Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Resveratrol-Based Nutritional Supplement on Choroidal Thickness: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: The effect of an oral trans-resveratrol-based supplement (Longevinex®) on choroidal thickness, measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) enhanced depth imaging, was investigated in a prospective study. Materials and Methods: 34 young, healthy participants were randomly divided into two age- and gender-matched groups. They were then assigned in a randomized fashion to treat with either a trans-resveratrol-based group (Longevinex®, Las Vegas) or placebo. All participants underwent ocular imaging with spectral domain (SD)-OCT (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg) at the baseline and then again 1 h following treatment. The choroidal thickness was measured in a masked fashion at the fovea and at four additional points, located at 500 μm and 1000 μm nasal to the fovea and 500 μm and 1000 μm temporal to the fovea. Results: In the resveratrol group, the foveal choroidal thickness at the baseline was 267.73 ± 84.19 μm (mean ± SD); it increased to 284.57 ± 92.39 μm 1 h after drug treatment (p = 0.033). The mean choroidal thickness was also significantly increased at each of the four extrafoveal points (all p < 0.05). In the control group, the mean baseline choroidal thickness at the fovea was 269.73 ± 71.40 μm (mean ± SD) and it was 268.43 ± 70.15 μm (mean ± SD) 1 h after the placebo was administered (p = 0.183); there were also no significant differences in choroidal thickness at the four additional points (all p > 0.05) Conclusion: A significant increase in choroidal thickness following oral administration of a trans-resveratrol-based supplement was observed. There was no change in choroidal thickness in the placebo-treated control group. We speculate that the increased choroidal thickness is the result of choroidal vessel vasodilation.
Using biomaterials to modulate chemotactic signaling for central nervous system repair

Chemotaxis enables cellular communication and movement within the body. This review focuses on exploiting chemotaxis as a tool for repair of the central nervous system (CNS) damaged from injury and/or degenerative diseases. Chemokines and factors alone may initiate repair following CNS injury/disease, but exogenous administration may enhance repair and promote regeneration. This review will discuss critical chemotactic molecules and factors that may promote neural regeneration. Additionally, this review highlights how biomaterials can impact the presentation and delivery of chemokines and growth factors to alter the regenerative response.
Identification of Dynamically Regulated MicroRNA and mRNA Networks in Developing Oligodendrocytes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in modulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. In postnatal oligodendrocyte lineage cells, the miRNA expression profile (“microRNAome”) contains 43 miRNAs whose expression dynamically changes during the transition from A2B5+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to premyelinating GalC+ cells. The combination of microRNAome profiling with analyses of the oligodendrocyte transcriptome reveals a target bias for a class of miRNAs which includes miR-9. We show that miR-9 is downregulated during oligodendrocyte differentiation. In addition, miR-9 expression level inversely correlates with the expression of its predicted targets, among which is the peripheral myelin protein PMP22. We found that PMP22 mRNA but not protein is detectable in oligodendrocytes, whereas Schwann cells producing PMP22 protein lack miR-9. We demonstrate that miR-9 interacts with the 3′ untranslated region of PMP22 and downregulates its expression. Our results support models in which miRNAs can act as guardians of the transcriptome.
Radiographic Quality of Single vs. Multiple-Visit Root Canal Treatment Performed by Dental Students: A Case Control Study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of root canal treatment provided by undergraduate dental students in relation to the number of dental visits. Methods and Materials: Root canal treatments done by 77 dental students were observed. For each student, one tooth treated in a single visit was matched and compared with a tooth treated in multiple visits. The effect of preoperative conditions on the quality of root canal treatment and the number of visits were analyzed. The quality of root canal treatment was determined by the following criteria: obturation length, density, taper, and presence of procedural errors. The data were statistically analyzed using an exact conditional logistic regression test, and the level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: There was no statistically significant association between single- and multiple-visit root canal treatment in terms of obturation length (P=0.263), obturation density (P=0.625), and obturation taper (P=1.00). The incidence of procedural errors in teeth which required a single visit (7.8%) was less but not significantly different from those treated in multiple visits (16.9%). The presence of preoperative conditions was not significantly associated with multiple-visit treatment. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, multiple-visit treatment was not associated with a better quality of root canal treatment compared to single-visit treatment.
Knowledge, risk perception and mitigation measures towards Ebola virus disease by potentially exposed bushmeat handlers in north‐central Nigeria: Any critical gap?

