Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Red meat and colorectal cancer: a critical summary of prospective epidemiologic studies

Meat consumption and cancer has been evaluated in hundreds of epidemiologic studies over the past three decades; however, the possible role of this food group on carcinogenesis is equivocal. In this comprehensive review, the currently available epidemiologic prospective studies of red meat intake and colorectal cancer are summarized to provide a greater understanding of any potential relationships. Specifically, salient demographic, methodological and analytical information is synthesized across 35 prospective studies. Collectively, associations between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer are generally weak in magnitude, with most relative risks below 1.50 and not statistically significant, and there is a lack of a clear dose–response trend. Results are variable by anatomic tumour site (colon vs. rectum) and by gender, as the epidemiologic data are not indicative of a positive association among women while most associations are weakly elevated among men. Colinearity between red meat intake and other dietary factors (e.g. Western lifestyle, high intake of refined sugars and alcohol, low intake of fruits, vegetables and fibre) and behavioural factors (e.g. low physical activity, high smoking prevalence, high body mass index) limit the ability to analytically isolate the independent effects of red meat consumption. Because of these factors, the currently available epidemiologic evidence is not sufficient to support an independent positive association between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer.
Production and characterization of a spray-dried hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/quercetin complex

Background: Quercetin (QC) is a poorly water-soluble and degradation-prone bioflavonoid. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the formation of a chemically stable and readily water-soluble solid complex of QC with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). Method: A solid HP-β-CD/QC complex was prepared by spray drying and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, laser-diffraction particle sizing, powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller nitrogen adsorption, and dissolution testing. Results: The complex displayed excellent thermal stability during spray drying, a broad diffuse X-ray diffraction pattern, and a single glass transition temperature (Tg) characteristic of amorphous HP-β-CD. Dissolution testing of the complex in simulated gastric fluid revealed an approximately eightfold increase in the rate and extent of dissolution of QC compared with its molar equivalent physical mixture of QC and blank spray-dried HP‐β-CD, although the surface area of QC in the mixture was about seven times that of the complex. Conclusions: All these observations can be explained by specific interaction between QC and HP-β-CD in the amorphous solid state, possibly in the form of an inclusion complex.
Microbial translocation and microbiome dysbiosis in HIV-associated immune activation

Purpose of reviewThis article describes the mechanisms and consequences of both microbial translocation and microbial dysbiosis in HIV infection. Recent findingsMicrobes in HIV are likely playing a large role in contributing to HIV pathogenesis, morbidities and mortality. Two major disruptions to microbial systems in HIV infection include microbial translocation and microbiome dysbiosis. Microbial translocation occurs when the bacteria (or bacterial products) that should be in the lumen of the intestine translocate across the tight epithelial barrier into systemic circulation, where they contribute to inflammation and pathogenesis. This is associated with poorer health outcomes in HIV-infected individuals. In addition, microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract are also altered after HIV infection, resulting in microbiome dysbiosis, which further exacerbates microbial translocation, epithelial barrier disruption, inflammation and mucosal immune functioning. SummaryAltered microbial regulation in HIV infection can lead to poor health outcomes, and understanding the mechanisms underlying microbial dysbiosis and translocation may result in novel pathways for therapeutic interventions.
The role of parents in pre‐adolescent and adolescent overweight and obesity treatment: a systematic review of clinical recommendations

The study aims to describe clinical recommendations (i) on the role of parents in both pre‐adolescent and adolescent overweight and obesity treatment; (ii) to health professionals on how to involve parents in paediatric overweight and obesity treatment and (iii) to identify deficiencies in the associated literature. A systematic literature review was conducted in March 2010 to identify clinical practice guidelines, position or consensus statements on clinical management of paediatric overweight or obesity, developed by a national or international health professional association or government agency, and endorsed for current use. Relevant clinical recommendations in these documents were identified via a screen for the words ‘parent’, ‘family’ and synonyms. Twenty documents were included. Most documents emphasized the importance of involving parents or the family in paediatric overweight and obesity treatment with approximately a third of documents providing separate recommendations on the role of parents/family for pre‐adolescents and adolescents. The documents varied markedly with regard to the presence of recommendations on parent/family involvement in the various components of lifestyle interventions or bariatric surgery. Almost half of the documents contained recommendations to health professionals regarding interactions with parents. High‐quality research is needed on age‐specific techniques to optimize the involvement of parents and family members in paediatric overweight and obesity treatment.
Human glandular organoid formation in murine engineering chambers after collagenase digestion and flow cytometry isolation of normal human breast tissue single cells

Women with high mammographic density (MD) are at increased risk of breast cancer (BC) after adjustment for age and body mass index. We have developed a murine biochamber model in which both high MD (HMD) and low MD (LMD) tissue can be propagated. Here, we tested whether cells isolated by collagenase digestion and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) from normal breast can be reconstituted in our biochamber model, which would allow cell‐specific manipulations to be tested. Fresh breast tissue was collected from women (n = 7) undergoing prophylactic mastectomy. The tissue underwent collagenase digestion overnight and, in some cases, additional FACS enrichment to obtain mature epithelial, luminal progenitor, mammary stem, and stromal cells. Cells were then transferred bilaterally into biochambers in SCID mice (n = 5–7) and incubated for 6 weeks, before harvesting for histological analyses, and immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratins (CK), vimentin, Ki‐67, murine macrophages, and Cleaved Caspase‐3. Biochambers inoculated with single cells after collagenase digestion or with flow cytometry contained glandular structures of human origin (human vimentin‐positive), which expressed CK‐14 and pan‐CK, and were proliferating (Ki‐67‐positive). Glandular structures from the digested tissues were smaller than those in chambers seeded with finely chopped intact mammary tissue. Mouse macrophage infiltration was higher in the chambers arising from digested tissues. Pooled single cells and FACS fractionated cells were viable in the murine biochambers and formed proliferating glandular organoids of human origin. This is among the first report to demonstrate the success of formed human glandular organoids from isolated primary mammary cells in the murine biochamber model.
Hepatitis C infection in a cohort of injecting drug users

Objectives: To establish prevalence rates for hepatitis C antibodies in a cohort of injecting drug users and to study factors influencing positivity. To record current injecting practices. To identify the entry of hepatitis C into the cohort. To investigate the association between HCV positivity and PCR status. Design: (i) Questionnaire covering demographic data, injecting behaviour, number of sexual partners, awareness of risk behaviour, awareness of serological status and subsequent behaviour change. (ii) Second questionnaire on recent drug use and injecting practices with a strong focus on frequency of sharing paraphernalia. (iii) PCR testing on HCV positive. (iv) Retrospective testing of subgroup to determine entry of hepatitis C into the cohort. Setting: Recruitment in a large general practice in North West Edinburgh. Participants: The main study group consisted of a large cohort (619) of past or present illegal drug injectors. The first, n=95, received the questionnaire (i). If they had injected in the past month they also completed the second questionnaire (n=26). PCR testing was carried out on a subset of the group of 95, selected because they had had a recent blood test (n=33). A random group of 20 of the main cohort of 619 who had hepatitis C antibody positive tests were selected for retrospective testing. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of HCV antibodies, perceived and actual risk-taking behaviour. Antibody status of randomly selected early stored specimens. HCV PCR status. Results: Positivity was associated with age, year of first use, sharing of injecting paraphernalia, year of most sharing, as well as length of use of injected drugs. Awareness of HCV as a risk was found to be later than either HBV or HIV. No significant difference was found in numbers of sexual partners between those who were HCV positive and negative. Women and younger drug users were found to engage in more sharing of injecting paraphernalia, with women having more sharing partners. The entry of HCV into the cohort predated the early stored blood samples. No correlation was identified between length of drug use and PCR status. Conclusions: HCV is acquired early in drug injecting careers. Whether or not this is changing is unclear but attempts to educate and support need to be directed towards younger drug users and women, who are at risk. Knowledge of risks from sharing injecting paraphernalia is poor. The impact of the hepatitis C epidemic is likely to continue to escalate with cases progressing to advanced clinical stages. PCR tests could be employed to select cases for referral or treatment. The harm reduction message needs to be clarified and re-emphasised.
Intentional weight loss in overweight and obese individuals and cognitive function: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

High adiposity in middle age is associated with higher dementia risk. The association between weight loss and cognitive function in older adults is still controversial. A meta‐analysis was undertaken to estimate the effectiveness of intentional weight loss on cognitive function in overweight and obese adults. A structured strategy was used to search randomized and non‐randomized studies reporting the effect of intentional and significant weight loss on cognitive function in overweight and obese subjects. Information on study design, age, nutritional status, weight‐loss strategy, weight lost and cognitive testing was extracted. A random‐effect meta‐analysis was conducted to obtain summary effect estimates for memory and attention–executive domains. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Seven were randomized trials and the remaining five included a control group. A low‐order significant effect was found for an improvement in cognitive performance with weight loss in memory (effect size 0.13, 95% CI 0.00–0.26, P = 0.04) and attention/executive functioning (effect size 0.14, 95% CI 0.01–0.27, P < 0.001). Studies were heterogeneous in study design, sample selection, weight‐loss intervention and assessment of cognitive function. Weight loss appears to be associated with low‐order improvements in executive/attention functioning and memory in obese but not in overweight individuals.
Evidence‐based recommendations for the development of obesity prevention programs targeted at preschool children

