Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attachment Representation and Cortisol Response to the Adult Attachment Interview in Idiopathic Spasmodic Torticollis

Objective: The study investigates individual differences in the mental representation of attachment and their impact on the cortisol response to psychosocial stress in idiopathic spasmodic torticollis (IST). It was hypothesized (a) that in IST insecure attachment is more prevalent than in a non-clinical control group and (b) that subjects with dismissing attachment respond with higher physiological arousal to a specific stimulus activating the attachment behavioural system than subjects with secure attachment. Method: 20 patients with IST and 20 healthy controls matched for age and sex underwent the Adult Attachment Interview, an hour-long, semiclinical interview on attachment experiences. During the interview salivary cortisol levels were monitored. The subjects’ mental state with regard to attachment was classified using the attachment Q-sort method. Anxiety and depression were measured as potential covariates of the adrenocortical stress response. Results: Compared to the non-clinical group, dismissing attachment was strongly overrepresented in IST. In IST, but not in the healthy control group, dismissing attachment correlated with an elevated cortisol response to the interview. Conclusion: In clinical, but not in non-clinical samples dismissing attachment may be associated with increased vulnerability to psychosocial stress. The factors contributing to this interaction are not yet fully elucidated.
An augmented lecture feedback system to support learner and teacher communication

In this paper, it is advocated that the feedback loop between learners and teachers could be improved by making use of augmented reality ( AR) techniques. The bidirectional communication between teacher and learners is sometimes hampered by students' fear of showing themselves up in front of their classmates. In order to overcome this problem, a system is proposed whereby teachers receive immediate and private feedback both individualised for each student as well as aggregated for the whole class. With that purpose, the teacher, who is equipped with a head-mounted AR display, can visualise symbols that represent the status students have stated using private devices in relation to the lecture content. In order to explore the possibilities of this approach, an experience was conducted in a lecture on a university course. The results are encouraging and suggest that as this technology matures and less intrusive AR display models become available, it could provide effective support to improve communication and interaction during lectures. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=qUCkNkuAiK8 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
PI3K inhibition to overcome endocrine resistance in breast cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction: Activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway is a critical step in oncogenesis and plays a role in the development of treatment resistance for both estrogen receptor (ER) positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancers. Hence, there have been efforts to therapeutically inhibit this pathway. Areas covered: Several inhibitors of PI3K are now progressing through clinical trials with varying degrees of efficacy and toxicity to date. Numerous unresolved questions remain concerning the optimal isoform selectivity of PI3K inhibitors and use of predictive biomarkers. This review examines the most important PI3K inhibitors in ER positive breast cancer to date, with a particular focus on their role in overcoming endocrine therapy resistance and the possible use of PIK3CA mutations as a predictive biomarker. Expert opinion: We discuss some of the emerging challenges and questions encountered during the development of PI3K inhibitors from preclinical to phase III studies, including other novel biomarkers and future combinations to overcome endocrine resistance.
Lymphocyte density determined by computational pathology validated as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: secondary analysis of the ARTemis trial

Abstract Background We have previously shown lymphocyte density, measured using computational pathology, is associated with pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer. The clinical validity of this finding in independent studies, among patients receiving different chemotherapy, is unknown. Patients and methods The ARTemis trial randomly assigned 800 women with early stage breast cancer between May 2009 and January 2013 to three cycles of docetaxel, followed by three cycles of fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide once every 21 days with or without four cycles of bevacizumab. The primary endpoint was pCR (absence of invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes). We quantified lymphocyte density within haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) whole slide images using our previously described computational pathology approach: for every detected lymphocyte the average distance to the nearest 50 lymphocytes was calculated and the density derived from this statistic. We analyzed both pre-treatment biopsies and post-treatment surgical samples of the tumour bed. Results Of the 781 patients originally included in the primary endpoint analysis of the trial, 609 (78%) were included for baseline lymphocyte density analyses and a subset of 383 (49% of 781) for analyses of change in lymphocyte density. The main reason for loss of patients was the availability of digitized whole slide images. Pre-treatment lymphocyte density modelled as a continuous variable was associated with pCR on univariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.92; 95% CI, 1.78–4.85; P < 0.001) and after adjustment for clinical covariates (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.24–3.67; P = 0.006). Increased pre- to post-treatment lymphocyte density showed an independent inverse association with pCR (adjusted OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.033–0.31; P < 0.001). Conclusions Lymphocyte density in pre-treatment biopsies was validated as an independent predictor of pCR in breast cancer. Computational pathology is emerging as a viable and objective means of identifying predictive biomarkers for cancer patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01093235.
Title The carboxy-terminal tails of septins Cdc 11 and Shs 1 recruit myosin-II binding factor Bni 5 to the bud neck in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Permalink

