Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long noncoding RNA DDX11-AS1 induced by YY1 accelerates colorectal cancer progression through targeting miR-873/CLDN7 axis.

OBJECTIVE Increasing studies have confirmed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as novel regulators in tumorigenesis. LncRNA DDX11 antisense RNA 1 (DDX11-AS1) has been found to be abnormally expressed in several tumors. In this work, we aimed to evaluate its expressions and functions in colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were used for the identification of dysregulated lncRNA in CRC. The levels of DDX11-AS1 were determined in tumor tissues and cell lines by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The clinical significance of DDX11-AS1 in CRC patients was analyzed using Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Functional assays for the exploration of DDX11-AS1 and miR-873 were performed using a series of cells experiment. ChIP assay and luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the mechanism of actions of DDX11-AS1 in CRC cells. RESULTS We identified DDX11-AS1 as a new CRC-related lncRNA whose levels were distinctly up-regulated in CRC specimens and cell lines, partly induced by YY1. Clinical explorations suggested that increased expressions of DDX11-AS1 in CRC were positively associated with lymph nodes metastasis and TNM stage and had a distinct influence on the overall survival. Further multivariate assays indicated that DDX11-AS1 was an independent prognostic parameter implying a poorer clinical outcome for patients with CRC. Functional assays revealed that the knockdown of DDX11-AS1 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, and stimulate apoptosis. Mechanistic studies showed that the up-regulation of DDX11-AS1 competitively bound to miR-873 prevented CLDN7 from miRNAs-mediated degradations, thus facilitated the CRC progress. Further rescue assays were carried out to achieve confirmation. CONCLUSIONS Our present findings may enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of CRC and revealed DDX11-AS11 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Stochastic neural network dynamics : synchronisation and control

Biological brains exhibit many interesting and complex behaviours. Understanding of the mechanisms behind brain behaviours is critical for continuing advancement in fields of research such as artificial intelligence and medicine. In particular, synchronisation of neuronal firing is associated with both improvements to and degeneration of the brain’s performance; increased synchronisation can lead to enhanced information-processing or neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. As a result, it is desirable to research under which conditions synchronisation arises in neural networks and the possibility of controlling its prevalence. Stochastic ensembles of FitzHugh-Nagumo elements are used to model neural networks for numerical simulations and bifurcation analysis. The FitzHugh-Nagumo model is employed because of its realistic representation of the flow of sodium and potassium ions in addition to its advantageous property of allowing phase plane dynamics to be observed. Network characteristics such as connectivity, configuration and size are explored to determine their influences on global synchronisation generation in their respective systems. Oscillations in the mean-field are used to detect the presence of synchronisation over a range of coupling strength values. To ensure simulation efficiency, coupling strengths between neurons that are identical and fixed with time are investigated initially. Such networks where the interaction strengths are fixed are referred to as homogeneously coupled. The capacity of controlling and altering behaviours produced by homogeneously coupled networks is assessed through the application of weak and strong delayed feedback independently with various time delays. To imitate learning, the coupling strengths later deviate from one another and evolve with time in networks that are referred to as heterogeneously coupled. The intensity of coupling strength fluctuations and the rate at which coupling strengths converge to a desired mean value are studied to determine their impact upon synchronisation performance. The stochastic delay differential equations governing the numerically simulated networks are then converted into a finite set of deterministic cumulant equations by virtue of the Gaussian approximation method. Cumulant equations for maximal and sub-maximal connectivity are used to generate two-parameter bifurcation diagrams on the noise intensity and coupling strength plane, which provides qualitative agreement with numerical simulations. Analysis of artificial brain networks, in respect to biological brain networks, are discussed in light of recent research in sleep theory
Fe3O4 Hollow Nanosphere-Coated Spherical-Graphite Composites: A High-Rate Capacity and Ultra-Long Cycle Life Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

The spherical-graphite/Fe3O4 composite has been successfully fabricated by a simple two-step synthesis strategy. The oxygenous functional groups between spherical-graphite and Fe3O4 benefit the loading of hollow Fe3O4 nanospheres. All of the composites as anodes for half cells show higher lithium storage capacities and better rate performances in comparison with spherical-graphite. The composite containing 39 wt% of hollow Fe3O4 nanospheres exhibits a high reversible capacity of 806 mAh g−1 up to 200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. When cycled at a higher current density of 2 A g−1, a high charge capacity of 510 mAh g−1 can be sustained, even after 1000 long cycles. Meanwhile, its electrochemical performance for full cells was investigated. When matching with LiCoO2 cathode, its specific capacity can remain at 137 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. The outstanding lithium storage performance of the spherical-graphite/Fe3O4 composite may depend on the surface modification of high capacity hollow Fe3O4 nanospheres. This work indicates that the spherical-graphite/Fe3O4 composite is one kind of prospective anode material in future energy storage fields.
QT prolongation in patients with acute leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome prescribed antifungal prophylaxis during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

