Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF LOCAL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DENTURE STOMATITIS

Denture stomatitis is the most common oral disorder found in denture wearers. It is usually associated with presence of Candida albicans infection. The study was carried out of (70) denture wearers to determine the effect of local predisposing factors, the oral and denture hygiene habits, age of denture and age of denture wearers and degree of Candida colonization on the denture surface to development the denture stomatitis. (47) case with denture stomatitis and (23) control were investigated clinically and mycologically. Clinical investigation included oral and denture hygiene assessment, age of denture and age of denture wearers statistically measured and denture swabs for Candida culture growth collected in standardized method. Results were showed that no significant differences (P > 0.05) between oral and denture hygiene habits and denture age. However in denture stomatitis group dentures were less older (610) years then in controls(more than 10 years) but tended to be dirtier and related to the higher degree of denture stomatitis. The age of dentures was not related to the degree of inflammation but was with the degree of Candida colonization. The denture stomatitis, which develops frequently in older Patients (20%) more than meddle age. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was obtained in the degree of Candida colonization between denture stomatits and control group. Poor denture hygiene increase colonization of Candida which interact initiative local factors in the development of denture stomatitis.
Potentiation of mivacurium blockade by low dose of pancuronium: a pharmacokinetic study.

BACKGROUND Mivacurium is potentiated by pancuronium to a much greater extent than other relaxants. In a previous investigation we suggested that this potentiation could be due to the ability of pancuronium to inhibit plasma cholinesterase activity, but we did not measure plasma concentrations of mivacurium. In the current study we performed a pharmacokinetic analysis by measuring the plasma concentration of mivacurium when preceded by administration of a low dose of pancuronium. METHODS After induction of general anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl and orotracheal intubation, 10 patients (pancuronium-mivacurium group) received 15 microg/kg pancuronium followed 3 min later by 0.1 mg/kg mivacurium, whereas 10 other patients (mivacurium group) received saline followed by 0.13 mg/kg mivacurium 3 min later. Plasma cholinesterase activity was measured before and 3 and 30 min after pancuronium dosing in the pancuronium-mivacurium group and was measured before and after administration of saline in the mivacurium group. Arterial plasma concentrations of mivacurium and its metabolites were measured at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 10, 20, and 30 min after injection. Neuromuscular blockade was assessed by mechanomyography. RESULTS Plasma cholinesterase activity decreased by 26% in the pancuronium-mivacurium group 3 min after injection of pancuronium (P < 0.01) and returned to baseline values 30 min later; however, no significant variation was observed in the mivacurium group. The clearances of the two most active isomers (Cis-Trans and Trans-Trans) were lower in the pancuronium-mivacurium group (17.6 +/- 5.1, 14.7 +/- 5.3 ml. min-1. kg-1, respectively) than in the mivacurium group (32.4 +/- 20.2, 24.8 +/- 13.5 ml. min-1. kg-1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS A subparalyzing dose of pancuronium decreased plasma cholinesterase activity and the clearance of the two most active isomers of mivacurium. Pancuronium potentiates mivacurium more than other neuromuscular blocking agents because, in addition to its occupancy of postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors, it slows down the hydrolysis of mivacurium.
Infection by Discordant Strains of HIV-1 Markedly Enhances the Neutralizing Antibody Response against Heterologous Virus

ABSTRACT High-risk cohorts in East Africa and the United States show rates of dual HIV-1 infection—the concomitant or sequential infection by two HIV-1 strains—of 50% to 100% of those of primary infection, and our normal-risk HIV-positive cohort in Cameroon exhibits a rate of dual infection of 11% per year, signifying that these infections are not exceptional. Little is known regarding the effect of dual infections on host immunity, despite the fact that they provide unique opportunities to investigate how the immune response is affected when challenged with diverse HIV-1 antigens. Using heterologous primary isolates, we have shown here that dual HIV-1 infection by genetically distant strains correlates with significantly increased potency and breadth of the anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibody response. When the neutralization capacities of sequential plasma obtained before and after the dual infection of 4 subjects were compared to those of matched plasma obtained from 23 singly infected control subjects, a significant increase in the neutralization capacity of the sequential sample was found for 16/28 dually infected plasma/virus pairs, while only 4/159 such combinations for the control subjects exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.0001). Similarly, there was a significant increase in the plasma dilution capable of neutralizing 50% of virus (IC50) for 18/24 dually infected plasma/virus pairs, while 0/36 controls exhibited such an increase (P < 0.0001). These results demonstrate that dual HIV-1 infection broadens and strengthens the anti-HIV-1 immune response, suggesting that vaccination schemes that include polyvalent, genetically divergent immunogens may generate highly protective immunity against any HIV-1 challenge strain.
Reading the Road Signs

