Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Number of teeth, body mass index, and dental anxiety in middle-aged Swedish women

Risk factors for poor dental health include obesity, low socio-economic status, poor dietary habits, and dental anxiety. The aim of this study was to explore the complex relation between body mass index (BMI) and number of teeth in middle-aged women taking education, dietary intake patterns, dental care utilization, and dental anxiety into account. Three groups of women (37-60 years): reference women (group I, BMI 23.8 - 3.1 kg/m2), obese women (group II, BMI 35.0 - 2.6 kg/m2), and severely obese women (group III, BMI 41.0 - 3.4 kg/m2) were included. Questionnaires were used to assess education, smoking, number of teeth, dental care utilization, dental anxiety, dietary intake, and meal patterns. Age, education, and smoking habits did not differ significantly between groups. However, there were significant global differences in number of teeth (27.2 - 3.4, 23.0 - 9.2, 24.7 - 5.9) and reported daily energy intake (9756 - 3363 kJ, 10344 - 3850 kJ, 11970 - 3786 kJ in groups I, II, and III, respectively). In a multiple regression model, a lower number of teeth was independently associated with higher age, higher BMI, lower education, irregular dental care, high dental anxiety, higher energy intake, and lower iron intake. These variables explained 25% of the variation in number of teeth. In conclusion, BMI is an independent predictor of number of teeth in middle-aged women when socio-economic, dietary, and psychological factors are taken into account.
Nerve growth factor-induced derepression of peripherin gene expression is associated with alterations in proteins binding to a negative regulatory element

The peripherin gene, which encodes a neuronal-specific intermediate filament protein, is transcriptionally induced with a late time course when nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates PC12 cells to differentiate into neurons. We have studied its transcriptional regulation in order to better understand the neuronal-specific end steps of the signal transduction pathway of NGF. By 5' deletion mapping of the peripherin promoter, we have localized two positive regulatory elements necessary for full induction by NGF: a distal positive element and a proximal constitutive element within 111 bp of the transcriptional start site. In addition, there is a negative regulatory element (NRE; -179 to -111), the deletion of which results in elevated basal expression of the gene. Methylation interference footprinting of the NRE defined a unique sequence, GGCAGGGCGCC, as the binding site for proteins present in nuclear extracts from both undifferentiated and differentiated PC12 cells. However, DNA mobility shift assays using an oligonucleotide probe containing the footprinted sequence demonstrate a prominent retarded complex in extracts from undifferentiated PC12 cells which migrates with slower mobility than do the complexes produced by using differentiated PC12 cell extract. Transfection experiments using peripherin-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs in which the footprinted sequence has been mutated confirm that the NRE has a functional, though not exclusive, role in repressing peripherin expression in undifferentiated and nonneuronal cells. We propose a two-step model of activation of peripherin by NGF in which dissociation of a repressor from the protein complex at the NRE, coupled with a positive signal from the distal positive element, results in depression of the gene.
Search for genes involved in Joubert syndrome: evidence that one or more major loci are yet to be identified and exclusion of candidate genes EN1, EN2, FGF8, and BARHL1.

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare autosomal recessive malformation syndrome involving agenesis or dysgenesis of the cerebellar vermis with accompanying brainstem malformations. JS is further characterized by hypotonia, developmental delay, intermittent hyperpnea, and abnormal eye movements. The biochemical and molecular basis of JS remains unknown, although several genes that are crucial in the development of the cerebellum have been proposed as attractive candidate genes. JS is clinically heterogeneous; this, together with previous linkage analyses, suggests that there may also be genetic heterogeneity. A locus for JS was previously identified on chromosome 9q34 by linkage analysis in a consanguineous family of Arabian origin. A putative second JS locus was recently suggested when a deletion on chromosome 17p11.2 was observed in a patient with Smith-Magenis syndrome and JS phenotype. We have investigated a cohort of apparently unrelated North American JS pedigrees for association with the loci on chromosomes 9q34 and 17p11.2 and excluded them in all cases where data were informative. Analysis of an additional 21 unrelated JS patients showed no evidence of homozygosity at the 9q34 and 17p11.2 loci that would suggest inheritance of founder JS mutation(s) or unreported consanguinity. Together, these data suggest that one or more major loci for JS remain to be identified. Consequently, we undertook mutation analysis of several functional candidate genes, EN1, EN2, and FGF8, in a total of 26 unrelated JS patients. Our data suggest that all of these genes may be excluded from a direct pathogenic role in JS. The BARHL1 gene, which localizes to chromosome 9q34 and has previously been proposed as a strong positional candidate gene for JS, was also investigated and excluded from involvement in JS that is linked to chromosome 9q34.
Effect of Different Intermediary Bases on Microleakage of a Restorative Material in Class II Box Cavities of Primary Teeth

Introduction The aim of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the effect of different intermediary bases on microleakage between tooth and a nanocomposite interface in Class II box cavities in primary teeth. Methods Standard Class II box cavities were prepared in 52 primary molars and randomly divided into 9 groups according to the intermediary base used (Multicore Flow, Fuji II LC, SDR, Smart Dentin Replacement, and Biodentine). All specimens were subjected to thermocycling and prepared for microleakage testing and evaluation. Results There was significant difference in the mean ranks of microleakage between the 9 groups, which was observed in the gingival side (p<0.0001) and the occlusal side (p<0.0001). The mean ranks microleakage was significantly higher with experimental SDR, experimental Multicore Flow, and positive control materials when compared with the other 6 groups. The microleakage mean ranks were statistically significantly lower in experimental Fuji II LC, experimental Biodentine, and all negative control groups when compared with the other 3 groups. Conclusions Microleakage is affected by the application of intermediate material. Experimental Biodentine and Fuji II LC showed the lowest microleakage while experimental SDR and experimental Multicore Flow showed the highest microleakage.
Low prevalence of hyperphosphatemia independent of residual renal function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate serum phosphorus control in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, with and without residual renal function, by investigating the metabolic balance of phosphorus. METHODS We assessed serum phosphorus levels in 205 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The clinical factors related to serum phosphorus were also examined, including dietary phosphate intake, dietary protein intake (DPI), phosphate removal through urine and dialysate, doses of phosphorus binder and vitamin D, and serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Nutritional indexes, including serum albumin (Alb), lean body mass (LBM), hand-grip strength (HGS), and subjective global assessment (SGA), were also assessed. Dialysis adequacy and residual renal function (RRF) were calculated by a standard technique. Patients with RRF <2 mL/min were viewed as having no significant RRF. Hyperphosphatemia was diagnosed in patients with serum phosphorus levels >1.78 mmol/L. RESULTS The mean serum phosphorus level of all patients was 1.6 +/- 0.5 mmol/L (mean +/- SD). Only 58 of 205 patients (28%) had hyperphosphatemia. The average DPI was 0.8 +/- 0.3 g/kg/d, whereas the average dietary phosphorus intake was 691 +/- 201 mg/d. There were no differences in mean serum phosphorus levels or incidents of hyperphosphatemia between patients with and without RRF (1.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L vs. 1.7 +/- 0.5 mmol/L, P = .256; 22% vs. 31%, P = .336). Although total phosphorus removal through urine and dialysate was lower in the 115 patients without RRF than in the 90 patients with RRF (270 +/- 106 mg vs. 333 +/- 129 mg, P = .000), they simultaneously had a lower dietary phosphorus intake (656 +/- 191 mg vs. 713 +/- 215 mg, P = .046). In addition, patients without RRF had significantly lower DPI, Alb, LBM, and right HGS levels than patients with RRF (P < .01-.05). In those without RRF, the 79 patients without hyperphosphatemia had significantly lower DPI, LBM, and HGS levels, and a higher prevalence of malnutrition diagnosed by SGA, than the 36 patients with hyperphosphatemia (P < .001-.05). However, in patients with RRF, there was no difference in nutritional index between patients with and without hyperphosphatemia (P > .05). CONCLUSION A relatively lower prevalence of hyperphosphatemia existed in CAPD patients both with and without RRF, which may be associated with incremental dialysis, the correct administration of phosphorus binder, and a lower protein and phosphorus intake. However, patients without RRF, especially those without hyperphosphatemia, ran the risk of malnutrition, despite a well-controlled phosphorus intake.
Promoting health in multicultural populations : a handbook for practitioners

