Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Denoising Adversarial Autoencoders: Classifying Skin Lesions Using Limited Labelled Training Data

We propose a novel deep learning model for classifying medical images in the setting where there is a large amount of unlabelled medical data available, but labelled data is in limited supply. We consider the specific case of classifying skin lesions as either malignant or benign. In this setting, the proposed approach -- the semi-supervised, denoising adversarial autoencoder -- is able to utilise vast amounts of unlabelled data to learn a representation for skin lesions, and small amounts of labelled data to assign class labels based on the learned representation. We analyse the contributions of both the adversarial and denoising components of the model and find that the combination yields superior classification performance in the setting of limited labelled training data.
Minimum-entropy, PDF approximation, and kernel selection for measurement estimation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the selection of an appropriate kernel to be used in a recent robust approach called minimum-entropy estimator (MEE). This MEE estimator is extended to measurement estimation and pdf approximation when /spl rho/(e) is unknown. The entropy criterion is constructed on the basis of a symmetrized kernel estimate /spl rho//sub n,h/(e) of /spl rho/(e). The MEE performance is generally better than the Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimator. The bandwidth selection procedure is a crucial task to assure consistency of kernel estimates. Moreover, recent proposed Hilbert kernels avoid the use of bandwidth, improving the consistency of the kernel estimate. A comparison between results obtained with normal, cosine and Hilbert kernels is presented.
A Novel Nude Mouse Model of Liver Metastasis and Peritoneal Dissemination From the Same Human Pancreatic Cancer Line

Introduction Recently, several mice models have been used for investigating cancer metastasis. However, there are no metastatic and peritoneal dominated variants from the same parental cell line. Aim and Methodology To elucidate the mechanisms of metastasis, we established highly liver metastatic and peritoneal disseminated models in nude mice, and then characterized several factors related to metastasis in these cells. We established a series of well-characterized sublines that showed metastatic potentials to different organ sites of nude mice. Two sublines were selected sequentially from the parental pancreatic cancer cell line, HPC-4, resulting in a highly liver metastatic cell line, HPC-4H4, and a highly peritoneal disseminated cell line, HPC-4P4a. Using these three cell lines, we investigated several biologic properties and mRNA levels of differentially expressed genes involved in cancer metastasis. Results The tumorigenicity, the motile activity, and the adhesive activity of metastatic sublines were higher than those of parental HPC-4 cells. Macroscopic and microscopic findings and the DNA ploidy pattern were the same among the three cell lines. In addition, HPC-4H4 cells expressed clearly higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-8 expression than did HPC-4P4a cells. In fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of adhesion molecules, the expression of integrin-&agr;2 was enhanced in HPC-4 cells, integrin-&agr;v&bgr;5 was enhanced in HPC-4H4 cells, and integrin-&agr;3 was enhanced in HPC-4P4a cells. Osteopontin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor were among the genes that were upregulated in HPC-4H4 cells compared with HPC-4P4a cells. HPC-4P4a cells did not metastasize to the liver by intrasplenic injection. Conversely, HPC-4H4 cells metastasized remarkably to the peritoneum by intraabdominal injection. Conclusion These sublines are the first reported liver metastatic and peritoneal disseminated models derived from the same parental cell lines. The results of our study suggest that the process of hematogenous metastasis is not the same as that of peritoneal dissemination.
The Manipulation of Human Remains in Moche Society: Delayed Burials, Grave Reopening, and Secondary Offerings of Human Bones on the Peruvian North Coast

