Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial approach of peri-implant disease: an update of the current knowledge

The success of dental implants depends on many factors, among which the treatment of peri-implant diseases, namely periimplant mucositis which can subsequently progress to peri-implantitis, play a key role. The main cause of peri-implant disease is accumulation of bacterial plaque on the implant/abutment surface juxtaposed to the junctional epithelium and to the connective tissue zone of the peri-implant soft-tissue unit. The different treatment approaches of peri-implant disease can be categorised into non-surgical and surgical therapies. The non-surgical treatment involves mechanical therapy which can be supplemented with locally and systemically delivered antibiotics. The surgical treatment involves resective and regenerative surgical techniques including the use of bone substitutes and barrier membranes. Both mechanical and chemical decontamination techniques should be applied alongside regenerative surgical procedures to obtain optimum reosseointegration and successfully treat peri-implantitis. This chapter reviews the current knowledge in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implant diseases and discusses several antimicrobial treatment protocols.
Product value importance and consumer preference for visual complexity and symmetry

Purpose – Product design is an important marketing variable. Most literature about consumer preference for product design focuses on aesthetic product value. However, the appearance of a product also influences consumer perception of functionalities, quality, and ease of use. This paper therefore, seeks to assess how preference for visual complexity and symmetry depends on the type of product value that is important to people.Design/methodology/approach – In a conjoint study the utility of visual complexity and symmetry in determining preference for eight VCR pictures are assessed (n=422). These utilities are used as dependent variables in regression analyses with the different product values (aesthetic, functionalities, quality, and ease of use) as independent variables.Findings – The effects of visual complexity and symmetry on consumers' preferences depend on the product value to which consumers paid attention.Research limitations/implications – To increase insight into the relationship between design .
Multiple ORC‐binding sites are required for efficient MCM loading and origin firing in fission yeast

In most eukaryotes, replication origins are composed of long chromosome regions, and the exact sequences required for origin recognition complex (ORC) and minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex association remain elusive. Here, we show that two stretches of adenine/thymine residues are collectively essential for a fission yeast chromosomal origin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the ORC subunits are located within a 1 kb region of ori2004. Analyses of deletion derivatives of ori2004 showed that adenine stretches are required for ORC binding in vivo. Synergistic interaction between ORC and adenine stretches was observed. On the other hand, MCM subunits were localized preferentially to a region near the initiation site, which is distant from adenine stretches. This association was dependent on adenine stretches and stimulated by a non‐adenine element. Our results suggest that association of multiple ORC molecules with a replication origin is required for efficient MCM loading and origin firing in fission yeast.
Characterization and Acceptor Preference of a Soluble Meningococcal Group C Polysialyltransferase

ABSTRACT Vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis group C are based on its α-2,9-linked polysialic acid capsular polysaccharide. This polysialic acid expressed on the surface of N. meningitidis and in the absence of specific antibody serves to evade host defense mechanisms. The polysialyltransferase (PST) that forms the group C polysialic acid (NmC PST) is located in the cytoplasmic membrane. Until recently, detailed characterization of bacterial polysialyltransferases has been hampered by a lack of availability of soluble enzyme preparations. We have constructed chimeras of the group C polysialyltransferase that catalyzes the formation α-2,9-polysialic acid as a soluble enzyme. We used site-directed mutagenesis to determine the region of the enzyme necessary for synthesis of the α-2,9 linkage. A chimera of NmB and NmC PSTs containing only amino acids 1 to 107 of the NmB polysialyltransferase catalyzed the synthesis of α-2,8-polysialic acid. The NmC polysialyltransferase requires an exogenous acceptor for catalytic activity. While it requires a minimum of a disialylated oligosaccharide to catalyze transfer, it can form high-molecular-weight α-2,9-polysialic acid in a nonprocessive fashion when initiated with an α-2,8-polysialic acid acceptor. De novo synthesis in vivo requires an endogenous acceptor. We attempted to reconstitute de novo activity of the soluble group C polysialyltransferase with membrane components. We found that an acapsular mutant with a defect in the polysialyltransferase produces outer membrane vesicles containing an acceptor for the α-2,9-polysialyltransferase. This acceptor is an amphipathic molecule and can be elongated to produce polysialic acid that is reactive with group C-specific antibody.
Thrombus imaging with a technetium-99m-labeled activated platelet receptor-binding peptide.

