Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Projection-free Distributed Online Learning with Strongly Convex Losses

To eﬃciently solve distributed online learning problems with complicated constraints, previous studies have proposed several distributed projection-free algorithms. The state-of-the-art one achieves the O ( T 3 / 4 ) regret bound with O ( √ T ) communication complexity. In this paper, we further exploit the strong convexity of loss functions to improve the regret bound and communication complexity. Speciﬁcally, we ﬁrst propose a distributed projection-free algorithm for strongly convex loss functions, which enjoys a better regret bound of O ( T 2 / 3 log T ) with smaller communication complexity of O ( T 1 / 3 ). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the regret of distributed online algorithms with C communication rounds has a lower bound of Ω( T/C ), even when the loss functions are strongly convex. This lower bound implies that the O ( T 1 / 3 ) communication complexity of our algorithm is nearly optimal for obtaining the O ( T 2 / 3 log T ) regret bound up to polylogarithmic factors. Finally, we extend our algorithm into the bandit setting and obtain similar theoretical guarantees.
Leveraging Unlabeled Data for Entity-Relation Extraction through Probabilistic Constraint Satisfaction

We study the problem of entity-relation extraction in the presence of symbolic domain knowledge. Such knowledge takes the form of an ontology defining relations and their permissible arguments. Previous approaches set out to integrate such knowledge in their learning approaches either through self-training, or through approximations that lose the precise meaning of the logical expressions. By contrast, our approach employs semantic loss which captures the precise meaning of a logical sentence through maintaining a probability distribution over all possible states, and guiding the model to solutions which minimize any constraint violations. With a focus on low-data regimes, we show that semantic loss outperforms the baselines by a wide margin.
The Effect of Fluorescent Light on Anxiety Patients

Aim Anxiety is an emotion recognized by a feeling of tension and agitation along with physiological excitement. Several factors could influence the moods, emotions, and behaviors of patients with anxiety disorders. One of these factors includes exposure to different lightings. In lots of working environments, fluorescent lights are the most dominant light source. Due to the dominance and exposure of fluorescent light, it has been proven that it could have different effects on the human body. Up to our knowledge, no previous or recent studies addressed the relationship between fluorescent light and anxiety disorders, even though based on observations, many patients with anxiety disorders have complained when exposed to fluorescent light. This research determined whether fluorescent light caused discomfort and amplified anxiety symptoms in anxiety patients in comparison to healthy individuals. In other words, the purpose is to determine the effect of fluorescent light on anxiety patients. Methods The study design was comparative cross-sectional. Two questionnaires were used, one was a validated screening tool called the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), which was used to screen participants for mental disorders. The second was a self-administered, piloted, and validated questionnaire that included questions regarding the effects of fluorescent light on participants. This study was carried out in the outpatient clinics of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah between July 2019 and November 2019. A non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. Results The sample size was 206 participants. Seventy-five percent of participants with anxiety disorders agreed that they do not feel comfortable with the lighting of this clinic more than healthy participants that were only 25.0% (P = 0.007). When exposed to a room with fluorescent lighting, most of the participants with anxiety disorders would try to adapt to the lights (66.7%) or leave the room (73.7%) than healthy participants (P = 0.007). Furthermore, fluorescent light reminded participants of anxiety disorders of “old house and old places,” “headaches, negativity, and discomfort,” and “hospitals and schools. ” Conclusion Participants with anxiety disorders are affected by fluorescent light. They feel uncomfortable and would prefer to either leave the place with fluorescent light or try to adapt. Fluorescent light reminds anxiety participants of negative aspects more than healthy participants.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Kashi Region, Northwestern China

