Investigating the Effect of Emoji in Opinion Classification of Uzbek Movie Review Comments

Opinion mining on social media posts has become more and more popular. Users often express their opinion on a topic not only with words but they also use image symbols such as emoticons and emoji. In this paper, we investigate the effect of emoji-based features in opinion classification of Uzbek texts, and more specifically movie review comments from YouTube. Several classification algorithms are tested, and feature ranking is performed to evaluate the discriminative ability of the emoji-based features.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, 3 table

Medical expulsion therapy of ureteral stones

In prospective, non-placebo controlled, non randomized investigation were included 98 patients with single stone of ureter. All patients were divided in two groups. The first one underwent standard therapy plus “Prolit Super Septo” (2 capsules 3 times a day), and the second one (n=65) – only standard therapy (drotaverin 40 mg 3 times a day). The total stone expulsions were statistically higher in mane group (85 % vs 66%, р=0.02). The mane trend of stone migration from proximal to distal part of ureter were higher too in first group (52% vs 32 %. р = 0,17). The possibility of stone expulsion ratio in two groups were 4,1:1,0.Цель исследования: оценка эффективности применения медикаментозной экспульсивной терапии у пациентов с камнями мочеточника. Материалы и методы. Проведено открытое сравнительное плацебо-неконтролируемое исследование, включавшее 98 пациентов с единичными конкрементами различных отделов мочеточника. Всем пациентам, после купирования болевого синдрома, проводилась консервативная терапия, направленная на самостоятельное отхождение конкрементов. Применялись две схемы лечения: основная и контрольная. Основная схема включала назначение спазмолитиков (дротаверин, 40 мг, 3 р/сут.) и препарата «Пролит Супер Септо» (2 капсулы, 3 р/сут.). Контрольная схема (n=65) включала назначение только спазмолитиков в той же дозировке. Максимальная длительность консервативного лечения составляла 28 суток) или до отхождения конкремента). Осуществлялся еженедельный ультразвуковой мониторинг. Результаты исследования. Общая вероятность отхождения конкрементов, локализованных в дистальной части мочеточника, была достоверно выше в группе пациентов, получавших основную схему лечения, по сравнению с группой пациентов, получавших только стандартную терапию (85 % vs 66%, соответственно; р=0.02). Основная схема лечения позволяла лучше контролировать болевую симптоматику во все периоды наблюдения. Общая вероятность миграции конкрементов из проксимального отдела в дистальный отдел мочеточника составила 52% в основной группе лечения и 32 % - в контрольной (р = 0,17). Обсуждение результатов исследования. Однофакторный и многофакторный анализы модели пропорциональных рисков продемонстрировали, что в группе пациентов, получавших комбинированное медикаментозное лечение, вероятность отхождения конкрементов из дистального отдела мочеточника была достоверно выше. Характер применяемой терапии напрямую влиял на вероятность более раннего отхождения конкрементов. Выводы. Включение в схему лечению препарата «Пролит Супер Септо» повышало вероятность отхождения конкремента в 4,1 раза

Identification and Functional Analysis of Antifungal Immune Response Genes in Drosophila

Essential aspects of the innate immune response to microbial infection appear to be conserved between insects and mammals. Although signaling pathways that activate NF-κB during innate immune responses to various microorganisms have been studied in detail, regulatory mechanisms that control other immune responses to fungal infection require further investigation. To identify new Drosophila genes involved in antifungal immune responses, we selected genes known to be differentially regulated in SL2 cells by microbial cell wall components and tested their roles in antifungal defense using mutant flies. From 130 mutant lines, sixteen mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to fungal infection. Examination of their effects on defense against various types of bacteria and fungi revealed nine genes that are involved specifically in defense against fungal infection. All of these mutants displayed defects in phagocytosis or activation of antimicrobial peptide genes following infection. In some mutants, these immune deficiencies were attributed to defects in hemocyte development and differentiation, while other mutants showed specific defects in immune signaling required for humoral or cellular immune responses. Our results identify a new class of genes involved in antifungal immune responses in Drosophila

Potent Antioxidant and Genoprotective Effects of Boeravinone G, a Rotenoid Isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa

Background and Aims: Free radicals are implicated in the aetiology of some gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcer, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. In the present study we investigated the antioxidant and genoprotective activity of some rotenoids (i.e. boeravinones) isolated from the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in the Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Methods/Principal Findings: Antioxidant activity has been evaluated using both chemical (Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy, ESR) and Caco-2 cells-based (TBARS and ROS) assays. DNA damage was evaluated by Comet assay, while pERK 1/2 and phospho-NF-kB p65 levels were estimated by western blot. Boeravinones G, D and H significantly reduced the signal intensity of ESR induced by hydroxyl radicals, suggesting a scavenging activity. Among rotenoids tested, boeravinone G exerted the most potent effect. Boeravinone G inhibited both TBARS and ROS formation induced by Fenton's reagent, increased SOD activity and reduced H 2O 2-induced DNA damage. Finally, boeravinone G reduced the levels of pERK 1 and phospho-NF-kB p65 (but not of pERK 2) increased by Fenton's reagent. Conclusions: It is concluded that boeravinone G exhibits an extraordinary potent antioxidant activity (significant effect in the nanomolar range). The MAP kinase and NF-kB pathways seem to be involved in the antioxidant effect of boeravinone G. Boeravinone G might be considered as lead compound for the development of drugs potentially useful against those pathologies whose aetiology is related to ROS-mediated injuries

Participatory varietal selection: an approach used for the selection of lowland NERICA varieties in Niger

A process of diffusion of new rice varieties called participatory varietal selection (PVS) through participatory varietal testing was adopted in this study. The objective of this study was to introduce a participatory approach in using new rice varieties including NERICA to improve the productivity of rice in Niger. Six intra and inter specific varieties of rice and a local control (IR1529) were evaluated on the agronomic, socio-economic and technological traits. The tested varieties were WAS 4-B-B-9-1-4-TGR 48, NERICA-L-16, WAS 114-B-IDSA-B-WAS-1-1-TGR 144, WAS 173-B-B-13 - 7-TGR21, NERICA-L-39, NERICA-L-49. The tests were conducted on irrigated perimeters of Karma, Diambala and Sébéry during the dry and rainy seasons of 2006. The results of individual assessments highlighted two NERICA varieties: NERICA-L-49 and NERICA-L-39 and one intra-specific, WAS 4-BB-9-1-4-TGR 48. These varieties were selected for their high production potential (6 to 7 T/ha in rural areas) and quality (good taste, good ability for processing, etc.). These varieties were approved in 2007. These new varieties were registered in national catalogue of plant species and varieties in 2012. Currently these varieties are disseminated on all irrigation schemes of Niger. This new strategy of introduction and diffusion of new technologies involving all the stakeholders in the sector in the process of evaluating new technologies helped accelerating the adoption of new rice technologies in Niger.Keywords: Rice, NERICA, yield, PVS, Nige

Existence of Several Pathotypes among Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV) Isolates Collected in Niger Republic

This study has been conducted in screen house with an aim to asses the Rice yellow mottle virus pathogenic diversity and the level of resistance of released varieties in Niger republic. Sixty RYMV isolates from 23 Niger rice perimeters were inoculated mechanically to nine rice cultivars. The disease symptoms were scored at 42 days after inoculation. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis were performed on the percentage of severity. The reaction of the rice cultivars to the virus isolates was significantly different. The interaction between isolates and rice cultivars was also significant. AMMI cluster analysis revealed the existence of four major pathotypes (Path 1 to 4) of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV) in Niger republic. Path 4 pathotype included 12 resistance breaking isolates (20%). Path 3 and Path 2 pathotypes consist of 15 and 26 isolates respectively and were typical of wild type isolates with moderate level of pathogeny, including none aggressive (path 3 = MP) and aggressive isolates (Path 2 = MPA). The fourth pathotype Path 1 was made of 7 isolates and typical of particular isolates which have a moderate pathogenic level (FP). Resistance Breaking (RB) isolates occupied 30% of Niger rice ecologies in variable proportion. The rice varieties (Bassiroumo, IR15-29-690-3-1 and Kassoumo) released in Niger were highly susceptible to RYMV and therefore constituted a favorable condition for the rice yellow mottle disease propagation. This information is useful in rice breeding programs in the development and deployment of RYMV resistant cultivars to different rice perimeters in Niger Republic