This study examined the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) Validity Scales in prediction of premature termination in a sample of 511 individuals seeking services from a university-based psychology clinic. Higher scores on True Response Inconsistency–Revised and Infrequent Psychopathology Responses increased the risk of premature termination, whereas higher scores on Adjustment Validity lowered the risk of premature termination. Additionally, when compared with individuals who did not prematurely terminate, individuals who prematurely terminated treatment had lower Global Assessment of Functioning scores at both intake and termination and made fewer improvements. Implications of these findings for the use of the MMPI-2-RF Validity Scales in promoting treatment compliance are discussed.
LIKELIHOOD METHODS FOR THE VON BERT ALANFFY GROWTH CURVE

Likelihood methods for the von Bertalanffy growth curve are examined under the assumption of independent, normally distributed errors. The following are examined: determining the best method of estimation, relationships between methods of estimation , failure of assumptions , constructing confidence regions, and applying likelihood ratio tests. An example is presented illustrating many of the methods discussed in theory. The paper may be viewed as an application of classic nonlinear least squares methods to the von Bertalanffy curve. As such, the concepts discussed are generally applicable and the paper may serve as an introduction to nonlinear least squares. Since the application of the von Bertalanffy (1938) growth curve by Beverton and Holt (1957) to the yield per recruit problem, this curve has been widely used in fisheries biology. The original curve has been generalized (Richards 1959; Chapman 1961). However, this paper will not deal with the more general Chapman-Richards growth curve. Nor will it deal with the biological motivation for these curves which have been discussed by the cited authors. Instead , I confine my study to the classic von Bertalanffy curve and examine what appears to be reasonable methods for the statistical treatment of data.
Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome and Atrioventricular Nodal Re‐Entry Tachycardia in a Swedish Population: Consequences on Health‐Related Quality of Life

Background: Living with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia affects a patient's whole life situation, but few studies have addressed health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) aspects in these patients. The aim was therefore to describe HRQOL in patients with atrioventricular nodal re‐entry tachycardia (AVNRT) or Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome, referred for radiofrequency ablation (RF‐ablation), compared to age‐ and gender‐matched Swedish reference groups.
The Role of Oncofertility Clinics in Facilitating Access to Reproductive Specialists

Purpose: To determine the impact of the establishment of a dedicated oncofertility clinic on the frequency of patient referrals for fertility preservation (FP) consultation and the time from patient referral to consultation. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all women aged 21 to 44 years with an active cancer diagnosis who were referred for FP consultation from 2011 to 2015. Results: A total of 6895 female patients eligible for FP were seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center. Of those eligible, a total of 209 patients were referred for FP consultation with 150 included in the final analysis. Since the establishment of the oncofertility clinic, the mean time to nonemergent consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist decreased by 27%, from 10.4 to 7.6 days (P = .03). Furthermore, the proportion of reproductive-aged females seen at the MGH Cancer Center referred for FP consultation increased from 1.7% to 3.0% (P < .01). Conclusion: A dedicated oncofertility clinic increases physician referrals for FP and decreases the mean time to consultation, improving access to FP consultation for reproductive-aged women with cancer.
Fat content and fatty acid compositions of 34 marine water fish species from the Mediterranean Sea

Fish is the best source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), specifically n-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The objective of the present study was to determine the fat content and fatty acid compositions of 34 marine water fish species from the Mediterranean Sea. The fatty acid compositions of fish consisted of 30.10–46.88% saturated fatty acids, 11.83–38.17% monounsaturated fatty acids and 20.49–49.31% PUFA. In most species, the following fatty acids were identified: mystiric acid (C14:0, 0.72–8.09%), pentadecanoic acid (15:0, 0.05–2.35%), palmitic acid (C16:0, 15.97–31.04%), palmitoleic acid (C16:1, 1.48–19.61%), heptadecanoic acid (C17:0, 0.31–1.84%), cis-10-heptadecenoic acid (C17:1, 0.17–2.01%), stearic acid (C18:0, 2.79–11.20%), oleic acid (C18:1n9, 2.44–28.97%), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, 0.06–3.48%), arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6, 0.12–10.72%), cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3, 1.94–10%) and cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, 3.31–31.03%). The proportions of n-3 PUFA ranged from 12.66% for annular seabream to 36.54% for European hake, whereas the proportions of PUFA n-6 were between 1.24% for oceanic puffer and 12.76% for flathead mullet. The results of this study show that these fish species were rich in n-3 PUFA, especially, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
Different Surgical Approaches for Mesial Temporal Epilepsy: Resection Extent, Seizure, and Neuropsychological Outcomes

