Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to nickel and palladium from dental appliances

The application of a dental material into the oral cavity is not free of biological implications, as deterioration of the material will undoubtedly occur. The adverse health effects of palladium and nickel are well known and their immunologic cross-reactivity is well established. The aim of this thesis was to explore the extent of metal ion release in corrosive media, to assess in vitro the cytotoxicity of these appliances, and to investigate whether an existent alternative, can sufficiently replace the standard metallic wire used for orthodontic retention. The main conclusions were: 1. "Nickel-free" orthodontic retention wires are not free of release of Ni; pH and mechanical loading influence the release of nickel from the wires tested. For the Pd-alloys casting manipulation to shape a crown and surface polishing, determined the release of metal ions. 2. The cumulative effect of the continuous release of ions from alloys for oral application may contribute to cellular damage. Concentrations of metallic salts equivalent to those reported to be released from dental alloys were able to induce cellular toxicity, although the appliance is not considered cytotoxic and, as such, safe for clinical application. 3. Fiber-reinforced composite retainers are not reliable alternatives for (long-term) orthodontic retention. The deflection of the retainer is of prime importance to accompany physiologic teeth movement and as such prevent relapse. But, the length of "free wire", i.e. the amount of wire not covered with composite, is the most critical factor for the success of the retainer system.
Interference-Aware Energy Efficiency Maximization in 5G Ultra-Dense Networks

Ultra-dense networks can further improve the spectrum efficiency (SE) and the energy efficiency (EE). However, the interference avoidance and the green design are becoming more complex due to the intrinsic densification and scalability. It is known that the much denser small cells are deployed, the more cooperation opportunities exist among them. In this paper, we characterize the cooperative behaviors in the Nash bargaining cooperative game-theoretic framework, where we maximize the EE performance with a certain sacrifice of SE performance. We first analyze the relationship between the EE and the SE, based on which we formulate the Nash-product EE maximization problem. We achieve the closed-form sub-optimal SE equilibria to maximize the EE performance with and without the minimum SE constraints. We finally propose a CE2MG algorithm, and numerical results verify the improved EE and fairness of the presented CE2MG algorithm compared with the non-cooperative scheme.
Yogurt supplemented with probiotics can protect the healthy elderly from respiratory infections: A randomized controlled open-label trial

Purpose To evaluate whether yogurt supplemented with a probiotic strain could protect middle-aged and elderly people from acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) using a randomized, blank-controlled, parallel-group design. Patients and methods Two hundred and five volunteers aged ≥45 years were randomly divided into two groups. The subjects in the intervention group were orally administered 300 mL/d of yogurt supplemented with a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (N1115), 3.6×107 CFU/mL for 12 weeks, while those in the control group retained their normal diet without any probiotic supplementation. The primary outcome was the incidence of URTI, and changes in serum protein, immunoglobulins, and the profiles of the T-lymphocyte subsets (total T-cells [CD3+], T-helper cells [CD4+], and T-cytotoxic-suppressor cells [CD8+]) during the intervention were the secondary outcomes. Results Compared to the control group, the number of persons diagnosed with an acute URTI and the number of URTI events significantly decreased in the intervention group (P=0.038, P=0.030, respectively). The risk of URTI in the intervention group was evaluated as 55% of that in the control group (relative risk =0.55, 95% CI: 0.307–0.969). The change in the percentage of CD3+ cells in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.038). However, no significant differences were observed in the total protein, albumin, globulin, and prealbumin levels in both groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The study suggested that yogurt with selected probiotic strains such as N1115 may reduce the risk of acute upper tract infections in the elderly. The enhancement of the T-cell-mediated natural immune defense might be one of the important underlying mechanisms for probiotics to express their anti-infective effects.
Qualitative and quantitative HIV antibodies and viral reservoir size characterization in vertically infected children with virological suppression

Background Absence of detectable viraemia after treatment cessation in some vertically HIV-infected (VHIV) children suggests that early initiation of HAART could lead to functional cure. Objectives We described the factors associated with HIV antibody levels and the viral reservoir size in HAART-treated VHIV children. Methods Study included 97 VHIV children with virological suppression, in Bamako, Mali. The anti-gp41 antibody activities and HIV serostatus were assessed. The viral reservoir size was measured by quantifying total cell-associated HIV DNA. Results Among the children studied, the median total HIV DNA level was 445 copies/10 6 cells (IQR = 187-914) and the median anti-gp41 antibody activity was 0.29 OD (IQR = 0.18-0.75). Low activity of anti-gp41 antibodies was associated with a younger age of HAART initiation ( P = 0.01). Overall, eight HIV-1 seroreversions were identified. Conclusions Study identified potential candidates with low viral reservoir and low antibody levels or activities for future trials aiming to reduce HIV-1 reservoir to limit HAART duration.
Short- and Long-Term Impacts of Neighborhood Built Environment on Self-Rated Health of Older Adults

