Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C677T Methylene-H4-Folate-Reductase Variant Decreases Binocular Accommodation

Purpose. The C677T polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) lowers the activity of this enzyme, producing moderate elevation of blood levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and lowering the levels of 5-methyl-tetrahydro-folic acid (5-MeTHFA), methionine (Meth), and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). In this study we examined 100 apparently normal subjects of both sexes (average age 25.6 ± 4.25) for the genotypic presence of the T allele and its association with accommodative amplitude (AA). Methods. The amplitude of accommodation was measured by the subjective “push-up” technique. DNA from buccal cells was genotyped for the C677T polymorphism of MTHFR by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping assay. Descriptive statistics were obtained by frequency distribution and univariate analysis. Comparisons between monocular and binocular AA were obtained by t-test statistics or ANOVA. Associations between genotype and phenotype were analyzed using regression models. Results. The C677T polymorphism was associated with decreased binocular AA (p = 0.0087). Monocular AA was not associated with the MTHFR genotype. Conclusions. Our results suggest a role for the C677T polymorphism in damaging the neural aspects of binocular vergence accommodation. The postulated neural damage could be due to the decreased formation of 5-MeTHFA and the defective synthesis of Meth, SAM and neurotransmitters or other methyl acceptors in nervous tissue of bearers of the C677T polymorphism. The differential effect upon monocular and binocular accommodation is hypothetically explained by a greater involvement of methylation reactions in vergence accommodation. A similar mechanism is proposed to explain the prevalent insufficient accommodation of Down's syndrome in which the blood levels of Meth and SAM are reduced.
When multiple creators are worse than one: The bias toward single authors in the evaluation of art.

The present studies investigate whether people perceive the same work of art to be of lower quality if they learn that it was a collaborative work (resulting from the efforts of multiple artists) versus the work of a single artist. Study 1 finds that indeed, as the number of authors increases, the perceived quality of an artwork decreases. Study 2 finds that this effect occurs because people tend to assess quality in terms of the effort put forth by each author, rather than the total amount of effort required to create the work. Study 3 further demonstrates that this bias toward single authors appears to be driven by people’s beliefs, rather than by any inherent differences between individual versus collaborative work. These results broaden our understanding of how perceptions of effort drive evaluative judgments, and are consistent with a more general notion that art is not evaluated as a static entity, but rather as an endpoint in a “creative performance. ”
A 6-month histological analysis on maxillary sinus augmentation with and without use of collagen membranes over the osteotomy window: randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION Over the years, several modifications have been made to the sinus augmentation technique and to the materials used. However, there is still controversy about the need for using a barrier concurrently with a graft in sinus augmentation procedures. On this basis, the aim of this randomized clinical study was to investigate the effect of resorbable collagen membrane over the osteotomy window on maxillary sinus augmentation healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who required maxillary sinus augmentation were evaluated and selected to enter the study. After maxillary sinus grafting, each patient was randomly assigned to control (membrane over the osteotomy window) or test (no membrane) group. After 6 months, one bone biopsy was harvested from the lateral window and sent to the histology laboratory. The Mann-Whitney nonparametric test was used for comparing the two groups. P-value was set at 5%. RESULTS Eighteen patients entered the study and were randomly allocated in control (nine patients) or test group (nine patients). The histomorphometric measurements revealed that newly formed bone was 30.7% ± 15.5% of the total volume from the membrane group (control). The average percentage of connective tissue was 50.6% ± 18.7% and residual graft percentage was 18.4% ± 20.3%. On the other hand, data regarding the nonmembrane group (test) showed that the percentage of newly formed bone was 28.1% ± 19.4%. The mean percentage of connective tissues was 59.3% ± 15.4% and 12.6% ± 12.4% for the residual graft particles. No significant difference was detected in the histomorphometrical evaluation between the two groups. DISCUSSION Our results showed that, compared with sites not covered, the use of the membrane did not substantially increase the amount of vital bone over a period of 6 months. On the other hand, the use of membrane seems to reduce the proliferation of the connective tissue and the graft re-absorption rate. It is plausible that blood supply of maxillary sinus can play a role in such a result. Further studies are needed to explore whether the use of membrane could really be advantageous for the sinus augmentation procedure and to evaluate what influence this method can have on the amount and quality of reconstructed bone.
Polarimetric radar studies of atmospheric ice particles

