Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IER5 as a promising predictive marker promotes irradiation-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer tissues from patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy

Purpose To define the role of immediate-early 5 (IER5) gene as a promising biomarker in predicting the radiosensitivity and prognosis of cervical cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (DDP-CCRT). Results Our investigations found that IER5 level was markedly elevated in cervical cancer patients after being treated with irradiation, which indicated IER5 was closely dose induced. By contrast, the correlation between IER5 and radiosensitivity cannot be confirmed by the present study. The up-regulation of IER5 expression effectively increased cell apoptosis after administration of irradiation (P < 0.05). Using an ANOVA model for repeated-measures, we found significant association between the IER5 level and tumor size (P < 0.05). Materials and Methods Forty-three cervical cancer patients stage IIb-IIIb received DDP-CCRT were registered. Biopsy tissues were obtained after administration of irradiation dose of 0 Gy, 2~6 Gy, 10 Gy, 20 Gy, 30 Gy, respectively. The IER5 protein and mRNA levels were measured by immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively; besides, the apoptosis rate was assessed by transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Conclusions Mechanistically, we confirmed that IER5 induced by radiation dose enhanced apoptosis of cervical cancer, was inversely associated with tumor size. In conclusion, our studies indicate target IER5 is improved to be a potential radiosensitizer for developing effective therapeutic strategies against cervical cancer to radiotherapy and a predictive biomarker for radiosensitivity.
Altered white matter microstructure associated with mild and moderate depressive symptoms in young adults, a diffusion tensor imaging study

In the context of growing evidence supporting disturbed neural connectivity in the pathogenesis of depressive symptoms, we used the diffusion tensor imaging technique to investigate white matter disruptions in previously undiagnosed and hence treatment-naive young adults with mild and moderate depressive symptoms screened by Beck’s Depression Inventory test compared with age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. This is the first diffusion tensor imaging study to assess minor forms of depression. We hypothesized that subthreshold depressive symptoms share the same neural disruptions as major depressive disorder (MDD). Each group included 47 participants with a mean age of 20.1±1.1 years. The exploratory region of interest method was used to assess integrity (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity) in 48 regions of the brain based on Mori atlas. Data were recruited from the Southwest University Longitudinal Imaging Multimodal Brain Data Repository. The following pathways showed significant microstructural changes by means of reduced fractional anisotropy in the group with depressive symptoms compared with normal participants: pontine crossing tract; genu of the corpus callosum; posterior limb of the internal capsule (bilaterally); and anterior, posterior, and superior corona radiata (bilaterally). None of the above regions, but the middle cerebellar peduncle and the right superior fronto-occipital fasciculus were shown to differ significantly in the mean diffusivity values between the two groups. On the basis of the current results, our findings provide evidence that the white matter impairments in the interhemispheric connections and frontal–subcortical neural circuits may play a key role in the pathogenesis of depression in young adults. The similarity of neural underpinnings in MDD and minor depressive disorder in this study further proves that these two mood disorders exist in a continuum, and milder depressive symptoms can herald a major episode. Besides the high prevalence and great burden of subthreshold forms of depression on personal and social aspects of life, there is lack of knowledge of them and most studies have mainly focused on MDD. This study provides a new avenue in addressing neuropathology of depression, mainly in subtle forms that are almost always overlooked.
Cardiovascular depressor responses to stimulation of substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area

Kirouac, Gilbert J., and John Ciriello. Cardiovascular depressor responses to stimulation of substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Am. J. Physiol. 273 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 42): H2549–H2557, 1997. —Experiments were done in a-chloralose-anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated rats to investigate the effect of L-glutamate (Glu) stimulation of the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) on arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR). Glu stimulation of the SN pars compacta (SNC) elicited decreases in both mean AP (MAP; 218.9 6 1.3 mmHg; n 5 52) and HR (226.1 6 1.6 beats/min; n 5 46) at 81% of the sites stimulated. On the other hand, stimulation of the SN pars lateralis or pars reticulata did not elicit cardiovascular responses. Stimulation of the adjacent VTA region elicited similar decreases in MAP (218.0 6 2.6 mmHg; n 5 20) and HR (225.4 6 3.8 beats/min; n 5 17) at ,74% of the sites stimulated. Intravenous administration of the dopamine D2-receptor antagonist raclopride significantly attenuated both the MAP (70%) and the HR (54%) responses elicited by stimulation of the transitional region where the SNC merges with the lateral VTA (SNC-VTA region). Intravenous administration of the muscarinic receptor blocker atropine methyl bromide had no effect on the magnitude of the MAP and HR responses to stimulation of the SNC-VTA region, whereas administration of the nicotinic receptor blocker hexamethonium bromide significantly attenuated both the depressor and the bradycardic responses. These data suggest that dopaminergic neurons in the SNC-VTA region activate a central pathway that exerts cardiovascular depressor effects that are mediated by the inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstrictor fibers to the vasculature and cardioacceleratory fibers to the heart.
Optical-inertial Synchronization of MoCap Suit with Single Camera Setup for Reliable Position Tracking

