Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liver Disease During Pregnancy: A Challenging Clinical Issue

One of the least studied topics in the field of obstetrics is liver disease during pregnancy, which creates a challenge for both gynecologists and hepatologists. Approximately 3% of pregnant women are affected by some form of liver disease during pregnancy. Some of these conditions can be fatal for both the mother and child. In addition, 3 types of liver disease need to be differentiated during pregnancy. One type is liver disease directly related to pregnancy, which can occur at a specific time during pregnancy. Another type is liver disease not related to pregnancy, which can occur at any time, such as viral- or drug-induced hepatitis. Furthermore, pregnancy can occur in women with pre-existing liver disease. It is essential that the clinicians are familiar with this disorder so they can respond promptly and appropriately in all of these situations, especially when emergency delivery is needed and must not be postponed.
Configurable Markov Decision Processes

In many real-world problems, there is the possibility to configure, to a limited extent, some environmental parameters to improve the performance of a learning agent. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, Configurable Markov Decision Processes (Conf-MDPs), to model this new type of interaction with the environment. Furthermore, we provide a new learning algorithm, Safe Policy-Model Iteration (SPMI), to jointly and adaptively optimize the policy and the environment configuration. After having introduced our approach and derived some theoretical results, we present the experimental evaluation in two explicative problems to show the benefits of the environment configurability on the performance of the learned policy.
F-Actin nucleated on chromosomes coordinates their capture by microtubules in oocyte meiosis

Capture of each and every chromosome by spindle microtubules is essential to prevent chromosome loss and aneuploidy. In somatic cells, astral microtubules search and capture chromosomes forming lateral attachments to kinetochores. However, this mechanism alone is insufficient in large oocytes. We have previously shown that a contractile F-actin network is additionally required to collect chromosomes scattered in the 70-µm starfish oocyte nucleus. How this F-actin–driven mechanism is coordinated with microtubule capture remained unknown. Here, we show that after nuclear envelope breakdown Arp2/3-nucleated F-actin “patches” form around chromosomes in a Ran-GTP–dependent manner, and we propose that these structures sterically block kinetochore–microtubule attachments. Once F-actin–driven chromosome transport is complete, coordinated disassembly of F-actin patches allows synchronous capture by microtubules. Our observations indicate that this coordination is necessary because early capture of chromosomes by microtubules would interfere with F-actin–driven transport leading to chromosome loss and formation of aneuploid eggs.
Influenza A virus-derived siRNAs increase in the absence of NS1 yet fail to inhibit virus replication

While the issue of whether RNA interference (RNAi) ever forms part of the antiviral innate immune response in mammalian somatic cells remains controversial, there is considerable evidence demonstrating that few, if any, viral small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are produced in infected cells. Moreover, inhibition of RNAi by mutational inactivation of key RNAi factors, such as Dicer or Argonaute 2, fails to enhance virus replication. One potential explanation for this lack of inhibitory effect is that mammalian viruses encode viral suppressors of RNAi (VSRs) that are so effective that viral siRNAs are not produced in infected cells. Indeed, a number of mammalian VSRs have been described, of which the most prominent is the influenza A virus (IAV) NS1 protein, which has not only been reported to inhibit RNAi in plants and insects but also to prevent the production of viral siRNAs in IAV-infected human cells. Here, we confirm that an IAV mutant lacking NS1 indeed differs from wild-type IAV in that it induces the production of readily detectable levels of Dicer-dependent viral siRNAs in infected human cells. However, we also demonstrate that these siRNAs have little if any inhibitory effect on IAV gene expression. This is likely due, at least in part, to their inefficient loading into RNA-induced silencing complexes.
Adult zebrafish Langerhans cells arise from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

The origin of Langerhans cells (LCs), which are skin epidermis-resident macrophages, remains unclear. Current lineage tracing of LCs largely relies on the promoter-Cre-LoxP system, which often gives rise to contradictory conclusions with different promoters. Thus, reinvestigation with an improved tracing method is necessary. Here, using a laser-mediated temporal-spatial resolved cell labeling method, we demonstrated that most adult LCs originated from the ventral wall of the dorsal aorta (VDA), an equivalent to the mouse aorta, gonads, and mesonephros (AGM), where both hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and non-HSC progenitors are generated. Further fine-fate mapping analysis revealed that the appearance of LCs in adult zebrafish was correlated with the development of HSCs, but not T cell progenitors. Finally, we showed that the appearance of tissue-resident macrophages in the brain, liver, heart, and gut of adult zebrafish was also correlated with HSCs. Thus, the results of our study challenged the EMP-origin theory for LCs.
Imaging placental function: current technology, clinical needs, and emerging modalities

