Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hIDPSCs), Their Application to Cell Therapy and Bioengineering: An Analysis by Systematic Revision of the Last Decade of Literature

During recent years, attention has been given to the potential of therapeutic approaches using stem cells obtained from dental pulp tissue. The aim of this study, therefore, was to give an overview of the papers produced during the last 10 years that have described the use of stem cells obtained from human deciduous teeth in cell therapy or bioengineering. The PubMed database was investigated from January 2002 until July 2011 and the papers published during this period were analyzed according to criteria previously established, using the methodology of systematic review. The measurements were done using “stem cell” as the primary keyword, and “human deciduous teeth dental pulp cell” and “human exfoliated deciduous teeth” as the secondary keywords. Four hundred and seventy‐five papers were found. The first screening resulted in 276 papers, from which 84 papers were selected. However, only 11 of them attained the aim proposed in our approach. There were few scientific studies related to direct therapeutic application using stem cells of human deciduous teeth and none of them had been applied to humans. However, the results indicated important and promising applications of the pulp stem‐cells in cell therapy and bioengineering as demonstrated by studies in animal models of muscular dystrophy, Parkison's disease, and lupus erythematosus. Anat Rec, 296:1923–1928, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Participation Objective, Participation Subjective: A Measure of Participation Combining Outsider and Insider Perspectives

BackgroundParticipation now replaces community integration or handicap as concepts reflecting the social and interpersonal aspects of disability. If rehabilitation is to adequately measure participation, new measures of participation are needed. To represent the voice of the consumer, such measures should reflect not just “objective,” normative aspects, but also subjective ones, tapping the consumer's view of participation. ObjectivesTo describe the development of and preliminary metrological information on a new measure of participation, Participation Objective, Participation Subjective (POPS). MethodsA total of 454 community-living individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) completed the POPS, as well as measures of quality of life (Life 3), depressive mood (BDI), and TBI symptoms (BISQ). The POPS requires reporting of the share of household activities performed, or the frequency or hours of nonhousehold activities. For each, the subject indicates whether he or she wants to perform more, the same, or less of the activity, and the importance of the activity to well-being. Five subscales and a total scale are calculated, for an objective component (PO), and a subjective component (PS) that reflects importance-weighted satisfaction with activity level. ResultsIndividuals with mild TBI scored minimally higher than those with moderate-severe TBI on PO subscores, but desired more change on the PS. Test-retest reliability for the PO and the PS and the subscales was from weak (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.28) to adequate (0.89), with PS components having better reliability. The PS component scores had the expected correlations with TBI symptoms, depressed mood, and life satisfaction, among both those with mild injury and those with moderate-severe injury. Injury severity and time since onset were not related to PO or PS scores. ConclusionsThe POPS shows promise as a measure of participation. It fills a void in that it reflects both insider and outsider perspectives on participation after TBI.
Corneal Thickness in a Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study: The Tehran Eye Study

Purpose: To determine the distribution of corneal thickness at 6 different points in an Iranian population and find any possible relationship between the thickness values and some independent variables. Methods: As part of the “Tehran Eye Study,” 410 people (800 eyes) aged 14 years and older, residing in the first 4 municipality areas of Tehran, were selected through a stratified random cluster sampling method. The participants were examined with Orbscan II to measure the corneal thickness at the central, thinnest, and 4 peripheral points of the cornea. In addition, the relationships between central corneal thickness (CCT) values and variables of age, sex, refractive error, pupil diameter, corneal diameter, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and body mass index were assessed. The design effect was also considered, and all estimates were standardized for age and sex. The reported results pertain to the right eyes only. Results: The mean thickness (±SD) at the central and thinnest points was 555.6 ± 39.9 and 550.7 ± 40.6 μm, respectively. The minimum corneal thickness was below 500 μm in 9.6% of the participants. The superior area showed the largest thickness, and the thinnest point was most commonly in the inferotemporal quadrant. The mean “distance” and “thickness difference” between the central and thinnest points were 0.52 ± 0.31 mm and 4.85 ± 6.2 μm, respectively, and they showed a significant direct relationship (r = 0.708 and P < 0.001). Neither sex had a significant relationship with thickness values at different areas. Participants younger than 20 years, compared with those older than 20, had significantly thicker corneas (P = 0.001 for the central and thinnest points, P < 0.001 for peripheral areas). In the multiple regression model, age and ACD showed significant inverse correlations with CCT. Conclusions: The mean CCT in the present study was 555.6 μm, which is relatively higher in comparison with that in other ethnic groups. In the multiple regression model, age and ACD were correlated with the CCT, but refractive errors showed no correlation.
Attempted Suicide Among the Aged

