Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auricular reconstruction using biofabrication-based tissue engineering strategies

Auricular malformations, which impose a significant social and psychological burden, are currently treated using ear prostheses, synthetic implants or autologous implants derived from rib cartilage. Advances in the field of regenerative medicine and biofabrication provide the possibility to engineer functional cartilage with intricate architectures and complex shapes using patient-derived or donor cells. However, the development of a successful auricular cartilage implant still faces a number of challenges. These challenges include the generation of a functional biochemical matrix, the fabrication of a customized anatomical shape, and maintenance of that shape. Biofabrication technologies may have the potential to overcome these challenges due to their ability to reproducibly deposit multiple materials in complex geometries in a highly controllable manner. This topical review summarizes this potential of biofabrication technologies for the generation of implants for auricular reconstruction. In particular, it aims to discuss how biofabrication technologies, although still in pre-clinical phase, could overcome the challenges of generating and maintaining the desired auricular shapes. Finally, remaining bottlenecks and future directions are discussed.
Microbially derived biosensors for diagnosis, monitoring and epidemiology

Living cells have evolved to detect and process various signals and can self‐replicate, presenting an attractive platform for engineering scalable and affordable biosensing devices. Microbes are perfect candidates: they are inexpensive and easy to manipulate and store. Recent advances in synthetic biology promise to streamline the engineering of microbial biosensors with unprecedented capabilities. Here we review the applications of microbially‐derived biosensors with a focus on environmental monitoring and healthcare applications. We also identify critical challenges that need to be addressed in order to translate the potential of synthetic microbial biosensors into large‐scale, real‐world applications.
The effect of hypnotherapy on the quality of life in women with breast cancer

Background. Cancer is a chronic disease that significantly affects the quality of life of patients who suffer from it, because they must face stressful situations, including their diagnosis, surgical procedures, and the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Objective. To evaluate the effects of hypnotherapy on breast cancer patients’ quality of life during chemotherapy. Design. A quasi-experimental design was used with a convenience sample. Method. Two groups of patients with early breast cancer diagnoses were assigned to either a control group that received standard medical care (n = 20), or a hypnotherapy group (n = 20) that received 12 intensive sessions over the course of 1 month, and 12 additional sessions over the course of 6 months. The patients’ quality of life was evaluated using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results. The hypnotherapy group showed a statistically significant improvement and a large effect size on the cognitive functioning and social functioning scales compared to the control group. The physical functioning, role functioning, and quality of life scales showed improvement with a medium effect size, but the changes were not statistically significant. Conclusion. The improvement observed in the cognitive functioning and social functioning scales allows us to suggest that hypnotherapy improves the quality of life of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Keywords: hypnotherapy, quality of life, breast cancer, cognitive functioning and social functioning
Active learning with label correlation exploration for multi-label image classification

Multi-label image classification has attracted considerable attention in machine learning recently. Active learning is widely used in multi-label learning because it can effectively reduce the human annotation workload required to construct high-performance classifiers. However, annotation by experts is costly, especially when the number of labels in a dataset is large. Inspired by the idea of semi-supervised learning, in this study, the authors propose a novel, semi-supervised multi-label active learning (SSMAL) method that combines automated annotation with human annotation to reduce the annotation workload associated with the active learning process. In SSMAL, they capture three aspects of potentially useful information – classification prediction information, label correlation information, and example spatial information – and they use this information to develop an effective strategy for automated annotation of selected unlabelled example-label pairs. The experimental results obtained in this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the authors' proposed approach.
Transgenic expression of constitutively active RAC1 disrupts mouse rod morphogenesis.

PURPOSE Dominant-active RAC1 rescues photoreceptor structure in Drosophila rhodopsin-null mutants, indicating an important role in morphogenesis. This report assesses the morphogenetic effect of activated RAC1 during mammalian rod photoreceptor development using transgenic mice that express constitutively active (CA) RAC1. METHODS Transgenic mice were generated by expressing CA RAC1 under control of the Rhodopsin promoter, and morphological features of the photoreceptors were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Function was evaluated by electroretinography. Potential protein partners of CA RAC1 were identified by co-immunoprecipitation of retinal extracts. RESULTS Constitutively active RAC1 expression in differentiating rods disrupted outer retinal lamination as early as postnatal day (P)6, and many photoreceptor cell nuclei were displaced apically into the presumptive subretinal space. These photoreceptors did not develop normal inner and outer segments and had abnormal placement of synaptic elements. Some photoreceptor nuclei were also mislocalized into the inner nuclear layer. Extensive photoreceptor degeneration was subsequently observed in the adult animal. Constitutively active RAC1 formed a complex with the polarity protein PAR6 and with microtubule motor dynein in mouse retina. The normal localization of the PAR6 complex was disrupted in CA RAC1-expressing rod photoreceptors. CONCLUSIONS Constitutively active RAC1 had a profound negative effect on mouse rod cell viability and development. Rod photoreceptors in the CA RAC1 retina exhibited a defect in polarity and migration. Constitutively active RAC1 disrupted rod morphogenesis and gave a phenotype resembling that found in the Crumbs mutant. PAR6 and dynein are two potential downstream effectors that may be involved in CA RAC1-mediated defective mouse photoreceptor morphogenesis.
Characterization of a digested protein complex with quantitative aspects: An approach based on accurate mass chromatographic analysis with Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

