discovered to date. Additionally, we discover a radio relic with a mildly convex morphology at ∼1.7 Mpc from the cluster center. Our results demonstrate that LOFAR has the potential to detect radio halos even in low-mass clusters, where the expectation to form them is very low (∼5%) based on turbulent reacceleration models. Together with the observation of large samples of clusters, this opens the possibility to constrain the low end of the power–mass relation of radio halos.
CER-ETH – Center of Economic Research at ETH Zurich Economic Growth and Equity in Anticipation of Climate Policy

We study the role of the anticipation of climate policies on equity and economic growth in a numerical model of general equilibrium. The presence of the anticipation period allows the agents to adjust their choices before policy implementation. This period might change the equilibrium dynamics. It might also impact the redistribution of wealth in the economy. We choose the Swiss economy to exemplify and analyze these effects. The supply-side of the economy adjusts by redirecting the investments to “cleaner” sectors with a lower tax burden and higher profitability. On the demand side, welfare impacts by households vary according to their principal source of income. Households that have a high share of their income from capital rents benefit more from the policy’s announcement than others do. We find that, for the most stringent climate policies, the effect of anticipation is strongly positive but also regressive.
Circular RNAs as novel potential biomarkers for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and the vast majority of these malignancies are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), but there is still a lack of early detection biomarkers for PaCa. Unlike linear RNAs, circRNAs form covalently closed continuous loops and can act as mammalian gene regulators. They may be diagnostic or predictive biomarkers for some tumors, also be novel potential therapeutic targets in different diseases. This review focuses on (1) the biogenesis of circRNAs, RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and complementary sequences of circRNAs; (2) the characteristics of circRNAs which allow them to interact with miRNAs; (3) the roles of circRNAs playing in the regulation of gene expression, cell behavior and cancer, and their potential role as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer.
Determination of Lignin Content in Norway Spruce Wood by Fourier Transformed near Infrared Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Regression Analysis. Part 2: Development and Evaluation of the Final Model

Partial least squares (PLS) regressions were carried out to establish a mathematical correlation between the wet-laboratory reference values and the Fourier transformed near infrared spectra. The wavenumber range resulting from the investigations in Part 1 of this series was examined in detail, evaluating several data pre-processing methods. The data set was spilt into a cross-validation set and a test set to validate each model. Then the data set first used for cross-validation was used as a test set and vice versa. The coefficients of determination and the errors were very similar, but the number of PLS vectors varied widely, depending on the pre-processing method used. Applying the evaluation step used in Part 1, namely the prediction of lignin content of 732 additional spectra (366 wood samples with unknown lignin content) revealed which pre-processing method gave the most consistent results. The most appropriate model was found with the underlying assumption that it will cover a wide range of the natural variability of spruce wood and thus be applicable to as many samples as possible. The results of the models of cross-validation and test-set validation were compared to the results of a model calculated with all spectra (CV) and thus comprising a higher variability of the wood spectra. It is shown that the three models were equal and that the final model with the following parameters is highly qualified for prediction: wavenumber range 6102 cm−1-5762 cm−1, data pre-processing method 1st Der-MSC, number of PLS vectors (rank) = 2, r2 = 0.926, root mean square error of estimation (RMSEE) = 0.24%, root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) = 0.25%, an estimated root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.25% with a corrected estimated RMSEP = 0.22%, bias = 0.00038 and a residual prediction deviation (RPD) = 3.7. These results confirm the importance of careful validation.
The Neurophysiology of Caffeine as a Central Nervous System Stimulant and the Resultant Effects on Cognitive Function

Caffeine is one of the world’s most consumed drugs. According to the Washington Post (2015), two billion cups of coffee are consumed per day worldwide. Caffeine is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and an organic molecule called methylxanthine. Caffeine has three notable mechanisms of action on the CNS that produce a psychostimulant effect. These effects are responsible for the effect that caffeine has on cognitive function. The effects of caffeine consumption on cognitive function have been demonstrated across several studies involving humans and animals. With the immense number of people consuming caffeine around the world, it is of vital importance to study the effects that this drug has on people’s cognitive function. This literature review provides useful insights on this question through the analysis of caffeine’s effects on cognitive function, along with information on caffeine’s three modes of action. The findings of recent studies show mixed results regarding the effects of caffeine on mood, attention, processing speed, and memory. Current research suggests that if caffeine does have an effect on mood, the most significant changes may be anxiety. Studies did not support caffeine as having any significant effect on attention, but that it did play a role in enhancing processing speed. The majority of the studies reviewed suggest caffeine as having a significant positive effect on both short and long-term memory in adults and the elderly. Current findings warrant continued research on the association of caffeine and the resultant effects on cognitive function.
Inhibition of miR-200b-3p alleviates lipid accumulation and promotes cholesterol efflux by targeting ABCA1 in macrophage-derived foam cells

Atherosclerosis (As) is a chronic cardiovascular disease characterized by abnormal of lipid accumulation and cholesterol efflux. The present study aimed to investigate whether the micro-RNA (miR)-200b-3p could exacerbate As by promoting lipid accumulation and inhibiting cholesterol efflux via ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in macrophage-derived foam cells. Blood samples from 30 patients with As and 30 healthy people were collected at Quanzhou First Hospital. RAW264.7 cells were used to establish foam cells using oxidized low-density lipoprotein. The expression of miR-200b-3p and ABCA1 was evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting. Lipid accumulation was analyzed by Oil Red O staining and cholesterol content was assessed by ELISA. A targeting relationship between miR-200b-3p and ABCA1 was demonstrated by luciferase reporter assays. Compared with healthy volunteers and RAW264.7 cells, the expression level of miR-200b-3p was significantly increased whereas the expression level of ABCA1 was significantly decreased in patients with As and foam cells. Furthermore, miR-200b-3p expression was negatively correlated with ABCA1 expression in the blood of the patients with As. Lipid content was significantly decreased and cholesterol efflux was significantly increased in foam cells transfected with the miR-200b-3p inhibitor compared with inhibitor control cells. In addition, ABCA1 was shown to be targeted by miR-200b-3p. Furthermore, the lipid content in foam cells transfected with the miR-200b-3p inhibitor and small interfering-ABCA1 was significantly increased, while the cholesterol efflux was significantly decreased compared with foam cells transfected with the miR-200b-3p inhibitor. In conclusion, the findings from the present study indicated that inhibition of miR-200b-3p may alleviate lipid accumulation and promote cholesterol efflux by targeting ABCA1 in macrophage-derived foam cells.
Mist1 Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Adenocarcinoma via Downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin Pathway

As a secretory cell transcription factor, muscle intestine stomach expression 1 (Mist1) is associated with serous secretory cell development and gastric chief cell maturation. Here, we focus on the function of Mist1 in gastric adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis. Based on clinical data and a mouse model of gastric cancer, we found that Mist1 expression was reduced in gastric cancer. Then, we overexpressed Mist1 using a lentivirus system and found that overexpression of Mist1 could inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Additionally, in vivo, we assessed the function of Mist1 in a gastric cancer xenograft model and distant pulmonary metastasis model. Overexpression of Mist1 decreased tumour growth and distant metastasis in vivo, suggesting that Mist1 acts as a tumour suppressor in gastric carcinogenesis. Furthermore, Mist1 overexpression inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer by suppressing β-catenin transcription activity and then the Wingless and INT-1 (Wnt)/β-catenin signalling pathway, which could be reversed by a Wnt/β-catenin-specific agonist. In conclusion, this study indicated that overexpression of Mist1 could reverse EMT in gastric carcinogenesis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and that Mist1 might be a novel marker for early gastric cancer screening.
A Randomized Open-Label Study of Two Methods of Proton Pump Inhibitors Discontinuation

Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Unfortunately, they are often inappropriately prescribed and long-term use has potential adverse effects. A single best method for discontinuation of PPIs does not currently exist. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in successfully discontinuing PPI use at 12 months between patients discontinuing abruptly or tapering first. Methodology We conducted a randomized trial with 38 patients diagnosed with GERD. We collected six weekly and then monthly surveys of symptoms based on the Dyspepsia Symptom Severity Index. Chart review at 12 months determined whether the patient was able to discontinue PPI. Results A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis at 12 months did not show a statistically significant difference between the abrupt and taper groups for discontinuation of PPI medication (p = 0.75). Cox regression analysis showed no association of alcohol use, smoking, or caffeine use with failure to discontinue PPI, but H2 blocker use was associated with a 79% reduction in risk of failure to discontinue PPI (p = 0.004). The taper group had significantly less symptoms 14, 18, 22, and 30 weeks after discontinuation. Conclusions Our study suggests that there is no difference in successful discontinuation of PPIs between abrupt and taper methods at 12 months; however, there are less symptoms in the taper method, and H2 blocker use is associated with success. Further study is needed with larger numbers of participants and randomization of H2 blocker use.
Adsorption of Hydrogen Sulfide at Low Temperatures Using an Industrial Molecular Sieve: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

