Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different irrigation and agitation methods for the removal of two types of calcium hydroxide medicaments from the root canal wall: an in-vitro study

Background and aim Comparison of different irrigation and agitation methods for the removal of two types of calcium hydroxide medicaments from the root canal walls. Methods Fifty extracted single rooted teeth were selected for this study. After decoronation, the root canals of these teeth were prepared to the size F3 (30 no.) using rotary ProTaper file system. These samples were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (n=20) were filled completely with water based calcium hydroxide (CH), Group 2 (n=20) were filled with oil based CH using lentulo spiral, Group 3 (n=5) - the positive control group received the CH as intracanal medication, but no subsequent removal, Group 4 (n=5) - the negative control did not receive CH placement. Further on, Group 1 and Group 2 were divided into four sub-groups (n=5). In sub-group A we performed conventional syringe irrigation with side-vented needle sub-group B) manual dynamic agitation, sub-group C sonic agitation using endoactivator, sub-group D passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Roots were split longitudinally into mesial and distal halves. Digital images of the root canal walls were acquired by a Dental Operating Microscope (DOM) and assessed by using a scoring criteria at different thirds (coronal, middle and apical) of the root canal as follows: score 1, score 2, score 3, and score 4. Data were analyzed applying one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests at a 95% confidence interval (P < 0.05). Results Statistically significant differences were not found between the experimental groups and the negative group in any one third of the root canal (P>0.05). However, a difference did exist between the experimental groups and the positive control group (P<0.05). None of the experimental groups totally removed CH substances from root canal walls. Conclusion Among all experimental groups, removal of CH was best achieved by sonic agitation using endoactivator followed by passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), manual dynamic agitation and conventional syringe irrigation with side-vented needle.
Total power output generated during dynamic knee extensor exercise at different contraction frequencies.

A novel approach has been developed for the quantification of total mechanical power output produced by an isolated, well-defined muscle group during dynamic exercise in humans at different contraction frequencies. The calculation of total power output comprises the external power delivered to the ergometer (i.e., the external power output setting of the ergometer) and the "internal" power generated to overcome inertial and gravitational forces related to movement of the lower limb. Total power output was determined at contraction frequencies of 60 and 100 rpm. At 60 rpm, the internal power was 18+/- 1 W (range: 16-19 W) at external power outputs that ranged between 0 and 50 W. This was less (P<0.05) than the internal power of 33+/-2 W (27-38 W) at 100 rpm at 0-50 W. Moreover, at 100 rpm, internal power was lower (P<0.05) at the higher external power outputs. Pulmonary oxygen uptake was observed to be greater (P<0.05) at 100 than at 60 rpm at comparable total power outputs, suggesting that mechanical efficiency is lower at 100 rpm. Thus a method was developed that allowed accurate determination of the total power output during exercise generated by an isolated muscle group at different contraction frequencies.
β‐Amyloid activates presynaptic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors reconstituted into a model nerve cell system: involvement of lipid rafts

Beta amyloid (Aβ) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Aβ is the major constituent of senile plaques, but there is a significant presence of Aβ in the brain in soluble forms. The results of functional studies indicate that soluble Aβ interacts with the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) complex with apparent high affinity. However, conflicting data exist as to the nature of the Aβ–α7 nAChR interaction, and whether it is the result of specific binding. Moreover, both agonist‐like and antagonist‐like effects have been reported. In particular, agonist‐like effects have been observed for presynaptic nAChRs. Here, we demonstrate Aβ1‐42‐evoked stimulatory changes in presynaptic Ca2+ level via exogenous α7 nAChRs expressed in the axonal varicosities of differentiated hybrid neuroblastoma NG108‐15 cells as a model, presynaptic system. The Aβ1‐42‐evoked responses were concentration‐dependent and were sensitive to the highly selective α7 nAChR antagonist α‐bungarotoxin. Voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels and internal Ca2+ stores were both involved in Aβ1‐42‐evoked increases in presynaptic Ca2+ following activation of α7 nAChRs. In addition, disruption of lipid rafts by cholesterol depletion led to substantially attenuated responses to Aβ1‐42, whereas responses to nicotine were largely intact. These results directly implicate the nicotinic receptor complex as a target for the agonist‐like action of pico‐ to nanomolar concentrations of soluble Aβ1‐42 on the presynaptic nerve terminal, including the possible involvement of receptor‐associated lipid rafts. This interaction probably plays an important neuromodulatory role in synaptic dynamics.
Immunopathology and Infectious Diseases Dendritic Cells Express Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase and Function as a Source of Prostaglandin D 2 in the Skin

