Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship of caries with oral hygiene status and extra-oral risk factors.

BACKGROUND Dental caries is a lifetime disease, with highest priority risk group between 11-14 years of age group. Environmental factors such as culture, socioeconomic status, life style and dietary pattern can have a greater impact on caries-resistance or development. The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between dental caries, oral hygiene status and risk factors among students. METHODS Oral examination was performed in 242 adolescent between 11 and 14 years to check decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index and simplified oral hygiene (OHI-S) score. A questionnaire was distributed to gather data concerning external modifying risk factors such as socioeconomic status, oral hygiene practices and snacking habits. RESULTS Average DMFT was found, 3.27 and OHI-S score was fair in majority of students. DMFT in 67.77% of students fell between 0 and 3. The prevalence of caries is significantly higher in female students as compared to their male counterparts. The major component of the DMFT was the untreated decay (D) in both genders. Half of the students claimed to be familiar with the benefits of fluoride and use toothbrush before bedtime. 16.1% of the subjects were aware of a bad-breath problem. CONCLUSION Caries experience was significantly inversely related to socio-economic status whereas strongly correlated with frequency of sugar intake and frequency of snacking in between meals. No relationship was found between OHI-S and DMFT.
The G1456 to T mutation in the thrombomodulin gene is not frequent in patients with venous thrombosis.

To the Editor: Thrombomodulin is a major component of the protein C anticoagulant pathway. [1][1] Biochemical detection of thrombomodulin defects are hampered by its location in the endothelial cell. The characterization of molecular alterations in the thrombomodulin gene of selected patient
Functional analyses of active site residues of human lysosomal aspartylglucosaminidase: implications for catalytic mechanism and autocatalytic activation.

Aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) is a lysosomal asparaginase that participates in the breakdown of glycoproteins by cleaving the amide bond between the asparagine and the oligosaccharide chain. Active AGA is an (alphabeta)2 heterotetramer of two non‐identical subunits that are cleaved proteolytically from an enzymatically inactive precursor polypeptide. On the basis of the three‐dimensional structure recently determined by us, we have here mutagenized the putative active site amino acids of AGA and studied by transient expression the effect of targeted substitutions on the enzyme activity and catalytic properties of AGA. These analyses support the novel type of catalytic mechanism, suggested previously by us, in which AGA utilizes as the nucleophile the N‐terminal residue of the beta subunit and most importantly its alpha‐amino group as a base that increases the nucleophilicity of the OH group. We also provide evidence for autocatalytic activation of the inactive AGA precursor and putative involvement of active site amino acids in the proteolytic processing. The data obtained on the structure and function of AGA would indicate that AGA is a member of a recently described novel class of hydrolytic enzymes (amidohydrolases) sharing a common structural determinant in their three‐dimensional structure and whose catalytic mechanisms with an N‐terminal nucleophile seem basically to be similar.
Can Innovation Help U.S. Manufacturing Firms Escape Import Competition from China?

We study whether R&D-intensive firms are more resilient to trade shocks. We correct for the endogeneity of R&D using tax-induced changes to the cost of R&D. On average across US manufacturing firms, rising imports from China lead to slower sales growth and lower profitability. These effects are, however, significantly smaller for firms with a larger stock of R&D -- by about half when moving from the 25th percentile to the 75th percentile of the R&D stock distribution. As a result, while the average firm in import-competing industries cuts capital expenditures and employment, R&D-intensive firms downsize considerably less.
AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS TRIGGERED BY BRUCELLA INFECTION OR DOXYCYCLINE OR BOTH

Autoimmune hepatitis is a disorder of unknown aetiology in which progressive destruction of the hepatic parenchyma occurs, often progressing to cirrhosis. Hepatitis A, Ebstein‐Barr virus and measles virus have been identified as triggers for autoimmune hepatitis in susceptible individuals. There are also reports about herbal medicine and minocycline. A case with autoimmune hepatitis triggered by Brucella infection or doxycycline, or both, is presented. An 11‐year‐old female patient treated with six weeks of doxycycline and three weeks of streptomycine for brucellosis presented with histologically proven autoimmune hepatitis (AH) and responded to corticosteroid treatment. Since neither brucellosis nor doxcycyline as triggering factors for AH have been described so far, these two entities are discussed and the literature reviewed.
Assessment of regional body composition with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Correlation of regional lean mass and quantitative strength

