Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Montelukast on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and Related Mechanisms

Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease common in preterm infants. Montelukast, an effective cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT) receptor antagonist, has a variety of pharmacological effects and has protective effects against a variety of diseases. Currently, the efficacy and safety of montelukast sodium in treating BPD has been revealed, however, the precise molecular mechanism of the effect of montelukast on BPD development remain largely unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of montelukast on BPD in vivo and in vitro. Material/Methods A mouse BPD model and hyperoxia-induced lung cell injury model were established and treated with montelukast. Then mean linear intercept (MLI), radial alveolar count (RAC), lung weight/body weight (LW/BW) ratio, pro-inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress-related factors in lung tissues were determined. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected using MTT assay and flow cytometer respectively. Results The results showed that montelukast treatment relieved mouse BPD, evidenced by increased RAC and decreased MLI and LW/BW ratios. We also found that montelukast treatment reduced pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) production, enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the lung tissues of BPD mice. Besides, montelukast eliminated the reduced cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis induced by hyperoxia exposure in vitro. Moreover, the upregulated pro-inflammatory factors production and p-p65 protein level in lung cells caused by hyperoxia were decreased by montelukast treatment. Conclusions Montelukast protected against mouse BPD induced by hyperoxia through inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and lung cell apoptosis.
'Who Knows What'

Social networking sites are becoming increasingly popular venues for seeking information. To the extent that users can understand who knows what in their networks and target those friends appropriately, they can make effective use of the site as a knowledge base of information. This paper explores how targeting one's Facebook network when asking questions influences the breadth and quality of answers they receive. An experiment (N = 64) was conducted in which participants posted questions to their Facebook networks in four broadcast level conditions: status update to their full networks, status update to a custom subset of their networks, posting on a friend's Timeline, and sending a direct message. Results indicate that posting a question more broadly results in more information, which is moderated by perceptions of Facebook as a transactive memory system and as a source of social capital. However, informational and social value of responses is greatest when posting to a custom subset of their network. These results suggest that while targeting specific individuals may be the most effective means of gathering information in offline networks, the broadcast affordance of Facebook may be a more useful way to gather information on the site.
Effects of empagliflozin on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled study

Empagliflozin is a sodium‐glucose‐cotransporter‐2 inhibitor that improves cardiovascular risk and promotes weight loss in patients with type‐2 diabetes. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with obesity and increased cardiovascular risk; therefore, empagliflozin may be of benefit for these women. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of empagliflozin vs metformin on anthropometric and body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS.
Practice of Efficient Data Collection via Crowdsourcing: Aggregation, Incremental Relabelling, and Pricing

In this tutorial, we present a portion of unique industry experience in efficient data labelling via crowdsourcing shared by both leading researchers and engineers from Yandex. We will make an introduction to data labelling via public crowdsourcing marketplaces and will present key components of efficient label collection. This will be followed by a practice session, where participants will choose one of the real label collection tasks, experiment with selecting settings for the labelling process, and launch their label collection project on Yandex.Toloka, one of the largest crowdsourcing marketplaces. The projects will be run on real crowds within the tutorial session. Finally, participants will receive a feedback about their projects and practical advice to make them more efficient. We expect that our tutorial will address an audience with a wide range of background and interests. We do not require specific prerequisite knowledge or skills. We invite beginners, advanced specialists, and researchers to learn how to efficiently collect labelled data.
Debiasing Word Embeddings from Sentiment Associations in Names

Word embeddings, trained through models like skip-gram, have shown to be prone to capturing the biases from the training corpus, e.g. gender bias. Such biases are unwanted as they spill in downstream tasks, thus, leading to discriminatory behavior. In this work, we address the problem of prior sentiment associated with names in word embeddings where for a given name representation (e.g. "Smith"), a sentiment classifier will categorize it as either positive or negative. We propose DebiasEmb, a skip-gram based word embedding approach that, for a given oracle sentiment classification model, will debias the name representations, such that they cannot be associated with either positive or negative sentiment. Evaluation on standard word embedding benchmarks and a downstream analysis show that our approach is able to maintain a high quality of embeddings and at the same time mitigate sentiment bias in name embeddings.
What to account for when accounting for algorithms: a systematic literature review on algorithmic accountability

