Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinctive biochemistry profiles associated with hyperuricemia between Tibetans and Hans in China

Purpose We sought to identify distinct risk factors for hyperuricemia in native Tibetan and immigrant Han populations in Tibet, China. Methods Three cohorts of male participants aged between 20 and 40 years were enrolled in this study. Biochemical parameters including serum uric acid (UA), fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), thyroxin, blood cell count, aminotransferase, and lipid profiles were analyzed. The association of risk factors with UA levels was evaluated using a multivariable line regression model. The effect of UA level on the biochemical parameters between the Hans and Tibetans was evaluated by two-way ANOVA. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia (≥420 μmol/L) was 24.8% (62/250) in the Hans, similar to 23.8% (29/136) in the Tibetans. In the regression analysis, the risk factors that were significantly associated with UA in Hans did not apply to Tibetans. Tibetans had higher fasting insulin (P<0.05) and LDH (P<0.01) levels, in contrast with lower levels of triglycerides (P<0.05), total cholesterol (P<0.01), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P<0.01) than Hans in normal UA populations. Biochemistry analysis revealed lower albumin levels (P<0.001) and higher levels of all aminotransaminase and especially alkaline phosphatase (P<0.01) in Tibetans than in Hans in both populations. Compared with Hans, Tibetans had lower serum levels of urea, creatinine, and electrolytes in the normal UA population, which were further exacerbated in the high UA population. Tibetans had comparable white blood cell counts as Hans in both normal and high UA populations. In contrast, the red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration were much lower in Tibetans than in Hans under high UA conditions. Conclusions The distinctive biochemistry between Tibetans and Hans may underlie the different etiologies of hyperuricemia in Tibet, China.
Potential of the Novel Slot Blot Method with a PVDF Membrane for Protein Identification and Quantification in Kampo Medicines

Kampo is a Japanese traditional medicine modified from traditional Chinese medicine. Kampo medicines contain various traditional crude drugs with unknown compositions due to the presence of low-molecular-weight compounds and proteins. However, the proteins are generally rare and extracted with high-polarity solvents such as water, making their identification and quantification difficult. To develop methods for identifying and quantifying the proteins in Kampo medicines, in the current study we employ previous technology (e.g., column chromatography, electrophoresis, and membrane chromatography), focusing on membrane chromatography with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane. Moreover, we consider slot blot analysis based on the principle of membrane chromatography, which is beneficial for analyzing the proteins in Kampo medicines as the volume of the samples is not limited. In this article, we assess a novel slot blot method developed in 2017 and using a PVDF membrane and special lysis buffer to quantify advanced glycation end products-modified proteins against other slot blots. We consider our slot blot analysis superior for identifying and quantifying proteins in Kampo medicines compared with other methods as the data obtained with our novel slot blot can be shown with both error bars and the statistically significant difference, and our operation step is simpler than those of other methods.
The dual role of interleukin-6 in Crohn’s disease pathophysiology

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key mediator cytokine of the immune response as well as a regulator of many physiological and pathological processes. In Crohn’s disease (CD), cytokine imbalance rules the intestinal microenvironment and leads to chronic inflammation of the gut. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are generally upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including TNFα and IL-6. Consequently, drugs that target these cytokines have been long sought and approved. Despite the short-term success in treating CD patients with anti-TNFα, many patients stopped responding to treatment, which made IL-6 an alternative target to alleviate inflammation in these patients. IL-6 has long been approached as part of the therapeutic strategies to treat CD and other inflammatory disorders. Clinical trials of CD patients have targeted IL-6 signaling in different mechanisms: blocking IL-6, neutralizing IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), or trapping the soluble IL-6/IL-6R complex. These trials have faced challenges and side effects in patients with gastrointestinal perforations and ulcers, for example, all of which highlight the dual role of IL-6 during intestinal inflammation and the need for this cytokine for intestinal tissue integrity. IL-6 is involved in a complex of upstream regulators and downstream signaling cascades and maintaining a physiological level of IL-6 in the blood and in the intestine is key for achieving health and homeostasis. In this review, we describe IL-6 biology and signaling and its involvement in intestinal health and inflammation. We also discuss the current strategies for targeting IL-6 pathways in CD patients, as well as molecular regulators representing potential therapeutic targets for IL-6 attenuation.
Hypoxic Effects on Matrix Metalloproteinases’ Expression in the Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Perspectives

