Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A panel consisting of three novel circulating lncRNAs, is it a predictive tool for gastric cancer?

Early detection is vital for prolonging 5‐year survival for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Numerous studies indicate that circulating long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be used to diagnose malignant tumours. This study aimed to investigate the capacity of novel lncRNAs for diagnosing GC. A lncRNA microarray assay was used to screen differentially expressed lncRNAs between plasma of patients with GC and healthy controls. Plasma samples from 100 patients with healthy controls were used to construct a multiple‐gene panel. An additional 50 pairs of GC patients with healthy controls were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the panel. Expression levels of lncRNAs were quantified through real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to estimate the diagnostic capacity. We identified three lncRNAs, CTC‐501O10.1, AC100830.4 and RP11‐210K20.5 that were up‐regulated in the plasma of GC patients with AUCs 0.724, 0.730 and 0.737, respectively (P < .01). Based on the logistic regression model, the combined AUC of the three lncRNAs was 0.764. The AUC of the panel was 0.700 in the validation cohort. These findings indicate that plasma lncRNAs can serve as potential biomarkers for detection of GC.
Committee on Diabetes Mellitus Indices of the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry-recommended reference measurement procedure and reference materials for glycated albumin determination

Background Glycated albumin is an intermediate glycaemic control marker for which there are several measurement procedures with entirely different reference intervals. We have developed a reference measurement procedure for the purpose of standardizing glycated albumin measurements. Methods The isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed as a reference measurement procedure for glycated albumin. The stable isotopes of lysine and fructosyl-lysine, which serve as an internal standard, were added to albumin isolated from serum, followed by hydrogenation. After hydrolysis of albumin with hot hydrochloric acid, the liberated lysine and fructosyl-lysine were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and their concentrations were determined from each isotope ratio. The reference materials (JCCRM611) for determining of glycated albumin were prepared from pooled patient blood samples. Results The isotope dilution–tandem mass spectrometry calibration curve of fructosyl-lysine and lysine showed good linearity (r = 0.999). The inter-assay and intra-assay coefficient of variation values of glycated albumin measurement were 1.2 and 1.4%, respectively. The glycated albumin values of serum in patients with diabetes assessed through the use of this method showed a good relationship with routine measurement procedures (r = 0.997). The relationship of glycated albumin values of the reference material (JCCRM611) between these two methods was the same as the relationship with the patient serum samples. Conclusion The Committee on Diabetes Mellitus Indices of the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry recommends the isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method as a reference measurement procedure, and JCCRM611 as a certified reference material for glycated albumin measurement. In addition, we recommend the traceability system for glycated albumin measurement.
Influence of soft magnetic materials on the design and performance of tubular permanent magnet machines

This paper investigates the influence of the choice of soft magnetic material on the performance of a tubular permanent magnet machine, and quantifies the relative merits of silicon iron laminations and soft magnetic composites (SMCs). The machine is equipped with a modular stator winding and employs a quasi-Halbach magnetized moving-magnet armature. It is shown that, despite its poorer space utilization, a machine whose stator is fabricated from silicon iron laminations has the highest force capability, efficiency and power factor. A machine with a SMC stator, on the other hand, has potential advantages in terms of ease of manufacture and lower cost.
Minireview: Regulatory T Cells and Ovarian Cancer

ABSTRACT In the last 15 years, it has become apparent that ovarian cancer is recognized by the immune system, taking into account that T cell infiltration can be associated with increased overall survival. Several studies indicate that a correct combination of cluster of differentiation 8 and cluster of differentiation 4 T cells is key to fight tumor progression and that the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) infiltrating ovarian solid tumors (or present in ascites) is deleterious. Several markers that characterize Tregs include glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4, and forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3). Research has shown that Tregs can infiltrate cancerous tissue and contribute to tumor growth by secreting immunosuppressive cytokines such as transforming growth factor beta and interleukin (IL)-10. Importantly, these cells might hamper the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches, thus strategies involving depletion or regulation of this population have been proposed and tested in experimental models. In this Minireview, we will discuss the relevance of Tregs in ovarian cancer and the experimental approaches destined to impair their immunosuppressive effects.
FDG-PET after two to three cycles of chemotherapy predicts progression-free and overall survival in high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