Abstract A careful reexamination of funerary contexts suggests that Moche (ca. A.D. 100–800) graves were not simply spaces for the disposal of decaying corpses, but contexts periodically revisited by certain members of Moche society. The dynamic nature of funerary practices is documented through an examination of delayed burials. It is argued that these were the product of two distinct ritual processes, one of which involved the storage of corpses to be used as retainers in subsequent rituals. The practice of grave reopening is also explored, leading to the identification of different types of rituals. At least some graves were reopened to remove skeletal parts of possible potent ancestors. Related ideology is addressed by examining cases of bone destruction and the more common secondary offerings of human remains. This study highlights the dynamic nature of Moche mortuary activity while stressing the important role of those in charge of manipulating ancestors’ remains. Finally, it is argued that the Moche shared with their highland neighbors a common vision of the eternal character of human remains, comparable ritual practices involving the human body, and a similar belief in the capacity of the living to influence the course of their destiny through periodic manipulation of ancestors’ remains.
Calcium transport in epithelial cells of the intestine and kidney

The central role of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the regulation of calcium balance is well established. By increasing the absorption of calcium in the intestine and the reabsorption of filtered calcium in the kidney tubule, the hormone maintains an appropriate calcium balance. The cellular mechanisms that underlie the increase in calcium transport in epithelial cells in response to 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 are beginning to be defined. These events include an increase in the movement of calcium across the apical membrane of the cell, an increase in the movement of calcium across the cell, and an increase in the extrusion of calcium at the basolateral portion of the cell. In this Prospects article, I will discuss the nature of the various processes and proteins involved in transcellular calcium movement, and I will attempt to highlight various future areas of research.
Non-neoplastic lesions of female virgin Han:NMRI mice, incidence and influence of food restriction throughout life span. I: Thyroid

A life span study with 900 female virgin Han:NMRI mice (300 outbred controls, 300 of a fat subline and 300 of a lean subline) was carried out to determine the occurrence of spontaneous disease with ad libitum or restricted feeding. The major age-dependent non-neoplastic alteration of the thyroid was a cystic distension of the ultimobranchial bodies (up to 90% in the oldest age groups). Most of the severely cystic thyroids were found in animals of the fat sublines and development seemed to be slightly delayed by food restriction. The cyst walls were composed of ciliated and non-ciliated granular or highly attenuated cells. The cysts contained Alcian blue and periodic acid Schiff positive substances.
A Wavelet-Based Approach to Preserve Privacy for Classification Mining

Despite the commercial success of data mining, a major drawback has been acknowledged across academic, industry, and government sectors, namely, the issue of violating the privacy of individuals. We propose a data transformation method based on wavelets to disguise private data while preserving the original classification patterns. Wavelet transformations have been used extensively in signal processing for data reduction, multiresolution analysis, and removing noise from data. In our implementation, two commonly used wavelet transforms, the Haar and the Daub-4 transforms, are tested for pattern and privacy preservation in classification mining tasks. Empirical results confirm that the Haar and the Daub-4 transforms preserve the classification patterns and preserve the privacy for real valued data.
Natural polymorphisms in HIV‐1 protease: Impact on effectiveness of a first‐line lopinavir‐containing antiretroviral therapy regimen

Mutations on HIV protease lead to resistance to protease inhibitors. However, resistance development may be different according to primary, secondary or polymorphic mutations. The present study was designed to assess the impact of natural protease mutations on the effectiveness of a first‐line antiretroviral therapy (ART), and secondarily, their effect on the initial viral load (VL). The study was conducted in 175 HIV‐1‐infected patients, who initiated a first‐line lopinavir/r‐containing ART regimen and who had an available genotype resistance testing before initiating therapy. We assessed the association between mutations (prevalence ≥10%) and the initial VL. We assessed the association between mutations and ART effectiveness using two surrogate markers: the slope of VL decrease at 1 month and the time to VL undetectability. For the 175 patients, the initial median VL was 4.94 log10 copies/ml [interquartile range: 4.44–5.47] and the initial median CD4 lymphocyte count, 219/µl [129–296]. Eighteen mutations had a prevalence ≥10%. At 1 month, the median VL decrease was 2.35 log10 copies/ml [1.76–2.82]. The median time to VL undetectability was 128 days [91–196]. No mutation was associated significantly with the initial VL, the slope of VL decrease at 1 month or the time to VL undetectability. This study of antiretroviral‐naive patients showed that protease polymorphisms had no impact on the effectiveness of a lopinavir/r‐containing ART regimen. However, polymorphisms may affect ART effectiveness differently in other populations, such as ART‐experienced patients and/or patients treated with protease inhibitors other than the one used here. J. Med. Virol. 80:1871–1879, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sp 1 trans-activates and is required for maximal aldosterone induction of the ENaC gene in collecting duct cells

