Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-allergic Inflammatory Effects of the Essential Oil From Fruits of Zanthoxylum coreanum Nakai

Zanthoxylum coreanum Nakai is a rare shrub which grows in Korea and China. Pericarp of Z. coreanum has been used as a crude medicine, but there are few researches about the pharmacologic activities. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-allergic inflammatory activities of the essential oil from fruits of Zanthoxylum coreanum Nakai (ZCO). Our findings showed that ZCO inhibited both the IgE-antigen complex or PMA/A23187-induced β-hexosaminidase release and IL-4 production dose-dependently in RBL-2H3 mast cells, and confirmed that ZCO at the tested concentrations did not show cytotoxicity to RBL-2H3 cells by MTS assay. Additionally, we found that ZCO showed the significant inhibition on LPS-induced overproduction of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO. Consistently, the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 were also remarkably decreased by ZCO treatment. Herein, Our mechanistic studies revealed that ZCO significantly suppressed the activation of transcription factor NF-κB in PMA-activated 293T cells, and further inhibited NF-κB p65 translocation into the nucleus in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further investigation identified that ZCO down-regulated LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPK (JNK, ERK, and p38) signal pathway. For incremental research, we established an DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis model in BALB/c mice, and found that ZCO remarkably inhibited DNCB-induced ear swelling and AD-like symptoms. Based on these findings, ZCO is suggested to have a therapeutic potential for the allergic inflammatory diseases.
Neural networks-on-chip for hybrid bio-electronic systems

By modelling the brains computation we can further our understanding of its function and develop novel treatments for neurological disorders. The brain is incredibly powerful and energy efficient, but its computation does not fit well with the traditional computer architecture developed over the previous 70 years. Therefore, there is growing research focus in developing alternative computing technologies to enhance our neural modelling capability, with the expectation that the technology in itself will also benefit from increased awareness of neural computational paradigms. This thesis focuses upon developing a methodology to study the design of neural computing systems, with an emphasis on studying systems suitable for biomedical experiments. The methodology allows for the design to be optimized according to the application. For example, different case studies highlight how to reduce energy consumption, reduce silicon area, or to increase network throughput. High performance processing cores are presented for both Hodgkin-Huxley and Izhikevich neurons incorporating novel design features. Further, a complete energy/area model for a neural-network-on-chip is derived, which is used in two exemplar case-studies: a cortical neural circuit to benchmark typical system performance, illustrating how a 65,000 neuron network could be processed in real-time within a 100mW power budget; and a scalable highperformance processing platform for a cerebellar neural prosthesis. From these case-studies, the contribution of network granularity towards optimal neural-network-on-chip performance is explored.
Confirmation of the unidimensional structure of the Oral Health Literacy Adults Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES The Oral Health Literacy Adults Questionnaire (OHL-AQ) was designed to test functional oral health literacy in general populations. Exploratory analyses suggested a unidimensional structure rather than the four constructs proposed (reading comprehension, numeracy, listening and decision-making). The purpose of this study was to conduct a confirmatory analysis of the OHL-AQ. METHODS A cross-sectional study design used a stratified multistage sampling strategy in 22 districts of Tehran, Iran. The OHL-AQ was administered verbally in its original Persian language. Confirmatory analyses replicated the previous exploratory analyses to determine dimensionality and internal consistency. Data were then randomly assigned to two data sets and item analyses were performed to test reliability. RESULTS Evidence of unidimensionality was confirmed as the exploratory factor analysis could replicate previous results in a different population. In a confirmatory factor analysis, model fit indicators were mixed because chi-square results were statistically significant and the standard root mean square residual (SRMR) neared guideline values. The comparative fit index (CFI) and the Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) did not meet recommended values but the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was well within standards. Both score validity and reliability were adequate. CONCLUSIONS While findings overall support that OHL measured using the OHL-AQ can be considered unidimensional and therefore OHL can be characterised with one score, further dimensionality studies are needed to investigate populations in which OHL is low.
and Michel (2012) Association of modified cytosines and the methylated DNA-binding protein MeCP2 with distinctive structural domains of lampbrush chromatin. Chromosome Research, 20 (8). pp. 925-942.

