Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Klf4 reduces stemness phenotype, triggers mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like molecular changes, and prevents tumor progression in nasopharygeal carcinoma

The reprogramming factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), one of the Yamanaka's reprogramming factors, plays an essential role in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Klf4 is dysregulated and displays divergent functions in multiple malignancies, but the biological roles of Klf4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unknown. The present study revealed that Klf4 downregulation in a cohort of human NPC biopsies is significantly associated with invasive and metastatic phenotypes of NPC. Our results showed exogenous expression of Klf4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, decreased stemness, triggered mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like molecular changes, and suppressed migration and invasion of NPC cells, whereas depletion of endogeneous Klf4 by RNAi reversed the aforementioned biological behaviors and characheristics. Klf4 silencing significantly enhanced the metastatic ability of NPC cells in vivo. In addition, CHIP assay confirmed that E-cadherin is a transcriptional target of Klf4 in NPC cells. Additional studies demonstrated that Klf4-induced MET-like cellular marker alterations, and reduced motility and invasion of NPC cells were mediated by E-cadherin. This study revealed the clinical correlation between Klf4 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers (including its target gene E-cadherin) in a cohort of NPC biopsies. Taken together, our findings suggest, for what we believe is the first time, that Klf4 functions as a tumor suppressor in NPC to decrease stemness phenotype, inhibit EMT and prevent tumor progression, suggesting that restoring Klf4 function may provide therapeutic benefits in NPC.
New concepts of atelectasis during general anaesthesia.

At the beginning of the last century, Pasteur described postoperative pulmonary atelectasis, 58 analysed postoperative pulmonary complications (PCC; see below) and noted: ‘when the true history of postoperative lung complications comes to be written, active collapse of the lung, from deficiency of inspiratory power, will be found to occupy an important position among determining causes’. 59 Indeed, atelectasis occurs regularly during general anaesthesia induction, 46 persists postoperatively 44 and may contribute to significant morbidity 78 and additional healthcare costs. 43 This review article will review the mechanism of perioperative atelectasis, discuss its clinical significance and describe preventive measures.
Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual de pacientes con trastorno de somatización abreviado (SSI 4,6) en Atención Primaria: Un estudio controlado aleatorizado

Introduccion: Los trastornos somatomorfos se caracterizan por la presencia de multiples sintomas somaticos sin una causa organica clara que explique su sintomatologia. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la efectividad de un programa de tratamiento cognitivo conductual (TCC individual y grupal) desde Atencion Primaria para pacientes diagnosticados de Trastorno de Somatizacion Abreviado (SSI 4,6). Metodologia: Estudio multicentrico, controlado, randomizado con 12 meses de seguimiento. Ramas de intervencion: 10 sesiones de Tratamiento individual (N=56), 10 sesiones de Tratamiento en grupo (N=64) o Grupo control (Normas de Smith) (N=48). Las variables principales fueron: numero de sintomas (SOMS), gravedad de los mismos (SSS) y nivel de catastrofizacion sobre el sintomas. Las variables secundarias: Calidad de vida (SF-36), ansiedad (HAM-A), depresion (HAM-D), impresion clinica global (CGI) sobre la evolucion y gravedad de la sintomatologia. Resultados: La TCC disminuye significativamente el numero total de sintomas y la gravedad de los mismos pero solamente la TCC individual mantiene los resultados tras un ano de seguimiento (F=9.29, p<0.0001 y F=5.11, p=0.0078 respectivamente) . Respecto al nivel de catastrofizacion la TCC es eficaz (F=12.54, p<0.0001) pero no mantiene los resultados en el tiempo para ninguna de las dos modalidades de intervencion frente a los controles. Respecto a la calidad de vida, fue la TCC individual la que mostro mejorias significativas mantenidas en el tiempo pero solo en dos dimensiones fisicas: funcion fisica (F=5.41, p=0.0055) y rol fisico (F=4.73, p=0.0103). Igualmente la TCC se mostro muy eficaz en el descenso significativo de los niveles de ansiedad y depresion (F=18.91, p<0.0001 y F=15.03, p<0.0001). Los sujetos dudosamente enfermos (CGI) tras el ano de seguimiento se incrementaron en un 50% en la TCC individual, en un 30% en la TCC grupal y en el grupo control se mantuvo el porcentaje de inicio, un 10% aproximadamente. Conclusiones: La TCC siempre es superior a la no intervencion, reduciendo la cantidad e intensidad de la sintomatologia somatica; La TCC individual es superior a la TCC en grupo. Esta ha conseguido mejores resultados y mas estables tras el tratamiento.
HPIP: a predictor of lymph node metastasis and poor survival in cervical cancer

