Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical assessment of non carious cervical lesion using swept‐source optical coherence tomography

Non‐carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) involve various forms of tooth loss with different etiologies. This study aimed to utilize swept‐source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) at 1300 nm wavelength range in vitro and in vivo to evaluate and clarify the mechanism of NCCLs. In the in vitro phase, a dentin attenuation coefficient (μt) derived from the SS‐OCT signal at NCCL was compared with mineral loss obtained from transverse microradiography (TMR) to determine a μt threshold to discriminate demineralization of cervical dentin in vivo. In the clinical study, 242 buccal surfaces were investigated in 35 subjects. Presence and dimensions of NCCLs, cervical cracking and the degree of demineralization at the exposed cervical dentin were determined using SS‐OCT. Dentin demineralization was observed in 69% of NCCLs. SS‐OCT results confirm that dentin mineral loss and occlusal attrition were associated with larger NCCLs, and can be considered as an etiological factor in formation and progress of these lesions. (A) We determined the attenuation coeffcient (μt) threshold of SS‐OCT signal for the detection of demineralization (1.21) from in vitro study. DEM: demineralized dentin, sound: sound dentin. (B) Using the μt threshold, we observed NCCLs in vivo to detect the demineralization in cervical dentin. SS‐OCT scanning was performed along the red line. (C) SS‐OCT image obtained along the red line in B. In SS‐OCT, brightness of dentin beneath the NCCL was increased (arrow) compared with intact zone. The cervical dentin was slightly demineralized (μt: 1.25). e: enamel, d: dentin, g: gingiva.
Findings in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients undergoing chest computed tomography testing: implications for lung cancer screening

Background:HIV-infected persons have a two-fold to five-fold increased unadjusted risk of lung cancer. In the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), computed tomography (CT) screening was associated with a reduction in lung cancer mortality among high-risk smokers. These results may not generalize to HIV-infected persons, particularly if they are more likely to have false-positive chest CT findings. Methods:We utilized data including standardized chest CT scans from 160 HIV infected and 139 uninfected Veterans enrolled between 2009 and 2012 in the multicenter Examinations of HIV Associated Lung Emphysema (EXHALE) Study. Abnormal CT findings were abstracted from clinical interpretations of the scans and classified as positive by NLST criteria vs. other findings. Clinical evaluations and diagnoses that ensued were abstracted from the medical record. Results:There was no significant difference by HIV in the proportion of CT scans classified as positive by NLST criteria (29% of HIV infected and 24% of HIV uninfected, P = 0.3). However, HIV-infected participants with CD4+ cell counts less than 200 cells/&mgr;l had significantly higher odds of positive scans, a finding that persisted in multivariable analysis. Evaluations triggered by abnormal CT scans were also similar in HIV-infected and uninfected participants (all P > 0.05). Conclusion:HIV status was not associated with an increased risk of abnormal findings on CT or increased rates of follow-up testing in clinically stable outpatients with CD4+ cell count more than 200. These data reflect favorably on the balance of benefits and harms associated with lung cancer screening for HIV-infected smokers with less severe immunodeficiency.
Novel fluoroimmunoassays for detecting ochratoxin A using CdTe quantum dots

Novel direct and indirect competitive fluorescence‐linked immunosorbent assays (cFLISA and icFLISA) for detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) were described using CdTe quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent label. CdTe QDs were successfully synthesized, which had an emission wavelength of 615 nm. The high purity monoclonal antibody against OTA was prepared through cell thawing and the octylic acid‐ammonium sulfate method. The OTA MAbs were successfully coupled with CdTe QDs, and which also retained the original biological activity. The 50% inhibition values (IC50) of the cFLISA and icFLISA were 0.630 ng/mL, 0.234 ng/mL, the limits of detection (LOD) were 7.06 × 10–3 and 4.15 × 10–3 ng/mL, and detection ranges were 7.06 × 10–3 − 18.34 ng/mL and 4.15 × 10–3 − 4.88 ng/mL, in‐order. The recoveries were 96.0–104.7% along with coefficients of variation (CVs) below 10%. The FLISA provided novel method for determination of OTA and the potential of MAb–CdTe QDs for the establishment of fluorescent immunochromatographic test strip.
Fluorescing fatty acids in rat fatty liver models

