Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor-1 gene polymorphisms are associated with progression of liver fibrosis in Caucasians with chronic hepatitis C infection

AIM: Considerable attention is focused on polymorphisms in the gene encoding transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1), a multifunctional cytokine that is in turn a potent growth inhibitor involved in wound healing and differentiation. In humans, it promotes the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, keloid disease, and hypertrophic scarring. For this reason, much emphasis has been placed on studies elucidating the impact of TGF-1 and its gene variations for the susceptibility and pathogenesis of these diseases. Unfortunately, some studies have serious limitations. METHODS: We have recently described a high-throughput method for investigation the Arg25Pro polymorphism of human TGF-1 gene and showed that the frequency of the Pro25 allele is significantly associated with hepatic fibrogenesis. In this report, we describe two novel LightCycler (LC) techniques that facilitate the examination of the two other known alterations in the coding region of TGF-1. We investigated whether these polymorphisms contribute to hepatitis-induced progression of fibrogenesis in Chinese and Caucasians. RESULTS: In the Chinese ancestry, the gene polymorphisms at codons 25 and 263 were not found and the genetic variant at codon 10 is unlikely to confer susceptibility to hepatic fibrosis. Contrarily, in Caucasians TGF-1 allelic variations are more frequent and the presence of prolines either in codon 25 or 10 is associated with the interindividual variability in developing more severe fibrosis during chronic hepatitis C infection. CONCLUSION: In summary, these results confirm the hypothesis that TGF-1 polymorphisms are associated with fibrosis progression in Caucasians chronically infected with hepatitis C. © 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Schutz vor Insekten

Erfolgreicher Schutz gegen Stiche von blutsaugenden Insekten und Zecken bedingt die konsequente Anwendung geeigneter Masnahmen. Eine eventuell notwendige Chemoprophylaxe wird dadurch nie ersetzt. Die Umstande, unter denen der Schutz erreicht werden soll, bestimmen die Kombination der zu treffenden Masnahmen. Von Wohnraumen kann man Insekten mit Muckengittern oder -gaze an Fenstern und Turen oder mittels Klimaanlagen fernhalten. Beim Schlafen kann man sich mit einem Moskitonetz schutzen. Diese Masnahmen konnen bei Bedarf durch Insektizide erganzt oder unterstutzt werden. Meistens kommen synthetische Pyrethroide entweder als «knock down»-Sprays oder elektroverdampft fur die Behandlung von Raumen oder als Impragnierungsmittel von Netzen und Gittern zum Einsatz. Wenn ein Kontakt nicht durch die Wahl von Aufenthaltsort und -zeit vermeidbar ist, werden auser Haus zum Schutz vor Stichen geeignete Kleidung sowie Repellentien eingesetzt. Kleider sollen moglichst viel Korperflache bedecken, aus festem Gewebe, nicht.
Abstract P3-13-05: Evaluating efficacy of de-escalated bisphosphonate therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients at low-risk of skeletal related events. TRIUMPH: A pragmatic multicentre trial.

