Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Periimplant Bone Response in Human-Retrieved, Clinically Stable, Successful, and Functioning Dental Implants After a Long-Term Loading Period: A Report of 17 Cases From 4 to 20 Years

Objective:This study aimed at a histologic and histomorphometric analysis of the periimplant tissues and bone-titanium interface reactions in successfully osseointegrated, clinically stable, and immobile human titanium dental implants retrieved after a long loading period. Materials and Methods:In the last 30 months (2013–2015), 21 implants, retrieved from individuals for different causes after a loading period ranging from 4 to 20 years, were sent to the Implant Retrieval Center, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy. In 4 cases, almost all the bone had been lost during the retrieval, whereas in the remaining 17 cases, mineralized bone was still present. Results:Around the majority of the implants, mature compact bone with few marrow spaces was found. The trabecular bone, constituted by a few thin bone trabeculae, was in a periimplant location around only a few implants. A high percentage of bone-implant contact (BIC) (comprised between 32 ± 4.1% and 83 ± 2.9%) was present. In almost all implants, the space within the threads was almost completely filled by compact lamellar bone or by a thin layer of bone. Close and tight contact between bone and implant surface was observed in all specimens with no gaps or connective tissue at the interface. Conclusions:All implants appeared to be well integrated in the surrounding mineralized bone, and all of them showed adequate bone-to-implant contact percentages.
M1 RNA is important for the in-cell solubility of its cognate C5 protein: Implications for RNA-mediated protein folding

It is one of the fundamental questions in biology how proteins efficiently fold into their native conformations despite off-pathway events such as misfolding and aggregation in living cells. Although molecular chaperones have been known to assist the de novo folding of certain types of proteins, the role of a binding partner (or a ligand) in the folding and in-cell solubility of its interacting protein still remains poorly defined. RNase P is responsible for the maturation of tRNAs as adaptor molecules of amino acids in ribosomal protein synthesis. The RNase P from Escherichia coli, composed of M1 RNA and C5 protein, is a prototypical ribozyme in which the RNA subunit contains the catalytic activity. Using E. coli RNase P, we demonstrate that M1 RNA plays a pivotal role in the in-cell solubility of C5 protein both in vitro and in vivo. Mutations in either the C5 protein or M1 RNA that affect their interactions significantly abolished the folding of C5 protein. Moreover, we find that M1 RNA provides quality insurance of interacting C5 protein, either by promoting the degradation of C5 mutants in the presence of functional proteolytic machinery, or by abolishing their solubility if the machinery is non-functional. Our results describe a crucial role of M1 RNA in the folding, in-cell solubility, and, consequently, the proteostasis of the client C5 protein, giving new insight into the biological role of RNAs as chaperones and mediators that ensure the quality of interacting proteins.
Mouse ZIP1 and ZIP3 genes together are essential for adaptation to dietary zinc deficiency during pregnancy

Subfamily II of the solute‐linked carrier 39A superfamily contains three well‐conserved zinc transporters (ZIPs1, 2, 3) whose physiological functions are unknown. We generated mice homozygous for knockout alleles of ZIP1 and both ZIP1 and ZIP 3 (double‐knockout). These mice were apparently normal when dietary zinc was replete, but when dietary zinc was limited during pregnancy embryos from ZIP1 or ZIP3 knockout mice were two to three times more likely to develop abnormally than those in wildtype mice, and 91% (71/78) of embryos developed abnormally in ZIP1, ZIP3 double‐knockout mice. Analysis of the patterns of expression of these genes in mice revealed predominate expression in intestinal stromal cells, nephric‐tubular epithelial cells, pancreatic ductal epithelial cells, and hepatocytes surrounding the central vein. This suggests that these zinc transporters function, at least in part, in the redistribution and/or retention of zinc rather than its acquisition from the diet. In conclusion, mutations in the ZIP1 and ZIP3 zinc transporter genes are silent when dietary intake of zinc is normal, but can dramatically compromise the success of pregnancy when dietary intake of zinc is limiting. genesis 44:239–251, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lower density of A1 adenosine receptors in nucleus reticularis thalami in rats with genetic absence epilepsy

