Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External cervical resorption: an analysis using cone beam and microfocus computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy.

AIM To provide a three-dimensional representation of external cervical resorption (ECR) with microscopy, stereo microscopy, cone beam computed tomography (CT), microfocus CT and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SUMMARY External cervical resorption is an aggressive form of root resorption, leading to a loss of dental hard tissues. This is due to clastic action, activated by a damage of the covering cementum and stimulated probably by infection. Clinically, it is a challenging situation as it is characterized by a late symptomatology. This is due to the pericanalar protection from a resorption-resistant sheet, composed of pre-dentine and surrounding dentine. The clastic activity is often associated with an attempt to repair, seen by the formation of osteoid tissue. KEY LEARNING POINTS Cone beam CT is extremely useful in the diagnoses and treatment planning of ECR. SEM analyses provide a better insight into the activity of osteoclasts. The root canal is surrounded by a layer of dentine that is resistant to resorption.
Convergence of the Abscisic Acid, CO2, and Extracellular Calcium Signal Transduction Pathways in Stomatal Guard Cells

We show that guard cells from Arabidopsis thaliana plants carrying the abscisic acid-insensitive mutations abi1 and abi2 fail to respond to CO2 and extracellular calcium. This demonstrates that the signal transduction pathways for all three stimuli converge on, or close to, the ABI1 and ABI2 gene products.
Food cost and availability in a rural setting in Australia.

INTRODUCTION The burden of chronic diseases is rapidly increasing worldwide. In Australia rural populations have a greater burden of disease. Chronic diseases are largely preventable with diet as a key risk factor. With respect to diet-related chronic disease, dietary risk may be due to poor food access, namely, poor availability and/or the high cost of healthy food. It is likely that poor food access is an issue in rural areas. OBJECTIVE To assess food access in rural south-west (SW) Victoria, Australia. METHODS A total of 53 supermarkets and grocery stores in 42 towns participated in a survey of food cost and availability in the rural area of SW Victoria. The survey assessed availability and cost of a Healthy Food Access Basket (HFAB) which was designed to meet the nutritional needs of a family of 6 for 2 weeks. RESULTS Seventy-two percent of the eligible shops in SW Victoria were surveyed. The study found that the complete HFAB was significantly more likely to be available in a town with a chain-owned store (p <0.00). The complete HFAB was less likely to be available from an independently owned store in a town with only one grocery shop (p <0.004). The average cost of the HFAB across SW Victoria was AU380.30 dollars +/- 25.10 dollars (mean +/- SD). There was a mean range in difference of cost of the HFAB of 36.92 dollars. In particular, high variability was found in the cost of fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS Cost and availability of healthy food may be compromised in rural areas. IMPLICATIONS Improvements in food access in rural areas could reduce the high burden of disease suffered by rural communities.
Factors modifying stress from adverse effects of immunosuppressive medication in kidney transplant recipients

Abstract: Introduction: The adverse effects of immunosuppression appear in the majority of patients with a negative impact on morbidity, mortality and quality of life. The group of adverse symptoms manifested as changes in appearance, mood and energy are often more stressful than serious metabolic changes because of their direct negative influence on patients’ well‐being. The aim of this study is to explore the adverse symptoms of immunosuppressive medication which are the most stressful for transplanted patients, and which are the modifying factors.
Antigen-Specific Suppression of Inflammatory Arthritis Using Liposomes1

Existing therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are not Ag specific, which increases the likelihood of systemic toxicity. We show that egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes loaded with Ag (OVA or methylated BSA) and a lipophilic NF-κB inhibitor (curcumin, quercetin, or Bay11-7082) suppress preexisting immune responses in an Ag-specific manner. We injected loaded liposomes into mice primed with Ag or into mice suffering from Ag-induced inflammatory arthritis. The liposomes targeted APCs in situ, suppressing the cells’ responsiveness to NF-κB and inducing Ag-specific FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. This regulatory mechanism suppressed effector T cell responses and the clinical signs of full-blown Ag-induced arthritis. Thus, liposomes encapsulate Ags and NF-κB inhibitors stably and efficiently and could be readily adapted to deliver Ags and inhibitors for Ag-specific suppression of other autoimmune and allergic diseases.
Smart ECC Allocation Cache Utilizing Cache Data Space

Conventional error correcting codes (ECC) for caches are applied to all cache lines and stored in dedicated SRAM storage, which incurs both space and energy overheads. In contrast, we propose a Smart ECC Allocation (SEA) cache that utilizes cache data space for low-cost error protection of last-level caches. SEA cache avoids the requirement for dedicated storage for ECC check bits, which are stored in cache lines as data. To effectively utilize cache space, we group several cache sets and manage them according to program behavior. SEA cache eliminates the considerable space overheads of conventional ECC schemes without noticeable reliability and performance degradation.
Genetics, Gene Expression and Bioinformatics of the Pituitary Gland

Genetic cases of congenital pituitary hormone deficiency are common and many are caused by transcription factor defects. Mouse models with orthologous mutations are invaluable for uncovering the molecular mechanisms that lead to problems in organ development and typical patient characteristics. We are using mutant mice defective in the transcription factors PROP1 and POU1F1 for gene expression profiling to identify target genes for these critical transcription factors and candidates for cases of pituitary hormone deficiency of unknown aetiology. These studies reveal critical roles for Wnt signalling pathways, including the TCF/LEF transcription factors and interacting proteins of the groucho family, bone morphogenetic protein antagonists and targets of notch signalling. Current studies are investigating the roles of novel homeobox genes and pathways that regulate the transition from proliferation to differentiation, cell adhesion and cell migration. Pituitary adenomas are a common human health problem, yet most cases are sporadic, necessitating alternative approaches to traditional Mendelian genetic studies. Mouse models of adenoma formation offer the opportunity for gene expression profiling during progressive stages of hyperplasia, adenoma and tumorigenesis. This approach holds promise for the identification of relevant pathways and candidate genes as risk factors for adenoma formation, understanding mechanisms of progression, and identifying drug targets and clinically relevant biomarkers.
Haematopoietic prolyl hydroxylase‐1 deficiency promotes M2 macrophage polarization and is both necessary and sufficient to protect against experimental colitis

Prolyl hydroxylase domain‐containing proteins (PHDs) regulate the adaptation of cells to hypoxia. Pan‐hydroxylase inhibition is protective in experimental colitis, in which PHD1 plays a prominent role. However, it is currently unknown how PHD1 targeting regulates this protection and which cell type(s) are involved. Here, we demonstrated that Phd1 deletion in endothelial and haematopoietic cells (Phd1f/fTie2:cre) protected mice from dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis, with reduced epithelial erosions, immune cell infiltration, and colonic microvascular dysfunction, whereas the response of Phd2f/+Tie2:cre and Phd3f/fTie2:cre mice to DSS was similar to that of their littermate controls. Using bone marrow chimeras and cell‐specific cre mice, we demonstrated that ablation of Phd1 in haematopoietic cells but not in endothelial cells was both necessary and sufficient to inhibit experimental colitis. This effect relied, at least in part, on skewing of Phd1‐deficient bone marrow‐derived macrophages towards an anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype. These cells showed an attenuated nuclear factor‐κB‐dependent response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which in turn diminished endothelial chemokine expression. In addition, Phd1 deficiency in dendritic cells significantly reduced interleukin‐1β production in response to LPS. Taken together, our results further support the development of selective PHD1 inhibitors for ulcerative colitis, and identify haematopoietic cells as their primary target. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life

