Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone turnover markers and prediction of fracture: A prospective follow‐up study of 1040 elderly women for a mean of 9 years

Osteoporosis is characterized by compromised bone mass and strength, predisposing to an increased risk of fracture. Increased bone metabolism has been suggested to be a risk factor for fracture. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether baseline bone turnover markers are associated with long‐term incidence of fracture in a population‐based sample of 1040 women who were 75 years old (Malmö OPRA study). Seven bone markers (S‐TRACP5b, S‐CTX‐I, S‐OC[1–49], S‐TotalOC, S‐cOC, S‐boneALP, and urinary osteocalcin) were measured at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up visit. During the mean follow‐up of 9.0 years (range 7.4–10.9), 363 women sustained at least one fracture of any type, including 116 hip fractures and 103 clinical vertebral fractures. High S‐TRACP5b and S‐CTX‐I levels were associated with increased risk of any fracture with hazard ratios [HRs (95% confidence interval)] of 1.16 (1.04–1.29) and 1.13 (1.01–1.27) per SD increase, respectively. They also were associated with increased risk of clinical vertebral fracture with HRs of 1.22 (1.01–1.48) and 1.32 (1.05–1.67), respectively. Markers were not associated with risk for hip fracture. Results were similar when we used resorption markers, including urinary osteocalcin, measured at the 1‐year visit or an average of the two measurements. The HRs were highest for any fracture in the beginning of the follow‐up period, 2.5 years from baseline. For vertebral fractures, the association was more pronounced and lasted for a longer period of time, at least for 5 years. In conclusion, elevated levels of S‐TRACP5b, S‐CTX‐I, and urinary osteocalcin are associated with increased fracture risk for up to a decade in elderly women. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Synthesis of 6‐(3,5‐Dichlorobenzyl) Derivatives as Isosteric Analogues of the HIV Drug 6‐(3,5‐Dimethylbenzyl)‐1‐(ethoxymethyl)‐5‐isopropyluracil (GCA‐186)

The HIV‐1 inhibitors described in this paper is closely related to 6‐(3,5‐dimethylbenzyl)‐1‐(ethoxy methyl)‐5‐isopropyluracil (GCA‐186) an anti‐HIV‐1 drug that is highly active against both wild type and mutated HIV‐1 strains. The two methyl groups on the 6‐benzyl moiety have been shown to improve the binding stability of the drug to the NNRTI‐binding site in reverse transcriptase of drug mediated mutant HIV‐1 viruses. The methyl groups are replaced with isosteric chloro‐atoms to avoid metabolism due to the two methyl groups. However, the isosteric chloro derivatives show tenfold less activity against HIV‐1 than their corresponding methyl derivatives. The synthesis and the antiviral activities of the corresponding 1‐(allyloxy‐ and indanyloxy)methyl‐6‐(3,5‐dichlorobenzyl)‐5‐ethyluracil derivatives are also reported.
Meat and dairy food consumption and breast cancer: a pooled analysis of cohort studies.

BACKGROUND More than 20 studies have investigated the relation between meat and dairy food consumption and breast cancer risk with conflicting results. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of breast cancer associated with meat and dairy food consumption and to assess whether non-dietary risk factors modify the relation. METHODS We combined the primary data from eight prospective cohort studies from North America and Western Europe with at least 200 incident breast cancer cases, assessment of usual food and nutrient intakes, and a validation study of the dietary assessment instrument. The pooled database included 351,041 women, 7379 of whom were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during up to 15 years of follow-up. RESULTS We found no significant association between intakes of total meat, red meat, white meat, total dairy fluids, or total dairy solids and breast cancer risk. Categorical analyses suggested a J-shaped association for egg consumption where, compared to women who did not eat eggs, breast cancer risk was slightly decreased among women who consumed < 2 eggs per week but slightly increased among women who consumed > or = 1 egg per day. CONCLUSIONS We found no significant associations between intake of meat or dairy products and risk of breast cancer. An inconsistent relation between egg consumption and risk of breast cancer merits further investigation.
Motivations for and thoughts toward rabbit ownership and factors contributing to companion-rabbit owners' knowledge

