Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LncRNA SNHG1 Regulates the Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer by the miR-204/HOXC8 Axis

Objective Long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) has been reported to be aberrantly expressed and plays an important role in human cancers, including esophageal squamous cell cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying SNHG1 in the progression of esophageal squamous cell cancer is poorly defined. Materials and Methods Fifty-three esophageal squamous cell cancer patients were recruited and overall survival was analyzed. EC9706 and KYSE150 cells were cultured for study in vitro. The expression levels of SNHG1, microRNA (miR)-204 and homeobox c8 (HOXC8) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined by flow cytometry and transwell assays, respectively. The target interaction among SNHG1, miR-204 and HOXC8 was validated by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Xenograft model was established to investigate the role of SNHG1 in vivo. Results High expression of SNHG1 was exhibited in esophageal squamous cell cancer and indicated poor outcomes of patients. SNHG1 silence led to cell cycle arrest at G0-G1 phase, inhibition of migration and invasion and increase of apoptosis. miR-204 was validated to sponge by SNHG1 and target HOXC8 in esophageal squamous cell cancer cells. miR-204 knockdown or HOXC8 restoration reversed the inhibitive role of SNHG1 silence in the progression of esophageal squamous cell cancer cells. Furthermore, inhibiting SNHG1 decreased xenograft tumor growth by regulating miR-204 and HOXC8. Conclusion SNHG1 knockdown suppresses migration and invasion but induces apoptosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer cells by increasing miR-204 and decreasing HOXC8.
A Flexible Method for Nanofiber-based 3D Microfluidic Device Fabrication for Water Quality Monitoring

Water pollution seriously affects human health. Accurate and rapid detection and timely treatment of toxic substances in water are urgently needed. A stacked multilayer electrostatic printing technique was developed for making nanofiber-based microfluidic chips for water-quality testing. Nanofiber membrane matrix structures for microfluidic devices were fabricated by electrospinning. A hydrophobic barrier was then printed through electrostatic wax printing. This process was repeatedly performed to create three-dimensional nanofiber-based microfluidic analysis devices (3D-µNMADs). Flexible printing enabled one-step fabrication without the need for additional alignment or adhesive bonding. Practical applications of 3D-µNMADs include a colorimetric platform to quantitatively detect iron ion concentrations in water. There is also great potential for personalized point-of-care testing. Overall, the devices offer simple fabrication processes, flexible prototyping, potential for mass production, and multi-material integration.
Acute correction of electromechanical dyssynchrony and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy

Echocardiographic measures of dyssynchrony at baseline have not demonstrated a good ability to predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The purpose of this study was to determine if the acute correction of electromechanical dyssynchrony, assessed by the change in simple pulsed‐Doppler measures, was related to CRT response at 6 months.
Characterization and Anti-Cancerous Effect of Putranjiva roxburghii Seed Extract Mediated Silver Nanoparticles on Human Colon (HCT-116), Pancreatic (PANC-1) and Breast (MDA-MB 231) Cancer Cell Lines: A Comparative Study

Introduction A comparative study of Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. seed extract and developed silver nanoparticles (PJSNPs) for improving bioavailability that enhance their anti-cancer activity against HCT-116 (colon carcinoma), PANC-1 (pancreatic carcinoma), MDA-MB 231 (breast carcinoma) cell lines was performed. Materials and Methods The green synthesis of PJSNPs (Putranjiva silver nanoparticles) was performed using PJ (Putranjiva) extract, and characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was accomplished through UV-Vis spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. Results The results revealed that PJSNPs are homogeneous, spherical in shape, ~8±2 nm in size, and negatively charged with a zeta potential of about −26.71 mV. The cytotoxicity pattern observed was AgNO3 > PJSNPs > PJ extract. The morphological changes of the cells were observed by flow cytometry and also by the DNA ladder pattern on gel electrophoresis, which indicated that the process of cell death occurred via the apoptosis mechanism and PJSNPs were exerting late-stage apoptosis in all the tested cell lines. The small size and negative value of zeta potential could be the factors responsible for greater bioavailability and thus increased uptake by the tumor cells. Conclusion The MTT assay and morphological changes observed by various methods indicate that the novel PJSNPs are a better anticancer agent than PJ extract. All the above properties make biologically synthesized PJSNPs an important target in the field of anti-cancer drug discovery.
Employing Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks for Voltammetric Detection of Neurochemicals.

This paper describes the first implementation of an array of two-dimensional (2D) layered conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as drop-casted film electrodes that facilitate voltammetric detection of redox active neurochemicals in a multi-analyte solution. The device configuration comprises a glassy carbon electrode modified with a film of conductive MOF (M3HXTP2; M = Ni, Cu; and X = NH, 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene (HITP) or O, 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP)). The utility of 2D MOFs in voltammetric sensing is measured by the detection of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and serotonin (5-HT) in 0.1 M PBS (pH=7.4). In particular, Ni3HHTP2 MOF demonstrated nanomolar detection limits of 63 ± 11 nM for DA and 40 ± 17 nM for 5-HT through a wide concentration range (40 nM - 200 µM). The applicability in biologically-relevant detection was further demonstrated in simulated urine using Ni3HHTP2 MOFs for the detection of 5-HT with nanomolar detection limit of 63 ± 11 nM for 5-HT through a wide concentration range (63 nM - 200 µM) in the presence of constant background of DA. The implementation of conductive MOFs in voltammetric detection holds promise for further development of highly modular, sensitive, selective, and stable electroanalytical devices.
The Multifunctional Long-Distance Movement Protein of Pea Enation Mosaic Virus 2 Protects Viral and Host Transcripts from Nonsense-Mediated Decay

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) represents an RNA regulatory pathway that degrades both natural and faulty messenger RNAs with long 3′ untranslated regions. NMD targets diverse families of RNA viruses, requiring that viruses counteract the NMD pathway for successful amplification in host cells. A protein required for long-distance movement of Pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV2) is shown to also protect both viral and host mRNAs from NMD. RNA-seq analyses of the Nicotiana benthamiana transcriptome revealed that PEMV2 infection significantly impairs the host NMD pathway. RNA viruses routinely induce large-scale changes in host gene expression, and, like PEMV2, may use NMD inhibition to alter the host transcriptome in an effort to increase virus amplification. ABSTRACT The nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway presents a challenge for RNA viruses with termination codons that precede extended 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). The umbravirus Pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV2) is a nonsegmented, positive-sense RNA virus with an unusually long 3′ UTR that is susceptible to NMD. To establish a systemic infection, the PEMV2 long-distance movement protein p26 was previously shown to both stabilize viral RNAs and bind them for transport through the plant’s vascular system. The current study demonstrated that p26 protects both viral and nonviral messenger RNAs from NMD. Although p26 localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleolus, p26 exerts its anti-NMD effects exclusively in the cytoplasm independently of long-distance movement. Using a transcriptome-wide approach in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana, p26 protected a subset of cellular NMD target transcripts, particularly those containing long, structured, GC-rich 3′ UTRs. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that the NMD pathway is highly dysfunctional during PEMV2 infection, with 1,820 (48%) of NMD targets increasing in abundance. Widespread changes in the host transcriptome are common during plant RNA virus infections, and these results suggest that, in at least some instances, virus-mediated NMD inhibition may be a major contributing factor. IMPORTANCE Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) represents an RNA regulatory pathway that degrades both natural and faulty messenger RNAs with long 3′ untranslated regions. NMD targets diverse families of RNA viruses, requiring that viruses counteract the NMD pathway for successful amplification in host cells. A protein required for long-distance movement of Pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV2) is shown to also protect both viral and host mRNAs from NMD. RNA-seq analyses of the Nicotiana benthamiana transcriptome revealed that PEMV2 infection significantly impairs the host NMD pathway. RNA viruses routinely induce large-scale changes in host gene expression, and, like PEMV2, may use NMD inhibition to alter the host transcriptome in an effort to increase virus amplification.
Validity and Reliability of Questionnaire on Knowledge, Attitude and Dietary Practices Related to Colorectal Cancer

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers in Malaysia where new cases are increasing every year. The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of a newly developed questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and dietary practices (KAP) related to CRC for the Malay population. Methods The respondents were conveniently selected among visitors attending an outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital. We excluded those with any cancers, chronic diseases and those that were illiterate. The exploratory factor and reliability analyses were conducted. Results A total of 108 respondents were recruited of which 67.7% were males and the mean age was 54.59 years (standard deviation 8.93). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy values for KAP were 0.64, 0.66 and 0.67, respectively (P < 0.001). The 17 items of knowledge formed five domains with loading factors ranging from 0.54–0.89. The six items of attitude formed two domains with loading factors ranging from 0.64–0.80 and the 15 practices had four domains with loading factors ranging from 0.52–0.83. The total variances explained for each KAP were 61.02%, 56.41% and 53.12%, respectively. The internal consistency Cronbach alpha values on KAP were 0.61, 0.60 and 0.70, respectively. Conclusion The final questionnaire is suitable for measuring KAP related to CRC among the Malay population.
Losing Dnmt3a dependent methylation in inhibitory neurons impairs neural function by a mechanism impacting Rett syndrome

