Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum calcium and tumour aggressiveness in breast cancer: a prospective study of 7847 women

Experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that calcium and/or its regulating hormones affect breast cancer risk. There has been no prospective cohort study investigating serum calcium levels and breast cancer aggressiveness, as determined by tumour histology and stage. Dichotomized prediagnostic serum calcium levels were investigated in relation to breast cancer aggressiveness as determined by grade (mitotic frequency, tubule formation, nuclear atypia) and stage (tumour size and axillary lymph node status). Cox's proportional hazards analysis and heterogeneity analysis were used to investigate the associations between low/high calcium and grade/stage in a prospective cohort study of 7847 women, out of whom 462 women were diagnosed with incident breast cancer during a mean follow-up of 17.2 years. All analyses were stratified for body mass index and menopausal status. Prediagnostic serum calcium levels in premenopausal women were positively associated with increased tumour aggressiveness as determined by a higher risk of nodal metastasis; relative risk (RR) for calcium above median as compared with calcium below median was 1.88 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.04–3.38. In overweight women, prediagnostic serum calcium levels were also associated with tumour aggressiveness, as determined by both a higher risk of nodal metastasis [RR (95% CI) 1.69 (0.95–3.02)] and severe nuclear atypia [RR (95% CI) 2.06 (1.10–3.86)]. Results also indicate that, in overweight women, calcium is positively associated with worse grade as determined by tubule formation and mitotic frequency. In conclusion, prediagnostic serum calcium levels are positively associated with increased tumour aggressiveness in premenopausal and/or overweight women.
Ophthalmologic Evaluation in Pediatric Developmental Delay

Purpose: To evaluate the ocular results and refractive errors in children with developmental delay and to determine the significance of ophthalmologic screening in children. Methods: The present study was conducted with children who visited the development delay clinic of National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan hospital in Goyang, Korea. Primary evaluation included external eye examination, pupil reflex, and ocular movement test with focal light, and secondary evaluation included slit-lamp examination, fundus examination, cycloplegic refraction, and lacrimal drainage test if necessary. Results: Out of 89 subjects included in the study, 61.8% had ocular abnormalities other than refractive errors, and the two most common results included strabismus and epiblepharon, with occurrence rates of 24.7% and 22.5%, respectively. Among the 60 subjects who underwent cycloplegic refraction, 56.6% had refractive errors, with astigmatism (30%) being the most common. Among the 24 subjects who received treatment, four underwent surgical treatment and 20 started wearing glasses. Conclusions: The present study revealed a high prevalence of ophthalmologic abnormalities in pediatric developmental delay patients, indicating that systemic and comprehensive ophthalmic examination is necessary for these patients.
In vitro effects of 2‐methoxyestradiol on cell numbers, morphology, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis induction in oesophageal carcinoma cells

The influence of 2‐methoxyestradiol (2‐ME) was investigated on cell numbers, morphology, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis induction in an oesophageal carcinoma cell line (WHCO3). Dose‐dependent studies (1 × 10−9M–1 × 10−6M) revealed that 2‐ME significantly reduced cell numbers to 60% in WHCO3 after 72 h of exposure at a concentration of 1 × 10−6M compared to vehicle‐treated cells. Morphological studies entailing light‐, fluorescent‐, as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed 2‐ME's antimitotic effects. These results indicated hallmarks of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, hypercondensation of chromatin, cell membrane blebbing, and apoptotic bodies in treated cells. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated an increase in the G2/M‐phase after 2‐ME exposure; thus preventing cells from proceeding through the cell cycle. β‐tubulin immunofluorescence revealed that 2‐ME caused spindle disruption. In addition, increased expression of death receptor 5 protein was observed further supporting the proposed mechanism of apoptosis induction via the extrinsic pathway in 2‐ME‐exposed oesophageal carcinoma cells. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in cancer mortality in Brazil, 1980–2004

Scanty information, limited to selected areas of the country, is available on cancer mortality in Brazil. Age-standardized (world population) mortality rates between 1980 and 2004, derived from the WHO database, were computed for all cancers and 24 major cancer sites in Brazil. Joinpoint regression analyses were used to identify the significant changes in trends and estimate annual percent change (APC) in rates. Total cancer mortality rates increased over the last decade in men (APC = 0.5) to reach 101.2/100 000, and in women (APC = 0.3) to reach 71.3/100 000. In men, upward trends were observed for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx with a rate of 5.9/100 000 in 2000–2004, intestines (whose rate, however was low, i.e. 7.6), prostate (12.2), and leukemias (3.4). Male lung cancer increased until 1993 (APC = 1.39) and decreased thereafter (APC = −0.29), with a relatively low rate of 16.2/100 000 in 2000–2004. In women, there were steady upward trends for cancers of the lung (APC = 2.3), reaching 6.2/100 000 in 2000–2004, and leukemias (2.5). Breast cancer mortality leveled off at around 10/100 000 in the last decade, whereas declines were observed for cancers of the uterus, whose rate (8.3) however, remained comparatively high. Declines were observed for stomach cancer in both sexes, with rates of 11.1 in men and 4.6 in women. In conclusion, the key issues of cancer mortality in Brazil are the high rates of head and neck cancers in men and (cervix) uterine cancer in women, that is, in principle cancers that are largely avoidable through prevention, screening, and early diagnosis.
The influence of EU on alcohol policy in a non‐EU country

