Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of smoking on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid volume in patients with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Tobacco smoking is regarded as one of the most significant risk factors for the development and progression of periodontal disease. In particular, studies have shown an alteration in Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) volume and its components in smokers. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the GCF volume in smoking and non-smoking Saudi subjects with chronic periodontitis. METHODS In this study, 30 smoking patients and 30 non-smoking patients with chronic periodontitis were enrolled. Periodontal Probing Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Plaque Index (PI), and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) were measured to assess the pattern of periodontal destruction for each patient at six sites in selected teeth. Gingival inflammation was registered at six sites, where Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) was also collected. The GCF volume was measured with a Periotron 8000®. Comparisons were made between smoking and non-smoking groups with periodontitis. RESULTS Smokers demonstrated significantly deeper periodontal pockets (4.64±0.30 mm) than non-smokers (4.24±0.38 mm). Smoking subjects also presented significantly greater attachment loss (3.08±0.28 mm) than non-smoking subjects (2.74±0.42 mm), whereas the GCF volume was found to be significantly lower in smokers (0.25±0.04 μl) than in non-smokers (0.31±0.05 μl) (P<0.01). Among smoking subjects, lingual sites showed reduced GCF levels compared to facial sites (0.22±0.03 μl vs. 0.25±0.03 μl). CONCLUSION Smoking appears to have considerable adverse effects on the inflammatory process, thereby promoting the progression of periodontal disease in smokers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The adverse effect of smoking on the initiation and progression of periodontal disease is highlighted in this study. In particular, estimation of the GCF volume may serve as an indicator to assess the severity as well as the prognosis of periodontitis in smokers.
Genotoxicity of synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles in rats following short‐term exposure. Part 1: Oral route

Synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) in its nanosized form is now used in food applications although the potential risks for human health have not been evaluated. In this study, genotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage of two pyrogenic (NM‐202 and 203) and two precipitated (NM‐200 and ‐201) nanosized SAS were investigated in vivo in rats following oral exposure. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg b.w. /day for three days by gavage. DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage were investigated in seven tissues (blood, bone marrow from femur, liver, spleen, kidney, duodenum, and colon) with the alkaline and the (Fpg)‐modified comet assays, respectively. Concomitantly, chromosomal damage was investigated in bone marrow and in colon with the micronucleus assay. Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured in plasma. When required, a histopathological examination was also conducted. The results showed neither obvious DNA strand breaks nor oxidative damage with the comet assay, irrespective of the dose and the organ investigated. Similarly, no increases in chromosome damage in bone marrow or lipid peroxidation in plasma were detected. However, although the response was not dose‐dependent, a weak increase in the percentage of micronucleated cells was observed in the colon of rats treated with the two pyrogenic SAS at the lowest dose (5 mg/kg b.w./day). Additional data are required to confirm this result, considering in particular, the role of agglomeration/aggregation of SAS NMs in their uptake by intestinal cells. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:218–227, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of four methods of calf confinement. I. Physiology.

Holstein bull calves were blocked by birth order and randomly assigned to one of three treatments in trial I: stall (N = 7), pen (N = 7) and hutch (N = 7), and to one of four treatments in trial II: stall (N = 6), pen (N = 5), hutch (N = 6) and yard (N = 8). Stalls were elevated, . 56 X 1.2 m, with wooden slatted floors. Stalled calves were tethered from the front with a collar and . 5-m chain. Pens were elevated, 1.2 X 1.5 m, with wooden slatted floors and were located in the same open-front building as the stalls. Hutches were 1.2 X 1.2 X 2.4 m long and open on one end. Hutch calves were restrained with a dog collar and 2.4-m chain. Yard calves were housed as a group in a 3.6 X 7.9 m, outdoor enclosure, of which one-half was a covered, three-sided structure. Calves were placed on treatment between 12 to 24 h of age, bottle-fed 1.9 liters colostrum twice daily for 2 d and then bucket-fed 1.9 liters milk replacer twice daily, with continuous access to hay and grain. Jugular blood samples taken at 6 wk were analyzed for blood cell counts, blood chemistry profile (13 items), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), basal cortisol and adrenal response (cortisol) to exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Average daily gain from 0 to 42 d was highly variable and was not significantly different for different treatments. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Anxiety Rasch‐Transformed Questionnaire (PART‐Q30©)

