Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reformulation and Priorities for Reducing Energy Density; Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey on Fat Content in Pre-Packed Cakes and Biscuits Sold in British Supermarkets

Cakes and biscuits contribute to energy, total and saturated fat and sugar in British diets. So far, the UK government has prompted manufacturers to reduce energy density in these products through a reduction of their sugar content. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the fat content of cakes and biscuits available in nine UK supermarket chains. In cakes (n = 381), the mean total fat content was 17.9 ± 5.2 g/100 g (39% of the overall energy); range (1.4–35.6 g/100 g) and the average saturated fat content in cakes was 5.9 ± 3.4 g/100 g (13% of the overall energy); range (0.3–20 g/100 g). In biscuits (n = 481), the mean total fat content was 21.8 g ± 6.3 g/100 g (40% of the overall energy); range (0.7–38.9 g/100 g) and the average saturated fat content was 11.4 ± 4.9 g/100 g (23% of the overall energy); range (0.3–22.3 g/100 g). In both cakes and biscuits, total and saturated fat content was positively correlated with energy density. Our results show that cakes and biscuits sold in UK supermarkets are high in total and saturated fat, and that fat content contributes substantially to product energy density. Fat reformulation in these products would effectively reduce energy density, calorie intake and help prevent obesity. Fat reformulation should be implemented simultaneously with sugar reformulation and be focused on saturated fat, as this will have the additional effect of lowering LDL cholesterol.
Diphenyl diselenide protects against methylmercury‐induced inhibition of thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase in human neuroblastoma cells: a comparison with ebselen

Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an important environmental toxicant, may lead to serious health risks, damaging various organs and predominantly affecting the brain function. The toxicity of MeHg can be related to the inhibition of important selenoenzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). Experimental studies have shown that selenocompounds play an important role as cellular detoxifiers and protective agents against the harmful effects of mercury. The present study investigated the mechanisms by which diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2] and ebselen interfered with the interaction of mercury (MeHg) and selenoenzymes (TrxR and GPx) in an in vitro experimental model of cultured human neuroblastoma cells (SH‐SY5Y). Our results established that (PhSe)2 and ebselen increased the activity and expression of TrxR. In contrast, MeHg inhibited TrxR activity even at low doses (0.5 μm). Coexposure to selenocompounds and MeHg showed a protective effect of (PhSe)2 on both the activity and expression of TrxR. When selenoenzyme GPx was evaluated, selenocompounds did not alter its activity or expression significantly, whereas MeHg inhibited the activity of GPx (from 1 μm). Among the selenocompounds only (PhSe)2 significantly protected against the effects of MeHg on GPx activity. Taken together, these results indicate a potential use for ebselen and (PhSe)2 against MeHg toxicity. Furthermore, for the first time, we have demonstrated that (PhSe)2 caused a more pronounced upregulation of TrxR than ebselen in neuroblastoma cells, likely reflecting an important molecular mechanism involved in the antioxidant properties of this compound. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gain-phase margin analysis of fuzzy control systems

In this paper, we extend some effective methods, including the gain-phase margin tester method, the describing function method and the parameter plane method, to predict the limit cycles of fuzzy control systems. In general, fuzzy control systems are nonlinear. By use of the classical method of describing functions, a fuzzy controller may be linearized first. The stability of the equipment linearization system with adjustable parameters is then analyzed due to the stability equations and parameter plane methods. For the robust design, a novel way is proposed to determine the gain margin and phase margin, which limit cycles, can occur. Two examples are offered to illustrate the design procedure. First, the fuzzy control system with a third-order linear plant is considered. In addition, this approach is also extended to the fuzzy control system with nonlinearity. The results of computer simulation can verify its validity.
Comparison of high and low molar activity TSPO tracer [18F]F-DPA in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

[18F]F-DPA, a novel translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO)-specific radioligand for imaging neuroinflammation, has to date been synthesized with low to moderate molar activities (Am’s). In certain cases, low Am can skew the estimation of specific binding. The high proportion of the non-radioactive component can reduce the apparent-specific binding by competitively binding to receptors. We developed a nucleophilic synthesis of [18F]F-DPA resulting in high Am (990 ± 150 GBq/µmol) and performed in vivo comparison with low Am (9.0 ± 2.9 GBq/µmol) [18F]F-DPA in the same APP/PS1-21 and wild-type mice (injected masses: 0.34 ± 0.13 µg/kg and 38 ± 15 µg/kg, respectively). The high level of microgliosis in the APP/PS1-21 mouse model enables good differentiation between diseased and healthy animals and serves better to distinguish the effect of differing Am on specific binding. The differing injected masses affect the washout profile and shape of the time–activity curves. Ratios of standardized uptake values obtained with high and low Am [18F]F-DPA demonstrate that there is a 1.5-fold higher uptake of radioactivity in the brains of APP/PS1-21 animals when imaging is carried out with high Am [18F]F-DPA. The differences between APP/PS1-21 and wild-type animals showed higher significance when high Am was used.
Smoking and mortality--beyond established causes.

