Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphometric Assessment of Periodontal Tissues in Relation to Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Dimensions of periodontal tissues are thought to predispose to the development of periodontal disease in man and dogs. Several studies have suggested that thin gingiva correlates with an increased incidence of periodontal disease. In this study, we hypothesized that the dimensions of periodontal tissues will vary in different breeds of dogs and could possibly correlate with the incidence of periodontal disease. Forty-two jaws of dogs aged up to 5-years were examined post-mortem and gingival and alveolar bone thickness were measured using methods of transgingival probing and digital calipers, respectively. Dogs were divided into three groups based on their body weight. Group I (< 5.0 kg; n =21), group II (5 to 10 kg; n =11), and group III (10 to 15 kg; n =10). Thickness of gingiva ranged from 0.30-mm to 3.2-mm and was relatively thinner in group I than in group II and III based on the means of ratios comparison. Alveolar bone thickness ranged from 0.27-mm to 4.1-mm and was relatively thinner in group I compared with groups II and III. Our study showed significantly thinner gingiva and alveolar bone in toy breed dogs compared with small and medium-sized breed dogs. Both gingival and alveolar bone dimensions may be predictors for severity of periodontal disease and influence clinical outcome in certain periodontal surgical procedures.
Level of Interleukin 8 and Alpha -1 Antitrypsin in CerebroSpinal Fuid of Iraqi Patient with Bacterial and Viral Meniningitis

Objective: Meningitis refers to inflammation of the leptomeninges, the connective tissue layers in closest proximity to the surface of the brain. Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, as well as by non-infectious conditions, including inflammatory disorders. Interleuk-8 (IL-8) is produced predominantly by monocytes, but also by fibroblasts and endothelial cells. This chemokine may play a role in various inflammatory and infectious diseases. Alpha 1-antitrypsin is also referred to as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) because it inhibits a wide variety of proteases. It protects tissues from enzymes of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophil elastase . Methods: Forty seven patients with meningitis disease admitted to Medical city hospital and AlKadimia Hospital between June –October /2012, Their age ranged between (11 days to 6.0 years). These patients were divided into group infected with viral and bacterial infections according to the laboratory finding of cells and biochemical tests and microbiology examination . A quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique was performed . Antibody specific for IL-8 has been pre-coated onto a microplate. Standards and samples are pipetted into the wells and any IL-8 present is bound by the immobilized antibody. After removing any unbound substances, a biotin-conjugated antibody specific for IL-8 is added. Result: IL-8 concentrations were higher in both bacterial and viral meningitis demonstrating that this molecule may acts as a mediator in meningial inflammation. Alpha -1 Antitrypsin (A1AT) play a major role in laboratory investigations to differentiating viral and bacterial meningitis along with CSF cell count . The level of A1AT in the bacterial meningitis was higher than the level of viral meningiti . Keyword: Interleukin -8 (IL-8) , Alpha -1 Antitrypsin (A1AT).
Cephalosporin-Induced Leukopenia Following Rechallenge with Cefoxitin

Objective To describe a case of cefazolin-induced leukopenia in a critically ill patient who developed this adverse reaction upon rechallenge with cefoxitin. Case Summary: A 22-year-old male was admitted after a motor vehicle crash. β-Lactam therapy was initiated with vancomycin, cefepime, and metronidazole and, upon identification of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia 4 days later, therapy was narrowed to cefazolin 1 g every 12 hours. The dose was adjusted to 1 g every 12 hours during continuous venovenous hemodialysis. Imipenem was given for 2 days, resulting in a total of 18 days of β-lactam treatment, at which time he developed significant leukopenia (white blood celt [WBC] count 0.9 × 103/μL). Antimicrobial treatment was changed to tigecycline and continued for suspected pleural space infection. The patient's WBC count recovered within 4 days after the change in therapy. He was taken to surgery 8 days after cefazolin was discontinued and received perioperative prophylaxis with cefoxitin (total dose 3 g). Subsequently, the patient again became severely leukopenic (WBC count 2.4 × 103/μL). Within a week after surgery, the patient developed septic shock secondary to multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli bacteremia and died. Discussion: β-Lactam–induced leukopenia is a rare but well-described adverse drug reaction. It is a cumulative dose-dependent phenomenon reported to occur most often after 2 weeks of therapy. The mechanism of leukopenia is thought to be secondary to either an immune-mediated response or direct bone marrow toxicity. Rechallenge with a different β-lactam antibiotic has not been shown to consistently cause recurrent leukopenia. The case described here suggests an immune-related mechanism for the development of leukopenia. Use of the Naranjo probability scale determined the association between cephalosporin use and leukopenia to be probable. Conclusions: Cefazolin was a probable cause of this patient's leukopenia. It is important for clinicians to recognize β-lactam–induced leukopenia and maybe recommend use of a drug from a different antibiotic class if continued treatment is indicated.
Efficient architecture for soft-output massive MIMO detection with Gauss-Seidel method

In massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) uplink, the minimum mean square error (MMSE) algorithm is near-optimal and linear, but still suffers from high-complexity of matrix inversion. Based on Gauss-Seidel (GS) method, an efficient architecture for massive MIMO soft-output detection is proposed in this paper. To further accelerate the convergence rate of the conventional GS method with acceptable overhead complexity, a truncated Neumann series of the first 2 terms, is employed for initialization. The architecture can meet various application requirements by flexibly adjusting the number of iterations. FPGA implementation for a 128 × 8 MIMO demonstrates its advantages in both hardware efficiency and flexibility.
Liposome-loaded thermo-sensitive hydrogel for stabilization of SN-38 via intratumoral injection: optimization, characterization, and antitumor activity

Abstract Main challenges of the clinical use of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) are its facile transition between the active lactone form (SN-38 A) and the inactive carboxylate form (SN-38I) under physiological conditions and its low solubility. The purpose of this study was to develop a thermo-sensitive hydrogel system with acidic SN-38 liposomes (SN-38-Lip-Gel) for local chemotherapy to solve these problems and to evaluate its antitumor activity and tissue distribution in tumor-bearing mice. A study of structural conversion between SN-38I and SN-38 A under various pH conditions indicated that acidic solution could inhibit the conversion. Namely, a preparation with low pH was essential to stabilize lactone form of SN-38. SN-38-Lip-Gel had an appropriate gelation time (GT) at 25/37 °C. The particle size of SN-38-Lip-Gel was similar to that of SN-38-Lip. SN-38-Lip-Gel showed a slower release than SN-38-Lip in vitro. SN-38-Lip-Gel suggested pH-dependent stability, the percentage of SN-38 A remaining decreased along with the increasing pH. In vivo studies SN-38-Lip-Gel showed better antitumor efficacy and lower systemic toxicity compared with other groups at the same drug dose. In conclusion, SN-38-Lip-Gel could improve the effective use of SN-38 by stabilizing the lactone form, extending the drug release, providing a high local drug concentration, and reducing systemic toxicity.
Cytoskeletal architecture regulates cyclooxygenase‐2 in human endothelial cells: Autocrine modulation by prostacyclin

Endothelium is a highly dynamic tissue that controls vascular homeostasis. This requires constant rearrangements of the shape or function of endothelial cells that cannot set aside the role of the cytoskeleton. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms by means of which cytoskeletal alterations induce cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) expression in human endothelial cells using compounds that interfere with microtubule or actin architecture. Microtubule disruption by nocodazole markedly increased Cox‐2 expression and activity, and provoked paracellular gap formation, a cardinal feature of endothelial barrier dysfunction. The Cox‐2 metabolite prostacyclin down‐regulated Cox‐2 through an autocrine receptor‐mediated mechanism, and partially prevented the disassembly of endothelial monolayers. There was also an interaction between microtubules and actin filaments in nocodazole‐induced Cox‐2 expression. Nocodazole provoked the dissolution of the F‐actin cortical ring and stress fiber formation, increased actin glutathionylation, and concomitantly lowered intracellular levels of reduced glutathione. The restoration of glutathione levels by N‐acetylcysteine opposed Cox‐2 expression and preserved the integrity of endothelial monolayers. Among the signaling pathways connecting microtubule disruption with Cox‐2 up‐regulation, crucial roles are played by Src family kinase activation, serine/threonine phosphatase 2A inhibition, and the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase p38. Our findings provide a mechanistic insight into the observation that Cox‐2 is induced in endothelial cells under cytoskeleton‐perturbing conditions such as those occurring in the presence of atherogenic/inflammatory stimuli and oxidative stress. In this scenario, Cox‐2 up‐regulation by endothelia exposed to noxious conditions can be considered protective of the vasodilatory and anti‐thrombotic properties of the vessel wall. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3847–3856, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment of established human graft-versus-host disease by antithymocyte globulin.

