Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Graph Algorithms and Graph Sparsification: New Techniques and Connections

Graphs naturally appear in several real-world contexts including social networks, the web network, and telecommunication networks. While the analysis and the understanding of graph structures have been a central area of study in algorithm design, the rapid increase of data sets over the last decades has posed new challenges for designing efficient algorithms that process large-scale graphs. These challenges arise from two usual assumptions in classical algorithm design, namely that graphs are static and that they fit into a single machine. However, in many application domains, graphs are subject to frequent changes over time, and their massive size makes them infeasible to be stored in the memory of a single machine. Driven by the need to devise new tools for overcoming such challenges, this thesis focuses on two areas of modern algorithm design that directly deal with processing massive graphs, namely dynamic graph algorithms and graph sparsification. We develop new algorithmic techniques from both dynamic and sparsification perspective for a multitude of graph-based optimization problems which lie at the core of Spectral Graph Theory, Graph Partitioning, and Metric Embeddings. Our algorithms are faster than any previous one and design smaller sparsifiers with better (approximation) quality. More importantly, this work introduces novel reduction techniques that show unexpected connections between seemingly different areas such as dynamic graph algorithms and graph sparsification.
Exploring Structure-Adaptive Graph Learning for Robust Semi-Supervised Classification

Graph Convolutional Neural Networks (GCNNs) are generalizations of CNNs to graph-structured data, in which convolution is guided by the graph topology. In many cases where graphs are unavailable, existing methods manually construct graphs or learn task-driven adaptive graphs. In this paper, we propose Graph Learning Neural Networks (GLNNs), which exploit the optimization of graphs (the adjacency matrix in particular) from both data and tasks. Leveraging on spectral graph theory, we propose the objective of graph learning from a sparsity constraint, properties of a valid adjacency matrix as well as a graph Laplacian regularizer via maximum a posteriori estimation. The optimization objective is then integrated into the loss function of the GCNN, which adapts the graph topology to not only labels of a specific task but also the input data. Experimental results show that our proposed GLNN significantly outperforms state-of-the-art approaches over widely adopted social network datasets and citation network datasets for semi-supervised classification.
Craniofacial Embryogenetics and Development

Recent advances in genetics, molecular biology, diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques require a substantial understanding of prenatal development morphogenesis. The clinical significance of the normal mechanisms of embryogenesis, developmental failures and consequent craniofacial anomalies is of increasing concern to plastic and orofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, orthodontists, neonatologists and speech pathologists. Clinicians dealing with malformations needing comprehension of the exponential expansion of information on molecular genomics, dysgenesis, teratology and the etiology of syndromes and anomalies are served by this book's succinct contents. While providing clinicians with a basic background for treating craniofacial anomalies, this text will also appeal to teratologists, embryologists, and anatomists.
Age and depressive symptomatology: impact on the relative effectiveness of two pain and fatigue control interventions among cancer patients

Summary Pain and fatigue are among the most frequently occurring symptoms experienced by patients with cancer. Numerous studies have described the impact these symptoms can have on patients’ physical and psychological functioning as well as quality of life throughout the trajectory of the cancer experience. Recent research has focused on different types of interventions to control cancer symptoms. Prominent among these are nurse administered interventions and automated telephone interventions. In this study we investigated whether, in the presence of high (low) depression at intake, a nurse administered symptom management intervention (NASM) was more effective than an automated telephone symptom management intervention (ATSM) in the reduction of cancer pain and fatigue. Secondly, we investigated whether NASM was more effective than ATSM in the reduction of cancer pain and fatigue among older versus younger patients. Three hundred fifty-one patients were recruited who had been diagnosed with a solid tumor cancer or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These patients were randomly assigned to NASM (180) and ATSM (171). Separate ANCOVA models for predicting pain and fatigue showed that there was no difference in the effectiveness of NASM and ATSM in controlling either pain or fatigue, based on level of depression at intake. However, the ATSM intervention outperformed the NASM intervention in controlling severity of fatigue among younger patients, while NASM outperformed ATSM in controlling pain among older patients. These findings point in the direction that oncologists, when identifying the appropriate style of intervention for an individual patient, may need to determine, in consultation with the patient, which symptoms should receive the highest priority, and what approach would feel most comfortable to them, so that optimal symptom control can be achieved.
MiR-486-5p inhibits IL-22-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cell by repressing Dock1