MOTIVATIONS FOR AND THOUGHTS TOWARD RABBIT OWNERSHIP AND FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO COMPANION-RABBIT OWNERS’ KNOWLEDGE Tasha Welch Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Dr. Jason B. Coe Prospective rabbit owners’ pre-acquisition motivations for and thoughts toward rabbit ownership were explored using one-on-one telephone interviews (n=18). Thematic analysis revealed the theme considerations prior to acquiring a companion rabbit, which involved four subthemes: reasons given for acquiring a companion rabbit, considerations when choosing an acquisition source, animal-related pre-acquisition considerations and owner-related preacquisition considerations. An online survey involving current rabbit owners (n=2,890) across Canada, the United States and outside of both countries explored factors associated with companion-rabbit owners’ knowledge of rabbit care and the spay or neuter status of companion rabbits. An approximation of logistic regression showed increasing attachment, increasing participant age and regular veterinary check-ups to be associated with higher odds of answering a knowledge question correctly. Logistic regression found increasing knowledge score, regular veterinary check-ups and owning only one rabbit increased the odds of owning a spayed or neutered rabbit. Findings identify educational and future research opportunities relating to companion-rabbit ownership.
Minor Influence of Sub-Bowman Keratomileusis on the Posterior Corneal Surface at Early Stage

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the changes in posterior corneal surface (Q value and elevation) measured with Pentacam after femtosecond laser assisted Sub-Bowman Keratomileusis (SBK). Methods: The Q values and elevation of posterior corneal surface were determined in 166 myopic/myopic astigmatism eyes of 88 patients using Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), which estimates asphericity and elevation for several areas of cornea analysed (Q value: 6, 7, 8 and 9 mm; elevation: 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm) before 1 and 3 months after SBK. The correlations between the changes of Q value or elevation and the mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE), central corneal thickness (CCT), central ablation depth (AD), estimated residual bed thickness (RBT) and RBT/CCT ratio were investigated. Results: Meridian and area differences in Q of posterior surface have been showed. Two major meridians (horizontal/vertical) present the change of significant negative direction before surgery (all p < 0.001), but the alteration of significant positive direction for all post-SBK follow-up visits (all p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in posterior elevation at 2 mm zone (horizontal meridian: p = 0.439; vertical meridian: p = 0.233). Compared with preoperation, minor but significant forward displacements were found in posterior elevation at 4 and 6 mm areas of cornea analyzed (horizontal meridian: all p < 0.001; vertical meridian: p < 0.001, p = 0.024, respectively). However, posterior elevation in two meridians (horizontal/vertical) at 8 mm region was displayed significant backward shift (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The Pearson correlation test showed no significant correlation between the changes in the Q values and elevation data in vast majority of areas of cornea analyzed and the SE, CCT, AD, RBT, and RBT/CCT ratio at 1 and 3 months after surgery (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: The posterior corneal surface showed central flattening and peripheral steepening at early stage post-SBK. To combine the asphericity with the elevation of the posterior corneal surface can overall and accurately understand the posterior corneal shape and its variations after refractive surgery.
Total number and size distribution of motor neurons in the spinal cord of normal and EMC‐virus infected mice — a stereological study

The encephalomyocarditis virus of the diabetogenic M‐strain (EMC‐M) is known to cause diabetes in mice. The EMC‐M virus has also been shown to cause paresis in some of the infected animals. The clinical features include an acute ascending predominantly motor paralysis, developing within days. This resembles acute idiopathic polyneuritis. The alpha motor neurons would be a possible target for the virus, so two parameters, the total number and the size distribution of motor neurons, were therefore selected for further investigation in 6 mice with neurological involvement and compared with 6 control mice. The optical fractionator method was applied for estimating the total number of motor neurons and the 3D size distribution was estimated using the rotator method in a vertical design. No difference was found in the total number of motor neurons and the size distributions were similar in the 2 groups. This design can be used as a model for the estimation of the total number of motor neurons and their size distribution in other experimental animal models.
Gold nanoparticles cellular toxicity and recovery: Effect of size, concentration and exposure time

