Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Italian National Food Consumption Survey INRAN-SCAI 2005–06: main results in terms of food consumption

Abstract Objective The current paper aims to present the main results of the Italian National Food Consumption Survey INRAN-SCAI 2005–06. Design A cross-sectional study was performed. Households were randomly selected after geographical stratification of the national territory. Food consumption was assessed on three consecutive days through individual estimated dietary records. Setting Italy. Subjects The final study sample comprised 3323 subjects (1501 males and 1822 females) aged 0·1 to 97·7 years belonging to 1329 households: fifty-two infants (0–2·9 years), 193 children (3–9·9 years), 247 teenagers (10–17·9 years), 2313 adults (18–64·9 years) and 518 elderly (65 years and above). Results Participation rate was 33 %. The mean ratio of estimated energy intake to estimated BMR was 1·41 in adults. Indicators of mean and high individual consumption are presented for fifteen large categories and fifty-one subcategories of foods and beverages, in the total population and in consumers, by age and sex categories. The overall consumption of fruit and vegetables was 418 g/d. The consumption of red meat was approximately 700 g/week, expressed as raw weight. Some specific aspects of the Italian food consumption pattern were confirmed: a large contribution from bread, pasta and pizza to cereals, from olive oil to fats and from wine to alcoholic beverages. Conclusions The database obtained from the survey will be the key reference for Italian food consumption during the coming years and will be utilized for a variety of purposes including the assessment of nutrient intakes and risk analysis.
Obesity rather than regional fat depots marks the metabolomic pattern of adipose tissue: An untargeted metabolomic approach

This study compares the patterns of visceral (VIS) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue (AT)‐derived metabolites from non‐obese (BMI 24‐26 kg/m2) and obese subjects (BMI > 40 kg/m2) with no major metabolic risk factors other than BMI.
Trade liberalisation and the nutrition transition: mapping the pathways for public health nutritionists

Abstract Objective To describe pathways through which trade liberalisation affects the food environment, relevant to the nutrition transition, in order to enable public health nutritionists to understand trade policy as a macro-level influence on food consumption. Design The pathways mapped in the present paper are based on the agreements of the World Trade Organization, which shape national policy. Implications for nutrition are presented based on a comprehensive literature review, and case studies are used to illustrate the various pathways. Setting Developing countries are currently experiencing a nutrition transition, resulting in dietary patterns associated with chronic disease. Chronic diseases are amenable to prevention, and trade policy has been highlighted as a potential avenue for nutrition-related prevention. Results Trade liberalisation influences the food environment through facilitating trade in goods and services, enabling investment and decreasing support/protection for domestic industry. These policy outcomes facilitate the nutrition transition particularly through increasing the availability and affordability of processed foods and animal products. The framework highlights the complex relationship between trade policy and the nutrition transition, with both negative and positive outcomes arising from different aspects of trade liberalisation. Conclusions Policy change associated with trade liberalisation has created incentives for consumption patterns associated with the nutrition transition, but has also had some positive nutritional outcomes. As a result, it is important for public health nutritionists to consider the implications of trade policy decisions in their efforts to prevent and control diet-related chronic diseases.
Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (αANF) during hemodialysis (HD) and hemofiltration (HF)

Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive αANF were measured before, during, and after 3 hours of hemodialysis (HD) and hemofiltration (HF). In seven healthy subjects plasma αANF concentrations were measured to serve as controls. Highly elevated pre-treatment αANF levels were obtained in the HD group (286±52 pg/ml, mean ± SE). and in the HF group (275±48 pg/ml) as compared with the controls (40±3 pg/ml). The effect of both HD and HF on the αANF concentration was not significant after the first hour of treatment. However, a significant decrease was obtained after the second (HD=244±49, HF=140±17) and third hours (HD= 244±48, HF=135±15) (p < 0.05) in both treatments. A steeper decline in the αANF concentration was notable during HF compared with HD. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) when both modalities were compared at the end of treatment. A correlation (r2 = 0.98, p < 0.001) was noted between changes in the αANF levels and the ultrafiltration (UF) volumes only during HF. Plasma αANF concentrati.
Effects of green tea, black tea and Rooibos tea on angiotensin-converting enzyme and nitric oxide in healthy volunteers