The autofluorescence (AF) of NAD(P)H and flavins has been at the basis of many in‐situ studies of liver energy metabolism and functionality. Conversely, few data have been so far reported on fluorescing lipids. In this work we investigated the AF of liver lipid extracts from two fatty liver models, Wistar rats fed with MCD diet for 12 days (Wi‐MCD), and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. Among the most abundant fatty acids in the lipid extracts, indicated by mass spectrometry, arachidonic acid (AA) exhibited higher quantum yield than the other fluorescing fatty acids (FLFA), and red shifted AF spectrum. This allowed to estimate the AA contribution to the overall emission of lipid extracts by curve fitting analysis. AA prevailed in obese Zucker livers, accounting for the different AF spectral profiles between the two models. AF and mass spectrometry indicated also a different balance between the fluorescing fraction and the overall amount of AA in the two models. The ability of AF to detect directly AA and FLFA was demonstrated, suggesting its supportive role as tool in wide‐ranging applications, from the control of animal origin food, to experimental investigations on liver fat accumulation, lipotoxicity and disease progression, with potential translation to the clinics.
Spatially restricted JAG1-Notch signaling in human thymus provides suitable DC developmental niches

A key unsolved question regarding the developmental origin of conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (cDCs and pDCs, respectively) resident in the steady-state thymus is whether early thymic progenitors (ETPs) could escape T cell fate constraints imposed normally by a Notch-inductive microenvironment and undergo DC development. By modeling DC generation in bulk and clonal cultures, we show here that Jagged1 (JAG1)-mediated Notch signaling allows human ETPs to undertake a myeloid transcriptional program, resulting in GATA2-dependent generation of CD34+ CD123+ progenitors with restricted pDC, cDC, and monocyte potential, whereas Delta-like1 signaling down-regulates GATA2 and impairs myeloid development. Progressive commitment to the DC lineage also occurs intrathymically, as myeloid-primed CD123+ monocyte/DC and common DC progenitors, equivalent to those previously identified in the bone marrow, are resident in the normal human thymus. The identification of a discrete JAG1+ thymic medullary niche enriched for DC-lineage cells expressing Notch receptors further validates the human thymus as a DC-poietic organ, which provides selective microenvironments permissive for DC development.
Collective Information Processing and Pattern Formation in Swarms, Flocks, and Crowds

The spontaneous organization of collective activities in animal groups and societies has attracted a considerable amount of attention over the last decade. This kind of coordination often permits group-living species to achieve collective tasks that are far beyond single individuals' capabilities. In particular, a key benefit lies in the integration of partial knowledge of the environment at the collective level. In this contribution, we discuss various self-organization phenomena in animal swarms and human crowds from the point of view of information exchange among individuals. In particular, we provide a general description of collective dynamics across species and introduce a classification of these dynamics not only with respect to the way information is transferred among individuals but also with regard to the knowledge processing at the collective level. Finally, we highlight the fact that the individual's ability to learn from past experiences can have a feedback effect on the collective dynamics, as experienced with the development of behavioral conventions in pedestrian crowds.
HLA Class I restricted CD8+ and Class II restricted CD4+ T cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of nevirapine hypersensitivity

Objectives:This study sought to examine nevirapine hypersensitivity (NVP HSR) phenotypes and their relationship with differing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I and Class II alleles and the associated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell NVP-specific responses and their durability over time. Methods:A retrospective cohort study compared HIV-positive patients with NVP HSR, defined by fever and hepatitis and/or rash, with those tolerant of NVP for more than 3 months. Covariates included class I (HLA-A, B, C) and class II (HLA-DR) alleles. Cellular studies examined NVP-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses by interferon-gamma (IFN&ggr;) ELISpot assay and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). Results:NVP HSR occurred in 19 out of 451 (4%) NVP-exposed individuals between March 1993 and December 2011. HLA associations were phenotype dependent with HLA-DRB1*01 : 01 associated with hepatitis (P = 0.02); HLA-B*35 : 01 and HLA-Cw4 associated with cutaneous NVP HSR (P = 0.001, P = 0.01), and HLA-Cw*08 was associated with NVP HSR with eosinophilia (P = 0.04) and multisystemic NVP HSR (P = 0.02). NVP-specific INF&ggr; responses waned significantly more than 3 months from the original reaction and were diminished or completely abrogated when either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were depleted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells culture. Conclusion:The association of specific class I and II allele pairings with specific phenotypes of NVP HSR, and cellular studies showing both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell NVP-specific responses suggest that specific combinations of NVP reactive class I restricted CD8+ and class II restricted CD4+ T cells contribute to the immunopathogenesis of NVP HSR.
Fluorescence hyperspectral imaging (fHSI) using a spectrally resolved detector array

The ability to resolve multiple fluorescent emissions from different biological targets in video rate applications, such as endoscopy and intraoperative imaging, has traditionally been limited by the use of filter‐based imaging systems. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) facilitates the detection of both spatial and spectral information in a single data acquisition, however, instrumentation for HSI is typically complex, bulky and expensive. We sought to overcome these limitations using a novel robust and low cost HSI camera based on a spectrally resolved detector array (SRDA). We integrated this HSI camera into a wide‐field reflectance‐based imaging system operating in the near‐infrared range to assess the suitability for in vivo imaging of exogenous fluorescent contrast agents. Using this fluorescence HSI (fHSI) system, we were able to accurately resolve the presence and concentration of at least 7 fluorescent dyes in solution. We also demonstrate high spectral unmixing precision, signal linearity with dye concentration and at depth in tissue mimicking phantoms, and delineate 4 fluorescent dyes in vivo. Our approach, including statistical background removal, could be directly generalised to broader spectral ranges, for example, to resolve tissue reflectance or autofluorescence and in future be tailored to video rate applications requiring snapshot HSI data acquisition.
Hyperparathyroidism in a Patient With Parathyroid Carcinoma: 15-Year Follow-Up

THE RARITY of hyperparathyroidism in patients with parathyroid carcinoma and the unusually prolonged course of the disease in a patient originally reported as a case of benign parathyroid adenoma 1 prompted this report. Report of a Case A 58-year-old male Negro porter had a giant cell tumor of the jaw removed in 1951. In 1958, he was admitted to the Bronx Municipal Hospital because of severe anorexia, 9.1-kg (20-1b) weight loss, and an increasingly large neck mass. Persistent hypercalcemia (to 16.7 mg/100 cc), low serum inorganic phosphorus (2.4 mg/100 cc), and increased alkaline phosphatase (8.1 Bodansky units) were noted. An en-bloc removal of a parathyroid tumor adherent to the right strap muscles and the right lobe of the thyroid was done. The pathologic diagnosis was parathyroid carcinoma, and the case was reported a second time. 2 In 1965, the patient entered the Hospital for Joint Diseases with the chief complaint
RIPK1-dependent apoptosis bypasses pathogen blockade of innate signaling to promote immune defense

Many pathogens deliver virulence factors or effectors into host cells in order to evade host defenses and establish infection. Although such effector proteins disrupt critical cellular signaling pathways, they also trigger specific antipathogen responses, a process termed “effector-triggered immunity. ” The Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Yersinia inactivates critical proteins of the NF-&kgr;B and MAPK signaling cascade, thereby blocking inflammatory cytokine production but also inducing apoptosis. Yersinia-induced apoptosis requires the kinase activity of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), a key regulator of cell death, NF-&kgr;B, and MAPK signaling. Through the targeted disruption of RIPK1 kinase activity, which selectively disrupts RIPK1-dependent cell death, we now reveal that Yersinia-induced apoptosis is critical for host survival, containment of bacteria in granulomas, and control of bacterial burdens in vivo. We demonstrate that this apoptotic response provides a cell-extrinsic signal that promotes optimal innate immune cytokine production and antibacterial defense, demonstrating a novel role for RIPK1 kinase–induced apoptosis in mediating effector-triggered immunity to circumvent pathogen inhibition of immune signaling.
Reply to 'sexual networks, HIV, race and bacterial vaginosis'.

In their recent article, Buvé et al. [1] argue that the higher HIV prevalence in ‘black populations’ is due, in large part, to racial differences in the vaginal microbiome. They base this argument on two findings. Firstly, bacterial vaginosis (BV) prevalence tends to be higher in black populations. Secondly, a number of studies have found an increased incidence of HIV following the diagnosis of BV.
Eye irritation, Nasal Congestion, and Facial Skin Itching in Relation to Emissions from Newly Painted Indoor Surfaces

As a part of the world-wide European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), possible relations between symptoms from the eyes, nose, throat, and facial skin, and exposure to emissions from recent indoor painting were studied. The study comprised 562 subjects, aged 20-44 years, from the general population in Uppsala, selected by stratified random sampling. The subjects underwent a structured interview, and a medical investigation. Information on different types of symptoms and building characteristics, in the dwelling and in the workplace building, was gathered by a self-administered question naire. The prevalence of weekly symptoms, compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS), and a symptom score were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple linear or logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, gender and tobacco smoking. Weekly SBS symptoms, of any type, were related to female gender (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.5), atopy (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.5- 3.2), and recent painting of the workplace building (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.1- 2.7), particularly if wooden surfaces in the workplace building had been painted (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.2-6.2). Nasal congestion was more common in newly painted dwellings (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.02-2.8). Eye irritation (OR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.2-12.2) and facial skin itching (OR = 7.8; 95% CI 2.2-27.8) were more common if wood had been painted in the workplace building. A high symptom score was related to female gender, atopy, tobacco smoking, and wood painting. An observed relationship between symptom score and exposure to newly painted wood was significant only among females and among subjects with atopy. In conclusion: females, smokers, and subjects with atopy report more symptoms compatible with SBS; females and subjects with atopy seem to be more sensitive to emissions from indoor paint than males and subjects without atopic disposition. Moreover, our results suggest that emissions from newly painted indoor surfaces may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and facial skin. The paint used for wood seems to be more irritat ing than other types of paint. We conclude from this work that exposure to paint emissions indoors should be minimised for sensitive subjects.
Prevalence variation of colpocytological abnormalities in adolescents and adults in the years 2000 and 2010

