Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase 3 Enhances Cytodifferentiation of Periodontal Ligament Cells

Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 (Smpd3), which encodes neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2), is a key molecule for skeletal development as well as for the cytodifferentiation of odontoblasts and alveolar bone. However, the effects of nSMase2 on the cytodifferentiation of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are still unclear. In this study, the authors analyzed the effects of Smpd3 on the cytodifferentiation of human PDL (HPDL) cells. The authors found that Smpd3 increases the mRNA expression of calcification-related genes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), type I collagen, osteopontin, Osterix (Osx), and runt-related transcription factor (Runx)-2 in HPDL cells. In contrast, GW4869, an inhibitor of nSMase2, clearly decreased the mRNA expression of ALPase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin in HPDL cells, suggesting that Smpd3 enhances HPDL cytodifferentiation. Next, the authors used exome sequencing to evaluate the genetic variants of Smpd3 in a Japanese population with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Among 44 unrelated subjects, the authors identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs145616324, in Smpd3 as a putative genetic variant for AgP among Japanese people. Moreover, Smpd3 harboring this SNP did not increase the sphingomyelinase activity or mRNA expression of ALPase, type I collagen, osteopontin, Osx, or Runx2, suggesting that this SNP inhibits Smpd3 such that it has no effect on the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells. These data suggest that Smpd3 plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of PDL tissue.
Web Search Behavior and Information Needs of People With Multiple Sclerosis: Focus Group Study and Analysis of Online Postings

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their family members increasingly seek health information on the Internet. There has been little exploration of how MS patients integrate health information with their needs, preferences, and values for decision making. The INtegrating and Deriving Evidence, Experiences, and Preferences (IN-DEEP) project is a collaboration between Italian and Australian researchers and MS patients, aimed to make high-quality evidence accessible and meaningful to MS patients and families, developing a Web-based resource of evidence-based information starting from their information needs. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze MS patients and their family members’ experience about the Web-based health information, to evaluate how they asses this information, and how they integrate health information with personal values. Methods We organized 6 focus groups, 3 with MS patients and 3 with family members, in the Northern, Central, and Southern parts of Italy (April-June 2011). They included 40 MS patients aged between 18 and 60, diagnosed as having MS at least 3 months earlier, and 20 family members aged 18 and over, being relatives of a person with at least a 3-months MS diagnosis. The focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim (Atlas software, V 6.0). Data were analyzed from a conceptual point of view through a coding system. An online forum was hosted by the Italian MS society on its Web platform to widen the collection of information. Nine questions were posted covering searching behavior, use of Web-based information, truthfulness of Web information. At the end, posts were downloaded and transcribed. Results Information needs covered a comprehensive communication of diagnosis, prognosis, and adverse events of treatments, MS causes or risk factors, new drugs, practical, and lifestyle-related information. The Internet is considered useful by MS patients, however, at the beginning or in a later stage of the disease a refusal to actively search for information could occur. Participants used to search on the Web before or after their neurologist’s visit or when a new therapy was proposed. Social networks are widely used to read others’ stories and retrieve information about daily management. A critical issue was the difficulty of recognizing reliable information on the Web. Many sources were used but the neurologist was mostly the final source of treatment decisions. Conclusions MS patients used the Internet as a tool to integrate information about the illness. Information needs covered a wide spectrum, the searched topics changed with progression of the disease. Criteria for evaluating Internet accuracy and credibility of information were often lacking or generic. This may limit the empowerment of patients in health care choices.
Comparison of sparfloxacin, temafloxacin, and ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis and treatment of experimental foreign-body infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The prophylactic and therapeutic activities of three broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones were evaluated in two different experimental models of foreign-body infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) susceptible to quinolones. In a guinea pig model of prophylaxis, subcutaneously implanted tissue cages were infected at a > 90% rate by 10(2) CFU of MRSA in control animals. A single dose of 50 mg of ciprofloxacin per kg of body weight administered intraperitoneally 3 h before bacterial challenge was less effective than an equivalent regimen of either sparfloxacin or temafloxacin in decreasing the rate of experimental infection in tissue cages challenged with increasing inocula of MRSA. In a rat model evaluating the therapy of chronic tissue cage infection caused by MRSA, the efficacy of a 7-day high-dose (50-mg/kg twice-daily) regimen of sparfloxacin, temafloxacin, or ciprofloxacin was compared to that of vancomycin (50 mg/kg twice daily). Active levels of sparfloxacin, temfloxacin, or ciprofloxacin were continuously present in tissue cage fluid during therapy, exceeding their MBCs for MRSA by 6- to 20-fold. Either temafloxacin, sparfloxacin, or vancomycin was significantly (P < 0.01) more active than ciprofloxacin in decreasing the viable counts of MRSA in tissue cage fluids. The different activities of ciprofloxacin compared with those of the other two quinolones against chronic tissue cage infections caused by MRSA did not involve the selective emergence of quinolone-resistant mutants. Temafloxacin and ciprofloxacin, which showed the most prominent differences in their in vivo activities, however, exhibited similar bactericidal properties and pharmacokinetic parameters in the rat model. In conclusion, both temafloxacin and sparfloxacin were significantly more active than ciprofloxacin for the prophylaxis or treatment of experimental foreign-body infections caused by a quinolone-susceptible strain of MRSA.
Inhibition of rat Na+–HCO3– cotransporter (NBCn1) function and expression by the alternative splice domain