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), an arachidonic acid metabolite, has been implicated in allergic responses. A major source of PGD2 in the skin is mast cells that express hematopoietic PGD synthase (H-PGDS). In this study, we show the expression of H-PGDS in human dendritic cells (DCs) and the regulatory mechanisms by which DCs produce PGD2. We detected H-PGDS in epidermal Langerhans cells, dermal DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, and myeloid DCs. Monocyte-derived DCs rapidly secreted PGD2 when stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187. More importantly, pretreatment of monocyte-derived DCs with PMA (phorbol 12-myrisate 13-acetate) synergistically enhanced the rapid PGD2 secretion induced by A23187, whereas PMA alone did not induce PGD2 secretion. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduced H-PGDS expression, but interferonfollowed by LPS induced significant PGD2 production in a delayed time course at 6 hours. This effect was associated with inhibition of LPS-induced H-PGDS reduction. Interestingly, an irritant compound, SDS, also induced a rapid PGD2 release. PGD2 synergistically enhanced CCL22/macrophage-derived chemokine synthesis in interferon-treated human keratinocytes. In addition, bone marrow-derived DCs from wild-type mice stimulated lymph node cells to produce higher amounts of interleukin-17 than did DCs from mice lacking the H-PGDS gene. Thus, DCs could be an important source of skin PGD2 and may mediate or regulate skin inflammation by releasing PGD2 in response to various stimuli, contributing to the innate and/or acquired immune responses. (Am J Pathol 2010, 176:227–237; DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090111)
AST‐120, an Oral Adsorbent, Delays the Initiation of Dialysis in Patients With Chronic Kidney Diseases

Abstract: The effects of an oral adsorbent, AST‐120, in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients was evaluated by the 24‐month dialysis‐free rate and 50% dialysis‐free period. This study retrospectively analyzed 193 patients admitted to the Osaka Medical College Hospital between January 1994 and December 2001 because of CKD and who later started dialysis. The propensity score on multiple factors was used to match two groups of patients (AST‐120 group, n = 78; non‐AST‐120 group, n = 78). Then, the proportion of patients remaining dialysis‐free and the 50% dialysis‐free period during the 24 months after starting treatment with or without AST‐120 were analyzed. The impact of AST‐120 on the risk of dialysis initiation was also determined by multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in the clinical background and laboratory values after matching the two groups using the propensity score. The 50% dialysis‐free period was significantly prolonged in the AST‐120 group compared to the non‐AST‐120 group for all patients analyzed, as well as for the subgroup with diabetic or non‐diabetic renal disease. When AST‐120 treatment was started at a serum creatinine level below 3 mg/dL, the dialysis‐free period was longer than 24 months in the AST‐120 group, compared with 16.2 months in the non‐AST‐120 group. The 24‐month dialysis‐free rate was higher in the AST‐120 group in every patient category. The risk of dialysis initiation was increased 3.48‐fold in patients who were not administered AST‐120. These results show that AST‐120 delays the initiation of dialysis in CKD patients. Thus, AST‐120 is an effective supplementary therapy to prevent the initiation of dialysis in CKD patients.
Results of radiation therapy for superficial esophageal cancer using the standard radiotherapy method recommended by the Japanese Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (JASTRO) Study Group.

BACKGROUND Superficial esophageal cancer (SEC) is defined as esophageal cancer limited to the submucosal layers, including mucosal cancer and submucosal cancer, and is squamous cell carcinoma in most patients. In 2000, the Japanese Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (JASTRO) Study Group for SEC published a consensus guideline of standard radiotherapy methods. In this study, the interim treatment outcomes of SEC patients, who had received radiation therapy following the standard radiotherapy methods, were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 2000 to 2003, a total of 141 SEC patients were treated in 24 institutions in Japan. RESULTS The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 95%, 90% and 90%, respectively, for patients with mucosal cancer and 90%, 81% and 70%, respectively, for patients with submucosal cancer. The overall survival was better in patients who had undergone chemotherapy than in patients who had received radiation therapy alone, though the difference was not statistically significant. The clinical target volume (CTV) did not influence overall survival and intracavitary irradiation did not influence the local control rate in either patients with mucosal or submucosal cancer. Radiation-induced esophageal ulcer was not observed in this series. CONCLUSION The standard radiotherapy methods are safe and effective for treating SEC. However, the usefulness of chemotherapy and intracavitary irradiation and the optimal setting of the CTV should be clarified by future randomized trials.
Implicit Inflation and Risk Premiums in the Brazilian Fixed Income Market

ABSTRACT The breakeven inflation, the differential between nominal and real yields of bonds, is often used as a predictor of future inflation. The model presented here decomposes this interest rate differential into a risk premium and implicit inflation using a parametric formulation based on no-arbitrage conditions using nominal and indexed yield curves in Brazil, via an affine model of the Nelson–Siegel family. The measures of implicit inflation obtained from the model are shown to be unbiased estimators of future inflation for short horizons and carry some information for long horizons, and the model forecasts are superior to market surveys.
Examining the in Vivo Role of the Amino Terminus of the Essential Myosin Light Chain*

The functional significance of the actin binding region at the amino terminus of the cardiac essential myosin light chain (ELC) remains obscure. Previous experiments carried out in vitro indicated that modulation of residues 5–14 could induce an inotropic effect, increasing maximal ATPase activity at submaximal Ca2+ concentrations (Rarick, H. M., Opgenorth, T. J., von Geldern, T. W., Wu-Wong, J. R., and Solaro, R. J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 27039–27043). Using transgenesis, we effected a cardiac-specific replacement of ELC with a protein containing a 10-amino acid deletion at positions 5–14. Both the ventricular (ELC1vΔ5–14) and atrial (ELC1aΔ5–14) isoforms lacking this peptide were stably incorporated into the sarcomere at high efficiencies. Surprisingly when the kinetics of skinned fibers isolated from the ELC1vΔ5–14 or ELC1aΔ5–14 mice were examined, no alterations in either unloaded shortening or maximum shortening velocities were apparent. Myofibrillar Mg2+-ATPase activity was also unchanged in these preparations. No significant changes in the fiber kinetics in the cognate compartments were observed when either deletion-containing protein replaced endogenous ELC1v or ELC1a. The data indicate that the previously postulated importance of this region in mediating critical protein interactions between the cardiac ELCs and the carboxyl-terminal residues of actin in vivo should be reassessed.
Factor Structure of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery for Children: A Brief Report Supplement

The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNB) is the first factor-analyzed neuropsychological battery and consists of three batteries for young children, older children, and adults. Halstead's original factor analysis extracted four factors from the adult version of the battery, which were the basis for his theory of biological intelligence. These factors were called Central Integrative Field, Abstraction, Power, and Directional. Since this original analysis, Reitan's additions to the battery, and the development of the child versions of the test, this factor-analytic research continued. An introduction and the adult literature are reviewed in Ross, Allen, and Goldstein (in press). In this supplemental article, factor-analytic studies of the HRNB with children are reviewed. It is concluded that factor analysis of the HRNB or Reitan-Indiana Neuropsychological Battery with children does not replicate the extensiveness of the adult literature, although there is some evidence that when the traditional battery for older children is used, the factor structure is similar to what is found in adult studies. Reitan's changes to the battery appear to have added factors including language and sensory-perceptual factors. When other tests and scoring methods are used in addition to the core battery, differing solutions are produced.
Fecal Lactoferrin Is a Sensitive and Specific Marker in Identifying Intestinal Inflammation

OBJECTIVE:Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein expressed by activated neutrophils. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of fecal lactoferrin concentrations for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) versus healthy controls.METHODS:Fresh stool samples were collected from outpatients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), or IBS. Clinical disease activity for IBD was assessed using a modified Harvey–Bradshaw Activity Index. Fecal lactoferrin concentrations were determined using a polyclonal antibody-based enzyme linked immunoassay. Mean fecal lactoferrin concentrations for each group and sensitivity and specificity of the assay were determined.RESULTS:One hundred-four CD patients, 80 UC patients, 31 IBS patients, and 56 healthy controls were recruited. The mean ± SE fecal lactoferrin concentration (μg/g fecal weight) was 440 ± 128 for CD patients, 1125 ± 498 for UC patients, 1.27 ± 0.29 for IBS patients, and 1.45 ± 0.4 for healthy controls. Fecal lactoferrin was 90% specific for identifying inflammation in patients with active IBD. Elevated fecal lactoferrin was 100% specific in ruling out IBS.CONCLUSIONS:Fecal lactoferrin is sensitive and specific for detecting inflammation in chronic IBD. This noninvasive test may prove useful in screening for inflammation in patients presenting with abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Projections of the medial orbital and ventral orbital cortex in the rat

The medial orbital (MO) and ventral orbital (VO) cortices are prominent divisions of the orbitomedial prefrontal cortex. To our knowledge, no previous report in the rat has comprehensively described the projections of MO and VO. By using the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin and the retrograde tracer Fluoro‐Gold, we examined the efferent projections of MO and VO in the rat. Although MO and VO projections overlap, MO distributes more widely throughout the brain, particularly to limbic structures, than does VO. The main cortical targets of MO were the orbital, ventral medial prefrontal (mPFC), agranular insular, piriform, retrosplenial, and parahippocampal cortices. The main subcortical targets of MO were the medial striatum, olfactory tubercle, claustrum, nucleus accumbens, septum, substantia innominata, lateral preoptic area, and diagonal band nuclei of the basal forebrain; central, medial, cortical, and basal nuclei of amygdala; paratenial, mediodorsal, and reuniens nuclei of the thalamus; posterior, supramammillary, and lateral nuclei of the hypothalamus; and periaqueductal gray, ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, dorsal and median raphe, laterodorsal tegmental, and incertus nuclei of the brainstem. By comparison, VO distributes to some of these same sites, notably to the striatum, but lacks projections to parts of limbic cortex, to nucleus accumbens, and to the amygdala. VO distributes much more strongly, however, than MO to the medial (frontal) agranular, anterior cingulate, sensorimotor, posterior parietal, lateral agranular retrosplenial, and temporal association cortices. The patterns of MO projections are similar to those of the mPFC, whereas the projections of VO overlap with those of the ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO). This suggests that MO serves functions comparable to those of the mPFC, such as goal‐directed behavior, and VO performs functions similar to VLO such as directed attention. MO/VO may also serve as a link between lateral orbital and medial prefrontal cortices. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3766–3801, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of Melioidosis in the Er-Ren River Basin, Taiwan: Implications for Transmission

ABSTRACT An increase in melioidosis cases compared to other areas in Taiwan was observed in the Er-Ren River Basin, southwestern Taiwan, from November 2001 to August 2006. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the level of exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei and the incidence rate of melioidosis and to survey the transmission modes of B. pseudomallei in the Er-Ren River Basin. The serosurveillance of melioidosis gave seropositivity rates of 36.6%, 21.6%, and 10.9%, respectively, for residents in regions A, B, and C within the Er-Ren Basin area. Culture and PCR-based detection of B. pseudomallei from soil demonstrated that the geographical distribution of this bacterium was confined to a particular site in region B. The distribution of seropositive titers was significantly associated with the incidence rate of melioidosis (120, 68, or 36 incidence cases per 100,000 population in region A, B, or C in 2005), whereas it did not correlate with the geographical distribution of B. pseudomallei within the soil. A survey of transmission modes showed that residents with seropositivity were linked to factors such as having confronted flooding and having walked barefoot on soil, which are potential risk factors associated with exposure to B. pseudomallei. Our findings indicated that the Er-Ren River Basin in Taiwan has the potential to become a high-prevalence area for melioidosis. This is the first report that documents a high prevalence of melioidosis in an area north of latitude 20°N.
Relationship between Risk and Incentives in Franchise Contracting