Background and Objectives Proximity to health care, healthy foods, and recreation is linked to improved health in older adults while deterioration of the built environment is a risk factor for poor health. Yet, it remains unclear whether individuals prone to good health self-select into favorable built environments and how long-term exposure to deteriorated environments impacts health. This study uses a longitudinal framework to address these questions. Research Design and Methods The study analyzes 3,240 Americans aged 45 or older from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics with good self-reported health at baseline, and follows them from 1999 to 2013. At each biennial survey wave, individual data are combined with data on services in the neighborhood of residence (defined as the zip code) from the Economic Census. The analysis overcomes the problem of residential self-selection by employing marginal structural models and inverse probability of treatment weights. Results Logistic regression estimates indicate that long-term exposure to neighborhood built environments that lack health-supportive services (e.g., physicians, pharmacies, grocery stores, senior centers, and recreational facilities) and are commercially declined (i.e., have a high density of liquor stores, pawn shops, and fast food outlets) increases the risk of fair/poor self-rated health compared to more average neighborhoods. Short-term exposure to the same environments as compared to average neighborhoods has no bearing on self-rated health after adjusting for self-selection. Discussion and Implications Results highlight the importance of expanding individuals' access to health-supportive services prior to their reaching old age, and expanding access for people unlikely to attain residence in service-dense neighborhoods.
fMRI Evidence for the Role of Recollection in Suppressing Misattribution Errors: The Illusory Truth Effect

Misattribution refers to the act of attributing a memory or idea to an incorrect source, such as successfully remembering a bit of information but linking it to an inappropriate person or time [Jacoby, L. L. , Kelley, C. , Brown, J., & Jasechko, J. (1989). Becoming famous overnight: Limits on the ability to avoid unconscious influences of the past. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 326338; Schacter, D. L. (1999). The seven sins of memory: Insights from psychology and cognitive neuroscience. American Psychologist, 54, 182203; Schacter, D. L. (2001). The seven sins of memory: How the mind forgets and remembers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin]. Cognitive studies have suggested that misattribution errors may occur in the absence of recollection for the details of an initial encounter with a stimulus, but little is known about the neural basis of this memory phenomenon. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the hypothesized role of recollection in counteracting the illusory truth effect, a misattribution error whereby perceivers systematically overrate the truth of previously presented information. Imaging was conducted during the encoding and subsequent judgment of unfamiliar statements that were presented as true or false. Event-related fMRI analyses were conditionalized as a function of subsequent performance. Results demonstrated that encoding activation in regions previously associated with successful recollectionincluding the hippocampus and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC)correlated with the successful avoidance of misattribution errors, providing initial neuroimaging support for earlier cognitive accounts of misattribution.
A Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mutant Lacking the groEL Homologue cpn60.1 Is Viable but Fails To Induce an Inflammatory Response in Animal Models of Infection

ABSTRACT The causative agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has two chaperonin (Cpn60) proteins and one cochaperonin (Cpn10) protein. We show here that cpn60.2 and cpn10, but not cpn60.1, are essential for cell survival. A mutant lacking Cpn60.1 was indistinguishable from the wild-type organism in plate and broth culture and within murine macrophages, although it showed increased sensitivity to high temperature (55°C). However, infection of mice with the Δcpn60.1 mutant revealed a major difference from the wild-type organism. In spite of having equal numbers of bacteria in infected sites, the Δcpn60.1 mutant failed to produce granulomatous inflammation in either mice or guinea pigs. This was associated with reduced cytokine expression in infected animals and macrophages. Cell wall lipid acid composition was not altered in the mutant strain. Thus, it appears that Cpn60.1 is an important agent in the regulation of the cytokine-dependent granulomatous response in M. tuberculosis infection.
Seizure onset predicts its type

Epilepsy is characterized by transient alterations in brain synchronization resulting in seizures with a wide spectrum of manifestations. Seizure severity and risks for patients depend on the evolution and spread of the hypersynchronous discharges. With standard visual inspection and pattern classification, this evolution could not be predicted early on. It is still unclear to what degree the seizure onset zone determines seizure severity. Such information would improve our understanding of ictal epileptic activity and the existing electroencephalogram (EEG)‐based warning and intervention systems, providing specific reactions to upcoming seizure types. We investigate the possibility of predicting the future development of an epileptic seizure during the first seconds of recordings after their electrographic onset.
Evaluation of Treatment Patterns and Survival Outcomes in Elderly Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Analysis.

