Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of orthodontic treatment and premolar extractions on the mandibular third molars

Abstract Background The space available for an unerupted mandibular third may depend on the choice of premolar extracted. Aims To investigate the effects of orthodontic treatment and premolar extractions on the inclinations of the mandibular third molars and the space available for their eruption, and to compare these changes with a nonextraction group. Methods The pre- and post-treatment panoramic radiographs of 54 subjects (20 males, 34 females) were used. Eighteen of these subjects had the four first premolars extracted, 16 subjects had four second premolars extracted and 20 subjects were treated nonextraction. Changes in the inclinations and spaces available for the unerupted third molars were compared. Results In the nonextraction group the third molars uprighted approximately 1 degree and in the second premolar extraction group the third molars uprighted 10 degrees. The spaces available for the third molars increased significantly in the first and second premolar extraction groups as compared with the space available in the nonextraction group. Conclusions Orthodontic treatment and extraction of the second premolars improved the inclinations of unerupted third molars and the space available for their eruption into the arch. The changes in inclination and eruption space were less marked following first premolar extractions.
Hypoxic Modulation of Ca2+ Signaling in Human Venous Endothelial Cells

The effects of hypoxia (pO2 ∼25 mm Hg) on Ca2+ signaling stimulated by extracellular ATP in human saphenous vein endothelial cells were investigated using fluorimetric recordings from Fura-2 loaded cells. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, ATP-evoked rises of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) because of mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These responses were reduced by prior exposure to hypoxia but potentiated during hypoxia. Hypoxia itself liberated Ca2+ from the ER, but unlike the effects of ATP this effect was not inhibited by blockade of the inositol trisphosphate receptor. By contrast, ryanodine blocked the effects of hypoxia but not those of ATP. Antioxidants abolished the effects of hypoxia but potentiated the effects of ATP. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase also augmented ATP-evoked responses but was without effect on hypoxia-evoked rises of [Ca2+]i. However, either uncoupling mitochondrial electron transport or inhibiting complex I markedly suppressed the actions of hypoxia yet exerted only small inhibitory effects on ATP-evoked rises of [Ca2+]i. Both hypoxia and ATP were able to activate capacitative Ca2+ entry. Our results indicate that hypoxia regulates intracellular Ca2+ signaling via two distinct pathways. First, it modulates agonist-evoked liberation of Ca2+ from the ER primarily through regulation of reactive oxygen species generation from NADPH oxidase. Second, it liberates Ca2+ from the ER via ryanodine receptors, an effect requiring mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation. These findings suggest that local O2 tension is a major determinant of Ca2+ signaling in the vascular endothelium, a finding that is likely to be of both physiological and pathophysiological importance.
Plasma levels of fibroblast growth factor‐23 are associated with muscle mass in haemodialysis patients

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in haemodialysis (HD) patients, and it contributes to morbidity and mortality. Fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) and Klotho contribute to chronic kidney disease‐mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) in HD patients, but the role that these molecules play in determining nutritional status is currently unknown.
Location, Location, Location: Cytokine Concentrations Are Dependent on Blood Sampling Site

ABSTRACT Objective: Considerable breakthroughs in the field of sepsis have been made using animal models. Sepsis exhibits a wide array of derangements that may be evaluated in the blood, including the release of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The Shock journal adheres to the ARRIVE guidelines regarding reporting in vivo results to allow reproducibility of data findings. It is generally assumed that blood cytokine concentrations collected from typical sampling sites will be similar, but there are no data validating that this is true. The main purpose of the present study was to determine if the location of blood sampling results in cytokine concentration differences following inflammatory insults. Methods: Two different models of acute inflammation were studied. Adult, female ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were injected with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (n = 28) or subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (n = 16). They were killed at early time points following these inflammatory challenges for the collection of blood from the facial vein, retro-orbital sinus, and heart. Additional samples were collected in EDTA and heparin. Plasma cytokines from the same mouse were collected from each sampling site and evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical chemical parameters including plasma blood urea nitrogen and total protein were also analyzed. Results: Regardless of model, time of collection, or cytokine measured, cytokine values from heart blood were higher than facial vein values from the same mouse. Interleukin (IL-6) collected from the heart relative to the facial vein demonstrated elevated concentrations following injection of lipopolysaccharide. In a similar manner, higher concentrations of IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist were found in cardiac puncture samples compared with other sampling sites 24 h after sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Similar differences were not seen when comparing blood urea nitrogen and total protein values from the two different sites. Using plasma IL-6 collected from the heart would incorrectly stratify predicted-to-live mice into the predicted-to-die category. Therefore, a simple linear regression model was developed to correctly restratify mice to their predicted fate. These data demonstrate that proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations are dramatically elevated when drawn centrally from the heart compared with collection from peripheral locations such as the facial vein. It is critical for publications to document the sampling location when evaluating plasma cytokines and attempting to compare studies.
A Quantitative Analysis of OnabotulinumtoxinA, AbobotulinumtoxinA, and IncobotulinumtoxinA: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Prospective Clinical Trial of Comparative Dynamic Strain Reduction

