Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Removal of Caries Using only Hand Instruments: A Comparison of Mechanical and Chemo–Mechanical Methods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, comfort and efficiency of removing dentin caries using only hand instruments. The Carisolv™ system for caries removal consisting of a solvent gel and a set of specially designed hand instruments (chemo–mechanical) was compared to the use of conventional spoon excavators (mechanical). This was a clinical randomised controlled trial where the two techniques were compared in the same individual. The outcome variables were: complete caries removal; pain during caries removal; anaesthesia requested by the patient during caries removal; time taken to remove caries. Sixty–six individuals, each with a pair of similar cavities in permanent teeth were selected. After caries removal, a ‘blinded’ evaluator assessed the clinical status of the cavity, with the use of a probe. The times for caries removal of the chemo–mechanical and mechanical methods were respectively: 9.2±3.8 and 8.6±3.8 min (p>0.05). There were 4 cavities arguably presenting signs of caries after cavity preparation in the 66 cavities treated with the mechanical method and 7 in the 66 chemo–mechanical cavities (p>0,05). Some pain/discomfort was reported by 21 (32%) participants when the chemo–mechanical method was used, compared with 43 (65%) when the mechanical method was used (p<0.05). During the chemo–mechanical and the mechanical treatment, 2 (3%) and 5 (8%) patients, respectively, requested local anaesthesia (p>0.05). The chemo–mechanical method appeared to be more comfortable for most patients.
Orlistat treatment is safe in overweight and obese liver transplant recipients: a prospective, open label trial

Obesity is a frequent complication following liver transplantation and is insufficiently responsive to dietary and life style advice. We studied the safety of orlistat treatment in obese and overweight liver transplant recipients (n = 15) on a stable tacrolimus‐based immunosuppressive regimen. For safety reasons, the treatment period was restricted (6 months 120 mg t.i.d., 3 months 120 mg daily). Three patients dropped out, tacrolimus dose was adjusted in six of 12 remaining patients (dose reduction in 4, increase in 2, P = N.S.). All dose adjustments occurred during the 6 months of orlistat 120 mg t.i. d. therapy. No drug intolerance, adverse events or episodes of rejection occurred during the study. Efficacy of orlistat treatment in this population could not be shown, because a formal control population was not included in this safety trial. Moreover, only a significant decrease of waist circumference (P < 0.01 versus start of the study), but not of weight or body mass index, was achieved in the treated group. Orlistat treatment is well tolerated in liver transplant recipients and can be started safely, provided immunosuppressive drug levels and dietary adherence are closely monitored.
Alginate Production by Plant-Pathogenic Pseudomonads

Eighteen plant-pathogenic and three non-plant-pathogenic pseudomonads were tested for the ability to produce alginic acid as an exopolysaccharide in vitro. Alginate production was demonstrated for 10 of 13 fluorescent plant-pathogenic pseudomonads tested with glucose or gluconate as the carbon source, but not for all 5 nonfluorescent plant pathogens and all 3 non-plant pathogens tested. With sucrose as the carbon source, some strains produced alginate while others produced both polyfructan (levan) and alginate. Alginates ranged from <1 to 28% guluronic acid, were acetylated, and had number-average molecular weights of 11.3 × 103 to 47.1 × 103. Polyfructans and alginates were not elicitors of the soybean phytoalexin glyceollin when applied to wounded cotyledon surfaces and did not induce prolonged water soaking of soybean leaf tissues. All or most pseudomonads in rRNA-DNA homology group I may be capable of synthesizing alginate as an exopolysaccharide.
Sequence analysis of the chromosomal region around and within the V-1-encoding gene of Mycoplasma pulmonis: evidence for DNA inversion as a mechanism for V-1 variation

