Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The combined use of enamel matrix proteins and a tetracycline-coated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier membrane in the treatment of intra-osseous defects.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this split-mouth study was to evaluate the clinical response of enamel matrix proteins (EMPs, Emdogain Gel in intra-osseous defects with or without a combined application of a tetracycline-coated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier membrane (e-PTFE, Gore-Tex). METHODS Twelve pairs of intra-osseous periodontal defects in 11 patients received the application of EMPs on the exposed root surface (EMP). One of the two defects received randomly, as an adjunct to EMP treatment, a tetracycline-coated e-PTFE membrane (MEMP). At baseline, 6- and 12-month probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing bone level (PBL) were measured. RESULTS After 12 months, the EMP defects showed a significant mean PPD reduction of 2.86+/-0.75 mm, a mean gain in CAL of 1.28+/-2.04 mm, a mean PBL gain of 1.63+/-1.21 mm and a mean increase of recession (REC) of 1.56+/-2.30 mm. The MEMP defects showed a significant mean PPD reduction of 3.02+/-1.55 mm, a mean gain in CAL of 1.65+/-1.29 mm, a mean PBL gain of 1.58+/-1.92 mm and a mean increase of REC of 1.38+/-1.63 mm. Except for significantly more post-operative discomfort at the MEMP sites, no significant differences were found between EMP and MEMP defects. CONCLUSION Within the limits of this study, it is concluded that in the treatment of intra-osseous defects with EMP, the adjunctive use of a tetracycline-coated e-PTFE membrane failed to show more gain of CAL and PBL.
Rectal tumor stage: correlation of endorectal MR imaging and pathologic findings.

PURPOSE To develop magnetic resonance (MR) imaging criteria for staging rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six patients with rectal tumors underwent MR imaging with an endorectal surface coil. MR images were compared with specimens from the resected tumor. RESULTS Rectal wall layers were reliably demonstrated. The MR imaging-determined tumor stage agreed with pathologic findings in 81% of cases. A retrospective review found the integrity of the rectal wall layers at the lesion center an accurate criterion for interpreting the local extent of the lesion. Lymph nodes as small as 2 mm were demonstrated. Although sensitive for demonstrating perirectal adenopathy, MR imaging had a specificity of only 72% for N1 disease. CONCLUSION Endorectal surface coil MR imaging shows promise for staging rectal lesions. Additional studies are necessary to further establish criteria for interpreting the images.
Genetically Alterable Transport of Amethopterin in Diplococcus pneumoniae II. Impairment of the System Associated with Various Mutant Genotypes

Six mutations determining resistance to amethopterin were examined for their effects on the active transport of the drug. In strains bearing each of the mutations and exhibiting resistance levels varying from 10- to 100-fold, transport at limiting concentrations of H3-amethopterin was reduced from 2.5 to 10 times the rate characteristic of the wild type. Kinetic analysis of transport showed an increase in the value for Km of the system in all of the mutants. Values for the wild-type system were 0.9 × 10−6m and for the mutants varied between 2.5 × 10−6m and 9.0 × 10−6m. Values for Vmax were approximately the same for each system. The mutant transport systems also exhibited a shift in pH optimum from near 6.0 (wild-type) to below 5.0. The results were interpreted as an alteration in the binding properties of the permease in the mutant strains.
Clinical Outcome and Changes of Foraminal Dimension in Patients With Foraminal Stenosis After ACDF

Study Design: Prospective study. Objective: To determine the clinical outcome and change in foraminal dimension after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and to investigate the correlation between clinical outcome and foraminal dimension. Summary of Background Data: No previous studies have evaluated the correlation between clinical outcome and foraminal dimension after ACDF in foraminal stenosis. Methods: A consecutive series of 44 patients (114 foramina) undergoing planned ACDF due to foraminal stenosis were studied. Clinical outcomes included the neck pain visual analogue scale (VAS), arm pain VAS, neck disability index (NDI), subjective improvement rate, dysphasia, and donor site pain. Radiologic outcomes included anterior and posterior disk height, height of foramen and anterior-posterior diameter of the foramen, and the Cobb angle of the fusion segment. Foraminal dimension was calculated. Results: The neck pain VAS decreased from 3.7 preoperatively to 2.3 postoperatively. Likewise, arm pain VAS decreased from 7.2 to 2.2, and NDI decreased from 31.0% to 17.2%. Mild dysphasia occurred in 3 patients. There was no donor site pain. Subjective improvement rate was 79.3%. The anterior disk height increased from 4.75 mm preoperatively to 7.01 mm postoperatively. Likewise, posterior disk height increased from 4.11 to 5.74 mm, height of foramen increased from 7.30 to 9.25 mm, anterior-posterior diameter of foramen increased from 3.56 to 4.92 mm, dimension of foramen increased from 20.50 to 35.58 mm2, and segmental angle of fusion segment increased from 2.87 to 4.95 degrees. Posterior disk height was positively correlated with foraminal dimension. An increased segmental angle was negatively correlated with foraminal dimension. The foraminal dimension was negatively correlated with the arm pain VAS. Conclusions: ACDF in cervical foraminal stenosis was a useful surgical option to improve clinical outcomes and widen the foraminal dimension. The foraminal dimension was negatively correlated with the arm pain. Restoration of posterior disk height was necessary to widen the foraminal dimension, whereas increased lordosis of the fusion segment did not help to widen the foraminal dimension.
Incidence and public health risk assessment of toxic metal residues (cadmium and lead) in Egyptian cattle and sheep meats.

Environmental pollution by heavy metals is a serious problem worldwide. This study aimed to investigate comparisons between concentrations of toxic metals (cadmium and lead) in the liver, kidneys, and muscle of Egyptian cattle and sheep. The effect of animal age on levels of toxic metal residues as well as results of a public health risk assessment is also reported. The results show that both cadmium and lead levels exceeded Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization permissible limits in the liver and kidneys. These parts had higher concentrations of toxic metals compared with muscle in the two animal species examined. Age had a significant influence on toxic metal accumulation in both species. The hazard index indicates that consuming the livers and kidneys of these animals might pose a health risk.
Corn salad (Valerianella olitoria L.) yield response to cell size of plug trays

The research was undertaken to determine if the plug tray cell size had an impact on plant characteristics and yield of corn salad (Valerianella olitoria L.). Seeds of four cultivars ('Ljubljanski', 'Holandski', 'Flavor' and 'Masse') were sown in styrofoam plug trays with 40 cells (60 ml cell-1), 84 cells (35 ml cell-1) and 160 cells (20 ml cell-1). Plants growth generally increased with cell size, though the effect varied with different cultivars. An increase in cell volume resulted in an increase in leaves height, leaves number and leaves fresh mass, as well as percentage of dry matter. Cv. 'Holandski' was obtained the highest leaves fresh mass regardless of cell volume.
In-house method validation and occurrence of alpha-, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, lambda-cyhalothrin, procymidone and trifluralin residues in strawberry

A method for determination of organohalogen pesticides in strawberry by gas chromatography with electron capture detection was validated and applied in a monitoring program. Linearity, matrix effects, and day effect were evaluated for the analytes alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, lambda-cyhalothrin, procymidone, and trifluralin. The linear range varied according to the chromatographic response of the analyte. Significant matrix effects were observed. The mean recoveries ranged from 74.6 to 115.4%, with repeatability standard deviations between 1.6 and 21.0% and intermediate precision between 5.9 and 21.0%. Detection, quantification and decision limit, and detection capacity ranged from 0.003 to 0.007 mg/kg, 0.005 to 0.013 mg/kg; 0.003 to 3.128 mg/kg; and 0.005 to 3.266 mg/kg, respectively. The method was fit for the purpose of monitoring organohalogen residues in strawberries. Residues of these pesticides were detected in 124 of the 186 samples analyzed between 2009 and 2011 in the state of Minas Gerais. Nine of them did not comply with the current legislation requirements; among them, seven (3.8%) had residues of unauthorized pesticide for the culture of strawberry, one (0.5%) had residues above the maximum residue limit, and another one (0.5%) exhibited both non-conformities.
BARRERAS DEL DESARROLLO FINANCIERO: LAS INSTITUCIONES MONETARIAS COLOMBIANAS EN LA DECADA DE 1950

En este trabajo se analiza la evolucion de las instituciones financieras en Colombia durante el periodo 1923-1995, con especial enfasis en la reforma financiera de 1951. A lo largo del trabajo se destacan los cambios institucionales y sus efectos sobre el desarrollo de la intermediacion financiera. Se destaca la importancia del banco central en terminos de la profundizacion de los mercados de capital y de la estabilizacion macroeconomica. Pretender que el banco central contribuya al avance de la sociedad mas de lo que lo permite el desarrollo de las fuerzas productivas y de las variables reales de la economia como el ahorro, la inversion, las ganancias y los salarios, puede conducir a la atrofia de los mercados monetarios, a la inflacion, y a desequilibrios macroeconomicos cronicos.
Effect of many-body correlations on mesoscopic charge relaxation