Introduction: Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and the frequency of precancerous lesions is increasing among adolescents. Objective: To study and compare the frequency of epithelial abnormalities in cervical cytology exams in adolescents and adults. Materials and methods: Retrospective study based on analysis of reports of cytology exams performed in the years 2000 and 2010 in adolescents (12-18 years old) and in adult women. The frequency of cytological alterations was explored, stratifying them into high-grade/carcinoma and low-grade lesions. Results: In 2000, rates of epithelial abnormalities were 3.08% in adolescents and 1.39% in adult females, and were 4.76% and 1.83% in 2010, respectively. The high-grade lesions/carcinomas were more common among adults in both years. Discussion: There was an increase in prevalence of epithelial abnormalities in the last decade, both in adolescents and in adults. Proportionally, the increase was higher among adolescents (6.7%) than in adults (2.2%). However, the rate of high-grade lesions/carcinoma was higher among adult women in the two analyzed years. Conclusion: It was observed that the frequency of cervical epithelial abnormalities was higher among adolescents than adults and increased between 2000 and 2010.
Follow-up study of Milwaukee brace treatment in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Milwaukee brace treatment for patients with idiopathic scoliosis very rarely accomplishes improvement approaching that of successful surgery. Prpgression of small and medium-sized curves (60 degrees or less) has been routinely halted. Few curves progress with adequate brace treatment. Occasionally, improvement in deformity and curve measurement is significant, but loss of improvement seems to be gradual and almost uniformly present to some degree after cessation of treatment. A much longer follow-up period will be necessary if the improvement seen with Milwaukee brace treatment can be considered "permanent. " Milwaukee brace treatment is effective in skeletally immature patients with small, flexible and nondeforming curves. Corrective surgery is recommended for deforming curves in all patients for whom permanent improvement is the goal.
Risk factors associated with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in HIV-infected and uninfected patients

Objective:To determine the association between HIV infection and other risk factors for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Design:Longitudinal, national Veterans Aging Cohort Study including 43 618 HIV-infected and 86 492 uninfected veterans. Methods:AECOPD was defined as an inpatient or outpatient COPD ICD-9 diagnosis accompanied by steroid and/or antibiotic prescription within 5 days. We calculated incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for first AECOPD over 2 years and used Poisson regression models to adjust for risk factors. Results:Over 234 099 person-years of follow-up, 1428 HIV-infected and 2104 uninfected patients had at least one AECOPD. HIV-infected patients had an increased rate of AECOPD compared with uninfected (18.8 vs. 13.3 per 1000 person-years, P < 0.001). In adjusted models, AECOPD risk was greater in HIV-infected individuals overall (IRR 1.54; 95% CI 1.44–1.65), particularly in those with more severe immune suppression when stratified by CD4+ cell count (cells/&mgr;l) compared with uninfected (HIV-infected CD4+ < 200: IRR 2.30, 95% CI 2.10–2.53, HIV-infected CD4+ ≥ 200–349: IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.15–1.51, HIV-infected CD4+ ≥ 350: IRR 0.99, 95% CI 0.88–1.10). HIV infection also modified the association between current smoking and alcohol-related diagnoses with risk for AECOPD such that interaction terms for HIV and current smoking or HIV and alcohol-related diagnoses were each significantly associated with AECOPD. Conclusion:HIV infection, especially with lower CD4+ cell count, is an independent risk factor for AECOPD. Enhanced susceptibility to harm from current smoking or unhealthy alcohol use in HIV-infected patients may also contribute to the greater rate of AECOPD.
Enrichment of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms.

The microorganisms responsible for anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to denitrification have not been clearly elucidated. Three recent publications suggested it can be achieved by a denitrifying bacterium with or without the involvement of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. A key factor limiting the progress in this research field is the shortage of enrichment cultures performing denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO). In this study, DAMO cultures were enriched from mixed inoculum including sediment from a freshwater lake, anaerobic digester sludge and return activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant. Two reactors, operated at 35°C and at 22°C, respectively, showed simultaneous methane oxidation and nitrate reduction after several months of operation. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries from the 35°C enrichment showed the presence of an archaeon closely related to other DAMO archaea and a dominated bacterium belonging to the yet uncultivated NC10 phylum. This culture preferred nitrite to nitrate as the electron acceptor. The present study suggests that the archaea are rather methanotrophs than methanogens. The highest denitrification rate achieved was 2.35 mmol NO3 (-) -N gVSS(-1) day(-1) . The culture enriched at 22°C contained the same NC10 bacterium observed in the culture enriched at 35°C but no archaea.