BACKGROUND Management of pancreatic cancer (PC) in elderly patients is unknown; clinical trials exclude patients with comorbidities and those of extreme age. This study evaluated treatment patterns and survival outcomes in elderly PC patients using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and Medicare data. MATERIALS AND METHODS Histology codes 8140, 8500, 8010, 8560, 8490, 8000, 8260, 8255, 8261, 8263, 8020, 8050, 8141, 8144, 8210, 8211, or 8262 in Medicare Parts A and B were identified. Data regarding demographic, characteristics, treatments, and vital status between 1998 and 2009 were collected from the SEER. Determinants of treatment receipt and overall survival were examined using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. RESULTS A total of 5,975 patients met inclusion. The majority of patients were non-Hispanic whites (85%) and female (55%). Most cases presented with locoregional stage disease (74%); 41% received only chemotherapy, 30% chemotherapy and surgery, 10% surgery alone, 3% radiation, and 16% no cancer-directed therapy. Patients with more advanced cancer, older age, and those residing in areas of poverty were more likely to receive no treatment. Among patients 66-74 years of age with locoregional disease, surgery alone (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-0.74) and surgery in combination with chemotherapy (HR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.53-0.91) showed survival benefit as compared with the no treatment group. Among patients ≥75 years of age with locoregional disease, surgery alone (HR = 2.04; 95% CI: 0.87-4.8) or in combination with chemotherapy (HR = 1.59; 95% CI: 0.87-2.91) was not associated with better survival. CONCLUSION Treatment modality and survival differs by age and stage. Low socioeconomic status appears to be a major barrier to the receipt of PC therapy among Medicare patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Elderly patients with cancer are under-represented on clinical trials and usually have comorbid illnesses. The management of elderly patients with pancreatic cancer is unknown, with many retrospective experiences but low sample sizes. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked data to analyze treatment patterns and survival of elderly patients with pancreatic cancer on a larger population scale, this study highlights treatment patterns and their effect on survival and proposes possible obstacles to access of care in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer other than Medicare coverage.
Melatonin Restores White Blood Cell Count, Diminishes Glycated Haemoglobin Level and Prevents Liver, Kidney and Muscle Oxidative Stress in Mice Exposed to Acute Ethanol Intoxication

Aims The aim of the study was to examine the effects of melatonin impact on changes in haematological profile, biomarkers of oxidative stress (dienes conjugates, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidatively modified protein levels, total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity) in liver, muscle, kidney and erythrocytes, and glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c) in mice during acute ethanol stress. Methods Assays were carried out in quadruplicate: control, melatonin (10 mg/kg, 10 days), acute ethanol stress (0.75 g/kg/day, 10 days) and acute ethanol stress plus melatonin groups. Results Acute ethanol stress caused a significant increase in the total number of white blood cells (WBC), especially neutrophils in the blood, and HBA1c levels vs. control mice. The correlation between lipid peroxidation and the glycated haemoglobin level was shown (r = 0.93, P = 0.007). Ethanol reduced the antioxidant capacity by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the level of oxidatively modified protein content, diene conjugates and MDA. Melatonin administration in animals during acute ethanol stress reduced antioxidant stress biomarkers, WBC, HBA1c levels and ROS production. Conclusions Melatonin had protective effects on liver, kidney and muscle tissues by preventing the intensive lipid peroxidation processes in initial (diene conjugation production) and late stages (MDA level), and significantly reduced the level of aldehyde and ketone protein derivatives. Furthermore, melatonin restored elevated WBC count and HBA1c level and diminished ROS production. Short Summary Ethanol reduces antioxidant capacity and leads to exaggerated reactive oxygen species production and consequent increases in oxidatively modified proteins. Melatonin exerts protective effects by preventing the intensive lipid peroxidation processes. Melatonin significantly reduces the level of aldehyde and ketone protein derivatives, restores glycated haemoglobin level and white blood cell count.
Goal-Oriented Requirements Engineering: A Systematic Literature Map

Over the last two decades, much attention has been paid to the area of Goal-Oriented Requirements Engineering(GORE), where goals are used as a useful conceptualization to elicit, model and analyze requirements, capturing alternatives and conflicts. Goal modeling has been adapted and applied to many sub-topics within RE and beyond, such as agent-orientation, aspect-orientation, business intelligence, model-driven development, security, and so on. Despite extensive efforts in this field, the RE community lacks a recent, general systematic literature review of the area. As a first step towards providing a GORE overview, we present a Systematic Literature Map, focusing on GORE-related publications at a high-level, categorizing and analyzing paper information in order to answer several research questions, while omitting a detailed analysis of individual paper quality. Our Literature Map covers the 246 top-cited GORE-related conference and journal papers, according to Scopus, classifying them into a number of descriptive paper types and topics, providing an analysis of the data, which is made publicly available. We use our analysis results to make recommendations concerning future GORE research.
Splice form‐dependent regulation of axonal arbor complexity by FMRP

The autism‐related protein Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA binding protein that plays important roles during both nervous system development and experience dependent plasticity. Alternative splicing of the Fmr1 locus gives rise to 12 different FMRP splice forms that differ in the functional and regulatory domains they contain as well as in their expression profile among brain regions and across development. Complete loss of FMRP leads to morphological and functional changes in neurons, including an increase in the size and complexity of the axonal arbor. To investigate the relative contribution of the FMRP splice forms to the regulation of axon morphology, we overexpressed individual splice forms in cultured wild type rat cortical neurons. FMRP overexpression led to a decrease in axonal arbor complexity that suggests that FMRP regulates axon branching. This reduction in complexity was specific to three splice forms—the full‐length splice form 1, the most highly expressed splice form 7, and splice form 9. A focused analysis of splice form 7 revealed that this regulation is independent of RNA binding. Instead this regulation is disrupted by mutations affecting phosphorylation of a conserved serine as well as by mutating the nuclear export sequence. Surprisingly, this mutation in the nuclear export sequence also led to increased localization to the distal axonal arbor. Together, these findings reveal domain‐specific functions of FMRP in the regulation of axonal complexity that may be controlled by differential expression of FMRP splice forms. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 738–752, 2017
Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis of Joint Tests for Genetic and Gene-Environment Interaction Effects

Background: There is growing interest in the study of gene-environment interactions in the context of genome-wide association studies (GWASs). These studies will likely require meta-analytic approaches to have sufficient power. Methods: We describe an approach for meta-analysis of a joint test for genetic main effects and gene-environment interaction effects. Using simulation studies based on a meta-analysis of five studies (total n = 10,161), we compare the power of this test to the meta-analysis of marginal test of genetic association and the meta-analysis of standard 1 d.f. interaction tests across a broad range of genetic main effects and gene-environment interaction effects. Results: We show that the joint meta-analysis is valid and can be more powerful than classical meta-analytic approaches, with a potential gain of power over 50% compared to the marginal test. The standard interaction test had less than 1% power in almost all the situations we considered. We also show that regardless of the test used, sample sizes far exceeding those of a typical individual GWAS will be needed to reliably detect genes with subtle gene-environment interaction patterns. Conclusion: The joint meta-analysis is an attractive approach to discover markers which may have been missed by initial GWASs focusing on marginal marker-trait associations.
Occupational therapists’ and physiotherapists’ perceptions of implementing Occupational Performance Coaching

Abstract Purpose: Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) has been proposed as an intervention for working with caregivers towards achievement of goals for themselves and their children. Preliminary studies indicate the effectiveness of OPC; however, translation into practice requires an understanding of therapists’ perceptions of applying OPC in their service delivery settings. This study explored physio- and occupational-therapists’ experiences of using OPC and their perceptions of the contextual factors which influence its implementation. Method: Interviews and a focus group were used to gather physio- (n = 4) and occupational- (n = 12) therapists’ perspectives of applying OPC in their work with caregivers of children with disabilities. Data were analysed thematically. Results: One overarching theme and three major themes emerged. The overarching theme, “Listening better” pervaded all other themes. Three major themes, each with subthemes, were: (1) Sharing power, (2) Reprioritising processes, and (3) Liberating but challenging. Implementing OPC drew on skills that were familiar to therapists and aligned with existing values when working with families but challenged some aspects of their practice. Conclusions: From physio- and occupational-therapists’ perspectives, OPC is applicable in a range of paediatric service environments. However, therapist and service-level flexibility appeared to be key contextual factors in adhering to intervention principles. Implications for Rehabilitation Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) is a strengths-focused intervention in which caregiver engagement and active involvement is prioritised. Therapists reported distinct changes to the process of therapy and outcomes achieved following OPC training and implementation. Most therapists indicated that OPC enabled them to operationalisation person-centred principles to a greater extent which they perceived enhanced the way therapy was delivered and the benefit to services users. Some flexibility in service structures may be needed to implement OPC in the way it was intended.