We describe a new approach for the characterization of a digested protein complex with quantitative aspects. Accurate masses of tryptic peptides in the digested complex were acquired by nano‐liquid chromatography Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (MS). The conditions of the electrospray ion source were alternated to acquire normal and fragment‐ion‐rich mass spectra concurrently. This, alternating‐scan method, which includes no tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), allowed us to retain the integrity of the mass chromatograms and averted missed peptides due to MS and MS/MS switching. Tentative assignments of accurate peptide masses were verified with the concurrently acquired fragment‐ion‐rich spectra, and the identities of the protein components were established. For each identified protein component, mass chromatograms attributable to the validated accurate peptide masses were extracted, and the peak areas of multiple mass chromatograms were standardized. The standardized peak areas appeared to reasonably reflect the molar ratio of the protein components in standard mixtures. This new approach was successfully applied to the characterization of a cyanobacterial photosystem II complex preparation. A clear difference in the standardized peak areas was observed between the two groups of identified components, namely eight stoichiometric photosystem II proteins and two minor copurified phycobiliproteins.
CM-adaptive image-band interference canceller for OFDM systems

The paper proposes a multiband reception scheme based on heterodyne reception with a novel adaptive image-band interference canceller which can be applied to OFDM-based systems. Performance of the proposed canceller is evaluated by computer simulation that keeps performance in channels with CIR of -60 dB as much as that in AWGN with CIR = -60 dB. The canceller is confirmed to suppress the image-band interference as long as the orthogonality error in RF-QCD as a Hilbert transformer is less than 40 degrees.
Modeling the temporal interplay of molecular signaling and gene expression by using dynamic nested effects models

Cellular decision making in differentiation, proliferation, or cell death is mediated by molecular signaling processes, which control the regulation and expression of genes. Vice versa, the expression of genes can trigger the activity of signaling pathways. We introduce and describe a statistical method called Dynamic Nested Effects Model (D-NEM) for analyzing the temporal interplay of cell signaling and gene expression. D-NEMs are Bayesian models of signal propagation in a network. They decompose observed time delays of multiple step signaling processes into single steps. Time delays are assumed to be exponentially distributed. Rate constants of signal propagation are model parameters, whose joint posterior distribution is assessed via Gibbs sampling. They hold information on the interplay of different forms of biological signal propagation. Molecular signaling in the cytoplasm acts at high rates, direct signal propagation via transcription and translation act at intermediate rates, while secondary effects operate at low rates. D-NEMs allow the dissection of biological processes into signaling and expression events, and analysis of cellular signal flow. An application of D-NEMs to embryonic stem cell development in mice reveals a feed-forward loop dominated network, which stabilizes the differentiated state of cells and points to Nanog as the key sensitizer of stem cells for differentiation stimuli.
Reconfiguration of Embedded Accelerators by Microprogramming for Intensive Loop Computations

The work presented in this paper is on reconfigurable accelerators for the implementation of iterative computations and loops that form the core computations of applications like those in digital signal processing and machine learning. The accelerators become computation engines of an embedded system that can be reconfigured by an embedded processor for handling various kernels of embedded applications. This paper presents our MicroProgramed Configurable Accelerator (iMPAC) architecture and compares implementing a kernel (here a matrix multiplication) on this architecture with a) a program running of an embedded processor and b) with a hardwired controller accelerator. Our prototyping on an FPGA shows very little penalty in terms of energy consumption and required clock cycles when compared with the latter, and significant improvement of both energy and timing when compared with the former. At the same time, we have the programming flexibility of the former.
The Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Procedure Prevents Defensive Processing in Health Persuasion

In the present study, the method of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is studied to understand and prevent defensive reactions with regard to a negatively framed message advocating fruit and vegetable consumption. EMDR has been shown to tax the working memory. Participants from a university sample (n = 124) listened to the persuasive message in a randomized laboratory experiment. In the EMDR condition, they were also instructed to follow with their eyes a dot on the computer screen. The dot constantly moved from one side of the screen to the other in 2 seconds. In addition, a self-affirmation procedure was applied in half of the participants. EMDR led to a significant increase in persuasion, only in recipients in whom the persuasive message could be expected to activate defensive self-regulation (in participants with a moderate health value and in participants with low self-esteem). In those with a moderate health value, EMDR increased persuasion, but only when recipients were not affirmed. In addition, EMDR increased persuasion only in recipients with low self-esteem, not in those with high self-esteem. These results showed that EMDR influenced persuasion and in some way lowered defensive reactions. The similarities and differences in effects of EMDR and self-affirmation further increased our insight into the psychology of defensiveness.
Topic hierarchy in social networks

