Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of fluoride gel use on bleaching sensitivity: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Fluoride has been recognized as a desensitizer; however, no study has addressed its effects to decrease tooth sensitivity when compared with a placebo in a double-blind randomized clinical study. METHODS The authors divided 30 participants into two groups: one that received a placebo and another that was treated with fluoride. All patients used 16 percent carbamide peroxide (CP) in a custom-fitted tray until their teeth achieved shade A1 or lighter. After daily removal of CP, the patients wore a tray containing either sodium fluoride or placebo for four minutes. The authors statistically analyzed the perception of the intensity of tooth sensitivity and the weekly shade changes for both groups, as well as the intensity of tooth sensitivity (alpha = .05). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The use of fluoride gel did not affect the whitening efficacy of the CP. The authors observed no difference between the groups receiving the placebo and the fluoride treatment in terms of tooth sensitivity experience (P > .05); however, patients who received the placebo had a higher-intensity tooth sensitivity than that of patients who received the fluoride (P < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS. The use of 1.23 percent sodium fluoride after each bleaching regimen does not affect the bleaching efficacy of CP. Also, the use of sodium fluoride gel reduces the intensity of tooth sensitivity.
“Core” Glycolipid of Enterobacteriaceae: Immunofluorescent Detection of Antigen and Antibody 1

Summary The Re chemotype mutant of Salmonella minnesota R595 has a cell-wall glycolipid composed principally of 2-keto, 3 deoxyoctonate and Lipid A, which is an antigen widely shared by Enterobacteriaceae. High-titered antiserum against this antigen can be conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate for direct detection of this antigen in heterologous bacteria and staining of bacteria in tissue. Alternatively, the indirect immunofluorescence technique can be used for antigen detection on bacterial surfaces and in tissues, and this method can quantitate glycolipid antibody in mammalian sera. The latter may be particularly useful in serologic studies because, although the glycolipid antigen is a surface antigen and purified extracts can be used to coat latex particles, high-titered antisera will not agglutinate bacteria or coated latex particles. The expert technical assistance of Shahnaz K. Raza is gratefully acknowledged.
AIM2 Inflammasome Is Critical for Influenza-Induced Lung Injury and Mortality

The absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome plays an important role in many viral and bacterial infections, but very little is known about its role in RNA virus infection, including influenza A virus (IAV). In this study, we have designed in vivo and in vitro studies to determine the role of AIM2 in infections with lethal doses of IAVs A/PR8/34 and A/California/07/09. In wild-type mice, IAV infection enhanced AIM2 expression, induced dsDNA release, and stimulated caspase-1 activation and release of cleaved IL-1β in the lung, which was significantly reduced in AIM2-deficient mice. Interestingly, AIM2 deficiency did not affect the transcription of caspase-1 and IL-1β. In addition, AIM2-deficient mice exhibited attenuated lung injury and significantly improved survival against IAV challenges, but did not alter viral burden in the lung. However, AIM2 deficiency did not seem to affect adaptive immune response against IAV infections. Furthermore, experiments with AIM2-specific small interfering RNA–treated and AIM2-deficient human and mouse lung alveolar macrophages and type II cells indicated a macrophage-specific function of AIM2 in regulation of IAV-stimulated proinflammatory response. Collectively, our results demonstrate that influenza infection activates the AIM2 inflammasome, which plays a critical role in IAV-induced lung injury and mortality. AIM2 might serve as a therapeutic target for combating influenza-associated morbidity and mortality without compromising the host antiviral responses.
Change in Identity Diffusion and Psychopathology in a Specialized Inpatient Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.

