Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generative Memory for Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is a crucial issue in advanced artificial intelligence. It requires the learning system to learn and accumulate knowledge from sequential tasks. The learning system needs to deal with increasingly more domains and tasks. We consider that the key to an effective and efficient lifelong learning system is the ability to memorize and recall the learned knowledge using neural networks. Following this idea, we propose Generative Memory (GM) as a novel memory module, and the resulting lifelong learning system is referred to as the GM Net (GMNet). To make the GMNet feasible, we propose a novel learning mechanism, referred to as $\mathcal {P}$ -invariant learning method. It replaces the memory of the real data by a memory of the data distribution, which makes it possible for the learning system to accurately and continuously accumulate the learned experiences. We demonstrate that GMNet achieves the state-of-the-art performance on lifelong learning tasks.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

In the Southern High Plains of the United States, beef cattle feed yards and row crop agriculture are predominant sources of agrochemical usage. Beef cattle feed yards use large quantities of veterinary pharmaceuticals to promote cattle growth and health, along with insecticides to control insect pests, whereas row crop‐based agriculture relies on herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides to increase yields. Previous studies have documented the occurrence of agrochemicals beyond feed yard and row crop agriculture boundaries in uncultivated, marginal areas, raising concern that migratory pollinators and pollinators indigenous to the Southern High Plains frequenting these remaining habitat corridors may become exposed to toxic agrochemicals. Larvae of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) were used to investigate the potential toxicity of agrochemicals used on feed yards and in row crop agriculture among pollinators. Moxidectin, an antiparasiticide used on beef cattle feed yards, was determined to be extremely toxic to V. cardui larvae, with a lethal dose at which 50% of larvae died of 2.1± 0.1 ng/g. Pyraclostrobin, clothianidin, and permethrin all delayed V. cardui development. However, moxidectin was the only chemical that produced significant toxic effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. These results indicate that agrochemicals originating from feed yards have the potential to adversely impact the development of pollinator larvae occurring in the Southern High Plains. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2629–2636. © 2019 SETAC
How far can we go with hepatocellular carcinoma in living donor liver transplantation?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in the setting of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been adopted worldwide over the past decade. Many centers have implemented LDLT because of the limited supply of deceased organs, which has also provided an opportunity for centers to expand the indication for transplantation for patients with HCC. RECENT FINDINGS Center-specific expanded HCC criteria have proven to be well tolerated in terms of overall and disease-free survival when compared with the standard, Milan criteria. There is a need to overcome size and number as the sole limiters. New technologies to better predict outcomes after liver transplantation for HCC, response to treatments and/or bridging therapies while waiting for a liver transplantation, along with determining tumour behaviour are being incorporated into criteria. Improved outcomes of LDLT for all causes has increased utilization of the procedure for HCC patients worldwide. SUMMARY LDLT has become a great treatment option for HCC patients. Progressively better understanding of tumour behaviour and different surrogates of tumour biology assessments will allow better patient selection for LDLT.
Regulating Fluorescent Aptamer-sensing Behavior of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) Platform via Lanthanide Ions Doping.

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) have been proved to be effective quenching platforms for fluorescent detection of DNA via fluorophore-quencher pairs. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is one type of the most promising NMOFs because of its excellent biocompatibility and easy preparation. However, ZIF-8 is rarely used as platforms for ﬂuorescent sensing of DNA because of its bad fluorescence quenching property. In this study, lanthanide ions were doped into ZIF-8 to regulate its fluorescence quenching behavior. The La3+ doped ZIF-8 (ZIF-8-La) showed the best quenching efficiency on dye-labeled DNA. The signal-to-background ratio was around 3 times higher than ZIF-8. Furthermore, a core-shell La3+ doped ZIF-8 (CS-ZIF-8-La) was designed to modify more La3+ on the surface of ZIF-8. Compared with ZIF-8-La, the CS-ZIF-8-La exhibited the same fluorescence sensing behavior toward positive-dye labeled DNA, but showed completely contrary quenching property on the negative-dye labeled DNA. Based on this phenomenon, CS-ZIF-8-La was successfully used as quenching platform for designing ratiometric sensor for DNA and microRNA.
Clinical impact of genomic analysis in children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A pilot study in Slovakia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) belongs to a genetically heterogeneous disease associated with a wide range of chromosomal and molecular changes. Determining these changes at the time of diagnosis can help the therapeutic decision, and it contributes to the prediction of patients' clinical outcomes. A part of B-ALL (B-other) lacks cytogenetic abnormalities with clinical relevance for prognosis. Our first goal was to retrospectively review genetic results of patients from 2013-2017 and identify number of B-other patients in Slovak population. The second goal was to implement single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis to improve the diagnosis and risk stratification. In this study we reviewed 133 B-ALL patients. We found that nearly 40% of them (52 cases) belonged to the B-other ALL group. Eighteen B-other ALL patients were subjected to the analysis using SNP-array. Overall, we identified 126 cytogenomic changes and in 4 patients the SNP array revealed clinically relevant markers of adverse prognosis and high relapse risk. Integrating identified genetic changes into clinical practice can bring improvement of prognosis assessment for children with ALL in Slovakia.
Exposure–Response Associations of Household Air Pollution and Buccal Cell Telomere Length in Women Using Biomass Stoves

