Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alcohol and dietary fibre intakes affect circulating sex hormones among premenopausal women

Abstract Background The association of alcohol and fibre intake with breast cancer may be mediated by circulating sex hormone levels, which are predictors of breast cancer risk. Objective To evaluate the relationship of alcohol and dietary fibre intake with circulating sex hormone levels among premenopausal women. Methods A total of 205 premenopausal women completed a validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 2 years; blood samples taken at the same time were analysed for circulating sex hormone concentrations, including oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), free E2, progesterone, androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin, by radioimmunoassay. We used mixed models to estimate least-square means of sex hormone concentrations for alcohol intake categories and quartiles of dietary intake. Results After adjustment for covariates, alcohol consumption was moderately associated with higher circulating oestrogen levels; those who consumed more than one drink per day had 20% higher E2 (Ptrend = 0.07) levels than non-drinkers. In contrast, higher dietary fibre intake was associated with lower serum levels of androstenedione (−8% between the lowest and highest quartiles of intake, Ptrend = 0.06), but not oestrogens. Similarly, consumption of fruits (−12%, Ptrend = 0.03), vegetables (−9%, Ptrend = 0.15) and whole grains (−7%, Ptrend = 0.07) showed inverse associations with androstenedione levels. Conclusions The consistency of the observed differences in sex hormone levels associated with alcohol and fibre-rich foods indicates that these nutritional factors may affect sex hormone concentrations and play a role in breast cancer aetiology and prevention.
Étude de cas d’une jeune orthorexique

La symptomatologie de l’orthorexie est de plus en plus objet d’interet, mais ce trouble et les caracteristiques associees demeurent peu circonscrits. Cette etude de cas portant sur une adolescente vise a mieux definir les caracteristiques de l’orthorexie et a tenter de les distinguer de celles de l’anorexie. Selon les donnees d’evaluation, cette adolescente estime avoir perdu trop de poids et souhaite en reprendre. Elle est excessivement preoccupee par les questions relatives a la sante et presente des traits obsessionnels se manifestant dans les conduites alimentaires ou l’exercice physique. Le fonctionnement personnel, social et familial est affecte par le trouble.
Mid-term Results of the MOJE Hallux MP Joint Replacement

Background: There are reports of good early results in small numbers of patients implanted with the ‘Moje’ ceramic prosthesis. Published evidence thus far involves only small groups of patients with short-term followup. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the emerging mid-term clinical and radiographic results from our center. Materials and Methods: We describe our single-surgeon experience of 63 components in 48 patients at a mean followup of 44 months. Patient satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire and radiographic assessment performed immediately post operatively and at the latest followup. Results: Mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux score increased from 56 to 72 (p >0.01) and mean satisfaction score was 7.6 (scale 1–10). Sixty-seven percent reported minimal or no pain. Five implants have been removed (8%), four because of pain associated with implant loosening and subsidence, and one because of deep infection. Fifty-seven percent of metatarsal and 56% of phalangeal components had subsided and we found radiographic evidence of loosening in 58% of X-rays analyzed at latest followup. Prosthetic subsidence was associated with greater margin of uncovered bone under the prosthesis (p = 0.05 for metatarsal, p = 0.03 for proximal phalanx component) and longer followup (p >0.001). Conclusion: In spite of the good clinical outcome at the mid-term stage with 91% implant survival, given the widespread loosening and subsidence encountered in our study, the long-term outcome following this procedure is uncertain. Level of Evidence: III, Prospective, Case Control Study
Giant Vesicles: Preparations and Applications

There is considerable interest in preparing cell‐sized giant unilamellar vesicles from natural or nonnatural amphiphiles because a giant vesicle membrane resembles the self‐closed lipid matrix of the plasma membrane of all biological cells. Currently, giant vesicles are applied to investigate certain aspects of biomembranes. Examples include lateral lipid heterogeneities, membrane budding and fission, activities of reconstituted membrane proteins, or membrane permeabilization caused by added chemical compounds. One of the challenging applications of giant vesicles include gene expressions inside the vesicles with the ultimate goal of constructing a dynamic artificial cell‐like system that is endowed with all those essential features of living cells that distinguish them from the nonliving form of matter. Although this goal still seems to be far away and currently difficult to reach, it is expected that progress in this and other fields of giant vesicle research strongly depend on whether reliable methods for the reproducible preparation of giant vesicles are available. The key concepts of currently known methods for preparing giant unilamellar vesicles are summarized, and advantages and disadvantages of the main methods are compared and critically discussed.
Sulfinylated azadecalins act as functional mimics of a pollen germination stimulant in Arabidopsis pistils.

