Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presepsin levels in cirrhotic patients with bacterial infections and/or portal hypertension-related bleeding, presenting with or without acute kidney injury

Background Bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients remain a challenge. Presepsin has been proposed as a valuable sepsis biomarker. We aimed to assess plasma presepsin levels in uncomplicated cirrhotic patients and to correlate them with liver disease severity and complicating events, defined as documented bacterial infection with or without concomitant portal hypertension-related bleeding, or bleeding without documented bacterial infection, with or without acute kidney injury. Methods We prospectively evaluated the presepsin levels of 108 consecutive uncomplicated cirrhotic patients with compensated (55, 50.9%) or decompensated (53, 49.1%) cirrhosis. During the follow up, 20 patients were reevaluated for a complicating event. Results Mean baseline presepsin levels of the entire population were 440.4 pg/mL. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis exhibited significantly higher baseline levels than patients with compensated cirrhosis (599.1±492.2 vs. 287.5±130.5 pg/mL, P<0.001). In complicated cirrhotic patients, admission levels were remarkably higher than baseline (1438.0±1247.2 vs. 725.3±602.8 pg/mL, P<0.001), especially in those who developed acute kidney injury compared to those who did not (1827.3±1118.8 vs. 1048.7±1302.1 pg/mL, P<0.05). Baseline presepsin levels, using a cutoff of 607.5 pg/mL, could predict liver disease-related 3-month mortality with 77.8% sensitivity and 86.9% specificity: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.825; 95% confidence interval 0.684-0.967; P<0.01. Conclusions Plasma presepsin levels are elevated in uncomplicated cirrhotic patients, especially in those with advanced liver disease, and rise further in those complicated by an event. Baseline presepsin levels in cirrhotic patients could be used as an additional marker, along with the model for end-stage liver disease score, to predict short-term outcomes.
Effect of gap junctions on RAW264.7 macrophages infected with H37Rv

Background: Apoptosis and inflammation have been shown to play an important role in the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. When macrophages undergo apoptosis and polarization, gap junctions (GJs) may be needed to provide conditions for their functions. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and connexin 37 (Cx37) are the main connexins in macrophages that participate in the formation of GJ channels. Methods: An H37Rv infection RAW264.7 macrophage model was established to investigate the associate between connexins and host macrophage immune defense response after MTB infection. First, Real-time Polymerase Chian Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Cx43 and Cx37. Cx43 protein expression and location was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Confocal microscope was used to assay the gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Then, electron microscope used to observe the morphology of macrophages. Finally, RAW264.7 macrophage apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of inflammation factors such as CD86, CD206, and IL-6, IL-10, TNF-&agr;, and TGF-&bgr; were detected by Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). Results: H37Rv infection significantly promoted host macrophage Cx43 mRNA and protein expression (increased 1.6-fold and 0.3-fold respectively), and enhanced host macrophage GJIC. When host macrophage cell-to-cell communication induced by H37Rv infection, the apoptosis rate and inflammatory factors expression also increased. Conclusions: The results confirm that H37Rv infection can obviously induce host macrophage Cx43 expression and enhance GJIC, which may implicated in host macrophage inflammatory reaction, to regulate the release of inflammatory factors and/or initiate apoptosis to activate host immune defense response.
GlyRS is a new mediator of amino acid‐induced milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Amino acids are required for the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). However, the mechanism through which amino acids activate this pathway is largely unknown. Here we show that glycyl‐tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) mediates amino acid‐induced activation of the mTOR‐S6K1/4EBP1 pathway, and milk protein and fat synthesis in BMECs. Among 19 aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases, only the mRNA expression of GlyRS and Leucyl‐tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) were significantly increased by several amino acids including Met and Leu. We then observed that GlyRS knockdown abolished the stimulation of Met on milk protein and fat synthesis in BMECs, whereas GlyRS overexpression led to more significantly increased milk synthesis in cells treated with Met. By western blotting and qualitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT‐PCR) analysis, we next revealed that GlyRS is required for amino acid‐induced activation of the mTOR‐S6K1/4EBP1 pathway. Thus, this study establishes that GlyRS mediates amino acid‐induced activation of the mTOR pathway, thereby regulating milk protein and fat synthesis.
Seven factors predict a delayed diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract Introduction: Diagnostic delay of cardiac amyloidosis (CAm) continues to challenge clinicians. We investigated features associated with delay and ascertained if a diagnostic delay had negative implications for the patient. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review identifying 82 subjects with biopsy-proven and mass-spectrometry-identified CAm with clinical and epidemiologic data including first potential symptom of amyloidosis. Pathology slides were scored for extent of amyloid. Robust statistical analyses including generalized linear and ordered logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: There was a 22 month (median) delay in diagnosis, more pronounced (34 months) in subjects with transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. Seven factors predict a delayed diagnosis including ATTR amyloid type (ratio =2.17, 95% CI 1.31–3.59), having carpal tunnel syndrome (2.13, CI 1.49–3.03) and age <70 at first symptom (1.85, CI 1.30–2.61). Individuals with delays of 1+ years had higher levels of NT proBNP (4451 vs. 2559 pg/mL, p = .016) and longer PR intervals (225 vs. 162 ms, p < .001) at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: Diagnostic delays negatively affect cardiac function. Of the predictive clinical features, carpal tunnel syndrome was frequent and its presence should lead to a more aggressive analysis for CAm in the appropriate clinical settings.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of urolithiasis