The increasing usage of on-line social networks has open new research areas such social network analysis. In this survey we review the literature and concepts around this topics with a special emphasis on the hierarchical representation of the graph structure of the social networks. There have been concepts and techniques, of data mining, social networks, and graphs, adapted to this context, taking into consideration that the community structure of a network can be defined as a dendrogram that shows how a network is organized from smaller communities at lower levels to larger ones at higher levels.
118 FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF CASPASES IN HEAT-INDUCED TESTICULAR GERM CELL APOPTOSIS.

In the present study, we determined whether a pan caspase inhibitor could prevent or attenuate heat-induced germ cell apoptosis. Groups of five adult (8 wk old) C57BL/6 mice pretreated with vehicle (DMSO) or Quinoline-Val-Asp (Ome)-CH2-O-Ph (Q-VD-OPH), a new generation broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, were exposed once to local testicular heating (43 degrees C for 15 min) and killed 6 h later. The inhibitor (40 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) 1 h before local testicular heating. Germ cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and quantitated as number of apoptotic germ cells per 100 Sertoli cells at stages XI-XII. Compared with controls (16.8 +/- 3.1), mild testicular hyperthermia within 6 h resulted in a marked activation (277.3 +/- 21.6) of germ cell apoptosis, as previously reported by us. Q-VD-OPH at this dose markedly inhibited caspase 3 activation and significantly prevented (by 67.0%) heat-induced germ cell apoptosis. Q-VD-OPH-mediated rescue of germ cells was independent of cytosolic translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c and DIABLO. Electron microscopy further revealed normal appearance of these rescued cells. Similar protection from heat-induced germ cell apoptosis was also noted after pretreatment with minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline that effectively inhibits cytochrome c release and, in turn, caspase activation. Collectively, the present study emphasizes the role of caspases in heat-induced germ cell apoptosis.
Autopsy-Proven Determinants of Immediate Fire Death in Lungs

In immediate fire deaths, pulmonary injury may be the main source of mortality, being important to document the histologic findings for the purpose of excluding other modes of death, such as from asphyxia with no gross findings. In this context, a group of morphologic determinants have been targeted with useful makers of pulmonary injury. To facilitate the determination of whether an individual was deceased before the start of a fire and validate the importance of parenchymal alterations in pulmonary injury in fire deaths, we studied lungs in victims of fire (N = 28) and suffocation (N = 40), creating a mathematical model using cluster analysis. For this purpose, a semiquantitative analysis of the distal parenchyma was performed to evaluate the amount of bronchiolar dilatation, overinsufflation (ductal and alveolar), collapse (ductal and alveolar), passive congestion, alveolar edema, and hemorrhage (interstitial and alveolar). These 7 histologic determinants were useful to discriminate fire (bronchiolar dilatation, ductal overinsuflation, alveolar overinsuflation, alveolar hemorrhage) from suffocation lung injuries (alveolar collapse, congestion, and edema). We conclude that these determinants should be included in the routine of forensic pathology.
Psychiatric disorders and mental health service use among caregivers of advanced cancer patients.

PURPOSE Despite research demonstrating the psychological burden of caregiving for advanced cancer patients, limited information exists on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and mental health service use among these informal caregivers. METHODS Two hundred informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients were interviewed and administered the Structured Clinical Interview of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition and an assessment of mental health service use. RESULTS Thirteen percent of caregivers met criteria for a psychiatric disorder; 25% accessed treatment for mental health concerns since the patient's cancer diagnosis. The frequencies of current psychiatric disorders were as follows: panic disorder, 8.0% (95% CI, 4.6% to 12.7%), major depressive disorder, 4.5% (95% CI, 2.1% to 8.4%), post-traumatic stress disorder, 4.0% (95% CI, 1.7% to 7.7%), and generalized anxiety disorder, 3.5% (95% CI, 1.4% to 7.1%). Among caregivers with a current psychiatric disorder, 81% discussed mental health concerns with a health professional before the patient's cancer diagnosis compared with 46% after the diagnosis (McNemar test = 5.40; P = .02). Only 46% of caregivers with a current psychiatric disorder accessed mental health services. Caregivers who discussed mental health concerns with a clinician before the patient's cancer diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.51; 95% CI, 1.42 to 8.71) and after the diagnosis (OR = 21.23; 95% CI, 9.02 to 49.94) were more likely than caregivers not having these discussions to receive mental health services. CONCLUSION Many caregivers of advanced cancer patients either meet criteria or are being treated for psychiatric problems. Discussing mental health issues positively influences the receipt of mental health services and should be actively pursued in this vulnerable population.
Spatial variation of metals and acid volatile sulfide in floodplain lake sediment

