Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explaining Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health Behaviours: the role of environmental factors

textabstractIn general, those who are worse off in terms of power, knowledge and wealth are also worse off in terms of health. This inverse relation between socioeconomic status (ses ) and health has been observed for centuries . With few exceptions, the association exists regardless of the measure of ses that is employed (education, income, or occupation) or the health outcome studied. Still today, in a developed country like the Netherlands, considerable socioeconomic differences in health exist. Those with a lower socioeconomic position live three to five years shorter than their higher status counterparts (on average), and also spend ten to fifteen more years in poorer health. Lower socioeconomic groups have higher rates of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancers [, report more health problems and complaints, and have poorer self-perceived health. Despite all advances during the last century that have resulted in today’s modern society, health inequalities have not reduced over time, in fact, they have even widened over the recent decades. However, the common convention in nowadays’ Western societies is that socioeconomic health inequalities should be reduced, for several reasons. First, health inequalities are considered unjust, as the poorer health of lower socioeconomic groups is at least partly due to societal and environmental processes which are beyond their individual control. Secondly, good health and freedom of choice are valued high within our society, and good health is an important predisposition for every individual’s opportunities in life. Thirdly, if the average health status of lower ses groups could be upgraded to the level of their more advantaged counterparts, this would have large gains for public health in general. Lastly, variations in the magnitude of health inequalities over time and between countries suggest that health inequalities are, at least to some extent, modifiable. Therefore, research is needed to find entry-points for policies and interventions to reduce socioeconomic health inequalities.
Epigenome-wide analyses of well-being through direct epigenetic measurement and Mendelian Randomization

We performed an epigenome wide association studies (EWAS) meta-analysis of wellbeing, where individual differences in CpG site methylation in whole blood are associated with individual differences in well-being. We control for two well-known confounders of epigenetic associations, smoking and BMI. However, we are aware of the effect that potential unmeasured confounders could have on our results as well as uncertain of the direction of causation of the association between well-being and CpG methylation. To guard against unmeasured confounding and to infer a direction of effect we perform Mendelian Randomization, specifically we perform summary-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR). We perform SMR in which the (cis) QTL effect of SNPs on methylation (cis-mQTL), and a large GWAS of wellbeing are combined to infer the (causal) effect of CpG methylation on well-being. We perform SMR leveraging cismQTLs discovered in both blood and brain tissues and compared results between tissues, and between SMR and EWAS. We found a high consistency of direction of effect (r > .9) between SMR results where the QTL is discovered in different whole blood datasets as well as high consistency between whole blood and fetal brain datasets (r = .72). However, when comparing the direction of effect between our EWAS and SMR results, no notable correlations were observed. Our results indicate that if the aim is to increase our understanding of the functional consequences of epigenetic changes on wellbeing, SMR may be preferred over EWAS in whole blood. If, however, the aim is to identify ways in which well-being Is itself a driver of environmental influences on differences in DNA methylation, possibly effecting gene-expression, a sufficient powered EWAS study will provide valuable information. The concurrent use of Mendelian Randomization and epigenome-wide association analysis proved to be a potent combination to further increase our understanding of the relation between well-being and CpG methylation.
Long-term field evaluation of Mecinus janthinus releases against Dalmatian toadflax in Montana (USA).

The toadflax stem mining weevil, Mecinus janthinus Germar, was first released in the United States in Montana, in 1996. This agent has now become established to varying degrees after subsequent releases made at sites throughout the state. Multiple releases of M. janthinus have presented researchers with a unique opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of this agent in diverse habitats and under a variety of environmental conditions. The results presented in this paper summarize findings from long-term field data, illustrating not only the impact of M. janthinus on the target weed, Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica (L.) P. Mill. , but also on correlated plant community dynamics. These results additionally provide a valuable means to compare and contrast the biotic response and control efficacy of this agent at both a regional and sub-continental scale.
From Violence to Voting : War and political participation in Uganda *