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by an acidic pH and low oxygen concentrations. Hypoxia induces neoplastic cell evasion of the immune surveillance, rapid DNA repair, metabolic reprogramming, and metastasis, mainly as a response to the hypoxic inducible factors (HIFs). Likewise, cancer cells increase matrix metalloproteinases’ (MMPs) expression in response to TME conditions, allowing them to migrate from the primary tumor to different tissues. Since HIFs and MMPs are augmented in the hypoxic TME, it is easy to consider that HIFs participate directly in their expression regulation. However, not all MMPs have a hypoxia response element (HRE)-HIF binding site. Moreover, different transcription factors and signaling pathways activated in hypoxia conditions through HIFs or in a HIF-independent manner participate in MMPs’ transcription. The present review focuses on MMPs’ expression in normal and hypoxic conditions, considering HIFs and a HIF-independent transcription control. In addition, since the hypoxic TME causes resistance to anticancer conventional therapy, treatment approaches using MMPs as a target alone, or in combination with other therapies, are also discussed.
Identification of cytokine-induced cell communications by pan-cancer meta-analysis

Cancer immune responses are complex cellular processes in which cytokine–receptor interactions play central roles in cancer development and response to therapy; dysregulated cytokine–receptor communication may lead to pathological processes, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cytokine storm; however, our knowledge regarding cytokine-mediated cell–cell communication (CCI) in different cancers remains limited. The present study presents a single-cell and pan-cancer-level transcriptomics integration of 41,900 cells across 25 cancer types. We developed a single-cell method to actively express 62 cytokine–receptor pairs to reveal stable cytokine-mediated cell communications involving 84 cytokines and receptors. The correlation between the sample-based CCI profile and the interactome analysis indicates multiple cytokine–receptor modules including TGFB1, IL16ST, IL15, and the PDGF family. Some isolated cytokine interactions, such as FN1–IL17RC, displayed diverse functions within over ten single-cell transcriptomics datasets. Further functional enrichment analysis revealed that the constructed cytokine–receptor interaction map is associated with the positive regulation of multiple immune response pathways. Using public TCGA pan-cancer mutational data, co-mutational analysis of the cytokines and receptors provided significant co-occurrence features, implying the existence of cooperative mechanisms. Analysis of 10,967 samples from 32 TCGA cancer types revealed that the 84 cytokine and receptor genes are significantly associated with clinical survival time. Interestingly, the tumor samples with mutations in any of the 84 cytokines and receptors have a substantially higher mutational burden, offering insights into antitumor immune regulation and response. Clinical cancer stage information revealed that tumor samples with mutations in any of the 84 cytokines and receptors stratify into earlier tumor stages, with unique cellular compositions and clinical outcomes. This study provides a comprehensive cytokine–receptor atlas of the cellular architecture in multiple cancers at the single-cell level.
Poverty Policy: Between Hope and Reality

This study examines the inherent duality in poverty policy, analyzing the discrepancy between the goals established by policies and the actual outcomes of their execution. The study employs an analytical methodology to examine diverse poverty programs implemented in various countries, emphasizing their accomplishments and shortcomings. The paper begins by providing an overview of the historical development of poverty policy and elucidating how economic and social perspectives have influenced strategies for poverty management. The study subsequently explores the implementation of these rules, encompassing the frequently encountered issues and obstacles. Emphasis is placed on examining case studies that demonstrate effective poverty reduction measures and cases when expectations were not fulfilled. Using data and case studies, the paper examines the crucial aspects that impact the efficacy of poverty initiatives, including the political framework, economic resources, and community participation. In addition, the topic encompasses the influence of technology and innovation on developing more flexible and receptive poverty policies. Ultimately, the study thoroughly examines the interplay between theory and practice in poverty policy. This indicates that a more all-encompassing and inclusive strategy may be required to tackle poverty concerns effectively. Hence, the article's objective is to offer valuable perspectives for policymakers, practitioners, and academics concerned with addressing poverty in a constantly evolving global environment.
A Comprehensive Review of Similarity Based Link Prediction Methods for Complex Networks including Computational Biology

Information retrieval is one of the most challenging tasks for the mankind and to retrieve information interaction is required, which ultimately leads to the formation of networks. Universe is packed with different type of networks. Networks with complex topological properties are called complex network. Such types of networks are major tools for learning the connection between the organizations and finding the purpose of complex systems. The link prediction problems in complex networks facilitate predictions about the future organization of the network. Network is represented as a graph. The data in the network is signified by nodes, and the relations are represented by links. The future of non-connected links amid node pairs is predicted. This paper reviews the methods used to predict links for complex networks using similarity-based heuristics. Previous reviews, despite having a clear outline of the link prediction study, only described the prediction approaches. Research gaps between the similarity-based link prediction techniques, however, were not explicitly stated. With the help of chronological findings and a research gaps approach, this review seeks to give a continuing review and introduce the link prediction.
Potential Enthalpy: A Conservative Oceanic Variable for Evaluating Heat Content and Heat Fluxes

Abstract Potential temperature is used in oceanography as though it is a conservative variable like salinity; however, turbulent mixing processes conserve enthalpy and usually destroy potential temperature. This negative production of potential temperature is similar in magnitude to the well-known production of entropy that always occurs during mixing processes. Here it is shown that potential enthalpy—the enthalpy that a water parcel would have if raised adiabatically and without exchange of salt to the sea surface—is more conservative than potential temperature by two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, it is shown that a flux of potential enthalpy can be called “the heat flux” even though potential enthalpy is undefined up to a linear function of salinity. The exchange of heat across the sea surface is identically the flux of potential enthalpy. This same flux is not proportional to the flux of potential temperature because of variations in heat capacity of up to 5%. The geothermal heat flux across the o.
Association of Combined Metals and PFAS with Cardiovascular Disease Risk

This study sought to investigate the impact of exposure to metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related risk. PFASs, including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS, as well as metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg), were analyzed to elucidate their combined effects on CVD risk. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2007 to 2014, this investigation explored the effects of PFASs and metals on CVD risk. A spectrum of individual CVD markers, encompassing systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides, was examined. Additionally, comprehensive CVD risk indices were evaluated, namely the Overall Cardiovascular Biomarkers Index (OCBI), including the Framingham Risk Score and an Overall Cardiovascular Index. Linear regression analysis was employed to probe the relationships between these variables. Furthermore, to assess dose–response relationships between exposure mixtures and CVD while mitigating the influence of multicollinearity and potential interaction effects, Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) was employed. Results: Our findings indicated that exposure to PFAS and metals in combination increased CVD risk, with combinations occurring with lead bringing forth the largest impact among many CVD-related markers. Conclusions: This study finds that combined exposure to metals and PFASs significantly elevates the likelihood of CVD risk. These results highlight the importance of understanding the complex interplay between multipollutant exposures and their potential implications for cardiovascular health.
Exploring the antibacterial and dermatitis-mitigating properties of chicken egg white-synthesized zinc oxide nano whiskers

Introduction Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have garnered considerable interest in biomedical research primarily owing to their prospective therapeutic implications in combatting pathogenic diseases and microbial infections. The primary objective of this study was to examine the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanowhiskers (ZnO-NWs) using chicken egg white (albumin) as a bio-template. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore the potential biomedical applications of ZnO NWs in the context of infectious diseases. Methods The NWs synthesized through biological processes were observed using electron microscopy, which allowed for detailed examination of their characteristics. The results of these investigations indicated that the NWs exhibited a size distribution ranging from approximately 10 to 100 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) mapping analyses successfully corroborated the size, dimensions, and presence of biological constituents during their formation. In this study, XTT assay and confocal imaging were employed to provide evidence of the efficacy of ZnO-NWs in the eradication of bacterial biofilms. The target bacterial strains were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we sought to address pertinent concerns regarding the biocompatibility of the ZnO-NWs. This was achieved through comprehensive evaluation of the absence of cytotoxicity in normal HEK-293T and erythrocytes. Results The findings of this investigation unequivocally confirmed the biocompatibility of the ZnO-NWs. The biosynthesized ZnO-NWs demonstrated a noteworthy capacity to mitigate the dermatitis-induced consequences induced by Staphylococcus aureus in murine models after a therapeutic intervention lasting for one week. Discussion This study presents a comprehensive examination of the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanowhiskers (ZnO-NWs) derived from chicken egg whites. These findings highlight the considerable potential of biosynthesized ZnO-NWs as a viable option for the development of therapeutic agents targeting infectious diseases. The antibacterial efficacy of ZnO-NWs against both susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, as well as their ability to eradicate biofilms, suggests their promising role in combating infectious diseases. Furthermore, the confirmed biocompatibility of ZnO-NWs opens avenues for their safe use in biomedical applications. Overall, this research underscores the therapeutic promise of ZnO-NWs and their potential significance in future biomedical advancements.
Aerosol particle dry deposition to canopy and forest floor measured by two‐layer eddy covariance system