Single scattering properties of ice crystals are described at microwave frequencies using discrete dipole approximations and Rayleigh scattering techniques. For a given shape, the average bulk densities of ice crystals can be estimated using the ratio of the copolarized radar signal in a linear (horizontal, vertical) polarization basis. Reflectivity depends on the ice content (g/spl times/m/sup -3/), and also on both size distribution parameters and average bulk density of the scatterers. Differential propagation phase is primarily a function of shape, ice water content, and is independent of size distribution parameters. Thus, by using a combination of polarimetric radar measurements, average ice content, bulk density, and shape of distributed scatterers call be inferred. These techniques become quite complex in the case of a winter storm where scatterers can exist with varying shape and bulk densities. Polarimetric radar properties of such complex distributed scatterers are modeled. Physical variations in the relation among ice water content, reflectivity, and differential propagation phase are considered with respect to change in the shape of size distribution, bulk density,,and average shape of the scatterers. Also, simultaneous polarimetric radar observations and in situ aircraft measurements are shown to demonstrate practical applicability of the techniques. >
Social Support in Children With ADHD: An Exploration of Resilience

Objective: This study investigated the role of perceived social support in promoting emotional well-being among children with ADHD. Specifically, it examined how children with ADHD perceive support from key individuals in their lives and the relationships between this support and aspects of emotional well-being. Main versus buffering models of social support in the context of social preference status were also explored. Method: Participants were 55 school-age children with ADHD–combined or hyperactive/impulsive (ADHD-C/HI). Parent and child ratings evaluated source-specific social support, social status, and aspects of self-concept, anxiety, and depression. Results: Children with ADHD reported lower social support than normative samples. Social support had moderate positive associations with self-concept, with source-specific differences, but was not associated with internalizing symptoms. Regression models with social preference status supported a main effect model of perceived social support. Conclusion: Social support may provide a target for resilience-based interventions among children with ADHD in promoting their self-concept and well-being.
Prostaglandin Release from Lumbar Disc and Facet Joint Tissue

Objectives The authors measured prostaglandin (PG) and leukotriene (LT) release from human disc and lumbar facet joint tissues. Summary of Background Data High levels of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) have been measured in the human disc. PLA2 releases fatty acids from lipid membranes. These can be converted to PG and LT, which are potent inflammatory mediators and supposed to be involved in lumbar diseases. Methods The tissues were obtained during surgery and incubated in Tyrode's solution. PG and LT release was measured radioimmunologically from the supernatant. Results Disc (4 ng/g wet weight), cartilage (21 ng/g wet weight), and bone (14 ng/g wet weight) released PGs but no LTs. Conclusion Because PG release from sequestrated disc is rather low, the inflammatory effect might be more because of immunologic reactions.
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL MANIFESTATIONS IN 50 β – THALASSEMIC PATIENTS — A CLINICAL STUDY