What is the political legacy of a violent civil war? This paper presents evidence for a link between war, violence and increased individual political participation and leadership among former combatants and victims of violence, and uses this link to understand the deeper determinants of political behavior. The setting is Uganda, where conscription by a rebel group has generated quasi-experimental variation in who became a combatant. Original survey data shows that the exogenous element of conscription leads to significantly greater political participation later in life. The principal channel appears to be war violence received rather than perpetrated. Moreover, conscription and violence do not appear to affect nonpolitical forms of community participation. I show that these patterns are not easily explained by models of participation based on simple rational preferences, social preferences, mobilization by elites, or information availability. Only ‘expressive’ theories of participation appear consistent with the patterns observed, whereby exposure to violence augments the value a person places on the act of political expression itself. * Acknowledgements: First and foremost I want to acknowledge Jeannie Annan, my co-Investigator on Phase I of the Survey of War Affected Youth (SWAY). I also thank Robert Bates, Khristopher Carlson, Macartan Humphreys, David Leonard, Dyan Mazurana, Edward Miguel, Betsy Levy Paluck, Gérard Roland, David Roodman, Chris Udry, and Jeremy Weinstein, as well as the seminar audience at the 2007 African Studies Association meetings. For data collection I thank Roger Horton, Okot Godfrey, and the SWAY field research assistants. Logistical support was supplied by AVSI Uganda and UNICEF Uganda. Military escorts during data collection were provided by the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF). The survey was funded by grants from UNICEF (via AVSI Uganda); the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (via the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center), the Russell Sage Foundation, the International Peace Research Association Foundation, the UC Berkeley Center for African Studies, and the UC Berkeley Institute for Economic and Business Research. † Contact: cblattman@cgdev.org, 1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC, 20036, +1 (510) 207-6352.
Incidence and risk factors for liver enzymes elevations in highly treatment-experienced patients switching from enfuvirtide to raltegravir: a sub-study of the ANRS-138 EASIER trial.

BACKGROUND In the ANRS EASIER trial where treatment-experienced patients switched from enfuvirtide (ENF) to raltegravir (RAL), a high incidence of transaminase elevation was reported in the RAL arm. METHODS We compared the incidence of emergent liver enzyme elevations (LEE) of grade 2 or more among patients randomized to the maintenance ENF arm or the switch RAL arm up to W24. We also assessed the overall incidence of LEE over the 48-week duration of the trial and baseline risk factors for grade 2 or more alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS During the first 24 weeks, 6/84 (7.1 %) and 2/85 patients (2.4 %) presented with ALT elevation of grade 2 or more in the RAL and ENF arms, respectively (p = 0.21). Grade 2 or more γGT and ALP elevations were seen in 18 and 11 % (p = 0.35), and 5 and 1 % (p = 0.14) of patients in the RAL and ENF arms, respectively. The 48-week incidence of grade 2 or more LEE was 11.6 per 100-pts-years for ALT, 24.5 per 100-pts-years for γ-GT and 4.5 per 100-pts-years for ALP, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, tipranavir/ritonavir use (OR 3.66; 95 % CI [1.20-11.1], p = 0.022) and elevated ALT at baseline (OR 10.3; 95 % CI [2.67-39.6], p < 10(-3)) were significantly associated with a grade 2 or more ALT elevation during follow-up. CONCLUSION The incidence of LEE was relatively high in these highly treatment-experienced patients switching to a RAL-based regimen. Both tipranavir/ritonavir use and high baseline ALT levels were associated with an increased risk of ALT. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00454337.
Green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles using grape 2 stalk waste extract for the modification of screen-3 printed electrodes 4

The chemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) by using an environmentally 22 friendly methodology for their preparation is presented. Thus, considering that plants possess 23 components that can act as reducing agents and stabilizers in the nanoparticles production, in this 24 work, the synthesis of Ag-NPs by using a solution of grape waste extract as reducing and capping 25 agent is studied. First, the total polyphenols content and reducing sugars in extracts produced at 26 different conditions are characterized. After that, Ag-NPs are synthesized regarding the interaction 27 of Ag ions (from silver nitrate) and the grape waste extract. The effect of temperature, contact time, 28 extract/metal solution volume ratio and pH solution in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles are 29 studied too. Different sets of nanoparticle samples are fully characterized by means of Electron 30 Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray for qualitative chemical identification. Ag-NPs 31 with an average diameter of 27.7 ± 0.6 nm are selected to proof their suitability for sensing purposes. 32 Thus, screen-printed electrodes modified with Ag-NPs are tested for the simultaneous voltammetric 33 stripping determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II). Results indicate good reproducibility, sensitivity and 34 limits of detection around 2.7 μg L-1 for both metal ions. 35
Fires in Indonesia: causes, costs and policy implications