Abstract Objective Tea has been reported to reduce cardiovascular mortality, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. The aim of the current project was to investigate the effect of green tea (Japanese Sencha), black tea (Indian Assam B.O.P.) and Rooibos tea (South Africa) on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and nitric oxide (NO). Design Seventeen healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of 400 ml green tea, black tea or Rooibos tea in a randomized, three-phase, crossover study. ACE activity and NO concentration were measured (at 0, 30, 60 and 180 min) in all phases. ACE activity was analysed by means of a commercial radioenzymatic assay. Nitrite was analysed as a marker of NO concentration. In addition, ACE genotype was determined using a PCR method. Results Oral intake of a single dose of Rooibos tea significantly inhibited ACE activity after 30 min (P < 0·01) and after 60 min (P < 0·05). A significant inhibition of ACE activity was seen with green tea for the ACE II genotype 30 min after intake of the tea (P < 0·05) and for the ACE ID genotype 60 min after intake (P < 0·05). A significant inhibition of ACE activity was also seen with Rooibos tea for the ACE II genotype 60 min after intake (P < 0·05). No significant effect on NO concentration was seen. Conclusions These results suggest that green tea and Rooibos tea may have cardiovascular effects through inhibition of ACE activity.
Dietary diversity score is related to obesity and abdominal adiposity among Iranian female youth

Abstract Objective To assess the relationship between diet and disease, consideration of whole-diet indices may be more informative than single-nutrient intake. The present study was conducted to report the relationship among dietary diversity score (DDS), obesity and abdominal adiposity among female university students. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Isfahan, Iran. Subjects A representative sample of 289 healthy female students aged 18–28 years was selected randomly from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Usual dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. DDS was calculated according to the scoring of the five food groups based on the US Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid. This is a score of diet variety, and shows the diversity of the consumed diet. Participants were categorised on the basis of quartile cut-off points of DDS. Potential confounders such as age, total energy intake and physical activity were considered in all the analyses. Results The means (sd) of BMI and waist circumference were 25·9 (sd 5·1) kg/m2 and 85·5 (sd 14) cm, respectively. The probability of obesity decreased with quartiles of DDS (OR among quartiles: 1·00, 0·41, 0·31 and 0·21, P = 0·03; this was the same for abdominal adiposity: 1·00, 0·55, 0·36 and 0·21, P = 0·02). Those in the lowest quartile of the DDS had the highest risk for being overweight. Conclusions There were inverse associations among DDS, obesity and abdominal adiposity among the female students of Isfahan University. Further prospective investigations are needed to confirm this finding.
Available energy from soft drinks: more than the sum of its parts

Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between energy available from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and total energy availability. Design Ecological study using food availability data from 1976 to 2007 from the database of the Canadian Socio-Economic Information Management System. The average available total daily energy per capita (kJ (kcal)/d per capita) and percentage of energy from SSB (%E/d per capita) were calculated. A regression analysis was performed with average available total daily energy per capita (kJ (kcal)/d per capita) as the outcome and percentage of energy from SSB as the independent variable (%E/d per capita). Setting Canada 1976–2007. Subjects None. Results Between 1976 and 2007, total available energy increased on average by 669 kJ (160 kcal)/d per capita, and energy from SSB by 155 kJ (37 kcal)/d per capita. Total available energy increased by 434 kJ (104 kcal)/d per capita for a one unit increase in average percentage of energy from SSB. Conclusions Total available energy increased as the contribution of energy available from SSB increased. This increase was larger than that explained by energy availability from SSB alone. Reducing energy from soft drinks may contribute to larger reductions in total energy available for consumption.
The effect of CYP2C19 polymorphism on the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of tivantinib (ARQ 197): results from a phase I trial in advanced solid tumors.

