Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased visceral fat volume raises the risk for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the influence of visceral fat on the recurrence of HCC after curative treatment. In 207 curative cases of HCC, the cross-sectional areas of visceral and subcutaneous fat mass on the computed tomographic image at the fourth lumbar vertebra were normalized by the square of the height to obtain the visceral fat mass index (VFMI) and the subcutaneous fat mass index (SFMI), respectively. Whether VFMI and SFMI contributed to recurrence of HCC and overall survival was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Increased VFMI was significantly associated with recurrence of HCC (P = 0.006), whereas SFMI was not (P = 0.502). When the patients were divided based on the optimal cut off value for VFMI (47.2 cm2/m2), obtained from maximally selected rank statistics to best predict the risk for recurrence, the higher VFMI group (n = 79) had more probability of recurrence than the lower VFMI group (n = 128) (log rank test, P = 0.002). There were significant differences in body mass index (P < .0001), SFMI (P < .0001), L3 skeletal muscle index (P < .0001), platelet count (P = 0.003), hemoglobin A1c (P < .0001), triglycerides (P = 0.004), serum leptin (P = 0.043), and underlying liver disease (P < .0001) between the groups. Neither VFMI (P = 0.689) nor SFMI (P = 0.117) significantly contributed to overall survival. VFMI, which is involved in obesity and its related metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and adipokine imbalance, is an extremely promising indicator that can predict the risk of recurrence of HCC after curative treatment.
Partial differential systems with non-local nonlinearities: generation and solutions

We develop a method for generating solutions to large classes of evolutionary partial differential systems with non-local nonlinearities. For arbitrary initial data, the solutions are generated from the corresponding linearized equations. The key is a Fredholm integral equation relating the linearized flow to an auxiliary linear flow. It is analogous to the Marchenko integral equation in integrable systems. We show explicitly how this can be achieved through several examples, including reaction–diffusion systems with non-local quadratic nonlinearities and the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a non-local cubic nonlinearity. In each case, we demonstrate our approach with numerical simulations. We discuss the effectiveness of our approach and how it might be extended. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Stability of nonlinear waves and patterns and related topics’.
Physical Activity and Outcomes in Patients with Stage III Colon Cancer: A Correlative Analysis of Phase III Trial NCCTG N0147 (Alliance)

Background: Prior studies have supported an inverse association between physical activity and colon cancer risk and suggest that higher physical activity may also improve cancer survival. Among participants in a phase III adjuvant trial for stage III colon cancer, we assessed the association of physical activity around the time of cancer diagnosis with subsequent outcomes. Methods: Before treatment arm randomization (FOLFOX or FOLFOX + cetuximab), study participants completed a questionnaire including items regarding usual daily activity level and frequency of participation in recreational physical activity (N = 1,992). Using multivariable Cox models, we calculated HRs for associations of aspects of physical activity with disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Over follow-up, 505 participants died and 541 experienced a recurrence. Overall, 75% of participants reported recreational physical activity at least several times a month; for participants who reported physical activity at least that often (vs. once a month or less), the HRs for DFS and OS were 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69–0.99] and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.63–0.93), respectively. There was no evidence of material effect modification in these associations by patient or tumor attributes, except that physical activity was more strongly inversely associated with OS in patients with stage T3 versus T4 tumors (Pinteraction = 0.03). Conclusions: These findings suggest that higher physical activity around the time of colon cancer diagnosis may be associated with more favorable colon cancer outcomes. Impact: Our findings support further research on whether colon cancer survival may be enhanced by physical activity. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(6); 696–703. ©2018 AACR.
Nutritional predictors of successful chronic disease prevention for a community cohort in Central Australia

Abstract Objective To investigate biomarkers of nutrition associated with chronic disease absence for an Aboriginal cohort. Design Screening for nutritional biomarkers was completed at baseline (1995). Evidence of chronic disease (diabetes, CVD, chronic kidney disease or hypertension) was sought from primary health-care clinics, hospitals and death records over 10 years of follow-up. Principal components analysis was used to group baseline nutritional biomarkers and logistic regression modelling used to investigate associations between the principal components and chronic disease absence. Setting Three Central Australian Aboriginal communities. Subjects Aboriginal people (n 444, 286 of whom were without chronic disease at baseline) aged 15–82 years. Results Principal components analysis grouped twelve nutritional biomarkers into four components: ‘lipids’; ‘adiposity’; ‘dietary quality’; and ‘habitus with inverse quality diet’. For the 286 individuals free of chronic disease at baseline, lower adiposity, lower lipids and better dietary quality components were each associated with the absence at follow-up of most chronic diseases examined, with the exception of chronic kidney disease. Low ‘adiposity’ component was associated with absence of diabetes, hypertension and CVD at follow-up. Low ‘lipid’ component was associated with absence of hypertension and CVD, and high ‘dietary quality’ component was associated with absence of CVD at follow-up. Conclusions Lowering or maintenance of the factors related to ‘adiposity’ and ‘lipids’ to healthy thresholds and increasing access to a healthy diet appear useful targets for chronic disease prevention for Aboriginal people in Central Australia.
Juxtaposed genes in 7q21‐22 amplicon contribute for two major gastric cancer sub‐Types by mutual exclusive expression

