Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of periodontal pathogens in amniotic fluid and the role of periodontal disease in pre-term birth and low birth weight

Abstract Background. Pre-term birth and/or low birth weight (PTLBW) is a serious problem in developing countries. The absence of known risk factors in ∼ 50% of PTLBW cases has resulted in a continued search for other causes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of periodontitis on pregnancy outcomes. Methods. Samples were taken from 50 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis. Polymerase chain reaction was performed on amniotic fluid samples obtained during amniocentesis and on subgingival plaque samples to determine the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus and Eikenella corrodens. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level were evaluated. Medical records were obtained after birth. Results. Social and demographic variables were similar among the Gingivitis (G), Localized Periodontitis (LP) and Generalized Periodontitis (GP) groups. Four subjects gave birth to PTLBW neonates. Campylobacter rectus, T. forsythia, P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum were detected in the amniotic fluid and subgingival plaque samples of three patients who gave birth to PTLBW neonates. The amniotic fluid sample from the fourth patient was not positive for any of the tested pathogens. Conclusion. These findings suggest that the transmission of some periodontal pathogens from the oral cavity of the mother may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. The results contribute to an understanding of the association between periodontal disease and PTLBW, but further studies are required to better clarify the possible relationship.
Five years clinical results following treatment of human intra-bony defects with an enamel matrix derivative: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Introduction. Emdogain® represents an extracellular matrix derivative that controls and promotes periodontal regeneration. Several studies have demonstrated that the treatment of periodontal defects with Emdogain® leads to improvements in clinical parameters. However, long-time clinical trials establishing clinical usefulness of Emdogain® are scarce. Therefore, the present randomized split mouth, controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of Emdogain® as an adjunct to open flap debridement for the treatment of intra-bony defects over a period of 5 years. Materials and methods. The study population consisted of 15 chronic periodontitis patients with bilateral interproximal osseous defects. The test group was treated by open flap debridement with EDTA 24% (PrefGel®) followed by enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®). The control group was treated by open flap debridement with EDTA 24% (PrefGel®). Results. After 1 and 5 years, both the test and control groups showed significant mean PPD reduction. A greater reduction in mean Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) was observed in the test group (3.84 ± 1.05) as compared to the control group (1.92 ± 0.35). The mean Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) gain of 3.18 ± 0.87 mm was observed in the test group, while the control group displayed mean CAL gain of 1.60 ± 0.54 mm. The observed differences were found to be statistically significant in both the groups (p < 0.05). Percentage bone fill was significantly increased at 12 months post-surgery in test group (66.66 ± 7.8%) as compared to control group (31.71 ± 4.1%). Conclusion. The treatment with Emdogain resulted in a significantly higher CAL gain and PPD reduction in comparison with OFD and PrefGel®.
Co-effect of Demand-control-support model and effort-reward imbalance model on depression risk estimation in humans: findings from Henan Province of China.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the co-effect of Demand-control-support (DCS) model and Effort-reward Imbalance (ERI) model on the risk estimation of depression in humans in comparison with the effects when they are used respectively. METHODS A total of 3 632 males and 1 706 females from 13 factories and companies in Henan province were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Perceived job stress was evaluated with the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Chinese version). Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). RESULTS DC (demands/job control ratio) and ERI were shown to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. The outcome of low social support and overcommitment were similar. High DC and low social support (SS), high ERI and high overcommitment, and high DC and high ERI posed greater risks of depressive symptoms than each of them did alone. ERI model and SS model seem to be effective in estimating the risk of depressive symptoms if they are used respectively. CONCLUSION The DC had better performance when it was used in combination with low SS. The effect on physical demands was better than on psychological demands. The combination of DCS and ERI models could improve the risk estimate of depressive symptoms in humans.
Periodontal disease and risk of psoriasis among nurses in the United States

