Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Association between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Percent breast density (PBD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer that is influenced by several other risk factors for the disease. Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer with an uncertain association with PBD. We have carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association of alcohol consumption with PBD. Methods: We searched nine databases to identify all relevant studies on the association between alcohol intake and breast density. Two independent investigators evaluated and selected 20 studies that were included in our analyses. We divided the studies into three groups according to the methods used to measure and analyze the association of breast density with alcohol consumption. Results: Meta-analysis of the 11 studies that used quantitative methods to measure and analyze PBD as a continuous variable found a statistically significant difference in PBD when comparing the highest with the lowest alcohol level [β = 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12–1.56]. Three studies that used quantitative methods to measure PBD and categories of PBD for analysis had a summary OR = 1.81 (95% CI, 1.07–3.04). Five studies that used categories to classify PBD and analyze their association with alcohol intake had a summary OR = 1.78 (95% CI, 0.90–3.51). Conclusions: These results suggest that there is a positive association between alcohol intake and PBD. Impact: Alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer associated with PBD. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(2); 170–8. ©2016 AACR.
Analysis of Carotenoid Composition in Petals of Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.)

Nineteen carotenoids were identified in extracts of petals of orange- and yellow-flowered cultivars of calendula (Calendula officinalis L.). Ten carotenoids were unique to orange-flowered cultivars. The UV–vis absorption maxima of these ten carotenoids were at longer wavelengths than that of flavoxanthin, the main carotenoid of calendula petals, and it is clear that these carotenoids are responsible for the orange color of the petals. Six carotenoids had a cis structure at C-5 (C-5′), and it is conceivable that these (5Z)-carotenoids are enzymatically isomerized at C-5 in a pathway that diverges from the main carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Among them, (5Z,9Z)-lycopene (1), (5Z,9Z,5′Z,9′Z)-lycopene (3), (5′Z)-γ-carotene (4), and (5′Z,9′Z)-rubixanthin (5) has never before been identified. Additionally, (5Z,9Z,5′Z)-lycopene (2) has been reported only as a synthesized compound.
Ipragliflozin Improves Hepatic Steatosis in Obese Mice and Liver Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Irrespective of Body Weight Reduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a high incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) related to obesity and insulin resistance. Currently, medical interventions for NAFLD have focused on diet control and exercise to reduce body weight, and there is a requirement for effective pharmacological therapies. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are oral antidiabetic drugs that promote the urinary excretion of glucose by blocking its reabsorption in renal proximal tubules. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood glucose independent of insulin action and are expected to reduce body weight because of urinary calorie loss. Here we show that an SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin improves hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet-induced and leptin-deficient (ob/ob) obese mice irrespective of body weight reduction. In the obese mice, ipragliflozin-induced hyperphagia occurred to increase energy intake, attenuating body weight reduction with increased epididymal fat mass. There is an inverse correlation between weights of liver and epididymal fat in ipragliflozin-treated obese mice, suggesting that ipragliflozin treatment promotes normotopic fat accumulation in the epididymal fat and prevents ectopic fat accumulation in the liver. Despite increased adiposity, ipragliflozin ameliorates obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance in epididymal fat. Clinically, ipragliflozin improves liver dysfunction in patients with T2DM irrespective of body weight reduction. These findings provide new insight into the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on energy homeostasis and fat accumulation and indicate their potential therapeutic efficacy in T2DM-associated hepatic steatosis.
The role of shame and self-compassion in psychotherapy for narcissistic personality disorder: An exploratory study.

This process-outcome study aims at exploring the role of shame, self-compassion, and specific therapeutic interventions in psychotherapy for patients with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). This exploratory study included a total of N = 17 patients with NPD undergoing long-term clarification-oriented psychotherapy. Their mean age was 39 years, and 10 were male. On average, treatments were 64 sessions long (range between 45 and 99). Sessions 25 and 36 were rated using the Classification of Affective Meaning States and the Process-Content-Relationship Scale. Outcome was assessed using the Symptom Check List-90 and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Between Sessions 25 and 36, a small decrease in the frequency of shame was found (d = .30). In Session 36, the presence of self-compassion was linked with a set of specific therapist interventions (process-guidance and treatment of behaviour-underlying assumptions; 51% of variance explained and adjusted). This study points to the possible central role of shame in the therapeutic process of patients with NPD. Hypothetically, one way of resolving shame is, for the patient, to access underlying self-compassion.
Whole grain oats, more than just a fiber: Role of unique phytochemicals