Background The aim of this study was to explore the relationships of HPIP expression status with the clinicopathological variables and survival outcomes of patients with cervical cancer (CC). Methods We compared the HPIP expression of 119 samples from CC tissues, 20 from cervical intraepithelial tissues, and 20 from normal cervical tissues by using immunohistochemical staining. Results It was observed that the ratio of elevated HPIP expression was higher in CC tissues than in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (P=0.017) and normal cervical tissues (P=0.001). In addition, there was an association between HPIP and clinicopathological factors, such as histological grade (P<0.001), stromal infiltration (P=0.015), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI; P=0.026), and recurrence (P=0.029). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high HPIP expression (P=0.027 and P=0.042) as well as the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stage (P=0.003 and P=0.009), lymph node metastasis (P=0.031 and P=0.017), and LVSI (P=0.024 and P=0.046) were independent prognostic factors. In addition, we demonstrated that high HPIP expression (P=0.003) and LVSI (P<0.001) were independently related to lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Elevated HPIP expression may contribute to the progression and metastasis of CC and may also serve as a new biomarker to predict the prognosis of CC.
Antibodies Raised Against the Second Extracellular Loop of the Human Muscarinic M3 Receptor Mimic Functional Autoantibodies in Sjögren's Syndrome

Functional antimuscarinic M3 receptor (M3R) autoantibodies have been shown to inhibit cholinergic neurotransmission at the postsynaptic level and appear to mediate parasympathetic dysfunction, including sicca symptoms in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The precise epitope(s) involved in the inhibition of M3R‐mediated cholinergic neurotransmission has not been defined. In this study, an active immunization approach to raise antibodies with functional activity against the second extracellular loop of the M3R was used and their functional properties were compared with those of human autoantibodies. Peptides corresponding to the second extracellular loop of the M3R were used as immunogens in rabbits, and antisera were tested for inhibition of carbachol‐evoked colon smooth muscle contraction in parallel with immunoglobulin G from a patient with SS. Anti‐M3R antibodies were affinity purified on a peptide representing a dominant functional epitope at the COOH terminus of the second extracellular loop of the M3R and tested for concentration‐dependent inhibition. Experimentally raised anti‐M3R antibodies, like the human autoantibodies, showed concentration‐dependent and noncompetitive inhibition of carbachol‐evoked colon contractions. Inhibitory activity was detected by functional assays at concentrations as low as 3 ng/ml, which was below the threshold of detection of antibody by peptide enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. It is concluded that the experimentally raised anti‐M3R antibodies share the functional properties of autoantibodies in patients with SS.
Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction: Results of Surgical Therapy Based on Anatomical/Topographic Classification in 1,002 Consecutive Patients

ObjectiveTo assess the outcome of surgical therapy based on a topographic/anatomical classification of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Summary Background DataBecause of its borderline location between the stomach and esophagus, the choice of surgical strategy for patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction is controversial. MethodsIn a large single-center series of 1,002 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction, the choice of surgical approach was based on the location of the tumor center or tumor mass. Treatment of choice was esophagectomy for type I tumors (adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus) and extended gastrectomy for type II tumors (true carcinoma of the cardia) and type III tumors (subcardial gastric cancer infiltrating the distal esophagus). Demographic data, morphologic and histopathologic tumor characteristics, and long-term survival rates were compared among the three tumor types, focusing on the pattern of lymphatic spread, the outcome of surgery, and prognostic factors in patients with type II tumors. ResultsThere were marked differences in sex distribution, associated intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus, tumor grading, tumor growth pattern, and stage distribution between the three tumor types. The postoperative death rate was higher after esophagectomy than extended total gastrectomy. On multivariate analysis, a complete tumor resection (R0 resection) and the lymph node status (pN0) were the dominating independent prognostic factors for the entire patient population and in the three tumor types, irrespective of the surgical approach. In patients with type II tumors, the pattern of lymphatic spread was primarily directed toward the paracardial, lesser curvature, and left gastric artery nodes; esophagectomy offered no survival benefit over extended gastrectomy in these patients. ConclusionThe classification of adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction into type I, II, and III tumors shows marked differences between the tumor types and provides a useful tool for selecting the surgical approach. For patients with type II tumors, esophagectomy offers no advantage over extended gastrectomy if a complete tumor resection can be achieved.
Surgical site infections associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: do postoperative factors play a role?

