Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Health and its Implications in Late Pleistocene Western Eurasian Humans

xvi Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 The oral health and overall health connection . 6 Research Questions and Hypotheses . 7 Structure of the Thesis . 9 Chapter 2: Background . 11 Introduction: . 11 The Study of Teeth and their Pathology: . 11 Dentistry: . 13 Pathologies: . 13 Oral Health and Overall Health: . 26 Comparative Samples: . 28 Late Pleistocene Sample: . 30 Current Late Pleistocene Research: . 31 Paleopathology Studies: . 31 Dental Fossil Pathology Studies: . 32 Demography Issues: . 34 Subsistence Issues: . 35 Evolutionary Medicine: . 36 What the Field of Pleistocene Paleopathology is Missing: . 38 iii Chapter 3: Materials & Methods . 41 Materials: . 41 Fossils Materials: . 41 Research materials: . 43 Methods: . 43 Laboratory Methods: . 43 Statistical Methods: . 51 Chapter 4: Caries & Periapical Lesions . 55 Introduction: . 55 Results: . 55 Age distribution: . 60 Tooth type: . 63 Tooth Surface: . 67 Time Period: . 68 Results by Region: . 71 Age Category: . 75 Caries Severity: . 76 Results of Comparative Samples: . 79 Discussion: . 83 Taxonomy: . 84 Time Period: . 85 Region: . 86 Age: . 88 Diet: . 89 Pleistocene versus Holocene: . 93 iv Conclusion: . 95 Chapter 5: Periodontal Disease . 96 Introduction: . 96 Results: . 97 Age distribution: . 97 Maxillary vs. Mandibular: . 100 Time Period: . 101 Region: . 107 Age Category: . 110 Comparative Samples: . 113 Discussion: . 115 Previous research: .
COMPLIANCE AND ADHERENCE OF PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA TO INTRAVITREAL ANTI–VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY IN DAILY PRACTICE

Purpose: We assessed differences in compliance and adherence (lateness of patients, visual acuity, reasons for abstaining) between patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), both under anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Methods: We included 136 patients with DME (36% women, 65 years, 22 visits, 13.9 injections, and 29.9 months of follow-up) and 109 patients with AMD (59% women, 76 years, 20 visits, 14.7 injections, and 22.3 months of follow-up) (minimum follow-up of 12 months and at least 5 injections). We assessed missed appointments (lateness >14 days) and therapy break-offs (lateness >100 days). All delayed patients were called and interviewed for abstaining reasons. Results: Forty-six percent of patients with DME and 22% of patients with AMD had at least one break-off. Thirty-five percent of patients with DME and 50% of patients with AMD were always on schedule. In patients with DME, there was significant correlation (P = 0.017) between the number of break-offs and change of visual acuity. In 60% DME and 38% AMD of break-off cases, visual acuity was worse than the before break-off. The most common reason for abstaining was comorbidities (33% AMD and 20% DME). Conclusion: There are significant differences between patients with AMD and DME regarding compliance and adherence, which also affects outcome. Strategies to tie patients with DME to costly intravitreal therapy need to be developed to improve outcomes and efficacy.
On Max-Clique for intersection graphs of sets and the Hadwiger-Debrunner numbers