The association between painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and anxiety has been acknowledged using various anxiety scales capturing various fear entities. It has never been examined whether these generally applied anxiety questionnaires could be pooled to construct one overall anxiety metric. After completion by a cohort of 151 patients with PDN, data obtained from seven generally applied fear scales were stacked (n = 88 items) and subjected to Rasch analyses (pre‐PART‐Q88) to create the PDN overall Anxiety Questionnaire (PART‐Q30©). We subsequently examined the impact of the final constructed PART‐Q30© on disability and Quality of Life (QoL) using the Rasch‐Transformed Pain Disability Index (RT‐PDI) and the Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire, Diabetic Neuropathy version (RT‐Norfolk). The pre‐PART‐Q88 data did not meet Rasch model's expectations. Through stepwise examination for model fit, disordered thresholds, local dependency and item bias, we succeeded in reducing the data and constructing a 30 items overall anxiety scale (PART‐Q30©) that fulfilled all model's expectations, including unidimensionality. An acceptable internal reliability was found (person‐separation‐index: 0.90). PART‐Q30© explained 36% of disability and combined with RT‐PDI 63% of QoL (assessed with RT‐Norfolk).
Spatial Accessibility of Primary Care Pediatric Services in an Urban Environment: Association With Asthma Management and Outcome

BACKGROUND. Disadvantaged urban children with asthma depend heavily on emergency departments (EDs) for episodic care. We hypothesized that among an urban population of children with asthma, higher spatial accessibility to primary care pediatric services would be associated with (1) more scheduled primary care visits for asthma, (2) better longitudinal asthma management, and (3) fewer unscheduled visits for asthma care. METHODS. We enrolled children aged 12 months to 17 years, inclusive, who sought acute asthma care in an urban pediatric ED. Eligibility criteria included a history of unscheduled visits for asthma in the previous year. We collected comprehensive data on each participant's asthma medical management and prior health care utilization. In addition, we calculated each participant's spatial accessibility to primary care pediatric services, reported as a provider-to-population ratio at their place of residence. Patients then were stratified by their spatial accessibility to care and compared with respect to measures of medical management and health care utilization. RESULTS. Among the 411 eligible participants, the spatial accessibility of primary care ranged from 7.4 to 350.2 full-time pediatric providers per 100000 children <18 years of age, with a mean of 57.7 ± 40.0. Patients in the middle and highest tertiles of spatial accessibility made significantly more scheduled visits for asthma care than patients in the lowest tertile. There were no differences among tertiles of accessibility with respect to asthma management or with respect to unscheduled visits for asthma care. CONCLUSIONS. Within this highly urban, largely disadvantaged and minority population of children with chronic asthma, patients with higher spatial accessibility to primary care services made significantly more scheduled visits for asthma care.
Investigations of oxygen transfer into Penicillium chrysogenum pellets by microprobe measurements

A microcoaxial needle sensor with a tip diameter of ca. 0.7 μm was used as a microprobe to measure profiles of dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) within fixed pellets of Penicillium chrysogenum as a function of the DOT level around the pellet, in the presence and absence of bulk convective flow and turbulence. The investigations indicate that the oxygen transfer mechanism is complex. The results were interpreted by assuming the penetration convective flow into the entire pellet and penetration of turbulence into the outer range. A model was developed which was able to describe the measured DOT profiles very well. The model takes into account molecular and turbulent diffusion as well as convective flow as transfer mechanisms inside of the pellet. Structures of pellets used for microprobe measurements were evaluated by histological investigations. Considerable variations of mycelial density with radius within the pellets were found.
The DrrAB system of Streptomyces peucetius is a Multi-Drug Transporter of Broad Substrate Specificity

