Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximum closing force of mentolabial muscles and type of malocclusion.

OBJECTIVE To measure the closing force of the upper and lower lips and to ascertain the relationship between the maximum closing force of the mentolabial muscles and types of malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of those who showed the full eruption of a second molar and no permanent tooth loss, 99 subjects were chosen who showed a positive overbite and ANB and no skeletal asymmetry. By using the Y-meter, which can measure the lip force in the vertical direction using a load cell, the closing forces of the upper and lower lips were measured separately. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the Pearson's correlation test were used to evaluate the interrelationship between lip force and dentofacial morphology. RESULTS The lip closing force was greater in male and Class I subjects. Upper lip force was greater than that of the lower lip in all groups. The values of lip closing forces were related to the variables of upper incisor angulation. In Class II subjects, the values of lip closing forces were also related to the vertical skeletal pattern. CONCLUSIONS The mentolabial muscle force was highly correlated with dentofacial structure and types of malocclusion.
Neural correlates of successful response inhibition in unmedicated patients with late-life depression.

OBJECTIVE Accumulating evidence implicates a strong association between abnormal frontostriatal-limbic brain circuits, executive dysfunction, and late-life depression (LLD). The stop signal task (SST) was designed by Rubia et al. for use with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify the neural correlates of motor response inhibition, a well-characterized executive function. In this study, we compared brain activation between a group of unmedicated participants with LLD and an unmedicated healthy cohort during SST performance. METHODS Participants 55-85 years of age were screened, clinically evaluated, and entered into either the LLD (n = 15) or healthy comparison group (n = 13). Both groups underwent neuroimaging while performing the SST under similar conditions. The brain circuitry of successful motor inhibition was evaluated by contrasting the condition of correctly inhibiting responses with the condition of correctly responding to Go signals. Differential areas of brain activation between the LLD and comparison groups were determined with FMRIB Software Library. RESULTS Despite comparable SST performance measures, LLD participants demonstrated greater blood oxygen level dependent activation relative to the comparison group in predominantly left-lateralized frontostriatal-limbic circuitry that included the bilateral superior frontal cortices and left-hemispheric orbitofrontal gyri, insular cortex, cingulate cortex, caudate, and putamen. Conversely, the healthy comparison group did not exhibit any areas of greater activation than the LLD group. CONCLUSION Unmedicated participants with LLD activate additional areas within frontostriatal-limbic brain circuitry when performing the SST at a level comparable to a healthy cohort.
Comparison of fluorescence in situ hybridization, NMP22 bladderchek, and urinary liquid‐based cytology in the detection of bladder urothelial carcinoma

