Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myofascial Pain of the Jaw Muscles: Comparison of Short-Term Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin Injections and Fascial Manipulation Technique

Abstract A randomized controlled trial was performed to compare the short-term effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections and physiatric treatment provided by means of Fascial Manipulation techniques in the management of myofascial pain of jaw muscles. Thirty patients with a Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) diagnosis of myofascial pain were randomized to receive either single-session botulinum toxin injections (Group A) or multiple-session Fascial Manipulation (Group B). Maximum pain levels (VAS ratings) and jaw range of motion in millimeters (maximum mouth opening, protrusion, right and left laterotrusion) were assessed at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at a three-month follow-up. Both treatment protocols provided significant improvement over time for pain symptoms. The two treatments seem to be almost equally effective, Fascial Manipulation being slightly superior to reduce subjective pain perception, and botulinum toxin injections being slightly superior to increase jaw range of motion. Differences between the two treatment protocols as to changes in the outcome parameters at the three-months follow-up were not relevant clinically. Findings from the present investigation are in line with literature data supporting the effectiveness of a wide spectrum of conservative treatment approaches to myofascial pain of the jaw muscles. Future studies on larger samples over a longer follow-up span are needed on the way to identify tailored treatment strategies.
Curcumin as fluorescent probe for directly monitoring in vitro uptake of curcumin combined paclitaxel loaded PLA-TPGS nanoparticles

Theranostics, which is the combination of both therapeutic and diagnostic capacities in one dose, is a promising tool for both clinical application and research. Although there are many chromophores available for optical imaging, their applications are limited due to the photobleaching property or intrinsic toxicity. Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from the rhizome of curcuma longa, is well known thanks to its bio-pharmaceutical activities and strong fluorescence as biocompatible probe for bio-imaging. In this study, we aimed to fabricate a system with dual functions: diagnostic and therapeutic, based on poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (PLA-TPGS) micelles co-loaded curcumin (Cur) and paclitaxel (PTX). Two kinds of curcumin nanoparticle (NP) were fabricated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods. The cellular uptake and fluorescent activities of curcumin in these systems were also tested by bioassay studies, and were compared with paclitaxe-oregon. The results showed that (Cur + PTX)-PLA-TPGS NPs is a potential system for cancer theranostics.
Original Concept of a New Multicomb Warp-knitting Machine for Manufacturing Spatial Knitted Fabrics

This article presents an original concept of warp-knitting machine construction with more than two needle combs. The technical and technological parameters of the warp-knitting machine with even and odd numbers of needle combs were characterised. The geometry of mutual positions of the basic machine elements were determined including the needle combs, needle bars and the holding sinker combs in relation to the knocking-down combs. A concept of the whole structure of the machine is presented, as well as the structure of the hybrid drives of the loop forming elements, devices feeding the threads, the take–up devices and storage parts for the spatial knitted fabrics.
Multiphoton fluorescence microscopy of the live kidney in health and disease

Abstract. The structural and functional heterogeneity of the kidney ensures a diversity of response in health and disease. Multiphoton microscopy has improved our understanding of kidney physiology and pathophysiology by enabling the visualization of the living kidney in comparison with the static view of previous technologies. The use of multiphoton microscopy with rodent models in conjunction with endogenous fluorescence and exogenous infused dyes permits the measurement of renal processes, such as glomerular permeability, juxtaglomerular apparatus function, tubulointerstitial function, tubulovascular interactions, vascular flow rate, and the intrarenal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Subcellular processes, including mitochondrial dynamics, reactive oxygen species production, cytosolic ion concentrations, and death processes apoptosis and necrosis, can also be measured by multiphoton microscopy. This has allowed valuable insight into the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy, renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertensive nephropathy, as well as inflammatory responses of the kidney. The current review presents an overview of multiphoton microscopy with a focus on techniques for imaging the kidney and gives examples of instances where multiphoton microscopy has been utilized to study renal pathophysiology in the living kidney. With continued advancements in the field of biological optics and increased adoption in experimental nephrology, multiphoton microscopy will undoubtedly continue to create new paradigms in kidney disease.
Microsatellite Analyses of Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in a Fragmented Environment Show Structured Clusters

