Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen-containing saline alleviates pressure overload-induced interstitial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in rats

Cardiac fibrosis induced by sustained pressure overload contributes to heart failure. Oxidative stress serves an important role in cardiac remodeling and heart failure independent of etiological factors. The application of hydrogen as an antioxidant is a novel concept in disease treatment, however no studies as present have investigated the effects of hydrogen on cardiac fibrosis. In the present study, the effects of hydrogen on pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and heart failure were investigated in abdominal aortic-constricted rats. Masson's trichrome staining and echocardiography were used to evaluate the fibrotic area and cardiac function, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) content was detected by immunofluorescence. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hydroxyproline content were measured by spectrophotometry. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), NADPH oxidases (NOX)2, NOX4, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Smad2/3. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the mRNA expression of collagen I (Col I) and fibronectin 1 (FN1). Hydrogen-containing saline (HCS) treatment was observed to improve interstitial fibrosis and cardiac function and to decrease the level of ROS, the oxidative-stress marker MDA and expression of NOXs, while increasing the activity of the anti-oxidant enzyme SOD. HCS treatment also decreased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Smad2/3, and the expression of TGF-β1 and CTGF, which were accompanied by reduced hydroxyproline content, Col I and FN1 mRNA levels. These results indicate that HCS treatment can improve cardiac function by reducing interstitial fibrosis in pressure-overloaded rats through its anti-oxidative properties and via suppression of TGF-β1 signaling.
Detection of cerebral involvement in patients with active neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus by the use of volumetric magnetization transfer imaging.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether volumetric magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) histogram analysis can detect abnormalities in patients with active neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and to compare the MTI findings in patients with active NPSLE, chronic NPSLE, and multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in normal control subjects. METHODS Eight female and 1 male patient with active nonthromboembolic NPSLE (mean +/- SD age 39 +/- 9 years), 10 female patients with chronic NPSLE (age 33 +/- 11 years), 10 female patients with SLE and no history of NPSLE (non-NPSLE; age 34 +/- 11 years), 10 female patients with inactive MS (age 41 +/- 6 years), and 10 healthy control subjects (age 33 +/- 11 years) underwent MTL. Using the MTI scans, histograms were composed from which we derived a variety of parameters that quantitatively reflect the uniformity of the brain parenchyma as well as the ratio of cerebrospinal fluid to intracranial volume, which reflects atrophy. RESULTS The magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) histograms in the non-NPSLE group and the healthy control group were similar, whereas those in the chronic NPSLE and MS groups were flatter. There was also flattening of the histograms in the active NPSLE group, but with a shift toward higher MTRs. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that volumetric MTI analysis detects cerebral changes in the active phase of NPSLE. The abnormalities in the brain parenchyma of patients with chronic NPSLE produced MTI values that were the same as those in patients with inactive MS. MTI values in the active phase of NPSLE differed from those in the chronic phase, which might reflect the presence of inflammation. These preliminary results suggest that MTI might provide evidence for the presence of active NPSLE. MTI might also prove to be a valuable technique for monitoring treatment trials.
Tiny Feel: A New Miniature Tactile Module Using Elastic and Electromagnetic Force for Mobile Devices

For tactile feedback in mobile devices, the size and the power consumption of tactile modules are the dominant factors. Thus, vibration motors have been widely used in mobile devices to provide tactile sensation. However, the vibration motor cannot sufficiently generate a great amount of tactile sensation because the magnitude and the frequency of the vibration motor are coupled. For the generation of a wide variety of tactile sensations, this paper presents a new tactile actuator that incorporates a solenoid, a permanent magnet and an elastic spring. The feedback force in this actuator is generated by elastic and electromagnetic force. This paper also proposes a tiny tactile module with the proposed actuators. To construct a tiny tactile module, the contactor gap of the module is minimized without decreasing the contactor stroke, the output force, and the working frequency. The elastic springs of the actuators are separated into several layers to minimize the contactor gap without decreasing the performance of the tactile module. Experiments were conducted to investigate each contactor output force as well as the frequency response of the proposed tactile module. Each contactor of the tactile module can generate enough output force to stimulate human mechanoreceptors. As the contactors are actuated in a wide range of frequency, the proposed tactile module can generate various tactile sensations. Moreover, the size of the proposed tactile module is small enough to be embedded it into a mobile device, and its power consumption is low. Therefore, the proposed tactile actuator and module have good potential in many interactive mobile devices.
Interference in the processing of adjunct control

Recent research on the memory operations used in language comprehension has revealed a selective profile of interference effects during memory retrieval. Dependencies such as subject–verb agreement show strong facilitatory interference effects from structurally inappropriate but feature-matching distractors, leading to illusions of grammaticality (Pearlmutter et al., 1999; Wagers et al., 2009; Dillon et al., 2013). In contrast, dependencies involving reflexive anaphors are generally immune to interference effects (Sturt, 2003; Xiang et al., 2009; Dillon et al., 2013). This contrast has led to the proposal that all anaphors that are subject to structural constraints are immune to facilitatory interference. Here we use an animacy manipulation to examine whether adjunct control dependencies, which involve an interpreted anaphoric relation between a null subject and its licensor, are also immune to facilitatory interference effects. Our results show reliable facilitatory interference in the processing of adjunct control dependencies, which challenges the generalization that anaphoric dependencies as a class are immune to such effects. To account for the contrast between adjunct control and reflexive dependencies, we suggest that variability within anaphora could reflect either an inherent primacy of animacy cues in retrieval processes, or differential degrees of match between potential licensors and the retrieval probe.
Is There an Income Gradient in Child Health? It Depends Whom You Ask

A large literature uses parental evaluations of child health status to provide evidence on the socioeconomic determinants of health. If how parents perceive health questions differs by income or education level, then estimates of the socioeconomic gradient are likely to be biased and potentially misleading. In this paper we examine this issue. We directly compare child mental health evaluations from parents, teachers, children and psychiatrists for mental health problems, test whether these differences are systematically related to observable child and parent characteristics, and examine the implications of the different reports for the estimated income gradient. We find that respondents frequently evaluate children differently and while the sign of the income gradient is in the same direction across respondents, systematic differences in evaluations mean that the estimated magnitude and significance of the health-income gradient is highly dependent upon the choice of respondent and the measure of child health.
TGIF: A New Dataset and Benchmark on Animated GIF Description

With the recent popularity of animated GIFs on social media, there is need for ways to index them with rich meta-data. To advance research on animated GIF understanding, we collected a new dataset, Tumblr GIF (TGIF), with 100K animated GIFs from Tumblr and 120K natural language descriptions obtained via crowdsourcing. The motivation for this work is to develop a testbed for image sequence description systems, where the task is to generate natural language descriptions for animated GIFs or video clips. To ensure a high quality dataset, we developed a series of novel quality controls to validate free-form text input from crowd-workers. We show that there is unambiguous association between visual content and natural language descriptions in our dataset, making it an ideal benchmark for the visual content captioning task. We perform extensive statistical analyses to compare our dataset to existing image and video description datasets. Next, we provide baseline results on the animated GIF description task, using three representative techniques: nearest neighbor, statistical machine translation, and recurrent neural networks. Finally, we show that models fine-tuned from our animated GIF description dataset can be helpful for automatic movie description.
The development of memory difficulties

The primary focus of research exploring the experience of developing memory difficulties has been on people who already have a diagnosis of dementia. This study employs a qualitative approach to explore the experience of memory difficulties in three individuals experiencing the process of investigation for dementia. The participants were interviewed before they had a formal diagnosis, and again after they had attended for an assessment at a memory clinic. Partners' interviews provided a further interpretative context, although they were not analysed. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results show that participants were keen to find an explanation for their memory difficulties. The satisfaction that participants felt with the explanation given at the memory clinic was dependent on how informed they felt, which also had implications for how they subsequently viewed themselves. Findings highlight the nature of uncertainty in the area of memory difficulties, and recommendations are discussed.
Regmex, Motif analysis in ranked lists of sequences

Motif analysis has long been an important method to characterize biological functionality and the current growth of sequencing-based genomics experiments further extends its potential. These diverse experiments often generate sequence lists ranked by some functional property. There is therefore a growing need for motif analysis methods that can exploit this coupled data structure and be tailored for specific biological questions. Here, we present a motif analysis tool, Regmex (REGular expression Motif EXplorer), which offers several methods to identify overrepresented motifs in a ranked list of sequences. Regmex uses regular expressions to define motifs or families of motifs and embedded Markov models to calculate exact probabilities for motif observations in sequences. Motif enrichment is optionally evaluated using random walks, Brownian bridges, or modified rank based statistics. These features make Regmex well suited for a range of biological sequence analysis problems related to motif discovery. We demonstrate different usage scenarios including rank correlation of microRNA binding sites co-occurring with a U-rich motif. The method is available as an R package.
Evaluation of the physical properties of an endodontic Portland cement incorporating alternative radiopacifiers used as root-end filling material.

AIM To investigate the physical and chemical properties of Portland cement (PC) loaded with alternative radiopacifying materials for use as root-end filling materials in a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-like system. METHODOLOGY Portland cement loaded with barium sulphate, gold and silver/tin alloy was mixed with water, and the physical and chemical properties of the hydrated cements were evaluated. MTA and intermediate restorative material (IRM) were used as controls. The radiopacity was compared to the equivalent thickness of aluminium, and the setting time of the cements was assessed using an indentation technique. The compressive strength and the stress-strain relationship were determined at 28 days. The stress-strain relationship was determined by monitoring the strain generated when the cement was subjected to compressive load. In addition, the pH was determined in water and simulated body fluid for a period of 28 days. RESULTS The radiopacity of the cements using alternative radiopacifiers was comparable to MTA (P > 0.05). IRM demonstrated a higher radiopacity than all the materials tested (P < 0.05). All the cements with the exception of IRM exhibited an alkaline pH and had an extended setting time when compared to IRM. MTA had a longer setting time than the PC (P < 0.001), and its setting time was similar to the gold-loaded cement (P = 0.159). The addition of a radiopacifier retarded the setting time (P < 0.001) but did not have any effect on the compressive strength as all loaded cements had comparable strength to PC (P > 0.05). IRM was the weakest cement tested (P < 0.001). The cement loaded with gold radiopacifier had comparable strength to MTA (P = 1). The stress-strain relationship was linear for all the cements with IRM generating more strain on loading. CONCLUSIONS Within the parameters set in this study, bismuth oxide in MTA can be replaced by gold or silver/tin alloy. The physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the cement replaced with alternative radiopacifiers were similar and comparable to ProRoot MTA.
Promoter Methylation, BRAF Mutation Analysis and Topoisomerase IIa Expression for the Detection of Endometrial Carcinoma in Liquid Based Cytology Samples

Cancer of the corpus uteri remains the most common gynecological related cancer in developed countries. Cytology, after the induction of liquid based cytology, has reemerged as a possible first line non-interventional diagnostic procedure with promising results. Apart from slide preparation for cytology diagnosis, LBC allows the application of elaborate molecular tests on the residual material. Samples from 74 symptomatic women were collected in ThinPrep PreservCyt medium, from witch immunocytochemical and molecular tests were performed. Final diagnosis of 39 endometrioid carcinomas, 20 non-endometrioid carcinomas and 15 non-malignant was set after hysterectomy. Topoisomerase IIa expression was common (42%) in both types of cancer. Promoter methylation analysis revealed that hMLH1 is commonly methylated in cancers (52.7%), CDKN2A and MGMT less often (27.1%) and RARB rarely methylated (8.4%). BRAF activating mutation V600E was a rare event (8.4%) only found in low grade endometrioid carcinomas. Topoisomerase IIa expression correlated with BRAF mutations, hMLH1 and to lesser extent with CDKN2A methylation. Almost none of the biomarkers were positive in cytological negative or hyperplastic without atypia samples. Detection of methylation in any gene displayed sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV similar to cytology of cancer. However, inclusion of cytology diagnosis of hyperlasias with atypia increased sensitivity and NPV of cytology outperforming methylation of any gene. Further evaluation of the panel of promoter methylation, especially in cytology diagnoses of hyperplasia with or without atypia should be evaluated since initial results are promising. Even though methylation of MGMT and RARB are rare events, some patients could be benefit from specific chemotherapeutics that target either of them or the more frequently expressed topoisomerase IIa.
Stress reactions involving the pars interarticularis in young athletes

A stress reaction involving the pars interarticularis of the lumbar spine was confirmed in seven young ath letes with a positive technetium pyrophosphate bone scan. No pars defects were detectable on their lum bosacral roentgenograms, which included oblique views. The return to normal levels of radioactive up take on repeat bone scans correlated closely with their clinical course. If the bony reaction is recognized early, it may heal at a subroentgenographic level and prevent the development of lumbar spondylolysis. These early lesions usually show unilateral in creased uptake at one lumbar level on the bone scan and, initially, the athlete localizes the pain to the corresponding unilateral lumbar paraspinous area. The "one-legged hyperextension test" is positive on the ipsilateral side and aggravates the pain. Treatment consists of avoiding the aggravating ac tivities and resting. The average time for return to pain-free competition was 7.3 months. These devel oping defects may be the source of considerable prolonged disability in the young athlete, particularly if undiagnosed and untreated.
A Novel Therapy of Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis with Soluble T1/ST21

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic inflammatory infiltration of the synovium, leading to eventual cartilage and bone destruction. Previously, we have reported that soluble T1/ST2 (sST2), a member of the IL-1R gene family, inhibits LPS-induced macrophage proinflammatory cytokine production. In this study, we report the therapeutic effect of sST2-Fc in the murine model of collagen-induced arthritis. A short term administration of sST2-Fc fusion protein significantly attenuated disease severity compared with controls treated with normal IgG. Histological examination revealed that while control IgG-treated mice developed severe cellular infiltration in the joints, synovial hyperplasia, and joint erosion, this pathology was profoundly reduced in sST2-Fc-treated animals. Treatment of sST2-Fc also down-regulated serum levels of IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α. Spleen cells from the sST2-Fc-treated mice produced significantly less IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 compared with cells from the control mice when cultured with collagen in vitro. Finally, pretreatment with ST2-Fc markedly inhibited the ability of human monocytic THP1 cells to release TNF-α when cocultured with peripheral blood T cells from rheumatoid patients. Together these results demonstrate that sST2-Fc may provide a novel approach in treating chronic autoimmune conditions by inhibiting the release of proinflammatory cytokines.
Chromosomal mutations induced by triplex-forming oligonucleotides in mammalian cells.

Specific recognition of a region of duplex DNA by triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) provides an attractive strategy for genetic manipulation. Based on this, we have investigated the ability of the triplex-directed approach to induce mutations at a chromosomal locus in living cells. A mouse fibroblast cell line was constructed containing multiple chromosomal copies of the lambdasupFG1 vector carrying the supFG1 mutation-reporter gene. Cells were treated with specific (psoAG30) or control (psoSCR30) psoralen-conjugated TFOs in the presence and absence of UVA irradiation. The results demonstrated a 6- to 10-fold induction of supFG1 mutations in the psoAG30-treated cells as compared with psoSCR30-treated or untreated control cells. Interestingly, UVA irradiation had no effect onthe mutation frequencies induced by the psoralen-conjugated TFOs, suggesting a triplex-mediated but photoproduct-independent process of mutagenesis. Sequencing data were consistent with this finding since the expected T.A-->A.T transversions at the predicted psoralen crosslinking site were not detected. However, insertions and deletions were detected within the triplex binding site, indicating a TFO-specific induction of mutagenesis. This result demonstrates the ability of triplex-forming oligonucleotides to influence mutation frequencies at a specific site in a mammalian chromosome.
Stereo correspondence by dynamic programming on a tree

Dynamic programming on a scanline is one of the oldest and still popular methods for stereo correspondence. While efficient, its performance is far from the state of the art because the vertical consistency between the scanlines is not enforced. We re-examine the use of dynamic programming for stereo correspondence by applying it to a tree structure, as opposed to the individual scanlines. The nodes of this tree are all the image pixels, but only the "most important" edges of the 4 connected neighbourhood system are included. Thus our algorithm is truly a global optimization method because disparity estimate at one pixel depends on the disparity estimates at all the other pixels, unlike the scanline based methods. We evaluate our algorithm on the benchmark Middlebury database. The algorithm is very fast; it takes only a fraction of a second for a typical image. The results are considerably better than that of the scanline based methods. While the results are not the state of the art, our algorithm offers a good trade off in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency.
Importance of metabolic rate to the relationship between the number of genes in a functional category and body size in Peto's paradox for cancer

Elucidation of tumour suppression mechanisms is a major challenge in cancer biology. Therefore, Peto's paradox, or low cancer incidence in large animals, has attracted focus. According to the gene-abundance hypothesis, which considers the increase/decrease in cancer-related genes with body size, researchers evaluated the associations between gene abundance and body size. However, previous studies only focused on a few specific gene functions and have ignored the alternative hypothesis (metabolic rate hypothesis): in this hypothesis, the cellular metabolic rate and subsequent oxidative stress decreases with increasing body size. In this study, we have elected to explore the gene-abundance hypothesis taking into account the metabolic rate hypothesis. Thus, we comprehensively investigated the correlation between the number of genes in various functional categories and body size while at the same time correcting for the mass-specific metabolic rate (Bc). A number of gene functions that correlated with body size were initially identified, but they were found to be artefactual due to the decrease in Bc with increasing body size. By contrast, immune system-related genes were found to increase with increasing body size when the correlation included this correction for Bc. These findings support the gene-abundance hypothesis and emphasize the importance of also taking into account the metabolic rate when evaluating gene abundance–body size relationships. This finding may be useful for understanding cancer evolution and tumour suppression mechanisms as well as for determining cancer-related genes and functions.