Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of commonly regulated genes and biological pathways as potential targets in PC-3 and DU 145 androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells treated with the curcumin analogue 1 , 5-bis ( 2-hydroxyphenyl )-1 , 4-pentadiene-3-one

Diarylpentanoid [1,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadiene-3-one] (MS17) demonstrated enhanced anticancer activity compared to curcumin but its effect on androgen-independent prostate cancer has not been wellstudied. The present study was aimed to perform gene expression profiling on MS17 treated PC-3 and DU145 cells using microarray technology to identify mutually regulated genes as common targets in both androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines as well as molecular pathways that contributes to the anticancer activity of MS17. The profiling data revealed a dose-dependent gene regulation, evident by higher fold change expression values when the treatment dose was increased by 1.5-fold in both cell lines. Gene ontology classification was performed on highly regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Among these genes, the mutually regulated DEGs were identified as common targets in both cell lines. The mutually up-regulated DEGs included, CRYAB and DNAI2 associated with cytoskeletal organization, HSPA6 and HSPB8 with response to unfolded protein, MMP3 and MMP10 with proteolysis, CACNA1G with transporter activity, NGFR with apoptosis, CCL26 with immune response, DNAJA4 with protein folding and TRIML2 with protein ubiquitination. However, the down-regulated genes such as CTDSP1 were associated with phosphatase activity, HIST1H2BF and HIST1H2AI with chromosome organization, MXD3 with regulation of transcription and TNFRSF6B with apoptosis. PC-3 and DU145 are androgen-independent prostate cancer cells with different biological properties, and identification of common targets in both cell lines could potentially be used as therapeutic targets. Pathway analysis of the DEGs in PC-3 cells demonstrated modulation of top pathways associated with cell cycle checkpoint, DNA damage, and inflammatory response while in DU145 cells the pathways were associated with immune response and metabolism. Thus, the findings of the present study provide insight into the antitumor activity of MS17 and as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for androgen independent prostate cancer cells.
Hyperoside elevates the melanin content and promotes the migration of human melanocytes

Vitiligo is a dermatological disorder characterized by portions of skin losing their pigment. Cuscutae semen, the dry root of Cuscuta australis and Cuscuta chinensis, showed favorable effect on vitiligo treatment recorded by Chinese pharmacopoeia, while the material basis remains unclear. In the present study, we found hyperoside, a compound found from Cuscutae semen, significantly increased melanin content and the migration of human melanocytes. After treated with hyperoside (2, 10 and 50 μg/ml) for 48 h, the protein level of tyrosinase (TYR), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP 1) and tyrosinase related protein 2 (TYRP 2) were notably increased. Moreover, knockdown of MITF by siRNA transfection notably reduced the effects of hyperoside on melanin content. In human melanocytes transfected with MITF-siRNA, the increase range of MITF, TYR, TYRP 1 and TYRP 2 by hyperoside was significantly lower. In conclusion, hyperoside could stimulate melanogenesis by MITF/TYR/TYRP 1/TYRP 2 signaling and it might be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of vitiligo.
Validity of a protocol to estimate patients’ pre-morbid basal blood pressure*

Abstract Purpose: The pre-illness basal mean arterial BP (MAP) is an important reference point to gauge the degree of relative hypotension among unwell patients. We aimed to assess mean bias, correlation, and agreement between basal MAP measured during nighttime ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and basal MAP estimated using a standardized protocol. Materials and methods: For a cohort of 137 consecutive patients, aged ≥40 years, who recently underwent ABPM, a blinded investigator estimated basal MAP from up to five most recent clinic BP measurements. Both basal MAP values, measured and estimated, were compared pairwise for each participant. Results: We traced a median of 4 [interquartile range 3–5] previous BP measurements per patient over a median period of 132 [interquartile range 55–277] days up until the ABPM test. The estimated basal MAP (mean 88 ± 8 mmHg) was linearly related (Pearson’s r = 0.41, p = 0.0001) to the measured basal MAP (mean 88 ± 12 mmHg). Bland-Altman plot revealed a mean bias of 0.3 mmHg with agreement limits of ±22 mmHg. Conclusions: The mean bias between estimated and measured values for basal MAP was insignificant and modest. When a recent nighttime ABPM is unavailable, a protocol based on recent clinic BP readings can be used to estimate patient’s basal MAP. Study registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001382763.
Wavelength conversion of real-time 100-Gb/s POLMUX RZ-DQPSK

