Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blockchain-Based Access Control Supporting Anonymity and Accountability

In information security, access control is the selective restriction of access to an online resource or service. One of the most used access control models is Attributebased Access Control, in which access rights are granted to users by evaluating suitable attributes (user attributes, resource attributes, and environment conditions). An important aspect of access control is to guarantee that the identity of the user accessing a service is preserved. In this paper, we deal with this problem and propose a new solution based on a blockchain to ensure that only authorized users can access a service, yet preserving anonymity and unlinkability of their accesses. Moreover, the cooperation among several trusted parties allows the identification of the user accessing a service in case of need.
Synthesis and super-swelling behavior of a novel low salt-sensitive protein-based superabsorbent hydrogel: collagen-g-poly(AMPS)

Superabsorbent polymers are obtained by the graft copolymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesul- fonic acid (AMPS) monomer onto collagen, using ammonium persulfate as a free radical initiator in the presence of methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinker. Infrared spectroscopy and TGA thermal analysis were carried out to confirm the chemical structure of the hydrogel. Moreover, morphology of the samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of reaction variables on swelling capacity was investigated to achieve a hydrogel with improved water absorbency. Under the optimized conditions concluded, maximum capacity of swelling in distilled water was found to be 268 g/g. The swelling ratio in various salt solutions was investigated in detail. Since this hydrogel exhibited a very high absorptivity in saline, it may be referred to as a low salt-sensitive superabsorbent. The collagen-g-AMPS hydrogel also showed cation exchange properties. The swelling kinetics of the synthesized hydrogels with various particle sizes was also preliminarily investigated.
Call Me BIG PAPA: An Extension of Mason’s Information Ethics Framework to Big Data

In 1986, Richard Mason proposed the PAPA framework to address four ethical issues society would likely face in the information age: privacy, accuracy, property, and accessibility. In this paper, we propose an extension to the PAPA framework by appending three additional issues relevant to information ethics in the big data era. First, we outline the four components of Mason’s original PAPA. Second, we briefly review the major technological changes that have occurred since Mason proposed his framework. Third, we outline concepts relevant to the big data context. Fourth, we propose and discuss our extension by appending three ethical issues related to behavioral surveillance, interpretation, and governance to Mason’s original PAPA framework, forming BIG PAPA. Lastly, we discuss how these issues impact practice and how they can inform future research.
Magnetic properties of Zn-substituted MnFe2O4 nanoparticles synthesized in polyol as potential heating agents for hyperthermia. Evaluation of their toxicity on Endothelial cells

Stoichiometric Mn0.2Zn0. 8Fe2O4 monodisperse nanoparticles were prepared by the so-called polyol method. The variation of magnetization as a function of magnetic field H (up to ±50 kOe) and temperature (5−320 K) were investigated, for zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) conditions on freshly produced powder. The T variation of the low-field (H = 200 Oe) magnetic susceptibility is characteristic of superparamagnets with a blocking temperature below room temperature. The H variation of the low temperature (T = 5 K) magnetization exhibits a hysteresis loop. The coercivity is weak, about 0.2−0.3 kOe, which is typical of soft-ferrimagnetic materials. The 0 K saturation magnetization and the Curie temperature are found to be 98 emu.g−1 and 360 K, respectively. The magnetic properties of the particles are discussed in relation with their chemical composition and their cation distribution in the opportunity of using them as heating mediators for hyperthermia application in cancer therapy. In this aim, th.
Efficacy of long‐acting injectable versus oral antipsychotic drugs in early psychosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Long‐acting injectable antipsychotic drugs (LAIs) are often used as an alternative to oral antipsychotics (OAPs) in individuals with psychosis who demonstrate poor medication adherence. Previous meta‐analyses have found mixed results on the efficacy of LAIs, compared to OAPs, in patients with psychotic disorders. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to compare the effectiveness of using LAIs versus OAPs in the early stages of psychosis.
Draft Genome Sequencing of Stenotrophomonas indicatrix BOVIS40 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia JVB5, Two Strains with Identifiable Genes Involved in Plant Growth Promotion

Here, plant growth-promoting Stenotrophomonas strains isolated from the sunflower root endosphere were studied, yielding molecular insights. Bacterial DNA was sequenced on Illumina’s NextSeq platform. The gene prediction reveals diverse functional genes involved in plant growth promotion from each bacterial genome. The exploration of bacterial resources as bioinoculants is promising for agricultural biotechnology. ABSTRACT Here, plant growth-promoting Stenotrophomonas strains isolated from the sunflower root endosphere were studied. Bacterial DNA was sequenced on Illumina’s NextSeq platform. The gene prediction reveals diverse functional genes involved in plant growth promotion from each bacterial genome. The exploration of bacterial resources as bioinoculants is promising for agricultural biotechnology.
Multiple Interactions of Glucose with the Extra-Membranous Loops of GLUT1 Aid Transport

Molecular dynamics simulations amounting to ≈8 μs demonstrate that the glucose transporter GLUT1 undergoes structural fluctuations mediated by the fluidity of the lipid bilayer and the proximity to glucose. The fluctuations of GLUT1 increase as the glucose concentration is raised. These fluctuations are more pronounced when the lipid bilayer is in the fluid compared to the gel phase. Glucose interactions are confined to the extra-membranous residues when the lipid is in the gel phase but diffuses into the transmembrane regions in the fluid phase. Proximity of glucose to GLUT1 causes asynchronous expansions of key bottlenecks at the internal and external openings of the central pore. This is accomplished only by small conformational changes at the single residue level that lower the resistance to glucose movements, thereby permitting unsteered glucose and water movements along the entire length of the pore. When glucose is near salt bridges located at the external and internal openings of the central pore, the distance separating the polar amino acid residues guarding these apertures tends to increase in both fluid and gel phases. It is evident that the multiplicity of glucose interactions, obtained with high concentrations, amplifies the structural fluctuations in GLUT1. The findings that most of the salt bridges and the bottlenecks appear to be operated by glucose proximity suggest that the main triggers to activation of transport are located within the solvent accessible linker regions in the extramembranous zones.
Hyponatremia in Patients With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

We report 2 patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with evidence of hyponatremia on admission. Despite fluid resuscitation and resolution of dehydration, the hyponatremia worsened. Serum and urine studies were evaluated and demonstrated evidence of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. Fluid restriction and anti-inflammatory therapy were initiated with resolution of hyponatremia.
Dementia risks identified by vocal features via telephone conversations: A novel machine learning prediction model

Due to difficulty in early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related to cost and differentiated capability, it is necessary to identify low-cost, accessible, and reliable tools for identifying AD risk in the preclinical stage. We hypothesized that cognitive ability, as expressed in the vocal features in daily conversation, is associated with AD progression. Thus, we have developed a novel machine learning prediction model to identify AD risk by using the rich voice data collected from daily conversations, and evaluated its predictive performance in comparison with a classification method based on the Japanese version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-J). We used 1,465 audio data files from 99 Healthy controls (HC) and 151 audio data files recorded from 24 AD patients derived from a dementia prevention program conducted by Hachioji City, Tokyo, between March and May 2020. After extracting vocal features from each audio file, we developed machine-learning models based on extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), and logistic regression (LR), using each audio file as one observation. We evaluated the predictive performance of the developed models by describing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calculating the areas under the curve (AUCs), sensitivity, and specificity. Further, we conducted classifications by considering each participant as one observation, computing the average of their audio files’ predictive value, and making comparisons with the predictive performance of the TICS-J based questionnaire. Of 1,616 audio files in total, 1,308 (81.0%) were randomly allocated to the training data and 308 (19.1%) to the validation data. For audio file-based prediction, the AUCs for XGboost, RF, and LR were 0.863 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.794–0.931), 0.882 (95% CI: 0.840–0.924), and 0.893 (95%CI: 0.832–0.954), respectively. For participant-based prediction, the AUC for XGboost, RF, LR, and TICS-J were 1.000 (95%CI: 1.000–1.000), 1.000 (95%CI: 1.000–1.000), 0.972 (95%CI: 0.918–1.000) and 0.917 (95%CI: 0.918–1.000), respectively. There was difference in predictive accuracy of XGBoost and TICS-J with almost approached significance (p = 0.065). Our novel prediction model using the vocal features of daily conversations demonstrated the potential to be useful for the AD risk assessment.
Serendipita fungi modulate the switchgrass root transcriptome to circumvent host defenses and establish a symbiotic relationship.