Objective To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of COPD in the Uyghur population in the Kashi region. Methods From August 2018 to March 2019, we recruited participants of Uyghur ethnicity and aged ≥40 years old from the Kashi region using a combined cluster sampling and random sampling method. We collected potential risk factors using questionnaire, and conduced lung function using a portable pulmonary function instrument. Results A total of 2963 participants were included in this analysis, of whom 1268 were males and 1695 were females. There were 504 participants with COPD, generating a prevalence of 17.01%. With the increase of age, the prevalence of COPD in different genders increased significantly. The results of different regions were χ2= 627.89, p < 0.01, indicating significant differences in the prevalence in different regions. Among them, based on the existing survey data, it is speculated that Shache county has the highest crude prevalence, but the sample size needs to be further expanded. The participants with high age, smoking, lower BMI, high waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fried cooking and barbecue share more COPD than those who partake of fruits and vegetables in this study. Conclusion The prevalence of COPD among the Uyghur population in the Kashi region is higher than the national rural average. Among them, high age, smoking, low BMI, high waist circumference, high systolic blood pressure, cooking methods that may be stir-fried and deep-fried barbecue are risk factors for COPD, and vegetable and fruit intake may be a protective factor for COPD.
Evaluation of MicroRNA-122 as a Biomarker for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection and as a Predictor for Treatment Response to Direct-Acting Antivirals

Background Treatment response to antiviral drugs is a challenging issue in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Although microRNA-122 represents the majority of the microRNA content in hepatic tissues, few studies have evaluated its role in the treatment response, so we aimed to study its role in chronic HCV patients and in predicting the treatment response to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods The study included 125 chronic HCV patients (89 naïve and 36 with a prior failed peginterferon/ribavirin response) and 50 apparently healthy subjects. Complete blood count, liver function, α-fetoprotein, lipid profiles, serum creatinine, abdominal ultrasound, and FibroScan® were assessed. Viral markers, HCV antibodies, and hepatitis B surface antigen were measured by enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay, with quantitative estimation of HCV RNA and microRNA-122 levels by real-time PCR. Results The microRNA-122 level in HCV patients (those with a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after finishing therapy [SVR12] and non-responders) was significantly increased compared with controls and expressed more in non-responders versus SVR12 (p=0.042). ROC curve analysis of microRNA-122 for differentiating HCV patients from healthy controls revealed that a cut-off point of >1.45 had a sensitivity of 67.20%, specificity of 94.0%, AUC=0.861, and p<0.001; and for predicting response to treatment a cut-off point ≤5.66 could significantly (p=0.022) predict the occurrence of SVR, with a sensitivity of 60.34%, specificity of 66.67%, and AUC=0.729. Logistic regression analysis showed significant values for microRNA-122 in multivariate and univariate analysis for the prediction of response to DAAs. Conclusion The results demonstrated the possible function of microRNA-122 as an indicative tool for distinguishing chronic HCV patients from controls and in the assessment of the therapeutic reaction to DAAs.
Updates of Pathogenesis, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives for Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a special pathological type of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) and has a high prevalence in Asia without specific molecular subtype classification. Endometriosis is a recognized precancerous lesion that carries 3-fold increased risk of OCCC. Ovarian endometrioid carcinoma, which also originates from endometriosis, shares several features with OCCC, including platinum resistance and younger age at diagnosis. Patients with OCCC have about a 2.5 to 4 times greater risk of having a venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with other EOC, and OCCC tends to metastasize through lymphatic vesicular and peritoneal spread as opposed to hematogenous metastasis. There is only mild elevation of the conventional biomarker CA125. Staging surgery or optimal cytoreduction combined with chemotherapy is a common therapeutic strategy for OCCC. However, platinum resistance commonly portends a poor prognosis, so novel treatments are urgently needed. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are currently being studied, including PARP, EZH2, and ATR inhibitors combined with the synthetic lethality of ARID1A-dificiency, and MAPK/PI3K/HER2, VEGF/bFGF/PDGF, HNF1β, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Advanced stage, suboptimal cytoreduction, platinum resistance, lymph node metastasis, and VTE are major prognostic predictors for OCCC. We focus on update pathogenesis, diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches to provide future directions for clinical diagnosis and treatment of OCCC.
CD95L and Anti-Tumor Immune Response: Current Understanding and New Evidence

