Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
miR‐15b modulates multidrug resistance in human osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs continues to be a major clinical problem. MicroRNAs (miRNA, miR) play an important role in regulating tumour cell growth and survival; however, the role of miRs in the development of drug resistance in osteosarcoma cells is largely uncharacterized. We sought to identify and characterize human miRs that act as key regulators of MDR in osteosarcoma. We utilized a miR microarray to screen for differentially expressed miRs in osteosarcoma MDR cell lines. We determined the mechanisms of the deregulation of expression of miR‐15b in osteosarcoma MDR cell lines, and its association with clinically obtained tumour samples was examined in tissue microarray (TMA). The significance of miR‐15b in reversing drug resistance was evaluated in a mouse xenograft model of MDR osteosarcoma. We identified miR‐15b as being significantly (P < 0.01) downregulated in KHOSMR and U‐2OSMR cell lines as compared with their parental cell lines. We found that Wee1 is a target gene of miR‐15b and observed that transfection with miR‐15b inhibits Wee1 expression and partially reverses MDR in osteosarcoma cell lines. Systemic in vivo administration of miR‐15b mimics sensitizes resistant cells to doxorubicin and induces cell death in MDR models of osteosarcoma. Clinically, reduced miR‐15b expression was associated with poor patient survival. Osteosarcoma patients with low miR‐15b expression levels had significantly shorter survival times than patients with high expression levels of miR‐15b. These results collectively indicate that MDR in osteosarcoma is associated with downregulation of miR‐15b, and miR‐15b reconstitution can reverse chemotherapy resistance in osteosarcoma.
Microstructure and hardness of electrodeposited copper microcylinders in through-silicon via by direct current power

Two-step direct current electroplating was used to fabricate copper microcylinders with a 50 μm diameter and 150 μm depth. The microstructure was characterised by electron back scattering detection. Twin boundaries appeared and the twin quantity depended on the current density. Near the edge (2 mA/cm2), the grain size was large (∼2 μm) and many twins existed, while the size was small (∼0.5 μm) and few twins occurred in the middle (4 mA/cm2). The hardness was measured by nano-indentation technique. The results showed that the hardness (2.7 GPa) at the edge of the sample was higher than that in the middle (2.2 GPa), which was probably enhanced by twins. The hardness of annealed sample was about 1.7 Gpa, which was independent of the position.
DNA methylation analyses of the candidate genes identified by a methylome‐wide association study revealed common epigenetic alterations in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) have been known to share genetic and environmental risk factors, and complex gene–environmental interactions may contribute to their pathophysiology. In contrast to high genetic overlap between SZ and BD, as revealed by genome‐wide association studies, the extent of epigenetic overlap remains largely unknown. In the present study, we explored whether SZ and BD share epigenetic risk factors in the same manner as they share genetic components.
The triple helix of collagens – an ancient protein structure that enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution

ABSTRACT The cellular microenvironment, characterized by an extracellular matrix (ECM), played an essential role in the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity in animals (metazoans), and in the subsequent evolution of diverse animal tissues and organs. A major ECM component are members of the collagen superfamily –comprising 28 types in vertebrates – that exist in diverse supramolecular assemblies ranging from networks to fibrils. Each assembly is characterized by a hallmark feature, a protein structure called a triple helix. A current gap in knowledge is understanding the mechanisms of how the triple helix encodes and utilizes information in building scaffolds on the outside of cells. Type IV collagen, recently revealed as the evolutionarily most ancient member of the collagen superfamily, serves as an archetype for a fresh view of fundamental structural features of a triple helix that underlie the diversity of biological activities of collagens. In this Opinion, we argue that the triple helix is a protein structure of fundamental importance in building the extracellular matrix, which enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution. Summary: The triple helix is a protein structure of fundamental importance in building the extracellular matrix that enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution.
EFFECTS OF CATHODIC POLARIZATION ON THE HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT SENSITIVITY OF WELDING LINE IN HIGH STRENGTH HULL STRUCTURAL STEEL