BACKGROUND Tivantinib (formerly ARQ 197) is a selective inhibitor of c-Met mainly metabolized by CYP2C19. CYP2C19 is known for genetic polymorphisms, and ~20% of Asians are poor metabolizers (PMs), while others are extensive metabolizers (EMs). In this study, we examined the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary efficacy of tivantinib as a single agent to determine recommended phase II doses (RPIIDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-seven patients (EMs, 33; PMs, 14) with solid tumors were orally treated with tivantinib, from 70 to 360 mg bid in a 3 + 3 dose-escalation scheme. EMs and PMs were separately enrolled at the doses >120 mg bid. RESULTS Tivantinib was well tolerated up to 360 mg bid for EMs and 240 mg bid for PMs. Neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, fatigue, and anorexia were the frequent adverse events related to tivantinib and were commonly observed in both EMs and PMs. PMs had 1.9-fold higher AUC(0-12) compared with EMs at 240 mg bid. Regardless of CYP2C19 phenotype, Gr.4 neutropenia occurred in patients with relatively high exposure to tivantinib. A confirmed partial response was achieved in two non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CONCLUSION Two different settings of RPIIDs, 360 mg bid for EMs and 240 mg bid for PMs, were determined.
The impact of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on chemotherapy dose intensity and cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is utilized to reduce neutropenic complications in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. This study represents a systematic review and evidence summary of the impact of G-CSF support on chemotherapy dose intensity and overall mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing chemotherapy with or without G-CSF support and reporting all-cause mortality with at least 2 years of follow-up were sought. Dual-blind data abstraction of disease, treatment, patient and outcome study results with conflict resolution by third party was carried out. RESULTS The search revealed 61 randomized comparisons of chemotherapy with or without initial G-CSF support. Death was reported in 4251 patients randomized to G-CSFs and in 5188 controls. Relative risk (RR) with G-CSF support for all-cause mortality was 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.90-0.96; P < 0.001). RR for mortality varied by intended chemotherapy dose and schedule: same dose and schedule (RR = 0.96; P = 0.060), dose dense (RR = 0.89; P < 0.001), dose escalation (RR = 0.92; P = 0.019) and drug substitution or addition (RR = 0.94; P = 0.003). Greater RR reduction was observed among studies with longer follow-up (P = 0.02), where treatment was for curative intent (RR = 0.91; P < 0.001), and where survival was the primary outcome (RR = 0.91; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS All-cause mortality is reduced in patients receiving chemotherapy with primary G-CSF support. The greatest impact was observed in RCTs in patients receiving dose-dense schedules.
Effects of Adiponectin in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 Cytokine Production from Coronary Artery Disease Macrophages

Adiponectin, an adipose tissue secreted protein, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic properties. We examined the effects of the globular and full-length adiponectin on cytokine production in macrophages derived from Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients and control individuals. Adiponectin's effects in human macrophages upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment were also examined. Full length adiponectin acted differently on TNF-α and IL-6 production by upregulating TNF-α and IL-6 protein production, but not their mRNA expression. Additionally, full length adiponectin was unable to abrogate LPS proinflammatory effect in TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression in CAD and NON-CAD macrophages. In contrast, globular adiponectin appeared to have proinflammatory properties by potently upregulating TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and protein secretion in human macrophages while subsequently rendered cells resistant to further proinflammatory stimuli. Moreover, both forms of adiponectin powerfully suppressed scavenger MSR-AI mRNA expression and augmented IL-10 protein release, both occurring independently of the presence of LPS or CAD. These data indicate that adiponectin could potentially protect human macrophages via the elevated IL-10 secretion and the suppression of MSR-AI expression. It can also be protective in CAD patients since the reduced adiponectin-induced IL-6 release in CAD macrophages compared to controls, could be beneficial in the development of inflammation related atherosclerosis.
Velocity-vorticity patterns in turbulent flow.