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of important steps that lead to cancer metastasis. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a T helper 17 (Th17) cells-secreted cytokine, it can promote invasion and metastasis of many cancers. MiR-486-5p is a microRNA that known to function as a tumor suppressor, and bioinformatics analysis predicts that Dock-1 has a binding site of miR-486-5p. In current research, we examined the relative expression levels of miR-486-5p and Dock-1 in 80 pairs of breast cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues, also the effects of modifying their levels in cultured cells. We illustrated that IL-22 and Dock1 promote the invasion, metastasis, and EMT of breast cancer using Transwell invasion assay, western blot and immunofluorescence. MiR-486-5p directly bound the Dock1 mRNA 3' untranslated region and inhibited IL-22-induced EMT of breast cancer cells via the Dock1/NF-κB/Snail signaling pathway. Dock1 overexpression reversed the effect caused by the overexpression of miR-486-5p. Overexpression of miR-486-5p or downregulation of Dock1 reduced pulmonary metastasis in mice. This study provided insight into a potential mechanism where miRNAs regulate breast cancer metastasis and provided a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Composition and maternal origin of the neonatal oral cavity microbiota

ABSTRACT Background: The origin of the initial oral microbiota in neonates still remains poorly understood. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand how the maternal microbiota contributes to the initial neonatal oral microbiota. Design: Twelve mother-neonate pairs with samples from the maternal oral mucosa, uterine cervix and placenta and the neonatal oral cavity immediately after birth were studied. The microbiota composition and diversity were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3-V4 region). The microbiota analyses and comparisons were carried out with Calypso software version 8.1 and with SourceTracker 1.0. 1. Results: Samples from the neonatal oral cavity showed moderately high bacterial diversity and low richness. The neonatal oral cavity microbiota seems to share features mainly with the microbes detected in the placenta, followed by the cervical microbiota and the maternal oral microbiota. No statistically significant differences in diversity (Shannon index, p = 0.14), richness (Chao1, p = 0.53) or in microbial composition were observed according to delivery mode. Conclusion: The neonatal oral cavity microbiota is not significantly modulated by the birth canal or maternal oral microbiota but displays clear associations with microbes in the placenta. These results suggest that the neonatal oral microbiota may have a prenatal origin.
Prevalence and clinical correlates of dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder at an outpatient trauma clinic in South Korea

ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies on of the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (d-PTSD) have relied on specialized statistical methods (i.e. profile or class analyses) for diagnosis than clinical rating available to clinicians. Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and covariates of d-PTSD diagnosed by a semi-structured interview in a cohort of outpatients with DSM-IV PTSD in a specialized trauma clinic in South Korea. Method: Data from 249 patients with civilian PTSD were examined, including demographics, clinical variables, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale, and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-IV). We defined d-PTSD as the presence of either depersonalization or derealization according to additional dissociative items of the CAPS. About one third (n = 82, 32.9%) of patients were designated as having d-PTSD. Results: Compared to the other patients with PTSD, those with d-PTSD were younger, had more severe PTSD symptoms, frequent interpersonal trauma, and a higher number of comorbid disorders. When these variables and their interactions were entered into a logistic regression model, younger age, severe PTSD symptoms and two or more comorbid conditions remained for the final model. We did not find a significant difference in improvement over the course of treatment between two groups. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of d-PTSD in a clinical population. Associated features of d-PTSD were similar to those reported in the Euro-American literature. Further studies are needed to better understand mechanisms and treatment options for d-PTSD. HIGHLIGHTS • About one-third of PTSD patients in a clinical cohort were diagnosed as d-PTSD. • d-PTSD group was younger and had severe PTSD symptoms and more psychiatric comorbidities. • Rates of d-PTSD may be higher when the diagnoses were made with clinical interviews.
Intercostal nerves pulsed radiofrequency for intractable neuralgia treatment in athletes with sport trauma of the chest: A case-series study

Background: Athletes with trauma to the chest could be injured and suffer from an acute disturbing chest wall pain due to intercostal neuralgia. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is an emerging safe therapy in many neurologic pain syndromes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of PRF on intercostal neuralgic pain in athletes complaining of severe chest pain and limited range of motion. Materials and Methods: This case-series study was conducted on athlete patients who suffered from severe chest pain that has limited their function. Eighteen athletes who were absent from physical training and sports activity due to intercostal neuralgia in their current season were admitted to our pain clinic. Intercostal nerve PRF was used to treat patients. Pain scale and return to sports activity were measured after PRF. Results: The mean time of absence from sports activity was 1.3 ± 0.6 weeks. The mean score of pain severity (numeric rating scale [NRS]) was 8.46 ± 1.85. In this study, 16 of 18 (88%) patients had effective pain relief (NRS <3) after PRF therapy. Besides, the NRS scores reduced by at least 90% in 16 of 18 (88%) patients as compared to the baseline. The mean NRS score was followed-up for 4 weeks. The scores significantly decreased at 1 (P = 0.001), 2 (P = 0.0015), and 4 (P = 0.0002) weeks following PRF compared to pre-PRF time. Conclusions: Pulsed radiofrequency is a suitable therapy for athletes with intercostal nerve entrapment pain, which provides adequate and quick pain relief, thus enabling them to resume their sport activities.
Urban transmission of mosquito-borne flaviviruses – a review of the risk for humans in Vietnam