Genomic Copy Number Variations (CNV) and the associated gene signatures are useful for cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and targeted therapeutics. Earlier, 7q21‐22 region was reported for frequent amplification in gastric cancer and potential candidate genes were identified. An analysis of the expression pattern of the 159 genes located in this amplicon revealed the consistent elevated expression of 21 genes in gastric tumors. These genes are closely arranged within the 20 Mb region, and they showed a bimodal expression pattern. SHFM1 and 14 other genes are expressed in intestinal type gastric tumors. COL1A2 and PCOLCE genes of this region are expressed in diffuse type gastric tumors. Similarly, genome‐wide expression neighbors of SHFM1 and COL1A2 also showed mutually exclusive expression pattern, and stratify intestinal and diffuse type gastric tumors. The expression of COL1A2 gene‐set is associated with poor prognosis, whereas the SHFM1 gene‐set is associated with better prognosis among the gastric cancer patients. Despite being physical neighbors, the SHFM1 and COL1A2 genes express differentially in the two major clinical sub‐types of gastric cancer in a mutually exclusive manner. The tight gene regulations operating between these juxtaposed genes deserve investigation to understand the molecular regulatory switch defining the determinants of the gastric cancer sub‐types. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Fentanyl Induces Rapid Onset Hyperalgesic Priming: Type I at Peripheral and Type II at Central Nociceptor Terminals

Systemic fentanyl induces hyperalgesic priming, long-lasting neuroplasticity in nociceptor function characterized by prolongation of inflammatory mediator hyperalgesia. To evaluate priming at both nociceptor terminals, we studied, in male Sprague Dawley rats, the effect of local administration of agents that reverse type I (protein translation) or type II [combination of Src and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] priming. At the central terminal, priming induced by systemic, intradermal, or intrathecal fentanyl was reversed by the combination of Src and MAPK inhibitors, but at the peripheral terminal, it was reversed by the protein translation inhibitor. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) antisense prevented fentanyl hyperalgesia and priming. To determine whether type I and II priming occur in the same population of neurons, we used isolectin B4–saporin or [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-substance P–saporin to deplete nonpeptidergic or peptidergic nociceptors, respectively. Following intrathecal fentanyl, central terminal priming was prevented by both saporins, whereas that in peripheral terminal was not attenuated even by their combination. However, after intradermal fentanyl, priming in the peripheral terminal requires both peptidergic and nonpeptidergic nociceptors, whereas that in the central terminal is dependent only on peptidergic nociceptors. Pretreatment with dantrolene at either terminal prevented fentanyl-induced priming in both terminals, suggesting communication between central and peripheral terminals mediated by intracellular Ca2+ signaling. In vitro application of fentanyl increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in dorsal root ganglion neurons, which was prevented by pretreatment with dantrolene and naloxone. Therefore, acting at MOR in the nociceptor, fentanyl induces hyperalgesia and priming rapidly at both the central (type II) and peripheral (type I) terminal and this is mediated by Ca2+ signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fentanyl, acting at the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), induces hyperalgesia and hyperalgesic priming at both the central and peripheral terminal of nociceptors and this is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ signaling. Priming in the central terminal is type II, whereas that in the peripheral terminal is type I. Our findings may provide useful information for the design of drugs with improved therapeutic profiles, selectively disrupting individual MOR signaling pathways, to maintain an adequate long-lasting control of pain.
Extending the coverage of phenotypes in SNOMED CT through post-coordination

Objectives To extend the coverage of phenotypes in SNOMED CT through post-coordination. Methods We identify frequent modifiers in terms from the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), which we associate with templates for post-coordinated expressions in SNOMED CT. Results We identified 176 modifiers, created 12 templates, and generated 1,617 post-coordinated expressions. Conclusions Through this novel approach, we can increase the current number of mappings by 50%.
Consensus problem of networked multi-agent systems with constant communication delay: stochastic switching topology case