Patients with surgical site infections (SSIs) who underwent surgery during the period of September 1997 through December 1999 and January through July 2001 were retrospectively studied to compare patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with those infected with organisms other than MRSA. Of patients with SSI who had known culture results, 77 (28.5%) of 270 had cultures that yielded MRSA. On univariate analysis, age of >or=70 years, duration of surgery of >or=4 h, duration of postoperative antibiotic treatment of >1 day, and discharge to a long-term care facility (LTCF) were significantly associated with MRSA SSI (P<.05 for all). On multivariate analysis, only discharge to an LTCF (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; P=.04) and duration of postoperative antibiotic treatment of >1 day (OR, 2.0; P=.03) were significantly associated with MRSA SSI; there was also a trend toward MRSA SSI being associated with use of a surgical drain for >1 day (P=.078). Postoperative factors may play a more important role in the causation of MRSA SSI than has previously been appreciated.
Inferring mass in complex physical scenes via probabilistic simulation

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS Research Scientist, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, 2011-present. Advisor: Josh Tenenbaum Postdoctoral Fellow, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, 2008-2011. Advisor: Josh Tenenbaum Postdoctoral Associate, Psychology, University of Minnesota, 2008. Advisors: Paul Schrater, Daniel Kersten Research Associate, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, 2001-2003. Advisors: Robert Jacobs, Richard Aslin
Novel Osmium‐based Coordination Complexes as Photosensitizers for Panchromatic Photodynamic Therapy

Cancer remains a major global malaise requiring the advent of new, efficient and low‐cost treatments. Photodynamic therapy, which combines a photosensitizer and photons to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, has been established as an effective cancer treatment but has yet to become mainstream. One of the main limitations has been the paucity of photosensitizers that are effective over a wide range of wavelengths, can exert their cytotoxic effects in hypoxia, are easily synthesized and produce few if any side effects. To address these shortfalls, three new osmium‐based photosensitizers (TLD1822, TLD1824 and TLD1829) were synthesized and their photophysical and photobiological attributes determined. These photosensitizers are panchromatic (i.e. black absorbers), activatable from 200 to 900 nm and have strong resistance to photobleaching. In vitro studies show photodynamic therapy efficacy with both red and near‐infrared light in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, which translated to good in vivo efficacy of TLD1829 in a subcutaneous murine colon cancer model.
Voorspellen van webwinkel aankopen met een Random Forest

In dit empirische onderzoek voorspellen we of een bezoek aan een webwinkel eindigt in een aankoop of niet. We maken gebruik van een beslissingsboom en een Random Forest om het al dan niet doen van een aankoop van een klant te voorspellen. Het idee van een Random Forest is dat een groot aantal beslissingsbomen samen een aankoop van een klant voorspelt. De voorspellingen van een Random Forest zijn over het algemeen beter dan de voorspellingen van een beslissingsboom. De voorspelprestaties van deze modellen vergelijken we met de voorspelprestaties van een Logit model. De resultaten leren ons dat het Random Forest model het al dan niet doen van een aankoop van een klant beter voorspelt, dat het schatten van een Random Forest een kortere rekentijd vergt en ongevoelig is voor de aanwezigheid van ruis, missende waarden en outliers in de dataset. Het voordeel van een Logit model is dat we de relevantie van de variabelen en de invloed van de variabelen op het al dan niet doen van een aankoop direct kunnen analyseren.
Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Set S ubsethood Measures as A Decoder for Perceptual Computing

In some applications of computing with words, it is necessary to map an interval type-2 fuzzy set (IT2 FS) into one of several classes, which are also represented by IT2 FSs. This classifier can be implemented by a subsethood measure. Five existing subsethood measures for IT2 FSs are considered in this paper. Comparative studies show that Vlachos and Sergiadis’s IT2 FS subsethood measure gives the most reasonable outputs as a decoder in computing with words when the desired output is a class. The results in this paper will be useful in constructing a third kind of decoder (i.e., in addition to similarity measures and ranking methods) for perceptual computing.
Update on MIS research: a profile of leading journals and U.S. universities

MIS research between 1984 and 1990 is categorized by university, journal and type of research. The results are compared to a previous study conducted in 1984 which analyzed research conducted between 1977 and 1983. The amount of MIS research has almost doubled during the period of the study as has the number of universities producing MIS research. The leading producers of research are the University of Minnesota, MIT, Harvard, the University of Pittsburgh and New York University. This article provides in depth analysis of journals and types of research being conducted.
Temporal summation of loudness: an analysis.

A quantitative psychophysiological theory is developed for loudness level and loudness as a function of stimulus duration. It is based on the psychophysical as well as neurophysiological evidence that the apparent temporal summation of acoustic energy is a result of neural summation at a high level of the auditory system. The theory shows how this can be achieved in spite of a nonlinear relationship between sound intensity and neural excitation. The temporal decay of neural firing preceding the final stage of temporal summation seems to be responsible for overcoming the nonlinearity.
Anaerobic capacity, isometric endurance, and Laser sailing performance