Abstract Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used in many applications; however, their interactions with cells and potential health risk(s) are not fully known. In this manuscript, we describe the interactions of AuNPs with human dermal fibroblasts and show that they can penetrate the plasma membrane and accumulate in large vacuoles. We also demonstrate that the uptake of the AuNPs is a function of time, their size and concentration. Specifically, we demonstrate that 45 nm AuNPs penetrate cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, while the smaller 13 nm enter mostly via phagocytosis. Furthermore, we provide evidence of cytoskeleton filament disruption as a result of AuNPs exposure and reconstitution during recovery (following AuNP removal), despite no changes in actin or beta-tubulin protein levels. In contrast, the expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, collagen and fibronectin, was diminished in the cells exposed to AuNPs. We also examined the proliferation rates of cells exposed to AuNPs and show that its diminution is a function of apoptosis and speculate that apoptosis results from the number of vacuoles present in the cells, which is probably the main factor that disrupts the cytoskeleton causing cell area contraction and decreases in motility. Lastly, we also present data that indicates that AuNPs' damage to cells is not permanent and that the cells can completely recover as a function of AuNPs' size, concentration and exposure time. Taken together, our data suggest that AuNPs exert detrimental effects on cell function that could reverse following AuNPs removal.
Human mesenchymal stem cell‐derived Schwann cell‐like cells exhibit neurotrophic effects, via distinct growth factor production, in a model of spinal cord injury

Human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are considered a desirable cell source for autologous cell transplantation therapy to treat nervous system injury due to their ability to differentiate into specific cell types and render the tissue microenvironment more favorable for tissue repair by secreting various growth factors. To potentiate their possible trophic effect, hMSCs were induced without genetic modification to adopt characteristics of Schwann cells (SCs), which provide trophic support for regenerating axons. The induced hMSCs (shMSCs) adopted a SC‐like morphology and expressed SC‐specific proteins including the p75 neurotrophin receptor, which correlated with cell‐cycle exit. In addition, shMSCs secreted higher amounts of several growth factors, such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) when compared with uninduced hMSCs. Coculture of shMSCs with Neuro2A cells significantly increased neurite outgrowth and cell proliferation but decreased cell death. Transplantation of shMSCs in an ex vivo model of spinal cord injury dramatically enhanced axonal outgrowth, which was mediated by HGF and VEGF secretion and also decreased cell death. These results demonstrate that shMSCs could serve as an endogenous source of neurotrophic growth factors to facilitate axonal regeneration while at the same time protecting the resident cells at the site of tissue injury. We propose that these induced hMSCs without genetic modification are useful for autologous cell therapy to treat nervous system injury. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Environmental Risk Factors Predisposing to the Development of Basal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common malignancies in white people. The incidence varies depending on the region of the world, with the highest rate of 1% to 2% per year noted in Australia. It is estimated that BCC incidence increases by 5% annually. An increasing incidence of BCC is in line with the changes in the living style and exposure to various environmental factors. OBJECTIVE To present the environmental factors that may influence the development of BCCs. The influence of ultraviolet radiation exposure alone and in connection with immunosuppression, smoking, occupational factors, as well as arsenic and ionizing radiation exposure, was described. CONCLUSION BCC is a very complex disease, with many factors influencing its development. Environmental factors are very important for the prevalence of BCC, and most of them can be avoided. The exposure to ultraviolet radiation is undoubtedly of great risk; therefore, the national campaigns against aggressive, seasonal sun exposure, especially in children and adolescents, as well as using sunscreens, are of great value in the fight against BCC development.
A novel method for design and implementation of low power, high stable SRAM cell

