Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-risk HPV genotypes and P16INK4a expression in a cohort of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients in Singapore

Human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV16 genotype, is associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). We aim to determine the prevalence and characterize the high-risk (HR)-HPV genotypes in head and neck SCC (HNSCC) in a South-East Asian multi-ethnic society in Singapore and examine its prognostic significance. 159 HNSCC archival tissue samples were retrieved and tumour DNA was screened for 18 HR-HPV genotypes using a PCR-based assay (Qiagen, digene HPV genotyping RH test). P16 protein overexpression was identified using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Statistical correlation between clinical outcomes were performed between HPV-positive and negative HNSCC patients. Six HR-HPVs (HPV16, 18, 31, 45, 56, 68) were detected in 90.6% of HNSCC; and 79.9% had multiple HPV genotypes detected. HPV31 and HPV45 were the most prevalent (79.2% and 87.4%, respectively); and HPV16 was predominantly found in OPSCC (p < 0.001). HPV-DNA PCR assay yielded a high sensitivity (96%) but low specificity (11%) when compared to p16 immunohistochemistry as the reference standard. P16-positive HNSCC was predominantly observed in OPSCC (73.7%; p = 0.005); and p16-positive OPSCC exhibited improved overall survival compared to p16-negative OPSCC (p = 0.022). Similarly, smoking and alcohol consumption were poor prognostic factors of overall survival (p = 0.007; p = 0.01) in OPSCC patients. HR-HPVs were identified in 90.6% of HNSCC patients using the HPV-DNA PCR assay. This test had a poor specificity when compared to p16 IHC; making it an unreliable detection technique in selecting patients for radiation dose de-escalation treatment protocol. P16-positive tumor was predominantly found in the oropharynx these patients demonstrated better overall survival than those with p16-negative OPSCC.
Evaluation of asphalt mastic containing mica due to aging

Asphalt concrete consists of coarse aggregate, fine aggregates, fillers and binder. Fines passing a #200 sieve are called fillers, and most often contain mica. Previous studies show that the presence of mica reduces the strength of asphalt concrete. This study evaluates the mineral and chemical composition of asphalt mastic containing mica. Five different concentrations of mica were added to the fines and then X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify the mineralogy of the mica and the presence of mica. An XRD pattern can differentiate mica from fillers and determine the presence of mica in fines. Then mastic containing different percentages of mica was aged and examined with a scanning electron microscope and a bending beam rheometer to determine the chemical composition and low-temperature stiffness. Scanning electron microscopy showed that, with the addition of mica, the microstructure of mastic changed and the number of uncoated flakes increased. However, the number of uncoated flakes decreased wit.
IL-24 Inhibits Lung Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Disrupting The SDF-1/CXCR4 Signaling Axis

Background The stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1/chemokine receptor (CXCR)-4 signaling pathway plays a key role in lung cancer metastasis and is molecular target for therapy. In the present study we investigated whether interleukin (IL)-24 can inhibit the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and suppress lung cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro. Further, the efficacy of IL-24 in combination with CXCR4 antagonists was investigated. Methods Human H1299, A549, H460 and HCC827 lung cancer cell lines were used in the present study. The H1299 lung cancer cell line was stably transfected with doxycycline-inducible plasmid expression vector carrying the human IL-24 cDNA and used in the present study to determine the inhibitory effects of IL-24 on SDF-1/CXCR4 axis. H1299 and A549 cell lines were used in transient transfection studies. The inhibitory effects of IL-24 on SDF1/CXCR4 and its downstream targets were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, luciferase reporter assay, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Functional studies included cell migration and invasion assays. Principal Findings Endogenous CXCR4 protein expression levels varied among the four human lung cancer cell lines. Doxycycline-induced IL-24 expression in the H1299-IL24 cell line resulted in reduced CXCR4 mRNA and protein expression. IL-24 post-transcriptionally regulated CXCR4 mRNA expression by decreasing the half-life of CXCR4 mRNA (>40%). Functional studies showed IL-24 inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion concomitant with reduction in CXCR4 and its downstream targets (pAKTS473, pmTORS2448, pPRAS40T246 and HIF-1α). Additionally, IL-24 inhibited tumor cell migration both in the presence and absence of the CXCR4 agonist, SDF-1. Finally, IL-24 when combined with CXCR4 inhibitors (AMD3100, SJA5) or with CXCR4 siRNA demonstrated enhanced inhibitory activity on tumor cell migration. Conclusions IL-24 disrupts the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway and inhibits lung tumor cell migration and invasion. Additionally, IL-24, when combined with CXCR4 inhibitors exhibited enhanced anti-metastatic activity and is an attractive therapeutic strategy for lung metastasis.
Development and evaluation of the medication-based index of physical function (MedIP)