Direct numerical simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is used for the investigation of local helicity fluctuations in plane Poiseuille (channel) and Taylor-Green vortex flows. It is shown that in regions of high dissipation, the cosine of the angle between velocity and vorticity is evenly distributed; in regions of low dissipation, the velocity and vorticity vectors have a tendency to align. It is also shown that near the central part of the channel, velocity and vorticity vectors have a strong tendency to be aligned, while in the buffer region, all angles are nearly equally probable.
Maternal autoimmune thyroid disease and the fetal immune system.

OBJECTIVE Several studies indicate that in utero exposure to maternal autoimmune diseases and transplacental passage of autoantibodies affect the risk of autoimmunity in the offspring, e. g. , maternally derived GAD65 autoantibody correlates with decreased risk of type 1 diabetes, whereas thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb) positivity at birth is associated with increased incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease later in life. The aim of this study was to identify immunological changes in children born to mothers with thyroid autoimmunity that may be related to in utero exposure to autoantibodies. DESIGN AND METHOD Open label prospective analysis of cord blood lymphocytes and serum cytokines by Flow Cytometry in children born to mothers with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) (n=31) and to healthy mothers (n=76) and titers of thyroid autoantibodies were determined in cord blood and in maternal peripheral blood at delivery. RESULTS We found an increase (almost 30%) in the frequency of cord blood natural killer (NK) cells (p=0.0016) and a minor increase in the subset of T cells expressing NK markers (p=0.028), in children born to AIT mothers. There were no detectable differences in the phenotype or frequency of cord blood memory/activated T cells, including CD4 (+)CD25 (+) T cells, between the 2 groups. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12p70, IFN-γ and IL-1β were significantly decreased in offspring of AIT mothers as compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Maternal thyroid autoimmunity and transplacental passage of autoantibodies against thyroid antigens may affect the generation or expansion of cells with NK activity and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines.
Alterations in bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in newly diagnosed adults with lymphoma receiving chemotherapy: a 1-year prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND Bone mineral density (BMD) loss is poorly defined in lymphoma patients. The aim of this study was to measure the extent of BMD loss in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective, single-center study conducted in patients aged≥18 years with previously confirmed lymphoma treated by chemotherapy. Patients with low baseline BMD defined as Z/T-score less than or equal to -2.5 and/or history of osteoporotic fractures were excluded. BMD was measured at baseline before initiating chemotherapy and 1 year later. Predictive factors of BMD loss were investigated. RESULTS Forty-one lymphoma patients (31 males and 10 females) receiving chemotherapy were enrolled. The median age at diagnosis was 59 (range: 19-86) years. Histological subtypes were predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (58%), mostly stage III-IV (54%). All patients received chemotherapy and 22% of patients received second-line treatment due to relapse or progressive disease. Thirty-two patients were evaluable at 1 year. The mean BMD changes were: -2.7%±3.9% for lumbar spine (P<0.001), -2.2%±7.6% for femoral neck (P<0.01) and -2.6%±4.5% for total hip (P<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, predictive factors of BMD loss at baseline were (i) at lumbar spine: female gender (P=0.01), higher lactate dehydrogenase level (P=0.04) and lower creatinine clearance (P=0.01); (ii) at total hip: lower albumin (P=0.01), higher corrected serum calcium (P<0.01), lower alkaline phosphatase (AP) (P<0.01) and autologous stem cell transplant (P=0.03); and (iii) at femoral neck: higher corrected serum calcium (P=0.02) and lower bone AP (P=0.01). CONCLUSION Adult patients with known lymphoma receiving chemotherapy experienced significant BMD loss at 1 year.
A Classification Tree Model for Decision-Making in Clinical Practice: An Application Based on the Data of the German Multicenter Study on Eating Disorders, Project TR-EAT