Polarized cell elongation is triggered by small molecule cues during development of diverse organisms. During plant reproduction, pollen interactions with the stigma result in the polar outgrowth of a pollen tube, which delivers sperm cells to the female gametophyte to effect double fertilization. In many plants, pistils stimulate pollen germination. However, in Arabidopsis, the effect of pistils on pollen germination and the pistil factors that stimulate pollen germination remain poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrate that stigma, style, and ovules in Arabidopsis pistils stimulate pollen germination. We isolated an Arabidopsis pistil extract fraction that stimulates Arabidopsis pollen germination, and employed ultra-high resolution electrospray ionization (ESI), Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) and MS/MS techniques to accurately determine the mass (202.126 Da) of a compound that is specifically present in this pistil extract fraction. Using the molecular formula (C10H19NOS) and tandem mass spectral fragmentation patterns of the m/z (mass to charge ratio) 202.126 ion, we postulated chemical structures, devised protocols, synthesized N-methanesulfinyl 1- and 2-azadecalins that are close structural mimics of the m/z 202.126 ion, and showed that they are sufficient to stimulate Arabidopsis pollen germination in vitro (30 μm stimulated approximately 50% germination) and elicit accession-specific response. Although N-methanesulfinyl 2-azadecalin stimulated pollen germination in three species of Lineage I of Brassicaceae, it did not induce a germination response in Sisymbrium irio (Lineage II of Brassicaceae) and tobacco, indicating that activity of the compound is not random. Our results show that Arabidopsis pistils promote germination by producing azadecalin-like molecules to ensure rapid fertilization by the appropriate pollen.
Comment "réhabiliter" le demi-fond pour motiver les élèves à courir ?

Partant du constat que la course de duree scolaire, malgre son omnipresence dans les programmations en EPS, posait des problemes recurrents au plan de la motivation et de l’investissement des eleves, ce travail propose une analyse de leurs causes et des pistes de re-mediations. L’etude des « Pratiques Sociales de Reference » (Martinand 1986) sur lesquelles se fonde le traitement didactique de l’activite nous amene a affiner et confirmer notre problematique et nos hypotheses de travail. Nous pensons que les eleves pourraient s’investir davantage en course de duree si cette activite n’etait pas en decalage important avec le demi-fond. « Rehabiliter » cette pratique athletique a travers la remise au gout du jour de certains aspects mis de cote a l’ecole comme les confrontations directes individuelles ou collectives, les defis, les relais et donc la cooperation ou encore le travail technique, strategique et tactique…nous semble etre un moyen interessant pour proposer des contenus propres a ranimer la motivation des eleves et leur permettre ainsi des acquisitions reelles. Pour ce faire, nous proposons de comparer deux demarches d’enseignement de la course de duree en vue de preparer un 1 500 metres : - l’une classique basee sur un developpement individualise de la VMA et de la regularite comme modele de gestion de l’effort ; - l’autre « alternative » proposant en plus, dans les tâches motrices, des organisations mettant en avant les aspects strategiques, tactiques et techniques. Notre experimentation s’est deroulee en deux temps. Une premiere phase dans des conditions « amenagees » avec des etudiants de DEUG STAPS sur un cycle long. Une seconde phase avec des lyceens et des collegiens sur un cycle adapte aux conditions scolaires (7 lecons). Les resultats relativement quantitatifs et les conclusions tirees de la premiere experimentation ont servis de base pour la seconde qui constitue une validation en condition reelle de la demarche. Ainsi, apres une « validation ecologique locale », nous avons ouvert la voie vers une « validation externe » de notre demarche (Bouthier & Durey 1994). De nombreuses interrogations et limites demeurent, mais il apparait clairement que notre approche est realisable dans les conditions scolaires et semble donner des resultats tout a fait satisfaisants en termes d’acquisitions et d’investissement. Elle permet surtout en definitive de poser la question de la validite des propositions de renovation des contenus en course de duree et ouvre quelques perspectives interessantes dans cette voie
Marital Change During the Transition to Parenthood and Security of Infant-Parent Attachment

