Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of age and sex on retinal layer thicknesses measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography with Spectralis

Objective To examine differences in individual retinal layer thicknesses measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) (Spectralis®) produced with age and according to sex. Design Cross-sectional, observational study. Methods The study was conducted in 297 eyes of 297 healthy subjects aged 18 to 87 years. In one randomly selected eye of each participant the volume and mean thicknesses of the different macular layers were measured by SD-OCT using the instrument's macular segmentation software. Main outcome measures Volume and mean thickness of macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor layer (PR). Results Retinal thickness was reduced by 0.24 μm for every one year of age. Age adjusted linear regression analysis revealed mean GCL, IPL, ONL and PR thickness reductions and a mean OPL thickness increase with age. Women had significantly lower mean GCL, IPL, INL, ONL and PR thicknesses and volumes and a significantly greater mRNFL volume than men. Conclusion The thickness of most retinal layers varies both with age and according to sex. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the rate of layer thinning produced with age.
Orthodontic Treatment Need, Self-Esteem, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment of Primary Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objective: The aims of this study were (1) to determine orthodontic treatment need, self-esteem, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of primary schoolchildren and (2) to investigate possible influences of orthodontic treatment need on self-esteem and OHRQoL. Methods: The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 219 children aged 13–14 years attending public schools in Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. None of the children were undergoing active orthodontic treatment or had previously received orthodontic treatment. Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need Dental Health Component (IOTN-DHC) was used to determine normative orthodontic treatment need, and scores of 4 and 5 were defined as treatment need. IOTN Aesthetic Component (IOTN-AC) was used for the determination of child perception as well as the orthodontist perception of treatment need, and scores of 8–10 were defined as treatment need. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was applied for self-esteem level determination. OHRQoL was evaluated using .
Phylogeny, scaling, and the generation of extreme forces in trap-jaw ants

SUMMARY Trap-jaw ants of the genus Odontomachus produce remarkably fast predatory strikes. The closing mandibles of Odontomachus bauri, for example, can reach speeds of over 60 m s–1. They use these jaw strikes for both prey capture and locomotion – by striking hard surfaces, they can launch themselves into the air. We tested the hypothesis that morphological variation across the genus is correlated with differences in jaw speeds and accelerations. We video-recorded jaw-strikes at 70 000–100 000 frames s–1 to measure these parameters and to model force production. Differences in mean speeds ranged from 35.9±7.7 m s–1 for O. chelifer, to 48.8±8.9 m s–1 for O. clarus desertorum. Differences in species' accelerations and jaw sizes resulted in maximum strike forces in the largest ants (O. chelifer) that were four times those generated by the smallest ants (O. ruginodis). To evaluate phylogenetic effects and make statistically valid comparisons, we developed a phylogeny of all sampled Odontomachus species and seven outgroup species (19 species total) using four genetic loci. Jaw acceleration and jaw-scaling factors showed significant phylogenetic non-independence, whereas jaw speed and force did not. Independent contrast (IC) values were used to calculate scaling relationships for jaw length, jaw mass and body mass, which did not deviate significantly from isometry. IC regression of angular acceleration and body size show an inverse relationship, but combined with the isometric increase in jaw length and mass results in greater maximum strike forces for the largest Odontomachus species. Relatively small differences (3%) between IC and species-mean based models suggest that any deviation from isometry in species' force production may be the result of recent selective evolution, rather than deep phylogenetic signal.
Modifiable factors influencing relapses and disability in multiple sclerosis

A growing body of literature indicates that the natural course of multiple sclerosis can be influenced by a number of factors. Strong evidence suggests that relapses can be triggered by infections, the postpartum period and stressful life events. Vaccinations against influenza, hepatitis B and tetanus appear to be safe. Surgery, general and epidural anaesthesia, and physical trauma are not associated with an increased risk of relapses. Factors that have been associated with a reduced relapse rate are pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, sunlight exposure and higher vitamin D levels. A number of medications, including hormonal fertility treatment, seem to be able to trigger relapses. Factors that may worsen progression of disability include stressful life events, radiotherapy to the head, low levels of physical activity and low vitamin D levels. Strong evidence suggests that smoking promotes disease progression, both clinically and on brain magnetic resonance imaging. There is no evidence for an increased progression of disability following childbirth in women with multiple sclerosis. Moderate alcohol intake and exercise might have a neuroprotective effect, but this needs to be confirmed.
Functional Polymorphisms of Interferon-gamma Affect Pneumonia-Induced Sepsis