To bridge the gap between science and practice in mental health care, scientific methods need to be developed that have direct applications in clinical practice. Studies that report ‘average’ effects document the efficacy of psychotherapy but have limited implications for decision making in clinical practice. Although it is very unlikely that statistical models will ever perfectly predict treatment outcomes, models that identify and describe changes in a patient's risk of treatment failure may be developed to support decisions during ongoing treatment. In the current study, the classification and regression tree (CART) method was applied to data from the German multicenter study on the relationship between treatment duration/intensity and outcome in inpatient treatment of eating disorders (Project TR-EAT). Within a sample of patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa (n = 630), data on admission, treatment strategy, and treatment response were used to develop a CART decision tree. This has potential for treatment decision support because the tree structure identifies changes in risk status associated with available treatment options and is sensitive to a patient's unique presenting characteristics and observed treatment response.
Contribution of the antilipid peroxidative action of Dai‐saiko‐to extract to its preventive effect on carbon tetrachloride‐induced acute liver injury in rats

Post‐oral administration of Dai‐saiko‐to extract (TJ‐8), a traditional herbal medicine, ameliorated acute liver injury in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). This TJ‐8 administration inhibited an increase in lipid peroxide contents in the liver homogenate and microsomal fraction and a decrease in glucose‐6‐phosphatase activity in the liver microsomal fraction, an index of lipid peroxidation‐mediated damage in liver microsomes, during the progression and recovery of the liver injury. These results indicate that the antilipid peroxidative action of TJ‐8 contributes to its preventive effect on CCl4‐induced acute liver injury in rats. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urban Structure Generalization in Multi‐Agent Process by Use of Reactional Agents

This article proposes an improvement of automated cartographic generalization using multi‐agent sytems in urban areas. Indeed the AGENT model, whose robustness has been tested and approved through the European project AGENT, gives very good results in generalizing dense urban areas by means of enlargement, removal and displacement of buildings. But this model does not tackle the question of including particular structures like building alignments in the process, which is a crucial issue. The problem is that integrating such structures does not fit into the accurate top‐down hierarchy of urban agents. In order to face this problem, we propose to partly re‐engineer the model by introducing the concept of reactional agents whose behavior is very different from hierarchical agents of the original model as they use bottom‐up activation. In this view, urban alignment is considered to be a reactional agent activated only by its inner buildings, which generalizes the aligned buildings together into one entire structure. Associating reactional alignment behavior with new generalization actions on alignments significantly improves the model and gives better results in dense urban areas. Moreover, the idea could probably be used for other applications.
Addition of zoledronic acid to neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not enhance tumor response in patients with HER2-negative stage II/III breast cancer: the NEOZOTAC trial (BOOG 2010-01).

BACKGROUND The role of zoledronic acid (ZA) when added to the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer (BC) in enhancing the clinical and pathological response of tumors is unclear. The effect of ZA on the antitumor effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has not prospectively been studied before. PATIENTS AND METHODS NEOZOTAC is a national, multicenter, randomized study comparing the efficacy of TAC (docetaxel, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide i.v.) followed by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on day 2 with or without ZA 4 mg i.v. q 3 weeks inpatients withstage II/III, HER2-negative BC. We present data on the pathological complete response (pCR in breast and axilla), on clinical response using MRI, and toxicity. Post hoc subgroup analyses were undertaken to address the predictive value of menopausal status. RESULTS Addition of ZA to chemotherapy did not improve pCR rates (13.2% for TAC+ZA versus 13.3% for TAC). Postmenopausal women (N = 96) had a numerical benefit from ZA treatment (pCR 14.0% for TAC+ZA versus 8.7% for TAC, P = 0.42). Clinical objective response did not differ between treatment arms (72.9% versus 73.7%). There was no difference in grade III/IV toxicity between treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS Addition of ZA to neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not improve pathological or clinical response to chemotherapy. Further investigations are warranted in postmenopausal women with BC, since this subgroup might benefit from ZA treatment.