Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of oral rehabilitation with implants in nutrition and quality of life: A questionnaire-based survey on self-perception

Background The association between tooth loss and masticatory problems may influence on food choices and consequently impact nutrition and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate impact of oral rehabilitation with implants in nutrition and quality of life. Material and Methods A prospective study was performed. The Questionnaire for Healthy Habits (QHH) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) tools were used to assess nutrition and oral health status, respectively. Oral implants were placed and the adjacent the bone was radiographically assessed. The mean outcomes of the QHH between pre- and post-rehabilitation periods were assessed with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The OHIP-14 was assessed using Fisher’s exact test. Results The implant surfaces showed a significant bone loss after six and 24 months of rehabilitation (p<0.001). There was no significant change in the masticatory pattern of patients (p>0.05). Nevertheless, the patients perceived a significant reduction in discomfort (p<0.02) when eating, after 24 months of the rehabilitation. Conclusions These findings confirm the hypothesis that oral rehabilitation with implants may not trigger direct improvement in nutrition. However, it plays an especial role improving quality of life. Key words:Dentistry, nutrition, oral implants, quality of life.
An Investigation into the Relationship Between Effective Administrative Leadership Styles and the use of Technology, 5(5)

Advances in technology have inspired a growing debate regarding effective instructional strategies in our present educational system. As the roles and responsibilities of administrative leaders shift, this research was conducted to ascertain what leadership attributes affect the integration of technology to improve teaching and learning. A survey of Ohio public educators was conducted to identify faculty perceptions of building leadership and how these perceptions influence attitudes toward innovative technology implementation efforts, and ultimately student achievement. This study focuses on the relationship between administrative leadership styles and implementation of new technological programs or instructional strategies.
A 2.8-MM imaging probe based on a high-fill-factor MEMS mirror and wire-bonding-free packaging for endoscopic optical coherence tomography

This paper reports a miniature optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe and high-resolution 3D OCT imaging results obtained with this probe. The probe is only 2.8-mm in diameter, enabled by a unique high-fill-factor electrothermal MEMS mirror with hidden actuators and a novel wire-bonding-free (WBF) packaging technique. The MEMS mirror has a large mirror aperture of 1 mm with a chip size of only 1.55×1.7×0.5 mm3. The fabricated device achieves large 2-D scan optical angles up to 46° at only 4.8 V. High-resolution 3D OCT imaging results are also demonstrated using this assembled probe.
Co-production in healthcare: rhetoric and practice

Co-production in healthcare is receiving increasing attention; however, insight into the process of co-production is scarce. This article explores why hospitals involve patients and staff in co-production activities and hospitals’ experiences with co-production in practice. A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews (N = 27), observations (70 hours) and document analysis was conducted in five Dutch hospitals, which involved patients and staff in order to improve services. The results show that hospitals have different motives to involve patients and staff and have adapted existing methods to involve patients. Interestingly, areas of improvement proposed by patients were often already known. However, the process of co-production did contribute to quality improvement in other ways. The process of co-production stimulated hospitals’ thinking about how to realize quality improvements. Quality improvements were facilitated by this process as seeing patients and hearing their experiences created a sense of urgency among staff to act on the improvement issues raised. Moreover, the experiences served to legitimatize improvements to higher management bodies. Points for practitioners Different participation methods can bring patients’ experiences with healthcare services to the fore, which can be used for quality improvement. Our study shows that adapting existing methods to local hospital resources is likely to be beneficial for co-production processes within a given context. However, adapting and tailoring also poses risks. Tailoring activities, such as using criteria to select patients, influence what is considered to be legitimate patient input. In addition, as the co-production process is important, the method should consist of an organized trajectory in which patients and staff are involved and personal experiences are presented. Therefore, project teams need to critically reflect on the consequences of adaptations and tailoring actions, and their desirability, when carrying out quality improvement projects.
Early Dialysis Up-Dated