The fungal family Serendipitaceae encompasses root-associated lineages with endophytic, ericoid, orchid and ectomycorrhizal lifestyles. Switchgrass is an important bioenergy crop for cellulosic ethanol production owing to high biomass production on marginal soils otherwise unfit for food crop cultivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the host plant response(s) to Serendipita colonization by characterizing the switchgrass root transcriptome during different stages of symbiosis in vitro. For this, we included a native switchgrass strain, Serendipita bescii, and a related strain Serendipita vermifera isolated from Australian orchids. Serendipita colonization progresses from thin hyphae that grow between root cells, and finally the production of large, bulbous hyphae that fill root cells during the later stages of colonization. We report that switchgrass seems to perceive both fungi prior to physical contact, leading to the activation of chemical and structural defense responses and putative host disease resistance genes. Subsequently, the host defense system appears to be quenched and carbohydrate metabolism adjusted, potentially to accommodate the fungal symbiont. In addition, prior to contact, switchgrass exhibited significant increases in root hair density and root surface area. Further, genes involved in phytohormone metabolism, such as gibberellin, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid were activated during different stages of colonization. Both fungal strains induced plant gene expression in a similar manner, indicating a conserved plant response to members of this fungal order. Understanding plant responsiveness to Serendipita will inform our efforts to integrate them into forages and row crops for optimal plant-microbe functioning, thus facilitating low-input, sustainable agricultural practices.
Successful management of thrombocytopenia by partial splenic embolization in patients with advanced gastric cancer and invasion of the splenic vein

Abstract Rationale: Hypersplenism causes thrombocytopenia, which may lead to the reduction or discontinuation of chemotherapy. Partial splenic embolization (PSE) is an effective treatment for thrombocytopenia associated with hypersplenism. However, there have been no reports of patients with gastric cancer who have resumed and continued chemotherapy after PSE for splenic hypersplenism associated with tumor infiltration. Here, we report two cases in which we performed PSE for hypersplenism associated with gastric cancer that had invaded the splenic vein. Chemotherapy was continued in both cases. Patient concerns: Both patients developed thrombocytopenia with splenomegaly due to advanced gastric cancer that required discontinuation of chemotherapy. Diagnosis: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and computed tomography showed advanced gastric cancer with invasion of the splenic vein and splenomegaly. Both patients developed thrombocytopenia. Interventions: Patients were treated with PSE. Outcomes: PSE produced an increase in thrombocyte count, and chemotherapy could be resumed. Lessons: PSE seems to be a useful treatment for thrombocytopenia with splenomegaly associated with advanced gastric cancer and may allow continuation of chemotherapy.
Association of Coding Variants in Hydroxysteroid 17-beta Dehydrogenase 14 (HSD17B14) with Reduced Progression to End Stage Kidney Disease in Type 1 Diabetes