OBJECTIVES Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) show various psychopathological symptoms and suffer especially from disturbance in their identity. The purpose of the study was to investigate changes-particularly in affective BPD symptoms and identity diffusion-during a structured, disorder-specific inpatient treatment (DST) that combined a psychodynamic transference-focused psychotherapy approach with modules of dialectical behavioural skills training. METHOD In a prospective, two-group comparison trial, 44 patients with BPD were assessed with questionnaires addressing identity diffusion and state, as well as trait affective psychopathology, before and after 12 weeks of inpatient treatment. Thirty-two patients received DST, whereas 12 patients were given inpatient treatment-as-usual (TAU). The patients were allocated in a non-random procedure for two groups, in order of admission and availability of treatment options in the DST unit. RESULTS In the pre-post-comparison, the DST group showed a significant decrease in identity diffusion (p < 0.001) and improvements in instability of the image of self and others (p < 0.008), as well as in pathological (trait and state) symptoms. However, there was no significant improvement in the TAU group. CONCLUSIONS After a 12-week inpatient treatment, the findings indicate significant improvements in the DST group in typical affective borderline symptomatology and in the personality structure feature of identity diffusion. This highlights the significance of a short-term specific inpatient therapy for BPD. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE A structured, disorder-specific inpatient treatment of patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) combined a psychodynamic transference-focused psychotherapy treatment approach (focusing on pathological features in personality organization, particularly on non-integrated images of self and others) with modules of dialectical behavioural skills training. This treatment is associated with a decrease in identity diffusion of these patients after 12 weeks of treatment. The treatment is also related to a significant decrease in borderline typical psychopathological symptoms such as depressive symptoms, as well as an improvement in state anger. The outcomes of this structured, disorder-specific inpatient treatment of severely ill BPD patients indicated the relevance of intensive short-term inpatient psychotherapy in terms of psychopathological improvements as well as initial changes in structural personality organization.
Breakdown Characteristics of Solid Dielectrics Immersed in High Pressure Gaseous Media and Subjected to Direct Voltages with Ripple

The breakdown characteristics of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), immersed in high pressure gaseous media such as CCl2F2 and mixtures of CCl2F2 and N2, subjected to both positive and negative direct voltages with ripple contents of various percentages are reported. The peak breakdown voltage of the solid dielectric immersed in the gaseous media decreases with increasing ripple content and pressure of the media. In mixtures of CCl2F2 and N2, the peak breakdown voltage at any ripple content increases with increase of N2. The breakdown is initiated by the surface dis charges. The decrease in breakdown voltage with the increase of ripple content and pressure is attributed to the energy density of surface-discharges.
Undiagnosed diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in HFE C282Y homozygotes and HFE wild-type controls in the HEIRS Study

Objective To determine prevalences and predictors of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (UDM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in non-Hispanic whites with HFE p.C282Y homozygosity and controls without common HFE mutations identified in population screening. Research design and methods We analyzed these observations in a postscreening examination: age; sex; body mass index; systolic/diastolic blood pressure; metacarpophalangeal joint hypertrophy; hepatomegaly; blood neutrophils; alanine and aspartate aminotransferase; elevated C reactive protein; transferrin saturation; serum ferritin; and Field Center. Results There were 223 p.C282Y homozygotes and 449 controls without diagnosed diabetes (43.9% men). Mean age of p.C282Y homozygotes was 52±13 years (controls 57±14 years; p<0.0001). Mean transferrin saturation in p.C282Y homozygotes was 67±26% (controls 34±14%; p<0.0001). Mean serum ferritin in p.C282Y homozygotes was 607 pmol/L (95% CI 497 to 517; controls 274 pmol/L (247 to 301); p<0.0001). Overall prevalences of UDM (4.0% vs 4.2%) and IFG (23.8% vs 25.6%) did not differ significantly between p.C282Y homozygotes and wt/wt controls, respectively. In logistic regressions, male sex, body mass index, and alanine aminotransferase were significantly associated with UDM. ORs were 2.7 (1.2 to 2.8); 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1); and 1.0 (1.0 to 1.0), respectively. Age, male sex, and body mass index were significantly associated with IFG. ORs were 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1); 2.8 (1.9 to 4.2); and 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1), respectively. Conclusions Prevalences of UDM and IFG were similar in p.C282Y homozygotes and controls in a postpopulation screening examination. Male sex was the strongest predictor of UDM and IFG.
Characterization of the Molecular Mechanism Underlying Gibberellin Perception Complex Formation in Rice[C][W]

DELLA degradation, a key event in gibberellin (GA) signaling, is triggered by the GA-dependent interaction between the GA receptor GID1 and the DELLA/TVHYNP motif of DELLA. The interaction between GID1 and the DELLA/TVHYNP motif is found to enable the C-terminal GRAS domain of DELLA to interact with GID1, which leads to the degradation of the DELLA protein SLR1 via the SCFGID2 E3 ligase. The DELLA protein SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1) is a repressor of gibberellin (GA) signaling in rice (Oryza sativa), and most of the GA-associated responses are induced upon SLR1 degradation. It is assumed that interaction between GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) and the N-terminal DELLA/TVHYNP motif of SLR1 triggers F-box protein GID2-mediated SLR1 degradation. We identified a semidominant dwarf mutant, Slr1-d4, which contains a mutation in the region encoding the C-terminal GRAS domain of SLR1 (SLR1G576V). The GA-dependent degradation of SLR1G576V was reduced in Slr1-d4, and compared with SLR1, SLR1G576V showed reduced interaction with GID1 and almost none with GID2 when tested in yeast cells. Surface plasmon resonance of GID1-SLR1 and GID1-SLR1G576V interactions revealed that the GRAS domain of SLR1 functions to stabilize the GID1-SLR1 interaction by reducing its dissociation rate and that the G576V substitution in SLR1 diminishes this stability. These results suggest that the stable interaction of GID1-SLR1 through the GRAS domain is essential for the recognition of SLR1 by GID2. We propose that when the DELLA/TVHYNP motif of SLR1 binds with GID1, it enables the GRAS domain of SLR1 to interact with GID1 and that the stable GID1-SLR1 complex is efficiently recognized by GID2.
Laryngeal Mask Airway Position and the Risk of Gastric Insufflation

A potential risk of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an incomplete mask seal causing gastric insufflation or oropharyngeal air leakage.The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of LMA malpositions by fiberoptic laryngoscopy, and to determine their influence on gastric insufflation and oropharyngeal air leakage. One hundred eight patients were studied after the induction of anesthesia, before any surgical manipulations. After clinically satisfactory LMA placement, tidal volumes were increased stepwise until air entered the stomach, airway pressure exceeded 40 cm H2 O, or air leakage from the mask seal prevented further increases in tidal volume. LMA position in relation to the laryngeal entrance was verified using a flexible bronchoscope. The overall incidence of LMA malpositions was 40% (43 of 108). Gastric air insufflation occurred in 19% (21 of 108), and in 90% (19 of 21) of these patients, the LMA was malpositioned. Oropharyngeal air leakage occurred in 42%, and was independent of LMA position. We conclude that clinically unrecognized LMA malposition is a significant risk factor for gastric air insufflation. Implications: Routine placement of laryngeal mask airways does not require laryngoscopy. In our study, fiberoptic verification of mask position revealed suboptimal placement in 40% of cases. Such malpositioning considerably increased the risk of gastric air insufflation. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:867-71)
Prevalence and Causes of Severe Visual Impairment and Blindness Among Children in the Lorestan Province of Iran, Using the Key Informant Method

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in Lorestan province of Iran, and to assess the feasibility of the Key Informant Method in this setting. Methods: Potential cases were identified using the Key Informant Method, in 3 counties of Lorestan province during June through August 2008, and referred for examination. Causes of severe visual impairment/blindness were determined and categorized using standard World Health Organization methods. Results: Of 123 children referred for examination, 27 children were confirmed to have severe visual impairment/blindness or blindness. The median age was11 years (interquartile range 6–13), and 59% were girls. After adjusting for non-attenders, the estimated prevalence of severe visual impairment/blindness was 0.04% (0.03–0.05). The main site of abnormality was retina (44%), followed by disorders of the whole eye (33%). The majority of causes had a hereditary etiology (70%), which was associated with a family history of blindness (P = 0.002). Potentially avoidable causes of severe visual impairment/blindness were found in 14 children (52%). Almost all children with severe visual impairment/blindness had a history of parental consanguinity (93%). Conclusions: Our findings suggest a moderate prevalence of childhood blindness in the Lorestan province of Iran, a high proportion of which may be avoidable, given improved access to ophthalmic and genetic counselling services in rural areas. The Key Informant Method is feasible in Iran; future research is discussed.
Temporal Patterns of Recovery Across Eating Disorder Subtypes