The population dynamics of shark species are generally poorly described because highly mobile marine life is challenging to investigate. Here we investigate the genetic population structure of the blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in French Polynesia. Five demes were sampled from five islands with different inter-island distances (50–1500 km). Whether dispersal occurs between islands frequently enough to prevent moderate genetic structure is unknown. We used 11 microsatellites loci from 165 individuals and a strong genetic structure was found among demes with both F-statistics and Bayesian approaches. This differentiation is correlated with the geographic distance between islands. It is likely that the genetic structure seen is the result of all or some combination of the following: low gene flow, time since divergence, small effective population sizes, and the standard issues with the extent to which mutation models actually fit reality. We suggest low levels of gene flow as at least a partial explanation of the level of genetic structure seen among the sampled blacktip demes. This explanation is consistent with the ecological traits of blacktip reef sharks, and that the suitable habitat for blacktips in French Polynesia is highly fragmented. Evidence for spatial genetic structure of the blacktip demes we studied highlights that similar species may have populations with as yet undetected or underestimated structure. Shark biology and the market for their fins make them highly vulnerable and many species are in rapid decline. Our results add weight to the case that total bans on shark fishing are a better conservation approach for sharks than marine protected area networks.
Parallel Patterns of Morphological and Behavioral Variation among Host-Associated Populations of Two Gall Wasp Species

A powerful approach to address the general factors contributing to ecological speciation is to compare distantly related taxa that inhabit the same selective environments. In this design, similarities among taxa can elucidate general mechanisms of the process whereas differences may uncover specific factors important to the process for individual taxa. Herein, we present evidence of parallel patterns of morphological and behavioral variation among host-associated populations of two species of cynipid gall wasps, Belonocnema treatae and Disholcaspis quercusvirens, that each exhibit a life cycle intimately tied to the same two host plant environments, Quercus geminata and Q. virginiana. Across both gall-former species we find consistent differences in body size and gall morphology associated with host plant use, as well as strong differences in host plant preference, a measure of habitat isolation among populations. These consistent differences among taxa highlight the important role of host plant use in promoting reproductive isolation and morphological variation among herbivorous insect populations–a prerequisite for ecological speciation.
Dyadic associations and individual sociality in bighorn ewes

Sociality presumably evolved because it leads to fitness benefits; yet we know little about what drives individual variability in sociality, particularly with respect to hierarchical levels of social organization. Social network architecture is based upon dyadic interactions, but the factors affecting pairwise relationships are not necessarily those affecting higher-level network-derived measures of social behavior. We examined the influence of relatedness, age, dominance, and reproductive status on proximal associations and social network centrality of individuals in the fission–fusion society of bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Canada. From 2011 to 2013, 63–81% of adult ewes were equipped with proximity loggers, recording when they were within 1.5 m of one another. Ewe social structure was not random and individuals exhibited a tendency to have proximal associations that were consistent across years. Age and reproductive status appeared to have a weak effect on network centrality, but this effect was largely absent for frequency of proximal association. Furthermore, we found no effect of dominance rank on either proximal associations or network centrality. We speculate that interannual variation in these relationships may be indicative of predation affecting social dynamics. The disconnect between determinants that affect the costs and benefits of dyadic associations and those that emerge from network-derived behaviors highlights the importance of testing effects at multiple levels of social organization in animal societies.
Exploration of Rice Husk Compost as an Alternate Organic Manure to Enhance the Productivity of Blackgram in Typic Haplustalf and Typic Rhodustalf

The present study was aimed at using cellulolytic bacterium Enhydrobacter and fungi Aspergillus sp. for preparing compost from rice husk (RH). Further, the prepared compost was tested for their effect on blackgram growth promotion along with different levels of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) in black soil (typic Haplustalf) and red soil (typic Rhodustalf) soil. The results revealed that, inoculation with lignocellulolytic fungus (LCF) Aspergillus sp. @ 2% was considered as the most efficient method of composting within a short period. Characterization of composted rice husk (CRH) was examined through scanning electron microscope (SEM) for identifying significant structural changes. At the end of composting, N, P and K content increased with decrease in CO2 evolution, C:N and C:P ratios. In comparison to inorganic fertilization, an increase in grain yield of 16% in typic Haplustalf and 17% in typic Rhodustalf soil over 100% RDF was obtained from the integrated application of CRH@ 5 t ha−1 with 50% RDF and biofertilizers. The crude protein content was maximum with the combined application of CRH, 50% RDF and biofertilizers of 20% and 21% in typic Haplustalf and typic Rhodustalf soils, respectively. Nutrient rich CRH has proved its efficiency on crop growth and soil fertility.
Prelimbic cortex GABAA receptors are involved in the mediation of restraint stress-evoked cardiovascular responses