Background: Optimal bisphosphonate (BP) dosing intervals for breast cancer patients (pts) with bone metastases (BM) remain unknown. BP are usually prescribed q3-4 wk regardless of individual pt risk for skeletal related events (SREs). Recent evidence (Amadori J Clin Oncol, 2012 suppl; abstr 9005) shows that q12 wk BP is as effective as q4 wk in pts previously treated with >9 cycles of q4 wk therapy. Hence, further evaluation of modified BP dosing strategies is warranted. The objective of the current study was to show in women with biochemically defined low-risk bone disease that IV BP use every q12 wk for 1 year is sufficient to maintain stability of the bone turnover [measured by serum c-telopeptide (CTx) or bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP)]. Methods: Eligible pts with BM, who had received >3 months of q3-4 wk IV BP and no systemic treatment change within 4 wks of study entry were enrolled. Low risk was defined as serum CTx 600 ng/L at baseline, weeks 6, 12, 24, 36 or 48. Evaluation of palliative benefit of 12-wk IV BP therapy was measured by SREs, analgesic use, and self-reported pain (BPI and FACT-BP). Results: Between Oct. 2010-Sept. 2011, 85 pts consented to screening, with 13 found ineligible. In the 71 accrued pts baseline characteristics were: mean age 60 (SD 13), median time from breast cancer diagnosis to development of bone metastases 4 months (IQR 82), median duration of prior BP therapy 14 months (IQR 19), and mean number of SREs/yr prior to entering study 0.35 (SD 0.76). Baseline median CTx was 120 ng/L (IQR 240) and BSAP 9.2 IU/L (IQR 3). To date: 26/71 pts (36%) remain on study. Reasons for coming off study include; study completion (18), elevation of CTx >600ng/L (10), or on study SRE (3). An elevation of CTx between baseline and wk 6 was significantly associated with coming off study early (p = 0.008). For pts who had had an SRE before study entry the odds ratios for coming off study early due to an on study SRE or elevated CTx was 1.005 (CI 1.002–1.009; p = 0.007) and for coming off early for an SRE was 0.0245 (CI 0.061–0.094; p = 0.046) respectively. Of the 8/13 pts who were ineligible due to baseline CTx >600ng/L, 6 had an SRE within 1 year of screening. Conclusion: De-escalating BP therapy to 12 weekly in low risk pts has advantages for both the pt and the health care system. Individual risk of SREs is highly variable, however baseline serum CTx levels Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-13-05.
Productivity in Conservation Research in the Southern Hemisphere

Grant et al. (2007. Academic Institutions in the United States and Canada Ranked According to Research Productivity in the Field of Conservation Biology. Conservation Biology 21:1139–1144.) provide an interesting and thought-provoking analysis on the research productivity of academic institutions in North America in conservation. It should provide a useful tool for evaluating the quality of research at these institutions. I was interested in how universities in the southern hemisphere compare because, despite most of the world’s land mass and human population being in the northern hemisphere, almost half the biodiversity hotspots are located in the southern hemisphere. Consequently, much research in conservation bi-
Quantifying Plant Population Persistence in Human‐Dominated Landscapes

Abstract: We assessed population performance of rare plants across a gradient from rural to urban landscapes and evaluated 2 hypotheses central to strategic conservation planning: (1) population performance declines with increasing human dominance and (2) small populations perform poorly relative to larger ones. Assessing these hypotheses is critical to strategic conservation planning. The current conservation paradigm adheres to the well‐established ecology theory that small isolated populations, particularly those in human‐dominated landscapes, are the least likely to succeed over the long term. Consequently, conservation planning has strongly favored large, remote targets for protection. This shift in conservation toward ecosystem‐based programs and protection of populations within large, remote systems has been at the expense of protection of the rarest of the rare species, the dominant paradigm for conservation driven by the endangered species act. Yet, avoiding conservation of small populations appears to be based more on theoretical understanding and expert opinion than empiricism. We used Natural Heritage data from California in an assessment of population performance of rare plants across a landscape with an urban‐rural gradient. Population performance did not decrease in urban settings or for populations that were initially small. Our results are consistent with a pattern of few species extinctions within these landscapes over the past several decades. We conclude that these populations within compromised landscapes can contribute to overall biodiversity conservation. We further argue that conservation planning for biodiversity preservation should allocate relatively more resources to protecting urban‐associated plant taxa because they may provide conservation benefit beyond simply protecting isolated populations; they may be useful in building social interest in conservation.
Response of a Group of Sichuan Snub‐Nosed Monkeys to Commercial Logging in the Qinling Mountains, China