UNLABELLED The objective of this work was the preclinical evaluation of 99mTc-P280, a 99mTc-labeled peptide having high affinity and specificity for the GPIIb/IIIa receptor expressed on activated platelets, for use as a thrombus imaging agent. METHODS The affinity and specificity of P280 peptide for the GPIIb/IIIa receptor was assessed by the inhibition of ADP-stimulated human platelet aggregation, the inhibition of the binding of fibrinogen to the GPIIb/IIIa receptor and the inhibition of the binding of vitronectin to the vitronectin receptor. P280 peptide was radiolabeled with 99mTc by ligand exchange using 99mTc-glucoheptonate. The ability of 99mTc-P280to detect thrombi in vivo was assessed using a canine venous thrombosis model and the biodistribution of 99mTc-P280 was determined in rats and rabbits. RESULTS P280 peptide had an IC50 of 79 nM for the inhibition of aggregation of human platelets in platelet rich plasma, an IC50 of 6.8 nM for the inhibition of fibrinogen binding to the GPIIb/IIIa receptor and an IC50 of 13 microM for the inhibition of vitronectin binding to the vitronectin receptor, showing the high in vitro receptor binding affinity and specificity of the peptide. 99mTc-P280 was readily prepared in > or = 90% radiochemical and yield purity and provided images of femoral vein thrombin in the canine model by 1 hr postinjection (thrombus-to-blood ratio of 4.4 and thrombus-to-muscle ratio of 11 at 4 hr). Dog, rat and rabbit studies all showed rapid clearance of the radiotracer from the blood and rapid renal excretion. CONCLUSION The combination of high in vitro receptor-binding affinity and specificity, in vivo thrombus imaging and fast clearance support the evaluation of 99mTc-280 as a clinical imaging agent.
The importance of family planning in reducing maternal mortality.

Maternal mortality in many developing countries remains at distressingly high levels despite improvements in hospital obstetrics. WHO estimates that 1/2 million maternal deaths occur each year, 99% of which are in developing countries. While many people expect that widespread acceptance of family planning will bring down levels of maternal mortality, some analyses have claimed disappointing reductions, though others were more encouraging. The primary reason for this discrepancy lies in the choice of measure of maternal mortality, compounded somewhat by a confusion in terminology. Maternal mortality can be measured by: 1) the number of maternal deaths; 2) the maternal mortality ratio; 3) the maternal mortality rate; or 4) the lifetime risk of death in childbirth. Family planning use influences the maternal mortality ratio only to the extent that it reduces the proportion of pregnancies to high-risk women. The maternal mortality rate can be substantially influenced by the prevalence of contraception, but it is primarily the reduction in the number of births, per se, that exerts the influence. The choice of measure should be determined by the issue being addressed, and which of the 2 determinants of maternal mortality (obstetric risk or prevalence of pregnancy) is the focus. Current levels of maternal mortality in the developed countries have been achieved only with both good obstetric care and with low fertility. In developing countries today, modern obstetric care is often available only in a few teaching hospitals, but family planning programs are feasible even in remote areas. While implementing family planning programs is not easy, it is more feasible than the implementation of significant improvements in the quality and availability of obstetric care. The contribution of family planning to lower maternal mortality and morbidity should not be underestimated.
UVA1 phototherapy for disseminated granuloma annulare

Background/Purpose: Disseminated granuloma annulare is a benign granulomatous skin disease of unknown etiology. Recently, UVA1 (340–400 nm) phototherapy has been found effective in a small series of four patients. The purpose of this two‐center study was to determine the rate and duration of clinical response to UVA1 phototherapy in a larger cohort of 20 patients with disseminated granuloma annulare.
Do consulting‐oriented sales management programs impact salesforce performance and profit?

Purpose – This study seeks to investigate causal relationships between sales management programs designed to build customer relationships by solving customer problems and selling firm performance.Design/methodology/approach – Hypotheses were developed and supported based on theories developed from the market orientation and sales management literature. Using survey results from sales managers and reported profitability data, those hypotheses were tested using multiple regression.Findings – Results indicate that consulting‐oriented post‐sales training and consulting‐oriented evaluation are significant influences on salesforce efficiency. Consulting‐oriented evaluation is a significant influence on customer retention. The strongest influences on profit growth are initial sales training and post‐sales training learning, but a composite variable of all elements of the consulting‐oriented sales management program is a significant influence on profit growth.Research limitations/implications – The sampling frame.
Effects of Vehicle Impact Velocity and Front-End Structure on Dynamic Responses of Child Pedestrians

