Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber from newer bleaching products.

AIM To investigate peroxide penetration from newer bleaching products into the pulp chamber. METHODOLOGY Fifty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were separated into five groups (n = 10). All the teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction; the intracoronal pulp tissue was removed, and the pulp chamber filled with acetate buffer. Buccal crown surfaces of teeth in the experimental groups were subjected to either a whitening strip (containing 5.3% hydrogen peroxide-G1) or one of three paint-on liquid whiteners (containing 19% sodium percarbonate peroxide-G2, 18% carbamide peroxide-G3 and 8.7% hydrogen peroxide-G4). The teeth in the control group (G5) were exposed only to distilled water. The acetate buffer solution in each tooth was then transferred to a glass test tube after 30 min and leuco-crystal violet and enzyme horseradish peroxidase were added, producing a blue solution. The optical density of the resultant blue colour in the tubes was measured by a UV-visible spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 596 nm. The values were converted into microgram equivalents of HP using a spectrophotometric calibration curve. Data were analysed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance and the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS Statistically significant differences were found between all of the groups (P < 0.05). Pulpal peroxide was not observed in the control group. The amount of hydrogen peroxide (microg) found in the pulp chamber of G1 (0.726 +/- 0.024) > G4 (0.443 +/- 0.017) > G3 (0.231 +/- 0.011) > G2 (0.175 +/- 0.012). CONCLUSIONS The peroxides from the whitening strip and paint-on whiteners penetrated into the pulp chamber to varying degrees.
Characterization of a novel hepatitis B virus mutant: demonstration of mutation‐induced hepatitis B virus surface antigen group specific ‘a’ determinant conformation change and its application in diagnostic assays

We report and characterize a novel mutant of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). The mutant was isolated from a symptomatic patient who was found to be persistently positive for both HBsAg and anti‐hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs) and a long‐lasting anti‐HBc (core) IgM. Due to the unusual immune serological profile, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were performed and revealed a genotype D mutant HBV (LBN). Aligned with known HBsAg sequences from GenBank, the LBN variant matched to consensus subtype ayw2 and revealed five mutation positions. Interestingly, none of the mutations was found within the group‐specific ‘a’ determinant region (124–147) and, specifically, two of the five mutations, T118K and P120Q, were located only a few amino acids adjacent to the 124–147 region. Using a panel of six monoclonal antibodies and vaccine raised human neutralizing antibodies, the recombinant wild‐type HBsAg and the novel variant LBN HBsAg were investigated for their immunological reactivity. Vaccine raised human anti‐HBs showed less reactivity to the variant LBN HBsAg than to wild‐type HBsAg in enzyme immune assays. Furthermore, our observations demonstrate the influence of adjacent residues on the group‐specific ‘a’ determinant structural configuration; this resulted in severe antigenic changes of the immunodominant region as well as in the subtype serology. The importance of the variant LBN lies in the observation that mutations close to the ‘a’ determinant can change the immunodominant region structure and therefore alter the group specific determinant antigenicity even though no mutations are present within this region. Hence, the classical definition of the ‘a’ determinant cluster may need to be extended to cover a broader region to include the requirement of adjacent amino acids to support its conformation. In conclusion, by understanding the HBsAg major immunodominant region structure and by using a combination of antibodies with specificity covering all key mutation locations, maximal anti‐HBs‐based protection, and highly sensitive diagnostic assays can be achieved.
Hind- and Midfoot Motion After Ankle Arthrodesis

Background: After ankle arthrodesis (AA), compensatory increased range of motion in adjacent joints might lead to increased osteoarthritis. Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes after AA with validated questionnaires is rare. Likewise, reliable radiographic analysis of the position of the AA, expected to influence the range of motion of the hind- and midfoot, is lacking. Therefore, the current study was performed. Methods: Seventeen patients with unilateral AA were included. Sagittal hind- and midfoot range of motion was measured radiographically. The position of the AA in the sagittal and coronal planes and osteoarthritis of adjacent joints were also evaluated radiographically. Measurements were compared to the contralateral side. Patient-reported outcomes via validated questionnaires were compared to a control group (n = 18). Results: Average follow-up was 3.5 years. Mean combined hind- and midfoot sagittal range of motion after AA equaled that of the contralateral side (20.8 vs 21.0 degrees; P = .93). The tibiotalar angle after AA equaled that of the contralateral side (107 vs 107 degrees; P = .86). The talus was translated posteriorly after AA (T-T ratio 0.45 vs 0.34; P < .001). Low intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) precluded reliable evaluation of the coronal position of the hindfoot (ICC, 0.07 and −0.34) and osteoarthritis in adjacent joints (ICC range, 0-0.54). SF-36 physical health scores after AA are lower as compared with those of controls (50 vs 56; P = .01). Scores on the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale were also significantly lower. Patient satisfaction with AA was high (average visual analog scale score, 83). Conclusion: No increased sagittal range of motion in the hind- and midfoot after AA was found at 3.5 years of follow-up as compared with the contralateral side. Tibiotalar angles were equal. The talus was translated posteriorly. The hindfoot alignment view was not suitable to analyze the position of the hindfoot. Low ICC of the Kellgren and Lawrence scale precluded evaluation of osteoarthritis of adjacent joints. Patients scored lower than controls on self-reported outcome questionnaires but were satisfied with the result of AA. Level of evidence: Level III, comparative series.
Composition of Some Smectites and Diagenetic Illitic Clays and Implications for their Origin

Chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and calculated structural formulae of clay-size fractions of smectites from Cretaceous bentonites and illitic clays from Cretaceous, Devonian, and Ordovician bentonites and Jurassic and Permian sandstones indicate the nature and extent of various types of ionic substitution. The determination of tetrahedral (Al, Si) and octahedral (Al, Mg, Fe) composition shows the variable chemistry of these materials. Structural formulae of the illitic clays show that they have tetrahedral charges between 0.4 and 0.8 per half unit cell, and can be divided into phengitic types having octahedral charges of 0.2-0.4 and muscovitic types having octahedral charges <0.2. Evaluation of the formulae in the light of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data shows that the occupancy of non-exchangeable interlayer sites (predominantly K) varies from 47% to 90% of that of ideal muscovite. In some minerals as much as 20% of these sites is occupied by ammonium ions (determined independently). The amount of surface silicate charge balanced by non-exchangeable cations versus that balanced by exchangeable cations has been examined in conjunction with TEM data and suggests that in most samples the charges are about equal. The octahedral composition of smectites in Cretaceous bentonites precludes their having served as transformation precursors for most of the Cretaceous illitic bentonites. The results suggest that these illitic clays originated by neoformation.
Kar3Vik1 Mechanochemistry Is Inhibited by Mutation or Deletion of the C Terminus of the Vik1 Subunit*

Background: Kinesin motility is driven, in part, by structural rearrangements of the motor domain N and C termini. Results: Altering or deleting the C terminus of Vik1 dramatically hinders ATP turnover and motility by Kar3Vik1. Conclusion: The Vik1 C terminus is part of a structural motif for allosteric communication with Kar3. Significance: Understanding the coordination of kinesin subunits requires knowledge of the structural dynamics of their motor domain termini. Force production by kinesins has been linked to structural rearrangements of the N and C termini of their motor domain upon nucleotide binding. In recent crystal structures, the Kar3-associated protein Vik1 shows unexpected homology to these conformational states even though it lacks a nucleotide-binding site. This conservation infers a degree of commonality in the function of the N- and C-terminal regions during the mechanochemical cycle of all kinesins and kinesin-related proteins. We tested this inference by examining the functional effects on Kar3Vik1 of mutating or deleting residues in Vik1 that are involved in stabilizing the C terminus against the core and N terminus of the Vik1 motor homology domain (MHD). Point mutations at two moderately conserved residues near the Vik1 C terminus impaired microtubule gliding and microtubule-stimulated ATP turnover by Kar3Vik1. Deletion of the seven C-terminal residues inhibited Kar3Vik1 motility much more drastically. Interestingly, none of the point mutants seemed to perturb the ability of Kar3Vik1 to bind microtubules, whereas the C-terminal truncation mutant did. Molecular dynamics simulations of these C-terminal mutants showed distinct root mean square fluctuations in the N-terminal region of the Vik1 MHD that connects it to Kar3. Here, the degree of motion in the N-terminal portion of Vik1 highly correlated with that in the C terminus. These observations suggest that the N and C termini of the Vik1 MHD form a discrete folding motif that is part of a communication pathway to the nucleotide-binding site of Kar3.
The Effects of Motorcycle Helmet Legislation on Craniomaxillofacial Injuries

Background: Motorcycle helmet legislation has been a contentious topic for over a half-century. Benefits of helmet use in motorcycle trauma patients are well documented. In 2012, Michigan repealed its universal motorcycle helmet law in favor of a partial helmet law. The authors describe the early clinical effects on facial injuries throughout Michigan. Methods: Retrospective data from the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program trauma database were evaluated. Included were 4643 motorcycle trauma patients presenting to 29 Level I and II trauma centers throughout Michigan 3 years before and after the law repeal (2009 to 2014). Demographics, external cause of injury codes, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes, and injury details were gathered. Results: The proportion of unhelmeted trauma patients increased from 20 percent to 44 percent. Compared with helmeted trauma patients, unhelmeted patients were nearly twice as likely to sustain craniomaxillofacial injuries (relative risk, 1.90), including fractures (relative risk, 2.02) and soft-tissue injuries (relative risk, 1.94). Unhelmeted patients had a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score and higher Injury Severity Scores. Patients presenting after helmet law repeal were more likely to sustain craniomaxillofacial injuries (relative risk, 1.46), including fractures (relative risk, 1.28) and soft-tissue injuries (relative risk, 1.56). No significant differences were observed for age, sex, Injury Severity Score, or Glasgow Coma Scale score (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights the significant negative impact of relaxed motorcycle helmet laws leading to an increase in craniomaxillofacial injuries. The authors urge state and national legislators to reestablish universal motorcycle helmet laws.
Germination as a processing technique for soybeans in small-scale broiler farming By

The effect of germination on the levels of certain antinutritional factors, nutritional composition and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of soybean seeds were determined. Raw soybeans contain antinutritional factors, such as trypsin inhibitors (83.05 mg/g), total polyphenols (10.83%) and condensed tannins (1.24%). These factors limit the use of soybeans as a source of protein, carbohydrates and minerals in the poultry industry. In general, soybeans are subjected to heat treatment to reduce the amount of antinutritional factors within the seeds, but it is costly and needs high technology equipment. In order to assist small-scale chicken farmers or people living in developing countries, traditional or domestic processing methods are implemented to address the problem of antinutritional factors (ANFs) in soybeans. This study focused on germination as a versatile and low cost practice. Different lengths of germination time were assessed and compared to each another. Soybeans were soaked for 24 hours and allowed to germinate from one day up to six days. Changes within seeds were noted for nutritional and antinutritional factors during germination. Condensed tannins and trypsin inhibitors decreased significantly (P<0.05) while total polyphenols increased from 5 to 6 days. Protein and fat content increased significantly (P<0.05), but starch content decreased with germination. There were no significant changes for IVPD during germination of soybeans. Germination was also compared to other traditional methods such as roasting, soaking and dehulling. Results showed that dehulled soybeans had the highest proximate composition which was significantly different from other treatments (P<0.05), but the total polyphenols increased. It was concluded that germination for a period of three days effectively improved the nutritional value of soybeans and can be considered as an alternative treatment of soybeans in situations where heat treatment is impossible or impractical.
A review of controlled human SO2 exposure studies contributing to the US EPA integrated science assessment for sulfur oxides

