Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Receptor interacting protein kinase 3 is a critical early mediator of acetaminophen‐induced hepatocyte necrosis in mice

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a major cause of hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure in the U.S., but the pathophysiology is incompletely understood. Despite evidence for apoptotic signaling, hepatic cell death after APAP is generally considered necrotic in mice and in humans. Recent findings suggest that the receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) acts as a switch from apoptosis to necrosis (programmed necrosis). Thus, the aim of the current investigation was to determine if RIP3 is involved in APAP‐induced liver cell death. APAP (200‐300 mg/kg) caused glutathione depletion and protein adduct formation, oxidant stress, mitochondrial release of apoptosis inducing factor, and nuclear DNA fragmentation resulting in centrilobular necrosis in C57Bl/6J mice. Inhibiting RIP3 protein induction with antisense morpholinos in wild‐type animals or using RIP3‐deficient mice had no effect on protein adduct formation but attenuated all other parameters, including necrotic cell death, at 6 hours after APAP. In addition, cultured hepatocytes from RIP3‐deficient mice showed reduced injury compared to wild‐type cells after 24 hours. Interestingly, APAP‐induced mitochondrial translocation of dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1), the initiator of mitochondrial fission, was inhibited by reduced RIP3 protein expression and the Drp1 inhibitor MDIVI reduced APAP‐induced cell death at 24 hours. All of these protective effects were lost after 24 hours in vivo or 48 hours in vitro. Conclusion: RIP3 is an early mediator of APAP hepatotoxicity, involving modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidant stress. Controlling RIP3 expression could be a promising new approach to reduce APAP‐induced liver injury, but requires complementary strategies to control mitochondrial dysfunction for long‐term protection. (Hepatology 2013; 58:2099–2108)
Sirtuins: A Family of Proteins With Implications for Human Performance and Exercise Physiology

The sirtuin family of proteins consists of seven members in mammals (SirT1-T7). Sirtuins share NAD dependency for their enzymatic activity, but some show NAD-dependent deacetylase activity, others exhibit ADP ribosyltransferase activity or both. Sirtuins have gained considerable attention due to their impact as physiological targets for treating diseases associated with aging. Sirtuins interact with metabolic pathways and may serve as entry points for drugs. This review discusses the biology of sirtuins and their potential as mediators of caloric restriction and pharmacological targets. Reduced insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and others are consequences of aging or secondary to physical inactivity. Moreover, understanding human energy metabolism through sirtuins may provide a novel approach to exercise physiology. Quercetin, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid that has been widely investigated for its other health benefits, may act as an inducer of SirT1. The benefits of quercetin for exercise performance may have implications for athletes and extended to disease prevention.
The Effect of 1,000 Km Nonstop Cycling on Fat Mass and Skeletal Muscle Mass

We evaluated the change in body mass including fat mass and skeletal muscle mass in one ultracyclist whilst cycling 1,000 km in 48 hours at a constant intensity of ∼48% VO2max, corresponding to a heart rate frequency of ∼105 ± 5 bpm. A 1 kg fat mass decrease resulted, with the largest decrease occurring between the 12th and the 24th hour. No steady state in metabolism was observed and no regular decrease of subcutaneous adipose tissue resulted. This result is backed up by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) urine analysis. Body water increase with simultaneous dehydration is possibly due to endocrine-induced renal water retention, in order to maintain metabolism processes that are required for energy supply and blood flow during very prolonged exercise. Both applied methods, the anthropometric and the bioelectrical impedance analysis, analyse fluid accumulation—especially in the skinfolds of the lower extremities—apparently incorrectly as an increase in body mass and not as an increase in fluids.
Planning Skills Moderate the Intention–Planning Cognitions–Behaviour Relation: A Longitudinal Study on Physical Activity in Chinese Adolescents