Abstract Stress is a response of the organism to homeostasis-threatening stimuli and is coordinated by two main neural systems: the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and the autonomic nervous system. Acute restraint stress (RS) is a model of unavoidable stress, which is characterized by autonomic responses including an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), as well as a drop in tail temperature. The prelimbic cortex (PL) has been implicated in the modulation of functional responses caused by RS. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of PL GABAergic neurotransmission in the modulation of autonomic changes induced by RS. Bilateral microinjection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide into the PL reduced pressor and tachycardic responses evoked by RS, in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the tail temperature drop evoked by RS. In order to investigate which peripheral autonomic effector modulated the reduction in RS-cardiovascular responses caused by the blockade of PL GABAA receptors, rats were intravenously pretreated with either atenolol or homatropine methylbromide. The blockade of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system with atenolol blunted the reducing effect of PL treatment with bicuculline methiodide on RS-evoked pressor and tachycardic responses. The blockade of the parasympathetic nervous system with homatropine methylbromide, regardless of affecting the beginning of the tachycardic response, did not impact on the reduction of RS-evoked tachycardic and pressor responses caused by the PL treatment with bicuculline methiodide. The present results indicate that both cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activities are involved in the reduction of RS-evoked cardiovascular responses evidenced after the blockade of PL GABAA receptors by bicuculline methiodide.
Assessment of bioactivities of ethanolic extract of Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) leaves

Objective: To assess ethanolic extract of the leaves of Melia azedarach L. (Family-Meliaceae) for its possible antioxidant, analgesic and antibacterial activities in association with performing phytochemical evaluation. Methods: A number of phytochemical tests of this extract were utilized to distinguish the existence of different sorts of compounds. Qualitative and quantitative antioxidant activities were assessed by TLC and DPPH scavenging assay respectively. Acetic acid induced writhing test in mice and disk diffusion assay of the leaves extract were carried out to demonstrate the analgesic and antibacterial activities respectively. Results: The phytochemical assessment revealed the existence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins like compounds. Ethanolic extract of the leaves demonstrated antioxidant, analgesic and antibacterial activities in vitro. Conclusion: Considering the study, this could justify the leaves extract’s bioactivities but, to substantiate the activity of individual compound further investigation is necessary.
Comparison of the superb microvascular imaging technique and the color Doppler techniques for evaluating children's testicular blood flow.

OBJECTIVE We have compared conventional Color Doppler (CD) and Power Doppler (PD) techniques, which are used for evaluating the testicular blood flow in small children, and the Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI), which is a new technique. We have also investigated their contributions to testicular evaluations. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated blood flow in testicles using a grading system with CD, PD and SMI techniques. We determined the average duration of the three techniques. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference between the SMI and CD techniques for all patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). When we compared the PD and SMI, either as much or more vascular information was obtained (p = 0.106). There was a statistically significant difference between the application durations of the tests (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Superb Microvascular Imaging yields more detailed vascular information in blood flow in testicles in small children, than either CD or PD. Furthermore, this technique decreases the duration of the examination at a significant level. Superb Microvascular Imaging may represent an alternative method that can be used safely for evaluating blood flow in the testicles of small children. Additional studies may increase the reliability of SMI.
High-Stiffness Distal Fixation Restores Anterior Laxity and Stiffness as Well as Joint Line Fixation with an Interference Screw

Background Fixation of an anterior cruciate ligament graft at the joint line with an interference screw restores anterior laxity better than low-stiffness distal fixation with double staples and sutures tied to a post at implantation in porcine bone. Hypothesis Fixation of an anterior cruciate ligament graft with a high-stiffness distal fixation device restores anterior laxity and knee stiffness as well as joint line fixation with an interference screw in human bone. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Eleven cadaveric knees with foam reinforcement of the bone were reconstructed with a double-looped tendon graft and fixed with an interference screw and 3 high-stiffness methods of fixation (tandem washer, WasherLoc, and WasherLoc with bone dowel). Anterior laxity at 225 and 110 N of anterior load and knee stiffness were measured at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of flexion with a 6 degrees of freedom load application system. Results The increase in anterior laxity and knee stiffness with the interference screw was not significantly different from that with the high-stiffness distal methods. Conclusion In the human knee, the use of high-stiffness fixation devices placed distal to the joint line restored anterior laxity and knee stiffness as well as joint line fixation with an interference screw at implantation. Clinical Relevance The stiffness provided by each method of fixation should be considered along with the length of the graft when determining anterior laxity and knee stiffness.
Integration of DNA barcoding into an ongoing inventory of complex tropical biodiversity