The soil bacterium Streptomyces peucetius produces two widely used anticancer antibiotics doxorubicin and daunorubicin. Present within the biosynthesis gene cluster in S. peucetius is the drrAB operon which codes for a dedicated ABC-type transporter for the export of these two closely related antibiotics. Because of its dedicated nature, the DrrAB system is believed to belong to the category of single-drug transporters. However, whether it also contains specificity for other known substrates of multidrug transporters has never been tested. In this study, we demonstrate under both in vivo and in vitro conditions that the DrrAB system can transport not only doxorubicin but is also able to export two most commonly studied MDR substrates, Hoechst 33342 and ethidium bromide. Moreover, we demonstrate that many other substrates (including verapamil, vinblastine, and rifampicin) of the well-studied multi-drug transporters inhibit DrrAB-mediated Dox transport with high efficiency, indicating that they are also substrates of the DrrAB pump. Kinetic studies show that inhibition of doxorubicin transport by Hoechst 33342 and rifampicin occurs by a competitive mechanism whereas verapamil inhibits transport by a noncompetitive mechanism, thus suggesting the possibility of more than one drug binding site in the DrrAB system. This is the first in-depth study of a drug resistance system from a producer organism, and it shows that a dedicated efflux system like DrrAB contains specificity for multiple drugs. The significance of these findings in evolution of poly-specificity in drug resistance systems is discussed. Multidrug resistance (MDR) has emerged as a major clinical problem in recent years both for the treatment of infectious diseases and for chemotherapy of cancer. Although many different mechanisms for drug resistance are known, a common strategy consists of active efflux of drugs from the cells (1). Drug transporters are categorized into either single-drug efflux systems (which are specific for a drug or a group of drugs) or multi-drug efflux systems that exhibit a broad specificity and can transport structurally and functionally unrelated compounds. These proteins function as either primary active (belonging to the ATP Binding Cassette superfamily) or secondary active transporters (2). The phenomenon of multidrug resistance was first characterized in mammalian cancer cells, where exposure to http://www.jbc. org/cgi/doi/10.1074/jbc.M113.536136 The latest version is at JBC Papers in Press. Published on March 14, 2014 as Manuscript M113.536136 Copyright 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. at G E O R G IA ST A T E U N IV on Sptem er 6, 2016 hp://w w w . jb.org/ D ow nladed from
Oscillatory Insulin Secretion After Pancreas Transplant

In vivo studies of β-cell secretory function have demonstrated the existence of rapid insulin oscillations of small amplitude recurring every 8–15 min in normal subjects. This study evaluated the effects of pancreas transplant on rapid insulin oscillations. Samples for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were drawn during constant glucose infusion at 2-min intervals for 90 min from six successful Px patients with type I diabetes mellitus, from six normal nondiabetic control subjects, and from three Kx subjects. A computerized algorithm (ULTRA) was used for pulse detection. In the Px group, the average insulin pulse period was significantly shorter than in both the control and Kx groups (Px 8.1 ± 0.5, control 12.5 ± 0.7, Kx 12.4 ± 0.5 min, P < 0.0005). By contrast, the C-peptide pulse periods (Px 16.8 ± 2.3, control 14.7 ± 1.2, Kx 15.3 ± 1.5 min) were similar in the three groups. Spectral analysis confirmed that the frequency of the insulin pulses was increased in the Px group. The absolute amplitude of the insulin pulses was greater in the Px group (P < 0.001) while the amplitude of the C-peptide pulses did not differ between the groups. Cross-correlation analysis demonstrated maximal correlation coefficients at a lag of 0 min between insulin and C-peptide (control r = 0.33, P < 0.0001; Kx r = 0.17, P = 0.06) and between insulin and glucose (control r = 0.21, P < 0.001; Kx r = 0.20, P < 0.02) in the control and Kx groups, respectively, whereas no significant correlations were observed at any lag in the Px group. Thus, insulin oscillations, which are of larger amplitude and occur with greater frequency than in normal control subjects, may be detected in the peripheral circulation after pancreas transplant. Although their persistence after transplant supports the hypothesis that they reflect the existence of an intrinsic islet cell pacemaker, the increased frequency of the oscillations in the Px group raises the possibility that this intrinsic pacemaker in normal subjects may be modified by extrinsic neural factors.
A voice-operated multi-domain telephone information system

