Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of soy products in reducing risk of cancer.

Since the initial recognition that diet plays a role in the etiology of certain cancers, particularly cancers of the breast and colon, considerable progress has been made in identifying dietary patterns associated with cancer risk. There is general agreement that a high-fat, low-fiber diet, like that consumed by much of the industrialized world, increases cancer risk and that plant-based diets, rich in whole grains, legumes, and fruits and vegetables, are protective. It has been, however, considerably more difficult to identify specific foods, types of food, or components of foods that influence cancer risk. The recent workshop on The Role of Soy Products in Cancer Prevention, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, had two objectives: I) to evaluate the role of soybeans, food products derived from soybeans, and specific components of soybeans in the dietary prevention of cancer and 2) to recommend research initiatives and approaches for further studies of the effect of soy intake on human cancer risk. The meeting was chaired by Stephen Barnes and organized by Mark Messina.
Some Inequalities Combining Rough and Random Information

Rough random theory, generally applied to statistics, decision-making, and so on, is an extension of rough set theory and probability theory, in which a rough random variable is described as a random variable taking “rough variable” values. In order to extend and enrich the research area of rough random theory, in this paper, the well-known probabilistic inequalities (Markov inequality, Chebyshev inequality, Holder’s inequality, Minkowski inequality and Jensen’s inequality) are proven for rough random variables, which gives a firm theoretical support to the further development of rough random theory. Besides, considering that the critical values always act as a vital tool in engineering, science and other application fields, some significant properties of the critical values of rough random variables involving the continuity and the monotonicity are investigated deeply to provide a novel analytical approach for dealing with the rough random optimization problems.
Intravitreal dexamethasone implants for diabetic macular edema.

AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant for diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS Totally 113 eyes of 84 patients were divided in three subgroups: naive patients (n=11), pseudophakic patients (n=72) and phakic patients (n=30). Inclusive criterion comprised adult diabetic patients with central fovea thickening and impaired visual acuity resulting from DME for whom previous standard treatments showed no improvement in both central macular thickness (CMT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after at least 3mo of treatment. Outcome data were obtained from patient visits at baseline and at months 1, 3, 5, 9 and 12 after the first DEX implant injection. At each of these visits, patients underwent measurement of BCVA, a complete eye examination and measurement of CMT and macular volume (MV) carried out with optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. RESULTS Seventy-three eyes (64.5%) received a single implant, 30 (26.5%) received two implants and 10 (9%) received three implants. At baseline, average in BCVA, CMT and MV were 43.5±20.8, 462.8±145 and 12.6±2.5 respectively. These values improved significantly at 1mo (BCVA: 47.2±19.5, CMT: 339.6±120, MV: 11.11±1.4) and 3mo (BCVA: 53.2±18.1, CMT: 353.8±141, MV: 11.3±1.3) (P≤0.05). At 5mo (BCVA: 50.9±19.8, CMT: 425±150, MV: 12.27±2.3), 9mo (BCVA: 48.4±17.6, CMT: 445.5±170, MV: 12.5±2.3) and 12mo (BCVA: 47.7±18.8, CMT: 413.2±149, MV: 12.03±2.5), improvements in the three parameters were no longer statistically significant and decreased progressively but did not reach baseline values. There were no clinical differences between subgroups. Ocular complications were minimal. CONCLUSION Patients with DEX implants show maximum efficacy at 3mo which then declined progressively, but is still better than baseline values at the end of follow-up.
Portfolio Effects and Merger Control: Full-line Forcing as an Entry Deterrence Strategy