Objective Sepsis is an inflammatory syndrome caused by infection, and both its incidence and mortality are high. Because interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays an important role in inflammation, this work assessed IFN-γ single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) that may be associated with sepsis. Methods A total of 196 patients with pneumonia-induced sepsis and 213 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers participated in our study from July 2012 to July 2013 in Guangzhou, China. Patient clinical information was collected. Clinical pathology was assessed in subgroups defined based on clinical criteria, APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) and SOFA (sepsis-related organ failure assessment) scores and discharge rate. Four functional SNPs, −1616T/C (rs2069705), −764G/C (rs2069707), +874A/T (rs2430561) and +3234C/T (rs2069718), were genotyped by Snapshot in both sepsis patients and healthy controls. Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to analyze the distribution of the SNPs, and the probability values (P values), odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results No mutations in the IFN-γ −764G/C SNP were detected among the participants in our study. The +874A/T and +3234C/T SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) (r2 = 0.894). The −1616 TC+TT, +874 AT+AA genotype and the TAC haplotype were significantly associated with sepsis susceptibility, while the CTT haplotype was associated with protection against sepsis incidence. Genotype of −1616 TT wasn’t only protective against severity of sepsis, but also against higher APACHE II and SOFA scores as +874 AA and +3234 CC. The TAC haplotype was was protective against progression to severe sepsis either. Conclusion Our results suggest that functional IFN-γ SNPs and their haplotypes are associated with pneumonia-induced sepsis.
Speeding the Pollard and elliptic curve methods of factorization

Since 1974, several algorithms have been developed that attempt to factor a large number N by doing extensive computations module N and occasionally taking GCDs with N. These began with Pollard's p 1 and Monte Carlo methods. More recently, Williams published a p + 1 method, and Lenstra discovered an elliptic curve method (ECM). We present ways to speed all of these. One improvement uses two tables during the second phases of p ? 1 and ECM, looking for a match. Polynomial preconditioning lets us search a fixed table of size n with n/2 + o(n) multiplications. A parametrization of elliptic curves lets Step 1 of ECM compute the x-coordinate of nP from that of P in about 9.3 1og2 n multiplications for arbitrary P.
For Parents:

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Dental materials--what goes where? The current status of glass ionomer as a material for loadbearing restorations in posterior teeth.

UNLABELLED Glass ionomer materials have been available for 40 years, but have not been indicated for loadbearing restorations, other than when used in the ART concept. However, there is anecdotal evidence that dentists are using the reinforced versions of this material in posterior teeth, possibly as a result of demands from patients to provide them with tooth-coloured restorations in posterior teeth at a lower cost than resin composite. This paper reviews the existing literature on reinforced glass ionomer restorations in posterior teeth, concluding that, under certain circumstances (which are not fully elucidated) these materials may provide reasonable service. However, the patient receiving such restorations should be made aware of the minimal amount of evidence for the success of these restorations and the potential need for the restorations to be re-surfaced in due course. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Reinforced glass ionomer restorations may provide patients with tooth-coloured restorations in posterior teeth, but their survival may not equate to restorations in resin composite in loadbearing situations.
Hypertension as a complex genetic trait.

Pickering first showed that blood pressure distribution is unimodal and that the diagnosis of essential (primary) hypertension is an arbitrary quantitative trait. His family studies suggested that not 1, but many, perhaps 30 or more, gene variations are responsible for raising blood pressure. Two approaches have been used to address the genetics of essential hypertension. Candidate genes have been selected by virtue of their physiologic function, and case-control association studies have been performed. Numerous candidates have been evaluated, genes of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, genes coding for adrenergic receptors, genes coding for proteins regulating endothelial function, and genes involved in signaling have been studied. True to Pickering's prediction, each gene tested thus far seems to exert, at best, a small effect and contradictory studies are common. Linkage studies have been performed to map the loci of genes regulating blood pressure or inducing hypertension. Studies of dizygotic twins and their parents have permitted an identity-by-decent linkage analysis. Studies of affected sibling pairs involve subjects whose parents are generally already dead. Identity-by-state analysis requires a far greater number of pairs for results. Nevertheless, some large linkage studies have now been performed including subjects from Framingham. Log odds (LOD) scores are far removed from actually cloning genes responsible for hypertension. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) permit linkage dysequilibrium mapping, which may enable cloning new genes. Thus far, very few new genes have been cloned for any complex genetic disease. The task is daunting but not impossible.
An attempt at evaluating the influence of water quality on the qualitative and quantitative structure of epiphytic fauna dwelling on Stratiotes aloides L., a case study on an oxbow lake of the Łyna river