Forty successful marrow grafts have been carried out since April 1972 for the treatment of severe refractory aplastic anemia or acute leukemia. All patients were HL-A identical and nonreactive in mixed leukocyte culture tests with the marrow donor. Nineteen of the patients developed moderately severe to severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and were treated with rabbit or goat antihuman antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Under ATG therapy, 12 of the 19 showed complete resolution of GVHD, five showed improvement of most organ systems involved, and two showed no change except for improvement in skin lesions. Six of the 19 became long-term survivors. Five of the six are alive between 276 and 629 days after grafting, and one died on day 346 with chronic respiratory failure. Of the remaining 13 patients, 11 died with interstitial pneumonitis of predominantly viral etiology, and two died with fungal and bacterial infections. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the relative effectiveness of ATG in reversing human GVHD. Death with interstitial pneumonitis was the single most serious impediment to successful treatment of GVHD by ATG.
Cytofluorimetric and functional analysis of c-kit receptor in acute leukemia.

The SR-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) recognizes an epitope of the c-kit receptor (KR), present on normal hemopoietic CD34+ stem cells as well as on blasts from patients with acute leukemia. Cytometric analysis by indirect immunofluorescence with the SR-1 MoAb was performed in 98 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and in 37 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in order to detect the presence of the KR and to examine its prognostic significance. Sixty-nine of 98 (70%) AML patients were SR-1 positive independently of the FAB subtype, although a higher incidence of SR-1 positive cases was observed in M4 and M5 AML and in those cases that also coexpressed lymphoid antigens. Fourteen AML samples were studied by Northern blot analysis and the KR mRNA was detected in the majority of SR-1 positive cases and also in 2 of 3 SR-1 negative samples. Furthermore, "in vitro" cultures from 15 cases showed that recombinant human Stem cell factor (rhSCF) induced an increased proliferative activity in most tested cases (11/15); this was further enhanced when rhSCF was combined with rhIL-3 + rhGM-CSF (p = 0.007) and with the GM-CSF/IL-3 fusion protein PIXY321 (p = 0.003). Thirty-seven ALL cases were also studied and all but one were SR-1 negative. Interestingly, the only SR-1 positive case also coexpressed myeloid antigens and showed an "in vitro" response when stimulated with rhSCF. Finally, the complete remission (CR) rate, survival and event-free survival were evaluated in 75 AML patients who received standard and identical chemotherapy; unlike previous studies which utilized a different anti-KR MoAb (YB5.B8) and which showed a poor prognosis for KR positive patients, we were unable to document any significant difference in CR rate, survival and event-free survival.
Cigar, cigarillo, and little cigar use among current cigarette-smoking adolescents.

INTRODUCTION Cigar, cigarillo, and little cigar (CCLC) use is prevalent among adolescents, particularly among those who smoke cigarettes. METHODS Using data from a longitudinal study of smoking patterns among adolescents, we examined differences between CCLC users (ever and past 30 days) and nonusers (never and not in the past 30 days) among adolescents who smoked a cigarette in the last month (n = 486). RESULTS In our sample, 76.7% reported ever trying CCLC and 40.7% reported past month CCLC use. Bivariate analyses showed that CCLC users differed from nonusers in terms of demographics, other forms of tobacco use, other substance use, and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that both ever and past 30-day CCLC use were strongly associated with being male and concurrent use of hookah. Ever CCLC use was also strongly associated with recent use of alcohol, and past 30-day CCLC use was strongly associated with antisocial behavior. After controlling for the number of days on which cigarettes were smoked in the past 30 days, past 30-day CCLC use was associated with most other forms of tobacco use, other substance use, and mental health, but not with number of cigarettes smoked in the past month and nicotine dependence. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that CCLC use is high among adolescent cigarette users and is associated with a variety of negative correlates. Importantly, many of these relationships are not accounted for by the adolescent's level of cigarette use. Further characterizing CCLC use will be important for developing more targeted and tailored interventions.
IMMUNE COMPLEXES IN THE SPUTUM OF PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA LUNG INFECTION