Septins are a conserved family of GTP-binding proteins that form heterooctameric complexes that assemble into higher-order structures. In yeast, septin superstructure at the bud neck serves as a barrier to separate a daughter cell from its mother and as a scaffold to recruit the proteins that execute cytokinesis. However, how septins recruit specific factors has not been well characterized. In the accompanying article in this issue, (Finnigan et al. 2015), we demonstrated that the C-terminal extensions (CTEs) of the alternative terminal subunits of septin heterooctamers, Cdc11 and Shs1, share a role required for optimal septin function in vivo. Here we describe our use of unbiased genetic approaches (both selection of dosage suppressors and analysis of synthetic interactions) that pinpointed Bni5 as a protein that interacts with the CTEs of Cdc11 and Shs1. Furthermore, we used three independent methods—construction of chimeric proteins, noncovalent tethering mediated by a GFP-targeted nanobody, and imaging by fluorescence microscopy—to confirm that a physiologically important function of the CTEs of Cdc11 and Shs1 is optimizing recruitment of Bni5 and thereby ensuring efficient localization at the bud neck of Myo1, the type II myosin of the actomyosin contractile ring. Related article in GENETICS: Finnigan, G. C. et al., 2015 Comprehensive Genetic Analysis of Paralogous Terminal Septin Subunits Shs1 and Cdc11 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 200: 821–841.
Correlates of Suicidal Behaviors Among Asian Americans

This study examines the correlates of suicidal ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt among Asian Americans focusing on nativity and gender. Analyses are performed on data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (N = 2095), the first ever study conducted on the mental health of a national sample of Asian Americans. The sample is comprised of adults with 998 men (47%) and 1,097 (53%) women. Analysis of weighted lifetime prevalence of suicidal behaviors revealed that U.S.-born Asian American women had higher prevelance of suicidal ideation and suicide plan than U.S.-born Asian American men and immigrant Asian American men and women. In multivariate analyses controlling for socio-demographic differences such as ethnicity, marital status and income, differences in suicidal behaviors are found only between U.S.-born women and U.S.-born men. The findings demonstrate the need to disaggregate data by immigrant status as well as socio-demographic correlates.
Improving the Quality of Software Development Process by Introducing a New Methodology–AZ-Model

Quality is the most important factor for software development as it mainly defines customer satisfaction that is directly related to the success of a software project. The software process model is used to ensure software quality, represent a variety of task settings, manage project duration, improve the process and range to execute the process understanding, and to appropriate implicit conjecture for all task settings. Several software processes models exist in software albeit with limited scope. Given this viewpoint, this paper presents a new software development life cycle model, “AZ-Model,” for software development by introducing new activities during software development life cycle. It overcomes the limitations of traditional models and significantly impacts the production of a quality product in a time-box. This paper also presents a comprehensive comparative study and statistical analyses to examine the significance of AZ–Model for software development.
miR-146a–Traf6 regulatory axis controls autoimmunity and myelopoiesis, but is dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis and tumor suppression

Significance Aberrant inflammation is the root cause of numerous human diseases, from autoimmunity to cancer. microRNA-146a (miR-146a), a member of a large class of small regulatory RNAs, functions as a critical molecular brake on inflammation and malignant transformation. However, the molecular mechanism through which miR-146a exerts its regulatory activity in immune cells is unclear. Using mouse genetics, we have examined the role of the miR-146a–Traf6 signaling axis and found that although this miRNA–target interaction is responsible for regulating normal myeloid cell development and autoimmunity, it is dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis and tumor suppression. microRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been previously implicated as an essential molecular brake, preventing immune overreaction and malignant transformation by attenuating NF-κB signaling, putatively via repression of the Traf6 and Irak1 genes. The exact contribution of miR-146a–mediated silencing of these genes to the control of immune activation is currently unknown. Therefore, we defined the role of the miR-146a–Traf6 signaling axis in the regulation of immune homeostasis using a genetic epistasis analysis in miR-146a−/− mice. We have uncovered a surprising separation of functions at the level of miR-146a targets. Lowering the Traf6 gene dose and consequent attenuation of NF-κB activation rescued several significant miR-146a−/− phenotypes, such as splenomegaly, aberrant myeloproliferation, and excessive inflammatory responses. In contrast, decreasing Traf6 expression had no effect on the development of the progressive bone marrow failure phenotype, as well as lymphomagenesis in miR-146a−/− mice, indicating that miR-146a controls these biological processes through different molecular mechanisms.
An Eight-Lane 7-Gb/s/pin Source Synchronous Single-Ended RX With Equalization and Far-End Crosstalk Cancellation for Backplane Channels

