Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Periodontal Disease and Edentulism With Hypertension Risk in Postmenopausal Women

BACKGROUND Multiple cross-sectional epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and tooth loss and hypertension, but the temporality of these associations remains unclear. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association of baseline self-reported periodontal disease and edentulism with incident hypertension. METHODS Study participants were 36,692 postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative-Observational Study who were followed annually from initial periodontal assessment (1998-2003) through 2015 (mean follow-up 8.3 years) for newly diagnosed treated hypertension. Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustment for potential confounders was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Edentulism was significantly associated with incident hypertension in crude (HR (95% CI) = 1.38 (1.28-1.49)) and adjusted (HR (95% CI) = 1.21 (1.11-1.30)) models. This association was stronger among those <60 years compared to ≥60 years (P interaction 0.04) and among those with <120 mm Hg systolic blood pressure, compared to those with ≥120 mm Hg (P interaction 0.004). No association was found between periodontal disease and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that edentulous postmenopausal women may represent a group with higher risk of developing future hypertension. As such improved dental hygiene among those at risk for tooth loss as well as preventive measures among the edentulous such as closer blood pressure monitoring, dietary modification, physical activity, and weight loss may be warranted to reduce disease burden of hypertension. Further studies are needed to clarify these results and further elucidate a potential role of periodontal conditions on hypertension risk.
Diversity and metabolism of xylose and glucose fermenting microbial communities in sequencing batch or continuous culturing

&NA; A mechanistic understanding of microbial community establishment and product formation in open fermentative systems can aid the development of bioprocesses utilising organic waste. Kinetically, a single rate‐limiting substrate is expected to result in one dominant species. Four enrichment cultures were operated to ferment either xylose or glucose in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) or a continuous‐flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) mode. The combination of 16S rRNA gene‐based analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridisation revealed no complete dominance of one species in the community. The glucose‐fed and xylose‐fed SBR enrichments were dominated >80% by one species. Enterobacteriaceae dominated the SBRs enrichments, with Citrobacter freundii dominant for xylose and Enterobacter cloacae for glucose. Clostridium, Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae affiliates dominated the CSTRs enrichments. Independent of substrate, SBR communities displayed 2‐3 times higher biomass‐specific rate of substrate uptake (qsmax) and 50% lower biomass yield on ATP, to CSTR communities. Butyrate production was linked to dominance of Clostridium and low qsmax (1.06 Cmols Cmolx‐1 h‐1), while acetate and ethanol production was linked to dominance of Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae and high qsmax (1.72 Cmols Cmolx‐1 h‐1 and higher). Overall, more diversity than expected through competition was observed, indicating mutualistic mechanisms might shape microbial diversity. &NA; Graphical Abstract Figure. We demonstrate that sequencing batch culturing promotes r‐organisms identified as Enterobacteriaceae, while continuous culturing promotes K‐organisms identified as Enterobactericiaceae, Clostridium and Lachnospiraceae.
Nothing to sneeze at – uptake of protective measures against an influenza pandemic by people with schizophrenia: willingness and perceived barriers

Objectives: To examine willingness to adopt protective behaviours, and perceived barriers, during a pandemic influenza, in people with schizophrenia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted exploring the responses of 71 adults with schizophrenia and 238 adults without schizophrenia attending a general practice setting, regarding willingness and perceived barriers to adopting protective measures against the 2009 swine influenza pandemic in Australia. Results: The majority of participants with schizophrenia reported that they would be at least moderately willing to be vaccinated (74.2%), isolate themselves (73.2%), wear a face mask (54.9%) and increase hand washing (88.6%). However, 71.8% were concerned about “catching” flu from vaccination. Predictors of willingness to adopt protective actions included self-efficacy (vaccination, face mask, isolation), perceived likelihood of contracting swine flu (vaccination), educational status (face mask) and perceived overall risk from swine flu (face mask). Key modifiable perceived barriers to adopting protective measures were identified, including cost and need for transport assistance for vaccination. Conclusions: People with schizophrenia report being generally willing to adopt protective measures, especially increased hand washing, during a pandemic influenza. Understanding perceived barriers may enable development of effective interventions to increase uptake of protective measures.
Warburg effect in Gynecologic cancers