Let HDd(p, q) denote the minimal size of a transversal that can always be guaranteed for a family of compact convex sets in ℝd which satisfy the (p, q)-property (p ≥ q ≥ d + 1). In a celebrated proof of the Hadwiger-Debrunner conjecture, Alon and Kleitman proved that HDd(p, q) exists for all p ≥ q ≥ d + 1. Specifically, they prove that HDd(p, d + 1) is O(pd2+d). This paper has two parts. In the first part we present several improved bounds on HDd(p, q). In particular, we obtain the first near tight estimate of HDd(p, q) for an extended range of values of (p, q) since the 1957 Hadwiger-Debrunner theorem. In the second part we prove a (p, 2)-theorem for families in ℝ2 with union complexity below a specific quadratic bound. Based on this, we introduce a polynomial time constant factor approximation algorithm for MAX-CLIQUE of intersection graphs of convex sets satisfying this property. It is not likely that our constant factor approximation can be improved to a PTAS as MAX-CLIQUE for intersection graphs of fat ellipses is known to be APX-HARD and fat ellipses have sub-quadratic union complexity.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: clinical aspects and current concepts on pathogenesis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was first described by Rosen et al in 1958.1 It is an unusual diffuse lung disease characterised by the accumulation of large amounts of a phospholipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli. It has a variable clinical presentation and course. Most cases are primary but occasionally the condition is secondary to other conditions or inhalation of chemicals. Whole lung lavage remains the most effective treatment and the overall prognosis is good. Surfactant homeostasis is abnormal and animal experiments suggest that this may relate, in some instances at least, to defects in GM-CSF signalling. There are at least two congenital forms of the disease and several different animal models suggesting that pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is unlikely to be a single disease entity and more likely to represent a clinical syndrome. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare lung disease and accurate estimates of incidence are not available. Current estimates suggest an incidence of one in two million people. The series reported in the literature suggest a male preponderance (male:female ratio 3:1). 1-11 Peak onset is in the third or fourth decade of life with over 80% of reported cases occurring in this age group.1-9 However, there are reports of the disease occurring in neonates,12 children,13-15 and the elderly.11 ### CLINICAL PRESENTATION Dyspnoea is the most common presenting symptom. It usually occurs on moderate exertion but in a few patients occurs at rest.1-11 Cough is the other common symptom. These symptoms are often trivial and some patients do not present until they develop a supervening infection. This may explain the acute onset of symptoms and fever observed in some patients. A low grade fever may also occur as a consequence of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in the absence of secondary infection.6 Physical examination is often normal and inspiratory crackles …
Structure-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction and hypoxia induced with single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Cytotoxicity of nanomaterials on living systems is known to be affected by their size, shape, surface chemistry, and other physicochemical properties. Exposure to a well-characterized subpopulation of specific nanomaterials is therefore desired to reveal more detailed mechanisms. This study develops scalable density gradient ultracentrifugation sorting of highly dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into four distinct bands based on diameter, aggregation, and structural integrity, with greatly improved efficiency, yield, and reproducibility. With guarantee of high yield and stability of four SWNT fractions, it is possible for the first time, to investigate the structure-dependent bioeffects of four SWNT fractions. it is possible Among these, singly-dispersed integral SWNTs show no significant effects on the mitochondrial functions and hypoxia. The aggregated integral SWNTs show more significant effects on the mitochondrial dysfunction and hypoxia compared to the aggregated SWNTs with poor structure integrity. Then, it is found that the aggregated integral SWNTs induced the irregular mitochondria respiratory and pro-apoptotic proteins activation, while aggregated SWNTs with poor structure integrity greatly enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. This work supports the view that control of the distinct structure characteristics of SWNTs helps establish clearer structure-bioeffect correlation and health risk assessment. It is also hoped that these results can help in the design of nanomaterials with higher efficiency and accuracy in subcellular translocation.
Modes of glutamate receptor gating

Abstract The time course of excitatory synaptic currents, the major means of fast communication between neurons of the central nervous system, is encoded in the dynamic behaviour of post‐synaptic glutamate‐activated channels. First‐pass attempts to explain the glutamate‐elicited currents with mathematical models produced reaction mechanisms that included only the most basic functionally defined states: resting vs. liganded, closed vs. open, responsive vs. desensitized. In contrast, single‐molecule observations afforded by the patch‐clamp technique revealed an unanticipated kinetic multiplicity of transitions: from microseconds‐lasting flickers to minutes‐long modes. How these kinetically defined events impact the shape of the synaptic response, how they relate to rearrangements in receptor structure, and whether and how they are physiologically controlled represent currently active research directions. Modal gating, which refers to the slowest, least frequently observed ion‐channel transitions, has been demonstrated for representatives of all ion channel families. However, reaction schemes have been largely confined to the short‐ and medium‐range time scales. For glutamate receptors as well, modal gating has only recently come under rigorous scrutiny. This article reviews the evidence for modal gating of glutamate receptors and the still developing hypotheses about the mechanism(s) by which modal shifts occur and the ways in which they may impact the time course of synaptic transmission.
Exchange interaction between magnetic adatoms on surfaces of noble metals