Background: U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved formulations of botulinum toxin include onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox; Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.), abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport; Galderma Pharma S.A., Lausanne, Switzerland), and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin; Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany). This study uses digital image correlation to compare dynamic strain reduction between available neurotoxins. Methods: Seventy-three treatment-naive female patients aged were randomized to injection with onabotulinumtoxinA (20 units), abobotulinumtoxinA (60 units), or incobotulinumtoxinA (20 units) in the glabella. Imaging was conducted at 4, 14, and 90 days after injection. Change in average dynamic strain of the glabella was compared using ANOVA. Results: At day 4, there was a 42.1 percent strain reduction in the onabotulinumtoxinA group, a 39.4 percent strain reduction in the abobotulinumtoxinA group, and a 19.8 percent strain reduction in the incobotulinumtoxinA group (onabotulinumtoxinA versus abobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.77; onabotulinumtoxinA versus incobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.02; and abobotulinumtoxinA versus incobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.04). At day 14, there was a 66.1 percent strain reduction in the onabotulinumtoxinA group, a 51.4 percent strain reduction in the abobotulinumtoxinA group, and a 42.8 percent strain reduction in the incobotulinumtoxinA group (onabotulinumtoxinA versus abobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.14; onabotulinumtoxinA versus incobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.02; and abobotulinumtoxinA versus incobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.36). At day 90, there was a 43.5 percent strain reduction in the onabotulinumtoxinA group, a 38.4 percent strain reduction in the abobotulinumtoxinA group, and a 25.3 percent strain reduction in the incobotulinumtoxinA group (onabotulinumtoxinA versus abobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.66; onabotulinumtoxinA versus incobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.12; and abobotulinumtoxinA versus incobotulinumtoxinA, p = 0.24). Conclusions: Using digital image correlation, the tested neuromodulators do not have equivalent strain reduction in the glabella at the doses used. These results confirm assertions of noninterchangeability. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.
Influence of the Photorhabdus luminescens Phosphomannose Isomerase Gene, manA, on Mannose Utilization, Exopolysaccharide Structure, and Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) is produced by diverse bacterial pathogens and fulfills assorted roles, including providing a structural matrix for biofilm formation and more specific functions in virulence, such as protection against immune defenses. We report here the first investigation of some of the genes important for biofilm formation in Photorhabdus luminescens and demonstrate the key role of the phosphomannose isomerase gene, manA, in the structure of functional EPS. Phenotypic analyses of a manA-deficient mutant showed the importance of EPS in motility, insect virulence, and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces as well as the requirement of this gene for the use of mannose as the sole carbon source. Conversely, this defect had no apparent impact on symbiosis with the heterorhabditid nematode vector. A more detailed analysis of biofilm formation revealed that the manA mutant was able to attach to surfaces with the same efficiency as that of the wild-type strain but could not develop the more extended biofilm matrix structures. A compositional analysis of P. luminescens EPS reveals how the manA mutation has a major effect on the formation of a complete, branched EPS.
Stereotyping Executives in Japan and the United States : Optimistic Women , Conservative Men

Introduction The working conditions of American women have improved and the number of female workers at all levels of the organizational hierarchy has increased (Catalyst, 2003a). Nevertheless, the movement of women into the upper echelons of management have been slow. According to Catalyst (2003a), 13.6% of board seats of the Fortune 500 companies in 2003 were women, an increase from 9.6% in 1995. Furthermore, they reported that women held 15.7% of corporate officers/executive managers in Fortune 500 companies (Catalyst, 2003b). Although there are still small numbers of women in higher positions, the number of women in these top positions has increased. In contrast to changes in America, only recently has the idea that men and women be treated more equally in Japan seriously been considered. With the revision of the Equal Employment Opportunities Law (1999; Japan Institute, 2003), the government has tried to improve the situation of working women. A survey by the Japan Institute of Workers’ Evolution revealed that of those eligible to work, the percentage of women working was 48.3% in 2003, compared to men whose rate was 75.1%. The proportion of women in higher posts is especially small in Japanese companies. In 2003, the percentage of women in various managerial classifications in Japan was as follows: 2.7% in director posts, 5.0% in section manager jobs, and 11.0% in section chief positions. For companies with operations in both countries, the difference in the number of women in managerial positions is stark. For example, at the U.S. computer company, Hewlett-Packard (HP), over 25 percent of its female workforce is in managerial posts in the United States. On the other hand, fewer than 4 percent of the women working for HP in Japan have managerial jobs (Woods, 2005). At Sony, 32.7% of managerial positions were held by women in the U.S. in 2004 whereas in 2005 only 2.9% of the managers of the Japanese Sony workforce were women. Why are there such huge differences in the number of women in management positions in the U.S. and Japan? Specifically, why are there very small numbers of Japanese women in managerial positions?
Microarray analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐infected monocytes reveals IL26 as a new candidate gene for tuberculosis susceptibility

