Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Update on the Relationship of Fish Intake with Prostate, Breast, and Colorectal Cancers

A systematic review of prospective cohort and case-control studies investigating relationships between the intake of fish and incidence of prostate, breast, or colorectal cancers was conducted. A total of 106 studies fulfilled the requirements stated in the “Search strategy and selection criteria. ” Among 273 estimates of association reported by these studies, 53 indicated decreased risk while 12 indicated increased risk associated with fish intake. The hypothesis linking fish consumption and low cancer incidence appears to be supported by little epidemiological data. However, there are several factors that may mask potential protective associations with fish intake. The type and the amount of fish eaten, the cooking method, the stage of the cancer and, amongst women, menopausal status may all be important factors that relate to whether fish is protective or not. Future epidemiologic studies with a clearer assessment of these factors are needed to know more about the effects of fish consumption on cancer risk. Therefore, until there are better measures of dietary exposure or biomarkers to correlate self-report, no conclusion can be drawn regarding the recommendation for increasing fish consumption in general to reduce the risk of developing the most common cancers in Western societies.
Genetic Divergence in Adaptive Characters Between Sympatric Species of Stickleback

This study explored the genetic basis of phenotypic differences between two sympatric species of ecologically and morphologically divergent sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus complex). The aim was to understand how many loci determine the differences and to what extent the differences are due to additive or nonadditive gene action. I reared the two parental species, F1 and F2 hybrids, and both backcrosses in the laboratory and measured the following quantitative characters: gill raker number and length (both involved in feeding), lateral plate number and pelvic spine length (both involved in predator defense), and growth (a fitness component). I then applied joint‐scaling regression models to estimate composite additive, dominance and epistatic effects, and their contribution to divergence of parental lines. A simple additive model was sufficient for gill raker number and growth; additive and dominance effects contributed significantly to divergence in plate number and pelvic spine length; and additive, dominance, and epistatic effects contributed significantly to divergence in gill raker length. Wright's estimator for the number of loci for the four morphological characters ranged from 1 to 50. My results suggest that adaptive divergence between limnetic and benthic sticklebacks has taken place through a variety of genetic mechanisms specific to different traits. Though interspecific hybrids are completely fertile and viable in the laboratory, they are selected against in the wild. The pattern of inheritance for the traits examined here directly influences how well hybrids can exploit the two major resource environments in the wild.
The Streptomyces NrdR Transcriptional Regulator Is a Zn Ribbon/ATP Cone Protein That Binds to the Promoter Regions of Class Ia and Class II Ribonucleotide Reductase Operons

ABSTRACT Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) catalyze the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides and are essential for de novo DNA synthesis and repair. Streptomyces spp. contain genes coding for two RNRs, either of which is sufficient for vegetative growth. The class Ia RNR is encoded by the nrdAB genes, and the class II RNR is encoded by nrdJ, which is coexpressed with nrdR. We previously showed that the Streptomyces coelicolor nrdR gene encodes a protein, NrdR, which represses transcription of both sets of RNR genes. NrdR is a member of a highly conserved family of proteins that is confined exclusively to prokaryotes. In this report, we describe a physical and biochemical characterization of the S. coelicolor NrdR protein and show that it is a zinc-ATP/dATP-containing protein that binds to the promoter regions of both Streptomyces RNR operons. The NrdR N terminus contains a zinc ribbon motif that is necessary for binding to the upstream regulatory region of both RNR operons. The latter contains two 16-bp direct repeat sequences, termed NrdR boxes, which are located proximal to, or overlap with, the promoter regions. These experiments support the view that NrdR controls the transcription of RNR genes by binding to the NrdR box sequences. We also show that the central NrdR ATP cone domain binds ATP and dATP and that mutations that abolish ATP/dATP binding significantly reduce DNA binding, suggesting that the ATP cone domain may allosterically regulate NrdR binding. We conclude that NrdR is a widely conserved regulator of RNR genes, binding to specific sequence elements in the promoter region and thereby modulating transcription.
Down-regulation of TGF-b1, TGF-b receptor 2, and TGF-b-associated microRNAs, miR-20a and miR-21, in skin lesions of sulfur mustard-exposed Iranian war veterans

