Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting IRF3 as a YAP agonist therapy against gastric cancer

The Hippo pathway plays a vital role in tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis. The transcription factor IRF3 is essential for innate antiviral immunity. In this study, we discovered IRF3 as an agonist of Yes-associated protein (YAP). The expression of IRF3 is positively correlated with that of YAP and its target genes in gastric cancer; the expression of both IRF3 and YAP is up-regulated and prognosticates patient survival. IRF3 interacts with both YAP and TEAD4 in the nucleus to enhance their interaction, promoting nuclear translocation and activation of YAP. IRF3 and YAP–TEAD4 are associated genome-wide to cobind and coregulate many target genes of the Hippo pathway. Overexpression of active IRF3 increased, but depletion of IRF3 reduced, the occupancy of YAP on the target genes. Knockdown or pharmacological targeting of IRF3 by Amlexanox, a drug used clinically for antiinflammatory treatment, inhibits gastric tumor growth in a YAP-dependent manner. Collectively, our study identifies IRF3 as a positive regulator for YAP, highlighting a new therapeutic target against YAP-driven cancers.
Peripheral blood late mixed chimerism in leucocyte subpopulations following allogeneic stem cell transplantation for childhood malignancies: does it matter?

The impact of persistent mixed chimerism (MC) after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains unclarified. We investigated the incidence of MC in peripheral blood beyond day +50 after HSCT and its impact on rejection, chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (c‐GvHD) and relapse in 161 children receiving allogeneic HSCT for haematological malignancies. The 1‐year incidence of late MC was 26%. Spontaneous conversion to complete donor chimerism (CC) occurred in 43% of patients as compared to 62% after donor lymphocyte infusions. No graft rejection occurred. The 1‐year incidence of c‐GvHD was 20 ± 7% for MC, and 18 ± 4% for CC patients (P = 0·734). The 3‐year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) according to chimerism status at days +50 and +100 was 22 ± 4% for CC patients vs. 22 ± 8% for MC patients (day +50; P = 0·935) and 21 ± 4% vs. 20 ± 7% (day +100; P = 0·907). Three‐year CIRs in patients with persistent MC and patients with CC/limited MC were comparable (8 ± 7% vs. 19 ± 4%; P = 0·960). HSCT for acute leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome as secondary malignancies (hazard ratio (HR) 4·7; P = 0·008), for AML (HR 3·0; P = 0·02) and from mismatched donors (HR 3·1; P = 0·03) were independent factors associated with relapse. Our data suggest that late MC neither protects from c‐GvHD nor does it reliably predict impending disease relapse.
The relationship between sense of community belonging and self-rated mental health among Canadians with mental or substance use disorders

Abstract Background: One-third of Canadians meet the criteria for a mental or substance use disorder at some point in their lifetime. While prevention and treatment efforts have been focused on the individual, studies suggest the importance of incorporating social and community factors. Aims: This study investigates the relationship between community belonging and self-rated mental health among Canadians with mental or substance use disorders. Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (2012) is a nationally representative survey of Canadians aged 15 years and older (n = 25,113). The present analytic sample is comprised of respondents reporting a mental or substance use disorder in the previous 12 months (n = 2628). The relationship between community belonging and self-rated mental health is depicted with a multivariable multinomial logistic regression model. Results: Self-rated mental health was reported as follows: poor or fair (38.1%); good (33.7%); and very good or excellent (28.2%). In the multivariable multinomial model, a positive relationship was observed. Those reporting very strong compared to very weak community belonging had an increased odds of better mental health. Conclusions: Findings indicate the importance of social and community-based interventions to effectively engage and retain individuals in services for the prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders.
Density functional theory for polymeric systems in 2D

We propose density functional theory for polymeric fluids in two dimensions. The approach is based on Wertheim’s first order thermodynamic perturbation theory (TPT) and closely follows density functional theory for polymers proposed by Yu and Wu (2002 J. Chem. Phys. 117 2368). As a simple application we evaluate the density profiles of tangent hard-disk polymers at hard walls. The theoretical predictions are compared against the results of the Monte Carlo simulations. We find that for short chain lengths the theoretical density profiles are in an excellent agreement with the Monte Carlo data. The agreement is less satisfactory for longer chains. The performance of the theory can be improved by recasting the approach using the self-consistent field theory formalism. When the self-avoiding chain statistics is used, the theory yields a marked improvement in the low density limit. Further improvements for long chains could be reached by going beyond the first order of TPT.
Cognitive psychophysiological treatment of bodily-focused repetitive behaviors in adults: An open trial.

