Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood predictors of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Childhood obesity predicts the risk of adult adiposity, which is associated with the earlier onset of cardiovascular disease [adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ACVD: hypertension, increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) stroke, ischemic heart disease (IHD)] and dysglycaemia. Because it is not known whether childhood obesity contributes to these diseases, we conducted a systematic review of studies that examine the ability of measures of obesity in childhood to predict dysglycaemia and ACVD. Data sources were Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, SCOPUS, ProQuest and reference lists. Studies measuring body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness and waist circumference were selected; of 1,954 studies, 18 met study criteria. Childhood BMI predicted CIMT: odds ratio (OR), 3.39 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.02 to 5.67, P < 0.001) and risk of impaired glucose tolerance in adulthood, but its ability to predict ACVD events (stroke, IHD; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.07; P < 0.001) and hypertension (OR, 1.17, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.27, P = 0.003) was weak–moderate. Body mass index was not predictive of systolic BP (r −0.57, P = 0.08) and weakly predicted diastolic BP (r 0.21, P = 0.002). Skin fold thickness in childhood weakly predicted CIMT in female adults only (rs0.09, P < 0.05). Childhood BMI predicts the risk of dysglycaemia and abnormal CIMT in adulthood, but its ability to predict hypertension and ACVD events was weak and moderate, respectively. Skin fold thickness was a weak predictor of CIMT in female adults.
MAPK Hog1 closes the S. cerevisiae glycerol channel Fps1 by phosphorylating and displacing its positive regulators

The yeast aquagylceroporin Fps1 is a key regulator of glycerol transport in response to changes in extracellular osmolarity. Here, Lee et al. delineate how the MAPK Hog1 and glycerol channel regulators Rgc1/2 control Fps1 channel activity. The authors show that Rgc2 maintains Fps1 in an open channel state via split pleckstrin homology domains within both proteins. Hog1 induces Fbs1 channel closure by binding Fps1 and phosphorylating the activating subunit Rgc2. This study reveals a new aspect of spatial control mechanisms used by MAPKs to regulate their targets.
A modular and flexible ESC-based mouse model of pancreatic cancer

Saborowski et al. developed a flexible embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based mouse model for pancreatic cancer. The ESCs harbor a latent Kras mutant, a homing cassette, and other genetic elements needed for rapid insertion and conditional expression of tetracycline-controlled transgenes, including fluorescence-coupled shRNAs. This model produces a disease that follows the progression of human pancreatic cancer, and they used it to dissect temporal roles for Pten and c-Myc in pancreatic cancer development and maintenance.
Natriuretic peptides in the control of lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity

Natriuretic peptides have long been known for their cardiovascular function. However, a growing body of evidence emphasizes the role of natriuretic peptides in human substrate and energy metabolism, thereby connecting the heart with several insulin‐sensitive organs like adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver. Obesity may be associated with an impaired regulation of the natriuretic peptide system, also indicated as a natriuretic handicap. Evidence points towards a contribution of this natriuretic handicap to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiometabolic complications, although the causal relationship is not fully understood. Nevertheless, targeting the natriuretic peptide pathway may improve metabolic health in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This review will focus on current literature regarding the metabolic roles of natriuretic peptides with emphasis on lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, it will be discussed how exercise and lifestyle intervention may modulate the natriuretic peptide‐related metabolic effects.
The association between psychological factors and breastfeeding behaviour in women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg m−2: a systematic review

Breastfeeding can play a key role in the reduction of obesity, but initiation and maintenance rates in women with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg m−2 are low. Psychological factors influence breastfeeding behaviours in the general population, but their role is not yet understood in women with a BMI ≥30 kg m−2. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically search and synthesize the literature, which has investigated the association between any psychological factor and breastfeeding behaviour in women with a BMI ≥30 kg m−2. The search identified 20 eligible papers, reporting 16 psychological factors. Five psychological factors were associated with breastfeeding behaviours: intentions to breastfeed, belief in breast milk's nutritional adequacy and sufficiency, belief about other's infant feeding preferences, body image and social knowledge. It is therefore recommended that current care should encourage women to plan to breastfeed, provide corrective information for particular beliefs and address their body image and social knowledge. Recommendations for future research include further exploration of several psychological factors (i.e. expecting that breastfeeding will enhance weight loss, depression, anxiety and stress) and evidence and theory‐based intervention development.
A cell cycle-regulated Slx4–Dpb11 complex promotes the resolution of DNA repair intermediates linked to stalled replication