The Na+–HCO3– cotransporter NBCn1 (SLC4A7) has multiple variants depending upon splice domains in the cytoplasmic amino‐ and carboxy‐termini of the protein. In this study, we examined the role of the amino‐terminal splice domain containing 123 amino acids (cassette II) in the regulation of NBCn1 function and expression. Polymerase chain reaction detected NBCn1 mRNAs containing cassette II in a variety of tissues. Two variants, NBCn1‐B containing cassette II and NBCn1‐E lacking cassette II, were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and assessed by two‐electrode voltage clamp to measure the ionic current mediated by the transporters. The two variants showed similar current–voltage (I–V) relations when measured 3–4 days after RNA injection. Replacment of Cl− with gluconate did not affect the I–V relations. When exposed to solutions containing 20–50 mm Na+, the current produced by NBCn1‐B was slightly more positive than that produced by NBCn1‐E. The two currents were similar at 100 mm Na+. The slope conductances for the two variants were progressively increased at higher Na+ levels, and the increases were parallel and superimposed. Measured at different time points after RNA injection, NBCn1‐B produced lower conductance than NBCn1‐E at 24–48 h. Protein expression of NBCn1‐B was also low at these time points as determined by immunoblot of oocyte membrane preparation. Expressed in opossum kidney (OK) cells, NBCn1‐E caused a 1.5‐fold increase in ouabain‐sensitive production of p‐nitrophenol from p‐phenyl phosphate compared with control preparations, whereas NBCn1‐B had negligible effect. We conclude that the primary function of cassette II is to reduce NBCn1 protein expression.
HIV knowledge, risk perception and avoidant behaviour change among Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea

A common assumption underpinning health communications design in humanitarian settings is that increasing knowledge and risk perception will lead to appropriate behaviour change. This study compares associations of HIV knowledge and perceived risk with reported HIV-avoidant behaviour changes and sexual health choices from a community survey of 698 sexually experienced male and female Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea. HIV knowledge was not significantly associated with reported HIV-avoidant changes (OR 1.25; adjusted for gender; 95%CI 0.76–2.04), while perceived HIV risk was negatively associated (OR 0.38, adjusted for age at sexual debut; 95%CI 0.22–0.66). Trying to conceive was the main reason reported for not using condoms or other contraception (28%; 138/498), followed by current pregnancy/lactation (19%; 93/498). Results suggest contextual factors (e.g. desire for children) can be as important as knowledge and risk-perception, and HIV prevention initiatives in stable and chronic humanitarian settings should account for these.
Information needs of public health students.