Methylated cytosine is an effector of epigenetic gene regulation. In the brain, Dnmt3a is the sole ‘writer’ of atypical non-CpG methylation (mCH), and MeCP2 is the only known ‘reader’ for mCH. We asked if MeCP2 is the sole reader for Dnmt3a dependent methylation by comparing mice lacking either protein in GABAergic inhibitory neurons. Loss of either protein causes overlapping and distinct features from the behavioral to molecular level. Loss of Dnmt3a causes global loss of mCH and a subset of mCG sites resulting in more widespread transcriptional alterations and severe neurological dysfunction than MeCP2 loss. These data suggest that MeCP2 is responsible for reading only part of the Dnmt3a dependent methylation in the brain. Importantly, the impact of MeCP2 on genes differentially expressed in both models shows a strong dependence on mCH, but not Dnmt3a dependent mCG, consistent with mCH playing a central role in the pathogenesis of Rett Syndrome.
Identification of trypanosomatids and blood feeding preferences of phlebotomine sand fly species common in Sicily, Southern Italy

In this study, the presence of Leishmania DNA and blood feeding sources in phlebotomine sand fly species commonly present in Sicily were investigated. A total of 1,866 female sand flies including 176 blood fed specimens were sampled over two seasons in five selected sites in Sicily (southern Italy). Sergentomyia minuta (n = 1,264) and Phlebotomus perniciousus (n = 594) were the most abundant species at all the sites, while three other species from the genus Phlebotomus (i.e., P. sergenti n = 4, P. perfiliewi n = 3 and P. neglectus n = 1) were only sporadically captured. Twenty-eight out of the 1,866 (1.5%) sand flies tested positive for Leishmania spp. Leishmania tarentolae DNA was identified in 26 specimens of S. minuta, while the DNA of Leishmania donovani complex was detected in a single specimen each of S. minuta and P. perniciosus. Interestingly, seven S. minuta specimens (0.4%) tested positive for reptilian Trypanosoma sp. Blood sources were successfully identified in 108 out of 176 blood fed females. Twenty-seven out of 82 blood sources identified in fed females of P. perniciosus were represented by blood of wild rabbit, S. minuta mainly fed on humans (16/25), while the sole P. sergenti fed specimen took a blood meal on rat. Other vertebrate hosts including horse, goat, pig, dog, chicken, cow, cat and donkey were recognized as blood sources for P. perniciosus and S. minuta, and, surprisingly, no reptilian blood was identified in blood-fed S. minuta specimens. Results of this study agree with the well-known role of P. perniciosus as vector of L. infantum in the western Mediterranean; also, vector feeding preferences herein described support the hypothesis on the involvement of lagomorphs as sylvatic reservoirs of Leishmania. The detection of L. donovani complex in S. minuta, together with the anthropophilic feeding-behaviour herein observed, warrants further research to clarify the capacity of this species in the transmission of pathogens to humans and other animals.
Risk Factors and Psychosocial Correlates of Emotionally Negative Dreams in Patients Referred to a Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre

Introduction Dream, as a kind of mental activity, includes various functions such as mood regulation, adjustment and integration of new information with the available memory system. The study was done for assessing the relationship between physiological and psychological components of cardiac diseases with emotionally negative dreams in cardiac rehabilitation. Methods At the baseline of this cross-sectional study, 156 patients from Western Iran participated during April–November 2016. People 20 years–80 years able to recall the emotional content of dreams after cardiac surgery entered the study. The Beck depression inventory (BDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), Buss and Perry’s aggression questionnaire (BPAQ) and Schredl’s dream emotions manual were used for collecting data. A binary logistic regression analysis used for the study of the relationship between risk factors and emotionally negative dreams. Results The mean age of participants was 59 (SD = 9) years (men: 64.1%). The results showed that 25% of patients have negative emotional content. After adjustment for demographic variables, the results showed that increased anxiety [adjusted odds ratio (adj OR) = 1.08 [1.01–1.16], P = 0.020] and anger (adj OR = 1.03 [1.00–1.06], P = 0.024) and hypertension (adj OR = 2.71 [1.10–6.68], P = 0.030) can predict the dreams with negative content significantly. Conclusion The increasing rates of anxiety and anger and history of hypertension are related to increasing dreams with the negative emotional load. The control of risk factors of dreams with negative emotional load can be the target of future interventions.
Operative and nonoperative management of anterior cruciate ligament injury: Differences in gait biomechanics at 5 years

