Gene expression in blood and cancer risk factors – Investigating associations of blood gene expression with Smoking, BMI, and Menopause in the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) postgenome cohort

Background: Linking blood gene expression and common cancer risk factors represents an intriguing approach for gaining valuable biological insights. Smoking and obesity are important modifiable cancer risk factors. Menopause is also an important factor due to its impact on cancer risk. Still, there is limited or no research evaluating associations of blood gene expression profiles with these risk factors, particularly using large population-based samples. Aim: We aimed to explore associations of blood gene expression and selected cancer risk factors –smoking, obesity, and menopause. Methods: We utilized data from the NOWAC postgenome cohort, including gene expression profiles from whole-blood samples of 1,716 women and relevant information from questionnaires before and at the blood collection time point. We used gene-wise linear regression models to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and functional enrichment analyses to determine their corresponding biological functions. Results: We observed many genes related to current smoking and BMI, but fewer or no DEGs in relation to former smokers, smoking metrics, and past weight changes. LRRN3 was indicated as a potential biomarker for smoking exposure. Current exposures were reflected in blood gene expression more than past exposures (former smoking status, past weight changes). Many DEGs were associated with menopause and hormone therapy use, but when adjusted for estimated WBC proportions the number of DEGs was reduced. The biological functions of smoking-, BMI-, and menopausal-associated DEGs mainly revealed enriched terms like metabolic, immune, erythrocytes/reticulocytes related processes/functions. Conclusion: This thesis demonstrates significant associations of blood gene expression with the investigated cancer risk factors; and emphasizes their systemic impacts. Smoking had the strongest associations, obesity the most, while associations with menopause were largely driven by the relative presence of blood cells. The knowledge of influence of blood cell compositions and molecular signals related to these cancer risk factors should be considered in future cancer studies

Polymer Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) play a significant role in modern day life and are widely studied for extensive properties which make them appealing to numerous applications. They are synthesized with scalable processing procedures with several nanoscale variations of fillers and forms leading to specific sensing applications. In this chapter, PNC-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors like DNA biosensors and immunosensors are discussed. These sensors related PNC applications uses nanofillers of various combinations like conductive polymers with graphene (Grp), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and metal nanoparticles, which endow high electrical conductivity, effective surface area, and fast electron transfer rate. Currently, wearable devices based on electrochemical Sensors and biosensors have been of great interest in the detection of both physiological and environmental analytes

Anisotropic models for compact stars

In the present paper we obtain an anisotropic analogue of Durgapal-Fuloria (1985) perfect fluid solution. The methodology consists of contraction of anisotropic factor $\Delta$ by the help of both metric potentials $e^{\nu}$ and $e^{\lambda}$. Here we consider $e^{\lambda}$ same as Durgapal-Fuloria (1985) whereas $e^{\nu}$ is that given by Lake (2003). The field equations are solved by the change of dependent variable method. The solutions set mathematically thus obtained are compared with the physical properties of some of the compact stars, strange star as well as white dwarf. It is observed that all the expected physical features are available related to stellar fluid distribution which clearly indicate validity of the model.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables; Published in European Physical Journal

A new model for spherically symmetric anisotropic compact star

In this article we obtain a new anisotropic solution for Einstein's field equation of embedding class one metric. The solution is representing the realistic objects such as $Her~X-1$ and $RXJ~1856-37$. We perform detailed investigation of both objects by solving numerically the Einstein field equations under with anisotropic pressure. The physical features of the parameters depend on the anisotropic factor i.e. if anisotropy is zero everywhere inside the star then the density and pressures will become zero and metric turns out to be flat. We report our results and compare with the above mentioned two compact objects on a number of key aspects: the central density, the surface density onset and the critical scaling behavior, the effective mass and radius ratio, the anisotropization with isotropic initial conditions, adiabatic index and red shift. Along with this we have also made a comparison between the classical limit and theoretical model treatment of the compact objects. Finally we discuss the implications of our findings for the stability condition in relativistic compact star.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, 2 table

Cost Allocation in Investment Arbitration: Back Toward Diversification

In 2006, the Thunderbird tribunal, operating under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, called for the harmonization of cost-allocation approaches in commercial and investment arbitration. Subsequent tribunals appear to be heeding Thunderbird's call paving a trend in favor of the so-called "costs follow the event" (CFtE) approach and its variations. Generally, this approach prescribes the shifting of arbitral costs and reasonable legal fees to the unsuccessful party (or based on parties' relative success) and has historically been prevalent in commercial arbitration. By contrast, the more traditional approach in investment arbitration has been to share the costs of arbitration equally, save for special circumstances, with each party covering its own legal fees (traditional approach). In the wake of what appears to be an emerging trend in favor of a default CFtE custom, it is time to revisit the idea of whether a single harmonized approach to cost allocation is really appropriate. We suggest that it most likely is not