THE possible involvement of the adenosinergic modula-tory system in the pathogenesis of absence seizures was investigated in genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS). Usin g in vitro quantitative autoradiography, the distribution of A1 adenosine receptors and adenosine uptake sites in the brain of GAERS was studied and compared to that of control animals. An area-specific lower density of A1 receptors (15% decrease) was detected in reticular (nRT) and anterior ventral (AV) thalamic nuclei as well as basal ganglia in the brains of GAERS animals compared with control animals. Since adenosine exerts an anti-oscillatory effect on the thalamic nuclei by suppressing (via A1 receptors) excitatory as well as inhibitory neurotransmitter release, the impairment in A1 receptor density seen here, especially in nRT, could be implicated in the thalamic rhythmicity underlying spike and wave discharges present in this absence epilepsy model.
Role of Calcineurin in Ca2+‐Induced Release of Catecholamines and Neuropeptides

Abstract: Neurotransmission requires rapid docking, fusion, and recycling of neurotransmitter vesicles. Several of the proteins involved in this complex Ca2+‐regulated mechanism have been identified as substrates for protein kinases and phosphatases, e.g., the synapsins, synaptotagmin, rabphilin3A, synaptobrevin, munc18, MARCKS, dynamin I, and B‐50/GAP‐43. So far most attention has focused on the role of kinases in the release processes, but recent evidence indicates that phosphatases may be as important. Therefore, we investigated the role of the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin in exocytosis and subsequent vesicle recycling. Calcineurin‐neutralizing antibodies, which blocked dynamin I dephosphorylation by endogenous synaptosomal calcineurin activity, but had no effect on the activity of protein phosphatases 1 or 2A, were introduced into rat permeabilized nerve terminals and inhibited Ca2+‐induced release of [3H]noradrenaline and neuropeptide cholecystokinin‐8 in a specific and concentration‐dependent manner. Our data show that the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent phosphatase calcineurin plays an essential role in exocytosis and/or vesicle recycling of noradrenaline and cholecystokinin‐8, transmitters stored in large dense‐cored vesicles.
The Effects of Heparinase 1 and Protamine on Platelet Reactivity

Background: Protamine is currently the most widely used drug for the reversal of heparin anticoagulation. Heparinase 1 (heparinase) is being evaluated as a possible alternative to protamine for the reversal of heparin anticoagulation. The authors evaluated the effects of equivalent doses of heparinase and protamine on platelet reactivity by measuring agonist‐induced P‐selectin expression. Methods: After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, informed consent was obtained from 12 healthy volunteers and 8 patients undergoing surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty‐four ml of blood was obtained from each volunteer; 10 ml of blood was obtained from each patient before the CPB, and another 10 ml was obtained after CPB. Heparin was neutralized using heparinase or protamine. Platelet reactivity was assessed by measuring the expression of P‐selectin after stimulation of platelets with increasing concentrations of a thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: For the healthy volunteers, the activated coagulation times (ACTs) of the heparinized samples returned to baseline values with heparinase (12.5 U/ml) or protamine (32.5 micro gram/ml). For the 8 patients, the ACTs returned to baseline with heparinase (20 U/ml) or protamine (50 micro gram/ml). The authors found no difference in the expression of P‐selectin in samples neutralized with heparinase, but samples neutralized with protamine showed a significant decrease in the expression of P‐selectin when compared with heparinized samples. Conclusions: At dosages that reverse the anticoagulant effects of heparin, heparinase has minimal effects on platelets, whereas platelet reactivity was markedly inhibited by protamine.
Qualitative assessment of brain morphology in acute and chronic schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE Neuroimaging studies of brain morphology in schizophrenia have used predominantly morphometric techniques to assess brain scans. However, as currently implemented, such methods are not particularly helpful in the routine assessment of individual patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate brain morphology seen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by qualitative assessment, the most frequently used method in clinical practice for evaluating brain scans. METHOD First-episode (N = 62) and chronic, multi-episode (N = 24) schizophrenic patients and healthy comparison subjects (N = 42) underwent MRI of the whole head in a sequence that provided 63 contiguous brain slice images. Each subject received a rating of normal, questionably abnormal, or definitely abnormal for four brain regions (lateral ventricles, third ventricle, medial temporal lobe structures, and frontal/parietal cortex) and a global rating. RESULTS The schizophrenic patients had significantly higher global rates of abnormal morphology (first-episode group, 31%; chronic group, 42%) than the normal subjects (5%). The highest regional rates of abnormalities were seen in the lateral ventricles and the lowest in the frontal/parietal cortex. Although the chronic patients had generally higher abnormal rates than the first-episode patients, these differences were not statistically significant. The qualitative ratings of brain morphology were significantly correlated with quantitative assessments performed in separate studies. CONCLUSIONS Despite its limits in sensitivity (and until quantitative morphometric techniques are made practical and more widely available), qualitative evaluation of MRI scans can be a useful technique in research and clinical evaluation of patients with schizophrenia.
Thermodynamics of a carbon nano-materials based icing protection system for unmanned aerial vehicle