Summary Panax ginseng is marketed and used to maintain natural energy, increase mental and physical abilities, improve mood and promote general health and well‐being. Panax ginseng has been studied in a number of randomized clinical trials investigating its effect on physical and psychomotor performance, cognitive function, immunomodulation, diabetes mellitus and herpes simples type‐II infections. Equivocal results have been demonstrated for many of these indications. P. ginseng is also commonly used to promote quality of life (QoL). As a result, ginseng's effect on QoL has become an increasingly important endpoint in clinical trials. We reviewed all studies (n = 9) that determined the effect of P. ginseng on QoL. P. ginseng's has been evaluated at dosages of 80–400 mg. Study duration has spanned from 2 to 9 months. Several QoL measures have been used, ranging from widely accepted core instruments to unpublished investigator‐derived questionnaires. In addition, many of the investigators utilized ginseng extracts that were supplemented with vitamins and minerals while others used only standardized ginseng extract. Populations evaluated also differed in terms of underlying morbidity. Nearly every study evaluated (n = 8) demonstrated some degree of QoL improvement. Beneficial effects were evident within instrument summary component scores but improvement in overall composite scores of QoL was rarely seen. However, findings were equivocal. While populations evaluated varied in terms of underlying morbidity, there did not appear to be a substantial difference in their response to ginseng with respect to QoL. Despite some positive results, improvement in overall health‐related quality of life cannot, given the current research, be attributed to P. ginseng. However, the possibility that various facets of QoL may have improved and the potential of early transient effects cannot be discounted.
Role of muscles in lumbar spine stability in maximum extension efforts

Many problems of the lumbar spine that cause pain are attributed to instability. The ligamentous spine (without muscles) is unstable at very low compressive loads. This study examined the hypothesis that instability of the lumbar spine is prevented under normal circumstances by the stiffness of spinal musculature, without active responses from the neuromuscular control system. The effect of muscle activity (force and stiffness) on the stability of the lumbar spine was analyzed for maximum voluntary extension efforts with different spinal postures in the sagittal plane. The analysis included realistic three‐dimensional representation of the muscular anatomy with muscles crossing several motion segments. The stiffness of motion segments was represented using in vitro measured properties. Under a range of conditions with maximum extension effort, active muscle stiffness was required to prevent the lumbar spine from buckling. The dimensionless value of the muscle stiffness parameter q as a function of activation and length had to be greater than a critical value in the range of 3.7–4.7 in order to stabilize the spine. Experimentally determined values of q ranged from 0.5 to 42. These analyses demonstrate how changes in motion segment stiffness, muscle activation strategy, or muscle stiffness (due to degenerative changes, injuries, fatigue, and so on) might lead to spinal instability and “self‐injury”.
A Method to Cleave Target Molecules in a Neocartilage

The mechanical function of many matrix molecules is unknown. A common method to determine whether a molecule is a load-carrying structural molecule is to measure the mechanical properties of a tissue, digest the tissue with an enzyme specific for cleaving that molecule, and then remeasure the mechanical properties. A limitation of this technique is that there are no specific lytic enzymes for most molecules of interest. This article introduces a method that may allow evaluation of a large number of candidate structural molecules. A translated thrombin proteolytic recognition and cleavage site is inserted in the cDNA of a target molecule, and the target molecule then expressed in a cell that produces a tissue. After growing the tissue with cells expressing the engineered target molecule, the traditional procedure of mechanical testing, digesting, and retesting is performed. This method was demonstrated using decorin and its dermatan sulfate (DS) glycosaminoglycan chain in a neocartilage. A tissue was generated with cells expressing a genetically engineered decorin with a thrombin cleavage site. The tissue was then tested in tension and compression, digested with thrombin, and mechanically retested. The decorin protein was found in the tissue, the DS glycosaminoglycan chain was removed with thrombin digestion, and there was no change in the mechanical properties of the tissue due to the thrombin digestion relative to controls. These findings were in agreement with previously reported tests on decorin, collectively supporting the proposed method. All methods involving animals were reviewed and approved by our Institutional Review Board.
Dark-blood MRI of the thoracic aorta with 3D diffusion-prepared steady-state free precession: initial clinical evaluation.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of 3D diffusion-prepared balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging with that of 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography in evaluation of the thoracic aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one patients with indications for contrast-enhanced MR angiography and diffusion-prepared SSFP of the thoracic aorta were involved in this retrospective chart review study conducted with 1.5-T MRI. Two observers scored the quality of the contrast-enhanced MR angiographic and diffusion-prepared SSFP images on the basis of depicting the thoracic aorta. Image quality scores and diametric measurements of the aorta from both image sets were compared. RESULTS Diametric measurements of the thoracic aorta showed a strong linear association (r = 0.971, p < 0.0001; regression line indifferent from line of equality, p < 0.05). The aortic root was better visualized with contrast-enhanced MR angiography (image quality score, 3.6 +/- 0.9 vs 3.0 +/- 0.8 of 5; p < 0.05); however, the aortic wall was better visualized with diffusion-prepared SSFP (image quality score, 4.4 +/- 0.6 vs 1.9 +/- 0.3 of 5; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Three-dimensional diffusion-prepared SSFP yields better image quality than 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography in evaluation of the thoracic aortic wall and appears to be a useful adjunct to 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography for assessing aortic abnormalities before administration of a contrast agent.
Exogenous Fatty Acids Remodel Staphylococcus aureus Lipid Composition through Fatty Acid Kinase