The purpose of this study was to assess regional body composition and its correlation with regional strength in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) subjects and able‐bodied controls. Regional dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurements and isometric strength were obtained for 23 DMD subjects and 23 control subjects. DMD subjects showed a decreased regional lean mass (P < 0.001). The correlation between regional strength and regional lean mass was stronger for controls than for DMD subjects. DMD subjects had decreased regional lean mass, increased regional fat mass, and decreased strength. Muscle Nerve 39: 647–651, 2009
Impaired Development of the Thyroid and Thymus in Endothelin‐1 Knockout Mice

Summary: We have previously demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET-1) is essential to the development of neural crest-derived craniofacial and cardiovascular structures. In this study we evaluated the intrauterine growth and development of the thyroid and thymus glands in Ednl-I- homozygous mice. Ednl-I- homozygous mice were smaller than their heterozygous or wild-type littermates (about 90% of normal body weight). The thyroid and thymus of Ednl −1 - homozygous mice were smaller than those of normal mice and were not fused in the midline, resulting in two separate lobules. The thymus of Ednl −1 - homozygous mice is not descended into the normal position. These results suggest that ET-1 is important for normal development of the glands in the neck region, as well as for systemic growth. The combination of abnormalities in Ednl-I- homozygous mice suggests that these mice might serve as an animal model for the human diseases DiGeorge syndrome and velocardiofacial syndrome.
The Role of N-Glycosylation in Function and Surface Trafficking of the Human Dopamine Transporter*

The present study addressed the role of N-linked glycosylation of the human dopamine transporter (DAT) in its function with the help of mutants, in which canonical N-glycosylation sites have been removed (N181Q, N181Q,N188Q, and N181Q,N188Q,N205Q), expressed in human embryonic kidney-293 cells. Removal of canonical sites produced lower molecular weight species as did enzymatic deglycosylation or blockade of glycosylation, and all three canonical sites were found to carry sugars. Prevention of N-glycosylation reduced both surface and intracellular DAT. Although partially or non-glycosylated DAT was somewhat less represented at the surface, no evidence was found for preferential exclusion of such material from the plasma membrane, indicating that glycosylation is not essential for DAT expression. Non-glycosylated DAT was less stable at the surface as revealed by apparently enhanced endocytosis, consonant with weaker DAT immunofluorescence at the cell surface and stronger presence in cytosol in confocal analysis of the double and triple mutant. Non-glycosylated DAT did not transport dopamine as efficiently as wild-type DAT as judged from the sharp reduction in uptake Vmax, and prevention of N-glycosylation enhanced the potency of cocaine-like drugs in inhibiting dopamine uptake into intact cells without changing their affinity for DAT when measured in membrane preparations prepared from these cells. Thus, non-glycosylated DAT at the cell surface displays appreciably reduced catalytic activity and altered inhibitor sensitivity compared with wild type.
Case–control study of UCHL1 S18Y variant in Parkinson's disease

A recent meta‐analysis observed a greater significant inverse association of the ubiquitin carboxy‐terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) S18Y variant with Parkinson's disease (PD) for Asian (predominantly Japanese) populations compared with Caucasian populations. We performed an independent case–control study in 335 PD and 341 control subjects with data from a Chinese population to investigate the age‐of‐onset effect of the UCHL1 variant in PD. The Y/Y and Y/S genotypes were less frequent in the PD young‐onset group than in controls and the frequency of the Y alleles was higher in young controls compared to young‐onset PD (age at examination ≤ 65 years; P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed the Y/Y genotype was significantly lower (P = 0.008) in the young‐onset PD (Y/Y vs. S/S: odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24, 0.74; S/Y vs. S/S: OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41, 1.08) compared with controls, but this difference was not seen for the late‐onset PD. Kaplan–Meier analysis carried out on PD subjects demonstrated that the Y/Y genotype was associated with a later onset of PD than Y/S plus S/S genotypes (P = 0.05). We provided an independent confirmation of the protective effect of the UCHL1 S18Y variant (Y/Y genotype) against PD in young Chinese subjects. Further functional studies of the S18Y variant in both cell and animal models will be of interest. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Higher vitamin D dietary intake is associated with lower risk of alzheimer's disease: a 7-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND Hypovitaminosis D is associated with cognitive decline among older adults. The relationship between vitamin D intakes and cognitive decline is not well understood. Our objective was to determine whether the dietary intake of vitamin D was an independent predictor of the onset of dementia within 7 years among women aged 75 years and older. METHODS Four hundred and ninety-eight community-dwelling women (mean, 79.8 ± 3.8 years) free of vitamin D supplements from the EPIDemiology of OSteoporosis Toulouse cohort study were divided into three groups according to the onset of dementia within 7 years (ie, no dementia, Alzheimer's disease [AD], or other dementias). Baseline vitamin D dietary intakes were estimated from self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Age, body mass index, initial cognitive performance, education level, physical activity, sun exposure, disability, number of chronic diseases, hypertension, depression, use of psychoactive drugs, and baseline season were considered as potential confounders. RESULTS Women who developed AD (n = 70) had lower baseline vitamin D intakes (mean, 50.3 ± 19.3 μg/wk) than nondemented (n = 361; mean intake = 59.0 ± 29.9 μg/wk, p = .027) or those who developed other dementias (n = 67; mean intake = 63.6 ± 38.1 μg/wk, p = .010). There was no difference between other dementias and no dementia (p = .247). Baseline vitamin D dietary intakes were associated with the onset of AD (adjusted odds ratio = 0.99 [95% confidence interval = 0.98-0.99], p = .041) but not with other dementias (p = .071). Being in the highest quintile of vitamin D dietary intakes was associated with a lower risk of AD compared with the lower 4 quintiles combined (adjusted odds ratio = 0.23 [95% confidence interval = 0.08-0.67], p = .007). CONCLUSIONS Higher vitamin D dietary intake was associated with a lower risk of developing AD among older women.
Simultaneous molecular karyotyping and mapping of viral DNA integration sites by 25‐color COBRA‐FISH

Combined binary ratio labeling (COBRA) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allows 24‐color FISH karyotyping of human metaphase chromosomes utilizing only four fluorochromes, instead of the five required for combinatorial labeling procedures. Here we show that by introduction of a fifth fluorochrome, COBRA‐FISH permits molecular cytogenetic mapping of viral integration sites in complex karyotypes in the context of a 24‐color hybridization. We were able to detect a single copy of the human papillomavirus 16 in the SiHa cell line and to confirm the site of integration at 13q21–31. We also demonstrate the gene mapping possibility of 25‐color hybridization by detecting a MYC cosmid on normal metaphase chromosomes. The possibility of mapping single‐copy probes in the background of 24‐color hybridization expands the tools for cytogenetic mapping of DNA sequences and will contribute to the understanding of the role of viral integration and chromosome rearrangement in virus‐mediated carcinogenesis. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 28:92–97, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PROGRESS (Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study): regional characteristics of the study population at baseline. PROGRESS Management Committee.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-based blood pressure lowering regimen on the risk of stroke among patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease. Secondary aims include investigation of the effects of treatment on other cardiovascular events, dementia, and disability. DESIGN AND METHODS PROGRESS (Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial being conducted in 172 centres in 10 countries (Australia, Belgium, China, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom). Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with the ACE inhibitor perindopril (and the diuretic indapamide for those with no definite indication for or contraindication to treatment with a diuretic) or matching placebo(s). Both hypertensive and normotensive patients were eligible for inclusion. Follow-up is scheduled for completion in 2001. RESULTS Of 6105 patients randomly allocated to study groups on completion of recruitment in November 1997, 1110 were recruited from Australia and New Zealand, 1520 from China, 713 from France and Belgium, 557 from Italy, 815 from Japan, 675 from Sweden, and 715 from the UK and Ireland. Regional differences in the baseline characteristics included a greater rate of diabetes, lacunar infarction, and cerebral haemorrhage in patients from China and Japan, and a more frequent history of myocardial infarction in Australia and New Zealand. Previous treatment with calcium antagonists was very frequent in Japan and China, whereas diuretic treatment was most often documented in the UK and Ireland. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of baseline characteristics of patients recruited from seven distinct geographic regions revealed some interesting differences, but more striking was the consistency of characteristics of patients recruited from many different countries across the world.
Conventional and Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene in Total Knee Arthroplasty—A Design-Independent Wear Investigation