The paper contains the results of a study on the dependence of the qualitative and quantitative structure of the phytophilous macrofauna dwelling on Stratiotes aloides L. (water soldier) on the quality of waters in a lentic oxbow lake of the £yna River. The observations were carried out during the vegetative season (April – June) 2006 at high and moderate water levels. During the study, a total of 18 taxa of invertebrates dwelling on the above plant species were identified, with the exact number of taxa varying in time: 11 taxa were noticed in April and May, and in June their number went up to 13. The examination of hydrochemical parameters of the oxbow lake waters revealed that the density of macrofauna was lower at higher values of proper conductivity and macronutrients, ammonia nitrogen and COD, increasing at high levels of sulphates. High concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and non-organic components coincided with decreased biomass of epiphytic animals on water soldier. Additionally, it has been observed that elevated concentrations of potassium ions have a negative influence on the biomass of most epiphytic animals (except Erpobdella sp.).
Laboratory Evaluation of Pyriproxyfen and Spinosad, Alone and in Combination, Against Aedes aegypti Larvae

Abstract In this study, the efficacy of pyriproxyfen and spinosad, alone and in combination, was evaluated against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (L.). Larval bioassays were carried out on susceptible mosquito larvae to determine the concentration–mortality responses of mosquitoes exposed to each insecticide alone and in mixture. Synergism between pyriproxyfen and spinosad was determined by the calculation of a combination index (CI) by using the isobologram method. For pyriproxyfen, LC50 and LC95 were 1.1 × 10−4 (1.0 × 10−4–1.1 × 10−4) and 3.2 × 10−4 (2.9 × 10−4–3.6 × 10−4) mg/liter, respectively. Pyriproxyfen acted at very low concentrations by inhibiting the adult emergence of Ae. aegypti (97% inhibition rates at 3.3 × 10−4 mg/liter). Spinosad activity was ≈500 times lower than that of pyriproxyfen against the Bora strain, with LC50 and LC95 values estimated at 0.055 (0.047–0.064) and 0.20 (0.15–0.27) mg/liter, respectively. A binary mixture of pyriproxyfen and spinosad was realized at the ratio 1:500 by considering the values of the LC50 obtained for each product. The LC50 and LC95 of the mixture were 0.019 (0.016–0.022) and 0.050 (0.040–0.065) mg/liter, respectively. The mixture combined both the larvicidal activity of spinosad and the juvenoid action of pyriproxyfen. From the LC70 to LC99, a significant synergism effect was observed between the two insecticides (CI ranged from 0.74 to 0.31). This strong synergism observed at high concentrations allows a reduction by five and nine-fold of pyriproxyfen and spinosad amounts to kill almost 100% mosquitoes. Combination of pyriproxyfen and spinosad may then represent a promising strategy to improve mosquito control in situations with insecticide-resistant Aedes dengue vectors.
Patternable Poly(chloro-p-xylylene) Film with Tunable Surface Wettability Prepared by Temperature and Humidity Treatment on a Polydimethylsiloxane/Silica Coating

Poly(chloro-p-xylylene) (PPXC) film has a water contact angle (WCA) of only about 84°. It is necessary to improve its hydrophobicity to prevent liquid water droplets from corroding or electrically shorting metallic circuits of semiconductor devices, sensors, microelectronics, and so on. Herein, we reported a facile approach to improve its surface hydrophobicity by varying surface pattern structures under different temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions on a thermal curable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and hydrophobic silica (SiO2) nanoparticle coating. Three distinct large-scale surface patterns were obtained mainly depending on the contents of SiO2 nanoparticles. The regularity of patterns was mainly controlled by the temperature and RH conditions. By changing the pattern structures, the surface wettability of PPXC film could be improved and its WCA was increased from 84° to 168°, displaying a superhydrophobic state. Meanwhile, it could be observed that water droplets on PPXC film with superhydrophobicity were transited from a “Wenzel” state to a “Cassie” state. The PPXC film with different surface patterns of 200 μm × 200 μm and the improved surface hydrophobicity showed wide application potentials in self-cleaning, electronic engineering, micro-contact printing, cell biology, and tissue engineering.
Magnetic and structural properties of size-selected FeCo nanoparticle assemblies