The report starts by consolidating information on the extent and location of fires. Then it focuses on the definition of the policy problems. Some of the major apparent causes of the problems are highlighted by pointing out the land use activities contributing to the fires. The underlying causes to the fires in the various land use activities, such as the institutional arrangements and the incentive structure faced by the stakeholder in using and/or controlling the fires, are not analyzed. That analysis is beyond the scope of this report, but it is essential for a development of appropriate policies; therefore it will be the focus for further research. A review and analysis of the economic impacts of fires is then carried out. The reports pays particular attention to the economic assessments of costs caused by the 1997/98 fires. Therefore, the report seeks to provide more reliable estimates and comments on their use in future studies aimed at assessing detailed policies.
The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy: Theory and Evidence

This paper undertakes an assessment of a rapidly growing body of economic research on financial literacy. We start with an overview of theoretical research which casts financial knowledge as a form of investment in human capital. Endogenizing financial knowledge has important implications for welfare as well as policies intended to enhance levels of financial knowledge in the larger population. Next, we draw on recent surveys to establish how much (or how little) people know and identify the least financially savvy population subgroups. This is followed by an examination of the impact of financial literacy on economic decision-making in the United States and elsewhere. While the literature is still young, conclusions may be drawn about the effects and consequences of financial illiteracy and what works to remedy these gaps. A final section offers thoughts on what remains to be learned if researchers are to better inform theoretical and empirical models as well as public policy.
The Economic Implications of Housing Supply

In this essay, we review the basic economics of housing supply and the functioning of US housing markets to better understand the distribution of home prices, household wealth and the spatial distribution of people across markets. We employ a cost-based approach to gauge whether a housing market is delivering appropriately priced units. Specifically, we investigate whether market prices (roughly) equal the costs of producing the housing unit. If so, the market is well-functioning in the sense that it efficiently delivers housing units at their production cost. Of course, poorer households still may have very high housing cost burdens that society may wish to address via transfers. But if housing prices are above this cost in a given area, then the housing market is not functioning well— and housing is too expensive for all households in the market, not just for poorer ones. The gap between price and production cost can be understood as a regulatory tax, which might be efficiently incorporating the negative externalities of new production, but typical estimates find that the implicit tax is far higher than most reasonable estimates of those externalities.
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ETHOSOMES

Ethosomes are noninvasive delivery carriers that enable drugs to reach the deep skin layers and the systemic circulation. Although ethosomal systems are conceptually sophisticated, they are simple in their preparation, safe for use a combination that can highly expand their application. Ethosomes are soft, malleable vesicles tailored for enhanced delivery of active agents. Because of their unique structure, ethosomes are able to encapsulate and deliver through the skin highly lipophilic molecules such as cannabinoids, testosterone, and minoxidil, as well as cationic drugs such as propranolol, trihexaphenidyl, Cyclosporine, insulin, salbutamol etc. Enhanced delivery of bioactive molecules through the skin and cellular membranes by means of an ethosomal carrier opens numerous challenges and opportunities for the research and future development of novel improved therapies. Ethosomes are gaining popularity in designing drug delivery systems for topical and transdermal use for their capability to reach deep skin layers and systemic circulation. Although ethosomes are conceptually sophisticated, they are simple in preparation and safe for use. Although with their high efficiency, the ethosomes show potential for expansion of their applications. The aim of the review to make a comprehensive account on properties and preparation of ethosomes followed by the characterization and the list of drugs encapsulated in ethosomes in last 15 years.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Purpose: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is an alternative to open prostatectomy in the surgical management of prostate cancer. The introduction of surgical robot to assist laparoscopic surgery served as a mechanical device to enhance the laparoscopic skills and improve surgical maneuverability with enhanced visual systems and the multi-axis articulating instruments. This review will introduce the evolution of surgical technique and current status of robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: A review of literatures is conducted with the homepage of Korean Urologic Association and PubMed, a search tool of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, including the MEDLINE database. Results: After its approval by the United States FDA in 2000, the robotic technology has revolutionized the treatment of surgical management of prostate cancer. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy offers benefits of minimally invasive surgery with comparable oncological functional outcomes compared to standard surgical options. Conclusions: This technique is expected to evolve into one of the standard of care in treatment of localized prostate cancer. (Korean J Urol 2009; 50:97-104) 󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏
PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY AFTER THROMBOLYSIS IN ACUTE STROKE