We present efficient wavelength conversion of a polarization-multiplexed RZ-DQPSK channel through cascading in a lithium niobate waveguide. BER measurements confirm that this is a promising technique for signal processing in high-bit-rate phase-modulated formats.We present efficient wavelength conversion of a polarization-multiplexed RZ-DQPSK channel through cascading in a lithium niobate waveguide. BER measurements confirm that this is a promising technique for signal processing in high-bit-rate phase-modulated formats.
On the evaluation of automatic program repair techniques and tools

Since 2009 several scalable and promising techniques to automatic program repair have been proposed with each technique often accompanied with a prototype tool. These techniques work in different levels of code with various types of defects and designed for different programming languages. Now the subfield of automatic program repair is mature enough to merit evaluate existing techniques and tools. This evaluation helps us identify the strengths and weaknesses of current research and provides future direction. To this end, in this paper, we present a family of criteria grouped into seven sets for evaluating automatic program repair techniques and tools. Moreover, a five-level maturity model is proposed for the mentioned subfield. To the best of our knowledge, no research yet evaluates automatic program repair techniques and tools in a general, broad, and comprehensive manner and this is the first attempt towards this goal. We employed our criteria to three existing mutation-based techniques and their corresponding tools and reported the results of preliminary evaluation. The proof-of-concept results demonstrate different aspects, capabilities and shortcomings of each technique and provide evidence to the applicability and utility of our criteria.
Theory and simulation of energetic particle dynamics and ensuing collective behaviors in fusion plasmas

The reports should be as brief and clear as possible, referring to publications and other information for details. However there should be enough information to support statements that deliverables have been achieved. As an indication the full report should not exceed 10 pages excluding this title page. Please keep to the report format and do not attach additional information. If there are one or two particularly significant figures that are needed to demonstrate the results, these can be included in the tables.
High performance silver nanowire based transparent electrodes reinforced by EVA resin adhesive

Transparent conducting films (TCFs) based electrodes are indispensable for most optoelectronic devices e.g. liquid crystal displayers, transparent touch panels, organic light-emitting diodes, and solar cells. Traditional TCF materials, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), have some inherent shortcomings, such as high-vacuum deposition process, high deposition temperature, relatively high cost, and brittleness. With the bloom of flexible and wearable electronics, flexible TCFs become more important than ever. Among various candidates, silver nanowires (AgNWs) based TCF draws more attentions than others for its superior electrical and optical properties. However there are still some challenges to be overcome, such as the poor electrical contact among the AgNWs and the weak mechanical contact between the AgNWs conducting networks and transparent substrate. In this work, combining the electrostatic spraying and Mayer rod coating processes, we have fabricated a high performance AgNWs based TCF with over 85% optical transmittance, less than 50 Ω/sq sheet resistance, and excellent adhesion to the substrate with the involvement of ethylene viny acetate (EVA) resin as the interlayer. This simple two steps process is also compatible with the roll-to-roll coating process, which can well address the challenges of low cost, high performance, flexibility and robustness.
Mass screening for salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa. L) genotypes at early seedling stage by hydroponics