We present first-principles calculations of the exchange interactions between magnetic impurities deposited on (001), (110), and (111) surfaces of Cu and Au and analyze them, in particular, in the asymptotic regime. For the (110) and the (111) surfaces, we demonstrate that the interaction shows an oscillatory behavior as a function of the distance, R, of the impurities and that the amplitude of the oscillations decays as 1/R2. Furthermore, the frequency of the oscillations is closely related to the length of the Fermi vector of the surface states existing on these surfaces. Due to the asymmetry of the surface-states dispersion, the frequency of the oscillations becomes also asymmetric on the (110) surfaces, while on the Au(111) surface two distinct frequencies are found in the oscillations as a consequence of the Bychkov-Rashba splitting of the surface states. Remarkably, no long-range oscillations of the exchange interaction are observed for the (001) surfaces where the surface states are unoccupied. When burying the impurities beneath the surface layer, oscillations mediated by the bulk states become visible.
Half-Fluence Photodynamic Therapy for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: Predisposing Factors for Visual Acuity Outcomes

ABSTRACT Background: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterised by a serous detachment of the neurosensory retina in the macula. Chronic CSC tends to affect older individuals with a less favourable visual outcome. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin is a possible therapeutic approach in cases of CSC with no tendency for spontaneous resorption. PDT has shown good anatomic and functional results in treating chronic CSC. For the purpose of diminishing side effects, modifications of the standard protocol were used. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 32 eyes with CSC of 32 patients treated by half-fluence PDT. The patients underwent complete ophthalmology examination. On optical coherence tomography (OCT) we measured central retinal thickness (CRT), the outer nuclear layer (ONL), presence of subfoveolar detachment of retinal pigment epithelium (PED), disturbance of external limiting membrane (ELM), morphological changes in the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) line and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy. We evaluated at baseline, 3 and 12 months after PDT. Results: The mean BCVA at baseline was 0.41 ± 0.23 log MAR, the mean BCVA at 3 months was 0.24 ± 0.20 and at the end of the follow-up it was 0.23 ± 0.200. We observed statistically significant improvements of visual acuity after 3 and 12 months (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). The mean central retinal thickness at baseline was 373 ± 87 µm, the mean CRT after 3 months was 234 ± 42 µm and after 12 months 223 ± 39 µm. A significant reduction from baseline was seen after 3 months and 12 months (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Baseline ONL reached 80 ± 27 µm, after 3 months it was 78 ± 20 and after 12 months it was 74 ± 20 µm. We observed a statistically significant change in diminishing the amount of PED after PDT after 3 months and after 12 months (p = 0.021, McNemar’s test). We observed that in patients with RPE ablation, there is lower chance for the restitution of the IS/OS layer (p = 0.045, Mann–Whitney test). We observed a negative association between the improvement of visual acuity after 12 months and the presence of RPE ablation (p = 0.031, Mann–Whitney test). Restitution of ELM was significantly more often in patients with shorter duration of symptoms, (p = 0.027 after 3 months, p = 0.033 after 12 months after PDT, Spearman correlation). Neither ocular nor systemic adverse effects were observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Half-fluence PDT treatment has shown to be a usually safe and often effective therapy in patients with chronic CSC. This study suggests that the most important predictive factor is baseline visual acuity. The important anatomical change detected using OCT is a thinning of the outer nuclear layer. Nonetheless, other studies with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up are required.
Long-Term Dietary Fructose Causes Gender-Different Metabolic and Vascular Dysfunction in Rats: Modulatory Effects of Resveratrol

Background/Aims: There is limited knowledge on the gender differences in the effects of dietary fructose. In the current study, we investigated whether long-term fructose intake impacts metabolic parameters and vascular reactivity differently between male and female rats. Moreover, we tested whether resveratrol has a gender-specific effectiveness on the alterations. Methods: Male and female rats were divided into four groups as control; resveratrol; fructose and resveratrol plus fructose. Fructose was given to the rats as 10% solution in drinking water for 24 weeks. All rats were fed with the standard diet with or without resveratrol. Results: High-fructose diet increased plasma insulin, triglyceride and VLDL levels as well as omental weights in both genders. Long-term dietary fructose causes marked increase in body weight of males, but not females. Dietary fructose impaired endothelial relaxation to acetylcholine and intensified contraction to phenylephrine in the aortas of male and female rats, but differently it also reduced insulin-induced vasodilation in aortas of female rats. These changes were associated with decreased expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and protein, but increased in inducible NOS (iNOS), in aortas of male and female rats. Dietary fructose suppressed expression levels of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) mRNA in aortas from female rats. Resveratrol supplementation efficiently restored fructose-induced metabolic and vascular dysfunction in both genders probably by regulating eNOS and iNOS production. Moreover, the augmentations in SIRT1 and IRS-2 mRNA in females and IRS-1 mRNA in males may possibly contribute to the beneficial effects of resveratrol as well. Conclusion: Long-term fructose intake may differently affect metabolic and vascular function between male and female rats, which are modified by resveratrol.
Democracy and the Variability of Economic Performance

Sah (1991) conjectured that more centralized societies should have more volatile economic performances than less centralized ones. We show in this paper that this is true both for cross-country and within-country variability in growth rates. It is also true for some measures of policies. Finally, we show that both the best and worst performers in terms of growth rates are more likely to be autocracies. We argue that the evidence in the paper is consistent with the theoretical implications in Sah and Stiglitz (1991) and Rodrik (1999a). Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 2002.
Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated during a 3-year period (1993 to 1995) in Seville, Spain

The genetic polymorphism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Seville, Spain, was studied by using computer-assisted analysis of the IS6110 fingerprint in order to determine the current situation and to evaluate the human-to-human transmission of this pathogen. One hundred seventy-six isolates from 175 patients among the 205 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) during a 3-year period (1993 to 1995) were cultured and analyzed. One hundred nine patients (62%) were infected with genetically different isolates, and 67 isolates (38%) were grouped into 19 clusters. These results demonstrate that the level of clustering of strains in Seville is intermediate between those in developed and developing countries. Epidemiological relatedness was shown for isolates from only 10 of these clusters. Active and high transmission rates exist in children and in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults, while in non-HIV-infected adults this transmission rate is moderate. Although transmission from children to adults is uncommon, the probability of transmission from HIV-infected patients to young adults not infected with HIV may be higher. On the basis of these observations, we predict a constant rise in the rate of TB transmission among HIV-infected patients and probably in young adult patients not infected with HIV if measures for the effective prevention of TB among the HIV-infected population are not implemented.
Treatment of femoro-acetabular impingement: preliminary results of labral refixation.

BACKGROUND Recent advances in the understanding of the anatomy and function of the acetabular labrum suggest that it is important for normal joint function. We found no available data regarding whether labral refixation after treatment of femoro-acetabular impingement affects the clinical and radiographic results. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiographic results of fifty-two patients (sixty hips) with femoro-acetabular impingement who underwent arthrotomy and surgical dislocation of the hip to allow trimming of the acetabular rim and femoral osteochondroplasty. In the first twenty-five hips, the torn labrum was resected (Group 1); in the next thirty-five hips, the intact portion of the labrum was reattached to the acetabular rim (Group 2). At one and two years postoperatively, the Merle d'Aubigné clinical score and the Tönnis arthrosis classification system were used to compare the two groups. RESULTS At one year postoperatively, both groups showed a significant improvement in their clinical scores (mainly pain reduction) compared with their preoperative values (p = 0.0003 for Group 1 and p < 0.0001 for Group 2). At two years postoperatively, 28% of the hips in Group 1 (labral resection) had an excellent result, 48% had a good result, 20% had a moderate result, and 4% had a poor result. In contrast, in Group 2 (labral reattachment), 80% of the hips had an excellent result, 14% had a good result, and 6% had a moderate result. Comparison of the clinical scores between the two groups revealed significantly better outcomes for Group 2 at one year (p = 0.0001) and at two years (p = 0.01). Radiographic signs of osteoarthritis were significantly more prevalent in Group 1 than in Group 2 at one year (p = 0.02) and at two years (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with labral refixation recovered earlier and had superior clinical and radiographic results when compared with patients who had undergone resection of a torn labrum. Although the results must be considered preliminary, we now recommend refixation of the intact portion of the labrum after trimming of the acetabular rim during surgical treatment of femoro-acetabular impingement.
Effect of Chrysanthemi borealis flos on atopic dermatitis induced by 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene in NC/Nga mouse

The flower of Chrysanthemum boreale has traditionally been used for treatment of various inflammatory disease including atopic dermatitis (AD). However, its action on AD is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CB on AD using NC/Nga mice as an AD model. The effect of CB on 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) induced NC/Nga mice was evaluated by examining skin symptom severity, itching behavior, ear thickness, levels of serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-4 (IL-4), skin histology. The CB significantly reduced the total clinical severity score, itching behavior, ear thickness and the level of serum IgE in AD mouse model. CB not only decreased TNF-α but also IL-4. These results suggest that CB may be a potential therapeutic modality for AD.
Pathways to Desistance Among Men Convicted of Sexual Offenses

Within many sexual offender–specific treatment programs, clients and their therapists devote considerable time to understanding “cycles” or “pathways” to sexual offending, and clients often need to fit their stories into existing offending paradigms. Although this post hoc processing of offending behaviors may assist clients in understanding their individual pathway toward crime, we know little about how they situate this information within their lives moving forward. Relying on in-depth interview data, the current study examined accounts of the sexually related crimes that brought 28 men to prison. Analyses suggest varied perspectives among the men regarding pathways to and from their sexual offenses; some aligning with existing models, but others merging around different theoretical frameworks. Implications are discussed as they relate to treatment models and the desistance process for men convicted of sexual offenses.
Retinopathy and CKD as predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994.

BACKGROUND Retinopathy is associated with increased mortality risk in general populations. We evaluated the joint effect of retinopathy and chronic kidney disease (CKD) on mortality in a representative sample of U.S. adults. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 7,640 adults from NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) 1988-1994 with mortality linkage through December 31, 2006. PREDICTORS CKD, defined as low estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or albuminuria (urine protein-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g), and retinopathy, defined as the presence of microaneurysms, hemorrhages, exudates, microvascular abnormalities, or other evidence of diabetic retinopathy by fundus photograph. OUTCOMES All-cause and cardiovascular mortality. MEASUREMENTS Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS Overall, 4.6% of participants had retinopathy and 15% had CKD. Mean age was 56 years, 53% were women, and 81% were non-Hispanic whites. The prevalence of retinopathy in patients with CKD was 11%. We identified 2,634 deaths during 14.5 years' follow-up. In multivariable analyses, compared with individuals with neither CKD nor retinopathy, HRs for all-cause mortality were 1.02 (95% CI, 0.75-1.38), 1.52 (95% CI, 1.35-1.72), and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.77-3.22) for individuals with retinopathy only, those with CKD only, and those with both CKD and retinopathy, respectively. Corresponding HRs for cardiovascular mortality were 0.96 (95% CI, 0.50-1.84), 1.72 (95% CI, 1.47-2.00), and 2.96 (95% CI, 2.11-4.15), respectively. There was a significant synergistic interaction between retinopathy and CKD on all-cause mortality (P=0.04). LIMITATIONS The presence of retinopathy was evaluated only once. Small sample size of some of the subpopulations studied. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of CKD, retinopathy is a strong predictor of mortality in this adult population.