Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autologous Periosteum-Derived Micrografts and PLGA/HA Enhance the Bone Formation in Sinus Lift Augmentation

Sinus lift augmentation is a procedure required for the placement of a dental implant, whose success can be limited by the quantity or quality of available bone. To this purpose, the first aim of the current study was to evaluate the ability of autologous periosteum-derived micrografts and Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) supplemented with hydroxyl apatite (HA) to induce bone augmentation in the sinus lift procedure. Secondly, we compared the micrograft's behavior with respect to biomaterial alone, including Bio-Oss® and PLGA/HA, commercially named Alos. Sinus lift procedure was performed on 24 patients who required dental implants and who, according to the study design and procedure performed, were divided into three groups: group A (Alos + periosteum-derived micrografts); group B (Alos alone); and group C (Bio-Oss® alone). Briefly, in group A, a small piece of periosteum was collected from each patient and mechanically disaggregated by Rigenera® protocol using the Rigeneracons medical device. This protocol allowed for the obtainment of autologous micrografts, which in turn were used to soak the Alos scaffold. At 6 months after the sinus lift procedure and before the installation of dental implants, histological and radiographic evaluations in all three groups were performed. In group A, where sinus lift augmentation was performed using periosteum-derived micrografts and Alos, the bone regeneration was much faster than in the control groups where it was performed with Alos or Bio-Oss® alone (groups B and C, respectively). In addition, the radiographic evaluation in the patients of group A showed a radio-opacity after 4 months, while after 6 months, the prosthetic rehabilitation was improved and was maintained after 2 years post-surgery. In summary, we report on the efficacy of periosteum-derived micrografts and Alos to augment sinus lift in patients requiring dental implants. This efficacy is supported by an increased percentage of vital mineralized tisssue in the group treated with both periosteum-derived micrografts and Alos, with respect to the control group of Alos or Bio-Oss® alone, as confirmed by histological analysis and radiographic evaluations at 6 months from treatment.
The validity of wireless iButtons® and thermistors for human skin temperature measurement

Skin temperature is a fundamental variable in human thermo-physiology, and yet skin temperature measurement remains impractical in most free-living, exercise and clinical settings, using currently available hard-wired methods. The purpose of this study was to compare wireless iButtons® and hard-wired thermistors for human skin temperature measurement. In the first of two investigations, iButtons® and thermistors monitored temperature in a controlled water bath (range: 10–40 °C) and were referenced against a certified, mercury thermometer. In the second investigation, eight healthy males completed three randomized trials (ambient temperature = 10 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C) while both devices recorded skin temperature at rest (in low and high wind velocities) and during cycle-ergometry exercise. The results are as follows; Investigation 1: both devices displayed very high validity correlation with the reference thermometer (r > 0.999). Prior to correction, the mean bias was +0.121 °C for iButtons® and +0.045 °C for thermistors. Upon calibration correction the mean bias for iButtons® and thermistors was not significantly different from zero bias. Interestingly, the typical error of the estimate of iButtons® (0.043 °C) was 1.5 times less than that of thermistors (0.062 °C), demonstrating iButtons'® lower random error. Investigation 2: the offset between iButton® and thermistor readings was generally consistent across conditions; however, thermistor responses gave readings that were always closer to ambient temperature than those given by iButtons®, suggesting potential thermistor drift towards environmental conditions. Mean temperature differences between iButtons® and thermistors during resting trials ranged from 0.261 °C to 1.356 °C. Mean temperature differences between iButtons® and thermistors during exercise were 0.989 °C (ambient temperature = 10 °C), 0.415 °C (ambient temperature = 20 °C) and 0.318 °C (ambient temperature = 30 °C). Observed error estimates were within the acceptable limits for the skin temperature method comparison, with typical errors <0.3 °C, correlation coefficients >0.9 and CV <1% under all conditions. These findings indicate that wireless iButtons® provide a valid alternative for human skin temperature measurement during laboratory and field investigations particularly when skin temperature measurement using other currently available methods may prove problematic.
Superior Osteogenic Capacity for Bone Tissue Engineering of Fetal Compared with Perinatal and Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human adult bone marrow (haMSCs) represent a promising source for bone tissue engineering. However, their low frequencies and limited proliferation restrict their clinical utility. Alternative postnatal, perinatal, and fetal sources of MSCs appear to have different osteogenic capacities, but have not been systematically compared with haMSCs. We investigated the proliferative and osteogenic potential of MSCs from human fetal bone marrow (hfMSCs), human umbilical cord (hUCMSCs), and human adult adipose tissue (hATMSCs), and haMSCs, both in monolayer cultures and after loading into three‐dimensional polycaprolactone‐tricalcium‐phosphate scaffolds.Although all MSCs had comparable immunophenotypes, only hfMSCs and hUCMSCs were positive for the embryonic pluripotency markers Oct‐4 and Nanog. hfMSCs expressed the lowest HLA‐I level (55% versus 95%–99%) and the highest Stro‐1 level (51% versus 10%–27%), and had the greatest colony‐forming unit–fibroblast capacity (1.6×–2.0×; p < .01) and fastest doubling time (32 versus 54–111 hours; p < .01). hfMSCs had the greatest osteogenic capacity, as assessed by von‐Kossa staining, alkaline phosphatase activity (5.1×–12.4×; p < .01), calcium deposition (1.6×–2.7× in monolayer and 1.6×–5.0× in scaffold culture; p < .01), calcium visualized on micro‐computed tomography (3.9×17.6×; p < .01) and scanning electron microscopy, and osteogenic gene induction. Two months after implantation of cellular scaffolds in immunodeficient mice, hfMSCs resulted in the most robust mineralization (1.8×–13.3×; p < .01). The ontological and anatomical origins of MSCs have profound influences on the proliferative and osteogenic capacity of MSCs. hfMSCs had the most proliferative and osteogenic capacity of the MSC sources, as well as being the least immunogenic, suggesting they are superior candidates for bone tissue engineering. STEM CELLS 2009;27:126–137
Simian virus 40 T- and U-antigens: immunological characterization and localization in different nuclear subfractions of simian virus 40-transformed cells

Simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed cells and cells infected by the nondefective adenovirus 2(Ad2)-SV40 hybrid viruses Ad2+ND1 and Ad2+ND2 were analyzed for SV40 T- and U-antigens, respectively, using individual hamster SV40 tumor sera or serum for which U-antibodies were removd by absorption. These studies showed that (i) T- and U-antigens can be defined by separate classes of antigenic determinants and (ii) the U-antigenic determinants in SV40-transformed cells and in hybrid virus-infected cells are similar. The apparent discrepancy in the subcellular location of U-antigen in SV40-transformed cells (nuclear location) and in hybrid virus-infected cells (perinuclear location) as determined by immunofluorescence staining of methanol/acetone-fixed cells could be resolved by treating hybrid virus-infected cells with a hypotonic KCl solution before fixation. Upon this treatment hybrid virus-infected cells also showed nuclear U-antigen staining. The possibility of an association of T- and U-antigens with different nuclear subfractions in SV40-transformed cells was investigated. Detergent-cleaned nuclei of SV40-transformed cells were fractionated into nuclear matrices and a DNase-treated, high-salt nuclear extract. Analysis of the nuclear matrices by immunofluorescence microscopy with T+U+ and T+U- hamster SV40 tumor serum revealed that U-antigen remained associated with the nuclear matrices, whereas T-antigen could not be detected in this nuclear subfraction. T-antigen, however, could be immunoprecipitated from nuclear extracts of the SV40-transformed cells.
Influences of array size and homogeneity on minisatellite mutation

Unstable minisatellites display high frequencies of spontaneous gain and loss of repeats in the human germline. Most length changes arise through complex recombination events including intra‐allelic duplications/deletions and inter‐allelic transfers of repeats. Definition of the factors modulating instability requires both measurement of mutation rate and detailed analysis of mutant structures at the level of individual alleles. We have measured mutation rates in sperm for a wide range of alleles of the highly unstable human minisatellite CEB1. Instability varies by three orders of magnitude between alleles and increases steadily with the size of the tandem array. Structural analysis of mutant molecules derived from six alleles revealed that it is the rate of intra‐allelic rearrangements which increases with array size and that intra‐allelic duplication events tend to cluster within homogeneous segments of alleles; both phenomena resemble features of trinucleotide repeat instability. In contrast, inter‐allelic transfers occur at a fairly constant rate, irrespective of array length, and show a mild polarity towards one end of the minisatellite, suggesting the possible influence of flanking DNA on these conversion‐like events.
Determinants of age at sexual debut and associated risks among South African youths