Although the variation of V-1 antigens of Mycoplasma pulmonis has been correlated with variable expression of the cytadherence properties of this organism and has been implicated as a virulence determining factor in M. pulmonis-induced murine respiratory disease, the precise function of these antigens remains unknown. We have cloned and characterized genes encoding V-1 from two M. pulmonis UAB CT V-1 variants that differ in hemadsorption properties. A comparison of the nucleotide sequences revealed that these two variant genes were identical in the 5'-most 724 nucleotides. Regions of extensive divergence that contained repeated sequences were found 3' to this conserved region. On the basis of their deduced amino acid sequences, one variant expressed a V-1 protein of 94.2 kDa presumptively containing 40 repeats of 17 amino acids and the other expressed a protein of 27.4 kDa consisting 2 direct, noncontiguous 9-amino-acid repeats. These general properties, as well as the presence of a prokaryotic lipoprotein acylation sequence (L-X-Y-C), indicated that the genes encoding V-1 were similar in structure to genes encoding other mycoplasma surface lipoproteins. Further analysis of sequences flanking these genes revealed that these variants arose via an inversion event which provided an interchange of the two variable regions as well as for the conserved region of these genes and immunoblot analyses using rabbit polyclonal antibodies specific for synthetic peptides derived from the sequences of the different variable regions indicated that DNA inversion acted as a switch which allowed only one of the two different genes to be expressed at any given time. This inversion model clearly provides a mechanism by which M. pulmonis can alter its surface architecture and also strongly suggests that the as-yet-undefined function of V-1 residues in the variable carboxy region of these proteins.
Carotid intima media thickness is independently associated with urinary sodium excretion in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Atherosclerosis-induced premature vascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The pathogenetic mechanism of atherosclerosis in patients with CKD has not been fully explained. Experimental studies have demonstrated that high dietary sodium intake not only increases circulatory volume and blood pressure, but also facilitates development of atherosclerosis by reducing production-bioavailability of nitric oxide due to oxidative stress and accordingly by enhancing endothelial and arterial stiffness. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sodium consumption and carotid artery intima-media thickness, which is the indicator of atherosclerosis, by determining daily urinary sodium excretion, which is a reliable indicator of sodium consumption, in our patient group. Our patient group included 193 patients with stage 2–4 non-diabetic CKD and without a history of atherosclerotic disease. We determined that 77% of our patients have been consuming more than 2 g of sodium per day, which is the upper limit of sodium consumption recommended for patients with CKD. We determined a positive linear correlation between carotid artery intima-media thickness and patient age (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), urinary sodium excretion (p < 0.001), body mass index (p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.002), hemoglobin (p = 0.030), triglycerides (p = 0.043), and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.049). We also found a negative linear correlation between carotid artery intima-media thickness and glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.008). We found that urinary sodium excretion is the determinant of intima-media thickness even if all factors associated with intima-media thickness are adjusted, and that intima-media thickness increases by 0.031 (0.004–0.059) mm per 2 g increase in daily sodium excretion, independent from overall factors (p = 0.025). Our results reveal a relation between urinary sodium excretion and carotid artery intima-media thickness and suggest that excessive sodium consumption predisposes development of atherosclerosis in patients with CKD.
Height, weight, tuberculous infection, and tuberculous disease.