ABSTRACT Vietnam is a tropical country where mosquito-borne diseases are common. This review explores the transmission of mosquito-borne flaviviruses in urban areas of Vietnam. It concludes that urban transmission has mainly been studied for Dengue virus, and so far, much less for Japanese encephalitis virus. Dengue is the most common flavivirus in Vietnam. Due to fast urbanization and favorable climatic conditions, the viral transmission concentrates mainly to large cities with high population density including Ha Noi, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh. Human cases of Japanese encephalitis have been controlled by an expanded immunization program. However, this virus is still circulating throughout the country, also in cities due to the pig rearing practices in urban and peri-urban areas. Zika virus is an additional major concern because it has long circulated in the Northern area and is now increasingly diagnosed in urban areas of the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions using the same mosquito vectors as Dengue virus. There was alarge outbreak of Zika disease from 2016 to early 2017, with most infections observed in Ho Chi Minh city, the largest town in Vietnam. Other flaviviruses circulate in Vietnam but have not been investigated in terms of urban transmission.
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) in Perinatally HIV-Infected Children Compared With Healthy Ethnicity-Matched Controls

Abstract Background HIV-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)–treated perinatally HIV-infected patients (PHIV+) remains unknown due to the young age of this population. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has been established as an independent causal risk factor for CVD in the general population but has not been well established in the population of PHIV+. Methods We cross-sectionally compared lipid profiles, including nonfasting Lp(a), together with total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides between 35 cART-treated PHIV+ children aged 8–18 years and 37 controls who were matched for age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. We explored associations between Lp(a) and disease- and treatment-related factors (inflammation, monocyte activation, and vascular), biomarkers, and neuroimaging outcomes using linear regression models. Results PHIV+ children had significantly higher levels of Lp(a) compared with controls (median, 43.6 [21.6–82.4] vs 21.8 [16.8–46.6] mg/dL; P = .033). Other lipid levels were comparable between groups. Additional assessment of apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein CIII, apolipoprotein E, and APOE genotype revealed no significant differences. Higher Lp(a) levels were associated with higher plasma apoB levels and with lower monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and TG levels in PHIV+ children. Lp(a) was not associated with HIV- or cART-related variables or with neuroimaging outcomes. Conclusions cART-treated PHIV+ children appear to have higher levels of Lp(a) compared with ethnicity-matched controls, which may implicate higher CVD risk in this population. Future research should focus on the association between Lp(a) and (sub)clinical CVD measurements in cART-treated PHIV+ patients. Dutch Trial Register number NRT4074.
Impact of Setting up an “Endocarditis Team” on the Management of Infective Endocarditis

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a severe disease with a high mortality rate. Therefore, guidelines encourage the setup of a multidisciplinary group in reference centers. The present study evaluated the impact of this “Endocarditis Team” (ET). Methods We conducted a monocentric observational study at Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France, between 2012 and 2017. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. Secondary end points were 6-month and 1-year mortality, surgery rate, time to surgical procedure, duration of effective antibiotic therapy, length of in-hospital stay, and sequelae. We also assessed predictors of in-hospital mortality. Results We analyzed 391 episodes of IE. In the post-ET period, there was a nonsignificant decrease in in-hospital mortality (20.3% vs 14.7%, respectively; P = .27) and sequelae, along with a significant reduction in time to surgery (16.4 vs 10.3 days, respectively; P = .049), duration of antibiotic therapy (55.2 vs 47.2 days, respectively; P < .001), and length of in-hospital stay (40.6 vs 31.9 days, respectively; P < .01). In a multivariate analysis, the post-ET period was positively associated with survival (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.20–0.96; P = .048). Conclusions This multidisciplinary approach exerted a positive impact on the management of IE and should be considered in all hospitals managing IE.
Molecular docking studies of filarial β-tubulin protein models with antifilarial phytochemicals

Background: Lymphatic filariasis affects millions of people worldwide, majorily people from lower socioeconomic strata, who cannot afford proper medication and seek local treatments, mostly involving the application or administration of plant extracts. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by filarial worms, and it has been reported that tubulin beta chain protein of these worms serves as an important drug target to inhibit their growth and development. This study aims to find phytochemicals which can be used as natural inhibitors of filarial worms by targeting tubulin beta chain protein present in them. Methods: Protein structure homology modeling was carried out to model the target protein of lymphatic filariasis-causing organisms. A total of 105 phytochemicals were screened for their absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties, and 12 phytochemicals which passed all the filters were used for comparative docking studies along with drug albendazole which is proved to bind to tubulin beta chain of roundworms. In silico molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina, and several phytochemicals were found to have better binding affinity than albendazole. Results: Based on binding affinity and ADMET properties, hecogenin was selected as the best lead molecule. SwissDock was used to confirm hecogenin which has better binding affinity than albendazole against target proteins. Conclusion: This study suggests that hecogenin and other potent phytochemicals such as (-)-epicatechin, akuammicine, apigenin, boeravinone A, boeravinone B, catechin, diosgenin, rhein, and ruscogenin have promising antifilarial properties and can be used as natural inhibitors of tubulin beta chain of lymphatic filariasis-causing organisms.
Obstructive sleep apnoea and sexual function in men

