Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Characterization of Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED)

Abstract Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) provide a new attractive source for stem cells; in this study we further characterize SHED. SHED were isolated, differentiated using osteogenic/ odontogenic differentiation media, characterized using light microscope, SEM and immunocytochemistry using CD44. Also, Immunohistochemistry using CD44 was performed on extirpated pulp tissues. We found that a naturally exfoliated human tooth contains a population of stem cells that attain morphological homogeneity after the first passage, on adding the osteogenic/odontogenic medium, sporadic noduleshaped structures were observed after two weeks that were positively stained with alizarin red and von Kossa stains. SHED stained with H& E showed a basophilic, eccentric nucleus with an eosinophilic cytoplasm in which two differently stained areas were clearly distinguishable. Also we found using SEM that SHED spread on the UBM scaffolds surfaces showing multiple filopodia and formed collagen-like structures by the seventh day. After three weeks, seeded scaffolds incubated in osteogenic/odontogenic media showed many mineralized nodules in the ECM. Cultured SHED revealed positive immunoreactivity when treated with CD44. Also, sections of pulp tissue treated with CD44 depict positively stained cells situated mainly in the perivascular areas reinforcing the hypothesis that pericytes may be the origin of SHED.
Salivary gland involvement in rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship to induced oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES The objective of the present study was to analyse salivary gland and free radical involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Thirty-four consenting RA patients (rheumatoid factor-positive) and 18 healthy controls, matched in age and gender, participated in the study. Plasma and saliva samples were harvested and subjected to compositional analysis and various free radical-related tests. RESULTS The mean salivary flow rate was lower in the RA patients than in the control group, whereas all plasma and salivary antioxidants were increased. Mean values of plasma malondialdehyde and ceruloplasmin were higher in the RA patients. CONCLUSIONS The effects of RA on salivary gland flow rates and antioxidant compositional parameters may be of great importance for the further elucidation of the role of free radicals in RA pathogenesis and for its general diagnosis and evaluation. The demonstrated correlation between the altered salivary parameters and the severity of the disease may indicate that evaluation of the salivary status of RA patients is warranted.
Interobserver Reliability of the Chest Radiograph in Pulmonary Embolism

This study was sought to evaluate the interobserver agreement for interpreting the chest radiograph of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The chest radiographs of 300 patients with clinically suspected acute PE were reviewed by 4 radiologists. Observers assessed the chest radiographic abnormalities and classified the chest radiograph as normal or abnormal. We found that the overall interobserver agreement was good for the exclusion of any pleural or parenchymal abnormality (k = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.56-0.64) but fair (k = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.17-0.40) between junior radiologists when evaluating supine chest radiographs. The level of interobserver agreement for the interpretation of the chest radiograph as consistent or not with PE was fair (k = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.19-0.29), regardless of the observer experience. In conclusion, chest radiography may be reliably used for targeting patients with suspected acute PE for different subsequent diagnostic investigations.
GAMMA-RAY LIGHT CURVES AND VARIABILITY OF BRIGHT FERMI-DETECTED BLAZARS

This paper presents light curves as well as the first systematic characterization of variability of the 106 objects in the high-confidence Fermi Large Area Telescope Bright AGN Sample (LBAS). Weekly light curves of this sample, obtained during the first 11 months of the Fermi survey (2008 August 4–2009 July 4), are tested for variability and their properties are quantified through autocorrelation function and structure function analysis. For the brightest sources, 3 or 4 day binned light curves are extracted in order to determine power density spectra (PDSs) and to fit the temporal structure of major flares. More than 50% of the sources are found to be variable with high significance, where high states do not exceed 1/4 of the total observation range. Variation amplitudes are larger for flat spectrum radio quasars and low/intermediate synchrotron frequency peaked BL Lac objects. Autocorrelation timescales derived from weekly light curves vary from four to a dozen of weeks. Variable sources of the sample have weekly and 3–4 day bin light curves that can be described by 1/fα PDS, and show two kinds of gamma-ray variability: (1) rather constant baseline with sporadic flaring activity characterized by flatter PDS slopes resembling flickering and red noise with occasional intermittence and (2)—measured for a few blazars showing strong activity—complex and structured temporal profiles characterized by long-term memory and steeper PDS slopes, reflecting a random walk underlying mechanism. The average slope of the PDS of the brightest 22 FSRQs and of the 6 brightest BL Lacs is 1.5 and 1.7, respectively. The study of temporal profiles of well-resolved flares observed in the 10 brightest LBAS sources shows that they generally have symmetric profiles and that their total duration vary between 10 and 100 days. Results presented here can assist in source class recognition for unidentified sources and can serve as reference for more detailed analysis of the brightest gamma-ray blazars.
Hungarian language contact outside Hungary : studies on Hungarian as a minority language