Abstract: Habitat destruction is one of the greatest threats to primates worldwide. To understand the impact of forest logging on the habitat use of primates in temperate mixed forest, we compared the range, habitat used, population size, and diet of a troop (ERT) of Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains before (1989), during (1997), and after (2002–2003) commercial logging. Logging significantly changed the composition of the forest and the food supply for the troop. Some areas were heavily logged and formed patches in the forest that lacked canopy cover. The troop moved 7 km away from their original range when logging took place and returned to their original range after logging stopped, but they avoided heavily logged areas that lacked canopy cover. Their movement indicated some degree of site fidelity in this species. Diet and home range changed after logging, but the population size remained stable, which suggests that this species has some ability to adapt to habitat changes. Our results may reflect a natural flexibility in primates to adapt to the changing food resources in temperate areas with marked seasonal variations in food availability and distribution. This flexibility may have contributed to their higher degree of resilience to habitat alterations caused by human activities compared with tropical forest primates that have a more specialized diet. Our findings provide important baseline information that will help decision makers in their efforts to conserve primates, especially in temperate regions, and to sustainably manage primate habitat.
Inferring National and Regional Declines of Rare Orchid Species with Probabilistic Models

Abstract: Fragmentation of natural habitats can increase numbers of rare species. Conservation of rare species requires experts and resources, which may be lacking for many species. In the absence of regular surveys and expert knowledge, historical sighting records can provide data on the distribution of a species. Numerous models have been developed recently to make inferences regarding the threat status of a taxon on the basis of variation in trends of sightings over time. We applied 5 such models to national and regional (county) data on 3 red‐listed orchid species (Cephalanthera longifolia, Hammarbya paludosa, and Pseudorchis albida) and 1 species that has recently come to the attention of conservation authorities (Neotinea maculata) in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, we used an optimal linear estimate to calculate the time of extinction for each species overall and within each county. To account for bias in recording effort over time, we used rarefaction analysis. On the basis of sighting records, we inferred that these species are not threatened with extinction and, although there have been declines, there is no clear geographical pattern of decline in any species. Most counties where these orchid species occurred had a low number of sightings; hence, we were cautious in our interpretation of output from statistical models. We suggest the main drivers of decline in these species in Ireland are modification of habitats for increased agricultural production and lack of appropriate management. Our results show that the application of probabilistic models can be used even when sighting data are scarce, provided multiple models are used simultaneously and rarefaction is used to account for bias in recording effort among species over time. These models could be used frequently when making an initial conservation assessment of species in a region, particularly if there is a relatively constant recording rate and some knowledge of the underlying recording process. Regional‐scale analyses, such as ours, complement World Conservation Union criteria for assessment of the extinct category and are useful for highlighting areas of under recording and focusing conservation efforts of rare and endangered species.
A Generic Impact‐Scoring System Applied to Alien Mammals in Europe

Abstract: We present a generic scoring system that compares the impact of alien species among members of large taxonomic groups. This scoring can be used to identify the most harmful alien species so that conservation measures to ameliorate their negative effects can be prioritized. For all alien mammals in Europe, we assessed impact reports as completely as possible. Impact was classified as either environmental or economic. We subdivided each of these categories into five subcategories (environmental: impact through competition, predation, hybridization, transmission of disease, and herbivory; economic: impact on agriculture, livestock, forestry, human health, and infrastructure). We assigned all impact reports to one of these 10 categories. All categories had impact scores that ranged from zero (minimal) to five (maximal possible impact at a location). We summed all impact scores for a species to calculate "potential impact" scores. We obtained "actual impact" scores by multiplying potential impact scores by the percentage of area occupied by the respective species in Europe. Finally, we correlated species’ ecological traits with the derived impact scores. Alien mammals from the orders Rodentia, Artiodactyla, and Carnivora caused the highest impact. In particular, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), muskrat (Ondathra zibethicus), and sika deer (Cervus nippon) had the highest overall scores. Species with a high potential environmental impact also had a strong potential economic impact. Potential impact also correlated with the distribution of a species in Europe. Ecological flexibility (measured as number of different habitats a species occupies) was strongly related to impact. The scoring system was robust to uncertainty in knowledge of impact and could be adjusted with weight scores to account for specific value systems of particular stakeholder groups (e.g., agronomists or environmentalists). Finally, the scoring system is easily applicable and adaptable to other taxonomic groups.
Consistent Ecological Selectivity through Time in Pacific Island Avian Extinctions

