Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo evaluation of the effect of essential oil-containing oral strips on salivary bacteria using the checkerboard method.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of essential oil-containing oral strips on different species of the oral microbiota. METHODOLOGY Saliva samples were collected from 20 subjects with good oral health, diluted and plated onto blood agar medium. The subjects were asked to place the strip (Listerine PocketPaks) on the tongue allowing it to dissolve. After 30 minutes, new saliva samples were collected again and the plates with the samples were incubated under anaerobic conditions at 37 degrees C for seven days. Colony counts (CFU/mL) were determined for each sample. The colonies on the plates were washed with 1 mL of TE buffer, and the bacterial suspensions were processed for the identification of 24 species by DNA probes and the Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method. Differences in total counts, prevalence, and levels of the species evaluated before and after placement of the strips were determined by Wilcoxon sign rank and Chi-square tests. RESULTS A modest increase in the total bacterial number in saliva from 1.4 x 10(8) to 1.7 x 10(8) bacterial cells was observed 30 minutes after the strip placement, although this change was not significant (p = 0.632). Most of the species reduced in frequency and/or levels, including the pathogens A. actinomycetemcomitans, C. rectus, E. corrodens, Fusobacterium spp. , P. intermedia, and S. noxia, as well as the beneficial species A. meyeri, A. georgia, A. gerencseriae, A. odontolyticus, and P. acnes after strip placement. In contrast, A. viscosus, P. melaninogenica, P. gingivalis, P. micros, Streptococcus spp. , T. forsythensis, and V. parvula presented an increase in prevalence and/or levels. These changes were not statistically significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons (p > 0.0022). CONCLUSION The use of the essential oil-containing oral strips resulted in a short-term small increase in the total number of salivary microorganisms. In addition, a not significant decrease of certain periodontopathogens, and an increase in species compatible with oral health were observed.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Avian-Like H3N2 Swine Influenza Virus Discovered in Southern China

ABSTRACT We report here the complete genomic sequence of a novel avian-like H3N2 swine influenza virus containing an H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus segment that was obtained from swine in southern China. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this virus might originate from domestic aquatic birds. The sequence information provided herein suggests that continuing study is required to determine if this virus can be established in the swine population and pose potential threats to public health.
Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Trisomy 13

Monozygotic twins with discordant karyotypes for trisomy 13 are rare. We report a case of a spontaneously conceived pregnancy who presented with first-trimester ultrasound finding of umbilical cord cyst and increased nuchal translucency in Twin A and no abnormalities in Twin B. Amniocentesis revealed 47,XY,+13 karyotype in Twin A and 46,XY karyotype in Twin B. Selective fetal reduction was performed for Twin A. Twin B was delivered at 32 weeks gestation with normal phenotype. Peripheral blood karyotype revealed 15% mosaicism for trisomy 13 and skin fibroblast revealed 46,XY karyotype. The surviving twin will be monitored for potential complication of uniparental disomy 13 and mosaic trisomy 13. This case reinforces the need for early ultrasound and nuchal translucency measurements, especially in twin gestations.
Stimulation of the circulating levels of glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit after combined administration of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist and flutamide in patients with cancer of the prostate.