This contribution describes the first Czech voice-operated information system running on the public telephone network. The system named InfoCity is a multi-domain inquiry service. It offers a wide range of information useful for citizens of a middle-size city, such as programs of cinemas and theatres, overview of local sport events, timetables of city and regional transport, opening times of public or private institutions. Since March 1999 the InfoCity serves inhabitants and visitors of Liberec, a city with 100000 population. During the first 9 months of its operation, more than 2900 inquiry calls were automatically processed. Although the system uses a fixed dialogue scenario with discrete-utterance input (with 220-item vocabulary), long-term statistics show that a typical call (with 5 to 9 dialogue turns) does not take more than 2 minutes. Under field trial conditions the average recognition score is about 87%.
Extensional fall of a very viscous fluid drop

A finite drop of fluid with large viscosity μ and density p is initially at rest hanging under gravity g from the underside of a solid boundary. The initial configuration may be of a general boundary shape, with (vertical) maximum length L(0) = L 0 and (horizontal) maximum width w 0 . The subsequent motion, drop length L(t) as a function of time t, and boundary shape is determined both by a slender-drop approximate theory (for w 0 « L 0 ) and by an exact finite-element calculation. The slender-drop theory is derived both by Lagrangian and Eulerian methods. A wall boundary layer is identified, and empirical corrections made to the Trouton viscosity appearing in the slender-drop theory to account for this layer. When inertia is neglected, there is a crisis at a finite time t = t * = O(μ/(ρgL 0 )), such that L(t) → ∞ as t → t * , this time being related to the time of break-off and entry of the drop into free fall. When the break point falls outside the wall boundary layer, its location and hence the fraction of the original drop which falls can be obtained directly from the slender-drop theory, and is confirmed by the finite-element computations.
Comparison of expression vectors in Lactobacillus reuteri strains

Abstract The synthesis of heterologous proteins in lactobacilli is strongly influenced by the promoter selected for the expression. In addition, the activity of the promoters themselves may vary among different bacterial hosts. Three different promoters were investigated for their capability to drive enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression in Lactococcus lactis spp. cremoris MG1363, in Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 20016T and in five L. reuteri strains isolated from chicken crops. The promoters of the Lactobacillus acidophilus surface layer protein gene (slp), L. acidophilus lactate dehydrogenase gene (ldhL) and enterococcal rRNA adenine N-6-methyltransferase gene (ermB) were fused to the coding sequence of EGFP and inserted into the backbone of the pTRKH3 shuttle vector (pTRKH3-slpGFP, pTRKH3-ldhGFP, pTRKH3-ermGFP). Besides conventional analytical methods, a new quick fluorimetric approach was set up to quantify the EGFP fluorescence in transformed clones using the Qubit™ fluorometer. ermB proved to be the most effective promoter in L. reuteri isolates, producing 3.90 × 10−7 g of fluorescent EGFP (mL ODstationary culture)−1. Under the same conditions, the ldhL promoter produced 2.66 × 10−7 g of fluorescent EGFP (mL ODstationary culture)−1. Even though the slp promoter was efficient in L. lactis spp. cremoris MG1363, it was nearly inactive both in L. reuteri DSM 20016T and in L. reuteri isolates.
Isoflurane-induced Facilitation of the Cardiac Sarcolemmal KATP Channel

