Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symposium on ‘ Nutrition : getting the balance right in 2010 ’ Session 3 : Influences of food constituents on gut health Is equol production beneficial to health ?

The health benefits associated with soya food consumption have been widely studied, with soya isoflavones and soya protein implicated in the protection of CVD, osteoporosis and cancers such as those of the breast and prostate. Equol (7-hydroxy-3-(4’-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman), a metabolite of the soya isoflavone daidzein, is produced via the formation of the intermediate dihydrodaidzein, by human intestinal bacteria, with only approximately 30–40% of the adult population having the ability to perform this transformation following a soya challenge. Inter-individual variation in conversion of daidzein to equol has been attributed, in part, to differences in the diet and in gut microflora composition, although the specific bacteria responsible for the colonic biotransformation of daidzein to equol are yet to be identified. Equol is a unique compound in that it can exert oestrogenic effects, but is also a potent antagonist of dihydrotestosterone in vivo. Furthermore, in vitro studies suggest that equol is more biologically active than its parent compound, daidzein, with a higher affinity for the oestrogen receptor and a more potent antioxidant activity. Although some observational and intervention studies suggest that the ability to produce equol is associated with reduced risk of breast and prostate cancer, CVD, improved bone health and reduced incidence of hot flushes, others have reported null or adverse effects. Studies to date have been limited and well-designed studies that are sufficiently powered to investigate the relationship between equol production and disease risk are warranted before the clinical relevance of the equol phenotype can be fully elucidated.
Mild acute biliary pancreatitis: the timing of cholecystectomy should not exceed index admission.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to treat mild biliary acute pancreatitis (MBAP) during index admission is recommended. However, the optimal surgical timing is controversial, considering that patients are actually often discharged from hospital and readmitted for elective cholecystectomy. Moreover, previous studies showed an uneven patients' stratification for pancreatitis severity. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of patients homogenously categorizedfor MBAP according to the newest pancreatitis classifications, undergoing cholecystectomy with different timing. METHODS We retrospectively identified all patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 2008 to 2015 for MBAP, according to the 2012 Revision of the Atlanta Classification and the Determinant-Based Classification of Acute Pancreatitis, and stratified them in two groups: index cholecystectomy (IC) and interval-delayed cholecystectomy (IDC, after at least 4 weeks). RESULTS One hundred and three patients were analyzed. IC was performed in 40 patients (38.8%) while IDC in 63 patients (61.2%). The two groups were similar in comorbidities and pancreatitis severity at admission. There were no differences for conversion rate, operation length, total length of hospitalization and overall complication rates. However, IDC patients had a 33.3% rate of re-hospitalization for recurrent biliary-pancreatic events while waiting for the elective procedure and showed a higher rate of acute cholecystitis at histological diagnosis than IC (11.1% vs. 0%, P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS Among patients affected by MBAP, homogenously assessed following the new acute pancreatitis severity scores, the performance of cholecystectomy during the index admission is the best treatment option in order to avoid further undesired hospitalizations for recurrent biliary/pancreatic events while waiting for surgery.
Silica Biomineralization in the Radula of a Limpet Notoacmea schrenckii (Gastropoda: Acmaeidae)

The radulae of limpets are regarded as an ideal experimental material for studying biologically controlled mineral deposition, because they possess teeth in different mineralization stages. The pattern of silica precipitation in the limpet, Notoacmea schrenckii (Gastropoda: Acmaeidae), was elucidated in this study using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ICP-MS elemental analysis showed that iron and silica both infiltrate into the radula in early stages of tooth development. Electron-dense granules in a nanometer size range were observed in ultrathin sections of tooth specimens in early mineral-deposition stage; electron diffraction analysis indicated that silica is the primary component of these granules. TEM images revealed the intimate association between silica granules and the organic matrix, which implies that the organic matrix may take a more-active role in catalysis besides merely functioning as a physical constraint during mineral deposition. Exposure of the tooth cusp to NH 4 F treatment and the appearance of silica spheres after the addition of silicate suggest that the organic molecules embedded within the minerals may assist silica precipitation.
Microevolution and the Genetic Basis of Vertebrate Diversity : Examples from Teleost Fishes

