Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravenous versus oral iron for treatment of iron deficiency in non-hemodialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE The evidence evaluating the efficacy of i.v. versus oral iron for the treatment of iron deficiency in non-hemodialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is reviewed. SUMMARY Although erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are the mainstay of anemia treatment, concomitant iron supplementation is often required. Patients with CKD are at risk for developing iron deficiency due to frequent blood testing, decreased dietary intake, inflammation, decreased gastrointestinal absorption, the use of phosphate binders, hemodialysis, and treatment with ESAs. Seven randomized, controlled trials compared i.v. and oral iron in this population, six in patients treated with ESAs and one in patients not receiving ESAs. Two studies found no difference between i.v. and oral iron. An additional study found the two formulations to be equivalent when evaluating ESA dosage requirements. All studies found i.v. iron to be superior in increasing ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels. Five of the studies compared baseline laboratory values for patients treated with i.v. and oral iron; all of these found oral iron to significantly increase hemoglobin, ferritin, or TSAT levels. Only one trial found a significant decrease from baseline in ferritin and TSAT for oral iron. Interpretation of the results of these studies is limited by several factors, the most significant of which is a short study duration, ranging from 21 days to six months. CONCLUSION Published evidence does not support the use of i.v. iron over oral iron to treat deficiencies in non-hemodialysis-dependent patients with CKD. While studies found that i.v. iron significantly increased serum levels of ferritin and TSAT, hemoglobin levels were not consistently raised.
Image Pyramids as a New Approach for the Determination of Fractal Dimensions

The consideration of different scales and the application of fractal methods on digital images is of high importance if real world objects are investigated. In this context the fractal dimension is an important parameter to characterize structures and patterns. An accurate understanding of them is obligatory if significant and comparable results should be obtained. Recently a new method using an image pyramid approach was compared to the very popular Box Counting Method. The intriguing results showed that a trustable value for the fractal dimension could be obtained in much faster computational times compared to traditional Box Counting algorithms. In addition to these results of this new approach, which is only applicable to binary (black/white) images, we present developments toward the application to grey value/color images. Especially the determination of the grey value surface and the interpolation used to downscale the images seem to have major influence on the results achieved.
Effects of Duration of a Nursery School Setting on Environmental Constraints and Children ' s Modes of Adaptation

Berk, Laura E. Effects of Duration of a Nursery School Setting on Environmental Constraints and Children's Modes of Adaptation. Chicago Univ., Ill_ Chicago Early Education Research Center. National Center for Educational Research and Development (DHEW/OE), Washington, D.C. Division of Educational Laboratories. BR-7-0706 7 Feb 71 OEC-3-7-070706-3118 23p. ; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the America Educational Research Association, New York, New York, February 7, 1971
Biology of adenovirus vectors with E1 and E4 deletions for liver-directed gene therapy

Recombinant adenoviruses with E1 sequences deleted efficiently transfer genes into a wide variety of target cells. Antigen- and nonantigen-specific responses to the therapy lead to toxicity, loss of transgene expression, and difficulties with vector readministration. We have created new cell lines that allowed the isolation of more disabled adenovirus vectors that have both E1 and E4 deletions. Studies with murine models of liver-directed gene therapy indicated that the E1- and E4-deleted vector expresses fewer virus proteins and induces less apoptosis, leading to blunted host responses and an improved safety profile. The impact of the E4 deletion on the stability of vector expression was confounded by immune responses to the transgene product, which in this study was beta-galactosidase. When transgene responses were eliminated, the doubly deleted vector was substantially more stable in mouse liver than was the E1-deleted construct. These studies indicate that adenovirus vectors with both E1 and E4 deletions may have advantages in terms of safety and efficacy over first-generation constructs for liver-directed gene therapy.
Development of the Skull of the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata)

