Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Mendelian Randomization Study

Results Risk of IHD and MI increased stepwise with increasing nonfasting glucose levels. The hazard ratio for IHD in subjects with nonfasting glucose levels 11 mmol/l ( 198 mg/dl) versus 5 mmol/l ( 90 mg/dl) was 6.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2 to 11.2) adjusted for age and sex, and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3 to 4.2) adjusted multifactorially; corresponding values for MI were 9.2 (95% CI: 4.6 to 18.2) and 4.8 (95% CI: 2.1 to 11.2). Increasing number of glucose-increasing alleles was associated with increasing nonfasting glucose levels and with increased risk of IHD and MI. The estimated causal odds ratio for IHD and MI by instrumental variable analysis for a 1-mmol/l (18-mg/dl) increase in nonfasting glucose levels due to genotypes combined were 1.25 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.52) and 1.69 (95% CI: 1.28 to 2.23), and the corresponding observed hazard ratio for IHD and MI by Cox regression was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.15 to 1.22) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.11), respectively.
Phenotypic Variations in the Foliar Chemical Profile of Persea americana Mill. cv. Hass

The Hass avocado tree Persea americana cv. Hass was derived from a single hybrid tree of P. americana var. drymifolia and P. americana var. guatemalensis, and it is propagated clonally by grafting. This cultivar is the most widely planted in the world but its profile of secondary metabolites has been studied rarely despite of its importance in plant protection. We illustrate the variability of the volatilome of mature leaves by describing the average chemical composition and the phenotypic variability found in 70 trees. Contrary to the uniformity expected in the Hass cultivar, high variability coefficients were found for most of the 36 detected foliar volatile compounds; furthermore we found six chemotypes grouping the foliar phenotypes of the sampled trees using hierarchical cluster analysis. About 48% of trees were grouped in one chemotype; five chemotypes grouped the remaining trees. The compounds that determined these chemotypes were: estragole, α‐farnesene, β‐caryophyllene, germacrene D, α‐cubebene and eugenol. This striking variation in a cultivar propagated clonally is discussed in terms of somatic mutation.
Development of a diagnostic PCR assay for the detection and discrimination of four pathogenic .Eimeria species of the chicken.

We describe a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for the detection, identification and differentiation of pathogenic species of . Eimeria in poultry. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from . Eimeria acervulina, E. brunetti, E. necatrix and . E. tenella were sequenced and regions of unique sequences identified. Four pairs of oligonucleotide primers, each designed to amplify the ITS1 region of a single . Eimeria species, were synthesised for use in the PCR assay. In tests on purified genomic DNA from all seven species of . Eimeria that infect the chicken, each of the four primer pairs amplified the ITS1 region from only their respective target species. The robustness of the approach was further demonstrated by the amplification of specific DNA fragments from tissues of experimentally infected animals and from oocysts recovered from field samples. We conclude that the ITS1 regions of . Eimeria species contain sufficient inter-specific sequence variation to enable the selection of primers that can be applied in PCR analyses to detect and differentiate between species. In future work they may provide excellent markers for epidemiological studies.
Tobacco smoking patterns and differential food effects on prostate and breast cancers among smokers and nonsmokers in Córdoba, Argentina

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of diet on prostate and breast cancer (PC and BC) risks in smokers and nonsmokers and to explore the effect modification between smoking and dietary patterns. PC or BC incidence rates were assessed spatially according to tobacco exposure, age-adjusted standardization using lung cancer mortality as a proxy. Two case–control studies were carried out in Argentina (2008–2012). Participants were interviewed about their diet, smoking habits, and other lifestyle factors. Multilevel models were fitted including family history of cancer as the random intercept for the second level, and diet and lifestyle variables as covariates. Tobacco exposure was aggregated spatially. Family history of cancer significantly accounts for PC and BC. In smokers, high intake of fat meat increased PC and BC risks [odds ratio (OR) 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81–3.05 and OR 6.01, 95% CI 1.99–8.19, respectively]. PC and BC risks were also greater in smokers with high intakes of fatty foods (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.09–3.50 and OR 24.2, 95% CI 0.82–7.21, respectively). Moderate intake of nonstarchy vegetables and risk of PC were inversely associated in nonsmokers (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.20–1.48). In smoker women, BC risk was associated with sweet drink consumption (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.10–7.92) and ethanol intake (OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.88–14.16). Spatial distributions of cancer incidence rates match those of tobacco exposure. Differential effects of diet on PC and BC risks were found in smokers and nonsmokers.
An evidence-based assessment for the association between long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution and the risk of lung cancer