SRAM is widely used cache memory in the world. Materialization of low power SRAM with highest stability is a need of the hour. As from many years the requirement of fast and low power devices are augmenting. In this paper, in first part described about stability analysis from ADM (extract from N-Curve). After that information about leakage power is given. One 8T SRAM circuit is proposed with low power and highest probable stability. This paper promises reduction in power by 66%. The stability of the cell is also increased, i.e. WNM increased by 15.9%; penalty is in RNM by 7.9 %.
Unified image retrieval and keypoint matching by local geometric consistency and non-linear diffusion

Feature-based image retrieval and feature matching have been used together in many applications, but they have been treated as two separate problems. We propose an unified approach which, for a query image, finds a set of candidate images together with feature matching results. By considering the local geometric consistency of neighboring features, we can find more and better feature matches even in challenging situations. Since the proposed forward/backward matching and non-linear diffusion run very efficiently, they can be used in the candidate image selection and improve the image retrieval performance significantly. Through quantitative comparisons we show that the proposed approach performs better than the recent state-of-the-art feature matching algorithms and image retrieval algorithms.
A Strain-Driven Morphotropic Phase Boundary in BiFeO3

Biffed into Shape BiFeO3 is known to have a very large ferroelectric polarization. Although the bulk ground state is rhombohedral (with the electrical polarization along the [111] direction), in thin films and under epitaxial strain, the material can be tetragonally distorted (polarization along [001]). Zeches et al. (p. 977) show that under compressive strain, these films are monoclinic, a phase that is highly stable because it comprises the same symmetry as the monoclinic phase which has been reported at the so-called morphotropic phase boundaries in technologically important ferroelectrics. This work offers the possibility of obtaining large piezoelectric responses in lead-free systems. Growth of epitaxial films of BiFeO3 on various substrates may provide a route toward making lead-free ferroelectric devices. Piezoelectric materials, which convert mechanical to electrical energy and vice versa, are typically characterized by the intimate coexistence of two phases across a morphotropic phase boundary. Electrically switching one to the other yields large electromechanical coupling coefficients. Driven by global environmental concerns, there is currently a strong push to discover practical lead-free piezoelectrics for device engineering. Using a combination of epitaxial growth techniques in conjunction with theoretical approaches, we show the formation of a morphotropic phase boundary through epitaxial constraint in lead-free piezoelectric bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) films. Electric field–dependent studies show that a tetragonal-like phase can be reversibly converted into a rhombohedral-like phase, accompanied by measurable displacements of the surface, making this new lead-free system of interest for probe-based data storage and actuator applications.
Motivations of nurses who migrate to Canada as domestic workers.

BACKGROUND While some trained nurses migrate to destination countries to work as domestic workers, little is known about their migration motivations. AIM This study explores the motivations of Philippine educated nurses who migrated to Canada through the Live-in Caregiver Program from 2001 to 2011 (a Canadian domestic worker programme). METHODS A single case study qualitative methodology and the transnational feminist concept of global care chains were utilized for this study. Interviews of 15 Philippine educated nurses who migrated to Canada as domestic workers were conducted in the province of Ontario, Canada, between February to October 2012. All participants had a baccalaureate degree from the Philippines. Interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using critical discourse analysis, aided by NVIVO 10 data analysis software. RESULTS Findings reveal a multi-step immigration process in which nurses migrate from the Philippines to the Middle East (especially Saudi Arabia) and finally to Canada. While emigration from the Philippines is mainly economically driven, migration from the Middle East to Canada is primarily motivated by the desire for Canadian citizenship for the family. Also, perceived social status and lifestyle in Canada as compared to the Middle East motivates this group of women to migrate to Canada. LIMITATION The major limitation of this study is the lack of input from nursing policy makers. CONCLUSION Gender-based familial ideologies and perspective on social status influence the migration decision of this group of nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY Implications for nursing and health policy makers include the provision of clear pre-migration information (including on the nursing registration process) to internationally educated nurses, advocacy for stronger immigration policies to ensure the integration of internationally educated nurses and a consideration of gender in all health human resource policies.
An area-efficient, 0.022-mm2, fully integrated resistor-less relaxation oscillator for ultra-low power real-time clock applications