Background: Telomere shortening is associated with early mortality and chronic disease. Recent studies indicate that environmental exposures, including urban and traffic-related air pollution, may shorten telomeres. Associations between exposure to household air pollution from solid fuel stoves and telomere length have not been evaluated. Methods: Among 137 rural Chinese women using biomass stoves (mean=55y of age), we measured 48-h personal exposures to fine particulate matter [PM ≤ 2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)] and black carbon and collected oral DNA on up to three occasions over a period of 2.5 y. Relative telomere length (RTL) was quantified using a modified real-time polymerase chain reaction protocol. Mixed effects regression models were used to investigate the exposure–response associations between household air pollution and RTL, adjusting for key sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental covariates. Results: Women’s daily exposures to air pollution ranged from 13–1,136 μg/m3 for PM2.5 (mean=154) and 0.1–34 μg/m3 for black carbon (mean=3.6). Natural cubic spline models indicated a mostly linear association between increased exposure to air pollution and shorter RTL, except at very high concentrations where there were few observations. We thus modeled the linear associations with all observations, excluding the highest 3% and 5% of exposures. In covariate-adjusted models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to black carbon (3.1 μg/m3) was associated with shorter RTL [all observations: −0.27 (95% CI: −0.48, −0.06); excluding highest 5% exposures: −1.10 (95% CI: −1.63, −0.57)]. Further adjustment for outdoor temperature brought the estimates closer to zero [all observations: −0.15 (95% CI: −0.36, 0.06); excluding highest 5% exposures: −0.68 (95% CI: −1.26, −0.10)]. Models with PM2.5 as the exposure metric followed a similar pattern. Conclusion: Telomere shortening, which is a biomarker of biological aging and chronic disease, may be associated with exposure to air pollution in settings where household biomass stoves are commonly used. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4041
West Nile Virus and Other Domestic Nationally Notifiable Arboviral Diseases — United States, 2018

Arthropodborne viruses (arboviruses) are transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes and ticks. West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of domestically acquired arboviral disease in the continental United States (1). Other arboviruses, including eastern equine encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse, Powassan, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, cause sporadic cases of disease and occasional outbreaks. This report summarizes surveillance data reported to CDC for 2018 on nationally notifiable arboviruses. It excludes dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses because they are primarily nondomestic viruses typically acquired through travel. In 2018, 48 states and the District of Columbia (DC) reported 2,813 cases of domestic arboviral disease, including 2,647 (94%) WNV disease cases. Of the WNV disease cases, 1,658 (63%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis, and acute flaccid paralysis), for a national incidence of 0.51 cases of WNV neuroinvasive disease per 100,000 population. Because arboviral diseases continue to cause serious illness and have no definitive treatment, maintaining surveillance is important to direct and promote prevention activities. Health care providers should consider arboviral infections in patients with aseptic meningitis or encephalitis, perform appropriate diagnostic testing, and report cases to public health authorities.
Validation of the Serbian version of inflammatory Rasch‐built overall disability scale in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Inflammatory Rasch‐built overall disability scale (I‐RODS) seems to be a valid activity measure for use in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Our aim was to translate and validate the I‐RODS for use in CIDP patients from Serbia. Study comprised 83 patients diagnosed with CIDP. I‐RODS was translated and cross‐culturally validated using the standard guidelines. Following scales were also administered: Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score, Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) sensory and disability scores, Krupp's Fatigue Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and health survey‐36 (SF‐36) as a quality of life measure. According to the I‐RODS, significant proportion of our patients reported that “running” (51%), “dancing” (41%), and “standing for hours” (40%) were impossible tasks to perform, while “teeth brushing” (94%), “eating” (88%), and “reading a newspaper/book” (82%) were noted as the easiest items. Patients with more muscle weakness (lower MRC sum score) and more severe INCAT sensory score had lower I‐RODS score (P < .01). Also, patients with fatigue, depression and pain had lower I‐RODS scores (P < .01). I‐RODS score correlated with the INCAT disability score (P < 0.01) was 78 ± 19 compared to 51 ± 30 in patients with INCAT >1 (P < .01). I‐RODS score correlated with the total SF‐36 score (rho = +0.73, P < .01), as well as with all SF‐36 domain scores. Serbian version of the I‐RODS seems to be a valid activity measure for use in CIDP patients. I‐RODS was able to assess different levels of disability, it was in association with impairment measures, INCAT disability scale and quality of life. Further studies are needed to assess its responsiveness.
Endovascular therapy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in telestroke