Abstract Benefits of serial electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring to detect QT prolongation in patients with hematological malignancies remain unclear. This retrospective, single-center, study evaluated 316 adult acute leukemia and high-risk MDS patients who received 11,775 patient-days of voriconazole prophylaxis during induction chemotherapy. Of these, 37 patients (16.2%) experienced QTc prolongation. Medications associated with QTc prolongation included furosemide, haloperidol, metronidazole, mirtazapine, prochlorperazine, and venlafaxine. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia were also significantly associated with QTc prolongation (HR 3.15; p = .003 and HR 6.47, p = .007, respectively). Management modifications due to QTc prolongation included discontinuation of QT prolonging medications (n = 25), more aggressive electrolyte repletion (n = 5), and enhanced ECG monitoring (n = 3). One patient with multiple QT prolonging factors experienced possible Torsades de Pointes. Overall mortality was 15% with no cardiac-related deaths. Serial ECG monitoring during induction chemotherapy can be tailored proportionally to QT-prolonging risk factors. Management should include aggressive electrolyte repletion and avoidance of concurrent QT prolonging medications.
Observational Study Designs

Understanding the findings from a research study requires a careful appraisal of the methods used in the study. To fully evaluate these methods, a reader must be aware of the details of the design of the study. Because different study designs involve different data collection methods, employ different analysis methods, and lead to different conclusions, a precise understanding of the design is extremely important. Many studies, especially in headache research, fall into the family of designs called observational research. This type of research involves evaluating data that are collected without random assignment of participants to experimental groups. In essence, participants in these types of studies are simply observed in a more natural setting, and independent variables are not manipulated, though they are allowed to vary naturally. Depending on the research question, certain study designs are more appropriate for certain situations. Observational studies are highly valuable, and although they have their limitations, they can be successfully used to study a wide range of topics in a variety of real-world settings. This editorial is the latest in a series of methods and statistics primers in the Journal. Herein, we describe common observational study designs and the use of such designs in headache research. We also discuss several common problems encountered when using observational study designs.
Fast Video Search Algorithm for Large Video Database Using Adjacent Pixel Intensity Difference Quantization Histogram Feature

†† Summary In this paper, we present a fast and robust video search algorithm for large video database using the histogram feature which is essentially different from conventional ones. This algorithm is based on the adjacent pixel intensity difference quantization (APIDQ) algorithm, which had been reliably applied to human face recognition previously. An APIDQ histogram is utilized as the feature vector of a frame image. Combined with active search [4], a temporal pruning algorithm, fast and robust video search can be achieved. The proposed search algorithm has been evaluated by 6 hours of video to search for given 200 video clips which having a each length of 15 seconds. Experimental results show the proposed algorithm can detect the similar video clip in merely 80ms, and is more accurate and robust against Gaussian noise than conventional fast video search algorithm.
Sedation with alfentanil versus fentanyl in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: outcomes from a single-centre retrospective study

Introduction: In November 2016, our institution switched from alfentanil to fentanyl for analgesia and sedation in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. There is no published evidence comparing the use of alfentanil with fentanyl for sedation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. We conducted a retrospective observational study to explore any significant differences in patient outcomes or in the prescribing of adjunct sedatives before and after the switch. Methods: Patients were retrospectively identified from a prospectively recorded database of all patients who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at our institution between January 2016 and October 2017. Patients included those sedated with alfentanil or fentanyl. The total daily doses of intravenous opioids (alfentanil or fentanyl) were calculated for each patient, and the prescribing of adjunctive sedative or analgesic agents was recorded. Patient demographics, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation modality, clinical outcomes including mortality and length of intensive care and hospital stay were recorded. Results: A total of 174 patients were identified, 69 on alfentanil and 95 on fentanyl. There was no difference found between groups for mode of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation 2 score (APACHE II) and Charlson score, except for body mass index (p = 0.002). No differences in patient outcomes was observed between groups, although patients in the alfentanil group received a significantly higher median total daily dose of adjuvant sedatives (quetiapine (p = 0.016) and midazolam (p = 0.009)). Conclusions: No differences in patient outcomes were found between extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients sedated with alfentanil compared with fentanyl. There was a statistically significant reduction in some adjunctive sedatives in patients managed with a fentanyl-based regimen. Prospective studies are required to confirm these results.
Combining Prospective Acquisition CorrEction (PACE) with retrospective correction to reduce motion artifacts in resting state fMRI data