Foreword - Lawrence Green PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS Health Promotion in the Context of Culture - Robert M Huff and Michael V Kline Cross-Cultural Concepts of Health and Disease - Robert M Huff Models, Theories and Principles of Health Promotion with Multicultural Populations - C James Frankish, Chris Y Lovato and William Shannon Planning Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs in Multicultural Populations - Michael V Kline Tips for the Practitioner - Michael V Kline and Robert M Huff PART TWO: HISPANIC/LATINO POPULATIONS Hispanic/Latino Health and Disease - Lucina Suarez and Amelie G Ramirez An Overview Health Promotion in Latino Polulations - Felipe G Castro, Santos C Vega and Marya K Cota A Sociocultural Model for Program Planning, Development and Evaluation Community-Level Diabetes Control in a Texas Barrio - Amelie G Ramirez, Roberto Villarreal and Patricia Chalela A Case Study Tips for Working with Hispanic Populations - Robert M Huff and Michael V Kline PART THREE: AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATIONS Promoting Health among Black American Populations - Joyce W Hopp and Patti Herring An Overview Health Promotion Planning in African American Communities - Mary Ashley Promoting Health in African American Populations - Gina Wingood A Case Study Tips for Working with Black American Populations - Robert M Huff and Michael V Kline PART FOUR: AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE POPULATIONS American Indian and Alaska Native Populations in the United States - Felicia S Hodge and Larri Fredericks An Overview Assessment, Program Planning and Evaluation in Indian Country - Bonnie Duran and Eduardo Duran Toward a Postcolonial Practice Traditional Approaches to Health Care among American Indians and Alaska Natives - Larri Fredericks and Felicia S Hodge A Case Study Tips for Working with American Indian and Alaska Native Populations - Robert M Huff and Michael V Kline PART FIVE: ASIAN AMERICAN POPULATIONS Asian American Health and Disease - Jillian Inouye An Overview of the Issues Assessing Needs and Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs among Asian American Population Groups - June G English and Anh L[ci]e Promoting Health among Asian American Population Groups - Dianne N Ishida A Case Study from the Field Tips for Working with Asian American Populations - Michael V Kline and Robert M Huff PART SIX: PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATIONS Pacific Islander Health and Disease - John Casken An Overview Health Promotion Planning in Pacific Islander Population Groups - Gregory Loos Promoting Health in Pacific Islander Populations - D William Wood and Claire Hughes Case Studies Tips for Working with Pacific Islander Populations - Robert M Huff and Michael V Kline PART SEVEN: CONCLUSIONS The Cultural Assessment Framework - Robert M Huff and Michael V Kline Moving into the Twenty-First Century - Michael V Kline and Robert M Huff Final Thoughts about Multicultural Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Cell Lysis is Responsible for the Appearance of Extracellular Urease in Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a neutralophilic bacterium that colonizes the acidic human gastric surface using the neutralizing capacity of a constitutively produced urease. Urease is present both in the cytoplasm and bound to the outside surface of the bacteria. The origin of the surface urease continues to be controversial. This study provides additional evidence that the origin of surface urease is cell lysis, not secretion.
A Side-Pump Coupler With Refractive Index Valley Configuration for Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers

A side-pump coupler with a refractive index valley was investigated theoretically and experimentally. The high pump coupling efficiency and the suppression of backward light propagation due to the refractive index valley are illustrated. Based on the analysis, the (2+1) × 1 pump and signal coupler with both pump coupling efficiency and signal transfer efficiency of > 96% and the BR of 2.82 was implemented, which accompanied with the maximum pump power of 398 W. And based on these couplers, an all-fiber bi-directionally pumping MOPA laser with an output power of 256 W and optical-optical efficiency of 80.5% was achieved in the experiment.
Hand Hygiene Adherence Among Health Care Workers at Japanese Hospitals: A Multicenter Observational Study in Japan