The ToyBox intervention was developed using an evidence‐based approach, using the findings of four reviews. These reviews included three critical and narrative reviews of educational strategies and psychological approaches explaining young children's acquisition and formation of energy‐balance related behaviours, and the management of these behaviours, and also a systematic review of behavioural models underpinning school‐based interventions in preschool and school settings for the prevention of obesity in children aged 4–6 years.
Weight status of European preschool children and associations with family demographics and energy balance‐related behaviours: a pooled analysis of six European studies

This study aimed to (i) gain insight in the prevalence of overweight indices in European preschoolers (4–7 years); (ii) identify energy balance‐related behaviours associated with overweight/obesity; and (iii) identify children at risk for overweight/obesity. Secondary analyses of six European data sets were conducted according to standardized protocols. Based on objectively measured height and weight, prevalence of overweight and obesity across the countries ranged from 8% to 30% and 1% to 13%, respectively, with highest rates in Southern European countries (i.e. Spain and Greece). Positive associations between sedentary behaviours and overweight indices were found. Physical activity and dietary behaviours were not associated, possibly because of methodological limitations. Children of parents with high body mass index or low socioeconomic status were at increased risk of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, large differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers across Europe were observed. Future obesity prevention interventions in preschoolers should target screen time giving specific attention to children from overweight and/or low socioeconomic status parents. There is a need for high methodological quality studies, preferably with a long‐term prospective design using sensitive, valid and reliable measures of behaviours, assessing whether and which physical activity and dietary behaviours are associated with overweight in preschoolers.
CircRNA hsa_circ_0005105 upregulates NAMPT expression and promotes chondrocyte extracellular matrix degradation by sponging miR‐26a

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease pathologically characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and damage. Currently, studies have found that circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in intracellular RNA regulating network and is closely related to the occurrence and development of diseases, therefore it may become a new biological marker and therapeutic target. After stimulating chondrocytes with interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), hsa_circ_0005105 expression was significantly upregulated, while miR‐26a expression was significantly inhibited. Hsa_circ_0005105 did not influence miR‐26a expression but inhibited its transcriptional activity so as to upregulate the expression of its target NAMPT. Studies further indicated that hsa_circ_0005105 can inhibit the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan, promote the expression of MMP‐13 and ADAMTS‐4, and the generation of PGE2, IL‐6, and IL‐8, but the linear sequence of hsa_circ_0005105 cannot. MiR‐26a has the opposite effect, and hsa_circ_0005105 can antagonize the function of miR‐26a. When NAMPT expression was downregulated, the above function of hsa_circ_0005105 was significantly weakened. Therefore, hsa_circ_0005105 can promote extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by regulating the expression of miR‐26a target NAMPT. These findings will provide new targets for treatment and prevention of OA and other orthopedic diseases.
Co-milled API-lactose systems for inhalation therapy: impact of magnesium stearate on physico-chemical stability and aerosolization performance

Abstract Context: Particle micronization for inhalation can impart surface disorder (amorphism) of crystalline structures. This can lead to stability issues upon storage at elevated humidity from recrystallization of the amorphous state, which can subsequently affect the aerosol performance of the dry powder formulation. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an additive, magnesium stearate (MGST), on the stability and aerosol performance of co-milled active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with lactose. Methods: Blends of API-lactose with/without MGST were prepared and co-milled by the jet-mill apparatus. Samples were stored at 50% relative humidity (RH) and 75% RH for 1, 5, and 15 d. Analysis of changes in particle size, agglomerate structure/strength, moisture sorption, and aerosol performance were analyzed by laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and in-vitro aerodynamic size assessment by impaction. Results: Co-milled formulation with MGST (5% w/w) led to a reduction in agglomerate size and strength after storage at elevated humidity compared with co-milled formulation without MGST, as observed from SEM and laser diffraction. Hysteresis in the sorption/desorption isotherm was observed in the co-milled sample without MGST, which was likely due to the recrystallization of the amorphous regions of micronized lactose. Deterioration in aerosol performance after storage at elevated humidity was greater for the co-milled samples without MGST, compared with co-milled with MGST. Conclusion: MGST has been shown to have a significant impact on co-milled dry powder stability after storage at elevated humidity in terms of physico-chemical properties and aerosol performance.
Photoproduction of Hydrogen under Different Cultural Conditions by Alginate Immobilized Rhodopsedomonas palustris KU003