BACKGROUND Mortality among current smokers is 2 to 3 times as high as that among persons who never smoked. Most of this excess mortality is believed to be explained by 21 common diseases that have been formally established as caused by cigarette smoking and are included in official estimates of smoking-attributable mortality in the United States. However, if smoking causes additional diseases, these official estimates may significantly underestimate the number of deaths attributable to smoking. METHODS We pooled data from five contemporary U.S. cohort studies including 421,378 men and 532,651 women 55 years of age or older. Participants were followed from 2000 through 2011, and relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were estimated with the use of Cox proportional-hazards models adjusted for age, race, educational level, daily alcohol consumption, and cohort. RESULTS During the follow-up period, there were 181,377 deaths, including 16,475 among current smokers. Overall, approximately 17% of the excess mortality among current smokers was due to associations with causes that are not currently established as attributable to smoking. These included associations between current smoking and deaths from renal failure (relative risk, 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 2.3), intestinal ischemia (relative risk, 6.0; 95% CI, 4.5 to 8.1), hypertensive heart disease (relative risk, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9 to 3.0), infections (relative risk, 2.3; 95% CI, 2.0 to 2.7), various respiratory diseases (relative risk, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.4), breast cancer (relative risk, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2 to 1.5), and prostate cancer (relative risk, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 1.7). Among former smokers, the relative risk for each of these outcomes declined as the number of years since quitting increased. CONCLUSIONS A substantial portion of the excess mortality among current smokers between 2000 and 2011 was due to associations with diseases that have not been formally established as caused by smoking. These associations should be investigated further and, when appropriate, taken into account when the mortality burden of smoking is investigated. (Funded by the American Cancer Society.).
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: A Review

Background and objectives: Grain food consumption is a trigger of gluten related disorders: celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and wheat allergy. They demonstrate with non-specific symptoms: bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and flatulence. Aim: The aim of the review is to summarize data about pathogenesis, symptoms and criteria of NCGS, which can be helpful for physicians. Materials and Methods: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched in January 2019 with phrases: ’non-celiac gluten sensitivity’, non-celiac gluten sensitivity’, non-celiac wheat gluten sensitivity’, non-celiac wheat gluten sensitivity’, and gluten sensitivity’. More than 1000 results were found. A total of 67 clinical trials published between 1989 and 2019 was scanned. After skimming abstracts, 66 articles were chosen for this review; including 26 clinical trials. Results: In 2015, Salerno Experts’ Criteria of NCGS were published. The Salerno first step is assessing the clinical response to gluten free diet (GFD) and second is measuring the effect of reintroducing gluten after a period of treatment with GFD. Several clinical trials were based on the criteria. Conclusions: Symptoms of NCGS are similar to other gluten-related diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. With Salerno Experts’ Criteria of NCGS, it is possible to diagnose patients properly and give them advice about nutritional treatment.
Software piracy among academics: an empirical study in Brunei Darussalam

This article reports the results of a survey in Brunei Darussalam concerning the use of pirated software among academics. Though, the suspicion of academics using pirated software has long been circulating around in East and South East Asia, no “hard data” has ever been collected. This article confirms the suspicion, and provides new information on the use of pirated software outside the USA. Also reveals the type of tasks accomplished by academics with pirated software, and identifies the reasons for using such software. Moreover, relates academics’ use of pirated software with nine factors related to demographics, computer exposure, and job profile of academics. The findings are discussed, and are compared with some related findings reported elsewhere. Finally, concludes with some suggestions to curb piracy, and identifies areas of further research.
Decisional Conflict Scale Use over 20 Years: The Anniversary Review

Background. The Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) measures 5 dimensions of decision making (feeling: uncertain, uninformed, unclear about values, unsupported; ineffective decision making). We examined the use of the DCS over its initial 20 years (1995 to 2015). Methods. We conducted a scoping review with backward citation search in Google Analytics/Web of Science/PubMed, followed by keyword searches in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO, PRO-Quest, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were published between 1995 and March 2015, used an original experimental/observational research design, concerned a health-related decision, and provided DCS data (total/subscales). Author dyads independently screened titles, abstracts, full texts, and extracted data. We performed narrative data synthesis. Results. We included 394 articles. DCS use appeared to increase over time. Three hundred nine studies (76%) used the original DCS, and 29 (7%) used subscales only. Most studies used the DCS to evaluate the impact of decision support interventions (n = 238, 59%). The DCS was translated into 13 languages. Most decisions were made by people for themselves (n = 353, 87%), about treatment (n = 225, 55%), or testing (n = 91, 23%). The most common decision contexts were oncology (n = 113, 28%) and primary care (n = 82, 20%). Conclusions. This is the first study to descriptively synthesize characteristics of DCS data. Use of the DCS as an outcome measure for health decision interventions has increased over its 20-year existence, demonstrating its relevance as a decision-making evaluation measure. Most studies failed to report when decisional conflict was measured during the decision-making process, making scores difficult to interpret. Findings from this study will be used to update the DCS user manual.
Understanding Aging and Disability Perspectives on Home Care: Uncovering Facts and Values in Public-Policy Narratives and Discourse*

ABSTRACT Every public-policy problem can be defined in terms of its empirical (“facts”) and normative (“values”) dimensions and the interrelationship between them. An understanding of the connection between facts and values at the foundation of the home care policy debate in the Canadian health-care system is developed through the application of an analytical framework based on the concept of “narrative frame” analysis. The literature on home care policy reports and recommendations is examined within this conceptual structure – including especially publications and reports from the federal government, national organizations, and the aging and disability communities. Finally, observations and conclusions about the significance of home care policy discourse, and of the differences between the aging and disability constituencies in this debate, are offered as a guide for deconstructing the public-policy process. RÉSUMÉ Tous les problèmes ayant trait aux politiques gouvernementales peuvent être délimités par leur dimension empirique (les faits) et leur dimension normative (les valeurs), et par l'interrelation entre ces deux dimensions. Le lien entre les faits et les valeurs sur lesquels repose le débat politique sur les soins à domicile dans le système de santé canadien est examiné par la lorgnette d'un schéma analytique fondé sur la «narration». La documentation formée de rapports et de recommandations sur la politique concernant les soins à domicile est examinée en vertu de cette structure conceptuelle – en particulier, les publications et les rapports du gouvernement fédéral, d'organisations canadiennes et des milieux du vieillissement et de l'incapacité. Enfin, des observations et une conclusion sur la portée du discours politique sur les soins à domicile, et sur les différences entre les sphères du vieillissement et de l'invalidité dans ce débat, sont proposées pour guider le lecteur dans le dédale de l'élaboration des politiques publiques.
What Makes Bariatric Operations Difficult–Results of a National Survey

Background and objective: The most commonly performed bariatric procedures include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), and one anastomosis gastric bypass-mini gastric bypass (OAGB-MGB). A study comparing the degree of difficulty among those procedures could serve as a guide for decision making in bariatric surgery and further improve training programs for general surgery trainees. The aim of this study was to compare the subjective level of technical difficulty of LSG, LRYGB, and OAGB–MGB as perceived by surgeons and surgical residents. Materials and Methods: An anonymous internet-based survey was designed to evaluate the subjective opinions of surgeons and surgical residents in training in Poland. It covered baseline characteristics of the participants, difficulty of LSG, OAGB-MGB, LRYGB and particular stages of each operation assessed on a 1–5 scale. Results: Overall, 70 surgeons and residents participated in our survey. The mean difficulty degree of LSG was 2.34 ± 0.89. The reinforcing staple line with sutures was considered most difficult stage of this operation (3.17 ± 1.19). The LRYGB operation had an average difficulty level of 3.87 ± 1.04. Creation of the gastrojejunostomy was considered the most difficult stage of LRYGB with a mean difficulty level (3.68 ± 1.16). Responders to our survey assessed the mean degree of difficulty of OAGB-MGB as 2.34 ± 0.97. According to participating surgeons, creating the gastrojejunostomy is the most difficult phase of this operation (3.68 ± 1.16). Conclusion: The LSG is perceived by surgeons as a relatively easy operation. The LRYGB was considered to be the most technically challenging procedure in our survey. Operative stages, which require intra-abdominal suturing with laparoscopic instruments, seem to be the most difficult phases of each operation.
Major Discrimination Experiences, Education, and Genes

Objectives: Rather than acting as a buffer, educational attainment has a known positive linkage with major experiences of lifetime discrimination. Recently established genetic roots of education, then, may also influence such reports. The current study examined these patterns. Methods: Data were from the 2010 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. Polygenic scores indexed one’s genetic propensity for more education. Mediation analysis was through counterfactual methods. Results: Among Whites as well as Blacks, genetic antecedents of education also elevated discrimination reports. Part of this influence was channeled through education. At least among Whites, direct effects were also found. Discussion: Major discrimination experiences seem partly rooted in genes. Mechanisms are tentatively suggested. Direct genetic influences, in particular, indicate potential confounding of previously estimated linkages between discrimination and health or life course factors. Given the range of these prior results, and their implications for healthy aging, investigation of these possibilities is needed.
Carrying the Weight: Athletics and Obesity in High School Football Players