1. List of tables 2. List of figures 3. List of maps 4. List of abbreviations 5. About the authors 6. Acknowledgements 7. Introduction (by Fenyvesi, Anna) 8. Typological and theoretical aspects of Hungarian in contact with other languages (by Thomason, Sarah G.) 9. Contextualizing the Sociolinguistics of Hungarian Outside Hungary project (by Kontra, Miklos) 10. Hungarian in Slovakia (by Lanstyak, Istvan) 11. Hungarian in Ukraine (by Csernicsko, Istvan) 12. Hungarian in Romania (by Beno, Attila) 13. The Csangos of Romania (by Sandor, Klara) 14. Hungarian in the former Yugoslavia (Vojvodina and Prekmurje) (by Goncz, Lajos) 15. Hungarian in Austria (by Bodo, Csanad) 16. Hungarian in the United States (by Fenyvesi, Anna) 17. Hungarian in Australia (by Kovacs, Magdolna) 18. The grammars of Hungarian outside Hungary from a linguistic-typological perspective (by Groot, Casper de) 19. Bibliography 20. Appendix: The linguistic questions of the SHOH questionnaire 21. Index
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: hearing loss and other atypical features of patients with large 4q35 deletions

Background and purpose: Patients affected by facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) with unusual large 4q35 deletions tend to present atypical features in early childhood. We explored the clinical presentation of patients with a very short 4q35 fragment (10–13 kb) focusing on hearing loss, a still debated FSHD extramuscular manifestation.
Shape variation and ontogeny of the ruminant bony labyrinth, an example in Tragulidae

Despite its growing use in anatomical and ecological studies, the morphological variability and ontogenetic development of the bony labyrinth have very rarely been investigated in ruminants. Here we study its morphology in 15 adult and 10 juvenile specimens in the three extant tragulid ruminant genera. Intraspecific and interspecific variability is quantified using morphometric and 3D geometric morphometrics analyses. The bony labyrinth of Tragulus, Hyemoschus, and Moschiola is strikingly different, clustering in clearly different morphospaces despite similar ecological adaptations. Although the bony labyrinths within two species of the same genus cannot be distinguished from each other based on the chosen semi‐landmarks, discrete interspecific differences exist. We were able to show for the first time that an artiodactyl mammal in a late fetal stage possesses an almost fully formed bony labyrinth similar to that of adults. No significant change either occurs in size or morphology after ossification of the petrosal bone. Some intraspecific variation is observed on the shape of the lateral semi‐circular canal, the size and shape of the common crus, the coil of the cochlea or the stapedial ratio. Variable structures are expected to be highly informative characters for a large cladistic analysis. They can be used for phylogenetic studies in ruminants. Incorporating juvenile specimens in studies is not problematic, as they fall within the morphological range of adults.
“Orientalism - Western Conceptions of the Orient”