BACKGROUND Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), such as hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting, are repetitive, destructive, and nonfunctional habits that cause significant distress. Separate BFRBs form a cohesive group and could be assessed as part of the Tourette/tic spectrum or obsessive-compulsive spectrum of disorders. The treatment of choice is either antidepressant or behavioral treatment, both of which have shown effectiveness. The cognitive psychophysiological (CoPs) model focuses on the tension and emotional build up that triggers habits by addressing cognitive-behavioral, emotional and psychophysiological processes preceding onset rather than the habit itself. The CoPs approach has already shown efficacy in treatment of tic and Tourette disorder. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current open trial was to view whether BFRBs can be validly assessed on a standard tic scale (Tourette Symptom Global Scale; TSGS) and evaluate the efficacy of the CoPs intervention on 64 participants (54 completers) with 1 of 3 subtypes of BFRBs (hair pulling, nail biting, and skin picking) compared to a waitlist control. METHOD Participants were assessed at baseline on an adapted TSGS and after receving 14 weeks of CoPs therapy with six months follow up. RESULTS The TSGS was reliably and validly adapted to measure BFRBs. The CoPs intervention was effective for all BRFB subtypes with a large effect size (intention-to-treat g = 1.54; completers g = 2.04), with 74% of patients showing clinically significant improvement. Mood and self-esteem also improved posttreatment. The decrease in symptoms was maintained at the 6-month follow-up, with a further decrease in perfectionism. CONCLUSION BFRBs can be reliably assessed as a tic spectrum disorder rather than as part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. The CoPs model may offer a complementary treatment for BFRBs.
Improved antifouling properties of photobioreactors by surface grafted sulfobetaine polymers

Abstract To improve the antifouling (AF) properties of photobioreactors (PBR) for microalgal cultivation, using trihydroxymethyl aminomethane (tris) as the linking agent, a series of polyethylene (PE) films grafted with sulfobetaine (PE-SBMA) with grafting density ranging from 23.11 to 112 μg cm−2 were prepared through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). It was found that the contact angle of PE-SBMA films decreased with the increase in the grafting density. When the grafting density was 101.33 μg cm−2, it reached 67.27°. Compared with the PE film, the adsorption of protein on the PE-SBMA film decreased by 79.84% and the total weight of solid and absorbed microalgae decreased by 54.58 and 81.69%, respectively. Moreover, the transmittance of PE-SBMA film recovered to 86.03% of the initial value after cleaning, while that of the PE film recovered to only 47.27%. The results demonstrate that the AF properties of PE films were greatly improved on polySBMA-grafted surfaces.
Sparse canonical correlation analysis between an alcohol biomarker and self-reported alcohol consumption

ABSTRACT In investigating the correlation between an alcohol biomarker and self-report, we developed a method to estimate the canonical correlation between two high-dimensional random vectors with a small sample size. In reviewing the relevant literature, we found that our method is somewhat similar to an existing method, but that the existing method has been criticized as lacking theoretical grounding in comparison with an alternative approach. We provide theoretical and empirical grounding for our method, and we customize it for our application to produce a novel method, which selects linear combinations that are step functions with a sparse number of steps.
History of Urinary Diversion

In 1852, Simon was the first to describe a urinary diversion using intestinal segments. In the late 19th and early 20th century, in the absence of antibiotics, urinary diversion using bowel segments carried a high risk of peritonitis. When Coffey introduced a new method for ureteric implantation in 1911, ureterosigmoidostomy became the most frequently used technique. The ileal conduit, first described by Zaayer in 1911, was established as a standard technique by Bricker in 1950. At the same time, Ferris and Oedel demonstrated a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in 80% of the patients with ureterosigmoidostomy, and the ileal conduit became the preferred from of urinary diversion. The first attempts to create a continent urinary diversion were undertaken by Tizzoni and Foggi in 1888. Mauclaire, in 1895, used the isolatec rectum as a urinary reservoir. Two findings were essential for the development of modern continent urinary diversion: Kock established the principle of bowel detubularization to create a low-pressure reservoir, and Lapides popularized the use of clean intermittent catheterization. Utilizing these techniques, a variety of continent reservoirs were introduced. The majority of these used either ileal segments, like the Hautmann neobladder, or ileocecal segments, like 'Le Bag'. Sinaiko was the first to use the stomach for the creation of a urinary reservoir in 1956. Continent urinary diversion is the method of choice in a large number of patients today. Experimental work demonstrated that the creation of a new bladder using cultured urothelial and muscle cells with biodegradable polymers as a scaffold is feasible, and future developments may be vastly influenced by these techniques.
Identification of viruses infecting cucurbits and determination of genetic diversity of Cucumber mosaic virus in Lorestan province, Iran