Salinity is a major abiotic factor that affects rice cultivation in the world along the coastal areas. The salt affected areas in India is estimated to be around 8 to 10 million hectares that causes significant reduction in rice growth and yield. In order to improve the rice cultivars for salt tolerance, selection of the suitable genotypes is necessitated. Hence, in this experiment ninety seven rice genotypes including traditional landraces were collected and subjected to screening under salt stress by hydroponics system on Yoshida nutrient solution of EC 8 dSm−1and 12 dSm−1 with 4 replications. The genotypes were scored on 15th day after sowing based on standard evaluation scoring system of IRRI. Among the 97 rice genotypes scored, 5% were tolerant, 21% were moderately tolerant, 54% genotypes were susceptible and 18% were highly susceptible. The rice genotypes viz., Pokkali, FL478, Kuliyadichan, Gurukot and IR12L-107 revealed significant level of tolerance to salt stress. The rice genotypes, Pokkali and FL478 showed no symptoms at 8 dSm−1 and leaf rolling alone at 12dSm−1. Kuliyadichan, Gurukot and IR12L-107 showed leaf rolling at 8dSm−1 and leaf rolling and leaf tip burning at 12dSm−1. Screening of the rice genotypes for salinity tolerance only by visual symptoms is not reliable and hence the selected rice genotypes will further be characterized based on the morphological and biochemical parameters under salt stress in order to select elite salt tolerant rice genotypes for use in developing salinity tolerant somaclones by in vitro culture.
Cross-Functional 'Coopetition': The Simultaneous Role of Cooperation and Competition within Firms

Extant marketing literature tends to view cross-functional relationships as primarily cooperative or competitive in nature, but not both. In contrast, this research focuses on cross-functional coopetition” (i.e., the joint occurrence of cooperation and competition across functional areas within a firm). Using responses from midlevel managers and top executives, the authors find that cross-functional coopetition enhances a firm’s customer and financial performance. The authors further show that this influence is mediated by market learning, indicating that performance returns to cross-functional coopetition occurs through an underlying learning mechanism.
Clinimetric properties of a walking scale in peripheral neuropathy

Difficulty in walking is seen in many people with peripheral neuropathies, but walking ability is not comprehensively measured by commonly used outcome measures. The clinimetric properties of the 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12, renamed the Walk-12) were investigated in 65 patients with peripheral neuropathies. Owing to its excellent internal consistency and reliability, and strong correlation with measures of physical and social function (r>0.8), the Walk-12 is recommended for measuring walking ability in peripheral neuropathies.
Labyrinthine Digital Histories Interpretive , Extensible and Referential

Interactive and media-rich digital representations are being increasingly used to offer passages through time and space, a role that was traditionally supported by travels and travelogues, maps, sketches, books and oral histories. In the last two decades, a number of projects have been implemented using digital media with the aim of recording past and extant artefacts and environments. However, the future of such digital past remains as fragile as the memories and moments it tries to capture. There is a need to go beyond creating introverted and closed historical reconstruction projects. This paper surveys significant issues and describes our ongoing work in developing an interpretive, extensible and referential framework toward virtual reconstruction projects.
Toxicological studies on the aqueous leaf extract of Pavetta crassipes (K. Schum) in rodents