The function of the placenta is challenging to characterize and as a result is understudied, despite the growing awareness of the impact of the placental environment on human health and development. Medical imaging has the potential to improve our ability to screen for diseases associated with placental insufficiency, and improve the monitoring and treatment of complex obstetric patients. This review provides an overview of clinical and preclinical imaging modalities currently available for assessing placental function, with an emphasis on emerging preclinical imaging modalities; as a group, these emerging modalities provide exceptional contrast and sensitivity for multimodal functional and molecular imaging of the placenta. Analysis of the successes and failures of medical imaging thus far provides guidance for the research community seeking to develop new imaging systems to assess placental function.
CONTAINING STABLE COMPLEXES METHOD OF TSG-6 AND HYALURONAN AND METHOD OF USING SAME

Fries et al., Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2003, vol. 50(3), pp. 735-742. (Abstract). * He et al., Biochemical characterization and function of complexes formed by hyaluronan and the heavy chains of inter-alpha-inhibitor (HC.HA) purified from extracts of human amniotic membrane, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (30):20136-20146 (2009). Lesley et al., TSG-6 modulates the interaction between hyaluronan and cell surface CD44. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 279(24);25745-25754 (2004). Mukhopadhyay et al., Two distinct populations of tumor necrosis factor-stimulated Gene-6 protein in the extracellular matrix of expanded mouse cumulus cell-oocyte complexes, Archives of Bio chemistry and Biophysics, 394 (2):173-181 (2001). Wisniewski et al., TSG-6 protein binding to glycosaminoglycans, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280 (15): 14476-14484 (2005). Allcock and Lampe, Contemporary Polymer Chemistry, 1981, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, pp. 7-8. Stevens, Polymer Chemistry, An Introduction, second ed., 1990, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 10-11, 98 and 99. Sanggaard et al., TSG-6 trinasfers proteins between glycosaminoglycans via a Ser28-mediated covalent catalytic mecha nism, J. Biol. Chem. 28.3(49):33919-33926 (2008). Yingsung et al., Molecular heterogeneity of the SHAP-hyaluronan complex. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278 (35):327 10 32718 (2003). Fries et al., Inter-O inhibitor, hyaluronan and inflammation, Acta Biochimica Polonica 50(3):735-742 (2003). Ratner et al., Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine, 2nd edition, 2004 Elsevier, NewYork, pp. 64,242 and 244.
Extended Duration Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Background Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at elevated risk of ischemic and bleeding events. However, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after PCI in patients with PAD remains unclear. Methods A systematic literature search was performed through June 2017 using PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases with the following key terms: “dual antiplatelet therapy”, “P2Y12 inhibitor”, “myocardial infarction”, “percutaneous coronary intervention”, “stent”, “peripheral arterial disease”, and “ankle-brachial index”. The analysis was restricted to randomized trials published in English in patients with PAD receiving extended DAPT (> 12-month) after PCI. Overall analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 with the Mantel-Haenszel method. Results Two randomized controlled trials involving 895 patients were included in this review. Compared to the placebo group, there was no statistical significance in the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients receiving extended DAPT (odds ratio (OR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37 - 1.57; P = 0.46). The results were associated with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 71%, P = 0.07). Extended DAPT was not significantly associated with increased moderate/severe bleeding events (OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.84 - 3.18; P = 0.15; I2 = 0%, P = 0.59). The extended DAPT was associated with 82% relative risk reduction in the events of definite/probably stent thrombosis. Conclusions Among patients with PAD, extended DAPT after PCI resulted in a non-significant difference in ischemic and bleeding events compared to placebo, respectively. The routine use of extended DAPT in this cohort should be carefully evaluated.
Lactobacillus plantarum AR501 Alleviates the Oxidative Stress of D-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice Liver by Upregulation of Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Enzyme Expression.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used as ingredients of functional foods to promote health and prevent diseases because of their beneficial effects. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidative effects of LAB on the hepatotoxicity in D-galactose-induced aging mice. LAB were isolated from the traditional Chinese fermented foods and screened by the tolerance of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). Male ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose for 5 weeks and then gastric gavage with LAB for 6 weeks. The results showed that Lactobacillus plantarum AR113 and AR501, and Pediococcu pentosaceus AR243 could tolerate up to 1.5 mM H2 O2 in vitro, and they could live through simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to colonizing the GIT of host. In vivo, oral administration of L. plantarum AR113 and AR501 improved the antioxidant status of D-galactose-induced oxidative stress mice such as alleviated liver damages and reduced abnormal activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase to normal levels. In addition, L. plantarum AR501 markedly elevated the gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and upregulated the expressions of several antioxidant genes such as glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 in the liver of an aging mice. Therefore, L. plantarum AR501 could be a good candidate for producing antiaging functional foods.
COMPETITIVIDADE NA DESTINAÇÃO TURÍSTICA: ANÁLISE DO DESEMPENHO REAL FRENTE AO DESEMPENHO PERCEBIDO PELOS GESTORES