Abstract Sulfur mustard (SM) affects divergent cellular pathways including cell cycle, apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammatory responses. SM-induced lesions in skin include late-onset hyper-pigmentation, xerosis, and atrophy. It seems that TGF-b signaling pathway is a major player for SM pathogenesis. Here, we have employed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach to evaluate the expression alterations of all TGF-b variants and their receptors in skin biopsies obtained from 10 Iran–Iraq war veterans. Using specific LNA primers, the expression alteration of a TGF-bR2 regulator, miR-20a, and TGF-b downstream target, miR-21, was also assessed in the same samples Our real-time PCR data revealed a significant down-regulation of TGF-b1 and TGF-bR2, the major mediators of TGF-b signaling pathway, in skin biopsies of SM-exposed patients (p = 0.0015 and p = 0.0115, respectively). Down-regulation of TGF-b signaling pathway seems to contribute in severe inflammation observed in SM-exposed patients’ tissues. MiR-20a and miR-21, as two important TGF-b associated microRNAs (miRNAs), were also down-regulated in SM-exposed skin lesions, compared to those of control group (p = 0.0003). Based on our findings, these miRNAs could be directly or indirectly involve in the pathogenesis of SM. Altogether, our data suggest the suitability of TGF-b1, TGF-bR2, as well as miR-20a and miR-21 as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of SM-exposed patients.
Quantitative analysis of bacterial aerosols in two different dental clinic environments

Microbial aerosols are generated during dental treatments and may represent an important source of infection. This study was designed to quantify bacterial air contamination during dental treatments in both a closed dental operatory and a multichair dental clinic. Air was sampled by using a slit type of biological air sampler. Following air sampling, blood-supplemented Trypticase soy agar plates were incubated at 37 degrees C under anaerobic conditions for 7 days. The maximum levels of air contamination in the closed dental operatory were observed while dental treatments were being performed (four trials; 216 +/- 75 CFU/m3 for ultrasonic scaling treatments and 75 +/- 22 CFU/m3 for operative treatments). At 2 h after completion of the treatments, the bacterial counts were about the same as the pretreatment levels (12 to 14 CFU/m3). In the second part of the study, a multichair dental clinic was divided into four areas, and air contamination was monitored at each site. Three sites were located in active dental treatment areas, whereas no dental treatments were performed within an 11-m radius of the fourth site. At 3 h after the beginning of dental treatments, the highest bacterial counts were obtained in the three active dental treatment areas (76 to 114 CFU/m3). However, there was noticeable contamination in the inactive dental treatment area (42 CFU/m3). Thus, bacterial aerosols were able to spread into areas where there was no dental activity. My data show that dental treatments significantly increased the levels of bacterial air contamination in both a closed dental operatory and a multichair dental clinic. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pulmonary Complications of Illicit Drug Use: Differential Diagnosis Based on CT Findings

Objective The aim of this manuscript is to summarize an approach to the differential diagnosis of the pulmonary complications of illicit drug use based on the computed tomography findings. Conclusions The various pulmonary complications of illicit drug use result in 5 main patterns of parenchymal abnormality: nodules, ground-glass opacities, consolidation, air trapping, and emphysema. Other thoracic manifestations of illicit drug use include pulmonary arterial hypertension, pneumomediastinum, bacterial endocarditis, discitis, and septic arthritis.
Does symptomatic primary HIV-1 infection accelerate progression to CDC stage IV disease, CD4 count below 200 × 106/l, AIDS, and death from AIDS?