We describe the bony and cartilaginous structures of five fetal skulls of Stenella attenuata (pantropical spotted dolphin) specimens. The specimens represent early fetal life as suggested by the presence of rostral tactile hairs and the beginnings of skin pigmentation. These specimens exhibit the developmental order of ossification of the intramembranous and endochondral elements of the cranium as well as the functional and morphological development of specific cetacean anatomical adaptations. Detailed observations are presented on telescoping, nasal anatomy, and middle ear anatomy. The development of the middle ear ossicles, ectotympanic bone, and median nasal cartilage is of interest because in the adult these structures are morphologically different from those in land mammals. We follow specific cetacean morphological characteristics through fetal development to provide insight into the form and function of the cetacean body plan. Combining these data with fossil evidence, it is possible to overlie ontogenetic patterns and discern evolutionary patterns of the cetacean skull. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bang‐Bang Model for Regulation of Local Blood Flow

The classical model of metabolic regulation of blood flow in muscle tissue implies the maintenance of basal tone in arterioles of resting muscle and their dilation in response to exercise and/or tissue hypoxia via the evoked production of vasodilator metabolites by myocytes. A century‐long effort to identify specific metabolites responsible for explaining active and reactive hyperemia has not been successful. Furthermore, the metabolic theory is not compatible with new knowledge on the role of physiological radicals (e.g., nitric oxide, NO, and superoxide anion, O2−) in the regulation of microvascular tone. We propose a model of regulation in which muscle contraction and active hyperemia are considered the physiologically normal state. We employ the “bang‐bang” or “on/off” regulatory model which makes use of a threshold and hysteresis; a float valve to control the water level in a tank is a common example of this type of regulation. Active bang‐bang regulation comes into effect when the supply of oxygen and glucose exceeds the demand, leading to activation of membrane NADPH oxidase, release of O2− into the interstitial space and subsequent neutralization of the interstitial NO. Switching arterioles on/off when local blood flow crosses the threshold is realized by a local cell circuit with the properties of a bang‐bang controller, determined by its threshold, hysteresis, and dead‐band. This model provides a clear and unambiguous interpretation of the mechanism to balance tissue demand with a sufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen.
The effect of octreotide treatment on somatic and psychological symptoms of acromegaly.

OBJECTIVES Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by excessive growth hormone secretion resulting in bone and soft tissue overgrowth. Body image changes as well as systemic complications may considerably influence patients' psychological health and disturb everyday activities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of octreotide treatment on somatic and psychological symptoms of acromegaly, and thus on patients' quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted on 15 patients with acromegaly. The average duration of octreotide therapy was 5.6 years (1-10 years). The respondents created a list of subjective signs and symptoms of acromegaly before treatment and reported changes observed during therapy. The psychological examination was performed with appropriate test scales assessed patients' self-efficacy, emotional control, psychological gender and their life satisfaction. RESULTS The most important changes observed during octreotide therapy were associated with head and joint pain relief and reduction of physical limitations. The patients also noticed the improvement of cognitive functions and interpersonal relations. The study revealed average life satisfaction in the group. The patients on the one hand demonstrated high self-efficacy and on the other hand - intensive repression of emotions. The undifferentiated sex-role schema dominated in group. CONCLUSIONS The study proved a significance of octreotide therapy in acromegalic patients' life. In spite of chronic disease, all the respondents reported good quality of life (average life satisfaction). Additionally, their high self-efficacy helps to cope with the disease. Nevertheless, undifferentiated sex role schema in the study group suggests lack of behavioral flexibility and high emotional repression predicts negative somatic consequences.
The autoimmunogenic chemicals HgCl2 and diphenylhydantoin stimulate IgG production to TNP–Ficoll and TNP–OVA, supporting and extending the graft‐versus‐host hypothesis for chemical induction of autoimmunity