Yu Z, Kong Q, Kone BC. Sp1 trans-activates and is required for maximal aldosterone induction of the ENaC gene in collecting duct cells. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 305: F653–F662, 2013. First published June 26, 2013; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00177. 2013. —The epithelial Na channel (ENaC) in the distal nephron constitutes the rate-limiting step for renal sodium reabsorption. Aldosterone increases tubular sodium absorption in large part by increasing ENaC transcription in collecting duct principal cells. We previously reported that Af9 binds to 78/ 92 of ENaC and recruits Dot1a to repress basal and aldosterone-sensitive ENaC transcription in mouse inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD)3 cells. Despite this epigenetic repression, basal ENaC transcription is still evident and physiologically necessary, indicating basal operation of positive regulators. In the present study, we identified Sp1 as one such regulator. Gel shift and antibody competition assays using a 208/ 240 probe revealed DNA-Sp1-containing complexes in mIMCD3 cells. Mutation of the 222/ 229 element abrogated Sp1 binding in vitro and in promoterreporter constructs stably expressed in mIMCD3 cells. Compared with the wild-type promoter, an ENaC promoter-luciferase construct with 222/ 229 mutations exhibited much lower activity and impaired trans-activation in Sp1 overexpression experiments. Conversely, Sp1 knockdown inhibited endogenous ENaC mRNA and the activity of the wild-type ENaC promoter but not the mutated construct. Aldosterone triggered Sp1 recruitment to the ENaC promoter, which was required for maximal induction of ENaC promoter activity and was blocked by spironolactone. Sequential chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and functional tests of 78/ 92 and 222/ 229 ENaC promoter mutants indicated that while Sp1, Dot1a, and Af9 co-occupy the ENaC promoter, the Sp1 effects are functionally independent from Dot1a and Af9. In summary, Sp1 binding to a cis-element at 222/ 229 represents the first identified constitutive driver of ENaC transcription, and it contributes to maximal aldosterone transactivation of ENaC.
An artificial neural network as a model for prediction of survival in trauma patients: validation for a regional trauma area.

BACKGROUND To develop and validate an artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting survival of trauma patients based on standard prehospital variables, emergency room admission variables, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) using data derived from a regional area trauma system, and to compare this model with known trauma scoring systems. PATIENT POPULATION The study was composed of 10,609 patients admitted to 24 hospitals comprising a seven-county suburban/rural trauma region adjacent to a major metropolitan area. The data was generated as part of the New York State trauma registry. Study period was from January 1993 through December 1996 (1993-1994: 5,168 patients; 1995: 2,768 patients; 1996: 2,673 patients). METHODS A standard feed-forward back-propagation neural network was developed using Glasgow Coma Scale, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, hematocrit, age, sex, intubation status, ICD-9-CM Injury E-code, and ISS as input variables. The network had a single layer of hidden nodes. Initial network development of the model was performed on the 1993-1994 data. Subsequent models were generated using the 1993, 1994, and 1995 data. The model was tested first on the 1995 and then on the 1996 data. The ANN model was tested against Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and ISS using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve [ROC-A(z)], Lemeshow-Hosmer C-statistic, and calibration curves. RESULTS The ANN showed good clustering of the data, with good separation of nonsurvivors and survivors. The ROCA(z) was 0.912 for the ANN, 0.895 for TRISS, and 0.766 for ISS. The ANN exceeded TRISS with respect to calibration (Lemeshow-Hosmer C-statistic: 7.4 for ANN; 17.1 for TRISS). The prediction of survivors was good for both models. The ANN exceeded TRISS in nonsurvivor prediction. CONCLUSION An ANN developed for trauma patients using prehospital, emergency room admission data, and ISS gave good prediction of survival. It was accurate and had excellent calibration. This study expands our previous results developed at a single Level I trauma center and shows that an ANN model for predicting trauma deaths can be applied across hospitals with good results
Effects of Culture Age on PRL and GH Responses to Bromocriptine and Somatostatin from Primary Cultures of Rat Anterior Pituitary Cells