The bushmeat industry has been a topic of increasing importance among public health officials for its influence on zoonotic diseases transmission, such as Ebola virus disease (EVD), a rare and severe infectious disease of humans and non‐human primates. This survey assessed knowledge/awareness, risk perceptions and mitigation practices towards EVD among bushmeat handlers in north‐central Nigeria. These characteristics are premise to level of preparedness against appropriate risk prevention and control. A questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted between January and December 2015 on 395 bushmeat handlers. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed using Epi‐Info 3.5. 3 software, and p < 0.05 was considered statistical significance in all analyses. Mean age of respondents was 40.9 ± 10.7 years, and most (30.4%) of them were in the age group 40–49 years. Majority (82.8%) of them were males, while most (47.9%) do not possess formal education. Bushmeat hunters, vendors and consumers constituted 17.2%, 28.1% and 54.7% of the respondents, respectively. A majority (85.6%) of the participants had heard about EVD. Bushmeat vendors were more likely (OR 1.96; 95% CI: 1.05–3.65) to have satisfactory knowledge than the hunters. Handlers with tertiary education were more likely (OR 3.22; 95% CI: 1.56–6.67) to possess significant satisfactory knowledge/awareness about EVD. Also, vendors were more likely (OR 1.85; 95% CI: 1.01–3.42) to practice satisfactory mitigation measures than the hunters. Only handlers with tertiary education were more likely (OR 2.48; 95% CI: 1.26–4.89) to significantly practice satisfactory mitigation measures against EVD. Although most of the handlers possessed significant knowledge/awareness about EVD, few applied mitigation measures against its infection, which is the challenging gap. There is a need for collaborations between the public health, veterinary and wildlife authorities in the provision of health information to bushmeat handlers on better management of emerging and re‐emerging zoonotic viral diseases of wildlife origin.
Socioeconomic effects on meeting physical activity guidelines: comparisons among 32 countries.

PURPOSE This study examined the relationship between age and gender with physical activity (PA) and how meeting of PA guidelines (PAGL) is related to socioeconomic status (SES) and sedentary behaviors (SB). METHODS Data were collected from 11-, 13-, and 15-yr-old students in 32 countries participating in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2001/2002. A self-completed questionnaire assessed weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB for the past 7 d and MVPA for a typical week. SES was assessed using the Family Affluence Scale (FAS). RESULTS None of the countries averaged enough MVPA to meet PAGL. The pattern of MVPA across age and gender was consistent among all countries. In all countries, older children were less active when compared with the youngest children; girls were significantly less active than boys were (mean hours per week of MVPA 3.52 +/- 1.88 vs 4.13 +/- 1.95) and were more likely to not meet the PAGL. SES was significantly associated with the amount of reported MVPA. SES and PAGL were not significantly related in seven countries, and a significant decrease in the influence of age was observed in these countries compared with other countries. CONCLUSIONS Levels of MVPA during adolescence showed consistent patterns across countries in relation to age, gender, and social class. The limited effect of age on PA in countries where the influence of social class was less strong suggests the possibility of a moderating effect of context in the development of habits acquired during childhood.
Chapter 1: The Impact of the Reduction in Tobacco Smoking on U.S. Lung Cancer Mortality, 1975–2000: An Introduction to the Problem

To better understand the contribution of cigarette smoking, and its changing role in lung cancer, this article provides an introduction to a special issue of Risk Analysis, which considers the relationship between smoking and lung cancer death rates during the period 1975–2000 for U.S. men and women aged 30–84 years. Six models are employed, which are part of a consortium of lung cancer modelers funded by National Cancer Institute's Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET). Starting with birth‐cohort‐specific smoking histories derived from National Health Interview Surveys, three scenarios are modeled: Actual Tobacco Control (observed trends in smoking), Complete Tobacco Control (a counterfactual lower bound on smoking rates that could have been achieved had all smoking ceased after the first Surgeon General's report in 1964), and No Tobacco Control (a counterfactual upper bound on smoking rates if smoking patterns that prevailed before the first studies in the 1950s began to inform the public about the hazards of smoking). Using these three scenarios and the lung cancer models, the number and percentage of lung cancer deaths averted from 1975–2000, among all deaths that could have been averted if tobacco control efforts been immediate and perfect, can be estimated. The variability of the results across multiple models provides a measure of the robustness of the results to model assumptions and structure. The results provide not only a portrait of the achieved impact of tobacco control on lung cancer mortality, but also the bounds of what still needs to be achieved.
Components in Data Analysis

In signal and image processing, real data is often built by signals from multiple sources. A crucial task is thus to decompose the data into individual components, ideally the same components that originally formed the data. Good data decomposition methods can aid in classification, recognition and understanding the data. However, we have to choose a compromise between good precision and low computational costs of the algorithm. In this paper, we present a survey of existing approaches and techniques applicable to the problem of decomposing image and other data, together with ways in which they can be eectively used.
Lack of Additive Effects of Resveratrol and Energy Restriction in the Treatment of Hepatic Steatosis in Rats