Abstract Objective. Periodontal disease has been associated with systemic inflammation and may be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases. This study evaluated the association between periodontal disease and the risk of incident psoriasis in a large prospective cohort study. Material and methods. Self-reported history of periodontal bone loss, from 1998–2008, was evaluated as a risk factor for incident psoriasis among 60,457 women in the Nurses' Health Study. Secondary analyses examined associations between history of tooth loss and number of natural teeth and psoriasis risk. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess multivariate estimates, adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, body mass index, alcohol intake and physical activity. Results. An increased multivariate risk of psoriasis was observed for those with mild periodontal bone loss (RR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03–1.75) and moderate-to-severe periodontal bone loss (RR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.08–2.05), as compared to those without periodontal bone loss, after adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, body mass index, alcohol intake, physical activity and tooth loss. Number of natural teeth and tooth loss were not associated with risk of psoriasis in this study. Conclusion. This study shows that a history of periodontal bone loss may increase risk of subsequent psoriasis. A limitation of this study is that it is based on self-reported measures.
POSITION SENSE ACUITY ACROSS SHOULDER ROTATIONAL RANGE OF MOTION IN HEALTHY YOUNG SUBJECTS

Objective: To determine the position sense acuity across shoulder rotational range of motion in healthy subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Sports Medicine Department, Manipal hospital, Bangalore. Participants: Thirty healthy subjects with right hand dominance. Method: The ability of the subjects to replicate two criterion positions (mid-range and outer range) was examined in subjects' shoulder joints by using a standard goniometer. 50% and 90% range of total passive shoulder rotational range of motion were the two criterion positions. The difference between the test range of motion and repositioning range of motion indicates the position sense acuity. Results: There was a better position sense acuity in 90% range compared to that at 50% and was more in dominant shoulder than nondominant shoulder. Conclusion: Outer range shoulder rotational range of motion has minimum error in position sense acuity due to the tension in the peri articular structures of shoulder joint.
Early root surface colonization by human periodontal ligament fibroblasts following treatment with different biomaterials

Abstract Objectives. The present in-vitro study examined the effects of different biomaterials on early root surface colonization by human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts using confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy (CLSM). Materials and methods. Fifteen periodontally-diseased teeth were extracted, treated with scaling/root planing and longitudinally cut to obtain 30 root fragments. Fragments were treated either with 24% EDTA following application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD), 24% EDTA or EMD only, nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NHA) paste or oily calcium hydroxide suspension (OCHS) for 1 h each. The analogue untreated root specimens served as controls. Root fragments were incubated with human PDL fibroblasts and cellular proliferation and morphology were evaluated after 1, 3, 5 and 8 days using CLSM-visualization and image recognition software. Results. The rate of cellular proliferation was different among treatment modalities examined (p = 0.019). Except treatment with NHA paste all treatment modalities improved cellular proliferation on root surfaces at all different points of time compared with the control specimens. A significant difference between treatment modalities was observed between EMD and NHA paste (p = 0.008). No synergistic effect could be demonstrated comparing root surface conditioning with 24% EDTA and EMD application compared to 24% EDTA or EMD application only. Conclusion. The present results suggest that initial root surface colonization by PDL fibroblasts may be enhanced by root surface conditioning with 24% EDTA and application of EMD, application of 24% EDTA or EMD alone and OCHS. The addition of 24% EDTA for root surface conditioning prior to EMD application provided no synergistic effects in terms of early root surface colonization by PDL fibroblasts.
Application of positron emission tomography in the detection of myocardial metabolism in pig ventricular fibrillation and asphyxiation cardiac arrest models after resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE To study the application of positron emission tomography (PET) in detection of myocardial metabolism in pig ventricular fibrillation and asphyxiation cardiac arrest models after resuscitation. METHODS Thirty-two healthy miniature pigs were randomized into a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (VFCA) group (n=16) and an asphyxiation cardiac arrest (ACA) group (n=16). Cardiac arrest (CA) was induced by programmed electric stimulation or endotracheal tube clamping followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. At four hours and 24 h after spontaneous circulation was achieved, myocardial metabolism was assessed by PET. 18F-FDG myocardial uptake in PET was analyzed and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was measured. RESULTS Spontaneous circulation was 100% and 62.5% in VFCA group and ACA group, respectively. PET demonstrated that the myocardial metabolism injuries was more severe and widespread after ACA than after VFCA. The SUVmax was higher in VFCA group than in ACA group (P<0.01). In VFCA group, SUVmax at 24 h after spontaneous circulation increased to the level of baseline. CONCLUSION ACA causes more severe cardiac metabolism injuries than VFCA. Myocardial dysfunction is associated with less successful resuscitation. Myocardial stunning does occur with VFCA but not with ACA.
Developmental Interventions for Biologically At-Risk Infants at Home

There has been a dramatic reduction in mortality rates for premature/low birthweight infants. Surviving infants are at increased developmental risk. Efforts to enhance the development of infants have taken many forms. Experimental studies investigating the effects of home-based early intervention are reviewed in this article. Implications are drawn for early interventionists.
Pulse-Spray Thrombolysis of Thrombosed Hemodialysis Grafts with Tissue Plasminogen Activator

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis with the use of tissue plasminogen activator in the recanalization of thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts.CONCLUSION. Pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator is an effective method for percutaneous recanalization of thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts with results similar to other percutaneous techniques.
Everyone Has Questions

Text message services that provide sexual health information are increasingly popular, but often they are not promoted. This article describes the development of a social marketing campaign promoting a state-based sexual health text message service that allows teens to text a sexual health question directly to a trained health educator. Preproduction and production research using in-depth interviews and focus groups (n = 35) conducted in the southeastern United States provided information on perceived benefits and barriers and teens’ perceptions. Teens were interested in the service and wanted to see relevant settings and relatable teens in advertisements. Teens said that the promotional messages needed to include clear instructions on how to use such a service, as teens were only somewhat familiar with the process of using such a system. Implications for promotion of similar services are discussed.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in pericoronal follicles in predicting proliferative potential

Abstract Objective. The odontogenic epithelium in pericoronal follicles (PFs) are known to proliferate to form cysts and tumors. This epithelium is mostly composed of the reduced enamel epithelium (REE) and odontogenic rests (OR). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunoexpression in these PFs to assess their proliferative potential. Study design. The immunoexpression of EGFR in 30 PFs were assessed by two independent observers for intensity, percentage and the location of the EGFR staining. Results. EGFR immunoexpression was noted in 100% of the follicles. A greater proportion of the follicles showed strong intensity (70%). It was noted that nearly 54% of the follicles demonstrated more than 50% of cells with EGFR immunolabelling. EGFR showed combined cytoplasm and membrane staining (40%) and cytoplasm only staining (37%). The analysis of the REE and OR individually for the above-mentioned parameters did not show statistical significance. Conclusion. The increased intensity and overall positivity of the epithelium in follicles shows that odontogenic epithelium is responsive to EGFR mediated growth factors. The predominant combined staining pattern is suggestive of increased potential for the epithelium to undergo cystic or neoplastic proliferation.
Information Sharing Online: A Research Challenge

We view information sharing as a promising target of research. technology and human practice have been evolving toward more opportunities and varied manners in which information can be shared. We propose that 'information sharing' is best understood as a continuum that concomitantly reflects behavioural, social, economic, legal, and technological influences. 'Information' is a hybrid of both 'public' and 'private' goods. The mechanisms that enable, predict, and catalyse sharing behaviour in online contexts should be of major interest to both scholars and practitioners of knowledge systems. We cite a spectrum of analytical as well as empirical research on the topic of sharing, identifying the methods and theories used in the approaches to date. We also review the major online technology genres of import for sharing. We suggest an initial map of constructs to chart future research on sharing.
Machining risk of beryllium disease and sensitization with median exposures below 2 μg/m3

We examined the prevalence of beryllium sensitization in relation to work process and beryllium exposure measurements in a beryllia ceramics plant that had operated since 1980. We interviewed 136 employees (97.8% of the workforce), ascertained beryllium sensitization with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation blood test, and reviewed historical industrial hygiene measurements. Of eight beryllium-sensitized employees (5.9%), six (4.4% of participating employees) had granulomatous disease on transbronchial lung biopsy. Machinists had a sensitization rate of 14.3% compared to a rate of 1.2% among other employees. Machining had significantly higher general area and breathing zone measurements than did other processes in the time period in which most beryllium-sensitized cases had started machining work. Daily weighted average (DWA) estimates of exposure for machining processes also exceeded estimates for other work processes in that time period, with a median DWA of 0.9 μ/m3. Machining process DWAs accounted for the majority of DWAs exceeding the 2.0 μg/m3 OSHA standard, with 8.1% of machining DWAs above the standard. We conclude that lowering machining process-related exposures may be important to lowering risk of beryllium disease. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparing the influence of crestal cortical bone and sinus floor cortical bone in posterior maxilla bi-cortical dental implantation: A three-dimensional finite element analysis