Norway is not a member of the EU, but entered into agreement with the EEA as of 1 January 1994. Norway shares borders with the EU member states of Sweden and Finland, and is also close to the rest of EU in many respects. These factors have had a rather strong influence over Norwegian alcohol policy, both directly and indirectly. Direct influences derive from Norway's ratification of the EEA Agreement and therewith an obligation to obey many EU regulations. The result of this was that Norway, like Sweden and Finland, was forced to dissolve its monopoly on import, export, wholesale and production of alcoholic beverages, and to allow alcopops to be sold in ordinary grocery stores. Indirect influences arise from the travellers import quotas within the EU. These place constant pressure on the relatively high prices in the Nordic EU countries, leading to price reductions in these countries that stimulate Norwegian border trade, even if the legal quotas in Norway are very small compared with the EU quotas. Alcohol policies in the EU countries, especially the neighbouring countries, also seem to have some impact on popular attitudes to Norwegian alcohol policy. This article describes these different EU related factors and their influence.
Salt, processed meat and the risk of cancer

This study assesses the association between salt added atthe table, processed meat and the risk of various cancers. Mailed questionnaires were completed by 19 732patients with histologically confirmed incident cancer of the stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, ovary, prostate, testis, kidney, bladder, brain, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or leukaemia, and 5039 population controls,between 1994 and 1997. Measurement included information on socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits and diet. A 69-item food frequency questionnaire provided dataon eating habits 2 years before the study. Odds ratiosand 95% confidence intervals were derived through unconditional logistic regression. Compared with never adding salt at the table, always or often adding salt at the table was associated with an increased risk of stomach, lung, testicular and bladder cancer. Processed meat was significantly related to the risk of the stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, prostate, testis, kidney and bladdercancer and leukaemia; the odds ratios for the highest quartile ranged from 1.3 to 1.7. The findings addtothe evidence that high consumption of salt and processed meat may play a role in the aetiology of several cancers.
Prevenção de úlceras nos membros inferiores em pacientes com diabetes mellitus

Este artigo de atualizacao discute os riscos para o desenvolvimento de ulceras em membros inferiores a que os pacientes com diabetes mellitus estao expostos, ao longo da vida. A patogenese das ulceras diabeticas e enfocada com o objetivo de dar subsidios ao enfermeiro para avaliar a capacidade de manutencao da integridade cutânea e adequar as medidas preventivas necessarias.
Analysis of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. Fibrosis associated with SSc is characterized by an increased synthesis of a wide range of extracellular matrix (ECM). TGF‐β is a pluripotent cytokine in a wide range of cell types. In particular it has been found to be a potent inducer of ECM protein synthesis and fibroblast migration. The TGF‐β1 gene is highly polymorphic and two signal sequence polymorphisms at codon 10 and codon 25 are linked to disease outcomes. In this study, we analysed two polymorphic sites of the TGF‐β1 gene, codon 10 and codon 25, in 43 Turkish SSc female patients with interstitial lung involvement and in 75 healty individuals by ARMS‐PCR. In our study no significant difference was found in codon 10, codon 25 genotype frequencies between patient with SSc and the control group (p = 0.676, 0.375, respectively). Our findings suggest that codon 10 and 25 polymorphism cannot be related with SSc for Turkish population. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic variations of leptin and leptin receptor are associated with body composition changes in response to physical training

Leptin regulates body weight, metabolism, and tissue adaptations to environmental stressors. We examined the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of leptin promoter G‐2548A (rs7799039) and leptin receptor Gln223Arg (rs1137101) with body composition, plasma leptin levels, and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in response to 8 weeks of physical training in 48 male military conscripts. AA homozygotes of leptin promoter SNP‐2548 showed higher body fat and BMI values than G allele carriers. Acute exercise decreased leptin levels in G allele carriers, but increased in AA homozygotes. Physical training significantly decreased BMI values and also a tendency for decreased plasma leptin levels was observed in all subjects. In G allele carriers, BMI loss was mainly due to decreased fat mass, whereas in AA homozygotes due to loss of fat‐free mass. Training increased VO2peak in all subjects with most prominent effects in G allele carriers. Regarding leptin receptor SNP, there were no statistically significant differences in BMI values between the genotype groups at baseline or after physical training. Our results suggest that physical training‐induced alterations in body composition and plasma leptin may be influenced by a genetic variation of leptin promoter but not of leptin receptor. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RAR&bgr;2 gene methylation level in the circulating DNA from blood of patients with lung cancer

