Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of salivary calcium level in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, and healthy controls

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare salivary calcium (Ca) level in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: 56 subjects were included in the study and were grouped as follows: 12 subjects who were periodontally healthy (Group I), 12 subjects having chronic periodontitis who were non-smokers (Group II), 12 non-smokers having aggressive periodontitis (Group III), 12 smokers with chronic periodontitis (Group IV), and 8 smokers with aggressive periodontitis (Group V). Clinical measurements and non-stimulated whole saliva samples were obtained and analyzed for Ca levels by ion-selective electrolyte analyzer. Results: When salivary Ca values were compared between the groups, they showed statistically significant values (P < 0.001) with the highest mean Ca level in Group IV and Group V, which include smokers with chronic periodontitis and smokers with aggressive periodontitis, respectively, than in other groups. Between groups II and III also, the mean salivary Ca level was statistically significant (P < 0.001) with higher mean salivary Ca in non-smokers having chronic periodontitis than in non-smokers having aggressive periodontitis. Conclusions: The present study showed that smokers having chronic periodontitis as well as smokers having aggressive periodontitis have higher salivary calcium levels. Also, patients with aggressive periodontitis were found to have lesser salivary calcium level than chronic periodontitis patients by ion-selective electrolyte analyzer.
A Semantic-Based Transaction Processing Model for Multilevel Transactions

Multilevel transactions have been proposed for multilevel secure databasess in contrast to most proposals, such transactions allow users to read and write across multiple security levels. The security requirement that no high level operation influence a low level operation often conflicts with the atomicity requirement of the standard transaction processing model. In particular, others have shown that no concurrency control algorithm based on the standard transaction processing model can guarantee both atomicity and security. This conflict motivates us to propose an alternative semantic-based transaction processing model for multilevel transactions. Our model uses the semantics of the application to analyze an application and reason about its behavior. Our notion of correctness is based on semantic correctness instead of serializability as in the standard transaction processing model. Semantic correctness ensures that database consistency is maintained, transactions output consistent data, and all partially executed transactions complete. We show how an example application can be analyzed to assure semantic correctness and how this analysis can be automated. We also propose a simple timestamp-based multiversion concurrency control algorithm for transaction processing on a kernelized architecture. The advantages of our model over the standard transaction processing model are that atomicity can be assessed, and for some applications ensured via off line analysis, more concurrency is achieved, lesser synchronization between security levels is required, and a larger class of multilevel transactions can be processed. The work of Sushil Jajodia and Indrakshi Ray was partially supported by National Security Agency under grants MDA904-96-1-0103 and MDA904-96-1-0104 and by US Air Force/Rome Labs under grant F30602-97-1-0139. The work of Indrakshi Ray was also partially supported by a George Mason University Fellowship Award. The work of Paul Ammann was partially supported by US Air Force/Rome Labs under grants F30602-97-1-0139.
Differential activation of neuronal and glial STAT3 in the spinal cord of the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are activated by phosphorylation in the spinal cord of patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The major scope of our study is a comprehensive histological characterization of the mechanisms underlying neuronal and glial STAT3 activation in the pathogenesis of ALS using SOD1G93A mice. We calculated the fold changes (FCs, ratios vs. appropriate controls) of the numerical densities of the following phosphorylated STAT3‐positive (pSTAT3)+ cells – choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)+ α‐motoneurons, ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)+ microglia, and S100β+ astrocytes in SOD1G93A mice. The FCs of pSTAT3+ microglia and pSTAT3+ astrocytes were increased from 9 to 15 weeks of age and then plateaued until 21 weeks. In contrast, the FCs of pSTAT3+ α‐motoneurons peaked at 9 weeks and then decreased until 21 weeks. The immunoreactivity for nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein (SMI‐32), a marker of axonal impairment, was decreased in pSTAT3+ α‐motoneurons compared with pSTAT3− α‐motoneurons at 9 weeks of age. We then compared the following pharmacological models – the chronic administration of 3,3′‐iminodipropionitrile (IDPN), which models axonal impairment, and the acute administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a model of neuroinflammation. The FCs of pSTAT3+ α‐motoneurons were increased in IDPN‐treated mice, while those of pSTAT3+ microglia were increased in LPS‐treated mice. The FCs of pSTAT3+ astrocytes were higher in SOD1G93A mice at 9 weeks compared with IDPN‐ and LPS‐treated mice. Our results indicate that axonopathy and neuroinflammation may trigger the respective activation of neuronal and glial STAT3, which is observed during ALS pathogenesis.
Optimal management of Ménière’s disease