Abstract: Understanding the ecological mechanisms that lead to extinction is a central goal of conservation. Can understanding ancient avian extinctions help to predict extinction risk in modern birds? I used classification trees trained on both paleoecological and historical data from islands across the Pacific to determine the ecological traits associated with extinction risk. Intrinsic traits, including endemism, large body size, and certain feeding guilds, were tightly linked with avian extinction over the past 3500 years. Species ecology and phylogeny were better predictors of extinction risk through time than extrinsic or abiotic factors. Although human impacts on birds and their habitats have changed over time, modern endangered birds share many of the same ecological characteristics as victims of previous extinction waves. My use of detailed predictions of extinction risk to identify species potentially in need of conservation attention demonstrates the utility of paleoecological knowledge for modern conservation biology.
Statistical Aspects of Dietary Surveys

REFERENCES Andersen, D. H. (1947). 3. Pediat. 30, 564. Anderson, C. M. , Frazer, A. C. , French, J. M. , Gerrard, J. W. , Sammons, H. G. & Smellie, J. M. (1952). Lancet, 262, 836. Dicke, W. K. ( 1 9 5 0 ~ ) . Coeliakie. M.D. Thesis, University of Utrecht. Dicke, W. K. (195ob). Congr. Ass. int. Pidiat. VI. Zurich, p. 21. Gee, S. (1888). St Bart's Hosp. Rep. 24, 17. Gibbons, R. A. (1889-90). Edinb. med.3. 35, 321. Haas, S. V. (1938). 3. Pediat. 13, 390. Haas, S. V. & Haas, M. P. (1950). Postgrad. Med. 7, 239. Heubner, 0. (1909). 2. Kinderheilk. 70, 667. Herter, C. A. (1908). On Infantilism from Chronic Intestinal Infection. New York: The Macmillan Co Howland, J. (1921). Trans. Amer. pediat. SOC. 33, 1 1 . Parsons, L. G. (1932). Amer.3. Dis. Child. 43, 1293. Sheldon, W. (1948). Brit. rned.3. ii, 594. Sheldon, W. (1949). Arch. Dis. Childh. 24, 81. Sheldon, W. & Lawson, D. (1952). Lancet, 263, 902. Still, G. F. (1918a). Lancet, ii, 163. Still, G. F. (191%). Lancet, ii, 193. Still, G. I? (1918~). Lancet, ii, 227. Weijers, H. A. (1950). De vetresorptie van gezonde en zieke zuigelingen en kinderen, in het bijzondei van coeliakiepatienten. Thesis, University of Utrecht.
Eradication of Invasive Mammals on Islands Inhabited by Humans and Domestic Animals

Abstract: Non‐native invasive mammal species have caused major ecological change on many islands. To conserve native species diversity, invasive mammals have been eradicated from several islands not inhabited by humans. We reviewed the challenges associated with campaigns to eradicate invasive mammals from islands inhabited by humans and domestic animals. On these islands, detailed analyses of the social, cultural, and economic costs and benefits of eradication are required to increase the probability of local communities supporting the eradication campaign. The ecological benefits of eradication (e.g., improvement of endemic species’ probability of survival) are difficult to trade‐off against social and economic costs due to the lack of a common currency. Local communities may oppose an eradication campaign because of perceived health hazards, inconvenience, financial burdens, religious beliefs, or other cultural reasons. Besides these social challenges, the presence of humans and domestic animals also complicates eradication and biosecurity procedures (measures taken to reduce the probability of unwanted organisms colonizing an island to near zero). For example, houses, garbage‐disposal areas, and livestock‐feeding areas can provide refuges for certain mammals and therefore can decrease the probability of a successful eradication. Transport of humans and goods to an island increases the probability of inadvertent reintroduction of invasive mammals, and the establishment of permanent quarantine measures is required to minimize the probability of unwanted recolonization after eradication. We recommend a close collaboration between island communities, managers, and social scientists from the inception of an eradication campaign to increase the probability of achieving and maintaining an island permanently free of invasive mammals.
Varying Responses of Northeastern North American Amphibians to the Chytrid Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Abstract: Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is widespread among amphibians in northeastern North America. It is unknown, however, whether Bd has the potential to cause extensive amphibian mortalities in northeastern North America as have occurred elsewhere. In the laboratory, we exposed seven common northeastern North American amphibian species to Bd to assess the likelihood of population‐level effects from the disease. We exposed larval wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and postmetamorphic frogs of six other species to two different strains of Bd, a northeastern strain (JEL404) and a strain that caused die‐offs of amphibians in Panama (JEL423), under ideal in vitro growth conditions for Bd. Exposed American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) all died; thus, this species may be the most likely to die from Bd‐caused disease in the wild. Both Bd strains were associated with mortalities of wood frogs, although half the metamorphs survived. The Bd strain from Panama killed metamorphic green frogs (L. clamitans), whereas the northeastern strain did not, which means novel strains of Bd may lead to death even when local strains may not. No mortality was observed in four species (bullfrogs [L. catesbeianus], northern leopard frogs [L. pipiens], spring peepers [Pseudacris crucifer], and blue‐spotted salamanders [Ambystoma laterale]) and in some individuals of green frogs and wood frogs that we exposed. This finding suggests these six species may be Bd vectors. Our results show that systematic exposures of amphibian species to Bd in the laboratory may be a good first step in the identification of species susceptible to Bd‐caused declines and in directing regional conservation efforts aimed at susceptible species.
Development of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for assessing food, nutrient, and heterocyclic aromatic amines intake in Japanese Brazilians for a colorectal adenoma case–control study