Various viral pathogens infect Cucurbitaceae and cause economic losses. Th e aim of the present study was to detect plant viral pathogens including Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) in Lorestan province, in western Iran, and also to determine CMV genetic diversity in Iranian populations. A total of 569 symptomatic leaf samples were collected in 2013 and 2014 from cucurbits growing regions in Lorestan province. Th e collected samples were assessed for viral diseases by ELISA. Th e results showed virus incidences in most regions. Th en, the infection of 40 samples to CMV was confi rmed by RT-PCR. Moreover, to distinguish between the two groups (I and II) of CMV, PCR products were digested by two restriction enzymes XhoI and EcoRI. Results of the digestion showed that the isolates of Lorestan belonged to group I. Th e CMV-coat protein gene of eight isolates from diff erent regions and hosts was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Subsequent analyses showed even more genetic variation among Lorestan isolates. Th e phylogenetic tree revealed that Lorestan province isolates belonged to two IA and IB subgroups and could be classifi ed together with East Azerbaijan province isolates. Th e results of the present study indicate a wide distribution of CMV, ZYMV, CGMMV, CYSDV and CCYV viruses in cucurbits fi elds of Lorestan province and for the fi rst time subgroup IB of CMV was reported on melon from Iran.
Pathogen Identification by Multiplex LightMix Real-Time PCR Assay in Patients with Meningitis and Culture-Negative Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens

ABSTRACT Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and delays in initiating effective antimicrobial therapy result in increased morbidity and mortality. Culture-based methods, thus far considered the “gold standard” for identifying bacterial microorganisms, require 24 to 48 h to provide a diagnosis. In addition, antimicrobial therapy is often started prior to clinical sample collection, thereby decreasing the probability of confirming the bacterial pathogen by culture-based methods. To enable a fast and accurate detection of the most important bacterial pathogens causing meningitis, namely, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Listeria monocytogenes, we evaluated a commercially available multiplex LightMix real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in 220 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. The majority of CSF samples were collected by lumbar puncture, but we also included some CSF samples from patients with symptoms of meningitis from the neurology department that were recovered from shunts. CSF samples were analyzed by multiplex RT-PCR enabling a first diagnosis within a few hours after sample arrival at our institute. In contrast, bacterial identification took between 24 and 48 h by culture. Overall, a high agreement of bacterial identification between culture and multiplex RT-PCR was observed (99%). Moreover, multiplex RT-PCR enabled the detection of pathogens, S. pneumoniae (n = 2), S. agalactiae (n = 1), and N. meningitidis (n = 1), in four culture-negative samples. As a complement to classical bacteriological CSF culture, the LightMix RT-PCR assay proved to be valuable by improving the rapidity and accuracy of the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
Neighbor-aware based forwarding strategy in NDN-MANET

Named Data Networking (NDN) is a future Internet architecture, NDN forwarding strategy is a hot research topic in MANET. At present, there are two categories of forwarding strategies in NDN. One is the blind forwarding(BF), the other is the aware forwarding(AF). Data packet return by the way that one came forwarding strategy(DRF) as one of the BF strategy may fail for the interruptions of the path that are caused by the mobility of nodes. Consumer need to wait until the interest packet times out to request the data packet again. To solve the insufficient of DRF, in this paper a Forwarding Strategy, called FN based on Neighbor-aware is proposed for NDN MANET. The node maintains the neighbor information and the request information of neighbor nodes. In the phase of data packet response, in order to improve request satisfaction rate, node specifies the next hop node; Meanwhile, in order to reduce packet loss rate, node assists the last hop node to forward packet to the specific node. The simulation results show that compared with DRF and greedy forwarding(GF) strategy, FN can improve request satisfaction rate when node density is high.
Recent advances in high-power metamaterial microwave sources at UESTC

Metamaterials are a new type of artificial materials engineered to have some exotic properties such as Reversed Cherenkov radiation (RCR). Due to the attractive advantages such as high-power, high-efficiency, miniaturization, and easy fabrication, metamaterial microwave sources have been developed at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). In this talk, we first introduce the RCR and report the recent advances in the RCR experiment. Secondly, two kinds of S band high-power metamaterial microwave sources are reported. Finally, their potential applications are addressed.
Outcome of Laterally Directed Sextant Biopsies of the Prostate in Screened Males Aged 50–66 Years

Objective: Prostate cancer has its most frequent location in the posterior–lateral part of the gland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cancer detection rate of six systemic prostate biopsies with mid lobar biopsies taken far laterally in the prostate. Patients and Methods: A total of 692 patients (aged 50–66 years) enrolled in a screening study underwent prostate biopsies because of an elevated serum prostate–specific antigen (PSA; ≧3ng/ml) level. The outcome of the biopsies was related to findings at digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and to the location within the prostate. Results: Prostate cancer was detected in 164 patients. DRE and TRUS were suspicious of malignancy in 66 cases (40%) and 84 cases (51%), respectively. The two biopsies taken far laterally midlobar in the prostate detected as many as 83% of the cancers and when combined with two apical biopsies, 96% of all cancers were detected. Conclusion: At PSA screening in this age–group, only 57% of the prostate cancers detectable by sextant biopsies were palpable or visible at TRUS. Most of the cancers (96%) were detectable by only four systematic, carefully directed biopsies. In men with normal DRE, the two lateral midlobar biopsies should be taken first during the biopsy procedure.
Heme acquisition mechanisms of Porphyromonas gingivalis – strategies used in a polymicrobial community in a heme‐limited host environment