Visual Abstract Significance Statement Genetic differences are possible contributing factors to the substantial unexplained variability in rates of renal function loss in type 1 diabetes. Gene-based testing of protein coding genetic variants in whole-exome scans of individuals with type 1 diabetes with advanced kidney disease, as opposed to genome-wide SNP analyses, revealed that carriers of rarer, disruptive alleles in HSD17B14 experienced net protection against loss of kidney function and development of ESKD. HSD17B14 encodes hydroxysteroid 17-β dehydrogenase 14, which regulates sex steroid hormone metabolism. Paradoxically, proximal tubules from patients and mouse models had high levels of expression of the gene and protein, with downregulation in the presence of kidney injury. Hydroxysteroid 17-β dehydrogenase 14 may therefore be a druggable therapeutic target. Background Rare variants in gene coding regions likely have a greater impact on disease-related phenotypes than common variants through disruption of their encoded protein. We searched for rare variants associated with onset of ESKD in individuals with type 1 diabetes at advanced kidney disease stage. Methods Gene-based exome array analyses of 15,449 genes in five large incidence cohorts of individuals with type 1 diabetes and proteinuria were analyzed for survival time to ESKD, testing the top gene in a sixth cohort (n=2372/1115 events all cohorts) and replicating in two retrospective case-control studies (n=1072 cases, 752 controls). Deep resequencing of the top associated gene in five cohorts confirmed the findings. We performed immunohistochemistry and gene expression experiments in human control and diseased cells, and in mouse ischemia reperfusion and aristolochic acid nephropathy models. Results Protein coding variants in the hydroxysteroid 17-β dehydrogenase 14 gene (HSD17B14), predicted to affect protein structure, had a net protective effect against development of ESKD at exome-wide significance (n=4196; P value=3.3 × 10−7). The HSD17B14 gene and encoded enzyme were robustly expressed in healthy human kidney, maximally in proximal tubular cells. Paradoxically, gene and protein expression were attenuated in human diabetic proximal tubules and in mouse kidney injury models. Expressed HSD17B14 gene and protein levels remained low without recovery after 21 days in a murine ischemic reperfusion injury model. Decreased gene expression was found in other CKD-associated renal pathologies. Conclusions HSD17B14 gene is mechanistically involved in diabetic kidney disease. The encoded sex steroid enzyme is a druggable target, potentially opening a new avenue for therapeutic development.
Reconciling two opposing effects of radiation therapy: stimulation of cancer cell invasion and activation of anti-cancer immunity

Abstract Purpose The damage caused by radiation therapy to cancerous and normal cells inevitably leads to changes in the secretome profile of pro and anti-inflammatory mediators. The inflammatory response depends on the dose of radiation and its fractionation, while the inherent radiosensitivity of each patient dictates the intensity and types of adverse reactions. This review will present an overview of two apparently opposite reactions that may occur after radiation treatment: induction of an antitumor immune response and a protumoral response. Emphasis is placed on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. Conclusions By understanding how radiation changes the balance between anti- and protumoral effects, these forces can be manipulated to optimize radiation oncology treatments.
Perspectives for immunotherapy in noninfectious immune mediated uveitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Noninfectious uveitis (NIU) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. In adult patients, anterior NIU is usually managed with topical corticosteroids. In intermediate, posterior uveitis. and panuveitis, systemic corticosteroids are used especially in case of bilaterality or association with systemic disease. Biotherapies are recommended in case of inefficacy or intolerance to corticosteroids or conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Anti-TNF-α agents are by far the most widely used biotherapies. In case of failure or poor tolerance to anti-TNF-α, new targeted therapies can be proposed. Areas covered: We present and discuss an updated overview on biologics and biotherapies in NIU. Expert opinion: In case of dependency to systemic or intravitreal steroids, sight-threatening disease, and/or failure of conventional immunosuppressive drugs, anti-TNF-α are used as first-line biologics to achieve quiescence of inflammation. Anti-interleukin-6 is another option that may be proposed as first-line biologic or in case of poor efficacy of anti-TNF-α. Interferon can be directly proposed in specific indications (e.g. refractory macular edema, sight-threatening Behçet’s uveitis). In the rare cases that remain unresponsive to traditional biotherapies, novel molecules, such as Janus-associated-kinase and anti-phosphodiesterase-4-inhibitors can be used. Therapeutic response must always be evaluated by clinical and appropriate ancillary investigations.
Clinical Reasoning: A Middle-aged Man With a History of Muscle Pain Presenting With Progressive Leukoencephalopathy and Subsequent Coma