Rhodopsedomonas palustris KU003 was immobilized in alginate and its hydrogen producing abilities were assessed. Maximum hydrogen production took place between 120 and 144 hrs in most carbon sources. Alginate immobilization induced higher amount of hydrogen in malate-, lactate-, and succinate-containing medium in Rps. palustris. Incubation period of 120 hrs was optimum for production of hydrogen. pH 7.0±0.4 was optimum for production of hydrogen. L-glutamic acid was a good nitrogen source for production of hydrogen. Glucose and sorbitol were poorer substrates as they induced only limited amount of hydrogen. Anaerobic light induced comparatively more amount of hydrogen in the bacteria under investigation than in anaerobic dark. Thiourea was a poor nitrogen source for the production of hydrogen by Rps. palustris. Results of the above are discussed in the light of existing literature in this communication.
Evaluation of anger management groups in a high-security hospital.

BACKGROUND Anger management programmes for offenders typically aim to improve the management of emotion associated with aggressive and antisocial behaviour. Such programmes have been quite extensively evaluated in prison and probation settings, but there is less published research in forensic mental health settings. AIM This study aimed to evaluate anger management groups in a high-security hospital. METHOD Eighty-six patients were referred for a 20-session anger management intervention. Outcomes were self-reported experiences of anger and changes in institutionally documented incidents of aggression. Incident rates were retrospectively reviewed for all group graduates, where data were available, including a comparison group of graduates who acted as their own controls. RESULTS Group graduates reported sustained reductions in feelings of anger and positive changes in their use of aggression in reaction to provocation. Some reduction in incidents of physical aggression was noted when group completers were compared with non-completers. Incidents of verbal aggression were observed to increase for graduates. There was also a trend towards improvement when treated men were compared with men on the waiting list. CONCLUSIONS Our findings contribute to the growing evidence for anger management groups for aggressive men, although the low-base rate of incidents, typical of such a containing and therapeutic hospital setting, rendered the analysis of behavioural outcomes difficult. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH Anger management sessions for male forensic psychiatric patients can be effective in reducing incidents of physical aggression in response to provocation. Evaluation of treatments for anger is particularly difficult in secure and protective settings, where the aim is to keep incidents of actual physical aggression to a minimum. Further research of this kind is needed to test the value of self-reported reduction in angry feelings as an indicator of clinically useful progress.
Composite femoral stem for total hip arthroplasty

Purpose of review Excessive femoral component stiffness contributes to stress shielding and thigh pain. A more flexible stem that provides enduring biologic fixation, reduces stress shielding, and minimizes thigh pain would therefore be of significant clinical benefit. Recent findings Recent findings indicate success in attaining these goals using the Epoch composite stem (Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana, USA). Mechanical testing demonstrates reduced stiffness without compromise of strength and fatigue properties. Canine and human radiographs and postmortem retrievals show reliable and extensive bone ingrowth. Prospective trials indicate outstanding clinical results. Plain film and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry studies, including series of bilateral total hip arthroplasty with an Epoch on one side and an alternative design on the other, show reduced stress shielding with the Epoch. Summary The favorable results observed with the Epoch stem have significant clinical implications. Larger, stiffer solid metal stems, even if made of titanium alloy, are associated with higher incidences of stress shielding and thigh pain. The use of a composite femoral stem may circumvent these problems.
The Index Offence Representation Scales; a predictive clinical tool in the management of dangerous, violent patients with personality disorder?

BACKGROUND Forensic mental health professionals attach considerable importance to their patient's description of his or her index offence. Despite this, there is no systematic approach to examining and formulating the patient's offence narrative. AIM To use the index offence narratives and capacity to mentalize of violent offender-patients with personality disorder to develop a tool to predict their progress and to evaluate that tool. METHOD In a prospective, cohort study, the index offence narratives of 66 violent high security hospital patients with personality disorder were obtained from a semi-structured interview and used to generate the Index Offence Representational Scales (IORS). The predictive validity of these scales was investigated across a range of outcome variables, controlling for the association between initial and final value of the dependent variable. RESULTS The degree to which patients held internal representations of interpersonal violence and malevolence, as measured by the IORS, predicted subsequent violent behaviour. In contrast to their actual aggressive behaviour, these patients rated themselves as having fewer symptoms on the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and fewer problems in interpersonal relationships on the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. A more empathic victim representation on the IORS predicted better engagement with treatment. CONCLUSIONS The IORS show promise for helping clinicians formulate the early institutional pathway of seriously violent people with personality disorder, particularly with respect to their overt aggression and prosocial engagement. Replication studies are, however, indicated.