12 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected with mucoid P. aeruginosa and presenting multiple precipitins in serum against this bacterium and 12 patients without P. aeruginosa infection were examined for occurrence of soluble immune complexes in their sputum sol phase by a complement consumption assay and a solid phase rheumatoid factor binding assay. The correlation between the results obtained in the two assays was significant (r = 0.625, p<0.01). The patients chronically infected with P. aeruginosa showed a significantly (p<0.01) higher frequency of immune complex activity in their sputum sol phase, as compared to the patients without P. aeruginosa lung infection. These findings point to the possibility that chronic lung infection with mucoid P. aeruginosa in CF may be an immune complex disease.
Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of double-modality therapy, phonophoresis and cryotherapy in the management of musculoskeletal injuries in adult Nigerian subjects.

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of double-modality therapy, phonophoresis and cryotherapy in the management of pain among subjects who suffered from musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). Sixty (60) subjects were assigned randomly to one of three groups: DMT group (n=20) received cryotherapy and 15% methyl salicylate phonophoresis, PHONO group (n=20) received 15% methyl salicylate phonophoresis and CRYO group (n=20) received cryotherapy and "sham‟ phonophoresis. Ultrasound at an intensity of 1.5 W/cm² and frequency of 1MHz was used to apply methyl salicylate while intermittent cryotherapy was the mode of application. Subjects‟ pre- and post-treatment pain perception scores (PPS) using visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed and the sessions of treatment in all groups were recorded. Treatment was administered on alternate days and discharges were made in all groups when subjects were pain free. A total of 275 treatment sessions was recorded - 72 (26.2%) in DMT, 105 (38.2%) in PHONO and 98 (35.6%) in CRYO group respectively which indicated no significant difference (P>0.05). Nineteen (19), thirteen (13) and twelve (12) subjects were pain free in DMT, CRYO or PHONO groups respectively after 1 to 5 treatments. The difference in the severity of pain was significant (P<0.05) in each group post-treatment which suggests that DMT, phonophoresis and cryotherapy were equally effective. The study has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of DMT, but it was not superior to the single treatment protocol of phonophoresis or cryotherapy. However, it might take fewer sessions in the DMT group to treat and make more than 90% of the subjects pain free and fit to return to active performance.
CYP3A activity in severe liver cirrhosis correlates with Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores.

AIMS Impaired liver function often necessitates drug dose adjustment to avoid excessive drug accumulation and adverse events, but a marker for the extent of the required adjustment is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Child-Pugh (CP) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores correlate with drug clearance. METHODS Midazolam was used as a CYP3A probe and its pharmacokinetics were analyzed in 24 patients with mild to severe liver cirrhosis (n = 4, 10 and 10 with CP class A, B and C, respectively) and six patients without liver disease. RESULTS Both scores correlated well with unbound midazolam clearance (CLu ), unbound midazolam fraction and half-life (all P < 0.01), whereas the unbound steady-state volume of distribution was not significantly changed. In patients with severe liver cirrhosis unbound midazolam clearance was only 14% of controls (CP C: CLu = 843 ± 346 l h(-1), MELD ≥ 15: CLu = 805 ± 474 l h(-1), controls: CLu = 5815 ± 2649 l h(-1), P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The correlation with unbound midazolam clearance suggests that either score predicts the metabolic capacity of CYP3A, the most relevant drug metabolizing enzyme subfamily in humans.
Correlation between Quantitative PCR and Culture-Based Methods for Measuring Enterococcus spp. over Various Temporal Scales at Three California Marine Beaches