Abstract There is growing evidence that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a higher risk of urolithiasis, but it has not yet been determined that this association is reproducible and consistent across different studies. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of these studies to examine the association between NAFLD and the risk of urolithiasis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Google scholar using terms “fatty liver” (OR “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” OR “non-alcoholic steatohepatitis” OR “NAFLD” OR “NASH”) AND “urolithiasis” (OR “nephrolithiasis” OR “kidney stone” OR “urinary calculi” OR “renal colic” OR “urologic disease”). Observational studies in which NAFLD and urolithiasis were diagnosed by either ultrasonography or computerized tomography were included. A total of 7 observational studies with 226,541 individuals (24.7% with NAFLD) and 19,184 urolithiasis (8.5%). NAFLD was significantly associated with an increased risk of urolithiasis (random effect odds ratio, OR 1.73, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.24–2.40, I2=94.5%). Sensitivity analyses revealed the robustness of the results. Egger test and Begg test suggested no publication bias (P > .05). NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of urolithiasis. Therefore, patients with NAFLD should be carefully monitored for the development of urolithiasis.
Prognostic factors for uterine adenosarcoma: a review

ABSTRACT Introduction: Uterine adenosarcoma is a rare tumor with both epithelial and stromal components. Standard treatment is total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. There is no defined role for adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. There is a misconception that this is an indolent, low-grade sarcoma. In fact, at least 50% of patients will develop disease recurrence. Establishing prognostic factors is of paramount importance. Areas covered: This article reviews the current literature regarding adenosarcoma prognostic factors from case reports, case series, and retrospective series. An extensive review of the literature was undertaken via PubMed and Medline searches, relevant articles are included in this review. Expert commentary: The most important prognostic factors of uterine adenosarcoma are age, presence of sarcomatous overgrowth, presence of myometrial invasion, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node involvement. These factors can be used to accurately prognosticate for uterine adenosarcoma patients. Patients at low risk of disease recurrence can be identified. These patients require observation alone. Patients at high risk of disease recurrence can be identified and are candidates for aggressive therapy with adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the risk of disease recurrence.
Feasibility of developing reliable gene expression modules from FFPE derived RNA profiled on Affymetrix arrays

The reliability of differential gene expression analysis on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) expression profiles generated using Affymetrix arrays is questionable, due to the high range of percent-present values reported in studies which profiled FFPE samples using this technology. Moreover, the validity of gene-modules derived from external datasets in FFPE microarray expression profiles is unknown. By generating matched gene expression profiles using RNAs derived from fresh-frozen (FF) and FFPE preserved breast tumors with Affymetrix arrays and FF/FFPE RNA specific amplification-and-labeling kits, the reliability of differential expression analysis and the validity of gene modules derived from external datasets were investigated. Specifically, the reliability of differential expression analysis was investigated by developing de-novo ER/HER2 pathway gene-modules from the matched datasets and validating them on external FF/FFPE gene expression datasets using ROC analysis. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of module scores between matched FFPE/frozen datasets was used to measure the reliability of gene-modules derived from external datasets in FFPE expression profiles. Independent of the array/amplification-kit/sample preservation method used, de-novo ER/HER2 gene-modules derived from all matched datasets showed similar prediction performance in the independent validation (AUC range in FFPE dataset; ER: 0.93–0.95, HER2: 0.85–0.91), except for the de-novo ER/HER2 gene-module derived from the FFPE dataset using the 3'IVT kit (AUC range in FFPE dataset; ER: 0.79–0.81, HER2: 0.78). Among the external gene modules considered, roughly ~50% gene modules showed high concordance between expression profiles derived from matching FF and FFPE RNA. The remaining discordant gene modules between FF and FFPE expression profiles showed high concordance within matching FF datasets and within matching FFPE datasets independently, implying that microarrays still require improved amplification-and-sample-preparation protocols for deriving 100% concordant expression profiles from matching FF and FFPE RNA.
Impact of the New American Hypertension Guidelines on the Prevalence of Postpartum Hypertension

