Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of ethanol drying on the bond between fiber posts and root canals: SEM analysis.

OBJECTIVE the effectiveness of seals obtained after cementation of fiber posts into root canals is still unclear. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of ethanol treatment on the bond between root canal surfaces and fiber posts. METHOD AND MATERIALS forty sound extracted teeth were selected for this study. The specimens were endodontically treated, and a post space was prepared. In half of the teeth, the post space was etched and bonded (group 1); in the other half, it was etched, dried with ethanol, and bonded with the same adhesive system (group 2). A fiber post was placed in each root using the same adhesive and restorative protocol. Restored samples were perpendicularly sectioned at the coronal, middle, and apical third and prepared for SEM observation to evaluate the interfaces among root dentin, resin cement, and fiber posts, as well as the characteristics of the resulting hybrid layer. RESULTS SEM examination of interfaces among root dentin, resin cement, and fiber posts showed differences in adhesive interfaces between the groups. No significant differences (P > .05) were found at the cement-post interface. At the dentin-cement interface, group 1 showed significantly lower scores (P < .05) than group 2. In both groups, the cement-post interface showed significantly (P < .05) lower gap scores than the dentin-cement interface. CONCLUSION ethanol drying does not seem to be effective in improving the adhesion of fiber posts into root canals.
Aortic Cross-Sectional Area/Height Ratio and Outcomes in Patients With a Trileaflet Aortic Valve and a Dilated Aorta

Background: In patients with a dilated proximal ascending aorta and trileaflet aortic valve, we aimed to assess (1) factors independently associated with increased long-term mortality and (2) the incremental prognostic utility of indexing aortic root to patient height. Methods: We studied consecutive patients with a dilated aortic root (≥4 cm) that underwent echocardiography and gated contrast-enhanced thoracic aortic computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography between 2003 and 2007. A ratio of aortic root area over height was calculated (cm2/m) on tomography, and a cutoff of 10 cm2/m was chosen as abnormal, on the basis of previous reports. All-cause death was recorded. Results: The cohort comprised 771 patients (63 years [interquartile range, 53–71], 87% men, 85% hypertension, 51% hyperlipidemia, 56% smokers). Inherited aortopathies, moderate to severe aortic regurgitation, and severe aortic stenosis were seen in 7%, 18%, and 2%, whereas 91% and 54% were on &bgr;-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, respectively. Aortic root area/height ratio was ≥10 cm2/m in 24%. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score and right ventricular systolic pressure were 3.3±3 and 31±7 mm Hg, respectively. At 7.8 years (interquartile range, 6.6–8.9), 280 (36%) patients underwent aortic surgery (76% within 1 year) and 130 (17%) died (1% in-hospital postoperative mortality). A lower proportion of patients in the surgical (versus nonsurgical) group died (13% versus 19%, P<0.01). On multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, aortic root area/height ratio (hazard ratio, 4.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69–6.231) was associated with death, whereas aortic surgery (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27–0.81) was associated with improved survival (both P<0.01). For longer-term mortality, the addition of aortic root area/height ratio ≥10 cm2/m to a clinical model (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, inherited aortopathies, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, medications, aortic regurgitation, and right ventricular systolic pressure), increased the c-statistic from 0.57 (95% CI, 0.35–0.77) to 0.65 (95% CI, 0.52–0.73) and net reclassification index from 0.17 (95% CI, 0.02–0.31) to 0.23 (95% CI, 0.04–0.34), both P<0.01. Of the 327 patients with aortic root diameter between 4.5 and 5.5 cm, 44% had an abnormal aortic root area/height ratio, of which 78% died. Conclusions: In patients with dilated aortic root and trileaflet aortic valve, a ratio of aortic root area to height provides independent and improved stratification for prediction of death.
Enhancement of spontaneous synaptic activity in rat Purkinje neurones by ATP during development