Introduction Recent exploratory analysis suggested comparable outcomes among stroke patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion, whether selected via the telestroke network or admitted directly to an EVT-capable centre. We further studied the role of telemedicine in selection of ischaemic stroke patients potentially eligible for EVT. Methods We prospectively included consecutive ischaemic stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT at our neurovascular centre (January 2016 to March 2018). We compared safety and efficacy including symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH), successful reperfusion (mTICI 2b/3), 90-day favourable outcome (mRS ≤ 2) and 90-day survival between patients transferred from telestroke hospitals and patients directly admitted. Results Of 280 potentially EVT-eligible patients, 72/129 (56%) telestroke and 91/151 (60%) direct admissions eventually underwent EVT (age 76 (66–82) years, median (interquartile range), 46% men, NIHSS score 17 (13–20)). Telestroke patients had larger pre-EVT infarct cores (ASPECTS: 7 (6–8) vs. 8 (7–9); p < 0.0001) and shorter door-to-groin puncture times (71 (56–84) vs. 101 (79–133) min; p < 0.0001) than directly admitted patients. sICH (2.8% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.58), successful reperfusion (81% vs. 77%; p = 0.56), 90-day favourable outcome (25% vs. 29%; p = 0.65) and 90-day survival (73% vs. 67%; p = 0.39) rates were comparable among telestroke and direct admissions. Discussion Our data underpins the important role of telemedicine in identifying acute ischaemic stroke patients lacking immediate access to EVT-capable stroke centres. Stroke patients selected via telemedicine and those directly admitted had comparable chances of favourable outcomes after EVT for large vessel occlusion.
EWS–FLI1 modulated alternative splicing of ARID1A reveals novel oncogenic function through the BAF complex

Abstract Connections between epigenetic reprogramming and transcription or splicing create novel mechanistic networks that can be targeted with tailored therapies. Multiple subunits of the chromatin remodeling BAF complex, including ARID1A, play a role in oncogenesis, either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Recent work demonstrated that EWS–FLI1, the oncogenic driver of Ewing sarcoma (ES), plays a role in chromatin regulation through interactions with the BAF complex. However, the specific BAF subunits that interact with EWS–FLI1 and the precise role of the BAF complex in ES oncogenesis remain unknown. In addition to regulating transcription, EWS–FLI1 also alters the splicing of many mRNA isoforms, but the role of splicing modulation in ES oncogenesis is not well understood. We have identified a direct connection between the EWS–FLI1 protein and ARID1A isoform protein variant ARID1A-L. We demonstrate here that ARID1A-L is critical for ES maintenance and supports oncogenic transformation. We further report a novel feed-forward cycle in which EWS–FLI1 leads to preferential splicing of ARID1A-L, promoting ES growth, and ARID1A-L reciprocally promotes EWS–FLI1 protein stability. Dissecting this interaction may lead to improved cancer-specific drug targeting.
Variable clinical features and genotype-phenotype correlations in 18 patients with late-onset Pompe disease.