Environmental fatty acids can be harvested to supplement endogenous fatty acid synthesis to produce membranes and circumvent fatty acid biosynthesis inhibitors. However, how the inability to use these fatty acids impacts lipids is unclear. Our results reveal lipid composition changes in response to fatty acid addition and when S. aureus is unable to activate fatty acids through FakA. We identify concentration-dependent utilization of oleic acid that, when combined with previous work, provides evidence that fatty acids can serve as a signal to S. aureus. Furthermore, using mouse skin homogenates as a surrogate for in vivo conditions, we showed that S. aureus can incorporate host fatty acids. This study highlights how exogenous fatty acids impact bacterial membrane composition and function. ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus can utilize exogenous fatty acids for phospholipid synthesis. The fatty acid kinase FakA is essential for this utilization by phosphorylating exogenous fatty acids for incorporation into lipids. How FakA impacts the lipid membrane composition is unknown. In this study, we used mass spectrometry to determine the membrane lipid composition and properties of S. aureus in the absence of fakA. We found the fakA mutant to have increased abundance of lipids containing longer acyl chains. Since S. aureus does not synthesize unsaturated fatty acids, we utilized oleic acid (18:1) to track exogenous fatty acid incorporation into lipids. We observed a concentration-dependent incorporation of exogenous fatty acids into the membrane that required FakA. We also tested how FakA and exogenous fatty acids impact membrane-related physiology and identified changes in membrane potential, cellular respiration, and membrane fluidity. To mimic the host environment, we characterized the lipid composition of wild-type and fakA mutant bacteria grown in mouse skin homogenate. We show that wild-type S. aureus can incorporate exogenous unsaturated fatty acids from host tissue, highlighting the importance of FakA in the presence of host skin tissue. In conclusion, FakA is important for maintaining the composition and properties of the phospholipid membrane in the presence of exogenous fatty acids, impacting overall cell physiology. IMPORTANCE Environmental fatty acids can be harvested to supplement endogenous fatty acid synthesis to produce membranes and circumvent fatty acid biosynthesis inhibitors. However, how the inability to use these fatty acids impacts lipids is unclear. Our results reveal lipid composition changes in response to fatty acid addition and when S. aureus is unable to activate fatty acids through FakA. We identify concentration-dependent utilization of oleic acid that, when combined with previous work, provides evidence that fatty acids can serve as a signal to S. aureus. Furthermore, using mouse skin homogenates as a surrogate for in vivo conditions, we showed that S. aureus can incorporate host fatty acids. This study highlights how exogenous fatty acids impact bacterial membrane composition and function.
perineal trauma: randomised controlled trial Perineal massage in labour and prevention of