We investigate in a nonperturbative way the dynamics of a correlated quantum capacitor. We find that the many-body correlations do not disturb the universal low-frequency relaxation resistance per channel, $R_q(\omega=0) = h/4e^2$ ensured by the Korringa-Shiba rule whereas the interpretation of the quantum capacitance $C_q$ in terms of the density of states fails when strong correlations are present. The AC resistance $R_q(\omega)$ shows huge peaks (with values larger than $h/4e^2$) at $\hbar\omega \approx \pm \Gamma^*$, where $\Gamma^*$ is the renormalized level broadening. These peaks are merged to a single one at $\omega=0$ when a finite Zeeman field is applied comparable to $\Gamma^*$. The observed features of $R_q$, being most evident in the Kondo regime, are attributed to the generation of particle-hole excitations in the contacts accomplished by spin-flip processes in the dot.
Adenovirus-Mediated Delivery and Expression of a cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Inhibitor Gene to BEAS-2B Epithelial Cells Abolishes the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Rolipram, Salbutamol, and Prostaglandin E2: A Comparison with H-89

cAMP-elevating drugs are thought to mediate their biological effects by activating the cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) cascade. However, this hypothesis is difficult to confirm due to a lack of selective inhibitors. Here, we have probed the role of PKA in mediating inhibitory effects of several cAMP-elevating drugs in BEAS-2B epithelial cells using an adenovirus vector encoding a PKA inhibitor protein (PKIα) and have compared it to H-89, a commonly used small molecule PKA inhibitor. Initial studies established efficient gene transfer and confirmed functionality of PKIα 48 h after virus infection. All cAMP-elevating drugs tested promoted the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), activated a cAMP response element (CRE)-driven luciferase reporter gene, and suppressed both granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) generation and [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) release in response to interleukin-1β and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, respectively. These effects were abolished by PKIα. In contrast, H-89 behaved unpredictably under the same conditions. Thus, although CREB phosphorylation evoked by a range of cAMP-elevating drugs was abolished by H-89, neither activation of the CRE-dependent luciferase reporter gene construct nor the inhibition of GM-CSF generation was inhibited. Paradoxically, H-89 antagonized MCP-1-induced [3H]AA release and enhanced the inhibitory effect of submaximal concentrations of rolipram and 8-bromo-cAMP. We suggest that expression of PKIα in susceptible cells provides a simple and unambiguous way to assess the role of PKA in cAMP signaling and to probe the mechanism of action of other drugs and cAMP-dependent responses where the participation of PKA is equivocal. Furthermore, these data suggest that H-89 is not a selective inhibitor of PKA and should be avoided.
Increased Inflammatory Response in Association with the Initiation of Hemodialysis Compared with Peritoneal Dialysis in a Prospective Study of End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients

Background: Large epidemiological studies have demonstrated an early survival advantage with the initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) compared to haemodialysis (HD). Chronic inflammation may contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We hypothesize that the initiation of HD in ESKD patients is associated with a greater inflammatory response compared with PD. Aims: To examine the effects of initiating HD and PD upon inflammation and CVD risk markers in ESKD patients. Methods: We performed a pilot prospective study on 75 predialysis CKD stage-5 subjects comparing the effects of HD and PD upon high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin(IL)-12, IL-18 and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Study visits were conducted 3 – 6 months before (baseline) and after (follow-up) initiation of dialysis Results: Thirty-nine and 36 patients were initiated on HD and PD respectively. HD patients were older than PD patients (65.1 ± 2.1 vs 57.7 ± 2.7 years; p = 0.03) but had similar baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), hsCRP, IL-12, IL-18, and PWV. At follow-up, HD patients had significantly increased hsCRP levels [5.2(3.7, 7.3) vs 1.7(1.0, 2.8)g/L; p < 0.001] compared to PD. Follow-up blood pressure, IL-12, IL-18, and PWV were similar between groups. A significant association remained between hsCRP and HD after adjustment for age, previous CVD, and residual urine output. Conclusion: The initiation of HD was associated with significantly increased hsCRP compared to PD. Further study is required to determine the plausibility of inflammation as a potential underlying contributor to the observed early mortality difference between dialysis modalities.
LAP (NF‐IL‐6), a tissue‐specific transcriptional activator, is an inhibitor of hepatoma cell proliferation.