Resumen Context: Pavetta crassipes (K. Schum) is used in ethnomedicine for the management of various ailments and food without scientific report of its toxicity profile. Aims: To evaluate the toxicological effects of Pavetta crassipes leaves in rodents. Methods: The leaves of Pavetta crassipes were collected from the suburbs of Abuja, Nigeria, dried and powdered using an electric mill. Hot aqueous extraction was done using 250 g of the powdered leaf in 1000 mL distilled water. Lethal dose 50 (LD50) determination was done in mice (intraperitoneally) and rats (orally), twenty-eight-day toxicity testing in rats at doses of 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg was also done using the aqueous extract. Biochemical, hematological and histological effects were evaluated using standard procedures. Results: The aqueous leaf extract of Pavetta crassipes (AE) appears safe as the LD50 for intraperitoneal route in mice and oral route in rats was greater than 5000 mg/kg. The results of the 28-day repeated exposure test produced no mortality or adverse effects on the body weights and organ/body weight ratio of rats. Histological changes occurred in the kidneys at 800 and 1600 mg/kg. There was a significant (p<0.01) reduction in AST, ALT, ALP and urea. Lymphocyte (%) and platelet count increased (p<0.01) but neutrophil (%) reduced (p<0.01). Conclusions: The LD50 of AE was greater than 5000 mg/kg but prolonged use at high doses may produce some adverse effects. Contexto: Pavetta crassipes (K. Schum) se utiliza en la etnomedicina para el manejo de diversas enfermedades, y en alimentos, sin informe científico de su perfil de toxicidad. Objetivos: Evaluar los efectos toxicológicos de las hojas de Pavetta crassipes en roedores. Métodos: Las hojas de Pavetta crassipes fueron colectadas en Abuja, Nigeria, secadas y pulverizadas usando un molino eléctrico. La extracción acuosa caliente se realizó usando 250 g de la hoja en polvo en 1000 mL de agua destilada. La determinación de la dosis letal 50 (DL50) se realizó en ratones (i.p.) y ratas (p.o.), se realizó un ensayo de toxicidad de veintiocho días en ratas a dosis de 400, 800 y 1600 mg/kg utilizando el extracto acuoso. Los efectos bioquímicos, hematológicos e histológicos se evaluaron utilizando procedimientos estándares. Resultados: El extracto acuoso de hojas de Pavetta crassipes (AE) parece seguro ya que la DL50 para la vía intraperitoneal en ratones y la vía oral en ratas fue superior a 5000 mg/kg. Los resultados de la prueba de exposición repetida de 28 días no produjeron mortalidad ni efectos adversos sobre los pesos corporales y la proporción órgano/peso corporal de las ratas. Se produjeron cambios histológicos en los riñones a 800 y 1600 mg/kg. Hubo una reducción significativa (p <0,01) en AST, ALT, ALP y urea. Los linfocitos (%) y las plaquetas aumentaron (p <0,01), pero los neutrófilos (%) disminuyeron (p <0,01). Conclusiones: La DL50 de AE fue superior a 5000 mg/kg, pero el uso prolongado a dosis altas puede producir algunos efectos adversos.
Chapter 106 Conditional Power of Non-Inferiority Tests for One Proportion

In sequential designs, one or more intermediate analyses of the emerging data are conducted to evaluate whether the experiment should be continued. This may be done to conserve resources or to allow a data monitoring board to evaluate safety and efficacy when subjects are entered in a staggered fashion over a long period of time. Conditional power (a frequentist concept) is the probability that the final result will be significant, given the data obtained up to the time of the interim look. Predictive power (a Bayesian concept) is the result of averaging the conditional power over the posterior distribution of effect size. Both of these methods fall under the heading of stochastic curtailment techniques. Further reading about the theory of these methods can be found in Jennison and Turnbull (2000), Chow and Chang (2007), Chang (2008), Proschan et. al (2006), and Dmitrienko et. al (2005).
Welding, a risk factor of lung cancer: the ICARE study

Objectives We investigated the relationship between lung cancer and occupational exposure to welding activity in ICARE, a population-based case–control study. Methods Analyses were restricted to men (2276 cases, 2780 controls). Welding exposure was assessed through detailed questionnaires, including lifelong occupational history. ORs were computed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for lifelong cigarette smoking and occupational exposure to asbestos. Results Among the regular welders, welding was associated with a risk of lung cancer (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5), which increased with the duration (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.9 when duration >10 years), and was maximum 10–20 years since last welding. The risk was more pronounced in case of gas welding (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3), when the workpiece was covered by paint, grease, or other substances (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.4) and when it was cleaned with chemical substances before welding. No statistically significant increase in lung cancer risk was observed among occasional welders. Conclusions Although these results should be confirmed, we showed that type of welding and mode of workpiece preparation are important determinants of the lung cancer risk in regular welders.
‘Let’s go to the movies’: Filmic representations of gay foster carers and adopters