ABSTRACT Several studies have examined how fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) measurements compare between quantitative PCR (qPCR) and the culture methods it is intended to replace. Here, we extend those studies by examining the stability of that relationship within a beach, as affected by time of day and seasonal variations in source. Enterococcus spp. were quantified at three southern California beaches in the morning and afternoon using two qPCR assays, membrane filtration, and defined-substrate testing. While qPCR and culture-based measurements were consistently and significantly correlated, strength of the correlation varied both among and within beaches. Correlations were higher in the morning (0.45 < ρ < 0.74 [P < 0.002]) than in the afternoon (0.18 < ρ < 0.45 [P < 0.021]) and higher when the fecal contamination was concentrated (0.38 < ρ < 0.83 [P < 0.001]) than when it was diffuse (0.19 < ρ < 0.34 [P < 0.003]). The ratios of culture-based and qPCR results (CFU or most probable number [MPN] per calibrator cell equivalents [CCE]) also varied spatially and temporally. Ratios ranged between 0.04 and 0.85 CFU or MPN per CCE and were lowest at the beach affected by diffuse pollution. Patterns in the ratios over the course of the day were dissimilar across beaches, increasing with time at one beach and decreasing at another. The spatial and temporal variability we observed indicate that the empirical relationship between culture-based and qPCR results is not universal, even within a beach.
A 0.013mm2 5μW DC-coupled neural signal acquisition IC with 0.5V supply

Recent success in brain-machine interfaces has provided hope for patients with spinal-cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, and other debilitating neurological conditions [1], and has boosted interest in electronic recording of cortical signals. State-of-the-art recording solutions [2–5] rely heavily on analog techniques at relatively high supply voltages to perform signal conditioning and filtering, leading to large silicon area and limited programmability. We present a neural interface in 65nm CMOS and operating at a 0.5V supply that obtains performance comparable or superior to state-of-the-art systems in a silicon area over 3× smaller. These results are achieved by using a scalable architecture that avoids on-chip passives and takes advantage of high-density logic. The use of 65nm CMOS eases integration with low-power digital systems, while the low supply voltage makes the design more compatible with wireless powering schemes [6].
A functional assessment of handmouthing among persons with severe and profound intellectual disability*

Abstract Background The behavioural function of handmouthing has been assessed across various studies utilising analogue functional analyses. The aim of the current study was to expand upon research on this relatively understudied behaviour by examining the relationship between handmouthing and Gastro‐Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), and the potential variables maintaining this challenging behaviour in 30 individuals with intellectual disability. Method First, the relationship of GERD to handmouthing was examined. Second, the behavioural function of handmouthing was assessed with an indirect functional assessment, the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF). Results We found that a diagnosis of GERD was present with greater frequency among individuals with handmouthing than among matched peers who did not engage in handmouthing. Non‐social reinforcement was most frequently endorsed as a behavioural function of this challenging behaviour. Discussion Although individuals with handmouthing exhibited more GERD than those who did not handmouth, the findings suggest that handmouthing was most often maintained by non‐social reinforcement. The importance of utilising functional assessment methodology for the assessment and treatment of handmouthing is discussed.
The Theory of Vying for Dominance in Dynamic Network Formation

In many networks, a few highly central nodes have out-sized impacts on the behavior of the system and generate a large amount of value from their position, but what determines which nodes become central? We hypothesize that the timing of entry into the network can play a critical role. In this paper, we present a new dynamic model of network formation with history dependence, growth, and forward looking strategic agents. These features can generate novel strategic behaviors such as (cid:16)vying for dominance,(cid:17) whereby an individual makes many connections as he joins the network because he expects doing so will attract more connections from later nodes. We (cid:28)nd that all players either vie for dominance or play myopically in equilibrium. Furthermore, if we assume players use a novelty seeking tie-breaking rule, the solution is characterized by periodic vying for dominance separated by periods of low connection, myopic play. Because vying becomes more expensive as the network grows, the time between pro(cid:28)table vying opportunities increases exponentially over time, and the network becomes more stagnant.