Bypass of T‐cell tolerance via non‐cognate graft‐versus‐host (GVH)‐like help from T‐helper (Th) cells activated by chemically altered or induced epitopes, has been postulated as a mechanism underlying chemical induction of autoimmunity. To functionally test this hypothesis, we assessed whether the autoimmunogenic chemicals HgCl2 and diphenylhydantoin (DPH), like GVH reactions, stimulate specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to trinitrophenyl (TNP)–Ficoll but not to TNP–ovalbumin. IgG responses were quantified in the popliteal lymph node by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot‐forming cell assay (ELISPOT) assays 7 days after s.c. injection of antigens, parental cells, chemicals or combinations thereof into the footpad of semi‐allogeneic F1 mice. Antigens, chemicals, or cells alone induced few TNP‐specific IgG antibody‐forming cell (AFC) compared with untreated mice. Co‐injection of parental cells or chemicals with TNP–Ficoll stimulated the TNP‐specific response per lymph node ∼50‐ and ∼40‐fold, respectively. In contrast, the IgG response to TNP–ovalbumin could not be stimulated by GVH reactions, whereas HgCl2 and DPH dose‐dependently increased this response up to ∼25‐ and ∼250‐fold, respectively. However, responses to TNP–ovalbumin pre‐incubated with HgCl2 or DPH could be stimulated ∼6–8 fold by GVH reactions. Observed similar adjuvanticity of chemicals and parental cells for TNP–Ficoll support a GVH‐like action of autoimmunogenic chemicals. In addition, the chemicals modify TNP–ovalbumin such that B cells recognizing this antigen become susceptible to non‐cognate stimulation by GVH reactions.
RESPONSES OF EGGPLANT (SOLANUM MELONGENA L.) TO DIFFERENT RATES OF NITROGEN UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under field conditions. Nitrogen was applied in four rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 Kg/ha). Average plant height, lateral stem number, leaf chlorophyll content, flower number, fruit weight and plant yield were determined , Increasing rates of Nitrogen significantly affected plant vegetative growth (plant height, lateral stem number, and leaf chlorophyll content). The highest lateral stem number and leaf chlorophyll content were obtained in plants receiving 150 Kg N ha -1 . Nitrogen fertilizer affected flower number and the days to first flowering. Nitrogen application decreased the days to first flowering and treated plants flowered early than control. It was observed that fertilization with 100 Kg N ha -1 resulted in the highest average fruit weight and fruit yield. Our results showed that nitrogen fertilization has strongly influenced vegetative and reproductive growth of eggplant plants grown under field conditions.
Circulating HER2 DNA after trastuzumab treatment predicts survival and response in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Only a subset of breast cancer patients responds to the HER2 inhibitor trastuzumab, and methods to identify responders are needed. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 28 patients with metastatic breast cancer that had amplified human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) genes in their primary tumour and were treated with a combination of trastuzumab and chemotherapy. Plasma was collected and amplification of the HER2 gene in circulating DNA and the amounts of the extracellular domain (ECD) of HER2 were measured just before first treatment (n=28) and just before second treatment three weeks later (HER2 DNA (n=22), HER2 ECD (n=23)). RESULTS Pre-treatment levels of HER2 gene amplification and HER2 ECD did not correlate to clinical parameters. However, 9 out of 22 patients had a more than a 14% (2 x SD) reduction in HER2 gene amplification following treatment and showed improved response (p=0.02), and overall survival (p=0.05). HER2 ECD kinetics did not correlate to clinical data. CONCLUSION We suggest that a decrease in HER2 gene amplification in the plasma predicts a more favourable response to trastuzumab.
Minimally invasive sinus lift implant device: a multicenter safety and efficacy trial preliminary results.