Although the rate for suicide in old age is high, the rate for attempted (unsuccessful) suicide is low. Among the elderly, suicide‐attempt groups have more physical disorders, more psychoses, and more psychopathologic findings, and are under‐represented demographically. Fifty percent of the elderly suicide attempters have organic brain syndrome (OBS), compared to only 5–10 percent of the “normal” population over age 60. Among what might be expected to be a high‐risk suicide population, OBS apparently interferes with the success of suicide attempts by impairing coordination, planning, determination, and awareness of reality.
Optimization of Endoglucanase Production from a Novel Bacterial Isolate, Arthrobacter sp. HPG166 and Characterization of Its Properties

In this study, a potential novel cellulolytic bacteriumArthrobacter sp. HPG166 was isolated from the hindgut of root-feeding larvaeHolotrichia parallela. Optimization of fermentation factors for endoglucanase production byArthrobacter sp. HPG166 was carried out via response surface methodology. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 1.19% (w/v) and beef extract 0.35% (w/v) were the ideal combination of carbon and nitrogen sources for enzyme production; the optimum temperature and pH for cellulase production were 34°C and pH 8.0 respectively. Under the optimized fermentation conditions, the maximum endoglucanase activity of 1.411 U mL-1 was obtained. The crude endoglucanase was thermotolerant as it retained 50.31% of its activity after incubation at 70°C for an hour. Metal profile of the enzyme indicated that Mg2+ and Na+ were strong stimulators while Mn2+ and Co+ drastically inhibited its activity. Due to its particular characteristics, this enzyme could have potential for industrial applications.
Biomarker analyses and final overall survival results from a phase III, randomized, open-label, first-line study of gefitinib versus carboplatin/paclitaxel in clinically selected patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in Asia (IPASS).

PURPOSE The results of the Iressa Pan-Asia Study (IPASS), which compared gefitinib and carboplatin/paclitaxel in previously untreated never-smokers and light ex-smokers with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma were published previously. This report presents overall survival (OS) and efficacy according to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) biomarker status. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 1,217 patients were randomly assigned. Biomarkers analyzed were EGFR mutation (amplification mutation refractory system; 437 patients evaluable), EGFR gene copy number (fluorescent in situ hybridization; 406 patients evaluable), and EGFR protein expression (immunohistochemistry; 365 patients evaluable). OS analysis was performed at 78% maturity. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess biomarker status by randomly assigned treatment interactions for progression-free survival (PFS) and OS. RESULTS OS (954 deaths) was similar for gefitinib and carboplatin/paclitaxel with no significant difference between treatments overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.02; P = .109) or in EGFR mutation-positive (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.33; P = .990) or EGFR mutation-negative (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.63; P = .309; treatment by EGFR mutation interaction P = .480) subgroups. A high proportion (64.3%) of EGFR mutation-positive patients randomly assigned to carboplatin/paclitaxel received subsequent EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. PFS was significantly longer with gefitinib for patients whose tumors had both high EGFR gene copy number and EGFR mutation (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.67) but significantly shorter when high EGFR gene copy number was not accompanied by EGFR mutation (HR, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.09 to 7.09). CONCLUSION EGFR mutations are the strongest predictive biomarker for PFS and tumor response to first-line gefitinib versus carboplatin/paclitaxel. The predictive value of EGFR gene copy number was driven by coexisting EGFR mutation (post hoc analysis). Treatment-related differences observed for PFS in the EGFR mutation-positive subgroup were not apparent for OS. OS results were likely confounded by the high proportion of patients crossing over to the alternative treatment.
Compact Broadband Gap-Coupled Microstrip Antennas