Confusion in the nomenclature of Ménière’s disease and lack of a standard definition of the disorder until 1995 has hampered accurate assessment of treatment efficacy since the presently defined disorder was first described in 1938. The lack of a widely accepted mechanism of the disease has also delayed the development of rational treatments. Past treatments have focused on relieving elevated pressures in the hydropic ear and more recently on treatment of underlying migraine. Present dietary methods of control include sodium restriction and migraine trigger elimination. Pharmacologic treatments include diuretics, migraine prophylactic medications, histamine analogs, and oral steroids. Surgical procedures include intratympanic steroid perfusion, shunts, and ablative procedures when conservative treatments fail. External pressure devices are also used. Evidence of efficacy is lacking for most interventions other than ablation. At our institution, Ménière’s disease is treated as a cerebrovascular disorder. Control of risk factors for cerebrovascular ischemia is combined with treatment of pressure dysfunction in the hydropic ear. Screening for risk factors is performed at presentation. Migraine, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and atherosclerosis are among the major factors that often require medical management. Migraine prophylactic medications, magnesium supplementation, sodium restriction, migraine trigger elimination, diuretics, anticoagulants, and antihypertensives are among the treatments used initially. Steroids administered orally or intratympanically are used if control is not achieved medically, and ablation remains the definitive treatment in unilateral cases experiencing treatment failure.
Lanthanum suppresses osteoblastic differentiation via pertussis toxin‐sensitive G protein signaling in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

A major cellular event in vascular calcification is the phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into osteoblast‐like cells. After demonstrating that lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) suppresses hydrogen peroxide‐enhanced calcification in rat calcifying vascular cells (CVCs), here we report its effect on the osteoblastic differentiation of rat VSMCs, a process leading to the formation of CVCs. Cells were isolated from aortic media of male SD rats, and passages between three and eight were cultured in Dulbeccol's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 10 mM β‐glycerophosphate (β‐GP) in the presence or absence of LaCl3. Exposure of cells to LaCl3 suppressed the β‐GP‐induced elevations in calcium deposition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and Cbfa1/Runx2 expression, as well as the concomitant loss of SM α‐actin. Furthermore, LaCl3 activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and the blockage of either pathway with a specific inhibitor abolished the effects of LaCl3. In addition, pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (PTx), an inhibitor of G protein‐mediated signaling pathway, repealed all the changes induced by LaCl3. These findings demonstrate that LaCl3 suppresses the β‐GP‐induced osteoblastic differentiation and calcification in rat VSMCs, and its effect is mediated by the activation of both ERK and JNK MAPK pathways via PTx‐sensitive G proteins. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1184–1191, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perceptual Phenomena in the Agenda Setting Process

The integration of formerly isolated theoretical concepts is probably one of the most challenging tasks in the development of media effects theory. While agenda setting has already been linked to priming and framing via the concept of second level agenda-setting, this article takes a closer look into perceptual phenomena within the agenda-setting process, thus linking micro-level psychological theories with macro-level theories of political communication. Starting with third-person perceptions, we argue that part of the agenda-setting function of the mass media is to inform recipients what other people believe to be important. Along these lines of thought, a theoretical model of agenda-setting effects is outlined in which perceptual components play an important role in the conceived process of media influence.
Theory of mind, executive function and social competence in boys with ADHD

Abstract Twenty-two boys with a diagnosis of ADHD were com-KEYWORDS pared with 22 typically developing boys on an advanced theory of mind task and on two tasks measuring aspects of executive function. Parents completed rating forms measuring general social competence, as well as mentalizing and non-mentalizing social behaviours. There were no differences between the groups on the advanced theory of mind measure.The children with ADHD scored more poorly than controls on an inhibition task but not on a planning task once age and IQ had been covaried. Ratings of social competence were correlated with theory of mind and executive function ability for the typically developing controls but not for the children with ADHD. The results are discussed in terms of inhibitory and social information processing accounts of ADHD.
Prevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 in aborted fetuses and stillborn piglets

A retrospective study of natural cases of abortion, recorded between October 2000 and September 2002, was made to determine the prevalence of abortions associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2). The virus was detected by PCR, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation. A total of 46 (13.1 per cent) of 350 aborted fetuses and stillborn piglets were positive for PCV-2 by PCR, and the virus was detected in fetuses at all stages of gestation. Viral antigen was detected in macrophages from the aborted fetuses and stillborn piglets by immunohistochemistry, and viral DNA was detected by in situ hybridisation.
Complete Genome Sequences of Both Biotypes of a Virus Pair of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Subgenotype 1k

ABSTRACT We determined the complete genome sequences of both biotypes of a virus pair of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) subgenotype 1k. The viruses were isolated from a persistently infected calf suffering from mucosal disease. Compared to the noncytopathic biotype, the cytopathic biotype contains an insertion of 84 nucleotides and 22 nucleotide changes.
Increasing the Success Rate of the Reversed-Flow Fasciocutaneous Island Sural Flap: A Clinical Experience in 26 Cases