The ''portfolio effect theory'' developed by the European Commission in merger control is at the center of a fierce international row with the US authorities who believe that this theory has no economic foundations. This paper aims to provide a counter-argument and shows that full-line forcing may be used by the holder a comprehensive range of products as an entry deterrence device to maintain its monopoly power. However, due to buyer power on the retail market, this will happen only if entry is not profitable for the industry as a whole. The effects on consumer welfare are ambiguous. Full-line forcing will reduce prices in the first period, but as it helps maintaining monopoly power, is harmful in the long-term.
CRIPTO promotes an aggressive tumour phenotype and resistance to treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Despite increasing treatment options for this disease, prognosis remains poor. CRIPTO (TDGF1) protein is expressed at high levels in several human tumours and promotes oncogenic phenotype. Its expression has been correlated to poor prognosis in HCC. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the basis for the effects of CRIPTO in HCC. We investigated CRIPTO expression levels in three cohorts of clinical cirrhotic and HCC specimens. We addressed the role of CRIPTO in hepatic tumourigenesis using Cre‐loxP‐controlled lentiviral vectors expressing CRIPTO in cell line‐derived xenografts. Responses to standard treatments (sorafenib, doxorubicin) were assessed directly on xenograft‐derived ex vivo tumour slices. CRIPTO‐overexpressing patient‐derived xenografts were established and used for ex vivo drug response assays. The effects of sorafenib and doxorubicin treatment in combination with a CRIPTO pathway inhibitor were tested in ex vivo cultures of xenograft models and 3D cultures. CRIPTO protein was found highly expressed in human cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma specimens but not in those of healthy participants. Stable overexpression of CRIPTO in human HepG2 cells caused epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, increased expression of cancer stem cell markers, and enhanced cell proliferation and migration. HepG2‐CRIPTO cells formed tumours when injected into immune‐compromised mice, whereas HepG2 cells lacking stable CRIPTO overexpression did not. High‐level CRIPTO expression in xenograft models was associated with resistance to sorafenib, which could be modulated using a CRIPTO pathway inhibitor in ex vivo tumour slices. Our data suggest that a subgroup of CRIPTO‐expressing HCC patients may benefit from a combinatorial treatment scheme and that sorafenib resistance may be circumvented by inhibition of the CRIPTO pathway. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patient-specific molecular alterations are associated with metastatic clear cell renal cell cancer progressing under tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy

The availability of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) during the past ten years has led to improved response and overall survival of patients suffering from metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, most of these tumors will eventually progress due to resistance evolving under therapy. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether molecular alterations in ccRCC tissues sampled over the course of the disease might be suggestive of potential therapies. We performed whole exome sequencing of nine samples from four patients in the MORE (Molecular Renal Cancer Evolution) trial. We analyzed the mutational patterns in the tissues at baseline and compared them to those detectable in biopsy samples after progression under TKI therapy. We found limited genetic concordance between primary and secondary tumor sites with private mutations in FLT4, MTOR, ITGA5, SETD2, PBRM1, and BRCA1 on progression. One patient who showed an increased mutational load in the metastasis responded to nivolumab treatment. Our data provide evidence for clonal evolution and diverse pathways leading to acquired TKI resistance of ccRCC. Acquired resistance to TKI in metastatic ccRCC is due to intra-tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution of resistant subclones. Mutations occurring under progression might be informative for alternative targeted therapies.
Rejoinder to the Discussion of “ Intrinsic Shape Analysis : Geodesic Principal Component Analysis for Riemannian Manifolds under Isometric Lie Group Actions ”

emerge from the ample comments provided by the discussants. These comments have been given from the individual perspectives of expertise in quite different fields which interestingly allow to connect originally disjoint strains of thoughts. For this reason we organize our rejoinder by following these specific issues and perspectives, rather than by addressing each contribution separately and thus loosing valuable aspects of this stimulating discussion.
Impact of Mono‐Fluorination on the Photophysics of the Flavin Chromophore

Three mono‐fluorinated derivatives of the flavin core system 10‐methyl‐isoalloxazine (MIA) were synthesized. Aqueous solutions of these compounds were characterized by steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopy. The positions for the fluorination (6, 7 and 8) were motivated by the nodal structure of the frontier orbitals of MIA. In comparison with MIA, the fluorination results in bathochromic (6F‐ and 7F‐MIA) and hypsochromic (8F‐MIA) shifts of the adiabatic excitation energy of the lowest allowed transition. Shifts of up to ~500 cm−1 were observed. These spectroscopic shifts go along with changes in fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. In addition, triplet yields are affected. For 7F‐MIA, a 50% increase in the fluorescence quantum yield as well as a 50% decrease in triplet yield is observed rendering the compound interesting for fluorescence applications. The measured effects are discussed in terms of qualitative perturbation theory.
Effects of butter high in ruminant trans and monounsaturated fatty acids on lipoproteins, incorporation of fatty acids into lipid classes, plasma C-reactive protein, oxidative stress, hemostatic variables, and insulin in healthy young men.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that ruminant trans fatty acids (FAs), such as vaccenic acid, do not increase the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, the effects of ruminant trans FAs on risk markers of IHD have been poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE The objective was to investigate the effect of butter with a naturally high content of vaccenic acid and a concomitantly higher content of monounsaturated FAs on classic and novel risk markers of IHD. DESIGN In a double-blind, randomized, 5-wk, parallel intervention study, 42 healthy young men were given 115 g fat/d from test butter that was high in vaccenic acid (3.6 g vaccenic acid/d) or a control butter with a low content of vaccenic acid. Blood and urine samples were collected before and after the intervention. RESULTS The intake of the vaccenic acid-rich diet resulted in 6% and 9% lower total cholesterol and plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations, respectively, than did the intake of the control diet (P = 0.05 and 0.002, respectively), whereas the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol did not differ significantly between the groups. The FA composition of lipid classes reflected the FAs' proportion of the test butter. No other differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS Butter high in ruminant trans and monounsaturated FAs resulted in significantly lower total and HDL cholesterol than did the control butter with higher amounts of saturated FAs. It may be that the differences were due to the greater content of monounsaturated FAs and the lesser content of saturated FAs in the butter rich in ruminant trans FAs, rather than to the content of vaccenic acid per se.
Flexible Gas Sensors Employing Octahedral Indium Oxide Films