Electrochemical properties and mechanical properties of welded high strength steel were investigated by the slow strain rate test(SSRT) method with applied constant cathodic potential.During tensile process the fracture occurred mainly in the weld fusion zone.There was no correlation between maximum tensile strength,yield strength,strength at failure,and hydrogen embrittlement.However,the elongation rate, time-to-fracture and strain-to-failure rate decreased with shifting potential of the negative direction.And the elongation rate,time-to-fracture and strain-to-failure rate displayed the highest values when the potential was -0.89 V(vs SCE). As the cathode potential shifted negatively,the fracture mode gradually shifted from ductile fracture to brittle fracture,and also the sensitivity of hydrogen embrittlement gradually increased.When the polarization potentials between -0.70～-0.89 V(vs SCE),the hydrogen embrittlement coefficient were less than 5%,the hydrogen embrittlement did not occured.When it was negative to -0.94 V(vs SCE),the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility rapidly increased,while when the polarization potential was -0.99 V(vs SCE),the hydrogen embrittlement coefficient closed to 20%and the fracture surface exhibited some small cell cleavage characteristics of quasi-cleavage fracture.When the polarization potentials were negative to -1.04 V(vs SCE), the hydrogen embrittlement coefficient were more than 25%,and the material reached into the dangerous zone. The surface of fracture appeared more thick cell cleavage characteristics of quasi-cleavage,and cleavage fracture of hydrogen embrittlement.When the polarization potentials negative to -1.14 V(vs SCE),the specimen occured mainly cleavage organization,intergranular,transgranular structure or combination of the two of brittle fracture characteristics of hydrogen embrittlement.
Cell volume change through water efflux impacts cell stiffness and stem cell fate

Significance Cell volume is thought to be a well-controlled cellular characteristic, increasing as a cell grows, while macromolecular density is maintained. We report that cell volume can also change in response to external physical cues, leading to water influx/efflux, which causes significant changes in subcellular macromolecular density. This is observed when cells spread out on a substrate: Cells reduce their volume and increase their molecular crowding due to an accompanying water efflux. Exploring this phenomenon further, we removed water from mesenchymal stem cells through osmotic pressure and found this was sufficient to alter their differentiation pathway. Based on these results, we suggest cells chart different differentiation and behavioral pathways by sensing/altering their cytoplasmic volume and density through changes in water influx/efflux. Cells alter their mechanical properties in response to their local microenvironment; this plays a role in determining cell function and can even influence stem cell fate. Here, we identify a robust and unified relationship between cell stiffness and cell volume. As a cell spreads on a substrate, its volume decreases, while its stiffness concomitantly increases. We find that both cortical and cytoplasmic cell stiffness scale with volume for numerous perturbations, including varying substrate stiffness, cell spread area, and external osmotic pressure. The reduction of cell volume is a result of water efflux, which leads to a corresponding increase in intracellular molecular crowding. Furthermore, we find that changes in cell volume, and hence stiffness, alter stem-cell differentiation, regardless of the method by which these are induced. These observations reveal a surprising, previously unidentified relationship between cell stiffness and cell volume that strongly influences cell biology.
Wavelet-Based Reflection Symmetry Detection via Textural and Color Histograms

Symmetry is one of the significant visual properties inside an image plane, to identify the geometrically balanced structures through real-world objects. Existing symmetry detection methods rely on descriptors of the local image features and their neighborhood behavior, resulting incomplete symmetrical axis candidates to discover the mirror similarities on a global scale. In this paper, we propose a new reflection symmetry detection scheme, based on a reliable edge-based feature extraction using Log-Gabor filters, plus an efficient voting scheme parameterized by their corresponding textural and color neighborhood information. Experimental evaluation on four single-case and three multiple-case symmetry detection datasets validates the superior achievement of the proposed work to find global symmetries inside an image.
“I’d Know That My Child Was Out There”: Egg Donation, the Institutionalized “Ideal” Family, and Health Care Decision Making

ABSTRACT This study investigates how young women of egg-donating age perceive egg donation. Using institutional theory, this study demonstrates how participants frame a health care decision, such as egg donation, utilizing familial ideals. Results revealed that women expressed the importance of ownership over their genetic material and that familial ideals encourage an ideal way to create a family, which egg donation only fits as a last resort. Results show that familial ideals reach past the institution of family into broader decision making, such as that of health care. Further, results show that as more families are constructed through assisted reproductive technologies, attempts should be made to gradually alter the familial ideal to encompass novel medical technologies such as egg donation.
Detection and Analysis of Behavioral T-Patterns in Debugging Activities

A growing body of research in empirical software engineering applies recurrent patterns analysis in order to make sense of the developers' behavior during their interactions with IDEs. However, the exploration of hidden real-time structures of programming behavior remains a challenging task. In this paper, we investigate the presence of temporal behavioral patterns (T-patterns) in debugging activities using the THEME software. Our preliminary exploratory results show that debugging activities are strongly correlated with code editing, file handling, window interactions and other general types of programming activities. The validation of our T-patterns detection approach demonstrates that debugging activities are performed on the basis of repetitive and well-organized behavioral events. Furthermore, we identify a large set of T-patterns that associate debugging activities with build success, which corroborates the positive impact of debugging practices on software development.
A multi-wavelength Brillouin Er-doped fiber laser based on tunable fiber loop mirror filter