BACKGROUND The number of public health degrees and programmes is growing rapidly. This means that a diverse and multidisciplinary group of students are in need of expert library services to navigate the complicated world of public health information. OBJECTIVE To better understand the information needs of public health students, a group that has not previously been studied in the information needs literature. METHODS An online survey. RESULTS Of the 153 students, 38 responded (25% response rate). Their responses indicated a strong need for more tailored library instruction sessions at the point of need as opposed to general stand-alone sessions offered at the beginning of a term. It was also found that many students were unaware of public health specific resources available that could greatly aid them in their information needs. Suggestions were made on how to improve the library subject guide, specifically in the areas of more instructions related to locating hard to find resources (e.g. statistics, grey literature), and direct linking to resources (e.g. databases and relevant articles). CONCLUSION The information needs of public health students are diverse and complex. It is imperative that the library has a solid understanding of their needs and is able to offer them targeted and relevant library services.
Mevalonic acid in human plasma: relationship of concentration and circadian rhythm to cholesterol synthesis rates in man.

We tested the hypothesis that the rate of cholesterol synthesis in tissues determines the concentrations of mevalonic acid (MVA) in plasma. We found that plasma MVA concentrations were correlated (i) with increased rates of whole-body cholesterol synthesis (measured by sterol-balance methods) in patients treated with cholestryamine resin (ii) with decreased rates of whole-body sterol synthesis (indicated by conversion of labeled acetate to sterol in freshly isolated mononuclear leukocytes) in out-patients after 4 weeks on a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, a diurnal rhythm of plasma MVA concentrations was observed in patients whose activities were strictly controlled on a metabolic ward. At the peak of the rhythm (between midnight and 3 a.m.) MVA concentrations were 3-5 times greater than at the nadir (between 9 a.m. and noon). Furthermore, a relationship between the diurnal rhythm of plasma MVA and endogenous cholesterol synthesis is suggested by our finding that the plasma MVA rhythm was suppressed by cholesterol feeding (1,200 mg/day) and abolished by a 12-day fast. The presence in human plasma of MVA, an obligate precursor of cholesterol, in amounts apparent related to the rate of cholesterol synthesis offers a noninvasive, nonisotopic method for studying cholesterol synthesis in man.
Maternal overweight/obesity characteristics and child anthropometric status in Jos, Nigeria

Objective: This study is to determine the pattern of overweight and obesity and its relationship with childhood anthropometric status in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jos, Nigeria. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used in data collection. Maternal and child anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard WHO methods. Child anthropometric Z scores were obtained from WHO Anthroplus while BMI of mothers were also determined. Totally, 262 mother-child pairs were recruited. Results: Mean maternal age and mean child age were 30.8 ± 6.3 yrs (15-47 yrs) and 22.3 ± 18.7 months (3-72 months). Prevalence of maternal underweight, overweight and obesity was 4.2% (11/262), 29.4% (77/262) and 25.9% (68/262), respectively. Child overweight/obesity was 5.4% (14/262), severe under-nutrition 5.7% (15/262). Mean maternal BMI was higher in the older, more educated and higher socioeconomic status (SES). Child mean birth-weight, weight-for-age Z-score and BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ) were higher among mothers with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 . All large-for-age babies were in mothers with maternal BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 . Childhood over-nutrition was more common in maternal BMI of ≥25 kg/m 2 . Overall, BAZ was directly related with maternal BMI, maternal age and birth-weight, although it was inversely related with maternal BM I ≥ 25 kg/m 2 . Conclusion: Higher BMI is seen in educated and higher SES mothers and this impact on childhood anthropometry.
Analysis of mitotic cell death caused by radiation in mouse leukaemia L5178Y cells: apoptosis is the ultimate form of cell death following mitotic failure.

The appearance of various abnormal cells after irradiation was investigated in growing mouse leukaemia L5178Y cells. Morphologically defined apoptotic cells started to emerge at 10 h after irradiation and the frequency reached a peak at around 48 h being similar to the frequency of other abnormal cells, i.e. micronucleated, multinucleated and giant cells. Necrotic cells were rarely seen. The frequency of apoptosis and other abnormal cells depended on the radiation dose. The typical DNA ladder pattern for apoptosis was observed in the agarose gel electrophoretic analysis of the cells at 24-96 h postirradiation. A decline in the frequency of apoptotic cells occurred with longer incubation, which was associated with a sharp increase in cloning efficiency. Changes in the growth rate of the irradiated cell population during the postirradiation period could be reasonably well described by a simple model using the frequencies of apoptosis and other abnormal cells. The results suggest that apoptosis is the ultimate form of cell death via mitotic failure caused by relatively small doses of radiation in L5178Y cells.
Total versus subtotal gastrectomy: surgical morbidity and mortality rates in a multicenter Italian randomized trial. The Italian Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients included in a randomized trial comparing total versus subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA There is controversy as to whether the optimal surgery for gastric cancer in the distal half of the stomach is subtotal or total gastrectomy. Although only a randomized trial can resolve this oncologic dilemma, the first step is to demonstrate whether the two procedures are penalized by different postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS A total of 624 patients with cancer in the distal half of the stomach were randomized to subtotal gastrectomy (320) or total gastrectomy (304), both associated with a second-level lymphadenectomy, in a multicenter trial aimed at assessing the oncologic outcome after the two procedures. The end points considered were the occurrence of a postoperative event, complication, or death and length of postoperative stay. RESULTS Nonfatal complications and death occurred in 9% and 1% of subtotal gastrectomy patients and in 13% and 2% of total gastrectomy patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis of postoperative events showed that splenectomy or resection of adjacent organs was associated with a twofold risk of postoperative complications. Random surgery and extension of surgery influenced the length of stay. The mean length of stay, adjusted for extension of surgery, was 13.8 days for subtotal gastrectomy and 15.4 days for total gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that subtotal and total gastrectomies, with second-level lymphadenectomy, performed as an elective procedure have a similar postoperative complication rate and surgical outcome. A conclusive long-term evaluation of the two operations and an accurate estimate of the oncologic impact of surgery on long-term survival, not penalized by excess surgical risk of one of the two operations, are consequently feasible.
Epidemiología de la infección neumocócica en la población de tarragona 2002-2009: incidencia, factores de riesgo asociados, distribución de serotipos e impacto de la vacunación

INTRODUCCION: Actualmente las infecciones causadas por Streptococcus Pneumoniae son una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo. En la practica clinica se dispone de dos tipos de vacunas antineumococicas: una vacuna 23-valente basada en los polisacaridos capsulares (VNP23) para uso en adultos, y varias formulaciones de vacunas conjugadas con proteinas transportadoras (VNC7, VNC10 y VNC13). El presente trabajo evalua la epidemiologia de la enfermedad neumococica, incidencia, factores de riesgo, distribucion de serotipos e impacto de la vacunacion. METODOLOGIA Estudio de cohortes de base poblacional que incluyo todos los casos de enfermedad neumococica en la poblacion infantil y anciana del area de Tarragona. Los datos se obtuvieron de los registros de 19 centros de atencion primaria (CAPs) y laboratorios de los dos hospitales de referencia en el area de estudio. Se utilizaron los registros de laboratorio para identificar los casos de infecciones por neumococo no detectadas en los codigos CIE-9. La serotipificacion de los neumococos aislados se realizo por la reaccion de Quellung o test de dot-blot. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo total de estudio (2002-2009), se observaron 440 casos de infeccion neumococica invasiva en la poblacion general. Se observo una mayor tasa de incidencia de neumonias bacteriemicas en personas mayores de 65 anos (TI 211,6 por 100 000 personas/ano); y mayor numero de bacteriemias primarias en el grupo de 0 a 14 anos (TI 104,5 por 100 000 personas/ano). En los tres grupos de edad durante todo el periodo de estudio, destacaron los serotipos 1 (18%), 14 (10%), 7F (10%), 19 A (8.6%) y 3 (7.1%). Destaco una mayor distribucion del serotipo 1 y 14 entre los grupos 0-14 anos (33,9% y 23.1% respectivamente). El serotipo 7F y 3 tuvo una distribucion casi similar entre los grupos de 15-64 anos y >65. El serotipo 19 A se presento con mayor frecuencia en ninos y en ancianos siendo ligeramente mayor en ninos (10.8% frente al 9.4%). Cuando de compararon todos los casos de ENI debida a serotipos incluidos en la VNP23, VNC7, VNC10 y VNC13 segun grupos de edad y periodo de estudio, se detectaron mas casos por serotipos incluidos en la VNC13 y en la VNP23, con una mayor presentacion en el primer periodo (2002-2005). Se evaluaron los factores de riesgo de ENI en la poblacion adulta de Tarragona durante todo el periodo de estudio de los cuales destacaron el tabaquismo (22,3%), diabetes (11,4%) y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva cronica (EPOC) (10,2%). CONCLUSIONES - Nuestro estudio refleja que una mayor frecuencia de neumonias neumococicas en la poblacion mayor de 65 anos y bacteriemias primarias en la poblacion infantil. - Durante todo el periodo de estudio se presentaron mas numero de casos por los serotipos 1, 14, 7F, 19 A y 3; los serotipos 1,14, 19 A se presentaron mas en ninos y en adultos el 19 A, 3,7F. Del total de casos se detectaron mas casos por serotipos incluidos en la VNC13 y en la VNP23.
Finite Element Modeling of Tensile Deformation Behaviors of Iron Syntactic Foam with Hollow Glass Microspheres