As research on algorithms and their impact proliferates, so do calls for scrutiny/accountability of algorithms. A systematic review of the work that has been done in the field of 'algorithmic accountability' has so far been lacking. This contribution puts forth such a systematic review, following the PRISMA statement. 242 English articles from the period 2008 up to and including 2018 were collected and extracted from Web of Science and SCOPUS, using a recursive query design coupled with computational methods. The 242 articles were prioritized and ordered using affinity mapping, resulting in 93 'core articles' which are presented in this contribution. The recursive search strategy made it possible to look beyond the term 'algorithmic accountability'. That is, the query also included terms closely connected to the theme (e.g. ethics and AI, regulation of algorithms). This approach allows for a perspective not just from critical algorithm studies, but an interdisciplinary overview drawing on material from data studies to law, and from computer science to governance studies. To structure the material, Bovens's widely accepted definition of accountability serves as a focal point. The material is analyzed on the five points Bovens identified as integral to accountability: its arguments on (1) the actor, (2) the forum, (3) the relationship between the two, (3) the content and criteria of the account, and finally (5) the consequences which may result from the account. The review makes three contributions. First, an integration of accountability theory in the algorithmic accountability discussion. Second, a cross-sectoral overview of the that same discussion viewed in light of accountability theory which pays extra attention to accountability risks in algorithmic systems. Lastly, it provides a definition of algorithmic accountability based on accountability theory and algorithmic accountability literature.
Retropubic versus Transobturator Mid Urethral Slings in Patients at High Risk for Recurrent Stress Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE The efficacy and safety of retropubic and transobturator tension-free vaginal tape mid urethral slings remain controversial in patients with stress urinary incontinence and risk factors for recurrence. We compared the techniques after initial mid urethral sling insertion in select groups, including patients with obesity, intrinsic sphincter deficiency, pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement to report the methods and results of the current review. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included. We assessed the objective and subjective cure rates, and the complication rate using the OR with the 95% CI. The protocol of the current meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (No. CRD42018102233). RESULTS We retrieved 28 studies in a total of 2,607 patients to compare the efficacy and safety of retropubic vs transobturator tension-free vaginal tape in select groups (mean followup 26.9 months). Meta-analysis of the objective cure rate showed the significant superiority of retropubic compared to transobturator tension-free vaginal tape in patients overall (OR 3.37, 95% CI 2.55-4.43, p <0.00001, I2 = 37%) and in each subpopulation. The subjective cure rate of retropubic tension-free vaginal tape was also significantly superior to that of transobturator tension-free vaginal tape in in patients overall (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.45-2.80, p <0.0001, I2 = 0%) and in those with intrinsic sphincter deficiency and recurrent stress urinary incontinence after mid urethral sling insertion. There was no significant difference in overall complications between retropubic and transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.89-1.66, p = 0.21, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis showed the superiority of retropubic tension-free vaginal tape over transobturator tension-free vaginal tape in terms of the objective and subjective cure rates in patients with obesity, intrinsic sphincter deficiency, pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent stress urinary incontinence after mid urethral sling insertion. Retropubic tension-free vaginal tape also has morbidity comparable to that of transobturator tension-free vaginal tape.
What biologists want from their chloride reporters – a conversation between chemists and biologists

ABSTRACT Impaired chloride transport affects diverse processes ranging from neuron excitability to water secretion, which underlie epilepsy and cystic fibrosis, respectively. The ability to image chloride fluxes with fluorescent probes has been essential for the investigation of the roles of chloride channels and transporters in health and disease. Therefore, developing effective fluorescent chloride reporters is critical to characterizing chloride transporters and discovering new ones. However, each chloride channel or transporter has a unique functional context that demands a suite of chloride probes with appropriate sensing characteristics. This Review seeks to juxtapose the biology of chloride transport with the chemistries underlying chloride sensors by exploring the various biological roles of chloride and highlighting the insights delivered by studies using chloride reporters. We then delineate the evolution of small-molecule sensors and genetically encoded chloride reporters. Finally, we analyze discussions with chloride biologists to identify the advantages and limitations of sensors in each biological context, as well as to recognize the key design challenges that must be overcome for developing the next generation of chloride sensors. Summary: A Review of the diverse roles of chloride ions in physiology, the current repertoire of fluorescent chloride reporters, and a discussion with biologists about the nuances of using them.
Troponin T Parallels Structural Nerve Damage in Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Study Using Magnetic Resonance Neurography