To extend research on the characteristics and determinants of marital change during the transition to parenthood to include the consequences of such change, the security of infant-parent attachment was examined. Drawing on data from a longitudinal study of infant and family development, groups were formed on the basis of attachment security at one year and compared in terms of patterns of marital change displayed by mothers and fathers. Mothers of insecure infants experienced significantly greater declines in positive marital activities and sentiments and greater increases in negative marital activities and sentiments than did mothers of secure one-year-olds, and this difference emerged between three and nine months postpartum. Even before babies were born, mothers of secure and insecure infants differed in their marital appraisal. Specifically, mothers of secure infants tended to base their prenatal marital satisfaction appraisals more on positive than negative aspects of the marriage whereas the reverse was true of mothers of insecure infants. No relationship between marital change and attachment was discerned for husbands.
Anti-lactoferrin autoantibodies: relation between epitopes and iron-binding domain.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) have been found in the sera of patients presenting systemic necrotizing microscopic vasculitis, i.e. Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis. Lactoferrin (LF) is one of the antigens rarely recognized by ANCA, and anti-LF autoantibodies are found in several autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and Crohn's disease. We analysed the epitopes recognized by human anti-LF antibodies to test whether the heterogeneity of clinical presentation might be due to a different epitope recognition profile. Several monoclonal antibodies were raised and used in competition studies with six human sera. Four distinct epitopes were identified on LF, and LF binding of only one of six sera was inhibited by one of the monoclonals. Thus, anti-LF autoreactivity appears to be polyclonal and not restricted to an immunodominant epitope. Specific epitope profiles cannot be determined in these autoimmune conditions. We hypothesized that the interaction of anti-LF antibodies with the LF iron binding domain might contribute to pathogenesis by inhibiting iron chelation after neutrophil activation, thereby providing increased iron availability for endothelial cell damage. The relation of anti-LF mouse monoclonals or polyclonal human or rabbit antibodies to the LF iron-binding domain was studied in competition assays between 59Fe and these antibodies. Preincubation of LF with monoclonals or anti-LF human sera did not affect the binding of 59Fe on LF. 59Fe-binding kinetic studies showed that rabbit anti-LF polyclonal, but not mouse monoclonals or human anti-LF positive sera, was capable of inhibiting iron binding on LF. Therefore, anti-LF autoantibodies did not appear to modulate LF iron-binding activity. We conclude that LF is a rare antigen specificity for ANCA and that the clinical and pathophysiological relevance of anti-LF autoreactivity remains uncertain.
Intragenic amplification and formation of extrachromosomal small circular DNA molecules from the PIP gene on chromosome 7 in primary breast carcinomas

The PIP gene is expressed in exocrine glands and, in pathologic conditions, in breast cysts and breast cancers exhibiting apocrine features. It is localized on the long arm of chromosome 7, a region frequently alterated in mammary tumors. We previously described an abnormal restriction pattern of the PIP gene in 33% of prostate carcinomas analyzed. Here, we analyze the structure of the PIP gene in primary breast carcinomas. We report that part of the 3′ end, including exon 3, intron C, two‐thirds of exon 4 and a small portion of intron B, is amplified and involved in the formation of extrachromosomal spcDNA molecules in 3/14 (21.4%) breast cancers analyzed. The involvement of a well‐defined intragenic region of a gene in the formation of spcDNA appears to be unprecedented. Since spcDNA has been suggested to serve as an enhancer of genetic instability, the PIP gene may be the target of genomic variability processes in breast cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ASSOCIATION OF MACULAR PIGMENT OPTICAL DENSITY WITH SERUM CONCENTRATION OF OXIDIZED LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN IN HEALTHY ADULTS

Purpose: To analyze the association between macular pigment optical density (MPOD), which reflects lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) in the macula, and background characteristics. Methods: Fifty-five healthy adult volunteers were analyzed. Macular pigment optical density was measured using a heterochromatic flicker photometry technique, and serum concentrations of carotenoids and lipoproteins were by high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Dietary intake of nutrient was determined by a validated self-administered questionnaire on ingestion frequency. Results: Macular pigment optical density was positively correlated with serum concentrations of L and Z and dietary L intake and inversely correlated with serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Although MPOD decreased with age (95% confidence interval, −0.011 to −0.002; correlation coefficient, −0.269; P = 0.007), serum L/Z and dietary L intake did not. In contrast, serum oxidized LDL was positively correlated with age (95% confidence interval, 0.69–2.34; correlation coefficient, 0.333; P = 0.0004). After adjusting for age, sex, and oxidized LDL, serum L was positively correlated with MPOD (95% confidence interval, 0.88–1.69; P = 0.000001). After adjusting for age, sex, and serum L, serum oxidized LDL was inversely correlated with MPOD (95% confidence interval, −0.002 to −0.0004; P = 0.006). Conclusion: Macular pigment optical density was inversely correlated with serum oxidized LDL. Further study to know the impact of oxidized LDL on MPOD may be warranted.
Updates on osteonecrosis of the jaw