Mammalian cells produce energy by oxidative phosphorylation under aerobic conditions. However, in the 1920s, Otto Warburg reported the so‐called “Warburg effect” in which cancer cells produce ATP that is biased toward glycolysis rather than mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation not only in anaerobic environment but also in aerobic environment. Glucose is converted into lactate without going into mitochondria after being metabolized in glycolysis. Compared with oxidative phosphorylation, the glycolysis has a faster ATP production rate but it is very inefficient, resulting in cancer cells consuming a large amount of glucose. Increased glucose metabolism has become a biomarker for cancer cells and has led to the development of positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose. Till date, the Warburg effect has been an inefficient system for cancer cells with regard to efficient energy production, but since the consumption of oxygen can be suppressed as the tumor grows in mass, it is thought that the Warburg effect is advantageous in this situation wherein the tumor can increase despite the lack of vessels. In addition, an increased lactate by the glycolysis causes acidosis in the microenvironment of tissues, which is thought to damage the surrounding normal tissues and favor the invasion and metastasis of cancer. Thus, Warburg effect is one of the key mechanisms for cancer development and will be the next promising target. In this review, we introduce key players that can be targeted in the Warburg effect and outline the prospects of treatment, targeting the Warburg effect in gynecological cancer.
JMJD5 links CRY1 function and proteasomal degradation

The circadian oscillator is a molecular feedback circuit whose orchestration involves posttranslational control of the activity and protein levels of its components. Although controlled proteolysis of circadian proteins is critical for oscillator function, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains incomplete. Here, we report that JmjC domain–containing protein 5 (JMJD5) interacts with CRYPTOCHROME 1 (CRY1) in an F-box/leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (FBXL3)-dependent manner and facilitates targeting of CRY1 to the proteasome. Genetic deletion of JMJD5 results in greater CRY1 stability, reduced CRY1 association with the proteasome, and disruption of circadian gene expression. We also report that in the absence of JMJD5, AMP-regulated protein kinase (AMPK)-induced CRY1 degradation is impaired, establishing JMJD5 as a key player in this mechanism. JMJD5 cooperates with CRY1 to repress circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput (CLOCK)–brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1), thus linking CRY1 destabilization to repressive function. Finally, we find that ablation of JMJD5 impacts FBXL3- and CRY1-related functions beyond the oscillator.
Controlling Covariate Shift using Equilibrium Normalization of Weights

We introduce a new normalization technique that exhibits the fast convergence properties of batch normalization using a transformation of layer weights instead of layer outputs. The proposed technique keeps the contribution of positive and negative weights to the layer output in equilibrium. We validate our method on a set of standard benchmarks including CIFAR-10/100, SVHN and ILSVRC 2012 ImageNet.
MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTIVITY AGAINST NORMAL CELLS BY SPLENIC LYMPHOCYTES FROM TUMOR-BEARING MICE

The establishment of an intimate connection between autoimmunity and neoplasia would require the demonstration of an experimentally induced, tumor-dependent autoimmune process. For this reason, we have studied cellular immune reactions of mice bearing a transplantable leukemia (L1210). Spleen cells from hybrid BDF1 mice bearing the L1210 tumor (BDFt) reacted vigorously in mixed lymphocyte culture with mitomycin-treated, normal spleen cells from mice of the parental strain from which the L1210 tumor was derived (DBA/2). Spleen cells from nontumor-bearing BDF1 mice reacted only weakly with these parental cells. The BDFt cells likewise did not respond when cultured with mitomycin-treated spleen cells from the other parental strain (C57B1/6). The vigorous mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) by BDFt cells against normal parental cells of the same strain as the tumor was not due to a double exposure of the reacting cells to histocompatibility antigens shared by tumor cells and normal parental cells. The response of cells from tumor-bearing F1 mice against normal parental cells seen in these experiments suggests the possibility of the induction of an autoimmune-like process against host lymphocytes by spleen cells from leukemic mice. Theoretically such a phenomenon would considerably reduce an animal's ability to mount an immune attack against malignant cells.
Postnatal Anthropometric and Body Composition Profiles in Infants with Intrauterine Growth Restriction Identified by Prenatal Doppler

