Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baseline data from a planned RCT on attitudes to female genital cutting after migration: when are interventions justified?

Objectives To present the primary outcomes from a baseline study on attitudes towards female genital cutting (FGC) after migration. Design Baseline data from a planned cluster randomised, controlled trial. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect questionnaire data in 2015. Based on our hypothesis that established Somalis could be used as facilitators of change among those newly arrived, data were stratified into years of residency in Sweden. Setting Sweden. Participants 372 Somali men and women, 206 newly arrived (0–4 years), 166 established (>4 years). Primary outcome measures Whether FGC is acceptable, preferred for daughter and should continue, specified on anatomical extent. Results The support for anatomical change of girls and women’s genitals ranged from 0% to 2% among established and from 4% to 8% among newly arrived. Among those supporting no anatomical change, 75%–83% among established and 53%–67% among newly arrived opposed all forms of FGC, with the remaining supporting pricking of the skin with no removal of tissue. Among newly arrived, 37% stated that pricking was acceptable, 39% said they wanted their daughter to be pricked and 26% reported they wanted pricking to continue being practised. Those who had lived in Sweden ≤ 2 years had highest odds of supporting FGC; thereafter, the opposition towards FGC increased over time after migration. Conclusion A majority of Somali immigrants, including those newly arrived, opposed all forms of FGC with increased opposition over time after migration. The majority of proponents of FGC supported pricking. We argue that it would have been unethical to proceed with the intervention as it, with this baseline, would have been difficult to detect a change in attitudes given that a majority opposed all forms of FGC together with the evidence that a strong attitude change is already happening. Therefore, we decided not to implement the planned intervention. Trial registration number Trial registration number NCT02335697;Pre-results.
Oxidative stress and homocysteine in coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress is present in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and hyperhomocysteinemia, an independent risk factor for these diseases, may play a role by inducing production of oxygen free radicals. METHODS To evaluate the possible role of homocysteine (Hcy) in inducing oxidative stress in coronary artery disease (CAD), plasma Hcy was measured in 68 consecutive cardiovascular patients, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), both free and total (free + bound), was measured in 40 patients with CAD (18 with chronic stable angina and 22 with unstable angina). As controls, we tested 70 healthy volunteers. Hcy was measured by an immunoenzymatic method and MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS Plasma Hcy concentrations were significantly higher in cardiovascular patients than in controls (10.2 vs 8.9 micromol/L; P <0.0002), with no significant difference between values in the stable and unstable angina subgroups. Similarly, total MDA was significantly higher in the CAD group than in the controls (2.6 vs 1.3 micromol/L; P <0.00001), again with no significant difference between stable and unstable angina patients. By contrast, free MDA, which was significantly higher in the CAD patients than the controls (0.4 vs 0.2 micromol/L; P < 0.00001), was also significantly higher in the unstable than in the stable angina group (0.5 vs 0.3 micromol/L; P <0.03). However, no correlation was observed among Hcy and free and total MDA. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that a moderate increase of Hcy is associated with CVD but that Hcy at the detected values cannot be considered completely responsible for oxidative damage. That lipid peroxidation is involved in CAD is shown by our observation of significantly increased plasma free and total MDA concentrations compared with controls. Moreover, free MDA values discriminated between unstable and chronic stable angina, and could thus represent a new diagnostic tool.
Increases in multiple psychiatric disorders in parents and grandparents of patients with bipolar disorder from the USA compared with The Netherlands and Germany

Objective We previously found that compared with Europe more parents of the USA patients were positive for a mood disorder, and that this was associated with early onset bipolar disorder. Here we examine family history of psychiatric illness in more detail across several generations. Methods A total of 968 outpatients (average age 41) with bipolar disorder from four sites in the USA and three in the Netherlands and Germany (abbreviated as Europe) gave informed consent and provided detailed demographic and family history information on a patient questionnaire. Family history of psychiatric illness (bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, suicide attempt, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and other illness) was collected for each parent, four grandparents, siblings, and children. Results Parents of the probands with bipolar disorder from the USA compared with Europe had a significantly higher incidence of both unipolar and bipolar mood disorders, as well as each of the other psychiatric conditions listed above. With a few exceptions, this burden of psychiatric disorders was also significantly greater in the grandparents, siblings, and children of the USA versus European patients. Conclusion The increased complexity of psychiatric illness and its occurrence over several generations in the families of patients with bipolar disorder from the USA versus Europe could be contributing to the higher incidence of childhood onsets and greater virulence of illness in the USA compared with Europe. These data are convergent with others suggesting increased both genetic and environmental risk in the USA, but require replication in epidemiologically-derived populations with data based on interviews of the family members.
Cut-off values of waist circumference to predict metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents.