A 44-year-old left-handed man was admitted in October 2016 for acute-onset tingling and weakness in the left arm, cheek, and tongue and speech difficulties. These symptoms completely disappeared 1 hour later but were followed by several hours of headache, nausea, and vomiting. The patient experienced self-limiting gastroenteritis 2 months earlier. His medical history was unremarkable except for mild muscle pain aggravated by physical activity starting 4 years earlier. He never experienced a migraine, and his family history was negative for neurologic disorders. Neurologic examination was normal. There was no joint swelling, rash, renal impairment, or ocular signs. The working diagnoses were transitory ischemic attacks and migraine with aura. Brain CT and ultrasonography of the carotid arteries were normal.
How Patient Work Changes Over Time for People With Multimorbid Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Study

Background The experiences of patients change throughout their illness trajectory and differ according to their medical history, but digital support tools are often designed for one specific moment in time and do not change with the patient as their health state changes. This presents a fragmented support pattern where patients have to move from one app to another as they move between health states, and some subpopulations of patients do not have their needs addressed at all. Objective This study aims to investigate how patient work evolves over time for those living with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic multimorbidity, and explore the implications for digital support system design. Methods In total, 26 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic multimorbidity were recruited. Each interview was conducted twice, and interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to the Chronic Illness Trajectory Model. Results Four unique illness trajectories were identified with different patient work goals and needs: living with stable chronic conditions involves patients seeking to make patient work as routinized and invisible as possible; dealing with cycles of acute or crisis episodes included heavily multimorbid patients who sought support with therapy adherence; responding to unstable changes described patients currently experiencing rapid health changes and increasing patient work intensity; and coming back from crisis focused on patients coping with a loss of normalcy. Conclusions Patient work changes over time based on the experiences of the individual, and its timing and trajectory need to be considered when designing digital support interventions. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022163
Roles and mechanisms of circulating CEACAM1 in the cirrhosis-related intestinal hyperpermeability: in vitro approach

Background: Cirrhosis-related intestinal hyperpermeability and endotoxemia are characterized by intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, impaired restitution (proliferation and migration), decreased tight junction protein levels, and subsequent barrier dysfunction. In addition to endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) plays crucial roles in the regulation of apoptosis, restitution, tight junction protein-maintained barrier function of intestinal epithelial cells. Methods: This study aims to explore the roles and underlying mechanisms of CEACAM1 in cirrhosis-related intestinal hyperpermeability through in vitro approach. Results: In cirrhotic patients, high serum levels of intestinal hyperpermeability (zonulin and endotoxin) markers were accompanied by elevated serum levels of TNFα and soluble CEACAM1. In in vitro experiments, we evaluated the individual and interacted roles of TNFα and human recombinant CEACAM1 (hrCEACAM1) in LC-sera (sera of cirrhotic patients)-induced intestinal hyperpermeability-related pathogenic signals. In the cell Line human from human colon (Caucasian colon adenocarcinoma) (Caco-2) cell culture, LC-sera, TNFα, and hrCEACAM1 increased apoptosis (measured by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TdT] dUTP nick end labeling+/annexin-5+propidium iodide+ cells and caspase-3 activity), decreased restitution capacity (proliferation and migration), and disrupted tight junction protein-maintained barrier function in Caco-2 cells. The pathogenic changes mentioned above were accompanied by an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lactate dehydrogenase release, and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signals in the LC-sera or TNFα-pretreated Caco-2 cells. Concomitant incubation of Caco-2 cells with anti-CEACAM1 suppressed these LC-sera or TNFα-induced negative effects on restitution, barrier function, and cell viability. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that sera from cirrhotic patients contain soluble CEACAM1, which is involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal hyperpermeability. Accordingly, it is noteworthy to explore the potential use of anti-CEACAM1 treatment for cirrhosis-related intestinal hyperpermeability and endotoxemia.