Introduction Infant anthropometry and body composition have been previously assessed to gauge the impact of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at birth, but the interplay between prenatal Doppler measurements and postnatal development has not been studied in this setting. The present investigation was performed to assess the significance of prenatal Doppler findings relative to postnatal anthropometrics and body composition in IUGR newborns over the first 12 months of life. Patients and Methods Consecutive cases of singleton pregnancies with suspected IUGR were prospectively enrolled over 12 months. Fetal biometry and prenatal Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed. Body composition was assessed by absorptiometry at ages 10 days, and at 4 and12 months. Results A total of 48 pregnancies qualifying as IUGR were studied. Doppler parameters were normal in 26 pregnancies. The remaining 22 deviated from normal, marked by an Umbilical Artery Pulsatility Index (UA-PI) >95th centil or Cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) <5th centile. No significant differences emerged when comparing anthropometry and body composition at each time point, in relation to Doppler findings. Specifically, those IUGR newborns with and without abnormal Doppler findings had similar weight, length, body mass index, lean and fat mass, and bone mineral content throughout the first 12 months of life. In a separate analysis, when comparing IUGR newborns by Doppler (abnormal UA-PI vs. abnormal CPR), anthropometry and body composition did not differ significantly. Conclusions Infants with IUGR maintain a pattern of body composition during the first year of life that is independent of prenatal Doppler findings. Future studies with larger sample sizes and correlating with hormonal status are warranted to further extend the phenotypic characterization of the various conditions now classified under the common label of IUGR.
Consensus Report of the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry: Erosive tooth wear  diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE Due to an increased focus on erosive tooth wear (ETW), the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) considered ETW as a relevant topic for generating this consensus report. MATERIALS AND METHODS This report is based on a compilation of the scientific literature, an expert conference, and the approval by the General Assembly of EFCD. RESULTS ETW is a chemical-mechanical process resulting in a cumulative loss of hard dental tissue not caused by bacteria, and it is characterized by loss of the natural surface morphology and contour of the teeth. A suitable index for classification of ETW is the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE). Regarding the etiology, patient-related factors include the predisposition to erosion, reflux, vomiting, drinking and eating habits, as well as medications and dietary supplements. Nutritional factors relate to the composition of foods and beverages, e.g., with low pH and high buffer capacity (major risk factors), and calcium concentration (major protective factor). Occupational factors are exposition of workers to acidic liquids or vapors. Preventive management of ETWaims at reducing or stopping the progression of the lesions. Restorative management aims at reducing symptoms of pain and dentine hypersensitivity, or to restore esthetic and function, but it should only be used in conjunction with preventive strategies. CONCLUSIONS Effective management of ETW includes screening for early signs of ETW and evaluating all etiological factors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE ETW is a clinical condition, which calls for the increased attention of the dental community and is a challenge for the cooperation with other medical specialities.
The prognostic implication of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and its potential predictive value in those treated with docetaxel or abiraterone as first-line therapy

Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) is recognized as a newly pathological entity in 2016 WHO classification. It's role in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains obscure. We aimed to explore the association of IDC-P with clinical outcome and to further identify its potential predictive role in making first-line treatment decisions for mCRPC. We retrospectively analyzed data of 131 mCRPC patients. IDC-P was diagnosed by re-biopsy at the time of mCRPC. Among total patients, 45 and 41 received abiraterone or docetaxel as first-line therapies, respectively. PSA response, PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS) and overall survival (OS) from mCRPC to death were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, Log-rank test, Cox regression models and Harrell's C-index. The incidence of IDC-P in mCRPC reached 47.3%. IDC-P was not only related to rapid PSA progression, but also associated with a 20-month decrease in OS. Among IDC-P(-) patients, PSA response, PSA-PFS and OS were comparable in abiraterone-treated and docetaxel-treated groups. In contrast, among IDC-P(+) patients, PSA response rate is higher in abiraterone-treated group vs. docetaxel-treated group (52.4% vs. 21.7%; p = 0.035). Also, PSA-PFS and OS were much longer in the IDC-P(+) abiraterone-treated group vs. the docetaxel-treated group (PSA-PFS: 13.5 vs.6.0 months, p = 0.012; OS: not reach vs.14.7 months, p = 0.128). Overall, IDC-P in mCRPC from re-biopsy was an independent prognosticator for clinical outcome. Abiraterone was observed having a better therapeutic efficacy than docetaxel as the first-line therapy in IDC-P(+) mCRPC patients. Thus, we suggest IDC-P should be considered as a novel predictive marker helping physicians making treatment decisions for mCRPC.
Immune-correlates analysis of an HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trial.

BACKGROUND In the RV144 trial, the estimated efficacy of a vaccine regimen against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was 31.2%. We performed a case-control analysis to identify antibody and cellular immune correlates of infection risk. METHODS In pilot studies conducted with RV144 blood samples, 17 antibody or cellular assays met prespecified criteria, of which 6 were chosen for primary analysis to determine the roles of T-cell, IgG antibody, and IgA antibody responses in the modulation of infection risk. Assays were performed on samples from 41 vaccinees who became infected and 205 uninfected vaccinees, obtained 2 weeks after final immunization, to evaluate whether immune-response variables predicted HIV-1 infection through 42 months of follow-up. RESULTS Of six primary variables, two correlated significantly with infection risk: the binding of IgG antibodies to variable regions 1 and 2 (V1V2) of HIV-1 envelope proteins (Env) correlated inversely with the rate of HIV-1 infection (estimated odds ratio, 0.57 per 1-SD increase; P=0.02; q=0.08), and the binding of plasma IgA antibodies to Env correlated directly with the rate of infection (estimated odds ratio, 1.54 per 1-SD increase; P=0.03; q=0.08). Neither low levels of V1V2 antibodies nor high levels of Env-specific IgA antibodies were associated with higher rates of infection than were found in the placebo group. Secondary analyses suggested that Env-specific IgA antibodies may mitigate the effects of potentially protective antibodies. CONCLUSIONS This immune-correlates study generated the hypotheses that V1V2 antibodies may have contributed to protection against HIV-1 infection, whereas high levels of Env-specific IgA antibodies may have mitigated the effects of protective antibodies. Vaccines that are designed to induce higher levels of V1V2 antibodies and lower levels of Env-specific IgA antibodies than are induced by the RV144 vaccine may have improved efficacy against HIV-1 infection.
Enzalutamide in prostate cancer after chemotherapy.