Great transformations among the vertebrates can only be appreciated and understood by elucidating the microtransformational mechanisms responsible for form and function. However, when studying major transformations that occurred many millions of years ago, we have limited access to the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes. For example, evolutionary biologists can only dream of using controlled genetic crosses between birds and nonavian theropod dinosaurs to map the key genetic changes in the evolution of flight, or crossing a fish and a tetrapod to identify the genes that matter in fin versus limb development and function. Even among extant vertebrates, anatomically divergent species are typically too distantly related to allow traditional genetic approaches, which require the production of fertile offspring. Moreover, although the complete sequences of many vertebrate genomes are now available, determining which of the millions of DNA
Patient characteristics associated with longer emergency department stay: a rapid review

Background Prolonged emergency department (ED) stays make a disproportionate contribution to ED overcrowding, but the factors associated with longer stays have not been systematically reviewed. Objective To identify the patient characteristics associated with ED length of stay (LOS) and ascertain whether a predictive model existed. Methods This rapid systematic review included published, English-language studies that assessed at least one patient-level predictor of ED LOS (defined as a continuous or dichotomous variable) in an adult or mixed adult/paediatric population within an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development country. Findings were synthesised narratively. Results We identified 35 relevant studies; most included multiple predictors, but none developed a predictive model. The factors most commonly associated with long ED LOS were need for admission (10 of 10 studies) and older age (which may be a proxy for age-related differences in health condition and severity; 9 of 10), receipt of diagnostic tests or consults (8 of 8) and ambulance arrival (4 of 5). Acuity often showed a bell-shaped relationship with LOS (ie, patients with moderate acuity stayed longest). Limitations Methodological choices made in the interests of rapidity limited the review's comprehensiveness and depth. Conclusions Despite a sizeable body of literature, the available information is insufficiently precise to inform clinical or service-planning decisions; there is a need for a predictive model, including specific patient complaints. Deeper understanding of the determinants of ED LOS could help to identify patients and/or populations who require special intervention or resources to prevent a protracted stay.
Applications of QCD sum rules at finite temperature.

QCD sum-rule techniques are applied to the spectra of $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $\frac{J}{\ensuremath{\psi}}$ mesons at finite temperature to investigate the relative importance of quark and gluon condensates and perturbative thermal effects in determining bound-state parameters. Of particular interest are the consequences of nonperturbative physics persisting above the deconfinement phase transition, which is implied by nonzero gluon condensates found in lattice calculations. For the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson, the quark thermal bath induces only a smooth variation in the hadronic parameters as the temperature is increased; the quark condensate and its temperature dependence are the most important factors. For the $\frac{J}{\ensuremath{\psi}}$ meson, perturbative thermal effects overwhelm the gluon condensate contribution at a temperature around 100 MeV, so that high-temperature charmonium physics is consistent with that expected in a weakly interacting quark-gluon plasma. Corrections to other plasma properties from nonperturbative physics are discussed.
Evaluation of Dried Blood Spots for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Drug Resistance Testing