Thalassemia is a worldwide disease. 5-8% of Pakistani population (approx. 8-10 millions) are carrying thalassemia genes. It causes various abnormalities in different organs of patients. In Pakistan (to the best of our knowledge) no research work on oral and maxillofacial manifestations had been carried out, therefore present study was under taken. This study was carried out in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi with collaboration of Husaini Institute of Blood Diseases, Karachi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of oral maxillofacial manifestations in thalassemic patients from of Karachi groups. Fifty diagnosed β – thalassemia major patients were randomly selected from the patients who were registered for their treatment at the Husaini blood bank and Institute of Blood Diseases Karachi. Their clinical examination and percentage of recorded features were calculated and results were deduced. The most prominent features recorded were frontal bossing, seen in 54% cases, Parietal bossing in 88%; Depressed nasal bridge in 70% ; Pallor of oral mucosa in 84%; Intra oral pigmentation in 88%; Proclination of teeth in 26%; Gingivitis in 82%; Mamelon in 22%.
Changes in keratin expression during the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE The relationship between different types of epithelial cells in the prostate and the regulatory mechanism underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are still obscure as is the association between BPH and prostate carcinoma (PCa.) On the basis of keratin immunophenotyping, a subpopulation of cells in normal rat prostate and human PCa have been identified as candidates for the 'amplifying cell' in the stem cell model. In this model the basal cell is described as being associated with the stem cell. From this precursor an intermediate cell type develops which may differentiate into the luminal-type cell. In this study these different cell types are investigated in the development of isolated BPH and BPH associated with PCa, using monoclonal antibodies to intermediate filaments of the keratin class. METHODS We immunohistochemically stained 64 snap-frozen human prostatic tissues, using monoclonal antibodies against keratin 14 (marker for putative 'stem cell'), keratin 18 (marker for putative 'transit cell'), and MAb RCK103 (marker for putative 'amplifying cell' or intermediate cell). RESULTS In basal cell hyperplasia, an atypical form of BPH, keratins previously associated with intermediate cells were frequently detected. Cells with this keratin phenotype were detected in the luminal compartment of BPH, and were more prevalent in BPH adjacent to PCa. This keratin expression pattern was similar to that of PCa. CONCLUSION On the basis of keratin phenotyping we demonstrated that large numbers of cells with the keratin expression pattern of so-called intermediate cells were identified in BPH associated with PCa, while in isolated BPH these cells were infrequently found. This supports the concept that BPH with intermediate phenotype may have premalignant potential. Furthermore this is suggestive of an etiologic relationship between the two diseases.
[Pediatric head injuries, retrospective analysis of 851 patients: an epidemiological study].

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to contribute to the epidemiological database of our country about pediatric head injuries. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 851 patients younger than 14 years old with head injury, treated in the Neurosurgery Department of Samsun Mehmet Aydın Education and Research Hospital between January 2003 and June 2008. RESULTS Five hundred and fifty (65%) patients were male and 301 (35%) were female. Falls (70%) were the most common cause of head injury. According to Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), 74% of patients had mild (13-15), 22% moderate (9-12) and 4% severe (3-8) head injury. Eighty-seven (10.5%) patients were operated. The commonest operations were performed for depressed fractures and epidural hematomas. The mortality rate was 3.8% (33). Common causes of mortality were traffic accidents and falls from heights. CONCLUSION Other reported studies and this study show that the majority of pediatric head injuries occur as a result of preventable causes. It is important to have local epidemiological studies and data about head injuries in order to prevent these traumas before their occurrence.
Sources of Campylobacter Colonization in Broiler Chickens

Campylobacter jejuni and its close relative Campylobacter coli (hereafter jointly referred to as C. jejuni or campylobacters) are gram-negative, thermophilic, obligate microaerophilic bacteria that are ubiquitous in temperate environments. Both species colonize the intestinal mucosa of most warm-
Reduction of CTL antipeptide response mediated by CD8+ cells whose class I MHC can bind the peptide.