Seite 41 From 1815 to 1914 European direct colonial dominion expanded from about 35 percent of the earth’s surface to about 85 percent of it. For much of the nineteenth Century, as Lord Salisbury put it in 1881, the common view of France and England of the Orient was was : “if you are bent on meddling in a country in which you are deeply interested —you have three courses open to you. You may renounce—or monopolize—or share. Renouncing would have been to place the French across our road to India. Monopolizing would have been near the risk of war. So we resolved to share. “ What they shared, however, was not only land or profit or rule; it was the kind of intellectual power I have been calling Orientalism. 42 If the essence of Orientalism is the ineradicable distinction between Western superiority and Oriental inferiority, then we must be prepared to note how in its development and subsequent history, Orientalism deepened and even hardened the distinction. 108 No better instance exists today of what Anwar Abdel Malek calls „the hegemonism of possessing minorities“ and anthropocentrism allied with Europocentrism: a white middle-class Westerner believes it his human prerogative not only to manage the nonwhite world but also to own it, just because by definition „it“ is not quite as human as „we“ are. There is no purer example than this of dehumanized thought.
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration into cerebral focal ischemic tissue: Myeloperoxidase activity assay and histologic verification

Two different techniques were utilized to identify the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) into cerebral tissue following focal ischemia: histologic analysis and a modified myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay. Twenty‐four hours after producing permanent cortical ischemia by occluding and severing the middle cerebral artery of male spontaneously hypertensive rats, contralateral hemiparalysis and sensory‐motor deficits were observed due to cerebral infarction of the frontal and parietal cortex. In hematoxylin‐and‐eosin‐stained histologic sections, PMN, predominantly neutrophils, were identified at various stages of diapedesis from deep cerebral and meningeal vessels at the periphery of the infarct, into brain parenchyma. When MPO activity in normal brain tissue was studied initially, it could not be demonstrated in normal tissues extracted from non‐washed homogenates. However, if tissue was homogenized in phosphate buffer (i.e., washed), MPO activity was expressed upon extraction. Utilizing this modified assay, MPO activity was significantly increased only in the infarcted cortex compared to other normal areas of the brain. This was observed in non‐perfused animals and after perfusion with isotonic saline to remove blood constituents from the vasculature prior to brain removal. The increased PMN infiltration and MPO activity were not observed in forebrain tissue of sham‐operated control rats. Also, MPO activity was not increased in the ischemic cortex of MCAO rats perfused immediately after middle cerebral artery occlusion, indicating that blood was not trapped in the ischemic area. By using a leukocyte histochemical staining assay, activity of peroxidases was identified within vascular‐adhering/ infiltrating PMN in the infarcted cortex 24 hr after focal ischemia. An evaluation of several blood components indicated that increased MPO activity was selective for PMN. The observed increase of approximately 0.3 U MPO/g wet weight ischemic tissue vs. nonischemic cerebral tissues probably reflects the increased vascular adherance/infiltration of approximately 600,000 PMN/g wet weight infarcted cortex 24 hr after focal ischemia. This combined biochemical and histological study strongly suggests that PMN adhere within blood vessels and infiltrate into brain tissue injured by focal ischemia and that the associated inflammatory response might contribute to delayed progressive tissue damage in focal stroke. This modified MPO assay is a useful, quantitative index of PMN that can be utilized to elucidate the potential deleterious consequences of neutrophils infiltrating into the central nervous system after cerebral ischemia, trauma, or other pro‐inflammatory stimuli.