Objective: To compare patterns of recovery in individuals with index episodes of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Method: Using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models, comparisons were conducted that were conditional on duration of eating disorder from onset and included a conservative recovery criterion of 3 asymptomatic years. Data collection was retrospective and from two of the international Price Foundation genetic studies on 901 individuals with eating disorders. Results: Using Kaplan–Meier methods, 11% of those with index AN and 10% of those with index BN met recovery criteria at 10 years. At 15 years, 16% of those with index AN and 25% of those with index BN met recovery criteria. In a Cox proportional hazards model the index BN group had three times the rate of recovery at 10–14 years (p=0.01) than the index AN group. Conclusions: Initially the probability of recovery was greater for those with index AN, but as the duration of the eating disorder lengthened those with BN had higher probabilities of recovery. Replication of these results with prospective data using similarly stringent recovery criteria and methods is required to confirm trends.
IL1RAPL1 controls inhibitory networks during cerebellar development in mice

Abnormalities in the formation and function of cerebellar circuitry potentially contribute to cognitive deficits in humans. In the adult, the activity of the sole output neurons of the cerebellar cortex – the Purkinje cells (PCs) – is shaped by the balance of activity between local excitatory and inhibitory circuits. However, how this balance is established during development remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of interleukin‐1 receptor accessory protein‐like 1 (IL1RAPL1), a protein linked to cognitive function which interacts with neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS‐1) in the development of mouse cerebellum. Using Il1rapl1‐deficient mice, we found that absence of IL1RAPL1 causes a transient disinhibition of deep cerebellar nuclei neurons between postnatal days 10 and 14 (P10/P14). Upstream, in the cerebellar cortex, we found developmental perturbations in the activity level of molecular layer interneurons (MLIs), resulting in the premature appearance of giant GABAA‐mediated inhibitory post‐synaptic currents capable of silencing PCs. Examination of feed‐forward recruitment of MLIs by parallel fibres shows that during this P10/P14 time window, MLIs were more responsive to incoming excitatory drive. Thus, we conclude that IL1RAPL1 exerts a key function during cerebellar development in establishing local excitation/inhibition balance.
Role of lean body mass for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in patients with chronic kidney disease with various body mass indices

Objective. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the main tool used to diagnose, treat and follow up renal diseases. Age, gender, ethnicity and obesity all affect the relationship between serum creatinine, muscle mass/body weight and GFR. This study aimed to investigate the role of lean body mass for GFR estimation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with various body mass indices. Material and methods. In total, 110 Caucasian adult subjects with CKD referred for GFR measurement by 99mTc-DTPA renography were enrolled in the study. The patients were categorized according to body mass index values: <18.5 kg/m2 (underweight), 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 (normal), 25–29.9 kg/m2 (overweight) and >30 kg/m2 (obese). Lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass were measured by leg-to-leg bioimpedance. Predictive factors were identified by linear regression analysis in each group. Results. GFR measured by DTPA, creatinine clearance, Cockcroft and Gault, and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (four-variable) equations was 37±27, 42±30, 42±27, and 49±35 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The predictive role of 1/SCr, age, serum albumin, amount of proteinuria, LBM and fat mass was investigated all groups. None of the factors was significant in underweight and healthy weight groups except for 1/serum creatinine (SCr). LBM/SCr was an independent predictive factor for both overweight and obese groups. 1/SCr accounted for 96.2% of the variability in measured GFR for underweight subjects but only 58.1% of the variability in GFR of obese subjects. Conclusions. The formulae derived from SCr should be used cautiously in overweight and obese subjects. LBM measured by bioimpedance was an independent predictive factor of GFR in obese/overweight subjects and added clinically important diagnostic value to 1/SCr. It needs to be investigated as a parameter in further studies attempting to develop formulae for estimating GFR in larger obese and overweight populations.
Random Coding Exponent for MIMO Channels