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to compare the influence of alveolar ridge cortical bone and sinus floor cortical bone in sinus areabi-cortical dental implantation by means of 3D finite element analysis. Materials and methods. Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models in a posterior maxillary region with sinus membrane and the same height of alveolar ridge of 10 mm were generated according to the anatomical data of the sinus area. They were either with fixed thickness of crestal cortical bone and variable thickness of sinus floor cortical bone or vice versa. Ten models were assumed to be under immediate loading or conventional loading. The standard implant model based on the Nobel Biocare implant system was created via computer-aided design software. All materials were assumed to be isotropic and linearly elastic. An inclined force of 129 N was applied. Results. Von Mises stress mainly concentrated on the surface of crestal cortical bone around the implant neck. For all the models, both the axial and buccolingual resonance frequencies of conventional loading were higher than those of immediate loading; however, the difference is less than 5%. Conclusion. The results showed that bi-cortical implant in sinus area increased the stability of the implant, especially for immediately loading implantation. The thickness of both crestal cortical bone and sinus floor cortical bone influenced implant micromotion and stress distribution; however, crestal cortical bone may be more important than sinus floor cortical bone.
Using chat as a complement to discussion board in small-group online seminars: How is student participation affected?

This paper examines how the use of synchronous chat, as a complement to asynchronous discussion board, affects participation in small-group online seminars. Questionnaires and interviews were used to study perceived social networks and students' sense of participation while electronic logs were used to analyse the interactions in the seminars. All measures indicate that the level of student participation was higher in the synchronous seminars. Two explanations were proposed. Firstly, the students felt that they worked together in the synchronous seminars. Secondly, there seemed to be too few students to get discussions started in the asynchronous setting. Moreover, some students dominated the asynchronous discussions while others dominated the synchronous discussions, which imply that combining asynchronous and synchronous media may enhance participation. It was also reflected on the consequence of culture on participation in the two types of seminars.
Surgical management of retropharyngeal abscesses

Conclusion: Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a rare, potentially life-threatening disease, requiring appropriate otorhinolaryngologic as well as radiologic diagnostics, and medical and surgical intervention by a transoral, transcervical or transnasal approach in a multidisciplinary setting. Objectives: The risks and benefits of surgical intervention in patients with RPA were assessed. The main outcome measure was the clinical resolution of the abscess. Patients and methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at a tertiary care university hospital over a period of 28 months. Eleven patients aged 1 to 68 years with the diagnosis of RPA were included. Results: All patients presented with restricted cervical mobility and all patients had CT and/or MRI scan on admission. The mean abscess volume was 9.4 cm3. Surgical intervention was performed in all cases, including transoral (n=5), transcervical (n=3) or combined transoral and transcervical (n=2) drainage. In one patient RPA close to the skull base was drained by an MRI-guided transnasal approach. All patients recovered; however, there was one recurrence and in one case surgical tracheotomy was unavoidable during the course of disease. Growth of streptococcal species was verified in six of the examined abscesses. Abscessing lymphadenitis, infection of a cervical cyst, and previous ganglionar local opioid analgesia treatment were identified as causative factors.
Semi-quantitative evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops by bilateral intratympanic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration with MRI for Meniere's disease

Conclusion: Bilateral intratympanic administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) in MRI was successfully performed and proved to be beneficial in the semi-quantitative evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops. Such image-based diagnosis will lead to re-revaluation and reclassification of the diagnostic criteria for Meniere's disease (MD). Objective: To visualize endolymphatic hydrops semi-quantitatively in patients with MD, by using bilateral intratympanic GBCA administration with MRI. Patients and methods: A total of 13 patients were evaluated, including 12 with MD and one with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss. Diluted gadodiamide (a kind of GBCA) was administered to the bilateral tympanic cavity by injection through the tympanic membrane. After 24 h, the endolymphatic hydrops was evaluated with a 3.0 T MR scanner. The areas enhanced by gadodiamide were measured semi-quantitatively. Results: Three-dimensional, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) MRI showed that the gadodiamide successfully penetrated the round window membrane, entering the perilymphatic space and delineating the gadodiamide-enhanced perilymphatic and gadodiamide-negative endolymphatic spaces of the inner ear. All the patients with MD showed a reduced gadodiamide-enhanced area representing the perilymphatic space, and the quantitative ratio was 0.15 to 0.85. Furthermore, endolymphatic hydrops was also demonstrated in the patient with atypical MD who had fluctuating low frequency sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo.