Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differentially Private Releasing via Deep Generative Model

Privacy-preserving releasing of complex data (e.g., image, text, audio) represents a long-standing challenge for the data mining research community. Due to rich semantics of the data and lack of a priori knowledge about the analysis task, excessive sanitization is often necessary to ensure privacy, leading to significant loss of the data utility. In this paper, we present dp-GAN, a general private releasing framework for semantic-rich data. Instead of sanitizing and then releasing the data, the data curator publishes a deep generative model which is trained using the original data in a differentially private manner; with the generative model, the analyst is able to produce an unlimited amount of synthetic data for arbitrary analysis tasks. In contrast of alternative solutions, dp-GAN highlights a set of key features: (i) it provides theoretical privacy guarantee via enforcing the differential privacy principle; (ii) it retains desirable utility in the released model, enabling a variety of otherwise impossible analyses; and (iii) most importantly, it achieves practical training scalability and stability by employing multi-fold optimization strategies. Through extensive empirical evaluation on benchmark datasets and analyses, we validate the efficacy of dp-GAN.
Sonoanatomy of female reproductive organ of Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica)

The conventional anatomical study of specimens requires cutting processes which destruct the limited specimens. A non‐destructive method, namely an ultrasonography, can be used to assess the anatomical organ information of those specimens. The aim of this research is to analyse the macroanatomy of the female reproductive organ in the Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica), using ultrasonographical imaging. In this study, four formaldehyde‐fixed reproductive organ specimens of the Sunda porcupine were used. A 10–12 MHz linear ultrasound transducer was utilized to provide an imaging format of both longitudinal and transversal views. Photographic images were then used as comparison with a sonographic image. The results show that the ultrasound image of the Sunda porcupine reproductive organ soft tissue was hypoechoic, the lumen and antrum follicles were anechoic, while atretic follicles and the mons pubis were hyperechoic. Generally, the size of the organ was not significantly different between photographical and ultrasonographical imaging (p > .05). In conclusion, ultrasound images can be utilized for anatomical studies of the Sunda porcupine reproductive organs without destructing the specimen.
Impact of α-synuclein pathology on transplanted hESC-derived dopaminergic neurons in a humanized α-synuclein rat model of PD

Significance Stem cell-based dopamine (DA) neuron replacement holds great potential for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Preclinical assessments have largely been limited to transplantation in the standard 6-hydroxydopamine toxin model of PD which does not reflect the pathological features of the disease. Here, we have developed and characterized an accelerated and humanized α-synuclein model of PD which better recapitulates the behavioral and pathological features of PD. We transplanted hESC-derived DA neurons in this model, finding they could survive, innervate, and integrate into host circuitry but that some grafted cells acquired the α-synuclein pathology at later time points. This has previously been observed in some patients who received fetally derived DA grafts but has thus far been difficult to model preclinically. Preclinical assessment of the therapeutic potential of dopamine (DA) neuron replacement in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has primarily been performed in the 6-hydroxydopamine toxin model. While this is a good model to assess graft function, it does not reflect the pathological features or progressive nature of the disease. In this study, we establish a humanized transplantation model of PD that better recapitulates the main disease features, obtained by coinjection of preformed human α-synuclein (α-syn) fibrils and adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing human wild-type α-syn unilaterally into the rat substantia nigra (SN). This model gives rise to DA neuron dysfunction and progressive loss of DA neurons from the SN and terminals in the striatum, accompanied by extensive α-syn pathology and a prominent inflammatory response, making it an interesting and relevant model in which to examine long-term function and integrity of transplanted neurons in a PD-like brain. We transplanted DA neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into the striatum and assessed their survival, growth, and function over 6 to 18 wk. We show that the transplanted cells, even in the presence of ongoing pathology, are capable of innervating the DA-depleted striatum. However, on closer examination of the grafts, we found evidence of α-syn pathology in the form of inclusions of phosphorylated α-syn in a small fraction of the grafted DA neurons, indicating host-to-graft transfer of α-syn pathology, a phenomenon that has previously been observed in PD patients receiving fetal tissue grafts but has not been possible to demonstrate and study in toxin-based animal models.
Lower Extremity Muscle Involvement in the Intermediate and Bethlem Myopathy Forms of COL6-Related Dystrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Collagen VI-related dystrophies (COL6-RDs) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cause progressive muscle weakness and disability. COL6-RDs are caused by mutations in the COL6 genes (COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3) encoding the extracellular matrix protein collagen VI, and DMD is caused by mutations in the DMD gene encoding the cytoplasmic protein dystrophin. Both COL6-RDs and DMD are characterized by infiltration of the muscles by fatty and fibrotic tissue. This study examined the effect of disease pathology on skeletal muscles in lower extremity muscles of COL6-RDs using timed functional tests, strength measures and qualitative/ quantitative magnetic resonance imaging measures (MRI/MRS) in comparison to unaffected (control) individuals. Patients with COL6-RD were also compared to age and gender matched patients with DMD.Patients with COL6-RD presented with a typical pattern of fatty infiltration of the muscle giving rise to an apparent halo effect around the muscle, while patients with DMD had evidence of fatty infiltration throughout the muscle areas imaged. Quantitatively, fat fraction, and transverse relaxation time (T2) were elevated in both COL6-RD and DMD patients compared to unaffected (control) individuals. Patients with COL6-RD had widespread muscle atrophy, likely contributing to weakness. In contrast, patients with DMD revealed force deficits even in muscle groups with increased contractile areas.
Cyclophosphamide, a cancer chemotherapy drug-induced early onset of reproductive senescence and alterations in reproductive performance and their prevention in mice

Abstract Although, cyclophosphamide (CP) treatment is known to cause degeneration of the ovarian follicular reserve, which may have a serious consequence of the onset of early reproductive senescence, thus far there is no experimental study either to demonstrate CP-induced early onset of reproductive senescence or its prevention. Intraperitoneal administration (ip) of CP [100 mg/kg body weight (bw)/mouse] resulted in a drastic reduction in reproductive life span as shown by the onset of reproductive senescence at a significantly early age (258 days) compared to controls (349 days), whereas treatment with the root extract of the herb Decalepis hamiltonii (DH) (200 mg/Kg bw/day for 7 days), a cocktail of anti-oxidants prior to CP administration maintained normal reproductive life span in mice. Further, the CP treated mice showed a significant increase in pre-coital interval and a significant reduction in parturition index coupled with regressive changes in the uterine endometrium, whereas DH co-treatment prevented these changes. The results for the first time, demonstrate that the ovarian toxicity of CP could be prevented by an anti-oxidant to maintain a normal reproductive life span as well as reproductive outcome using mice model.
Impressive long-term response with chemo-endocrine therapy in a premenopausal patient with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract Rationale: Patients with, or who develop, metastatic breast cancer have a 5-year relative survival of about 25%. Endocrine therapy clearly improves outcomes in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. In the metastatic setting, the primary goal of treatment is to maintain long-term disease control with good quality of life. Rarely, exceptional responders achieve durable disease control, and potential cures cannot be ruled out. Patient Concerns: We report the case of a 39-year-old woman with primary breast cancer and associated synchronous bone metastases, who experienced a disease response of 12 years with hormonal therapy as maintenance after first line chemotherapy, with a good toxicity profile. Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with estrogen receptor + human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)− metastatic breast cancer with synchronous bone metastases. Interventions: This patient was treated with chemotherapy for 6 cycles as a first-line therapy following by endocrine treatment given as a maintenance therapy. Outcomes: Our patient experienced a progression-free survival >12 years with an exceptionally good quality of life. Lessons: Our anecdotal experience highlights the existence of exceptional responders among patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, who achieve clinical remission and durable disease control with endocrine therapy. Being able to identify these patients could help in the selection of the best treatment option among the many available.
Testing for antiphospholipid antibodies: Advances and best practices

The diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) relies on the detection of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Currently, lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anticardiolipin (aCL), and antibeta2‐glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) IgG or IgM are included as laboratory criteria if persistently present. Progress has been made on the standardization of tests as guidelines on LAC testing and immunological assays for aCL and aβ2GPI are published. However, LAC measurement remains a complicated procedure with many pitfalls and interfered by anticoagulant therapy. Solid‐phase assays for aCL and aβ2GPI still show interassay differences. These methodological issues make the laboratory diagnosis of APS challenging. In the interpretation of aPL results, antibody profiles help in identifying patients at risk. Noncriteria aPL, such as antibodies against the domain I of beta2‐glycoprotein (aDI) and antiphosphatidylserine‐prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies have been studied in the last years and may be useful in risk stratification of APS patients. But, aDI and aPS/PT are not included in the current diagnostic criteria and testing in daily practice is not recommended as these antibodies have no added value in the diagnosis of APS. This review will focus on the technical aspects of the laboratory methods, the clinical relevance of assays and interpretation of aPL results in the diagnosis of APS.
Acoustophoresis Enables the Label‐Free Separation of Functionally Different Subsets of Cultured Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Culture‐expanded mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for clinical cell‐based therapies. MSC products are heterogeneous and we therefore investigated whether acoustophoresis, an ultrasound‐based separation technology, could be used for the label‐free enrichment of functionally different MSC populations. Acoustophoresis uses an ultrasonic standing wave field in a microchannel that differentially affects the movement of cells depending on their acoustophysical properties, such as size, density, and compressibility. Human bone marrow (BM) MSCs were generated by standard adherent culture in xeno‐free medium and separated by microchip acoustophoresis. MSCs with up to 20% higher proliferation and 1.7‐fold increased clonogenic potential were enriched in the side outlet of the chip compared to the input sample. These cells were significantly smaller (average diameter 14.5 ± 0.4 μm) compared to the center outlet fraction (average diameter 17.1 ± 0.6 μm) and expressed higher levels of genes related to proliferation and stem cell properties (i.e., Ki‐67 [1.9‐fold], Nanog1 [6.65‐fold], Oct4 [2.9‐fold], and CXCL12 [1.8‐fold], n = 3) in the side outlet compared to input. Fractions of MSCs in G0/G1 cell cycle phase were significantly enriched in the side fraction and an up to 2.8‐fold increase of cells in S/G2/M phases were observed in center fractions compared to side fractions and 1.3‐fold increased compared to the input sample. Acoustophoresis did not compromise MSC phenotype, proliferation, clonogenic capacity, and viability (generally 87–98%), nor did it affect differentiation or immunomodulatory capacities. These results demonstrate that label‐free acoustic separation can enrich functionally different MSC subsets which can potentially be employed to produce better‐defined stromal cell products from cultured MSCs. Hence, acoustophoresis is a potentially promising separation technology to provide improved cell products for research and possible future clinical use. © 2020 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Using Social Media and Technology to Communicate in Pediatric HIV Research: Qualitative Study With Young Adults Living With or Exposed to Perinatal HIV

Background As young adults living with perinatal HIV (PHIV) or perinatal HIV exposure but uninfected (PHEU) grow older and manage the challenges and competing demands of young adulthood, new approaches are needed to facilitate their retention in longitudinal research and clinical care beyond in-person clinic visits. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the novel virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), emerged in the United States in January 2020 and has underscored this need; studies are adapting to remote communication with and data collection from participants. However, there are limited data on communication preferences among young adults who are living with PHIV or PHEU. Objective The objectives of this qualitative study were to describe participants’ perceptions and use of social media and technology in their personal lives and in the context of participating in longitudinal pediatric HIV research and to describe the implications of the use of technology and social media for communication and retention purposes within a longitudinal pediatric study about HIV. Methods We conducted 6 focus group discussions with 31 young adults living with PHIV and 13 in-depth interviews with 6 young adults living with PHIV and 7 living with PHEU. We asked about their preferences for the use of social media and digital technology in the Adolescent Master Protocol, a US-based longitudinal cohort study of youth affected by HIV. Results Participants’ willingness to use social media platforms, telephone calls, SMS text messages, and video calls within the context of HIV research varied due to fears of HIV stigma and inadvertent disclosure. However, trusting relationships with clinical staff positively impacted their willingness to use these platforms. Conclusions Our findings offer insight into how pediatric studies and clinics can communicate with participants as they age, even as new technologies and social media platforms emerge and replace old ones. For optimal retention, pediatric clinical staff should consider communication approaches offering flexible and tailored options for young adults participating in HIV research.
Orientation anisotropy of quantitative MRI parameters in degenerated human articular cartilage.

Quantitative MR relaxation parameters demonstrate varying sensitivity to the orientation of the ordered tissues in the magnetic field. In this study, the orientation dependence of multiple relaxation parameters was assessed in cadaveric human cartilage with varying degree of natural degeneration, and compared with biomechanical testing, histological scoring, and quantitative histology. 12 patellar cartilage samples were imaged at 9.4T MRI with multiple relaxation parameters, including T1 , T2 , CW-T1ρ and adiabatic T1ρ , at three different orientations with respect to the main magnetic field. Anisotropy of the relaxation parameters was quantified, and the results were compared to the reference measurements and between samples of different histological OARSI grades. T2 and CW-T1ρ at 400Hz spin-lock demonstrated the clearest anisotropy patterns. Radial zone anisotropy for T2 was significantly higher for samples with OARSI grade 2 than for grade 4. The proteoglycan content (measured as optical density) correlated with the radial zone MRI orientation anisotropy for T2 (r=0.818) and CW-T1ρ with 400Hz spin-lock (r=0.650). Orientation anisotropy of MRI parameters altered with progressing cartilage degeneration. This is associated with differences in the integrity of the collagen fiber network, but it also seems to be related to the proteoglycan content of the cartilage. Samples with advanced OA had great variation in all biomechanical and histological properties and exhibited more variation in MRI orientation anisotropy than the less degenerated samples. Understanding the background of relaxation anisotropy on a molecular level would help to develop new MRI contrasts and improve the application of previously established quantitative relaxation contrasts. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Focal epilepsy in SCN1A‐mutation carrying patients: is there a role for epilepsy surgery?

Variants in the gene SCN1A are a common genetic cause for a wide range of epilepsy phenotypes ranging from febrile seizures to Dravet syndrome. Focal onset seizures and structural lesions can be present in these patients and the question arises whether epilepsy surgery should be considered. We report eight patients (mean age 13y 11mo [SD 8y 1mo], range 3–26y; four females, four males) with SCN1A variants, who underwent epilepsy surgery. Outcomes were variable and seemed to be directly related to the patient’s anatomo‐electroclinical epilepsy phenotype. Patients with Dravet syndrome had unfavourable outcomes, whilst patients with focal epilepsy, proven to arise from a single structural lesion, had good results. We conclude that the value of epilepsy surgery in patients with an SCN1A variant rests on two issues: understanding whether the variant is pathogenic and the patient’s anatomo‐electroclinical phenotype. Careful evaluation of epilepsy phenotype integrated with understanding the significance of genetic variants is essential in determining a patient’s suitability for epilepsy surgery. Patients with focal onset epilepsy may benefit from epilepsy surgery, whereas those with Dravet syndrome do not.
Is Local Endoscopic Resection a Viable Therapeutic Option for Early Clinical Stage T1a and T1b Esophageal Adenocarcinoma?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic resection (ER) versus esophagectomy in node-negative cT1a and cT1b esophageal adenocarcinoma. Summary of Background Data: The role of ER in the management of subsets of clinical T1N0 esophageal adenocarcinoma is controversial. Methods: Data from the National Cancer Database (2010–2015) were used to identify patients with clinical T1aN0 (n = 2545) and T1bN0 (n = 1281) esophageal adenocarcinoma that received either ER (cT1a, n = 1581; cT1b, n = 335) or esophagectomy (cT1a, n = 964; cT1b, n = 946). Propensity score matching and Cox analyses were used to account for treatment selection bias. Results: ER for cT1a and cT1b disease was performed more commonly over time. The rates of node-positive disease in patients with cT1a and cT1b esophageal adenocarcinoma were 4% and 15%, respectively. In the matched cohort for cT1a cancers, ER had similar survival to esophagectomy [hazard ratio (HR): 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70–1.04, P = 0.1]. The corresponding 5-year survival for ER and esophagectomy were 70% and 74% (P = 0.1), respectively. For cT1b cancers, there was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the treatment groups (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.66–1.14, P = 0.3). The corresponding 5-year survival for ER and esophagectomy were 53% versus 61% (P = 0.3), respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates ER has comparable long-term outcomes for clinical T1aN0 and T1bN0 esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, 15% of patients with cT1b esophageal cancer were found to have positive nodal disease. Future research should seek to identify the subset of T1b cancers at high risk of nodal metastasis and thus would benefit from esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy.
Evaporation-Induced Crystallization of Surfactants in Sessile Multicomponent Droplets

Surfactants have been widely studied and used in controlling droplet evaporation. In this work, we observe and study the crystallization of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) within an evaporating glycerol–water mixture droplet. The crystallization is induced by the preferential evaporation of water, which decreases the solubility of SDS in the mixture. As a consequence, the crystals shield the droplet surface and cease the evaporation. The universality of the evaporation characteristics for a range of droplet sizes is revealed by applying a diffusion model, extended by Raoult’s law. To describe the nucleation and growth of the crystals, we employ the 2-dimensional crystallization model of Weinberg [J. Non-Cryst. Solids1991, 134, 116]. The results of this model compare favorably to our experimental results. Our findings may inspire the community to reconsider the role of high concentration of surfactants in a multicomponent evaporation system.
GDSL lipase Occluded Stomatal Pore 1 is required for wax biosynthesis and stomatal cuticular ledge formation.

The plant leaf surface is coated with a waterproof cuticle layer. Cuticle facing the stomatal pore surface needs to be sculpted to form outer cuticular ledge (OCL) after stomatal maturation for efficient gas exchange. Here, we characterized the roles of Arabidopsis GDSL lipase, Occlusion of Stomatal Pore 1 (OSP1), in wax biosynthesis and stomatal OCL formation. OSP1 mutation results in significant reduction in leaf wax synthesis and occlusion of stomata, leading to increased epidermal permeability, decreased transpiration rate, and enhanced drought tolerance. We demonstrated that OSP1 activity is critical for its role in wax biosynthesis and stomatal function. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that OSP1 possesses thioesterase activity, particularly on C22:0 and C26:0 acyl-CoAs. Genetic interaction analyses with CER1 (ECERIFERUM 1), CER3 (ECERIFERUM 3) and MAH1 (Mid-chain Alkane Hydroxylase 1) in wax biosynthesis and stomatal OCL formation showed that OSP1 may act upstream of CER3 in wax biosynthesis, and implicate that wax composition percentage changes and keeping ketones in a lower level play roles, at least partially, in forming stomatal ledges. Our findings provided insights into the molecular mechanism mediating wax biosynthesis and highlighted the link between wax biosynthesis and the process of stomatal OCL formation.