Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occlusal risk factors for temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE To determine the role of occlusal variables (overbite; overjet; number of anterior and posterior teeth; bilateral canine guidance on lateral and protrusive movements; anterior centric slide; Angle Classes I, II, and III malocclusion) as risk indicators for the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-two TMD patients with myofascial pain, with or without limited opening and arthralgia, as well as 30 age- and gender-matched pain-free concurrent controls were included. The association (critical odds ratio [OR] = 2.0) between the significant occlusal variables and TMD was calculated. Confounders were controlled in the inclusion-exclusion criteria as well as in the analysis stage (unconditional logistic regression) by variation in the OR (15%). RESULTS Angle Class II malocclusion (crude OR = 8.0, confidence interval [CI] = 2.2 to 29.3) and the absence of bilateral canine guidance on lateral excursion (crude OR = 3.9, CI = 1.6 to 9.7) were statistically more common in patients than in controls. Spontaneous pain as well as pain on palpation (Class II or higher) were also statistically worse in TMD patients. Significant confounders (ie, employment, age, cigarette and alcohol consumption) acted as effect modifiers not changing the critical OR (adjusted OR Angle Class II and bilateral canine guidance = 8.3 to 12.4 and 2.2 to 4.1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Absence of bilateral canine guidance on lateral excursion and particularly Angle Class II malocclusion were considered important risk indicators for the development of TMD in this investigation, even when some sociodemographic factors were considered as effect modifiers.
Correlation of electrocardiogram parameters and hemodynamic outcomes in patients with isolated secundum atrial septal defects

Objective: The characteristic rSR' pattern in lead V1 on electrocardiogram (ECG) has been described in association with atrial septal defect (ASD) and right ventricular dilation. We aimed to determine if temporal ECG changes can guide a more discriminate and cost-effective screening during follow-up of isolated secundum ASD. Methods: Our study population included all pediatric patients followed at the Stollery Children's Hospital with a secundum ASD, not associated with other significant heart disease, between 2004 and 2010. We collected clinical as well as serial echocardiographic and ECG data. Results: We identified 141 patients with ASD, 95% were asymptomatic and 88% referred for a murmur. Moderate-to-large (>5 mm) ASDs were present in 52%. The prevalence of an rSR' pattern was 26% in the overall cohort and 54% in the large ASD group. During median follow-up of 28.7 months, 37 patients underwent surgical or transcatheter closure. Among patients with rSR' on ECG, 78% had moderate-to-large ASD size. In that group, the presence versus the absence of rSR' correlated with lower positive predictive value (PPV) for spontaneous closure (7% vs. 36%; P = 0.01) and higher PPV for device or surgical closure (71% vs. 38%; P = 0.02). Conclusion: We observed a lower prevalence of rSR' pattern in patients with isolated ASD than previously reported. However, an rSR' pattern had incremental value in predicting the need for surgical or device intervention for closure in moderate.large groups. This can be used to tailor patient echocardiographic screening and caregiver counseling.
Current Preferences for Breast Reduction Techniques: A Survey of Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons 2002

The purpose of this survey was to assess the current trends in breast reduction techniques and to compare satisfaction rates and complications associated with traditional incision and limited incision techniques. In September of 2002, a breast reduction survey was sent to 1500 members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; 554 of the members returned the survey. Questions elicited categorical answers, and the data were evaluated using the chi-square test and the comparison of two proportions. The results showed that 56 percent of the respondents use only the inferior pedicle and Wise pattern techniques, whereas 6.9 percent of the respondents use only the limited incision techniques. Physician satisfaction was rated as 4 on a scale of 1 (unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied) for both the limited incision and traditional incision groups. Patient satisfaction was rated as 4 for the limited incision group and as 5 for the traditional incision group. This difference in patient satisfaction per surgeon was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The traditional group reported a lower complication rate than did the limited incision group (p < 0.05). The most frequent complications for the traditional incision group were compared with those of the limited incision group. Practice profiles, liposuction, and opinions regarding future changes in breast surgery were also analyzed. The majority of surgeons reported that they did not anticipate changing their practices to accommodate advances in limited incision techniques; however, 89 percent reported that the new limited incision techniques and liposuction are trends that are here to stay.
Retrospective analysis of renal histology in asymptomatic patients with probable chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVES To study the early pathological changes in renal lesions of asymptomatic patients with kidney diseases, with no definite aetiology living in regions endemic for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDUe). Design Retrospective study. SETTING Regions endemic for CKDUe in and around the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. STUDY POPULATION Two hundred and eleven asymptomatic patients living in endemic regions detected with renal disease by screening for proteinuria using the dipstick method. Those with long standing hypertension, diabetes mellitus, histological diagnosis of primary glomerular diseases, immunocomplex mediated diseases or renal lesions secondary to systemic diseases were excluded. MEASUREMENTS Renal lesions were divided into seven histological categories depending on the pathological changes: Category 0: no detectable changes. Category 1: Interstitial fibrosis ± mild interstitial inflammation ± tubular atrophy; no glomerulosclerosis. Category 2: Interstitial fibrosis ± mild interstitial inflammation ± tubular atrophy; glomerulosclerosis. Category 3: Moderate or severe interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and tubular atrophy ± glomerulosclerosis; Category 4: Interstitial inflammation ± tubular atrophy ± glomerulosclerosis; no interstitial fibrosis. Category 5: The prominent change is interstitial inflammation with tubulitis. Category 6: Severely scarred kidney. Histological categories were compared with calculated glomerular filtration rates and age of the patients. RESULTS Number of cases in histological categories 0 to 6 were: 7 (3.3%), 71 (33.6%), 53 (25.1%), 63 (29.9%), 0, 2 (0.9%) and 15 (7.1%) respectively. The mean glomerular filtration rate was >90 ml/min in patients in category 0 and 1 and declined progressively in categories 2 and 3. Apart from category 0, all had interstitial fibrosis and in category 1, 62 (87.3%) had interstitial fibrosis without inflammation. Severity of interstitial inflammation increased from category 1 to 3. CONCLUSIONS The early disease among asymptomatic patients is characterized by interstitial fibrosis without significant interstitial inflammation and glomerular sclerosis with preserved glomerular function. Although the role of interstitial inflammation in the initiation of the disease is not clear, it appears to have a role in the progression of the disease.
Review of the energy drink literature from 2013: findings continue to support most risk from mixing with alcohol