As a growing body of research evidence demonstrates, increasing numbers of gay men across the world are choosing to become foster or adoptive parents. Most importantly, the families that these men form are continually found to be supportive and positive spaces in which to raise children. Yet despite these positive findings, other empirical evidence from examinations of popular media representations of gay parents highlights the negative assumptions that continue to be perpetuated against gay men who are parents. More specifically, these findings suggest that print and popular media promote either a normalising or pathologising account of gay parents. The findings presented in this paper extend this latter body of research by exploring filmic portrayals of gay men variously engaged in fostering and adoptive arrangements. Through an analysis of five recently released films, four dominant themes are elaborated: 1) the capacity of gay men to parent, and in what circumstances, 2) the relationship between gay men’s sexual identities and their identity as parents, 3) the agency of children who are cared for by gay men, and 4) constructions of kinship in the films. Implications are explored for what these themes tells us about the representations of gay men deemed acceptable or intelligible at present, and the identities the films offer to gay parent viewers. This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 7, 297-312. Copyright Taylor and Francis, DOI:10.1080/1550428X.2011. 564948
LCRs in diseases: analysis of human hypothetical proteins

Low complexity regions (LCRs) in proteins are sequences containing regular repeats, cryptic repeats and single amino acid repetitions, recognised by their compositional bias. These sequences are structurally disordered, and are found to participate in signalling and post-translational modifications, mediating protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. Apart from their normal roles, LCRs are observed in diseased proteins as well. Presence of LCRs in proteins sequences also reduces the certainty to decipher their possible functions, thereby classifying them as ‘hypothetical proteins’. An insilico attempt has been carried out to investigate these LCRs in hypothetical proteins from human genome to establish their relationships with diseases.
Design and Development of Biomedical and Surgical Instruments in Biomedical Applications

The breakthrough in biomedical and surgical instrument research follows the advances of newly developed biomedical technologies, improved composite materials, and renovated manufacturing methodologies. These new biomedical and surgical instruments allow physician to perform complex biomedical treatments and surgical operations with better medical quality. Some more complicated biomedical treatments including microsurgery and endoscopic surgery can be performed through precisely controlled biomedical instruments [1]. The newly explored nontoxic, durable and anti-corrosion materials were developed to keep biomedical and surgical instruments from corrosion due to blood contamination and instrumental sterilization. The modern production techniques help to manufacture costeffective biomedical instruments and newly developed biomedical technology brings improvement on human life quality [2].
8-24-2018 Interaction between the microbiome and TP 53 in human lung cancer

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis worldwide and the number one cause of cancer deaths. Exposure to cigarette smoke, the primary risk factor in lung cancer, reduces epithelial barrier integrity and increases susceptibility to infections. Herein, we hypothesize that somatic mutations together with cigarette smoke generate a dysbiotic microbiota that is associated with lung carcinogenesis. Using lung tissue from 33 controls and 143 cancer cases, we conduct 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) bacterial gene sequencing, with RNA-sequencing data from lung cancer cases in The Cancer Genome Atlas serving as the validation cohort. Results: Overall, we demonstrate a lower alpha diversity in normal lung as compared to non-tumor adjacent or tumor tissue. In squamous cell carcinoma specifically, a separate group of taxa are identified, in which Acidovorax is enriched in smokers. Acidovorax temporans is identified within tumor sections by fluorescent in situ hybridization and confirmed by two separate 16S rRNA strategies. Further, these taxa, including Acidovorax, exhibit higher abundance among the subset of squamous cell carcinoma cases with TP53 mutations, an association not seen in adenocarcinomas. Conclusions: The results of this comprehensive study show both microbiome-gene and microbiome-exposure interactions in squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer tissue. Specifically, tumors harboring TP53 mutations, which can impair epithelial function, have a unique bacterial consortium that is higher in relative abundance in smoking-associated tumors of this type. Given the significant need for clinical diagnostic tools in lung cancer, this study may provide novel biomarkers for early detection.