Background Pompe disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) which results in accumulation of glycogen, particularly in the skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles. The late-onset form with symptoms presenting in childhood through adulthood, is characterized by proximal muscle weakness, respiratory insufficiency, and unlike the infantile-onset form often with no cardiac involvement. Methods We report our experience with 18 adult patients (14 males/4 females) with Pompe disease, several of whom had unique findings and novel pathogenic variants. Patients ranged in ages from 22-74 years (mean 53.7 years) and were diagnosed at an age range of 11-65 years (mean 43.6 years), often after a history of progressive muscle disease of several years' duration. All 18 patients were treated with alglucosidase alfa (Lumizyme) and their response to treatment was monitored by measurements of their pulmonary function and muscle weakness, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and other functional studies. Results Genetic sequencing revealed that 16 out of 18 individuals had the common c. -32-13T>G splicing variant, and six patients, including two sibships had four novel pathogenic variants: c.1594G>A, c. 2655_2656delCG, c.1951-1952delGGinsT, and c.1134C>G. A male with the c.1594G>A variant developed an intracerebral aneurysm at the age of 43 years treated with surgery. Two siblings with the c. 2655_2656delCG developed very high antibody titers, one of whom developed a severe infusion reaction. Other clinical features included BiPAP requirement in twelve, tinnitus in seven, scoliosis in five, cardiomyopathy in three, one individual was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm who underwent successful Penumbra coil placement, and another individual was diagnosed with both Graves' disease and testicular cancer. Conclusions Our study illustrates significant variability in the range of clinical features, and the variable clinical response to enzyme replacement therapy. It also alerts us to the importance of careful monitoring and early management of complications. Possible genotype-phenotype associations with the novel mutations identified may emerge with larger studies.
Comparison of the Relationship Between Death Anxiety and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Among Norwegian and Turkish Female Psychology Students

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between death anxiety and depressive and anxiety symptoms among Norwegian and Turkish female psychology students. For this purpose, 304 participants were recruited, of whom 127 were Norwegian and 177 were Turkish. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 35 years. The Beck Depression Inventory, the trait anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Death Anxiety Scale were used to examine these relationships. The findings showed that death anxiety was significantly related to depressive and anxiety symptoms in both countries. Furthermore, Turkish participants scored higher on both death anxiety and depressive and anxiety symptoms than their Norwegian counterparts. The findings encourage researchers to focus more on the relationship between death anxiety and depressive and anxiety symptoms in a cross-cultural frame.
Antibiotic Exposure Profiles in Trials Comparing Intensity of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether the probability of target attainment over 72 hours of initial therapy with beta-lactam (cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam) and carbapenem (imipenem, meropenem) antibiotics were substantially influenced between intensive and less-intensive continuous renal replacement therapy groups in the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network trial and The RENAL Replacement Therapy Study trial. DESIGN The probability of target attainment was calculated using pharmacodynamic targets of percentage of time that free serum concentrations (fT): 1) were above the target organism's minimum inhibitory concentration (≥ fT > 1 × minimum inhibitory concentration); 2) were above four times the minimum inhibitory concentration (≥ % fT > 4 × minimum inhibitory concentration); and 3) were always above the minimum inhibitory concentration (≥ 100% fT > minimum inhibitory concentration) for the first 72 hours of antibiotic therapy. Demographic data and effluent rates from the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network and RENAL Replacement Therapy Study trials were used. Optimal doses were defined as the dose achieving greater than or equal to 90% probability of target attainment. SETTING Monte Carlo simulations using demographic data from Acute Renal Failure Trial Network and RENAL Replacement Therapy Study trials. PATIENTS Virtual critically ill patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The pharmacodynamic target of fT greater than 1 × minimum inhibitory concentration led to similarly high rates of predicted response with antibiotic doses often used in continuous renal replacement therapy. Achieving 100% fT greater than minimum inhibitory concentration is a more stringent benchmark compared with T greater than 4 × minimum inhibitory concentration with standard antibiotic dosing. The intensity of effluent flow rates (less intensive vs intensive) did not substantially influence the probability of target attainment of antibiotic dosing regimens regardless of pharmacodynamic target. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotic pharmacodynamic target attainment rates likely were not meaningfully different in the low- and high-intensity treatment arms of the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network and RENAL Replacement Therapy Study Investigators trials.
Adaptive Weighting of Handcrafted Feature Losses for Facial Expression Recognition

Due to the importance of facial expressions in human–machine interaction, a number of handcrafted features and deep neural networks have been developed for facial expression recognition. While a few studies have shown the similarity between the handcrafted features and the features learned by deep network, a new feature loss is proposed to use feature bias constraint of handcrafted and deep features to guide the deep feature learning during the early training of network. The feature maps learned with and without the proposed feature loss for a toy network suggest that our approach can fully explore the complementarity between handcrafted features and deep features. Based on the feature loss, a general framework for embedding the traditional feature information into deep network training was developed and tested using the FER2013, CK+, Oulu-CASIA, and MMI datasets. Moreover, adaptive loss weighting strategies are proposed to balance the influence of different losses for different expression databases. The experimental results show that the proposed feature loss with adaptive weighting achieves much better accuracy than the original handcrafted feature and the network trained without using our feature loss. Meanwhile, the feature loss with adaptive weighting can provide complementary information to compensate for the deficiency of a single feature.