We derive Gallager's random coding error exponent for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels, assuming no channel-state information (CSI) at the transmitter and perfect CSI at the receiver. This measure gives insight into a fundamental tradeoff between the communication reliability and information rate of MIMO channels, enabling to determine the required codeword length to achieve a prescribed error probability at a given rate below the channel capacity. We quantify the effects of the number of antennas, channel coherence time, and spatial fading correlation on the MIMO exponent. In addition, the general formulae for the ergodic capacity and the cutoff rate in the presence of spatial correlation are deduced from the exponent expressions. These formulae are applicable to arbitrary structures of transmit and receive correlation, encompassing all the previously known results as special cases of our expressions.
CB1‐independent inhibition of dopamine transporter activity by cannabinoids in mouse dorsal striatum

Cannabinoid drugs are known to affect dopaminergic neurotransmission in the basal ganglia circuitry. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo techniques to investigate whether cannabinoid agonists and antagonist could affect dopaminergic transmission in the striatum by acting at the dopamine transporter. Incubation of striatal synaptosomes with the cannabinoid agonists WIN55,212‐2 or methanandamide decreased dopamine uptake (IC50 = 2.0 μmol/L and 3.1 μmol/L, respectively). A similar inhibitory effect was observed after application of the inactive WIN55,212‐2 isomer, S(−)WIN55,212‐3. The CB1 antagonist AM251 did not reverse WIN55,212‐2 effect but rather mimicked it. WIN55,212‐2 and AM251 partially displaced the binding of the cocaine analog [3H]WIN35,428, thus acting as dopamine transporter pseudo‐substrates in the high micromolar range. High‐speed chronoamperometry measurements showed that WIN55,212‐2 (4 mg/kg, i.p.) caused significant release of endogenous dopamine via activation of CB1 receptors, followed by a reduction of dopamine clearance. This reduction was CB1‐independent, as it was mimicked by S(−)WIN55,212‐3. Administration of AM251 (1 and 4 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the signal amplitude and reduced the clearance of dopamine pressure ejected into the striatum. These results indicate that both cannabinoid agonists and antagonists inhibit dopamine transporter activity via molecular targets other than CB1 receptors.
Urinary renin and angiotensinogen in type 2 diabetes: added value beyond urinary albumin?

Objective: Urinary levels of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) components may reflect renal RAAS activity and/or the renal efficacy of RAAS inhibition. Our aim was to determine whether urinary angiotensinogen and renin are circulating RAAS-independent markers during RAAS blockade. Methods: Urinary and plasma levels of angiotensinogen, renin, and albumin were measured in 22 patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and albuminuria, during 2-month treatment periods with placebo, aliskiren, irbesartan, or their combination in random order in a crossover study. Results: Aliskiren and irbesartan both increased plasma renin 3–4-fold, and above 10-fold when combined. Irbesartan decreased plasma angiotensinogen by approximately 25%, and no changes in plasma angiotensinogen were observed during the combination. Urine contained aliskiren at micromolar levels, blocking urinary renin by above 90%. Both blockers reduced urinary angiotensinogen, significant for irbesartan only. Combination blockade reduced urinary angiotensinogen even further. Reductions in urinary angiotensinogen paralleled albuminuria changes, and the urine/plasma concentration ratio of angiotensinogen was identical to that of albumin under all conditions. In contrast, urinary renin did not follow albumin, and remained unaltered after all treatments. Yet, the urine/plasma concentration ratio of renin was more than 100-fold higher than that of angiotensinogen and albumin, and approximately 4-fold reduced by single RAAS blockade, and more than 10-fold by dual RAAS blockade. Conclusions: Aliskiren filters into urine and influences urinary renin measurements. The urine/plasma renin ratio, but not urinary renin alone, may reflect the renal efficacy of RAAS blockade. Urinary angiotensinogen is a marker of filtration barrier damage rather than intrarenal RAAS activity.