The relationship between risk and incentives in franchise contracting is still an unsolved issue in the literature. According to the standard principal-agent model, a trade-off emerges between the franchisee's protection against risk and incentive motivation. Contrary to this traditional view, we argue that the relationship between risk and incentives can be positive. In franchise contracting, this implies that the royalty rate decreases with risk. Using a unique panel dataset combining French franchise and financial data, we address this issue empirically and analyze the impact of a risk- and incentive-adjusted royalty rate on performance. The data support the hypothesis of a negative relationship between risk and the royalty rate, which contradicts the standard prediction of the agency theory. Furthermore, the estimation of random effect models provides evidence that chain performance increases with a risk- and incentive-adjusted royalty rate.
Overexpressed Sod1p acts either to reduce or to increase the lifespans and stress resistance of yeast, depending on whether it is Cu2+‐deficient or an active Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase

Yeast overexpressing SOD1, the gene for Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn‐Sod), was used to determine how Sod1p overexpression influences the chronological lifespan [the survival of non‐dividing stationary (G0) phase cells over time], the replicative lifespan (the number of buds produced by actively dividing yeast cells) and stress resistance. Increasing the level of active Cu,Zn‐Sod in yeast was found to require either growth in the presence of high copper, or the simultaneous overexpression of both SOD1 and CCS1 (the latter being the gene that encodes the chaperone dedicated to Cu2+‐loading of Sod1p in vivo). Dual SOD1 + CCS1 overexpression elevated the levels of Cu,Zn‐Sod activity six‐ to eight‐fold in vegetative cultures. It also increased the optimized survival of stationary cells up to two‐fold, showing this chronological lifespan is ultimately limited by oxidative stress. In contrast, several detrimental effects resulted when the SOD1 gene was overexpressed in the absence of either high copper or a simultaneous overexpression of CCS1. Both the chronological and the replicative lifespans were shortened; the cells displayed an abnormally high level of endogenous oxidative stress, resulting in a high rate of spontaneous mutation. Such harmful effects were all reversed through the overexpression of CCS1. It is apparent therefore that they relate to the incomplete Cu2+‐loading of the overexpressed Sod1p, most probably accumulation of a Cu2+‐deficient Sod1p to appreciable levels in vivo. The same events may generate the detrimental effects that are frequently, though not universally, observed when Cu,Zn‐Sod overexpression is attempted in metazoans.
Pulmonary exposure to cellulose nanocrystals caused deleterious effects to reproductive system in male mice

ABSTRACT Over the past several years there has been an increased number of applications of cellulosic materials in many sectors, including the food industry, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. However, to date, there are few studies investigating the potential adverse effects of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The objective of this study was to determine long-term outcomes on the male reproductive system of mice upon repeated pharyngeal aspiration exposure to CNC. To achieve this, cauda epididymal sperm samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, motility, morphological abnormalities, and DNA damage. Testicular and epididymal oxidative damage was evaluated, as well as histopathology examination of testes. In addition, changes in levels of testosterone in testes and serum and of luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum were determined. Three months after the last administration, CNC exposure significantly altered sperm concentration, motility, cell morphology, and sperm DNA integrity. These parameters correlated with elevated proinflammatory cytokines levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in testes, as well as oxidative stress in both testes and epididymis. Exposure to CNC also produced damage to testicular structure, as evidenced by presence of interstitial edema, frequent dystrophic seminiferous tubules with arrested spermatogenesis and degenerating spermatocytes, and imbalance in levels of testosterone and LH. Taken together, these results demonstrate that pulmonary exposure to CNC induces sustained adverse effects in spermatocytes/spermatozoa, suggesting male reproductive toxicity.