Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Diagnodent Accuracy in Detecting Approximal Caries in Primary Molars

Introduction: Detection of caries lesions on approximal surfaces of posterior teeth is difficult, since wide contact points hamper direct visual inspection. Due to the importance of the early detection of dental caries, the aim of this study is to compare the performance of different methods (visual, bitewing radiography and DIAGNOdent) in detecting approximal caries in primary molars. Methods: Thirty six children were selected from patients referred to the pediatric dentistry department of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Two examiners evaluated 229 approximal surfaces of primary molars using: visual inspection, radiography and a pen-type laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent) for the presence of proximal caries. The surfaces were evaluated by 2 other examiners for the presence of white spots or cavitations. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (percentage of correct diagnosis) were calculated for each method. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (A z) was calculated for DIAGNOdent device. The inter-examiner reproducibility was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC values) for laser Fluorescence and agreement coefficient for visual and radiographic methods.Results: At white-spot threshold, a DIAGNOdent device presented better performance. At cavitation threshold the radiographic method demonstrated higher sensitivity than visual inspection and DIAGNOdent device . In this threshold, all methods presented high specificities Conclusions: A DIAGNOdent device performs better in white spot threshold. However, radiography shows better performance in detecting more advanced approximal caries lesions.
The early postnatal blood flow characteristics in the superior mesenteric and coeliac arteries in late preterm neonates

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate intestinal blood flow changes within the first 72 h in the late preterm infants in comparison with the healthy term neonates. Methods: In this prospective study, we analyzed Doppler flow velocity waveforms of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and coeliac trunc (TC) in 20 late preterm and 20 term infants at the age of 2, 24, and 72 h. Results: Significant end-diastolic velocity (end-diastolic velocity (EDV)SMA) rise up to 24 h was documented in all patients (late preterm: −9.32 ± 9.48 to 17.01 ± 6.94; p < .05; term: −8 ± 5.74 to 12.39 ± 3.33; p < .001), associated with a conversion from negative values to positive ones. Reversed blood flow was documented in SMA at 2 h in 75% late preterm neonates. Preterm infants showed significantly higher mean peak systolic velocities (peak systolic velocity (PSV)SMA), end-diastolic velocities (EDVSMA) at 24 h and PSVTC at 72 h than term infants (p < .05). The resistance and pulsatility indices (PI) decreased within 24 h in both groups and inversely reflected the postnatal changes in EDVSMA. Mean PIAMS at 2 h was significantly higher in term neonates. Conclusion: Late preterm neonates show similar progressive postnatal increase in blood flow velocities accompanied with a decrease in vascular resistance in SMA and TC then term neonates.
Isolated Defect of Intestinal Iron Absorption in Siblings of Iron DeficiencyAnemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the commonest type of anemia all over the world. It is easily treatable with oral iron therapy, but a minority of patients does remain unresponsive. This may be related to inappropriate compliance, manifest or occult blood loss, worm infestations, helicobacter infection, known malabsorption syndromes or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). We observed six such patients with non-responsive recurrent classical IDA who did not show any of the above conditions on specific investigations. Iron tolerance test (as an index of oral iron absorption) was performed on these patients. All of them showed negligible or no iron absorption, suggesting a defect in intestinal oral iron absorption as the cause of non-responsive IDA. This contention was supported by a dramatic response to parenteral iron therapy in all of them. Since the tests for known malabsorption syndromes were negative, it would be assumed that these subjects had an isolated defect in oral iron absorption that has been only scantily reported in the literature. Five of the six patients were siblings of two families. This raises the possibility of the defect in iron absorption to have a genetic connotation. Pending the complete work up for genetic studies, including the gene mutation for membrane bound serum protease type 6 (TMPRSS6) in these subjects and their families, this presentation is a short communication to expose and share our small experience of what looks to be an isolated defect in intestinal iron absorption.
Contaminated Soils (III): In Vitro Dermal Absorption of Ethylene Glycol and Nonylphenol in Human Skin

Dermal absorption of contaminants from soils at federal contaminated sites in Canada was investigated using one hydrophile, 14C-ethylene glycol (EG), and one lipophile, 14C-nonylphenol (NP). In vitro dermal absorption of EG and NP was examined in dermatomed (0.4–0.5 mm) human skin using Bronaugh Teflon flow-through cells with Hanks HEPES buffered (pH 7.4) receiver solution with 4% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Tests were conducted under occlusive conditions with and without a commercial gardening soil spiked with EG or NP applied to skin at a soil load of 5 mg/cm2. With percent absorption in skin depot included, a total of 9.9 ± 6.28% ( n = 6) and 34.8 ± 8.47% ( n = 6) absorption of EG with and without soil, respectively, and 20.6 ± 5.56% ( n = 7) and 41.1 ± 6.46% ( n = 7) of NP, with and without soil, respectively, were obtained. For tests without soil a reverse pattern was observed with significantly lower percent absorption into the receiver than depot with the lipophile NP, but significantly higher percent absorption in receiver versus depot for the hydrophile EG. This pattern was different in tests with soil, and caution needs to be exercised when extrapolating data from in vitro tests conducted without soil in human health risk assessments at contaminated sites.
Exact tricritical exponents for polymers at the FTHETA point in two dimensions.