Our objective is to examine the role of planning skills for translating intentions into physical activity via planning cognitions. A study with 534 adolescents was conducted. Over 4 weeks, intention, planning cognitions (prospective anticipation of when, where, and how to perform activities), planning skills (successful past planning experiences), and physical activity were assessed. The results were that skills correlated with intention, planning cognitions, and subsequent physical activity. Planning cognitions were found to mediate the intention–behavior relation, whereas skills moderated the mediating role of planning cognitions: If students reported high skills, they were more likely to translate their intentions into plans and behavior. We conclude that having more skills makes it more likely that adolescents successfully translate their intentions into plans. Promotion of physical activity should improve planning cognitions but also planning skills. Only with planning cognitions and skills might adolescents better be able to act in accordance with their intentions and perform physical activity.
Prevalência de asma e fatores de risco em escolares da cidade de São Paulo

OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalencia de asma e possiveis fatores de risco associados. METODOS: Estudo transversal, integrante do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Participaram 561 escolares de seis a sete anos de idade, provenientes de 35 escolas publicas da cidade de Sao Paulo, escolhidas por sorteio, em 2002. A amostra incluiu 168 asmaticos e 393 nao asmaticos, que responderam questionario constituido por 33 questoes referentes a dados pessoais, familiares e ambientais. A associacao entre asma e fatores de risco foi avaliada pela analise de regressao logistica, considerando-se nivel de significância estatistica de 5%. RESULTADOS: Entre os escolares, 31,2% referiam sibilos nos 12 meses anteriores a entrevista. Os fatores de risco significativamente associados a asma foram: sexo masculino (OR=2,4;IC 95%: 1,4;4,2), mae fumante no primeiro ano de vida (OR=2,0; IC 95%: 1,1;3,8), presenca de eczema em locais caracteristicos (OR=3,0; IC 95%:1,2; 7,6) e rinoconjuntivite (OR=2,4;IC 95%: 1,2; 4,8). CONCLUSOES: A prevalencia de asma na regiao estudada foi elevada e os fatores de risco relacionados foram: sexo masculino, sintomas de rinoconjuntivite no ultimo ano, mae fumante no primeiro ano de vida e presenca de eczema em locais caracteristicos.
Percentage Body Fat and Anthropometric Measures in Hong Kong Adolescents

This study investigates the associations between percentage body fat (%BF) and anthropometric parameters in adolescents of mixed weight status. Anthropometric parameters including height, weight, and waist circumference (WC), and %BF were assessed in 903 Hong Kong Chinese students (mean age 14.7 years). The calculated body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-stature ratio (WSR) were used to classify students into different weight status groups and central obesity groups, respectively. The %BF/BMI and %BF/WC relationships were examined by partial correlation coefficients and linear regression models. The %BF correlated significantly with BMI, except in underweight boys. BMI predicted %BF better (adjusted R 2: 0.40 in boys; 0.85 in girls) than WC (adjusted R 2: 0.34 in boys; 0.63 in girls) or WSR (adjusted R 2: 0.33 in boys; 0.60 in girls). In general, BMI predicts %BF better than WC or WSR in Hong Kong adolescents, but these relationships are sex and weight status specific.
Rebleeding prophylaxis improves outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. A multicenter case‐control study