Purpose of review In the field of caffeine research, interest in and concern for energy drink consumption have grown. Most caffeine-related research studies published in 2013 focused on energy drink consumption. This article reviews this literature. Recent findings Prevalence of energy drink consumption varies by measure and age group. Lack of a standardized definition of use inhibits comparison across studies. Studies reviewed show that energy drink consumption is generally low, but the minority who drink the most may be consuming at unsafe levels. Energy drinks are popular among adolescents and young adults. They boost energy and alertness in some conditions, but may have adverse hemodynamic effects. Harmful consequences, including involvement in risky driving, riding with an intoxicated driver and being taken advantage of sexually, were reported significantly more often by adolescents and young adults who combined energy drinks with alcohol compared with those who did not. Summary This review of recent literature focused on prevalence, motivation, and consequences of energy drink use. Clear findings emerged only on the dangers of mixing alcohol and energy drinks. The lack of a standardized measure made the comparison across studies difficult. Future research should extend and clarify these findings using standardized measures of use.
Knowledge, use and promotion of insecticide treated nets by health workers in a suburban town in south western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Morbidity and mortality associated with malaria can be significantly reduced by widespread use of insecticide treated nets. Health workers can increase acceptability of ITN by promoting its use and serving as role model. OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge, use and promotion of insecticide treated bed-net by health workers. METHOD This descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out among health care workers in Sagamu (Ogun State) between November 2004 and January 2005. Data was collected from 263 health workers using a pretested, structured questionnaire. RESULT Two hundred and forty six (93.5%) were aware of insecticide treated bednets (ITN) but many did not have adequate knowledge about it, only 52 (20.9%) knew that ITN should be retreated every 6 months. Sixty (22.8%) were currently using ITN. In the homes where they were currently using ITN, children were the main users (59%). The major reasons given for not using an ITN were that it had not occurred to them (23.2%), 13.3% were satisfied with the method they were using and 12.1% felt it was not convenient to use. Less than one-third (32.3%) indicated that ITN was available in their health facility. Fifty-seven percent (56.7%) had recommended it for patients before. The main reasons given by those who had not recommended it before were: lack of knowledge about it (52.5%), while 20% indicated that they were not familiar with it. CONCLUSION Awareness about ITN is high among the health workers but the knowledge about it is inadequate. The major challenges to use and promotion of ITN by health workers are lack of conviction about the unique benefits of ITN, inadequate knowledge and poor access to the nets.
Effects of radiofrequency ablation on levels of cardiac biochemical markers in patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia.

