julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of Enzymes involved in ISGylation and Ubiquitination in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
2020-01-01

<b>Background</b>: ISGylation is the conjugation of ISG15 with target proteins. ISGylation occurs through an enzymatic cascade, which is similar to that of ubiquitination. Through ISGylation, ISG15 can bind to proteins involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, thus promoting genesis and progression of malignancies. The present study aims to investigate expression of genes involved in ISGylation and ubiquitination in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to correlate gene expression with clinical laboratory parameters of these patients. <b>Methods</b>: mRNA expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the ISGylation process (<i>EFP</i>, <i>HERC5, UBA1, UBC</i> and <i>USP18</i>) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR in 38 pairs of tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and correlated with distinct clinical laboratory parameters. <b>Results:</b> Relative mRNA expression of <i>EFP</i>, <i>HERC5, UBA1</i> and <i>USP18</i> was significantly higher in tumour tissues compared to adjacent non-tumour tissues (<i>P</i>=0.006; 0.012; 0.02 and 0.039, respectively). The correlation pattern of mRNA expression between genes in the tumours differed from the pattern in adjacent non-tumour tissues. Relative expression of <i>EFP</i>, <i>HERC5</i> and <i>UBA1</i> in adjacent non-tumour tissues was positively associated with direct bilirubin levels (Spearman's rho=0.31, 0.33 and 0.45; <i>P</i>=0.06, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) and relative expression of <i>USP18</i> in adjacent non-tumour tissues correlated negatively with ALT levels (Spearman's rho= -0.33, <i>P</i>=0.03). <b>Conclusions</b>: <i>EFP</i>, <i>HERC5, UBA1,</i> and <i>USP18</i> genes are upregulated in tumour tissues of patients with HCC and, thus, may be associated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Going Regional: Local Childcare Provision and Parental Work–Care Choices in Germany
2020-01-01

Abstract This chapter argues that analyzing regional and local institutional variations has great potential for generating new insights on the drivers of family policy reforms as well as on mechanisms how policies affect families’ choices and well-being. Drawing on the case of Germany and focusing on early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, this chapter first describes regional variations in ECEC provision and take-up. It then reviews theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence on drivers of regional policy variations. Next, the chapter proposes a framework for investigating socially stratified work–care choices of parents at subnational levels by connecting a macro–micro rational choice perspective with the capability approach and the accommodation model of childcare choices. After reviewing the evidence on the effects of regional ECEC variations on social inequalities in take-up, maternal employment, and work–family balance, the chapter concludes by pointing to research gaps and new frontiers of regional family policy analysis.
Clinical and epidemiological aspects of chronic Chagas disease from Southern Brazil
2020-01-01

This study provided greater understanding of the distribution and clinical profile of CD patients in Southern Brazil, indicating a high prevalence of comorbidities among these patients who are a vulnerable group due to advanced age and substantial risk of morbidity.
Probing the immune responses to nanoparticles across environmental species. A perspective of the EU Horizon 2020 project PANDORA
2020-01-01

Here we discuss the potential of engineered nanoparticles to act as agents affecting the immune status in different environmentally relevant species, with a focus on the emerging experimental models launched by the EU Horizon 2020 project PANDORA.
MR-guided microwave ablation in hepatic malignancies: clinical experiences from 50 procedures
2020-01-01

