Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of −344C/T polymorphism in the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene with cardiac and cerebrovascular events in Chinese patients with hypertension

Objective Several recent studies have shown that the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) −344C/T polymorphism is related to cardiovascular diseases. However, whether the −344C allele influences the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Chinese patients with hypertension is unclear. Methods Chinese patients with essential hypertension were genotyped for the −344C/T polymorphism in CYP11B2 (n = 755; CC, n = 112; CT, n = 361; TT, n = 282) and followed for 11 years for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including stroke, onset of coronary artery disease (CAD), and CAD-related death. Established cardiovascular risk factors were used to adjust the multivariate Cox analysis. Results After a mean follow-up period of 7.60 ± 1.12 years, a significantly higher incidence of MACEs was seen in patients with the CC genotype than in those with the CT and TT genotypes. The CC variant was significantly and independently predictive of MACEs (hazard ratio = 2.049), CAD (hazard ratio = 1.754), and stroke (hazard ratio = 2.588), but not CAD-related stroke or death. Conclusion The CYP11B2 −344 CC genotype is a risk factor for CAD and stroke, independent of other established cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese patients with hypertension.
The Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Developing Successful Therapeutic and Secondary Prophylactic Breast Cancer Vaccines

Breast cancer affects roughly one in eight women over their lifetime and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. While outcomes have improved in recent years, prognosis remains poor for patients who present with either disseminated disease or aggressive molecular subtypes. Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of several cancers, with therapeutic vaccines aiming to direct the cytotoxic immune program against tumor cells showing particular promise. However, these results have yet to translate to breast cancer, which remains largely refractory from such approaches. Recent evidence suggests that the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important and long understudied barrier to the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines. Through an improved understanding of the complex and biologically diverse breast TME, it may be possible to advance new combination strategies to render breast carcinomas sensitive to the effects of therapeutic vaccines. Here, we discuss past and present efforts to advance therapeutic vaccines in the treatment of breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms through which the TME contributes to the failure of such approaches, as well as the potential means through which these can be overcome.
Flavonoids as Phytoestrogenic Components of Hops and Beer

The value of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) in beer production has been undisputed for centuries. Hops is rich in humulones and lupulones which gives the characteristic aroma and bitter taste, and preserves this golden drink against growing bacteria and molds. Besides α- and β-acids, the lupulin glands of hop cones excrete prenylated flavonoids, which exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities and therefore has therapeutic potential in humans. Recently, interest in hops was raised due to hop prenylated flavanones which show extraordinary estrogen activities. The strongest known phytoestrogen so far is 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), which along with 6-prenylanaringenin (6-PN), 6,8-diprenylnaringenin (6,8-DPN) and 8-geranylnaringenin (8-GN) are fundamental for the potent estrogen activity of hops. This review provides insight into the unusual hop phytoestrogens and shows numerous health benefits associated with their wide spectrum of biological activities including estrogenic, anticancer, neuropreventive, antinflamatory, and antimicrobial properties, which were intensively studied, and potential applications of these compounds such as, as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The relationship between nomophobia and psychiatric symptoms in adolescents

Abstract Objective This study aimed to find out whether nomophobia levels are higher in adolescents with internalising or externalising disorders than healthy adolescents and to investigate the correlation of nomophobia levels with externalising and internalising symptoms. Methods K-SADS (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia) was applied to 139 adolescents (ages 13–18) and they were asked to fill No Mobile Phone Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), while the parents were asked to complete Conners Parent Rating Scale-48 (CPRS-48). Results There were no significant differences in nomophobia total scores between the three study groups. However, losing connectedness (LC) and not being able to access information (NAI) subscores were significantly higher in group with internalising disorder than healthy controls and there was no significant difference between group with externalising disorder and healthy group. Separation anxiety, social phobia, total anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and oppositional problems positively correlated with nomophobia total score. Conduct problems correlated with only LC. Total anxiety and hyperactivity predicted nomophobia total score. Conclusions Since anxiety and hyperactivity were predictors of nomophobia according to the study, adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety disorder should be examined for nomophobia as well. Key points Nomophobia levels of internalising and externalising disordered groups did not differ. Internalising group had higher scores in two sub-dimensions of nomophobia. All anxiety and depression symptoms correlated with nomophobia. Hyperactivity and oppositional symptoms correlated with nomophobia. Total anxiety and hyperactivity were predictors of nomophobia.
Leader RNA regulates snakehead vesiculovirus replication via interacting with viral nucleoprotein