Primary objective To develop of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) to assess intake of specific foods, nutrients and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in a case–control study of colorectal adenoma. Methods and procedures A cross-sectional survey conducted in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. A trained dietitian collected 24-h recalls from 60 Japanese Brazilian outpatients (29 men and 31 women; mean age 58 years and 57 years, respectively). Main outcomes and results Fruit, vegetable and legume intake was high, with mean daily servings consumed in men and women of 8.2 and 6.9, respectively. The QFFQ contains 161 food items presented in 15 food groupings, with particular emphasis paid to the HAA content of meat, fish and chicken items. Conclusions We have developed a QFFQ appropriate for Japanese Brazilians that will allow us to estimate HAA intake and will be used to examine our hypotheses related to foods, nutrients and HAAs, and diet–gene interactions in colorectal neoplasia in this population.
Effectiveness of dietary intervention for obese women in Jordan

Objective The aim was to evaluate the outcome of body weight loss consulting in an outpatient nutrition clinic. Methods Forty-five adult females attended 10 individualized treatment one-to-one sessions. Weight and height were measured and the body mass index was calculated. Triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness were measured and the fat percentage was calculated. A hypocaloric diet was given to the women; the percentages of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the diet were kept between 50 and 55% for carbohydrates, between 15 and 20% for protein, and ≤30% of fat. Results Average weight loss was 7.4 kg, which was 8.4% of initial. Class III obese subjects achieved the highest weight loss (−9.4 kg). Weight loss was statistically significant after week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4 (P < 0.001). The body mass index was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). The mean fat percentage was not significantly different. Conclusions The results indicate the increasing importance of nutrition counselling in Jordan.
Effect of extrusion conditions and lipoxygenase inactivation treatment on the physical and nutritional properties of corn/cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) blends

The influence of lipoxygenase inactivation and extrusion cooking on the physical and nutritional properties of corn/cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) blends was studied. Corn was blended in an 80:15 proportion with cowpea flour treated to inactivate lipoxygenase (CI) or non-inactivated cowpea flour (CNI). Extrusion variables were temperature (150°C, 165°C and 180°C) and moisture (15%, 17% and 19%). Based on their physical properties, the 165°C/15% corn:CNI, and 165°C/15% corn:CI, and 150°C/15% corn:CI blends were chosen for nutritional quality analysis. Extrudate chemical composition indicated high crude protein levels compared with standard corn-based products. With the exception of lysine, essential amino acids content in the three treatments met FAO requirements. Extrusion and lipoxygenase inactivation are promising options for developing corn/cowpea extruded snack products with good physical properties and nutritional quality.