Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia mask the effect of a common APOC3 haplotype on the risk of myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Plasma apolipoprotein (apo) C-III strongly predicts myocardial infarction (MI) and directly activates atherogenic processes in vascular cells. Genetic variation in the insulin response element of the APOC3 promoter is associated with an increased risk of MI. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether the APOC3 promoter variation affects plasma apo C-III concentrations and MI only when insulin sensitivity is normal. DESIGN The APOC3*222 haplotype, defined by the minor alleles of the single nucleotide polymorphisms 3238C-->G, -455T-->C, and -482C-->T, was studied in 1703 matched nonfatal case-control pairs with MI in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. We used fasting hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity as surrogates for insulin sensitivity. RESULTS The APOC3*222 haplotype was associated with higher apo C-III concentrations only in those with the lowest waist circumference or fasting glucose concentration. The association between the APOC3*222 haplotype and nonfatal MI, previously reported in this population, was strongly influenced by fasting hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity. The odds ratios for MI for the APOC3*222 haplotype were 1.72 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.54) and 1.84 (1.31, 2.59) in subjects in the lowest quintiles of abdominal obesity and fasting hyperglycemia, respectively, and were 0.75 (0.54, 1.05) and 1.16 (0.85, 1.59) in subjects in the highest quintiles, respectively (P for interaction <0.05). CONCLUSION The results support the concept that mutations in the APOC3 promoter inhibit the down-regulation of APOC3 expression by insulin. This cardioprotective system becomes dysfunctional in abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia.
Five-year clinical follow-up of a patient with radicular cyst in the maxillary anterior region

Radicular cysts arise from proliferation of epithelium remnants around apices of nonvital teeth as a result of an inflammatory response to the necrotic pulp and chronic infection and are the most common cystic lesion of the jaws. If these lesions are not treated successfully the extractions of the associated nonvital teeth have to be performed, and the tooth loss in patients can cause aesthetic, functional, and psychological problems, particularly if the anterior region is involved. Multidisciplinary treatment proposed to encourage long. -term success and aesthetic result in such cases. This case report describes the multidisciplinary management to a 37-year-old male patient with a particularly large maxillary radicular cyst associated with the roots of five maxillary anterior teeth. The patient's esthetic and functional expectations were achieved after the endodontic, surgical, and prosthetic treatments. After 5-year follow-up, excellent bone healing, steady levels of bone, and healthy periodontal tissues around the abutment teeth were observed.
Cognitive Aging Trajectories and Burdens of Disability, Hospitalization and Nursing Home Admission Among Community-living Older Persons.

BACKGROUND The course of cognitive aging has demonstrated substantial heterogeneity. This study attempted to identify distinctive cognitive trajectories and examine their relationship with burdens of disability, hospitalization, and nursing home admission. METHODS Seven hundred and fifty-four community-living persons aged 70 years or older in the Yale Precipitating Events Project were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination every 18 months for up to 108 months. A group-based trajectory model was used to determine cognitive aging trajectories while adjusting for age, sex, and education. Cumulative burden of disabilities, hospitalizations, and nursing home admissions over 141 months associated with the cognitive trajectories were evaluated using a generalized estimating equation Poisson model. RESULTS Five distinct cognitive trajectories were identified, with about a third of participants starting with high baseline cognitive function and demonstrating No decline during the follow-up period. The remaining participants diverged with Minimal (prevalence 41%), Moderate (16%), Progressive (8%), and Rapid (3%) cognitive decline. Participants with No decline incurred the lowest incidence rates (per 1,000 person-months) of disability in activities of daily living (ADL; 75, 95% confidence intervals: 60-95) and instrumental ADL (492, 453-535), hospitalization (29, 26-33) and nursing home admission (18, 12-27), whereas participants on the Rapid trajectory experienced the greatest burden of ADL disability (612, 595-758) and those on the Progressive trajectory had the highest nursing home admission (363, 292-451). CONCLUSIONS Community-living older persons follow distinct cognitive aging trajectories and experience increasing burdens of disability, hospitalization, and nursing home placement as they age, with greater burdens for those on a declining cognitive trajectory.
Is Galba schirazensis (Mollusca, Gastropoda) an intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda, Digenea) in Ecuador?

Fasciolosis is a widely distributed disease in livestock in South America but knowledge about the epidemiology and the intermediate hosts is relatively scarce in Ecuador. For three months, lymnaeid snails were sampled (n = 1482) in Pichincha Province at two sites located in a highly endemic area. Snails were identified (based on morphology and ITS-2 sequences) and the infection status was established through microscopic dissection and a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique. Techniques based on morphology were not useful to accurately name the collected snail species. Comparison with available DNA sequences showed that a single snail species was collected, Galba schirazensis. Live rediae were observed in 1.75% (26/1482) and Fasciola sp. DNA was detected in 6% (89/1482) of collected snails. The COX-1 region permitted identification of the parasite as Fasciola hepatica. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the microscope study, compared to PCR results, were 25.84% and 99.78%, respectively. The mean size of the snails recorded positive for F. hepatica through crushing and microscopy was significantly higher than the mean size of negative snails, but there was no such difference in PCR-positive snails. The role of G. schirazensis as an intermediate host of F. hepatica in Ecuador is discussed and the hypothesis of an adaptation of the parasite to this invasive snail is proposed. For the first time, an epidemiological survey based on molecular biology-based techniques assessed the possible role of lymnaeid snails in the epidemiology of fasciolosis in Ecuador.
Effects of Aggregate Type, Water-to-Cementitious Material Ratio, and Age on Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Concrete

The effects of age and aggregate type on the behavior of normal, medium, and high-strength concrete, and the relationships between compressive strength, flexural strength, and fracture properties (fracture energy and characteristic length) are studied. The concrete mixes contain either basalt or crushed limestone aggregate with a maximum size of 19 mm (3/4 in.) and an aggregate volume factor (ACI 211.191) of 0.67. Mixes are tested at ages of 7, 28, 56, 90, and 180 days. Water-tocementitious material (w/cm) ratios range between 0.25 and 0.46. In the study, compressive strengths range from 20 MPa (2,920 psi) (7 day normal-strength limestone concrete) to 99 MPa (14,320 psi) (180 day high-strength basalt concrete). High-strength concrete containing basalt attains a higher compressive strength than high-strength concrete containing limestone, even at a slightly higher w/cm ratio. Medium-strength concrete containing limestone exhibits slightly higher compressive strength than concrete containing basalt. Compressive strengths for normal-strength concrete are similar for limestone and basalt. The w/cm ratio is the primary controlling factor for determining compressive strength. Higher strength concretes gain a greater portion of their long-term compressive strength at an earlier age than lower strength concretes. The flexural strengths range from 4 MPa (550 psi) to 14 MPa (1,960 psi). High-strength concrete containing basalt yields significantly higher flexural strengths than high-strength concrete containing limestone at the same age. The limiting factor appears to be the tensile strength of the aggregate. For the normal and mediumstrength concretes, aggregate does not significantly affect the flexural strength. The
An Experimental Comparison of Weld-Induced Residual Stresses Using Different Stainless Steel Filler Metals Commonly Used for Hydraulic Turbines Manufacturing and Repair

CA6NM and UNS S41500 martensitic stainless steels are widely used for manufacturing and repair of hydraulic turbine runners. They offer good mechanical properties and superior cavitation resistance when compared to mild steels. They are also relatively easy to weld. However, when welded homogeneously, they require a post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) in order to temper the as-welded martensite. This PWHT is also beneficial for residual stresses reduction as it effectively lowers the stress peaks. To avoid this PWHT, austenitic filler metals are often used for repair. But omitting PWHT inevitably leaves weld-induced residual stresses in the assembly. In order to better understand the impact of the weld filler metal choice on the importance of residual stress, an experimental study has been conducted on three different filler alloys. The chosen alloys were: • 410NiMo, a martensitic grade having the same composition as the base metal (13%Cr-4%Ni-0.5%Mo) ; • 309L, an austenitic grade widely used for repair (24%Cr-13%Ni) ; • A proprietary low transformation temperature (LTT) martensitic grade (13%Cr-6%Ni). This paper compares residual stresses in the as-welded condition on welds of UNS S41500 (13%Cr-4%Ni) made using these filler metals. Residual stresses were measured using the contour method. Microstructural analysis was performed to identify the phases in the weld and the heat-affected zones (HAZ). Microhardness maps were done to see the hardness distribution of each weldment.
Learning induces the translin/trax RNase complex to express activin receptors for persistent memory

Long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and memory require de novo protein synthesis. Yet, how learning triggers this process to form memory is unclear. Translin/trax is a candidate to drive this learning-induced memory mechanism by suppressing microRNA-mediated translational silencing at activated synapses. We find that mice lacking translin/trax display defects in synaptic tagging, which requires protein synthesis at activated synapses, and long-term memory. Hippocampal samples harvested from these mice following learning show increases in several disease-related microRNAs targeting the activin A receptor type 1C (ACVR1C), a component of the transforming growth factor-β receptor superfamily. Furthermore, the absence of translin/trax abolishes synaptic upregulation of ACVR1C protein after learning. Finally, synaptic tagging and long-term memory deficits in mice lacking translin/trax are mimicked by ACVR1C inhibition. Thus, we define a new memory mechanism by which learning reverses microRNA-mediated silencing of the novel plasticity protein ACVR1C via translin/trax.
Lower daily energy expenditure as measured by a respiratory chamber in subjects with spinal cord injury compared with control subjects.

BACKGROUND This study was designed to determine the effect of chronic spinal cord injury on daily energy expenditure. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that both resting and total energy expenditure would be lower in spinal cord-injured (SCI) subjects than in control subjects because of lower sympathetic nervous system activity and reduced levels of physical activity in SCI subjects. DESIGN Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure (24-h EE), resting metabolic rate (RMR), sleeping metabolic rate, spontaneous physical activity, the thermic effect of food (TEF), and 24-h respiratory quotient were measured by using a respiratory chamber in 10 male SCI subjects (injury ranged from level C6 to L3) and 59 age-matched, noninjured, male control subjects. RESULTS The 24-h EE was lower in SCI than in control subjects (7824 +/- 305 compared with 9941 +/- 188 kJ, P < 0.01). After adjustment for fat-free mass, fat mass, and age, 24-h EE was still lower (-753 kJ/d, P < 0.01) in SCI than in control subjects. Spontaneous physical activity measured by a radar system was also significantly lower (4.6 +/- 0.6% compared with 6.5 +/- 0.3% of time, P < 0.01) in SCI than in control subjects. In absolute value (7347 +/- 268 compared with 9251 +/- 1326 kJ/d, P < 0.01) or after adjustment for fat-free mass, fat mass, and age (-678 kJ/d, P < 0.01), RMR was also lower in SCI than in control subjects. TEF was significantly lower in SCI than in control subjects (987 +/- 142 compared with 1544 +/- 213 kJ/d, representing 12.9% and 15.9% of total energy intake, respectively, P < 0.05). The sleeping metabolic rate and 24-h respiratory quotient did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS The 24-h EE was significantly lower in SCI than in control subjects. This difference can be explained by the lower levels of physical activity, and lower RMR and TEF values, in SCI subjects.
An Atomistic Study of the Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanocomposite Interfaces

An Atomistic Study of the Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanocomposite Interfaces. (December 2009) Amnaya P. Awasthi, B.Tech. , Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Dimitris C. Lagoudas The research presented in this dissertation pertains to the evaluation of stiffness of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a multiscale framework and modeling of the interfacial mechanical behavior in CNT-polymer nanocomposites. The goal is to study the mechanical behavior of CNTs and CNT-polymer interfaces at the atomic level and to utilize this information to develop predictive capabilities of material behavior at the macroscale. Stiffness of CNTs is analyzed through quantum mechanical (QM) calculations while the CNT-polymer interface is examined using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. CNT-polymer-matrix composites exhibit promising properties as structural materials and constitutive models are sought to predict their macroscale behavior. The reliability of determining the homogenized response of such materials depends upon the ability to capture accurately the interfacial behavior between the nanotubes and the polymer matrix. In the proposed work, atomistic methods are used to investigate the behavior of the interface by utilizing appropriately chosen atomistic representative volume elements (RVEs). Atomistic simulations are conducted on the RVEs to study mechanical separation with and without covalent functionalization between the polymeric matrix and two filler materials, namely graphite and a (12,0) Single Wall zig zag CNT. The information obtained from atomistic studies of separation is applicable for higher level length scale models as cohesive zone properties. The results of the present research have been correlated with available experimental data from characterization efforts.
A Newly Identified Susceptibility Locus near FOXP1 Modifies the Association of Gastroesophageal Reflux with Barrett's Esophagus

Background: Important risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma and its precursor, Barrett's esophagus, include gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity, and cigarette smoking. Recently, genome-wide association studies have identified seven germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that are associated with risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Whether these genetic susceptibility loci modify previously identified exposure–disease associations is unclear. Methods: We analyzed exposure and genotype data from the BEACON Consortium discovery phase GWAS, which included 1,516 esophageal adenocarcinoma case patients, 2,416 Barrett's esophagus case patients, and 2,187 control participants. We examined the seven newly identified susceptibility SNPs for interactions with body mass index, smoking status, and report of weekly heartburn or reflux. Logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs for these risk factors stratified by SNP genotype, separately for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Results: The odds ratio for Barrett's esophagus associated with at least weekly heartburn or reflux varied significantly with the presence of at least one minor allele of rs2687201 (nominal P = 0.0005, FDR = 0.042). ORs (95% CIs) for weekly heartburn or reflux among participants with 0, 1, or 2 minor alleles of rs2687201 were 6.17 (4.91–7.56), 3.56 (2.85–4.44), and 3.97 (2.47–6.37), respectively. No statistically significant interactions were observed for smoking status and body mass index. Conclusion: Reflux symptoms are more strongly associated with Barrett's esophagus risk among persons homozygous for the major allele of rs2687201, which lies approximately 75 kb downstream of the transcription factor gene FOXP1. Impact: The novel gene–exposure interaction discovered in this study provides new insights into the etiology of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(11); 1739–47. ©2015 AACR.
Post-exercise pulse pressure is a better predictor of executive function than pre-exercise pulse pressure in cognitively normal older adults

ABSTRACT Exercise “stress tests” are widely used to assess cardiovascular function and to detect abnormalities. In line with the view of exercise as a stressor, the present study examined the relationship between cognitive function and cardiovascular activity before and after light physical exercise in a sample of 84 non-demented community-dwelling older adults. Based on known relationships between hypertension, executive function and cerebral white matter changes, we hypothesized that greater post-exercise reactivity, as indexed by higher pulse pressure, would be more related to worse performance on frontal-executive tasks than pre-exercise physiologic measures. All participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and underwent a Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), with blood pressure (BP) measures obtained immediately before and after the walk. Pulse pressure (PP) was derived from BP as an indicator of vascular auto-regulation and composite scores were computed for each cognitive domain assessed. As predicted, worse executive function scores exhibited a stronger relationship with post-exercise PP than pre-exercise PP. Results suggest that PP following system stress in the form of walking may be more reflective of the state of vascular integrity and associated executive dysfunction in older adults than baseline physiologic measures.
Clomiphene citrate combined with metformin versus letrozole for induction of ovulation in clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract A total of 202 patients with clomiphene citrate (CC) -resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were randomly allocated into two arms of induction of ovulation; the first group (n = 102) received CC 100 mg and metformin 500 mg while the second group (n = 100) received letrozole 2.5 mg with ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, adverse effects, and acceptability were assessed. Patients in the letrozole arm experienced higher rate of ovulation (82% versus 43.1%, p < .001), more dominant follicles (p < .05), better endometrial thickness (p < .001), higher clinical pregnancy rate (36% versus 9.8%, p < .001), higher multiple pregnancy rate (p < .05), lesser adverse effects (p < .05) and higher acceptability (p < .001) compared to patients in the CC and metformin arm. In conclusion; letrozole is better and more acceptable than combined CC and metformin for inducing ovulation in patients with CC-resistant PCOS with higher clinical pregnancy rate and unexpectedly higher multiple pregnancy rate.
The bioavailability to humans of ascorbic acid from oranges, orange juice and cooked broccoli is similar to that of synthetic ascorbic acid.

The relative bioavailability of ascorbic acid from several sources was compared in 68 male non-smokers. Subjects underwent two 8-wk ascorbic acid depletion-repletion cycles. In repletion, subjects were randomized to receive 108 mg/d ascorbic acid as tablets with or without iron, as orange segments or juice, or as raw or cooked broccoli with a crossover within each major treatment group (e.g., cooked to raw broccoli) for the second repletion. Relative ascorbic acid bioavailability was estimated based on the slope obtained from linear regression of plasma ascorbic acid on time during each repletion. In the first repletion, slopes for all groups were similar except for the group consuming raw broccoli (20% lower response, P < 0.01). Second repletion responses were attenuated, but were similar to the first repletion. Ascorbic acid ingested as cooked broccoli, orange juice or fruit, or in synthetic form seems to be equally bioavailable. The lower relative bioavailability of ascorbic acid from raw broccoli is unlikely to be of practical importance in mixed diets.
A miRNA-based classification of renal cell carcinoma subtypes by PCR and in situ hybridization

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) constitutes an array of morphologically and genetically distinct tumors the most prevalent of which are clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe RCC. Accurate distinction between the typically benign-behaving renal oncocytoma and RCC subtypes is a frequent challenge for pathologists. This is critical for clinical decision making. Subtypes also have different survival outcomes and responses to therapy. We extracted RNA from ninety formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues (27 clear cell, 29 papillary, 19 chromophobe, 4 unclassified RCC and 11 oncocytomas). We quantified the expression of six miRNAs (miR-221, miR-222, miR-126, miR-182, miR-200b and miR-200c) by qRT-PCR, and by in situ hybridization in an independent set of tumors. We developed a two-step classifier. In the first step, it uses expression of either miR-221 or miR-222 to distinguish the clear cell and papillary subtypes from chromophobe RCC and oncocytoma (miR-221 AUC: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.9132–1.014, p < 0.0001 and miR-222 AUC: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.8478–0.9772, p < 0.0001). In the second step, it uses miR-126 to discriminate clear cell from papillary RCC (AUC: 1, p < 0.0001) and miR-200b to discriminate chromophobe RCC from oncocytoma (AUC: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.8933–1.021, p < 0.0001). In situ hybridization showed a nuclear staining pattern. miR-126, miR-222 and miR-200b were significantly differentially expressed between the subtypes by in situ hybridization. miRNA expression could distinguish RCC subtypes and oncocytoma. miRNA expression assessed by either PCR or in situ hybridization can be a clinically useful diagnostic tool to complement morphologic renal tumor classification, improving diagnosis and patient management.