In this paper, new configurations with two gap-coupled triangular microstrip antennas and its compact version have been investigated at S band. The gap coupled configuration yields 2.38 times and compact gap coupled configuration gives 2.65 times BW as compared to that of a corresponding equilateral triangular microstrip antenna (ETMSA). The area reduction for the latter configuration is by factor of 2.05 as compared to an ETMSA
LEPTOSPIROSIS IN FREE-LIVING SPECIES IN NEW ZEALAND

A total of 1296 free-living mammals and birds of 12 species was examined for serologic and bacteriologic evidence of leptospiral infection. Endemic infection with serovar ballum was found in several introduced species of mammals. Endemic ballum infection is not recognised in the same species in Great Britain, their country of origin. Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were found to have a high prevalence of infection with balcanica, a serovar that has been isolated from possums in Australia and from cattle, pigs and humans in Eastern Europe. Free-living lagomorphs and deer were both serologically and bacteriologically negative. Waterfowl were bacteriologically negative, and only one serological titre was found.
Regenerative therapy and tissue engineering for the treatment of end-stage cardiac failure

Regeneration of myocardium through regenerative therapy and tissue engineering is appearing as a prospective treatment modality for patients with end-stage heart failure. Focusing on this area, this review highlights the new developments and challenges in the regeneration of myocardial tissue. The role of various cell sources, calcium ion and cytokine on the functional performance of regenerative therapy is discussed. The evolution of tissue engineering and the role of tissue matrix/scaffold, cell adhesion and vascularisation on tissue engineering of cardiac tissue implant are also discussed.
A case of HHV-6 associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy with increase of CD56bright NKcells

We describe a 15-month-old girl with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) associated with HHV-6. Inflammatory cytokines were elevated in the CSF and serum and the number of CD56bright NK cells was significantly increased in the peripheral blood. CD56brightNK cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of ANE by producing inflammatory cytokines.
Enabling tool reuse and interoperability through model-driven engineering

Software components provide a wide range of functionality that can be used across several domains. In some cases, reuse at a very coarse level of granularity (e.g., reusing functionality provided within an existing tool) is desirable, but challenging to realize due to the interface boundaries of the tool and the unanticipated level of reuse. This paper describes our results in applying model-driven engineering (e.g., domain-specific modeling and model transformation) to the tool reuse problem. Our approach captures the essence of each tool in a metamodel and uses model transformations to map between the tool representations. Specifically, we describe our results in reusing the graphical layout functionality provided by one tool (e.g., GraphViz) that does not exist natively in another tool (e.g., the Eclipse Graphical Modeling Framework).
Immunomodulatory effects of low dose chemotherapy and perspectives of its combination with immunotherapy

Given that cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide, many efforts have been directed toward discovering new treatments and approaches to cure or control this group of diseases. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for cancer; however, a conventional schedule based on maximum tolerated dose (MTD) shows several side effects and frequently allows the development of drug resistance. On the other side, low dose chemotherapy involves antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory processes that help host to fight against tumor cells, with lower grade of side effects. In this review, we present evidence that metronomic chemotherapy, based on the frequent administration of low or intermediate doses of chemotherapeutics, can be better than or as efficient as MTD. Finally, we present some data indicating that noncytotoxic concentrations of antineoplastic agents are able to both up‐regulate the immune system and increase the susceptibility of tumor cells to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Taken together, data from the literature provides us with sufficient evidence that low concentrations of selected chemotherapeutic agents, rather than conventional high doses, should be evaluated in combination with immunotherapy.
Estimation of source parameters by maximum likelihood and nonlinear regression