Introduction: Improvement of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) materials is one promising approach for extending the lifetime of endoprostheses. The target of this study was to evaluate the sufficiency of TKA-design-independent rolling–sliding screening tests. Additionally, this study attempted to assess the relevance of the design of TKA systems for wear performance by comparison with a simulator study. Materials and Methods: A TKA-design-independent rolling–sliding testing machine was employed at ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) 14243-near conditions and physiologic level unidirectional rolling–sliding. Contact surfaces were generalized into elementary forms at curvatures of real endoprostheses: CoCr-cylinders on flat UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene) cuboids. Materials varied in resin and crosslinking. One conventional UHMWPE and three highly crosslinked polyethylenes were charged with an axial load of 2.5 kN for 5 million cycles. Wear was determined gravimetrically and the ranking was compared to a simulator study. Results: No statistically significant differences between either material were found. This was inconsistent with the results of a simulator survey. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that this type of screening test is not able to correctly rank UHMWPE for use in TKA systems. The use of a UHMWPE plate in the test setup with a rolling–sliding cylinder is capable of producing visible wear marks in the bearing area, but the setup followed by a gravimetric measurement does not show reliable results. As the tested materials did not significantly vary in wear performance, it can be concluded that for differences in TKA wear-production, the design of TKR-systems can matter.
Occupational allergy to aquarium fish food: red midge larva, freshwater shrimp, and earthworm. A clinical and immunological study.

BACKGROUND Chironomids seem to be the main cause of occupational allergy to aquarium fish food. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of occupational sensitization to 3 different arthropod species used as components of aquarium fish food. METHODS The study sample comprised 8 workers from a fish food packing department. The control group comprised 40 atopic patients (20 of whom were allergic to mites). We performed prick tests with extracts of red midge larva (Chironomus thummi), freshwater shrimp (Gammarus species), earthworm (Tubifex species), and other arthropod species and a battery of common inhalant allergens. We measured peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and performed a methacholine challenge test, nasal challenge test, and immunoblotting. Cross-reactivity analyses were completed using immunoblotting and CAP inhibition. RESULTS Prick test results were positive to red midge larvae in 7 patients (87.5%), Gammarus in 5 (62.5%), Tubifex in 3 (37.5%), and mites in 6 (75%). In the mite-allergic controls, 30% had positive prick test results to red midge larvae. PEFR decreased > or = 20% during the packing process in all patients, and in 1 patient it indicated a dual asthmatic response. Methacholine challenge test results were positive in all participants. Nasal challenge tests were performed in 4 patients, and the results were positive. Specific IgE to red midge larvae was detected in 62.5%, Gammarus in 50%, and Tubifex in 16%. Bands of approximately 14-15 kDa and 31 kDa were observed in Gammarus and red midge larvae extracts. Cross-reactivity assays demonstrated that Gammarus totally inhibited red midge larvae, while Tubifex did so partially. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus showed very low inhibitory capacity. CONCLUSIONS Aquarium fish food arthropods are potent allergens with an elevated prevalence of sensitization and variable degree of crossreactivity. This is the first report of occupational allergy to Tubifex. More data are necessary to identify and characterize the responsible allergens.
Combining Real and Virtual Graphs to Enhance Data Clustering