Investigation of body build and its relation to prior tuberculous infection and to subsequent tuberculous disease was carried out among 823,199 recruits who entered the navy from 1958 through 1967. Results confirm earlier studies which showed that body build is associated with tuberculosis. Morbidity Increased with height and decreased with weight. In addition, physique is not associated with the likelihood of becoming infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The very substantial association between body build and tuberculosis is concentrated on the susceptibility of the individual to develop recognizable disease after he has been infected. Morbidity is over three times greater for underweight than for overweight men, while the frequency of infection in the two groups is the same. It is suggested that body build and susceptibility to developing tuberculous disease are interrelated familial or stock traits.
[Effects of taking estrogen and progestogen after medical abortion on reducing vaginal hemorrhage time: a randomized-controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE To compare the different effects of taking different kinds and doses of estrogen and progestogen after medical abortion on reducing vaginal hemorrhage time. METHODS A total of 188 women undergoing medical abortion were recruited and randomized into 3 groups: group A (n = 41) starting marvelon (30 µg ethinylestradiol and 150 µg desogestrel) on the day of abortion for 21 days; group B (n = 53) starting progynova 2 mg/d on the day of abortion for 21 days and taking depogesterone 10 mg/d on the last 5 days; and group C (n = 94) as control. The vaginal hemorrhage time, days to onset of next menses and the outcome of medical abortion were compared. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the duration of hemorrhage between groups A and C [(20 ± 13) vs (19 ± 11) d, P > 0.05]. But the duration of hemorrhage in group B was significantly shorter than that in group C [(14 ± 7) vs (19 ± 11) d, P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference in the amount of hemorrhage among 3 groups (P > 0.05). The time to onset of first menses was similar between groups A and B [(34 ± 13) vs (30 ± 7) d]. And both were significantly shorter than that in group C [(39 ± 11) d, P < 0.05]. There were 3 (7.32%) incomplete abortions in group A, 4 (7.55%) in group B and 12 (12.77%) in group C (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The sequential therapy of estrogen and progestogen after medical abortion may effectively reduce the duration of hemorrhage. And the combined oral contraceptive pills fail to significantly alter the duration of hemorrhage after medical abortion. But both can promote menstrual recovery significantly.
Responses of plasma ACTH, GH, LH and 11-hydroxycorticosteroids to various stimuli in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

The responses of pituitary hormones to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, lysine-8-vasopressin infusion and arginine infusion were examined in patients with Cushing's syndrome. In patients with adrenal hyperplasia, basal levels of plasma ACTH were slightly elevated and responses were preserved to both insulin-induced hypoglycemia and lysine-8-vasopressin infusion, though the magnitude of response was variable. All of the patients had an increase of plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids following lysine-8-vasopressin. After insulin-induced hypoglycemia, 11-hydroxycorticosteroids increased in only half of the patients. In patients with adrenal adenomas, plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid concentrations did not increase after insulin-induced hypoglycemia but there was a rise observed after lysine-8-vasopressin infusion. However, in patients with adrenal adenomas plasma ACTH was not detectable at any time during all of the studies. There was usually no increase of plasma GH concentration in response to any of the stimuli.
Barriers to Intrauterine Device Uptake in a Rural Setting in Ghana

Long-acting reversible contraception is an underutilized method in low-resource areas. Our study aims to: (a) assess knowledge and attitudes around contraception; (b) identify barriers to intrauterine device (IUD) uptake; and (c) develop interventions to address this gap in contraceptive care. We conducted focus group discussions with pregnant, postpartum, and reproductive-aged women, males, and health care workers in rural Ghana. Lack of IUD-specific knowledge, provider discomfort with insertion, and incomplete contraceptive counseling contribute to lack of IUD use. Participant- and provider-related barriers contribute to poor uptake of IUDs within the community. Targeted interventions are necessary to improve IUD use.
Simultaneous inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy enhances apoptosis induced by ER stress aggravators in human pancreatic cancer cells

ABSTRACT In contrast to normal tissue, cancer cells display profound alterations in protein synthesis and degradation. Therefore, proteins that regulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis are being increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic targets. The ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy are crucially important for proteostasis in cells. However, interactions between autophagy, the proteasome, and ER stress pathways in cancer remain largely undefined. This study demonstrated that withaferin-A (WA), the biologically active withanolide extracted from Withania somnifera, significantly increased autophagosomes, but blocked the degradation of autophagic cargo by inhibiting SNARE-mediated fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes in human pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. WA specifically induced proteasome inhibition and promoted the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, which resulted in ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Meanwhile, the impaired autophagy at early stage induced by WA was likely activated in response to ER stress. Importantly, combining WA with a series of ER stress aggravators enhanced apoptosis synergistically. WA was well tolerated in mice, and displayed synergism with ER stress aggravators to inhibit tumor growth in PC xenografts. Taken together, these findings indicate that simultaneous suppression of 2 key intracellular protein degradation systems rendered PC cells vulnerable to ER stress, which may represent an avenue for new therapeutic combinations for this disease.
Chronic fatigue syndrome and nickel allergy

