Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation of clock genes and cancer risk: a field synopsis and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The number of studies on the association between clock genes’ polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility has increased over the last years but the results are often conflicting and no comprehensive overview and quantitative summary of the evidence in this field is available. RESULTS Literature search identified 27 eligible studies comprising 96756 subjects (cases: 38231) and investigating 687 polymorphisms involving 14 clock genes. Overall, 1025 primary and subgroup meta-analyses on 366 gene variants were performed. Study distribution by tumor was as follows: breast cancer (n=15), prostate cancer (n=3), pancreatic cancer (n=2), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=2), glioma (n=1), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n=1), colorectal cancer (n=1), non-small cell lung cancer (n=1) and ovarian cancer (n=1). We identified 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with cancer risk: NPAS2 rs10165970 (mixed and breast cancer shiftworkers), rs895520 (mixed), rs17024869 (breast) and rs7581886 (breast); CLOCK rs3749474 (breast) and rs11943456 (breast); RORA rs7164773 (breast and breast cancer postmenopausal), rs10519097 (breast); RORB rs7867494 (breast cancer postmenopausal), PER3 rs1012477 (breast cancer subgroups) and assessed the level of quality evidence to be intermediate. We also identified polymorphisms with lower quality statistically significant associations (n=30). CONCLUSIONS Our work supports the hypothesis that genetic variation of clock genes might affect cancer risk. These findings also highlight the need for more efforts in this research field in order to fully establish the contribution of clock gene variants to the risk of developing cancer. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on the association between clock genes’ germline variants and the risk of developing cancer. To assess result credibility, summary evidence was graded according to the Venice criteria and false positive report probability (FPRP) was calculated to further validate result noteworthiness. Subgroup meta-analysis was also performed based on participant features and tumor type. The breast cancer subgroup was further stratified by work conditions, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status and menopausal status, conditions associated with the risk of breast cancer in different studies.
Pitch-scaled estimation of simultaneous voiced and turbulence-noise components in speech

Almost all speech contains simultaneous contributions from more than one acoustic source within the speaker's vocal tract. In this paper, we propose a method-the pitch-scaled harmonic filter (PSHF)-which aims to separate the voiced and turbulence-noise components of the speech signal during phonation, based on a maximum likelihood approach. The PSHF outputs periodic and aperiodic components that are estimates of the respective contributions of the different types of acoustic source. It produces four reconstructed time series signals by decomposing the original speech signal, first, according to amplitude, and then according to power of the Fourier coefficients. Thus, one pair of periodic and aperiodic signals is optimized for subsequent time-series analysis, and another pair for spectral analysis. The performance of the PSHF algorithm is tested on synthetic signals, using three forms of disturbance (jitter, shimmer and additive noise), and the results were used to predict the performance on real speech. Processing recorded speech examples elicited latent features from the signals, demonstrating the PSHF's potential for analysis of mixed-source speech.
Comparison Of Frictional Resistance Between Interactive Self Ligating , Passive Self Ligating And Conventional Orthodontic Brackets-An In Vitro Study

Aim: to analyze the frictional forces generated by three types of self ligating brackets ; two passive (Damon 3MX and Smartclip) and one interactive (Empower) when compared to conventional orthodontic brackets using two arch wire dimensions 0.016 NiTi wire and 0.019X0. 025 inch stainless steel wire. Materials: The study consisted of a total of 60 brackets, 15 each of Damon 3MX, Smartclip, Empower and conventional orthodontic brackets with a slot size of . 022X.028. Result: Self ligating brackets had less friction when compared with conventional brackets with both round and rectangular wires.Among the passive self ligating brackets, Damon 3MX shows the least friction when tested both with round and rectangular wires when compared to Smartclip. The frictional resistance does not remain the same when tested both with round and rectangular wires, for the interactive self ligating bracket (Empower). All brackets showed higher frictional forces as the wire size increased.
Canonical Coalgebraic Linear Time Logics

We extend earlier work on linear time fixpoint logics for coalgebras with branching, by showing how propositional operators arising from the choice of branching monad can be canonically added to these logics. We then consider two semantics for the uniform modal fragments of such logics: the previously-proposed, step-wise semantics and a new semantics akin to those of path-based logics. We prove that the two semantics are equivalent, and show that the canonical choice made for resolving branching in these logics is crucial for this property. We also state conditions under which similar, non-canonical logics enjoy the same property – this applies both to the choice of a branching modality and to the choice of linear time modalities. Our logics allow reasoning about linear time behaviour in systems with non-deterministic, probabilistic or weighted branching. In all these cases, the logics enhanced with propositional operators gain in expressiveness. Another contribution of our work is a reformulation of fixpoint semantics, which applies to any coalgebraic modal logic whose semantics arises from a one-step semantics.
Influence of aggregate gradation on hma mixes stability

