Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and radiological results of patients treated with two loading protocols for mandibular overdentures on Brånemark implants.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of the unsplinted implants supporting mandibular overdenture when applying conventional or early loading protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-six edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted Brånemark System implants supporting mandibular overdenture. There was a test group, in which the overdenture was connected 1 week after surgery, and a control group, in which the overdenture was connected 3 months after surgery. Peri-implant parameters were recorded 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Clinical stability measurements were performed at surgery, and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at implant surgery, after 6, and after 12 months. RESULTS No implant from either group was lost. Clinical peri-implant parameters, clinical stability measurements, and marginal bone resorptions showed no statistically significant differences between two groups during 12 months. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that one-week of early loading protocol of two Brånemark implants supporting mandibular overdenture does not compromise implant stability, marginal bone loss, and peri-implant soft-tissue health.
Contribution of oligosaccharide and polysaccharide digestion, and excreta losses of lactic acid and short chain fatty acids, to dietary metabolisable energy values in broiler chickens and adult cockerels.

1. Two experiments were conducted, using both adult cockerels from a layer strain and 3-week-old broiler chickens. In the first experiment, one of the 2 diets investigated was composed mainly of maize and soyabean meals, the other one containing the latter ingredients diluted with 475 g/kg mature pea seeds. For these 2 diets, the apparent metabolisable energy values corrected to 0 nitrogen retention (AMEn) were derived, together with the apparent digestibilities of nitrogen, amino acids, total lipids, starch, individual oligosaccharides, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Excretions of lactic acid and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were also determined. 2. In the first experiment, the mean apparent digestibilities of starch, lipids, total amino acids, NSP, sucrose and alpha-galacto-oligosaccharides in adult cockerels were 0.946, 0.785, 0.835, 0.045, 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. In broiler chickens, they were 0.938, 0.675, 0.830, -0.016, 0.988 and 0.867, respectively. The bird type effects were significant (P < 0.05) for the digestibilities of starch, lipids, NSP (for the maize-soyabean meal diet, only) and alpha-galacto-oligosaccharides. Broiler chickens excreted a mean of 11.032 g organic acids/kg diet against 4.190 in adult cockerels (P < 0.001). These digestibility measurements enabled the contribution made by each dietary component to the AMEn value of the diets to be calculated. AMEn values were lower in broiler chickens than in adult cockerels, with on average 0.8 MJ/kg dry matter difference resulting from bird type. This difference was accounted for by differences between bird types in energy supplied by lipids (34.0%), starch (7.5%), alpha-galacto-oligosaccharides (8.7%), NSP (14.2%), and in energy losses from lactic acid excretion (16.4% of the difference in AMEn between bird types). 3. In the second experiment 2 diets were studied, consisting of a basal and the basal diluted with 30 g/kg lactose (a fermentable sugar in chickens) and 12 g/kg of a water-soluble gel-forming component containing 50% polygalacturonic acids. Lactose digestibilities reached 0.928 and 0.712 in adult cockerels and chickens, respectively. The digestibilities of the water-soluble polygalacturonic acids were similar in cockerels and broiler chickens, with a mean value of 0.672. Figures similar to those of the first experiment were found in the comparison between cockerels and broiler chickens, for the AMEn values of diets, the digestibilities of starch and lipids and the excretion of lactic acid. Broiler chickens excreted 4.580 g lactic acid/kg dry food intake, compared with 0.740 g in the adult. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Peripheral expression of inflammatory markers in overweight female adolescents and eutrophic female adolescents with a high percentage of body fat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the peripheral expression of inflammatory markers in adolescents with different nutritional status and its correlation with parameters of the metabolic syndrome. Seventy-two female postpubescent adolescents were divided into 3 groups: eutrophic (Co), eutrophic with a high body fat percentage (HBF), and overweight (OW). Data related to the parameters of the metabolic syndrome and the peripheral expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were evaluated. Higher values of glycemia and insulin resistance were found in the HBF group than in the Co group. No differences related to the peripheral expression of the cytokines were found among the groups. In the HBF group, a positive correlation was observed between TNF-α and IL-6, IL-10 and the proinflammatory cytokines, and IL-6 and glycemia. In the OW group, a positive correlation was found between IL-6 and triglycerides. Adolescents with normal weight but body fat excess present a metabolic profile and body composition similar to those of overweight adolescents. This suggests that these adolescents have a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases similar to that of overweight adolescents. The positive correlation between IL-10 and TNF-α and IL-6 suggests an attempt to inhibit the production of these cytokines by IL-10.
Reduced cerebrospinal fluid concentration of interleukin-12/23 subunit p40 in patients with cognitive impairment

Background The role of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other cognitive disorders is unclear. In a well-defined mono-center population, we measured cytokines and chemokines in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Methods Consecutive patients with AD (n = 30), stable mild cognitive impairment (SMCI, n = 11), other dementias (n = 11), and healthy controls (n = 18) were included. None of the subjects was treated with glucocorticoids, cholinesterase inhibitors, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Serum and CSF concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-12/23 p40, IL-15, IL-16, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and three chemokines were measured using a multiplex panel. Results After correction for multiple comparisons, only CSF IL-12/23 p40 concentration differed significantly between the total patient group (n = 52) and controls (n = 18; p = 0.002). Further analyses showed that CSF IL-12/23 p40 concentration was decreased in all patient subgroups (AD, other dementias, and SMCI) compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). In the total study population (n = 70), CSF IL-12/23 p40 concentrations correlated positively with CSF concentrations of β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1–42) and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) whereas in AD patients (n = 30), CSF IL-12/23 p40 only correlated positively with CSF P-Tau (r = 0.46, p = 0.01). Conclusions Most cytokines and chemokines were similar in patients and controls, but CSF IL-12/23 subunit p40 concentration was decreased in patients with cognitive impairment, and correlated with markers of AD disease status. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of CSF IL-12/23 p40 in other dementias and SMCI.
Biotransformation of lofexidine in humans.

1. Concentrations of unchanged drug and patterns of radioactive components in urine have been determined by h.p.l.c. following single oral doses of [14C]lofexidine hydrochloride (0.32 mg) to six human subjects. 2. A mean of 12% of the administered dose was excreted in urine as unchanged lofexidine, but the wide range (5-20% dose) indicated significant intersubject variation in the extent of biotransformation. This drug would appear to be metabolized more extensively than the related anti-hypertensive agent, clonidine. 3. The principal metabolite of lofexidine was 2,6-dichlorophenol, which was apparently excreted in urine as two O-glucuronic acid conjugates. The same two metabolites were also the main 14C components circulating in plasma at peak 14C concn. Formation of the phenol from lofexidine probably involved direct O-dealkylation rather than stepwise degradation of the side-chain. 4. Patterns of 3H components in the urine of rats and dogs after oral administration of [3H]lofexidine hydrochloride (0.1 mg/kg) were generally similar to those in human urine.
Enhanced Removal of Heavy Metals in Primary Treatment Using Coagulation and Flocculation

The goal of this study was to determine the removal efficiencies of chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc from raw wastewater by chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) and to attain a total suspended solids removal goal of 80%. Operating parameters and chemical doses were optimized by bench‐scale tests. Locally obtained raw wastewater samples were spiked with heavy metal solutions to obtain representative concentrations of metals in wastewater. Jar tests were conducted to compare the metals removal efficiencies of the chemical treatment options using ferric chloride, alum, and anionic polymer. The results obtained were compared with those from other studies. It was concluded that CEPT using ferric chloride and anionic polymer is more effective than CEPT using alum for metals removal. The CEPT dosing of 40 mg/L ferric chloride and 0.5 mg/L polymer enhanced heavy metals removal efficiencies by over 200% for chromium, copper, zinc, and nickel and 475% for lead, compared with traditional primary treatment. Efficient metals capture during CEPT can result in increased allowable headworks loadings or lower metal levels in the outfall.
Constraints in chromosomal inversions in Escherichia coli are not explained by replication pausing at inverted terminator‐like sequences

