Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implant-supported single-tooth restorations. A 12-year prospective study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the 12-year outcome of implant-supported single-tooth restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS Originally 45 self-tapping Astra Tech TiOblast® ST-implants were installed by a two-stage protocol in 40 subjects requiring single-tooth prosthetic replacement for a missing tooth. Clinical and radiologic examinations were performed at completion of the prosthetic treatment 4-7 months after implant installation surgery and after 5 and 12 years in function. RESULTS At 12 years 31 patients and 35 implants were available for evaluation. The overall failure rate after 12 years was 10.3% on the subject level and 9.1% on the implant level. The mean bone loss amounted to 0.67 mm (SD 2.20) on a subject level and 0.47 mm (1.72) on an implant level. Three subjects (10%) and three implants (8.6%) were diagnosed with peri-implantitis. Five subjects had experienced technical complications; three incidences of loosening of the abutment retention screw during the first 5 years and two minor porcelain fracture of the crown (two patients) between 5- and 12-years of follow-up. CONCLUSION The findings reported in this 12-year prospective case series suggest that the use of the Astra Tech dental implants may be a valid treatment alternative for single-tooth replacement prostheses.
Codistribution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit α3 and β4 mRNAs during rat brain development

We have used in situ hybridization to characterize the ontogeny of α3 and β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit mRNA expression in rat brain. Transcripts for both subunits were detected in embryonic brain, although overlapping expression of α3 mRNA was only evident in areas of strong β4 mRNA expression, including the medial habenula, locus coeruleus, the cerebellar primordium, and several motor and sensory brainstem nuclei. During the perinatal period, the independent expression of α3 mRNA declined, and greater correspondence in the temporal and spatial expression of α3 and β4 subunit mRNAs emerged. In general, β4 mRNA expression preceded that of α3 mRNA by 1 to 2 days. Overlapping expression patterns were transiently detected in the caudate putamen, basal forebrain, frontal and visual cortices, and in the CA3 field of hippocampus. Codistribution that lasted throughout development and into adulthood was noted in a number of brain areas, including the retrosplenial cortex, subiculum, medial habenula, interpeduncular nucleus, locus coeruleus, and brainstem motor nuclei. In many of these regions, α5 subunit mRNA was also expressed. Colocalization of α3 and β4 mRNAs with choline acetyltransferase mRNA was detected in cholinergic neurons of the brainstem motor nuclei, nucleus ambiguus, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, motor trigeminal nucleus, and facial nucleus, but not in most forebrain cholinergic cells. The extensive correspondence in temporal and spatial distribution of α3 and β4 mRNAs throughout postnatal brain development suggests that these subunits may be coordinately regulated and may form functional neuronal nAChRs with significant developmental roles. J. Comp. Neurol. 386:540–554, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The institutional design of monetary policy

The aim of this thesis is to provide a general framework for the analysis and interpretation of the determinants that help to define monetary stability goals. The main issue is that money supply, and therefore inflation are not exogenous; rather, they depend on interactions between monetary institutions and other economic agents (including governments, commercial banks, trade unions, etc.), as determined by the institutional rules and by the socioeconomic structure. This approach requires identifying factors that help to define the greater (or lesser) desirability of long‐term inflation control goals. In this regard, certain fundamental determinants characterizing the political, social, and economic context of decisions on monetary policy should be further analysed. Factors such as social sensitivity to the costs and benefits of inflation, the degree of political instability, the existence of asymmetrical information between the policymaker and the public influence the ability to be constrained by a rule or an institution. This work is therefore an attempt to carry out a theoretical and empirical analysis of the implications of these determinants for both the institutional design and the inflation rate. This is a very important issue, certain countries have often borrowed their institutional designs from others, but without achieving the same results in terms of control over inflation. More specifically, this thesis consists of four parts: 1. Monetary Policy in the presence of Imperfect Observability of the Objectives of Central Bankers. 2. On the Determinants of Central Bank Independence in open economies. 3. Political institutions and Central Bank Independence revisited. 4. Political Stabilization by an independent Central Bank.
Neural Network Compression

Deep neural networks have become significantly more powerful and ubiquitous. Used for a plethora of different applications, they can be found in many consumer products and enterprise applications. The rise in computational resources and sizes of datasets has made these networks larger and more complex. However, deeper networks consume more energy and limit applications due to their size. Compressing these networks while maintaining accuracy is a popular area of research. This project investigates an algorithm for compression, soft-weight sharing, and proposes modifications to improve it. First, we study the effects of incorporating knowledge distillation into the algorithm. Second, we allow each layer to be scaled differently to allow more flexibility for compression. Lastly, we implement layer-wise compression, whereby we mimic each layer of the fully-trained network in hopes of making optimisation easier. Experiments are carried out and analysis is provided for all the modifications.
Affective facilitation of early visual cortex during rapid picture presentation at 6 and 15 Hz.

The steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), a neurophysiological marker of attentional resource allocation with its generators in early visual cortex, exhibits enhanced amplitude for emotional compared to neutral complex pictures. Emotional cue extraction for complex images is linked to the N1-EPN complex with a peak latency of ∼140-160 ms. We tested whether neural facilitation in early visual cortex with affective pictures requires emotional cue extraction of individual images, even when a stream of images of the same valence category is presented. Images were shown at either 6 Hz (167 ms, allowing for extraction) or 15 Hz (67 ms per image, causing disruption of processing by the following image). Results showed SSVEP amplitude enhancement for emotional compared to neutral images at a presentation rate of 6 Hz but no differences at 15 Hz. This was not due to featural differences between the two valence categories. Results strongly suggest that individual images need to be displayed for sufficient time allowing for emotional cue extraction to drive affective neural modulation in early visual cortex.
Teaching qualitative research: a metaphorical approach.

BACKGROUND In the Western tradition, drawing attention to the linguistic significance of analogy and metaphor can be traced back to the writings of the early Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle. More recently, philosophers of science have drawn attention to the role of analogy and metaphor in the development of scientific theory. Also, linguists and psychologists now suggest that, in addition to being distinctive uses of language with various rhetorical functions, metaphors constitute fundamental processes of thought with basic epistemological functions. AIM Drawing on numerous sources from outside the nursing literature, this paper seeks to show the implications of current theory relating to analogy and metaphor for nursing and educational practice. It also seeks to demonstrate, using a practical example, how this theory can be applied to the teaching of qualitative research. METHOD Using reflection on our experiences of using analogy and metaphor in teaching the qualitative research process on a Master's degree programme, we assess the potential for using analogy and metaphor as a teaching strategy. This experience is also used to explore and discuss the wider implications of the use of analogy and metaphor in health and educational practices. DISCUSSION While analogies and metaphors can help students make creative and imaginative links between existing conceptual frameworks and those associated with new knowledge, thereby facilitating its assimilation, the use of analogy and metaphor remains an under-researched area of nursing and educational practice. The cultural specificity of a metaphor does not necessarily prevent its usefulness cross culturally. The use of metaphor and analogy can also facilitate the injection of humour to a subject students frequently find 'dry' and intimidating. CONCLUSION Analogies and metaphors are potentially powerful teaching and learning strategies. However, much is still not known about how they work at the cognitive level. Consequently, there is considerable scope for further research in this area in nurse education and clinical practice.
Hormonal regulation of the Grb14 signal modulator and its role in cell cycle progression of MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells

Growth factor receptor bound (Grb)14 is a member of the Grb7 family of src homology (SH)2 domain‐containing proteins. These proteins perform both adaptor and modulatory roles in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, although their regulation is poorly understood. In this study, a positive correlation between Grb14 protein expression and ERα status in breast cancer cell lines led us to investigate regulation of Grb14 by estradiol and insulin, which synergize in the regulation of breast cancer cell proliferation. In MCF‐7 cells maintained in charcoal‐stripped serum, Grb14 expression was downregulated by estradiol and increased by the pure anti‐estrogen ICI 182780. Under serum‐free conditions, insulin enhanced Grb14 expression but this effect was repressed by estradiol when both hormones were used in combination. Using a system in which c‐Myc induction drives cell cycle progression independently of estradiol, we demonstrated that Grb14 regulation was specific to estradiol treatment. Finally, we demonstrated a novel functional role for Grb14 whereby its overexpression inhibited not only insulin‐ but also estrogen‐induced cell cycle progression. This was associated with decreased extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 activation in insulin‐stimulated Grb14‐overexpressing cells. These data represent the first demonstration of regulation of Grb14 expression levels in response to hormonal stimuli, and are consistent with its role as a repressor of insulin signaling where it is induced as a negative feedback mechanism. A role for Grb14 is also shown in estrogen/insulin crosstalk since estradiol blocks the insulin‐induced induction of this protein. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
α‐Ketoglutarate and Malate Uptake and Metabolism by Synaptosomes: Further Evidence for an Astrocyte‐to‐Neuron Metabolic Shuttle