In this paper,a novel linear multi-wavelength Brillouin erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) is demonstrated.We utilize a nonlinear amplified fiber loop mirror filter(AFLMF). The nonlinear amplified fiber loop mirror filter consists of erbium-doped fiber amplifier(EDFA) with a segment of erbium-doped fiber pumped by 980 nm laser diode,a polarization controller(PC) and an optical coupler.The nonlinear AFLMF induces wavelength-dependent cavity loss and it can provide flexibility on controlling the amount of light reflected and transmitted into and out of the laser′s cavity.At the Brillouin pump power of 25 mW and the 980 nm pump power of 200 mW,14 output channels with 0.08 nm spacing and tuning range of 50 nm from 1 530 nm to 1 580 nm are achieved.And we realize the tunable output of multi-wavelength through adjusting the 980 nm pump power,the polarization controller and the Brillouin pump wavelength.In addition,the effects of both 980 nm pump power and PC on the wavenumber of Stokes light are studied.
Nanocrystalization of Pioglitazone by Precipitation Method

Abstract Background Poor solubility in aqueous medium limits the use of many drugs. Different methods have been adopted to promote the rate of dissolution of slightly water soluble drugs. Crystallization improves solubility, and bioavailability by increasing the surface area of slightly water soluble drugs. Pioglitazone (PGZ), which is a class II Biopharmaceutical Classification System drug has a slight solubility in water and a slow rate of dissolution, which may have a negative effect on its metabolism leading to a therapeutic failure. Aim The aim of this study was to improve the solubility of PGZ-HCl; an antidiabetic drug using precipitation method. Materials and Methods Formulations were prepared with polyethylene glycol 6000 and isomalt using different speed of homogenizer and quantity of solvent by precipitation method. Drug-polymer interactions were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD). Surface structure were shown by SEM photographs. Results The particle size was significantly decreased and solubility was enhanced with increase speed, ethanol solvent and increase stabilizer, however very high amount of stabilizer resulted in a decrease in solubility. Conclusion This result however showed that solid dispersion technique is a potential method for increasing dissolution profile of a poorly aqueous soluble agent.
Primal-dual convex optimization in large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping: LDDMM meets robust regularizers

This paper proposes a method for primal-dual convex optimization in variational large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping problems formulated with robust regularizers and robust image similarity metrics. The method is based on Chambolle and Pock primal-dual algorithm for solving general convex optimization problems. Diagonal preconditioning is used to ensure the convergence of the algorithm to the global minimum. We consider three robust regularizers liable to provide acceptable results in diffeomorphic registration: Huber, V-Huber and total generalized variation. The Huber norm is used in the image similarity term. The primal-dual equations are derived for the stationary and the non-stationary parameterizations of diffeomorphisms. The resulting algorithms have been implemented for running in the GPU using Cuda. For the most memory consuming methods, we have developed a multi-GPU implementation. The GPU implementations allowed us to perform an exhaustive evaluation study in NIREP and LPBA40 databases. The experiments showed that, for all the considered regularizers, the proposed method converges to diffeomorphic solutions while better preserving discontinuities at the boundaries of the objects compared to baseline diffeomorphic registration methods. In most cases, the evaluation showed a competitive performance for the robust regularizers, close to the performance of the baseline diffeomorphic registration methods.
Kinetic demands of sprinting shift across the acceleration phase: Novel analysis of entire force waveforms

A novel approach of analyzing complete ground reaction force waveforms rather than discrete kinetic variables can provide new insight to sprint biomechanics. This study aimed to understand how these waveforms are associated with better performance across entire sprint accelerations. Twenty‐eight male track and field athletes (100‐m personal best times: 10.88 to 11.96 seconds) volunteered to participate. Ground reaction forces produced across 24 steps were captured during repeated (two to five) maximal‐effort sprints utilizing a 54‐force‐plate system. Force data (antero‐posterior, vertical, resultant, and ratio of forces) across each contact were registered to 100% of stance and averaged for each athlete. Statistical parametric mapping (linear regression) revealed specific phases of stance where force was associated with average horizontal external power produced during that contact. Initially, antero‐posterior force production during mid‐late propulsion (eg, 58%‐92% of stance for the second ground contact) was positively associated with average horizontal external power. As athletes progressed through acceleration, this positive association with performance shifted toward the earlier phases of contact (eg, 55%‐80% of stance for the eighth and 19%‐64% for the 19th ground contact). Consequently, as athletes approached maximum velocity, better athletes were more capable of attenuating the braking forces, especially in the latter parts of the eccentric phase. These unique findings demonstrate a shift in the performance determinants of acceleration from higher concentric propulsion to lower eccentric braking forces as velocity increases. This highlights the broad kinetic requirements of sprinting and the conceivable need for athletes to target improvements in different phases separately with demand‐specific exercises.
Eliminating the Observer Effect: Shadow Removal in Orthomosaics of the Road Network