Background: Surgical therapy of intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is an effective and well-established treatment. Objectives: We compared two different surgical approaches, standard microsurgical anterior temporal resection (ATL) and stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE) for MTLE, with respect to the extent of resection or destruction, clinical outcomes, and complications. Material and Methods: 75 MTLE patients were included: 41 treated by SAHE (11 right sided, 30 left sided) and 34 treated by ATL (21 right sided, 13 left sided). Results: SAHE and ATL seizure control were comparable (Engel I in 75.6 and 76.5% 2 years after surgery and 79.3 and 76.5% 5 years after procedures, respectively). The neuropsychological results of SAHE patients were better than in ATL. In SAHE patients, no memory deficit was found. Hippocampal (60.6 ± 18.7%) and amygdalar (50.3 ± 21.9%) volume reduction by SAHE was significantly lower than by ATL (86.0 ± 12.7% and 80.2 ± 20.9%, respectively). The overall rate of surgical nonsilent complications without permanent neurological deficit after ATL was 11.8%, and another 8.8% silent infarctions were found on MRI. The rate of clinically manifest complications after SAHE was 4.9%. The rate of visual field defects after SAHE was expectably less frequent than after ATL. Conclusion: Seizure control by SAHE was comparable to ATL. However, SAHE was safer with better neuropsychological results.
Long-Range Temporal Correlations in Resting-State Alpha Oscillations Predict Human Timing-Error Dynamics

Human behavior is imperfect. This is notably clear during repetitive tasks in which sequences of errors or deviations from perfect performance result. These errors are not random, but show patterned fluctuations with long-range temporal correlations that are well described using power-law spectra P(f)∝1/fβ, where β is the power-law scaling exponent describing the decay in temporal correlations. The neural basis of temporal correlations in such behaviors is not known. Interestingly, long-range temporal correlations are a hallmark of amplitude fluctuations in resting-state neuronal oscillations. Here, we investigated whether the temporal dynamics in brain and behavior are related. Thirty-nine subjects' eyes-open rest EEG was measured. Next, subjects reproduced without feedback a 1 s interval by tapping with their right index finger. In line with previous reports, we found evidence for the presence of long-range temporal correlations both in the amplitude modulation of resting-state oscillations in multiple frequency bands and in the timing-error sequences. Frequency scaling exponents of finger tapping and amplitude modulation of oscillations exhibited large individual differences. Neuronal dynamics of resting-state alpha-band oscillations (9–13 Hz) recorded at precentral sites strongly predicted scaling exponents of tapping behavior. The results suggest that individual variation in resting-state brain dynamics offer a neural explanation for individual variation in the error dynamics of human behavior.
Porous polylactide/β‐tricalcium phosphate composite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

Porous polylactide/β‐tricalcium phosphate (PLA/β‐TCP) composite scaffolds were fabricated by freeze‐drying. The aim of this study was to characterize these graded porous composite scaffolds in two different PLA concentrations (2 and 3 wt%). Also, three different β‐TCP ratios (5, 10 and 20 wt%) were used to study the effect of β‐TCP on the properties of the polymer. The characterization was carried out by determining the pH, weight change, component ratios, thermal stability, inherent viscosity and microstructure of the scaffolds in 26 weeks of hydrolysis. This study indicated that no considerable change was noticed in the structure of the scaffolds when the β‐TCP filler was added. Also, the amount of β‐TCP did not affect the pore size or the pore distribution in the scaffolds. We observed that the fabrication method improved the thermal stability of the samples. Our results suggest that, from the structural point of view, these scaffolds could have potential for the treatment of osteochondral defects in tissue engineering applications. The porous bottom surface of the scaffold and the increased osteogenic differentiation potential achieved with β‐TCP particles may encourage the growth of bone cells. In addition, the dense surface skin of the scaffold may inhibit the ingrowth of osteoblasts and bone tissue, while simultaneously encouraging the ingrowth of chondrocytes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteinuria among adult sickle cell anemia patients in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE The life expectancy of patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) has improved with modern medical care, and this has led to frequent observation of various chronic complications of the disease including abnormalities in renal function. Proteinuria is not only a marker of renal disease but is also a predictor of disease progression. This screening study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of proteinuria among adult SCA patients in Kano, Nigeria, which has not been reported previously. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 200 adult SCA patients were studied. They consisted of 100 men and 100 women. Blood was collected for the assay of serum urea, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, and creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Urine dipstick test for the presence of proteinuria and other abnormalities was done, and 24-hour urine protein was measured in those with significant proteinuria. RESULTS Mean age of the male patients was 25.1 ± 1.0 years, whereas the mean age of the female patients was 22.8 ± 4.2 years. Twenty eight percent (32 males, 24 females) of the subjects were observed to have significant proteinuria. The mean estimated eGFR of the males was 88 ± 19.6 ml/min while that of the females was 92 ± 10.2 ml/min. The male SCA patients with proteinuria had a mean eGFR of 70 ± 6.9 ml/min, whereas the female SCA patients with proteinuria had mean eGFR of 101 ± 2.5 ml/min. Among the male patients with proteinuria, 50% had chronic kidney disease (CKD). CONCLUSION Proteinuria which is a marker of renal insufficiency is common among adult SCA patients, and routine screening for proteinuria may help detect those at increased risk of renal disease. CKD prevalence is high among SCA patients with significant proteinuria.
p 53 Dependence of Topoisomerase I Recruitment in Vivo 1

DNA damage is attended by rapid recruitment of endogenous type I topoisomerase (topo I) into covalent cleavage complexes with genomic DNA in vivo. In contrast, endogenous topoisomerase II a and b are not stimulated by DNA damage. We show that topo I and p53 are able to associate at arrested topo I-genomic DNA covalent complexes in vivo, suggesting that p53 directly stimulates topo I activity and damage to the genome of the afflicted cell. Moreover, cells that express wild-type p53 are most proficient at recruiting topo I after DNA damage; however, the p53 dependence is conditional because topo I recruitment after DNA damage can be restored if p53 mutant cells (containing a single mutant allele) are artificially held in G 1. In contrast, p53 null mutants do not recruit topo I after DNA damage under any conditions (although camptothecin-dependent topo I/DNA complexes readily form in the nulls). These results show that topo I activation after DNA damage depends on the p53 status of the cell. It also depends upon the cell cycle in a way that is very different from that observed with DNA replication-dependent, camptothecin-mediated DNA breaks. The data suggest a model where p53 activates topo I, which inflicts additional genomic damage after the initial UV damage events. Topoisomerases therefore contribute to the p53 commitment to apoptosis, and topo I might assist in elimination of DNA-damaged cells as part of the cellular proofreading function inherent in the p53 pathway.
Sedentary lifestyle, poor cardiorespiratory fitness, and the metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE The cross-sectional associations of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness with the metabolic syndrome (MS) were investigated in a population-based sample of 1069 middle-aged men without diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. METHODS LTPA was assessed using a detailed quantitative questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake VO(2max) and core and related features of the MS were determined. A modified World Health Organization definition of the MS and factor analysis were used. RESULTS Men who engaged in at least moderate-intensity (>or=4.5 metabolic equivalents) LTPA <1.0 h.wk-1 were 60% more likely to have the MS than those engaging in >or= 3.0 h.wk-1 even after adjustment for confounders. Low-intensity (<4.5 metabolic equivalents) LTPA was not associated with the metabolic syndrome. Men with a VO(2max) <29.1 mL x kg-1 x min-1 were almost seven times more likely to have the MS than those with a VO(2max) >or=35.5 mL.kg-1.min-1 even after adjusting for confounders. In first-order factor analysis using a promax rotation, the principal factor explained 20% of total variance and had heavy loadings for VO(2max) (-0.57) and at least moderate-intensity LTPA (-0.44), and moderate or heavy loadings for the main components of the MS. The second-order factor analysis generated a principal factor that was strongly loaded on by the main components of the MS and VO(2max) (-0.50) but not LTPA. CONCLUSION A sedentary lifestyle and especially poor cardiorespiratory fitness are not only associated with the MS but could also be considered features of the MS. Measurement of VO(2max) in sedentary men with risk factors may provide an efficient means for targeting individuals who would benefit from interventions to prevent the MS and its consequences.
A Quantitative assessment of a 4-year intervention that improved patient counseling through improving medical student health.

OBJECTIVE Despite efforts to produce healthier physicians and patients, there are no published experiments where health promotion interventions throughout medical school have been compared with a control group regarding the school environment, students' personal health practices, and students' patient counseling practices. DESIGN Using the Class of 2002 as controls, we performed a 4-year pilot study of a personal health promotion intervention on the Class of 2003 at Emory University School of Medicine (EUSM). We focused on improving the actual and perceived healthfulness of the educational milieu, and on improving their personal and clinical practices about diet, tobacco, exercise, and alcohol use. Data were collected at freshman and ward orientations and during a senior rotation (n(controls) = 110, 109, 100 and n(treatment) = 114, 104, 106; all response rates greater than 90%). RESULTS Students receiving the intervention perceived EUSM as a healthier environment than did control students. By senior year, control males reported twice the tobacco use reported by males in the intervention (43% vs 22%, P = .02), although they had previously reported very similar levels (31% vs 29%, P = .8). Diet, exercise, and tobacco counseling practices were positively related to the intervention; alcohol was inversely related to the intervention. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot, compared with controls, the intervention positively affected medical students' perceptions of their school health promotion environment, reduced tobacco use among male students and, to some extent, improved their patient counseling practices. Such a medical school-based health promotion intervention shows promise and should be studied in a broader setting.