To the Editor: In the randomized trial reported by Scher et al. (Sept. 27 issue), 1 the administration of enzalutamide, an androgen-receptor–signaling inhibitor, was associated with an increased inci dence of headache, as compared with placebo, in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Androgens are implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine; thus, it is important to understand whether the headache associated with enzaluta mide could be classified as migraine. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of this side effect is clinically relevant, since a relationship between migraine and the presence of either hot flashes or seizures has been de scribed previously. 2,3 Migraine and epilepsy have pathophysiological characteristics in common, 3 so patients who have migraine during enzaluta mide therapy may be at increased risk for sei zures. Notably, headache was not reported as a clinically relevant symptom in patients with cas tration-resistant prostate cancer who received abirater one, 4 a drug that deeply reduces circulat ing androgen levels. Abiraterone was adminis tered in association with prednisone, and glucocor ticoids are efficacious in preventing migraine. 5 It would be interesting to know whether glucocor ticoids were used in the management of enzalu tamide-induced headache and whether they were effective.
Current Pharmacological Management in Juvenile Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND The clinical presentation of Juvenile Huntington's Disease (JHD) can be very different from adult-onset HD with little evidence to guide symptomatic management. AIM To survey the current use of pharmacological treatments for JHD. METHODS Patients were identified through the HD Association, Hospital Doctors and the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study. RESULTS The most commonly prescribed agents were anti-psychotics (24/45), anti-depressants (17/45) and anti-parkinsonian medications (15/45). 5 patients were taking more than 8 medications. CONCLUSIONS The most commonly prescribed group of medication was the anti-psychotic. Many patients were on multiple therapies, highlighting the need to rationalise medications.
Artificial tactile and proprioceptive feedback improves performance and confidence on object identification tasks

Somatosensory feedback of the hand is essential for object identification. Without somatosensory feedback, individuals cannot reliably determine the size or compliance of an object. Electrical nerve stimulation can restore localized tactile and proprioceptive feedback with intensity discrimination capability similar to natural sensation. We hypothesized that adding artificial somatosensation improves object recognition accuracy when using a prosthesis. To test this hypothesis, we provided different forms of sensory feedback–tactile, proprioceptive, or both–to two subjects with upper limb loss. The subjects were asked to identify the size or mechanical compliance of different foam blocks placed in the prosthetic hand while visually and audibly blinded. During trials, we did not inform the subjects of their performance, but did ask them about their confidence in correctly identifying objects. Finally, we recorded applied pressures during object interaction. Subjects were free to use any strategy they chose to examine the objects. Object identification was most accurate with both tactile and proprioceptive feedback. The relative importance of each type of feedback, however, depended on object characteristics and task. Sensory feedback increased subject confidence and was directly correlated with accuracy. Subjects applied less pressure to the objects when they had tactile pressure feedback. Artificial somatosensory feedback improves object recognition and the relative importance of tactile versus proprioceptive feedback depends on the test set. We believe this test battery provides an effective means to assess the impact of sensory restoration and the relative contribution of different forms of feedback (tactile vs. kinesthetic) within the neurorehabilitation field.
Code-less Patching for Heap Vulnerabilities Using Targeted Calling Context Encoding

Exploitation of heap vulnerabilities has been on the rise, leading to many devastating attacks. Conventional heap patch generation is a lengthy procedure, requiring intensive manual efforts. Worse, fresh patches tend to harm system dependability, hence deterring users from deploying them. We propose a heap patching system that simultaneously has the following prominent advantages: (1) generating patches without manual efforts; (2) installing patches without altering the code (so called code-less patching); (3) handling various heap vulnerability types; (4) imposing a very low overhead; and (5) no dependency on specific heap allocators. As a separate contribution, we propose targeted calling context encoding, which is a suite of algorithms for optimizing calling context encoding, an important technique with applications in many areas. The system properly combines heavyweight offline attack analysis with lightweight online defense generation, and provides a new countermeasure against heap attacks. The evaluation shows that the system is effective and efficient.