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability among women, with more than half occurring in individuals with hypertension. New blood pressure criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association recognize that there is no specific blood pressure threshold that is associated with vascular disease. We performed a secondary analysis of two published postpartum databases (the Pre-Eclampsia New Emerging Team [PE-NET] cohort and the Maternal Health Clinic [MHC] cohort) to determine the impact of the change in blood pressure criteria on the diagnosis of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in women with uncomplicated pregnancies (PE-NET control) was 22% compared with 56.4% in those who have had a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia (PE, PE-NET patient) and 67.2% in those referred to the MHC due to a pregnancy complicated by any of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It is well established that certain complications in pregnancy can reliably identify women with risk factors for future CVD. Thus, pregnancy and the postpartum afford a new opportunity for cardiovascular risk screening that could lead to lifestyle modification and therapeutic intervention. Applying the new guideline criteria at least doubles the prevalence of women with hypertension postpartum.
IoT standardisation: challenges, perspectives and solution

The success and widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) has increased many folds over the last few years. Industries, technologists and home users recognise the importance of IoT in their lives. Essentially, IoT has brought vast industrial revolution and has helped automate many processes within organisations and homes. However, the rapid growth of IoT is also a cause for significant concern. IoT is not only plagued with security, authentication and access control issues, it also doesn't work as well as it should with fourth industrial revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0. The absence of effective regulation, standards and weak governance has led to a continual downward trend in the security of IoT networks and devices, as well as given rise to a broad range of privacy issues. This paper examines the IoT industry and discusses the urgent need for standardisation, the benefits of governance as well as the issues affecting the IoT sector due to the absence of regulation. Additionally, through this paper, we are introducing an IoT security framework (IoTSFW) for organisations to bridge the current lack of guidelines in the IoT industry. Implementation of the guidelines, defined in the proposed framework, will assist organisations in achieving security, privacy, sustainability and scalability within their IoT networks.
Human interferon-ϵ and interferon-κ exhibit low potency and low affinity for cell-surface IFNAR and the poxvirus antagonist B18R

IFNϵ and IFNκ are interferons that induce microbial immunity at mucosal surfaces and in the skin. They are members of the type-I interferon (IFN) family, which consists of 16 different IFNs, that all signal through the common IFNAR1/IFNAR2 receptor complex. Although IFNϵ and IFNκ have unique expression and functional properties, their biophysical properties have not been extensively studied. In this report, we describe the expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant human IFNϵ and IFNκ. In cellular assays, IFNϵ and IFNκ exhibit ∼1000-fold lower potency than IFNα2 and IFNω. The reduced potency of IFNϵ and IFNκ are consistent with their weak affinity for the IFNAR2 receptor chain. Despite reduced IFNAR2-binding affinities, IFNϵ and IFNκ exhibit affinities for the IFNAR1 chain that are similar to other IFN subtypes. As observed for cellular IFNAR2 receptor, the poxvirus antagonist, B18R, also exhibits reduced affinity for IFNϵ and IFNκ, relative to the other IFNs. Taken together, our data suggest IFNϵ and IFNκ are specialized IFNs that have evolved to weakly bind to the IFNAR2 chain, which allows innate protection of the mucosa and skin and limits neutralization of IFNϵ and IFNκ biological activities by viral IFN antagonists.
Sentence Complexity Estimation for Chinese-speaking Learners of Japanese

It is fairly challenging for a foreign language learner to read and understand Japanese texts containing words of high difficulty level or low frequency and complicated linguistic structures. Because a large number of Chinese characters (kanji in Japanese) are commonly used both in Chinese and Japanese, the more confusing problem for Japanese language learners from kanji background countries is the acquisition of various complex Japanese functional expressions. In this study, we propose a method utilizing Japanese kanji characters, particularly Japanese–Chinese homographs with identical or similar meanings, as a critical feature of sentencecomplexity estimation for Chinesespeaking learners of Japanese language. Experimental results have partially demonstrated the effectiveness of our method in enhancing the accuracy of sentence-complexity estimation.
Extracting Important Tweets for News Writers using Recurrent Neural Network with Attention Mechanism and Multi-task Learning