The establishment of functional synaptic connections and activity is a pivotal process in the development of neuronal networks. We have studied the synaptic activity in the developing rat cerebellum, and the contribution mediated by purinergic receptors. The mean frequency of the spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) recorded with the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique from Purkinje neurones in acute brain slices at room temperature, increased fourfold from 4.4 ± 0.8 Hz at postnatal day 9/10 (n= 23) to 17.8 ± 1.6 Hz at postnatal day 17–20 (p17–p20; n= 113; P < 0.01). ATP, which increased the frequency of sPSCs by up to 100%(EC50= 18 μm) in the third postnatal week, started to modulate the synaptic activity during the second postnatal week, which was determined by three processes: (1) the appearance of functional ATP receptors during p10–p12, (2) the enhancement of the sPSC frequency by endogenous ATP release becoming apparent after inhibition of ecto‐ATPases by 6‐N,N‐diethyl‐β,γ‐dibromomethylene‐d‐adenosine‐5‐triphosphate (ARL67156; 50 μm) at p11–p12, and (3) with tonic stimulation of purinoceptors at p14, as revealed by the P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxal‐phosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS, 10 μm). ATP had a similar effect at later stages (p24–p27) and at 35°C. Our results suggest that endogenous release of ATP starts to enhance the synaptic activity in Purkinje neurones by the end of the second postnatal week.
Predictors of in-hospital morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease treated with coronary artery bypass surgery.

AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of our study was to identify markers that can predict early morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) for myocardial revascularization. MATERIAL AND METHODS 749 patients (pts) were enrolled in the study at mean age 55 +/- 8 years, 639 male and 119 female. We analyzed pre-operative demographic, clinical, left ventricular morphologic and functional and angiographic variables, per-operative characteristics, and we registered occurrence of hospital complications including cardiac death during the first 30 days after the operation. RESULTS Hospital complications were registered in 173 (23.1%) patients, including cardiac death registered in two (3%) patients during the first 30 days after the operation. The most common complications were: pericardial effusion (8.4%), supraventricular arrhythmias (6.3%) and pleural effusion (5.6%), followed by more serious complications like infections, acute renal failure and stroke. Advanced age (>or=65 years), coexisting morbidities and risk factors: cerebrovascular disease (CVD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension (HTA), previous myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure before the operation, extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) (angiographicly identified), low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and high WMSS index were identified as predictors of in-hospital morbidity. Advanced age, Mod Gensini score (as marker of angiographic severity of CAD) and WMSS index were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital morbidity, while advanced age, heart failure before CABG and in-hospital complications were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION In patients with coronary artery disease who underwent CABG surgery, preoperative variables and operative technique can predict occurrence of in-hospital morbidity, while early complications can strongly predict in-hospital mortality.
Three‐Channel Lissajous' Trajectory of Human Middle Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials

Objective We provide the normative values for middle latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEPs) measures (three-channel Lissajous' trajectories or 3-CLT) in response to clicks and tone pips, which are the stimuli most widely used in MLAEP clinical testing. The relationship of 3-CLT measures to the more widely used latency and amplitude characteristics of the single-channel MLAEP of the same subjects was also evaluated. We further relate the 3-CLT findings to the question of MLAEP generators. Design 3-CLT of MLAEPs were derived from 12 humans (24 ears) in response to 65 dB nHL, rarefaction clicks as well as tone pips (1000 Hz), presented at a rate of 3.3Isec. A normative set of 3-CLT measures was calculated and compared with the corresponding measures of simultaneously recorded, single-channel vertex-left mastoid and vertex-neck derivation of MLAEP. Results Apex latencies of 3-CLT were comparable to peak latencies of the vertex-neck record, both in absolute values and in intersubject variability. Durations of planar segments were approximately 5.0 msec. Size and shape measures of planar segments were variable across subjects, making their clinical use, in their present form, questionable. Conclusions The results showed two apices and associated planar segments (i1 and i2) in the 3-CLT of MLAEP which corresponded to the vertex-neck component Pa. These results and earlier studies that indicated a dual set of generators for Pa are compatible with a primary auditory cortex generator for il and ascending subcortical generators for 22.
Resetting of the pressure range for blood flow autoregulation in the rat kidney.

Both a myogenic response and the tubuloglomerular feedback control mechanism seem to be involved in autoregulation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF). Earlier experiments have shown that clamping of renal arterial perfusion pressure, below the autoregulatory range, reduces single-nephron GFR, and that this low value is maintained during the first 10-15 min after release of the clamp. It was also found that the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism in the early declamp phase was strongly activated to reduce GFR. These findings can not be easily understood with the current knowledge of autoregulation, but would suggest a resetting of RBF and GFR autoregulation to a new level. To test this, left renal arterial perfusion pressure was reduced from 100 to 60 mmHg during 20 min with and without angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (0.5 mg i.v. enalapril). Renal blood flow was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry. When arterial perfusion pressure was reduced from 100 to 60 mmHg for 20 min, RBF was reduced to 77% of control and remained at this low level during the first minutes of declamp. In this situation there was an autoregulation to a new level. Renal blood flow was then slowly normalized (16.1 min). In the enalapril-treated animals RBF was only reduced to 85% during the 20 min of clamping and returned immediately to the control level at declamp. Thus, these experiments demonstrate that if renal blood flow is decreased by reducing the perfusion pressure below the normal autoregulatory range the pressure range for blood flow autoregulation resets to a lower level and that this change is mediated via the renin-angiotensin system.
Purification of Hemoglobin by Ion Exchange Chromatography in Flow-Through Mode with PEG as an Escort