PURPOSE In cases of advanced maxillary sinus atrophy of the bone (pneumatization), the sinus floor has to be augmented in order to obtain acceptable bone volume for implantation. The objective of the present study is to evaluate a new procedure and device, designed as a closed sinus lift using a dedicated dental implant that allows for Schneiderian membrane elevation and the placement of a flowable bone replacement graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen patients (8 males, 10 females) underwent 23 procedures. All procedures were completed successfully, with elevation of the sinus membrane and insertion of bone graft and the dental implant at the planned site. No membrane tears were noted. No intraoperative or postoperative adverse events were observed in any of the cases. There were no postprocedural emergency or distress calls. RESULTS The patients' average age was 52 (range 38-72). The mean residual alveolar ridge height was 5.5 mm (range 4.0-7.0). The average bone gain was 11.2 mm (range 9-13) after an average healing period of 8.7 months (range 6.7-13.1). All implants achieved clinical stability and prosthetic rehabilitation was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS A closed sinus floor elevation procedure can be accomplished using a dedicated dental implant that allows for hydraulic elevation of the Schneiderian membrane and placement of a flowable bone replacement graft and dental implant placement all at the same time with minimal patient discomfort.
Correlation between leptin and the health of the gingiva: a predictor of medical risk.

CONTEXT Over the past decade, a growing body of scientific evidence has suggested an exquisite association between oral infection and systemic diseases (e.g. atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, premature or low birth weight babies, pulmonary diseases, etc.) and also between systemic diseases (e.g. arthritis, diabetes, HIV infection and osteoporosis) and oral and craniofacial diseases and disorders. Leptin is a hormone secreted by the adipocytes in varying quantities and regulates the body weight. The present study was undertaken in the context of knowing the role of leptin in the inflammatory process occurring in the gingiva as the disease progressed from gingivitis to periodontitis. AIMS The present study was done to correlate the concentrations of leptin and interleukin (IL)-6 within the gingiva in healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups of patients and to correlate gingival leptin and IL-6 concentrations with plasma leptin and IL-6 concentrations in the healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups of patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study and was carried out on the patients from the out-patient department of Periodontics in A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-five patients in the age group of 18-60 years were selected and grouped based on the gingival index (Loe and Sillness) and their clinical attachment levels into healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups. Leptin and IL-6 levels were estimated within gingiva and the plasma of each subject using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The results of this study were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Mean and the standard deviation were calculated using analysis of variance Fisher's F-test and then the results were subjected to Tukey's Honest significance difference method for multiple comparison among the three groups. Correlation among the three groups was estimated using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS Results showed a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of gingival leptin and a statistically significant increase in the concentration of plasma leptin as the gingival disease progressed. CONCLUSION It was concluded that as the gingival disease progressed, the gingival leptin concentration decreased, whereas the plasma leptin concentration increased, indicating a possible correlation between leptin concentration in the gingiva and the risk of developing systemic disease like the cardiovascular disease.
Neutral detergent fiber disappearance and gas and volatile fatty acid production during the in vitro fermentation of six forages.

Samples of unfractionated forage and isolated NDF from six forages were fermented in vitro, and NDF disappearance and gas and VFA production were measured over time. Rates based on each of these data sets were calculated using a one-pool logistic model. The rates of NDF disappearance and gas and VFA production did not differ within each forage. Gas and VFA production were linearly related to NDF digestion. Gas yield was . 35 mL/mg (r2 = .92) of NDF digested for the isolated NDF. The amount of total VFA produced per milligram of NDF digested was more variable than gas (r2 = .72), with a slope of . 01 mmol VFA/mg of NDF digested. The relationship between gas and VFA production was linear (mean slope of 1.43 mmol gas/mmol VFA, r2 = .69). The ratios of end products (gas and VFA) to NDF digestion and the ratio of acetate:propionate were variable during the first 8 h of fermentation but changed little after this time. Changes in the acetate: propionate ratio explained 23% of the variation in gas produced per millimole of total VFA detected.
The modulator of the general stress response, MgsR, of Bacillus subtilis is subject to multiple and complex control mechanisms.