The aims of the present study were to analyze the effect of resveratrol on liver steatosis in obese rats, to compare the effects induced by resveratrol and energy restriction and to research potential additive effects. Rats were initially fed a high-fat high-sucrose diet for six weeks and then allocated in four experimental groups fed a standard diet: a control group, a resveratrol-treated group, an energy restricted group and a group submitted to energy restriction and treated with resveratrol. We measured liver triacylglycerols, transaminases, FAS, MTP, CPT1a, CS, COX, SDH and ATP synthase activities, FATP2/FATP5, DGAT2, PPARα, SIRT1, UCP2 protein expressions, ACC and AMPK phosphorylation and PGC1α deacetylation. Resveratrol reduced triacylglycerols compared with the controls, although this reduction was lower than that induced by energy restriction. The mechanisms of action were different. Both decreased protein expression of fatty acid transporters, thus suggesting reduced fatty acid uptake from blood stream and liver triacylglycerol delivery, but only energy restriction reduced the assembly. These results show that resveratrol is useful for liver steatosis treatment within a balanced diet, although its effectiveness is lower than that of energy restriction. However, resveratrol is unable to increase the reduction in triacylglycerol content induced by energy restriction.
Corporate Taxation, Firm Entry Rates, and Entrants’ Size: Evidence from Europe

Using a novel country-industry level panel database with information on newly incorporated firms in 17 European countries between 1997 and 2004, we study how taxation of corporate income affects entry rates and the size of entrants at the country-industry level. After accounting for the possible endogeneity of taxation. we find that a reduction in the effective corporate income tax rate leads to a significant increase in entry rates and to a reduction of the scale of entrants. These effects are non-linear and suggest that corporate income tax reductions affect entry rates only below a certain threshold level. JEL CODES: C23, H32, L26, L51, M13.
Association of Chromosome Translocation Rate with Low Dose Occupational Radiation Exposures in U.S. Radiologic Technologists

Chromosome translocations are a well-recognized biological marker of radiation exposure and cancer risk. However, there is uncertainty about the lowest dose at which excess translocations can be detected, and whether there is temporal decay of induced translocations in radiation-exposed populations. Dosimetric uncertainties can substantially alter the shape of dose-response relationships; although regression-calibration methods have been used in some datasets, these have not been applied in radio-occupational studies, where there are also complex patterns of shared and unshared errors that these methods do not account for. In this article we evaluated the relationship between estimated occupational ionizing radiation doses and chromosome translocation rates using fluorescent in situ hybridization in 238 U.S. radiologic technologists selected from a large cohort. Estimated cumulative red bone marrow doses (mean 29.3 mGy, range 0–135.7 mGy) were based on available badge–dose measurement data and on questionnaire-reported work history factors. Dosimetric assessment uncertainties were evaluated using regression calibration, Bayesian and Monte Carlo maximum likelihood methods, taking account of shared and unshared error and adjusted for overdispersion. There was a significant dose response for estimated occupational radiation exposure, adjusted for questionnaire-based personal diagnostic radiation, age, sex and study group (5.7 translocations per 100 whole genome cell equivalents per Gy, 95% CI 0.2, 11.3, P = 0.0440). A significant increasing trend with dose continued to be observed for individuals with estimated doses <100 mGy. For combined estimated occupational and personal-diagnostic-medical radiation exposures, there was a borderline-significant modifying effect of age (P = 0.0704), but little evidence (P > 0.5) of temporal decay of induced translocations. The three methods of analysis to adjust for dose uncertainty gave similar results. In summary, chromosome translocation dose-response slopes were detectable down to <100 mGy and were compatible with those observed in other radiation-exposed populations. However, there are substantial uncertainties in both occupational and other (personal-diagnostic-medical) doses that may be imperfectly taken into account in our analysis.
Son Preference and Patriarchal Systems:Empirical and Gender Analysis of the Imbalance in Sex Ratio at Birth in China

The imbalance in sex ratio at birth is an outstanding social issue in China,whose connection the practice of son preference is intrinsic.This paper utilizes empirical research in six provinces to identify the three elements of patriarchal system as the root causes of the imbalance in sex ratio at birth.These are the patrilocal practice,the father-to-son property inheritance practice,and the father-to-son family name inheritance practice.These three customs not only come from history but also are omnipresent today.They exist as values that have been enforced through the systems of distribution of resources.Such enforcement takes place not only through family and village rules and regulations but also by way of government's acquiescence and inaction.Such is the structure of gender systems in China.
68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in the Localization of Head and Neck Paragangliomas Compared with Other Functional Imaging Modalities and CT/MRI

Pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas overexpress somatostatin receptors, and recent studies have already shown excellent results in the localization of sympathetic succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B, mutation-related metastatic pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas using 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. Therefore, the goal of our study was to assess the clinical utility of this functional imaging modality in parasympathetic head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) compared with anatomic imaging with CT/MRI and other functional imaging modalities, including 18F-fluorohydroyphenylalanine (18F-FDOPA) PET/CT, currently the gold standard in the functional imaging of HNPGLs. Methods: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was prospectively performed in 20 patients with HNPGLs. All patients also underwent 18F-FDOPA PET/CT, 18F-FDG PET/CT, and CT/MRI, with 18 patients also undergoing 18F-fluorodopamine (18F-FDA) PET/CT. 18F-FDOPA PET/CT and CT/MRI served as the imaging comparators. Results: Thirty-eight lesions in 20 patients were detected, with 18F-FDOPA PET/CT identifying 37 of 38 and CT/MRI identifying 23 of 38 lesions (P < 0.01). All 38 and an additional 7 lesions (P = 0.016) were detected on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. Significantly fewer lesions were identified by 18F-FDG PET/CT (24/38, P < 0.01) and 18F-FDA PET/CT (10/34, P < 0.01). Conclusion: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT identified more lesions than other imaging modalities. With the results of the present study, and the increasing availability and use of DOTA analogs in the therapy of neuroendocrine tumors, we expect that 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT will become the preferred functional imaging modality for HNPGLs in the near future.
Ixolaris, a tissue factor inhibitor, blocks primary tumor growth and angiogenesis in a glioblastoma model

Summary. Background: The expression levels of the clotting initiator protein Tissue Factor (TF) correlate with vessel density and the histological malignancy grade of glioma patients. Increased procoagulant tonus in high grade tumors (glioblastomas) also indicates a potential role for TF in progression of this disease, and suggests that anticoagulants could be used as adjuvants for its treatment. Objectives: We hypothesized that blocking of TF activity with the tick anticoagulant Ixolaris might interfere with glioblastoma progression. Methods and results: TF was identified in U87‐MG cells by flow‐cytometric and functional assays (extrinsic tenase). In addition, flow‐cytometric analysis demonstrated the exposure of phosphatidylserine in the surface of U87‐MG cells, which supported the assembly of intrinsic tenase (FIXa/FVIIIa/FX) and prothrombinase (FVa/FXa/prothrombin) complexes, accounting for the production of FXa and thrombin, respectively. Ixolaris effectively blocked the in vitro TF‐dependent procoagulant activity of the U87‐MG human glioblastoma cell line and attenuated multimolecular coagulation complexes assembly. Notably, Ixolaris inhibited the in vivo tumorigenic potential of U87‐MG cells in nude mice, without observable bleeding. This inhibitory effect of Ixolaris on tumor growth was associated with downregulation of VEGF and reduced tumor vascularization. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Ixolaris might be a promising agent for anti‐tumor therapy in humans.
The involvement of sequence variation and expression of CX3CR1 in the pathogenesis of age‐related macular degeneration

This study examined the association between the sequence variation/expression of CX3CR1, a chemokine receptor, and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Peripheral blood from 85 AMD patients and 105 subjects without AMD (controls), as well as ocular tissue from 40 pathological sections with AMD and two normal eye sections, were screened for V249I and T280M, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CX3CR1. An increased prevalence, with the highest odds ratio of 3.57, of the I249 and M280 carriers was found among the AMD cases as compared with the controls. When comparing CX3CR1 expression in the archived eye sections, CX3CR1 transcripts were not detectable in the maculae of AMD eyes bearing T/M280; however, transcripts were detected in the maculae of normal eyes bearing T/T280 or T/M280 as well as in the AMD maculae bearing T/T280. Furthermore, lower CX3CR1 protein expression was observed in the maculae of AMD eyes bearing T/M280 compared with the controls bearing T/T280. The I249 and M280 alleles result in a lowered number of receptor binding sites and a decreased ligand affinity. Our data suggest that a decrease, caused by sequence variation and/or lower CX3CR1 expression, in CX3CR1‐induced cellular activities could contribute to AMD development.
High‐throughput microsatellite isolation through 454 GS‐FLX Titanium pyrosequencing of enriched DNA libraries

Microsatellites (or SSRs: simple sequence repeats) are among the most frequently used DNA markers in many areas of research. The use of microsatellite markers is limited by the difficulties involved in their de novo isolation from species for which no genomic resources are available. We describe here a high‐throughput method for isolating microsatellite markers based on coupling multiplex microsatellite enrichment and next‐generation sequencing on 454 GS‐FLX Titanium platforms. The procedure was calibrated on a model species (Apis mellifera) and validated on 13 other species from various taxonomic groups (animals, plants and fungi), including taxa for which severe difficulties were previously encountered using traditional methods. We obtained from 11 497 to 34 483 sequences depending on the species and the number of detected microsatellite loci ranged from 199 to 5791. We thus demonstrated that this procedure can be readily and successfully applied to a large variety of taxonomic groups, at much lower cost than would have been possible with traditional protocols. This method is expected to speed up the acquisition of high‐quality genetic markers for nonmodel organisms.