Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Root coverage using porcine collagen matrix with fibroblast growth factor‐2: a pilot study in dogs

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in combination with porcine collagen matrix (CM) for coverage of gingival recession defects in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS In five male mongrel dogs, labial gingival recession defects were surgically created in the lower-third incisors bilaterally. The defects were randomly assigned to the CM/FGF-2 group (experimental) or the CM-only group (control). Standardized clinical photographs and silicone impressions were taken at 4 and 16 weeks of healing to calculate the remaining recession area. The dogs were euthanized after 16 weeks for histometric analysis. RESULTS At 4 weeks, the recession area of the CM/FGF-2 group was significantly smaller than that of the CM-only group (2.55 ± 0.66 and 4.92 ± 1.05 mm2 , respectively, p = 0.023), However, no significant difference was observed at 16 weeks. Histometrically, the amount of newly formed cementum was larger in the CM/FGF-2 group than in the CM-only group at 16 weeks (1.55 ± 0.44 and 0.88 ± 0.51 mm, respectively, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS The combination of CM/FGF-2 may enhance the early wound healing and may promote cementum formation to a higher extent compared to the use of CM alone.
Author ' s personal copy Female temperament , tumor development and life span : Relation to glucocorticoid and tumor necrosis factor a levels in rats

Behavioral characteristics closely associated with specific physiological profiles present an important area of research in understanding health disparities. In particular, glucocorticoid overproduction may be an important factor moderating disease progression; natural variance in production of this steroid has been proposed as one mechanism underlying individual differences in health and disease. In the current paper, we examined immune parameters in female rats of two different behavioral types previously shown to have differential glucocorticoid production and life spans. We categorized young female rats according to their behavioral response to novelty (highor low-locomotion), and compared their glucocorticoid production, adrenal size, thymus size, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) production, tumor development and life span. As expected, high-locomotion females produced more glucocorticoids and had larger adrenal glands during young adulthood than did low-locomotion females. High-locomotion females had significantly smaller thymuses and reduced TNF-a levels compared to low-locomotion, suggesting altered immune function in young adulthood. Finally, high-locomotion females had shorter life spans than did low-locomotion females, and this was particularly true in females that developed pituitary tumors, but not in those that developed mammary tumors. These results, along with other published findings, suggest that high-locomotion rodent females experience life-long elevations in glucocorticoid responses to novelty, and that these elevated levels may be comparable to chronic stress. This naturally occurring endocrine profile may influence immune responses which in turn could affect disease susceptibility. Variance in immune function across personality types may be partially moderated by natural variance in glucocorticoid production. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Donor T cells lacking Fas ligand and perforin retain the capacity to induce severe GvHD in minor histocompatibility antigen mismatched bone-marrow transplantation recipients

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a frequent impediment to therapeutically successful allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation (BMT). This investigation further examines the roles of two potential donor cytotoxic effector mechanisms previously implicated in tissue pathogenesis. Cytotoxically double deficient (B6-cdd) T cells (lacking functional fas ligand and perforin) and wild-type (B6-wt) donor T-cell transplantation in a minor antigen-mismatched BMT model (C57BL/6 → C3H.SW) resulted in similar mortality and weight loss. Histopathologic findings revealed mononuclear infiltrates and cellular atrophy in GvHD target tissues (liver, stomach) in recipients of B6-wt and B6-cdd donor T cells. Both recipients also exhibited GvH-associated lymphohematopoietic compartment (LHC) alterations as evidenced by inverted CD4:CD8 ratios and B-cell hypoplasia. Notably, transplants using recombinant inbred mHAg disparate recipients demonstrated that B6-cdd T cells induced lethal GvHD in CXBE but not CXBG recipients: the same pattern induced by B6-wt T cells. This observation is consistent with previous findings that cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against CXBG and CXBE antigens did not correlate with GvH responses in these strains. In contrast with the typical pattern of donor T-cell expansion and contraction, T cells lacking perforin and FasL function exhibited extensive expansion postBMT. In summary, these findings support the notion that donor anti-host cytotoxicity by way of the two major pathways is not a prerequisite for induction of GvHD. In addition, the results suggest that this model will be useful to investigate the regulation of allogeneic donor T-cell expansion after major histocompatibility complex-matched allogeneic BMT.
Evidence for an Increased Intake of Sodium in Hypertension Based on Urinary Excretion of Sodium.∗ †

Conclusion Among 28 subjects with and without hypertension, the group with high blood pressure had significantly greater (p<.01) sodium intakes (as measured by urinary outputs) than did the group of non-hypertensives. This finding was in agreement with a hypothesis previously proposed, namely, that the level of sodium intake was of primary etiologic importance in the development of essential hypertension.
Ectopic release of glutamate contributes to spillover at parallel fibre synapses in the cerebellum

Release of neurotransmitter can sometimes occur outside of the synaptic cleft, a process known as ectopic release. Spillover of the excitatory transmitter glutamate between synapses occurs when parallel fibres in the cerebellum are stimulated at high frequencies. We investigated the effect of activity‐dependent and pharmacological reduction of ectopic release on the time course of postsynaptic currents and found that the decay time is reduced, suggesting that ectopic release contributes to spillover at the synapses. This finding suggests that ectopic transmission can cause activation of extrasynaptic receptors even at low frequencies, and so may play a significant role in synaptic plasticity. The results help us understand how signalling in and around the synapse can alter network activity in the cerebellum, a brain region essential for fine motor coordination.
[Modifications in psychotropic drug use patterns in a Southern Brazilian city].

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and patterns of psychotropic use by population and to compare the results with a study carried out in 1994. METHODS This is a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in 2003 with 3,542 participants aged 15 or older who lived in an urban area in Southern Brazil. Two-week recall data were collected in household interviews through the same questionnaire used in the 1994 study. The variables studied were age, gender, race, education, family income, marital status, smoking, medical diagnosis of hypertension, and physician visit at last three months. Pearson's Chi-square and linear tendency were used in the bivariate analysis. Four levels of multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS The overall prevalence of psychotropic use was 9.9% (CI 95%: 8.9-10.9). There was no significant difference among standardized age groups when compared to the prevalence rates observed in 1994. Higher psychotropic use was associated with being female, older age, medical diagnosis of hypertension, and health service utilization. Of those interviewed, 74% of those drug users were using psychotropic drugs for over three months. CONCLUSIONS A decade later, prevalence remained high, yet psychotropic drug use did not increase. The association between health service utilization and consumption shows the importance of the appropriate prescription of psychotropic drugs and regular follow-up of those prescribed them by physicians.
Hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes mellitus and renal impairment

With increasing evidence that certain glucose-lowering agents may have particular end-organ benefits,1,2 it is becoming important to not only assess glucose-lowering efficacy of these drugs but also side effects such as hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia is a major barrier to optimal glucose control, with intensive glycaemic control (with a lower target HbA1c) having been shown to be associated with an increased frequency of hypoglycaemic events.3 This issue of hypoglycaemia is particularly prevalent in diabetes patients with renal impairment since reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is commonly associated with increased risk of low blood glucose. Hypoglycaemic events, in turn, are associated with increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in diabetes patients with and without renal impairment, although a causal link remains controversial.4–6 Indeed, it has been shown that chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypoglycaemia have a multiplicative effect on all-cause mortality in diabetes, indicating that CKD increases the risk of hypoglycaemia-associated mortality.7 The mechanisms responsible for the link between renal impairment and hypoglycaemic events are manifold and involve changes in glucose metabolism during renal impairment. First, whole-body insulin clearance declines during renal impairment, leading to an increase in the insulin half-life. With the tubular cells of the kidney playing a major role in the clearance of insulin, this is not surprising. The urinary insulin clearance, whose contribution to whole-body insulin clearance increases in renal impairment, mirrors the GFR, which itself progressively decreases as diabetic kidney disease progresses. Second, renal gluconeogenesis, which contributes a significant amount of the de novo glucose produced as part of the counter-regulatory response against hypoglycaemia, is altered in CKD.8 Third, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic responses to glucose-lowering therapies are also altered in diabetes patients with CKD. This relationship between hypoglycaemia and CKD has widespread implications for the pharmacological management of glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. Pharmacological treatments that clinicians have at their disposal include the biguanides, sulphonylureas, incretins [glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analogues and dipeptidylpeptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors], insulin and the sodium– glucose cotransporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitors. Of these medications, the sulphonylureas and insulin are associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemic events and therefore the prescription of these drugs needs to be carefully managed, particularly in individuals with renal impairment.
Antiretroviral Therapy through Barriers: A Prominent Role for Nanotechnology in HIV-1 Eradication from Sanctuaries

In HIV-1 management, eradication of the virus from sanctuaries represents a major and challenging goal. The genital tract, gut associated lymphoid tissue, lymph nodes, central nervous system, macrophages and latently infected CD4+ T lymphocytes are typical sites where HIV-1 compartmentalizes. To circumvent this problem, a consistent number of studies have focused on improving ARVs (antiretroviral drugs) delivery into sanctuary sites and different nanotechnological approaches have been developed. Cellular HIV-1 sanctuaries (i.e. macrophages) can be reached by nanoformulation of ARVs or by activation of latently infected cells. Anatomical sanctuaries (i.e. brain or male genital tract) can be addressed by increasing the permeation of ARVs across tissue barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier or the blood-testis barrier, while ARVs concentration in lymph nodes can be enhanced by drug encapsulation in CD4-targeted nanoparticles.
Follicular diameters in conception cycles with and without multiple pregnancy after stimulated ovulation induction.