ABSTRACT Leader RNA, a kind of virus-derived small noncoding RNA, has been proposed to play an important role in regulating virus replication, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV), a kind of fish rhabdovirus causing high mortality to the cultured snakehead fish in China, was used to unveil the molecular function of leader RNA. High-throughput small RNA sequencing of SHVV-infected cells showed that SHVV produced two groups of leader RNAs (named legroup1 and legroup2) during infection. Overexpression and knockout experiments reveal that legroup1, but not legroup2, affects SHVV replication. Mechanistically, legroup1-mediated regulation of SHVV replication was associated with its interaction with the viral nucleoprotein (N). Moreover, the nucleotides 6–10 of legroup1 were identified as the critical region for its interaction with the N protein, and the amino acids 1–45 of N protein were proved to confer its interaction with the legroup1. Taken together, we identified two groups of SHVV leader RNAs and revealed a role in virus replication for one of the two types of leader RNAs. This study will help understand the role of leader RNA in regulating the replication of negative-stranded RNA viruses.
Age and Sex-Dependent ADNP Regulation of Muscle Gene Expression Is Correlated with Motor Behavior: Possible Feedback Mechanism with PACAP

The activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), a double-edged sword, sex-dependently regulates multiple genes and was previously associated with the control of early muscle development and aging. Here we aimed to decipher the involvement of ADNP in versatile muscle gene expression patterns in correlation with motor function throughout life. Using quantitative RT-PCR we showed that Adnp+/− heterozygous deficiency in mice resulted in aberrant gastrocnemius (GC) muscle, tongue and bladder gene expression, which was corrected by the Adnp snippet, drug candidate, NAP (CP201). A significant sexual dichotomy was discovered, coupled to muscle and age-specific gene regulation. As such, Adnp was shown to regulate myosin light chain (Myl) in the gastrocnemius (GC) muscle, the language acquisition gene forkhead box protein P2 (Foxp2) in the tongue and the pituitary-adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor PAC1 mRNA (Adcyap1r1) in the bladder, with PACAP linked to bladder function. A tight age regulation was observed, coupled to an extensive correlation to muscle function (gait analysis), placing ADNP as a muscle-regulating gene/protein.
Annexin A1–dependent tethering promotes extracellular vesicle aggregation revealed with single–extracellular vesicle analysis

Protein-mediated tethering of vesicles in the extracellular matrix contributes to microcalcification formation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) including plasma membrane–derived microvesicles and endosomal-derived exosomes aggregate by unknown mechanisms, forming microcalcifications that promote cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Here, we show a framework for assessing cell-independent EV mechanisms in disease by suggesting that annexin A1 (ANXA1)–dependent tethering induces EV aggregation and microcalcification. We present single-EV microarray, a method to distinguish microvesicles from exosomes and assess heterogeneity at a single-EV level. Single-EV microarray and proteomics revealed increased ANXA1 primarily on aggregating and calcifying microvesicles. ANXA1 vesicle aggregation was suppressed by calcium chelation, altering pH, or ANXA1 neutralizing antibody. ANXA1 knockdown attenuated EV aggregation and microcalcification formation in human cardiovascular cells and acellular three-dimensional collagen hydrogels. Our findings explain why microcalcifications are more prone to form in vulnerable regions of plaque, regulating critical cardiovascular pathology, and likely extend to other EV-associated diseases, including autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Laws and Ethics Related to Emotional Support Animals

The use of animals for therapeutic benefit is well-established. For example, for individuals with a disability such as blindness, trained service dogs can enhance the ability to live independently and participate fully in society. An emotional support animal (ESA) is an untrained animal that is used to support a person disabled by an emotional or mental disorder. The use of animals for therapeutic benefit is well-established. For example, for individuals with a disability such as blindness, trained service dogs can enhance the ability to live independently and participate fully in society. An emotional support animal (ESA) is an untrained animal that is used to support a person disabled by an emotional or mental disorder. For an animal to qualify as an ESA, a mental health or medical professional needs to write a letter saying that the animal is needed for the mental health of the person with the disability. This article describes the legal framework for service animals and ESAs, as well as the differences between them. We summarize information about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Air Carrier Access Act, and other laws governing an individual's right to be accompanied by a support animal. We also summarize the clinical research on ESAs and argue that, although there are few studies on the clinical effectiveness of ESAs, a broader body of research indicates that animals may have positive clinical effects on medical and mental illness. Finally, we suggest there is a need for further research and provider education on ESAs.
Ripening of cheese: oxidation-reduction potential and calcium phosphate.