BACKGROUND Less than 50% of all high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients experience lasting disease-free survival. Risk-adapted treatment strategies require better tools for prediction of outcome. This investigation aimed to assess the value of positron emission tomography with 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) after two to three cycles of chemotherapy for prediction of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred and twenty-one patients with high-grade NHL underwent FDG-PET. The therapy response on FDG-PET was correlated to PFS and OS using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Cox regression analyses were employed to test for independence of known pretreatment prognostic factors. RESULTS Fifty FDG-PET scans were negative, 19 scans showed minimal residual uptake (MRU), and 52 scans were positive. The estimated 5 year PFS was 88.8% for the PET-negative group, 59.3% for the MRU group, and 16.2% for the PET-positive group. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed strong associations between FDG-PET results and PFS (P <0.0001) and OS (P <0.01). Early interim FDG-PET was independent of the other prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Early interim FDG-PET is an accurate and independent predictor of PFS and OS. An early assessment of chemotherapy response with FDG-PET could provide the basis for selection of patients for alternative therapeutic strategies.
Detection and quantitation of Anaplasma marginale in carrier cattle by using a nucleic acid probe

Cattle which have recovered from acute infection with Anaplasma marginale, a rickettsial hemoparasite of cattle, frequently remain persistently infected with a low-level parasitemia and serve as reservoirs for disease transmission. To fully understand the role of these carriers in disease prevalence and transmission, it is essential that low levels of parasitemia can be accurately detected and quantitated. We have developed a nucleic acid probe, derived from a portion of a gene encoding a 105,000-molecular-weight surface protein, that can detect A. marginale-infected erythrocytes. The probe is specific for A. marginale and can detect 0.01 ng of genomic DNA and 500 to 1,000 infected erythrocytes in 0.5 ml of blood, which is equivalent to a parasitemia of 0.000025%. This makes the probe at least 4,000 times more sensitive than light microscopy. Hybridization of the probe with treated blood from animals proven to be carriers of anaplasmosis showed that parasitemia levels were highly variable among carriers, ranging from greater than 0.0025 to less than 0.000025%. Parasitemia levels of individual animals on different dates were also variable. These results imply that, at any given time, individuals within a group of cattle may differ significantly in their abilities to transmit disease.
Impact of clinically significant heterotopic ossification on functional outcome after traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE To assess heterotopic ossification's (HO) impact on functional outcome after TBI. DESIGN Retrospective with matched control group, single center. SETTING TBI Model System of Care at the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-six patients with TBI and triple-phase bone scan confirmed HO were matched with 26 patients without clinical evidence of HO. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Acute and rehabilitation lengths of stay (LOS), Admission and Discharge Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, FIM change, FIM efficiency (FIM gains per week), and discharge disposition. RESULTS The two groups had similar acute care LOS. Patients with HO had significantly longer inpatient rehabilitation LOS and significantly lower FIM mobility and activities of daily living subscale scores on admission and discharge. FIM efficiency was significantly lower for the group with HO. Significantly fewer patients with HO were able to be discharged to home. CONCLUSIONS HO is associated with a poorer functional outcome; however, it is not clear whether HO causes the decreased function or whether it may serve more generally as an indicator of those patients who will not progress as far or as rapidly during inpatient rehabilitation.
Retrieval practice: A simple strategy for improving memory after traumatic brain injury

Abstract Memory impairment is common following traumatic brain injury (TBI), but interventions to improve memory in persons with TBI have been ineffective. Retrieval practice is a robust memory strategy among healthy undergraduates, whereby practice retrieving information shortly after it is presented leads to better delayed recall than simple restudy. In a verbal paired associate paradigm, we investigated the effect of retrieval practice relative to massed and spaced restudy on delayed recall in 14 persons with chronic memory impairment following a TBI and 14 age-matched healthy controls. A significant learning condition (massed restudy, spaced restudy, retrieval practice) by group (TBI, healthy) interaction emerged, whereby only healthy controls benefited from spaced restudy (i.e., distributed learning) over massed restudy, but both groups greatly benefited from retrieval practice over massed and spaced restudy. That is, retrieval practice greatly improves memory in persons with TBI, even when other mnemonic strategies (e.g., distributed learning) are less effective. (JINS, 2010, 16, 1147–1150.)
iSTRICT: An Interdependent Strategic Trust Mechanism for the Cloud-Enabled Internet of Controlled Things

The cloud-enabled Internet of controlled things (IoCT) envisions a network of sensors, controllers, and actuators connected through a local cloud in order to intelligently control physical devices. Because cloud services are vulnerable to advanced persistent threats (APTs), each device in the IoCT must strategically decide whether to trust cloud services that may be compromised. In this paper, we present iSTRICT, an interdependent strategic trust mechanism for the cloud-enabled IoCT. iSTRICT is composed of three interdependent layers. In the cloud layer, iSTRICT uses FlipIt games to conceptualize APTs. In the communication layer, it captures the interaction between devices and the cloud using signaling games. In the physical layer, iSTRICT uses optimal control to quantify the utilities in the higher level games. Best response dynamics link the three layers in an overall “game-of-games,” for which the outcome is captured by a concept called Gestalt Nash equilibrium (GNE). We prove the existence of a GNE under a set of natural assumptions and develop an adaptive algorithm to iteratively compute the equilibrium. Finally, we apply iSTRICT to trust management for autonomous vehicles that rely on measurements from remote sources. We show that strategic trust in the communication layer achieves a worst-case probability of compromise for any attack and defense costs in the cyber layer.
Rack-Scale In-Memory Join Processing using RDMA