Abstract Laser sailors have to tolerate fatiguing contractions of the lower-body muscles for prolonged periods. The aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate the difference between top-ranked and club sailors, in their capacity to resist fatigue during sustained isometric and maximal power exercise, and (2) to examine the relationships between the above parameters and performance on a Laser simulator and competitive racing performance according to the national ranking list. Eight Greek nationally ranked Laser sailors were compared with eight club sailors. Each sailor performed: (a) an effort to the limit of tolerance on the Laser simulator, (b) an effort to the limit of tolerance of isometric endurance for the right leg on an isokinetic dynamometer, and (c) a Wingate test of maximal lower-body anaerobic power on a cycle ergometer. In the nationally ranked sailors, isometric endurance time (mean 160 s, s = 50) and endurance time on the Laser simulator (1381 s, s = 1354) were significantly (P < 0.05) longer than in the club sailors (101 s, s = 29 and 565 s, s = 367, respectively), whereas the final minute heart rate (in both groups: 149 beats · min−1, s = 22) and the mean arterial pressure (nationally ranked sailors: 129 mmHg, s = 16; club sailors: 120 mmHg, s = 21) on the Laser simulator were not different between groups. During the Wingate test, the nationally ranked sailors had a significantly lower index of fatigue (42%, s = 5) than the club sailors (49%, s = 6). Isometric endurance time was significantly correlated with the Wingate index of fatigue (r = −0.73; P < 0.001). The nationally ranked sailors' mean and maximal anaerobic powers were significantly correlated with their national ranking positions (r = −0.83 and −0.71, respectively). It is suggested that isometric endurance and anaerobic power are well-developed in Laser class sailors and may influence their sailing performance. Furthermore, compared with club sailors, the nationally ranked sailors are able to sustain the same intensity of lower-limb isometric contractions for much longer with similar cardiovascular responses.
Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia with septic shock and hypoxic respiratory failure

Psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease causing communityacquired pneumonia. Septic shock and respiratory failure can develop. The symptoms, diagnosis, transmission and treatment of psittacosis are discussed. In the described cases, especially polymerase chain reaction has shown to be a promising tool in diagnosing the disease. Physicians awareness might be accelerated to ensure rapid treatment of the disease before it progresses to septic shock and respiratory failure.
Building a Shared Vision for an Online Cancer Survivorship Community

In order to achieve comprehensive, closed-loop care for cancer survivors, new strategies are needed to bring together patients, providers, and support services in local communities. To address this challenge, an online community for cancer survivorship was envisioned and designed collaboratively by cancer survivors, family members, community professionals, and informatics researchers in middle Tennessee. The vision developed by the community members serves as a foundation for medical informatics systems to build capacity in local communities to improve cancer care and social support. Using ecological systems theory and social capital as theoretical frameworks, key themes are identified for the future of communication and collaboration in cancer survivorship.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use during Pregnancy and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review

Abstract Antidepressants are widely used during pregnancy. Several studies have shown that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy is linked to adverse outcomes, including congenital malformations, prematurity, and low birth weight. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the potential association between gestational exposure to antidepressants and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The etiology of ASD remains unclear, although studies have implicated genetic predispositions and environmental risk factors in the development of ASD in children. In this review, we describe the association between gestational use of antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and the risk of ASD.
Stepwise Comparative Status Analysis (STEP): A Tool for Identification of Regional Brain Syndromes in Dementia

A method for clinical examination of patients with dementia, stepwise comparative status analysis (STEP), is presented. It combines psychiatric and neurologic status examination methods to identify certain common dementia symptoms by which the patient's regional brain symptom profile can be determined. Fifty status variables (items) are estimated with respect to occurrence and severity. The analysis is performed in three steps. The scores on the primary variables reflect observations of single dementia symptoms. These scores form the basis for the assessment of the ‘compound’ variables, which in turn form the basis for evaluation of the ‘complex’ variables, one of which describes the patient's regional (predominant) brain syndrome (subcortical, frontosubcortical, frontal, frontoparietal, parietal, or global). In 96 mildly and moderately demented inpatients, the global (42%) and frontosubcortical (31%) were the most common. Ninety-one percent of the patients with vascular dementia had a predominant frontal and/or subcortical symptomatology
Scaling in the global spreading patterns of pandemic Influenza A and the role of control : empirical statistics and modeling

The probability that a nearest neighbour random walker is at the origin on a given structure, as t → ∞, is known to scale as t−d̄/2, where d̄ is a scaling parameter which depends on the geometry of the structure. Knowledge of the parameter d̄ gives useful information concerning the properties of the system and is used in condensed matter physics, chemistry and in other areas where diffusive phenomena occur. It is accepted that d̄ = 2df/dw, for lattices with defined fractal dimension df and random walk dimension dw. However, it is possible to find examples of fractal lattices for which d̄ 6= 2df/dw. In this talk we present the analytical calculation of d̄ for a class of ”fractal trees” that do not follow the standard rule d̄ = 2df /dw.