50 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 73 controls were patch tested with 8 metal allergens. We found an overrepresentation of allergies among the CFS patients, which was not significant. However, allergy to nickel occurred in 36% of patients in the CFS group and in 19% of subjects in the control group (p<0.05). The high frequency of nickel allergy was more noteworthy in females in the CFS group than among female controls (52% and 24%, respectively, p<0.05). Similarly, in the males the figures were 14% and 9%. We suggest that in vivo immunoactivation by ions of nickel, or metal cross‐reacting with nickel, could be an etiological factor in CFS.
HIV infection among people of foreign origin voluntarily tested in Spain. A comparison with national subjects

Objectives: To describe exposure categories and HIV prevalence among subjects voluntarily tested in Spain by country of origin. Methods: HIV prevalence and exposure categories were compared between national and non-Spanish subjects voluntarily tested in 18 sexually transmitted disease/HIV testing clinics from 16 Spanish cities in 2000. Results: Of 8861 testers, 2810 (31.7%) came from foreign countries; 73.1% from Latin America, 9.1% from western Europe, 6.2% from central/eastern Europe, 4.4% from northern Africa, and 4.2% from sub-Sahara Africa. Among women from Latin America, 78% were sex workers compared to 5.5% Spanish women. HIV infection was diagnosed in 170 persons, 34.7% from foreign countries. HIV prevalence for Spanish subjects (23% for men and 1.0% for women) was significantly different from men and women from Latin America (11.3% and 0.3% respectively), Sub-Saharan Africa (9.1% and 7.5% respectively), and women from the north of Africa (11.8%). Compared with Spaniards, analyses of persons of the same exposure category showed higher HIV prevalence in men who had sex with men from Latin America (odds ratio: 4.1; 95% CI: 2.4–6.9), heterosexual men from sub-Sahara Africa (OR: 19.3; 95% CI: 6.4–58.0), and Latin America (OR: 9.4; 95% CI: 3.4–25.9), heterosexual women from sub-Sahara Africa (OR: 16.9; 95% CI: 3.5–82.4) and from northern Africa (OR: 15.3; 95% CI: 3.2–73.2). Conclusions: An important proportion of HIV testers from these clinics came from foreign countries and some groups showed a high prevalence of HIV infection. Specific prevention and testing programmes adapted to the needs of migrants in Spain should be developed.
Partial discharge. XIV. Acoustic partial discharge detection-practical application

For pt.XIII see ibid., vol.8, no.4 (July/August 1992). The finer points of acoustic partial discharge (PD) detection systems and their common applications are treated. The PD source, propagation path of the waves, the acoustic sensor, and system noise are described. The design of acoustic PD instrumentation, the location of discharges, and the detection and evaluation of signals are discussed. Applications to outdoor insulation, medium-voltage air-insulated switchgear, capacitors, transformers, and cables are covered. <<ETX>>
Succinyl‐CoA:3‐ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT) deficiency: Two pathogenic mutations, V133E and C456F, in Japanese siblings

Succinyl‐CoA:3‐ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT; EC 2.8.3.5; locus symbol OXCT) is the key enzyme of ketone body utilization. Hereditary SCOT deficiency (MIM 245050) causes episodes of severe ketoacidosis. We developed a transient expression system for mutant SCOT cDNAs, using immortalized SCOT‐deficient fibroblasts. This paper describes and characterizes three missense mutations in two SCOT‐deficient siblings from Japan. They are genetic compounds who inherited the mutation C456F (c1367 G→T) from their mother. Their paternal allele contains two mutations in cis, T58M (c173 C→T) and V133E (c398T→A). Expression of SCOT cDNAs containing either V133E or C456F produces no detectable SCOT activity, whereas T58M is functionally neutral. T58M is a rare sequence variant not detected in 100 control Japanese alleles. In fibroblasts from the proband (GS02), in whom immunoblot demonstrated no detectable SCOT peptide, we measured an apparent residual SCOT activity of 20–35%. We hypothesize that the high residual SCOT activity in homogenates may be an artifact caused by use of the substrate, acetoacetyl‐CoA by other enzymes. Expression of mutant SCOT cDNAs more accurately reflects the residual activity of SCOT than do currently available assays in cell or tissue homogenates. Hum Mutat 12:83–88, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of one year treatment of sibutramine on insulin resistance parameters in type 2 diabetic patients.