Fusion of multiple information sources can yield significant benefits to accomplishing certain learning tasks. This paper exploits the sparse representation of signals for the problem of data clustering. The method is built within the framework of spectral clustering algorithms, which convexly combines a real graph constructed from the given physical features with a virtual graph constructed from sparse reconstructive coefficients. The experimental results on several real-world data sets have shown that fusion of both real and virtual graphs can obtain better (or at least comparable) results than using either graph alone.
Demographical profiles of adult severe traumatic brain injury patients: implications for healthcare planning.

INTRODUCTION In Singapore, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be a major public health problem and devastating condition, with significant mortality and morbidity. By understanding the incidence, prevalence and implications of severe TBI in Singapore, strategic plans to meet the unique needs of these patients in the local context may be developed. METHODS The demographical profiles of the adult severe TBI patients in Singapore were studied in this retrospective review of 528 patients admitted to the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) from January 1999 to December 2003. RESULTS There were 420 male and 108 female patients, age ranging from 15 to 96 years old, with a mean and standard deviation (SD) of 44.6 +/- 19.9 years, admitted to NNI during the study period. Motor vehicle and fall-related accidents were the leading causes of severe TBI. Three high-risk groups identified were young adults, elderly, and foreign workers. CONCLUSION Preventive measures targeting at these high-risk groups are important to reduce the incidence of severe TBI.
An Empirical Study on the Impact of Self-Regulation and Compulsivity towards Smartphone Addiction of University Students.

Apart from Internet addiction, smartphone addiction has played important roles in students’ lives as observed in recent studies. There are positive and negative aspects in using smartphones especially in higher education. University administrators or instructors should take into account what factors are affecting students’ smartphone addiction in order to limit its negative effect and introduce more innovative measures such as developing ways of teaching and learning in digital age using smartphones. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of self-regulation and compulsivity towards smartphone addiction of university students in two private universities in Thailand. 157 survey questionnaires were collected during April to May 2016 and analyzed with multiple regression analysis. Although the conceptual model explains 60.40% of the variance in smartphone addiction, only compulsivity is found to have significant determinant of smartphone addiction. Self-regulation has no significant effect on smartphone addiction.
Do we know what people die of in the emergency department?

Objective: To establish the discrepancy rate between the predicted cause of death and the actual cause of death as determined by postmortem examination result, for all deaths in the emergency department reported to the Scottish Procurator Fiscal and subsequently undergoing postmortem examination. Methods: A prospective study of all patients who were dead on arrival or died in the emergency department of a busy Glasgow hospital over a 12 month period. The most senior emergency physician present at the time of death predicted the cause of death. This was then compared to the actual postmortem examination determined cause of death and was considered either to be correct or incorrect. Results: During the study period, 146 patients were pronounced dead in the department. Of these, 81 patients (age range 39–99 years, median 71; male:female 2.5:1) had death certificates issued, 63 patients (age range 26 days to 99 years, median 48; male:female 2.4:1) had a postmortem performed by the forensic pathologist, and two patients underwent a “view and grant”. Of the 63 deaths reported to the Procurator Fiscal, the emergency physician attributed 51 (80.1%) to non-trauma, 9 (14.2%) to trauma, and in 3 (4.7%) cases were uncertain. Of the 63 (39.7%) deaths, 25 were inaccurately predicted (99% confidence interval 24.3% to 56.6%; p<0.0)1. Cardiovascular related and drugs poisoning deaths occurred most commonly. They were also the most accurately predicted cause of deaths. Intracranial events, pulmonary thromboembolism, and airway obstruction were also frequently predicted, but were often wrong. Conclusions: This study highlights the difficulties in accurately identifying cause of death for patients who die suddenly. This could have implications for the accuracy of health service statistics.