During postnatal liver development, LAP (NF‐IL‐6, C/EBP beta) expression and hepatocyte proliferation are mutually exclusive. In addition to transactivating liver‐specific genes, LAP, but not C/EBP alpha, arrests the cell cycle before the G1/S boundary in hepatoma cells. LIP, a liver‐inhibitory protein, which is translated from LAP mRNA lacking the activation domain of LAP, is not only ineffective in blocking hepatoma cell proliferation but also antagonizes the effect of LAP on the cell cycle. Deletion analysis indicated that this effect of LIP required only the DNA‐binding and leucine zipper domains. In addition we found that integrity of the LAP dimerization and activation domains is indispensable for the arrest of cell proliferation induced by LAP. Thus, hepatocyte differentiation and its characteristic quiescent state may be modulated by the LAP/LIP ratio.
Homogeneity, Non-Maximality, and all

This paper develops a theory of the non-maximal readings of sentences with plural definite descriptions that treats them as a pragmatic phenomenon that arises from the context-dependent interaction of the well-known homogeneity property of plural predication on the one hand with independent pragmatic principles on the other. This allows us to, among other things, explain the dual effect of all: as a matter of its semantics, it removes the homogeneity property, but because that is one of the necessary ingredients for non-maximal readings, the function of all as a maximiser/“slack regulator” emerges as a consequence.
Diet effects in the asthma treatment: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity in asthmatic patients has important relationships with asthma control, pulmonary function, and quality of life. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the effect of diet on asthma management in adults. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus (January 1948–October 2014) for randomized clinical trials that evaluated the effects of diet in adults with asthma. Results: Of 12,215 studies identified, 21 were included. A reduction in weight of at least 7.5% from baseline as a result of caloric restriction can be beneficial for improving disease control, quality of life, and pulmonary function in obese patients with asthma. A dietary pattern rich in foods with potential antioxidant effect had an impact in improving asthma control, but with little clinical significance. Studies involving antioxidant supplementation showed improvements in asthma control with magnesium supplementation and less decline in lung function with vitamin C supplementation. Studies of fatty acid supplementation demonstrated effects on weight loss and improvement of asthma control and lung function. Studies of supplementation with propolis and caffeine reported significant increases in FEV1. Conversely, studies of high dietary salt intake reported greater declines in lung function. Conclusions: The evidence shows that, for obese adults with asthma, the best dietary intervention seems to be caloric restriction, regardless of specific dietary components.
Determining the minimum clinically significant difference in visual analog pain score for children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the minimum clinically significant difference in visual analog scale (VAS) pain score for children. METHODS We performed a prospective, single-group, repeated-measures study of children between 8 and 15 years presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department with acute pain. On presentation to the ED, patients marked the level of their pain on a 100-mm nonhatched VAS scale. At 20-minute intervals thereafter, they were asked to give a verbal categoric rating of their pain as "heaps better," "a bit better," "much the same," "a bit worse," or "heaps worse" and to mark the level of pain on a VAS scale of the same type as used previously. A maximum of 3 comparisons was recorded for each child. The minimum clinically significant difference in VAS pain score was defined as the mean difference between current and preceding scores when the subject reported "a bit worse" or "a bit better" pain. RESULTS Seventy-three children were enrolled in the study, yielding 103 evaluable comparisons in which pain was rated as "a bit better" or "a bit worse. " The minimum clinically significant difference in VAS score was 10 mm (95% confidence interval 7 to 12 mm). CONCLUSION This study found the minimum clinically significant difference in VAS pain score for children aged 8 to 15 years (on a 100-mm VAS scale) to be 10 mm (95% confidence interval 7 to 12 mm). In studies of populations, differences of less than this amount, even if statistically significant, are unlikely to be of clinical significance.
Carcinoma of the Vulva in Jamaican Women

Clinical and pathological analysis of vulvar carcinoma in 119 Jamaican women, treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies, over the past 18 years stresses that the tumor was more frequently seen in women under the age of 50—contrary to the experience of authors from the Western metropolitan countries. The natural history of the tumor showed that in 51% of cases, vulvar carcinoma co‐existed or followed previous chronic vulvar granulomatous disease and showed a rapid tumor progression in these post‐granulomatous cases. Features of other epidemiological and clinical importance are discussed. Special reference has been made concerning the problem of applying FIGO staging of vulvar carcinoma.
Mycorhization contrôlée et fertilisation phosphatée Applications à la domestication du jujubier, arbre fruitier forestier sahélien

Introduction Les arbres fruitiers sont d’un grand interet alimentaire et economique dans la zone soudano-sahelienne. Ce sont des arbres a usages multiples et exploites de maniere extensive, pour leurs fruits, leurs graines, le fourrage, le bois et la pharmacopee (Okafor, 1991). Ils participent donc a la securite alimentaire et nutritionnelle des populations du Sahel en leur procurant aussi des revenus non negligeables, notamment en saison seche. La plupart de ces fruitiers sont a croissance l.
Trends in the use of postprostatectomy therapies for patients with prostate cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare analysis

For patients with adverse pathologic factors (positive surgical margins, extracapsular extension, or seminal vesicle invasion) on prostatectomy pathology, the use and timing of postsurgical treatments are controversial. The goal of the current study was to examine patterns of care in patients with a pathologic indication for postprostatectomy radiotherapy (RT) using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare–linked database.