PURPOSE Comparison of the effects of one year treatment with sibutramine compared to placebo on insulin resistance parameters, body weight, glycemic control, and lipid profile, in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS Two hundred and forty-six patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus in therapy with different oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin were enrolled in this study and randomised to take sibutramine 10 mg or placebo for one year. We evaluated at baseline, and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months these parameters: homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4), resistin, visfatin, and high sensitivity-C reactive protein (Hs-CRP), body weight, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA(₁c)), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (T(g)). RESULTS A faster decrease of HOMA-IR, resistin, and RBP-4 was recorded with sibutramine compared to the control group. We observed a significant decrease of Hs-CRP in both groups, and a faster improvement of HbA(₁c), FPG and PPG with sibutramine compared to the control group; furthermore we recorded a decrease of FPI, TC, LDL-C, body weight, and BMI in the sibutramine group, but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Sibutramine gave a faster improvement of insulin resistance parameters and glycemic control compared to placebo; furthermore sibutramine gave also an improvement of lipid profile, and body weight.
Tendinopathy of the Tendon of the Long Head of the Biceps

Pathologies of tendon of the long head of the biceps (LHB) are an important cause of shoulder pain. They include tendinopathy, rupture, superior labrum anterior and posterior lesions, pulley tears, and tendon instability. Conservative management of symptomatic LHB tendinopathy is commonly accepted as the first-line treatment. It consists of rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. Biceps tenotomy and tenodesis are the most common surgical procedures to manage both isolated LHB pathology and biceps-glenoid complex tears combined with rotator cuff tears. However, controversy persists about the superiority of one of them because there is no evidence of significant differences in functional scores or patient satisfaction between the 2 techniques. This article provides an overview on biomechanical function of the LHB and current strategies for treatment of LHB disorders.
Molecular Profiling Reveals a Clonal Relationship Between Ovarian Mucinous Tumors and Corresponding Mural Carcinomatous Nodules

Benign or malignant mural nodules rarely occur in mucinous tumors (MTs) of the ovary and malignant nodules can show mesenchymal or epithelial differentiation. The histogenesis of mural nodules is unclear and it has been suggested that these may evolve through divergent differentiation of the mucinous neoplasm or alternatively represent a collision phenomenon. To test these possibilities we compared the molecular profile of 7 ovarian MTs with their matched mural carcinomatous nodules (MCNs) by next-generation sequencing. We found identical KRAS mutations in paired MTs and MCNs in 6 cases, one of which also showed identical CDH1 mutations in both components. In 1 tumor a KRAS mutation was detected in the mucinous neoplasm but not in the MCN; however, identical p53 mutations were present in both tumor elements. Unpaired p53 and PTEN mutations were detected only in the MCN in 2 cases, while mutations in p53 and PIK3CA genes were observed only in the MT in 2 cases. The overall comparative genomic profile was consistent with the neoplastic nature of the MCNs and strongly supported their clonal relationship with the more differentiated mucinous neoplasms. MCNs possibly develop through the acquisition of additional genomic alterations, such as p53 and PTEN mutations, resulting in an anaplastic morphologic phenotype. Our findings also suggest that ovarian MTs with MCNs often arise in KRAS mutant neoplasms. However, mutations in other genes such as PIK3CA and CDH1 may play a role in the neoplastic evolution of a subset of these tumors.