The research uses data from a representative national survey to explore the determinants of age at sexual debut among South African youths in the age group 15–24 years. A random sample of 5 708 youths were interviewed and 92% responded to questions on whether or not they had ever had sex and their age at first sex for those who had. The research used survival analyses techniques to combine ‘current status data’ and ‘recall data’ for respondents who reported ever having had sex. The females were more likely than the males to report ever having had sex (p≤0.001). The median age at sexual debut was 18 years for both males and females. The hazard ratio pertaining to early sexual debut was 0.81-times less for those in the age group 15–19 as compared to those in the age group 20–24 (p≤0.001). Age, race, geographical location, and level of education were found to be important determinants of age at sexual debut. The ‘hazards of sexual debut’ (θ=0.112; p≤0.001) varied significantly between geographical areas (rural or urban). Youths with an earlier age of sexual debut were less likely to have used condoms, a behaviour which increases their risk of HIV infection. HIV prevalence was consistently higher among the females than among the males. We recommend that HIV-prevention interventions target community sets rather than only individuals at higher risk of exposure to HIV.
The specificity of homeotic gene function

How transcription factors achieve their in vivo specificities is a fundamental question in biology. For the Homeotic Complex (HOM/Hox) family of homeoproteins, specificity in vivo is likely to be in part determined by subtle differences in the DNA binding properties inherent in these proteins. Some of these differences in DNA binding are due to sequence differences in the N‐terminal arms of HOM/Hox homeodomains. Evidence also exists to suggest that cofactors can modify HOM/Hox function by cooperative DNA binding interactions. The Drosophila homeoprotein extradenticle (exd) is likely to be one such cofactor. In HOM/Hox proteins, both the conserved ‘YPWM’ peptide motif and the homeodomain are important for interacting with exd. Although exd provides part of the answer as to how specificity is achieved, there may be additional cofactors and mechanisms that have yet to be identified.
A 7-μW clock generator in 0.18-μm CMOS for passive UHF RFID EPC G2 tags

An ultra-low-power clock generator for passive UHF RFID tag is implemented in 0.18-mum CMOS process. By using the technique of dual-path clock generation with multiple clock rates and multiple supply voltages, clock accuracy is much improved and power consumption is reduced. Under the injection-locked condition, the measured cycle-to-cycle jitter of the clock generator is 23.7 ps and the peak-to-peak value is 164 ps with an input at 900 MHz and an output at 3.5 MHz. The overall power consumption is only 7 muW and the core chip area is 0.02 mm2.
Use of dexmedetomidine to facilitate extubation in surgical intensive-care-unit patients who failed previous weaning attempts following prolonged mechanical ventilation: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that exhibits sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic, and sympatholytic effects without respiratory-drive depression. We prospectively evaluated the use of dexmedetomidine to facilitate the withdrawal of mechanical ventilation and extubation in 5 trauma/surgical intensive-care-unit patients who had failed previous weaning attempts due to agitation and hyperdynamic cardiopulmonary response. METHODS Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine commenced at 0.5 or 0.7 microg/kg/h without a loading dose. Background sedation and analgesia with propofol, benzodiazepines, and opiates was discontinued or reduced as tolerated. Dexmedetomidine infusion was titrated between 0.2 and 0.7 microg/kg/h to maintain a stable cardiopulmonary response and modified Ramsay Sedation Score between 2 and 4. RESULTS Following dexmedetomidine administration, propofol infusion was weaned and discontinued in 4 patients. In the fifth patient, benzodiazepine and opiate infusions were reduced. Ventilatory support in all patients could be weaned to continuous positive airway pressure of 5 cm H2O without agitation, hemodynamic instability, or respiratory decompensation. All patients were extubated while receiving dexmedetomidine infusion (mean dose of 0.32 +/- 0.08 microg/kg/h). One patient required reintubation for upper-airway obstruction. CONCLUSION Dexmedetomidine appears to maintain adequate sedation without hemodynamic instability or respiratory-drive depression, and thus may facilitate extubation in agitated difficult-to-wean patients; it therefore deserves further investigation toward this novel use.
A Subset of CD8αβ+ Invariant NKT Cells in a Humanized Mouse Model

