Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intra- and Interexaminer Variability and Validity of Laser Fluorescence and Electrical Resistance Readings on Root Surface Lesions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reproducibility of laser fluorescence and electrical resistance readings on root carious lesions. One hundred and three freshly extracted human teeth with various forms of natural root caries were investigated by 6 operators using the laser fluorescence device DIAGNOdent (DD) and the Electronic Caries Monitor (ECM III). As a reference, a caries-free root area of each tooth was also examined. Specimens were classified as to colour, surface texture and cavitation depth. Teeth were sectioned through the centre of the lesion and prepared for polarising light microscopy. Histological depth of the lesions was defined as the distance between the surface and zone of translucency. Depths ranged from 0.1 to 3.1 mm. Statistical analysis of the interexaminer reproducibility revealed a significant correlation (Kendall’s W) for DD measurements of 0.85 and 0.76 for ECM readings. Moderate correlation between the histological depth and DD (rs = 0.45) or ECM scores (rs = –0.48) could be demonstrated. Electrical resistance readings revealed a positive correlation (rs = 0.43) with the thickness of the remaining dentine, whereas this was negative for laser fluorescence readings (rs = –0.43). However, scatter plots suggested that most lesions had very low resistance. This investigation suggests that laser fluorescence and electrical conductance measurements can be obtained reproducibly by different operators and correlate moderately with histological lesion depth and remaining thickness of the dentine bridge.
Time to Father

Abstract This paper reports the qualitative findings from 40 couples involved in a study exploring men's post-natal mental health. Interviews were conducted with individuals soon after the birth of their first child. Findings suggest that new fathers want to be more involved in the direct care and nurturing of their children than their fathers were with them. Discourses which construct fathers and inform social structures have not kept pace with men's changed attitudes and role expectations limiting the options available to men as fathers. In particular men's employment circumstances figure in their experience of adjusting to life as a father. Those fathers having least flexibility and autonomy in their work report experiencing, since the birth of their child, more unhappi-ness, anxiety, and generally higher levels of stress. These findings suggest increasing workplace flexibility and provisions such as parental leave are important for men's post-natal mental health.
A nitrite microsensor for profiling environmental biofilms

A highly selective liquid membrane nitrite microsensor based on the hydrophobic ion-carrier aquocyanocobalt(III)-hepta(2-phenylethyl)-cobrynate is described. The sensor has a tip diameter of 10 to 15 (mu)m. The response is log-linear in freshwater down to 1 (mu)M NO(inf2)(sup-) and in seawater to 10 (mu)M NO(inf2)(sup-). A method is described for preparation of relatively large polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-gelled liquid membrane microsensors with a tip diameter of 5 to 15 (mu)m, having a hydrophilic coating on the tip. The coating and increased tip diameter resulted in more sturdy sensors, with a lower detection limit and a more stable signal than uncoated nitrite sensors with a tip diameter of 1 to 3 (mu)m. The coating protects the sensor membrane from detrimental direct contact with biomass and can be used for all PVC-gelled liquid membrane sensors meant for profiling microbial mats, biofilms, and sediments. Thanks to these improvements, liquid membrane sensors can now be used in complex environmental samples and in situ, e.g., in operating bioreactors. Examples of measurements in denitrifying, nitrifying, and nitrifying/denitrifying biofilms from wastewater treatment plants are shown. In all of these biofilms high nitrite concentrations were found in narrow zones of less than 1 mm.
Pancreatic tumoral cell line AR42J: an amphicrine model.

AR42J cells derive from azaserine-induced malignant nodules from the rat pancreas. They differ from normal acinar cells for at least three reasons: 1) they proliferate rapidly; 2) they synthesize, store, and secrete digestive enzymes but the regulation of their exocrine function is abnormal, from the emergence of atypical receptors (e.g., cholecystokinin octapeptide type B and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I receptors) to unusual inositol phosphate metabolism and cytoskeleton disorganization; and 3) they possess an added neuroendocrine-regulated pathway characterized by voltage-sensitive ionic currents, post-translational processing of peptidic prohormones (and possibly autocriny), and the release of small neurotransmitters (gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, and glutamic acid). These amphicrine cells represent, therefore, a cancerous version of the primordial pancreatic ductular epithelium. Dexamethasone favors their differentiation toward the exocrine phenotype. The mitogenic pathway is favored by the occupancy of receptor tyrosine kinases, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, ornithine decarboxylase expression, and Na(+)-H+ exchange. Somatostatin opposes proliferation through protein phosphatases.
A Phantom-Sensation Based Paradigm for Continuous Vibrotactile Wrist Guidance in Two-Dimensional Space