Statistical properties of certain parametric array processing methods are investigated. Asymptotic normality of Fourier-transformed sensor outputs for usual signal plus noise models is applied to define likelihood functions which have to be maximized for parameter estimation. In the first well known approach, the parameter structure is contained in the spectral density matrix of the outputs. The second likelihood function is conditional and results in a nonlinear regression problem. Since the likelihood equations are difficult to solve in general, properties of approximate solutions, for example Liggett's method, are of interest. Asymptotic distributions of the estimates and their approximations and results of some numerical experiments are discussed.
Extracellular Matrix Remodeling by Human Granzyme B via Cleavage of Vitronectin, Fibronectin, and Laminin*

Human granzyme B (GrB) released from cytotoxic lymphocytes plays a key role in the induction of target cell apoptosis when internalized in the presence of perforin. Here we demonstrate that GrB also possesses a potent extracellular matrix remodeling activity. Both native and recombinant GrB caused detachment of immortalized and transformed cell lines, primary endothelial cells, and chondrocytes. Cell detachment by GrB induced endothelial cell death (anoikis). GrB also inhibited tumor cell spreading, migration, and invasion in vitro. Investigation into the underlying mechanism revealed that GrB efficiently cleaves three proteins involved in extracellular matrix structure and function: vitronectin, fibronectin, and laminin. In vitronectin, GrB cleaves after an Arg-Lys-Asp (RGD) motif, which is part of the integrin-binding site found in matrix proteins. We propose that targeting of the integrin-extracellular matrix interface by GrB may allow perforin-independent killing of target cells via anoikis, restrict motility of tumor cells, facilitate lymphocyte migration, or directly reduce virus infectivity. It may also contribute to tissue destruction in diseases in which extracellular GrB is evident, such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis.
Targeted Disruption of the Mouse PAS Domain Serine/Threonine Kinase PASKIN

ABSTRACT PASKIN is a novel mammalian serine/threonine kinase containing two PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) domains. PASKIN is related to the Rhizobium oxygen sensor protein FixL and to AMP-regulated kinases. Like FixL, the sensory PAS domain of PASKIN controls the kinase activity by autophosphorylation in a (unknown) ligand-dependent manner. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the two PASKIN orthologues PSK1 and PSK2 phosphorylate three translation factors and two enzymes involved in glycogen synthesis, thereby coordinately regulating protein synthesis and glycolytic flux. To elucidate the function of mammalian PASKIN, we inactivated the mouse Paskin gene by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Paskin−/− mice showed normal development, growth, and reproduction. The targeted integration of a lacZ reporter gene allowed the identification of the cell types expressing mouse PASKIN. Surprisingly, PASKIN expression is strongly upregulated in postmeiotic germ cells during spermatogenesis. However, fertility and sperm production and motility were not affected by the PASKIN knockout. The Ppp1r7 gene encoding Sds22, a regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 1, shares the promoter region with the Paskin gene, pointing towards a common transcriptional regulation. Indeed, Sds22 colocalized with the cell types expressing PASKIN in vivo, suggesting a functional role of protein phosphatase-1 in the regulation of PASKIN autophosphorylation.
Elimination of tinnitus following hearing preservation surgery for acoustic neuromas.

Fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing hearing preservation surgery for acoustic neuromas were evaluated with regard to tinnitus and level of hearing. In 25 patients, hearing was not preserved. In this group, postoperative tinnitus was present in 8 of 13 patients who noted this symptom preoperatively. Four of the remaining 12 patients developed tinnitus following surgery. In 26 patients, useful hearing was preserved (speech reception threshold < 50 dB, speech discrimination score > 60%). Although 10 patients in this group complained of tinnitus preoperatively, only 4 patients noted it following surgery. None of the 16 remaining patients in this group developed tinnitus postoperatively. Overall, only 50% (12/23) of patients who had tinnitus preoperatively complained of it postoperatively, and only 8% (4/51) developed tinnitus as a result of surgery. Our results show that new-onset tinnitus is uncommon following hearing preservation surgery for acoustic neuroma and that it can be reduced or eliminated following surgery, especially if useful hearing is preserved.
Role of high-mobility group box-1 protein in disruption of vascular barriers and regulation of leukocyte–endothelial interactions