The reversed-flow fasciocutaneous island sural flap is presenting one of the best reconstructive options in the distal third of the leg, around the ankle and the heel up to the metatarsals. Although the surgical maneuver of this flap and many of its modifications have been well described in previous publications, the flap is unfortunately full of reported complications. In this work, we are presenting a 26-patient series of reversed-flow fasciocutaneous island flap cases in different age, sex, and etiologic groups. All flaps had survived, with a complication rate of 3.8% (1 case) in the form of partial necrosis. In this series, we standardized a modified technique in which we tried to include many ideas and tricks, in addition to some of the reported useful ones to have a higher success rate. We have summarized these points in 10 golden rules, making this flap safer and more versatile.
The Experiential Incompatibility of Mindfulness and Flow Absorption

Mindfulness and flow are both beneficial states of mind, but are they difficult to experience simultaneously? After all, flow involves losing self-awareness within an activity, and mindfulness involves maintaining self-awareness throughout or even despite an activity. In three studies, we examine this potential antagonism, finding negative associations between mindfulness and flow as assessed in a variety of ways and contexts. These associations emerged within Global trait data and diary data concerning daily goal behavior (Study 1), experience-sampling data concerning behavior at the time of signaling (Study 2), and experimental data concerning the experience of playing the flow-conducive computer game, Tetris, after undergoing a mindfulness induction (Study 3). However, these associations only apply to the “absorption” aspect of flow, not the “sense of control” aspect.
Survivin Is a Viable Target for the Treatment of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

Purpose: To examine the role of survivin as a therapeutic target in preclinical models of human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) Experimental Design: Survivin protein expression levels and subcellular localization were examined immunohistochemically in an MPNST tissue microarray. Human MPNST cells were studied in vitro and in vivo; real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemical analyses were used to evaluate survivin expression and localization activation. Cell culture assays were used to evaluate the impact of anti-survivin–specific siRNA inhibition on cell growth and cell-cycle progression and survival. The effect of the small-molecule survivin inhibitor YM155 on local and metastatic MPNST growth was examined in vivo. Results: Survivin was found to be highly expressed in human MPNSTs; enhanced cytoplasmic subcellular localization differentiated MPNSTs from their plexiform neurofibroma premalignant counterparts. Human MPNST cell lines exhibited survivin mRNA and protein overexpression; expression in both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments was noted. Survivin knockdown abrogated MPNST cell growth, inducing G2 cell-cycle arrest and marked apoptosis. YM155 inhibited human MPNST xenograft growth and metastasis in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Antitumor effects were more pronounced in fast-growing xenografts. Conclusions: Our studies show an important role for survivin in human MPNST biology. Patients with MPNSTs should be considered for ongoing or future clinical trials that evaluate anti-survivin therapeutic strategies. Most importantly, future investigations should evaluate additional pathways that can be targeted in combination with survivin for maximal synergistic anti-MPNST effects. Clin Cancer Res; 18(9); 2545–57. ©2012 AACR.
Children Creating Language: How Nicaraguan Sign Language Acquired a Spatial Grammar

It has long been postulated that language is not purely learned, but arises from an interaction between environmental exposure and innate abilities. The innate component becomes more evident in rare situations in which the environment is markedly impoverished. The present study investigated the language production of a generation of deaf Nicaraguans who had not been exposed to a developed language. We examined the changing use of early linguistic structures (specifically, spatial modulations) in a sign language that has emerged since the Nicaraguan group first came together. In under two decades, sequential cohorts of learners systematized the grammar of this new sign language. We examined whether the systematicity being added to the language stems from children or adults; our results indicate that such changes originate in children aged 10 and younger. Thus, sequential cohorts of interacting young children collectively possess the capacity not only to learn, but also to create, language.
Keeping information systems staff (happy)

Applying Maslow′s hierarchy of needs, suggests most information systems professionals have unfulfilled needs only at higher levels of the hierarchy. The exact level of the hierarchy will vary from person to person with differences between supervisors and their staff. Proposes that training can fulfil information systems′ personnel needs at several levels.
Distributed protocols for ensuring both coverage and connectivity of a wireless sensor network

