Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent progress in the biology and physiology of BMP-8a

ABSTRACT Purpose BMP-8a is a member of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and plays a regulatory role in human growth and development as a transcription regulator. This review aims to summarize the current research on the impact and mechanism of BMP-8a in female and male reproduction, formation and eruption of teeth, bone and cartilage development, tissue differentiation, disease occurrence, progression and prognosis. Methods The phrases “BMP-8a,” “BMPs,” “regulator,” “mechanism,” “osteoblast,” “cartilage,” “cancer,” “disease,” and “inflammation” were searched in the PubMed database. The abstracts were evaluated, and a series of original publications and reviews were examined. Results According to the search, BMP-8a affects the development of the uterus by inhibiting luteinization and plays an important role in late spermatogenesis. It is highly expressed in osteogenesis and differentially expressed in chondrogenesis. Furthermore, BMP-8a has a significant impact on the occurrence, development and prognosis of various diseases. Conclusions BMP-8a regulates important factors and pathways, such as SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5/8, to promote or inhibit the developmental processes of human reproductive organs. BMP-8a is also a member of the BMP family of proteins that regulates chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. In addition to its osteoinductive capabilities, BMP-8a is involved in the progression of diverse cancers.
A PREVENTIVE TOOL FOR PREDICTING BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH BURNS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Despite significant advances in pediatric burn care, bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain a compelling challenge during recovery. A personalized medicine approach for accurate prediction of BSIs before they occur would contribute to prevention efforts and improve patient outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the blood transcriptome of severely burned (total burn surface area [TBSA] ≥20%) patients in the multicenter Inflammation and Host Response to Injury (“Glue Grant”) cohort. Our study included 82 pediatric (aged <16 years) patients, with blood samples at least 3 days before the observed BSI episode. We applied the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) machine-learning algorithm to select a panel of biomarkers predictive of BSI outcome. Results: We developed a panel of 10 probe sets corresponding to six annotated genes (ARG2 [arginase 2], CPT1A [carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A], FYB [FYN binding protein], ITCH [itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase], MACF1 [microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1], and SSH2 [slingshot protein phosphatase 2]), two uncharacterized (LOC101928635, LOC101929599), and two unannotated regions. Our multibiomarker panel model yielded highly accurate prediction (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.938; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.881–0.981) compared with models with TBSA (0.708; 95% CI, 0.588–0.824) or TBSA and inhalation injury status (0.792; 95% CI, 0.676–0.892). A model combining the multibiomarker panel with TBSA and inhalation injury status further improved prediction (0.978; 95% CI, 0.941–1.000). Conclusions: The multibiomarker panel model yielded a highly accurate prediction of BSIs before their onset. Knowing patients' risk profile early will guide clinicians to take rapid preventive measures for limiting infections, promote antibiotic stewardship that may aid in alleviating the current antibiotic resistance crisis, shorten hospital length of stay and burden on health care resources, reduce health care costs, and significantly improve patients' outcomes. In addition, the biomarkers' identity and molecular functions may contribute to developing novel preventive interventions.
Low voltage linear actuators based on carbide-derived carbon powder

Novel linear electromechanical actuators based on nanoporous TiC-derived carbons were prepared and studied. Traditionally, thin membranes containing mobile ions are used for bending actuators. We describe a linear actuator which consists of carbon material thin film and an ionic liquid. The thin film is made from nanoporous TiC-derived carbon powder and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a binder agent. The working mechanism of the actuators is based on the interactions between the high-surface-area carbide-derived carbon (CDC) and the ions of the electrolyte. These actuators are able to generate linear actuation of about 1% from their thickness under voltages less than 3 V. The motion starts already at 0.8V and the magnitude of actuation depends on the electrical charge stored by the device. Two different types of electrolyte were used: 1) Ionic liquid (EMITf) and 2) Tetra-alcyl-ammonium salt in propylene carbonate (PC) solution. The actuators with ionic liquid have 60% higher movement. The electromechanical parameters of the actuators were studied by using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods.
The eigenvalues of the charge operator

It is shown without using perturbation theory that, if charge renormalization is defined in the usual way, the charge operator has the eigenvalue e(n_-n+) for a state corresponding to n_ incoming electrons, n+ incoming positrons, and an arbitrary number of incoming photons. It is also shown that, in the special case of one incoming electron and no other incoming particles, this leads to the statement that the radiative corrections to the Rutherford formula for the scattering in a weak external field vanish in the non-relativistic limit.
Feedback flow to improve model-based OPC calibration test patterns

