Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long noncoding RNA HOTTIP expression predicts tumor recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients following liver transplantation.

Background The long noncoding RNA HOTTIP has recently been described as a biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods In the present study, we evaluated the clinical significance of HOTTIP expression in predicting the rate of tumor recurrence in HCC patients after liver transplantation (LT). We examined the expression pattern and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype of HOTTIP in HCC samples from 155 patients underwent LT, and its correlation with clinical parameters and patient prognosis was analyzed. HOTTIP was suppressed using siRNA to explore the role HOTTIP plays in tumor progression. Results The expression level of HOTTIP in cancer tissues was higher than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. Multivariate analyses revealed that HOTTIP expression was an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence and lower overall survival times in HCC patients after LT. Patients who beyond the Milan criteria and exhibit decreased HOTTIP expression experienced longer recurrence-free survival and overall survival. HOTTIP rs2071265 is associated with an earlier recurrence in HCC patients. Moreover, the suppression of HOTTIP in liver cancer cell lines reduced cell invasion rates and increased chemosensitivity. Conclusions In summary, the high expression level of HOTTIP in HCC could serve as a candidate biomarker for predicting poor prognosis in HCC patients underwent liver transplant therapy. Furthermore, HOTTIP might be a potential therapeutic target.
Rational Design of Robust Si/C Microspheres for High-Tap-Density Anode Materials.

Si has been recognized as a next-generation anode alternative to graphite for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. However, the most intractable problem of previous Si-based anodes is the relatively low compressive strength of particles because of excess voids and porous structures, thus leading to poor structural integrity and electrochemical performance under high pressure of the rolling procedure in practical application. Therefore, a rational design of robust Si/C microspheres with a compact nano/microstructure is an effective strategy to address the above-mentioned issues. In this ingenious structure, Si nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed and anchored on flake graphite and then the composites self-assemble into microspheres via polycondensation and surface tension of pitch under high temperature and high pressure. Benefitting from this innovative approach and rational design, the obtained robust Si/C microspheres not only present high compressive property and high tap density (1.0 g cm-3) but also demonstrate high initial Coulombic efficiency (90.5%) and cycling stability with areal capacity (4 mA h cm-2) under a compaction density of 1.3 g cm-3. Furthermore, the full cell assembled with LiNi0.8Co0. 1Mn0.1O2 and the resultant Si/C microsphere anode also displays good cycling performance and rate capabilities. Owing to these aspects, the proposed rational design of encapsulating Si nanoparticles in high-tap-density microspheres could be extended to load other nanomaterials for advanced batteries.
Research Status of Haptics in Korea

This article presents a brief overview on the status of the haptic research that has been carried out in Korea. Consistent with the interdisciplinary nature of haptics, haptics research ongoing in Korea ranges from fundamental haptic science to cutting-edge haptic technology, along with strong industrial efforts for commercialization. The majority of researchers have a background in mechanical engineering, in particular, robotics, or in computer science, especially graphics or human-computer interaction. In the rest of this article, the highlights of Korean haptics research are given in the three categories of research institutions: universities, government-funded laboratories, and industry.
Testing Iron and Zinc Bioavailability in Genetically Enriched Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) and Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) in a Rat Model

A rat model was used to determine the bioavailability of iron and zinc in bean seeds and rice grain from enriched genotypes of these globally important staple foods. Seed and grain from the genotypes tested (intrinsically radiolabelled with either 59Fe or 65Zn) were cooked, homogenized in water, and lyophilized to dryness. The dried, radiolabelled powder was fed to young male rats in single meals. Bioavailability was calculated from the amount of radiolabelled iron and zinc retained in the rats over a 10-day period as determined each day by whole-body gamma spectrometry assay. The data collected demonstrate that increasing the amount of iron or zinc in enriched rice grain and bean seed significantly increases the amount of iron or zinc bioavailable to rats. Although a rat model is not ideal for determining iron and zinc bioavailability to humans, because rats are much more efficient at absorbing iron and zinc from plant foods than humans, rats can be used to give relative estimates of bioavailable iron and zinc in plant foods. These estimates can be used to rank promising genotypes of staple foods for use in later feeding trials with humans, greatly reducing the numbers of genotypes that would have to be tested in humans without use of the rat model. Ultimately, because of the complexities of determining the bioavailability to humans of iron and zinc in plant foods, human feeding trials performed under free-living conditions should be conducted with the most promising genotypes before these genotypes are released for distribution to breeding programmes worldwide
Service Computing: Concept, Method and Technology