Laboratory studies involving intentional and highly controlled exposures to air pollutants among groups of human volunteers provide valuable information related to the potential health effects of pollutants regulated under the US Clean Air Act. These controlled human exposure studies often provide biological plausibility for the associations between air-pollutant concentration and a given health endpoint observed in epidemiologic investigations. In some cases, results from human laboratory studies provide evidence of a relevant health effect at ambient or near-ambient concentrations and thus directly support the selection of air quality standard levels. In the recently completed review of the US National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO2), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that short-term exposures to SO2 are causally associated with an increase in respiratory morbidity. This determination was based in large part on findings from laboratory studies of controlled exposures to SO2 among small groups of asthmatic individuals. The purpose of this review is to concisely present an overview of the evidence from controlled human exposure studies of SO2-induced respiratory health effects following short-term exposures. While the majority of these studies were conducted over 20 years ago, the findings and insights gained from this work continues to play an integral role in evaluating the respiratory effects of ambient exposures to SO2.
The Cognition and Behaviour of Children with Cochlear Implants, Children with Hearing Aids and Their Hearing Peers: A Comparison

Hearing impairment has been associated with cognitive deficits. It is not yet clear whether cochlear implants enable children to reduce or overcome these deficits. This study examined whether hearing impaired children with cochlear implants differed from hearing impaired children without cochlear implants or from hearing children. The three age-matched groups were compared on a non-verbal measure of cognition, the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (LIPS-R), and a measure of behaviour, the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Apart from their scores on the Attention Sustained Subtest of the LIPS-R, the performance of the implanted group and the hearing group closely corresponded, while the hearing impaired children without cochlear implants performed below the level achieved by both these groups. There were no differences between any groups on the CBCL. It was concluded that hearing impaired children with cochlear implants were able to perform at the same non-verbal cognitive level as hearing children.
Type-specific incidence and persistence of HPV infection among young women: a prospective study in North India.

BACKGROUND Infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) are highly prevalent among sexually active young women in India. However, not much is known about the incidence of type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their patterns of persistence, especially in the Indian context. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of acquisition and persistence of HPV types in young women. METHODS Women residing in an urban slum in Delhi (n=1300) were followed for 24 months at 6 monthly intervals. Exfoliated cervical cells collected at each visit were tested for the presence of HPV DNA. Genotyping was performed using the reverse line blot assay. RESULTS The incidence rate for any HPV type was calculated to be 5 per 1000 women-months. Among high risk HPV types, HPV16 had the highest incidence rate followed by HPV59, HPV52 and HPV18, i.e., 3.0, 0.58, 0.41 and 0.35 women per 1000 women-months respectively. The persistence rate was higher for high-risk than low-risk HPV types. Among low-risk types, HPV42, HPV62, HPV84 and HPV89 were found to persist. Whereas almost all high risk types showed persistence, the highest rate was found in women with HPV types 16, 45, 67, 31, 51 and 59. The persistence rate for HPV16 infection was 45 per 1000 women-months. CONCLUSION Incident HPV infections and high risk HPV type-specific persistence were found to be high in our study population of young married women. Understanding the patterns of HPV infection may help plan appropriate strategies for prevention programs including vaccination and screening.
Individual, family, and peer factors associated with the quality of sibling relationships in families of youths with spina bifida.

Based on a social-ecological theoretical framework, this study sought to identify key individual (attitude toward spina bifida), family (satisfaction with family functioning), and peer (peer support) factors associated with the quality of sibling relationships in families of youths with spina bifida. A cross-sectional sample of 224 siblings of youths with spina bifida, ages 11-18 years, and parents participated. Siblings completed self-report measures of attitude toward spina bifida, satisfaction with family functioning, peer support, and warmth and conflict in their relationships with brothers and sisters with spina bifida. The parent provided information on spina bifida severity and family demographics. Hierarchical regression analyses supported the overall model in explaining variance in sibling-reported relational warmth (Adjusted R(2) = . 29) and conflict (Adjusted R(2) = . 17). Satisfaction with family functioning was the only ecological factor consistently associated with warmth and conflict in the sibling relationship. Findings have clinical implications for pathways to support positive sibling interactions in families of youths with spina bifida.
Fibrogenic Polymorphisms (TGF-β, PAI-1, AT) in Mexican Patients With Established Liver Fibrosis. Potential Correlation With Pirfenidone Treatment