<b>Purpose:</b> To investigate technical success, technique efficacy, safety and outcome of MR-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in hepatic malignancies.<b>Material and methods:</b> In this prospective IRB-approved study, patients scheduled for percutaneous treatment of hepatic malignancies underwent MR-guided MWA in a closed-bore 1.5 T MR system. Technical success was assessed on post-procedural MR control imaging. Technique efficacy was evaluated 4 weeks after the procedure on multi-parametric MRI. Assessment of safety followed the Society of Interventional Radiology grading system. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated to evaluate overall survival (OS), time to local tumor progression (TLTP), and time to non-target progression (TNTP).<b>Results:</b> Between 2015 and 2019, 47 patients (60.5 ± 12.2 years; 39 male) underwent 50 procedures for 58 hepatic tumors (21 hepatocellular carcinomas; 37 metastases). Mean target tumor size was 16 ± 7mm (range: 6-39 mm). Technical success and technique efficacy were 100% and 98%, respectively. Lesions were treated using 2.6 applicator positions (range: 1-6). Mean energy, ablation duration per tumor, and procedure duration were 43.2 ± 23.5 kJ, 26.7 ± 13.1 min and 211.2 ± 68.7 min, respectively. 10 minor (20%) and 3 major (6%) complications were observed. Median post-interventional hospital admission was 1 day (range: 1-19 days). Median OS was 41.6 (IQR: 26.4-) months. Local recurrence occurred after 4 procedures (8%) with TLTP ranging between 3.1 and 41.9 months. Non-target recurrence was observed in 64% of patients after a median TNTP of 13.8 (IQR 2.3-) months.<b>Conclusion:</b> MR-guided MWA allows for safe and successful treatment of hepatic malignancies with a high technique efficacy however with relatively long procedure durations.
Single-subject grey matter network trajectories over the disease course of autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease
2020-01-01

Abstract Structural grey matter covariance networks provide an individual quantification of morphological patterns in the brain. The network integrity is disrupted in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, and network properties show associations with the level of amyloid pathology and cognitive decline. Therefore, these network properties might be disease progression markers. However, it remains unclear when and how grey matter network integrity changes with disease progression. We investigated these questions in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease mutation carriers, whose conserved age at dementia onset allows individual staging based upon their estimated years to symptom onset. From the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network observational cohort, we selected T1-weighted MRI scans from 269 mutation carriers and 170 non-carriers (mean age 38 ± 15 years, mean estimated years to symptom onset −9 ± 11), of whom 237 had longitudinal scans with a mean follow-up of 3.0 years. Single-subject grey matter networks were extracted, and we calculated for each individual the network properties which describe the network topology, including the size, clustering, path length and small worldness. We determined at which time point mutation carriers and non-carriers diverged for global and regional grey matter network metrics, both cross-sectionally and for rate of change over time. Based on cross-sectional data, the earliest difference was observed in normalized path length, which was decreased for mutation carriers in the precuneus area at 13 years and on a global level 12 years before estimated symptom onset. Based on longitudinal data, we found the earliest difference between groups on a global level 6 years before symptom onset, with a greater rate of decline of network size for mutation carriers. We further compared grey matter network small worldness with established biomarkers for Alzheimer disease (i.e. amyloid accumulation, cortical thickness, brain metabolism and cognitive function). We found that greater amyloid accumulation at baseline was associated with faster decline of small worldness over time, and decline in grey matter network measures over time was accompanied by decline in brain metabolism, cortical thinning and cognitive decline. In summary, network measures decline in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, which is alike sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, and the properties show decline over time prior to estimated symptom onset. These data suggest that single-subject networks properties obtained from structural MRI scans form an additional non-invasive tool for understanding the substrate of cognitive decline and measuring progression from preclinical to severe clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Unravelling the structural complexity and photophysical properties of adamantyl-based layered hybrid perovskites
2020-01-01

Structural properties and photophysics of layered perovskites comprising adamantyl (A) cations in A<sub>2</sub>FA<sub>n−1</sub>Pb<italic>n</italic>I<sub>3n+1</sub> (<italic>n</italic> = 1–3, FA = formamidinium) composition are studied by a combination of theoretical and experimental techniques to unravel unique features.
Oxidation of green rust by anoxygenic phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidising bacteria
2020-01-01