Head movement in the scanner causes spurious signal changes in the blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signal, confounding resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) estimates obtained from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We examined the effectiveness of Prospective Acquisition CorrEction (PACE) in reducing motion artifacts in BOLD data.
The protective effects of Berberine and Hesperidin on inflammatory factor-stimulating cardiac fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE The previous work has shown that Berberine and Hesperidin have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Berberine and Hesperidin on inflammatory cytokine secretion, proliferation, differentiation, and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and the potential of these drugs to regulate the Notch1 signaling pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS Neonatal rat primary cardiac fibroblasts were stimulated with 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 as model (TGF) group. In the Berberine (TGF+B) group cells were given TGF-β1, along with 1.25/2.5/5/10 mg/L Berberine, while the Hesperidin (TGF+H) group was treated with TGF-β1 and 12.5/25/50/100 µmmol/L Hesperidin. Cellular proliferation, differentiation, and collagen synthesis were evaluated. The role of the Notch1 signaling pathway in the protective effects of Berberine and Hesperidin was analyzed by using γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) to block the Notch1 pathway. RESULTS 5/10 mg/L Berberine intervention could noticeably decrease both TGF-β1 and IL-1β levels, 25/50/100 µmol/L Hesperidin could reduce IL-1β secretion from TGF-β1 stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Both Berberine and Hesperidin decreased the expression of α-SMA and cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner; however, the apoptosis of cardiac fibroblasts was not influenced. 10 mg/L Berberine or at least 50 µmol/L Hesperidin could noticeably decrease MMP-1 expression, and at least 5 mg/L Berberine or 100 µmol/L Hesperidin could markedly reduce MMP-9 expression. Using DAPT to block Notch1 signaling could reverse the protective effects of Berberine and Hesperidin. CONCLUSIONS Berberine and Hesperidin can reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, differentiation, and proliferation, and increase the collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by TGF-β1 via the Notch1 signaling pathway.
A literature survey of active machine learning in the context of natural language processing

Active learning is a supervised machine learning technique in which the learner is in control of the data used for learning. That control is utilized by the learner to ask an oracle, typically a human with extensive knowledge of the domain at hand, about the classes of the instances for which the model learned so far makes unreliable predictions. The active learning process takes as input a set of labeled examples, as well as a larger set of unlabeled examples, and produces a classifier and a relatively small set of newly labeled data. The overall goal is to create as good a classifier as possible, without having to mark-up and supply the learner with more data than necessary. The learning process aims at keeping the human annotation effort to a minimum, only asking for advice where the training utility of the result of such a query is high. Active learning has been successfully applied to a number of natural language processing tasks, such as, information extraction, named entity recognition, text categorization, part-of-speech tagging, parsing, and word sense disambiguation. This report is a literature survey of active learning from the perspective of natural language processing.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers' performing Manual Material Handling work in an automotive manufacturing company

Problem statement: The study investigated the prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among workers who perform the Manual Material Handling (MMH) task in an automotive manufacturing plant in Malaysia. A cross sectional study was carried out among the workers in an automotive manufacturing plant. Approach: Respondents were selected through random sampling. Then, a Body Parts Symptoms Survey (BPSS) data sheets were given to the workers to obtain the prevalence of MSD among them. Later, a few workers were selected based on the In-House Clinic (IHC) visitations data for interviews. Results: Five hundreds workers showed that the highest prevalence of MSD was Low Back Pain (LBP). It was found from interviews of 17 workers who had 3 or more visitation times to the IHC that the main reason of the ergonomic risk comes from the task that they perform. It was found that the highest prevalence of MSD was lower back pain, followed by pain at feet/ankle and pain at upper back regions. Almost one third of the study populations claimed to feel uncomfortable to their upper back and lower back. Conclusion: It was concluded that the back pain the workers are experiencing may be a result of their ignorance in the correct and ergonomic techniques in materials handling.
The 3i Conceptual Framework for Recognizing Patient Perspectives of Type 1 Diabetes During Emerging Adulthood