Address for Correspondence/Yaz›şma Adresi: Dr. Ziya Şimşek, Osmangazi Mah. Tuna Sok. Gökdemir Sitesi A Blok K:6 D:29 25100, Erzurum-Türkiye Phone: +90 442 231 84 82 E-mail: ziyamposta@hotmail.com Accepted Date/Kabul Tarihi: 25.04. 2013 Available Online Date/Çevrimiçi Yayın Tarihi: 26.09. 2013 ©Telif Hakk› 2013 AVES Yay›nc›l›k Ltd. Şti. Makale metnine www.anakarder. com web sayfas›ndan ulaş›labilir. ©Copyright 2013 by AVES Yay›nc›l›k Ltd. Available on-line at www.anakarder. com doi:10.5152/akd.2013. 229 Hakan Duman, Ziya Şimşek, M. Hakan Taş, Fuat Gündoğdu, Hüsnü Değirmenci, Eftal M. Bakırcı, Selami Demirelli, Hikmet Hamur, Orhan Demir
Thermal Endurance Data for Solid Insulating Materials

The Arrhenius plotting procedure has been used as the base for extensive international standardization of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Publication #216. Thermal endurance data for approximately 50 insulating materials, tested and evaluated according to IEC #216 have been made available from Swiss and German laboratories. The data have been collected and used for the determination of the ¿Thermal Endurance Profiles¿ (TEP) which are in addition to the ¿Temperature Indices¿ (TI), a fairly new format in IEC-Publication 216, for describing the life time-temperature relation. These TEP's have been achieved by testing the thermal capability with different criteria and different endpoints. Additionally, the regression coefficient representing the slope of the Arrhenius curve respectively (the activation energy of the Arrhenius equation), has been recorded in the form of a doubling (or halving) endurance temperature interval. The reported data are discussed in respect to: the reproducibility of the test procedures; the feasibility of certain instructions; the lack of equivalence of TEP results when different criteria and/or different endpoints were selected; the importance of presenting the slope of the Arrhenius plot; and the problem of identifying accurately the insulating materials. The complexity of material reactions on thermal stresses and consequently the variety of verified thermal endurance predictions has to be recognized. Such considerations lead to the conclusion that single-point representation of thermal endurance should be avoided.
Exercise through a cardiac rehabilitation program attenuates oxidative stress in patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting*

ABSTRACT Background: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis. Cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting may prevent cardiovascular events probably through the attenuation of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of a cardiac rehabilitation program in the control of the systemic oxidative stress. Methods: The studied population consisted of 40 patients, with chronic stable coronary artery disease submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting, who attended a cardiac rehabilitation program. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated in the blood of these patients at different moments. Results: After the onset of cardiac rehabilitation, there was a significant and progressive decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels and protein carbonyls, an initial increase and subsequent decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Also, a progressive increase of uric acid, while ferric reducing antioxidant power levels increased only at the end of the cardiac rehabilitation and a tendency to increase of glutathione contents. Conclusions: The results suggest that regular exercise through a cardiac rehabilitation program can attenuate oxidative stress in chronic coronary artery disease patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The Lateral Habenula Circuitry: Reward Processing and Cognitive Control

There has been a growing interest in understanding the role of the lateral habenula (LHb) in reward processing, affect regulation, and goal-directed behaviors. The LHb gets major inputs from the habenula-projecting globus pallidus and the mPFC, sending its efferents to the dopaminergic VTA and SNc, serotonergic dorsal raphe nuclei, and the GABAergic rostromedial tegmental nucleus. Recent studies have made advances in our understanding of the LHb circuit organization, yet the precise mechanisms of its involvement in complex behaviors are largely unknown. To begin to address this unresolved question, we present here emerging cross-species perspectives with a goal to provide a more refined understanding of the role of the LHb circuits in reward and cognition. We begin by highlighting recent findings from rodent experiments using optogenetics, electrophysiology, molecular, pharmacology, and tracing techniques that reveal diverse neural phenotypes in the LHb circuits that may underlie previously undescribed behavioral functions. We then discuss results from electrophysiological studies in macaques that suggest that the LHb cooperates with the anterior cingulate cortex to monitor action outcomes and signal behavioral adjustment. Finally, we provide an integrated summary of cross-species findings and discuss how further research on the connectivity, neural signaling, and physiology of the LHb circuits can deepen our understanding of the role of the LHb in normal and maladaptive behaviors associated with mental illnesses and drug abuse.
The risk of radiation-induced second cancers in the high to medium dose region: a comparison between passive and scanned proton therapy, IMRT and VMAT for pediatric patients with brain tumors