This article proposes an observer-based control strategy for networked multi-agent systems with constant communication delay and stochastic switching topology. First, using the system transformation method, the mean-square consensus problem of multi-agent systems can be converted into the mean-square stability problem of an equivalent system, and some equivalent conditions concerning the mean-square consensus are presented. Then, an example is given to illustrate that the connection weights should be regarded as the parameters to be designed, since they have a great effect on the mean-square consensus of multi-agent systems. By choosing appropriate connection weights, the mean-square consensus problem can be converted into the mean-square stabilisation problem of N-1 delay systems with stochastic switching signal, whose related observer-based stabilisability criteria can be established in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Furthermore, if the LMIs are feasible, the multi-agent systems achieve mean-square consensus if and only if the union of graphs in the switching topology set has a directed spanning tree. Finally, numerical simulations are given to illustrate our results.
Randomized controlled trial of the effects of soy protein containing isoflavones on vascular function in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND The incidence of cardiovascular disease increases after menopause, possibly because of the decline in estrogen. Soy protein, a rich source of estrogen-like isoflavones, is hypothesized to improve vascular function. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with soy protein, a rich source of estrogen-like isoflavones, improves vascular function. DESIGN We performed a 12-mo double-blind randomized trial to compare the effects of soy protein containing 99 mg isoflavones/d (aglycone weights) with those of milk protein (placebo) on blood pressure and endothelial function in 202 postmenopausal women aged 60-75 y. RESULTS Changes in endothelial function during the intervention were not significantly different between the soy and the placebo groups. After the intervention, systolic blood pressure increased in the soy group significantly more than it did in the placebo group; the difference in change was 4.3 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.3, 8.4 mm Hg; P = 0.04) for systolic blood pressure, but only 2.0 mm Hg (95% CI: -0.74, 4.71 mm Hg; P = 0.15) for diastolic blood pressure. In the soy group only, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased and endothelial function improved in the equol producers, whereas systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased and endothelial function deteriorated in the equol nonproducers. CONCLUSIONS The results of this trial do not support the hypothesis that soy protein containing isoflavones have beneficial effects on vascular function in older postmenopausal women. Whether certain subgroups of women (eg, equol producers) do benefit from the intervention remains to be elucidated.
Arabinoxylan fiber, a byproduct of wheat flour processing, reduces the postprandial glucose response in normoglycemic subjects.

BACKGROUND Arabinoxylan (AX) is the major component of dietary fiber in the cereal grains that make up a large proportion of our diet. However, the physiologic effect of AX is unknown. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether AX improves postprandial glucose and insulin responses in healthy humans. DESIGN AX-rich fiber was extracted from the byproduct of wheat-flour processing. Three isoenergic breakfasts, comprising bread, margarine, and jam, had 75 g available carbohydrate, 10 g protein, and 14 g fat and contained 0, 6, and 12 g AX-rich fiber, respectively. Fourteen healthy subjects consumed the 3 breakfast meals in random order on 3 mornings >/=3 d apart after an overnight fast. Blood was taken from the subjects at regular intervals over 2 h and was analyzed for glucose and insulin. The palatability of bread containing AX-rich fiber was compared with that of a control bread. RESULTS Compared with the control meal containing 0 g AX-rich fiber, the peak postprandial glucose concentration after meals containing 6 and 12 g AX-rich fiber was significantly lower (6. 3 +/- 1.3 compared with 7.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/L, P < 0.01; 5.9 +/- 0.9 compared with 7.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/L, P < 0.001, respectively). The incremental area under the curve (IAUC) for glucose was 20.2% (95% CI: 5.8%, 34.7%; P < 0.01) and 41.4% (25.9%, 56.8%; P < 0.001) lower, whereas IAUC for insulin was 17.0% (2.0%, 32.1%; P < 0.05) and 32. 7% (18.8%, 46.6%; P < 0.001) lower, respectively. Bread containing AX-rich fiber was as pala as 50% whole-wheat bread when evaluated with sensory analysis by 30 volunteers. CONCLUSIONS Postprandial glucose and insulin responses were improved by ingestion of AX-rich fiber. Further research is required to determine whether AX-rich fiber is of benefit to people with type 2 diabetes.
Stem Cell Reports Resource Differentiation of Inflammation-Responsive Astrocytes fromGlial Progenitors Generated from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Renata Santos,1,2,7 Krishna C. Vadodaria,1,7 Baptiste N. Jaeger,1,7 Arianna Mei,1 Sabrina Lefcochilos-Fogelquist,1 Ana P.D. Mendes,1 Galina Erikson,3 Maxim Shokhirev,3 Lynne Randolph-Moore,1 Callie Fredlender,1 Sonia Dave,1 Ruth Oefner,1 Conor Fitzpatrick,4Monique Pena,1 Jerika J. Barron,1 Manching Ku,3 Ahmet M. Denli,1 Bilal E. Kerman,1,8 Patrick Charnay,2 John R. Kelsoe,5,6 Maria C. Marchetto,1 and Fred H. Gage1,* 1Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 2Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France 3The Razavi Newman Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility 4Flow Cytometry Core Facility The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 5Department of Psychiatry, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA 92151, USA 6Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA 7Co-first author 8Present address: Research Center for Regenerative and Restorative Medicine (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Kavacık Mah. Ekinciler Cad. No.19 Beykoz, 34810 Istanbul, Turkey *Correspondence: gage@salk.edu http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.stemcr. 2017.05. 011
Numerical Simulation of Buckling Resistance For UOE Line Pipes With Orthogonal Anisotropic Hardening Behavior