Changes to the aerodynamic surfaces due to ice accretion are common causes for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) incidents in regions where the environmental conditions sustain icing conditions. For fixed wing UAVs the leading edge of airfoil surfaces is one of the primary surfaces exposed to these changes, causing a significant reduction in aerodynamic ability, i.e. decreasing lift and manoeuvrability, and increasing drag, weight, and consequently power consumption. Mitigating or altogether preventing ice accretion could potentially prevent icing related UAV incidents and increase the operability of UAVs. In recent years, proposed mitigating solutions to ice accretion (ice protection systems - IPS) make use of an electrically powered thermal source applied to the leading edge of airfoils. Such solutions are naturally highly susceptible to energy dissipation, i.e. energy lost to the surroundings and airfoil, due to thermal flux. This paper investigates the thermodynamic system, consisting of the aircraft aifoil, a thermal source, and ambient conditions, as energy is supplied to the thermal source, by an external energy supply. The thermal source, referred to in the work presented here, is an electrically conductive coating (or paint) - based on carbon nano-materials - which is part of an IPS that has been proposed for small UAVs. The investigation is based on numerical simulations applying a transient finite element approach to account for the multidimensional boundary conditions that vary along the chord of the airfoil.
The Affective Response Model: A Theoretical Framework of Affective Concepts and Their Relationships in the ICT Context

Affect is a critical factor in human decisions and behaviors within many social contexts. In the information and communication technology (ICT) context, a growing number of studies consider the affective dimension of human interaction with ICTs. However, few of these studies take systematic approaches, resulting in inconsistent conclusions and contradictory advice for researchers and practitioners. Many of these issues stem from ambiguous conceptualizations of various affective concepts and their relationships. Before researchers can address questions such as "what causes affective responses in an ICT context" and "what impacts do affective responses have on human interaction with ICTs," a theoretical foundation for affective concepts and their relationships has to be established. This theory and review paper addresses three research questions: (1) What are pertinent affective concepts in the ICT context? (2) In what ways are these affective concepts similar to, or different from each other? (3) How do these affective concepts relate to or influence one another? Based on theoretical reasoning and empirical evidence, the affective response model (ARM) is developed. ARM is a theoretically bound conceptual framework that provides a systematic and holistic reference map for any ICT study that considers affect. It includes a taxonomy that classifies affective concepts along five dimensions: the residing, the temporal, the particular/general stimulus, the object/behavior stimulus, and the process/outcome dimensions. ARM also provides a nomological network to indicate the causal or co-occurring relationships among the various types of affective concepts in an ICT interaction episode. ARM has the power for explaining and predicting, as well as prescribing, potential future research directions.
Effect of translocator protein (18 kDa)‐ligand binding on neurotransmitter‐induced salivary secretion in rat submandibular glands

Background information. TSPO (translocator protein), previously known as PBR (peripheral‐type benzodiazepine receptor), is a ubiquitous 18 kDa transmembrane protein that participates in diverse cell functions. High‐affinity TSPO ligands are best known for their ability to stimulate cholesterol transport in organs synthesizing steroids and bile salts, although they modulate other physiological functions, including cell proliferation, apoptosis and calcium‐dependent transepithelial ion secretion. In present study, we investigated the localization and function of TSPO in salivary glands.
Perinatal and somatic growth properties of preterm babies born from spontaneous and in vitro fertilization multiple pregnancies.