Service computing is a cross-disciplinary field that covers science and technology, and represents a promising direction for distributed computing and software development methodologies. It aims to bridge the gap between business services and IT services by supporting the whole lifecycle of services innovation. Over the last ten years applications in industry and academic research have produced considerable progress and success Service Computing: Concept, Method and Technology presents the concept of service computing and a proposed reference architecture for service computing research before proceeding to introduce two underlying technologies: Web services and service-oriented architecture. It also presents the authors' latest research findings on hot topics such as service discovery, recommendation, composition, verification, service trust, dynamic configuration and big data service. Some new models and methods are proposed including three service discovery methods based on semantics and skyline technologies, two service recommendation methods using graph mining and QoS prediction, two service composition methods with graph planning and one service verification method using π calculus and so on. Moreover, this book introduces JTang, an underlying platform supporting service computing, which is a product of the authors' last ten years of research and development. Systematically reviews all the research on service computing Introduces state-of-art research works on service computing and provides a road map for future directions Bridges the gap between service computing theory and practice Provides guidance for both industry and academia Table of Contents Introduction Service-Oriented Architecture and Web Services Service Discovery Service Recommendation Service Composition Service Verification Service Adaption Service Trustworthiness Dynamic Configuration for Complex Services Jtang Middleware Platform
Mechanisms of Deliberation During Preferential Choice: Perspectives From Computational Modeling and Individual Differences

Computational models of decision making typically assume as people deliberate between options they mentally simulate outcomes from each one and integrate valuations of these outcomes to form a preference. In two studies, we investigated this deliberation process using a task where participants make a series of decisions between a certain and an uncertain option, which were shown as dynamic visual samples that represented possible payoffs. We developed and validated a method of reverse correlational analysis for the task that measures how this time-varying signal was used to make a choice. The first study used this method to examine how information processing during deliberation differed from a perceptual analog of the task. We found that participants were less sensitive to each sample of information during preferential choice. In a second study, we investigated how these different measures of deliberation were related to impulsivity and drug and alcohol use. We found that although properties of the deliberation process were not related to impulsivity, some aspects of the process may be related to substance use. In particular, alcohol abuse was related to diminished sensitivity to the payoff information and drug use was related to how the initial starting point of evidence accumulation. We synthesized our results with a rank-dependent sequential sampling model which suggests that participants allocated more attentional weight to larger potential payoffs during preferential choice.
Nanotoxicologic Effects of PLGA Nanoparticles Formulated with a Cell-Penetrating Peptide: Searching for a Safe pDNA Delivery System for the Lungs

The use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) in combination with nanoparticles (NPs) shows great potential for intracellular delivery of DNA. Currently, its application is limited due to the potential toxicity and unknown long-term side effects. In this study NPs prepared using a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic–co–glycolic acid (PLGA) in association with a CPP, was assessed on two lung epithelial cell lines (adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) and normal bronchial epithelial cells (Beas-2B cells)). Addition of CPP was essential for intracellular internalization. No effects were observed on the mitochondrial activity and membrane integrity. Cells exposed to the NPs–DNA–CPP showed low inflammatory response, low levels of apoptosis and no activation of caspase-3. Increase in necrotic cells (between 10%–15%) after 24 h of incubation and increase in autophagy, induced by NPs–DNA–CPP, are likely to be related to the lysosomal escape mechanism. Although oxidative stress is one of the main toxic mechanisms of NPs, NPs–DNA–CPP showed decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on Beas-2B cells, with potential antioxidant effect of CPP and no effect on A549 cells. This NP system appears to be safe for intracellular delivery of plasmid DNA to the lung epithelial cells. Further investigations should be conducted in other lung-related systems to better understand its potential effects on the lungs.
Effects of Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) on Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity of Therapeutic anti-TNF-α Antibody