Development of hemoglobin-based blood substitutes requires production of highly purified hemoglobin. Process of hemoglobin purification by ion exchange chromatography in flow-through mode was researched and optimized. Three kinds of media including, QMA Spherosil LS (Biosepra, France) and Q Sepharose Big Beads (Amersham Bioscience, Sweden), and an anion exchange membrane column, Mustang Q (PALL, USA) were investigated and compared. Adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an escort in ion exchange chromatography improved the purity and recovery, and the recovery in the chromatography was increased from 75 to 95%. The mechanism of PEG effects on chromatography was discussed. The optimal chromatography step, in combination with hypotonic dilution hemolyzing and membrane separation, formed an integrated hemoglobin purification process. The total recovery in the process was 87.6%. The activity of hemoglobin was well preserved: P50 23.2 mmHg, and Hill coefficient 2.31. The product appeared as a single band in SDS-PAGE, and GF-HPLC showed only one peak. The purity of the prepared hemoglobin was more than 99.9%. The optimized process is time saving and suitable for large-scale preparation of hemoglobin to provide materials for further preparation of blood substitutes.
Self-related health, physical activity and musculoskeletal complaints in Swedish high school students.

AIM There is a positive correlation between physical activity and health. The aim of this study was to describe self-related health, sports, level of physical activity and possible musculoskeletal complaints among Swedish high school students and to analyze whether there were any differences in these aspects between gender and students from different high school programs. METHODS A questionnaire was distributed and a total of 1,090 high school students answered it (468 males, 622 females), aged 16-26 years. RESULTS Students from theoretical programs reported better self-related health than students from practical programs. Females from practical programs reported poorer self-related health than other students. Physically active students reported better self-related health than less physically active students. Fifty-seven percent reported to be physically active in sport. Students from practical programs were less physically active than those from theoretical programs. Females from the practical programs were the least active ones. Fifty percent of the students reported complaints; the percentage was higher among females. There was no difference between students from theoretical and practical programs in terms of reporting complaints. Back and knee complaints were the most common ones. CONCLUSION According to these results it would be advisable for adolescents to be stimulated to participate in physical activity in order to increase the possibility of a healthy life.
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY OF AUCUBIN IS THROUGH CELL CYCLE ARREST AND APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN NON‐SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER A549 CELLS

1 Aucubin, an iridoid glycoside isolated from the leaves of Aucuba japonica, inhibits human non‐small cell lung cancer A549 cells by blocking cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis. 2 An ELISA showed that the G0/G1 phase arrest is due to p53‐mediated induction of p21. Enhancement of Fas and its two ligands, membrane‐bound and soluble Fas ligand, may be responsible for the apoptotic effect induced by aucubin. 3 The present study shows, for the first time, that the induction of p53 and activity of the Fas/Fas ligand apoptotic system may participate in the antiproliferative activity of aucubin in A549 cells.
Colestipol Hydrochloride, a New Hypolipidemic Drug: A Two‐Year study*

Colestipol hydrochloride is an insoluble, nonabsorbable copolymer with bile-acid-binding capacity. It prevents reabsorption of cholates from the intestinal tract into the enterohepatic circulation causing a net loss of bile acids, and therefore of cholesterol. Sixty subjects with cholesterol levels over 250 mg/100 ml were studied for 104 weeks. Patients with normal phenotypes, types 2, 3, and 4, were given 5 gm three times daily and experienced an average drop of 40 mg/100 ml (14%). While patients with types 2, 3, and 4 hyperlipidemia responded effectively, cholesterol levels in type 2 patients dropped earliest and most consistently with an average decrease of 58 mg/100 ml (19%). A comparable group of patients with hyperlipidemia taking placebo showed on average no change in serum cholesterol. Serum triglyceride values were not altered significantly. The resin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and produces a slight increase in fecal volume. Results of chemistries, enzyme assays, prothrombin times, hematology, and urinalysis and body weights were unaltered. There were no fat-soluble vitamin interference or ophthalmologic effects. There was no evidence of lithogenic bile production. Colestipol is a tasteless and odorless copolymer with high acceptability. Side effects were limited to occasional bloating, gas, and constipation. The drug is a safe, effective, palatable hypolipidemic agent.
Histopathologic features of usual interstitial pneumonia and related patterns: what is important for radiologists?

In interstitial lung diseases, the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is important where pathology and radiology show usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. Recently, revised guidelines of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were published in which the diagnostic algorithm requires a stricter definition for both pathology and radiology. In spite of the progress, there are issues that still need to be considered especially when facing cases where there may be a lower confidence of UIP diagnosis. As a matter of course, various etiologic backgrounds represent UIP pattern. However, their distinction is important irrespective of the etiology, because the histologic UIP pattern indicates a significantly worse prognosis than other chronic interstitial lung diseases. In this review, we describe the histologic features of UIP, effects of revised guidelines, interobserver agreement, etiologic variations of UIP pattern, and finally we include a few of our hypothetical thoughts on the "UIP bucket. "
Keeping Your Balance

Binge drinking is a focus for concerns about young women’s alcohol consumption at university. Twenty females, all regular binge drinkers, were interviewed individually and in focus groups to explore alcohol beliefs and exposure to harm. Four themes were identified in a thematic analysis. Alcohol use was associated with freedom but regulated by group norms. Drinking to excess was stigmatized as an abuse of freedom, yet the threshold for excess was very high. The drug effects of alcohol were enjoyed, with drinking harms managed through trivialization. As part of a problem of imbalance, peer groups must be part of the solution.
Evaluation of the Role of Heterogeneities on Transverse Mixing in Bench‐Scale Tank Experiments by Numerical Modeling

In this work, numerical modeling is used to evaluate and interpret a series of detailed and well‐controlled two‐dimensional bench‐scale conservative tracer tank experiments performed to investigate transverse mixing in porous media. The porous medium used consists of a fine matrix and a more permeable lens vertically aligned with the tracer source and the flow direction. A sensitivity analysis shows that the tracer distribution after passing the lens is only slightly sensitive to variations in transverse dispersivity, but strongly sensitive to the contrast of hydraulic conductivities. A unique parameter set could be calibrated to closely fit the experimental observations. On the basis of calibrated and validated model, synthetic experiments with different contrasts in hydraulic conductivity and more complex setups were performed and the efficiency of mixing evaluated. Flux‐related dilution indices derived from these simulations show that the contrasts in hydraulic conductivity between matrix and high‐permeable lenses as well as the spatial configuration of tracer plumes and lenses dominate mixing, rather than the actual pore scale dispersivities. These results indicate that local material distributions, the magnitude of permeability contrasts, and their spatial and scale relation to solute plumes are more important for macro‐scale transverse dispersion than the micro‐scale dispersivities of individual materials. Local material characterization by thorough site investigation hence is of utmost importance for the evaluation of mixing‐influenced or ‐governed problems in groundwater, such as tracer test evaluation or an assessment of contaminant natural attenuation.
Early Introduction of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Caries Trajectories from Age 12 to 48 Months

Early exposure to sweet tastes predicts similar food preferences and eating behavior in later life and is associated with childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to explore the associations of early (during the first year of life) and subsequent intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with 4-y caries trajectories among Scottish young children. We used data from 1,111 Scottish children who were followed annually from age 12 to 48 mo (4 sweeps in total). SSB intake was reported by parents in every sweep. SSB intake was broken down into 2 components, the initial SSB intake and the deviation over time from that initial value. Childhood dental caries was clinically determined (including noncavitated and cavitated lesions) every year. The association of SSB intake with baseline decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces (dmfs) (intercept) and rate of change in dmfs over time (slope) was examined in 2-level linear mixed-effects models, with repeated observations nested within children. Both the initial SSB intake and the deviation from the initial SSB intake were positively associated with steeper caries trajectories. By sweep 4, the predicted mean dmfs difference was 1.73 between children with low and high initial SSB intake (1 standard deviation below and above the mean) and 1.17 between children with low and high deviation from their initial SSB intake (1 SD below and above the mean). The findings of this prospective study among Scottish young children provide evidence that the introduction of SSBs during the first year of life can put children in a trajectory of high levels of dental caries. They support current recommendations to avoid sugars for very young children and interventions targeting early feeding practices for caries prevention.