Purpose of reviewOsteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is an uncommon condition noted to occur in patients with cancer who are receiving intravenous bisphosphonates. The cause of ONJ remains unknown. The leading hypotheses addressing the mechanism of ONJ are reviewed here. Recent findingsThe present clinical data suggest that ONJ may occur in approximately 5% of patients with metastatic bone disease. The ability to predict an individual's risk of developing ONJ remains elusive. It is likely that an altered bone microenvironment and/or host defense mechanisms effected by medications used to treat patients with metastatic bone disease contributes to the development of ONJ. Medications that significantly reduce osteoclastic activity are associated with ONJ. Preclinical models of ONJ are being developed but to establish such an intricate systemic condition in animals is challenging. SummaryThe ONJ field has progressed via knowledge gained by case reports, population-based studies, and emerging animal models. Still, there are myths that need to be resolved and important clues that need to be investigated. Understanding the pathophysiology of this condition will be critical to improve patient care. Communications between oncologists, dentists, basic scientists, and patients are central to effective treatment and research for this condition.
Glycosaminoglycans: use in treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Because diabetic nephropathy occurs in 20 to 40% of patients with diabetes mellitus, it has become one of the most important causes of end-stage renal disease. The latest incidence figures vary from 16% of patients starting with dialysis in The Netherlands (1) to 42% in the United States (2). Diabetic nephropathy has a large impact in terms of associated morbidity and mortality for the individual patient and in terms of costs for health care (3). The duration and efficacy of treating hyperglycemia (4), as well as BP regulation (5,6) and genetic factors (7–10), are probably all important in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Several retrospective and prospective studies have demonstrated that microand macroalbuminuria predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus (reviewed in reference (11). Although Rossing et al. recently reported that the prognosis for patients with overt diabetic nephropathy has improved, 15% of IDDM patients with normoalbuminuria, 25% with microalbuminuria, and 44% with overt nephropathy died during their 10-yr follow-up study (12). How albuminuria and proteinuria are linked with macroangiopathy is poorly understood, and many hypotheses have been formulated and tested. The Steno hypothesis , first advanced by Deckertet al. in 1988, held that a genetic defect in the regulation of heparan sulfate (HS) production by endothelial, myomedial, and mesangial cells determines the susceptibility of diabetic patients to develop proteinuria and angiopathy with its associated cardiovascular risk (13). The sulfation pattern of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains of HS proteoglycans (HSPG) plays a pivotal role in this hypothesis. The central idea is that diabetic patients susceptible to nephropathy and macroangiopathy have a genetic trait leading to a lower activity of the enzymes responsible for GAG sulfation under high glucose conditions. The resulting undersulfated GAG chains would then play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria (due to the loss of anionic charges in the glomerular basement membrane [GBM]) and its morphologic substrate, diabetic nephropathy, as well as in the pathogenesis of diabetic microand macroangiopathy. Although genes have been cloned for N deacetylase/ N-sulfotransferase, 3O-sulfotransferase, and 6-O-sulfotransferase enzymes (reviewed in reference (14), it is still unclear whether different allotypes of these enzymes with a different susceptibility to high glucose concentrations really exist. Although the Steno hypothesis has not been formally proven, it has stimulated in vitro studies and therapeutic trials in experimental animal models and patients.
The decision analysis of market entry with game options concept

This manuscript introduces the concept of game options pricing model to build an approach by the decision analysis to create a bi-national market and two firm's competitive market entry behavior. The production system, market entry, and marketing strategy will face high risk uncertainty in the future; the flexible management value derived from decision-making is not only made now, but may be also made in the future. The project value for the market entry strategy can be evaluated by the real options approach which combines the mixture strategic game concept so as to decide the entry threshold, entry timing, and expected potential market entry value. This game options approach can provide the other concept for the decision analysis in some optimal solutions which is evaluated by the traditional approach of operational research.
The renal arterial resistance index and renal allograft survival.

BACKGROUND Most renal transplants fail because of chronic allograft nephropathy or because the recipient dies, but no reliable factor predicting long-term outcome has been identified. We tested whether a renal arterial resistance index of less than 80 was predictive of long-term allograft survival. METHODS The renal segmental arterial resistance index (the percentage reduction of the end-diastolic flow as compared with the systolic flow) was measured by Doppler ultrasonography in 601 patients at least three months after transplantation between August 1997 and November 1998. All patients were followed for three or more years. The combined end point was a decrease of 50 percent or more in the creatinine clearance rate, allograft failure (indicated by the need for dialysis), or death. RESULTS A total of 122 patients (20 percent) had a resistance index of 80 or higher. Eighty-four of these patients (69 percent) had a decrease of 50 percent or more in creatinine clearance, as compared with 56 of the 479 patients with a resistance index of less than 80 (12 percent); 57 patients with a higher resistance index (47 percent) required dialysis, as compared with 43 patients with a lower resistance index (9 percent); and 36 patients with a higher resistance index (30 percent) died, as compared with 33 patients with a lower resistance index (7 percent) (P<0.001 for all comparisons). A total of 107 patients with a higher resistance index (88 percent) reached the combined end point, as compared with 83 of those with a lower resistance index (17 percent, P<0.001). The multivariate relative risk of graft loss among patients with a higher resistance index was 9.1 (95 percent confidence interval, 6.6 to 12.7). Proteinuria (protein excretion, 1 g per day or more), symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection, and a creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area after transplantation also increased the risk. CONCLUSIONS A renal arterial resistance index of 80 or higher measured at least three months after transplantation is associated with poor subsequent allograft performance and death.