The alternative sigma factor σ(B) is the master regulator of the general stress regulon that comprises approximately 200 genes whose products confer a comprehensive stress resistance to Bacillus subtilis. The characterization of MgsR (modulator of the general stress response) revealed that the activation and induction of σ(B) are a prerequisite but not sufficient for a full expression of all general stress genes. MgsR is a paralogue of the global regulator of the diamide stress response, Spx, and controls a subregulon of the general stress response. Here we demonstrate that MgsR activity is controlled at multiple levels. These mechanisms include a positive autoregulatory loop on mgsR transcription, a post-translational redox-sensitive activation step by an intramolecular disulfide bond formation in response to ethanol stress in vivo, as well as rapid proteolytic degradation of MgsR by the ClpXP and ClpCP proteases. Our results indicate an elaborate regulatory network integrating secondary oxidative stress signals into a σ(B) -mediated regulatory cascade that is aimed at rapid and finely tuned target gene expression to coordinately fulfil the physiological needs of the cell in the face of multiple environmental changes.
Influence of resin composite mechanical properties on adhesive microtensile bond strength to dentin.

PURPOSE To determine the influence of mechanical properties of resin-based composites on the microtensile bond strength to dentin of all-in-one adhesives. MATERIALS AND METHODS Microtensile bond strengths were measured with the non-trimming technique for the experimental groups: 1) Bond Force/Estelite Σ (Tokuyama); 2) G-Bond Plus (GC)/Estelite Σ; 3) Bond Force/Gradia Direct Anterior (GC);4) G-Bond Plus/Gradia Direct Anterior; 5) Bond Force/Gradia Direct LoFlo (GC); 6) G-Bond Plus/Gradia Direct LoFlo. The following mechanical properties of the resin-based composites were assessed: tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile elastic modulus, shear elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, Vicker's hardness, contraction stress. Three-dimensional models of microtensile beams were created for finite element analysis of the first principal stress values and distribution in the adhesive layer during microtensile testing. Statistical tests were applied to microtensile bond strength values (two-way ANOVA) and to data from mechanical tests (one-way ANOVA). In all the analyses, the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS While the adhesive did not significantly influence microtensile bond strength, the composite was a significant factor. Regardless of the adhesive, Estelite Σ yielded significantly higher bond strengths than Gradia Direct Anterior and Gradia Direct LoFlo, that were comparable. Adhesive-composite interactions were not statistically significant. Estelite Σ had the highest Vicker's hardness, the highest tensile and shear elastic moduli, the lowest and closest to dentin Poisson's ratio. A more favorable stress distribution in the adhesive layer occurred in the Estelite Σ model. CONCLUSIONS When comparing the bonding potential of several adhesives with the microtensile technique, the same resin composite should be used in all the experimental groups for building up the coronal portion.
Chromatin condensation during spermiogenesis in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus aureus): A flow cytometric study

DNA‐staining of hamster testis cell suspensions followed by flow cytometry demonstrated appearance of the first haploid cells at 23 days post partum (dpp) and of condensed chromatin (in elongated spermatids and spermatozoa) at 33–34 dpp. Mature spermatozoa were first observed in the caput epididymis at 36–37 dpp, thus completing the first spermatogenic wave. Testicular cell suspensions from animals from 23 to 38 dpp were stained with acridine orange, and flow cytometer gating was adjusted to include only the haploid cells. Acridine orange intercalated into double‐stranded DNA to produce green fluorescence. The decrease in green fluorescence intensity from 23 until 37 dpp was caused by changes in the binding of DNA to basic proteins in such a fashion as to impede the access of the dye to the DNA double helix. When the green fluorescence values (of the most advanced spermatids) were plotted against the age of the hamsters (in dpp) or the corresponding steps of spermiogenesis, the decrease in fluorescence could be seen to occur in three phases. The inflection point between the first and second phases was observed at about spermiogenesis step 7, consistent with the hypothesis that this represents removal of histone from the chromatin. The second phase presumably represents the period in which transition proteins are bound to the DNA. At approximately steps 15 or 16 a further inflection point was seen where protamines replaced the transition proteins. The red fluorescence produced when acridine orange bound to RNA in spermatids, increased early in spermiogenesis and decreased dramatically at 34 dpp, consistent with the fact that elongating spermatids discard the bulk of their cytoplasm during the maturation process. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 56:105–112, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.