Indium oxide octahedral nanopowders were obtained from an ionic precursor compound after an oxidation process conducted under a low-oxygen atmosphere. This method was found to produce contamination-free indium oxide nanomaterial with very similar morphological and crystalline properties to the one produced by vapor-phase transport, but at significantly lower temperatures and higher yield. The as-synthesized indium oxide was mixed to an organic vehicle and microdrop deposited to form a film bridging the interdigitated silver electrodes patterned on top of a flexible, polyimide (Kapton®), substrate. The gas sensing properties of the flexible chemoresistors towards ammonia vapors, hydrogen, and nitrogen dioxide were investigated. It was found that these sensors were remarkably sensitive to nitrogen dioxide at a low operating temperature of 150 °C. These results are consistent with the performance of vapor-phase transport synthesized indium oxide octahedra sensors on rigid, ceramic substrates. Therefore, the results presented here pave the way for the mass production of inexpensive gas sensors onto flexible substrates via additive manufacturing.
Safety Studies for a 44-Channel Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis: A Chronic Passive Study.

Purpose Following successful clinical outcomes of the prototype suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis, Bionic Vision Australia has developed an upgraded 44-channel suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis to provide a wider field of view and more phosphenes. The aim was to evaluate the preclinical passive safety characteristics of the upgraded electrode array. Methods Ten normal-sighted felines were unilaterally implanted with an array containing platinum electrodes (44 stimulating and 2 returns) on a silicone carrier near the area centralis. Clinical assessments (color fundus photos, optical coherence tomography, full-field electroretinography, intraocular pressure) were performed under anesthesia prior to surgery, and longitudinally for up to 20 weeks. Histopathology grading of fibrosis and inflammation was performed in two animals at 13 to 15 weeks. Results Eight animals showed safe electrode array insertion (good retinal health) and good conformability of the array to the retinal curvature. Eight animals demonstrated good mechanical stability of the array with only minor (<2 disc diameters) lateral movement. Four cases of surgical or stability complications occurred due to (1) bulged choroid during surgery, (2) hemorrhage from a systemic bleeding disorder, (3) infection, and (4) partial erosion of thin posterior sclera. There was no change in retinal structure or function (other than that seen at surgery) at endpoint. Histopathology showed a mild foreign body response. Electrodes were intact on electrode array removal. Conclusions The 44-channel suprachoroidal electrode array has an acceptable passive safety profile to proceed to clinical trial. The safety profile is expected to improve in human studies, as the complications seen are specific to limitations (anatomic differences) with the feline model.
Utilisation of hepatocellular carcinoma screening in Australians at risk of hepatitis B virus‐related carcinoma and prescribed anti‐viral therapy

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To investigate hepatocellular carcinoma screening utilisation and factors associated with utilisation among patients prescribed hepatitis B virus anti-viral therapy and at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. BACKGROUND The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has increased in Australia over the past three decades with chronic hepatitis B virus infection a major contributor. hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance programs aim to detect cancers early enabling curative treatment options, longer survival and longer times to recurrence. DESIGN Multi-site cross-sectional survey. METHODS An online study questionnaire was administered to eligible participants attending three Sydney tertiary hospitals. Data were grouped into six mutually exclusive hepatocellular carcinoma risk factor categories as per American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guidelines. All analyses were undertaken in STATA. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations between covariates and screening utilisation. Multivariate models described were assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit. RESULTS Of the 177 participants, 137 (77.4%) self-reported that US had been performed in the last six months. Awareness that screening should be performed and knowing the correct frequency of US screening were independently associated with screening utilisation. Participants who knew that screening should be undertaken were three times more likely to have had pretreatment education or were prescribed hepatitis B virus anti-viral treatment for >4 years. Participants reporting a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma were less likely to know that screening should be undertaken every 6 months. CONCLUSION While utilisation of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance programs was higher in this study than in previous reports, strategies to further improve surveillance remain necessary. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Findings from this research form the basis for proposing strategies to improve utilisation of hepatocellular carcinoma screening, inform hepatitis B virus-related clinical practice and for the delivery of care and nursing education to people receiving hepatitis B virus anti-viral therapy and at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Fenton reaction facilitates organic nitrogen acquisition by an ectomycorrhizal fungus

