Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth Restored with Biodentine, Resin Modified GIC and Hybrid Composite Resin as a Core Material.

Introduction The restoration of a severely damaged tooth usually needs a post and core as a part of treatment procedure to provide a corono - radicular stabilization. Biodentine is a class of dental material which possess high mechanical properties with excellent biocompatibility and bioactive behaviour. The sealing ability coupled with optimum physical properties could make Biodentine an excellent option as a core material. Aim The aim of the study was to determine the fracture resistance of Biodentine as a core material in comparison with resin modified glass ionomer and composite resin. Materials and Methods Freshly extracted 30 human permanent maxillary central incisors were selected. After endodontic treatment followed by post space preparation and luting of Glass fibre post (Reforpost, Angelus), the samples were divided in to three groups based on the type of core material. The core build-up used in Group I was Biodentine (Septodont, France), Group II was Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (GC, Japan) and Group III was Hybrid Composite Resin (TeEconom plus, Ivoclar vivadent). The specimens were subjected to fracture toughness using Universal testing machine (1474, Zwick/Roell, Germany) and results were compared using One-way analysis of variance with Tukey's Post hoc test. Results The results showed that there was significant difference between groups in terms of fracture load. Also, composite resin exhibited highest mean fracture load (1039.9 N), whereas teeth restored with Biodentine demonstrated the lowest mean fracture load (176.66 N). Resin modified glass ionomer exhibited intermediate fracture load (612.07 N). The primary mode of failure in Group I and Group II was favourable (100%) while unfavourable fracture was seen in Group III (30%). Conclusion Biodentine, does not satisfy the requirements to be used as an ideal core material. The uses of RMGIC's as a core build-up material should be limited to non-stress bearing areas. Composite resin is still the best core build-up material owing to its high fracture resistance and bonding to tooth.
The 1.8 A crystal structure of the dimeric peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: implications for substrate binding and reaction mechanism.

The dimeric, peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase catalyses the conversion of 3-ketoacyl-CoA into acyl-CoA, which is shorter by two carbon atoms. This reaction is the last step of the beta-oxidation pathway. The crystal structure of unliganded peroxisomal thiolase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been refined at 1.8 A resolution. An unusual feature of this structure is the presence of two helices, completely buried in the dimer and sandwiched between two beta-sheets. The analysis of the structure shows that the sequences of these helices are not hydrophobic, but generate two amphipathic helices. The helix in the N-terminal domain exposes the polar side-chains to a cavity at the dimer interface, filled with structured water molecules. The central helix in the C-terminal domain exposes its polar residues to an interior polar pocket. The refined structure has also been used to predict the mode of binding of the substrate molecule acetoacetyl-CoA, as well as the reaction mechanism. From previous studies it is known that Cys125, His375 and Cys403 are important catalytic residues. In the proposed model the acetoacetyl group fits near the two catalytic cysteine residues, such that the oxygen atoms point towards the protein interior. The distance between SG(Cys125) and C3(acetoacetyl-CoA) is 3.7 A. The O2 atom of the docked acetoacetyl group makes a hydrogen bond to N(Gly405), which would favour the formation of the covalent bond between SG(Cys125) and C3(acetoacetyl-CoA) of the intermediate complex of the two-step reaction. The CoA moiety is proposed to bind in a groove on the surface of the protein molecule. Most of the interactions of the CoA molecule are with atoms of the loop domain. The three phosphate groups of the CoA moiety are predicted to interact with side-chains of lysine and arginine residues, which are conserved in the dimeric thiolases.
Preparation course for Part I of the National Dental Boards: lessons learned.

