Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activation Is Associated With Improved Diabetic Nephropathy and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes

Previous studies by us and others have indicated that renal epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) are activated in models of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and that inhibition of EGFR activity protects against progressive DN in type 1 diabetes. In this study we examined whether inhibition of EGFR activation would affect the development of DN in a mouse model of accelerated type 2 diabetes (BKS db/db with endothelial nitric oxide knockout [eNOS−/−db/db]). eNOS−/−db/db mice received vehicle or erlotinib, an inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity, beginning at 8 weeks of age and were sacrificed at 20 weeks of age. In addition, genetic models inhibiting EGFR activity (waved 2) and transforming growth factor-α (waved 1) were studied in this model of DN in type 2 diabetes. Compared with vehicle-treated mice, erlotinib-treated animals had less albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis, less podocyte loss, and smaller amounts of renal profibrotic and fibrotic components. Erlotinib treatment decreased renal oxidative stress, macrophage and T-lymphocyte infiltration, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Erlotinib treatment also preserved pancreas function, and these mice had higher blood insulin levels at 20 weeks, decreased basal blood glucose levels, increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and increased blood levels of adiponectin compared with vehicle-treated mice. Similar to the aforementioned results, both waved 1 and waved 2 diabetic mice also had attenuated DN, preserved pancreas function, and decreased basal blood glucose levels. In this mouse model of accelerated DN, inhibition of EGFR signaling led to increased longevity.
Treatment Outcomes for Military Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Response Trajectories by Symptom Cluster.

Although effective posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments are available, outcomes for veterans with PTSD are relatively modest. Previous researchers have identified subgroups of veterans with different response trajectories but have not investigated whether PTSD symptom clusters (based on a four-factor model) have different patterns of response to treatment. The importance of this lies in the potential to increase treatment focus on less responsive symptoms. We investigated treatment outcomes by symptom cluster for 2,685 Australian veterans with PTSD. We used Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist scores obtained at treatment intake, posttreatment, and 3- and 9-month follow-ups to define change across symptom clusters. Repeated measures effect sizes indicated that arousal and numbing symptoms exhibited the largest changes between intake and posttreatment, dRM = -0.61 and dRM = -0.52, respectively, whereas avoidance and intrusion symptoms showed more modest reductions, dRM = -0.36 and dRM = -0.30, respectively. However, unlike the other symptom clusters, the intrusions cluster continued to show significant changes between posttreatment and 3-month follow-up, dRM = -0.21. Intrusion and arousal symptoms also showed continued changes between 3- and 9-month follow-ups although these effects were very small, dRM = -0.09. Growth curve model analyses produced consistent findings and indicated modest initial changes in intrusion symptoms that continued posttreatment. These findings may reflect the longer time required for emotional processing, relative to behavioral changes in avoidance, numbing, and arousal, during the program; they also reinforce the importance of prioritizing individual trauma-focused therapy directly targeting intrusions as the core component of programmatic treatment.
Intergenic Splicing between Four Adjacent UGT Genes (2B15, 2B29P2, 2B17, 2B29P1) Gives Rise to Variant UGT Proteins That Inhibit Glucuronidation via Protein-Protein Interactions

Recent studies have investigated alternative splicing profiles of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) genes and identified over 130 different alternatively spliced UGT transcripts. Although UGT genes are highly clustered, the formation of chimeric transcripts by intergenic splicing between two or more UGT genes has not yet been reported. This study identified 12 chimeric transcripts (chimeras A–L) containing exons from two or three genes of the four neighboring UGT genes (UGT2B15, UGT2B29P2, UGT2B17, and UGT2B29P1) in human liver and prostate cancer cells. These chimeras typically contain the first five exons of UGT2B15 or UGT2B17 (exons 1–5) spliced to a terminal exon (exon 6) from a downstream UGT gene. Hence they encode truncated UGTs with novel C-terminal peptides. Functional assays of representative chimeric UGT proteins (termed chimeric UGT2B15 and chimeric UGT2B17) showed that they are inactive and can repress the activity of wild-type UGTs. Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated heterotypic interactions between chimeric UGT2B15 (or chimeric UGT2B17) and the UGT2B7 protein. Thus oligomerization of the chimeric UGTs with wild-type UGTs may explain their inhibitory activity. Studies in breast and prostate cancer cells showed that both wild-type and chimeric UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 transcripts are regulated in a similar way at the transcriptional level by sex hormones through their canonical promoters but are differentially regulated at the post-transcriptional level by micro-RNA 376c via their unique 3′-untranslated regions. In conclusion, the formation of chimeric transcripts by intergenic splicing among UGT genes represents a novel mechanism contributing to the diversity of the human UGT transcriptome and proteome. The differential post-transcriptional regulation of wild-type and variant transcripts by micro-RNAs may contribute to their deregulated expression in cancer.
A Study of BYOD adoption from the lens of threat and coping appraisal of its security policy

ABSTRACT Why would employees adopt bring your own device (BYOD)? Would employees feel risk-taking to perform their work by using their own devices? Would peer pressure and company policy help encourage their employees to BYOD and how? Using the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT), we hypothesize the intention of adopting BYOD is due to the accessing of security policy by threat and coping appraisal. Moreover, we predict perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, organizational commitment and job security are essential for formulating the adoption intention. In this study, 450 random employees were surveyed on their adoption perception of BYOD in their respective companies. The results support most of our hypotheses. We uncover perceived cost and privacy protection within the TTAT framework reflect no significance while organizational commitment and job security posit the strongest influences on employees’ BYOD adoption intention. This finding suggested that in order to roll out a successful and sustainable adoption intention on BYOD, organizations must consider measurements to build up employees’ job security as well as generate a strong sense of organization commitment. Specifically, our analyses show adoption intention is also affected by gender, age, and education level.
Muscarinic Receptor M3R Signaling Prevents Efficient Remyelination by Human and Mouse Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells

Muscarinic receptor antagonists act as potent inducers of oligodendrocyte differentiation and accelerate remyelination. However, the use of muscarinic antagonists in the clinic is limited by poor understanding of the operant receptor subtype, and questions regarding possible species differences between rodents and humans. Based on high selective expression in human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), we hypothesized that M3R is the functionally relevant receptor. Lentiviral M3R knockdown in human primary CD140a/PDGFαR+ OPCs resulted in enhanced differentiation in vitro and substantially reduced the calcium response following muscarinic agonist treatment. Importantly, following transplantation in hypomyelinating shiverer/rag2 mice, M3R knockdown improved remyelination by human OPCs. Furthermore, conditional M3R ablation in adult NG2-expressing OPCs increased oligodendrocyte differentiation and led to improved spontaneous remyelination in mice. Together, we demonstrate that M3R receptor mediates muscarinic signaling in human OPCs that act to delay differentiation and remyelination, suggesting that M3 receptors are viable targets for human demyelinating disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The identification of drug targets aimed at improving remyelination in patients with demyelination disease is a key step in development of effective regenerative therapies to treat diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Muscarinic receptor antagonists have been identified as effective potentiators of remyelination, but the receptor subtypes that mediate these receptors are unclear. In this study, we show that genetic M3R ablation in both mouse and human cells results in improved remyelination and is mediated by acceleration of oligodendrocyte commitment from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Therefore, M3R represents an attractive target for induced remyelination in human disease.
FaceLooks: A Smart Headband for Signaling Face-to-Face Behavior

Eye-to-eye contact and facial expressions are key communicators, yet there has been little done to evaluate the basic properties of face-to-face; mutual head orientation behaviors. This may be because there is no practical device available to measure the behavior. This paper presents a novel headband-type wearable device called FaceLooks, used for measuring the time of the face-to-face state with identity of the partner, using an infrared emitter and receiver. It can also be used for behavioral healthcare applications, such as for children with developmental disorders who exhibit difficulties with the behavior, by providing awareness through the visual feedback from the partner’s device. Two laboratory experiments showed the device’s detection range and response time, tested with a pair of dummy heads. Another laboratory experiment was done with human participants with gaze trackers and showed the device’s substantial agreement with a human observer. We then conducted two field studies involving children with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders. The first study showed that the devices could be used in the school setting, observing the children did not remove the devices. The second study showed that the durations of children’s face-to-face behavior could be increased under a visual feedback condition. The device shows its potential to be used in therapy and experimental fields because of its wearability and its ability to quantify and shape face-to-face behavior.
The intricate relationship between gut and kidney

Na doenca renal cronica (DRC), o epitelio intestinal tem suas funcoes comprometidas, dentre elas a capacidade de atuar como barreira e de contribuir para a homeostase intestinal. Dados da literatura demonstraram que alteracoes na barreira intestinal contribuem para a inflamacao sistemica em pacientes com DRC. Entretanto, esses processos patologicos ainda nao foram totalmente elucidados. A disfuncao do epitelio intestinal pode ser explicada, ao menos em parte, pelos efeitos induzidos pela uremia resultante da DRC sobre as celulas epiteliais do intestino, [. ]
Security analysis and improvement of a mutual authentication and key agreement solution for wireless sensor networks using chaotic maps

A characteristic of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) different from traditional networks is that WSNs are vulnerable to various types of attacks because of their distinctive features, involving distributed and nomadic attribute, wireless transmission medium, and lack of centralized infrastructure of security protection. Recently, Kumari et al presented a mutual authentication and key agreement scheme for WSNs using chaotic maps. Unfortunately, we find that the scheme of Kumari et al cannot resist sensor node capture attack, session‐specific temporary information attack, sensor node impersonation attack, and man‐in‐the‐middle attack. To overcome the security weaknesses in the solution of Kumari et al, this paper introduces a secure and efficient mutual authentication and key agreement scheme for heterogeneous ad hoc WSNs in fully public channel. Consequently, compared with the solution of Kumari et al, while providing relatively higher level of security and more security features, the proposed solution remains a favorable performance on communication overhead, computation overhead, and storage overhead separately.
Design and Evaluation of FBG-Based Tension Sensor in Laparoscope Surgical Robots

Due to the narrow space and a harsh chemical environment in the sterilization processes for the end-effector of surgical robots, it is difficult to install and integrate suitable sensors for the purpose of effective and precise force control. This paper presents an innovative tension sensor for estimation of grasping force in our laparoscope surgical robot. The proposed sensor measures the tension of cable using fiber gratings (FBGs) which are pasted in the grooves on the inclined cantilevers of the sensor. By exploiting the stain measurement characteristics of FBGs, the small deformation of the inclined cantilevers caused by the cable tension can be measured. The working principle and the sensor model are analyzed. Based on the sensor model, the dimensions of the sensor are designed and optimized. A dedicated experimental setup is established to calibrate and test the sensor. The results of experiments for estimation the grasping force validate the sensor.
Improving quality of software product line by analysing inconsistencies in feature models using an ontological rule‐based approach

In software product line engineering, feature models (FMs) represent the variability and commonality of a family of software products. The development of FMs may introduce inaccurate feature relationships. These relationships may cause various types of defects such as inconsistencies, which deteriorate the quality of software products. Several researchers have worked on the identification of defects due to inconsistency in FMs, but only a few of them have explained their causes. In this paper, FM is transformed to predicate‐based feature model ontology using Prolog. Further, first‐order logic is employed for defining rules to identify defects due to inconsistency, the explanations for their causes, and suggestions for their corrections. The proposed approach is explained using an FM available in Software Product Line Online Tools repository. It is validated using 26 FMs of discrete sizes up to 5,543 features, generated using the FeatureIDE tool and real‐world FMs. Results indicate that the proposed methodology is effective, accurate, and scalable and improves software product line.
Endodontic Management of Curved Canals with ProTaper Next: A Case Series

The curved and dilacerated roots in the posterior teeth often present the major challenge to the clinicians during the endodontic treatments. The efficient biomechanical preparation is also affected by improper instrumentation in the curved or the constricted canals. The use of conventional instruments and techniques in the dilacerated roots may develop ledges, fractured instruments, and canal blockages which further complicate the endodontic treatments. The introduction of ProTaper Universal rotary instruments has made a significant impact in the biomechanical preparation of root canals systems. However, the fracture rate of these files and inconvenience to treat the posterior teeth in reduced mouth opening conditions limits their successful usage in endodontic treatments. The ProTaper Next rotary instruments have noted advantages such as increased flexibility, higher strength, and wear resistance over the conventional rotary endodontic systems. The current case series discusses the endodontic treatment of three severely curved root canal systems successfully treated with ProTaper Next rotary endodontic system.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Hospital-based Study

Background: Preliminary studies suggest a multidimensional relationship of mood pathology with endocrine disturbances. Studies have found an increased risk of mood disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and conversely, many of the medications commonly used in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) can have deleterious effects on blood levels of reproductive hormones and consequently on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis and reproductive function. Furthermore, there is evidence of reproductive dysfunction in women with BPAD before treatment. Objectives: To assess the comorbidity of PCOS in patients of BPAD and to study risk factors associated with this comorbidity. Materials and Methods: Two hundred female patients with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition diagnosis of BPAD, between ages of 15 and 45 years, were evaluated by an endocrinologist. Patients reporting menstrual disturbances or having any stigmata of PCOS were further subjected to hormonal analysis, which included luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and testosterone, in the early follicular phase of menstrual cycle. Diagnosis of PCOS was made as per the NIH criteria. Results: Of 200 patients, 46 (23%) were diagnosed as having PCOS. Forty-five percent (n = 90) reported menstrual disturbances while 27% (n = 54) had polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography. 19.2% of the patients diagnosed as PCOS had a history of valproate intake while 27.90% patients had no such history (P = 0.15). No significant difference (P = 0.07) was found in the prevalence of PCOS among various drug groups (including group on multiple mood stabilizers). Conclusion: A higher prevalence of PCOS is seen in BPAD, irrespective of pharmacotherapy, suggesting a common link between the disorders which might be in the form of disturbance in HPG axis.
RNase H2, mutated in Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome, promotes LINE‐1 retrotransposition

Long INterspersed Element class 1 (LINE‐1) elements are a type of abundant retrotransposons active in mammalian genomes. An average human genome contains ~100 retrotransposition‐competent LINE‐1s, whose activity is influenced by the combined action of cellular repressors and activators. TREX1, SAMHD1 and ADAR1 are known LINE‐1 repressors and when mutated cause the autoinflammatory disorder Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome (AGS). Mutations in RNase H2 are the most common cause of AGS, and its activity was proposed to similarly control LINE‐1 retrotransposition. It has therefore been suggested that increased LINE‐1 activity may be the cause of aberrant innate immune activation in AGS. Here, we establish that, contrary to expectations, RNase H2 is required for efficient LINE‐1 retrotransposition. As RNase H1 overexpression partially rescues the defect in RNase H2 null cells, we propose a model in which RNase H2 degrades the LINE‐1 RNA after reverse transcription, allowing retrotransposition to be completed. This also explains how LINE‐1 elements can retrotranspose efficiently without their own RNase H activity. Our findings appear to be at odds with LINE‐1‐derived nucleic acids driving autoinflammation in AGS.
On the sum of ordered random variables and its applications to physical‐layer security of communication over η‐μ fading channels with generalized selection combining

Order statistics have attracted the interest of the research community since they find numerous applications in several areas of communications and signal processing fields. This paper introduces an approximate yet accurate approach to determine the statistics of the sum of ordered independent but not necessarily identically distributed η‐μ random variables, which is an accurate model in a generic non–line‐of‐sight propagation environment. The proposed method is used to assess the secrecy performance of wiretap η‐μ fading channels employing generalized selection combining (GSC) diversity. We consider the case of GSC(L,2L), where L branches with the largest instantaneous signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR) values, from a total of 2L available branches, are selected. By introducing a novel modified cascade combining receiver structure whose output SNR statistics closely approximate that of GSC(L,2L), a simple and accurate closed‐form approximation for the moment generating function of the GSC(L,2L) output SNR is derived. This expression is further employed to evaluate the secrecy outage probability and the secrecy capacity of a wiretap channel consisting of a single‐antenna transmitter, a multiantenna receiver, and a multiantenna eavesdropper. Using the proposed analytical approach, various numerical performance evaluation results accompanied with complementary Monte Carlo simulations are further presented. These results have shown that the proposed approach is accurate over the entire range of SNR values, thus enabling a low‐complexity computation of important performance metrics.
The EQ-5D-5L Valuation study in Thailand

ABSTRACT Background: At present, health technology assessment (HTA) guidelines of many countries including Thailand have recommended EQ-5D as the preferred method for assessing utility. This study aims to generate an EQ-5D-5L value set based on societal preferences of Thai population. Methods: A 1,207 representative sample was recruited using a stratified multi-stage quota sampling technique. Face-to-face, computer-assisted interviews using the EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) software were employed. To elicit preference score, each respondent was asked to value health states using composite time trade-off (cTTO), and discrete choice experiment (DCE). All data were integrated and analyzed using a hybrid regression model to estimate the value set. Results: Characteristics of 1,207 participants were generally similar to those of Thai general population. The coefficients generated from a hybrid model were logically consistent. The second best value is 0.9436 for health state 11121 and the worst state (55555) value is −0.4212. Mobility shows the greatest impact to utility decrement. Conclusions: Our study developed a Thai value set for EQ-5D using hybrid model. The findings from this study are of important to facilitate health technology assessment studies to inform policy decision-making as well as to promote the use of EQ-5D-5L in various health research in Thailand.