Process models are responsible for the prediction of the latent image in the resist in a lithographic process. In order for the process model to calculate the latent image, information about the aerial image at each layout fragment is evaluated first and then some aerial image characteristics are extracted. These parameters are passed to the process models to calculate wafer latent image. The process model will return a threshold value that indicates the position of the latent image inside the resist, the accuracy of this value will depend on the calibration data that were used to build the process model in the first place. The calibration structures used in building the models are usually gathered in a single layout file called the test pattern. Real raw data from the lithographic process are measured and attached to its corresponding structure in the test pattern, this data is then applied to the calibration flow of the models. In this paper we present an approach to automatically detect patterns that are found in real designs and have considerable aerial image parameters differences with the nearest test pattern structure, and repair the test patterns to include these structures. This detect-and-repair approach will guarantee accurate prediction of different layout fragments and therefore correct OPC behavior.
Impact of pandemic COVID-19 lockdown on penetrating keratoplasty patients

Purpose: To study the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the regular follow-up of keratoplasty patients. Methods: This retrospective interventional case series included 30 patients who had immunological corneal endothelial rejection out of 190 patients who came for post-PKP follow-up between September 15, 2019, and September 30, 2020. The demographics, primary diagnosis, surgical technique, time of presentation, recovery of graft, associated ocular problems, and visual acuity at 1 month were analyzed. Forward stepwise (likelihood ratio) binary logistic regression was used to find significant variables. Results: The study population had 19 males (63.33%) and 11 females (36.67%). The mean age of the study group was 42.83 ± 18.89 (8–80) years. Of 30 patients, 19 (63.3%) presented before and 11 (36.7%) after the COVID-19 lockdown. Overall, 23 (77%) showed a reversal of graft rejection. Logistic regression showed that preoperative indications, large-sized grafts, and deep corneal vascularization were significant risk factors for non-resolution of graft rejection. It was noted that patients who presented to the hospital late had poor recovery (P = 0.002). The delay in the presentation was a significant risk factor for non-resolution of graft rejection (P < 0.01). Z-test for proportions revealed that the difference in the non-resolution of rejection on immediate or delayed treatment in patients presenting during lockdown (P = 0.002) was significant. Conclusion: This article is to highlight the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on graft rejection recovery of PKP patients due to delays in follow-up. Early treatment helps in the recovery of graft transparency and the reversal of immunological graft rejection. Also, primary diagnosis, deep vascularization, and large-sized grafts were significant risk factors for non-resolution of graft rejection.
Extremes of bilinear time series models

The class of bilinear time series models is an obvious generalization of linear ARMA models and has found many applications in time series modeling. It is known that the sample paths of even the simplest bilinear process may have sudden bursts of large negative and positive values that vary in form and amplitude depending on the model parameters. Yet, little is known about the extremal properties of this class. In this paper, we look at the extremal properties of bilinear processes and explain how model parameters affect the extremal behavior.
Reasons for kidney transplant refusal among patients receiving peritoneal dialysis: A qualitative study

Background: Even though kidney transplantation has better outcomes compared to dialysis therapies, some patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) refuse to consider kidney transplantation. Identification of the underlying reason for patient refusal may improve patients’ acceptance of kidney transplantation. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the reasons given by Iranian PD patients for refusing kidney transplantation. Method: Eighteen patients undergoing PD participated. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and were analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis leads to the emergence of two categories and six subcategories: negative outcomes of kidney transplantation (financial burden, psychosocial problems and physical complications) and doubtful factors for kidney transplantation (negative attitudes towards kidney transplantation, long waiting time for kidney transplantation and compatibility of PD with daily life). The financial burden and long waiting time for kidney transplantation were the most important factors in the reluctance of kidney transplantation by PD patients. Implication for practice: Patients undergoing PD declined kidney transplantation for several reasons, such as financial burden, fear of post-transplantation side effects, long waiting time for kidney transplantation. Reducing the time of kidney transplantation and insurance coverage of transplant costs can change the attitude of PD patients towards transplant.
ESR1 gene amplification and MAP3K mutations are selected during adjuvant endocrine therapies in relapsing Hormone Receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer (HR+ HER2- BC)

Background Previous studies have provided a comprehensive picture of genomic alterations in primary and metastatic Hormone Receptor (HR)-positive, Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer (HR+ HER2- BC). However, the evolution of the genomic landscape of HR+ HER2- BC during adjuvant endocrine therapies (ETs) remains poorly investigated. Methods and findings We performed a genomic characterization of surgically resected HR+ HER2- BC patients relapsing during or at the completion of adjuvant ET. Using a customized panel, we comprehensively evaluated gene mutations and copy number variation (CNV) in paired primary and metastatic specimens. After retrieval and quality/quantity check of tumor specimens from an original cohort of 204 cases, 74 matched tumor samples were successfully evaluated for DNA mutations and CNV analysis. Along with previously reported genomic alterations, including PIK3CA, TP53, CDH1, GATA3 and ESR1 mutations/deletions, we found that ESR1 gene amplification (confirmed by FISH) and MAP3K mutations were enriched in metastatic lesions as compared to matched primary tumors. These alterations were exclusively found in patients treated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors or LHRH analogs plus tamoxifen, but not in patients treated with tamoxifen alone. Patients with tumors bearing MAP3K mutations in metastatic lesions had significantly worse distant relapse-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 3.4, 95% CI 1.52–7.70, p value 0.003) and worse overall survival (HR 5.2, 95% CI 2.10–12.8, p-value < 0.001) independently of other clinically relevant patient- and tumor-related variables. Conclusions ESR1 amplification and activating MAP3K mutations are potential drivers of acquired resistance to adjuvant ETs employing estrogen deprivation in HR+ HER2- BC. MAP3K mutations are associated with worse prognosis in patients with metastatic disease.
Significance of steady mass loss in red giants prior to envelope ejection due to pulsational instability