This paper presents a versatile crosstalk cancellation scheme for single-ended multi-lane backplane links. System-level investigations show that a scheme, which combines analog filters and decision-feedback crosstalk compensation on the receiver (RX) side only, can efficiently remove crosstalk patterns in straight channels as well as boards with reflections due to via stubs. An eight-lane single-ended RX has been manufactured in 32-nm SOI CMOS to validate our findings. A CTLE and eight-tap decision feedback equalizer equalize the channel without transmitter feedforward equalizer. A continuous time crosstalk canceller reduces precursors by nearest neighbors, while the residual postcursors from all aggressors are suppressed by direct feedback <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$7\times 8$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-tap decision-feedback crosstalk canceller (DFXC). Measurements with flip-chip packaged RX show that the RX macro can equalize both a 30-dB insertion loss single-ended channel with 0-dB signal-to-crosstalk at Nyquist and a channel with 28-dB attenuation with the signal-to-crosstalk ratio of 6 dB combined with reflections due to via stubs. The RX operates up to 7 Gb/s/pin with PRBS11 data at bit error rate (BER) <10<sup>−12</sup>, and occupies <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$300\times 350~\mu \text{m}^{\textbf {2}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> with an energy efficiency of 5.9 mW/Gb/s from 1-V supply.
Metabolic Disposition of Luteolin Is Mediated by the Interplay of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases and Catechol-O-Methyltransferases in Rats

Luteolin partially exerts its biologic effects via its metabolites catalyzed by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and catechol-O-methyltransferases (COMTs). However, the interplay of UGTs and COMTs in mediating luteolin disposition has not been well clarified. In this study, we investigated the glucuronidation and methylation pathways of luteolin mediated by the interplay of UGTs and COMTs in vivo and in vitro. A total of nine luteolin metabolites was detected in rat plasma and bile by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, namely, three glucuronides, two methylated metabolites, and four methylated glucuronides. Luteolin-3′-glucuronide (Lut-3′-G) exhibited the highest systemic exposure among these metabolites. Kinetics studies in rat liver S9 fractions suggested two pathways, as follows: 1) Luteolin was glucuronidated to luteolin-7-glucuronide, luteolin-4′-glucuronide, and Lut-3′-G by UGTs, and then Lut-7-G was methylated to chrysoeriol-7-glucuronide and diosmetin-7-glucuronide by COMTs. 2) Alternatively, luteolin was methylated to chrysoeriol and diosmetin by COMTs, and then chrysoeriol and diosmetin were glucuronidated by UGTs to their respective glucuronides. The methylation rate of luteolin was significantly increased by the absence of glucuronidation, whereas the glucuronidation rate was increased by the absence of methylation, but to a lesser extent. In conclusion, two pathways mediated by the interplay of UGTs and COMTs are probably involved in the metabolic disposition of luteolin. The glucuronidation and methylation of luteolin compensate for each other, although glucuronidation is the predominant pathway.
Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission promotes cell proliferation through crosstalk of p53 and NF-κB pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma

Mitochondria are highly dynamic and undergo constant fusion and fission that are essential for maintaining physiological functions of cells. Recently, we have reported that increased mitochondrial fission promotes autophagy and apoptosis resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell through ROS-mediated coordinated regulation of NF-κB and p53 pathways. However, little is known about the roles of mitochondrial dynamics in HCC cell proliferation, another key feature of cancer cells. In this study, we systematically investigated the functional role of mitochondrial fission in the regulation of HCC cell proliferation. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms were deeply explored. We found that, increased mitochondrial fission by forced expression of Drp1 promoted the proliferation of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo mainly by facilitating G1/S phase transition of cell cycle. Whereas, Drp1 knockdown or treatment with mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 induced significant G1 phase arrest in HCC cells and reduced tumor growth in the xenotransplantation model. We further demonstrated that the proliferation-promoting role of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission was mediated via p53/p21 and NF-κB/cyclins pathways. Moreover, the crosstalk between p53 and NF-κB pathways was proved to be involved in the regulation of mitochondrial fission-mediated cell proliferation. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission plays a critical role in the regulation of cell cycle progression and HCC cell proliferation. Thus, targeting Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission may provide a novel strategy for suppressing tumor growth of HCC.
Screening colonoscopy volume and detection of colorectal neoplasms: a state-wide study from Bavaria, Germany