To investigate the effects of vehicle impact velocity and front-end structure on the dynamic responses of child pedestrians, an extensive parametric study was carried out using two child mathematical models at 6 and 15 years old. The effect of the vehicle impact velocity was studied at 30, 40, and 50 km/h in terms of the head linear velocity, impact angle, and head angular velocity as well as various injury parameters concerning the head, chest, pelvis, and lower extremities. The variation of vehicle front-end shape was determined according to the shape corridors of modern vehicles, while the stiffness characteristics of the bumper, hood edge, and hood were varied within stiffness corridors obtained from dynamic component tests. The simulation results show that the vehicle impact speed is of great importance on the kinematics and resulting injury severity of child pedestrians. A significant reduction in all injury parameters can be achieved as the vehicle impact speed decreases to 30 km/h. The head and lower extremities of children are at higher injury risks than other body regions. Older children are exposed to higher injury risks to the head and lower leg, whereas younger ones sustain more severe impact loads to the pelvis and upper leg. The results from factorial analysis indicate that the hood-edge height has a significant effect on the kinematics and head impact responses of children. A higher hood edge could reduce the severity of head impact for younger children, but aggravate the risks of head injury for older ones. A significant interaction exists between the bumper height and the hood-edge height on the head impact responses of younger child. Nevertheless, improving the energy absorption performance of the hood seems effective for mitigating the severity of head injuries for children.
Intrauterine growth restriction and genetic predisposition to thrombophilia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Intrauterine growth restriction is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Its pathogenesis is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between intrauterine growth restriction (diagnosed in utero by serial ultrasound examinations and characterized by abnormal umbilical arterial Doppler velocimetry) and thrombophilic polymorphisms (factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A) or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T carried by mothers and/or neonates. DESIGN AND METHODS This was a case-control study with prospective enrollment. Fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction were included if they had three characteristics: 1) reduced intrauterine growth (measured in utero by ultrasound); 2) birth weight below the 10th percentile; 3) abnormal Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery. The three polymorphisms were evaluated in 48 cases and in 98 controls by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis. RESULTS Factor V Leiden was present in 2/48 (4%) mothers or neonates among cases and 7/98 (7%) among controls. Prothrombin G20210A was present in 0/48 (0%) mothers or neonates among cases and 4/98 (4%) among controls. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T was present in 16/48 (33%) mothers or neonates among cases and 22/98 (22%) controls. Overall the prevalence of the polymorphisms in mothers and/or neonates was 18/48 (37%) in cases and 33/98 (34%) in controls. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS No association was found in this study between intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal umbilical blood flow and thrombophilic polymorphisms or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T.
Progression of myocardial remodeling and mechanical dysfunction in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

The progression of hypertensive heart disease (HHD) to heart failure (HF) is associated with myocardial remodeling. Corresponding changes in three-dimensional organization of cardiac extracellular matrix have not been quantified or related fully to the development of HF. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar-Kyoto controls were studied at 3, 12, 18, and 24 mo. Hemodynamic and morphological data, brain natriuretic peptide levels, and echocardiography demonstrate four distinct disease stages: systemic hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, early systolic failure, and decompensated HF. Passive left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume relationships were determined in vitro. Transmural specimens from the anterior LV free wall were imaged using extended-volume confocal microscopy, and three-dimensional myocardial architecture was quantified. In SHRs, LV compliance was reduced at 12 mo and increased progressively thereafter. However, it was less than in controls for filling pressures <10 mmHg and not significantly different at ≥10 mmHg. Myocyte cross section was enlarged, with increased variability from 12 mo, while collagen fraction increased progressively. Perimysial collagen fraction remained unchanged with age, although endomysial collagen increased from 12 mo. Perimysial collagen between adjacent muscle layers fused at 12 mo and continued to thicken subsequently, while muscle layers became more dispersed and disordered. We conclude that LV dilatation, which accompanies decompensated HF in this model of HHD, is not due to LV "softening. " While perimysial (and endomysial) collagen networks are substantially remodeled, they are not dissolved, as has been proposed. We argue that progressive disruption of the laminar organization of LV myocardium may contribute to impaired systolic function in HHD.
Defects and relaxation during the negative bias temperature instability in PMOSFET

In this paper, several experiments are presented in order to give a complete understanding of relaxation phenomena occurring during Negative Bias Temperature Instabilities (NBTI) stress in PMOSFETs. The impact of electrical field and temperature has been investigated. Firstly, we have proved the impact of the electrical field on de-trapping of oxide traps only, and not on the re-passivation of interface states. Secondly the temperature effects on interface states have been evaluated. Finally, we observe a full relaxation by combining field and high temperature effects. This study allows concluding on relaxation physics due to a NBTI interruption.
Defining and Dimensionalizing Organizational Innovativeness