投资仲裁的成本分摊：回归多元化

在2006年，雷鸟法庭，根据联合国国际贸易法委员会仲裁规则“，呼吁在商业及投资仲裁的协调成本分配方法。随后的法庭似乎要听从雷鸟的呼叫铺路赞成所谓的“成本按照事件”（CFTE）方法及其变化趋势。一般来说，这个办法规定了仲裁费用和合理的法律费用转移到败诉方（或各方的相对成功的基础上），历来盛行于商事仲裁。相比之下，更传统的方法在投资仲裁一直共享同样仲裁费用，除特殊情况下，与各党覆盖它自己的法律费用（传统方法）。在唤醒这似乎是一个新兴的趋势，有利于一个默认CFTE定做，它是一个单一的统一的方法，成本分摊是否真的是合适的时间来重新审视这一观点。我们表明，它最有可能是没有的

Sex Differences in Outcomes after Stroke in Patients with Diabetes in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes after stroke in those with diabetes are not well characterized, especially by sex and age. We sought to calculate the sex- and age-specific risk of cardiovascular outcomes after ischemic stroke among those with diabetes. METHODS: Using population-based demographic and administrative health-care databases in Ontario, Canada, all patients with diabetes hospitalized with index ischemic stroke between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2012, were followed for death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Fine-Gray competing risk models estimated hazards of outcomes by sex and age, unadjusted and adjusted for demographics and vascular risk factors. RESULTS: Among 25,495 diabetic patients with index ischemic stroke, the incidence of death was higher in women than in men (14.08 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval [CI], 13.73-14.44] versus 11.89 [11.60-12.19]) but was lower after adjustment for age and other risk factors (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], .95 [.92-.99]). Recurrent stroke incidence was similar by sex, but men were more likely to be readmitted for MI (1.99 per 100 person-years [1.89-2.10] versus 1.58 [1.49-1.68] among females). In multivariable models, females had a lower risk of readmission for any event (HR, .96 [95% CI, .93-.99]). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, population-based, retrospective study among diabetic patients with index stroke, women had a higher unadjusted death rate but lower unadjusted incidence of MI. In adjusted models, females had a lower death rate compared with males, although the increased risk of MI among males persisted. These findings confirm and quantify sex differences in outcomes after stroke in patients with diabetes

Correctional repositioning of pathologically migrated maxillary premolars through periodontal therapy

Pathological tooth migration (PTM) is the displacement of teeth as a balance among forces that maintain the position are disrupted. It is a common occurrence in a patient suffering from periodontitis. Its treatment includes periodontal therapy followed by a complex interdisciplinary approach to rectify the tooth position. However,  it has also been observed that in certain cases periodontal therapy alone can cause a corrective repositioning of the teeth leading to a closure or a reduction in the displacement. Present case report depicts a nineteen-year-old, healthy nonsmoker male patient with generalized Stage IV Grade C periodontitis. Deep periodontal pockets in #24 and #25 were observed along with a pathological migration of 1.6mm. The patient underwent conventional periodontal surgical intervention. It was noted that the therapy resulted in a reduction of the gap from 1.6 to 0.2mm and distal migration of #24 and a bucco-mesial migration of #25 in the course of one year of follow up. Thus, an early diagnosis and treatment of PTM through the restoration of periodontal health at the right time can cause a corrective repositioning of the teeth in a predictable direction

Use of Spanish Audio Podcast to Educate Visually Challenged Hispanics with Diabetes

Diabetes is the leading cause of death among the Hispanic population, requiring solutions at the individual, community, and population levels. Self-management helps to manage diabetes and prevent complications, but it is a challenge in nursing practice. Health care providers use printed information to teach patients about self-management of diabetes. However, patients with visual impairment are not able to use these resources. Limited English proficiency, low health literacy, and visual challenges result in the underutilization of health care services within Hispanic communities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a Spanish audio podcast and lesson plan as teaching tools and to educate staff at an ophthalmological clinic on the proper use of the tools to teach monolingual Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes and blindness. The Lynn model was used by 8 content and language experts to evaluate the podcast and lesson plan for literacy appropriateness to a fifth-grade level, quality, motivational language, and cultural appropriateness. The Spanish audio podcast and lesson plan was determined by the experts to be useful teaching tools. Guided by Knowle’s adult learning theory, staff were trained to use the podcast and lesson plan for use in educating patients. Formative and summative evaluations were used to assess the effectiveness of the staff education project. Responses to the staff education post-intervention questionnaire endorsed the potential effectiveness of these teaching tools for monolingual Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes and blindness. These culturally- and linguistically-appropriate educational tools may enhance diabetes-related support and improvement in diabetes self-management within the Hispanic population