Abstract To study the effects of time in culture on prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) responses to exogenous stimuli, bromocriptine (10−7 M) or somatostatin (10−7 M) were added to primary cultures of dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells (DC). Cells which had been in culture for 3, 6, or 9 days were then incubated for 6 hr and the media were radioimmunoassayed for PRL and GH. The inhibitory effects of bromocriptine on PRL release (76% decrease) and somatostatin on GH release (62% decrease) from cultured cells were maximal on Day 3 and decreased with age of the culture. In addition, the inhibitory effect of bromocriptine on GH release (32% decrease) was slight but maximal on Day 3 and decreased with time in culture. In contrast, somatostatin showed slight and stable inhibition of PRL release (26 to 29% decrease) at each of the three time periods. At the end of each incubation, the media were replaced with Ham's F-10 medium lacking bromocriptine or somatostatin and the cultures were incubated again for 6 hr. Even after removal of these agents, the inhibitory effects of bromocriptine on PRL or somatostatin on GH release persisted at almost the same or a higher degree compared to the controls. On the other hand, the inhibitory effects of bromocriptine on GH or somatostatin on PRL disappeared almost completely after removal of the agents. The release of both PRL and GH into the media was greater in all cases, including the controls, during the second incubation. This may have been due in part to the stimulation caused by changing the media. The results suggest: (1) rat pituitary mammotrophs and somatotrophs may both possess receptors for bromocriptine and somatostatin (2) in the absence of hypothalamic control (i.e., in vitro system), these cells are most sensitive to both agents on Day 3, and (3) the rebound increases seen in vivo following these agents are likely caused by hypothalamic modulations.
Catalytic pretreatment and hydrolysis of fibre sludge into reducing sugars

Decreasing oil reserves, the need to reduce CO2 emissions and increasing energy demand are issues that are forcing scientists to search for new opportunities in the field of energy. As a result, biofuels have been considered as one possible solution to solve part of these challenges. This research is one small part of that effort. For both human and economic reasons the use of edible raw materials for biofuel production is not sustainable. This study aims to convert forest industry waste, namely fibre sludge, into reducing sugars (glucose). This platform chemical can then be converted to value-added products, biofuels such as ethanol or butanol for example. Depolymerisation of fibre sludge (cellulose) to glucose monomers was performed firstly by pretreatment with ionic liquids [BMIM]Cl and [AMIM]Cl and secondly hydrolysed by acids (dilute maleic and sulphuric acids) and enzymes. To go further with the research the two pretreatment steps, dissolution and hydrolysis were combined into a one-step reaction by using a task-specific ionic liquid [SBMIM]Cl. With the ionic liquid [AMIM]Cl used for pretreatment in this study, we were able to recover 85% of sugars relative to the initial dry mass of the fibre sludge. Corresponding yield was about 30% without pretreatment. The task-specific ionic liquid [SBMIM]Cl was able to dissolve and hydrolyse fibre sludge in a one-step reaction. This ionic liquid was also able to dissolve wet fibre sludge with a moisture content of up to 50%. Enzymatic hydrolysis of [AMIM]Cl pretreated fibre sludge showed also very promising yields of reducing sugars.
Breaking bad news in China – the dilemma of patients' autonomy and traditional norms. A first communication skills training for Chinese oncologists and caretakers