INTRODUCTION Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of metabolic alteration related to abdominal obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance, which increase cardiovascular disease and mortality. The aims of the present study were to identify the prevalence of comorbidities and altered parameters in obese adolescents with and without MetS, and determine cut-off points of waist circumference to predict MetS. METHODS 195 obese adolescents were recruited and divided according to MetS diagnosis based on IDF criteria. Blood analyses of glucose, lipids, liver enzymes, adiponectin and leptin were measured. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA-IR, QUICKI and HOMA-AD. Visceral, subcutaneous and hepatic fat were ultrasonography obtained. Body composition was estimated by BOD POD system. RESULTS We observed a prevalence of 25% of MetS (n=50). The MetS group presented significant higher body mass, BMI, body fat (kg), free-fat mass (kg), waist circumference, visceral fat, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, total-cholesterol, LDL-c, VLDL-c, triglycerides, liver enzymes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and blood pressure. Significant lower QUICKI and adiponectin in MetS group were noted. MetS girls presented significant higher leptin/adiponectin ratio compared to Non-MetS girls. Cut-off points of 111.5 cm for boys and 104.6 cm for girls of waist circumference were suggested to predict metabolic syndrome. Moreover, waist circumference was positive correlated with visceral fat and the number of metabolic syndrome parameters. CONCLUSION MetS group presented significant higher metabolic alterations and inflammation compared to Non-MetS group. Waist circumference is considered an anthropometric measure predictor of metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents, being useful in clinical practice.
The Middle to Late Miocene “Carbonate Crash” in the Equatorial Indian Ocean

We integrate benthic foraminiferal stable isotopes, X‐ray fluorescence elemental ratios, and carbonate accumulation estimates in a continuous sedimentary archive recovered at International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1443 (Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean) to reconstruct changes in carbonate deposition and climate evolution over the interval 13.5 to 8.2 million years ago. Declining carbonate percentages together with a marked decrease in carbonate accumulation rates after ~13.2 Ma signal the onset of a prolonged episode of reduced carbonate deposition. This extended phase, which lasted until ~8.7 Ma, coincides with the middle to late Miocene carbonate crash, originally identified in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Interocean comparison reveals that intense carbonate impoverishment at Site U1443 (~11.5 to ~10 Ma) coincides with prolonged episodes of reduced carbonate deposition in all major tropical ocean basins. This implies that global changes in the intensity of chemical weathering and riverine input of calcium and carbonate ions into the ocean reservoir were instrumental in driving the carbonate crash. An increase in U1443 Log (Ba/Ti) together with a change in sediment color from red to green indicate a rise in organic export flux to the sea floor after ~11.2 Ma, which predates the global onset of the biogenic bloom. This early rise in export flux from biological production may have been linked to increased advection of nutrients and intensification of upper ocean mixing, associated with changes in the seasonality and intensity of the Indian Monsoon.
Detection of OH Absorption against PSR B1849+00

We have searched for OH absorption against seven pulsars using the Arecibo telescope. In both OH main lines (at 1665 and 1667 MHz), deep and narrow absorption features were detected toward PSR B1849+00. In addition, we have detected several absorption and emission features against B33.6+0.1, a nearby supernova remnant (SNR). The most interesting result of this study is that a pencil-sharp absorption sample against the PSR differs greatly from the large-angle absorption sample observed against the SNR. If both the PSR and the SNR probe the same molecular cloud, then this finding has important implications for absorption studies of the molecular medium, since it shows that the statistics of absorbing OH depends on the size of the background source. We also show that the OH absorption against the PSR most likely originates from a small (<30'') and dense (>105 cm-3) molecular clump.
Telomerase reverse transcriptase methylation predicts lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer

Purpose Telomerase activity is associated with cellular immortalization and is present in most human tumors but absent in normal tissues. The activity of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), a catalytic telomerase subunit, correlates with telomerase activity in tumors. The objective of this study was to investigate TERT promoter methylation and its prognostic impact in gastric cancer (GC). Patients and methods The analysis of TERT promoter methylation was performed in tumors and corresponding normal tissues of 116 patients with GC using a highly sensitive Sequenom Epityper assay. The expression of TERT in GC tissues was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results The levels of TERT promoter methylation in GC samples were significantly higher than in normal adjacent tissues (P=0.002). Hypermethylation of TERT promoter was associated with high T-stage (P=0.024), late N-stage (P=0.006), and lymphovascular/neural invasion (P=0.035), without correlation with age, sex, or histological grade. Simple linear regression analysis showed that TERT mRNA correlated positively with TERT methylation (R2=0.562, P=0.001). Also, higher TERT mRNA expression was related to hypermethylation of TERT promoter in GC samples (P=0.005). Univariate analysis demonstrated that N-stage (P=0.002) and TERT promoter methylation (P=0.004) were predictive of overall survival. Furthermore, multivariate analysis confirmed that N-stage (P=0.013) and TERT promoter methylation (P=0.031) were independent prognostic indicators for overall survival. Conclusion Our data suggested that hypermethylation of TERT promoter may contribute to gastric wall invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular/neural invasion, and poor prognosis in GC. GC patients with hypermethylation of TERT promoter could be eligible for close follow-up.
Genome-Wide Association Studies in Dogs and Humans Identify ADAMTS20 as a Risk Variant for Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is the most commonly occurring craniofacial birth defect. We provide insight into the genetic etiology of this birth defect by performing genome-wide association studies in two species: dogs and humans. In the dog, a genome-wide association study of 7 CL/P cases and 112 controls from the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR) breed identified a significantly associated region on canine chromosome 27 (unadjusted p=1.1 x 10-13; adjusted p= 2.2 x 10-3). Further analysis in NSDTR families and additional full sibling cases identified a 1.44 Mb homozygous haplotype (chromosome 27: 9.29 – 10.73 Mb) segregating with a more complex phenotype of cleft lip, cleft palate, and syndactyly (CLPS) in 13 cases. Whole-genome sequencing of 3 CLPS cases and 4 controls at 15X coverage led to the discovery of a frameshift mutation within ADAMTS20 (c.1360_1361delAA (p.Lys453Ilefs*3)), which segregated concordant with the phenotype. In a parallel study in humans, a family-based association analysis (DFAM) of 125 CL/P cases, 420 unaffected relatives, and 392 controls from a Guatemalan cohort, identified a suggestive association (rs10785430; p =2.67 x 10-6) with the same gene, ADAMTS20. Sequencing of cases from the Guatemalan cohort was unable to identify a causative mutation within the coding region of ADAMTS20, but four coding variants were found in additional cases of CL/P. In summary, this study provides genetic evidence for a role of ADAMTS20 in CL/P development in dogs and as a candidate gene for CL/P development in humans.
Effect of Lycopene and Tomato Products on Cholesterol Metabolism

Background/Aims: Increased ingestion of tomato, containing lycopene, has been associated with a decreased risk for atherosclerosis, although the exact molecular mechanism is still unknown. Here we review the available evidence for a direct regulation of tomato lycopene on cholesterol metabolism using results from experimental and human studies. Results: In human macrophages lycopene dose dependently reduced intracellular total cholesterol. Such an effect was associated with a decrease in cholesterol synthesis through a reduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and expression, a modulation of low- density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. An increase in cholesterol efflux through an enhancement of ABCA1 and caveolin-1 expression was also observed. In animal models of atherosclerosis, lycopene and tomato products decreased plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In agreement with the experimental results, most human intervention trials analyzed show that dietary supplementation with lycopene and/or tomato products reduced plasma LDL cholesterol dependently on the dose and the time of administration. Conclusions: Although lycopene and tomato products seem to possess direct hypocholesterolemic properties, more experimental studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms involved. There is also a need for more well-designed human dietary intervention studies to better clarify the role of lycopene as a hypocholesterolemic agent.
Pet Ownership, Attachment and Health-Rated Quality of Life in New

A great number of previous studies have linked pet ownership to positive health outcomes, but so far no study has investigated its effects on health-related quality of life. Using a sample of 282 university undergraduate students, the present study investigated the effects of pet ownership on health-related quality of life, whilst controlling for demographic variables and exploring the effects of level of attachment to the pet. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), which includes four separate domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental quality of life. Dog ownership was related to significantly higher scores on physical quality of life ( p=.04), and owning a pet other than a dog or a cat was linked to significantly higher scores on the social domain ( p<.01). The present results failed to replicate previous findings of increased psychological health in pet owners. Although pet owners generally reported to be highly attached to their pets, level of pet attachment was not significantly related to psychological quality of life. This study provides the first exploratory results of the effect of pet ownership on quality of life as measured by the WHOQOL-BREF in a New Zealand sample.
Characterization and In Vitro evaluation of a novel coated nanocomposite porous 3D scaffold for bone repair