Rennet-coagulated cheeses are ripened for periods varying from two weeks to two or more years during which the flavour and texture characteristics of the variety develop. Microbial changes during ripening include a decline in starter organisms and an increase in numbers of adventitious non-starter bacteria and, often, the development of a desirable bacterial or fungal secondary flora. Biochemical changes during ripening have been studied in considerable detail and include lipolysis and proteolysis, together with the metabolism of residual lactose, and of lactate and citrate. Lipolysis and proteolysis result ultimately in the liberation of fatty acids and amino acids, respectively, which may be metabolised to a range of volatile flavour compounds. In particular, amino acid catabolism is of considerable importance to flavour development in cheddar cheese. The effects of a number of parameters including pH, moisture, NaCl and temperature on the rate of ripening have been studied thoroughly. Oxidation-reduction (redox) potential is another fundamental physicochemical parameter that has been shown to affect the rate of formation of a number of volatile flavour compounds in vitro. Methods have been developed to monitor redox potential during cheese manufacture and ripening, and avenues are being explored to alter ripening by controlling this parameter which has heretofore been largely ignored. In addition to the production of flavour compounds, cheese ripening usually involves considerable changes to its texture due to changes to moisture, cleavage of the casein matrix of the cheese by proteolysis and alteration to the calcium equilibrium. Recent work has shown that in cheeses such as cheddar, changes to the equilibrium between casein-bound and soluble calcium phosphate affect texture development which can be modified by alteration of this equilibrium.
A systematic review of outcomes of wrist arthrodesis and wrist arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Surgical management of end-stage rheumatoid wrists is a contentious topic. The standard surgical treatment has traditionally been wrist arthrodesis. Wrist arthroplasty, however, offers an alternative that preserves some wrist motion. A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases was conducted. Data from 23 studies representing 343 cases of wrist arthrodesis and 618 cases of wrist arthroplasty were included. Complication rates were 17% for arthrodesis and 19% for arthroplasty, and both procedures were effective at alleviating pain and improving grip strength. Functional assessment by Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Patient-Related Wrist Evaluation of arthroplasty patients revealed clinically meaningful functional improvement compared with preoperative measurements. In contrast to previously published findings both procedures demonstrated comparable complication rates. While this can be speculated to be from advancements in prosthetics, robust long-term follow-up data on wrist arthroplasty are not available yet.
Experimental study of transplantion human embryonic OECs on transected spinal cord of rat

[Objective]To investigate the therapy of human enbryonic olfactory ensheathing cells(hOECs) transplantation on adult rats' transected spinal cord. [Method]Separated,cultured hOECS from abortus were obtained and percent age of P75 positive cells was calculated.Twenty-four Wistar rats were choosen and divided into experimental group and control group randomly.All rats of two goups were transected at the T_(10) segment of spinal cord.Nine to ten days later 5 ul(2.5×10~5) hOECs(labled by Hoechst 33342) were injected in the contusion area of lesion site in transplantation group.In control group same volume of DMEM-F12 were transplanted.1,2,4,6,8 and 10 weeks later all rats were estimated by system of the BBB locomotion score respectively.Then part of them were killed.The tissue section of spinal cords were separated and inspected by fluorescence microscope or the methods of immunohistochemical staining.Data were processed with statistical tools in double-blinded condition. [Result]Transplanted hOECs can survive for at least ten weeks and even migrated from the injuried area in spinal cord.From 4 weeks to 10 weeks the BBB locomotion scores of experimental group were improved significantly contrasting to that of control group(P0.01). P75 immunohistochemical staining showed the experimental group had a positive reaction.The number of nerve fibers and synapse were observed more than that of control group. [Conclusion]Transplantion of hOECs can enhance recovery of locomotion function for adult rats with spinal cord injury.
Psychological Distress and Problem Gambling in Elite Athletes during COVID-19 Restrictions—A Web Survey in Top Leagues of Three Sports during the Pandemic