Outcome of variceal bleeding (VB) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. We compared outcomes after VB in patients with and without HCC. All patients with HCC and esophageal VB admitted between 2007 and 2010 were included. Follow‐up was prolonged until death, transplantation, or June 2011. For each patient with HCC, a patient without HCC matched by age and Child‐Pugh class was selected. A total of 292 patients were included, 146 with HCC (Barcelona Classification of Liver Cancer class 0‐3 patients, A [in 25], B [in 29], C [in 45], and D [in 41]) and 146 without HCC. No differences were observed regarding previous use of prophylaxis, clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, and initial endoscopic treatment. Five‐day failure was similar (25% in HCC versus 18% in non‐HCC; P = 0.257). HCC patients had greater 6‐week rebleeding rate (16 versus 7%, respectively; P = 0.025) and 6‐week mortality (30% versus 15%; P = 0.003). Fewer patients with HCC received secondary prophylaxis after bleeding (77% versus 89%; P = 0.009), and standard combination therapy was used less frequently (58% versus 70%; P = 0.079). Secondary prophylaxis failure was more frequent (50% versus 31%; P = 0.001) and survival significantly shorter in patients with HCC (median survival: 5 months versus greater than 38 months in patients without HCC; P < 0.001). Lack of prophylaxis increased rebleeding and mortality. On multivariate analysis Child‐Pugh score, presence of HCC, portal vein thrombosis, and lack of secondary prophylaxis were predictors of death. Conclusions: Patients with HCC and VB have worse prognosis than patients with VB without HCC. Secondary prophylaxis offers survival benefit in HCC patients. (Hepatology 2013; 58:2079–2088)
Effective microorganism – X attenuates circulating superoxide dismutase following an acute bout of intermittent running in hot, humid conditions

This study determined the effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation on high-intensity exercise-heat stress. Six males completed a high-intensity running protocol twice in temperate conditions (TEMP; 20.4°C), and twice in hot conditions (HOT; 34.7°C). Trials were completed following7 days supplementation with 70 ml·day−1 effective microorganism-X (EM-X; TEMPEMX or HOTEMX) or placebo (TEMPPLA or HOTPLA). Plasma extracellular Hsp72 (eHsp72) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by ELISA. eHsp72 and SOD increased pre-post exercise (p < 0.001), with greater eHsp72 (p < 0.001) increases observed in HOT (+1.5 ng·ml−1) compared to TEMP (+0.8 ng·ml−1). EM-X did not influence eHsp72 (p > 0.05). Greater (p < 0.001) SOD increases were observed in HOT (+0.22 U·ml−1) versus TEMP (+0.10 U·ml−1) with SOD reduced in HOTEMX versus HOTPLA (p = 0.001). Physiological and perceptual responses were all greater (p < 0.001) in HOT versus TEMP conditions, with no difference followed EM-X (p > 0.05). EM-X supplementation attenuated the SOD increases following HOT, potentiating its application as an ergogenic aid to ameliorate oxidative stress.
Caregiver Burden and Satisfaction in Families of Individuals With Schizophrenia

BackgroundCaring for relatives with schizophrenia is complicated and has been associated with burden. Caregivers may also experience satisfaction, but these outcomes have not been simultaneously studied in family caregivers of relatives with schizophrenia. ObjectivesThe aim was to investigate the attributes of caregiver burden and satisfaction among individuals and families as well as the association of caregiver burden on caregiver satisfaction in the care of Taiwanese individuals with schizophrenia. MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design was used. A convenience sample of 140 families (243 individual family caregivers) was recruited from two psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan. Participants were interviewed individually to complete questionnaires regarding pileup of demands, sense of coherence, mutuality, caregiver burden, and caregiver satisfaction. Linear mixed modeling was used. ResultsFemale caregivers, greater family demands, decreased sense of coherence, and lower mutuality were associated with higher levels of caregiver burden, whereas being siblings or close relatives and being friends of the affected individuals were associated with lesser self-reported burden. Satisfaction was positively associated with caregiver age, sense of coherence, and mutuality. Burden and satisfaction were not significantly related. DiscussionCaring for family members with schizophrenia is burdensome but can also be a source of satisfaction. Correlates of caregiver burden appeared to be somewhat distinct from those of caregiver satisfaction. Further research on negative and positive aspects of caregiving is warranted to broaden the understanding of caregiving experiences and design therapeutic interventions to mitigate caregiver burden and enhance the sense of satisfaction with caregiving.
Kinesiology tape mediates soccer-simulated and local peroneal fatigue in soccer players