Strain capacity is required for buried line pipes to endure ground movement. A constitutive model with anisotropic strain-hardening behavior is proposed in order to analyze the deformation behaviors of UOE pipes accurately. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the pipes using the developed constitutive model has revealed that the aspect of strainhardening behavior in the circumferential direction significantly affects the buckling resistance of a pipe subjected to bending moment in high internal pressure and high diameter/thickness (D/t) pipes.
Influence of distribution of lean body mass on resting metabolic rate after weight loss and weight regain: comparison of responses in white and black women.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the effect of weight change on regional lean body mass (LBM) distribution or on racial differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR). OBJECTIVE The study compared total and regional LBM patterns in white and black women after weight loss and regain and assessed the influence of regional LBM on variances in RMR. DESIGN Eighteen white and 22 black women who did not differ in age, weight, and height were studied 3 times: in the overweight state, after weight reduction to the normal-weight state, and after 1 y without intervention. Total and regional lean and fat masses were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS White and black women did not differ significantly in mean (+/- SD) weight loss (13.4 +/- 3.6 and 12.7 +/- 3.2 kg, respectively) and regain (6.1 +/- 5.5 and 6.4 +/- 5.4 kg, respectively). Black subjects had significantly less trunk LBM and significantly more limb LBM at each time point (P < 0.05). In both races, weight regain was associated with significant increases in limb LBM (P < 0.05) but not in trunk LBM (P = 0.21). RMR, adjusted for total LBM and fat mass, was significantly higher in white women after weight loss (P < 0.01) and regain (P < 0.01). However, no racial difference was found when RMR was adjusted for LBM distribution. CONCLUSIONS In both races, trunk LBM decreased with weight loss and remained lower, despite significant weight regain, which potentially reflected decreased organ mass. Regional LBM distribution explained the racial difference in RMR.
Threonine kinetics at graded threonine intakes in young men.

A study was undertaken in eight healthy young men to examine the effects of varying intakes of threonine on plasma free threonine concentrations and threonine kinetics, using a 3 h constant intravenous infusion of L-[1-13C]threonine. Subjects consumed diets based on an L-amino acid mixture, in which the quality of threonine was reduced every 7 days. On the last day of each diet period, determinations of plasma threonine flux and threonine oxidation were carried out while subjects consumed small meals, each supplying 1/12 daily intake, at hourly intervals. Threonine oxidation rates fell with reduced threonine intake, reaching a relatively constant level at intakes of 20 mg.kg-1.day-1 and below. These metabolic data are discussed in relation to the currently established value of 7 mg.kg-1.day-1 as the upper range of the threonine requirement for healthy young adults. It is concluded that actual threonine requirements may be considerably higher for this age group.
Community-Level and Species-Specific Associations between Phytoplankton and Particle-Associated Vibrio Species in Delaware's Inland Bays

ABSTRACT Vibrio species are an abundant and diverse group of bacteria that form associations with phytoplankton. Correlations between Vibrio and phytoplankton abundance have been noted, suggesting that growth is enhanced during algal blooms or that association with phytoplankton provides a refuge from predation. Here, we investigated relationships between particle-associated Vibrio spp. and phytoplankton in Delaware's inland bays (DIB). The relative abundances of particle-associated Vibrio spp. and algal classes that form blooms in DIB (dinoflagellates, diatoms, and raphidophytes) were determined using quantitative PCR. The results demonstrated a significant correlation between particle-associated Vibrio abundance and phytoplankton, with higher correlations to diatoms and raphidophytes than to dinoflagellates. Species-specific associations were examined during a mixed bloom of Heterosigma akashiwo and Fibrocapsa japonica (Raphidophyceae) and indicated a significant positive correlation for particle-associated Vibrio abundance with H. akashiwo but a negative correlation with F. japonica. Changes in Vibrio assemblages during the bloom were evaluated using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), which revealed significant differences between each size fraction but no significant change in Vibrio assemblages over the course of the bloom. Microzooplankton grazing experiments showed that losses of particle-associated Vibrio spp. may be offset by increased growth in the Vibrio population. Moreover, analysis of Vibrio assemblages by ARISA also indicated an increase in the relative abundance for specific members of the Vibrio community despite higher grazing pressure on the particle-associated population as a whole. The results of this investigation demonstrate links between phytoplankton and Vibrio that may lead to predictions of potential health risks and inform future management practices in this region.