Background the development of an objective and comprehensive drug-based index of physical function for older adults has the potential to more accurately predict fall risk. Design the index was developed using 862 adults (ages 57-85) from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) Wave 1 study. The index was evaluated in 70 adults (ages 51-88) from a rehabilitation study of dizziness and balance. Methods the prevalence among 601 drugs for 1,694 side effects was used with fall history to determine the magnitude of each side effect's contribution towards physical function. This information was used to calculate a Medication-based Index of Physical function (MedIP) score for each individual based on his or her medication profile. The MedIP was compared to the timed up and go (TUG) test as well as drug counts using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The associations between various indices of physical function and MedIP were calculated. Results within the NSHAP data set, the MedIP was better than drug counts or TUG at predicting falls based on ROC analysis. Using scores above and below the cutpoint, the MedIP was a significant predictor of falls (OR = 2.61 [95% CI 1.83, 3.64]; P < 0.001). Using an external data set, it was shown that the MedIP was significantly correlated with fall number (P = 0.044), composite physical function (P = 0.026) and preferred gait speed (P = 0.043). Conclusion the MedIP has the potential to become a useful tool in the healthcare and fall prevention of older individuals.
Working with Beliefs: AI Transparency in the Enterprise

Enterprises are increasingly recognizing that they must integrate AI into all of their operational workflows to remain competitive. As enterprises consider competing AIs to support a particular business function, explainability is an advantage which gets a candidate AI a foot in the door. Our experience working with enterprise decision makers considering AI in a decision augmentation role reveals an additional and possibly more crucial aspect of choosing an AI: the ability of decision makers to interact fluidly with an AI. Fluid interactions are necessary when an AI’s recommendation does not match a human decision maker’s existing beliefs. Interactions that allow the (typically non-technical) human to edit the AI, as well as allow the AI to guide the human, enable a collaborative exploration of the data that leads to common ground where both the AI and the human beliefs have been updated. We outline an illustrative example from our experience that models this dance. Based on our experiences, we suggest requirements for AI systems that would greatly facilitate their adoption in the enterprise.
Epinephrine but not vasopressin attenuates the airway response to anaphylactic shock in rats

ABSTRACT Purpose: The two life-threatening signs of anaphylactic shock (AS) are severe arterial hypotension and bronchospasm. Guidelines recommend epinephrine as first-line treatment. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been proposed as an alternative if epinephrine does not correct arterial hypotension. These two drugs may have beneficial, neutral or deleterious effects on airflow either directly or by modifying factors that regulate vasodilatation and/or edema in the bronchial wall. Aim of the Study: To compare the effects of epinephrine and AVP on airflow and airway leakage in a rat model of AS. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two ovalbumin-sensitized rats were randomized into four groups: control (CON), AS without treatment (OVA), AS treated with epinephrine (EPI), and AS treated with AVP (AVP). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory resistance and elastance and microvascular leakage in the airways were measured. Results: All OVA rats died within 20 minutes following ovalbumin injection. Ovalbumin induced severe arterial hypotension and airway obstruction (221 ± 36 hPa.s.L−1 vs. vehicle 52 ± 8 hPa.s.L−1; p < 0.0001) associated with microvascular leakage distributed throughout the trachea, bronchi and intra-pulmonary airways. EPI and AVP extended survival time; EPI restored a higher level of MAP than AVP. Airway obstruction was attenuated by epinephrine (146 ± 19 hPa.s.L−1; p < 0.0001), but not by AVP (235 ± 58 hPa.s.L−1; p = 0.42). Conclusions: Epinephrine was superior to AVP for alleviating the airway response in a rat model of AS. When bronchospasm and severe arterial hypotension are present during AS, epinephrine should be the drug of choice.
Effects of nandrolone decanoate on expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rat testis

Objective Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an anabolic-androgenic steroid frequently used for clinical treatment. However, the inappropriate use of ND results in the reduction of serum testosterone level and sperm production. The suppressive effect of ND on testosterone production has not been investigated in detail. The present study was designed to examine the effect of ND on the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rat testis. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats at 50 days of age were subcutaneously administrated with either 2 or 10 mg of ND/kg body weight/week for 2 or 12 weeks. The changes of transcript and protein levels of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analyses, respectively. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis was employed to determine the changes of immunostaining intensity of these enzymes. The steroidogenic enzymes investigated were steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme, 17α-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and cytochrome P450 aromatase. Results The treatment of ND resulted in depletion of Leydig cells and sloughing of germ cells in the testis. The ND treatment caused significant expressional decreases of steroidogenic enzymes at transcript and protein levels, and the destructive effects of ND on the testis were more apparent with a higher dose and a longer period of the treatment. Evident reduction of immunostaining intensity present in Leydig cells was clearly detected by the ND treatment. Conclusion The exposure to ND in young male results not only in histological changes of the testis but also in aberrant gene expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes, consequently leading into the reduction of testosterone production in the testis and thus likely disruption of spermatogenesis.
Saffron: An Old Medicinal Plant and a Potential Novel Functional Food