The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic values of the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), NMP22 BladderChek, and liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in the detection of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). Consecutive voided urine samples were collected from 138 in‐house patients with a variety of urologic conditions and 37 healthy individuals as negative controls. FISH, NMP22 BladderChek, and LBC were performed on the specimens. All three tests were evaluated independently in a blinded fashion. In all, 104 out of the 175 patients enrolled in this study had histologically proven UC. LBC, FISH, and NMP22 BladderChek were successfully performed on 175, 149, and 119 cases, respectively. The three tests revealed overall sensitivities of 73.1%, 86.5%, and 67.6%, respectively. FISH was more sensitive than LBC (P=0.022) and NMP22 BladderChek (P=0.004). Combination of all the tests yielded a superior sensitivity of 96.7% compared with LBC (P<0.001), NMP22 BladderChek (P<0.001), and FISH (P=0.016), with the specificity only decreased slightly. Sensitivities of the three tests enhanced significantly with increasing UC grade (P<0.05). The positive rates of FISH and NMP22 BladderChek in equivocal cytologic diagnoses were 85.7% and 61.9% in UC, and 37.5% and 50.0% in non‐UC (FISH: P=0.021; NMP22 BladderChek: P=0.683). FISH was more sensitive than LBC and NMP22 BladderChek. FISH had the ability to clarify equivocal cytologic diagnoses. Combination of all three tests showed an improvement in the sensitivity compared to any single test alone in detecting UC with the specificity slightly decreased. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:852–857. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Traffic sign symbol comprehension: a cross-cultural study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the comprehension levels of highway traffic sign symbols used in different countries, to identify underlying rules that affect comprehension levels, and recommend approaches to deal with the problem. The need for such an evaluation was based on today's travel culture where people are often licensed in one country and then drive—without any further training—in another country. We compared the comprehension levels of different traffic sign symbols in four countries with moderate to high levels of motorization: Canada, Finland, Israel, and Poland. Five different driver populations were sampled in each country: novice drivers, college students, tourists, problem drivers, and older drivers. There were large differences in comprehension among specific sign messages, different countries, and different driver populations. Signs were comprehended best when they were consistent with general ergonomic guidelines for display design as they relate to spatial compatibility, conceptual compatibility, physical representation, familiarity, and standardization. Illustrations of compliance with these principles and violations of these principles are presented, and their implication for traffic safety are discussed. Specific recommendations for sign design that is compliant with ergonomic principles, and for greater international cooperation in sign symbol design are made.
Effects of spinal cord stimulation on myocardial ischaemia during daily life in patients with severe coronary artery disease. A prospective ambulatory electrocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND--Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be a useful additional therapy for pain in patients with therapeutically refractory angina pectoris. But doubts remain about whether it also relieves ischaemia. METHODS--Indices of ischaemia were studied with and without SCS in 10 patients with otherwise intractable angina and evidence of myocardial ischaemia on 48 h ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) recording. Primary end points assessed by 48 h ECG recordings were total ischaemic burden, number of ischaemic episodes, and duration of ischaemic episodes. In addition, symptoms were assessed by a diary of glyceryl trinitrate intake and angina attacks. RESULTS--During SCS the total ischaemic burden of the entire group was significantly reduced from a median of 27.9 (1.9-278.2) before SCS to 0 (0-70.2) mm x min with SCS (p < 0.03). In six out of the 10 patients there was no myocardial ischaemia during 48 h ambulatory ECG monitoring with SCS. The number of ischaemic episodes was reduced from a median of 3 (1-15) before SCS to 0 (0-9) with SCS (p < 0.04). The duration of ischaemic episodes decreased from a median of 20.6 (1.7-155.4) min before SCS to 0 (0-48.3) min with SCS (p < 0.03). This was accompanied by a significant improvement in symptoms with a reduction in daily glyceryl trinitrate intake from a median of 3.0 (0-10) before SCS to 0.3 (0-10) tablets per 48 h (p < 0.02) and a decrease in the frequency of anginal attacks from a median of 5.5 (2-14) before SCS to 1.0 (0-10) per 48 h with SCS (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS--SCS not only reduced symptoms but also myocardial ischaemia. Therefore, SCS appears to be both a safe and an effective therapy for patients with refractory angina.
The impact of state laws and district policies on physical education and recess practices in a nationally representative sample of US public elementary schools.

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of state- and school district-level policies on the prevalence of physical education (PE) and recess in a nationally representative sample of US public elementary schools. DESIGN Analyses from annual, nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys of school administrators in the United States. SETTING Data were collected through surveys conducted between February and June during the 2006-2007 through 2008-2009 school years. State laws and district policies were compiled annually by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago using established legal research techniques. PARTICIPANTS The sample size was 47 states, 690 districts, and 1761 schools. MAIN EXPOSURES State- and school district-level PE and recess-related laws. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Twenty minutes of daily recess and 150 min/wk of PE. RESULTS The odds of schools having 150 min/wk of PE increased if they were located in states (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-5.7) or school districts (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.3) having a law or policy requiring 150 min/wk of PE. Schools located in states with laws encouraging daily recess were significantly more likely to have 20 minutes of recess daily (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.8). District policies were not significantly associated with school-level recess practices. Adequate PE time was inversely associated with recess and vice versa, suggesting that schools are substituting one form of physical activity for another rather than providing the recommended amount of both recess and PE. CONCLUSION By mandating PE or recess, policy makers can effectively increase school-based physical activity opportunities for youth.
Crz1p Regulates pH Homeostasis in Candida glabrata by Altering Membrane Lipid Composition

ABSTRACT The asexual facultative aerobic haploid yeast Candida glabrata is widely used in the industrial production of various organic acids. To elucidate the physiological function of the C. glabrata transcription factor Crz1p (CgCrz1p) and its role in tolerance to acid stress, we deleted or overexpressed the corresponding gene, CgCRZ1. Deletion of CgCRZ1 resulted in a 60% decrease in the dry weight of cells (DCW) and a 50% drop in cell viability compared with those of the wild type at pH 2.0. Expression of lipid metabolism-associated genes was also significantly downregulated. Consequently, the proportion of C18:1 fatty acids, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, and the ergosterol content decreased by 30%, 46%, and 30%, respectively. Additionally, membrane integrity, fluidity, and H+-ATPase activity were reduced by 45%, 9%, and 50%, respectively. In contrast, overexpression of CgCrz1p increased C18:1 and ergosterol contents by 16% and 40%, respectively. Overexpression also enhanced membrane integrity, fluidity, and H+-ATPase activity by 31%, 6%, and 20%, respectively. Moreover, in the absence of pH buffering, the DCW and pyruvate titers increased by 48% and 60%, respectively, compared to that of the wild type. Together, these results suggest that CgCrz1p regulates tolerance to acidic conditions by altering membrane lipid composition in C. glabrata. IMPORTANCE This study provides insight into the metabolism of Candida glabrata under acidic conditions, such as those encountered during the industrial production of organic acids. We found that overexpression of the transcription factor CgCrz1p improved viability, biomass, and pyruvate yields at a low pH. Analysis of plasma membrane lipid composition indicated that CgCrz1p might play an important role in its integrity and fluidity and that it enhanced the pumping of protons in acidic environments. We propose that altering the structure of the cell membrane may provide a successful strategy for increasing C. glabrata productivity at a low pH.
The Relation Between Eating Disorder Symptoms and Impairment

Abstract Although a number of studies have looked at what factors might mediate the relationship between symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in a number of psychiatric disorders, little research has addressed this issue in eating disorders. In the current study, female undergraduates (N = 339) completed questionnaires assessing eating disorder symptoms, social support, coping, QoL, and psychosocial impairment. Perceived family support and levels of substance misuse as a way of coping were identified as mediators of the symptom-impairment relationship and, in addition, maladaptive coping also mediated the relationship with QoL. These results highlight the role of coping and social support in impairment resulting from eating disorder symptoms.
Craniometric Variation in the Americas

AbstractCraniofacial variation is investigated in Latin America and the Caribbean. The samples included in this study are two historic and one prehistoric sample from Ecuador; prehistoric and modern Cuban samples; a prehistoric Peruvian sample; two prehistoric Mexican samples and one contemporary admixed Mexican sample; a 16th/17th-century Spanish sample; and Terry blacks. Biological distance is investigated using traditional craniometrics by computing size and shape variables according to Mosimann and colleagues. This study shows that there is much biological variation within the Americas.
The CIS Model for Collaborative Research in Health Communications: A Brief Retrospective From the Current Generation of Research

ABSTRACT The Cancer Information Service (CIS) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the premiere organization for providing cancer information to the nation. The CIS provides a stellar example of how a service organization dedicated to health communications also can serve as a laboratory for research. This journey by the CIS into health communication research is described briefly, along with the current generation of research summarized in this issue of the Journal of Health Communication (JHC). The CIS model for collaborative research is presented as an exemplar that other service organizations might embrace as a strategic tool for quality improvement in health communications.
The PPARa gene polymorphism in team sports athletes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a transcription factor that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism. Accumulating evidence suggests that the intron 7 C allele of the PPARA gene rs4253778 G/C polymorphism has an advantage for power-oriented athletes, presumably due to the hypertrophic effects on skeletal muscle and increase in glucose utilization in response to anaerobic exercise. The G allele, however, is said to be favorable for the endurance-oriented athletes. The metabolic demands of team sports involve aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways, as a result of the intermittent physical activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the PPARA gene polymorphism and team-sport athletic status. A total of 665 Russian athletes from 14 team sports and 1,706 controls were involved in the case-control study. We found that the frequency of the PPARA C allele was significantly higher in athletes compared to controls (20.5 vs. 16.4%, P = 0.0009), suggesting that anaerobic rather than aerobic metabolism may be crucial to the game performance in team sports. This means that our study indicates the association between the PPARA gene G/C polymorphism and team-sport athletic status. Although more replication studies are needed, the preliminary data suggest an opportunity to use the analysis of PPARA polymorphism, along with other gene variations and standard phenotypic assessment in team sports selection.
Impact of pregnancy-induced hypertension on fetal growth

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is still a major cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study to investigate the impact of PIH on fetal growth. Methods: A longitudinal cross-sectional study was conducted by 2,076 obstetric patients registered in the book of delivery emergency room BLUD RSUD Ende/ Ende hospital from September 1 st 2014 to August 31 st 2015. Pregnancy-induced hypertension was classified into gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia. Categorical comparative chi-square continued by logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the effect of PIH to infants’ growth outcome. Results: Women with preeclampsia had higher number of preterm delivery (26.7%). Infants born from preeclamptic women had lower birth weight (median 2,575 gram; p<0.001), birth length (median 49 cm; p<0.001), and also head circumference (median 32 cm; p<0.001). Severe preeclampsia contributed statistically significance to SGA (OR=1.90; 95% CI=1.20-3.01; adjusted OR=1.91; 95% CI=1.20-3.01) and LGA (OR=2.70; 95% CI=1.00-7.29; adjusted OR=2.92; 95% CI=1.07-8.00). Based on birth weight independent of gestational age, severe preeclampsia had an impact to VLBW (OR=11.45; 95% CI=2.77-47.38; adjusted OR=8.68; 95% CI=1.57-48.04) and LBW (OR=6.57; 95% CI=4.01-10.79; adjusted OR=5.71; 95% CI=3.33-9.78) where it showed statistical significance. Conclusion: PIH women who had SGA or VLBL or LBW infants were caused by the hypoperfusion model as the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Meanwhile, LGA infants born by preeclamptic women were due to the compensation of the decrease from uteroplacental perfusion or other diseases such as obese mother or gestational.diabetes mellitus.
Sustainability of Long-Term Abiotic Attenuation of Chlorinated Ethenes

Abstract : mechanisms that may contribute to the attenuation of chlorinated ethene plumes. To this end, we measured the reduction of chlorinated ethenes by a series of chemically and microbially generated reductants under a range of natural conditions. During the project, we collected, synthesized, and characterized a variety of reductants and measured the extent and rate of PCE, TCE and cDCE reduction in batch reactors. The reductants included, (i) Fe(II) sorbed on Fe oxides, (ii) minerals containing Fe(II), such as iron sulfides (e.g., mackinawite) and green rusts, (iii) precipitates and supernatant collected from dissimilatory iron reducing (DIR) cultures of Shewanella species and an sulfate reducing bacterial (SRB) culture of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, and (iii) sorbed and reduced natural organic matter (NOM) and NOM model compounds.
Cell proliferation in the normal mouse mammary gland and inhibition by phenylbutyrate.