We have investigated the association of DNA methylation and proteins interpreting methylation state with the distinctive closed and open chromatin structural domains that are directly observable in the lampbrush chromosomes (LBCs) of amphibian oocytes. To establish the distribution in LBCs of MeCP2, one of the key proteins binding 5-methylcytosine-modified DNA (5mC), we expressed HA-tagged MeCP2 constructs in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Full-length MeCP2 was predominantly targeted to the closed, transcriptionally inactive chromomere domains in a pattern proportional to chromomeric DNA density and consistent with a global role in determining chromatin state. A minor fraction of HA-MeCP2 was also found to associate with a distinctive structural domain, namely a short region at the bases of some of the extended lateral loops. Expression in oocytes of deleted constructs and of point mutants derived from Rett syndrome patients demonstrated that the association of MeCP2 with LBCs was determined by its 5mC-binding domain. We also examined more directly the distribution of 5mC by immunostaining Xenopus and axolotl LBCs and confirmed the pattern suggested by MeCP2 targeting of intense staining of the chromomeres and of some loop bases. In addition, we found in the longer loops of axolotl LBCs that short interstitial regions could also be clearly stained for 5mC. These 5mC regions corresponded precisely to unusual segments of active transcription units from which RNA polymerase II (pol II) and nascent transcripts were simultaneously absent. We also examined by immunostaining the distribution in lampbrush chromatin of the oxidized 5mC deriv-ative, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Although in general, the pattern resembled that obtained for
Pancreas divisum: a reemerging risk factor for pancreatic diseases

Abstract Pancreas divisum (PD) is the most common developmental anatomic variant of pancreatic duct. The attention towards the PD has grown significantly since there are reports that this condition may cause acute relapsing pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and chronic abdominal pain syndrome. Furthermore, over the years, there have been multiple reports of PD associated with different types of tumors. There is evidence that PD can be associated with pancreatic tumors (up to 12.5% of cases). The golden standard for diagnosing PD is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, but since it is an invasive procedure magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with secretin is a good alternative. In case the patient is symptomatic, endoscopic or surgical treatment should be performed. This review describes the key points of the pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, risks of pancreatitis and tumors, as well as treatment options of PD.
Impact of Hybrid Therapy Comprising Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis on Acute Cardiovascular Events

Background: The impact of hybrid therapy comprising peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis on cardiovascular events in PD patients remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of hybrid therapy on cardiovascular events. Methods: A total of 93 PD patients undergoing hybrid therapy for ≥3 years were divided into 2 groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): lower ejection fraction (LEF [n = 29], LVEF < 60%) and normal ejection fraction (NEF [n = 64], LVEF ≥60%). Hospitalization rates and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Results: The 1-year hospitalization rate for acute cardiovascular events decreased after the therapy initiation in both groups (LEF: 0.36–0.11, p = 0.02 and NEF: 0.43–0.06, p < 0.001). In generalized linear mixed models, LVEF (44 ± 15%) improved at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (53 ± 18, 55 ± 17, and 58 ± 7%; p < 0.05) in the LEF group, whereas, in the NEF group, LVEF (68 ± 5%) was maintained at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (67 ± 8, 67 ± 9, and 68 ± 9%; p > 0.05). Mitral inflow E velocity to tissue Doppler e′ ratio was maintained at the same level at 1–3 years after initiation in both groups. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI; 189 ± 41 g/m2) was decreased at 1 (178 ± 35 g/m2; p = 0.8), 2 (160 ± 45 g/m2; p = 0.008), and 3 (166 ± 47 g/m2; p = 0.05) years after initiation in the LEF group, whereas in the NEF group, LVMI (157 ± 45 g/m2) was maintained at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (153 ± 40, 155 ± 54, and 158 ± 52 g/m2; p > 0.05). Conclusion: Hybrid therapy decreased acute cardiovascular events and improved systolic cardiac function in PD patients in the LEF group.
NAD Metabolism in Cancer Therapeutics

Cancer cells have a unique energy metabolism for sustaining rapid proliferation. The preference for anaerobic glycolysis under normal oxygen conditions is a unique trait of cancer metabolism and is designated as the Warburg effect. Enhanced glycolysis also supports the generation of nucleotides, amino acids, lipids, and folic acid as the building blocks for cancer cell division. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a co-enzyme that mediates redox reactions in a number of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis. Increased NAD levels enhance glycolysis and fuel cancer cells. In fact, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), a rate-limiting enzyme for NAD synthesis in mammalian cells, is frequently amplified in several cancer cells. In addition, Nampt-specific inhibitors significantly deplete NAD levels and subsequently suppress cancer cell proliferation through inhibition of energy production pathways, such as glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. NAD also serves as a substrate for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), sirtuin, and NAD gylycohydrolase (CD38 and CD157); thus, NAD regulates DNA repair, gene expression, and stress response through these enzymes. Thus, NAD metabolism is implicated in cancer pathogenesis beyond energy metabolism and considered a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review, we present recent findings with respect to NAD metabolism and cancer pathogenesis. We also discuss the current and future perspectives regarding the therapeutics that target NAD metabolic pathways.
Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Type-16 in Head and Neck Cancer Among the Chinese Population: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The burden of head and neck cancer in China is heavier, and studies have shown that it may be associated with HPV infection, especially high-risk HPV. Objectives: We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the high-risk HPV-16 prevalence of head and neck cancer in the Chinese population. Methods: The reports on HPV and head and neck cancer in a Chinese population published between Jan 1, 2006 and Oct 23, 2018 were retrieved via WANFANG/CNKI/MEDLINE/EMBASE databases. The pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals was calculated by a random-effect model. Results: The meta-analysis included a total of 2,896 head and neck cancer cases from 28 studies. Overall, the pooled HPV-16 prevalence among head and neck cancer cases was 24.7% (20.2–29.3%) in China, 31.6% (21.7–41.5%) in oropharyngeal cancer, 28.5% (18.2–38.7%) in laryngeal cancer and 14.9% (10.1–19.7%) in oral cancer, 25.3% (14.8–35.8%) in fresh or frozen biopsies and 25.0% (19.5–30.5%) in paraffin-embedded fixed biopsies, 36.5% (17.9–55.1%) by E6/E7 region and 14.3% (6.4–22.1%) by L1 region of HPV gene. The highest HPV-16 prevalence was found in Central China. Conclusions: High prevalence of HPV-16 was found in the samples of Chinese head and neck cancers. Preventive HPV-vaccination may reduce the burden of HPV-related head and neck cancer in China.
Circulating microRNA biomarkers for metastatic disease in neuroblastoma patients