Social media is an important source for news writers. However, extracting useful information for news writers from the vast amount of social media information is laborious. Therefore, services that enable news writers to extract important information are desired. In this paper, we describe a method to extract tweets that include useful information for news writers. Our method uses a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) with an attention mechanism and multi-task learning that processes each character in the tweet to estimate whether the tweet includes important information. In our experiment, we compared two types of attention mechanism and compared their types with/without multi-task learning. By our proposed method, we obtained an F-measure of 0.627, which is 0.037 higher than that of base-line method.
#ActuallyDepressed: Characterization of Depressed Tumblr Users’ Online Behavior from Rules Generation Machine Learning Technique

The ubiquitous data provided by social networking sites paved the way for researchers to understand netizens behavior with psychological ailments such as depression. However, most of these researches are aimed at classifying users with depression using blackbox algorithms such as SVM. This does not allow data exploration or further understanding the characteristics of depressed individuals. This research aims to characterize depressed Tumblr users online behavior from rules generation . Characterization is done by collecting affective, social, cognitive and linguistic style markers collected from the respondents posts. Rules are then generated from these features using CN2 algorithm — a rules generating machine learning technique. The rules are analyzed and are compared with observations in prior literature on depressive behavior. We observed that depressed respondents in Tumblr have more photo content in posts rather than just pure textual posts, posts are more negative, and there is an evident use of self-referencing words. These characteristics are also evident in offline behavior of depressed individuals based on prior literature
In vivo toxicological evaluation of graphene oxide nanoplatelets for clinical application

Background Graphene is considered as a wonder material; it is the strongest material on the planet, super-elastic, and conductive. Its application in biomedicine is huge, with a multibillion-dollar industry, and will revolutionize the diagnostic and treatment of diseases. However, its safety and potential toxicity is the main challenge. Methods This study assessed the potential toxicity of graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONs) in an in vivo animal model using systemic, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological examinations. Normal saline (control group) or GONs (3–6 layers, lateral dimension=5–10 μm, and thickness=0.8–2 nm) at dose rate of 50, 150, or 500 mg/kg were intraperitoneally injected into adult male Wistar rats (n=5) every 48 hours during 1 week to receive each animal a total of four doses. The animals were allowed 2 weeks to recover after the last dosing. Then, animals were killed and the blood was collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. The organs including the liver, kidney, spleen, lung, intestine, brain, and heart were harvested for histopathological evaluations. Results The results showed GONs prevented body weight gain in animals after 21 days, treated at 500 mg/kg, but not in the animals treated at 150 or 50 mg/kg GONs. The biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in total bilirubin, with a significant decrease in triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein in animals treated at 500 mg/kg. Nonetheless, other hematological and biochemical parameters remained statistically insignificant in all GONs treated animals. The most common histopathological findings in the visceral organs were granulomatous reaction with giant cell formation and accumulation of GONs in capsular regions. Also, small foci of neuronal degeneration and necrosis were the most outstanding findings in the brain, including the cerebellum. Conclusion In conclusion, this study shows that GONs without functionalization are toxic. The future study is a comparison of the functionalized with non-functionalized GONs.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens Enhances Biosynthesis of Two Distinct Auxins in the Formation of Crown Galls

The plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens infects plants and introduces the transferred-DNA (T-DNA) region of the Ti-plasmid into nuclear DNA of host plants to induce the formation of tumors (crown galls). The T-DNA region carries iaaM and iaaH genes for synthesis of the plant hormone auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). It has been demonstrated that the iaaM gene encodes a tryptophan 2-monooxygenase which catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan to indole-3-acetamide (IAM), and the iaaH gene encodes an amidase for subsequent conversion of IAM to IAA. In this article, we demonstrate that A. tumefaciens enhances the production of both IAA and phenylacetic acid (PAA), another auxin which does not show polar transport characteristics, in the formation of crown galls. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy, we found that the endogenous levels of phenylacetamide (PAM) and PAA metabolites, as well as IAM and IAA metabolites, are remarkably increased in crown galls formed on the stem of tomato plants, implying that two distinct auxins are simultaneously synthesized via the IaaM-IaaH pathway. Moreover, we found that the induction of the iaaM gene dramatically elevated the levels of PAM, PAA and its metabolites, along with IAM, IAA and its metabolites, in Arabidopsis and barley. From these results, we conclude that A. tumefaciens enhances biosynthesis of two distinct auxins in the formation of crown galls.