Clinical studies have suggested that changes in peripheral nerve microcirculation may contribute to nerve damage in diabetic polyneuropathy (DN). High-sensitivity troponin T (hsTNT) assays have been recently shown to provide predictive values for both cardiac and peripheral microangiopathy in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study investigated the association of sciatic nerve structural damage in 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) with hsTNT and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide serum levels in patients with T2D. MRN at 3T was performed in 51 patients with T2D (23 without DN, 28 with DN) and 10 control subjects without diabetes. The sciatic nerve’s fractional anisotropy (FA), a marker of structural nerve integrity, was correlated with clinical, electrophysiological, and serological data. In patients with T2D, hsTNT showed a negative correlation with the sciatic nerve’s FA (r = −0.52, P < 0.001), with a closer correlation in DN patients (r = −0.66, P < 0.001). hsTNT further correlated positively with the neuropathy disability score (r = 0.39, P = 0.005). Negative correlations were found with sural nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) (r = −0.65, P < 0.001) and tibial NCVs (r = −0.44, P = 0.002) and amplitudes (r = −0.53, P < 0.001). This study is the first to show that hsTNT is a potential indicator for structural nerve damage in T2D. Our results indirectly support the hypothesis that microangiopathy contributes to structural nerve damage in T2D.
Depression screening using mobile phone usage metadata: a machine learning approach

OBJECTIVE Depression is currently the second most significant contributor to non-fatal disease burdens globally. While it is treatable, depression remains undiagnosed in many cases. As mobile phones have now become an integral part of daily life, this study examines the possibility of screening for depressive symptoms continuously based on patients' mobile usage patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS 412 research participants reported a range of their mobile usage statistics. Beck Depression Inventory-2nd ed (BDI-II) was used to measure the severity of depression among participants. A wide array of machine learning classification algorithms was trained to detect participants with depression symptoms (ie, BDI-II score ≥ 14). The relative importance of individual variables was additionally quantified. RESULTS Participants with depression were found to have fewer saved contacts on their devices, spend more time on their mobile devices to make and receive fewer and shorter calls, and send more text messages than participants without depression. The best model was a random forest classifier, which had an out-of-sample balanced accuracy of 0.768. The balanced accuracy increased to 0.811 when participants' age and gender were included. DISCUSSIONS/CONCLUSION The significant predictive power of mobile usage attributes implies that, by collecting mobile usage statistics, mental health mobile applications can continuously screen for depressive symptoms for initial diagnosis or for monitoring the progress of ongoing treatments. Moreover, the input variables used in this study were aggregated mobile usage metadata attributes, which has low privacy sensitivity making it more likely for patients to grant required application permissions.
Molecular Dissection of dH3w, A Fluorescent Peptidyl Sensor for Zinc and Mercury

Previously, we reported that fluorescent peptide dansyl-HPHGHW-NH2 (dH3w), designed on the repeats of the human histidine-rich glycoprotein, shows a turn-on response to Zn(II) and a complex response to Hg(II) characterized by a turn-off phase at low Hg(II) concentrations and a turn-on phase at high concentrations. As Hg(II) easily displaces Zn(II), dH3w is a useful probe for the environmental monitoring of Hg(II). In order to investigate the molecular basis of the metal selectivity and fluorescence response, we characterized three variants, dH3w(H1A), dH3w(H3A), and dH3w(H5A), in which each of the three histidine residues was changed to alanine, and two variants with a single fluorescent moiety, namely dH3w(W6A), in which the tryptophan residue at the C-terminus was changed to alanine, and AcH3w, in which the N-terminal dansyl moiety was substituted by an acetyl group. These variants allowed us to demonstrate that all the histidine residues are essential for a strong interaction with Zn(II), whereas two histidine residues (in particular His5) and the dansyl group are necessary to bind Hg(II). The data reported herein shed light on the molecular behavior of dH3w, thus paving the way to the rational designing of further and more efficient fluorescent peptidyl probes for Hg(II).
Association among Weather Conditions, Ambient Air Temperature, and Sedentary Time in Chinese Adults

This study is aimed to quantify the association among weather conditions, ambient air temperature, and sedentary time in Chinese adults. The participants were 3,270 Chinese users of a wrist-worn activity tracker. Their daily activity data were collected using an algorithm based on raw data to determine the sedentary time. The data of ambient air temperature and weather were collected from the meteorological data released by China Central Meteorological Observatory. Two-level linear regression analyses showed that weather conditions had a significant influence on sedentary time in Chinese adults after adjustments for some covariates were made. When the weather condition changed from rainy days to sunny and cloudy days, sedentary time might decrease by about 6.89 and 5.60 min, respectively. In conclusion, weather conditions were independently associated with sedentary time in Chinese adults. The daily sedentary time was shorter on sunny and cloudy days than on rainy days.
Elevated high-density lipoprotein in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes is associated with endothelial dysfunction in the presence of systemic inflammation