Database systems running on a cluster of machines, i.e. rack-scale databases, are a common architecture for many large databases and data appliances. As the data movement across machines is often a significant bottleneck, these systems typically use a low-latency, high-throughput network such as InfiniBand. To achieve the necessary performance, parallel join algorithms must take advantage of the primitives provided by the network to speed up data transfer. In this paper we focus on implementing parallel in-memory joins using Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), a communication mechanism to transfer data directly into the memory of a remote machine. The results of this paper are, to our knowledge, the first detailed analysis of parallel hash joins using RDMA. To capture their behavior independently of the network characteristics, we develop an analytical model and test our implementation on two different types of networks. The experimental results show that the model is accurate and the resulting distributed join exhibits good performance.
Qatari Philanthropy and Out-of-School Children in Southeast Asia: an Interview With the Director of Educate A Child

In September 2015, the UN agreed on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” (Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, 2017). Embedded in this broad goal, Educate A Child (EAC) is the only global support program that focuses solely on out-of-school children1 (OOSC) across the world, including Southeast Asia.EAC is an initiative of the Education Above All Foundation of Qatar. It works through co-funding interventions of trusted partners to bring OOSC into quality primary education programs. It pairs with organizations to support innovative programs and methods of education for the most vulnerable children, especially those affected by poverty, conflict, natural disaster, and cultural barriers. EAC’s partners range from international educational, development, and humanitarian organizations to locally-based groups. It currently has around fifty partners, also in Southeast Asia, among others, Aide et Action and its 25-NGO consortium in Cambodia, the Monastic Education Development Group (MEDG), Save the Children, UNESCO, UNHCR, and United World Schools. Dr. Mary Joy Pigozzi is Executive Director of EAC and member of the WISE Prize Committee.
The effect of lavender oil on stress, bispectral index values, and needle insertion pain in volunteers.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate whether lavender oil aromatherapy can reduce the bispectral index (BIS) values and stress and decrease the pain of needle insertion in 30 volunteers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty (30) healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the experimental group received oxygen with a face mask coated with lavender oil for 5 minutes, and the control group received oxygen through a face mask with no lavender oil for 5 minutes. The stress level (0=no stress, 10=maximum stress), BIS value, and pain intensity of needle insertion (0=no pain, 10=worst pain imaginable) were measured. RESULTS There were no significant differences in age, sex, height, and weight between the two groups. Stress level, BIS value, and pain intensity of needle insertion before aromatherapy were similar between the two groups. However, the stress values (p<0.001) and BIS value (p<0.001) after aromatherapy were significantly reduced compared with the control. In addition, the pain intensity of needle insertion was significantly decreased after aromatherapy compared with the control (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Lavender aromatherapy in volunteers provided a significant decrease in the stress levels and in the BIS values. In addition, it significantly reduced the pain intensity of needle insertion.
Reconstructive endovascular treatment of ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery.

OBJECT Ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare but carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, BBAs are very difficult to treat surgically as well as endovascularly. The authors present their experience in treating BBAs with reconstructive endovascular methods. METHODS Nine ruptured BBAs in 9 consecutive patients (2 men and 7 women; mean age 50 years, range 42-57 years) were treated using reconstructive endovascular methods between January 2006 and November 2007. Treatment methods and angiographic and clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS All 9 BBAs were initially treated with stent-assisted coil (SAC) embolization. This was followed by a second stent insertion using the stent-within-a-stent (SWS) technique in 3, covered stent placement in 3, and SAC embolization alone in 3. All 3 patients who underwent SWS placement had excellent outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale Score 5) with complete angiographic resolution of the BBAs. There were no treatment-related complications in the SWS group. Two of the 3 patients who received covered stents had excellent outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale Score 5) and complete occlusion of the BBA was achieved. The remaining patient who received a covered stent died of ICA rupture during the procedure. Aneurysm regrowth without rebleeding occurred in the 3 patients who underwent SAC embolization. Two of the 3 recurrent BBAs were treated with coil embolization with a second stent insertion, and as a result these belonged to the SWS group. The other recurrent BBA was treated with a covered stent. Of the 8 surviving patients, 5 underwent SWS, and 3 underwent covered stent placement. All surviving patients had excellent outcomes during the clinical follow-up period (mean 11 months, range 4-26 months); complete BBA resolution and smooth reconstruction of the affected ICA segment was shown on follow-up angiography. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, the SWS and covered-stent techniques effectively prevented rebleeding and regrowth of the BBA without sacrifice of the ICA. The SWS and covered-stent techniques can be considered an alternative treatment option for BBAs in selected patients in whom ICA sacrifice is not feasible. Stent-assisted coiling alone seems insufficient to prevent BBA regrowth.
Forkhead factors regulate epithelial plasticity: Impact on cancer progression