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are unconventional innate-like T cells demonstrating potent antitumor function in conventional mouse models. However, the iNKT cell ligands have had limited efficacy in human antitumor clinical trials, mostly due to the profound differences in the properties and compositions of iNKT cells between the two species, including the presence of a CD8+ subset of iNKT cells only in humans. To build reliable in vivo models for studying human iNKT cells, we recently developed the first humanized mouse model (hCD1d-KI) with human CD1d knocked in. To further humanize the mouse model, we now introduced the human invariant NKT TCRα-chain (Vα24Jα18) into the hCD1d-knockin mice. Similar to humans, this humanized mouse model developed a subset of CD8αβ+ iNKT cells among other human-like iNKT subsets. The presence of the CD8αβ+ iNKT cells in the thymus suggests that these cells developed in the thymus. In the periphery, these NKT cells showed a strong Th1-biased cytokine response and potent cytotoxicity for syngeneic tumor cells upon activation, as do human CD8αβ+ iNKT cells. The low binding avidity of iNKT TCRs to the human CD1d/lipid complex and high prevalence of Vβ7 TCRβ among the CD8+ iNKT cells strongly point to a low avidity–based developmental program for these iNKT cells, which included the suppression of Th-POK and upregulation of eomesodermin transcriptional factors. Our establishment of this extensively humanized mouse model phenotypically and functionally reflecting the human CD1d/iNKT TCR system will greatly facilitate the future design and optimization of iNKT cell–based immunotherapies.
Role of iron and aluminum coagulant metal residuals and lead release from drinking water pipe materials

Bench-scale experiments investigated the role of iron and aluminum residuals in lead release in a low alkalinity and high (> 0.5) chloride-to-sulfate mass ratio (CSMR) in water. Lead leaching was examined for two lead-bearing plumbing materials, including harvested lead pipe and new lead: tin solder, after exposure to water with simulated aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride and ferric sulfate coagulation treatments with 1-25-μM levels of iron or aluminum residuals in the water. The release of lead from systems with harvested lead pipe was highly correlated with levels of residual aluminum or iron present in samples (R2 = 0.66–0.88), consistent with sorption of lead onto the aluminum and iron hydroxides during stagnation. The results indicate that aluminum and iron coagulant residuals, at levels complying with recommended guidelines, can sometimes play a significant role in lead mobilization from premise plumbing.
Multicenter Evaluation of the Fully Automated COBAS AMPLICOR PCR Test for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in Urogenital Specimens

ABSTRACT The fully automated COBAS AMPLICOR CT/NG test for the detection ofChlamydia trachomatis was evaluated in a multicenter trial. Test performance was evaluated for 2,014 endocervical swab and 1,278 urine specimens obtained from women and for 373 urethral swab and 254 urine specimens obtained from men. Culture served as the reference test. Culture-negative, COBAS AMPLICOR-positive specimens that tested positive in a confirmatory PCR test for an alternative target sequence within the C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein gene were resolved as true positives. The overall prevalence of chlamydia was 4.3% in cervical swabs and 11.0% in urethral swabs from men. When the results for each specimen type were considered separately, the resolved sensitivities were 96.5% (83 of 86) for endocervical swab specimens, 95.1% (39 of 41) for urine specimens from women, 100.0% (41 of 41) for urethral swab specimens from men, and 94.4% (17 of 18) for urine specimens from men; the resolved specificities were 99.4% (1,912 of 1,924) for endocervical swab specimens, 99.8% (1,204 of 1,207) for urine specimens from women, 98.5% (325 of 330) for urethral swab specimens from men, and 100.0% (236 of 236) for urine specimens from men. For the subset of patients from whom both swab and urine specimens were collected, the combined results for both specimen types were used to identify all infected patients. Using these combined reslts as criteria, the resolved sensitivities for the COBAS AMPLICOR test were 82.6% (38 of 46) for endocervical swab specimens, 84.4% (38 of 45) for urine specimens from women, 84.2% (16 of 19) for urethral swab specimens from men, and 89.5% (17 of 19) for urine specimens from men. In comparison, the sensitivity of culture was only 56.5% (26 of 46) for endocervical specimens and 63.2% (12 of 19) for urethral specimens from men. The internal control provided in the COBAS AMPLICOR test revealed that 2.9% of specimens were inhibitory when they were initially tested. Nevertheless, valid results were obtained for 99.1% of specimens because 68.7% of the inhibitory specimens were not inhibitory when a second aliquot of the original sample was tested. Two additional COBAS AMPLICOR-positive specimens were detected by retesting inhibitory specimens. The COBAS AMPLICOR CT/NG test for the detection of C. trachomatis exhibited equally high sensitivities and specificities with both urogenital swab and urine specimens and, thus, is well-suited for use in screening.
From Novice to Expert: Confidence and Activity Status Determine Heart Failure Self-care Performance