Abstract Aims High-density lipoprotein (HDL) function may be altered in patients with chronic disease, transforming the particle from a beneficial vasoprotective molecule to a noxious pro-inflammatory equivalent. Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes often have elevated HDL, but its vasoprotective properties and relationship to endothelial function have not been assessed. Methods and results Seventy adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (age 10–17 years) and 30 age-matched healthy controls supplied urine samples for the measurement of early renal dysfunction (albumin:creatinine ratio; ACR), blood samples for the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors (lipid profiles, HDL functionality, glycaemic control, and inflammatory risk score), and had their conduit artery endothelial function tested using flow-mediated dilation (FMD). HDL-c levels (1.69 ± 0.41 vs. 1.44 ± 0.29mmol/L; P < 0.001), and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (8.4 ± 1.2 vs. 5.4 ± 0.2%; P < 0.001) were increased in all patients compared with controls. However, increased inflammation and HDL dysfunction were evident only in patients who also had evidence of early renal dysfunction (mean ± standard deviation for high-ACR vs. low-ACR and healthy controls: inflammatory risk score 11.3 ± 2.5 vs. 9.5 ± 2.4 and 9.2 ± 2.4, P < 0.01; HDL-mediated nitric-oxide bioavailability 38.0 ± 8.9 vs. 33.3 ± 7.3 and 25.0 ± 7.7%, P < 0.001; HDL-mediated superoxide production 3.71 ± 3.57 vs. 2.11 ± 3.49 and 1.91 ± 2.47nmol O2 per 250 000 cells, P < 0.05). Endothelial function (FMD) was impaired only in those who had both a high inflammatory risk score and high levels of HDL-c (P < 0.05). Conclusion Increased levels of HDL-c commonly observed in individuals with Type 1 diabetes may be detrimental to endothelial function when accompanied by renal dysfunction and chronic inflammation.
Femtosecond laser induced densification within cell-laden hydrogels results in cellular alignment

The unique capabilities of ultrafast lasers to introduce user-defined microscale modifications within 3D cell-laden hydrogels have been used to investigate fundamental cellular phenomenon such as adhesion, alignment, migration and organization. In this work, we report a new material modification phenomenon coined as ‘densification’ and its influence on the behavior of encapsulated cells. Femtosecond laser writing technique was used to write densified lines of width 1–5 μm within the bulk of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) constructs. We found that densified micro-lines within cell-laden GelMA constructs resulted in preferential and localized alignment of encapsulated human endothelial cells. Degree of cellular alignment was characterized as a function of cell-culture time and the spacing between the densified line patterns. This phenomenon was found to be true for several cell lines, including mouse fibroblasts and osteocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent cells. This first report of physical densification using fs lasers can be potentially extended for investigating cell behavior within other photosensitive hydrogels.
The endemic and endangered Maugean Skate (Zearaja maugeana) exhibits short-term severe hypoxia tolerance

Abstract The endangered and range-restricted Maugean skate (Zearaja maugeana) is subjected to large environmental variability coupled with anthropogenic stressors in its endemic habitat, Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania. However, little is known about the basic biology/physiology of this skate, or how it may respond to future environmental challenges predicted from climate change and/or increases in human activities such as aquaculture. These skate live at a preferred depth of 5–15 m where the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are moderate (~55% air saturation), but can be found in areas of the Harbour where DO can range from 100% saturation to anoxia. Given that the water at their preferred depth is already hypoxic, we sought to investigate their response to further decreases in DO that may arise from potential increases in anthropogenic stress. We measured oxygen consumption, haematological parameters, tissue–enzyme capacity and heat shock protein (HSP) levels in skate exposed to 55% dissolved O2 saturation (control) and 20% dissolved O2 saturation (hypoxic) for 48 h. We conclude that the Maugean skate appears to be an oxyconformer, with a decrease in the rate of O2 consumption with increasing hypoxia. Increases in blood glucose and lactate at 20% O2 suggest that skate are relying more on anaerobic metabolism to tolerate periods of very low oxygen. Despite these metabolic shifts, there was no difference in HSP70 levels between groups, suggesting this short-term exposure did not elicit a cellular stress response. The metabolic state of the skate suggests that low oxygen stress for longer periods of time (i.e. >48 h) may not be tolerable and could potentially result in loss of habitat or shifts in their preferred habitat. Given its endemic distribution and limited life-history information, it will be critical to understand its tolerance to environmental challenges to create robust conservation strategies.