Key Points Question How do individuals narrate their experiences of living with type 1 diabetes during early emerging adulthood (the developmental life stage roughly spanning between the ages of 18 and 24 years)? Findings This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 33 emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. Narrative analysis identified 3 distinct story types encompassing differing perceptions of living with type 1 diabetes (3i), termed ingrained (characterized by actively integrating diabetes within one’s life), intrusive (characterized by struggles to accept diabetes and a sense of striving for control), and inconspicuous (characterized by attempts to minimize attention toward diabetes to protect one’s sense of normalcy). Meaning The 3i conceptual framework provides a means by which differing emerging adult perceptions of type 1 diabetes can be recognized and articulated, which may help health care professionals better individualize their approaches to self-management support during the transitioning years.
Understanding Which Teenagers Benefit Most From a Brief Primary Care Substance Use Intervention

A 15-minute intervention in PC can benefit adolescents with more severe alcohol and marijuana use 1 year later compared with UC. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The primary care (PC) setting provides an opportunity to address adolescent alcohol and marijuana use. We examined moderators of effectiveness for a PC brief motivational intervention on adolescents’ alcohol and marijuana use and consequences 1 year later. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 4 PC clinics from April 2013 to November 2015 and followed adolescents using Web-based surveys. We examined whether demographic factors and severity of use moderated 12-month outcomes. Adolescents aged 12 through 18 were screened by using the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Screening Guide. Those identified as at risk were randomly assigned to the intervention (CHAT) or to usual care (UC). RESULTS: The sample (n = 294) was 58% female, 66% Hispanic, 17% African American, 12% white, and 5% multiethnic or of other race with an average age of 16 years. After controlling for baseline values of outcomes, teens in CHAT who reported more negative consequences from drinking or had an alcohol use disorder at baseline reported less alcohol use, heavy drinking, and consequences 1 year later compared with teens in UC. Similarly, teens in CHAT with more negative consequences from marijuana use at baseline reported less marijuana use 1 year later compared with teens in UC; however, teens in CHAT who reported fewer marijuana consequences at baseline reported greater marijuana use 1 year later compared with teens in UC. CONCLUSIONS: A brief intervention can be efficacious over the long-term for adolescents who report problems from alcohol and marijuana use. Findings emphasize the importance of both screening and intervention in at-risk adolescents in PC.
Steroid Mass Spectrometry for the Diagnosis of PCOS

The most appropriate steroids to measure for the diagnosis of hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are still open to debate but should preferably be measured using a high-quality method such as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Measurement of testosterone is recommended in all of the current clinical guidelines but other steroids, such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), have also been shown to be useful in diagnosing PCOS and may give additional information on metabolic risk. The 11-oxygenated steroids, and in particular 11KT derived mainly from the adrenal gland, are also increasing in prominence and have been shown to be the dominant androgens in this condition. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex syndrome and it is not surprising that each of the clinical phenotypes are associated with different patterns of steroid hormones; it is likely that steroid profiling with LC-MS/MS may be better at identifying hyperandrogensim in each of these phenotypes. Research into PCOS has been hampered by the small sample size of clinical studies previously undertaken and larger studies, preferably using LC-MS/MS profiling of steroids, are needed
A novel FAM20C mutation causes a rare form of neonatal lethal Raine syndrome

Raine syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive, osteosclerotic bone dysplasia due to pathogenic variants in FAM20C. The clinical phenotype is characterized by generalized osteosclerosis affecting all bones, cerebral calcifications, and craniofacial dysmorphism. Most cases present during the neonatal period with early lethality due to pulmonary hypoplasia and respiratory compromise while only few affected individuals have been reported to survive into adulthood. FAM20C is a ubiquitously expressed protein kinase that contains five functional domains including a catalytic domain, a binding pocket for FAM20A and three distinct N‐glycosylation sites. We report a newborn infant with a history of prenatal onset fractures, generalized osteosclerosis, and craniofacial dysmorphism and early lethality. The clinical presentation was highly suggestive of Raine syndrome. A homozygous, novel missense variant in exon 5 of FAM20C (c.1007T>G; p.Met336Arg) was identified by targeted Sanger sequencing. Following in silico analysis and mapping of the variant on a three‐dimensional (3D) model of FAM20C it is predicted to be deleterious and to affect N‐glycosylation, protein folding, and subsequent secretion of FAM20C. In addition, we reviewed all published FAM20C mutations and observed that most pathogenic variants affect functional regions within the protein establishing evidence for an emerging genotype–phenotype correlation.