Ovarian hormones have a pivotal role in the control of proliferation in the mammary gland, and cumulative life-time exposure to ovarian hormones is known to be a determinant of breast cancer risk. We have shown previously that a p.o. -active, long-acting butyrate analogue, sodium phenylbutyrate (PB), reduced proliferation in normal and malignant human breast cells in culture and reduced expression of ovarian hormone receptors, suggesting that PB had cellular effects consistent with decreasing breast cancer risk. The aim of this study was to determine the in vivo effects of PB in the normal mammary gland on epithelial cell proliferation, estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) expression, and cyclin D1 expression. BALB/c mice were treated with PB, delivered by mini-osmotic pumps, for 7 days. Moderate (250 mg/kg/day) and high (500 mg/kg/day) PB treatment resulted in a decrease in proliferation in mammary epithelial cells (P < 0.001), determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Analysis of ER alpha immunostaining revealed a significant reduction in moderate- and high-treatment groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02), and expression of cyclin D1 was virtually ablated (P < 0.001). Histone deacetylase inhibition is a known mechanism of butyrate action, and consistent with this, PB increased levels of acetylated histone H3 in the mammary gland. In summary, PB decreased proliferation in the mammary gland in vivo at clinically achievable doses. Decreased proliferation was accompanied by changes in the levels of ER alpha and cyclin D1. These data show that PB modulates parameters thought to be involved in the carcinogenic process in the normal mammary gland, and compounds in this class may therefore be useful candidates for breast cancer chemoprevention.
Comparative Finite Element Analysis of Patient-Specific Tricuspid and Bicuspid Aortic Valve

The main purpose of this study was to examine and compare the biomechanical characteristics of a healthy tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and diseased bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). The patient-specific geometrical model of TAV was created based on computed tomography (CT) scan images. On the same model, two leaflets (left and right) were manually fused in order to create the BAV model (type 1). The finite element analysis was performed using the algorithms and numerical methods for structural analysis on computational meshes. Also, equivalent material characteristics and boundary conditions were applied. As the result, displacements and Von Mises stress distribution were computed concerning anatomical differences between TAV and BAV structures. In the case of TAV, leaflets were symmetrically and centrally open, while BAV analysis resulted with regions of increased stresses on the leaflets with elliptically open valve. The performed comparative computational analysis gave better insight into the biomechanics of healthy and malformed aortic root. It may contribute to monitoring of structural characteristics due to the difficulty of obtaining such characteristics in vitro or in vivo.
An Empirical Analysis of the effects of the Dodd-Frank Act on the Determinants and Informativeness of Credit Ratings

We study the effects of the Dodd-Frank Act on the determinants and informativeness of credit ratings. We predict that the increase in regulatory oversight and litigation risk, as well as improved disclosure requirements motivated credit rating agencies (CRAs) to increase the weight on firm-specific, quantitative information on fundamentals in arriving at their ratings. We also examine whether the Act affects the accuracy of credit ratings in predicting future defaults. We find that the weight on fundamentals increases after Dodd-Frank and credit ratings better predict future default. Collectively, our evidence suggests that Dodd-Frank improved credit rating quality.
Using a Time based Relationship Weighting Criterion to Improve Link Prediction in Social Networks

For the last years, a considerable amount of attention has been devoted to the research about the link prediction (LP) problem in complex networks. This problem tries to predict the likelihood of an association between two not interconnected nodes in a network to appear in the future. Various methods have been developed to solve this problem. Some of them compute a compatibility degree (link strength) between connected nodes and apply similarity metrics between non-connected nodes in order to identify potential links. However, despite the acknowledged importance of temporal data for the LP problem, few initiatives investigated the use of this kind of information to represent link strength. In this paper, we propose a weighting criterion that combines the frequency of interactions and temporal information about them in order to define the link strength between pairs of connected nodes. The results of our experiment with traditional weighted similarity metrics in ten co-authorship networks confirm our hypothesis that weighting links based on temporal information may, in fact, improve link prediction. Proposed criterion formulation, experimental procedure and results from the performed experiment are discussed in detail.