Vibrotactile feedback has long been used to improve the human motor learning process through information transfer. However, in most of the approaches described in the literature, only the joint angles of the limb are guided. To guide motions that involve multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs), the user needs to interpret multiple simultaneous vibrotactile cues (at least one cue per joint), which is difficult. In this letter, we guide the position of a user's wrist in space by producing a vibrotactile cue at any place around the wrist by using a vibrotactile illusion known as “Phantom Sensation” (PS). In a user study that involved 10 male participants, the vibrotactile cues produced by PS were reasonably accurately located with an average error of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol{7.9^\circ }$</tex-math></inline-formula>. To maintain consistency between the vibrotactile cue location and the global frame, we measured the user's wrist rotation and adjusted the position of the vibrotactile cue accordingly. When rotating their hand, the participants recognized the location of the vibrotactile cue with an average error of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol{9.3^\circ }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. By using the proposed feedback paradigm, we guided users’ wrists in space under two conceptual mappings (“push” and “pull”). This experiment examined the participants’ motion path efficiency (ME), which measures the directness with which the user's wrist moves toward the desired position. The participants reached the desired positions under the vibrotactile feedback alone. The average MEs of the “push” and “pull” mappings were 44.3% and 52.4%, respectively. We will apply the proposed method under the “pull” mapping to guide real life tasks, such as book classification or rehabilitation.
Evaluation of spontaneous space closure and development of permanent dentition after extraction of hypomineralized permanent first molars.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate spontaneous space closure, development of the permanent dentition, and need for orthodontic treatment after extraction of permanent first molars due to severe molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH). SUBJECTS Twenty-seven children aged 5.6-12.7 (median 8.2) years had one to four permanent first molars extracted due to severe MIH. Each case was followed up on individual indications 3.8-8.3 (median 5.7) years after extractions. The eruption of the permanent dentition, and space closure were documented by orthopantomograms, casts, photographs, and/or bitewings. RESULTS Fifteen children were judged to have a favourable spontaneous development of their permanent dentition without any orthodontic intervention. Seven children were or should be subjected to orthodontic treatment for other reasons registered prior to the extraction. Five children were judged to have a treatment at least caused by the extractions, but three of them abstained because of no subjective treatment need. CONCLUSION Extraction of permanent first molars severely affected by MIH is a good treatment alternative. Favourable spontaneous space reduction and development of the permanent dentition positioning can be expected without any intervention in the majority of cases extracted prior to the eruption of the second molar.
Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial To Compare the Safety and Efficacy of LFF571 and Vancomycin for Clostridium difficile Infections

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile infection causes serious diarrheal disease. Although several drugs are available for treatment, including vancomycin, recurrences remain a problem. LFF571 is a semisynthetic thiopeptide with potency against C. difficile in vitro. In this phase 2 exploratory study, we compared the safety and efficacy (based on a noninferiority analysis) of LFF571 to those of vancomycin used in adults with primary episodes or first recurrences of moderate C. difficile infection. Patients were randomized to receive 200 mg of LFF571 or 125 mg of vancomycin four times daily for 10 days. The primary endpoint was the proportion of clinical cures at the end of therapy in the per-protocol population. Secondary endpoints included clinical cures at the end of therapy in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population, the time to diarrhea resolution, and the recurrence rate. Seventy-two patients were randomized, with 46 assigned to receive LFF571. Based on the protocol-specified definition, the rate of clinical cure for LFF571 (90.6%) was noninferior to that of vancomycin (78.3%). The 30-day sustained cure rates for LFF571 and vancomycin were 56.7% and 65.0%, respectively, in the per-protocol population and 58.7% and 60.0%, respectively, in the modified intent-to-treat population. Using toxin-confirmed cases only, the recurrence rates were lower for LFF571 (19% versus 25% for vancomycin in the per-protocol population). LFF571 was generally safe and well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was higher for LFF571 (76.1% versus 69.2% for vancomycin), although more AEs in the vancomycin group were suspected to be related to the study drug (38.5% versus 32.6% for LFF571). One patient receiving LFF571 discontinued the study due to an AE. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01232595.)
Powder and Crack Cocaine Use Among Opioid Users: Is All Cocaine the Same?

Objectives: Problematic cocaine use is highly prevalent and is a significant public health concern. However, few investigations have distinguished between the 2 formulations of cocaine (ie, powder and crack cocaine) when examining the characteristics of cocaine use. Moreover, research has yet to assess the patterns of powder and crack cocaine use among opioid users, a clinical population in which problematic cocaine use is increasingly common. Using a within-subjects design, this study examined whether opioid users reported different patterns and features of powder and crack cocaine use, along with distinct trajectories and consequences of use. Methods: Seventy-three clients enrolled in a low-threshold methadone maintenance treatment were interviewed regarding their lifetime use of powder and crack cocaine. Results: Compared with crack cocaine, initiation and peak use of powder cocaine occurred at a significantly younger age. In relation to recent cocaine use, participants were significantly more likely to report using crack cocaine than using powder cocaine. Differences in routes of administration, polysubstance use, and criminal activity associated with cocaine use were also found between the 2 forms of cocaine. Conclusions: Results suggest that it may not be appropriate to consider powder and crack cocaine as diagnostically and clinically equivalent. As such, researchers may wish to distinguish explicitly between powder and crack cocaine when assessing the characteristics and patterns of cocaine use among substance users and treat these 2 forms of cocaine separately in analyses.
Prevalence and descriptive epidemiology of esophageal atresia in the Russian Federation.