In risk assessment of aquatic sediments, much attention is paid to the immobilizing effect of acid volatile sulfide (AVS) on trace metals. The difference of AVS and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) gives an indication of metal availability. In floodplain sediments, where changing redox conditions occur. AVS may play a major role in determining variation in metal availability. The importance of spatial heterogeneity has been recognized in risk assessment of trace‐metal‐polluted sediments. However, little is known about spatial variation of available metal fractions. We studied spatial variability of sediment, environmental conditions, total contaminant concentrations, and available metals (as SEM‐AVS or SEM‐AVS/fOC) in a floodplain lake. The top 5 cm of sediment was sampled at 43 locations. Data were analyzed with correlation and principal component analysis as well as with geostatistical methods. Trace metal and SEM concentrations and most sediment characteristics were more or less constant within 10%. In contrast, AVS concentrations were much more variable and showed a strong spatial dependence due to differences in lake depth, total sulfur pools, and redox potential (Eh), which resulted in crucial differences in trace‐metal availability within the lake. The spatial pattern of SEM‐AVS deviates from total or normalized trace‐metal patterns. This particularly has implications for risk assessment of sediments prone to dynamic hydrological conditions, where AVS concentrations are also variable in time.
BASIC SCIENCE REVIEW

The majority of cases of oral cancer have been related to tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption. However, the incidence of oral cavity carcinoma appears to be increasing in many parts of the world in a manner that it is difficult to explain with traditional risk factors alone. Meanwhile, interest in the possible relationships between microorganisms and the different stages of cancer development has been rising and numerous mechanisms by which bacteria and yeast may initiate or promote carcinogenesis are currently under investigation. In particular, a persuasive body of evidence suggests a possible etiological role involving the metabolism and production of carcinogenic products, such as acetaldehyde. Other suggested mechanisms include the induction of chronic inflammation and direct interference with eukaryotic cell cycle and signaling pathways. This review aims to summarize the known associations between microbial infection and cancer and draw attention to how they may relate to oral carcinoma. VC 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 31:
Efficiency optimization of an integrated wireless power transfer system by a genetic algorithm

This paper presents a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) for a wireless power transfer system composed of a full-bridge series-resonant inverter (FBSRI), a synchronous full-bridge rectifier (SFBR) and a buck converter. The proposed algorithm maximizes the total system efficiency by optimizing the switching frequency of the FBSRI and the SFBR output voltage, subject to their respective design constraints. Two application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) respectively integrating the transmitter and receiver power-stages along with their controllers were optimized by the new algorithm. A discrete-time small-signal model of the system has been developed to analyze the stability of the wireless charger. Experimental results validating the above analysis are reported along with simulation data. The wireless power transfer system analyzed in this paper conforms to Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) specifications.
Ketogal: A Derivative Ketorolac Molecule with Minor Ulcerogenic and Renal Toxicity

Ketorolac is a powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with a great analgesic activity, present on the Italian market since 1991. Despite the excellent therapeutic activity, the chronic use of ketorolac has long been limited owing to the high incidence of gastrointestinal and kidney side events. In our previous study, we demonstrated that ketorolac–galactose conjugate (ketogal), synthesized and tested in a single-dose study, was able to reduce ulcerogenicity, while preserving the high pharmacological efficacy of its parent drug. In this paper, in order to verify the suitability of this compound, for repeated administration, ex vivo experiments on naïve mice were performed. Mice were treated for 5 or 7 days with the highest doses of two drugs (ketorolac 10 mg/kg and ketogal 16.3 mg/kg), and the expression of both gastric COX-1 and PGsyn was evaluated. Results showed that oral ketorolac treatment significantly reduced both enzymes; surprisingly, oral treatment with ketogal did not produce significant variation in the expression of the two constitutive enzymes. Moreover, histological experiments on stomach and kidneys clearly indicated that repeated administration of ketogal induced lower toxicity than ketorolac. At same time, in vivo results clearly showed that both ketorolac and ketogal had a similar therapeutic activity in a model of inflammation and in pain perception. These effects were accompanied by the reduction of enzyme expression such as COX-2 and iNOS, and by the modulation of levels of nuclear NF-κB and cytosolic IκB-α in the inflamed paws. These very encouraging results demonstrate for the first time that ketogal could represent a valid and novel therapeutic alternative to the ketorolac and might pave the way for clinical studies.