The aim of this study is to tissue engineer a 3D scaffold that can be used for load bearing segmental bone defects (SBDs) repair. Three different scaffolds were fabricated using cockle shell-derived CaCO3 aragonite nanoparticles (CCAN), gelatin, dextran and dextrin with coated framework via Freeze-Drying Method (FDM) labeled as 5211, 5211GTA+Alginate, 5211PLA. Scaffolds were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The cytocompatibility of the organized scaffolds was assessed using cells multiplication and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration via In Vitro cell culture using human Fetal OsteoBlast cells line (hFOB). The results showed a substantial difference in ALP concentrations between the cultures of different scaffolds leachable medium during the study period. The biological evaluation also showed that three scaffolds did enhanced the osteoblast proliferation rate and improved the osteoblast function as demonstrated by the significant increase in ALP concentration. Engineering analyses showed that scaffolds possessed 3D interconnected homogenous porous structure with a porosity ranging 6%-49%, pore sizes ranging 8-345 µm, mechanical strength ranging 20-65 MPa, young’s modulus ranging 166-296 MPa and enzymatic degradation rate between 16%-38% within 2-10 weeks. The in vitro evaluation revealed that the scaffold 5211, 5211GTA+Alginate and 5211PLA fulfill all the main requirements to be considered as an ideal bone replacement.
Improving Resampling-based Ensemble in Churn Prediction

Dealing with class imbalance is a challenging issue in churn prediction. Although resamplingbased ensemble solutions have demonstrated their superiority in many fields, previous research shows that they cannot improve the profit-based measure in churn prediction. In this paper, we explore the impact of the class ratio in the training subsets on the predictive performance of resampling-based ensemble techniques based on experiments on real-world churn prediction data sets. The experimental results show that the setting of the class ratio has a great impact on the model performance. It is also found that by choosing suitable class ratios in the training subsets, UnderBagging and Balanced Random Forests can significantly improve profits brought by the churn prediction model. The demonstrated results provide some guidelines for both academic and industrial practitioners.
Gender Differences in Osteoporosis Health Beliefs and Knowledge and Their Relation to Vigorous Physical Activity in University Students

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine (1) gender differences in osteoporosis-related knowledge and beliefs and (2) if these beliefs could predict vigorous physical activity behavior in university students. Participants: Male (n = 176) and female (n = 351) university students participated in the study. Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs and vigorous physical activity. Results: Regardless of gender, osteoporosis knowledge was relatively poor. Women reported higher knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and calcium barriers, and lower exercise self-efficacy than men. Regression analyses showed that for women, perceived susceptibility, health motivation, and exercise self-efficacy predicted vigorous physical activity, whereas for men, exercise barriers was the only predictor. Conclusions: Gender differences in osteoporosis health beliefs appear to be greater in older adults than college-aged students. Interventions designed to increase vigorous physical activity may want to target different beliefs for men and women.
Female leadership stereotypes: The perception of the leadership of female heads of senior high schools in Ashanti region

The study discussed the perception of the female leadership stereotypes of heads of selected Senior High Schools in Ashanti Region. A census survey was conducted to select eighty-eight heads of Senior High Schools. A descriptive survey design was employed and focused on the administering of open and closed ended questionnaires to 80 headmasters and headmistresses. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.826. SPSS was used to analyze the data and the results were presented in tables and graphs. The study revealed that majority of the respondents disagreed on all the stereotypes associated with women on traditional beliefs/practices. Moreover, family responsibility is a leading factor that impedes female advancement to attaining leadership positions. In addition, the appointment to headship was rather based on professional and academic qualification rather than on gender as the perceived stereotypes will engender. Consequently, women also need to strive to higher positions like their male colleagues.
Maternal health prior to pregnancy and preterm birth among urban, low income black women in Baltimore: the Baltimore Preterm Birth Study.

OBJECTIVES Black women have increased risk of preterm birth compared to white women, and overall black women are in poorer health than white women. Recent recommendations to reduce preterm birth have focused on preconception health care. We explore the associations between indicators of maternal prepregnancy health with preterm birth among a sample of black women. DESIGN The current study was prospective. SETTING Enrollment occurred in prenatal clinics in Baltimore. PARTICIPANTS Women (N=922) aged > or =18 were enrolled in the study. Data on maternal health, behaviors, and pregnancy outcome were abstracted from clinical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between behavioral and health status variables with preterm birth. RESULTS In bivariate analysis, alcohol use, drug use and chronic diseases were associated with preterm birth. In the logistic regression analysis, drug use and chronic diseases were associated with preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate an association between maternal health and behaviors prior to pregnancy with preterm birth among black women. Providing access to health care prior to pregnancy to address behavioral and health risks may improve pregnancy outcomes among low-income black women.