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prognostic significance of symptomatic primary HIV-1 infection. Design: Prospective study of homosexual men seroconverting to HIV in 1985 and 1986. Patients were followed up at least three times yearly with clinical examinations and T cell subset determinations for an average of 7.2 years. Setting: Research project centred on attenders for treatment and screening for HIV at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm. Subjects—19 patients presenting with a glandularfever-like illness associated with seroconversion to HIV and 29 asymptomatic seroconverters. Main outcome measures: Progression to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage IV disease, CD4 cell count below 200 × 106/l, AIDS, and death from AIDS. Results: Symptomatic seroconverters were significantly more likely to develop Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage IV disease (95% (upsilon) 66%), CD4 cell counts below 200 × 106/l (84% (upsilon) 55%), and AIDS (58% (upsilon) 28%) and die of AIDS (53% (upsilon) 7%). Conclusion: A glandular-fever-like illness associated with seroconversion to HIV-1 predicts accelerated progression to AIDS and other HIV related diseases.
Cervicothoracic Manual Therapy Plus Exercise Therapy Versus Exercise Therapy Alone in the Management of Individuals With Shoulder Pain: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design Multicenter randomized controlled trial. Background Cervicothoracic manual therapy has been shown to improve pain and disability in individuals with shoulder pain, but the incremental effects of manual therapy in addition to exercise therapy have not been investigated in a randomized controlled trial. Objectives To compare the effects of cervicothoracic manual therapy and exercise therapy to those of exercise therapy alone in individuals with shoulder pain. Methods Individuals (n = 140) with shoulder pain were randomly assigned to receive 2 sessions of cervicothoracic range-of-motion exercises plus 6 sessions of exercise therapy, or 2 sessions of high-dose cervicothoracic manual therapy and range-of-motion exercises plus 6 sessions of exercise therapy (manual therapy plus exercise). Pain and disability were assessed at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months. The primary aim (treatment group by time) was examined using linear mixed-model analyses and the repeated measure of time for the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), the numeric pain-rating scale, and the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH). Patient-perceived success was assessed and analyzed using the global rating of change (GROC) and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS), using chi-square tests of independence. Results There were no significant 2-way interactions of group by time or main effects by group for pain or disability. Both groups improved significantly on the SPADI, numeric pain-rating scale, and QuickDASH. Secondary outcomes of success on the GROC and PASS significantly favored the manual therapy-plus-exercise group at 4 weeks (P = .03 and P<.01, respectively) and on the GROC at 6 months (P = .04). Conclusion Adding 2 sessions of high-dose cervicothoracic manual therapy to an exercise program did not improve pain or disability in patients with shoulder pain, but did improve patient-perceived success at 4 weeks and 6 months and acceptability of symptoms at 4 weeks. More research is needed on the use of cervicothoracic manual therapy for treating shoulder pain. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b. Prospectively registered March 30, 2012 at www.ClinicalTrials. gov (NCT01571674). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(8):617-628. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016. 6319.
Thymic transplantation in miniature swine: III. induction of tolerance by transplantation of composite thymokidneys across fully major histocompatibility complex-mismatched barriers

Background. This study determines whether composite thymokidney (TK) grafts, created by implantation of autologous thymic tissue beneath the donor’s renal capsule before transplantation, could induce allogeneic transplantation tolerance across two-haplotype fully major histocompatibility complex (MHC)- mismatched barriers in juvenile MGH-miniature swine. Methods. TK grafts were prepared by implanting autologous thymic tissue under the renal capsule of donor animals 2 to 3 months before transplantation. Four recipients were treated with a T-cell–depleting immunotoxin and received fully MHC-mismatched TK grafts plus a 12-day course of cyclosporine A (CsA). Control animals were treated with CsA alone or both CsA and immunotoxin, but with a normal kidney or a kidney implanted with autologous lymph node rather than thymus. Renal graft function was assessed by plasma creatinine levels and histologic analyses. Immunologic status was monitored by cell-mediated lympholysis assays. Results. All four recipients of fully MHC-mismatched TK transplants treated with immunotoxin and a 12-day course of CsA accepted their composite renal allografts long-term. All control recipients receiving a TK and CsA alone, a normal kidney or a composite kidney containing lymph node tissue acutely rejected their grafts. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that functional vascularized thymic grafts can induce transplantation tolerance across fully MHC-mismatched barriers in a large animal model.
Release of volatile organic compounds from the lung cancer cell line NCI-H2087 in vitro.