Although outdoor air pollution has been identified as carcinogenic to humans, the magnitude of the relative risk (RR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for lung cancer in relation to outdoor air pollution remain uncertain. On a global scale, we quantified the risk of lung cancer associated with long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution using a meta-analytic approach. Relevant cohort studies from two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) through 31 May 2014 were searched, and a total of 21 cohort studies were identified in the analysis. The risk of lung cancer mortality or morbidity increased 7.23 (95% CI: 1.48–13.31)%/10 &mgr;g/m3 increase in fine particles (PM2.5), 13.17 (95% CI: 5.57–21.30)%/10 parts per billion (ppb) increase in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.14–1.49)%/10 ppb increase in nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 14.76 (95% CI: 1.04–30.34)%/10 ppb increase in sulfur dioxide (SO2). These positive associations remained when analysis was restricted to never-smokers or studies with high methodological quality, and showed no difference by sex. In addition, the association of fine particles with lung cancer was suggestively stronger among never-smokers (RR per each 10 &mgr;g/m3=1.18, 95% CI: 1.06–1.32). There was a null association for carbon monoxide and ozone. Our study indicated that long-term exposure to PM2.5, NO2, NOx, and SO2 may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Although the magnitude of the RR is relatively small, our finding, if validated, may be of public health importance because a large proportion of the population is exposed to air pollution globally.
Avaliação tecnológica e análise custo-efetividade em saúde: a incorporação de tecnologias e a produção de diretrizes clínicas para o SUS

Este trabalho discute o papel da avaliacao tecnologica, e da analise custo-efetividade em particular, no planejamento e gerencia da difusao e incorporacao (financiamento) de tecnologias de saude, com base em evidencias cientificas, no SUS. Explicita o papel da avaliacao tecnologica na elaboracao de diretrizes clinicas baseadas nas evidencias cientificas, importantes na melhoria da qualidade e eficiencia da atencao no SUS. Introduz os objetivos, requerimentos e limitacoes de metodologias utilizadas pela avaliacao tecnologica para a analise e sintese do conhecimento relativo aos efeitos sobre a saude e outras implicacoes do uso das tecnologias. Enfatiza a importância, para a analise custo-efetividade, da evidencia relativa ao beneficio, da utilizacao do custo economico (incremental), ao inves do custo contabil, e da explicitacao do(s) ponto(s) de vista da analise. E apresentada uma analise preliminar dos processos de difusao e incorporacao de tecnologias/procedimentos no SUS, apontando-se as possibilidades do aperfeicoamento desses processos, bem como do processo de elaboracao de diretrizes de conduta clinica, a partir da implementacao de atividades de avaliacao tecnologica adequadamente elaboradas, tomando os pontos de vista do governo e da sociedade.
Chaetochromones A – C, Three New Polyketides from Mangrove Plant Derived Endophytic Fungus Phomopsis sp. SCSIO 41006

Three new polyketides, chaetochromones A – C (1 – 3), together with a chromone (4), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of mangrove‐derived fungus Phomopsis sp. SCSIO 41006. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR). The absolute configurations of the new compounds were established by CD data.
Bile acids upregulate BRCA1 and downregulate estrogen receptor 1 gene expression in ovarian cancer cells

Two major risk factors for ovarian cancer include loss-of-function mutations in the BRCA1 (breast cancer 1, early onset) gene and aspects of estrogen metabolism. Modulation of the levels of the normal BRCA1 allele and estrogen receptor expression may therefore be a preventive strategy. Consensus binding motifs for the bile acid-responsive transcription factor farnesoid X receptor were identified in the BRCA1 and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) genes, supported by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data. Two major bile acids, deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), resulted in a greater than four-fold induction of BRCA1 transcript levels at 10 &mgr;mol/l and a greater than six-fold induction at 50 &mgr;mol/l relative to untreated control OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells. Conversely, CDCA and DCA at 10 &mgr;mol/l resulted in about a 75% decrease in ESR1 expression in response to 10 &mgr;mol/l CDCA and DCA and close to 90% reduction with 50 &mgr;mol/l CDCA and DCA. Bile acids had no effects on ESR2 gene transcript levels. The inverse regulation of BRCA1 and ESR1 gene expression in response to physiological levels of bile acids could have important implications for disease penetrance and chemoprevention strategies in carriers of BRCA1 mutations.
Screening with Otoacoustic Emissions beyond the Newborn Period