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a main etiologic agent and key pathogen responsible for initiation and progression of chronic periodontitis requires heme as a source of iron and protoporphyrin IX for its survival and the ability to establish an infection. Porphyromonas gingivalis is able to accumulate a defensive cell-surface heme-containing pigment in the form of μ-oxo bisheme. The main sources of heme for P. gingivalis in vivo are hemoproteins present in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and erythrocytes. To acquire heme, P. gingivalis uses several mechanisms. Among them, the best characterized are those employing hemagglutinins, hemolysins, and gingipains (Kgp, RgpA, RgpB), TonB-dependent outer-membrane receptors (HmuR, HusB, IhtA), and hemophore-like proteins (HmuY, HusA). Proteins involved in intracellular heme transport, storage, and processing are less well characterized (e.g. PgDps). Importantly, P. gingivalis may also use the heme acquisition systems of other bacteria to fulfill its own heme requirements. Porphyromonas gingivalis displays a novel paradigm for heme acquisition from hemoglobin, whereby the Fe(II)-containing oxyhemoglobin molecule must first be oxidized to methemoglobin to facilitate heme release. This process not only involves P. gingivalis arginine- and lysine-specific gingipains, but other proteases (e.g. interpain A from Prevotella intermedia) or pyocyanin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Porphyromonas gingivalis is then able to fully proteolyze the more susceptible methemoglobin substrate to release free heme or to wrest heme from it directly through the use of the HmuY hemophore.
Statin use and risk of multiple myeloma: An analysis from the cancer research network

Animal and human data suggest statins may be protective against developing multiple myeloma; however, findings may be biased by the interrelationship with lipid levels. We investigated the association between statin use and risk of multiple myeloma in a large US population, with an emphasis on accounting for this potential bias. We conducted a case‐control study nested within 6 US integrated healthcare systems participating in the National Cancer Institute‐funded Cancer Research Network. Adults aged ≥40 years who were diagnosed with multiple myeloma from 1998–2008 were identified through cancer registries (N = 2,532). For each case, five controls were matched on age, sex, health plan, and membership duration prior to diagnosis/index date. Statin prescriptions were ascertained from electronic pharmacy records. To address potential biases related to lipid levels and medication prescribing practices, multivariable marginal structural models were used to model statin use (≥6 cumulative months) and risk of multiple myeloma, with examination of multiple latency periods. Statin use 48–72 months prior to diagnosis/index date was associated with a suggestive 20–28% reduced risk of developing multiple myeloma, compared to non‐users. Recent initiation of statins was not associated with myeloma risk (risk ratio range 0.90–0.99 with 0–36 months latency). Older patients had more consistent protective associations across all latency periods (risk ratio range 0.67–0.87). Our results suggest that the association between statin use and multiple myeloma risk may vary by exposure window and age. Future research is warranted to investigate the timing of statin use in relation to myeloma diagnosis.
Inspiratory muscle training is feasible and safe for patients with acute spinal cord injury

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety and, to a lesser extent efficacy, of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for patients with acute complete cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Prospective, observational pilot study comprising a series of case reports. Setting: Tertiary care, public hospital. Participants: Seven adult subjects with an acute complete cervical or thoracic SCI. Interventions: Participants received IMT as soon as their respiratory condition was stable. A high-resistance, low-repetition program of IMT using a POWERbreathe KH1 device was instituted. Training comprised 3–6 sets of 6 breaths, commenced at 50% maximum inspiratory pressure with the training load progressively increased. Outcome measures: Feasibility (number of sessions when the criteria to participate in IMT were met/not met), safety (symptoms and physiological stability) before, during and after IMT sessions and efficacy (lung function) were measured. Results: There were 50 sessions in total where participants met the criteria to receive IMT, with a mean (range) of 7.1 (3–11) IMT sessions per participant delivered over 10.7 (4–17) days. IMT was feasible, with all 50 planned sessions of IMT able to be delivered, and safe, with stable physiological parameters and no adverse symptoms or events recorded before, during or after IMT. Maximal inspiratory pressure increased for four participants and forced vital capacity increased for three participants over the duration of their IMT sessions. Conclusion: A high-resistance, low-repetition program of IMT was feasible and safe in adults with an acute complete cervical or thoracic SCI whose respiratory status was stable. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12614000975695).