Oats are a good source of soluble dietary fiber, especially β-glucan, which has outstanding functional and nutritional properties. β-Glucan is considered to be the major active component of oats because of its cholesterol-lowering and antidiabetic effects. However, the nutritional benefits of oats appear to go beyond fiber to bioactive phytochemicals with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the chemistry, stability, bioavailability, and health effects of two unique phytochemicals in oats, avenanthramides, and avenacosides A and B. We conclude that studies on the beneficial effects of avenanthramides and avenacosides A and B are still in their infancy, and additional health benefits of these unique oat components may yet be identified.
A Dynamic Look at Subprime Loan Performance

Does delinquency have any predictive power for the future performance of a mortgage? Analysis of a sample of subprime mortgages from the Loanperformance database on securitized private-label pool collateral using a two-step estimation procedure to control for the endogeneity of delinquency reveals strong support for the distressed prepayment theory that very delinquent loans are more likely to prepay than to default and that prepayment rates increase substantially as delinquency intensity increases. While delinquency leads predominantly to termination of a loan through prepayment, negative equity leads to termination through default.
N 93-11935 FUZZY LOGIC CONTROL FOR CAMERA TRACKING SYSTEM

A concept utilizing fuzzy theory has been developed for a camera tracking system to provide support for proximity operations and traffic management around the Space Station Freedom. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic based reasoning are used in a control system which utilizes images from a camera and generates required pan and tilt commands to track and maintain a moving target in the camera's field of view. This control system can be implemented on a fuzzy chip to provide an intelligent sensor for autonomous operations. Capabilities of the control system can be expanded to include approach, handover to other sensors, caution and warning messages.
Brain–computer interface devices for patients with paralysis and amputation: a meeting report

Objective. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) believes it is important to help stakeholders (e.g., manufacturers, health-care professionals, patients, patient advocates, academia, and other government agencies) navigate the regulatory landscape for medical devices. For innovative devices involving brain–computer interfaces, this is particularly important. Approach. Towards this goal, on 21 November, 2014, CDRH held an open public workshop on its White Oak, MD campus with the aim of fostering an open discussion on the scientific and clinical considerations associated with the development of brain–computer interface (BCI) devices, defined for the purposes of this workshop as neuroprostheses that interface with the central or peripheral nervous system to restore lost motor or sensory capabilities. Main results. This paper summarizes the presentations and discussions from that workshop. Significance. CDRH plans to use this information to develop regulatory considerations that will promote innovation while maintaining appropriate patient protections. FDA plans to build on advances in regulatory science and input provided in this workshop to develop guidance that provides recommendations for premarket submissions for BCI devices. These proceedings will be a resource for the BCI community during the development of medical devices for consumers.
Multidisciplinary care of craniosynostosis

The management of craniosynostosis, especially in the setting of craniofacial syndromes, is ideally done in a multidisciplinary clinic with a team focused toward comprehensive care. Craniosynostosis is a congenital disorder of the cranium, caused by the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. This fusion results in abnormal cranial growth due to the inability of the involved sutures to accommodate the growing brain. Skull growth occurs only at the patent sutures, resulting in an abnormal head shape. If cranial growth is severely restricted, as seen in multisuture craniosynostosis, elevation in intracranial pressure can occur. Whereas most patients treated in a multidisciplinary craniofacial clinic have non-syndromic or isolated craniosynostosis, the most challenging patients are those with syndromic craniosynostosis. The purpose of this article was to discuss the multidisciplinary team care required to treat both syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostosis.
Electronic cigarettes: review of use, content, safety, effects on smokers and potential for harm and benefit.

AIMS We reviewed available research on the use, content and safety of electronic cigarettes (EC), and on their effects on users, to assess their potential for harm or benefit and to extract evidence that can guide future policy. METHODS Studies were identified by systematic database searches and screening references to February 2014. RESULTS EC aerosol can contain some of the toxicants present in tobacco smoke, but at levels which are much lower. Long-term health effects of EC use are unknown but compared with cigarettes, EC are likely to be much less, if at all, harmful to users or bystanders. EC are increasingly popular among smokers, but to date there is no evidence of regular use by never-smokers or by non-smoking children. EC enable some users to reduce or quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS Allowing EC to compete with cigarettes in the market-place might decrease smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Regulating EC as strictly as cigarettes, or even more strictly as some regulators propose, is not warranted on current evidence. Health professionals may consider advising smokers unable or unwilling to quit through other routes to switch to EC as a safer alternative to smoking and a possible pathway to complete cessation of nicotine use.
Acute effects of short term use of ecigarettes on Airways Physiology and Respiratory Symptoms in Smokers with and without Airway Obstructive Diseases and in Healthy non smokers