Abstract The ability of FasL/CD95L to induce apoptosis in various Fas/CD95-expressing cells has been described in the context of hematopoiesis or thymic elimination of self-reactive T cells and resolution of an acute immune response under physiological conditions. At the same time, non-apoptotic CD95 activation is widely described in cancer and shown to stimulate invasiveness of cancer cells, promote cancer progression as well as stemness of cancer cells. This paper puts emphasis on the evolving understanding of expression and the non-apoptotic activities of the CD95/CD95L signaling pathway on the function of tumor cells, tumor microenvironment and immune cells. The emerging evidence to support the role of CD95/CD95L signaling in the anti-tumor immune response will be presented in the context of various malignancies and the modalities of potential therapeutic interventions via selective CD95L inhibition in combination with traditional interventions such as RT, chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Msi1 inhibits cervical cancer cell apoptosis by downregulating BAK through AKT signaling

Musashi-1 (Msi1) is an RNA binding protein that functions as a regulator in multiple carcinomas. Our previous study demonstrated that Msi1 could promote the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by targeting the cell cycle proteins P21, P27 and P53. However, the mechanisms by which Msi1 affects the survival of cervical cancer cells, such as apoptosis, are still unclear. In this study, we found that the expression of Msi1 inhibited cervical cancer cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the expression of Msi1 downregulated the expression of PTEN, while AKT signaling was activated, which resulted in a reduction in the proapoptotic protein BAK. In addition, rescue the expression of BAK in Msi1 expressing cervical cancer cells induced the increase of apoptosis cells. These findings indicate that Msi1 regulates cervical cancer cell apoptosis by inhibiting PTEN and activating AKT signaling, which leads to the downregulation of BAK.
Challenges Involved in Incorporating Personalised Treatment Plan as Routine Care of Patients with Diabetes

Abstract Diabetes is a heterogenous disorder, and patients with this disorder vary considerably in their clinical presentation, response to therapy and risk of complications. Expanding knowledge about the pathophysiology of various forms of diabetes has raised the possibility that diagnostic and therapeutic modalities can be tailored to the individual patient in a personalized manner. The recent publication of a Consensus Statement on precision diabetes care underlines the major strides made in this field in the recent past. However, while personalized diabetes care has the potential to significantly improve outcomes in patients with diabetes in a safe and cost-effective manner, its wider application presents several challenges, especially in resource-strained settings. These challenges pertain equally to precision diagnostics, precision therapeutics and precision monitoring. This article discusses some of the important challenges that care providers are likely to face in applying the personalized approach in caring for their patients with diabetes, in the context of diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and monogenic forms of diabetes. Suggestions are also presented for overcoming some of these challenges.
Ancient gene duplications in RNA viruses revealed by protein tertiary structure comparisons

Abstract To date only a handful of duplicated genes have been described in RNA viruses. This shortage can be attributed to different factors, including the RNA viruses with high mutation rate that would make a large genome more prone to acquire deleterious mutations. This may explain why sequence-based approaches have only found duplications in their most recent evolutionary history. To detect earlier duplications, we performed protein tertiary structure comparisons for every RNA virus family represented in the Protein Data Bank. We present a list of thirty pairs of possible paralogs with <30 per cent sequence identity. It is argued that these pairs are the outcome of six duplication events. These include the α and β subunits of the fungal toxin KP6 present in the dsRNA Ustilago maydis virus (family Totiviridae), the SARS-CoV (Coronaviridae) nsp3 domains SUD-N, SUD-M and X-domain, the Picornavirales (families Picornaviridae, Dicistroviridae, Iflaviridae and Secoviridae) capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3, and the Enterovirus (family Picornaviridae) 3C and 2A cysteine-proteases. Protein tertiary structure comparisons may reveal more duplication events as more three-dimensional protein structures are determined and suggests that, although still rare, gene duplications may be more frequent in RNA viruses than previously thought. Keywords: gene duplications; RNA viruses.
Symptomkontrolle bei Herzinsuffizienzpatienten – was tun bei abfallender GFR und bei Hyperkaliämie?