Primary CTL responses can be generated in vitro against defined peptides in association with class I MHC molecules. We show here that if cells obtained from a 5-day MLR are also included in the cultures, the response is greatly reduced if the added cells both carry CD8 and can bind the peptide. Our interpretation is that the added MLR cells are acting as deletional APC or veto cells. Peptide-specific CTL precursors recognize the peptide on the class I MHC of the CD8+ MLR cells and then receive a negative signal via CD8 on these cells. In support of this, when MLR cells carrying the Lyt-2.1 allele of CD8 were used to down-regulate the response of Ly-2.2+ responder cells, inclusion of anti-Ly-2.1 mAb in the cultures partially reversed the response reduction. Similar signaling may occur in vivo. When mice were injected i.v. with syngeneic lymphoid cells incubated with a peptide which they could bind, the response against that peptide was specifically reduced in a subsequent in vitro assay.
Intra- and inter-serogroup genetic relatedness of orbiviruses. II. Blot hybridization and reassortment in vitro of epizootic haemorrhagic disease serogroup, bluetongue type 10 and Pata viruses.

Viruses which belong to the epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD), bluetongue and Eubenangee serogroups of orbiviruses exhibit low level cross-reactions in some serological tests. Although Pata virus cross-reacts at low levels with members of the EHD and bluetongue serogroups, it was assigned originally to the Eubenangee serogroup. RNA-RNA blot hybridization data, however, suggest that Pata virus is not a member of the Eubenangee serogroup. In this study, the genetic relatedness of the EHD serogroup viruses, bluetongue virus type 10 (BTV-10) and Pata virus was assessed by RNA-RNA blot hybridization and by gene reassortment experiments in vitro. The five members of the EHD serogroup examined were highly related by reciprocal RNA RNA blot hybridization. Genes 1, 3, 4 and 6 to 9 were highly conserved with three unique types of gene 2, four variant types of gene 5 and two variant types of gene 10. Geographical boundaries could not be correlated with sequence relatedness because viruses isolated from the same locality were distant relatives when compared with another virus isolated on a different continent. The significance of the unique and variant genes is discussed. The EHD isolates, BTV-10 and Pata virus exhibited distinct profiles on agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and they are related distantly as shown by weak hybridization signals in blot hybridization. Gene 2 was a unique gene among the EHD isolates, BTV-10 and Pata virus. One BTV-10 gene hybridized more strongly to gene 9 of the EHD viruses than the other BTV-10 genes, and its role in encoding the cross-reactive antigen is discussed. Intra-serogroup gene reassortment in vitro was demonstrated in the six crosses among EHD serogroup members. In contrast, gene reassortment was not observed in inter-serogroup crosses between EHD 1 and BTV-10, BTV-10 and Pata virus, and between EHD 1 and Pata virus. Correlation of blot hybridization and gene reassortment indicated that viruses must share high sequence conservation in the majority of their genes before genetic interaction is likely. The usefulness of blot hybridization as an indicator of the likelihood of gene reassortment is discussed. These hybridization and gene reassortment data indicated that Pata virus is not a member of the bluetongue or EHD serogroups and that it should be assigned to the ungrouped set of orbiviruses. The hybridization and gene reassortment data suggest that members of the EHD serogroup, BTV-10 and Pata virus represent three distinct gene pools, and the role of reassortment in the generation of genetic diversity is discussed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Antistreptococcal interventions for guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis: a summarised Cochrane review

Background Guttate psoriasis is a distinctive acute form of psoriasis which characteristically occurs in children and young adults. It is closely associated with preceding streptococcal sore throat or tonsillitis. Some authorities have claimed that ordinary (chronic plaque) psoriasis may also be made worse by infection at distant sites. Although many dermatologists have recommended using antibiotics for guttate psoriasis in particular, it is not clear whether they influence the course of either form of psoriasis. Some dermatologists have also recommended tonsillectomy for psoriasis in patients with recurrent streptococcal sore throat. Objectives To assess the evidence for effectiveness of antistreptococcal interventions including antibiotics and tonsillectomy in the management of acute guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Clinical Trials Register (Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 1999), Medline (1966September 1999), Embase (1988-September 1999), the Salford Database of Psoriasis Trials (to November 1999) and the European Dermato-Epidemiology Network (EDEN) Psoriasis Trials Database (to November 1999) for terms [STREPTOCOCC* or ANTIBIOTIC* or TONSIL*] and PSORIASIS using the Cochrane Skin Group search strategy.
Reduction of semiconductor optical amplifier switching times by preimpulse step-injected current technique