Over the past few decades, use of nanostructures has become widely popular in the different ﬁeld of science. Nanoparticles, in particular, are situated between the molecular level and bulk matter size. This size range gave rise to a wide variety physical phenomena that are still not quite understood. Magnetic nanoparticles are at their hype due to their applications in medical ﬁeld, as a catalyst in a wide number of chemical reactions, in addition to their use for information storage devices and spintronics. In this work, we are interested in studying the intrinsic magnetic properties (magnetic moments and anisotropy) of FeCo nanoparticles. Thus, in order to completely understand their properties, mass-selected FeCo nanoparticles were prepared using the MS-LECBD (Mass Selected Low Energy Cluster Beam Deposition) technique in the sizes range of 2-6 nm and in − situ embedded in a matrix in order to separate them, to avoid coalescence during the annealing and to protect during transfer in air. From a ﬁrst time, the structural properties (size, morphology, composition, crystallographic structure) of these nanopar- ticles were investigated in order to directly correlate the modiﬁcation of the magnetic properties to the structure and chemical ordering of the nanoparticles after high temperature treatment. In addition to the bimetallic FeCo nanoparticles, reference Fe and Co systems were also fabricated and studied using the same techniques. The structural properties were investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), anomalous x-ray diffraction (AXD) and extended x-ray absorption ﬁne structure (EXAFS) where a phase transition from a disordered A2 phase to a chemically ordered CsCl B2 phase was observed and further validated from the magnetic ﬁndings using SQUID magnetometry and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD)
Distinctive Clinical Profile of Blacks Versus Whites Presenting With Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Background— Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major contributor to mortality, but data are limited among nonwhites. Identification of differences in clinical profile based on race may provide opportunities for improved SCA prevention. Methods and Results— In the ongoing Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study (SUDS), individuals experiencing SCA in the Portland, OR, metropolitan area were identified prospectively. Patient demographics, arrest circumstances, and pre-SCA clinical profile were compared by race among cases from 2002 to 2012 (for clinical history, n=126 blacks, n=1262 whites). Incidence rates were calculated for cases from the burden assessment phase (2002–2005; n=1077). Age-adjusted rates were 2-fold higher among black men and women (175 and 90 per 100 000, respectively) compared with white men and women (84 and 40 per 100 000, respectively). Compared with whites, blacks were >6 years younger at the time of SCA and had a higher prearrest prevalence of diabetes mellitus (52% versus 33%; P<0.0001), hypertension (77% versus 65%; P=0.006), and chronic renal insufficiency (34% versus 19%; P<0.0001). There were no racial differences in previously documented coronary artery disease or left ventricular dysfunction, but blacks had more prevalent congestive heart failure (43% versus 34%; P=0.04) and left ventricular hypertrophy (77% versus 58%; P=0.02) and a longer QTc interval (466±36 versus 453±41 milliseconds; P=0.03). Conclusions— In this US community, the burden of SCA was significantly higher in blacks compared with whites. Blacks with SCA had a higher prearrest prevalence of risk factors beyond established coronary artery disease, providing potential targets for race-specific prevention.
Influence of yarn structures; part B-on performance and functional properties of carpets

Three different Indian wools of significantly different characteristics are selected for the study. Structurally different yarns were produced using different approaches of fibre mixing and spinning systems. The performance and functional properties of handloom carpets made from structurally different yarns were studied. Carpets made of multi-component engineered yarns give higher value of carpet durability factor, tuft withdrawal force, thermal insulation and lower burnt area in comparison to carpets made from control yarns.
CONGRESS COVERAGE: Renal Sympathetic Denervation for Resistant Hypertension: Symplicity HTN-3 and the Power of Placebo

The results of the Symplicity HTN-3 trial have been presented a few days ago in the 2014 Scientific Meeting of the American College of Cardiology and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine [1]. The Symplicity HTN-3 trial was the first placebo-controlled (via sham procedure) study evaluating the effects of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) in patients with resistant hypertension. The study met its primary safety endpoint but failed to achieve its primary and secondary efficacy endpoints generating major disappointment in the scientific community and raised significant concerns about the future of this novel interventional approach for the management of patients with resistant hypertension.
Syntenin-1 and Ezrin Proteins Link Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule to the Actin Cytoskeleton*

Background: The activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) is involved in immune responses and cancer metastasis. Results: ALCAM is linked to the actin cytoskeleton through a supramolecular complex, including ezrin and syntenin-1. Conclusion: ALCAM supramolecular complex engaged to CD6 stabilizes the immunological synapse. Significance: Insights into the immunological synapse at the dendritic cell side contribute to clarify immune regulation mechanisms. Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) is a type I transmembrane protein member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. Involved in important pathophysiological processes such as the immune response, cancer metastasis, and neuronal development, ALCAM undergoes both homotypic interactions with other ALCAM molecules and heterotypic interactions with the surface receptor CD6 expressed at the T cell surface. Despite biochemical and biophysical evidence of a dynamic association between ALCAM and the actin cytoskeleton, no detailed information is available about how this association occurs at the molecular level. Here, we exploit a combination of complementary microscopy techniques, including FRET detected by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and single-cell force spectroscopy, and we demonstrate the existence of a preformed ligand-independent supramolecular complex where ALCAM stably interacts with actin by binding to syntenin-1 and ezrin. Interaction with the ligand CD6 further enhances these multiple interactions. Altogether, our results propose a novel biophysical framework to understand the stabilizing role of the ALCAM supramolecular complex engaged to CD6 during dendritic cell-T cell interactions and provide novel information on the molecular players involved in the formation and signaling of the immunological synapse at the dendritic cell side.