The spice saffron is made from the dried stigmas of the plant Crocus sativus L. The main use of saffron is in cooking, due to its ability to impart colour, flavour and aroma to foods and beverages. However, from time immemorial it has also been considered a medicinal plant because it possesses therapeutic properties, as illustrated in paintings found on the island of Santorini, dated 1627 BC. It is included in Catalogues of Medicinal Plants and in the European Pharmacopoeias, being part of a great number of compounded formulas from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The medicinal and pharmaceutical uses of this plant largely disappeared with the advent of synthetic chemistry-produced drugs. However, in recent years there has been growing interest in demonstrating saffron’s already known bioactivity, which is attributed to the main components—crocetin and its glycosidic esters, called crocins, and safranal—and to the synergy between the compounds present in the spice. The objective of this work was to provide an updated and critical review of the research on the therapeutic properties of saffron, including activity on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, in the liver, its antidepressant, anxiolytic and antineoplastic properties, as well as its potential use as a functional food or nutraceutical.
Peroxisome proliferator activating receptor‐&ggr; and the podocyte

Abstract Over the past two decades it has become clear that the glomerular podocyte is a key cell in preventing albuminuria, kidney failure and cardiovascular morbidity. Understanding the key pathways that protect the podocyte in times of glomerular stress, which can also be therapeutically manipulated, are highly attractive. In the following review we assess the evidence that the peroxisome proliferator activating receptor (PPAR) agonists are beneficial for podocyte and kidney function with a focus on PPAR‐&ggr;. We explain our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of these agonists and the evidence they are beneficial in diabetic and non‐diabetic kidney disease. We also outline why these drugs have not been widely used for kidney disease in the past but they may be in the future.
Comprehensive Investigation of Multitraps-Induced Degradation in HfO2-Based nmosfets With Interfacial Layer by Three-Dimensional KMC Method

This paper investigates trap-induced degradation in nmosfets with HfO2 gate dielectric by three-dimensional Kinetic Monte Carlo method. Multiple microscopic mechanisms including trapping/detrapping, traps coupling, and trap generation/recombination are considered in simulation. The impacts of interfacial layer (IL) SiOx on positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) and trap-assisted tunneling (TAT) are comprehensively investigated. PBTI characteristics show the variations of power laws with time, and power laws are greatly affected by stress condition, trap density, and dielectric thickness. Therefore, impressionable power laws make much complexion in lifetime prediction. Meanwhile, it is found that IL markedly reduces PBTI effects. Significantly, TAT currents of fresh devices increase with IL thickening in the same effective oxide thickness (EOT), whereas TAT currents after stress decrease with IL thickening in a specific range. It can be concluded that the IL in the proper range of thickness can effectively suppress PBTI and TAT currents.
Hand gesture recognition and virtual game control based on 3D accelerometer and EMG sensors

This paper describes a novel hand gesture recognition system that utilizes both multi-channel surface electromyogram (EMG) sensors and 3D accelerometer (ACC) to realize user-friendly interaction between human and computers. Signal segments of meaningful gestures are determined from the continuous EMG signal inputs. Multi-stream Hidden Markov Models consisting of EMG and ACC streams are utilized as decision fusion method to recognize hand gestures. This paper also presents a virtual Rubik's Cube game that is controlled by the hand gestures and is used for evaluating the performance of our hand gesture recognition system. For a set of 18 kinds of gestures, each trained with 10 repetitions, the average recognition accuracy was about 91.7% in real application. The proposed method facilitates intelligent and natural control based on gesture interaction.
MicroRNA-21 Mediates Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Activating NLRP3 Inflammasome/IL-1β Axis via Targeting Smad7 and Spry1

Abstract Aims: Angiotensin II (AngII), a vasoconstrictive peptide of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), promotes hepatic fibrogenesis and induces microRNA-21(mir-21) expression. Angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] is a peptide of the RAS, which attenuates liver fibrosis. Recently, it was reported that the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome participated in liver fibrosis. However, it remains unclear how mir-21 mediates AngII-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We investigate the role of AngII-induced mir-21 in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β axis in liver fibrosis. Results: In vivo, circulating mir-21 was upregulated in patients with liver fibrosis and was positively correlated with liver fibrosis and oxidation. Treatment with Ang-(1–7) inhibited mir-21, NLRP3 inflammasome, and liver fibrosis after bile duct ligation (BDL) or AngII infusion. Inhibition of mir-21 suppressed the Smad7/Smad2/3/NOX4, Spry1/ERK/NF-κB pathway, NLRP3 inflammasome, and liver fibrosis induced by AngII infusion. In vitro, AngII upregulated mir-21 expression via targeting Smad7 and Spry1 in primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In contrast, Ang-(1–7) suppressed mir-21 expression and oxidation induced by AngII. Overexpression of mir-21 promoted oxidation, and collagen production enhanced the effect of AngII on NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the Spry1/ERK/NF-κB, Smad7/Smad2/3/NOX4 pathways. However, downregulation of mir-21 exerted the opposite effects. Innovation and Conclusions: Mir-21 mediates AngII-activated NLRP3 inflammasome and resultant HSC activation via targeting Spry1 and Smad7. Ang-(1–7) protected against BDL or AngII infusion-induced hepatic fibrosis and inhibited mir-21 expression. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 1–20.
Comprehensive Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Beta-lactam Resistance within Pneumococcal Mosaic Genes