In this paper, we propose a fully integrated and area-efficient resistor-less relaxation oscillator (ROSC) for ultra-low power real-time clock (RTC) applications. The proposed ROSC is based on a conventional ROSC and modified to be area-efficient circuit configuration, without using resistors. The proposed ROSC consists of a bias current source, proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage source, current mode ROSC, shunt regulator, and output logic circuit. The PTAT voltage source and shut regulator are used to compensate for the temperature characteristics of the ROSC. By implementing our proposed ROSC in a 65-nm CMOS process, the area was 0.022 mm2. Simulated results demonstrated that our proposed ROSC generates 32.5-kHz clock frequency and achieves ultra-low power dissipation of 271 nW. The temperature and voltage dependences of the oscillation frequency were 138ppm/°C and 13.9ppm/mV, respectively. Monte Carlo statistical simulations showed that the mean, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation are 32.3 kHz, 0.6 kHz, and 1.9%, respectively.
Increased Blood Lactate Level Deteriorates Running Economy in World Class Endurance Athletes

Abstract Hoff, J, Støren, Ø, Finstad, A, Wang, E, and Helgerud, J. Increased blood lactate level deteriorates running economy in world class endurance athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1373–1378, 2016—Blood lactate accumulation is associated with development of muscle fatigue and negatively correlated to endurance performance. No research has quantified the effects of lactate presence at moderate levels of lactate accumulation. The purpose of this study was to test whether 2 moderate blood lactate concentration levels affect running economy (RE) when running at the individual lactate threshold (LT). Seven male world class endurance athletes with an average V[Combining Dot Above]O2max of 80.7 ± 2.7 ml·kg−1·min−1 or 5.8 ± 0.5 L·min−1 participated in this study. After the V[Combining Dot Above]O2max test, the subjects were resting or walking and in a random order tested for RE at their LT velocity when the blood lactate level reached either 3 mmol·L−1 or 5 mmol·L−1. After a new 5-minute exercising period at maximal aerobic velocity, the crossover lactate value RE testing was performed. Running economy was significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) deteriorated from 0.668 ± 0.044 to 0.705 ± 0.056 ml·kg−0.75·m−1 or 5.5% (p ⩽ 0.05) for blood lactate level of 3 mmol·L−1 compared with 5 mmol·L−1, respectively. Increased lactate level from 3 to 5 mmol·L−1 is thus accompanied by deteriorated RE at LT running velocity. The deteriorated RE at moderate levels of lactate concentration emphasizes the importance of avoiding intensities above LT in the early parts of a dominantly aerobic endurance competition. It also emphasizes the importance of a high V[Combining Dot Above]O2max for aerobic endurance athletes and may partly explain the V[Combining Dot Above]O2 slow component as impaired RE.
An anisotropic perfectly matched layer-absorbing medium in finite element time domain method for Maxwell's equations

When we try to solve Maxwell's equations by a numerical method like the finite difference or finite element, one of the major question is: how to close the calculus domain? This is a mathematical question. Another point of view is: how to simulate an anechoic chamber in order not to be disturbed by reflections of the waves. The first way to answer this question was to use absorbing boundary conditions. Sacks et al. (see IEEE Trans. Antenna Propag., vol.43, no.l2, p.1460-3, 1995) present an approach for deriving a perfectly matched layer (PML) for mesh truncation. This approach is based on using anisotropic material properties to describe the absorbing layer. They have shown that the material properties of the medium can be chosen such that a planar interface between the anisotropic medium and free-space is perfectly reflectionless. This approach offers the advantage that it does not require a modification of Maxwell's equations and it is very easy to implement in finite elements. Sacks et al. present a formulation in frequency domain. We present the use of this approach in the finite element time domain.