BACKGROUND This study examined the prevalence of esophageal atresia (EA) and the relationship between EA and demographic factors in the Russian Federation. METHODS Data were obtained from a population-based congenital malformations registry across 14 years (2000-2013) in 24 regions of the Russian Federation and included cases of EA among live births and stillbirths. RESULTS The total number of births was 6,478,706. There were 1317 cases of isolated EA, resulting in a rate of 2.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-2.15) per 10,000 births or 1 case per 4926 births. There were differences in the prevalence of EA among regional registries of the Russian Federation. The prevalence of EA during the study period was stable. 57.3% of all cases were cases of EA with tracheo-esophageal fistula (compared with 42.7% of cases without fistula). The male/female sex ratio was 1.3. The relative risk of EA was higher for live births with birth weight less than 3000 g (relative risk [RR] = 2.58 (95% CI, 2.36-2.82), for older maternal age (RR = 1.47 (95% CI, 1.24-1.75), for males (RR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.17), and for the first gravidity (RR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.09-1.25). CONCLUSION In this study, the prevalence of EA across different regions of the Russian Federation was analyzed. The prevalence of EA in the period under study remained stable, and the relative risk of EA was associated with maternal age, birth weight and gravidity. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:854-859, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imbalanced expression of dysfunctional regulatory T cells and T-helper cells relates to immunopathogenesis in polyarteritis nodosa

Abstract Objectives: We investigated the characteristics of circulating T-helper (Th) cells and CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 14 patients with PAN. Nine patients having granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and 11 healthy individuals (HC) were enrolled as controls. Th cells and Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Suppression assay of Tregs was simultaneously performed by evaluating the proliferation of conventional CD4+ T cells cocultured with Tregs. Results: The frequencies of Th cells were significantly higher in PAN than in HC. In comparison with GPA, the expression of Th1 cells was higher but that of Th17 cells was lower. Additionally, significant increase in Tregs was observed in PAN, which was correlated with the expression of Th1 cells; however, defects in suppressive ability and CTLA-4 expression were observed. The Th1-cell frequency was significantly decreased after immunosuppressive therapy in PAN; however, there were no improvements in other phenotypes or in Treg function. Conclusion: T-helper cell expansion and Treg dysfunction are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of PAN. Th1 cells show a response to immunosuppressive therapy; however, the persistent immune abnormalities may interfere with complete recovery in patients with PAN.
Modeling the Response Time of an In Vivo Glucose Affinity Sensor

A mathematical model was developed to describe the dose−response relationship of an optical glucose sensor. The basis for glucose detection is the reversible competitive displacement of a ligand from a receptor protein with specific binding sites for certain carbohydrates. Detection of glucose is based on measurements of the change in fluorescent lifetime of the donor‐labeled protein, as it binds to the acceptor‐labeled ligand. The sensor was modeled as a hollow fiber membrane, permeable to glucose, which encapsulates a solution of the receptor protein and competing ligand. Model equations that describe the diffusion of glucose through the fiber membrane and the subsequent displacement reactions within the fiber lumen were solved numerically to predict the response time of the sensor following a step change in bulk glucose concentration. The incorporation of an external mass transfer boundary layer was found to increase the response time by a factor of 3.7 over the well‐stirred case. On the basis of the results of a parametric study, the response time of the sensor was found to be most sensitive to the diffusion coefficient of glucose in the membrane. When compared to experimental response times for an intensity‐based affinity sensor using Concanavalin A as the receptor protein and dextran as the competing ligand, the model predictions were found to be significantly shorter than those observed. The effect of the in vivo environment on the performance of the sensor was also investigated through the incorporation of a fibrotic capsule layer. The additional diffusional resistance offered by the capsular tissue resulted in a 5‐fold increase in the response time of the sensor.
Thermal and single frequency counter-current ultrasound pretreatments of sodium caseinate: enzymolysis kinetics and thermodynamics, amino acids composition, molecular weight distribution and antioxidant peptides.