Green rust (GR) may have been a primary mineral phase during the deposition of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides in Precambrian iron formations (IFs).However, the transformation pathways of GR into secondary mineral phases in IFs remain unclear.One potentially relevant mechanism on early Earth is anoxygenic phototrophic microbial oxidation of either dissolved Fe(II) or Fe(II)-bearing minerals that leads to the formation of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides.It is currently unknown whether phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidisers can access lattice Fe(II) in GR.Here, we studied microbial Fe(II) oxidation of carbonate green rust by two anoxygenic phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidising bacteria, Rhodobacter ferrooxidans SW2 and Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1.We found that these two species could oxidise GR to a short range ordered Fe(III) oxyhydroxide, likely ferrihydrite, with faster GR oxidation rates by SW2 than by TIE-1.These results suggest that anoxygenic phototropic Fe(II) oxidation of GR can contribute to the formation of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides and thus, this process could have been an important mechanism for Precambrian IFs deposition in ancient oceans.
Combination of bioresponsive chelates and perfluorinated lipid nanoparticles enables in vivo MRI probe quantification
2020-01-01

We used lipid nanoparticles with a perfluorinated core as a platform for a responsive nanosized <sup>1</sup>H MRI contrast agent to achieve the <italic>in vivo</italic> quantification of the probe by means of <sup>19</sup>F MRI.
Stability of radical-functionalized gold surfaces by self-assembly and on-surface chemistry
2020-01-01

We have investigated the radical functionalization of gold with a derivative of the perchlorotriphenylmethyl radical using two methods: by chemisorption from the radical solution and by on surface chemical derivation from a precursor.
Online behavioural patterns for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom
2020-01-01

Abstract The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic offers a unique opportunity to conduct an infodemiological study examining patterns in online searching activity about a specific disease and how this relates to news media within a specific country. Google Trends quantifies volumes of online activity. The relative search volume was obtained for ‘Coronavirus’, ‘handwashing’, ‘face mask’ and symptom related keywords, for the United Kingdom, from the date of the first confirmed case until numbers peaked in April. The relationship between online search traffic and confirmed case numbers was examined. Search volumes varied over time; peaks appear related to events in the progression of the epidemic which were reported in the media. Search activity on ‘Coronavirus’ correlated well against confirmed case number as did ‘face mask’ and symptom-related keywords. User-generated online data sources such as Google Trends may aid disease surveillance, being more responsive to changes in disease occurrence than traditional disease reporting. The relationship between media coverage and online searching activity is rarely examined, but may be driving online behavioural patterns.
HDMTX-based polychemotherapy including intraventricular therapy in elderly patients with primary CNS lymphoma: a single center series
2020-01-01

Background: To investigate outcome and toxicity of high-dose systemic methotrexate (HDMTX)-based polychemotherapy and intracerebroventricular (ICV) chemotherapy via an Ommaya reservoir in elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on patients ⩾65 years with first diagnosis of PCNSL admitted to our center between January 2015 and December 2019. These patients were treated with a standardized chemotherapy protocol in case of absent contraindications for HDMTX-based chemotherapy. The protocol contained induction therapy with systemic rituximab, methotrexate and ifosfamide and consolidation treatment with systemic cytarabine (AraC) and ICV methotrexate, prednisolone and AraC. Results: Of a total of 46 patients seen in this period, 3 did not qualify for HDMTX. Thus, 43 patients were included in this analysis. Median age was 74 years (range 65–86), median Karnofsky performance score was 50 (range 20–90). Of the 43 patients, 32 (74.4%) completed treatment including ICV therapy. Complete remission/complete remission unconfirmed was achieved in 26 of 43 patients (60.5%), partial response (PR) in 3 (7%); 5 (11.6%) had progressive disease, and 3 (7.0%) died due to treatment-related complications; in the remaining 6 (14.0%) therapy could not be completed. Median progression free survival was 16 months (95% confidence interval 8–24 months) and median overall survival had not been reached after a median follow up of 23 months (range 1–52 months); the 75th percentile survival time was 12 months. No Ommaya reservoir infection was observed. Complications of ICV treatment were pericatheter leucencephalopathy in two patients and surgical scar dehiscence with cerebrospinal fluid leak in one patient. Conclusion: Toxicity of HDMTX plus ICV chemotherapy for elderly patients with PCNSL was manageable and outcome was excellent for patients treated with this protocol.
Reorientation of π-conjugated molecules on few-layer MoS2 films
2020-01-01