Few research agendas have successfully addressed tourism firm-level innovativeness, and the few studies that do exist typically provide only descriptive data or often remain at a conceptual level (Siguaw et al., 2006). Subsequently, an extensive knowledge gap concerning what constitutes firm-level innovativeness exists. Academics are confusing innovativeness with innovation and innovation orientation; producing many conflicting and inconsistent research results. Drawing from prior relevant research conducted over the past 39 years in the innovation, tourism, organizational, strategy, marketing, consumer, and psychology literatures; this paper provides an operational definition and conceptualization of innovativeness that is useful to both tourism researchers and practitioners. Keywords: Innovativeness, Conceptualization, Small Tourism Firm
A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF EARLY LEG POSTURES OF PRETERM INFANTS

The prone and supine resting postures of the pelvis and legs of 106 preterm infants (25 to 34 weeks gestation) were studied longitudinally between 30 and 38 weeks post‐menstrual age. All the infants subsequently had normal motor development. Posture was graded in relation to three items: the angle of elevation of the pelvis and the weight‐bearing surface of the knee in prone, and the angle of rotation of the leg in supine. Although no grade was found to be exclusive to a particular post‐menstrual age, all three items showed a statistically significant progressive trend. Only <6 per cent of the infants regressed in grade during the study. Infants dependent on oxygen for more than 28 days had significantly lower grades for leg posture in both prone and supine. Posture was not significantly altered by time ex utero or by intra‐uterine growth retardation. The results show that these observation items are suitable measures of the progressive development of antigravity postures of preterm infants.
Drug treatment of lipid disorders.

Arteriosclerosis of the coronary and peripheral vasculature is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States1 and worldwide.2 In 1992, for example, cardiovascular disease accounted for 38 percent of deaths from all causes among men and 42 percent of all deaths among women in Washington State3; nationwide, the mortality rate for cardiovascular disease is approximately 50 percent.4 Mechanisms of Atherogenesis Central to the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis is the deposition of cholesterol in the arterial wall.5,6 Nearly all lipoproteins are involved in this process, including cholesterol carried by very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL),7,8 remnant lipoprotein, .
The Maghribi industrialists Contract enforcement in the Moroccan industry, 1956-82

Original oral history data shows that during the import-substituting industrialisation, state capitalist period delimited by the independence in 1956 and the structural adjustment program in 1982, Moroccan manufacturers were operating in an environment characterised by a high risk of contractual breach, and by long-term, face-to-face relationships with few trade partners. The judicial system was seldom used to enforce contracts, because it was dysfunctional, and would break up a valuable relationship. To avoid contractual problems, entrepreneurs were largely relying on their acquaintances: economic life was embedded in social life. Social capital was derived from the business network and social connections rather than from connections with the state, kin-based and ethno-geographic groups. Private enforcement does not work as the Maghribi traders suggest. It is a way of screening customers and suppliers based on on-demand, reciprocal exchange of imprecise information, rather than a way of inflicting collective punishment. Its efficiency depends on the structure of the business network and on the individual social capital that agents hold within this structure. The institutional environment deteriorated after the period, because an increased number of players disrupted the structure of the business network and decreased the efficiency of private enforcement.
Targeting of AKT1 enhances radiation toxicity of human tumor cells by inhibiting DNA-PKcs-dependent DNA double-strand break repair

We have already reported that epidermal growth factor receptor/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signaling is an important pathway in regulating radiation sensitivity and DNA double-strand break (DNA-dsb) repair of human tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of AKT1 on DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) activity and DNA-dsb repair in irradiated non-small cell lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460. Treatment of cells with the specific AKT pathway inhibitor API-59CJ-OH (API; 1-5 μmol/L) reduced clonogenic survival between 40% and 85% and enhanced radiation sensitivity of both cell lines significantly. As indicated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis (sub-G1 cells) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, API treatment or transfection with AKT1-small interfering RNA (siRNA) induced apoptosis of H460 but not of A549 cells. However, in either apoptosis-resistant A549 or apoptosis-sensitive H460 cells, API and/or AKT1-siRNA did not enhance poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and apoptosis following irradiation. Pretreatment of cells with API or transfection with AKT1-siRNA strongly inhibited radiation-induced phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at T2609 and S2056 as well as repair of DNA-dsb as measured by the γ-H2AX foci assay. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed a complex formation of activated AKT and DNA-PKcs, supporting the assumption that AKT plays an important regulatory role in the activation of DNA-PKcs in irradiated cells. Thus, targeting of AKT enhances radiation sensitivity of lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460 most likely through specific inhibition of DNA-PKcs-dependent DNA-dsb repair but not through enhancement of radiation-induced apoptosis. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(7):1772–81]