The elastoplastic deformation behaviors of hollow glass microspheres/iron syntactic foam under tension were modeled using a representative volume element (RVE) approach. The three-dimensional microstructures of the iron syntactic foam with 5 wt % glass microspheres were reconstructed using the random sequential adsorption algorithm. The constitutive behavior of the elastoplasticity in the iron matrix and the elastic-brittle failure for the glass microsphere were simulated in the models. An appropriate RVE size was statistically determined by evaluating elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and yield strength in terms of model sizes and boundary conditions. The model was validated by the agreement with experimental findings. The tensile deformation mechanism of the syntactic foam considering the fracture of the microspheres was then investigated. In addition, the feasibility of introducing the interfacial deboning behavior to the proposed model was briefly investigated to improve the accuracy in depicting fracture behaviors of the syntactic foam. It is thought that the modeling techniques and the model itself have major potential for applications not only in the study of hollow glass microspheres/iron syntactic foams, but also for the design of composites with a high modulus matrix and high strength reinforcement.
Plasmid-encoded trimethoprim resistance in staphylococci

High-level (greater than 1,000 micrograms/ml) resistance to the antimicrobial agent trimethoprim was found in 17 of 101 (17%) coagulase-negative staphylococci and 5 of 51 (10%) Staphylococcus aureus from a number of different hospitals in the United States. Resistance was plasmid encoded and could be transferred by conjugation in 4 of the 17 (24%) Tpr coagulase-negative staphylococci and 3 of the 5 (60%) Tpr S. aureus. A 1.2-kilobase segment of plasmid DNA from one of the plasmids (pG01) was cloned on a high-copy-number vector in Escherichia coli and expressed high-level Tpr (MIC, 1,025 micrograms/ml) in the gram-negative host. In situ filter hybridization demonstrated homology between the cloned Tpr gene probe and plasmid DNA from each conjugative Tpr plasmid, a single nonconjugative plasmid from a United States Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate, a nonconjugative plasmid from an Australian methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolate, and chromosomal DNA from three Tpr S. epidermidis isolates that did not contain any plasmid DNA that was homologous with the probe. No homology was seen between the probe and staphylococcal plasmids not mediating Tpr, plasmid DNA from 12 Tpr S. epidermidis isolates not transferring Tpr by conjugation, or plasmid-encoded Tpr genes derived from gram-negative bacteria. Plasmid-encoded Tpr appears to be a relatively new gene in staphylococci and, because it can be transferred by conjugation, could become more prevalent in nonsocomial isolates.