ABSTRACT To investigate the efficacy of kinesiology taping in mediating the influence of fatigue on ankle sprain risk, 12 male soccer players completed single-leg dynamic balance trials pre- and post-exercise (soccer-specific protocol, isokinetic ankle inversion/eversion protocol) in each of three counter-balanced taping conditions (no tape, zinc oxide tape ZO, kinesiology tape KT). Balance was quantified as the overall stability index (OSI) and directional stability indices of platform deflection. Soccer-specific fatigue only increased OSI in the no tape condition (p = 0.03), with ZO and KT trials negating a fatigue affect. Localized fatigue increased OSI in the no tape (p = 0.01) and ZO (p = 0.05) trials, with no increase in the KT trial. A similar pattern was observed in medio-lateral and anterio-posterior balance indices. KT mediates soccer-simulated and local peroneal fatigue, with practical implications for epidemiological observations of increased injury risk during the latter stages of match play.
Evaluation of Standard Beam Delivery Devices in Proton Radiosurgery

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the use of standard apertures and range shifters for the treatment of brain metastasis in proton stereotactic radiosurgery. Materials and Methods: Nine patients with localized brain metastasis who had been previously treated using our intracranial proton stereotactic radiosurgery procedure (ie, with a custom aperture and bolus) were randomly selected from our patient cohort. The custom aperture and bolus treatment plans were used as the standard of care in this case and comparative treatment plans using the standard aperture and range shifter concept were generated. Gantry/table angle and the number of treatment beams were optimized as part of this study to evaluate the ability of the standard aperture/range shifter system to deliver a comparable treatment to the patient. Conformity index, homogeneity index, isodose volumes, and integral dose were all evaluated to determine the degree of conformity of the plans created and for comparison to the custom aperture/bolus treatment.
Assessment of Pesticide Exposure Control Practices Among Men and Women on Fruit-Growing Farms in British Columbia

Exposure to pesticides can be reduced by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) or by implementing alternative pest control techniques, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted to explore the prevalence of these practices and the factors that may be associated with them among men and women involved in fruit growing in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Survey variables were developed using a framework that incorporated aspects of farm structure, health promotion, and risk perception theories. Three hundred and eighty people took part in the survey (response rate 75%). Of those who applied pesticides (n = 119), 63% indicated that they usually wore PPE during application. Individual equipment use varied. Gloves were worn most frequently (84%), followed by a spray suit (77%) and breathing protection (75%). Peer-related factors and farm-specific characteristics such as the type of crops grown were most strongly associated with PPE use, whereas perception of pesticide risk was only weakly associated with this practice. IPM techniques had been tried on 62% of the conventional farms in the study. A range of factors was significantly associated with the use of IPM, including cultural, attitudinal, experiential, and risk-based and farm-specific variables. These results suggest that decisions to adopt exposure control practices may reflect consideration from the multiple dimensions that make up farm life, including structural characteristics of the farm as well as the attributes of the individuals who live on farms. These findings provide a better understanding of current practices and may help in the development of programs to promote pesticide exposure control practices in the BC farming community.
Human CD14+CTLA‐4+ regulatory dendritic cells suppress T‐cell response by cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4‐dependent IL‐10 and indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase production in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with limited therapeutic options. HCC‐induced immunosuppression often leads to ineffectiveness of immuno‐promoting therapies. Currently, suppressing the suppressors has become the potential strategy for cancer immunotherapy. So, figuring out the immunosuppressive mechanisms induced and employed by HCC will be helpful to the design and application of HCC immunotherapy. Here, we identified one new subset of human CD14+CTLA‐4+ regulatory dendritic cells (CD14+DCs) in HCC patients, representing ∼13% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CD14+DCs significantly suppress T‐cell response in vitro through interleukin (IL)‐10 and indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO). Unexpectedly, CD14+DCs expressed high levels of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and programmed death‐1, and CTLA‐4 was found to be essential to IL‐10 and IDO production. So, we identified a novel human tumor‐induced regulatory DC subset, which suppresses antitumor immune response through CTLA‐4‐dependent IL‐10 and IDO production, thus indicating the important role of nonregulatory T‐cell‐derived CTLA‐4 in tumor‐immune escape or immunosuppression. Conclusions: These data outline one mechanism for HCC to induce systemic immunosuppression by expanding CD14+DCs, which may contribute to HCC progression. This adds new insight to the mechanism for HCC‐induced immunosuppression and may also provide a previously unrecognized target of immunotherapy for HCC. (Hepatology 2014;59:567–579)
Diacetyl Exposures in the Flavor Manufacturing Industry