Zusammenfassung Bei Patienten mit Herzinsuffizienz und reduzierter Ejektionsfraktion wird durch eine optimierte medikamentöse Therapie sowohl die Symptomkontrolle verbessert als auch die Mortalität gesenkt. Eckpfeiler der Herzinsuffizienztherapie sind dabei Medikamente mit Einfluss auf das Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System, sogenannte RAAS-Inhibitoren. Dieser Artikel stellt einen kardiologisch-nephrologischen Konsens zur praxisorientierten Hilfestellung bei abnehmender glomerulärer Filtrationsrate oder Anstieg des Serum-Kaliumspiegels vor. Dies sind die 2 häufigsten Gründe für eine Dosisreduktion oder das Absetzen von prognoseverbessernden Medikamenten bei Herzinsuffizienzpatienten.
Evaluation of the Safety, Acceptability, and Pharmacokinetic Profile of a Gel Formulation of OB-002 in Healthy Volunteers.

OB-002 is an extremely potent CCR5 antagonist that has previously been shown to completely block transmission in a non-human primate model of HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to characterize the safety, acceptability, and pharmacokinetic profile of a gel formulation of OB-002 (OB-002H). The trial had two phases, an open label single dose exposure (vaginal and rectal) and a randomized placebo controlled multiple dose phase during which study participants received five vaginal daily doses of OB-002H gel or matched placebo in a 2:1 ratio. Serum OB-002 levels were quantified at multiple time points up to 24 hours after the first dose. A total of thirty female and male participants were enrolled in the study (12 in the single dose phase and 18 in the multiple dose phase). All adverse events were Grade 1 or Grade 2 and the majority were unrelated to study product. Only two product related transient Grade 2 events (both vulval dryness) occurred in the study, both in the OB-002H gel randomized multiple dose arm. All colposcopic and anoscopic assessments following product exposure were normal. There was no evidence of systemic absorption of OB-002. Overall, the product had a positive acceptability profile, and most study participants would consider using the product for protection against HIV or pregnancy. Future studies are needed to assess the extended safety and acceptability of OB-002H gel in sexually active participants.
Bioinformatics‐driven discovery of novel Clostridioides difficile lysins and experimental comparison with highly active benchmarks

Clostridioides difficile is the single most deadly bacterial pathogen in the United States, and its global prevalence and outsized health impacts underscore the need for more effective therapeutic options. Towards this goal, a novel group of modified peptidoglycan hydrolases with significant in vitro bactericidal activity have emerged as potential candidates for treating C. difficile infections (CDI). To date, discovery and development efforts directed at these CDI‐specific lysins have been limited, and in particular there has been no systematic comparison of known or newly discovered lysin candidates. Here, we detail bioinformatics‐driven discovery of six new anti‐C. difficile lysins belonging to the amidase‐3 family of enzymes, and we describe experimental comparison of their respective catalytic domains (CATs) with highly active CATs from the literature. Our quantitative analyses include metrics for expression level, inherent antibacterial activity, breadth of strain selectivity, killing of germinating spores, and structural and functional measures of thermal stability. Importantly, prior studies have not examined stability as a performance metric, and our results show that the panel of eight enzymes possess widely variable thermal denaturation temperatures and resistance to heat inactivation, including some enzymes that exhibit marginal stability at body temperature. Ultimately, no single enzyme dominated with respect to all performance measures, suggesting the need for a balanced assessment of lysin properties during efforts to find, engineer, and develop candidates with true clinical potential.
Early Toxic Effects in a Central American Native Fish (Parachromis dovii) Exposed to Chlorpyrifos and Difenoconazole