A key function of the DNA damage response is to facilitate the bypass of replication fork-stalling DNA lesions. Template switch reactions allow such a bypass and involve the formation of DNA joint molecules (JMs) between sister chromatids. However, the regulation of JM resolution is poorly understood. Pfander and colleagues elucidate a mechanism in yeast that critically controls JM resolution by the Mus81–Mms4 endonuclease. The data show that the conserved complex comprising scaffold proteins Dbp11 and Slx4 integrates cellular inputs and regulates the activation of the JM-resolving nuclease Mus81.
Milk production, peripartal liver triglyceride concentration and plasma metabolites of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with calcium soaps or hydrogenated triglycerides of palm oil

The aim of the study was to test the effect of rumen-inert fat supplements of different chemical forms or containing different unsaturated/saturated (U/S) fatty acid contents on milk production, milk composition and liver and blood metabolic variables of high-yielding dairy cows in the peripartal period. Thirty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were divided into three equal groups and fed a corn silage-based diet, without fat supplementation (control) or supplemented with 11·75 MJ NEl per day of calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (CAS; U/S=61/39) or with 11·75 MJ NEl per day of hydrogenated palm oil triglyceride (HTG; U/S=6/94). Each diet was fed from 25±2 d prior to the expected calving to 100±5 d post partum. Compared with the control, both CAS and HTG supplementation resulted in an increase of the average milk yield. Milk fat content and fat-corrected milk yield were higher in the HTG group but lower in the CAS group than in the control group. In all groups liver triglyceride concentrations (TGL) increased from 15 d prepartum to 5 d post partum, and then decreased thereafter. At 5 d TGL was lower in the HTG group than control or CAS cows. No significant differences were detected in TGL among dietary treatments at 15 d prepartum and 25 d post partum. Higher plasma glucose and insulin and lower non-esterified fattay acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase activity were measured in the HTG group than in the control or CAS groups at 5 d or 25 d post partum. Our results show that HTG may provide a better energy supply for high-yielding dairy cows in negative energy balance than CAS around calving.
Optical characterization of vocal folds with optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new non-invasive method to investigate biological tissue with a penetration depth of up to three millimeters. In this study OCT was used on the porcine larynx. The vocal folds were assigned to defined areas and examined by OCT followed by traditional histo-morphological analysis. We were able to validate this new method by showing that both the OCT-tomographs and the histological assays showed a clear demarcation of epithelium mucosae from the deeper layers. The current standard procedure to ensure the diagnosis, if tissue is malignant, is still an invasive one. Our results show that OCT allows the collection of crucial information about the quality of morphological changes on a vocal fold without the necessity of being invasive. Thus, we propose that optical coherence tomography should be introduced as a new and easy method for the detection of morphological changes of the vocal fold complementary to other established methods.
Role of Tet proteins in enhancer activity and telomere elongation

Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, Lu et al. generated mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that are deficient for all three Tet proteins. Functional characterization of these ESCs revealed a role for Tet proteins in regulating the two-cell embryo (2C)-like state under ESC culture conditions. The knockout ESCs exhibited increased telomere–sister chromatid exchange and elongated telomeres.
Perception of facial profiles: influence of female sex hormones and personality traits.