ABSTRACT Dried blood spots (DBS) are simpler to prepare, store, and transport than plasma or serum and may represent a good alternative for drug resistance genotyping, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, the utility of DBS for drug resistance testing is unknown. We investigated the efficiency of amplification of large human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pol fragments (1,023 bp) from DBS stored at different temperatures, the type of amplified product(s) (RNA and/or DNA), and the similarity between plasma and DBS sequences. We evaluated two matched plasma/DBS panels stored for 5 to 6 years at several temperatures and 40 plasma/DBS specimens collected from untreated persons in Cameroon and stored for 2 to 3 years at −20°C. The amplification of HIV-1 pol was done using an in-house reverse transcriptase-nested PCR assay. Reactions were done with and without reverse transcription to evaluate the contribution of HIV DNA to pol sequences from DBS. Amplification was successful for the DBS samples stored for 5 to 6 years at −20°C or at −70°C but not for those stored at room temperature. Thirty-seven of the 40 (92.5%) DBS from Cameroon were amplifiable, including 8/11 (72.7%) with plasma virus loads of <10,000 RNA copies/ml and all 29 with plasma virus loads of >10,000. Proviral DNA contributed significantly to DBS sequences in 24 of the 37 (65%) specimens from Cameroon. The overall similarity between plasma and DBS sequences was 98.1%. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of DBS for drug resistance testing and indicate that −20°C is a suitable temperature for long-term storage of DBS. The amplification of proviral DNA from DBS highlights the need for a wider evaluation of the concordance of resistance genotypes between plasma and DBS.
Electromechanical Piezoelectric Power Harvester Frequency Response Modeling Using Closed-Form Boundary Value Methods

The conversion of mechanical vibration to electrical energy has shown great promise for extending battery life of smart sensor wireless devices for various engineering applications. This paper presents novel analytical models of a piezoelectric bimorph, using the closed-form boundary value (CFBV) method, for predicting the electromechanical power harvester frequency response. The derivations of the coupled electromechanical dynamic response of the transverse-longitudinal (CEDRTL) form based on the CFBV method were developed using the reduced strong form method of the Hamiltonian principle. The equations from CEDRTL can be reduced to give the coupled electromechanical dynamic response of the transverse (CEDRT) form. The electromechanical frequency response functions with variable load resistance were also given in detail using Laplace transformation. The two theoretical studies are compared together and validated with an experimental study. For some cases, when the load resistance approached open circuit, the difference between CEDRTL and CEDRT tended to be more pronounced. Conversely, the CEDRTL and CEDRT models tended to overlap when the load resistance approached short circuit. Nyquist plots are used to demonstrate the shifting frequency and amplitude changes due to variable resistance. Overall, the experimental and CEDRTL model results were very close to each other.
Impact of L-Carnitine and Cinnamon on Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Expression in Heart and Brain of Insulin Resistant Rats

Problem statement: Evaluate the effects of daily administration of L-carnitine and cinnamon extract for two weeks on the expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) genes in cardiac and brain tissues of rats with Insulin Resistance (IR). Approach: Rats were divided into 4 groups (8 animals each): Group (1) rats fed control diet (60% starch) as control while groups (2, 3 and 4) fed high fructose diet (60% fructose). At the beginning of the 3rd week of feeding, rats of group (3) were treated with L-carnitine (300 mg kg-1 body weight/day, i.p.) and animals of group (4) received a daily oral dose of cinnamon aqueous extract (0.5 mL rat-1). The animals were maintained in their respective groups for 4 weeks. Results: Feeding high fructose diet causes significant reduction in Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1) (amounted 30.65%) and elevation in iNOS expression (reached 51%) in the cardiac tissues as compared to control. In brain tissues, the IGF-1 mRNA was reduced in fructose loaded groups (28.81%). Administration of either L-carnitine or cinnamon extract significantly improves the expression of the cardiac studied genes but with no effects on the brain tissues. Conclusion: The present study illustrated that CE was more potent than L-carnitine in improving the IR.
The Backward Span of the Corsi Block-Tapping Task and Its Association With the WAIS-III Digit Span

The Corsi Block-Tapping Task measures visuospatial short-term and working memory, but a standardized backward condition is lacking. The authors present a standardized backward procedure that was examined in 246 healthy older adults (ages 50 to 92), comparing the results with the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale— Third Edition. Principal component analysis resulted in a two-factor model, dissociating a verbal and a spatial working-memory factor. Also the Corsi backward is not more difficult than the Corsi forward, in contrast to the Digit Span backward that is more difficult than the Digit Span forward. This may suggest that the Corsi Block-Tapping Task backward task relies on processing within working-memory's slave systems, whereas the Digit Span backward also relies on the central executive component of working memory. Finally, regression-based normative data and cutoff scores for older adults are presented for use in clinical practice.
The Ras-related GTP-binding Protein, Rab1B, Regulates Early Steps in Exocytic Transport and Processing of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein (*)