BACKGROUND Although the use of e-cigarettes is increasing worldwide, their short and long-term effects remain undefined. We aimed to study the acute effect of short-term use of e-cigarettes containing nicotine on lung function and respiratory symptoms in smokers with airways obstructive disease (COPD, asthma), “healthy” smokers, and healthy never smokers. METHODS Respiratory symptoms, vital signs, exhaled NO, airway temperature, airway resistance (Raw), specific airway conductance (sGaw) and single nitrogen breath test were assessed before and immediately after short term use of an e-cigarette containing 11mg of nicotine among adults with COPD, asthma, “healthy” smokers, and never-smokers. The effect of the use of nicotine-free e-cigarettes among “healthy” never smokers was also studied. RESULTS The majority of participants reported acute cough. Short term use of nicotine e-cigarettes was associated: a) with increased heart rate in all subjects except in the COPD group, b) decreased oxygen saturation in “healthy” and COPD smokers, c) increased Raw in asthmatic smokers, “healthy” smokers, and healthy never smokers, d) decreased sGaw in healthy subjects, and e) changed slope of phase III curve in asthmatic smokers. Short-term use of nicotine-free e-cigarettes increased Raw and decreased sGaw among healthy never smokers. CONCLUSIONS Short-term use of an e-cigarette has acute effects on airways physiology and respiratory symptoms in COPD smokers, asthmatic smokers, “healthy” smokers and healthy never smokers. E-cigarette use was associated with effects in “healthy” never smokers irrespectively of nicotine concentration. More studies are needed to investigate both short and long-term effects of e-cigarette use
Distinct fecal and oral microbiota composition in human type 1 diabetes, an observational study

Objective Environmental factors driving the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are still largely unknown. Both animal and human studies have shown an association between altered fecal microbiota composition, impaired production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and T1D onset. However, observational evidence on SCFA and fecal and oral microbiota in adults with longstanding T1D vs healthy controls (HC) is lacking. Research design and methods We included 53 T1D patients without complications or medication and 50 HC matched for age, sex and BMI. Oral and fecal microbiota, fecal and plasma SCFA levels, markers of intestinal inflammation (fecal IgA and calprotectin) and markers of low-grade systemic inflammation were measured. Results Oral microbiota were markedly different in T1D (eg abundance of Streptococci) compared to HC. Fecal analysis showed decreased butyrate producing species in T1D and less butyryl-CoA transferase genes. Also, plasma levels of acetate and propionate were lower in T1D, with similar fecal SCFA. Finally, fecal strains Christensenella and Subdoligranulum correlated with glycemic control, inflammatory parameters and SCFA. Conclusions We conclude that T1D patients harbor a different amount of intestinal SCFA (butyrate) producers and different plasma acetate and propionate levels. Future research should disentangle cause and effect and whether supplementation of SCFA-producing bacteria or SCFA alone can have disease-modifying effects in T1D.
Electrogenic N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor signaling enhances binaural responses in the adult brainstem

In sensory systems, the neuronal representation of external stimuli is enhanced along the sensory pathway. In the auditory system, strong enhancement of binaural information takes place between the brainstem and the midbrain; however, the underlying cellular mechanisms are unknown. Here we investigated the transformation of binaural information in the dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (DNLL), a nucleus that connects the binaural nuclei in the brainstem and the inferior colliculus in the midbrain. We used in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology in adult Mongolian gerbils to show that N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDARs) play a critical role in neuronal encoding of stimulus properties in the DNLL. While NMDARs increase firing rates, the timing and the accuracy of the neuronal responses remain unchanged. NMDAR‐mediated excitation increases the information about the acoustic stimulus. Taken together, our results show that NMDARs in the DNLL enhance the auditory information content in adult mammal brainstem.
Preeclampsia is Associated with Lower Percentages of Regulatory T Cells in Maternal Blood

Objective: Immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. During pregnancy there is an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells, which has an important role in regulating tolerance to the immunologically distinct fetus. We hypothesised that percentages of Treg cells are decreased in preeclamptic patients. Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 26 healthy pregnant controls and 18 preeclamptic patients. Treg cells were measured using flow-cytometry. Results: Women with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia had significantly lower percentages of CD4+FOXP3+ Treg cells. Conclusion: We conclude that a deficiency of regulatory T cells may play a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
Three‐dimensional printing CT‐derived objects with controllable radiopacity