Current practice of breaking bad news in China involves disclosure of information first to family members who then decide whether the patient should receive this information. Recently, however, patients' right to be informed has been regulated by law. This represents a dilemma for oncologists who now have to balance traditional practice with new legal requirements. A communication skills training (CST) was developed for Chinese practice. It addresses this issue and may help participants find individual solutions within these conflicting requirements.
Relationship between the red cell distribution width and the one-year outcomes in Chinese patients with stable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between the red cell distribution width (RDW) and the one year outcomes in Chinese patients with stable angina pectoris. METHODS A total of 1,442 patients with stable angina pectoris on admission were divided into four groups according to quartiles of the baseline RDW. The relationships between the RDW and one-year cardiac mortality as well as the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were assessed. RESULTS Higher RDW values were associated with an increased one-year cardiac mortality (quartile 1: 0.51%; quartile 2: 0.56%; quartile 3: 0.86%; quartile 4: 2.27%; p<0.001) and one-year ACS (quartile 1: 1.55%; quartile 2: 1.96%; quartile 3: 2.89%; quartile 4: 3.70%; p<0.001). A logistic regression analysis revealed that the RDW independently predicted cardiac mortality (OR: 1.544, 95% CI: 1.058-3.216, p<0.001) and ACS (OR: 1.861, 95% CI: 1.226-3.487, p<0.001) during a one-year follow-up in patients with stable angina pectoris. CONCLUSION The present study indicates that an elevated RDW value is associated with an increased risk of one-year adverse outcomes in patients with stable angina pectoris.
Migration Rates and Genetic Structure of two Hungarian Ethnic Groups in Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania's ethnic mosaic is composed of Romanians, German Saxons and Hungarians. The ethnic groups of the Hungarian minority that settled in Romania show differences in dialects, customs and religious affiliations. In this study entire mtDNA control region sequences from 360 individuals of Hungarian ethnicity from two populations (the Csángó and the Székely), settled in the historical region of Transylvania in Romania, were generated and analyzed following high quality sequencing standards. Phylogenetic analyses were used for haplogroup determination, quasi‐median network analyses were applied for the visualization of character conflicts, and median joining reconstructions were used for depicting haplotype structures. Affiliation of haplotypes to major west Eurasian haplogroups was confirmed using coding region SNPs. Gene flow between the two populations was low and biased towards a higher migration rate from the Csángó to the Székely than vice versa. Phylogeographic analyses revealed effects of genetic isolation within the Csángó population, which is, in its genetic structure, clearly different from the Székely population. The pronounced genetic divergence between the two populations is in sharp contrast to the expectation of high genetic similarity due to the close geographic proximity of their native homelands. The population data will be incorporated in the EMPOP database (http://www.empop.org).
Detection of differential speech‐specific processes in the temporal lobe using fMRI and a dynamic “sound morphing” technique

Contrary to the classical view, recent neuroimaging studies claim that phonological processing, as part of auditory speech perception, is subserved by both the left and right temporal lobes and not the left temporal lobe alone. This study seeks to explore whether there are variations in the lateralization of response to verbal and nonverbal sounds by varying spectral complexity of those sounds. White noise was gradually transformed into either speech or music sounds using a “sound morphing” procedure. The stimuli were presented in an event‐related design and the evoked brain responses were measured using fMRI. The results demonstrated that the left temporal lobe was predominantly sensitive to gradual manipulation of the speech sounds while the right temporal lobe responded to all sounds and manipulations. This effect was especially pronounced within the middle region of the left superior temporal sulcus (mid‐STS). This area could be further subdivided into a more posterior area, which showed a linear response to the manipulation of speech sounds, and an anteriorly adjacent area which showed the strongest interaction between the speech and music sound manipulations. Such a differential and selective response was not seen in other brain areas and not when the sound “morphed” into a music stimulus. This gives further experimental evidence for the assumption of a posterior‐anterior processing stream in the left temporal lobe. In addition, the present findings support the notion that the left mid STS area is more sensitive to speech signals compared to the right homologue. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.