Wireless sensor networks have attracted a lot of attention recently. Such environments may consist of many inexpensive nodes, each capable of collecting, storing, and processing environmental information, and communicating with neighboring nodes through wireless links. For a sensor network to operate successfully, sensors must maintain both sensing coverage and network connectivity. This issue has been studied in wang et al. [2003] and Zhang and Hou [2004a], both of which reach a similar conclusion that coverage can imply connectivity as long as sensors' communication ranges are no less than twice their sensing ranges. In this article, without relying on this strong assumption, we investigate the issue from a different angle and develop several necessary and sufficient conditions for ensuring coverage and connectivity of a sensor network. Hence, the results significantly generalize the results in Wang et al. [2003] and Zhang and Hou [2004a]. This work is also a significant extension of our earlier work [Huang and Tseng 2003; Huang et al. 2004], which addresses how to determine the level of coverage of a given sensor network but does not consider the network connectivity issue. Our work is the first work allowing an arbitrary relationship between sensing ranges and communication distances of sensor nodes. We develop decentralized solutions for determining, or even adjusting, the levels of coverage and connectivity of a given network. Adjusting levels of coverage and connectivity is necessary when sensors are overly deployed, and we approach this problem by putting sensors to sleep mode and tuning their transmission powers. This results in prolonged network lifetime.
Core binding factor genes and human leukemia.

BACKGROUND The core binding factor (CBF) transcription complex, consisting of the interacting proteins RUNX1 and CBFb, is essential for normal hematopoiesis. Recent studies have shown that mutations and gene rearrangements involving this complex are frequently implicated in leukemogenesis. Understanding the molecular events leading to the disruption of CBF has provided important insights into our understanding of the normal regulatory pathways that control hematopoiesis and has begun to reveal how alterations in these pathways induce leukemia. INFORMATION SOURCES Both authors are involved in the identification and characterization of chromosomal abnormalities associated with hematologic malignancy. This has led to contributions to multicenter clinical and laboratory investigations as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals. All of the references cited in this review are published in journals covered by Medline. State of the Art. The core binding factor (CBF) is a heterodimeric transcription factor composed of the RUNX1 and CBFb subunits. RUNX1 is the DNA binding element of the complex and its affinity is greatly increased in the presence of CBFb. Knock-out studies in mice have demonstrated that both RUNX1 and CBFb are necessary for definitive hematopoiesis. Furthermore, reciprocal chromosomal translocations involving both partners have been directly implicated in leukemogenesis. Evidence is now emerging that at least some of the resulting fusion proteins, namely ETV6-RUNX1, RUNX1-MTG8 and CBFb-MYH11 dominantly inhibit the function of native CBF by recruiting transcriptional co-repressor complexes. However, knock-in studies have shown that whilst expression of these fusion genes may disrupt normal hematopoiesis, this, by itself, is not sufficient for the subsequent development of leukemia. Mutations of RUNX1 have been identified in familial platelet disorder (FDP), in which there is a congenital predisposition to the development of AML and heterozygous point mutations have been identified in the RUNX1 gene in some leukemias. Moreover, a small number of cases have been reported in which amplification of RUNX1 has been detected in childhood ALL suggesting mechanisms other than loss of function, such as gene dosage may also play a role. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the role CBF plays in normal hematopoiesis and hematologic malignancies has provided critical reagents for the accurate identification of the broad group of leukemias harboring alterations of CBF. The application of these molecular approaches has already shown an impact on the clinical management of these patients and as more information becomes available, the ability to tailor therapy to improve each patient's chance of a cure becomes feasible.
Living donor kidney transplantation with multiple arteries: recent increase in modern era of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE To compare the outcome of living donor kidney transplantation using allografts with a single artery with that observed in recipients of allografts with multiple arteries. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Tertiary center. PATIENTS Three hundred fifty patients who underwent living donor kidney transplantation from January 2000 to March 2007. INTERVENTIONS Living donor kidney transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Surgical complications and allograft survival. RESULTS Three hundred nineteen allografts (91.1%) had a single artery (group 1) and 31 (8.9%) had multiple arteries (group 2), including 2 arteries in 21 grafts (67.8%), 3 arteries in 6 (19.3%), and 4 arteries in 4 grafts (12.9%). The operative time was shorter in group 1 compared with group 2 (mean [SD], 173 [35] vs 259 [48] minutes; P < .001). The overall surgical complication rate in groups 1 and 2 was comparable (9.6% vs 9.7%; vascular, 2.8% vs 3.2%; urological, 1.6% vs 3.2%; symptomatic lymphocele, 2.8% vs 3.2%; and wound infections, 2.8% vs 3.2%). The actuarial 1- and 5-year allograft survival rates were comparable in both groups (98.4% and 91.5% in group 1 and 96.8% and 87.1% in group 2). A significant increased use of allografts with multiple arteries has been observed in recent years: 7.8% (n = 10) in grafts that were procured by open technique (n = 127), 4.1% (n = 5) during our initial experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy (n = 123), and 16% (n = 16) in the most recent 100 cases (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Living donor kidney transplantation in the presence of multiple renal arteries is feasible and safe. Additionally, graft survival and graft function are not adversely affected by the presence of multiple renal arteries in grafts procured laparoscopically. Recently, there has been an increased use of kidneys with multiple arteries with excellent results.