AIM The objective of this study was to examine perinatal and neonatal properties of preterm infants with a corrected age of 24-36 months who were born as a result of spontaneous and in vitro fertilization multiple pregnancies, to interrogate somatic growth properties of these infants and evaluate the factors which had an impact by comparing groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 125 children with a birth weight below 2 500 g and a gestational age below the 37(th) gestational week 60 of whom were born as a result of in vitro fertilization multiple pregnancies and 65 of whom were born as a result of spontaneous multiple pregnancies were included in the study. Maternal age and morbidity, early rupture of membranes, birth weigth, gestational week, gender, APGAR score, hospitalization reasons in the neonatal period, requirement for intensive care, frequency of congenital anomaly, outpatient follow-up status, rehospitalization and socioeconomic levels were interrogated in the patients. Detailed physical examination and current height, weight and head circumference measurements were performed and the findings were placed in the growth curves of Neyzi et al. Ethics committee approval was received for this study from the ethics committee of Bakırköy Gynecology Obstetrics and Pediatrics Education and Research Hospital (12.10.2010; no:305). RESULTS The rate of cesarean section, mean maternal age, the rate of chronic disease in the mother and the rate of maternal disease which occured during pregnancy were significantly higher in the in vitro fertilization group (p<0.05). While no difference was found in mean gestational age, birth weight, rate of hospitalization, time of hospitalization, frequency of follow-up in the intensive care unit, rates of congenital anomaly and rehospitalization, APGAR score in the 5(th) minute was significantly higher in the in vitro fertilization group. The socioeconomical score was not different between the groups, but the in vitro fertilization group presented more regularly for outpatient follow-up visits. Height, head circumference measurements and mean current weight were found to be significantly higher in the in vitro fertilization group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The fact that there was no difference in the rate of hospitalization, time of hospitalization, frequency of follow-up in the intensive care unit, rates of congenital anomaly and rehospitalization was attributed to the fact that the study and control groups were composed of only multiple pregnancies and preterms.
Dietary Diversity and Vegetable and Fruit Consumption of Households in a Resource-Poor Peri-Urban South Africa Community Differ by Food Security Status

ABSTRACT Sociodemographic, living standard measure, consumption of vegetables and fruit, and dietary diversity in relation to household food security were assessed. Using a hunger score, households were categorized as food secure (n = 125) or food insecure (n = 273). Food secure respondents had a higher mean dietary diversity score (3.98; 95%CI [3.79, 4.18] versus 3.65; 95% [CI 3.53, 3.77]), were more likely to eat vitamin A–rich foods (OR 1.15; 95% CI [1.05, 1.26]), a more varied diet (DDS ≥ 4, OR 1.90; 95% CI [1.19, 3.13]), and vegetables daily (OR 3.37; 95% CI [2.00, 5.76]). Cost limited daily vegetable/fruit consumption in food insecure households. Respondents with ≥ 8 years of schooling were more likely (OR 2.07; 95% CI [1.22, 3.53]) and households receiving social grants were less likely (OR 0.37; 95% CI [0.19, 0.72]) to be food secure. Results highlight the association between dietary diversity and household food security.
First line zidovudine/lamivudine/lopinavir/ritonavir leads to greater bone loss compared to nevirapine/lopinavir/ritonavir