The use of otoacoustic emissions for the screening of hearing loss in newborns has proven to be quite successful. Because the identification of hearing loss is so important for infants and children beyond the newborn period, it is reasonable to consider the efficacy and utility of otoacoustic emission screening at all ages of childhood. In this article, overviews of the basic principles of screening and research related to otoacoustic emissions and their measurement in infants and young children are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the advantages and disadvantages of using oto-acoustic emissions to screen for hearing loss in what may be unfavorable environmental conditions and/or in a population characterized by a high prevalence of middle ear disease.
Adeno-associated virus infection and cervical neoplasia: is there a protective role against human papillomavirus-related carcinogenesis?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether adeno-associated virus (AAV) infection can be associated with a reduced risk for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical neoplasia. The study was a prospective descriptive analysis of the prevalence of AAV and HPV DNA sequences in women with and without neoplastic cervical lesions. The study population consisted of 373 women aged 19–65 years old who attended the outpatient colposcopy clinic of a tertiary university center. Cytologic and colposcopic examination, as well as AAV-DNA and HPV-DNA detection and typing were performed in all individuals; biopsies (histological verification) and treatment were performed as appropriate. Women with normal Papanicolaou smear test and normal colposcopic findings served as the control group (n=280). Those with histologically proven cervical pathology were categorized into three groups: (a) women with grade 1 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1) (n=31), (b) women with grades 2 and 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2, 3) (n=45), and (c) women with invasive cervical cancer (n=17). AAV infection was confirmed in 63 (16.80%) women. AAV detection was not statistically different between HPV (−) and HPV (+) controls (P=0.06). In the disease groups, however, the prevalence of AAV was statistically significantly lower in the HPV (+) relative to the HPV (−) patients (P=0.0009, P=0.00001, and P=0.0225, for women with low-grade cervical lesions, for women with high-grade cervical lesions, and for women with cervical cancer, respectively). No difference in the prevalence of AAV DNA between HPV-positive and HPV-negative unaffected (control) women is observed. Nevertheless, our results indicate that HPV-infected individuals are less likely to develop cervical neoplasia if AAV is present, and that AAV probably demonstrates a protective role against the pathogenic consequences of HPV infection.
Relation of glutathione S‐transferase T1, M1 and P1 genotypes and breast cancer risk

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between genetic variability in specific Glutathione S‐transferases (GST) genes (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) and susceptibility to breast cancer. Genotypes of blood specimen DNA were determined for 65 women with incident cases of breast cancer and 108 control subjects. Associations between specific genotypes and the development of breast cancer were examined by the use of logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Neither GSTT1 nor GSTM1 homozygous null genotype was associated with a significant increased risk of developing breast cancer. The presence of valine alleles compared to isoleucine alleles in codon 105 in GSTP1 did not increase the risk of breast cancer development. The risk of breast cancer associated with a combined GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype was 3.37 (95% CI = 0.76–2.95, p = 0.115). The only significant association between increased risk of breast cancer development and GSTs polymorphsims was found when GSTT1 null, GSTM1 null and the presence of valine in GSTP1 in codon 105 were combined (p < 0.048, OR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.01–13.90). Our findings suggest that combined genetic variability in members of the GST gene family may be associated with an increased susceptibility to breast cancer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved delay-dependent stability criteria for neutral-type systems with time-varying delays: a delayed decomposition approach

This paper discusses the neutral system with time-varying delay. Firstly, by developing a delayed decomposition approach and introducing integral inequality approach, the information of the delayed plant states can be taken into full consideration, and new delay-dependent sufficient stability criteria are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Then, based on the Lyapunov method, delay-dependent stability criteria are devised by taking the relationship between the terms in the Leibniz–Newton formula into account. The criteria are derived in terms of LMIs, which can be easily solved by using various convex optimization algorithms. Three illustrative numerical examples are given to show the less conservatism of our obtained results and the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Incidence and mortality by colorectal cancer in Spain during 1951–2006 and its relationship with behavioural factors

Incidence of colorectal cancer has steadily increased in both the sexes and across all age groups during the last decades in Spain, in contrast with other countries where incidence decreased during this period. This increase is more marked among men, probably due to a high exposure to risk factors such as smoking, heavy drinking, overweight and diabetes. Annual age-adjusted mortality rates have increased in Spain during the period 1951–2000, but from that time until 2006 these rates have kept steady in males and fallen in females. When analyzing the evolution of exposure to behavioural factors during this period, known as risk or protective factors for colorectal cancer in Spain, notorious increases in tobacco and alcohol consumption, red and processed meats intake and a decreased ingestion of vegetables, cereals and beans were observed. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, red meats, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruit were highly, positively correlated with colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, and cereals and beans consumption showed strong, negative correlations. At the same time and during this period, physical exercise decreased and overweight, obesity and diabetes mellitus notably increased. Certain changes in diet and lifestyle can be attributed to the growth in income during the last decades, but the lack and delay in implementing legislative and educational measures by the State and Regional Governments during decades cannot be ignored. In colorectal cancer, a minimal time span of 10–15 years is necessary for changes in exposure to risk factors to be able to modify the incidence of the tumour. Therefore, the implementation of more vigorous legislative and educational measures in Spain against smoking, heavy drinking, red meat intake, sedentary lifestyle, overweight and others reviewed in this study, is urgent.
Differential responses to oxidative stress and calcium influx on expression of the transforming growth factor‐β family in myoblasts and myotubes