Sarnecka-Keller, M. and Salowicz, W. : Influence of middle-molecular-weight solutes from dialysate on the migration rate of leukocytes. Kidney Int., 17, 231, 1980. 9. Funck-Brentano, J.L. , Cueille, C.F. and Man, N.K. : A defense of the middle molecule hypothesis. Kidney Int. 13,531,1978. 10. Furst, P., Zimmerman, L. and Bergstrom, J.: Determination of endogenous middle molecules in normal and uremic body fluids. Clin. Nephrol. , 5,178,1976. 11. Gotch, F.A. , Sargent, J.A. and Peters, J.H. : Studies on the molecular etiology of uremia. Kidney Int. 7, 5276, 1975. 12. Gotch, F.A. , Sargent, J.A. , Keen, M. , Lam, M. Prowitt, M. and Grady, M. : Clinical results of intermittent dialysis therapy (IDT) guided by ongoing kinetic analysis of urea metabolism. Trans. Amer. Soc. Artif. Int. Organs, 22, 175, 1976. 13. Hone, P.W. E. , Ward, R.A. , Mahony, J.F. and Farrell, P.C. : Hemodialyser performance: An assessment of currently available units. J. Dial. , 1, 285,1977. 14. Navarro, J., Touraine, J.L. , Corre, C. and Traeger, J.: Prolongation of skin allograft survival and inhibition of graft versus host reaction in rodents treated with «middle molecules». Cell Immunol. 31, 349,1977. 15. Rinando, J.B. , Gallie, P., Crevat, A. , Saingra, S. and Murisasio, A. : Action of middle molecules from chronic renal insufficiency on mitochondria respiration. Biomed. , 30, 215, 1979.
Hepatoma in the noncirrhotic liver

The pathologic features, clinical presentation and natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developing in the noncirrhotic liver were studied in 61 patients against a background of 63 patients seen concurrently with HCC complicating cirrhosis. Noncirrhotic HCC had a bimodal age distribution, with females predominating the first age‐clustering (10–50 years) and males predominating the second age‐clustering (50–90 years). Cirrhotic HCC had a unimodal age distribution (40–90 years) with male dominance throughout. Estrogen exposure was noted in 57% of the noncirrhotic HCC women overall and in 80% of those in the younger age‐clustering. The majority of noncirrhotic HCC presented with a single hepatic mass or a dominant primary with satellite lesions in contrast to the usual multinodular or diffuse disease seen with cirrhosis. Twenty‐nine noncirrhotic patients survived complete resection of disease limited to the liver and exhibited a median survival of 2.7 years with a 5‐year survival of 25%. Low histologic grade, minimal necrosis, and the absence of hemoperitoneum, hepatomegaly, and adjacent organ involvement were all favorable prognostic variables. Patients with metastatic or locally unresectable noncirrhotic HCC had a median survival of 9 months, and 24% survived in excess of 2 years. This survival experience is significantly more favorable than cirrhotic HCC patients, who had only a 1.2‐month median and a 3% 2‐year survival. Low histologic grade, mild mitotic activity and the presence of some fibrosis within the specimen were associated with a favorable outcome in advanced noncirrhotic HCC. The favorable prognosis and heterogeneous composition of the noncirrhotic, when compared to the cirrhotic HCC cohort, may be important considerations in the design and evaluation of future clinical trials.
Emergence Phenology of Osmia lignaria subsp. lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), Its Parasitoid Chrysura kyrae (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae), and Bloom of Cercis canadensis