We propose a method for synchronization of an inertial motion capture suit and a single camera optical setup. Proposed synchronization is based on an iterative optimization of an energy potential in image space, minimizing the error between the camera image and a rendered virtual representation of the scene. For each frame, an input skeleton pose from the mocap suit is used to render a silhouette of a subject. Moreover, the local neighborhood around the last known position is searched by matching the silhouette to the distance transform representation of the camera image based on Chamfer matching. Using the combination of the camera tracking and the inertial motion capture suit, it is possible to retrieve the position of the joints that are hidden from the camera view. Moreover, it is possible to capture the position even if it cannot be captured by the suit sensors. Our system can be used for both real-time tracking and off-line post-processing of already captured mocap
Automatic thread classification for linux user forum information access

We experiment with text classification of threads from Linux web user forums, in the context of improving information access to the problems and solutions described in the threads. We specifically focus on classifying threads according to: (1) them describing a specific problem vs. containing a more general discussion; (2) the completeness of the initial post in the thread; and (3) whether problem(s) in the initial post are resolved in the thread or not. We approach these tasks in both classification and regression frameworks using a range of machine learners and evaluation metrics.
Symposium on ‘ Frontiers in adipose tissue biology ’ Regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis revisited

Human obesity and its complications are an increasing burden in developed and underdeveloped countries. Adipose tissue mass and the mechanisms that control it are central to elucidating the aetiology of obesity and insulin resistance. Over the past 15 years tremendous progress has been made in several avenues relating to adipose tissue. Knowledge of the lipolytic machinery has grown with the identification of new lipases, cofactors and interactions between proteins and lipids that are central to the regulation of basal and stimulated lipolysis. The dated idea of an inert lipid droplet has been appropriately revamped to that of a dynamic and highly-structured organelle that in itself offers regulatory control over lipolysis. The present review provides an overview of the numerous partners and pathways involved in adipose tissue lipolysis and their interaction under various metabolic states. Integration of these findings into whole adipose tissue metabolism and its systemic effects is also presented in the context of inflammation and insulin resistance.
Formulation and stability study of lipid-based formulations for oral administration of poorly water-soluble drug

Rousuvastatin calcium (ROS) is a model of poorly water-soluble drug. The objective of the study was to increase the dissolution rate and stability of ROS through formulation of basic tablets, contain nanoemulsion of the drug. Full factorial design (2 3 ) was applied for a screening study in which three factors were used at two levels (low and high). The factors were the type of disintegrants (Ac-di-sol, Explotab), the concentration of disintegrant (3%w/w, 5%w/w) and the binder type (Avicel PH101, PEG6000). The tablets are prepared by direct compression. The weight variation, content uniformity, friability, hardness, disintegration time, and in-vitro dissolution of the prepared formulae were evaluated. The stability of tablets was also studied at 40°C & 75% RH for period of 3 months at 40°C. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. The formula F6 containing Ac-di-sol (5%w/w) with AvicelPH101 (30%w/w) has the least disintegration time (45.55 ± 4 seconds) and the highest dissolution rate (95±3.6%). The stability of tablets was studied at 40°C & 75 % RH for period of 3 months. The results indicate that ROS tablets may serve as a successful strategy for enhancing the dissolution and stability.
Natural Products as Alternative Choices for P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibition

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is regarded as one of the bottlenecks of successful clinical treatment for numerous chemotherapeutic agents. Multiple key regulators are alleged to be responsible for MDR and making the treatment regimens ineffective. In this review, we discuss MDR in relation to P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and its down-regulation by natural bioactive molecules. P-gp, a unique ATP-dependent membrane transport protein, is one of those key regulators which are present in the lining of the colon, endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier (BBB), bile duct, adrenal gland, kidney tubules, small intestine, pancreatic ducts and in many other tissues like heart, lungs, spleen, skeletal muscles, etc. Due to its diverse tissue distribution, P-gp is a novel protective barrier to stop the intake of xenobiotics into the human body. Over-expression of P-gp leads to decreased intracellular accretion of many chemotherapeutic agents thus assisting in the development of MDR. Eventually, the effectiveness of these drugs is decreased. P-gp inhibitors act by altering intracellular ATP levels which are the source of energy and/or by affecting membrane contours to increase permeability. However, the use of synthetic inhibitors is known to cause serious toxicities. For this reason, the search for more potent and less toxic P-gp inhibitors of natural origin is underway. The present review aims to recapitulate the research findings on bioactive constituents of natural origin with P-gp inhibition characteristics. Natural bioactive constituents with P-gp modulating effects offer great potential for semi-synthetic modification to produce new scaffolds which could serve as valuable investigative tools to recognize the function of complex ABC transporters apart from evading the systemic toxicities shown by synthetic counterparts. Despite the many published scientific findings encompassing P-gp inhibitors, however, this article stand alones because it provides a vivid picture to the readers pertaining to Pgp inhibitors obtained from natural sources coupled with their mode of action and structures. It provides first-hand information to the scientists working in the field of drug discovery to further synthesise and discover new P-gp inhibitors with less toxicity and more efficacies.
Accurate QoS-based service selection algorithm for service composition

The most important thing of service composition (SC) is to select optimal candidate service instances compliant with non-functional requirements (e.g. QoS and load balance constraints). Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is known as an effective and efficient algorithm, which is widely used in this process. However, the premature convergence and diversity loss of PSO may result in suboptimal solutions. In this paper, we propose an accurate sub-swarms particle swarm optimization (ASPSO) algorithm which locates optimal solutions by using sub-swarms searching grid cells in which the density of feasible solutions is high. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm improves the accuracy of the standard PSO algorithm in service composition.
From phytoremediation of soil contaminants to phytomanagement of ecosystem services in metal contaminated sites

ABSTRACT Since the emergence of phytoremediation, much research has focused on its development for (i) the removal of metals from soil and/or (ii) the reduction of metal bioavailability, mobility, and ecotoxicity in soil. Here, we review the lights and shades of the two main strategies (i.e., phytoextraction and phytostabilization) currently used for the phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils, irrespective of the level of such contamination. Both strategies face limitations to become successful at commercial scale and, then, often generate skepticism regarding their usefulness. Recent innovative approaches and paradigms are gradually establishing these phytoremediation strategies as suitable options for the management of metal contaminated soils. The combination of these phytotechnologies with a sustainable and profitable site use (a strategy called phytomanagement) grants value to the many benefits that can be obtained during the phytoremediation of metal contaminated sites, such as, for instance, the restoration of important ecosystem services, e.g. nutrient cycling, carbon storage, water flow regulation, erosion control, water purification, fertility maintenance, etc.
sorghum, a sorghum-corn blend, and corn fed to growing pigs Amino acid digestibility of distillers dried grains with solubles, produced from

ABSTRACT: The objective of this experiment was to measure the concentration and digestibility of CP and AA in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from sorghum (S-DDGS) or a blend of sorghum and corn grains (SC-DDGS), and to compare these values to the digestibility of CP and AA in corn-based DDGS (C-DDGS). Eleven growing barrows (initial BW: 44.6 ± 6.5 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a Youden square design with 11 diets and 8 periods. One diet contained 66.7% S-DDGS, 1 diet contained 66.7% SC-DDGS, 8 diets contained 66.7% C-DDGS, and 1 diet was N-free. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used in all diets as an indigestible marker. The direct procedure was used to measure apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in the 10 sourcesof DDGS. Results of the experiment showed that the AID of Lys was not different among S-DDGS, SC-DDGS, and C-DDGS. The mean SID of CP, Arg, and Lys in C-DDGS were not different from values obtained in S-DDGS and SC-DDGS. The SID of Trp in S-DDGS (72.0%) was greater (
PCVMZM: Using the Probabilistic Classification Vector Machines Model Combined with a Zernike Moments Descriptor to Predict Protein–Protein Interactions from Protein Sequences