Abstract The load transfer capacity of pavements is to a great extend influenced by aggregates. About 85% of the total volume of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures consists of aggregates; thus, they are greatly influenced by aggregate properties like angularity (shape), roughness (texture), and gradation. Aggregate gradation controls the structure of voids. Current specifications for aggregate properties in HMA pavements require the aggregate blend to fall within a specified range of gradation values. Although the abovementioned requirement has ensured the construction of high quality HMA pavements, the properties are largely empirical and they are not based on performance-related tests. Marshall Stability is in principle the resistance to plastic flow of cylindrical specimens of a bituminous mixture loaded on the lateral surface. It is the load carrying capacity of the mix at 60oC. Aggregates with different gradations from the broader area of Xanthi, Northern Greece, have been used to prepare specimens for stability testing of hot asphalt mixtures in the laboratory. The research focused on the evaluation of the influence of aggregates in the overall stability characteristics of the mixtures. The maximum stability value has been obtained with an open-graded mixture having 5% asphalt and aggregate size 2.36 mm. However, the stability of the dense graded mixture is higher than this maximum value.
Plastic Deformation of Fine‐Grained Alumina (Al2O3): I, Interface‐Controlled Diffusional Creep

Plastic deformation in fine-grained alumina polycrystals (grain size 1 to 15 μm) was studied. At least three distinct deformation mechanisms are important: diffusional creep, basal slip, and unaccommodated grain-boundary sliding. The first and most important of these processes is addressed in this paper. Analysis of the deformation dynamics suggests that both lattice and grain-boundary diffusion are important in the diffusional creep. Aluminum, rather than oxygen, lattice and grain-boundary diffusion are rate-controlling because oxygen diffusion is very slow in the lattice but very rapid in grain boundaries. Significantly, the diffusional creep can become interfacecontrolled at low stresses, causing the often-reported non-Newtonian creep behavior of fine-grained alumina.
Discrimination indices have no predictive value in differential diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and beta‐thalassemia trait

Sir, We have read with great interest the article by Sirdah et al. (OnlineEarly Articles) published online in your journal which evaluates diagnostic values of different indices in differentiating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) from beta thalassemia minor (B-TT). We intented to compare the results of this study which was performed on an impressive number of patients with recently published three studies including our study (Demir et al., 2002; Beyan, Kaptan & Ifran, 2007; Ntaios et al., 2007). Because, the results in Sirdah et al.’s study stemmed from calculation of the receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curves, we have calculated Youden index values of every discriminant index according to sensitivity and specifity results reported in study in order to compare with the results of other studies. Although, the area under the ROC curve is the most commonly used global index of diagnostic accuracy, the Youden index is also frequently used in practice (Bewick, Cheek & Ball, 2004). Youden’s index is one way to attempt summarizing test accuracy into a single numeric value and is calculated with the formula (= sensitivity + specificity)1). Youden index values of each discrimination index included in four studies were shown in Table 1. The results of four studies were greatly similar according to these values and the results of these similar studies performed in different populations showed that none of these discrimination indices is satisfactory in discriminating cases with IDA and B-TT. Finally, none of these different formulations are superior to one another in cases with IDA and B-TT. Serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin A2 level should be obtained for accurate differential diagnosis of IDA and B-TT until more efficient tools develop.
Increased Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity and Expression in the Human Uterine Artery During Pregnancy

Evidence exists that NO plays a role in the vasodilation that occurs during pregnancy. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the role of NO is associated with an increase in the activity and protein expression of NO synthase (NOS) in the human uterine artery. Uterine arteries were obtained from pregnant patients (P arteries) and nonpregnant patients (NP arteries). NOS activity was estimated with the l-[3H]-arginine–to–l-[3H]-citrulline conversion method and on the basis of changes in tissue levels of cGMP. Western immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to assess NOS protein expression. Ca2+-dependent NOS activity was 8 times greater (P <0.01) in P than in NP arteries. Although most of this pregnancy-induced increase in NOS activity was Ca2+ dependent (64%), a considerable portion was Ca2+ independent. Expressions of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS, but not inducible NOS, were demonstrated in P and NP arteries. The eNOS was located in the endothelium and stained with a qualitative order of P arteries>NP arteries (follicular)>NP arteries (luteal). The neuronal NOS was located in the adventitia of P and NP arteries. Basal NO-dependent and bradykinin-stimulated levels of cGMP were higher (P <0.05) in P than in NP arteries. These results indicate that an upregulation of eNOS protein expression could account for the increased NO synthesis/release in the human uterine artery during pregnancy.
Analysis of Medaka sox9 Orthologue Reveals a Conserved Role in Germ Cell Maintenance

The sex determining gene is divergent among different animal species. However, sox9 is up-regulated in the male gonads in a number of species in which it is the essential regulator of testis determination. It is therefore often discussed that the sex determining gene-sox9 axis functions in several vertebrates. In our current study, we show that sox9b in the medaka (Oryzias latipes) is one of the orthologues of mammalian Sox9 at syntenic and expression levels. Medaka sox9b affects the organization of extracellular matrices, which represents a conserved role of sox9, but does not directly regulate testis determination. We made this determination via gene expression and phenotype analyses of medaka with different copy numbers of sox9b. Sox9b is involved in promoting cellular associations and is indispensible for the proper proliferation and survival of germ cells in both female and male medaka gonads. Medaka mutants that lack sox9b function exhibit a seemingly paradoxical phenotype of sex reversal to male. This is explained by a reduction in the germ cell number associated with aberrant extracellular matrices. Together with its identified roles in other vertebrate gonads, a testis-determining role for Sox9 in mammals is likely to have been neofunctionalized and appended to its conserved role in germ cell maintenance.
Buerger's Disease

I 1879, von Winiwater described a patient with an unusual arterial disorder. ' This patient was the first reported case of what was later to be known as thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger's disease. Leo Buerger gave the first description of TAO in the English literatures in 1908. He described young men with a progressive arterial disease of the extremities resulting in gangrene and amputation. On the basis of his pathologic examination of the amputation specimens, Buerger labeled the condition thromboangiitis obliterans to distinguish the disease from atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis obliterans. ^ After Buerger published a book in 1924 on vascular disorders of the extremities in which he described TAO in detail/ interest in the disorder grew. A lack of strict diagnostic criteria, however, led to over-diagnosis of TAO in subsequent years,"* and as a result some authors began to question the existence of TAO as a distinct vascular disease. ̂ "® Subsequently, however, many rebuttals appeared in the literature with convincing data in support of thromboangiitis obliterans as a distinct entity. ^ " Today, thromboangiitis obliterans is recognized as a nonatherosclerotic, inflammatory, occlusive disease of small and medium-sized arteries and veins primarily involving the distal extremities. The disease most commonly affects young men who are smokers and often results in severe disability and digital amputations. While dermatologists are commonly involved in the evaluation and treatment of peripheral vascular dis-
Childhood leukemia and its impact on graduation and having children: results from a national survey

Abstract To assess the level of graduation, the wish to have children and the course of pregnancy among former patients with childhood leukemia in comparison to the general German population and depending on gender, a nationwide survey was conducted in 2008. In total 63.6% (1476/2319) of the contacted survivors of childhood leukemia participated (mean age 25.7 years, range 19–43 years). Survivors graduated at higher levels of school compared to the general population, with 48.6% (female) versus 38.0% and 52.6% (male) versus 35.8% (p 0.001). Also, 93.3% of female and 89.3% of male survivors indicated a similar general wish to have children compared to the general population. Survivors reported parenthood less frequently compared to the general population (p 0.001). The course of pregnancy in survivors was characterized by fewer abortions (p 0.001). Having leukemia in childhood and adolescence impairs the likelihood of becoming a parent but reduces neither the wish to have children nor the level of graduation.
Docked Secretory Vesicles Undergo Ca2+-activated Exocytosis in a Cell-free System*

The Ca2+-activated fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane responsible for regulated neurotransmitter and hormone secretion has previously been studied in permeable neuroendocrine cells, where requirements for ATP and cytosolic proteins were identified. As reported here, Ca2+-activated fusion mechanisms are also preserved following cell homogenization. The release of norepinephrine (NE) and other vesicle constituents from a PC12 cell membrane fraction was activated by micromolar Ca2+ (EC50 ∼ 3 μm) and exhibited a dependence upon MgATP and cytosol. Ca2+-dependent NE release was inhibited by botulinum neurotoxins and by CAPS (Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion) antibody implying that syntaxin, synaptobrevin, SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa), and CAPS are required for regulated exocytosis in this system. The exocytosis-competent membrane fraction consisted of rapidly sedimenting dense core vesicles associated with plasma membrane fragments. Free vesicles did not release NE either in the absence or presence of plasma membranes, indicating that only docked vesicles were competent for exocytosis under the reconstitution conditions used. A cell-free system for Ca2+-activated fusion will facilitate studies on the roles of essential proteins such as syntaxin, synaptobrevin, SNAP-25, and CAPS that act at post-docking steps in the regulated exocytotic pathway.
Dimensions of Assertiveness: Factors Underlying the College Self-Expression Scale