The role of the Ras-related GTP-binding protein, Rab1B, in intracellular trafficking of β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) was studied in cultured 293 cells. βAPP is processed via one of two alternative routes. In the major secretory pathway, βAPP is cleaved by α-secretase within the region comprising the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), resulting in release of a soluble NH2-terminal exodomain (APPα) and a 3-kDa peptide (p3) derived from the carboxyl-terminal tail. In the alternative amyloidogenic pathway, βAPP is cleaved by β-secretase, with the release of a truncated exodomain (APPβ) and an intact Aβ peptide. When βAPP751 was coexpressed with Rab1B(wt) or dominant-negative Rab1B mutants (Rab1BN121I or Rab1BS22N) there was a marked decrease in conversion of the immature Endo-H sensitive form of βAPP751 (108 kDa) to the mature O-glycosylated form of βAPP751 (130 kDa) in cells expressing the mutant forms of Rab1B. The block in Golgi-dependent processing of βAPP was accompanied by inhibition of secretion of APPS (APPα). A similar decrease in secretion of APPS (APPα + APPβ) was observed in cells that were coexpressing Rab1BN121I with the “Swedish” variant of βAPP751 (i.e. βAPP SW751), which undergoes increased amyloidogenic processing. Coincident with the decline in APPS secretion, the cells coexpressing βAPP SW751 with Rab1BN121I showed a 90% decrease in Aβ secretion. The data indicate that Rab1B plays a key role in endoplasmic reticulum → Golgi transport of βAPP, and that βAPP must pass through a late Golgi compartment before entering either the α-secretase or the amyloidogenic β-secretase pathway. The results also suggest that mutant versions of other Rab proteins that function in different parts of the exocytic and endocytic pathways may be useful in defining the specific routes of βAPP transport involved in the biogenesis of Aβ.
Lenograstim for the treatment of neutropenia in patients receiving ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus infection: a randomised, placebo‐controlled trial in AIDS patients

Abstract: This phase IIa, randomised, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was conducted to determine the dose of recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (lenograstim) suitable for use in AIDS patients. The study was conducted at 27 European AIDS/HIV centres, and recruited 69 AIDS patients with an initial episode or relapse of cytomegalovirus infection (neurological site excluded) and an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 1.0×109/L upon diagnosis or between days 1 and 12 of ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. The patients were randomised to placebo (n=14) or one of four lenograstim arms: 150 µg/m2/d (the standard onco‐haematology dose, n=13) or 100 (n=13), 50 (n=15), or 25 µg/m2/d (n=14). In all groups, the planned dose of GCV was 10mg/kg/d for 21 d. Median ANC at weeks 2 and 3 was significantly higher in each lenograstim group than in the placebo group (p=0.05). At week 3, median ANC (×109/L) was 0.7 in the placebo group, compared with 6.0, 7.4, 4.5, and 2.0 in the 150, 100, 50, and 25 µg2/d lenograstim groups, respectively. Median ANC was not significantly different between the 150, 100, and 50 µg/m2/d lenograstim groups at any time point, but significantly higher in the 50 than in the 25 µg/m2/d group at weeks 2 (p=0.05) and 3 (p=0.02). Lenograstim was generally well tolerated, leading to no severe adverse events. In conclusion, lenograstim 50µg/m2/d is suitable for the treatment of ganciclovir‐induced neutropenia and is safe. These results should help the physician choose an optimal and cost‐efficient regimen for patients with AIDS‐related neutropenia when rHuG‐CSF support is indicated.
Protein, calories, and immune defenses.