Background Although proper hand hygiene among health care workers is an important component of efforts to prevent health care–associated infection, there are few data available on adherence to hand hygiene practices in Japan. Objectives The aim of this study was to examine hand hygiene adherence at teaching hospitals in Japan. Methods An observational study was conducted from July to November 2011 in 4 units (internal medicine, surgery, intensive care, and/or emergency department) in 4 geographically diverse hospitals (1 university hospital and 3 community teaching hospitals) in Japan. Hand hygiene practice before patient contact was assessed by an external observer. Results In a total of 3545 health care worker–patient observations, appropriate hand hygiene practice was performed in 677 (overall adherence, 19%; 95% confidence interval, 18%–20%). Subgroup rates of hand hygiene adherence were 15% among physicians and 23% among nurses. The ranges of adherence were 11% to 25% between hospitals and 11% to 31% between units. Adherence of the nurses and the physicians to hand hygiene was correlated within each hospital. There was a trend toward higher hand hygiene adherence in hospitals with infection control nurses, compared with hospitals without them (29% versus 16%). Conclusions The hand hygiene adherence in Japanese teaching hospitals in our sample was low, even lower than reported mean values from other international studies. Greater adherence to hand hygiene should be encouraged in Japan.
Impact des effets thermiques sur le comportement du matériau lors de la mise en forme des aciers à l'état semi-solide : analyses expérimentale et numérique

Cette these s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche sur la mise en forme des aciers a l'etat semi-solide, lance en 1998 a l'ENSAM de Metz en partenariat avec ASCOMETAL CREAS. Ces travaux ont pour objectifs de caracteriser, modeliser, et simuler le comportement des aciers a l'etat semi-solide. Dans cette optique, des essais experimentaux ont ete menes au cours de cette these pour analyser l'influence de certains parametres sur le comportement. Trois essais rheologiques ont ete utilises : la compression, le filage direct et le filage radial. L'influence primordiale des effets thermiques est presentee. Couples avec des simulations numeriques, ces resultats experimentaux sont analyses pour comprendre l'influence des echanges thermiques sur la microstructure, plus particulierement sur la fraction de liquide, et l'impact sur le comportement global du lopin a l'etat semisolide. Cette analyse porte sur la mise en forme du lopin, mais egalement sur le transfert du lopin du systeme de chauffage a l'outillage actif. Par ailleurs, l'influence de la vitesse de deformation, et celle de la nuance de l'acier, sont egalement etudiees. En s'appuyant sur ces resultats, la modelisation micro-macro du comportement des semi-solides a l'etat stationnaire, proposee par le LPMM durant la these de Rouff, a ete developpee. La principale variable interne a ete modifiee pour prendre en compte les effets thermiques et le caractere progressif (et non plus instantanee) de l'evolution de la microstructure. Ce modele a finalement ete implante dans le code d'elements finis Forge2© et les premiers resultats predictifs en simulation sont presentes. Cette these propose par ailleurs un certain nombre de perspectives, tant pour la recherche universitaire que pour l'industrialisation du procede de thixoforgeage.
Saporin toxin‐conjugated monoclonal antibody targeting prostate‐specific membrane antigen has potent anticancer activity

Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) provides an attractive target for monoclonal antibody targeted therapies in the treatment of prostate cancer (PC). In this study, we generated an immunotoxin by linking a humanized anti‐PSMA monoclonal antibody (hJ591) to the ribosome‐inactivating protein toxin saporin. The hJ591–saporin immunoconjugate was evaluated for antitumor activity against PC cells.
Radioiodine treatment and oxidative stress in thyroidectomised patients for differentiated thyroid cancers.

Post-operative radioiodine treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer occupies a well determined place in the treatment policy of this disease. Since little is known about erythrocytes oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with thyroid cancers after radioiodine treatment, we measured erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of GSH-Peroxidase and GSH-Reductase as antioxidants. We found that erythrocyte MDA levels were significantly higher, and erythrocyte GSH levels and activities of GSH-related enzymes were significantly lower in thyroidectomised patients after surgery than in healthy controls. Additionally, according to their thyroid hormone levels the patients had hypothyroidism at this time. In patients 2 days after radioiodine treatment both MDA and GSH levels and GSH-related enzyme activities were significantly increased when compared to their own initial levels. In conclusion, we suggested that radioiodine could facilitate or induce significant oxidant/antioxidant changes in erythrocytes-indirectly as a result of the internal radiotherapy with radioiodine.
A suitable biomarker of effect, club cell protein 16, from crystalline silica exposure among Thai stone-carving workers

