96 research outputs found
Vision Encoder-Decoder Models for AI Coaching
This research paper introduces an innovative AI coaching approach by
integrating vision-encoder-decoder models. The feasibility of this method is
demonstrated using a Vision Transformer as the encoder and GPT-2 as the
decoder, achieving a seamless integration of visual input and textual
interaction. Departing from conventional practices of employing distinct models
for image recognition and text-based coaching, our integrated architecture
directly processes input images, enabling natural question-and-answer dialogues
with the AI coach. This unique strategy simplifies model architecture while
enhancing the overall user experience in human-AI interactions. We showcase
sample results to demonstrate the capability of the model. The results
underscore the methodology's potential as a promising paradigm for creating
efficient AI coach models in various domains involving visual inputs.
Importantly, this potential holds true regardless of the particular visual
encoder or text decoder chosen. Additionally, we conducted experiments with
different sizes of GPT-2 to assess the impact on AI coach performance,
providing valuable insights into the scalability and versatility of our
proposed methodology.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Study of UV Degradation on Plastic (PET) Aerosols
The present study was aimed to explore the impact of UV radiation, from ‘real world’ environmental exposure, on the degradation of plastic PET aerosol containers. Additionally, the intent was to correlate the ‘real world’ environmental exposure to artificial sunlight, using a Xenon-Arc lamp, to develop a simulated test. The standardized methodology could then be used to evaluate the integrity of the plastic aerosol container and product, without the complexity of using ‘real world’ exposure. Through this study, a lab method was developed and validated that would simulate the effect of UV radiation using the Xenon-Arc. Moreover, a correlation was made for conditions inside the Xenon-Arc chamber that were conducive to testing a plastic pressurized container
Ovarian cancer risk in Polish BRCA1 mutation carriers is not associated with the prohibitin 3' untranslated region polymorphism
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The variable penetrance of ovarian cancer in <it>BRCA1 </it>mutation carriers suggests that other genetic or environmental factors modify disease risk. The C to T transition in the 3' untranslated region of the prohibitin (<it>PHB</it>) gene alters mRNA function and has recently been shown to be associated with hereditary breast cancer risk in Polish women harbouring <it>BRCA1 </it>mutations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To investigate whether the <it>PHB </it>3'UTR polymorphism also modifies hereditary ovarian cancer risk, we performed a case-control study among Polish women carrying one of the three common founder mutations (5382insC, 300 T > G, 4154delA) including 127 ovarian cases and 127 unaffected controls who had both breasts and ovaries intact. Controls were matched to cases by year of birth and <it>BRCA1 </it>mutation. Genotyping analysis was performed using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using conditional and penalized univariable and multivariable logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A comparison of the genotype frequencies between cases and controls revealed no association of the <it>PHB </it>3'UTR _CT+TT genotypes with ovarian cancer risk (OR<sub>adj </sub>1.34; 95% CI, 0.59–3.11).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggest that the <it>PHB </it>3'UTR polymorphism does not modify ovarian cancer risk in women carrying one of the three Polish <it>BRCA1 </it>founder mutations.</p
Tumor Suppression by RNA from C/EBPβ 3′UTR through the Inhibition of Protein Kinase Cε Activity
BACKGROUND: Since the end of last century, RNAs from the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of several eukaryotic mRNAs have been found to exert tumor suppression activity when introduced into malignant cells independent of their whole mRNAs. In this study, we sought to determine the molecular mechanism of the tumor suppression activity of a short RNA from 3'UTR of C/EBPβ mRΝΑ (C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA) in human hepatocarcinoma cells SMMC-7721. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By using Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, molecular beacon, confocal microscopy, protein kinase inhibitors and in vitro kinase assays, we found that, in the C/EBPβ 3'UTR-transfectant cells of SMMC-7721, the overexpressed C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA induced reorganization of keratin 18 by binding to this keratin; that the C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA also reduced phosphorylation and expression of keratin 18; and that the enzyme responsible for phosphorylating keratin 18 is protein kinase Cε. We then found that the C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA directly inhibited the phosphorylating activity of protein kinase Cε; and that C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA specifically bound with the protein kinase Cε-keratin 18 conjugate. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Together, these facts suggest that the tumor suppression in SMMC-7721 by C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA is due to the inhibition of protein kinase Cε activity through direct physical interaction between C/EBPβ 3'UTR RNA and protein kinase Cε. These facts indicate that the 3'UTR of some eukaryotic mRNAs may function as regulators for genes other than their own
Comparative genome analysis of PHB gene family reveals deep evolutionary origins and diverse gene function
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>PHB (Prohibitin) gene family is involved in a variety of functions important for different biological processes. PHB genes are ubiquitously present in divergent species from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Human PHB genes have been found to be associated with various diseases. Recent studies by our group and others have shown diverse function of PHB genes in plants for development, senescence, defence, and others. Despite the importance of the PHB gene family, no comprehensive gene family analysis has been carried to evaluate the relatedness of PHB genes across different species. In order to better guide the gene function analysis and understand the evolution of the PHB gene family, we therefore carried out the comparative genome analysis of the PHB genes across different kingdoms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The relatedness, motif distribution, and intron/exon distribution all indicated that PHB genes is a relatively conserved gene family. The PHB genes can be classified into 5 