In this study, the circulating miRNome from diagnostic neuroblastoma serum was assessed for identification of non-invasive biomarkers with potential in monitoring metastatic disease. After determining the circulating neuroblastoma miRNome, 743 miRNAs were screened in two independent cohorts of 131 and 54 patients. Evaluation of serum miRNA variance in a model testing for tumor stage, MYCN status, age at diagnosis and overall survival, revealed tumor stage as the most significant factor impacting miRNA abundance in neuroblastoma serum. Differential expression analysis between patients with metastatic and localized disease revealed 9 miRNAs strongly associated with metastatic stage 4 disease in both patient cohorts. Increasing levels of these miRNAs were also observed in serum from xenografted mice bearing human neuroblastoma tumors. Moreover, murine serum miRNA levels were strongly associated with tumor volume, suggesting this miRNA signature may be applied to monitor disease burden.
Multi-lingual Author Profiling using Stylistic Features

Author profiling is the identification of an author’s traits by examining the text written by an author. Author profiling has many useful applications in security, criminal, marketing, identification of false accounts on shared communication websites, etc. We submitted our system to the FIRE'18-MAPonSMS (Multi-lingual Author Profiling on SMS), a shared task to classify the attributes of an author like gender and age group from multilingual text specifically English +Roman Urdu. Roman Urdu is common language specifically in SMS messaging, Facebook posts/comments and chats blog of games etc. Our presented system is based on 29 different stylistic features. On the training dataset, we have achieved best Accuracy = 73.714, for gender while using all 14-language-independent features together and Accuracy = 58.571 for age group by using all 29 features together. We obtained Accuracy = 0.55 and 0.37 on testing data for both gender and age respectively.
Analytical potentials for flat galaxies with spheroidal halos

Se presenta una familia de pares analiticos potencial-densidad para galaxias planas con halos esferoidales. Los potenciales son obtenidos por medio de la suma de dos terminos independientes: un potencial asociado al disco delgado y un potencial asociado al halo esferoidal, los cuales son expresados apropiadamente como la superposicion de productos de funciones de Legendre, de tal manera que el modelo implica una relacion lineal entre las masas del disco delgado y el halo esferoidal. Tomando un caso particular para el potencial del halo, encontramos que la velocidad circular obtenida puede ser ajustada muy precisamente con la curva de rotacion de algunas galaxias especificas, de tal manera que los modelos son estables contra perturbaciones radiales y verticales. Dos modelos particulares para las galaxias NGC4389 y UGC6969 son obtenidos ajustando la velocidad circular del modelo con datos de la curva de rotacion observada de algunas galaxias del Cluster de la Osa Mayor, reportados en Verheijen and Sancisi (2001). Los valores de la masa del halo y la masa del disco para estas dos galaxias son calculados obteniendo un intervalo muy estrecho de valores para dichas cantidades. Ademas, los valores de masa aqui obtenidos estan en perfecto acuerdo con el orden de magnitud esperado y con el orden de magnitud relativo entre la masa del halo y la masa del disco. © 2016. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat. Todos los derechos reservados.
Structured Education Programme on Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) for Orthopaedic Patients

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) via an infusion pump enables patient to administer their own analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational programme in managing post-operative pain and satisfaction on PCA following orthopedic surgery. A pre-test and post-test interventional study design with implementation of patient education programme on PCA was provided to 54 respondents. The control group received conventional PCA briefing from the Acute Pain Service protocol. Pain intensity was measured at 2 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs following surgery and pre-test and post-test of the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R) was administered. There was difference in respondents’ level of pain score among the study respondents’ medians for control group at 2 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs following surgery and they were 7.00 (IQR=3.00), 5.00 (IQR=2.00) and 3.00 (IQR=2.00); intervention group at 2 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs following surgery were 6.00 (IQR=2.00), 3.00 (IQR=1.00) and 1.00 (IQR=1.00) respectively. There were significant differences in median of pain score between intervention and control group at 2 (U=142.0, p<0.05), 6 (U=150.50, p<0.05) and 24 (U=120.00, p<0.05) hrs following surgery. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the median of patient’s pain severity at all pain levels i.e. least pain, worst pain, and severe pain between intervention and control group (least pain, U=219.50, p<0.05; worst pain, U=117.0, p<0.05; severe pain, U=49.0, p<0.05). In conclusion, patients who received pre-operative structured education programme showed improvement in managing post-operative pain and satisfaction on PCA after orthopedic surgery.
Effect of concession model and deregulation logistics policy for increasing port customer satisfaction in Indonesia

This paper analyzes the effect of port concession and the deregulation of logistics policy implementation on port customer satisfaction. This research uses 5 latent variables and 18 manifest / indicator variables which are described in the form of Likert scale questionnaires distributed to Port Customers in Indonesia which are freight forwarder, import-export companies and port operators. From SEM structural equations and model measurement results, it can be concluded that the effect of concession and deregulation logistics policy on the overall customer satisfaction is acceptable and data support the model. Port concession variable has positive path coefficient of 0.88 and t statistic of 5.86 > 1.96. Infrastructure and Superstructure Variable has positive path coefficient of 0.61 and t statistic of 3.66 > 1.96 deregulation logistics policy Variable has positive path coefficient of 0.24 with t statistic of 2.04 > 1.96. Integration System Technology Variable has positive path coefficient of 0.21 with t statistic of 2.39 > 1.96 so it can be concluded that the overall hypothesis can be accepted and data supports the model.
Semi Supervised Method for Detection of Ambiguous Word and Creation of Sense: Using WordNet

Machine Translation, Information Retrieval and Knowledge Acquisition are the three main applications of Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD). The sense of a target word can be identified from a dictionary using a ‘bag of words’, i.e. neighbours of the target word. A target word has the same spelling of the word but with a different meaning, i.e. chair, light etc. In WSD, the key input sources are sentences and target words. But, instead of providing a target word, this should automatically be detected. If a sentence has more than one target word, then the filtration process will require further processing. In this study, the proposed framework, consisting of buzz words and query words has been developed to detect target words using the WordNet dictionary. Buzz words are defined as a ‘bag-of-words’ using POS-Tags, and query words are those words having multiple meanings. The proposed framework will endeavor to find the sense of the detected target word using its gloss and with examples containing buzz words. This is a semi-supervised approach because 266 words of multiple meanings have been labelled from various sources and used based on an unsupervised approach to detect the target word and sense (meaning). After experimenting on a dataset consisting of 300 hotel reviews, 100 % of the target words for each sentence were detected with 84 % related to the sense of each sentence or phrase.
Implications of improved information disclosure and corporate governance for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance

In this study, the authors examined the effect of improved information transparency and corporate governance on purchase decisions regarding directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance. The results showed that companies with greater transparent voluntary disclosure practices and those considered to be progressing were significantly and positively associated with the demand for insurance and the insured amount. Poor information disclosure increases the underwriting risk of insurers. The corporate governance of uninsured companies is superior to that of insured companies. To compensate for their weaker corporate governance mechanisms, insured companies tend to appoint Big 4 or industry experts. Companies with comparatively high operating risks exhibit greater demand for D&O liability insurance; moreover, the insured amount increases in conjunction with the degree of demand. The empirical results indicate that purchasing D&O liability insurance can not only strengthen external corporate governance practices, but it also encourages companies to voluntarily improve the transparency of the information they provide to shareholders.
Determination of Levels of Cathine in Khat ( Catha edulis ) Leaves and its Detection in Urine of Khat Chewers : A Preliminary Report

Analysis of the different parts of the Khat plant revealed that the tender leaves, that are usually preferred by Khat chewers contain the psychoactive alkaloid cathinone, whereas the older and harder leaves contain cathine, also known as d-norpseudoephedrine. In this study we used proton nuclear magnetic resonance method not only to establish presence or absence of these compounds in the leaves, but also to determine their levels. Using this method no cathine was detected in the fresh twigs and young leaves. On the other hand the harder and older leaves from the branches gave upto 1.5% cathine. When the young leaves were dried in the sun and analysed, cathine appeared to be the major component (1.5%), clearly showing the gradual conversion of cathinone to cathine. The same analytical method was also used to establish presence or absence of cathine in urine of Khat chewers.