Changes in gene expression of TGF‐β family members and their receptors in response to treatment with H2O2 and a calcium ionophore, A23187, were examined in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes. The expression of Myf5, an initial regulator of myogenesis, was increased by A23187, and H2O2 inhibited the up‐regulation of Myf5. Treatment with H2O2 decreased the expression of MHC IIb, a protein component of the myofibrils, irrespective of the presence of A23187, suggesting an inhibitory role of oxidative stress for myogenesis. Expression of ligands and receptors for the TGF‐β family was modulated in response to H2O2 and A23187. Treatment with H2O2 decreased expression of TGF‐β3, BMP‐4, ALK4, ALK5, and ActRIIB, and increased expression of inhibin α and inhibin βA in either the myoblast stage or the myotube stage, or both. A23187 potentiated down‐regulation of BMP‐4 and ALK4 expression, and up‐regulation of TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2, inhibin α, inhibin βA, ALK2, and ALK3 expression. These results indicate that oxidative stress and Ca2+ influx affect expression of the TGF‐β family in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Roughness and granularity measures using Hausdorff metric: a new approach

Measures for uncertainty due to approximation of sets in rough set theory are accuracy and roughness. In determining these quantities, the cardinality of a set is always used and never the numerical values of the attributes (if they exist) of elements in the sets. Therefore, distances between the exact set and the corresponding upper and lower approximations can give a better quantitative measure of the roughness. Here, we propose a measure based on Hausdorff metric which takes into account the distance between two sets, the exact set and its two approximations (lower and upper). Using this measure, we can quantify the uncertainty of a rough set based on the values in the domain of sample points but not on the basis of number of sample points. Also, we propose a new measure for granulation which is again based on the Hausdorff metric. The effectiveness of the proposed measures is demonstrated on a synthetic data.
Microparticles in physiological and in pathological conditions

Chronic diseases pose a severe burden to modern National Health Systems. Individuals nowadays have a far more extended lifespan than in the past, but healthy living was only scantily extended. As much as longer life is desirable, it is saddened by chronic diseases and organ malfunctions. One contributor to these problems was recognized to be represented by microparticles (MPs). Our purpose is to better understand MPs, to contrast their ominous threat and possible clinical importance. For this intent we correlated MPs with thrombotic pathologies, hemophilia, malaria, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, endothelial dysfunctions, pulmonary hypertension, ischemic stroke, pre‐eclampsia, rheumatologic diseases—rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis—dermatomyositis, angiogenesis and tumor progression—cancer; we listed the possibilities of using them to improve transfusion methods, as a marker for acute allograft rejection, in stem cell transplantation, as neuronal biomarkers, to understand gender‐specific susceptibility for diseases and to improve vaccination methods and we presented some methods for the detection of MPs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytoprotective effects of catechin 7‐O‐β‐D glucopyranoside against mitochondrial dysfunction damaged by streptozotocin in RINm5F cells

The protective effects of catechin 7‐O‐β‐D glucopyranoside (C7G) against streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced mitochondrial damage in rat pancreatic β‐cells (RINm5F) were investigated. A marked increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in STZ‐treated cells; this increase was restricted by C7G treatment. C7G also scavenged superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase (xanthine/XO) and the Fenton reaction (FeSO4 + H2O2), respectively. C7G restored activity and expression of both mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT), which were suppressed by STZ treatment. In addition, C7G prevented STZ‐induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, and DNA base modification. C7G restored the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) that was disrupted by STZ treatment, and prevented cell death via inhibition of apoptosis. These results suggest that C7G has a protective effect against STZ‐induced cell damage by its antioxidant effects and the attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a method to quantitatively monitor the effect of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase on tumour vascular activity using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography

This study was undertaken to develop a method to quantitatively monitor the effect of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on tumour vascular activity using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT). The DCE-CT studies were performed in 13 anaesthetized rats bearing tumours. To investigate the effect of NOS inhibition, N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) was intravenously administered in eight rats, while only the vehicle was administered in five rats. The contrast enhancement (CE) images were generated by subtracting the CT images before and after the administration of contrast agent. The tumour blood volume (TBV) images were also generated. The CE significantly decreased after L-NNA administration, while there were no significant changes when only the vehicle was administered. There was a good correlation between CE and TBV, suggesting that CE mainly reflects TBV. In conclusion, the present method appears to be useful for monitoring the effect of NOS inhibition on tumour vascular activity.