High resolution images of the road surface can be obtained cheaply and quickly by driving a vehicle around the road network equipped with a camera oriented towards the road surface. If camera calibration information is available and accurate estimates of the camera pose can be made then the images can be stitched into an orthomosaic (i.e. a mosaiced image approximating an orthographic view) providing a virtual top down view of the road network. However, the vehicle capturing the images changes the scene: it casts a shadow onto the road surface that is sometimes visible in the captured images. This causes large artefacts in the stitched orthomosaic. In this paper, we propose a model-based solution to this problem. We capture a 3D model of the vehicle, transform it to a canonical pose and use it in conjunction with a model of sun geometry to predict shadow masks by ray casting. Shadow masks are precomputed, stored in a look up table and used to generate per-pixel weights for stitching. We integrate this approach into a pipeline for pose estimation and gradient domain stitching that we show is capable of producing shadow-free, high quality orthomosaics from uncontrolled, real world datasets.
Peeking under the Iron Curtain: Development of a Microcosm for Imaging the Colonization of Steel Surfaces by Mariprofundus sp. Strain DIS-1, an Oxygen-Tolerant Fe-Oxidizing Bacterium

ABSTRACT Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is a major cause of damage to steel infrastructure in the marine environment. Despite their ability to grow directly on Fe(II) released from steel, comparatively little is known about the role played by neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB). Recent work has shown that FeOB grow readily on mild steel (1018 MS) incubated in situ or as a substrate for pure cultures in vitro; however, details of how they colonize steel surfaces are unknown yet are important for understanding their effects. In this study, we combine a novel continuously upwelling microcosm with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to determine the degree of colonization of 1018 MS by the marine FeOB strain DIS-1. 1018 MS coupons were incubated with sterile seawater (pH 8) inoculated with strain DIS-1. Incubations were performed both under oxic conditions and in an anoxic-to-oxic gradient. Following incubations of 1 to 10 days, the slides were removed from the microcosms and stained to visualize both cells and stalk structures. Stained coupons were visualized by CLSM after being mounted in a custom frame to preserve the three-dimensional structure of the biofilm. The incubation of 1018 MS coupons with strain DIS-1 under oxic conditions resulted in initial attachment of cells within 2 days and nearly total coverage of the coupon with an ochre film within 5 days. CLSM imaging revealed a nonadherent biofilm composed primarily of the Fe-oxide stalks characteristic of strain DIS-1. When incubated with elevated concentrations of Fe(II), DIS-1 colonization of 1018 MS was inhibited. IMPORTANCE These experiments describe the growth of a marine FeOB in a continuous culture system and represent direct visualizations of steel colonization by FeOB. We anticipate that these experiments will lay the groundwork for studying the mechanisms by which FeOB colonize steel and help to elucidate the role played by marine FeOB in MIC. These observations of the interaction between an FeOB, strain DIS-1, and steel suggest that this experimental system will provide a useful model for studying the interactions between microbes and solid substrates.
History repeats itself in Japan: Failure to learn from rubella epidemic leads to failure to provide the HPV vaccine

ABSTRACT Eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases is one of the most important goals of public health interventions. Herd immunity can be established by national vaccination programs. However, once the national vaccination program stops for any reason, unprotected group will be generated depending on an unfortunate year of birth. Currently, there are 2 major concerns regarding vaccine cohort gaps in Japan: one is for the rubella vaccine, the other for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Claimed effects, outcome variables and methods of measurement for health claims on foods proposed under European Community Regulation 1924/2006 in the area of appetite ratings and weight management

Abstract All the requests for authorisation to bear health claims under Articles 13(5) and 14 in the context of appetite ratings and weight management have received a negative opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), mainly because of the insufficient substantiation of the claimed effects (CEs). This manuscript results from an investigation aimed to collect, collate and critically analyse the information related to outcome variables (OVs) and methods of measurement (MMs) in the context of appetite ratings and weight management compliant with Regulation 1924/2006. Based on the literature review, the appropriateness of OVs and MMs was evaluated for specific CEs. This work might help EFSA in the development of updated guidance addressed to stakeholders interested in bearing health claims in the area of weight management. Moreover, it could drive the applicants during the design of randomised controlled trials aimed to substantiate such claims.