AIM The aim of this work was to confirm the existence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) specifically released by lung cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS NCI-H2087 cells were trypsinized and 100 x 10(6) cells were incubated in a sealed fermenter overnight. Samples from the headspace of the culture vessel were collected with simultaneous preconcentration by adsorption on solid sorbents and subsequently thermodesorbed for analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS The results showed a significant increase in the concentration of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 2-methylpentane in the headspace as compared with medium controls. 2-Methylpentane is also found in exhaled breath of lung cancer patients in contrast to that from healthy volunteers. Statistically significantly lower abundances of acetaldehyde, 2-methylpropanal, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methylbutanal and butyl acetate were found. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that certain compounds can be cancer cell derived and thus may be indicative of the presence of a tumor. Some compounds were not released but seem to be consumed by cancer cells.
IL-8, GRO and MCP-1 produced by hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment determine the migratory capacity of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells without affecting tumor aggressiveness

New therapies are needed for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) carrying therapeutic genes is a promising strategy. HCC produce cytokines recruiting MSCs to the tumor milieu and modifying its biological properties. Our aim was to study changes generated on human MSCs exposed to conditioned media (CM) derived from human HCC fresh samples and xenografts. All CM shared similar cytokines expression pattern including CXCL1-2-3/GRO, CCL2/MCP-1 and CXCL8/IL-8 being the latter with the highest concentration. Neutralizing and knockdown experiments of CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL8/IL-8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 reduced in vitro MSC migration of ≥20%. Simultaneous CXCR1 and CXCR2 neutralization resulted in 50% of MSC migration inhibition. MSC stimulated with CM (sMSC) from HuH7 or HC-PT-5 showed a 2-fold increase of migration towards the CM compared with unstimulated MSC (usMSC). Gene expression profile of sMSC showed ~500 genes differentially expressed compared with usMSC, being 46 genes related with cell migration and invasion. sMSC increased fibroblasts and endothelial cells chemotaxis. Finally, sMSC with HuH7 CM and then inoculated in HCC tumor bearing-mice did not modify tumor growth. In this work we characterized factors produced by HCC responsible for the changes in MSC chemotactic capacity with would have an impact on therapeutic use of MSCs for human HCC.
Robotic simultaneous resection of rectal cancer and liver metastases

Surgical resection is the only potential cure for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases (SLM). Simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and SLM using robotic‐assistance has been rarely reported. We demonstrate that robotic‐assisted simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and SLMs is feasible, safe, and has potential to demonstrate good oncologic outcomes.
NDRG3 is an androgen regulated and prostate enriched gene that promotes in vitro and in vivo prostate cancer cell growth

NDRG3 belongs to the N‐myc down‐regulated gene (NDRG) family that contains 4 paralogs: NDRG1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐4. The function of NDRG3 and its relationship to cancer has not been studied. We herein report our examination of the expression and biological roles of NDRG3 in prostate cancers. We showed that NDRG3 expression is enriched in testis and prostate using gene expression data derived from massively parallel signature sequencing from 33 different human organs. We further showed that NDRG3 is expressed in both epithelial prostate cancer cells and prostatic stromal cells at both mRNA and proteins levels. We demonstrated that NDRG1 is significantly up‐regulated by androgen in LNCaP cells. Over‐expression of NDRG3 in stably transfected PC‐3 cells increased their growth rates and migration capabilities when compared to parental or mock empty vector transfected PC‐3 cells. In addition, we found that overexpresson of NDRG3 promoted the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. Finally, we found that NDRG3 expression was detected in 58.6% (41/70) of prostate cancer specimens compared to 13.2% (5/38) of benign prostatic hyperplasia specimens by immunohistochemistry. We showed by microarray and by RT‐PCR that NDRG3 overexpression up‐regulates the expression of many angiogenic chemokines including CXCL1 (chemokine ligand 1), CXCL3 (chemokine ligand 3) and CXCL5 (chemokine ligand 5), which may increase angiogenesis of tumors. Taken together, these results demonstrate that NDRG3 is a tumor promoter, the overexpression of which may contribute to the malignant phenotype of tumors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of Rat Pial Arteriolar Responses to Flow by Glucose