ABSTRACT Anti-TNF antibodies are major therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis and have been approved for marketing in many countries. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is considered to be a potential mechanism of action of anti-TNF antibodies, since some anti-TNF antibodies have been confirmed to induce cytotoxic effects on TNF-producing cells via ADCC and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) in in vitro experiments. In this study, we established a new stable effector cell line expressing human FcγRIIIa, CD16:KHYG-1, and compared the performance of this cell line with that of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in ADCC assays against CHO-derived target cells expressing protease-sensitive pro-TNF. Although an inhibitory effect of soluble TNF released from pro-TNF expressing cells on ADCC activity was seen, clear dose-responsive ADCC activities were observed even in the presence or absence of TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) inhibitor. However, significant differences in the ADCC activities in the presence or absence of TACE inhibitor were only noted when CD16:KHYG-1 cells were used as the effector cells. Our findings indicate that soluble TNF may influence ADCC activity of anti-TNF antibody. Moreover, the fact that the influence was able to be detected only in the case using stable effector cell also suggests that the stable effector cell established this time enable highly accurate ADCC measurement.
The impact of the UK Baby Friendly Initiative on maternal and infant health outcomes: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Global evidence demonstrates that adherence to the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) has a positive impact on multiple child health outcomes, including breastfeeding initiation and duration up to 1 year post-partum. However, it is currently unclear whether these findings extend to specific countries with resource-rich environments. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to (a) examine the impact of BFI implementation (hospital and community) on maternal and infant health outcomes in the United Kingdom (UK) and (b) explore the experiences and views of women receiving BFI-compliant care in the UK. Two authors independently extracted data including study design, participants, and results. There is no UK data available relating to wider maternal or infant health outcomes. Two quantitative studies indicate that Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative implementation has a positive impact on breastfeeding outcomes up to 1 week post-partum but this is not sustained. There was also some evidence for the positive impact of individual steps of Baby Friendly Community Initiative (n = 3) on breastfeeding up to 8 weeks post-partum. Future work is needed to confirm whether BFI (hospital and community) is effective in supporting longer term breastfeeding and wider maternal and infant health outcomes in the UK. A meta-synthesis of five qualitative studies found that support from health professionals is highly influential to women's experiences of BFI-compliant care, but current delivery of BFI may promote unrealistic expectations of breastfeeding, not meet women's individual needs, and foster negative emotional experiences. These findings reinforce conclusions that the current approach to BFI needs to be situationally modified in resource-rich settings.
Cysteine-rich protein 61 as a novel biomarker in systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the level of plasma Cysteine rich 61 (Cyr61) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, and to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of Cyr61 in SLE-PAH. METHODS Plasma samples were obtained from 54 patients with definite SLE-PAH, 52 SLE-non-PAH patients and 54 healthy controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma Cyr61 concentration, and immunohistochemistry assay was adopted to identify Cyr61 protein expression in lung tissues of monocrotaline (MCT) induced PAH rats at different stages. RESULTS Plasma Cyr61 concentration in SLE-PAH patients was significantly higher than matched SLE-non-PAH patients and healthy controls. The optimal cut-off value of Cyr61 in predicting the presence of PAH in entire SLE was 140.7 pg/ml. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Cyr61 level≥140.7 pg/ml was an independent risk factor for developing PAH in SLE patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that SLE-PAH patients with Cyr61 level ≥140.7 pg/ml had better survival than those with lower Cyr61 level (p=0.001 by Log-Rank test), and this was also confirmed by multivariate Cox regression analysis. In addition, Cyr61 protein expression was significantly higher in lung tissue of MCT induced PAH rats compared to control rats, and the expression was more significant in early-mid stage of PAH development than the late stage. CONCLUSIONS Plasma Cyr61 level was significantly higher in SLE-PAH patients. Elevated circulating Cyr61 is a useful biomarker for identifying PAH in SLE, and it may serve as a promising indicator of prognosis in SLE-PAH.
Reassessing the Mechanisms of Acute Coronary Syndromes: The “Vulnerable Plaque” and Superficial Erosion