We show that small π-conjugated molecules adopt a lying-down orientation when deposited on few-layer MoS<sub>2</sub> with horizontally oriented layers. In contrast, for vertically aligned MoS<sub>2</sub> layers, DIP molecules are arranged in a standing-up manner.
Asymmetric high-order anatomical brain connectivity sculpts effective connectivity
2020-01-01

Bridging the gap between symmetric, direct white matter brain connectivity and neural dynamics that are often asymmetric and polysynaptic may offer insights into brain architecture, but this remains an unresolved challenge in neuroscience. Here, we used the graph Laplacian matrix to simulate symmetric and asymmetric high-order diffusion processes akin to particles spreading through white matter pathways. The simulated indirect structural connectivity outperformed direct as well as absent anatomical information in sculpting effective connectivity, a measure of causal and directed brain dynamics. Crucially, an asymmetric diffusion process determined by the sensitivity of the network nodes to their afferents best predicted effective connectivity. The outcome is consistent with brain regions adapting to maintain their sensitivity to inputs within a dynamic range. Asymmetric network communication models offer a promising perspective for understanding the relationship between structural and functional brain connectomes, both in normalcy and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing of blood from hospitalized febrile children in Gabon
2020-01-01

Dear Editor,Viruses represent the major cause of febrile consultations in children across sub-Saharan Africa [1,2], but considering their high number and the need of specific molecular tools target...
Ni or FeO nanocrystal-integrated hollow (solid) N-doped carbon nanospheres: preparation, characterization and electrochemical properties
2020-01-01

N-Doped carbon nano(micro)spheres have been rationally designed, successfully synthesized and used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, showing excellent lithium storage properties and superior reversibility.
Overhydration Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy and Urinary Serine Protease Activity Are Risk Factors for Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease
2020-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Overhydration (OH) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and might be related to the excretion of urinary serine proteases. Progression of CKD is associated with proteinuria; however, the interrelations of urinary serine proteases, OH, and progression of CKD remain unclear. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; In &lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 179 patients with stable nondialysis-dependent CKD of all stages, OH was measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy (Body Composition Monitor; Fresenius), and urinary serine protease activity was determined using the peptide substrate S-2302. After a median follow-up of 5.9 (IQR: 3.9–6.5) years, progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was analyzed retrospectively. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; OH correlated with baseline MDRD-eGFR, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), and urinary aprotinin-sensitive serine protease activity. Progression to ESRD occurred in &lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 33 patients (19%) and correlated with OH and urinary serine protease activity as well as MDRD-eGFR and ACR. Patients were divided into 2 groups determined by cutoff values from receiver operating characteristics for MDRD-eGFR (32 mL/min/1.73 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;), ACR (43 mg/g creatinine), urinary serine protease activity (0.9 RU/g creatinine), and OH (1 L/1.73 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;). Across these cutoff values, Kaplan-Meier curves for renal survival showed significant separations of the groups. In Cox regression adjusted for MDRD-eGFR, ACR, P-NT-pro-BNP, systolic blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus, patients with OH &amp;#x3e;1 L/1.73 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; had a 3.32 (95% CI: 1.26–8.76)-fold higher risk for progression to ESRD. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Our results corroborate that OH detected by bioimpedance spectroscopy in CKD patients is an independent risk factor for progression to ESRD in addition to GFR and albuminuria. Urinary serine protease activity is associated with OH and progression of CKD and provides a possible underlying mechanism.
The Role of Der p 23 Sensitization: An Analysis of 474 Patients Sensitized to Mite
2020-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Introduction:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; House dust mite contains several allergen components and causes perennial allergy. Lately, a new major allergen, Der p 23, was described with relatively high sensitization rates in different European Countries. In addition, Der p 23 is supposed to cause asthmatic disease. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; We would like to question the prevalence and clinical impact of specific immunoglobulin E to Der p 23 in a large patient sample in southern Bavaria, Germany. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; 474 patients from southern Bavaria, who visited the allergy department within the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology of a university hospital, with sensitization to &lt;i&gt;Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus&lt;/i&gt; were retrospectively compared regarding their sensitization profile to Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 23 and their clinical characteristics. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Among &lt;i&gt;D. pteronyssinus&lt;/i&gt;-sensitized patients, the overall sensitization rate to Der p 23 was 42% in southern Bavaria. Most likely, patients were simultaneously sensitized to Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 23. Der p 23-sensitized patients reported more frequently asthma and showed higher prevalence of poly-sensitization towards 3 additional allergen groups and higher prevalence of double-sensitization to Der p 1 and Der p 2 compared to patients with missing sensitization to Der p 23. Considering the results of allergen provocation tests, neither IgE sensitization against Der p 23 nor levels of specific immunoglobulin E to Der p 23 allow a clear prediction of the clinical relevance of the sensitization. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; With a sensitization rate of 42%, Der p 23 closely misses the criterion of a major allergen in our southern Bavarian patient collective. A higher prevalence of polysensitization and self-reported asthma was the only clinical feature found in Der p 23-sensitized patients.
China’s engagement with Kazakhstan and Russia’s Zugzwang: Why is Nur-Sultan incurring regional power hedging?
2020-01-01