Student performance on national board examinations is the predominant litmus test for successful programs in health science education. Many different strategies have been used to increase passing rates among students. The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of a voluntary eighteen-hour National Board Dental Examination Part I (NBDE Part I) preparation course on student performance on the NBDE Part I and to assess students' perspectives on the preparation course. Students' perspectives were obtained through a questionnaire and focus groups. There were significant associations between the students' GPA and the overall examination score and between the course grades corresponding with each section and the section scores. Students attending sessions devoted to specific NBDE subject areas did not obtain significantly better scores for that subject area than nonattending students. Also, the students did not obtain significantly better overall scores for NBDE Part I than in previous years when a preparation course was not conducted. Students most frequently rated the Dental Deck's NBDE Part I Cards as the most helpful study aid, followed by old NBDE Part I tests. The most frequent student rating for most of the presentations was "somewhat helpful," while the most frequent rating for resources placed on Blackboard such as tables and summary material was "helpful. " Based upon the findings, we recommended discontinuation of the classroom presentation portion of the board preparation course.
Utility and Safety of Endoscopic Ultrasound With Bronchoscope-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration in Mediastinal Lymph Node Sampling: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: The use of endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) has been described in the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Herein, we conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the overall diagnostic yield and safety of EUS-B-FNA combined with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. METHODS: The PubMed and EmBase databases were searched for studies reporting the outcomes of EUS-B-FNA in diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The study quality was assessed using the QualSyst tool. The yield of EBUS-TBNA alone and the combined procedure (EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA) were analyzed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio for each study, and pooling the study results using a random effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed for individual outcomes. The additional diagnostic gain of EUS-B-FNA over EBUS-TBNA was calculated using proportion meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our search yielded 10 studies (1,080 subjects with mediastinal lymphadenopathy). The sensitivity of the combined procedure was significantly higher than EBUS-TBNA alone (91% vs 80%, P = .004), in staging of lung cancer (4 studies, 465 subjects). The additional diagnostic gain of EUS-B-FNA over EBUS-TBNA was 7.6% in the diagnosis of mediastinal adenopathy. No serious complication of EUS-B-FNA procedure was reported. Clinical and statistical heterogeneity was present without any evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Combining EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA is an effective and safe method, superior to EBUS-TBNA alone, in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Good quality randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the results of this systematic review.
The pH‐Sensitive Dye Acridine Orange as a Tool to MonitorExocytosis/Endocytosis in Synaptosomes

Abstract : We introduce the use of the pH‐sensitive dye acridine orange (AO) to monitor exo/endocytosis of acidic neurotransmitter‐containing vesicles in synaptosomes. AO is accumulated exclusively in acidic v‐ATPase‐dependent bafilomycin (Baf)‐sensitive compartments. A fraction of the accumulated AO is rapidly released (fluorescence increase) upon depolarization with KCl in the presence of Ca2+. The release (completed in 5‐6 s) is followed by reuptake to values below the predepolarization baseline. The reuptake, but not the release, is inhibited by Baf added 5 s prior to KCl. In a similar protocol, Baf does not affect the initial fast phase of glutamate release measured enzymatically, but it abolishes the subsequent slow phase. Thus, the fast AO release corresponds to the rapid phase of glutamate release and the slow phase depends on vesicle cycling. AO reuptake depends in part on the progressive accumulation of acid‐loaded vesicles during cycling. Stopping exocytosis at selected times after KCl by Ca2+ removal with EGTA evidences endocytosis : Its T1/2 was 12 ± 0.6 s. The KA+, channel inhibitors 4‐aminopyridine (100 μM) and α‐dendrotoxin (10‐100 nM) are known to induce glutamate release by inducing the firing of Na+ channels ; their action is potentiated by the activation of protein kinase C. Also these agents promote a Ca2+‐dependent AO release, which is prevented by the Na+ channel inhibitor tetrodotoxin and potentiated by 4β‐phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA). With α‐dendrotoxin, endocytosis was monitored by stopping exocytosis at selected times with EGTA or alternatively with Cd2+ or tetrodotoxin. The T1/2 of endocytosis, which was unaffected by PMA, was 12 ± 0.4 s with EGTA and Cd2+ and 9.5 ± 0.5 s with tetrodotoxin. Protein kinase C activation appeared to facilitate vesicle turnover.
Predominant role of neural arc in sympathetic baroreflex resetting of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND There is ongoing controversy over whether neural or peripheral factors are the predominant cause of hypertension. The closed-loop negative feedback operation of the arterial baroreflex hampers understanding of how arterial pressure (AP) is determined through the interaction between neural and peripheral factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel analysis of an isolated open-loop baroreceptor preparation to examine sympathetic nervous activity (SNA) and AP responses to changes in carotid sinus pressure (CSP) in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) was conducted. In the neural arc (CSP-SNA relationship), the midpoint pressure (128.9±3.8 vs. 157.9±8.1 mmHg, P<0.001) and the response range of SNA to CSP (90.5±3.7 vs. 115.4±7.6%/mmHg, P=0.011) were higher in SHR. In the peripheral arc (SNA-AP relationship), slope and intercept did not differ. A baroreflex equilibrium diagram was obtained by depicting neural and peripheral arcs in a pressure-SNA plane with rescaled SNA (% in WKY). The operating-point AP (111.3±4.4 vs. 145.9±5.2 mmHg, P<0.001) and SNA (90.8±3.2 vs. 125.1±6.9% in WKY, P<0.001) were shifted towards a higher level in SHR. CONCLUSIONS The shift of the neural arc towards a higher SNA range indicated a predominant contribution to baroreflex resetting in SHR. Notwithstanding the resetting, the carotid sinus baroreflex in SHR preserved an ability to reduce AP if activated with a high enough pressure.
The neuromuscular system in patients with anorexia nervosa: electrophysiological and histologic studies.