BACKGROUND Controlled ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (OI-IUI) is associated with multiple pregnancies, which are a cause of much concern. No reliable datasets have shown clear criteria for predicting multiple pregnancy. The aim of this study was to eliminate a number of variables by examining only conception cycles to determine ultrasound criteria posing risks of multiple pregnancy. METHODS 112 OI-IUI conception cycles (multiple pregnancy rate 19.6%) were analysed retrospectively to identify factors that may be used to evaluate multiple pregnancy risk. Analyses of ultrasound data on the day of hCG administration allowed study of the role of primary, secondary and tertiary follicle diameters (FD). RESULTS There were no multiple pregnancies in cases where there was a single FD > or = 14 mm, and no higher-order pregnancies where the tertiary follicle measured <14 mm. Follicles with an FD of 15 mm showed an 8% attributable implantation rate. CONCLUSIONS Revision of the criteria for administration of the ovulatory dose of hCG should include the concept that follicles of 15 mm diameter may yield a pregnancy. We suggest that rigorous application of such criteria (critical FD of 16 mm combined with secondary FD evidence) will not reduce the programme pregnancy rate, but will reduce the incidence of multiple conceptions.
Working conditions and health among female and male employees at a call center in Sweden.

BACKGROUND The call center industry is one of the most expansive labor market sectors in Sweden today. The purpose of this study was to investigate the working conditions and symptoms among employees at a call center in Sweden. METHODS This study represents the cross-sectional baseline survey, which was part of a prospective cohort study. Fifty-seven call center workers were compared with a reference group of 1,459 professional computer users from other occupations. A questionnaire covered physical and psychosocial working conditions and symptoms during the last month. Structured observations in accordance with an ergonomic checklist were used to assess workstation design during the subject's ordinary work. RESULTS The call center group had worked for a shorter time in their present tasks and spent longer continuous time in front of the computer than the reference group. There were deficiencies in workspace, keyboard- and input device placement. The subjects reported poor support from their immediate supervisor, low control and limited opportunities to influence their work. A higher proportion of the call center group reported musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSION The call center operators were exposed to working conditions that in other studies have indicated an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. The study also shows that young computer operators in the call center group with a short working career had a higher prevalence of neck- and upper extremity symptoms than older computer workers in other labor market sectors.
Infused CD34+ cell dose, but not tumour cell content of peripheral blood progenitor cell grafts, predicts clinical outcome in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma grade 3 treated with high‐dose therapy

Previously, we have shown that patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) transplanted with contaminated bone marrow (BM) generally have a poor outcome. Whether this is also the case when peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) grafts are used is not known. Forty‐three patients with chemosensitive DLBCL or follicular lymphoma grade 3 (FLgr3) were treated with high‐dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell support. Nine patients received purged grafts. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (QRT‐PCR) for either the BCL2/IgH translocation or allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO) QRT‐PCR for the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) complementarity‐determining region 3 were used. Nine of 25 (36%) PBPC grafts contained tumour cells as tested by QRT‐PCR, including two grafts purged by CD34+ cell enrichment combined with B‐cell depletion. The level of contamination of the PBPC/CD34+ cells ranged from 0 to 8·28%. No relationship could be shown between the total number of tumour cells infused and relapse. Patients receiving PCR‐positive or PCR‐negative PBPC grafts had similar progression‐free survival (PFS) (P = 0·49). However, a significant difference was seen in PFS and overall survival (OS) for the patients given ≥6·1 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg compared with those given <6·1 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg (P = 0·01 and P < 0·05 respectively).
Born This Way: Sexual Orientation Beliefs and Their Correlates in Lesbian and Bisexual Women

In this study, we examined how beliefs about the nature and origin of sexual orientation were associated with sexual identity outcomes, namely internalized sexual stigma and sexual orientation uncertainty, and in turn, psychological well-being in sexual minority women. A community sample of 393 lesbian and 205 bisexual women were recruited for a cross-sectional online survey. Using multigroup structural equation modeling, we examined whether believing sexual orientation to be inborn/immutable (i.e., natural) and/or as existing in discrete categories (i.e., discrete) was indirectly associated with psychological well-being via internalized stigma and sexual orientation uncertainty and whether some of these relationships were moderated by nonprototypical attractions (nonexclusive same-sex attractions in lesbian women and straight- or lesbian-leaning attractions in bisexual women) and age. Overall, similar patterns of direct effects were observed in lesbian and bisexual women. In both groups, naturalness beliefs were associated with lower internalized-stigma, whereas discreteness beliefs were associated with greater internalized stigma. In bisexual women, nonprototypical sexual attraction patterns moderated the relationship between discreteness beliefs and sexual orientation uncertainty. Younger age was associated with increased sexual orientation uncertainty in both lesbian and bisexual women. Specific to lesbian women, nonprototypical attraction predicted less endorsement of immutability and binary/discrete beliefs about sexual orientation, and unexpectedly, greater internalized stigma. The present study identifies potential implications of common lay theories of sexual orientation for lesbian versus bisexual women.
Piezoelectric Bulk Mode Disk Resonator Post-Processed for Enhanced Quality Factor Performance

This paper presents a bulk-mode disk resonator utilizing a transverse piezoelectric actuation technique to drive the single crystalline silicon disk structure in its wine-glass bulk mode of resonance. The device is fabricated by post-processing dies from a commercial microelectromechanical systems process and combines high quality factor and relatively low motional resistance. Post-process fabrication steps are used to reduce the width of the anchor beam supports, and consequently reduce the anchor losses. This results in a factor of 3 increase in the quality factor. Post-processed resonators were measured to have resonance frequencies of 23 MHz and quality factors of 13 000 in atmospheric pressure, increasing to 31 000 in 1 mTorr vacuum. The devices also demonstrate motional resistances of 21 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> in atmospheric pressure, reducing to 8.8 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> in 1 mTorr vacuum without requiring any dc voltage for operation. [2016-0261]
The Orai1 Store-operated Calcium Channel Functions as a Hexamer*♦

Orai channels mediate store-operated Ca2+ signals crucial in regulating transcription in many cell types, and implicated in numerous immunological and inflammatory disorders. Despite their central importance, controversy surrounds the basic subunit structure of Orai channels, with several biochemical and biophysical studies suggesting a tetrameric structure yet crystallographic evidence indicating a hexamer. We systematically investigated the subunit configuration of the functional Orai1 channel, generating a series of tdTomato-tagged concatenated Orai1 channel constructs (dimers to hexamers) expressed in CRISPR-derived ORAI1 knock-out HEK cells, stably expressing STIM1-YFP. Surface biotinylation demonstrated that the full-length concatemers were surface membrane-expressed. Unexpectedly, Orai1 dimers, trimers, tetramers, pentamers, and hexamers all mediated similar and substantial store-operated Ca2+ entry. Moreover, each Orai1 concatemer mediated Ca2+ currents with inward rectification and reversal potentials almost identical to those observed with expressed Orai1 monomer. In Orai1 tetramers, subunit-specific replacement with Orai1 E106A “pore-inactive” subunits revealed that functional channels utilize only the N-terminal dimer from the tetramer. In contrast, Orai1 E106A replacement in Orai1 hexamers established that all the subunits can contribute to channel formation, indicating a hexameric channel configuration. The critical Ca2+ selectivity filter-forming Glu-106 residue may mediate Orai1 channel assembly around a central Ca2+ ion within the pore. Thus, multiple E106A substitutions in the Orai1 hexamer may promote an alternative “trimer-of-dimers” channel configuration in which the C-terminal E106A subunits are excluded from the hexameric core. Our results argue strongly against a tetrameric configuration for Orai1 channels and indicate that the Orai1 channel functions as a hexamer.
On static test compaction and test pattern ordering for scan designs

A static compaction procedure to reduce test set size for scan designs and a procedure to order test patterns in order to steepen the fault coverage curve are presented. The computational effort for both procedures is linearly proportional to the computational effort required for standard fault simulation with fault dropping. Experimental results on large industrial circuits demonstrate both the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed procedures.
An Active High-Impedance Surface for Low-Profile Tunable and Steerable Antennas

In this letter, an approach for designing a tunable and steerable antenna is presented. The antenna model is based on a wideband bow-tie radiating element mounted above an active artificial magnetic conductor (AMC). The AMC geometry consists of a frequency selective surface (FSS) printed on a thin grounded dielectric slab in which some chip-set varactor diodes are placed between the metallic elements and the backing plane through vias. The resulting antenna can be tuned over the S-Band by simply changing all varactor capacitances through an appropriate biasing voltage. Moreover, this structure can operate a beam scanning over each working frequency by applying an appropriate biasing voltage to the active elements of the AMC surface in accordance to leaky radiation principles. The low-profile active antenna is characterized by an overall thickness of 5.32 mm, which corresponds to approximately lambda/24 at the center of the operating band.