BACKGROUND Due to the disadvantages of traditional enzymolysis, pretreatments are crucial to enhance protein enzymolysis. Enzymolysis kinetics and thermodynamics, amino acids composition, molecular weight distribution, fluorescence spectroscopy and antioxidant activity of thermal (HT) and single frequency counter-current ultrasound (SCFU) pretreated sodium caseinate (NaCas) were studied. RESULTS Enzymolysis of untreated NaCas (control) improved significantly (P < 0.05) by SFCU and followed by HT. Values of the Michaelis-Menten constant (KM ) of SFCU and HT were 0.0212 and 0.0250, respectively. HT and SFCU increased (P < 0.05) the reaction rate constant (k) by 38.64 and 90.91%, respectively at 298 K. k values decreased with increasing temperature. The initial activation energy (46.39 kJ mol-1 ) reduced (P < 0.05) by HT (39.66 kJ mol-1 ) and further by SFCU (33.42 kJ mol-1 ). SFCU-pretreated NaCas hydrolysates had the highest contents of hydrophobic, aromatic, positively and negatively charged amino acids. Medium-sized peptides (5000-1000 Da) are higher in SFCU (78.11%) than HT and the control. SFCU induced molecular unfolding of NaCas proteins. Accordingly, SFCU-pretreated NaCas hydrolysate exhibited the highest scavenging activity on DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, reducing power, and iron chelating ability. CONCLUSION SFCU pretreatment would be a useful tool for production of bioactive peptides from NaCas hydrolysate. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
MR findings in seven patients with organic mercury poisoning (Minamata disease).

PURPOSE To study the long-term MR findings in seven patients with Minamata disease. METHODS All patients examined were affected after eating daily considerable amounts of the methylmercury-contaminated seafoods from 1955 through 1958 and showed typical neurologic findings. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained in axial, coronal, and sagittal sections. RESULTS The visual cortex, the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres, and the postcentral cortex were significantly atrophic. The visual cortex was slightly hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images, probably representing the pathologic changes of status spongiosus. CONCLUSION MR demonstrated the lesions, located in the calcarine area, cerebellum, and postcentral gyri, which are probably related to three of the characteristic manifestations of this disease: the constriction of the visual fields, ataxia, and sensory disturbance, respectively.
Outcomes following temporalis tendon transfer in irradiated patients.

OBJECTIVE To compare objective outcomes and complications following temporalis tendon transfer in patients with and without a history of radiation to the parotid bed. METHODS Retrospective medical chart review comparing dynamic movement of the oral commissure and resting symmetry achieved in 7 irradiated patients (group R) and 7 nonirradiated patients (group N) after temporalis tendon transfer for unilateral facial paralysis. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the 2 groups of patients in terms of age, additional facial reanimative procedures, baseline lip position, or follow-up time. Postoperatively, good resting symmetry was achieved in both groups. The mean commissure excursion was significantly inferior in the irradiated group of patients (-1.5 mm in group R vs 2.1 mm in group N; P < .05). Two patients in the irradiated group experienced surgical site infections requiring hospital admission and eventual debridement of their tendon transfers. CONCLUSIONS Temporalis tendon transfer seems to produce less dynamic movement in patients who have received radiation to the parotid bed, and these patients may also be at higher risk of postoperative infection. Temporalis tendon transfer can achieve good resting symmetry in both irradiated and nonirradiated patients.
Mammalian Cdc42 Is a Brefeldin A-sensitive Component of the Golgi Apparatus*

In this study, we have used immunocytochemical and fractionation approaches to provide a description of the localization of the mammalian Cdc42 protein (designated Cdc42Hs) in vivo. A specific anti-peptide antibody was generated against the C-terminal region of Cdc42Hs. Using affinity-purified preparations of this antibody in indirect immunofluorescence experiments, Cdc42Hs was found to be localized to the Golgi apparatus. Similar to the well-characterized non-clathrin coat proteins ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and β-COP, the perinuclear clustering of Cdc42Hs is rapidly dispersed upon exposure of the cells to the drug brefeldin A, suggesting that it too may play a role in the processes of intracellular lipid and protein transport. Employing cell lines possessing inducible forms of ARF, we demonstrate here a tight coupling of the nucleotide-bound state of ARF and the subcellular localization of Cdc42Hs. Specifically, the expression of wild-type ARF had no effect on the brefeldin A sensitivity of Cdc42Hs while, as is the case for ARF and β-COP, expression of a GTPase-deficient form of ARF (ARF(Q71L)) renders these Golgi-localized proteins resistant to brefeldin A treatment (Teal et al., 1994; Zhang et al., 1994). Moreover, the induced expression of a mutant form of ARF with a low affinity for nucleotide resulted in constitutive redistribution of Cdc42Hs in the absence of brefeldin A treatment. These results suggest that Cdc42Hs may play a role in cell morphogenesis by acting on targets in the Golgi that direct polarized growth at the plasma membrane.