1. Delgado-Mederos R, Ribo M, Rovira A, et al. Prognostic significance of blood pressure variability after thrombolysis in acute stroke. Neurology 2008;71:552–558. 2. Sykora M, Diedler J, Rupp A, Turcani P, Steiner T. Impaired baroreceptor reflex sensitivity in acute stroke is associated with insular involvement, but not with carotid atherosclerosis. Stroke 2008 (in press). 3. Ay H, Arsava EM, Koroshetz WJ, Sorensen AG. Middle cerebral artery infarcts encompassing the insula are more prone to growth. Stroke 2008;39:373–378. 4. Emsley HC, Smith CJ, Tyrrell PJ, Hopkins SJ. Inflammation in acute ischemic stroke and its relevance to stroke critical care. Neurocrit Care 2008;9:125–138. 5. Laowattana S, Oppenheimer SM. Protective effects of beta-blockers in cerebrovascular disease. Neurology 2007; 68:509–514. 6. Mattle HP, Kappeler L, Arnold M, et al. Blood pressure and vessel recanalization in the first hours after ischemic stroke. Stroke 2005;36:264–268. 7. Meyer S, Strittmatter M, Fischer C, Georg T, Schmitz B. Lateralization in autonomic dysfunction in ischemic stroke involving the insular cortex. Neuroreport 2004;15:357–361. 8. Fink JN, Selim MH, Kumar S, Voetsch B, Fong WC, Caplan LR. Insular cortex infarction in acute middle cerebral artery territory stroke: predictor of stroke severity and vascular lesion. Arch Neurol 2005;62:1081–1085. To the Editor: Delgado-Mederos et al.1 consider the issue of blood pressure regulation in acute hemispheric ischemic stroke and effectively demonstrate the difference in blood pressure variability in nonrecanalized patients with low and high physical morbidity. The authors also show that blood pressure variability is independently associated with diffusionweighted imaging (DWI) lesion growth and clinical course. However, in nonrecanalized patients, the baseline perfusion was different in both groups but not statistically significant (table 2). It has been shown that low hemispheric perfusion demonstrated by perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) correlates with the penumbra and the future infarct size.2 While this PWI–DWI mismatch might be statistically insignificant, it is clinically relevant in this case. These patients might be inherently vulnerable and blood pressure variability might increase the infarct size. Archit C. Bhatt, MD, MPH, Muhammad U. Farooq, MD, East Lansing, MI, USA
Impact of lignans in oilseed mix on gut microbiome composition and enterolignan production in younger healthy and premenopausal women: an in vitro study CURRENT STATUS: UNDER REVIEW

Dietary lignans belong to the group of phytoestrogens together with coumestans, stilbenes and isoflavones, and themselves do not exhibit oestrogen-like properties. Nonetheless, the gut microbiota converts them into enterolignans, which show chemical similarity to the human oestrogen molecule. One of the richest dietary sources of lignans are oilseeds, including flaxseed. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of the main dietary lignans in an oilseed mix, and evaluate the gut microbiota-dependent production of enterolignans for oestrogen substitution in young and premenopausal women. The oilseed mix was fermented in a pH-controlled batch culture system inoculated with women’s faecal samples. The lignan content and enterolignan production were measured by ultra‐high-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), and the gut-derived microbial communities were profiled by 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing. ,
Investigation of intraocular pressure fluctuation as a risk factor of glaucoma progression

Purpose: Since the role of short- and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuation as a predictor of glaucoma progression is still controversial, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of IOP fluctuation in a non-selected patient cohort. Materials and methods: Two-hundred and forty eyes of 120 glaucoma patients (51% female) with a mean age of 64.5 years were included. Inclusion criteria were at least a visual field (VF) and a 48-hour diurnal phasing of IOP including nocturnal measurement. Glaucoma progression was defined as – if available – confirmed progression of reproducible VF defects in at least three VF examinations or increase of cup area on optic nerve imaging (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph [HRT]) with at least two images after baseline. If results were stable or less than previously mentioned VF or HRT examinations were available, it was classified as “no progression”. Results: Glaucoma progression was seen in seven of 240 eyes in the VF analysis and ten of 240 eyes on HRT. Of all 240 eyes, 92 and 41 eyes fulfilled the criteria to be included for progression evaluation on VF and HRT analysis, respectively. Mean time to progression ± standard error was 3.6 ± 0.2 years on VF and 4.5 ± 0.3 years on HRT. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed short-term IOP fluctuation ( P , 0.0001) and maximum IOP ( P , 0.001) as risk factors for glaucoma progression on VF. There was no significant influence of demographic characteristics, ocular or general health on glaucoma progression. Conclusion: Short-term IOP fluctuation was associated with the progression of glaucoma in this non-selected cohort of glaucoma patients receiving phasing of IOP.