Gene variants of osteoprotegerin, estrogen-, calcitonin- and vitamin D-receptor genes and serum markers of bone metabolism in patients with Gaucher disease type 1

Anca Zimmermann,1 Radu A Popp,2 Heidi Rossmann,3 Simona Bucerzan,4 Ioana Nascu,4 Daniel Leucuta,5 Matthias M Weber,1 Paula Grigorescu-Sido41Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, 1st Clinic and Polyclinic of Internal Medicine, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 2Department of Medical Genetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 3Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 4Center of Genetic Diseases, 1st Pediatric Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 5Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPurpose: Osteopathy/osteoporosis in Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1) shows variable responses to enzyme replacement therapy (ERT); the pathogenesis is incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate the effects of several gene variants on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum markers of bone metabolism in GD1. Patients and methods: Fifty adult Caucasian patients with GD1/117 controls were genotyped for gene variants in the osteoprotegerin (TNFRSF11B; OPG), estrogen receptor alpha, calcitonin receptor (CALCR), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes. In patients and 50 matched healthy controls, we assessed clinical data, serum markers of bone metabolism, and subclinical inflammation. BMD was measured for the first time before/during ERT (median 6.7 years). Results: Forty-two percent of patients were splenectomized. ERT led to variable improvements in BMD. Distribution of gene variants was comparable between patients/controls. The AA genotype (c.1024+283G>A gene variant; VDR gene) was associated with lower Z scores before ERT vs GA (P=0.033), was encountered in 82.3% of patients with osteoporosis and was more frequent in patients with pathological fractures. Z score increases during ERT were higher in patients with the CC genotype (c.9C>G variant, TNFRSF11B; OPG gene; P=0.003) compared with GC (P=0.003). The CC genotype (c.1340T>C variant, CALCR gene) was associated with higher Z scores before ERT than the TT genotype (P=0.041) and was absent in osteoporosis. Osteocalcin and OPG were lower in patients vs controls; beta crosslaps, interleukin-6, and ferritin were higher. Conclusions: We suggest for the first time a protective role against osteoporosis in GD1 patients for the CC genotype of the c.9C>G gene variant in the TNFRSFB11 (OPG) gene and for the CC genotype of the c.1340T>C gene variant (CALCR gene), while the AA genotype of the c.1024+283G>A gene variant in the VDR gene appears as a risk factor for lower BMDs. Serum markers suggest decreased osteosynthesis, reduced inhibition of osteoclast activation, increased bone resorption, and subclinical inflammation during ERT. Keywords: Gaucher disease, gene variants, osteoporosis, vitamin D receptor, osteoprotegerin, calcitonin recepto

Familial pericentric inversion chromosome 3 and R448C mutation of CYP11B1 gene in Turkish kindred with 11β-hydroxylase deficiency

11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency is the second most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This isoenzyme is coded by two highly homologous genes of cytochrome P450: CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 which were mapped to the chromosomal band 8q24. The aim of this study was to perform a series of molecular and cytogenetic analyses in two families with 11 P-hydroxylase deficiency of the Turkish kindred. Mutational analysis was carried out by directly sequencing the PCR products of CYP11B1 gene. We performed fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) experiments with consecutive bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones to map the breakpoints of the inversion of chromosome 3 which was detected during the karyotypic analysis of the propositus. Homozygous R448C mutations were detected in 2 individuals with 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency. Interestingly, karyotypic change of pericentric inversion [inv(3)(p13q24)] was detected in both individuals who are cousins, one transmitted paternally and the other maternally. The breakpoint at 3p included one interesting gene PPP4R2. Here we present the data of two Turkish families' members having 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency coupled with the familial chromosomal aberration of inv(3)(p13q24). Our data suggest that codon 448, which is a mutational hot spot in CYP11B1 causing 11 beta-hydroxylase cleficiency, is not restricted to Jews of Moroccan origin. Phenotypic variations observed in former studies in patients homozygous for R448H were stated to be due to other factors outside the CYP11B1 locus. The breakpoint in 3p might be a candidate region affecting variations in phenotypes of 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency