Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The U‐shaped association between body mass index and gastric cancer risk in the Helicobacter pylori Biomarker Cohort Consortium: A nested case–control study from eight East Asian cohort studies

The association between body mass index (BMI) and noncardia gastric cancer (NCGC) risk remains controversial. The purpose of our study was to examine the association of BMI with NCGC risk with consideration of Helicobacter pylori (HP) biomarkers. This international nested case–control study, composed of 1,591 incident NCGC cases and 1,953 matched controls, was established from eight cohorts in China, Japan and Korea, where the majority of NCGCs are diagnosed worldwide. HP antibody biomarkers were measured in blood collected at cohort enrollment by multiplex serology. The NCGC risk according to baseline BMI was estimated using logistic regression to produce odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We found a U‐shaped association between BMI category and NCGC risk. Compared to those with reference BMI (22.6–25.0 kg/m2), those with lower and higher BMI had an increased NCGC risk (BMI <18.5 kg/m2, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.04–2.34; BMI >27.5 kg/m2, OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.15–1.91; adjusted for age, sex and smoking). The U‐shaped association was persistent among subjects with HP infection and high‐risk biomarkers (HP+ CagA+: BMI <18.5 kg/m2, OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.00–2.55; BMI >27.5 kg/m2, OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.21–2.11; and Omp+ HP0305+: BMI <18.5 kg/m2, OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.04–3.42; BMI >27.5 kg/m2, OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.20–2.42, respectively). Our study provides evidence of significantly increased NCGC risk among individuals with low or high BMI, including in subjects with high‐risk HP biomarkers (HP+ CagA+, Omp+ HP0305+) in the high‐risk area of East Asia.
Having breast reconstruction post-mastectomy: barriers and facilitators reported by Vietnamese- versus English-speaking women with breast cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: Little is known about the experience of women of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in relation to breast reconstruction following mastectomy as treatment for their breast cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influenced Vietnamese- and English-speaking women’s decisions about breast reconstruction post-mastectomy for their breast cancer, in Australia. Design: The participants in this study comprised of Vietnamese-speaking women of Vietnamese heritage, and English-speaking women from mixed ethnicities (Vietnamese included). In this qualitative study, Vietnamese-speaking and English-speaking women who had breast cancer treated by mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction participated in in-depth interviews. Interviews were undertaken in the woman’s chosen language (Vietnamese or English), audio-recorded, transcribed/translated and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fourteen Vietnamese-speaking and 13 English-speaking patients were recruited. Participants identified age, lack of information, concerns regarding surgical procedure, fears about complications and cancer recurrence as barriers to breast reconstruction. Many more Vietnamese-speaking participants identified lack of information about breast reconstruction as a barrier compared to English-speaking participants. Both groups described the ability to wear clothing of their choice, partner influence, and the need to feel ‘normal’ as facilitators to having breast reconstruction. Vietnamese-speaking participants in particular identified doctor recommendation of breast reconstruction as a major facilitator. Conclusion: Lack of information about reconstruction was a persistent theme, though it was identified by more Vietnamese women as a barrier to having breast reconstruction. The results reinforce the importance of doctors’ recommendations in helping particularly the Vietnamese women make an informed decision about reconstruction following mastectomy as treatment for their breast cancer.
Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of Ziziphus jujuba prevent acute hypertension induced by angiotensin II in rats.

BACKGROUND Antihypertensive effect of Ziziphus jujube (ZJ) has been reported previously. OBJECTIVE The present study investigates the effect of two ethyl acetate (polar and semi-polar compound) and aqueous fractions (polar compound) of ZJ on cardiovascular parameters in acute hypertension induced by angiotensin II(AngII). METHODS Rats randomly were divided into as following groups (n=7 in each group): Control, AngII (50 ng/kg), Losartan (Los, 30 mg/kg) + AngII, ethyl acetate fraction (EA150 and EA300 mg/kg) + AngII and aqueous fraction (A150 and A300 mg/kg) + AngII. Treated rats received Los and ZJ fractions for four weeks orally and in experiment day (28th) received AngII intravenously. In all groups' systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded throughout the experiment after cannulation of femoral artery via power lab system. RESULTS In AngII group SBP and MAP significantly increased (P<0.001) and HR decreased compared to the control. The SBP and MAP in both doses (150 and 300 mg/kg) of two fractions significantly were reduced in comparison with the AngII group (P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively). Bradycardia induced by AngII also decreased so was not significant than control. Comparison the effects of two fractions revealed that both fractions reduced cardiovascular responses induced by AngII but ethyl acetate is more effective than aqueous fraction. CONCLUSION This study indicates that the both fractions of the ZJ extract have beneficial effect on AngII hypertensive in rat. Because the most compounds of two fractions are polar, we suggested that antihypertensive effects of ZJ is mediated by polar compounds.
Ellisras Longitudinal Study 2017: patterns of physical activity in an urban and rural setting among black South African adults (ELS 23).

BACKGROUND Understanding patterns of physical activity among adults can lead to targeted approaches to improve activity levels in the African population. This study aimed to determine whether age, gender, location and employment status could predict physical activity among rural and urban South African adults, and to determine the participants' risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS A cross-sectional design was conducted on 319 participants of mean age 57 ± 10.43 years. Participants were sampled using a stratified random-sampling procedure from an urban township in Langa, Western Cape Province, and a rural township in Mt Frere, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A researcher-generated questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and physical activity data. Linear regression analysis was used to test predictive relationships. RESULTS Gender and geographical location were significant predictors (p = 0.001) of physical activity. Rural participants engaged more in physical activity (91.5%) than urban participants (84.2%) and were more likely to meet the physical activity recommendations to promote cardiovascular fitness (p = 0.000). The most frequent physical activities in rural participants were walking (15.4%), household chores (18.8%) and household chores + gardening (15.4%). The most frequent physical activities in urban participants were household chores (34.2%), and household chores + walking (33.7%). In terms of duration of physical activity, rural participants spent longer periods engaging in activities lasting up to two hours (21.4%), compared to 5.9% in urban participants (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS Gender and geographical location were significant predictors of physical activity among black South African adults. Overall, rural adults engaged in more physical activity than urban-dwelling adults. Males also engaged in more physical activity and at a higher intensity than females. Most rural participants met the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations for cardiovascular fitness and therefore were at minimal risk for developing CVD compared to their urban counterparts.
Localization of YAP activity in developing skeletal rudiments is responsive to mechanical stimulation

Normal skeletal development, in particular ossification, joint formation and shape features of condyles, depends on appropriate mechanical input from embryonic movement but it is unknown how such physical stimuli are transduced to alter gene regulation. Hippo/Yes‐Associated Protein (YAP) signalling has been shown to respond to the physical environment of the cell and here we specifically investigate the YAP effector of the pathway as a potential mechanoresponsive mediator in the developing limb skeleton.
Measuring the effects of ketamine on mGluR5 using [18F]FPEB and PET

The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is a promising treatment target for psychiatric disorders due to its modulatory effects on glutamate transmission. Using [11C]ABP688, we previously showed that the rapidly acting antidepressant ketamine decreases mGluR5 availability. The mGluR5 radioligand [18F]FPEB offers key advantages over [11C]ABP688; however, its suitability for drug challenge studies is unknown. We evaluated whether [18F]FPEB can be used to capture ketamine-induced effects on mGluR5. Seven healthy subjects participated in three [18F]FPEB scans: a baseline, a same-day post-ketamine, and a 24-h post-ketamine scan. The outcome measure was VT/fP, obtained using a two-tissue compartment model and a metabolite-corrected arterial input function. Dissociative symptoms, heart rate and blood pressure increased following ketamine infusion. [18F]FPEB VT/fP decreased by 9% across the cortex after ketamine infusion, with minimal difference between baseline and 24-h scans. Compared to our previous work using [11C]ABP688, the magnitude of the ketamine-induced change in mGluR5 was smaller using [18F]FPEB; however, effect sizes were similar for the same-day post-ketamine vs. baseline scan (Cohen’s d = 0.75 for [18F]FPEB and 0.88 for [11C]ABP688). [18F]FPEB is therefore able to capture some of the effects of ketamine on mGluR5, but [11C]ABP688 appears to be more suitable in drug challenge paradigms designed to probe glutamate transmission.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients and their Potential Role in the Immune Landscape

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but knowledge on gene mutations that contribute to NSCLC development and persistence is lacking. In this study, we investigated genetic variations in EGFR and their association with the clinical and pathological factors of NSCLC. Material/Methods Clinical cases (331 patients) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cases (1040 patients) were selected and analyzed using the refractory mutation systems cBioPortal and the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Results EGFR mutation frequencies were 54.4% (180 of 331 patients) and 8.0% (83 of 1040 patients) in the clinical and TCGA cohorts, respectively. EGFR mutations were strongly associated with smoking and pathology (P≤0.05) in the clinical cohort, and with gender, smoking, and pathology (P=0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively) in TCGA cohort. In cases of lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC), EGFR was overexpressed as a result of DNA amplification, but this amplified expression showed no association with the overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival of LUSC patients. EGFR gene alterations were, however, associated with worse OS in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Immune cell infiltrates from LUAD and LUSC tumors differed according to EGFR expression. EGFR mutations resulted in a decline of immune infiltration or a lack of infiltrating immune cells in the NSCLC microenvironment. Conclusions Mutational profiles of the EGFR in NSCLC patients provide useful information for the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and immunotherapy.
Spatio-Temporal Variation of Gender-Specific Hypertension Risk: Evidence from China

Previous studies which have shown the existence of gender disparities in hypertension risks often failed to take into account the participants’ spatial and temporal information. In this study, we explored the spatio-temporal variation for gender-specific hypertension risks in not only single-disease settings but also multiple-disease settings. From the longitudinal data of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 70,374 records of 21,006 individuals aged 12 years and over were selected for this study. Bayesian B-spline techniques along with the Besag, York, and Mollie (BYM) model and the Shared Component Model (SCM) model were then used to construct the spatio-temporal models. Our study found that the prevalence of hypertension in China increased from 11.7% to 34.5% during 1991 and 2015, with a higher rate in males than that in females. Moreover, hypertension was found mainly clustered in spatially adjacent regions, with a significant high-risk pattern in Eastern and Central China while a low-risk pattern in Western China, especially for males. The spatio-temporal variation of hypertension risks was associated with regional covariates, such as age, overweight, alcohol consumption, and smoking, with similar effects of age shared by both genders whereas gender-specific effects for other covariates. Thus, gender-specific hypertension prevention and control should be emphasized in the future in China, especially for the elderly population, overweight population, and females with a history of alcohol consumption and smoking who live in Eastern China and Central China.
Prosthetic push-off power in trans-tibial amputee level ground walking: A systematic review

Objective Unilateral trans-tibial amputation signifies a challenge to locomotion. Prosthetic ankle-foot units are developed to mimic the missing biological system which adapts push-off power to walking speed in some new prosthetic ankle-foot designs. The first systematic review including the two factors aims to investigate push-off power differences among Solid Ankle Cushion Heel (SACH), Energy Storage And Return (ESAR) and Powered ankle-foot units (PWR) and their relation to walking speed. Data sources A literature search was undertaken in the Web of Science, PubMed, IEEE xplore, and Google Scholar databases. The search term included: ampu* AND prosth* AND ankle-power AND push-off AND walking. Study appraisal and synthesis methods Studies were included if they met the following criteria: unilateral trans-tibial amputees, lower limb prosthesis, reported analysis of ankle power during walking. Data extracted from the included studies were clinical population, type of the prosthetic ankle-foot units (SACH, ESAR, PWR), walking speed, and peak ankle power. Linear regression was used to determine whether the push-off power of different prosthetic ankle-foot units varied regarding walking speed. Push-off power of the different prosthetic ankle-foot units were compared using one-way between subjects’ ANOVAs with post hoc analysis, separately for slower and faster walking speeds. Results 474 publications were retrieved, 28 of which were eligible for inclusion. Correlations between walking speed and peak push-off power were found for ESAR (r = 0.568, p = 0.006) and PWR (r = 0.820, p = 0.000) but not for SACH (r = 0.267, p = 0.522). ESAR and PWR demonstrated significant differences in push-off power for slower and faster walking speeds (ESAR (p = 0.01) and PWR (p = 0.02)). Conclusion Push-off power can be used as a selection criterion to differentiate ankle-foot units for prosthetic users and their bandwidth of walking speeds.
Reiber’s Diagram for Kappa Free Light Chains: The New Standard for Assessing Intrathecal Synthesis?

Oligoclonal bands are the gold standard for determination of an intrathecal immunoglobulin G synthesis and were recently included in the McDonald criteria of 2017 to diagnose relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) as a substitute for dissemination in time. Intrathecally produced kappa free light chains (KFLC) are a novel promising biomarker with similar characteristics and the advantage for automated determination. However, different approaches exist to determine the intrathecal KFLC fraction. The most common method is to calculate the CSF/serum KFLC quotient with reference to the albumin CSF/serum quotient (QKappa/QAlb) the so-called KFLC index. Recently, Reiber developed a theoretically and empirically founded hyperbolic function similar to his traditional hyperbolic function for the immunoglobulins A, G, M. Our study included a total of 168 patients with either MS according to the McDonald criteria of 2017, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) with conversion to MS during follow-up, or stable CIS. Positive oligoclonal bands were compared with the KFLC index, Reiber’s KFLC diagram, Presslauer’s KFLC exponential curve, and Senel’s linear curve for KFLC. Reiber’s diagram detected an intrathecal production of KFLC in 98/100 patients with MS, only one patient fewer than oligoclonal bands positivity (99/100). By using the KFLC index ≥ 5.9, Presslauer’s KFLC exponential function, and Senel’s linear curve two more patients would not have been identified (96/100). For the group of patients who converted from CIS to MS similar results were obtained for both the oligoclonal bands and the Reiber graph (21/24, 88%). The KFLC index ≥ 5.9, Presslauer’s method, and Senel’s linear function each identified two patients fewer (19/24, 79%). In patients with stable CIS, 11/44 patients (25%) displayed oligoclonal bands in contrast to 9/44 patients (20%) with elevated KFLC by using Reiber’s diagram and Presslauer’s method, 8/44 patients (18%) with elevated KFLC as detected by Senel’s linear function, and 7/44 patients (16%) with KFLC index ≥ 5.9. In conclusion, Reiber’s KFLC diagram shows a great diagnostic performance to detect an intrathecal KFLC production in patients with MS.
Near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy tracks changes in oxygen delivery and utilization during exercise with and without isolated arterial compression.

Near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy (NIR-DCS) is an emerging technology for simultaneous measurement of skeletal muscle microvascular oxygen delivery and utilization during exercise. The extent to which NIR-DCS can track acute changes in oxygen delivery and utilization has not yet been fully established. To address this knowledge gap, 14 healthy males performed rhythmic handgrip exercise at 30% maximal voluntary contraction, with and without isolated brachial artery compression; designed to acutely reduce convective oxygen delivery to the exercising muscle. Radial artery blood flow (Duplex Ultrasound) and NIR-DCS derived variables (blood flow index [BFI], tissue oxygen saturation [StO2], and metabolic rate of oxygen [MRO2]) were simultaneously measured. During exercise, both radial artery blood flow (+51.6 ± 20.3 ml/min) and DCS-derived BFI (+155.0 ± 82.2%) increased significantly (p < 0.001), while StO2 decreased -7.9 ± 6.2% (p = 0.002) from rest. Brachial artery compression during exercise caused a significant reduction in both radial artery blood flow (-32.0 ± 19.5 ml/min, p = 0.001) and DCS-derived BFI (-57.3 ± 51.1%, p = 0.01) and a further reduction of StO2 (-5.6 ± 3.8%, p = 0.001) compared to exercise without compression. MRO2 was not significantly reduced during arterial compression (p = 0.83) due to compensatory reductions in StO2, driven by increases in deoxyhemoglobin/myoglobin (+7.1 ± 6.1 μM, p = 0.01; an index of oxygen extraction). Together, these proof-of-concept data help to further validate NIR-DCS as an effective tool to assess the determinants of skeletal muscle oxygen consumption at the level of the microvasculature during exercise.
Experience with Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Achalasia and Spastic Esophageal Motility Disorders at a Tertiary U.S. Center

Background/Aims Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel procedure for the treatment of achalasia and spastic esophageal disorders. Experience with POEM is limited, but its reported outcomes are excellent. It is deemed safe even for patients with prior interventions. Methods This retrospective review included patients who underwent POEM at a tertiary US center. POEM was performed in a multidisciplinary approach by advanced endoscopists and foregut surgeons. Clinical success was defined as a post-POEM Eckardt score ≤3. Results A total of 125 patients were included. Median follow-up period was 18 months (interquartile range, 10–22 months). Clinical success was achieved in 92% of patients and persisted at 12 months in 88% of patients. Mucosal barrier failure (MBF) occurred in 7 patients, 2 of whom required surgical intervention. MBF was more common in patients with prior laparoscopic Heller myotomy (19% vs. 3%, p=0.015). MBF requiring surgical intervention occurred early in the learning curve. Conclusions POEM is safe and effective in the treatment of achalasia and spastic esophageal disorders even after failed prior interventions.
17β-estradiol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and Warburg effect in cervical cancer cells allow cell survival under metabolic stress

Mitochondria from different types of cancer show bioenergetics and dysfunction that favor cell proliferation. The mechanistic understanding of estrogen in cervical cancer is poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how 17β-estradiol (E2) affects mitochondrial function and the Warburg effect in SiHa, HeLa and C33A cervical cancer cells. Mitochondrial compromise was evaluated measuring changes in the membrane permeability by immunofluorescence, calcium concentration, redox status, iron and ferritin reserves. Glucose consumption and lactic acid assays were used to detect the metabolic activity. Results were confirmed at molecular level by analysis of the differential gene expression using RNA sequencing. E2 modified the mitochondrial permeability and produced an alteration in the calcium signaling pathway. In HeLa and SiHa, there was a significant decrease in nitric oxide levels and lipid peroxidation, and an increase in glucose consumption and lactic acid levels when stimulated with E2. Intracellular iron or ferritin reserves were not affected by the E2 treatment. Genes differentially modulated by E2 were involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation system, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and the regulation of metabolic signaling pathways. Herein, we provide evidence for a primary effect of estrogen on mitochondrial function and the Warburg effect, favoring the metabolic adaptation of the cervical cancer cell lines and their survival.
Autophagy in Myelinating Glia

Autophagy is the cellular process involved in transportation and degradation of membrane, proteins, pathogens, and organelles. This fundamental cellular process is vital in development, plasticity, and response to disease and injury. Compared with neurons, little information is available on autophagy in glia, but it is paramount for glia to perform their critical responses to nervous system disease and injury, including active tissue remodeling and phagocytosis. In myelinating glia, autophagy has expanded roles, particularly in phagocytosis of mature myelin and in generating the vast amounts of membrane proteins and lipids that must be transported to form new myelin. Notably, autophagy plays important roles in removing excess cytoplasm to promote myelin compaction and development of oligodendrocytes, as well as in remyelination by Schwann cells after nerve trauma. This review summarizes the cell biology of autophagy, detailing the major pathways and proteins involved, as well as the roles of autophagy in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes in development, plasticity, and diseases in which myelin is affected. This includes traumatic brain injury, Alexander's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hypoxia, multiple sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia, and others. Promising areas for future research are highlighted.