Background Pial arteriolar responses to flow contribute to regulation of cerebral perfusion and vary according to the transmural pressure to which the vessel is exposed. This study determined the effect of increased glucose concentration on the flow responses of pial arterioles at low and high levels of transmural pressure. Methods Pial arterioles from Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in a perfusion myograph. In some arterioles, the endothelium was removed by perfusion with air. Diameters were recorded at transmural pressures of 60 and 120 mmHg during superfusion with physiologic saline containing 5 mm D-glucose, 20 mm D-glucose, or 5 mm D-glucose and 15 mm L-glucose. Diameters during superfusion with saline containing 44 mm D-glucose were measured at an intraluminal pressure of 60 mmHg. Flow–diameter relationships (5–30 &mgr;l/min) were recorded during perfusion with the same solutions. Results Increasing D-glucose concentration caused constriction (P < 0.05) in endothelium-denuded but not in endothelium-intact arterioles. Addition of L-glucose caused constriction in endothelium-intact and -denuded vessels (P < 0.05 for both). At a D-glucose concentration of 5 mm and at low intraluminal pressure, flow elicits endothelium-dependent dilation such that shear stress remains constant. At a D-glucose concentration of 20 or 44 mm, after addition of L-glucose (15 mm), and at high intraluminal pressures, flow elicits constriction and shear stress is unregulated. Conclusions High glucose concentrations elicit increased basal arteriolar smooth muscle tone that is counteracted by release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to flow (shear stress) is inhibited at high glucose concentrations.
Positive control of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene requires upstream DNA sequences

We examined the ability of deleted versions of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene, present in biochemically transformed mouse cells, to be induced in trans to a higher level of expression by superinfecting herpes simplex virus immediate early gene products. The results demonstrate that sequences mapping between -200 and -80 and between -70 and -12 are required for induction. As these regions are largely coincident with the previously identified thymidine kinase gene promoter, the results suggest that herpes simplex virus immediate early gene products or their metabolic product activate thymidine kinase expression by acting at the promoter region to increase the rate of transcription.
The effects of menstrual cycle phase on the incidence of plateau at V˙O2max and associated cardiorespiratory dynamics

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of menstrual cycle phase on maximal oxygen uptake ( V˙O2max ) and associated cardiodynamic responses. A total of 16 active females volunteered of which n = 10 formed the non‐oral contraceptive pill group (n‐OCP), displaying a regular menstrual cycle of 28·4 ± 2·2 days (age 20·6 ± 1·6 years, height 169·9 ± 6·4 cm, mass 68·7 ± 7·9 kg) and n = 6 formed the oral contraceptive pill group (OCP) (monophasic pill) (age 21·7 years ± 2·16, height 168·1 cm ± 6·8 cm, mass 61·6 ± 6·8 kg). Each completed four incremental exercise tests for determination of V˙O2max , cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate. Each test was completed according to the phases of the menstrual cycle as determined through salivary analysis of 17‐β oestrodiol and progesterone. Non‐significant differences were observed for V˙O2max across phases and between groups (P>0·05) with additional non‐significant differences for Q˙max , HRmax and SVmax between groups. For ∆ V˙O2 during the final 60 s of the V˙O2max trial, significant differences were observed between OCP and n‐OCP (P<0·05) with OCP showing zero V˙O2 plateaus in three pseudo‐phases. Significant difference observed for a‐vO2dif n‐OCP between premenstruation and menstruation at 30–100% V˙O2max (P<0·05). Data suggest that the V˙O2 ‐plateau is effected by monophasic oral contraceptive pill, furthermore these data imply that V˙O2max test outcome is independent of menstrual cycle phase but caution should be applied when evaluating maximal oxygen uptake in females who are administered a monophasic oral contraceptive pill.