Objective To determine the effects of perineal massage in the second stage of labour on perineal outcomes. Design Randomised controlled trial. Participants At 36 weeks’ gestation, women expecting normal birth of a singleton were asked to join the study. Women became eligible to be randomised in labour if they progressed to full dilatation of the cervix or 8 cm or more if nulliparous or 5 cm or more if multiparous. 1340 were randomised into the trial. Intervention Massage and stretching of the perineum during the second stage of labour with a water soluble lubricant. Main outcome measures Primary outcomes: rates of intact perineum, episiotomies, and first, second, third, and fourth degree tears. Secondary outcomes: pain at three and 10 days postpartum and pain, dyspareunia, resumption of sexual intercourse, and urinary and faecal incontinence and urgency three months postpartum. Results Rates of intact perineums, first and second degree tears, and episiotomies were similar in the massage and the control groups. There were fewer third degree tears in the massage group (12 (1.7%) v 23 (3.6%); absolute risk 2.11, relative risk 0.45; 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.93, P < 0.04), though the trial was underpowered to measure this rarer outcome. Groups did not differ in any of the secondary outcomes at the three assessment points. Conclusions The practice of perineal massage in labour does not increase the likelihood of an intact perineum or reduce the risk of pain, dyspareunia, or urinary and faecal problems.
Peripheral neuropathy in Wegener’s granulomatosis, Churg–Strauss syndrome and microscopic polyangiitis

Objective: To compare the clinical aspects of peripheral neuropathy associated with Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) and microscopic polyangiitis (MP). Methods: Cohort study conducted in a single university hospital. Patients were included when a definite diagnosis of WG, CSS or MP was made according to the current classification criteria in our hospital, between 1999 and 2006. All patients underwent periodically clinical and electrophysiological screening for peripheral neuropathy, assessment of disability, and clinical and laboratory evaluation during a mean follow-up of 38 months. Results: Sixty-four consecutive patients diagnosed with WG (26 patients), CSS (26 patients) and MP (12 patients) were recruited. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 27/64 patients: six with WG, 15 with CSS and six with MP. Neuropathy occurred earlier in the disease history in CSS and MP compared with WG. Among patients with WG, those who developed peripheral neuropathy during follow-up were older than those without neuropathy both at the time of onset and of diagnosis of vasculitis. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy was present in 11 patients, and single or multiple mononeuropathy in 16. Patients with WG had a less severe form of mononeuritis multiplex than CSS or MPA patients. Disability and pain were greater in patients with mononeuropathy, although one-third of them were painless. Relapses of neuropathy were extremely infrequent. Conclusions: Peripheral neuropathy in WG occurs less frequently, later in the disease course and in a milder form than in CSS and MP. Single or multiple mononeuropathy associated with these subsets of vasculitis can often be painless.
Changes in Body Image and Health-Related Quality of Life Following Breast Reduction Surgery in German Macromastia Patients: A New Tool for Measuring Body Image Changes

Health insurance funds in Germany are increasingly reluctant to fund the cost for reduction mammaplasty. However, several studies have already demonstrated the beneficial effects of breast reduction on symptom relief and health-related quality of life. More specifically, the psychologic and social consequences of breast reduction surgery were also recently evaluated. Relating to the contemporary debate on financial restraint, the present article describes a follow-up study conducted in a sample of 40 patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty. The purpose of the investigation was to assess indicators of health-related quality of life following reduction mammaplasty. Furthermore, the study aimed to assess body image changes and to test a new assessment instrument, Digital-Body-Photo-Test (DBPT), in comparison with a well-validated body image measure (Color-a-Person Body Dissatisfaction Test, CAPT) (concurrent validity). As hypothesized, the findings indicate significant improvements in health-related quality-of-life measures and body-image characteristics. The substantial improvement of body-image satisfaction of all body areas suggests a generalized positive effect of reduction mammaplasty on overall body image. The strong association between the DBPT and the CAPT scores in this study indicates that DBPT is an efficient and valid new tool for measuring body-image changes relating to patients’ evaluations of their average satisfaction of specific body parts or areas and their overall appearance acceptance.