Abstract: This study was undertaken to provide further evidence relevant to the hypothesis that astrocytes supply one or more citric acid cycle intermediates to syn‐aptic terminals, thereby serving an anaplerotic function necessitated by the synthesis and release of amino acid neurotransmitters. In our experiments, two populations of synaptosomes obtained from the brain of rats were separated from myelin and mitochondria by using Percoll to generate continuous density gradients. Both synapto‐somal populations readily accumulated 14C‐labelled a‐ke‐toglutarate and L‐malate by high‐affinity transport systems. Hofstee plots of uptake velocity as a function of substrate concentration were highly nonlinear, indicating that uptake was mediated by two or more carriers, or was subject to negative cooperativity. At least one carrier was selective for a‐ketoglutarate and another for malate, whereas a third carrier appeared to be present which transported both substrates. At low concentrations (1 μM), γ‐ketoglutarate transport was almost totally Na + ‐dependent, whereas malate uptake exhibited little Na+‐dependency. The transport of a‐ketoglutarate was associated with a net influx, and therefore was not due to a homoexchange process. γ‐Ketoglutarate and malate were metabolized rapidly to glutamate and aspartate, respectively, by both synaptosomal preparations; however, in all cases, label accumulated in γ‐aminobutyric acid rather slowly. The incorporation of label into glutamine from γ‐ketoglutarate was much greater in the high‐density synaptosomes than in low‐density synaptosomes, an indication that the former contained a higher proportion of astrogliasomes. The results of our study are consistent with the concept that certain types of synaptic terminals are dependent upon astrocytes for a supply of a‐ketoglutarate and/or malate in order to maintain their pools of citrate cycle intermediates and replenish their neuro‐transmitter pools.
[Factors associated with participation in medical checkups of the elderly at home comparison of 3 regions with different social backgrounds].

PURPOSE Annual medical checkups are presumed to be important with the well-being of aged individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to participation in medical checkups of elderly persons at home. METHODS A survey was performed targeting so-called young elderly persons living at home in 3 regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, a large city (Sapporo), an ex-coalmining town (Yubari) and a small farming town (Takasu). The study populations were asked about medical checkups, economic status, self-rated health status, activities of daily living (ADL) and basic characteristics such as age, sex and occupation. We used the Mantel-Haenszel method for statistical analysis. RESULTS 1) Elderly males who received medical checkups within the last 1 year (participants) had a shorter period of education, were less likely to have or to have had the smoking habit, undertook more physical activity, had better eating habit, more often rated their own health as good or normal, and had a better physical ADL & instrumental ADL, than those who had never received medical checkups (non-participants). Regionally, the items that showed significant differences included: "live with the spouse", "do not smoke" and "do not have physical pain or disabilities" in Sapporo; "enjoy physical activity", "have good eating habit" and "have good instrumental ADL" in Yubari; and "engaged in agriculture/fishery work" and "had outpatient visits in the last three months" in Takasu. 2) Elderly female participants who had outpatient visits in the last three months had anxiety about their own health, significantly different from non-participants. Regionally, the items that showed significant differences included: "often drink alcohol" in Sapporo; "still working right now", "was engaged in agriculture/fishery work in the past" and "had outpatient visits in the last three months" in Yubari; and "have own house", "do not smoke" and "pay attention to eating habit" in Takasu. 3) The item which showed a significantly high rate both for male and female participants was "still working right now". CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that medical checkups should be recommended to the elderly, taking into account not only their basic characteristics such as sex and occupation, but also lifestyle, self-rated health status and ADL, which are associated with medical checkup participation.
Depletion of Lymphocytes and Diminished Cytokine Production in Mice Infected with a Highly Virulent Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Isolated from Humans

ABSTRACT Previously, we observed that several virulent influenza A (H5N1) viruses which caused severe or fatal disease in humans were also lethal in BALB/c mice following dissemination of the virus to solid organs, including the brain. In contrast, one particular human H5N1 virus was nonlethal in mice and showed no evidence of systemic spread. To compare H5N1 viruses of varying pathogenicity for their ability to alter the mammalian immune system, mice were infected with either influenza A/Hong Kong/483/97 (HK/483) (lethal) or A/Hong Kong/486/97 (HK/486) (nonlethal) virus and monitored for lymphocyte depletion in the blood, lungs, and lymphoid tissue. Intranasal infection with HK/483 resulted in a significant decrease in the total number of circulating leukocytes evident as early as day 2 postinfection. Differential blood counts demonstrated up to an 80% drop in lymphocytes by day 4 postinfection. In contrast, nonlethal HK/486-infected mice displayed only a transient drop of lymphocytes during the infectious period. Analysis of lung and lymphoid tissue from HK/483-infected mice demonstrated a reduction in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and reduced synthesis of the cytokines interleukin-1β and gamma interferon and the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein compared with HK/486-infected mice. In contrast, the cytokine and chemokine levels were increased in the brains of mice infected with HK/483 but not HK/486. Evidence of apoptosis in the spleen and lung of HK/483-infected mice was detected in situ, suggesting a mechanism for lymphocyte destruction. These results suggest that destructive effects on the immune system may be one factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of H5N1 viruses in mammalian hosts.
Iron Homeostasis and Inflammatory Status in Mice Deficient for the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator

Background Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a frequent and lethal autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). Patients with CF suffer from chronic infections and severe inflammation, which lead to progressive pulmonary and gut diseases. Recently, an expanding body of evidence has suggested that iron homeostasis was abnormal in CF with, in particular, systemic iron deficiency and iron sequestration in the epithelium airway. The molecular mechanisms responsible for iron dysregulation and the relationship with inflammation in CF are unknown. Methods and Results We assessed the impact of CFTR deficiency on systemic and tissue iron homeostasis as well as inflammation in wildtype and CFTR knockout (KO) mice. First, in contrast to the systemic and intestinal inflammation we observed in the CFTR KO mice, we reported the absence of lung phenotype with regards to both inflammation and iron status. Second, we showed a significant decrease of plasma ferritin levels in the KO mice, as in CF patients, likely caused by a decrease in spleen ferritin levels. However, we measured unchanged plasma iron levels in the KO mice that may be explained by increased intestinal iron absorption. Conclusion These results indicate that in CF, the lung do not predominantly contributes to the systemic ferritin deficiency and we propose the spleen as the major organ responsible for hypoferritinemia in the KO mouse. These results should provide a better understanding of iron dysregulation in CF patients where treating or not iron deficiency remains a challenging question.
Redox Balance in the Aging Microcirculation: New Friends, New Foes, and New Clinical Directions

Please cite this paper as: Muller‐Delp, Gurovich, Christou, and Leeuwenburgh (2012). Redox Balance in the Aging Microcirculation: New Friends, New Foes, and New Clinical Directions. Microcirculation 19(1), 19–28.
Arithmetic performance in children with Tourette syndrome: Relative contribution of cognitive and attentional factors

The study addressed the issue of arithmetic deficiencies in children with Tourette syndrome (TS) as well as explanations for such deficiencies. A total of 47 children with TS were assigned to three subgroups based on a composite attention score from the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). These children, along with 17 normal controls between 8 and 16 years of age, were tested on standardized measures of IQ, attention, visuospatial ability, and arithmetic achievement. The children also were administered an experimental calculation task with two levels of structure. Children with TS scored below controls on tests of IQ, attention, and arithmetic achievement but not visuospatial ability. The TS subgroup with the greatest impairment of attention accounted for most of the differences in arithmetic achievement. Regression analysis, based on the 47 children with TS, indicated that IQ and TOVA scores were the best predictors of arithmetic achievement. Likewise, the experimental calculation task indicated that the poor performance of some children with TS could be attributed to deficient attention. Irrespective of structure, children in the TS subgroup with the greatest attentional impairment made more attention (but not visuospatial) errors than did controls on the experimental task. Thus, on both the standardized and the experimental tasks, poor arithmetic skill was found only in children with TS who had significant attentional deficits.
Evidence for a Stable Interaction of gp41 with Pr55Gag in Immature Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Particles

ABSTRACT Assembly of infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions requires incorporation of the viral envelope glycoproteins gp41 and gp120. Several lines of evidence have suggested that the cytoplasmic tail of the transmembrane glycoprotein, gp41, associates with Pr55Gag in infected cells to facilitate the incorporation of HIV-1 envelope proteins into budding virions. However, direct evidence for an interaction between gp41 and Pr55Gagin HIV-1 particles has not been reported. To determine whether gp41 is associated with Pr55Gag in HIV-1 particles, viral cores were isolated from immature HIV-1 virions by sedimentation through detergent. The cores contained a major fraction of the gp41 that was present on untreated virions. Association of gp41 with cores required the presence of the gp41 cytoplasmic tail. In HIV-1 particles containing a functional protease, a mutation that prevents cleavage of Pr55Gag at the matrix-capsid junction was sufficient for the detergent-resistant association of gp41 with the isolated cores. In addition to gp41, a major fraction of virion-associated gp120 was also detected on immature HIV-1 cores. Isolation of cores under conditions known to disrupt lipid rafts resulted in the removal of a raft-associated protein incorporated into virions but not the HIV-1 envelope proteins. These results provide biochemical evidence for a stable interaction between Pr55Gag and the cytoplasmic tail of gp41 in immature HIV-1 particles. Moreover, findings in this study suggest that the interaction of Pr55Gag with gp41 may regulate the function of the envelope proteins during HIV-1 maturation.