Objective:We studied changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and the contribution of zidovudine/lamivudine (ZDV/3TC) in particular. Design:Randomized clinical trial comparing lopinavir/ritonavir(LPV/r) + ZDV/3TC with LPV/r + nevirapine (NVP) in 50 cART-naive men. Methods:Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography scans (QCT) were performed at baseline and 3, 12, and 24 months after cART initiation. Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD)/creatinine ratio were measured. Results:BMD decreased rapidly in both femoral neck and lumbar spine after cART initiation. BMD loss during 24 months measured by DXA, but not by QCT, was greater in the ZDV/3TC/LPV/r group compared to the NVP/LPV/r group [femoral neck: −6.3% ± 1.0% (P < 0.0001) compared to −2.3% ± 0.9% (P = 0.01), between-group P = 0.0006); lumbar spine: −5.1% ± 0.8% (P < 0.0001) compared to −2.6% ± 0.7% (P = 0.0006), between-group P = 0.07]. Osteocalcin [+1.60 ± 0.32 (P < 0.0001) and +1.81 ± 0.29 (P < 0.0001) nmol/l] and the urine DPD/creatinine ratio [+1.35 ± 0.44 (P = 0.0029) and +1.19 ± 0.38 nmol/mmol (P = 0.0024)] increased in both groups over 24 months, with no significant difference between groups. PTH increased to a greater degree in the NVP/LPV/r group [+2.0 ± 0.31 pmol/l (P < 0.0001)] compared to [+0.81 ± 0.33 pmol/l (P = 0.021) in the ZDV/3TC/LPV/r group]. Conclusion:BMD in both femoral neck and lumbar spine decreased rapidly after initiation of cART, in parallel to an increase in bone turnover. The greater bone loss in the ZDV/3TC/LPV/r group compared to the NVP/LPV/r group suggests that ZDV/3TC contributes to this process. The PTH increase does not explain this greater bone loss.
Human γδ T‐cell responses in infection and immunotherapy: Common mechanisms, common mediators?

Upon receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1987, Susumu Tonegawa referred to the then recent discovery of the γδ T‐cell receptor and stated that “while the function of the T cells bearing this receptor is currently unknown (…) these T cells may be involved in an entirely new aspect of immunity”. [Tonegawa, S. , Scand. J. Immunol. 1993. 38: 303–319]. Twenty‐five years of intense research later this ambivalent view still holds true. Immunologists now appreciate that γδ T cells indeed represent a highly intriguing “new aspect of immunity” that is unique and distinct from conventional lymphocytes, yet even scientists in the field still struggle to understand the molecular basis of γδ T‐cell responses, especially with respect to the enigmatic mode of antigen recognition. Here, we portray the peculiar responsiveness of human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells to microorganisms, tumor cells and aminobisphosphonates, in an attempt to integrate the corresponding — and at times confusing — findings into a “theory of everything” that may help explain how such diverse stimuli result in similar γδ T‐cell responses via the recognition of soluble low molecular weight phosphoantigens.
Effect of MgATP on pinacidil‐induced displacement of glibenclamide from the sulphonylurea receptor in a pancreatic β‐cell line and rat cerebral cortex

1 The effects of blockers and openers of K+ channels on binding of [3H]‐glibenclamide to microsomes obtained from a pancreatic β‐cell line (HIT‐T15) or rat cerebral cortex were examined. 2 The blockers quinine, chlorpromazine and thiopentone and the openers cromakalim [(±) 6‐cyano‐3,4‐dihydro‐2,2‐dimethyl‐trans‐4‐(2‐oxo‐1‐pyrrolidyl)‐2H‐benzo[b]pyran‐3‐ol] and minoxidil sulphate did not significantly interact with the sulphonylurea receptor of HIT‐cells both at phosphorylating (presence of MgATP) and dephosphorylating (absence of MgATP) conditions. 3 In the absence of MgATP, pinacidil (200‐ 500 μm) did not significantly displace [3H]‐glibenclamide binding to microsomes from HIT‐cells. The displacement of [3H]‐glibenclamide binding was strongly enhanced by MgATP and was due to a decrease in the number of high affinity binding sites for glibenclamide. 4 MgATP enhanced pinacidil‐induced inhibition of [3H]‐glibenclamide binding to microsomes from rat cerebral cortex. 5 The effect of MgATP on pinacidil‐induced inhibition of [3H]‐glibenclamide binding was maintained after solubilization of the membranes from HIT‐cells or rat cerebral cortex. 6 It is concluded that the sulphonylurea receptor is regulated not only by sulphonylureas but also by the K+ channel openers, diazoxide and pinacidil, and by protein phosphorylation. The binding sites for sulphonylureas and these K+ channel openers are not identical, but appear to be located at a single protein or at tightly associated proteins.