COVID-19 and lockdown strategies may affect mental health and addictive behavior differently in the population, and elite athletes are among the professions clearly affected by the pandemic. This study in top elite athletes aimed to study current perceived psychological influence from COVID-19 and symptoms of depression, anxiety and changes in alcohol drinking, gambling behavior and problem gambling in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown. This web survey included athletes in top leagues of soccer, ice hockey and handball in Sweden (N = 327, 62% men). A total of 66% and 51% were worried about the future of their sport or about their own future in sports, respectively. Feeling worse psychologically during the pandemic was common (72% of women, 40% of men, p < 0.001); depression criteria were endorsed by 19% of women and three percent of men (p < 0.001); anxiety criteria by 20% of women and five percent of men (p < 0.001). Reporting increased gambling during the pandemic was associated with gambling problem severity. Moderate-risk or problem gambling was seen in 10% of men and none of the women (p < 0.001). Depression and anxiety were associated with feeling worse during the COVID-19 pandemic and with concern over one’s own sports future. In conclusion, COVID-19-related distress is common in elite athletes and associated with mental health symptoms. Gambling increase during the pandemic was rare, but related to gambling problems, which were common in male athletes. The calls for increased focus on COVID-19-related concerns in athletes and on problem gambling in male athletes.
The Role of Helplessness in the Appraisal of Illness Uncertainty in Women With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by uncertainty in etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. The high level of illness uncertainty that results from fibromyalgia is a risk factor for maladjustment to illness. A cross-sectional survey design was used to examine the relationships among illness uncertainty, helplessness, and subjective well-being in 138 women with fibromyalgia. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine a predictive model for mediation. We found illness uncertainty is negatively associated with subjective well-being and that helplessness strongly influences the impact of illness uncertainty on subjective well-being in women with fibromyalgia.
Impact of political conflict on tuberculosis notifications in North-east Nigeria, Adamawa State: a 7-year retrospective analysis

Objective We assessed the impact of political conflict (Boko Haram) on tuberculosis (TB) case notiﬁcations in Adamawa State in North-east Nigeria. Design A retrospective analysis of TB case notifications from TB registers (2010–2016) to describe changes in TB notification, sex and age ratios by the degree of conflict by local government area. Setting Adamawa State. Participants 21 076 TB cases notified. Results 21 076 cases (62% male) were notiﬁed between 2010 and 2016, of which 19 604 (93%) were new TB cases. Areas affected by conflict in 2014 and 2015 had decreased case notification while neighbouring areas reported increased case notifications. The male to female ratio of TB cases changed in areas in conflict with more female cases being notified. The young and elderly (1–14 and >65 years old) had low notifications in all areas, with a small increase in case notifications during the years of conflict. Conclusion TB case notifications decreased in conflict areas and increased in areas without conflict. More males were notified during peace times and more female cases were reported from areas in conflict. Young and elderly populations had decreased case notifications but experienced a slight increase during the conflict years. These changes are likely to reflect population displacement and a dissimilar effect of conflict on the accessibility of services. TB services in conflict areas deserve further study to identify resilient approaches that could reach affected populations.
Polymeric Hydrogel Systems as Emerging Biomaterial Platforms to Enable Hemostasis and Wound Healing

Broad interest in developing new hemostatic technologies arises from unmet needs in mitigating uncontrolled hemorrhage in emergency, surgical, and battlefield settings. Although a variety of hemostats, sealants, and adhesives are available, development of ideal hemostatic compositions that offer a range of remarkable properties including capability to effectively and immediately manage bleeding, excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial effect, and strong tissue adhesion properties, under wet and dynamic conditions, still remains a challenge. Benefiting from tunable mechanical properties, high porosity, biocompatibility, injectability and ease of handling, polymeric hydrogels with outstanding hemostatic properties have been receiving increasing attention over the past several years. In this review, after shedding light on hemostasis and wound healing processes, the most recent progresses in hydrogel systems engineered from natural and synthetic polymers for hemostatic applications are discussed based on a comprehensive literature review. Most studies described used in vivo models with accessible and compressible wounds to assess the hemostatic performance of hydrogels. The challenges that need to be tackled to accelerate the translation of these novel hemostatic hydrogel systems to clinical practice are emphasized and future directions for research in the field are presented.