Abstract High-mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) is a highly conserved non-histone DNA-binding protein present in the nuclei and cytoplasm of nearly all cell types. The results from recent research provide evidence that HMGB1 is secreted into the extracellular milieu and acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine and exhibits angiogenic effects to fire the immunological response against the pathological effects. Recently, a great deal of evidence has indicated the critical importance of HMGB1 in mediating vascular barriers dysfunction by modulating the expression of adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion protein 1 and E-selectin on the surface of endothelial cells. Such process promotes the adhesion and migration of leukocytes across the endothelium, leading to breakdown of vascular barriers (blood–brain barrier and blood–retinal barrier) via modulating the expression, content, phosphorylation, and distribution of tight junction proteins. Therefore, here we give an abridged review to understand the mechanistic link between HMGB1 and vascular barriers dysfunction, including interaction with cell-surface receptors and intracellular signaling pathways.
Review article: the management of Giardiasis

Giardiasis is the intestinal infection resulting from infestation with the human parasite Giardia intestinalis, also called Giardia lamblia. The infection may be asymptomatic or present with a variety of symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal cramps, and failure to thrive. Giardiasis is most often diagnosed after recent travel or in day care centres. The organism has two stages in its life cycle. It is usually ingested as a cyst with as few as 10–25 cysts being sufficient to cause infection. After excystation, the organism is a replicative trophozoite which may attach to the small bowel wall. Giardia intestinalis does not invade the bowel wall. Trophozoites may encyst and be shed in faeces for future ingestion by another host. Diagnosis of infection is by stool examination which may also eliminate other possible infectious agents. Small bowel biopsy may be necessary in difficult individual cases or to rule out non‐infectious illnesses, and stool ELISA may serve for large population screening examinations. The mainstay of treatment is metronidazole 250–400 mg three times per day by mouth for 5 days.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus Replication and Inhibitory Effect of shRNA in Mice

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is responsible for over 30,000 annual cases of encephalitis worldwide, causing 30% mortality. JEV is thus a continuing threat to public health, so development of new antiviral drugs against JEV is desirable. Here, we examined JEV replication in mouse and used a short hairpin RNA JRi as the antiviral agent. The features of virus replication in neuron and survival rates of mice infected with JEV were different between virus strains. The mice infected with the virulent JEV strain (JaGAr01) were injected with pJRi (100 μg/mouse) which produced shRNAJRi. The survival rates of mice treated at 3 days before, the same day and 3 days after JEV infection were 22%, 78% and 44%, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated that the injection of pJRi induced interferon (IFN) production in cells and mice. These results suggest that the replication of JEV can be efficiently inhibited by RNAi and innate immunity including IFN. These data mean that pJRi has the inhibitory activity against JEV infection in vivo, and could be used as an antiviral drug to treat JEV infection.
Cambios generacionales de la estatura en la España del siglo XX a partir de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud

A traves del tratamiento estadistico de los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud desde 1987 se plantea la posibilidad de realizar estudios sobre la salud y sus determinantes principales en Espana en perspectiva longitudinal. El caso practico que se presenta, basado en el indicador antropometrico de la estatura, demuestra la validez de la fuente para tales propositos y ofrece la primera perspectiva general sobre la evolucion del estado nutricional en Espana durante el siglo XX. Esa evolucion muestra diversas fases, con clara implicacion de aspectos socioeconomicos, asi como rasgos diferenciados entre hombres y mujeres que merecerian estudiarse con atencion en futuros trabajos.