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are essential for most living organisms’ process. Thus, detecting PPIs is extremely important to understand the molecular mechanisms of biological systems. Although many PPIs data have been generated by high-throughput technologies for a variety of organisms, the whole interatom is still far from complete. In addition, the high-throughput technologies for detecting PPIs has some unavoidable defects, including time consumption, high cost, and high error rate. In recent years, with the development of machine learning, computational methods have been broadly used to predict PPIs, and can achieve good prediction rate. In this paper, we present here PCVMZM, a computational method based on a Probabilistic Classification Vector Machines (PCVM) model and Zernike moments (ZM) descriptor for predicting the PPIs from protein amino acids sequences. Specifically, a Zernike moments (ZM) descriptor is used to extract protein evolutionary information from Position-Specific Scoring Matrix (PSSM) generated by Position-Specific Iterated Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (PSI-BLAST). Then, PCVM classifier is used to infer the interactions among protein. When performed on PPIs datasets of Yeast and H. Pylori, the proposed method can achieve the average prediction accuracy of 94.48% and 91.25%, respectively. In order to further evaluate the performance of the proposed method, the state-of-the-art support vector machines (SVM) classifier is used and compares with the PCVM model. Experimental results on the Yeast dataset show that the performance of PCVM classifier is better than that of SVM classifier. The experimental results indicate that our proposed method is robust, powerful and feasible, which can be used as a helpful tool for proteomics research.
Impact of Parents and Peers Smoking on Tobacco Consumption Behavior of University Students

Introduction: In the United Arab Emirates, smoking prevalence has increased in both sexes, especially among young adults. Various factors have led to this catastrophe; examples include coverage on TV and social media, as well as market availability. One major influence is smoking by parents and peers. A lot of students may start smoking because of the behavior of their family and friends, and therefore it is necessary to quantify adverse contributions. The aim of this project was to study to what degree parents and peers smoking habits may impact on smoking behavior of students at the University of Sharjah. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study with a non-probability convenient type of sampling, was conducted with university students aged 18 to 23. Information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, comprising 23 questions, developed by ourselves. Results: A total of 400 University of Sharjah students (50% males and 50% females) were included.Some 15.8% of the smoking students had smoking parents, and 17.1% of them had smoking peers. The respective figures were 22.2% and 21.7% for males and 10% and 7.8% for females. Conclusions: Peers had a stronger impact than parents and both parents and peers had greater influence on males than on females. Interestingly, almost 80% of the smoking students did not have smoking parents or peers, which leaves the question unanswered of why they started smoking in the first place. Actions at a societal level should be taken into consideration to prevent smoking and thus help create a non-smoking generation.
Blockage of the HERG human cardiac K+ channel by the gastrointestinal prokinetic agent cisapride.

Cisapride, a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent, is known to cause long Q-T syndrome and ventricular arrhythmias. The cellular mechanism is not known. The human ether-á-go-go-related gene ( HERG), which encodes the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+current and is important in cardiac repolarization, may serve as a target for the action of cisapride. We tested the hypothesis that cisapride blocks HERG. The whole cell patch-clamp recording technique was used to study HERG channels stably expressed heterologously in HEK293 cells. Under voltage-clamp conditions, cisapride block of HERG is dose dependent with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 6.5 nM at 22°C ( n = 25 cells). Currents rapidly recovered with drug washout. The onset of block by cisapride required channel activation indicative of open or inactivated state blockage. Block of HERG with cisapride after channel activation was voltage dependent. At -20 mV, 10 nM cisapride reduced HERG tail-current amplitude by 5%, whereas, at +20 mV, the tail-current amplitude was reduced by 45% ( n = 4 cells). At -20 and +20 mV, 100 nM cisapride reduced tail-current amplitude by 66 and 90%, respectively. We conclude that cisapride is a potent blocker of HERG channels expressed in HEK293 cells. This effect may account for the clinical occurrence of Q-T prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias observed with cisapride.
Dual Attention Matching Network for Context-Aware Feature Sequence Based Person Re-identification

Typical person re-identification (ReID) methods usually describe each pedestrian with a single feature vector and match them in a task-specific metric space. However, the methods based on a single feature vector are not sufficient enough to overcome visual ambiguity, which frequently occurs in real scenario. In this paper, we propose a novel end-to-end trainable framework, called Dual ATtention Matching network (DuATM), to learn context-aware feature sequences and perform attentive sequence comparison simultaneously. The core component of our DuATM framework is a dual attention mechanism, in which both intrasequence and inter-sequence attention strategies are used for feature refinement and feature-pair alignment, respectively. Thus, detailed visual cues contained in the intermediate feature sequences can be automatically exploited and properly compared. We train the proposed DuATM network as a siamese network via a triplet loss assisted with a decorrelation loss and a cross-entropy loss. We conduct extensive experiments on both image and video based ReID benchmark datasets. Experimental results demonstrate the significant advantages of our approach compared to the state-of-the-art methods.