Gait biomechanics after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are associated with functional outcomes and the development of posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis. However, biomechanical outcomes between patients treated nonoperatively compared with operatively are not well understood. The primary purpose of this study was to compare knee joint contact forces, angles, and moments during loading response of gait between individuals treated with operative compared with nonoperative management at 5 years after ACL injury. Forty athletes treated operatively and 17 athletes treated nonoperatively completed gait analysis at 5 years after ACL reconstruction or completion of nonoperative rehabilitation. Medial compartment joint contact forces were estimated using a previously validated, patient‐specific electromyography‐driven musculoskeletal model. Knee joint contact forces, angles, and moments were compared between the operative and nonoperative group using mixed model 2 × 2 analyses of variance. Peak medial compartment contact forces were larger in the involved limb of the nonoperative group (Op: 2.37 ± 0.47 BW, Non‐Op: 3.03 ± 0.53 BW; effect size: 1.36). Peak external knee adduction moment was also larger in the involved limb of the nonoperative group (Op: 0.25 ± 0.08 Nm/kg·m, Non‐Op: 0.32 ± 0.09 Nm/kg·m; effect size: 0.89). No differences in radiographic tibiofemoral osteoarthritis were present between the operative and nonoperative groups. Overall, participants treated nonoperatively walked with greater measures of medial compartment joint loading than those treated operatively, while sagittal plane group differences were not present. Statement of clinical relevance: The differences in medial knee joint loading at 5 years after operative and nonoperative management of ACL injury may have implications on the development of posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis.
A Generic Design of Driver Drowsiness and Stress Recognition Using MOGA Optimized Deep MKL-SVM

Driver drowsiness and stress are major causes of traffic deaths and injuries, which ultimately wreak havoc on world economic loss. Researchers are in full swing to develop various algorithms for both drowsiness and stress recognition. In contrast to existing works, this paper proposes a generic model using multiple-objective genetic algorithm optimized deep multiple kernel learning support vector machine that is capable to recognize both driver drowsiness and stress. This algorithm simplifies the research formulations and model complexity that one model fits two applications. Results reveal that the proposed algorithm achieves an average sensitivity of 99%, specificity of 98.3% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 97.1% for driver drowsiness recognition. For driver stress recognition, the best performance is yielded with average sensitivity of 98.7%, specificity of 98.4% and AUC of 96.9%. Analysis also indicates that the proposed algorithm using multiple-objective genetic algorithm has better performance compared to the grid search method. Multiple kernel learning enhances the performance significantly compared to single typical kernel. Compared with existing works, the proposed algorithm not only achieves higher accuracy but also addressing the typical issues of dataset in simulated environment, no cross-validation and unreliable measurement stability of input signals.
Community education to enhance the more equitable use of precision medicine in Northern Manhattan

Focusing screening and treatment to those most likely to benefit is the promise of precision medicine but inequitable distribution of precision medicine innovations may exacerbate health disparities. We investigated whether complex genomic concepts can be successfully communicated to diverse populations. Incorporating principles of Community‐based Participatory Research, we created a precision medicine curriculum tailored to the needs of our predominantly Hispanic community. We administered the curriculum over 26 months, assessed pre‐ and post‐test comprehension of 8 genetics‐related terms, and compared comprehension differences based on demography and health literacy. In total, 438 individuals completed pre‐/post‐test assessments. At pre‐test, 45.6% scored ≥75% across eight major constructs; 66.7% at post‐test. Comprehension increased for 7/8 terms with greatest pre/post‐test increases for ‘mutation’ (55% to 78%) and ‘sporadic’ (34% to 59%). Mean pre‐test comprehension scores (≥75%) were lower for Spanish versus. English speakers; mean post‐test scores were equivalent. No heterogeneity by demographics or health literacy was observed. We demonstrate that a brief community educational program can improve knowledge of complex genomic concepts. Interventions to increase understanding of genomic concepts underlying precision medicine are key to patients making informed treatment and prevention decisions and may lead to more equitable uptake of precision medicine initiatives.
Thermal Model and Countermeasures for Future Smart Glasses †

The market for wearable devices such as smart watches and smart glasses continues to grow rapidly. Smart glasses are attracting particular attention because they offer convenient features such as hands-free augmented reality (AR). Since smart glasses directly touch the face and head, the device with high temperature has a detrimental effect on human physical health. This paper presents a thermal network model in a steady state condition and thermal countermeasure methods for thermal management of future smart glasses. It is accomplished by disassembling the state by wearing smart glasses into some parts, creating the equivalent thermal resistance circuit for each part, approximating heat-generating components such as integrated circuits (ICs) to simple physical structures, setting power consumption to the heat sources, and providing heat transfer coefficients of natural convection in air. The average temperature difference between the thermal network model and a commercial thermal solver is 0.9 °C when the maximum temperature is 62 °C. Results of an experiment using the model show that the temperature of the part near the ear that directly touches the skin can be reduced by 51.4% by distributing heat sources into both sides, 11.1% by placing higher heat-generating components farther from the ear, and 65.3% in comparison with all high conductivity materials by using a combination of low thermal conductivity materials for temples and temple tips and high conductivity materials for rims.