Traditional genetic association studies are very difficult in bacteria, as the generally limited recombination leads to large linked haplotype blocks, confounding the identification of causative variants. Beta-lactam antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae arises readily as the bacteria can quickly incorporate DNA fragments encompassing variants that make the transformed strains resistant. However, the causative mutations themselves are embedded within larger recombined blocks, and previous studies have only analysed a limited number of isolates, leading to the description of “mosaic genes” as being responsible for resistance. By comparing a large number of genomes of beta-lactam susceptible and non-susceptible strains, the high frequency of recombination should break up these haplotype blocks and allow the use of genetic association approaches to identify individual causative variants. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels that could confer beta-lactam non-susceptibility using 3,085 Thai and 616 USA pneumococcal isolates as independent datasets for the variant discovery. The large sample sizes allowed us to narrow the source of beta-lactam non-susceptibility from long recombinant fragments down to much smaller loci comprised of discrete or linked SNPs. While some loci appear to be universal resistance determinants, contributing equally to non-susceptibility for at least two classes of beta-lactam antibiotics, some play a larger role in resistance to particular antibiotics. All of the identified loci have a highly non-uniform distribution in the populations. They are enriched not only in vaccine-targeted, but also non-vaccine-targeted lineages, which may raise clinical concerns. Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms underlying resistance will be essential for future use of genome sequencing to predict antibiotic sensitivity in clinical microbiology.
Compact Hip-Force Sensor for a Gait-Assistance Exoskeleton System

In this paper, we propose a compact force sensor system for a hip-mounted exoskeleton for seniors with difficulties in walking due to muscle weakness. It senses and monitors the delivered force and power of the exoskeleton for motion control and taking urgent safety action. Two FSR (force-sensitive resistors) sensors are used to measure the assistance force when the user is walking. The sensor system directly measures the interaction force between the exoskeleton and the lower limb of the user instead of a previously reported force-sensing method, which estimated the hip assistance force from the current of the motor and lookup tables. Furthermore, the sensor system has the advantage of generating torque in the walking-assistant actuator based on directly measuring the hip-assistance force. Thus, the gait-assistance exoskeleton system can control the delivered power and torque to the user. The force sensing structure is designed to decouple the force caused by hip motion from other directional forces to the sensor so as to only measure that force. We confirmed that the hip-assistance force could be measured with the proposed prototype compact force sensor attached to a thigh frame through an experiment with a real system.
Turning Good Intentions Into Actions by Using the Health Action Process Approach to Predict Adherence to Internet-Based Depression Prevention: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Many individuals engaging in Internet-based interventions fail to complete these treatments as intended. The processes responsible for treatment adherence in Internet-based interventions are still poorly understood. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent adherence in an Internet-based intervention can be predicted by motivational and volitional factors outlined in the health action process approach (HAPA). Methods This study investigated motivational and volitional factors included in HAPA in a randomized controlled trial to predict treatment adherence of N=101 individuals with subclinical depression in the intervention group of a depression prevention intervention (GET.ON Mood Enhancer). Adherence was operationalized as the number of completed treatment modules. Using longitudinal structural equation modeling, HAPA variables (motivational, maintenance, and recovery self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, intention, and planning) were assessed at baseline and their associations with adherence 7 weeks later. Results Planning predicted adherence. Better planning was, in turn, associated with higher levels of maintenance self-efficacy, and the latter significantly affected treatment adherence via planning. The other hypothesized direct associations were not significant. In total, the HAPA variables accounted for 14% of variance in treatment adherence. Conclusions Planning emerged as the strongest predictor of treatment adherence in highly motivated participants in an Internet-based intervention out of all HAPA variables investigated. Findings are in line with the hypothesis that planning facilitates the translation of good intentions into actions. The findings imply that systematically fostering planning skills and maintenance self-efficacy prior to or during Internet-based interventions would help participants to successfully complete these treatments. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00005973; https://www.drks. de/drks_web/navigate.do? navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00005973 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6uxCy64sy).