Background:In a previous, small, mixed-methods study, heart failure patients were described as novice, expert, or inconsistent in self-care. In that study, self-care types differed in experience, confidence, attitudes, and skill. Objectives:The aims of this study were to validate the novice-to-expert self-care typology and to identify determinants of the heart failure self-care types. Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed using data from 689 adults with heart failure (61 ± 2.5 years; 36% female, 50% New York Heart Association class III). Two-step likelihood cluster analysis was used to classify patients into groups using all items in the maintenance and management scales of the Self-care of Heart Failure Index. Multinomial regression was used to identify the determinants of each self-care cluster, testing the influence of age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, body mass index, depression, anxiety, hostility, perceived control, social support, activity status (Duke Activity Status Index), and self-care confidence. Results:Self-care behaviors clustered best into three types: novice (n = 185, 26.9%), expert (n = 229, 33.2%), and inconsistent (n = 275, 39.9%). The model predicting self-care cluster membership was significant (&khgr;2 = 88.67, p < .001); Duke Activity Status Index score and Self-care of Heart Failure Index confidence score were the only significant individual factors. Higher activity status increased the odds that patients would be inconsistent (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02-1.09) or novice (OR = 1.02-1.10) in self-care. Higher self-care confidence increased the odds of being an expert (OR = 1.05-1.09) or inconsistent (OR = 1.01-1.05) in self-care. Discussion:The three-level typology of heart failure self-care was confirmed. Patients who have fewer limitations to daily activities may not be driven adequately to engage in heart failure self-care and may need extra assistance in developing expertise.
Defensins enable macrophages to inhibit the intracellular proliferation of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular pathogen that infects a large diversity of host cells, including macrophages. To avoid the phagosome microbicidal environment, L. monocytogenes secretes a pore‐forming toxin (listeriolysin O, LLO) that releases the bacterium into the cytoplasm. We hypothesized that the α‐defensins (HNPs) and/or humanized θ‐defensin (RC‐1) peptides produced by human and non‐human primate neutrophils, respectively, cooperate with macrophages to control L. monocytogenes infection. Our results establish that HNP‐1 and RC‐1 enable macrophages to control L. monocytogenes intracellular growth by inhibiting phagosomal escape, as a consequence, bacteria remain trapped in a LAMP‐1‐positive phagosome. Importantly, HNP‐1 interaction with macrophages and RC‐1 interaction with bacteria are required to prevent macrophage infection. In accordance with these results, RC‐1 is a more potent anti‐listerial peptide than HNP‐1 and HNP‐1 is acquired by macrophages and trafficked to the phagocytosed bacteria. Finally, HNP‐1 and RC‐1 antimicrobial activity is complemented by their ability to prevent LLO function through two mechanisms, blocking LLO‐dependent perforation of macrophage membranes and the release of LLO from the bacteria. In conclusion, at the site of infection the cooperation between antimicrobial peptides, such as HNP‐1, and macrophages likely plays a critical role in the innate immune defence against L. monocytogenes.