Inventory of the caterpillars, their food plants and parasitoids began in 1978 for today's Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG), in northwestern Costa Rica. This complex mosaic of 120 000 ha of conserved and regenerating dry, cloud and rain forest over 0–2000 m elevation contains at least 10 000 species of non‐leaf‐mining caterpillars used by more than 5000 species of parasitoids. Several hundred thousand specimens of ACG‐reared adult Lepidoptera and parasitoids have been intensively and extensively studied morphologically by many taxonomists, including most of the co‐authors. DNA barcoding — the use of a standardized short mitochondrial DNA sequence to identify specimens and flush out undisclosed species — was added to the taxonomic identification process in 2003. Barcoding has been found to be extremely accurate during the identification of about 100 000 specimens of about 3500 morphologically defined species of adult moths, butterflies, tachinid flies, and parasitoid wasps. Less than 1% of the species have such similar barcodes that a molecularly based taxonomic identification is impossible. No specimen with a full barcode was misidentified when its barcode was compared with the barcode library. Also as expected from early trials, barcoding a series from all morphologically defined species, and correlating the morphological, ecological and barcode traits, has revealed many hundreds of overlooked presumptive species. Many but not all of these cryptic species can now be distinguished by subtle morphological and/or ecological traits previously ascribed to ‘variation’ or thought to be insignificant for species‐level recognition. Adding DNA barcoding to the inventory has substantially improved the quality and depth of the inventory, and greatly multiplied the number of situations requiring further taxonomic work for resolution.
Effects of mixed or separate feeding with whole barley or triticale on growth performance, gastrointestinal system, nutrient digestibility and blood constituents in turkeys

SUMMARY This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding with whole barley and triticale (unground) either through a mixed or separate feeding on the growth performance, gastrointestinal system, nutrient digestibility, and blood constituents in turkeys. A total of 150 four-week-old Hybrid female turkey poults randomly allotted in 5 equal groups were fed for 14 weeks with age adapted basal diets (control group), with whole barley or triticale mixed to diets (groups BM and TM, respectively) or given in a separate feeder (groups BS and TS, respectively). Growth parameters (body weights and weight gains) mainly during the last 6 weeks were significantly increased in the TS group and were coupled to a slight improvement of the food efficiency. In parallel, ileal viscosity was significantly depressed in this group and associated with slight increases in digestibility of organic matter and crude fat. Whole barley mixed to the basal diets or given separately has induced no significant effects on growth, intestinal pH and viscosity and nutrient digestibility, but the absolute and relative colon weights were markedly enhanced in birds fed with barley mixed to basal diets. Although plasma concentrations of lipoproteins and cholesterol tended to increase in birds fed with barley or triticale, no significant change was evidenced on blood biochemistry. These results show that barley and particularly triticale may be added separately to the basal ration without negatively impacting growth and digestion performances in turkeys, therefore offering some economical advantages.
Tracking free-ranging sharks with hand-fed intra-gastric acoustic transmitters

To estimate tag retention time, 39 acoustic transmitters were hand-fed to bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas, lemon sharks Negaprion acutidens and tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier, in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, Fiji. Minimum tag retention times ranged from less than 24 h to 34 days, and bull sharks could be tracked for a minimum mean duration of 6.8 days. Feeding acoustic transmitters wrapped in bait to free-ranging sharks is an alternative and viable method to obtain presence–absence data from free-ranging sharks.
Bored in the USA: Experience Sampling and Boredom in Everyday Life

We report new evidence on the emotional, demographic, and situational correlates of boredom from a rich experience sample capturing 1.1 million emotional and time-use reports from 3,867 U.S. adults. Subjects report boredom in 2.8% of the 30-min sampling periods, and 63% of participants report experiencing boredom at least once across the 10-day sampling period. We find that boredom is more likely to co-occur with negative, rather than positive, emotions, and is particularly predictive of loneliness, anger, sadness, and worry. Boredom is more prevalent among men, youths, the unmarried, and those of lower income. We find that differences in how such demographic groups spend their time account for up to one third of the observed differences in overall boredom. The importance of situations in predicting boredom is additionally underscored by the high prevalence of boredom in specific situations involving monotonous or difficult tasks (e.g., working, studying) or contexts where one’s autonomy might be constrained (e.g., time with coworkers, afternoons, at school). Overall, our findings are consistent with cognitive accounts that cast boredom as emerging from situations in which engagement is difficult, and are less consistent with accounts that exclusively associate boredom with low arousal or with situations lacking in meaning.