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) reportedly induces chronic lung injury. We investigated the association between RCS exposure and two biomarkers of the effect, plasma club cell protein 16 (CC16) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels, in stone-carving workers. Fifty-seven exposed workers (EWs) and 20 unexposed workers (UWs) were enrolled onto the study. Cumulative exposure to RCS was individually estimated using a filter-based gravimetric method. The plasma CC16 and HO-1 levels were determined using commercial kits. The 8-h time-weighted average for RCS concentration in the EW was significantly greater than this concentration in the UW (p < 0.001). The health risk characterization for RCS exposure expressed as a hazard quotient (HQ) indicated that crystalline silica might be a risk factor where there is chronic exposure (HQ = 4.48). The EW group presented a significant decrease in CC16 and an increase in HO-1 levels in comparison to the UW group (p < 0.001). In addition, we found a significant association between RCS concentration and plasma CC16 only. Therefore, our findings representing a significant decrease in CC16 in the plasma of stone-carving workers and this biological marker were significantly associated with RCS concentration. Our data indicated that CC16 might be a suitable biomarker to use to predict the health risk to stone-carving workers of exposure to RCS.
Ultrasound Guidance for Lateral Midfemoral Sciatic Nerve Block: A Prospective, Comparative, Randomized Study

Block of the sciatic nerve at the midfemoral level is usually performed using nerve stimulation techniques. We investigated the efficacy of ultrasound, combined with nerve stimulation, to locate and block the sciatic nerve at the lateral midfemoral level compared to nerve stimulation alone. Sixty-one patients scheduled for foot and ankle surgery were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Thirty patients underwent a lateral block of the sciatic nerve at the midfemoral level guided by ultrasound (group US) and 31 patients received the block without ultrasound (group ES). Once an adequate motor response was obtained using nerve stimulation, 35 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% was administered. The main end-points of the study were: number of attempts to obtain an adequate motor response, success rate of nerve location at the first attempt, quality and duration of both sensory and motor blocks, and anesthetic distribution. The success of sciatic nerve location at the first attempt was significantly more frequent in the US group than in the ES group (76.6% versus 41.9%; P < 0.001). The quality of the sensory block and the tolerance to the pneumatic tourniquet were also significantly better in the US group (P < 0.01). We conclude that ultrasound combined with nerve stimulation improved the quality of the sensory block and the tolerance to the pneumatic tourniquet, reducing the number of attempts to perform sciatic nerve block at the midfemoral level.
Toll-like receptor triggering augments activation of human mast cells by anti-citrullinated protein antibodies

Objective Mast cells may play a role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but activation of human mast cells in autoimmune settings has been little studied. Toll-like receptors (TLR) and Fcγ receptors (FcγR) are important receptors for cellular activation in the joint, but expression and stimulation of these receptors in human mast cells or the functional interplay between these pathways is poorly understood. Here, we analysed triggering of human mast cells via these receptors in the context of anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive (ACPA+) RA. Methods RNA and protein expression of TLRs and FcγR was quantified using PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. Mast cells were stimulated with TLR ligands (including HSP70) combined with IgG immune complexes and IgG-ACPA. Results Human mast cells expressed TLRs and produced cytokines in response to TLR ligands. Both cultured and synovial mast cells expressed FcγRIIA, and triggering of this receptor by IgG immune complexes synergised with activation by TLR ligands, leading to two- to fivefold increased cytokine levels. Mast cells produced cytokines in response to ACPA immune complexes in a citrulline-specific manner, which synergised in the presence of HSP70. Conclusions Our data show that synovial mast cells express FcγRIIA and that mast cells can be activated by IgG-ACPA and TLR ligands. Importantly, combined stimulation via TLRs and immune complexes leads to synergy in cytokine production. These findings suggest mast cells are important targets for TLR ligands and immune complexes, and that combined activation of mast cells via these pathways greatly enhances inflammation in synovial tissue of RA patients.