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in Japan: a prospective, controlled, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is recognized as a rare but serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical features, and mortality rate of EPS. METHODS The authors requested the registration of all PD patients in facilities across Japan where more than 10 patients were treated with PD in this prospective multicenter study. During the 4-year study, the incidence of EPS was observed in the enrolled patients. RESULTS A total of 1,958 patients who were treated with PD in 57 facilities were followed up from April 1999 through March 2003. EPS occurred in 48 patients, corresponding to an overall incidence of 2.5%. In 33 of the 48 (68.8%) patients, EPS was found after discontinuation of PD. The incidence (and mortality rate) of EPS was 0%, 0.7% (0%), 2.1% (8.3%), 5.9% (28.6%), 5.8% (61.5%), and 17.2% (100%) in patients who had undergone PD for 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, and more than 15 years, respectively. The recovery ratio with total parenteral nutrition, corticosteroids and surgical treatment were 0%, 38.5%, and 58.3%, respectively. Eighteen patients (37.5%) died, 22 (45.8%) recovered, and the status of the other 8 (16.7%) remained unchanged. CONCLUSION The results of this prospective multicenter study showed that the incidence of EPS was 2.5% within a 4-year observation period and that two thirds of the cases were diagnosed after discontinuation of PD. Because of the current progress in diagnostic technology and therapeutic methodology, it appears that PD can be continued successfully with an acceptable, low risk for EPS for at least 8 years, whereas stricter caution is required for patients receiving PD for longer periods.
Concurrent Down-Regulation of PTEN and NKX3.1 Expression in Iranian Patients with Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACT NKX3.1 and PTEN genes are involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Here, in line with other studies that correlated the expression of these two genes, we aimed at evaluating the expression pattern of these genes in clinical PCa samples. Collectively, 81 tissue samples including 45 human PCa and 36 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens were included in the study. The tissue samples were subjected to RNA extraction and subsequently to cDNA synthesis according to the kit manufacturer's protocol. Quantitative Real-Time PCR assay was performed for each sample in triplicate reactions. REST and SPSS software were used to statistically analyze PTEN and NKX3.1 gene expression data. Expression level of both NKX3.1 and PTEN genes was down-regulated in PCa samples compared to BPH samples. The relative expression ratio of PTEN and NKX3.1 was decreased to 0.155 and 0.003, respectively (P=0.000). The results of Chi-Square analysis revealed a significant correlation between the expression of these genes in both BPH and cancer groups (P=0.004 and 0.001, respectively). According to previous studies and our data, we concluded that the association between the down-regulation of PTEN and NKX3.1 genes contributed to the prostate tumorigenesis. This might highlight the interaction between the proteins encoded by these genes. Furthermore, this finding might be exploited for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in PCa.
Conformational flexibility in a small globular hormone: X‐ray analysis of avian pancreatic polypeptide at 0.98‐Å resolution