ABSTRACT Emergence patterns of a natural population of Osmia lignaria subsp. lignaria Say were monitored during a 5-yr period (2003–2007) in relation to air temperature, bloom of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.), and emergence of the parasitoid Chysura kyrae Krombein. Bee cocoons were placed in gelatin capsules and overwintered within shelters in their natural habitat. Mean emergence of female O. l. lignaria was observed at ≈2 d after redbud bloom began; mean male emergence was ≈ 1 wk earlier than for females and was nearly identical to that of C. kyrae. Horticultural models used to predict budburst for several tree species were evaluated with respect to redbud bloom and O. l. lignaria emergence. Each model indicated that both sexes of the bee and redbud had similar chill unit requirements. Differences in emergence and bloom dates were attributed to the different requirements for growing degree hours (GDHs) after chilling requirements were met. The close phenological relationship observed between eastern redbud and bee emergence suggests an important role for this common understory tree in the early nesting success of O. l. lignaria.
Indomethacin tocolysis and white matter injury in preterm infants

Objective. This study aims to clarify the relationship between indomethacin tocolysis and neonatal white matter injury (WMI) in preterm infants. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of preterm infants born at 24–32 weeks who had sufficient cranial ultrasound examinations (CUS) to determine the incidence and severity of abnormalities. Infants with normal CUS were compared on univariate and multivariate analyses with infants with the different forms of WMI. Results. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, indomethacin tocolysis was significantly correlated with periventricular echogenicity (PVE; OR 2.84 95% CI 1.41–5.7, p = 0.003), but not with periventricular leucomalacia (PVL; OR 1.83 95% CI0.6–5.6, p = 0.29). Indomethacin was not related to increased risk for periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular hemorrhagic infarction. Conclusion. These findings suggest caution in the use of indomethacin as a tocolytic therapy.
Beta‐thromboglobulin and platelet‐factor 4 in patients with cancer: Correlation with the stage of disease and the effect of chemotherapy

Plasma level of beta‐thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), two platelet‐specific proteins, were measured in 20 patients with cancer. None of the patients had evidence of thromboembolism or impaired renal function, and none was taking drugs known to interfere with platelet function. In ten patients who were in complete remission or whose disease was thought to be inactive, the levels of both proteins were essentially within normal limits. The other ten patients had active or progressive symptomatic disease. BTG level was elevated in all but one patient, and PF4 was raised in two patients. These results suggest that in patients with clinically active cancer, a state of ongoing in vivo platelet activation may be present, a phenomenon which may contribute to the known increased occurrence of thromboembolism in patients with malignancy. The intravenous administration of various cytotoxic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy produced no immediate measurable changes in BTG and PF4 level.
Glucose transport deficiency in diabetic animals is corrected by treatment with the oral antihyperglycemic agent pioglitazone.

Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into muscle and fat involves regulation of the subcellular distribution and the expression of a specific facilitative glucose transporter protein (GLUT4). Peripheral glucose uptake is lowered in diabetes, and the expression of GLUT4 is depressed in animals that have been made diabetic (i.e. insulin deficient) by destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells. In the present study we found that GLUT4 expression is also decreased in an animal model for type II diabetes mellitus (noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), KKAY obese mice. These KKAY mice have elevated circulating insulin levels, but target cell resistance to the metabolic actions of insulin. Treatment of both types of diabetic animals with pioglitazone, a new antihyperglycemic compound, corrects deficits in glucose transport and GLUT4 mRNA and protein abundance. Such corrections are, however, more readily detected in fat than in muscle. Increases in GLUT4 mRNA and protein levels and glucose transport function by pioglitazone are dependent upon the presence of circulating insulin. Treatment with pioglitazone alone is sufficient for correction of glucose transport in hyperinsulinemic insulin-resistant animals, but hypoinsulinemic animals require insulin therapy along with pioglitazone treatment for similar corrections. In these insulin-deficient animals, neither treatment with the drug alone nor minimal insulin replacement therapy results in substantial correction. Since insulin and this antihyperglycemic agent seem to work synergistically, it is likely that pioglitazone acts to amplify cellular responses to insulin.
Individual Differences in Stroop and Local-Global Processing: A Possible Role of Interhemispheric Interaction