In the work presented herein, a joint experimental and theoretical approach has been carried out to obtain an insight into the desulfurization performance of an industrial molecular sieve (IMS), resembling a zeolitic structure with a morphology of cubic crystallites and a high surface area of 590 m2 g–1, with a view to removing H2S from biogas. The impact of temperature, H2S inlet concentration, gas matrix, and regeneration cycles on the desulfurization performance of the IMS was thoroughly probed. The adsorption equilibrium, sorption kinetics, and thermodynamics were also examined. Experimental results showed that the relationship between H2S uptake and temperature increase was inversely proportional. Higher H2S initial concentrations led to lower breakpoints. The presence of CO2 negatively affected the desulfurization performance. The IMS was fully regenerated after 15 adsorption/desorption cycles. Theoretical studies revealed that the Langmuir isotherm better described the sorption behavior, pore diffusion was the controlling step of the process (Bangham model), and that the activation energy was 42.7 kJ mol–1 (physisorption). Finally, the thermodynamic studies confirmed that physisorption predominated.
Longer Time to Reach Excellent Response to Treatment in Familial Versus Sporadic Non-medullary Thyroid Cancer (NMTC): A Matched Case-Control Study

Background Familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (NMTC) are supposed to be more aggressive and require more frequent treatment compared to non-familial thyroid cancer. Objectives This matched case-control study aimed to compare the response to treatment between the matched case-control groups of familial and sporadic NMTC. Methods This is a retrospective study in patients with familial NMTC (at least one other first-degree relative involved) who were treated with surgery, followed by radio-iodine therapy (RIT) without consideration of its familial origin. Response to treatment was compared between familial NMTC and age, sex, and TNM stage-matched non-familial NMTC (control group). Response to treatment was assessed one and two years after RIT, and time to excellent response was identified. Results Out of 2,944 NMTC patients, 81 (2.75%) patients had familial NMTC. We compared 66 patients with familial NMTC and 66 sporadic NMTC patients. There was no significant difference in first thyroglobulin, initial and accumulative iodine dose, and additional treatments (additional surgery and radiotherapy) between patients and controls. Although no significant difference was noted in one and two years’ responses to treatment between the case and control groups, familial NMTC patients required more time to achieve excellent response (26.7 ± 24.9 versus 15.9 ± 9.0 months, P = 0.01). No significant difference was noted between familial NMTC patients with two or more than two involved relatives. Conclusions Our study showed that if patients with familial NMTCs were treated in the same way as non-familial patients, the time to excellent response would be significantly longer, even when they have only one other involved relative.
Reversibility of retinochoroidal vascular alteration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea after continuous positive air pressure and surgical intervention

Purpose: The aim of this work was to study various retinochoroidal parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the effect of interventions on these parameters at 6 months follow-up. Methods: A total of 36 patients were recruited prospectively from the otorhinolaryngology clinics of a large tertiary center between September 2018 to March 2020. The subjects were divided into three groups depending upon intervention chosen for OSAS: Group A (surgery, i.e., uvulopalatopharyngoplasty), group B (medical therapy, i.e., continuous positive air pressure) and group C (no intervention). Various retinochoroidal parameters which were studied included retinal thickness (RT), choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), arteriovenous ratio (AVR), capillary density index (CDI) in superficial and deep retina, at baseline and 6 months of follow-up after the intervention. Results: In group A, CT increased significantly at 6 months (332.76 ± 86.41 um) compared to baseline (306.28 ± 78.19) (P = 0.0004). Similarly, CDI at both superficial and deep capillary plexus increased significantly at 6 months (superficial CDI: 0.65 ± 0.04, deep CDI: 0.38 ± 0.01) compared to baseline (superficial CDI: 0.62 ± 0.03, deep CDI: 0.36 ± 0.02) (P = 0.004 and 0.002 respectively). In group B, CT increased significantly at 6 months (361.38 ± 78.63 um) compared to baseline (324.21 ± 76.97 um) (P = 0.008). Also, CVI showed a significant decrease at 6 months (65.74 ± 1.84%) compared to baseline (67.36 ± 1.57%) (P = 0.019). In group C, all except CDI in deep capillary plexus showed a significant decrease at 6 months (0.35 ± 0.01) compared to baseline (0.36 ± 0.02) (P = 0.003). Conclusion: OSAS alters various retinochoroidal parameters and timely intervention in patients with OSAS can prevent these alterations. Also, these retinochoroidal parameters could serve as one of the markers to monitor the disease progression.
Associations between person-centred care and job strain, stress of conscience, and intent to leave among hospital personnel.

AIM To determine the associations between person-centred care (PCC) and job strain, stress of conscience and intent to leave among healthcare professionals in Swedish hospital departments. BACKGROUND Hospitals have experienced difficulty in retaining qualified healthcare personnel. Previous studies have shown that working in a person-centred environment could offset this challenge, but research is scarce. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey design using the STROBE checklist. METHODS Healthcare professionals (n = 94) in six hospital departments in Sweden completed a survey measuring perceived PCC, job strain, stress of conscience and intent to leave. Data were collected from April 2019 to April 2020. Bivariate analysis was used to describe the sample and correlations between the explanatory variables and perceived PCC and its subscales. Regression analyses were performed to explore the associations between perceived PCC and job strain, stress of conscience and intent to leave. RESULTS The organisational and environmental support subscale of perceived PCC showed significant correlations with all explanatory variables, while the extent of personalising care subscale only correlated with job strain and intent to leave. The regression analyses showed that higher perceived PCC was associated with higher job strain, less stress of conscience and less intent to leave. CONCLUSION Higher perceived PCC is associated with work-related factors in hospital departments. There is scope for further research in this area.
Formulation of tunable size PLGA-PEG nanoparticles for drug delivery using microfluidic technology

Amphiphilic block co-polymer nanoparticles are interesting candidates for drug delivery as a result of their unique properties such as the size, modularity, biocompatibility and drug loading capacity. They can be rapidly formulated in a nanoprecipitation process based on self-assembly, resulting in kinetically locked nanostructures. The control over this step allows us to obtain nanoparticles with tailor-made properties without modification of the co-polymer building blocks. Furthermore, a reproducible and controlled formulation supports better predictability of a batch effectiveness in preclinical tests. Herein, we compared the formulation of PLGA-PEG nanoparticles using the typical manual bulk mixing and a microfluidic chip-assisted nanoprecipitation. The particle size tunability and controllability in a hydrodynamic flow focusing device was demonstrated to be greater than in the manual dropwise addition method. We also analyzed particle size and encapsulation of fluorescent compounds, using the common bulk analysis and advanced microscopy techniques: Transmission Electron Microscopy and Total Internal Reflection Microscopy, to reveal the heterogeneities occurred in the formulated nanoparticles. Finally, we performed in vitro evaluation of obtained NPs using MCF-7 cell line. Our results show how the microfluidic formulation improves the fine control over the resulting nanoparticles, without compromising any appealing property of PLGA nanoparticle. The combination of microfluidic formulation with advanced analysis methods, looking at the single particle level, can improve the understanding of the NP properties, heterogeneities and performance.
The Structure of a Peptide-Loaded Shark MHC Class I Molecule Reveals Features of the Binding between β2-Microglobulin and H Chain Conserved in Evolution

Key Points We describe a MHC class I structure of a shark, the most primitive species with MHC. Many features of binding between the heavy chain, β2-m, and peptide are archaic. β2-m residues Y10, D53, F56, and W60 are critical to form the archaic pMHC-I complex. Visual Abstract Cartilaginous fish are the most primitive extant species with MHC molecules. Using the nurse shark, the current study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to present a peptide-loaded MHC class I (pMHC-I) structure for this class of animals. The overall structure was found to be similar between cartilaginous fish and bony animals, showing remarkable conservation of interactions between the three pMHC-I components H chain, β2-microglobulin (β2-m), and peptide ligand. In most previous studies, relatively little attention was given to the details of binding between the H chain and β2-m, and our study provides important new insights. A pronounced conserved feature involves the insertion of a large β2-m F56+W60 hydrophobic knob into a pleat of the β-sheet floor of the H chain α1α2 domain, with the knob being surrounded by conserved residues. Another conserved feature is a hydrogen bond between β2-m Y10 and a proline in the α3 domain of the H chain. By alanine substitution analysis, we found that the conserved β2-m residues Y10, D53, F56, and W60—each binding the H chain—are required for stable pMHC-I complex formation. For the β2-m residues Y10 and F56, such observations have not been reported before. The combined data indicate that for stable pMHC-I complex formation β2-m should not only bind the α1α2 domain but also the α3 domain. Knowing the conserved structural features of pMHC-I should be helpful for future elucidations of the mechanisms of pMHC-I complex formation and peptide editing.