Abstract Purpose The goal of this work was to develop phantoms for the optimization of pre‐operative computed tomography (CT) scans of the prostate artery, which are used for embolization planning. Methods Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pellets were doped with barium sulfate and extruded into filaments suitable for 3D printing on a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer. Cylinder phantoms were created to evaluate radiopacity as a function of doping percentage. Small‐diameter tree phantoms were created to assess their composition and dimensional accuracy. A half‐pelvis phantom was created using clinical CT images, to assess the printer's control over cortical bone thickness and cancellous bone attenuation. CT‐derived prostate artery phantoms were created to simulate complex, contrast‐filled arteries. Results A linear relationship (R = 0.998) was observed between barium sulfate added (0%–10% by weight), and radiopacity (−31 to 1454 Hounsfield Units [HU]). Micro‐CT scans showed even distribution of the particles, with air pockets comprising 0.36% by volume. The small vessels were found to be oversized by a consistent amount of 0.08 mm. Micro‐CT scans revealed that the phantoms' interiors were completely filled in. The maximum HU values of cortical bone in the phantom were lower than that of the filament, a result of CT image reconstruction. Creation of cancellous bone regions with lower HU values, using the printer's infill parameter, was successful. Direct volume renderings of the pelvis and prostate artery were similar to the clinical CT, with the exception that the surfaces of the phantom objects were not as smooth. Conclusions It is possible to reliably create FDM 3D printer filaments with predictable radiopacity in a wide range of attenuation values, which can be used to print dimensionally accurate radiopaque objects derived from CT data. Phantoms of this type can be quickly and inexpensively developed to assess and optimize CT protocols for specific clinical applications.
Chi-square-based Scoring Function for Categorization of MEDLINE Citations

Summary Objectives: Text categorization has been used in biomedical informatics for identifying documents containing relevant topics of interest. We developed a simple method that uses a chi-square-based scoring function to determine the likelihood of MEDLINE® citations containing genetic relevant topic. Methods: Our procedure requires construction of a genetic and a nongenetic domain document corpus. We used MeSH® descriptors assigned to MEDLINE citations for this categorization task. We compared frequencies of MeSH descriptors between two corpora applying chi-square test. A MeSH descriptor was considered to be a positive indicator if its relative observed frequency in the genetic domain corpus was greater than its relative observed frequency in the nongenetic domain corpus. The output of the proposed method is a list of scores for all the citations, with the highest score given to those citations containing MeSH descriptors typical for the genetic domain. Results: Validation was done on a set of 734 manually annotated MEDLINE citations. It achieved predictive accuracy of 0.87 with 0.69 recall and 0.64 precision. We evaluated the method by comparing it to three machine-learning algorithms (support vector machines, decision trees, naïve Bayes). Although the differences were not statistically significantly different, results showed that our chi-square scoring performs as good as compared machine-learning algorithms. Conclusions: We suggest that the chi-square scoring is an effective solution to help categorize MEDLINE citations. The algorithm is implemented in the BITOLA literature-based discovery support system as a preprocessor for gene symbol disambiguation process.
Effect of chest tube size on pleurodesis efficacy in malignant pleural effusion: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) develops in approximately 50% of all patients with metastatic cancer. The efficacy of small- vs. large-bore chest tube for pleurodesis in patients with MPE is still not clear. Methods We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chest tube size in the management of MPE. A systematic search of Medline (Ovid) and Embase (from 1980 to March 2016) was performed. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of small (≤14 French) vs. large (>14 French) chest tube size on successful pleurodesis for patients with MPE. Of 708 potentially relevant publications, four matched the selection criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Results Overall relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q statistic (significant at P<0.1). In the 231 patients, the success proportion of pleurodesis as well as complication proportion were comparable between large and small chest tube groups with a pooled RR of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.77-1.05; P=0.19; I2 =17.4%) and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.42-2.15; P=0.90; I2 =0.9%) respectively. Successful pleurodesis and complication proportion for small vs. large chest tubes were 73.8% vs. 82.0% and 13.0% vs. 10.5%, respectively. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that small and large chest tubes are both effective treatment for MPE with similar successful pleurodesis and complication proportion. Further RCTs are needed to more clearly determine which size tube is superior.
Unstructured hexahedral mesh generation of complex vascular trees using a multi-block grid-based approach

The trend towards realistic numerical models of (pathologic) patient-specific vascular structures brings along larger computational domains and more complex geometries, increasing both the computation time and the operator time. Hexahedral grids effectively lower the computational run time and the required computational infrastructure, but at high cost in terms of operator time and minimal cell quality, especially when the computational analyses are targeting complex geometries such as aneurysm necks, severe stenoses and bifurcations. Moreover, such grids generally do not allow local refinements. As an attempt to overcome these limitations, a novel approach to hexahedral meshing is proposed in this paper, which combines the automated generation of multi-block structures with a grid-based method. The robustness of the novel approach is tested on common complex geometries, such as tree-like structures (including trifurcations), stenoses, and aneurysms. Additionally, the performance of the generated grid is assessed using two numerical examples. In the first example, a grid sensitivity analysis is performed for blood flow simulated in an abdominal mouse aorta and compared to tetrahedral grids with a prismatic boundary layer. In the second example, the fluid–structure interaction in a model of an aorta with aortic coarctation is simulated and the effect of local grid refinement is analyzed.