To ascertain whether the immunoreactive luteinizing hormone (LH) levels measured following the combined treatment may represent cross-reaction of the LH antiserum with LH subunits, we have examined the effects of therapy on the serum levels of free alpha- and free LH-beta-subunits in intact, castrated, and estrogen-treated patients. In previously untreated patients receiving the LHRH agonist [D-Trp6,des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide in association with the pure antiandrogen Flutamide, serum-free alpha-subunit levels were stimulated from 0.09 +/- 0.02 to 3.10 +/- 0.84 ng/ml after 5 days, and declined slowly afterwards to 1.33 +/- 0.20 ng/ml after 3 months of combined treatment. In patients pretreated from 12 to 24 months (17.5 +/- 1.0 months) with diethylstilbestrol (DES) prior to receiving the combined therapy, free serum alpha-subunit concentration followed a similar pattern, rising from 0.22 +/- 0.03 to 1.78 +/- 0.28 ng/ml after 15 days of combined treatment, and declining thereafter to 0.81 +/- 0.10 ng/ml after 3 months. Free LH-beta-subunits were below the detection limit in most previously untreated patients and in all DES-treated patients. After correcting for the cross-reactivity of the alpha-subunit in the LH RIA, immunoassayable LH serum levels in previously untreated patients were only slightly reduced from 0.81 +/- 0.06 ng/ml before the onset of the combined treatment to 0.52 +/- 0.05 ng/ml after 3 months. On the contrary, bioactive serum LH levels were drastically inhibited from 0.43 +/- 0.04 to 0.03 +/- 0.01 ng/ml after the same duration of treatment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effects of feeding regimen and dietary sucrose supplementation on natural abundance of 15N in some components of ruminal fluid and plasma of sheep.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of changes in ruminal conditions arising from feeding and sucrose supplementation to the diet on the natural abundance of 15N (delta 15N value) of some biological components and of feces and urine in sheep. Four wethers fitted with ruminal fistulas were fed on alfalfa hay cubes with or without sucrose either 2 or 12 times daily. With twice-daily feeding, the delta 15N values of ruminal ammonia and plasma urea decreased after feeding, whereas only small changes were observed throughout the sampling period with 12 times daily feeding. With 12 times daily feeding with and without sucrose, the delta 15N values of ruminal ammonia were higher (P < .05) than those of the diet and plasma urea. The delta 15N values of ruminal bacteria were lower (P < .05) than those of ruminal ammonia but higher (P < .05) than those of the diet. The delta 15N values for feces were higher (P < .05) than those of the diet, and no differences (P > .25) were observed between the delta 15N values of urine and those of the diet. Dietary sucrose supplementation lowered (P < .05) the delta 15N values of ruminal ammonia but had no effect (P > .10) on values for ruminal bacteria and plasma urea. Nitrogen excretion in urine was decreased (P < .05) by sucrose supplementation to the diet, but the delta 15N value of urine showed no effect (P > .25) of sucrose addition. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multi-rate LDPC codes for DTV transmission by known-bits padding

Modern DTV broadcasting systems, such as DVB and the Chinese DTMB system, usually have multiple code rates for forward error correction to accommodate a variety of channel conditions. In these systems, each code rate corresponds to a special set of code words, which put a limit on rate granularity and thus cannot achieve seamless code rate adaptation. To solve this problem, we propose a known-bits padding scheme to generate multi-code-rate LDPC codes of arbitrary granularity. In our scheme, we take a standardized LDPC code of specific rate as mother code, then pad known-bits according to the targeted code rate and given shortening optimization algorithm. Simulation study shows that our proposed scheme can obtain satisfying performance in terms of code rate flexibility and decoding threshold.
Mature male parr contribution to the effective size of an anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population over 30 years

We describe temporal changes in the genetic composition of a small anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population from South Newfoundland, an area where salmon populations are considered threatened (COSEWIC 2010). We examined the genetic variability (13 microsatellite loci) in 869 out‐migrating smolt and post‐spawning kelt samples, collected from 1985 to 2011 for a total of 22 annual collections and a 30 year span of assigned cohorts. We estimated the annual effective number of breeders (Nb) and the generational effective population size (Ne) through genetic methods and demographically using the adult sex ratio. Comparisons between genetic and demographic estimates show that the adult spawners inadequately explain the observed Ne estimates, suggesting that mature male parr are significantly increasing Nb and Ne over the study period. Spawning as parr appears to be a viable and important strategy in the near absence of adult males.
FREE AMALGAMATION AND AUTOMORPHISM GROUPS

Abstract We show that the class of graded c-nilpotent Lie algebras over a fixed field K is closed under free amalgamation. In [1] this result was applied, but its proof was incorrect. In case of a finite field K we obtain a Fraïssé limit of all finite graded c-nilpotent Lie algebras over K. This gives an example for the following more general considerations. The existence of free amalgamation for the age of a Fraïssé limit implies the universality of its automorphism group for all automorphism groups of substructures of that Fraïssé limit. We use [6] and [5].
Distributed memoryless point convergence algorithm for mobile robots with limited visibility

We present a distributed algorithm for converging autonomous mobile robots with limited visibility toward a single point. Each robot is an omnidirectional mobile processor that repeatedly: 1) observes the relative positions of those robots that are visible; 2) computes its new position based on the observation using the given algorithm; 3) moves to that position. The robots' visibility is limited so that two robots can see each other if and only if they are within distance V of each other and there are no other robots between them. Our algorithm is memoryless in the sense that the next position of a robot is determined entirely from the positions of the robots that it can see at that moment. The correctness of the algorithm is proved formally under an abstract model of the robot system in which: 1) each robot is represented by a point that does not obstruct the view of other robots; 2) the robots' motion is instantaneous; 3) there are no sensor and control error; 4) the issue of collision is ignored. The results of computer simulation under a more realistic model give convincing indication that the algorithm, if implemented on physical robots, will be robust against sensor and control error.
Analysing the Mental Model of Blind Users in Mobile Touch Screen Devices for Usability

