Toward Text Data Augmentation for Sentiment Analysis

A significant part of natural language processing (NLP) techniques for sentiment analysis is based on supervised methods, which are affected by the quality of data. Therefore, sentiment analysis needs to be prepared for data quality issues, such as imbalance and lack of labeled data. Data augmentation methods, widely adopted in image classification tasks, include data-space solutions to tackle the problem of limited data and enhance the size and quality of training datasets to provide better models. In this work, we study the advantages and drawbacks of text augmentation methods such as easy data augmentation, back-translation, BART, and pretrained data augmentor) with recent classification algorithms (long short-term memory, convolutional neural network, bidirectional encoder representations of transformers, support vector machine, gated recurrent units, random forests, and enhanced language representation with informative entities, that have attracted sentiment-analysis researchers and industry applications. We explored seven sentiment-analysis datasets to provide scenarios of imbalanced datasets and limited data to discuss the influence of a given classifier in overcoming these problems, and provide insights into promising combinations of transformation, paraphrasing, and generation methods of sentence augmentation. The results revealed improvements from the augmented dataset, mainly for reduced datasets. Furthermore, when balanced by augmenting the minority class, the datasets were found to have improved quality, leading to more robust classifiers. The contributions to this article include the taxonomy of NLP augmentation methods and their efficiency over several classifiers from recent research trends in sentiment analysis and related fields

Herbage accumulation, nutritive value, and organic reserves of continuously stocked 'Ipyporã' and 'Mulato II' Brachiariagrasses.

Although Brachiaria spp. grasses are important components of sustainable forage?livestock systems in the Amazon biome, cultivar diversification is needed to reduce risk from pests and diseases. Brachiaria hybrid ?BRS RB331 Ipyporã? [B. ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard ´ B. brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf] was released in 2017 as an alternative for intensively managed forage?livestock systems. Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation (HA), nutritive value, and organic reserves of Ipyporã and standard hybrid ?Mulato II? (B. ruziziensis ´ B. brizantha ´ B. decumbens Stapf) under continuous stocking during 2 yr in the Amazon biome. Treatments were the two cultivars replicated four times in a randomized complete block design, and each experimental unit was 1.5 ha. Pastures of Mulato II presented 15% greater HA than Ipyporã (17,360 vs. 14,930 kg dry matter ha−1 yr−1) across the 2 yr, and Mulato II leaf mass was greater than Ipyporã (1440 vs. 1900 kg dry matter ha−1) in the dry season. Both cultivars had greater herbage mass, HA, and herbage bulk density during the rainy season of 2016?2017 compared with 2017?2018 due to a shorter period of water deficit (30 d) and greater rainfall (2147 vs. 1762 mm) in the first than second year. Mulato II herbage crude protein was 10 g kg−1 greater than Ipyporã. In this severe risk region for spittlebug, Mulato II required spittlebug monitoring and control due to occurrence of foliar damage. Although Ipyporã had lesser HA, no spittlebug damage was evident. Thus, Ipyporã is an attractive alternative for diversification of forage-based livestock systems in the Amazon biome

The use of PBPK/PD to establish clinically relevant dissolution specifications for zolpidem immediate release tablets

Background: Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent which has been shown to be effective in inducing and maintaining sleep in adults and is one of the most frequently prescribed hypnotics in the world. For drugs that are used to treat sleeping disorders, the time to reach the maximum concentration (Tmax) of the drug in plasma is important to achieving a fast onset of action and this must be maintained when switching from one product to another. Objectives: The main objective of the present work was to create a PBPK/PD model for zolpidem and establish a clinically relevant “safe space” for dissolution of zolpidem from the commercial immediate release (IR) formulation. A second objective was to analyze literature pharmacokinetic data to verify the negative food effect ascribed to zolpidem and consider its ramifications in terms of the “safe space” for dissolution. Methods: Using dissolution, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, an integrated PBPK/PD model for immediate release zolpidem tablets was constructed in Simcyp®. This model was used to identify the clinically relevant dissolution specifications necessary to ensure efficacy. Results: According to the simulations, as long as 85% of the drug is released in 45 minutes or less, the impact on the PK and PD profiles of zolpidem would be minimal. According to the FDA, the drug has to dissolve from the test and reference products at a similar rate and to an extent of 85% in not more than 30 minutes to pass bioequivalence via the BCS-biowaiver test. Thus, the BCS-biowaiver specifications are somewhat more stringent than the “safe space” based on the PBPK/PD model. Published data from fasted and fed state pharmacokinetic studies suggest but do not prove a negative food effect of zolpidem. Conclusions: A PBPK/PD model indicates that current BCS biowaiver criteria are more restrictive for immediate release zolpidem tablets than they need to be. In view of the close relationship between PK and PD, it remains advisable to avoid taking zolpidem tablets with or immediately after a meal, as indicated by the Stilnox® labeling

GSK3β inhibition blocks melanoma cell/host interactions by downregulating N-cadherin expression and decreasing FAK phosphorylation.

This study addresses the role of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β signaling in the tumorigenic behavior of melanoma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed GSK3β to be focally expressed in the invasive portions of 12 and 33% of primary and metastatic melanomas, respectively. GSK3 inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of GSK3β were found to inhibit the motile behavior of melanoma cells in scratch wound, three-dimensional collagen-implanted spheroid, and modified Boyden chamber assays. Functionally, inhibition of GSK3β signaling was found to suppress N-cadherin expression at the messenger RNA and protein levels, and was associated with decreased expression of the transcription factor Slug. Pharmacological and genetic ablation of GSK3β signaling inhibited the adhesion of melanoma cells to both endothelial cells and fibroblasts and prevented transendothelial migration, an effect rescued by the forced overexpression of N-cadherin. A further role for GSK3β signaling in invasion was suggested by the ability of GSK3β inhibitors and siRNA knockdown to block phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and increase the size of focal adhesions. In summary, we have, to our knowledge, demonstrated a previously unreported role for GSK3β in modulating the motile and invasive behavior of melanoma cells through N-cadherin and FAK. These studies suggest the potential therapeutic utility of inhibiting GSK3β in defined subsets of melanoma

Forage production and animal performance of Ipyporã and Mulato II Brachiariagrasses under continuous stocking.