In Costa Rica, agriculture is one of the most important economic activities. Chlorpyrifos and difenoconazole have been identified as agrochemicals widely used in banana and pineapple crops in the Caribbean area of the country and are constantly recorded in aquatic ecosystems. The toxicity of these pesticides in Parachromis dovii was studied. Median lethal concentrations (LC50s) for each substance were obtained from 96‐h acute tests. Then, fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of both substances (10% of LC50), individually and in mixture, to evaluate biomarker responses. Ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD), catalase, and glutathione S‐transferase activities as well as lipid peroxidation were measured in liver and gill tissues as markers of biotransformation and oxidative stress processes. Cholinesterase activity in brain and muscle tissue was also quantified as a biomarker of toxicity. The LC50s were 55.34 μg/L (95% confidence interval [CI] 51.06–59.98) for chlorpyrifos and 3250 μg/L (95% CI 2770–3810) for difenoconazole. Regarding the biomarkers, a significant inhibition of brain and muscle cholinesterase activity was recorded in fish exposed to 5.50 μg/L of chlorpyrifos. This activity was not affected when fish were exposed to the mixture of chlorpyrifos with difenoconazole. Significant changes in lactate dehydrogenase activity were observed in fish exposed to 325 μg/L of difenoconazole, whereas fish exposed to the mixture showed a significant increase in EROD activity in the liver. These results suggest harmful effects of chlorpyrifos insecticide at environmentally relevant concentrations. There is also evidence for an interaction of the 2 substances that affects the biotransformation metabolism at sublethal levels of exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1938–1947. © 2021 SETAC
B-C-N Compound Synthesized Under High Temperature and High Pressure

Crystalline hexagonal B(N 1 m x C x ) and cubic B-C-N compounds have been synthesized from a precursor produced from melamine and boric acid by application of high temperature and high pressure. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters for the hexagonal crystal are a=2.506 Å, c=6.657 Å, and that for the cubic crystal is a=3.596 Å. The X-ray photoelectron spectra of the B-C-N compound indicate the presence of B-N, C-N, C-C, and B-C bonds, which suggests that boron, carbon, and nitrogen atoms all bond with one another and that the B-C-N crystal is a compound in which the three kinds of atoms are mixed atomically. The composition of the B-C-N compound is B 0.47 C 0.23 N 0.30 . A strong absorption band at 1000∼1120 cm m 1 attributable to the cubic B-C-N phase is observed in the infrared spectrum. The photoluminescence spectrum of hexagonal B-C-N powder measured at room temperature features a broad peak centered at 374 nm, corresponding to the band-edge emission of h-B-C-N, and is similar to that of w-GaN.
Recent development in biological activities and safety concerns of perillaldehyde from perilla plants: A review

Abstract Monoterpene Perillaldehyde (PAE) is a major component of the essential oil extracted from perilla plants (Perilla frutescens), which has been used as a leafy vegetable and a medicinal agent. PAE has gained a lot of attention in recent years because of its antifungal and other microbial activities and, human health benefits. PAE has also been used as food additives, perfume ingredients, and traditional medicine concoctions. Biological analyses of PAE have revealed that it has good antioxidant activities and can serve as organic fruit and food preservative. Animal studies indicated potent anticancer, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory effects of PAE. Also, PAE is certified “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) and not mutagenic. However, moderation during usage is advisable, as minor adverse effects are associated with a very high dosage. Despite the newly reported findings, its properties have not been thoroughly summarized and reviewed. Also, clinical trials and official large-scale field applications of PAE in the agricultural sectors are yet to be reported. In this review, updated PAE research progress was provided, focusing on its antifungal and other antimicrobial properties and the mechanisms behind it, phytochemical profile, pharmacological effects, and safety concerns. Highlights Isolation and recovery techniques of PAE from perilla plants have been developed and improved in recent years. PAE is a potential anti-oxidant and antifungal agent that can be widely used in the food industry. PAE can be developed into drug ingredients for pharmaceutical industries due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-depressant activities. PAE can be safely used in human when low and moderate dosage is used.