Background Volatile anesthetics have cardioprotective effects that mimic ischemic preconditioning, including the involvement of adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. However, evidence for a direct effect of volatile anesthetic on the KATP channel is limited. In this study, the effects of isoflurane on the cardiac sarcolemmal KATP channel were investigated. Methods Single ventricular myocytes were enzymatically isolated from guinea pig hearts. Whole cell and single-channel configurations, specifically the cell-attached and inside-out patch mode, of the patch clamp technique were used to monitor sarcolemmal KATP channel current. Results In the cell-attached patch configuration, 2,4-dinitrophenol (150 &mgr;m) opened the sarcolemmal KATP channel. Isoflurane (0.5 mm) further increased channel open probability and the number of active channels in the patch. In contrast, in the inside-out patch experiments, isoflurane had no significant effect on the KATP channel activated by low ATP (0.2–0.5 mm). In addition, isoflurane had no effect on the KATP channel when activated by adenosine diphosphate, adenosine + guanosine triphosphate, bimakalim, and 2,4-dinitrophenol under inside-out patch configurations. When KATP current was monitored in the whole cell mode, isoflurane alone was unable to elicit channel opening. However, during sustained protein kinase C activation by 12,13-dibutyrate, isoflurane activated the KATP current that was sensitive to glibenclamide. In contrast, isoflurane had no effect on the KATP channel activated by 12,13-dibutyrate in a cell-free environment. Conclusions Isoflurane facilitated the opening of the sarcolemmal KATP channel in the intact cell, but not in an excised, inside-out patch. The isoflurane effect was not due to a direct interaction with the KATP channel protein, but required an intracellular component, likely including the translocation of specific protein kinase C isoforms. This suggests that the sarcolemmal KATP channel may have a significant role in anesthetic-induced preconditioning.
Anti‐endothelial cell antibodies in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies negative pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis

Aim: Pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) is frequently associated with circulating anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). However, in patients with ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN, the pathogenesis is not clear. Anti‐endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vasculitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of AECA and their possible clinical significance in ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN.
Comparison of Gait After Total Ankle Arthroplasty and Ankle Arthrodesis

Background: Prior studies reported improved gait after total ankle arthroplasty and better parameters of gait than those reported in earlier studies of patients after ankle arthrodesis. However, there are very limited data prospectively evaluating the effects on gait after ankle arthroplasty compared with ankle arthrodesis. Controversy remains regarding the relative advantages and disadvantages of these 2 treatments and especially the differences in function between them. Methods: We performed a prospective study involving 28 patients with posttraumatic and primary ankle osteoarthritis and a control group of 14 normal volunteers. We compared gait in 14 patients who had undergone ankle arthrodesis with the gait of 14 patients who had ankle arthroplasty preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed with a 12-camera digital-motion capture system. Temporospatial measurements included stride length and cadence. The kinematic parameters that were measured included the sagittal plane range of motion of the ankle and the coronal plane range of motion of the ankle. Double force plates were used to collect kinetic parameters such as ankle coronal and plantar flexion–dorsiflexion moments and sagittal plane ankle power. Center of pressure (CoP) and its progression in gait cycle were calculated. Results: Baseline parameters showed comparability among the treatment and control groups. Temporospatial analysis, using time as the main effect, showed that compared with ankle arthrodesis, patients with total ankle arthroplasty had higher walking velocity attributable to both increases in stride length and cadence as well as more normalized first and second rockers of the gait cycle. Kinematic analysis, using time and intervention as the main effects, showed that patients who had ankle arthroplasty had better sagittal dorsiflexion (P = .001), whereas those undergoing ankle arthrodesis had better coronal plane eversion (P = .01). Neither ankle arthrodesis nor arthroplasty altered the CoP progression during stance phase. Total ankle arthroplasty produced a more symmetrical vertical ground reaction force curve, which was closer to that of the controls than was the curve of the ankle arthrodesis group. Conclusions: Patients in both the arthrodesis and arthroplasty groups had significant improvements in various parameters of gait when compared with their own preoperative function. Neither group functioned as well as the normal control subjects. Neither group was superior in every parameter of gait at 1 year postoperatively. However, the data suggest that the major parameters of gait after ankle arthrodesis in deformed ankle arthritis are comparable to gait function after total ankle arthroplasty in nondeformed ankle arthritis. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.