We propose the exact values of the tricritical exponents of a collapsing polymer in two dimensions: \ensuremath{\nu}=(4/7, \ensuremath{\gamma}=(8/7, and \ensuremath{\varphi}=(3/7. They are obtained in a model of self-avoiding walk on a hexagonal lattice, with random forbidden hexagons, whose percolation threshold gives the exact tricritical point. The infinitely many exact tricritical exponents then derived from Coulomb gas methods are critical exponents of the O(n=1) Ising model below ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$. The numerical check is very good.
The pediatric Rome IV criteria: what’s new?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children of all ages and comprise of a wide range of conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract that cannot be attributed to structural or biochemical abnormalities. FGIDs are diagnosed according to the symptom-based Rome criteria. Areas covered: In 2016, the revised pediatric Rome IV criteria were published, these revised criteria are discussed in this review article. For the youngest age group (neonates/toddlers), the criteria for infant colic have undergone the most notable revisions. The most prominent changes in Rome IV were made in the criteria for children/adolescents, with the definition of two new FGIDs (functional nausea and functional vomiting) and the restructuring of the criteria for functional abdominal pain disorders, including the definition of FGID subtypes for functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Expert commentary: Overall, the Rome IV have been refined and are expected to improve the process of diagnosing FGIDs in the pediatric population and to better facilitate the healthcare professional in distinguishing different clinical entities. These changes will likely benefit future research and clinical care.
Validation of EHL Contact Predictions under Time Varying Load

Abstract In this paper, it is investigated how accurately current models predict the response of an elasto-hydrodynamically lubricated contact to time varying load conditions. For two patterns of time varying load, under conditions of pure rolling, the results obtained experimentally on a ball on disk interferometry apparatus by Sakamoto et al. (Behaviour of point contact EHL films under pulsating loads. Proceedings of the 30th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology, Elseviers Tribology Series, Vol. 43, pp. 391-399) are compared with the results of numerical simulations using the dynamic contact model of Wijnant (Contact dynamics in the field of elastohydro-dynamic lubrication. PhD Thesis, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, 1998 ISBN 90-36512239), Wijnant and Venner (Contact dynamics in starved elastohydrodynamic lubrication. Proceedings of the 25th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology, Elsevier Tribology Series, Vol. 36, pp. 705-716). The observed film changes are explained and related to the piezoviscous behaviour of the lubricant. Results for two different viscosity pressure relations are presented. It is shown that the details of the viscosity pressure relation have little effect on the local phenomena observed. The agreement between experimental and theoretical results is excellent in terms of the location and width of induced film thickness changes. The accuracy of the amplitude of the predicted changes is less. A amore accurate amplitude prediction requires more precise knowledge of the dynamic parameters, which describe the load system used in the experiments.
Circulating fluidized beds

Introduction to circulating fluidized beds. Hydrodynamics of circulating fluidized beds. Gas mixing. Solids motion and mixing. Hydrodynamic modelling. Cyclones and separation devices. Standpipes and return systems. Heat transfer. Instrumentation. CFB combustion performance. Design considerations for CFB boilers. Other gas-solid reactions. Catalytic cracking. Design and scale-up of CFB catalytic reactors. Reactor modelling. Novel configurations and variants. Future prospects. References. Index.
Cultivation of Corneal Endothelial Cells on a Pericellular Matrix Prepared from Human Decidua-Derived Mesenchymal Cells