Screening colonoscopy enables early detection of colorectal cancer and its precancerous lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the association of screening colonoscopy volume with colorectal neoplasm detection rate in routine practice. A registry-based study of individuals aged at least 55 years who underwent screening colonoscopy in Bavaria, Germany, between 2007 and 2009 was performed. Colorectal neoplasm detection rates (95% confidence intervals) were determined per physician. Physicians were grouped according to the number of screening colonoscopies performed per year (<50, 50–99, 100–199, ≥200). A total of 203 363 individuals (median age 64 years, 55.2% women) underwent screening colonoscopy between 2007 and 2009. Colonoscopies were performed by 509 physicians. The detection rate of any neoplasm increased with screening colonoscopy volume from 21.9% among physicians conducting fewer than 50 screening colonoscopies per year to 27.5% among physicians conducting 200 or more screening colonoscopies per year (P-value for trend <0.0001). Increases in detection rates with colonoscopy volume were also observed for advanced neoplasms and for colorectal cancer (P-value for trend 0.16 and <0.0001, respectively). Differences were largest between physicians conducting fewer than 50 screening colonoscopies per year and other physicians. These results support a potential role of a minimum colonoscopy volume for high-quality colonoscopy screening. Differences in neoplasm detection rates were high between physicians conducting fewer than 50 screening colonoscopies per year and physicians with higher screening colonoscopy volume.
Investigations on microstrip patch as band pass filter

Effective utilization of microstrip patch antennas as filter is studied in this paper. Microstrip antennas of square geometry is extended as band pass filter. The parent filter is modified with Sierpinski fractals for enhancement of characteristics. The proposed filters are optimized for performance using ANSYS HFSS. Prototypes of the optimized filters are tested and the measured results are found to be in good agreement with the simulated one.
Improving Breast Cancer Screening Adherence Among Hospitalized Women.

BACKGROUND More than a third of hospitalized women are both overdue for breast cancer screening and at high risk for developing breast cancer. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if inpatient breast cancer screening education, scheduling an outpatient mammography appointment before hospital discharge at patients' convenience, phone call reminders, and a small monetary incentive ($10) would result in improved adherence with breast cancer screening for these patients. METHODS A prospective intervention pilot study was conducted among 30 nonadherent women aged 50-75 years hospitalized to a general medicine service. Sociodemographic, reproductive history, family history for breast cancer, and medical comorbidity data were collected for all patients. Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were utilized to compare characteristics among women who did and did not get a screening mammogram at their prearranged appointments. RESULTS Of the 30 women enrolled who were nonadherent to breast cancer screening, the mean age for the study population was 57.8 years (SD = 6), mean 5-year Gail risk score was 1.68 (SD = 0.67), and 57% of women were African American. Only one-third of the enrolled women (n = 10) went to their prearranged appointments for screening mammography. Not feeling well enough after the hospitalization and not having insurance were reported as main reasons for missing the appointments. Convenience of having an appointment scheduled was reported to be a facilitator of completing the screening test. CONCLUSION This intervention was partially successful in enhancing breast cancer screening among hospitalized women who were overdue and at high risk. Future studies may need to evaluate the feasibility of inpatient screening mammography to improve adherence and overcome the significant barriers to compliance with screening.
The freshwater red alga Batrachospermum turfosum (Florideophyceae) can acclimate to a wide range of light and temperature conditions

ABSTRACT Batrachospermum turfosum Bory is one of the generalists among the few red algae that have adapted to freshwater habitats, occurring in a variety of primarily shaded, nutrient-poor micro-habitats with lotic (running) or lentic (standing) waters. Seasonal variations in water level and canopy cover can expose this sessile alga to widely fluctuating temperatures, solar irradiation and nutrient availability. Here we report on the ecophysiology of B. turfosum collected from an ultra-oligotrophic bog pool in the Austrian Alps. Photosynthesis as a function of photon fluence density (PFD) and temperature was studied by measuring oxygen evolution in combination with chlorophyll fluorescence. In addition, the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on photosynthetic pigments were analysed using HPLC and spectrophotometric methods, and cellular ultrastructure was studied using transmission electron microscopy. We found that B. turfosum is adapted to low light, with a light compensation point (I c) and a light saturation point (I k) of 8.4 and 29.7 µmol photons m–2 s–1, respectively, but also tolerates higher PFDs of ~1000 µmol photons m–2 s–1, and is capable of net photosynthesis at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C. Exposure to either UV-A or UV-AB for 102 h led to a strong transient drop in effective quantum yield (ΔF/FM’), followed by an acclimation to about 70% of initial ΔF/FM’ values. Ultrastructural changes included the accumulation of plastoglobules and dilated membranes after UVR treatment. Although all photosynthetic pigments strongly decreased upon UVR exposure and no UV-photoprotectants (e.g. mycosporine-like amino acids) could be detected, the alga was capable of recovering ΔF/FM’ and phycobiliproteins after UVR treatment. In summary, B. turfosum tolerates a wide range of irradiation and temperature regimes, and these traits may be the basis for its successful adaptation to challenging environments.