The incidence of second malignant tumors is a clinically observed adverse late effect of radiation therapy, especially in organs close to the treatment site, receiving medium to high doses (>2.5 Gy). For pediatric patients, choosing the least toxic radiation modality is of utmost importance, due to their high radiosensitivity and small size. This study aims to evaluate the risk of second cancer incidence in the vicinity of the primary radiation field, for pediatric patients with brain/head and neck tumors and compare four treatment modalities: passive scattering and pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PPT and PBS), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). For a cohort of six pediatric patients originally treated with PPT, additional PBS, IMRT and VMAT plans were created. Dose distributions from these plans were used to calculate the excess absolute risk (EAR) and lifetime attributable risk (LAR) for developing a second tumor in soft tissue and skull. A widely used risk assessment formalism was employed and compared with a linear model based on recent clinical findings. In general, LAR was found to range between 0.01%–2.8% for PPT/PBS and 0.04%–4.9% for IMRT/VMAT. PBS was associated with the lowest risk for most patients using carcinoma and sarcoma models, whereas IMRT and VMAT risks were comparable and the highest among all modalities. The LAR for IMRT/VMAT relative to PPT ranged from 1.3–4.6 for soft tissue and from 3.5–9.5 for skull. Larger absolute LAR was observed for younger patients and using linear risk models. The number of fields used in proton therapy and IMRT had minimal effect on the risk. When planning treatments and deciding on the treatment modality, the probability of second cancer incidence should be carefully examined and weighed against the possibility of developing acute side effects for each patient individually.
Blood Pressure-Independent ETA and AT1 Receptor Blocker Effects on the Coronaries of Rats Harboring Human Renin and Angiotensinogen Genes

Background:Blood pressure-independent (BP) effects of angiotensin (Ang) II and endothelin (ET) on coronaries (remodeling) in high renin hypertension are incompletely understood. Methods:We studied the effects of subdepressor doses of Ang II receptor (AT1) blockade with losartan (10 mg/kg/day gavage) and endothelin A receptor (ETA) blockade with LU135252 (30 mg/kg/day) on the coronaries of rats harboring human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGR). Nontransgenic Sprague-Dawley rats were controls. The rats were treated between the ages of 6 and 10 weeks. Coronary cross-sectional area [CSA; 0.79 × (external diameter2 – internal diameter2)], cell proliferation, and infiltration of monocytes/macrophages were determined. Results:Monotherapy did not lower BP while combination treatment did (p < 0.05). All treatments reduced mortality (p < 0.01). CSA was decreased by all treatments compared to vehicle, independent of blood pressure (p < 0.05). Extensive proliferation by PCNA staining and infiltration of ED-1-positive cells was diminished by both treatment and the combination. Conclusions:The data show that Ang II promotes coronary inflammation and remodeling, in part independent of blood pressure but dependent upon ET signaling. Combination treatment directed at both pathways may improve outcome, independent of blood pressure reduction.
Common past - different paths: Exploring state regulation of private security industry in Eastern Europe and post-Soviet republics

ABSTRACT In this paper, we explore the nature of the security guard industry with a focus on security guard employment relative to police officer, the diverse legislative guidelines pertaining to the scope of their functions, employment eligibility, training, and legal powers in the new independent and post-socialist countries in Eastern Europe and post-Soviet republics. Findings suggest that despite the rapid proliferation of private security industry in the post-socialist countries relative to the gradual growth experienced in the European continent in many of the new independent states, public police continue to play a critical role in the form of employees of state-owned security guard companies. Further, we find considerable disparity in the employment ratios of police officers and security guards in these countries though not much variation in the rigor of legislative framework for private security guard employment in the post-socialist nations appeared, which was minimal at best.
Dilated coronary arterial lesions in the late period after Kawasaki disease

Objectives: There are two types of late coronary dilated lesions after Kawasaki disease: new aneurysms and expanding aneurysms. The development of coronary dilated lesions late after Kawasaki disease was investigated. Methods: Between 1978 and 2003, 562 patients with coronary arterial lesions underwent selective coronary angiography on at least two occasions. Results: Of the 562 patients studied, 17 new dilated or expanding lesions were found in 15 patients (3%, 11 boys, four girls). The time of detection of new aneurysms after Kawasaki disease ranged from 1.9–19.2 years (median 11.4 years) and their diameters ranged from 2.0–6.5 mm (median 4.4 mm). Thirteen new aneurysms occurred in vessels in which previous aneurysms had regressed and all new aneurysms were associated with localised stenosis. A new aneurysm at the bifurcation or in the branches was seen in 14 (93%) and 13 were eccentric (87%). Of two expanding aneurysms, one involved the right coronary artery in one patient and the other the left anterior descending coronary artery. One expanding aneurysm increased from 4.4 mm to 19.5 mm over 17 years, and the other expanding aneurysm increased from 10 mm to 15 mm in one year. Conclusions: Neither new nor expanding aneurysms have caused cardiac events. New aneurysms often develop as a pre-stenotic or post-stenotic dilatation secondary to localised stenosis. New and expanding aneurysms may be caused by haemodynamic factors in addition to the abnormality of the coronary arterial wall after severe acute vasculitis. Coronary arterial wall abnormalities were stenosis as well as, rarely, dilatation of the vessels in the late period. It is important to recognise that the changes of the coronary arterial wall persist late after regression of a large aneurysm.