A total of 447 Israeli students, both males and females, from four educational institutions were administered the College Self-expression Scale, a measure of assertiveness. The obtained responses were factor analyzed using the principal axis solution and the varimax rotation method. The results showed four main factors which included 43 of the 50 items of the original scale. These factors were identified as the willingness to take risks in interpersonal interactions, the ability to communicate feelings, setting rules and rectifying injustices, and the presence or absence of a tendency to invoke a self-punitive attitude. The findings were interpreted as adding support to the validity of the scale as a measure of assertiveness.
Gravitational Cooling of Self-gravitating Bose Condensates

Equilibrium configurations for a self-gravitating scalar field with self-interaction are constructed. The corresponding Schrödinger-Poisson (SP) system is solved using finite differences, assuming spherical symmetry. It is shown that equilibrium configurations of the SP system are late-time attractor solutions for initially quite arbitrary density profiles, which relax and virialize through the emission of scalar field bursts—a process dubbed gravitational cooling. Among other potential applications, these results indicate that scalar field dark matter models (in their different flavors) tolerate the introduction of a self-interaction term in the SP equations. This study can be useful in exploring models in which dark matter in galaxies is not pointlike.
Telomere length and dynamics predict mortality in a wild longitudinal study

Explaining variation in life expectancy between individuals of the same age is fundamental to our understanding of population ecology and life history evolution. Variation in the length and rate of loss of the protective telomere chromosome caps has been linked to cellular lifespan. Yet, the extent to which telomere length and dynamics predict organismal lifespan in nature is still contentious. Using longitudinal samples taken from a closed population of Acrocephalus sechellensis (Seychelles warblers) studied for over 20 years, we describe the first study into life‐long adult telomere dynamics (1–17 years) and their relationship to mortality under natural conditions (n = 204 individuals). We show that telomeres shorten with increasing age and body mass, and that shorter telomeres and greater rates of telomere shortening predicted future mortality. Our results provide the first clear and unambiguous evidence of a relationship between telomere length and mortality in the wild, and substantiate the prediction that telomere length and shortening rate can act as an indicator of biological age further to chronological age when exploring life history questions in natural conditions.
Labial Frenectomy Performed with Conventional Surgery and Diode Laser : A Comparative Study

Low (coronary) insertion of the maxillary labial frenum was often associated with gingival recession, loss of the interdentally papilla, difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene, interfering with the stability and retention of the upper mobile prosthesis, diastema mediana between the maxillary central incisors and can be removed by a variety of surgical techniques. The aim of this study is to make a comparison between the –pre>during>-and postoperative parameters of frenectomy proceeded with conventional surgery or diode laser. 40 patients have been involved in this study. They were divided into two experimental groups: Examined group 1(EG1) included 20 patients who were treated with conventional surgery and Examined group 2(EG2) from 20 patients were treated with diode laser. The frenectomy treated with laser were not followed with bleeding except for three patients where it was barely noticeable and no need for suturing. The average score of postoperative pain in patients in EG1 was 3.0 ± 1,5, and in patients in EG2 it was smaller (1.3 ± 1.3), the difference between them is statistically significant for p<0.05 The duration of the intervention and the average value of postoperative discomfort was significantly shorter/ smaller in cases treated with laser. p<0,05 A slower healing of the operative wound was registered in patients treated with laser. Labial frenectomy done with diode laser eliminates bleeding and suturing during intervention, significantly shortens the time of the intervention, provides less post-operative pain and discomfort whereas surgical frenectomy results with a faster healing of operative wound.
Ability of Cystatin C to Detect Changes in Glomerular Filtration Rate After ACE Inhibition in Patients with Uncomplicated Type 1 Diabetes

Although it is known that glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines in response to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, recent observations using GFRCYSTATIN C have shown a paradoxical increase calling into question its validity. In this descriptive study, we aimed to reconcile this observation by simultaneously measuring GFRCYSTATIN C, GFRCREATININE, and gold standard GFRINULIN responses to ACE inhibition. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes and hyperfiltration (n = 9, GFRINULIN ≥ 135 mL/min/1.73 m2) or normofiltration (n = 11) were studied during clamped euglycemia at baseline and after 3-week enalapril therapy. In hyperfilterers, the anticipated GFRINULIN decline before and after enalapril was observed (174 ± 29 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 140 ± 26 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = .01). Although GFRCYSTATIN C equations tended to underestimate while GFRCREATININE equations tended to overestimate baseline GFRINULIN in hyperfilterers, both approaches generally reflected declining GFRINULIN responses to enalapril. Normofilterers demonstrated a trend toward rising GFRINULIN in response to enalapril (112 ± 16 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 119 ± 27 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = .35). Although all estimating equations tended to overestimate baseline GFRINULIN, they generally reflected the rising trend in GFRINULIN in response to enalapril in normofilterers. Although GFRINULIN declines in response to enalapril among hyperfilterers, we confirm the previous observation that it demonstrates a trend to rising among normofilterers. These group trends are both reflected by cystatin C- and creatinine-based estimates.