s: Melehan KL, Hoyos CM, Yee BJ, Buchanan PR, Grunstein RR, Liu PY, Increased sexual desire with exogenous testosterone administration in men with obstructive sleep apnoea: An 18-week randomized double-blind placebo controlled study. Proceedings of the Australasian Sleep Association, 23 Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, October 2011 (Nominated for New Investigator Award), and World Sleep Congress, Kyoto, Japan 2011 (Travel Award) Melehan KL, Hoyos, CM, Hamilton, GS, Wong, KK, Yee, BJ, McLachlan RI, Grunstein, RR, Liu PY, CPAP use improves sexual function in men with OSA and erectile dysfunction (ED): A randomised controlled study. American Professional Sleep Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Minneapolis, USA, June 2014 (presented as a poster) and International Congress of Endocrinology, Chicago, USA, June 2014 (presented as a poster). Melehan KL, Hoyos CM, Yee BY, Wong KK, O’Meagher S, Celermajer D, Ng M, Grunstein RR, Liu PY. The effect of CPAP and Vardenafil on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in men with OSA and ED: A randomised controlled trial. American Professional Sleep Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Minneapolis, USA, June 2014 (presented in oral form)
Development of a primary airway epithelial cell culture model and explanted tissue archive to study the role of neutrophilic inflammation and airway remodelling in cystic fibrosis lung disease

i Dedication . ii Acknowledgements. iii Declaration.vi Awards . vii Publications. viii Presentations.xi List of figures . xxi List of tables.xxvii List of abbreviations . xxviii 1. Chapter
Physical recovery in the first six months following oesophago-gastric cancer surgery. Identifying rehabilitative needs: a qualitative interview study

Abstract Purpose To investigate patients’ perspectives of their physical recovery in the first six months post oesophago-gastric cancer surgery. Materials and Methods Semi-structured interviews were held at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, with participants who were 4 weeks to 6 months post-oesophagectomy/gastrectomy. Interviews were an average of 14 min and included questions pertaining to physical recovery post-oesophagectomy/gastrectomy. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Twenty participants (mean age 63.35(7.50) years) were recruited. Four themes were identified: i) challenges of recovery and impact on physical activity, ii) facilitators of, and barriers to, returning to physical activity, iii) physical challenges of returning to pre-operative societal roles, iv) recommendations for health services on measures which may enhance the return to physical activity. Post-operative barriers to physical activity included dietary issues, continuing treatments, pain, breathlessness, muscle weakness, fatigue, and anxiety. Participants identified that strategies such as a gradual return to activities, rest, and family support facilitated return to physical activity. Participants highlighted the need for i) greater physiotherapy input, ii) psycho-social support, and iii) fatigue management may aid physical recovery: Conclusions Following oesophago-gastric cancer surgery, patients experience physical and psychosocial difficulties which can hamper recovery, but many of which are amenable to rehabilitative intervention. Accordingly, rehabilitative measures throughout the early stages of recovery require investigation. Implications for Rehabilitation Curative treatment for oesophageal and gastric cancer is associated with significant risk of post-operative morbidity, resulting in a myriad of physical and nutritional challenges which may impact on post-operative physical recovery. Greater provision of physiotherapy services to counteract physical impairments post oesophago-gastric cancer surgery is required. Physical recovery may also be aided through the enhanced provision of other supportive care services such as fatigue management and psychological support.
Construct validity of a revised version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire

Abstract Background: Occupational balance is fundamental to occupational therapy and occupational science. Therefore, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ) was developed and has previously been found psychometrically valid according to classical test theory. Aim: To investigate the internal construct validity of the OBQ using Rasch measurement theory. Material and methods: Data from two general population samples were used to investigate the psychometric properties of the OBQ according to Rasch measurement theory. Results: The analyses identified problems with the current response scale and multidimensionality of two items. As a result, a revised version, the OBQ11, was suggested and exhibited response categories that worked properly, good reliability (0.92), model fit and measurement invariance across age and gender groups. The hierarchical item ordering was in agreement with previous research. Conclusion: The new OBQ11 satisfies the measurement criteria defined by the Rasch model. However, further studies of additional samples are needed to validate its generic properties. Significance: The purpose of the OBQ11 is to measure occupational balance of individuals or groups, and to identify aspects of occupational balance in need of improvement. Our observations suggest that the OBQ11 is a valid and promising complement to other instruments.