This article determines the prevalence of obesity among high school football players nationwide and compares obesity between position groups of football players and across team sports. We calculate body mass index (BMI) for 391 212 males participating in baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and soccer, then stratify BMI into commonly accepted categories and subdivide football players by position played, comparing BMI across position groups and sports. A total of 47.4% of high school football players are healthy weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), 18.0% have obesity (BMI = 30-34.9 kg/m2: 12.4%) or class 2 obesity (BMI >34.9 kg/m2: 5.6%). Among linemen, 14.8% are healthy weight, 14.6% have class 2 obesity, and another 29.3% have obesity. Among non-linemen, the combined prevalence of obesity and class 2 obesity is 2.7%, comparable to other team sports. Obesity is common among high school football players, more so than among other high school athletes. Obesity and class 2 obesity are only common among linemen.
Comparison of the effects of tocilizumab monotherapy and adalimumab in combination with methotrexate on bone erosion repair in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To compare the effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and tumour necrosis factor inhibition on inducing repair of existing bone erosions in patients with very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Prospective non-randomised observational study in patients with active erosive RA with inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX) receiving either tocilizumab (TOC) monotherapy or adalimumab (ADA) with MTX for 52 weeks. Erosion volumes were assessed in metacarpal heads (MCH) and the radius by high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT at baseline and after 52 weeks. Clinical response was monitored using Clinical Disease Activity Index, Simple Disease Activity Index and Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) scores every 12 weeks. Results TOC (N=33) and ADA/MTX (N=33) treatment groups were balanced for age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, disease and activity, functional state, autoantibody status, baseline bone damage and baseline bone biomarkers. Both TOC (DAS28-ESR: baseline: 6.2±0.5; 52 weeks: 2.3±1.0) and ADA/MTX (6.3±0.6; 2.8±1.2) significantly reduced disease activity. Erosion volumes significantly decreased in the MCH and radius of patients with RA treated with TOC (p<0.001) but not in patients treated with ADA/MTX (p=0.77), where they remained stable in size. Mean decrease in erosion volume in TOC-treated patients was −1.0±1.1 mm3 and −3.3±5.9 mm3 in the MCH and radius of TOC-treated patients, respectively, and −0.05±0.9 mm3 and −0.08±4.1 mm3 in patients treated with ADA/MTX. Conclusions The REBONE study shows that TOC monotherapy achieves more pronounced repair of existing bone erosions than ADA/MTX. Hence, IL-6 is a central factor for the disturbed bone homeostasis in the joints of patients with RA.
Mechanics of the mannitol transporter from Escherichia coli: substrate-probing and oligomeric structure

Gertjan Veldhuis bestudeerde de mannitoltransporter van Escherichia coli, EnzymeIImtl (EIImtl), om meer inzicht te krijgen in het bindingsmechanisme en de oligomere toestand van dit membraaneiwit. Hij concludeerde onder andere dat dimeer EIImtl een mannitol bindt, de dimeer zeer stabiel is en dat het membraangebonden domein een dynamisch geheel is dat zowel ontvouwt als gestructureerder wordt tijdens substraatbinding.
Beyond pain: can antidepressants improve depressive symptoms and quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Neuropathic pain can be a predictor of severe emotional distress, up to full blown depressive states. In these patients, it is important to move beyond the sole treatment of pain, in order to recognize depressive symptoms, and to ultimately improve the quality of life.We systematically searched for published and unpublished clinical trials assessing the efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants versus placebo on depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain, and pooled data in a meta-analysis.A total of 37 studies fulfilled eligibility criteria and 32 provided data for meta-analysis. Antidepressants were more effective than placebo in improving depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference -0.11; 95% confidence interval -0.20 to -0.02), although the magnitude of effect was small, with a number-needed-to-treat of 24. No significant difference emerged between antidepressants and placebo in reducing anxiety. Quality of life appeared improved in patients on antidepressants, as did pain. Acceptability and tolerability were higher in patients on placebo.To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis specifically focusing on the effect of antidepressants on psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain. Our findings suggest that, despite their potential benefit in patients with neuropathic pain, antidepressants should be prescribed with particular care, as they might be less tolerable in such a fragile population. However, our findings warrant further research to explore how a correct use of antidepressants can help patients to cope with the consequences of neuropathic pain on their psychosocial health and quality of life.