Much of the information on protein, energy, and immunocompetence in humans pertains to primary nutritional deficiency. Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), therefore, constitutes the main focus of this review. In particular, the intent is to summarize recent progress relevant to the physiologically labile immune defense system of the weanling, necessarily a selective summary. In addition, a brief assessment is given relating to growing evidence that high quality proteins differ in their ability to support immunocompetence in the healthy, well-nourished population. PEM manifests in both acute (wasting) and chronic (stunting) forms (Suskind et al. 1990). Wasting results in altered body composition whereas stunting represents reduced linear growth. In infants and children, acute and chronic PEM can be discerned on the basis ofweight-forheight and height-for-age data, respectively. Categories of disease can be distinguished within each type of PEM by means of comparison with standard reference values. Procedures defining categories of malnutrition according to perceived degree of severity, viz., grades 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe), are among the most common. Grade 3 wasting PEM is an end-stage disease that manifests in the three clinical forms of marasmus, kwashiorkor, and marasmic kwashiorkor. Marasmus is a condition of extreme emaciation, often accompanied by stunting, in which adipose stores and muscle have been substantially depleted so as to sustain essential visceral functions including those of the liver. The dominant dietary characteristic associated with marasmus is low intake of all nutrients, particularly energy. By contrast, the main dietary feature associated with kwashiorkor is imbalance, specifically a low percentage of calories in the form of protein. Mobilization of subcutaneous fat is less complete and, hence, less successful in the kwashiorkor patient than in the marasmic. In addition, hepatic pathology is apparent in kwashiorkor as evidenced by the edema that is a hallmark sign of this condition. Marasmic kwashiorkor combines edema with the extremely low weight-for-height of marasmus. All forms of PEM can develop as either primary or secondary conditions. Ultimately, the goal of research in this area is a mechanistic knowledge that will permit rational, targeted interventions and dietary recommendations. The experimental literature is an invaluable source of insight for this purpose, and an objective of this review is to demonstrate the need to establish indices and standards of experimental design that improve the relevance of animal systems to the human condition. Finally, the thesis is advanced that the physiologic (including immunologic) response to dietary protein and calories is governed by endocrine-mediated metabolic priorities rather than by nonselective distribution of amino acids and energy simply in proportion to level of intake.
Dentin Bonding Performance and Nanoleakage Properties of Universal Adhesives in Different Etching Modes

The aim of this study was to compare the microtensile bond strengths (μTBS) and nanoleakage (NL) of four universal adhesives (UAs) applied in two different etching modes, self-etch (se) or etch-and-rinse (er). The occlusal onethird of 48 freshly extracted intact human molars was removed, and the exposed surfaces were treated with one of the four UAs [Single Bond Universal (SBU), Prime Bond NT (PNT), Peak Universal Adhesive (PUA) or All-Bond Universal (ABU)] in se or er mode, with Clearfil SE Bond (CSE) and Adper Single Bond 2 (ASB) as controls (n=8). After composite build-up, specimens were stored in distilled water (37 o C/24 h). Composite resin–dentine beams were prepared (0.9 mm 2 ), and the μTBS test was performed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan‘s test (α = 0.05). Additional specimens were processed and examined to assay interfacial NL. The failure patterns of the debonded specimens were evaluated using a stereo electron microscope. One additional tooth was prepared for each group for evaluation of NL. The teeth were immersed in a tracer agent (AgNO3 50% w/v) for 24 h. After longitudinal sectioning and polishing, the generated interfaces were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Statistical analysis indicated that the addition of an etching step significantly affected the μTBS of all UAs, except for SBU, compared to se application modes (p<0.05). The highest μTBS value (38.84±2.07 MPa) was obtained in the SBU er group, and the lowest (15.96±1.21 MPa) in the ABU se group. While no NL was determined in the SBU adhesive se or er groups, varying levels were detected in the other groups. The results show that UA performance was material-dependent. Application of an etching step prior to UAs increases their bonding effectiveness and reduces levels of NL.