Background/Aim The aim of this work was to establish a potential correlation between specific polymorphisms and presence of hepatic fibrosis in Mexican patients with established liver fibrosis (ELF). Second, necroinflammatory index improvement was correlated with Pirfenidone (PFD) treatment response and the same polymorphisms. Methods We analyzed TGF-β polymorphisms in codon 25, a single basepair guanine insertion-deletion polymorphism (4G/5G) for PAI-1 and angiotensin AT-6 single nucleotide polymorphism located in -6 promoter region. Twenty patients infected with either hepatitis C virus (HCV) (n = 13) or affected by alcohol consumption (n= 7) were included. Thirty subjects with no hepatic damage were included in control group. Blood samples for genomic DNA were obtained and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 polymorphisms were done by polymerase chain reaction-artificial introduction of a restriction site, TGF-β by polymerase chain reaction-amplification refractory mutation system and AT by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Liver biopsies were obtained at baseline and after 12 months of PFD treatment. Results Established liver fibrosis patients had the homozygote G/G TGF-β genotype, which has been associated with increased development of fibrosis. None of our patients had the G/C genotype. All pure HCV and pure alcohol abuse subjects carried G/G TGF-β genotype (100% vs 37% control) (P = 0.0006). The odds of having TGF-β G/G genotype was 19.5 for HCV patients and 10.83 for alcohol consumption patients as compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Established liver fibrosis patients had an improvement in necroinflammatory index after PFD treatment when correlated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and angiotensinogen-6 genotypes. Conclusion Our data suggested that a combination of inherited polymorphisms increased the risk of advanced fibrosis in ELF patients. Pure HCV and pure alcohol consumption patients which were homozygous G/G carriers had 19.5- and 10.8-fold higher risk to develop advanced fibrosis respectively. Abbreviations: TGF-β, transforming growth factor β; RAS, renin angiotensin system
Altered expression profiles of circular RNA in colorectal cancer tissues from patients with lung metastasis

The lung is the most common extra-abdominal site of metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), in which circular RNA (circRNA) may have a crucial role. Therefore, the present study detected circRNA expression to identify novel targets to further study lung metastasis in CRC. In the present study, total RNA was extracted from CRC tissues of patients with and without lung metastasis to perform high-throughput microarray assay in order to detect differentially expressed circRNA. Following this, gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses of the genes producing differentially expressed circRNA were performed to predict the function of circRNA using standard enrichment computational methods. Additionally, the circRNA/microRNA (miRNA) interactions were constructed with bioinformatics methods to predict the binding of miRNA with circRNA. In the CRC tissues from patients with lung metastasis, 431 circRNA were detected to be differentially expressed, including 192 upregulated and 239 downregulated over 2-fold compared with the CRC tissues without metastasis. Furthermore, GO analysis revealed that the genes producing upregulated circRNA were involved in DNA repair, while the genes producing downregulated circRNA were enriched in signal transduction. By pathway analysis, it was identified that the genes producing downregulated circRNA were involved in the nuclear factor-κB and Wnt signaling pathway in the CRC tissues from patients with lung metastasis compared with the CRC tissues without metastasis. In addition, it was demonstrated that hsa_circRNA_105055, hsa_circRNA_086376 and hsa_circRNA_102761 could commonly bind with miR-7 regulating target genes PRKCB, EPHA3, BRCA1 and ABCC1. The findings of the present study may provide a novel perspective on circRNA and lay a foundation for future research of potential roles of circRNA in CRC with lung metastasis.