Recently, worker exposures to diacetyl, a chemical used in the production of butter popcorn, has been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe lung disease. This chemical is also used in the flavor industry to confer a buttery flavor to many food products, with more than 228,000 pounds used in 2005. Diacetyl exposures were monitored at 16 small-to medium-sized flavor facilities to determine potential diacetyl exposures. A total of 181 diacetyl samples (both personal and area samples) were obtained, and a number of real-time samples were collected using an IR spectrometer. Samples were obtained during liquid and powder compounding operations at the facilities as well as during laboratory and QC operations. The personal and area samples ranged from non-detectable (<0.02 ppm) to as high as 60 ppm. Ninety-two (51%) of the samples were below the limit of detection, and the mean diacetyl concentration for all processes was 1.80 ppm. Mean diacetyl levels during powder operations were generally higher (4.24 ppm) than mean diacetyl levels during liquid operations (2.02 ppm). Maximum real-time diacetyl exposures during powder operations could reach as high as 525 ppm. These results are similar to exposures measured by NIOSH in popcorn facilities where lung disease was found; however, the duration of use and frequency of use may be significantly lower.
Extrahepatic complications of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, and is strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome. In the last decade, it has become apparent that the clinical burden of NAFLD is not restricted to liver‐related morbidity or mortality, and the majority of deaths in NAFLD patients are related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. These findings have fuelled concerns that NAFLD may be a new, and added risk factor for extrahepatic diseases such as CVD, chronic kidney disease (CKD), colorectal cancer, endocrinopathies (including type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] and thyroid dysfunction), and osteoporosis. In this review we critically appraise key studies on NAFLD‐associated extrahepatic disease. There was marked heterogeneity between studies in study design (cross‐sectional versus prospective; sample size; presence/absence of well‐defined controls), population (ethnic diversity; community‐based versus hospital‐based cohorts), and method of NAFLD diagnosis (liver enzymes versus imaging versus biopsy). Taking this into account, the cumulative evidence to date suggests that individuals with NAFLD (specifically, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) harbor an increased and independent risk of developing CVD, T2DM, CKD, and colorectal neoplasms. We propose future studies are necessary to better understand these risks, and suggest an example of a screening strategy. (Hepatology 2014;59:1174–1197)
Systematic Literature Review of Uses and Levels of Occupational Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene has been one of the most widely used chlorinated solvents in the United States. This review provides a basis for tetrachloroethylene exposure assessment in population-based case-control studies. We performed literature searches in MEDLINE, TOXLINE, NIOSHTIC, and the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation databases using relevant search terms. We calculated weighted arithmetic means from the measurement data and compiled these into three summary tables by type of operation: (1) dry cleaning, (2) degreasing, and (3) other operations. We identified 258 relevant documents, of which 179 (69%) contained useful descriptive information. Within the dry cleaning industry, the overall arithmetic mean (AM) for personal tetrachloroethylene exposures was 59 ppm (range: 0–4636, n = 1395). Machine operators who transferred wet garments to a dryer had the highest levels (AM = 150 ppm [range: 0–1000, n = 441]) of the jobs in this industry. The AM for personal measurements associated with degreasing was 95 ppm (range: 0–1800, n = 206). In addition, we identified several other sources of substantial tetrachloroethylene exposure, including cleaning mining equipment, testing coal, cleaning animal coats in taxidermy, and cleaning and duplicating film. Exposure assessment in population-based, case-control studies is a complex process requiring substantial resources. Researchers conducting these types of studies will be able to use results of the measurements to quantify tetrachloroethylene exposure levels for various jobs.