classes and each class have a very deep evolutionary origin. The PHB genes within the class maintained the same motif patterns during the evolution. With<it> Arabidopsis</it> as the model species, we found that PHB gene intron/exon structure and domains are also conserved during the evolution. Despite being a conserved gene family, various gene duplication events led to the expansion of the PHB genes. Both segmental and tandem gene duplication were involved in Arabidopsis PHB gene family expansion. However, segmental duplication is predominant in Arabidopsis. Moreover, most of the duplicated genes experienced neofunctionalization. The results highlighted that PHB genes might be involved in important functions so that the duplicated genes are under the evolutionary pressure to derive new function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PHB gene family is a conserved gene family and accounts for diverse but important biological functions based on the similar molecular mechanisms. The highly diverse biological function indicated that more research needs to be carried out to dissect the PHB gene function. The conserved gene evolution indicated that the study in the model species can be translated to human and mammalian studies.</p
Distinct Pigmentary and Melanocortin 1 Receptor–Dependent Components of Cutaneous Defense against Ultraviolet Radiation
Genetic variation at the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is an important risk factor for developing ultraviolet (UV) radiation–induced skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in humans. The underlying mechanisms by which the MC1R defends against UV-induced skin cancer are not known. We used neonatal mouse skin (which, like human skin, contains a mixture of melanocytes and keratinocytes) to study how pigment cells and Mc1r genotype affect the genome-level response to UV radiation. Animals without viable melanocytes (Kit(W-v)/Kit(W-v)) or animals lacking a functional Mc1r (Mc1r(e)/Mc1r(e)) were exposed to sunburn-level doses of UVB radiation, and the patterns of large-scale gene expression in the basal epidermis were compared to each other and to nonmutant animals. Our analysis revealed discrete Kit- and Mc1r-dependent UVB transcriptional responses in the basal epidermis. The Kit-dependent UVB response was characterized largely by an enrichment of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress genes, highlighting a distinctive role for pigmented melanocytes in mediating antioxidant defenses against genotoxic stresses within the basal epidermal environment. By contrast, the Mc1r-dependent UVB response contained an abundance of genes associated with regulating the cell cycle and oncogenesis. To test the clinical relevance of these observations, we analyzed publicly available data sets for primary melanoma and melanoma metastases and found that the set of genes specific for the Mc1r-dependent UVB response was able to differentiate between different clinical subtypes. Our analysis also revealed that the classes of genes induced by UVB differ from those repressed by UVB with regard to their biological functions, their overall number, and their size. The findings described here offer new insights into the transcriptional nature of the UV response in the skin and provide a molecular framework for the underlying mechanisms by which melanocytes and the Mc1r independently mediate and afford protection against UV radiation
Radioprotective potential of mint: A brief review
Radiation is an important modality in cancer treatment and estimates
are that between one third and one half of all patients will require
ionizing irradiation therapy during some point in their clinical
management. However, the radiation-induced damage to the normal tissues
restricts the therapeutic doses of radiation that can be delivered to
tumors and thereby limits the effectiveness of the treatment. The use
of chemical compounds (radioprotectors) represents an obvious strategy
to improve the therapeutic index in radiotherapy. However, most of the
synthetic radioprotective compounds studied have shown inadequate
clinical application owing to their inherent toxicity and high cost.
These observations necessitated a search for alternative agents that
are less toxic and highly effective. Studies in the recent past have
shown that some medicinal plants possess radioprotective effects. Two
species of the commonly used aromatic herb mint, Mentha piperita and M.
arvensis protected mice against the \u3b3-radiation-induced sickness
and mortality. Detail investigations have also shown that the aqueous
extract of M. piperita protected the vital radiosensitive organs: the
testis, gastrointestinal and hemopoetic systems in mice. The
radioprotective effects are possibly due to free radical scavenging,
antioxidant, metal chelating, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and
enhancement of the DNA repair processes. This review for the first time
summarizes the observations and elucidates the possible mechanisms
responsible for the beneficial effects. The lacunae in the existing
knowledge and directions for future research are also addressed
Radioprotective potential of mint: A brief review
Radiation is an important modality in cancer treatment and estimates
are that between one third and one half of all patients will require
ionizing irradiation therapy during some point in their clinical
management. However, the radiation-induced damage to the normal tissues
restricts the therapeutic doses of radiation that can be delivered to
tumors and thereby limits the effectiveness of the treatment. The use
of chemical compounds (radioprotectors) represents an obvious strategy
to improve the therapeutic index in radiotherapy. However, most of the
synthetic radioprotective compounds studied have shown inadequate
clinical application owing to their inherent toxicity and high cost.
These observations necessitated a search for alternative agents that
are less toxic and highly effective. Studies in the recent past have
shown that some medicinal plants possess radioprotective effects. Two
species of the commonly used aromatic herb mint, Mentha piperita and M.
arvensis protected mice against the γ-radiation-induced sickness
and mortality. Detail investigations have also shown that the aqueous
extract of M. piperita protected the vital radiosensitive organs: the
testis, gastrointestinal and hemopoetic systems in mice. The
radioprotective effects are possibly due to free radical scavenging,
antioxidant, metal chelating, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and
enhancement of the DNA repair processes. This review for the first time
summarizes the observations and elucidates the possible mechanisms
responsible for the beneficial effects. The lacunae in the existing
knowledge and directions for future research are also addressed
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