— Understanding the concept of mental models can help to make sense of usability problems in software design. Yet the software engineer and developer faces many difficulties in the proper understanding of the user behaviour during interaction with the system. This paper presents a mental model of born blind users for touch screen devices to aid developers in designing and building better applications for blind users. The work of Kurniawan was preferred as a basis to examine the mental model of blind users. A user case study was carried out to assess the subjective mental model of users in regards to application usability. Our research revealed that two stages, namely: listening and interaction are used to facilitate the development of the Kurniawan mental model. This paper also suggests eight usability features that can be added to facilitate the design phase of the system. As far as is known this is a novel suggestion.
Conditional Circadian Dysfunction of the Arabidopsis early-flowering 3 Mutant

Photoperiodic responses, such as the daylength-dependent control of reproductive development, are associated with a circadian biological clock. The photoperiod-insensitive early-flowering 3 (elf3) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana lacks rhythmicity in two distinct circadian-regulated processes. This defect was apparent only when plants were assayed under constant light conditions. elf3 mutants retain rhythmicity in constant dark and anticipate light/dark transitions under most light/dark regimes. The conditional arrhythmic phenotype suggests that the circadian pacemaker is intact in darkness in elf3 mutant plants, but the transduction of light signals to the circadian clock is impaired.
Influence of human immunodeficiency virus infection on chronic hepatitis B in homosexual men

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on chronic hepatitis B. In a series of 132 (65 anti‐HIV positive) homosexual non–drug addicted men with chronic hepatitis B, the liver function was assessed with biochemical tests; the degree of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication was assessed with serum HBV DNA level and with immunoperoxidase staining of hepatitis B core (HBc) antigen on liver specimens; and the severity of liver lesions was assessed with an histology activity index. Anti‐HIV–positive and anti‐HIV–negative patients were not different for serum aspartate transaminase activity, bilirubin, prothrombin, and histology activity index. Anti‐HIV–positive patients had lower serum alanine transaminase activity levels (P = .0001), lower serum albumin levels (P = .0009), and higher serum HBV DNA levels (P = .01). There was a higher prevalence of cirrhosis in anti‐HIV–positive patients (P = .04). In homosexual men with chronic hepatitis B, HIV infection is associated with a higher level of HBV replication and a higher risk for cirrhosis without increased liver necrotico‐inflammatory process.
Epidemiology of a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Network: The PECARN Core Data Project

Objective: To examine the epidemiology of pediatric patient visits to emergency departments (ED). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of pediatric ED visits at the participating Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) hospitals in 2002. We provide descriptive characteristics of pediatric ED visits and a comparison of the study database to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). Bivariate analyses were calculated to assess characteristics associated with hospital admission, death in the ED, and length of ED visit. We also performed multivariate regression to model the likelihood of admission to the hospital. Results: Mean patient age was 6.2 years; 53.5% were boys; 47.5% black; and 43.2% had Medicaid insurance. The most common ED diagnoses were fever, upper respiratory infection, asthma, otitis media, and viral syndromes. The inpatient admission rate was 11.6%. The most common diagnoses requiring hospitalization were asthma, dehydration, fever, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. In multivariate analysis, patients who were black or Hispanic, had Medicaid insurance or were uninsured, or were older than 1 year were less likely to be hospitalized. Demographics of the PECARN population were similar to NHAMCS, with notable exceptions of a larger proportion of black patients and of admitted patients from the PECARN EDs. Conclusion: We describe previously unavailable epidemiological information about childhood illnesses and injuries that can inform development of future studies on the effectiveness, outcomes, and quality of emergency medical services for children. Most pediatric ED patients in our study sought care for infectious causes or asthma and were discharged from the ED. Hospital admission rate differed according to age, payer type, race/ethnicity, and diagnosis.
Group Decision Making under Vagueness

We report results of an experiment in which participants provided certainty equivalents for 15 risky or vague (with imprecise probabilities) two-outcome gambles. Participants made their decisions in three different settings: a) individually without prior social interactions, b) individually after discussing decisions with other participants and c) in groups of three. We also manipulated the degree of payoff communality between participants: Either all group members received the same payoff resulting from a decision or payoffs were allowed to differ depending on the outcomes of the gambles. Our results do not show a significant influence of payoff communality on either attitudes towards risk or vagueness. However, we find a significant effect of discussions with others and group decision making. Groups are more likely to make vagueness neutral decisions than individuals and individuals make more vagueness neutral decisions after discussing the decisions with others. We conclude that vagueness neutrality is a persuasive argument in group discussions which significantly affects vagueness attitudes of groups and individuals.
A framework for integrating cooperative learning and creative problem solving in engineering mathematics