Alterations in the patterns of DNA methylation are among the earliest and most common events in tumorigenesis. Epigenetic changes were shown to be detectable in DNA, circulating in blood (cirDNA) of cancer patients, indicating the resources to create the minimally invasive diagnostic tests based on tumor-specific DNA markers. RAR&bgr;2 methylation level was significantly increased in plasma cirDNA and cell surface-bound cirDNA (csb-cirDNA) from patients with non-small cell lung cancer compared with healthy individuals (7620 and 1083 copies/ml in the csb fractions, 3589 and 1068 copies/ml in the blood plasma; P=0.003 and 0.001). The cell-bound-to-cell-free RAR&bgr;2 methylation ratio was found to be elevated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer compared with control (2.12 and 1.01, respectively; P=0.023). RAR&bgr;2 methylation level in csb-cirDNA and plasma cirDNA was higher in stage III patients compared with stage I–II patients (P=0.02 and 0.03). In the subgroup of patients with squamous cell carcinoma, RAR&bgr;2 methylation level in the cbs-cirDNA was higher compared with patients with adenocarcinoma (P=0.04). Epigenetic alterations of tumor suppressor gene RAR&bgr;2 in the total cirDNA (plasma cirDNA and csb-cirDNA) were found to be associated with lung cancer progression. The data obtained indicate that cirDNA-based testing provides a valuable source for subsequent verification of methylated DNA markers for lung cancer diagnostics and prognosis.
High prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in a Type 1 diabetic adult population: a pilot study

Owing tochronichyperglycaemiaandcardiovascularautonomic neuropathy, Type 1 diabetes patients exhibit increased cardiovascular risk [1]. Both glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk are also associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome [2]. Assessing the association systematically and treating both conditions may play a part in improving the prognosis of Type 1 diabetic patients. Forty Type 1 diabetic adults were consecutively recruited during their regular follow-up in a tertiary centre outpatients clinic. Patients were asked to participate in a screening oximetric procedure, in order to detect sleep breathing disorders. Three of the patients had already been investigated for sleep disorders, with two being treated for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and one having no sleep disorder. The 37 remaining subjects completed an Epworth sleepiness scale, a questionnaire addressing sleep problems, and spent a night at home with an oximetric recording. Polysomnography was routinely proposed to subjects with borderline or pathological oximetry and proposed at random to 1 ⁄ 10 patients with normal oximetry. Oximetry was classified as normal in the absence of oxygen saturation (SaO2) fluctuations, as pathological when repetitive desaturation–reoxygenation sequences occurred and as borderline when SaO2 fluctuations were limited in amplitude or appeared during limited periods of time. A variability index of SaO2 objectively quantified these SaO2 fluctuations with a previously demonstrated high negative predictive value in detecting obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome [3]. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome was defined by an apnoea + hypopnoea index > 15 ⁄ h during polysomnography. Among the 37 oximetric recordings, 13 were normal, nine were borderline and 15 were pathological. Polysomnography was offered to 25 patients, accepted by 18 and sleep apnoea was demonstrated in 14 patients (0 ⁄ 1, 2 ⁄ 4 and 12 ⁄ 13 in
The importance of oxidative stress in patients with chronic renal failure whose hypertension is treated with peritoneal dialysis

Increased oxidative stress is a well‐known phenomenon in dialysis patients. However, the contribution of hypertension to the oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients has not yet been assessed. The present study aimed to investigate if hypertension had an additional effect on oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients. A total of 50 patients treated with peritoneal dialysis were divided into two groups: The patients with mean of last three blood pressure results as 135/90 mmHg and above were considered hypertensive, the patients with lower blood pressure were considered normotensive. The control group included 25 healthy individuals. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) levels were measured in all groups. MDA level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group, while the increase in the normotensive group was not significant. However, the difference between the hypertensive and normotensive groups was significant. The levels of AOPP, an indicator of protein oxidation level, and MPO, an indicator of neutrophil activation, were not different between the groups, while the activities of antioxidant CAT and GSH‐Px decreased in both normotensive and hypertensive groups compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference between the patient groups. This study shows that both normotensive and hypertensive peritoneal dialysis patients have increased‐oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels and hypertension might have an additional effect on oxidative stress by increasing MDA level in peritoneal dialysis patients. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The nutrient intake of elderly men living alone and their attitudes towards nutrition education

Aims: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among elderly men living alone in Sunderland to (1) assess their dietary intake and food habits, (2) to identify factors which influence their food choice, and (3) to investigate perceived needs regarding nutrition education activities.Methods: A random sample of 66 men, aged 70 years and over was drawn from members of luncheon clubs (n=33) and residents of sheltered housing accommodation (n=33). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results: Intake of all nutrients, with the exception of energy, vitamin D and fibre was adequate. Almost half of the subjects (47%) had energy intakes below the EAR, and the majority tended towards underweight, as indicated by the age-adjusted reference standards for BMI. Taste and enjoyment were the factors which most influenced food choice. The main identified source of nutrition information was the media, followed by relatives and friends. Only half of the subjects perceived that they would benefit from nutrition education and 58% reported a willingness to participate in such activities if they were available.Conclusion: The findings suggest that although most subjects were aware of the role of dietary factors in the maintenance of an optimal health status, this age group is not a receptive audience for nutrition education activities. The targeting of elderly men living alone presents a challenge to nutrition educators.
Corrections by melatonin of liver mitochondrial disorders under diabetes and acute intoxication in rats

The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanisms of oxidative damage of the liver mitochondria under diabetes and intoxication in rats as well as to evaluate the possibility of corrections of mitochondrial disorders by pharmacological doses of melatonin. The experimental (30 days) streptozotocin‐induced diabetes mellitus caused a significant damage of the respiratory activity in rat liver mitochondria. In the case of succinate as a respiratory substrate, the ADP‐stimulated respiration rate V3 considerably decreased (by 25%, p < 0·05) as well as the acceptor control ratio (ACR) V3/V2 markedly diminished (by 25%, p < 0·01). We observed a decrease of the ADP‐stimulated respiration rate V3 by 35% (p < 0·05), with glutamate as substrate. In this case, ACR also decreased (by 20%, p < 0·05). Surprisingly, the phosphorylation coefficient ADP/O did not change under diabetic liver damage. Acute rat carbon tetrachloride‐induced intoxication resulted in considerable decrease of the phosphorylation coefficient because of uncoupling of the oxidation and phosphorylation processes in the liver mitochondria. The melatonin administration during diabetes (10 mg·kg‐1 body weight, 30 days, daily) showed a considerable protective effect on the liver mitochondrial function, reversing the decreased respiration rate V3 and the diminished ACR to the control values both for succinate‐dependent respiration and for glutamate‐dependent respiration. The melatonin administration to intoxicated animals (10 mg·kg−1 body weight, three times) partially increased the rate of succinate‐dependent respiration coupled with phosphorylation. The impairment of mitochondrial respiratory plays a key role in the development of liver injury under diabetes and intoxication. Melatonin might be considered as an effector that regulates the mitochondrial function under diabetes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development, validity and reliability of a new pressure air biofeedback device (PAB) for measuring isometric extension strength of the lumbar spine

Abstract This study describes the development of a new portable muscle testing device, using air pressure as a biofeedback and strength testing tool. For this purpose, a pressure air biofeedback device (PAB®) was developed to measure and record the isometric extension strength of the lumbar multifidus muscle in asymptomatic and low back pain (LBP) persons. A total of 42 subjects (age 47.58 years, ±18.58) participated in this study. The validity of PAB® was assessed by comparing a selected measure, air pressure force in millibar (mb), to a standard criterion; calibrated weights in kilograms (kg) during day-to-day tests. Furthermore, clinical trial-to-trial and day-to-day tests of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of L5 lumbar multifidus were done to compare air pressure force (mb) to electromyography (EMG) in microvolt (μV) and to measure the reliability of PAB®. A highly significant relationship were found between air pressure output (mb) and calibrated weights (kg). In addition, Pearson correlation calculations showed a significant relationship between PAB® force (mb) and EMG activity (μV) for all subjects (n = 42) examined, as well as for the asymptomatic group (n = 24). No relationship was detected for the LBP group (n = 18). In terms of lumbar extension strength, we found that asymptomatic subjects were significantly stronger than LBP subjects. The results of the PAB® test differentiated between LBP and asymptomatic subject’s lumbar isometric extension strength without any risk to the subjects and also indicate that the lumbar isometric extension test with the new PAB® device is reliable and valid.
S100B promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of specific brain metastatic lung adenocarcinoma cell line

Brain metastasis frequently occurs in cancer patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. We previously reported that S100B was highly expressed in PC14/B, a specific brain metastatic lung adenocarcinoma cell line, which suggests that it is associated with brain metastasis of lung cancer. However, the role of S100B in brain metastasis remains to be elucidated. In this study, using PC14/B cell line, we found that siRNA mediated depletion of S100B in PC14/B cells led to notable differences in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, colony formation ability, cell migratory and invasive activity compared with the mock‐transfected cells. Therefore, our data suggest that S100B promotes the brain metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma by promoting cell proliferation, preventing apoptosis and increasing cell migration and invasion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.