Regions close to the replication terminus of the Escherichia coli chromosome are strongly refractory to genomic inversions (Rebollo et al., 1988). Since these regions also harbour polar replication terminator‐like sequences or pause sites (François et al., 1989), we have investigated the possibility that slowing of replication as a result of pausing at inverted pause sites is responsible for inability to isolate stable inversions affecting these regions. A mutation in the tus gene is known to abolish replication pausing at terminators (Hill et al., 1988). We show here that the distribution of invertible and noninvertible segments along the chromosome is not affected by tus mutations. This observation eliminates replication pausing as a cause for the reduced fitness of bacteria harbouring certain chromosomal inversions.
Quantification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Strains Representing Distinct Genotypes and Isolated from Domestic and Wildlife Animal Species by Use of an Automatic Liquid Culture System

ABSTRACT Quantification of 11 clinical strains of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolated from domestic (cattle, sheep, and goat) and wildlife (fallow deer, deer, wild boar, and bison) animal species in an automatic liquid culture system (Bactec MGIT 960) was accomplished. The strains were previously isolated and typed using IS1311 PCR followed by restriction endonuclease analysis (PCR-REA) into type C, S, or B. A strain-specific quantification curve was generated for each M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strain by relating the time to detection in the liquid culture system to the estimated log10 CFU in each inoculum. According to their growth curves, the tested M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains were classified into two distinct groups. The first group included the S-type strain isolated from goat and all the sheep strains with C, S, and B genotypes. A second group contained the C- and B-type strains isolated from cattle, goat, and wildlife animals with the exception of the fallow deer strain. The strains isolated from cattle or sheep showed similar strain-specific standard curves irrespective of their genotype. In contrast, the strains isolated from goat or from wildlife animal species varied in their rates of growth in liquid culture. Universal-standard curves and algorithms for the quantification of each group of strains were generated. In addition, the liquid culture system was compared with a real-time quantitative PCR system for the quantification of the 11 M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains. Correlations between the estimated log10 CFU and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis DNA copy numbers were very high for all the tested strains (R ≥ 0.9).
Updates on obesity pharmacotherapy

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to management. Behavioral changes are the foundation to management, but adjunctive therapy is often warranted, including pharmacologic therapies and/or bariatric surgery. Until recently, treatment options included only short‐term therapy (≤12 weeks), and paths beyond that schedule were challenging, as knowledge of the biology of obesity was lacking. With increased recognition of obesity as a chronic, complex medical disease, newer agents have been approved as long‐term therapy, and the cornerstone of treatment is chronic behavior and lifestyle change. In the last decade, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new weight loss medications for the chronic management of obesity. In this review paper, we provide the latest updates on obesity pharmacotherapy. The main areas we will cover include (1) pharmacological management of obesity, (2) a review of FDA‐approved weight loss medications, (3) comanagement of obesity and its metabolic sequelae (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia), and (4) obesity‐centric prescribing for mental illness, neurological disorders, and contraceptive planning.
Mechanical properties of orthodontic wires on ceramic brackets associated with low friction ligatures

Introducao Poucos estudos investigaram as propriedades mecânicas dos fios ortodonticos em braquetes cerâmicos associados as ligaduras. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a carga-deflexao de fios ortodonticos com secao redonda de 0,016” de aco inoxidavel (AI), niquel-titânio (NiTi) e composto de polimero reforcado com fibra de vidro (CPRFV). Material e metodo Sessenta especimes obtidos a partir de 10 arcos pre-contornos seccionados (TP Orthodontics), foram divididos em 3 grupos de 20 de acordo com cada tipo de material (1 fio estetico e 2 nao estetico) e comprimento de 50 mm. A metodologia consistiu de um teste de flexao de 3 pontos usando braquetes esteticos cerâmicos (INVU, TP Orthodontics, Edgewise, 0,022 “x 0,025”) como pontos de suporte. Os ensaios de tracao foram realizados em uma maquina de ensaios mecânicos, a uma velocidade de 10 mm / min, deflexao de 1 mm, 2 mm e 3 mm. Utilizou-se o teste nao-parametrico de comparacoes multiplas de Friedman (P <0,05). Resultado O fio de niquel-titânio apresentou menor carga / deflexao em relacao ao aco inoxidavel. Os fios CPRFV tiveram valores de resistencia mais baixos entre todos os grupos avaliados (P <0,05). O fio de aco mostrou deformacao permanente apos deflexao de 3 mm, fio NiTi demonstrou efeito de memoria e o tipo estetico teve fraturas com perda de forca. Conclusao Pode-se concluir que os fios de aco tem valores de resistencia elevados, exigindo a incorporacao de alcas e dobras para reduzir a carga / deflexao. Os fios NiTi e CPRFV produziram baixos niveis de forca, porem o fio estetico mostrou-se fraturado e quebrado.
Enhanced correction methods for hydrogen exchange‐mass spectrometric studies of amyloid fibrils

We describe methods for minimization of and correction for artifactual forward and backward exchange occurring during hydrogen exchange–mass spectrometric (HX–MS) studies of amyloid fibrils of the Aβ(1–40) peptide. The quality of the corrected data obtained using published and new correction algorithms is evaluated quantitatively. Using the new correction methods, we have determined that 20.1 ± 1.4 of the 39 backbone amide hydrogens in Aβ(1–40) exchange with deuteriums in 100 h when amyloid fibrils of this peptide are suspended in D2O. These data reinforce our previous conclusions based on uncorrected data that amyloid fibrils contain a rigid protective core structure that involves only about half of the Aβ backbone amides. The methods developed here should be of general value for HX–MS studies of amyloid fibrils and other protein aggregates.
Homeostasis/CD172a Regulates Eosinophil a SIRP

Eosinophils are abundant in the lamina propria of the small intestine, but they rarely show degranulation in situ under steady-state conditions. In this study, using two novel mAbs, we found that intestinal eosinophils constitutively expressed a high level of an inhibitory receptor signal regulatory protein a (SIRP a )/CD172a and a low, but signiﬁcant, level of a tetraspanin CD63, whose upregulation is closely associated with degranulation. Cross-linking SIRP a /CD172a on the surface of wild-type eosinophils signiﬁcantly inhibited the release of eosinophil peroxidase induced by the calcium ionophore A23187, whereas this cross-linking effect was not observed in eosinophils isolated from mice expressing a mutated SIRP a /CD172a that lacks most of its cytoplasmic domain (SIRP a Cyto 2 / 2 ). The SIRP a Cyto 2 / 2 eosinophils showed reduced viability, increased CD63 expression, and increased eosinophil peroxidase release with or without A23187 stimulation in vitro. In addition, SIRP a Cyto 2 / 2 mice showed increased frequencies of Annexin V-binding eosinophils and free MBP + CD63 + extracellular granules, as well as increased tissue remodeling in the small intestine under steady-state conditions. Mice deﬁcient in CD47, which is a ligand for SIRP a /CD172a, recapitulated these phenomena. Moreover, increased eosinophil cell death and degranulation obvious in a number of tissues, the small intestine, in the SIRP a Cyto 2 / 2 mice compared with wild-type mice. Collectively, our results indicated that SIRP a /CD172a regulates eosinophil homeostasis, probably by interacting with CD47, with substantial effects on eosinophil survival. Thus, SIRP a /CD172a is a potential therapeutic target for eosinophil-associated diseases. The Journal of Immunology , 2011, 187: 2268–2277.
[DNA repair gene xeroderma pigmentosum group D 751 polymorphism and the risk on esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE To explore the association between XPD codon 751 polymorphism and esophageal cancer (EC) by systematically reviewing the risk of the original studies. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies of XPD codon 751 polymorphism and EC risk. Meta-analysis was applied with Rev Man 4.2 software for calculation of pooled OR value (with 95% CI) of EC, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). RESULTS Of the 12 case-control studies selected for this Meta-analysis, a total of 2558 EC cases and 5122 controls were included. Compared with the wild-type homozygote Lys/Lys, the pooled Odds Ratios (with 95% CI) of Lys/Gln, Gln/Gln, (Lys/Gln + Gln/Gln) genotypes of XPD codon 751 polymorphism for EC risk were 1.19 (1.05, 1.34), 1.22 (0.86, 1.74), 1.20 (1.01, 1.42), respectively. In a stratified analysis, a total of 1417 ESCC cases and 2312 controls were included, and individuals carrying Lys/Gln genotype or (Lys/Gln + Gln/Gln) had 1.22-fold or 1.24-fold excess risks for ESCC compared with those carrying Lys/Lys genotype. A total of 935 EAC cases and 2604 controls were included, and none of the genotype of XPD codon 751 genetic polymorphism was found to be related to EAC. CONCLUSION Both heterozygote Lys/Gln and (Lys/Gln + Gln/Gln) for XPD codon 751 genetic polymorphism were associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Furthermore, heterozygote Lys/Gln and (Lys/Gln + Gln/Gln) for XPD codon 751 genetic polymorphism might have increased the risk of ESCC, but have no association with EAC.
Influences of destination social responsibility on the relationship quality with residents and destination economic performance

ABSTRACT Based on extant research, this study proposes a model that integrates destination social responsibility (DSR), relationship quality with local residents (i.e. overall community satisfaction, resident trust, and resident identification), and destination economic performance. With survey data collected from a well-known ancient town in South China, this study determined that DSR could enhance the relationship quality between the destination and its residents, which could then improve economic performance in a general manner. Implications for tourism planners and destination management organizations as well as for interested researchers are presented at the end of this study.
BIOMARKER: The validity of the laboratory marker combinations DOVER and QUVER to detect physician’s diagnosis of at‐risk drinking

Especially in situations where it might be favorable for the patient to dissimulate the existing alcohol problem, ‘objective’ laboratory tests can be helpful. In this study we report validation of the two combinations DOVER (DOctor VERified) and QUVER (QUestionnarie VERified) of the biological markers percent carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (%CDT) and gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase (γ‐GT) to detect patients that have been identified by their physicians with at‐risk drinking behavior. Fifty‐eight general practitioners (GPs) participated at two study sites in South‐West Germany. Patients filled in a questionnaire that included the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and gave a blood sample. The GP recorded his/her assessment about the presence of an alcohol‐related disorder in the patient. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses of the marker combinations DOVER and QUVER were performed. A total of 2940 patients participated in the study, of which 2496 completed data sets that could be used for further analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) of 79.5% for DOVER and 77.2% (QUVER) are in a higher range than the values for gamma%CDT (75.7%) or γ‐GT (72.5%) and %CDT (64.5%) and suggest superiority of the proposed marker combinations. Cross‐validation results were almost identical with 76.6% and 73.3% for DOVER and QUVER, respectively. Our analysis demonstrated that the combination of the markers γ‐GT and %CDT with the physician’s judgement of the condition as reference was superior to the use of single markers.
Motor coordination difficulties and physical fitness of extremely‐low‐birthweight children

Motor coordination difficulties and poor fitness exist in the extremely low birthweight (ELBW) population. This study investigated the relative impact of motor coordination on the fitness of ELBW children aged 11 to 13 years. One hundred and nine children were recruited to the study: 54 ELBW participants (mean age at assessment 12y 6mo; 31 male, 23 female; mean birthweight 769g, SD 148g; mean gestational age 26.6 weeks, SD 2.1 weeks) and 55 comparison children (mean age at assessment 12y 5mo; 28 males, 27 females; at least 37 weeks’ gestation). All children completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), functional tests of postural stability and strength, growth measures, and tests of respiratory function. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was calculated from a 20m shuttle run test as a measure of fitness. The ELBW group had greater problems with postural stability (p=0.001) and motor coordination (p=0.001), with 70% rated as having a definite motor problem on the MABC brackets (those who scored less than the 5th centile on the MABC). The ELBW was also less fit than the comparison group (p=0.001), with 45% below the 10th centile for VO2max. There were differences between the groups for growth, strength, and particularly respiratory function. However, respiratory function did not significantly correlate with VO2max in the ELBW group. Motor coordination was the most powerful predictor of VO2max in both the ELBW (p=0.001) and the comparison groups (p=0.001).