Creative problem solving (CPS) is a multi-step method for solving problems in various disciplines that can support students in the learning of mathematics. Although CPS is cooperative in nature and is most productive when done as a team, CPS cannot utilize the full potential of teamwork to connect and share ideas among groups in the process of solving problems. Cooperative learning (CL) has additional elements designed to develop groups into a learning community. Both CL and CPS elements are combined to create a problem solving framework to guide students through the CPS cycle according to CL principles and to transform group discussions to class discussions. The main objective of this study is to propose a cooperative creative problem solving (CCPS) framework to support student problem solving in engineering mathematics. The designed framework can encourage engineering students to learn mathematics in their teams and overall class discussion.
Modified HMG‐CoA reductase and LDLr regulation is deeply involved in age‐related hypercholesterolemia

During the ageing process in rats hypercholesterolemia occurs in concert with full activation, lowered degradation rate and an unchanged level of the rate limiting cholesterol biosynthesis enzyme, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG‐CoAR). The molecular bases of the HMG‐CoAR unchanged level and lowered degradation rate in aged rats is not clear. In fact no data are available during ageing, on transcription and degradation of HMG‐CoAR, so well defined in adult animal. So, aim of this work was to measure mRNA levels of the enzyme and the level of the proteins of the regulatory complex responsible of the cholesterol metabolism. To complete the picture, the level of sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs), SREBP cleavage activating protein, and insulin‐induced gene has been measured. The levels of other related proteins, whose transcription is SREBP dependent, that is low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and Caveolin 1, have been also measured. The age‐related reduced Insigs levels, joined to a reduced insulin sensitivity, could explain the decreased degradation rate of the HMG‐CoAR and the increased active SREBP‐2. The SREBP‐2 in particular seems to be committed in multiple way to gene transcription. The obtained data represent a good contribution to explain the age‐related hypercholesterolemia. J. Cell. Biochem. 98: 1044–1053, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased serum levels of CXCL8 chemokine in acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

PURPOSE Chemokines have been implicated in the control of leucocyte infiltration in uveitis and in modulating angiogenesis in several ocular conditions. Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a common cause of posterior uveitis. This study aimed to evaluate the serum concentrations of CC and CXC chemokines in patients with acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. METHODS The levels of five chemokines (CCL2, CCL11, CXCL9, CXCL8 and CXCL10) were evaluated in the serum of patients with active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (n = 55) and control subjects (n = 40). In a subset of patients (n = 18), a second measure of serum levels of chemokines was performed after the completion of oral treatment with pyrimethamine (25 mg/day), sulphadiazine (1 g, four times per day), folinic acid (7.5 mg/day) and prednisone (initial dose: 1 mg/kg/day) for approximately 30 days. RESULTS Patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, notably those presenting with vasculitis, had increased serum levels of CXCL8 (mean +/- standard error of the mean [SEM] 35.1 +/- 6.5 pg/ml) compared with control subjects (mean +/- SEM 16.0 +/- 2.3 pg/ml; p = 0.01). There were no differences between patients and controls in serum levels of the other chemokines measured. The size of ocular lesions correlated significantly with serum levels of CXCL8 and CXCL9. After treatment, there was a significant reduction in serum levels of CXCL8. Severity of vitreous opacities did not correlate with serum levels of these chemokines. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest a role for CXCL8 in the inflammatory process of acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Furthermore, CXCL8 may be a useful marker for patient follow-up.
Epithelial cell kinetics in the inflammatory process of chicken trachea infected with infectious bronchitis virus.

All stages of degeneration and regeneration in chicken tracheal epithelium were studied morphologically following an intratracheal inoculation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Viral antigen was detected in the cytoplasm of tracheal epithelium from 1 to 7 days post-inoculation (d.p.i.) with a peak on 3 d.p.i. At 1 d.p.i. , almost all epithelial cells were involved in the degeneration. At this time, labelling index of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in the basal cells showed significantly high value compared with control. At 2 and 3 d.p.i. , a great number of basal cells were recognized, but the BrdU labelling index tended to decrease. At 4 and 5 d.p.i. , the BrdU labelling index of basal cells significantly decreased than 1 d.p.i. , and a few number of regenerated immature ciliated epithelia appeared. At 6 to 11 d.p.i. , the ciliated columnar epithelia increased rapidly in number, and returned to the normal appearance except for non-ciliated patch by 13 d.p.i. These results suggested that the tracheal epithelial cells infected with IBV degenerated within 24 hours and proliferating activity of basal cells functioned immediately, and 3 to 4 days later, these basal cells were differentiated to the ciliated epithelia.