Two experiments are reported examining individual differences in the processing of centrally presented stimuli containing two dimensions of information lateralized to opposite cerebral hemispheres. Left-handers, arising from (a) their lesser degree of functional lateralization and (b) their greater degree of callosal connectivity, were hypothesized to exhibit greater interdimensional (and presumably interhemispheric) interaction. Experiment 1 utilized local-global stimuli, and left-handers were found to be impaired at keeping the two dimensions independent and superior at integrating the two dimensions. Experiment 2 used Stroop stimuli, and left-handers again were impaired at keeping the two dimensions independent (i.e., showed greater Stroop interference). Correlational analyses indicated that the mechanisms of interdimensional integration versus independence are at least partially independent from one another. Results suggest that aspects of interhemispheric interaction can be addressed via the use of nonlateralized input.
Silvicultural Considerations in Managing Southern Pine Stands in the Context of Southern Pine Beetle

Roughly 30 percent of the 200 million acres of forest land in the South supports stands dominated by southern pines. These are among the most productive forests in the nation. Adapted to disturbance, southern pines are relatively easy to manage with even-aged methods such as clearcutting and planting, or the seed tree and shelterwood methods with natural regeneration. In addition, most species of the southern pines can be managed using the uneven-aged selection method, which maintains continuous canopy cover on the site. Because southern pines grow so rapidly across a wide variety of conditions, stands can quickly become overstocked to the point where competition results in reduced growth, decline in vigor, and mortality—including mortality from infestations of southern pine beetle (SPB). Thinning is an effective silvicultural practice designed to avoid the problems associated with overstocked stands, and can be used in immature sapling stands through mature stands of large trees. When a stand is properly thinned, the crowns obtain more sunlight, root systems get a larger share of soil moisture and nutrients, and trees maintain acceptable rates of growth and individual vigor. The best silvicultural defense against SPB is to manage forest stands so that individual trees are vigorous and stands are not overstocked. Active forest management is important, based on timely thinning treatments and other silvicultural practices appropriate for the local species and site conditions that optimize current stand developmental dynamics, manage species composition, and promote tree vigor and forest health. Silvicultural Considerations in Managing Southern Pine Stands in the Context of Southern Pine Beetle
Decreased Inner Cell Mass Proportion in Blastocysts From Diabetic Rats

Late morulae and blastocysts were recovered from streptozocin-induced diabetic pregnant rats and individually examined for numbers of inner cell mass (ICM) cells and trophectoderm (TE) cells. Compared with embryos collected from control rats, exposure to maternal diabetes significantly decreased mean ICM cell number of blastocysts recovered on day 5 of gestation, but the TE population of these embryos remained unaffected. The mean ICM proportion was therefore significantly lower than that of control embryos. These differences were not observed between the two groups of morulae collected on day 5, suggesting that the distinctive susceptibility of the ICM was expressed after blastocyst formation. On day 6, a significant inhibitory effect of diabetes was observed on the growth of both ICM and TE cells, but because the reduction was more severe in the ICM than in the TE, the mean ICM proportion of these blastocysts was again significantly lower than in control embryos. A linear quadratic relationship was obtained between the numbers of ICM cells of individual blastocysts and their respective numbers of TE cells in each of the two experimental groups. However, the slope of the curve was slower in the diabetic group than the control group. The disturbed ICM cell growth in the blastocysts from diabetic rats was found to be associated with a significantly increased incidence of cell death predominantly located in the ICM. Because it is known that excessive reduction of the ICM is incompatible with normal embryogenesis after implantation, our results suggest that the differential sensitivity of ICM and TE cells in preimplantation blastocysts may contribute to the pattern of postimplantation defects described in diabetic pregnancies.
Physical Exercise and Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Literature Review