[1] We present, to our knowledge for the first time, results from subcanopy (forest trunk space) aerosol flux measurements with the eddy covariance (EC) technique. The measurements were performed at the SMEAR II measurement station located in a Scots pine forest in southern Finland during spring 2003 when the ground was snow covered and in situ biogenic particle formation took place almost every day. Spectral analysis showed that the EC method can be applied to estimate subcanopy aerosol fluxes and thereby ground deposition in a forest. By using the two-layer EC measurements we were able to investigate the fraction of the total aerosol deposition taking place in the canopy and on the forest floor. We found that the ratio of subcanopy to above-canopy flux is dependent on the strength of turbulence. When the friction velocity was low (u* 1.0 m s−1) the ground deposition contributed only around 10% to the total deposition. Thus, it seems that increased turbulence enhances the importance of the canopy for aerosol deposition and the relative importance of the forest floor to the total deposition diminishes.
A Statistical–Dynamical Estimate of Winter ENSO Teleconnections in a Future Climate

Abstract Changes in the atmospheric response to SST variability in the decade 2065–75 are estimated from time-slice-like experiments using the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 3 (CAM3) AGCM forced by specified SST and external forcing. The current climate is simulated using observed monthly SST and external forcing for 1951–2000. The change in mean SST for the future is represented by the difference between the 2065–75 and 1965–75 decadal mean SST climatologies from coupled model twentieth-century/future climate simulations of the response to external forcing. The change in external forcing is similarly specified as the change of the external forcing concurrent with the SST change. These seasonally varying changes in SST and external forcing are added to the 50-year sequence of 1951–2000 observed SST and external forcings to produce the specified future climate forcings for the AGCM. Changes in the December through February mean ENSO teleconnections are evaluated from the difference between ensemb.
Analysis of Hidden Pattern of Heart Disease Dataset Using Multiple Machine Learning Ensemble Methods

—Heart failure disease, a wide-ranging clinical disorder, is affecting more and more individuals worldwide. The Healthcare Sector (HCS) places a high focus on the early detection of cardiac disease. The creation of a machine learning-based cardiovascular disease prediction system is the main objective of this project. This study’s presentation of several machine learning techniques is based on a brief examination of heart disease diagnosis. First, a lasso features selection approach is used to forecast heart disease. The second ensemble strategy is utilized to look into several areas of cardiac disease. We provided two ensemble stages of classifiers such Max Voting and Stacking for XG Boost, Random Forest, and Multilayer Perception in order to enhance results. A variety of factors were used to evaluate the performance of the recommended cardiovascular disease in order to select the best machine learning model. The major objective of this study is to give physicians a tool to help in the early diagnosis of heart problems. As a result, treating patients effectively and preventing negative effects will be easy. This study lasso uses selection-based techniques with machine learning classifiers to investigate several classification algorithms in terms of Mean Average Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Scattered Index in an effort to increase the accuracy of heart disease identification.
Climate change threatens the future viability of translocated populations

The dynamic nature of climate change diminishes the effectiveness of static approaches to nature conservation. Areas that were once suitable for species may no longer be suitable, and areas that are suitable now, may be unsuitable in the future. Despite increasing global awareness of the threats posed by climate change, it remains poorly accounted for in conservation programmes, such as translocation. In this study, we project changes in climate suitability for populations of ectothermic species that have been successfully established through translocation efforts.
Flora algale della penisola della Maddalena (Siracusa)

En Within the frame of the research on algal vegetation of the Eastern Sicilian coast, the Authors produce the results of a floristic study on the seaweeds of Maddalena peninsula (Siracusa, Italy). This study, based on personal collections, permitted to identify 211 species, 15 varieties and 3 forms. Rhodochaete parvula is new to Sicily; Chondria scintillans is new to Italy. The study is also completed with some phytogeografical observations.
Farmers perception and adaptation to climate change in Osun State, Nigeria

African agriculture is negatively affected by climate change. Adaptation is identified as one of the options to reduce the negative impact of the change. This study identified the adaptation techniques employed by farmers and analyze factors that determine the adaptation techniques among farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit were used to analyze data obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 10 villages in two local government areas of Osun State. The analysis of perception of farmers to climate change revealed a high increase in temperature, and decrease in rainfall. The result showed that six adaptation methods were employed by the farmers. The result also showed that explanatory variables compared to the null model give better accuracy for no adaptation, early and late planting, and tree planting. Moreover, the analysis of factors affecting adaptation to climate change indicates that, access to loan and livestock ownership compared to the rest of explanatory variables has more significant impact on adaptation. It is recommended that policy makers should enlighten the farmers more on the danger of climate change to productivity of crops and livestock and provide necessary logistics to support various alternative course of action. Key words: Climate change, adaptation methods, perception, multinomial logit.