Reimers-type steady mass loss is shown to have a modest effect on Mira variable evolution. Up to the point where envelope ejection due to pulsational instability occurs, only a small fraction of the envelope can be lost as a result of steady mass loss. The effects of steady mass loss on Miro variable statistics are discussed.
Compact Perturbed Hexagonal Microstrip Antenna for Dual-Band Circular Polarization

Abstract A novel dual-band circularly polarized multi-layer microstrip antenna for 3.5-/5.2-/5.8-GHz applications is presented. A stacked-patch configuration is used for the compact dual-band antenna design, and good circular polarization performance is achieved by adjusting the size of truncated corners and inserted slits of the hexagonal patches. The antenna generates circular polarization radiation at 3.49 and 5.18 GHz with good return loss and broadside radiation patterns. The measured peak gains of the antenna are 3.5 and 5.1 dBi at the lower and upper bands, respectively. In addition, the antenna occupies a small radiating area of 15.6 × 16 mm2.
PRC1 plays an important role in lung adenocarcinoma and is potentially targeted by fostamatinib.

OBJECTIVE Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) plays a role in the tumorigenesis and development of several cancers, including LUAD. The aim of the present study is to assess the characteristics of PRC1 in LUAD in order to find a potential drug that targets PRC1. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the prognostic value of PRC1 in patients with LUAD using Cox analysis of the RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) portal. A link between PRC1 and LUAD progression, cigarette smoking mutation count, aneuploidy, and hypoxia scores was assessed. The relationship between PRC1 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in LUAD was analyzed and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to study the PRC1-related biological process and signal pathways. Potential drugs targeting PRC1 were identified using DrugBank database and molecular docking. RESULTS PRC1 expression was significantly increased in LUAD. PRC1 could be, therefore, a prognostic biomarker for predicting overall survival in LUAD. PRC1 expression was also related to cancer stage and patient's smoking history. PRC1 positively correlated with mutation count, aneuploidy and hypoxia scores. It was also significantly related to tumor-infiltrating immune cells, especially the activated mast cells. GSEA revealed that PRC1 might be correlated with cell cycle, cytokinesis and p53 signaling pathway. Additionally, fostamatinib was found to be a potential drug targeting PRC1. CONCLUSIONS PRC1 may have a prognostic value for patients with LUAD, and be correlated with the mutation count, aneuploidy, hypoxia and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Fostamatinib was found to be a potential drug targeting PRC1 in LUAD.
Enhanced Reactivation of Remapping Place Cells during Aversive Learning

Study of the hippocampal place cell system has greatly enhanced our understanding of memory encoding for distinct places, but how episodic memories for distinct experiences occurring within familiar environments are encoded is less clear. We developed a spatial decision-making task in which male rats learned to navigate a multiarm maze to a goal location for food reward while avoiding maze arms in which aversive stimuli were delivered. Task learning induced partial remapping in CA1 place cells, allowing us to identify both remapping and stable cell populations. Remapping cells were recruited into sharp-wave ripples and associated replay events to a greater extent than stable cells, despite having similar firing rates during navigation of the maze. Our results suggest that recruitment into replay events may be a mechanism to incorporate new contextual information into a previously formed and stabilized spatial representation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Hippocampal place cells provide a map of space that animals use to navigate. This map can change to reflect changes in the physical properties of the environment in which the animal finds itself, and also in response to nonphysical contextual changes, such as changes in the valence of specific locations within that environment. We show here that cells which change their spatial tuning after a change in context are preferentially recruited into sharp-wave ripple-associated replay events compared with stable nonremapping cells. Thus, our data lend strong support to the hypothesis that replay is a mechanism for the storage of new spatial maps.
Phenolic compounds from Tradescantia pallida ameliorate diabetes by inhibiting enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways

Abstract Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by postprandial hyperglycemia due to several etiologies including abnormal carbohydrate digestion and glycation of hemoglobin. The prolong use of synthetic drugs results in characteristic side effects which necessitates the discovery of safe and cost-effective substitutes. The aim of the current study is to isolate and evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the phenolic compounds from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida. Syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, morin and catechin (compounds 1–4) were isolated and characterized from Tradescantia pallida leaves using column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro antidiabetic potential of the phenolic compounds were assessed using α-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin protein assays. A mechanistic insight of interactions between phenolic compounds and human α-amylase and hemoglobin protein were scrutinized by employing molecular docking method. Prime Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) calculations were carried out to find the binding energies of the ligand-protein complexes. Morin and catechin were further analyzed to find the dynamic and thermodynamic constraints of the complexes under specific biological conditions using molecular dynamic simulation trajectories. The stability and flexibility of the complexes were justified by fluctuation of α-carbon chain, Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) and type of interactions involved which authenticated the in vitro inhibitory potential of morin and catechin against enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. The current study could be fruitful in rational designing of safe antidiabetic drugs of natural origin. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Motor training promotes both synaptic and intrinsic plasticity of layer V pyramidal neurons in the primary motor cortex

Layer V neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1) are important for motor skill learning. Since pretreatment of either CNQX or APV in rat M1 layer V impaired rotor rod learning, we analysed training‐induced synaptic plasticity by whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique in acute brain slices. Rats trained for 1 day showed a decrease in small inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSC) frequency and an increase in the paired‐pulse ratio of evoked IPSCs, suggesting a transient decrease in presynaptic GABA release in the early phase. Rats trained for 2 days showed an increase in miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) amplitudes/frequency and elevated AMPA/NMDA ratios, suggesting a long‐term strengthening of AMPA receptor‐mediated excitatory synapses. Importantly, rotor rod performance in trained rats was correlated with the mean mEPSC amplitude and the frequency obtained from that animal. In current‐clamp analysis, 1‐day‐trained rats transiently decreased the current‐induced firing rate, while 2‐day‐trained rats returned to pre‐training levels, suggesting dynamic changes in intrinsic properties. Furthermore, western blot analysis of layer V detected decreased phosphorylation of Ser408–409 in GABAA receptor β3 subunits in 1‐day‐trained rats, and increased phosphorylation of Ser831 in AMPA receptor GluA1 subunits in 2‐day‐trained rats. Finally, live‐imaging analysis of Thy1‐YFP transgenic mice showed that the training rapidly recruited a substantial number of spines for long‐term plasticity in M1 layer V neurons. Taken together, these results indicate that motor training induces complex and diverse plasticity in M1 layer V pyramidal neurons.
Convective Overshooting in Stellar Interior Models

ABS>The question of overshooting from interior convective cores in stellar models is examined in the framework of a simplified nonlocal mixing- length model for convection. The most important results are (a) a finite nonnegligible overshoot is obtained for parameter combinations typical of stellar convective cores; (b) a finite nonzero overshoot is obtained even in the limit of adiabatic convection (achieved when convective speeds tend to zero). A general thermedynamic argument is presented to show that the limiting results are not model dependent.
A mutation in DOK7 in congenital myasthenic syndrome forms aggresome in cultured cells, and reduces DOK7 expression and MuSK phosphorylation in patient-derived iPS cells

Abstract At the neuromuscular junction, the downstream of tyrosine kinase 7 (DOK7) enhances the phosphorylation of muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) and induces clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). We identified a patient with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) with two heteroallelic mutations in DOK7, c.653-1G>C in intron 5 and c.190G>A predicting p.G64R in the pleckstrin homology domain. iPS cells established from the patient (CMS-iPSCs) showed that c.653-1G>C caused in-frame skipping of exon 6 (120 bp) and frame-shifting activation of a cryptic splice site deleting seven nucleotides in exon 6. p.G64R reduced the expression of DOK7 to 10% of wild-type DOK7, and markedly compromised AChR clustering in transfected C2C12 myotubes. p.G64R-DOK7 made insoluble aggresomes at the juxtanuclear region in transfected C2C12 myoblasts and COS7 cells, which were co-localized with molecules in the autophagosome system. A protease inhibitor MG132 reduced the soluble fraction of p.G64R-DOK7 and enhanced the aggresome formation of p.G64R-DOK7. To match the differentiation levels between patient-derived and control induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we corrected c.190G>A (p.G64R) by CRISPR/Cas9 to make isogenic iPSCs while retaining c.653-1G>C (CMS-iPSCsCas9). Myogenically differentiated CMS-iPSCs showed juxtanuclear aggregates of DOK7, reduced expression of endogenous DOK7 and reduced phosphorylation of endogenous MuSK. Another mutation, p.T77M, also made aggresome to a less extent compared with p.G64R in transfected COS7 cells. These results suggest that p.G64R-DOK7 makes aggresomes in cultured cells and is likely to compromise MuSK phosphorylation for AChR clustering.