OBJECTIVES The observational study investigated whether women's perception of the facial profile is related to changes in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle and under the influence of personality traits. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION Participants were heterosexual Caucasian normally menstruating women not using oral contraceptives (N = 30, aged 20-44 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS The profile attractiveness was assessed by grading of thirteen men's and women's Caucasian profile distortions by a visual analogue scale (0 = least to 100 = most attractive) in the non-ovulating phase and ovulating phase of the menstrual cycle. Male profiles were graded twice-in social and emotional contexts. Personality traits were assessed by Big Five Inventory. RESULTS The most attractive male profiles in both phases and contexts were a straight profile or mild lip retrusion. According to cluster analysis, non-ovulating females distinguish skeletal from dentoalveolar alterations; however, maxillary retrognathism was considered to be closer to an attractive profile, which were resulting from dentoalveolar manipulations only. Ovulating females, when considering emotional relationship, exhibit lowest preference for males with convex profiles and extreme concave profile, while they consider males with slightly prominent chins due to maxillary retrognathism, mandibular prognathism or pronounced lip retrusion closer to the most attractive males. No clear patterns of influence of personality traits were detected. Moderate lip protrusion was the most attractive female profile in ovulating and straight profile in non-ovulating phase. CONCLUSION The favorable profiles, on average, are the same regardless of the female hormonal status and personality traits.
Subcutaneous golimumab maintains clinical response in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Subcutaneous golimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), was evaluated as maintenance therapy in TNFα antagonist-naive adults with moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis, despite conventional therapy, who responded to golimumab induction therapy. METHODS We performed a phase 3, double-blind trial of patients who completed golimumab induction trials (Program of Ulcerative Colitis Research Studies Utilizing an Investigational Treatment, eg, PURSUIT). Patients who responded to induction therapy with golimumab (n = 464) were assigned randomly to groups given placebo or injections of 50 or 100 mg golimumab every 4 weeks through week 52. Patients who responded to placebo in the induction study continued to receive placebo. Nonresponders in the induction study received 100 mg golimumab. The primary end point was clinical response maintained through week 54; secondary end points included clinical remission and mucosal healing at both weeks 30 and 54. RESULTS Clinical response was maintained through week 54 in 47.0% of patients receiving 50 mg golimumab, 49.7% of patients receiving 100 mg golimumab, and 31.2% of patients receiving placebo (P = .010 and P < .001, respectively). At weeks 30 and 54, a higher percentage of patients who received 100 mg golimumab were in clinical remission and had mucosal healing (27.8% and 42.4%) than patients given placebo (15.6% and 26.6%; P = .004 and P = .002, respectively) or 50 mg golimumab (23.2% and 41.7%, respectively). Percentages of serious adverse events were 7.7%, 8.4%, and 14.3% among patients given placebo, 50 mg, or 100 mg golimumab, respectively; percentages of serious infections were 1.9%, 3.2%, and 3.2%, respectively. Among all patients given golimumab in the study, 3 died (from sepsis, tuberculosis, and cardiac failure, all in patients who received 100 mg golimumab) and 4 developed active tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS Golimumab (50 mg or 100 mg) maintained clinical response through week 54 in patients who responded to induction therapy with golimumab and had moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis; patients who received 100 mg golimumab had clinical remission and mucosal healing at weeks 30 and 54. Safety was consistent with that reported for other TNFα antagonists and golimumab in other approved indications. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00488631.
Inflammatory signaling regulates embryonic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell production

Here, Li et al. show that inflammatory signaling regulates embryonic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) formation. HSCs from aorta/gonad/mesonephros (AGM) regions of midgestation mouse embryos expressed a robust innate immune/inflammatory signature. Mouse embryos lacking interferon γ (IFN-γ )or IFN-α signaling and zebrafish lacking IFN-γ and IFN-ϕ activity had fewer AGM HSPCs. IRF2-occupied genes identified in human fetal liver CD34+ HSPCs were actively transcribed in human and mouse HSPCs.
Report of the International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements (ICRU)

The ICRU has been unusually active since its meeting in 1953. This activity has been due to a number of reasons: One was the introduction of a new quantity and unit for radiation measurement; another has been due to the necessary collaboration with the ICRP in radiation protection problems of global interest; and a third relates to the necessity of collaboration with numerous other international bodies having certain interests in common with those of the ICRU. The following meetings have been held: 1. Geneva, April 1956, for ten days. 2. Mexico City, July 1956, for one day. 3. New York, November 1956, for ten days, in conjunction with the ICRP, to organize a joint study for the U. N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations. 4. Geneva, April 1957, for ten days with the ICRP. 5. Geneva, September 1958, for twelve days. 6. Munich, July 1959, for three days. 7. In addition, committees and task groups of committees have met on several occasions. An extensive report on radiation units, measurem.
JMJD1C is required for the survival of acute myeloid leukemia by functioning as a coactivator for key transcription factors

In this study, Chen et al. identify an important role for the histone H3K9me2 demethylase JMJD1C in AML1-ETO-mediated AML as well as other types of AML. The findings here provide new insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating target gene recruitment and coactivator function in AML.
Public knowledge and acceptance of dental implant treatment in Malaysian Population

Aims: Due to the high success rates and predictability of dental implants, their usage in the rehabilitation of partially dentate and edentulous patients is increasing year by years. The aim of the survey was to assess the patient awareness, source of information and acceptance of dental implants as a treatment modality for replacement of missing teeth among the Malaysian population. Materials and Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted among the patients visiting various dental outpatient departments of hospital and private dental clinics using a self-explanatory questionnaire. The questionnaires were prepared in English and Malay language to enable better understanding and completion. Results: Among the 1013 response retrieved, 772 were aware of dental implant treatment. Among the 81% of the respondents who knew dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth, 19.5% opted not to receive dental implant treatment. About 81.8% of the respondents expressed that dental implant treatment was unaffordable. The cost and associated surgery was a major disadvantage and deterrent to this modality. The dentists were the main source of information regarding the dental implant treatment modality, followed by friends and electronic media. Conclusion: The survey concluded that 76.2% of the Malaysian population was aware of dental implant treatment in Malaysia, mainly from dentists. Having dental insurance would most definitely raise the willingness of respondents for receiving dental implant treatment. Clinical Relevance to Interdisciplinary Dentistry The practice of implant dentistry requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the knowledge, skills and experience of different disciplines of dentistry comprising of prosthodontics, periodontology and oral surgery into a comprehensive treatment plan. Interdisciplinary therapy is the best way to consider all factors for a successful outcome and to avoid complications in implant dentistry.
Short-term effects of milking frequency on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count and milk protein profile in dairy goats

Goats in Canary Islands are milked once a day by tradition, but in most countries with high technology on farms, goats are milked twice a day, which is known to improve milk yield. Therefore it is important to know whether the increase of milking frequency can improve the production without impairing milk quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the short term effects of three milking frequencies on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and milk protein profile in dairy goats traditionally milked once a day. Twelve Majorera goats in early lactation (48±4 d in milk) were used. During a 5-week period, goats were milked once a day (X1) in weeks 1 and 5, twice a day (X2) in weeks 2 and 4, and three times a day (X3) in week 3. Milk recording and sampling were done on the last day of each experimental week. Milk yield increased by 26% from X1 to X2. No differences were obtained when goats were switched from X2 to X3, and from X3 to X2. The goats recovered the production level when they returned to X1. Different patterns of changes in the milk constituents due to the milking frequency effect were observed. Fat percentage increased when switched from X1 to X2, then decreased from X2 to X3, and from X3 to X2, whereas it did not show significant differences from X2 to X1. Milking frequency did not affect the protein and lactose percentages. SCC values were unaffected when goats were milked X1, X2 and X3, but then they increased slightly when milking frequency was returned to X2 and X1. Finally, quantitative analysis showed an increase in intensities of milk protein bands from X1 to X2, but the intensities of casein bands (αS1-CN, αS2-CN, β-CN, κ-CN) and major whey proteins (α-La, β-Lg) decreased from X2 to X3.
Violence against mental health care professionals: prevalence, nature and consequences

In this study, the prevalence, nature and consequences of violence against mental health care professionals are examined. Dutch mental health professionals working in clinical psychiatry were approached to fill in an online questionnaire on their personal experiences with physical violent incidents. It appeared that 67% of the 1534 respondents were victim of at least one physical violent incident in the past five years. In total, the 1534 respondents reported they had encountered 2648 physical violent incidents. In some cases, the consequences were very severe, not only for the victim but also for the employer. Some groups of professionals appear to have an increased risk of being victimized. The findings show that the violence that mental health professionals encounter is a substantial and severe problem that no longer should be disregarded.
Mutation of cancer driver MLL2 results in transcription stress and genome instability

In this study, Kantidakis et al. investigate the mechanism underlying the role of MLL2 in tumorigenesis and find that MLL2 mutation causes genome instability. They show that MLL2 mutated cells display signs of substantial transcription stress, and the most affected genes overlap with early replicating fragile sites, show elevated levels of γ-H2AX, and suffer frequent mutation.
Assessment Of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction By Radionuclide Angiography Comparison to Echocardiography and Serial Measurements in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

There is clearly a need for non-invasive techniques that will permit the study of the changes in left ventricular performance in the acutely ill patient early after an acute myocardial infarction as well as during the recovery period. Left ventricular ejection fraction as a measure of left ventricular performance can be obtained noninvasively by echocardiography.1/41) It is derived by measuring a single chord in the transverse plane of the left ventricular chamber. For the calculation of ejection fraction by this method two assumptions are made: (1) the geometry of the left ventricular chamber can be approximated by an elliptical model; and (2) the recorded transverse segmental function is representative of the entire left ventricle. The accuracy of this technique, therefore, might be limited when regional abnormalities in left ventricular wall motion are present, e.g., in patients with myocardial infarction. Alternatively, radioisotopic high-frequency left ventricular timeactivity dilution curves provide a means to measure left ventricular ejection fraction with high accuracy. (2,3,4) The calculation of the ejection fraction by this method is virtually free of geometric assumptions and, therefore, should be par-ticularly useful in patients with myocardial infarctions.