Summary Boreal trees rely on their ectomycorrhizal fungal symbionts to acquire growth‐limiting nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), which mainly occurs as proteins complexed in soil organic matter (SOM). The mechanisms for liberating this N are unclear as ectomycorrhizal fungi have lost many genes encoding lignocellulose‐degrading enzymes present in their saprotrophic ancestors. We hypothesized that hydroxyl radicals (˙ OH), produced by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus during growth on SOM, are involved in liberating organic N. Paxillus involutus was grown for 7 d on N‐containing or N‐free substrates that represent major organic compounds of SOM. ˙ OH production, ammonium assimilation, and proteolytic activity were measured daily. ˙ OH production was strongly induced when P. involutus switched from ammonium to protein as the main N source. Extracellular proteolytic activity was initiated shortly after the oxidation. Oxidized protein substrates induced higher proteolytic activity than unmodified proteins. Dynamic modeling predicted that ˙ OH production occurs in a burst, regulated mainly by ammonium and ferric iron concentrations. We propose that the production of ˙ OH and extracellular proteolytic enzymes are regulated by similar nutritional signals. Oxidation works in concert with proteolysis, improving N liberation from proteins in SOM. Organic N mining by ectomycorrhizal fungi has, until now, only been attributed to proteolysis.
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine Open Access Endangered Edible Orchids and Vulnerable Gatherers in the Context of Hiv/aids in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Background: Tanzania is a wild orchid biodiversity hotspot and has a high prevalence of HIV/ AIDS. The wild orchids in the study are endemic and protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Every year, however, between 2.2 and 4.1 million orchid plants consumed in Zambia are estimated as originating from Tanzania. This research examines the differences between HIV/AIDS wild edible orchid gatherers and non-HIV/AIDS gatherers with regards to the frequency of gathering, salience in naming the various orchids, gathering knowledge acquisition and perceptions regarding the current state of abundance of the edible species.
Oracle inequalities for network models and sparse graphon estimation

Inhomogeneous random graph models encompass many network models such as stochastic block models and latent position models. We consider the problem of statistical estimation of the matrix of connection probabilities based on the observations of the adjacency matrix of the network. Taking the stochastic block model as an approximation, we construct estimators of network connection probabilities -- the ordinary block constant least squares estimator, and its restricted version. We show that they satisfy oracle inequalities with respect to the block constant oracle. As a consequence, we derive optimal rates of estimation of the probability matrix. Our results cover the important setting of sparse networks. Another consequence consists in establishing upper bounds on the minimax risks for graphon estimation in the $L\_2$ norm when the probability matrix is sampled according to a graphon model. These bounds include an additional term accounting for the "agnostic" error induced by the variability of the latent unobserved variables of the graphon model. In this setting, the optimal rates are influenced not only by the bias and variance components as in usual nonparametric problems but also include the third component, which is the agnostic error. The results shed light on the differences between estimation under the empirical loss (the probability matrix estimation) and under the integrated loss (the graphon estimation).
Efficient Execution of Sliding-Window Queries Over Data Streams

EmcT! Jing dala stnm.m processing systems rely on windowing /0 enable em-lhe-fly processing oj continuous queries Dvcr unbounded streams. A~' a resuU, swe1ll.1 recent efforL<; have developed window-aware implemcrltations of Query operators such as joins Gnd ag,qregates. 'This focus em individual operators, however, ignores the larger issuc of how to coordinate the pipelined execution of such operators when combined into a full windowed query plan. In this paper, we first show how the slmightjonJJurn application oj traditional pipclincd que111 processing techniques to sliding window queries call I"CSlllt in inefficient and incorrect behavior. We then present three alternative execution techniques that guarantee correct behamor Jar pipelined sliding window querie. ~ and develop new algorilhms for correclly evaluating window-based duplicateelimination, Group-By and Set operators in lhis context. We implemented all of the~'e teclmiques in a prololype data stream system and report lhe results of a detailed performance study of the system.