Purpose: This is a review of studies that investigate the efficacy of exercise therapy and physical activity for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis since the 2008 Cochrane Review. Method: Studies were identified that investigated the use of physical activity and exercise therapy in the treatment of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, excluding the Cochrane Review. Two reviewers individually analyzed the results of the search to determine the eligibility of studies. The randomized controlled trial study designs were evaluated using PEDro scales. Conclusions and Recommendations for Clinical Practice: Recent literature supports the importance of the combination of strengthening, stretching, proprioceptive, and balance exercises and activities in water. Many of the reviewed studies proposed an intensive program of physical activity and exercise therapy, conducted 3 times a week for 12 weeks.
Reducing Staff Turnover: A Case Study of Dialysis Facilities

A multivariate logistic analysis of 42 Texas dialysis facilities indicated that younger, white, short tenure, an LVN/ LPN, with less support from family and friends for emotional concerns, and less supervisor support significantly increased the likelihood of turnover (p ≤.O5) in dialysis facilities. The high annual staff turnover of these dialysis facilities increases costs and impedes the delivery of quality patient care. Managerial strategies to increase staff retention are suggested.
High systemic immune–inflammation index represents an unfavorable prognosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) represents a fatal disease with high aggressiveness, and limited biomarkers have yet been identified for MPM. The present study aims to explore potential serum prognostic factors of MPM. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 97 pathologically diagnosed MPM was performed. The optimal cutoff value of pretreatment systemic immune–inflammation index (SII) was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the potential prognostic roles of parameters. Results: A total of 59.8% (n=58) patients are male, with a median age of 56.0 years (range 18–77). The optimal cutoff value of SII was 988.6×109/L. High and low SII were found in 44 (45.4%) and 53 (54.6%) patients, respectively. Median survival time for total 97 cases was 18.5 months. The median overall survival for patients with low and high SII was 47.0 and 13.0 months, respectively. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates for patients with low SII were 85.8%, 57.8% and 52.0% compared to that of 53.9%, 23.6% and 13.8% in patients with high SII. On univariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS)<2 points, low SII and adjuvant treatment (P<0.05) were found to be closely correlated with a better prognosis of MPM. Only ECOG PS (P=0.036) and SII (P=0.009) held statistical significance on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Pretreatment SII is easy to access to, and it represents an efficiency and noninvasive biomarker of MPM. High SII represents an unfavorable independent prognostic factor of MPM, and this needs to be validated in further studies.
Early MR features of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonates with periventricular densities on sonograms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In the early 1980s, diagnosing periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in neonates by using cranial sonography was possible for the first time. Our purpose was to investigate the possibility of diagnosing PVL in the acute stage by using MR imaging. We evaluated early MR features of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonates with periventricular densities (flares) on cranial sonograms to determine the added value of MR imaging over sonography alone for early diagnosis of brain damage. METHODS In a prospective study, infants who showed flares and/or cysts on sonograms underwent MR imaging during the (sub)acute stage. RESULTS Fifty infants were classified according to the highest sonographic grade up to the day of MR imaging: 23 infants had sonographic grade 1 (flares < 1 week), 15 had sonographic grade 2 (flares > or = 1 week), four had sonographic grade 3 (small localized cysts), and eight had sonographic grade 4 (extensive periventricular cysts); none had sonographic grade 5 (multicystic leukomalacia) on the day of MR imaging. Overall, the additional information provided by MR imaging (over sonography alone) consisted of the depiction of hemorrhagic lesions in 64% of the infants. Extent and severity of the hemorrhages varied from isolated punctate lesions to extensive hemorrhages throughout the white matter; the latter were followed by cystic degeneration at autopsy in two infants. In nine of the 12 infants with cystic PVL, MR images showed more numerous or more extensive cysts. In addition, in two infants, MR images showed cysts not present on sonograms. In 32% of the infants, MR imaging provided no additional information; in these children, all but one had flares on sonograms whereas MR images showed no abnormalities or a zone of mild periventricular signal change. CONCLUSION MR imaging can depict the precise site and extent of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury at an earlier stage and allows a wider differentiation of lesions as compared with sonography alone. Hemorrhagic PVL is considered to be rare, but was present in 64% of our study population.