The 36‐amino acid avian pancreatic polypeptide has been studied by x‐ray analysis at 0.98‐Å resolution and refined using a restrained least‐squares technique to an agreement factor of 15.6%. The polypeptide, which has a compact globular structure with a hydrophobic core, comprises a polyproline–like helix (residues 2–8) and an α‐helix (residues 14–32). The molecule forms symmetrical dimers linked through zinc atoms in the crystal lattice. The high‐resolution analysis defines sequence‐dependent distortions in the α‐helical parameters due to hydrogen bonding of water molecules and side chains. The thermal parameters indicate an increased flexibility of the main chain at the turn between the helices and in the C‐terminal residues. For the first time, six‐parameter anisotropic thermal ellipsoids have been refined for each atom; these define the directions of the molecular motions in the polypeptide, indicating concerted vibrations. The physiological roles of conformation, flexibility, and dynamics of this polypeptide hormone are discussed.
The position of the aorta relative to the spine: a comparison of patients with and without idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND There is little information documenting the relationship of the aorta to the thoracic scoliotic spine. Recent studies have suggested that the ends of screws placed during an anterior spinal arthrodesis, and pedicle screws used for the treatment of right thoracic scoliosis, may be in proximity to the aorta. The purpose of this study was to analyze the anatomical relationship between the aorta and the spine in a comparison of patients with idiopathic right thoracic scoliosis and patients with a normal spine. METHODS Thirty-six patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a right thoracic curve and forty-three with a normal straight spine were studied. Radiographs were analyzed to determine the Cobb angle, the apex of the curve, and the apical vertebral rotation for the patients with scoliosis. Axial magnetic resonance images from the fourth thoracic vertebra to the third lumbar vertebra at the midvertebral body level were used to measure the distance from the aorta to the closest point of the vertebral body cortex, the distance from the posterior edge of the aorta to the spinal canal, and the aorta-vertebral angle. RESULTS No differences were found between the groups with respect to age or sex distribution. For the scoliosis and normal groups, boys had greater average vertebral body width and depth for all levels than did girls (p < 0.05). For the scoliosis group, the most common apical vertebra was the eighth thoracic vertebra, the average coronal curve measurement was 55.2 degrees, and the average apical rotation was 17.3 degrees. The average distance from the aortic wall to the vertebral body cortex at the apex of the curve was greater in the patients with scoliosis (4.0 mm) than at similar levels in the normal group (2.5 mm) (p < 0.05). The distance from the posterior aspect of the aorta to the anterior aspect of the spinal canal was less in the scoliosis group (11.1 mm) than in the normal group (19.2 mm) for the fifth to the twelfth thoracic level (p < 0.05). The aorta was positioned more laterally and posteriorly adjacent to the vertebral body at the fifth to the twelfth thoracic level in patients with scoliosis compared with that in normal patients as reflected in a smaller aorta-vertebral angle (p < 0.05). With an increasing coronal Cobb angle in the thoracic curve and apical vertebral rotation, the aorta was positioned more laterally and posteriorly (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION In patients with right thoracic idiopathic scoliosis, the aorta is positioned more laterally and posteriorly relative to the vertebral body compared with that in patients without spinal deformity.
Infliximab therapy for pediatric Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by transmural intestinal lesion in a genetically susceptible host. Anti-TNF-α neutralising agent, infliximab, the chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody, is indicated for pediatric patients with CD and medically refractory luminal and fistulising disease. The present clinical practice for infliximab use is induction sequence of 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks administered intravenously and followed by infusion every 8 weeks thereafter. Careful attention should be paid to the potential adverse events, especially infections and malignancy. Recently, fatal cases in young patients with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma treated with infliximab and concomitant purine analogs were reported. In this review the authors summarize the present knowledge of infliximab therapy in children with CD based on the available published literature.
THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE-ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIP ON INDIVIDUALS ’ BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES OF TASK-RELATED PERFORMANCE , CONTEXTUAL PERFORMANCE AND INTENTION TO TURNOVER : AN EVALUATION WITH SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of employee-organization relationship (EOR) on individuals’ behavioral outcomes with the reference explanation of social exchange theory. Among the behavioral outcomes of the employees, task performance, contextual performance and turnover intention are identified. The analyses reported that EOR significantly and positively impacted both task-related performance and contextual performance, however significantly and negatively impacted intention to turnover. The implications of research and theory are discussed and future research suggestions are identified.
Aggressive Behavior RUNNING HEAD : Drinking and Partner Violence Binge Drinking and Violence Against Dating Partners : The Mediating Effect of Antisocial Traits and Behaviors in a Multi-National Perspective

Author Note: Denise A. Hines, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Criminal Justice. Murray A. Straus, Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hampshire. This work has been supported by National Institute of Mental Health grant T32MH15161 and by the University of New Hampshire. Special thanks go to the Family Research Laboratory and Crimes Against Children Research Center’s seminar participants for their valuable comments and suggestions on a previous draft of this article. This paper is part of the International Dating Violence Study. Other papers from that study can be downloaded from htttp://pubpages.unh. edu/~mas2. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Denise A. Hines, University of Masssachusetts Lowell, Department of Criminal Justice, 870 Broadway St., Lowell, MA 01854. Phone: (978) 934-4107, Fax: (978) 934-3077. Email: Denise_Hines@uml.edu.
P‐glycoprotein increases the efflux of the androgen dihydrotestosterone and reduces androgen responsive gene activity in prostate tumor cells

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) is commonly associated with multi‐drug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells and the efflux of a broad spectrum of chemicals from the cell, including many chemotherapeutics and certain steroid hormones. The impact of P‐gp and mechanisms involved in androgen transport and cellular accumulation within normal and malignant prostate cells remains unclear.