In the last two decades breeders have focused on hybridization within the grass genus Brachiaria in order to integrate the most outstanding characteristics of several species to enhance animal performance in forage-livestock system, especially when addressing edaphoclimatic conditions and pest susceptibility. The objective of this study was to compare herbage accumulation, nutritive value, and animal performance of ?Ipyporã? [B. ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard × B. brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf] and ?Mulato II? (B. ruziziensis × B. brizantha× B. decumbens Stapf) brachiariagrasses in the Brazilian Amazon biome. All experimental units were continuously stocked using a variable stocking rate from May 2016 to May 2018. Herbage accumulation (HA) was greater in Mulato II (17,370 kg DM ha?1) than Ipyporã (14,930 kg DM ha?1), resulting in 25 and 23% greater stocking rate (SR) and gain ha?1 than Ipyporã, respectively. Herbage allowance did not differ between grasses (averaging 6.52 kg DM kg?1 BW). The crude protein (CP), neutral (NDF), and acid (ADF) detergent fiber concentrations did not differ between cultivars (P > 0.05). Greater annual HA and gain ha-1 for Mulato II support its use in intensive forage-based systems. However, susceptibility of Mulato II to spittlebug requires regular monitoring and treatment in regions like the Amazon biome, where risk of spittlebug damage is great. In contrast, spittlebug-resistant Ipyporã can provide excellent plant and animal response with no spittlebug risk, offering a sustainable alternative to Mulato II for forage diversification

Reversing Melanoma Cross-Resistance to BRAF and MEK Inhibitors by Co-Targeting the AKT/mTOR Pathway

The sustained clinical activity of the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX4032/RG7204) in patients with BRAF(V600) mutant melanoma is limited primarily by the development of acquired resistance leading to tumor progression. Clinical trials are in progress using MEK inhibitors following disease progression in patients receiving BRAF inhibitors. However, the PI3K/AKT pathway can also induce resistance to the inhibitors of MAPK pathway.The sensitivity to vemurafenib or the MEK inhibitor AZD6244 was tested in sensitive and resistant human melanoma cell lines exploring differences in activation-associated phosphorylation levels of major signaling molecules, leading to the testing of co-inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway genetically and pharmacologically. There was a high degree of cross-resistance to vemurafenib and AZD6244, except in two vemurafenib-resistant cell lines that acquired a secondary mutation in NRAS. In other cell lines, acquired resistance to both drugs was associated with persistence or increase in activity of AKT pathway. siRNA-mediated gene silencing and combination therapy with an AKT inhibitor or rapamycin partially or completely reversed the resistance.Primary and acquired resistance to vemurafenib in these in vitro models results in frequent cross resistance to MEK inhibitors, except when the resistance is the result of a secondary NRAS mutation. Resistance to BRAF or MEK inhibitors is associated with the induction or persistence of activity within the AKT pathway in the presence of these drugs. This resistance can be potentially reversed by the combination of a RAF or MEK inhibitor with an AKT or mTOR inhibitor. These combinations should be available for clinical testing in patients progressing on BRAF inhibitors

McNair Research Journal - Summer 2015

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program Table of Contents Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Statements: Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach McNair Scholars Institute Staf

Targeting BRAF for patients with melanoma

The prognosis of patients with metastatic melanoma is poor and not influenced by systemic therapy with cytotoxic drugs. New targeted agents directed against the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway show promising activity in early clinical development and particular interest is focused on selective inhibitors of mutant BRAF, which is present in one half of the cases of metastatic melanoma. The majority of patients on early trials of these drugs develop secondary resistance and subsequent disease progression and it is, therefore, critical to understand the underlying escape mechanisms leading to resistance

Intensified dose of cyclophosphamide with G-CSF support versus standard dose combined with platinum in first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer a randomised study from the GINECO group

ICON3 trial results have suggested that CAP and carboplatin–taxol regimens as first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) yield similar survival. We explored the impact of increased dose of cyclophosphamide in a modified CAP regimen on the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of AOC patients. From February 1994 to June 1997, 164 patients were randomised to receive six cycles every 3 weeks of either standard CEP (S) combining cyclophosphamide (C), 500 mg m−2, epirubicin (E) 50 mg m−2, and cisplatin (P) 75 mg m−2 or intensive CEP (I) with E and P at the same doses, but with (C) 1800 mg m−2 and filgrastim 5 μg kg−1 per day × 10 days. Response was evaluated at second-look surgery. Patient characteristics were well balanced. Except for grade 3–4 neutropaenia (S: 54%, I: 38% of cycles), Arm1 presented a significantly more important toxicity: infection requiring antibiotics, grade 3–4 thrombocytopaenia, anaemia, nausea-vomiting, diarrhoea, mucositis. Median follow-up was 84 months. DFS (15.9 vs 14.8 months) and OS (33 vs 30 months) were not significantly different between S and I (P>0.05). Increasing cyclophosphamide dose by more than 3 times with filgrastim support in the modified CAP regimen CEP induces more toxicity but not better efficacy in AOC