Fox-factors modulate epithelial and mesenchymal cell fates in different stages during embryonic development. In the context of cancer they have mainly been described by their impact on cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Several studies have now pointed out that distinct members of the Forkhead transcription factor family are critically involved in modulating epithelial plasticity of carcinoma cells and thereby putatively enhance their metastatic and malignant capacity. Here we highlight these recent findings about new aspects of Fox-factor biology, which suggest that Fox-factors have a central role in the regulation of epithelial cell fates and cancer progression. A comprehensive molecular understanding of Fox-factors in this regard may provide potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Comparative analysis of Parkinson's disease–associated genes in mice reveals altered survival and bioenergetics of Parkin-deficient dopamine neurons

Many mutations in genes encoding proteins such as Parkin, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), protein deglycase DJ-1 (DJ-1 or PARK7), leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), and α-synuclein have been linked to familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). The consequences of these mutations, such as altered mitochondrial function and pathological protein aggregation, are starting to be better understood. However, little is known about the mechanisms explaining why alterations in such diverse cellular processes lead to the selective loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SNc) in the brain of individuals with PD. Recent work has shown that one of the reasons for the high vulnerability of SNc DA neurons is their high basal rate of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), resulting from their highly complex axonal arborization. Here, we examined whether axonal growth and basal mitochondrial function are altered in SNc DA neurons from Parkin-, Pink1-, or DJ-1–KO mice. We provide evidence for increased basal OXPHOS in Parkin-KO DA neurons and for reduced survival of DA neurons that have a complex axonal arbor. The surviving smaller neurons exhibited reduced vulnerability to the DA neurotoxin and mitochondrial complex I inhibitor MPP+, and this reduction was associated with reduced expression of the DA transporter. Finally, we found that glial cells play a role in the reduced resilience of DA neurons in these mice and that WT Parkin overexpression rescues this phenotype. Our results provide critical insights into the complex relationship between mitochondrial function, axonal growth, and genetic risk factors for PD.
Two types of low‐voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels in neurones of rat laterodorsal thalamic nucleus.

1. The pharmacological and kinetic properties of two types of low‐voltage‐activated (LVA) Ca2+ currents were studied in thalamocortical neurones of the laterodorsal (LD) thalamic nucleus during early postnatal development. The whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique was used on brain slices from rats of three age groups: 12, 14 and 17 days old (postnatal day (P) 12, P14 and P17). 2. In P12 neurones, the population of LVA Ca2+ channels was homogeneous. LVA Ca2+ current elicited by depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential more negative than ‐70 mV was sensitive to nifedipine (Kd = 2.6 microM). This current reached a maximum at about ‐55 mV and had a fast monoexponential decay with a time constant, tau h,f, of 32.3 +/‐ 4.0 ms. 3. The population of LVA Ca2+ channels in P14 and P17 neurones was found to be heterogeneous. A subpopulation of nifedipine‐insensitive LVA Ca2+ channels was observed. The current‐voltage curve of the Ca2+ current had a characteristic hump with two peaks at about ‐65 and ‐55 mV. As well as the fast component (designated IT,f), the decay of the LVA current also included a slow component (designated IT,s), with inactivation time constants (tau h,s) of 54.2 +/‐ 4.5 and 68.6 +/‐ 3.17 ms for P14 and P17 neurones, respectively. 4. The kinetics of both components could be well approximated by the m2h Hodgkin‐Huxley equation. No significant difference in activation kinetics was observed. The activation time constants for the fast (tau m,f) and slow (tau m,s) components were 6.3 +/‐ 1.0 and 7.3 +/‐ 1.5 ms, respectively. 5. La3+ at a concentration of 1 microM effectively blocked the IT,f component but Ni2+ (25 microM) completely eliminated the IT,s component. 6. Steady‐state inactivation curves of both components could be best fitted by a Boltzmann function with membrane potential values at half‐maximal inactivation of ‐85.5 and ‐98.1 mV for the fast and slow components, respectively. 7. It was concluded that two different subtypes of LVA Ca2+ channel are present in LD neurones. Only the fast type is well expressed at the earliest postnatal stage (P12). The slow type could be found at the end of the second week (P14). The amplitude of the slow current increased progressively up to P17, obviously coinciding with dendritic expansion as judged by progressive increase of the membrane capacitance of the corresponding neurones. This property appears to differentiate neurones of the associative nuclei from neurones of other thalamic nuclei.