The mechanisms that underlie superficial erosion, a cause of coronary thrombosis distinct from plaque rupture, have garnered recent interest. In an era of improved control of traditional risk factors, such as LDL (low-density lipoprotein), plaque erosion may assume greater clinical importance. Plaques complicated by erosion tend to be matrix-rich, lipid-poor, and usually lack prominent macrophage collections, unlike plaques that rupture, which characteristically have thin fibrous caps, large lipid pools, and abundant foam cells. Thrombi that complicate superficial erosion seem more platelet-rich than the fibrinous clots precipitated by plaque rupture. The pathogenesis of plaque rupture probably does not pertain to superficial erosion, a process heretofore little understood mechanistically. We review here data that support a substantial shift in the mechanisms of the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis. We further consider pathophysiologic processes recently implicated in the mechanisms of erosion. Multiple processes likely predispose plaques to superficial erosion, including experiencing disturbed flow, basement membrane breakdown, endothelial cell death, and detachment potentiated by innate immune activation mediated through pattern-recognition receptors and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Monocytes/macrophages predominate in the pathogenesis of plaque rupture and consequent thrombosis, but polymorphonuclear leukocytes likely promote endothelial damage during superficial erosion. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps probably perpetuates and propagates intimal injury and potentiates thrombosis due to superficial erosion. These considerations have profound clinical implications. Acute coronary syndromes because of erosion may not require immediate invasive therapy. Understanding the biological bases of erosion points to novel therapies for acute coronary syndrome caused by erosion. Future research should probe further the mechanisms of superficial erosion, and develop point-of-care tests to distinguish acute coronary syndromes provoked by erosion versus rupture that may direct more precision management. Future clinical investigations should evaluate intervening on the targets that have emerged from experimental studies and the management strategies that they inform.
Dynamic changes of functional segregation and integration in vulnerability and resilience to schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a highly heritable disease with neurodevelopmental origins and significant functional brain network dysfunction. Functional network is heavily influenced by neurodevelopment processes and can be characterized by the degree of segregation and integration. This study examines functional segregation and integration in SZ and their first‐degree relatives (high risk [HR]) to better understand the dynamic changes in vulnerability and resiliency, and disease markers. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired from 137 SZ, 89 HR, and 210 healthy controls (HCs). Small‐worldness σ was computed at voxel level to quantify balance between segregation and integration. Interregional functional associations were examined based on Euclidean distance between regions and reflect degree of segregation and integration. Distance strength maps were used to localize regions of altered distance‐based functional connectivity. σ was significantly decreased in SZ compared to HC, with no differences in high risk (HR). In three‐group comparison, significant differences were noted in short‐range connectivity (primarily in the primary sensory, motor and their association cortices, and the thalamus) and medium/long‐range connectivity (in the prefrontal cortices [PFCs]). Decreased short‐ and increased medium/long‐range connectivity was found in SZ. Decreased short‐range connectivity was seen in SZ and HR, while HR had decreased medium/long‐range connectivity. We observed disrupted balance between segregation and integration in SZ, whereas relatively preserved in HR. Similarities and differences between SZ and HR, specific changes of SZ were found. These might reflect dynamic changes of segregation in primary cortices and integration in PFCs in vulnerability and resilience, and disease markers in SZ.
PAIRUP-MS: Pathway analysis and imputation to relate unknowns in profiles from mass spectrometry-based metabolite data

Metabolomics is a powerful approach for discovering biomarkers and metabolic quantitative trait loci. While untargeted profiling methods can measure up to thousands of metabolite signals in a single experiment, many signals cannot be readily identified as known metabolites or compared across datasets, making it difficult to infer biology and to conduct well-powered meta-analyses across studies. To deal with these challenges, we developed a suite of computational methods, PAIRUP-MS, to match metabolite signals across mass spectrometry-based profiling datasets using an imputation-based approach and to generate pathway annotations for these signals. We performed meta and pathway analyses for both known and unknown signals in multiple datasets and then validated the results using genetic associations. Finally, we applied the methods to detect metabolite signals and pathways associated with body mass index, demonstrating that our framework is useful for analyzing unknown signals in a robust and biologically meaningful manner and for improving the power of untargeted metabolomics studies.
ATPe Dynamics in Protozoan Parasites. Adapt or Perish

In most animals, transient increases of extracellular ATP (ATPe) are used for physiological signaling or as a danger signal in pathological conditions. ATPe dynamics are controlled by ATP release from viable cells and cell lysis, ATPe degradation and interconversion by ecto-nucleotidases, and interaction of ATPe and byproducts with cell surface purinergic receptors and purine salvage mechanisms. Infection by protozoan parasites may alter at least one of the mechanisms controlling ATPe concentration. Protozoan parasites display their own set of proteins directly altering ATPe dynamics, or control the activity of host proteins. Parasite dependent activation of ATPe conduits of the host may promote infection and systemic responses that are beneficial or detrimental to the parasite. For instance, activation of organic solute permeability at the host membrane can support the elevated metabolism of the parasite. On the other hand ecto-nucleotidases of protozoan parasites, by promoting ATPe degradation and purine/pyrimidine salvage, may be involved in parasite growth, infectivity, and virulence. In this review, we will describe the complex dynamics of ATPe regulation in the context of protozoan parasite–host interactions. Particular focus will be given to features of parasite membrane proteins strongly controlling ATPe dynamics. This includes evolutionary, genetic and cellular mechanisms, as well as structural-functional relationships.