Differences in the activity of monocytes/macrophages, important target cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, might influence tuberculosis progression. With the purpose of identifying candidate genes for tuberculosis susceptibility we infected monocytes from both healthy elderly individuals (a tuberculosis susceptibility group) and elderly tuberculosis patients with M. tuberculosis, and performed a microarray experiment. We detected 78 differentially expressed transcripts and confirmed these results by quantitative PCR of selected genes. We found that monocytes from tuberculosis patients showed similar expression patterns for these genes, regardless of whether they were obtained from younger or older patients. Only one of the detected genes corresponded to a cytokine: IL26, a member of the interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) cytokine family which we found to be down‐regulated in infected monocytes from tuberculosis patients. Non‐infected monocytes secreted IL‐26 constitutively but they reacted strongly to M. tuberculosis infection by decreasing IL‐26 production. Furthermore, IL‐26 serum concentrations appeared to be lower in the tuberculosis patients. When whole blood was infected, IL‐26 inhibited the observed pathogen‐killing capability. Although lymphocytes expressed IL26R, the receptor mRNA was not detected in either monocytes or neutrophils, suggesting that the inhibition of anti‐mycobacterial activity may be mediated by lymphocytes. Additionally, IL‐2 concentrations in infected blood were lower in the presence of IL‐26. The negative influence of IL‐26 on the anti‐mycobacterial activity and its constitutive presence in both serum and monocyte supernatants prompt us to propose IL26 as a candidate gene for tuberculosis susceptibility.
THE EFFECTS OF PERINATAL CHOLINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT IN RATS EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL DURING THE BRAIN GROWTH SPURT

OF THE THESIS The Effects of Perinatal Choline Supplementation on Cholinergic System Development in Rats Exposed to Alcohol During the Brain Growth Spurt by Bradley R. Monk Master of Arts in Psychology San Diego State University, 2011 Prenatal alcohol exposure leads to long-lasting deficits in learning and memory as well as hyperactivity. Using a rat model, we have previously shown that choline supplementation during early development can reduce the severity of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), including deficits in learning and memory. Choline is a quatranary amine, classified as an essential nutrient. It subserves various signaling pathways, as a precursor for platelet-activating factor, sphingosylphosphocholine, diacylglycerol, and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is not yet known how choline is able to mitigate alcohol-related learning deficits; however, defining these mechanisms could lead to the identification of additional treatments for FASD. It is hypothesized that choline mitigates alcohol-related learning and memory deficits, in part, by altering cholinergic signaling in the hippocampus, a CNS structure well-known for its role in memory formation and consolidation. To test this hypothesis, quantitative autoradiography was used to measure hippocampal density of M1 and M2 muscarinic receptor subtypes that bind acetylcholine. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were orally intubated with ethanol (5.25mg/kg/day) from postnatal days (PD) 4-9, a period of brain development equivalent to the human 3 rd trimester; control subjects received sham intubations. From PD 4-30, subjects were injected s.c. with choline chloride (100 mg/kg/day) or saline vehicle. After choline treatment was complete, ambulatory behavior was assessed in an open field chamber for 1 hour per night from PD 30-33. Brain tissue was collected on PD 35 for autoradiographic analysis. Behavioral analysis revealed that ethanol-exposed subjects were more active compared to controls during the first two days of testing; however, activity levels of ethanolexposed subjects treated with choline were not statistically different from that of controls. Physiologically, developmental alcohol exposure significantly decreased the density of muscarinic M1 receptors, an effect that was not altered by choline supplementation. In contrast, developmental alcohol exposure significantly increased M2 receptor density, an effect mitigated by choline supplementation. In fact, M2 receptor density of subjects exposed to alcohol and treated with choline did not differ significantly from that of controls. Furthermore, neonatal choline exposure significantly increased choline transporter density in the hippocampus. These data suggest that perinatal alcohol exposure can cause long-lasting changes in the development of the cholinergic system. This study further shows that choline vii supplementation may attenuate alcohol-related behavioral changes by normalizing cholinergic function, possibly by increasing the availability of choline for acetylcholine synthesis.
Trends in underweight, overweight and body mass index among elderly population of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate body mass index (BMI - kg/m2) trend of the elderly (superior 60 y) in the poorest (Northeast) and richest (Southeast) regions of Brazil. METHOD Household surveys conducted in 1975, 1989 and 1997 measured weight and stature of a probabilistic sample of about 18,000 elderly people. Weighted prevalences were calculated and analysis took into account the sample design. RESULTS In the entire period, the prevalence of overweight doubled reaching 37.4% for men and 50.6% for women in the most recent survey. Although there was an important reduction in the prevalence of underweight, these percentages were still high in the poorest region for both sexes in 1997 (13%). The increase in BMI in the period from 1975 to 1989 was significant for all subgroups, except for the men living in the rural area of the richest region, but this group was the only one that presented a significant increase in the BMI in the 1989--1997 period. CONCLUSIONS Overweight has highly prevalent among the elderly. However there was no trend of increasing BMI in the last period, except for men living in the rural area of the richest region. Underweight is still an important nutritional problem in the poorest region.
Enamel mineralization and an initial crystalline phase.

In this communication, we summarized our recent experimental approaches to an unsettled issue, i.e., the nature and role of an acidic precursor in enamel mineralization. The objectives we specially focused our attention on are: the composition, structure and high resolution images of enamel crystals at various developmental stages, thermodynamic and kinetic consideration of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) vs hydroxyapatite (HA) precipitation in physiological media simulating the enamel fluid, reversible changes in the composition and structure of OCP, effects of fluoride at low concentrations and enamel proteins on OCP hydrolysis, and adsorption of enamel proteins onto OCP and fluoridated hydrolysates at neutral pH and room temperature. On the basis of all experimental evidence, we propose that enamel crystal growth comprises two events: the two-dimensional growth of an OCP-like precursor in a narrow outermost zone adjacent to the ameloblasts and the subsequent overgrowth of apatite units on the template under discrete fluid environment in the underlying region distant from the cell layer. The experimental data also support the concept that the whole process of enamel mineralization is modulated substantially through interaction between enamel proteins and crystals including the acidic precursor.
A Fruiting Body Tissue Method for EfficientAgrobacterium-Mediated Transformation ofAgaricus bisporus

ABSTRACT We describe a modified Agrobacterium-mediated method for the efficient transformation of Agaricus bisporus. Salient features of this procedure include cocultivation ofAgrobacterium and fruiting body gill tissue and use of a vector with a homologous promoter. This method offers new prospects for the genetic manipulation of this commercially important mushroom species.
Increased vegetative development and sturdiness of storekeeper-transgenic tobacco

The STOREKEEPER (STK) family of DNA-binding proteins work as transcription factors and the ectopic expression of two stk-like genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, stk01 (At1g61730) and stk03 (At4g00238), in tobacco increased the number of vegetative internodes and promoted plant and leaf size, stem diameter and sturdiness. The development of these plants started with rosette formation while pronounced shoot elongation and flowering was delayed. Moreover, when the STK01 and STK03 proteins were fused to the Herpes Simplex Virus VP16 transcriptional activation domain and expressed in tobacco the vigorous storekeeper-phenotype did not appear indicating that transgenic STK-like proteins in part worked as repressors of tobacco reproductive development. Furthermore, Yeast Two-Hybrid screenings proved that STK01 and STK03 can form homodimers and heterodimers with further members of the STKlike family. Therefore, we assume that interactions between transgenic Arabidopsis STKs and resident tobacco STKs could have contributed to the observed developmental changes in transgenic tobacco. Our findings open up promising applications for overexpression of stk-like genes in crops that benefit from increased sturdiness and vegetative organ development, such as tobacco in molecular farming approaches, biomass-based energy crops and medicinal plants that produce bioactive compounds in leaves.
Aging Men and Lipids

Many theories aim at explaining the mechanisms of aging and death in humans. Decreased levels of androgens, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor accompany natural aging in men. Androgens influence the growth and maturation of men in various stages of their life. The action of androgens is performed by binding or not binding to androgen receptors. However, various actions of androgens were clarified after the discovery and genotyping of the androgen receptor. The influence of androgens on the lipid profile was reported by several researchers. This negative influence of androgens in men and the positive influence of estrogens in women are responsible for the higher impact of atherogenesis in men compared with women. In aging men, this negative influence of androgens on the lipid profile is more pronounced. This review considers the influence of age on lipid metabolism in men.