O estudo da competitividade das destinacoes turisticas tornou-se frequente junto a pesquisadores que buscam o entendimento de como esse fenomeno se desenvolve e porque algumas destinacoes alcancam resultados mais significativos do que outras que possuem atrativos mais interessantes. Grande parte das pesquisas tem por finalidade verificar o que uma destinacao possui para torna-la mais desejada do que suas concorrentes, entendendo que a competitividade e um objetivo final a ser alcancado. Neste estudo tem-se por objetivo a analise do desempenho competitivo real de uma destinacao em relacao a percepcao dos gestores que atuam no comando dos empreendimentos existentes na area de turismo. Para alcancar este intento foi utilizado como base o conjunto de indicadores de competitividade propostos por Dwyer e Kim (2003) em seu modelo voltado a analise da competitividade de destinacoes turisticas. Como universo de pesquisa optou-se por um estudo de caso multiplo envolvendo tres municipios catarinenses, nos quais o turismo pode ser considerado como a atividade economica de maior importância dentro da composicao do PIB de servicos. A abordagem do estudo foi quantitativa, utilizando-se de uma pesquisa do tipo exploratoria, que envolveu alguns aspectos descritivos para melhor analisar os indicadores envolvidos. Dentre as principais conclusoes do trabalho e possivel destacar a existencia de correspondencia entre o desempenho competitivo real da destinacao e a percepcao do mesmo pelos gestores entrevistados. Essa constatacao permite que sejam definidas acoes concretas por parte do poder publico para melhorar o desempenho de uma destinacao turistica a partir de um levantamento feito junto aos gestores da iniciativa privada que mostre em que pontos os investimentos serao melhor aproveitados. Palavras-chave : Turismo. Competitividade das Destinacoes Turisticas. Indicadores de Desempenho. Politicas Publicas.
ServeNet: A Deep Neural Network for Web Service Classification

Automated service classification plays a crucial role in service management such as service discovery, selection, and composition. In recent years, machine learning techniques have been used for service classification. However, they can only predict around 10 to 20 service categories due to the quality of feature engineering and the imbalance problem of service dataset. In this paper, we present a deep neural network ServeNet with a novel dataset splitting algorithm to deal with these issues. ServeNet can automatically abstract low-level representation to high-level features, and then predict service classification based on the service datasets produced by the proposed splitting algorithm. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted a comprehensive experimental study on 10,000 real-world services in 50 categories. The result shows that ServeNet can achieve higher accuracy than other machine learning methods.
Architecting Memory Systems for Emerging Technologies

The advance of traditional dynamic random access memory (DRAM) technology has slowed down, while the capacity and performance needs of memory system have continued to increase. This is a result of increasing data volume from emerging applications, such as machine learning and big data analytics. In addition to such demands, increasing energy consumption is becoming a major constraint on the capabilities of computer systems. As a result, emerging non-volatile memories, for example, Spin Torque Transfer Magnetic RAM (STT-MRAM), and new memory interfaces, for example, High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), have been developed as an alternative. Thus far, most previous studies have retained a DRAM-like memory architecture and management policy. This preserves compatibility but hides the true benefits of those new memory technologies. In this research, we proposed the co-design of memory architectures and their management policies for emerging technologies. First, we introduced a new memory architecture for an STT-MRAM main memory. In particular, we defined a new page mode operation for efficient activation and sensing. By fully exploiting the non-destructive nature of STTMRAM, our design achieved higher performance, lower energy consumption, and a smaller area than the traditional designs. Second, we developed a cost-effective technique to improve load balancing for HBM memory channels. We showed that the proposed technique was capable of efficiently redistributing memory requests across multiple memory channels to improve the channel utilization, resulting in improved performance.
Microfluidics of Small-Population Neurons Allows for a Precise Quantification of the Peripheral Axonal Growth State

Neurons are morphologically the most complex cell types and are characterized by a significant degree of axonal autonomy as well as having efficient means of communication between axons and neuronal cell bodies. For studying the response to axonal injury, compartmentalized microfluidic chambers (MFCs) have become the method of choice because they allow for the selective treatment of axons, independently of the soma, in a highly controllable and reproducible manner. A major disadvantage of these devices is the relatively large number of neurons needed for seeding, which makes them impractical to use with small-population neurons, such as sensory neurons of the mouse. Here, we describe a simple approach of seeding and culturing neurons in MFCs that allows for a dramatic reduction of neurons required to 10,000 neurons per device. This technique facilitates efficient experiments with small-population neurons in compartmentalized MFCs. We used this experimental setup to determine the intrinsic axonal growth state of adult mouse sensory neurons derived from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and even trigeminal ganglia (TG). In combination with a newly developed linear Sholl analysis tool, we have examined the axonal growth responses of DRG and TG neurons to various cocktails of neurotrophins, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leptin. Precise quantification of axonal outgrowth revealed specific differences in the potency of each combination to promote axonal regeneration and to switch neurons into an intrinsic axonal growth state. This novel experimental setup opens the way to practicable microfluidic analyses of neurons that have previously been largely neglected simply due to insufficient numbers, including sensory neurons, sympathetic neurons and motor neurons.
DNA repair factor APLF acts as a H2A-H2B histone chaperone through binding its DNA interaction surface

Abstract Genome replication, transcription and repair require the assembly/disassembly of the nucleosome. Histone chaperones are regulators of this process by preventing formation of non-nucleosomal histone–DNA complexes. Aprataxin and polynucleotide kinase like factor (APLF) is a non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair factor that possesses histone chaperone activity in its acidic domain (APLFAD). Here, we studied the molecular basis of this activity using biochemical and structural methods. We find that APLFAD is intrinsically disordered and binds histone complexes (H3-H4)2 and H2A-H2B specifically and with high affinity. APLFAD prevents unspecific complex formation between H2A-H2B and DNA in a chaperone assay, establishing for the first time its specific histone chaperone function for H2A-H2B. On the basis of a series of nuclear magnetic resonance studies, supported by mutational analysis, we show that the APLFAD histone binding domain uses two aromatic side chains to anchor to the α1–α2 patches on both H2A and H2B, thereby covering most of their DNA-interaction surface. An additional binding site on both APLFAD and H2A-H2B may be involved in the handoff between APLF and DNA or other chaperones. Together, our data support the view that APLF provides not only a scaffold but also generic histone chaperone activity for the NHEJ-complex.
The culturable endophytic fungal communities of switchgrass grown on a coal-mining site and their effects on plant growth

Plants have a diverse endophytic microbiome that is functionally important for their growth, development, and health. In this study, the diversity and specificity of culturable endophytic fungal communities were explored in one of the most important biofuel crops, switchgrass plants (Panicum virgatum L.), which have been cultivated on a reclaimed coal-mining site for more than 20 years. The endophytic fungi were isolated from the surface-sterilized shoot (leaf and stem), root, and seed tissues of switchgrass plants and then cultured for identification. A total of 1339 fungal isolates were found and 22 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were sequence identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primers and grouped into 7 orders and 4 classes. Although a diverse range of endophytic fungi associated with switchgrass were documented, the most abundant class, order, and species were Sordariomycetes, Hypocreales, and Fusarium spp. respectively. About 86% of the isolated endophytic fungi were able to enhance the heights of the shoots; 69% could increase the shoot fresh weights; and 62% could improve the shoot dry weights after being reintroduced back into the switchgrass plants, which illustrated their functional importance. Through the Shannon Diversity Index analysis, we observed a gradation of species diversity, with shoots and roots having the similar values and seeds having a lesser value. It was observed that the switchgrass plants showing better growth performance displayed higher endophytic fungal species diversity and abundance. It was also discovered that the rhizosphere soil organic matter content was positively correlated with the fungal species diversity. All these data demonstrate the functional association of these beneficial endophytic fungi with switchgrass and their great potential in improving the switchgrass growth and biomass to benefit the biofuel industry by reducing chemical inputs and burden to the environment.
Yeast as a tool to identify anti-aging compounds

Abstract In the search for interventions against aging and age-related diseases, biological screening platforms are indispensable tools to identify anti-aging compounds among large substance libraries. The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has emerged as a powerful chemical and genetic screening platform, as it combines a rapid workflow with experimental amenability and the availability of a wide range of genetic mutant libraries. Given the amount of conserved genes and aging mechanisms between yeast and human, testing candidate anti-aging substances in yeast gene-deletion or overexpression collections, or de novo derived mutants, has proven highly successful in finding potential molecular targets. Yeast-based studies, for example, have led to the discovery of the polyphenol resveratrol and the natural polyamine spermidine as potential anti-aging agents. Here, we present strategies for pharmacological anti-aging screens in yeast, discuss common pitfalls and summarize studies that have used yeast for drug discovery and target identification.
Shape Features Extraction Using a Partial Differential Equation

This paper presents a unified method for extraction of geometrical shape features in binary image data using a linear partial differential equation (PDE). The PDE and functions are formulated to extract geometrical shape features, which are thickness, shape orientation and skeleton, all at once. The main advantages of the proposed method are it is free of any computation with respect to distance, it has no topological constraint of target image data and surfaces do not have to be distinguished to inside or outside. A one dimensional analytical solution is provided to validate the proposed method. Additionally, two- and three-dimensional numerical examples are shown to confirm the validity and usefulness of the proposed method.