The effects of cachexia on the neuromuscular system were investigated in ten young women with anorexia nervosa and in two patients with hysteric neurosis. Ten women, matched for age and height, served as controls. A neurologic examination was performed on all subjects and sensory and motor neurographic recordings were carried out in the upper and lower limbs. Biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were stained for myofibrillar ATPase activity and the size and distribution of both histochemical fiber types (types 1 and 2) were determined. Both types of muscle fibers were found to be significantly reduced in size in the cachectic patients but there was a predominant affection of the type 2 fibers. The average numerical distribution of fiber types was almost identical in the two groups. By subjective evaluation, four of the cachectic patients revealed small groups of angulated atrophic fibers, resembling denervation atrophy. Fiber necroses and other myopathic changes were not seen. Although the nerve conduction velocities (NCV) were within normal range in all cases, the motor NCV was generally slower in the cachectic patients than in the controls. The sensory NCV, on the other hand, was almost identical in the two groups. Five of the patients with anorexia nervosa and both cases with hysteric neurosis had clinical signs of a very mild sensory polyneuropathy. These seven cases had a lower body-mass index than the others and both types of muscle fibers and muscle responses were somewhat smaller in these cases. The sensory NCV did not differ from those of the other patients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A preliminary report on the amputee census.

What is the magnitude of the amputee population of the United States? What is the composition of this group of physically handicapped individuals in terms of their sex, ages, and sites of amputation? What proportion of amputations is caused by disease? By trauma? By tumor? The answers to these questions are today more a matter of opinion than of documented fact since statistics relating to amputees that are based on large numbers of cases collected from all states of the Union have never heretofore been available. In the interest of developing certain basic descriptive data concerning the amputee population of the United States, the Amputee Census was initiated in October 1961 as a joint project of the Committee on Prosthetics Education and Information and the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association. The rationale of utilizing the limb facilities of this country as the data source for the Census is based upon the assumption that a relatively high percentage of new amputees visit these shops for the purpose of being fitted with a prosthetic device. It is believed that this percentage is materially higher today than it was in 1946, at which time a federally sponsored prosthetics research program was initiated. Since that date there has been a very marked improvement in the function and comfort of prostheses, and amputees who formerly were unable to pay for a replacement device now find that there are several Government agencies to assist them. These include the federally
Antihyperglycemic effects of baicalin on streptozotocin – nicotinamide induced diabetic rats

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of baicalin on blood glucose, insulin and cytokine levels. Rat diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were dosed with i.p. baicalin or oral metformin daily for 8 days. Blood glucose, insulin and hepatic glycogen were determined using conventional methods. The activity of hepatic hexokinase was determined using a coupled assay with glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase. Serum levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and adiponectin were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of baicalin at 50 or 100 mg/kg significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in a dose dependent manner. The serum insulin level was not increased by baicalin treatment. Administration of baicalin at a high dose (100 mg/kg) resulted in a significant increase of liver glycogen content and a reduction of serum TNF‐α. The activity of hepatic hexokinase was significantly increased after dosing baicalin at 25, 50 or 10 mg/kg. Administration of baicalin (50 or 10 mg/kg) or metformin (10 mg/kg) significantly alleviated the morphological injury to the pancreas caused by STZ. The possible mechanisms contributing to the hypoglycemic effect include increasing the hepatic glycogen content and glycolysis, and reducing the serum levels of TNF‐α. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of chromium (VI) exposure on antioxidant defense status and trace element homeostasis in acute experiment in rat

Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds is of concern in many Cr-related industries and their surrounding environment. Cr(VI) is a proven toxin and carcinogen. The Cr(VI) compounds are easily absorbed, can diffuse across cell membranes, and have strong oxidative potential. Despite intensive studies of Cr(VI) pro-oxidative effects, limited data exist on the influence of Cr(VI) on selenoenzymes thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)—important components of antioxidant defense system. This study investigates the effect of Cr(VI) exposure on antioxidant defense status, with focus on these selenoenzymes, and on trace element homeostasis in an acute experiment in rat. Male Wistar rats (130–140g) were assigned to two groups of 8 animals: I. control; and II. Cr(VI) treated. The animals in Cr(VI) group were administered a single dose of K2Cr2O7 (20 mg /kg, intraperitoneally (ip)). The control group received saline solution. After 24 h, the animals were sacrificed and the liver and kidneys were examined for lipid peroxidation (LP; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration), the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of GPx-1, TrxR-1, and glutathione reductase (GR). Samples of tissues were also used to estimate Cr accumulation and alterations in zinc, copper, and iron levels. The acute Cr(VI) exposure caused an increase in both hepatic and renal LP (by 70%, p < 0.01 and by 15%, p < 0.05, respectively), increased hepatic GSH level and GPx-1 activity, and decreased renal GPx-1 activity. The activity of GR was not changed. A significant inhibitory effect of Cr(VI) was found on TrxR-1 activity in both the liver and the kidneys. The ability of Cr(VI) to cause TrxR inhibition could contribute to its cytotoxic effects. Further investigation of oxidative responses in different in vivo models may enable the development of strategies to protect against Cr(VI) oxidative damage.
Cost-effectiveness of integrated stroke services.

BACKGROUND Randomized trials have shown that integrating services for acute stroke care may lead to organizational improvements, higher efficiency and better patient outcomes in the acute phase. AIM To compare the costs and effects of stroke services in an experimental group of patients compared to a group of patients receiving conventional care. DESIGN Prospective non-randomized controlled trial. METHODS We compared all consecutively hospitalized stroke patients in three experimental stroke service settings (Delft, Haarlem and Nijmegen, n = 411) with concurrent patients receiving conventional stroke care (n = 187) over 6 months follow-up. Main end-points were total costs per patient and total health-adjusted days per 100 patients as measured by the EuroQol-5D score during follow-up. RESULTS Mean total costs per patient were 16,000 Euro (95%CI 14,670 Euro-16,930 Euro): 13,160 Euro in Delft, 16,790 Euro in Haarlem, 20,230 Euro in Nijmegen, and 13,810 Euro in the control regions. Early discharge in Delft saved about 2500 Euro hospital costs per patient. General patient health in Delft was significantly better than in the control regions; Haarlem and Nijmegen showed no difference in health. DISCUSSION Our study confirms the potential to improve stroke outcomes in a cost-effective way in Dutch settings. This was seen in the group of patients in Delft, a complete and relatively simple stroke service, but not in two other regions with more complex stroke services. Important factors are reduction of hospital days and, most likely, adequate multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
A Prospective, Comparative Study between Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation and the Ahmed Drainage Implant in Refractory Glaucoma

Purpose:To compare endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) and the Ahmed drainage implant in the treatment of refractory glaucoma. Methods:Sixty-eight eyes of 68 patients with refractory glaucoma were prospectively assigned to either ECP or Ahmed tube shunt implantation. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon. Eyes that were included were pseudophakic with a history of at least one trabeculectomy with antimetabolite, an intraocular pressure (IOP) equal to or above 35 mm Hg on maximum tolerated medical therapy, and a visual acuity better than light perception. Exclusion criteria included eyes that had had previous glaucoma drainage device implantation or a cyclodestructive procedure. Success was defined as an IOP more than 6 mm Hg and less than 21 mm Hg, with or without topical anti-hypertensive therapy. Results:The mean follow-up was 19.82 ± 8.35 months and 21.29 ± 6.42 months, for the Ahmed and ECP groups, respectively (P = 0.4). The preoperative IOP, 41.32 ± 3.03 mm Hg (Ahmed) and 41.61 ± 3.42 mm Hg (ECP) (P = 0.5), and the mean postoperative IOP, at 24 months follow-up, 14.73 ± 6.44 mm Hg (Ahmed) and 14.07 ± 7.21 mm Hg (ECP) (P = 0.7), were significantly different from baseline in both groups (P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed a probability of success at 24 months of 70.59% and 73.53% for the Ahmed and ECP groups, respectively (P = 0.7). Complications included choroidal detachment (Ahmed 17.64%, ECP 2.94%), shallow anterior chamber (Ahmed 17.64%, ECP 0.0%), and hyphema (Ahmed 14.7%, ECP 17.64%). Conclusion:There was no difference in the success rate between the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve and ECP in refractory glaucoma. The eyes that underwent Ahmed tube shunt implantation had more complications than those treated with ECP.
Dissolution behavior of β-cyclodextrin molecular inclusion complexes of aceclofenac

The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the in vitro dissolution of aceclofenac (AF) from molecular inclusion complexes. Aceclofenac molecular inclusion complexes in 1:1 and 1:2 M ratio were prepared using a kneading method. The in vitro dissolution of pure drug, physical mixtures, and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes was carried out. Molecular inclusion complexes of AF with β-CD showed a considerable increase in the dissolution rate in comparison with the physical mixture and pure drug in 0.1 N HCl, pH 1.2, and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Inclusion complexes with a 1:2 M ratio showed the maximum dissolution rate in comparison to other ratios. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated no interaction between AF and β-CD in complexes in solid state. Molecular modeling results indicated the relative energetic stability of the β-CD dimer-AF complex as compared to β-CD monomer-AF. Dissolution enhancement was attributed to the formation of water soluble inclusion complexes with β-CD. The in vitro release from all the formulations was best described by first-order kinetics (R2 = 0.9826 and 0.9938 in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer, respectively) followed by the Higuchi release model (R2 = 0.9542 and 0.9686 in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer, respectively). In conclusion, the dissolution of AF can be enhanced by the use of a hydrophilic carrier like β-CD.