The barrier and pump functions of the corneal endothelium are essential for the maintenance of corneal transparency. Although corneal transplantation is the only current therapy for treating corneal endothelial dysfunction, the potential of tissue-engineering techniques to provide highly efficient and less invasive therapy in comparison to corneal transplantation has been highly anticipated. However, culturing human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) is technically difficult, and there is no established culture protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a pericellular matrix prepared from human decidua-derived mesenchymal cells (PCM-DM) as an animal-free substrate for HCEC culture for future clinical applications. PCM-DM enhanced the adhesion of monkey CECs (MCECs) via integrin, promoted cell proliferation, and suppressed apoptosis. The HCECs cultured on the PCM-DM showed a hexagonal morphology and a staining profile characteristic of Na+/K+-ATPase and ZO-1 at the plasma membrane in vivo, whereas the control HCECs showed a fibroblastic phenotype. The cell density of the cultured HCECs on the PCM-DM was significantly higher than that of the control cells. These results indicate that PCM-DM provides a feasible xeno-free matrix substrate and that it offers a viable in vitro expansion protocol for HCECs while maintaining cellular functions for use as a subsequent clinical intervention for tissue-engineered based therapy of corneal endothelial dysfunction.
In vitro and in vivo matrix metalloproteinase expression after photodynamic therapy with a liposomal formulation of aminolevulinic acid and its methyl ester

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-known method for the treatment of malignant tumors, and its principles have been well established over the past 30 years. This therapy involves the application of a chemical called a photosensitizer and its subsequent excitation with light at the appropriate wavelength and energy. Topical photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an alternative therapy for many malignant processes, including nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal-cell carcinoma (BCC). Our novel approach for this study was to use a liposomal formulation of 5-ALA and its methyl ester (commercially available as metvix) both in vitro and in vivo, and to check whether the liposome-entrapped precursors of photosensitizers can induce the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) in animal tumor cells and in other tissues from tumor-bearing rats and in selected cell lines in vitro. We also checked whether the application of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) has any effect on MMPs in the above-mentioned experimental models, and if they can cause complete inhibition of MMP expression. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that after the PDT, the intensity of expression of MMPs in healthy animals was very low and seen in single cells only. After the PDT in tumor-bearing rats, MMP-3 was expressed in the tumor cells with the highest intensity of staining in the tissues directly adjacent to the tumors, while MMP-2 and -9 were not found. In the control groups, there was no observed expression of MMPs. In vitro studies showed that MMP-3 was expressed in MCF-7 cells after PDT, but MMP-9 was not observed and MMP-2 was only seen in single cases. Our studies confirmed that the application of an MMP-3 inhibitor may block an induction of MMP-3 expression which had previously been initiated by PDT. The preliminary data obtained from cancer patients revealed that new precursors are effective in terms of PDT, and that using MMP inhibitors should be considered as a potential enhancing factor in clinical PDT.
A reinforcement learning algorithm for spiking neural networks

The paper presents a new reinforcement learning mechanism for spiking neural networks. The algorithm is derived for networks of stochastic integrate-and-fire neurons, but it can be also applied to generic spiking neural networks. Learning is achieved by synaptic changes that depend on the firing of pre- and postsynaptic neurons, and that are modulated with a global reinforcement signal. The efficacy of the algorithm is verified in a biologically-inspired experiment, featuring a simulated worm that searches for food. Our model recovers a form of neural plasticity experimentally observed in animals, combining spike-timing-dependent synaptic changes of one sign with non-associative synaptic changes of the opposite sign determined by presynaptic spikes. The model also predicts that the time constant of spike-timing-dependent synaptic changes is equal to the membrane time constant of the neuron, in agreement with experimental observations in the brain. This study also led to the discovery of a biologically-plausible reinforcement learning mechanism that works by modulating spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) with a global reward signal.
Toric Topographically Customized Transepithelial, Pulsed, Very High-Fluence, Higher Energy and Higher Riboflavin Concentration Collagen Cross-Linking in Keratoconus

Purpose: To report a novel application of toric topographically customized transepithelial collagen cross-linking (CXL) aiming to achieve refractive astigmatic changes in a keratoconic cornea. Methods: Specially formulated riboflavin transepithelial administration and delivery of high-fluence UVA in a topographically customized pattern was applied in an eye with progressive keratoconus. Visual acuity, cornea clarity, keratometry, topography, and pachymetry with a multitude of modalities, as well as endothelial cell counts were evaluated for >6 months. Results: Uncorrected distance visual acuity changed from preoperative 20/40 to 20/25 at 6 months. A mean astigmatic reduction of 0.8 D, and significant cornea surface normalization was achieved 6 months postoperatively. There was some mild change in the epithelial distribution, with the treated area having a slight normalization in the average epithelial thickness. Conclusions: We introduce herein the novel application of a topographically customizable transepithelial CXL in progressive keratoconus in order to achieve an astigmatic refractive effect and ectasia stabilization. This novel technique offers a nonablative and nonincisional approach to treat irregular astigmatism in ectatic cornea with rapid visual rehabilitation.
Sex differences in eye gaze and symbolic cueing of attention

Observing a face with averted eyes results in a reflexive shift of attention to the gazed-at location. Here we present results that show that this effect is weaker in males than in females (Experiment 1). This result is predicted by the ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism (Baron-Cohen, 2003), which suggests that males in the normal population should display more autism-like traits than females (e.g., poor joint attention). Indeed, participants′ scores on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Stott, Bolton, & Goodyear, 2001) negatively correlated with cueing magnitude. Furthermore, exogenous orienting did not differ between the sexes in two peripheral cueing experiments (Experiments 2a and 2b). However, a final experiment showed that using non-predictive arrows instead of eyes as a central cue also revealed a large gender difference. This demonstrates that reduced orienting from central cues in males generalizes beyond gaze cues. These results show that while peripheral cueing is equivalent in the male and female brains, the attention systems of the two sexes treat noninformative symbolic cues very differently.
Protective Effect of Korean Red Ginseng against Aflatoxin B1-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rat

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by AFB1 using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline (AFB1 group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 μg/kg of AFB1 intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after AFB1 treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the AFB1 alone group. Histopathologically, AFB1 treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by AFB1 that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.
A Novel Noninvasive Technique for Pulse-Wave Imaging and Characterization of Clinically-Significant Vascular Mechanical Properties In Vivo

The pulse-wave velocity (PWV) has been used as an indicator of vascular stiffness, which can be an early predictor of cardiovascular mortality. A noninvasive, easily applicable method for detecting the regional pulse wave (PW) may contribute as a future modality for risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and reproducibility of PW imaging (PWI) during propagation along the abdominal aortic wall by acquiring electrocardiography-gated (ECG-gated) radiofrequency (rf) signals noninvasively. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was induced using a CaCl2 model in order to investigate the utility of this novel method for detecting disease. The abdominal aortas of twelve normal and five CaCl2, mice were scanned at 30 MHz and electrocardiography (ECG) was acquired simultaneously. The radial wall velocities were mapped with 8000 frames/s. Propagation of the PW was demonstrated in a color-coded ciné-loop format in all cases. In the normal mice, the wave propagated in linear fashion from a proximal to a distal region. However, in CaCl2 mice, multiple waves were initiated from several regions (i.e., most likely initiated from various calcified regions within the aortic wall). The regional PWV in normal aortas was 2.70 ± 0.54 m/s (r2 = 0.85 ± 0.06, n = 12), which was in agreement with previous reports using conventional techniques. Although there was no statistical difference in the regional PWV between the normal and CaCl2-treated aortas (2.95 ± 0.90 m/s (r2 = 0.51 ± 0.22, n = 5)), the correlation coefficient was found to be significantly lower in the CaCl2-treated aortas (p<0.01). This state-of-the-art technique allows noninvasive mapping of vascular disease in vivo. In future clinical applications, it may contribute to the detection of early stages of cardiovascular disease, which may decrease mortality among high-risk patients.
MIMO beamforming with quantized feedback in ad hoc networks: Transmission capacity analysis

We investigate the performance of MIMO beamforming with quantized feedback in ad hoc networks. The primary findings are that a moderate number of feedback bits are sufficient to obtain significant transmission capacity gains compared to non-feedback schemes, whilst also achieving a high percentage of the transmission capacity obtained with unlimited feedback. We demonstrate that this achievable percentage is larger in high path loss environments, and that the number of feedback bits to maintain a fixed gain increases with the number of transmit antennas. These findings are obtained by new transmission capacity expressions which we derive.
Association of serum bilirubin concentration with risk of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Lipid oxidation and formation of oxygen radicals are important elements of arterial plaque formation and atherosclerosis, and are involved in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). Because bilirubin has antioxidant properties, it has been suggested that it may have a protective role in the atherosclerotic process. APPROACH This review examines in vitro and in vivo studies indicating that bilirubin inhibits lipid oxidation and oxygen radical formation. Experimental and epidemiological evidence is presented that suggests that bilirubin may serve as a physiological antioxidant providing protection against atherosclerosis and CAD. Special attention is focused on studies that noted an inverse relationship between plasma bilirubin concentration and cardiovascular morbidity. CONTENT Serum bilirubin concentrations in the upper portion of the reference interval reportedly reduce atherogenic risk and provide protection against CAD. In contrast, serum bilirubin concentrations in the lower portion of the reference interval may be associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease. SUMMARY Taken together, the evidence presented in this review supports the concept that bilirubin, via its antioxidant potential, has antiatherogenic properties and that an inverse relationship exists between circulating bilirubin concentrations and risk of CAD.