Grappling with the contemporary topos of a Sino-Russian Entente, Kazakhstan is caught between a delicate long-term peer-competition and potentially a structural rivalry involving the two Eurasian Leviathans, China and Russia. Acknowledging this perspective, Nur-Sultan is inducing hedging dynamics, fishing for a better range of net benefits, while playing a significant fulcrum role central to the regional geopolitical and geo-economic matrix. Although Russia is retaining the prevailing role in the security domain, China is catching up with Russia in various economic indices, notably generated by the Belt and Road Initiative. Utilizing the conceptualization of hierarchy in international relations adapted from the work of David A. Lake, this paper outlines how Nur-Sultan’s interests and preferences are acknowledged by the respective dominants, as a basis for social contracting processes to generate a dual hierarchical order in Central Asia.
Validation of MicroRNA-188-5p Inhibition Power on Tumor Cell Proliferation in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
2020-01-01

Given the crucial role of microRNAs in the cellular proliferation of various types of cancers, we aimed to analyze the expression and function of a cellular proliferation-associated miR-188-5p in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Here we demonstrate that miR-188-5p is downregulated in PTC tumor tissues compared with the associated noncancerous tissues. We also validate that the miR-188-5p overexpression suppressed the PTC cancer cell proliferation. In addition, fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) is observed to be downregulated in the PTC tumor tissues compared with the associated noncancerous tissues. Subsequently, FGF5 is identified as the direct functional target of miR-188-5p. Moreover, the silencing of FGF5 was found to inhibit PTC cell proliferation, which is the same pattern as miR-188-5p overexpression. These results suggest that miR-188-5p-associated silencing of FGF5 inhibits tumor cell proliferation in PTC. It also highlights the importance of further evaluating miR-188-5p as a potential biomarker and therapy target in PTC.
Supervised Disambiguation of German Verbal Idioms with a BiLSTM Architecture
2020-01-01

Supervised disambiguation of verbal idioms (VID) poses special demands on the quality and quantity of the annotated data used for learning and evaluation. In this paper, we present a new VID corpus for German and perform a series of VID disambiguation experiments on it. Our best classifier, based on a neural architecture, yields an error reduction across VIDs of 57% in terms of accuracy compared to a simple majority baseline.