A practical way to implement a technique for the reduction of the semiconductor optical amplifier electrooptic switching time is presented. The technique, called PISIC (preimpulse step-injected current), was tested and achieved a reduction of the SOA switching times from almost 2 ns (simple-step current response) to little more than 200 ps (step with prepulse response). Forecasts obtained through simulations, using optimized values of current step and prepulse, showed even a faster optical switch response, with switching time reduction to values around 10 ps.
Controversies in Diagnosis and Management of Syndesmosis Injuries of the Ankle

The general consensus in the treatment of ankle fractures is that anatomical reduction and restoration of the distal tibiofibular relationship need to be achieved to obtain predictably good results.8,21,25,38,39,42,43,48,57 Despite this general agreement, certain aspects remain controversial. One aspect of ankle injuries, for which the most acceptable treatment is the least clearly defined, is the management of syndesmosis injuries.14,36,37.48 The recognition of significant trauma to the syndesmosis is not always easy, particularly when it is not associated with an ankle fracture. ,54 Criteria for the diagnosis of subtle injuries are poorly defined. ,15 Discussion of optimal treatment generates the most controversy. Issues that remain unsettled include: indications for transsyndesmotic fixation, type of transsyndesmotic fixation, the level of fibular fracture associated with syndesmosis injury for which rigid fixation is necessary, indications to explore the medial side, necessity for removal of the fixation prior to activity and weightbearing, and duration of fixation to allow healing of the syndesmosis. Although current biomechanical and clinical data fail to answer all of these questions, they do allow the formulation of a rational approach to these controversial issues.
Molecular adaptations underlying the beneficial effects of hydroxytyrosol in the pathogenic alterations induced by a high-fat diet in mouse liver: PPAR-α and Nrf2 activation, and NF-κB down-regulation.

SCOPE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterized by an increment in the liver fat content, with a concomitant reduction in the content of n-3-long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs), downregulation of PPAR-α activity, and upregulation of NF-κB activity, effects that induce pro-lipogenic and pro-inflammatory responses. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a polyphenol with cytoprotective effects present in extra virgin olive oil, improves the cellular antioxidant capacity for activation of transcription factor Nrf2. The objective of this work is to evaluate the molecular adaptations involved in the anti-lipogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects of HT supplementation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Male C57BL/6J mice received (i) control diet (10% fat); (ii) control diet + HT (daily doses of 5 mg per kg body weight), (iii) HFD (60% fat); or (iv) HFD + HT for 12 weeks. HFD-fed mice exhibited (i) liver steatosis; (ii) inflammation; (iii) oxidative stress; and (iv) depletion of n-3 LCPUFAs, together with down-regulation of PPAR-α and Nrf2, and up-regulation of NF-κB. HT supplementation attenuated the metabolic alterations produced by HFD, normalizing the activity of Nrf2, reducing the drop in activity of PPAR-α, and attenuating increment of NF-κB activation. CONCLUSION Supplementation with HT activating transcription factors PPAR-α and Nrf2, along with the deactivation of NF-κB, may reduce the liver alterations induced in HFD-fed mice.
Comparison of mobile-blogging acceptance between Indonesia and Taiwan

The purpose of this study is to apply a conceptual model of mobile phone users' intention to accept mobile blog in different cultural contexts. First, the study investigates factors influencing the acceptance of mobile blogs from mobile phone users' perspective. Second, the study applies a conceptual model from the cross-cultural perspective. Samples are collected from Indonesia and Taiwan. The model indicates cultural difference as a significant moderator and that users' intention to accept mobile blogs is driven by five factors: ubiquity, convenience, personalisation, interaction, and mobile sharing. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are provided.