Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Periodontal tissue alterations following Emdogain treatment of periodontal sites with angular bone defects. A series of case reports.

UNLABELLED The aim of the present study was to assess the predictability of probing attachment gain and probing pocket depth reduction following Emdogain treatment at sites with deep angular bone defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS 108 consecutively-treated periodontal patients (mean age 55.8 years) were included. Each subject exhibited at least 1 deep interproximal intrabony defect that could be identified as an experimental site based on the inclusion criteria: (i) probing pocket depth > or = 5 mm, (ii) probing attachment loss > or = 6 mm, (iii) radiographic evidence of an interproximal bone defect with a > or = 3 mm intrabony component. A total of 145 defects met the criteria for inclusion. All subjects received non-surgical periodontal therapy. This included subgingival instrumentation in all parts of the dentition. At least 6 months after the completion of this treatment, a baseline examination was performed to characterise the experimental site. Reconstructive therapy was subsequently performed. Full-thickness periodontal flaps were elevated, and the root surface scaled and planed. No bone recontouring was performed. A gel containing 24% EDTA was applied on the exposed root and was kept in place for 2 min. A preparation of enamel matrix proteins was applied to the root surface and adjacent defect space. The flaps were replaced and closed with sutures. The experimental sites were re-examined 12 months after reconstructive surgery. RESULTS The re-examination demonstrated that a treatment including the application of enamel matrix proteins at periodontal sites with angular defects resulted in a mean probing attachment level gain of 4.6 mm and a probing pocket depth reduction of 5.2 mm. 87% of all sites treated exhibited a probing attachment gain of > 2 mm. One site suffered probing attachment loss. The radiographic assessments revealed that the bone defect had been reduced in depth by 2.9 mm on average. The reduction in defect size corresponded to an average bone fill of 69% of the original defect. In 43% of the defects, the bone fill amounted to > or = 80%. CONCLUSION The overall probing pocket depth reduction, probing attachment level gain, and soft tissue recession, that results following Emdogain therapy, is similar to the corresponding outcome variables following GTR.
Nutritional Knowledge, Practice, and Dietary Habits among school Children and Adolescents

Background: Although nutritional status of children and adolescents is of great concern various interventions and modifications aiming at promotion of healthy eating behaviors have limited impact due to insufficient understanding of dietary habits between different age groups and genders. The aim of this study in not only evaluation of nutritional knowledge, practice, and dietary habits of primary school and junior high school students in Isfahan province, but also this research explore crucial differences regarding gender and living area of the above-mentioned population in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4700 primary school and junior high school pupils in Isfahan province. Data were collected through standard 24-h recall food frequency questionnaire and researcher-designed questionnaire. Independent t-test was applied for comparison of mean values of total units of consumed food materials. Qualitative variables were compared by using the Chi-square test. Data were analyzed by ACCESS 2010 and SPSS 18 software. Results: Nutritional knowledge of female pupils and junior high school students was higher than their male and elementary school students respectively; still, theses superiorities did not lead to higher practice score. Bread and cereals group received daily intakes in accordance with food and drug administration (FDA) recommendations. Indeed, vegetables, milk, and dairy products, as well as meat daily intakes, were lower than the FDA recommendation, whereas fats, oils, and sugars intakes were higher. In comparison to females, male participants had significantly lower consumption of vegetables and fruits whilst they had a higher intake of carbohydrates, fats, and meats. Conclusions: Our results showed that adolescents failed to meet sufficient nutritional requirements, and they had an imbalanced diet, which was considerably low in several essential nutrients and high in some food materials.
Altered ghrelin and peptide YY responses to meals in bulimia nervosa

Objective In recent years great advances have been made in our understanding of the peripheral signals produced within the gastrointestinal tract that regulate appetite, such as ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY). While ghrelin elicites hunger signals, PYY elicites satiety. Therefore, alterations in hormone physiology may play a role in the pathogenesis of bulimia nervosa (BN). In this study, we investigated the postprandial profile of ghrelin and PYY levels in patients with BN.
Loss of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 in mice leads to progressive ectopic mineralization of spinal tissues resembling diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in humans

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a noninflammatory spondyloarthropathy, characterized by ectopic calcification of spinal tissues. Symptoms include spine pain and stiffness, and in severe cases dysphagia and spinal cord compression. The etiology of DISH is unknown and there are no specific treatments. Recent studies have suggested a role for purine metabolism in the regulation of biomineralization. Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) transfers hydrophilic nucleosides, such as adenosine, across the plasma membrane. In mice lacking ENT1, we observed the development of calcified lesions resembling DISH. By 12 months of age, ENT1–/– mice exhibited signs of spine stiffness, hind limb dysfunction, and paralysis. Micro–computed tomography (µCT) revealed ectopic mineralization of paraspinal tissues in the cervical‐thoracic region at 2 months of age, which extended to the lumbar and caudal regions with advancing age. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis of lesions revealed a high content of calcium and phosphorus with a ratio similar to that of cortical bone. At 12 months of age, histological examination of ENT1–/– mice revealed large, irregular accumulations of eosinophilic material in paraspinal ligaments and entheses, intervertebral discs, and sternocostal articulations. There was no evidence of mineralization in appendicular joints or blood vessels, indicating specificity for the axial skeleton. Plasma adenosine levels were significantly greater in ENT1–/– mice than in wild‐type, consistent with loss of ENT1—a primary adenosine uptake pathway. There was a significant reduction in the expression of Enpp1, Ank, and Alpl in intervertebral discs from ENT1–/– mice compared to wild‐type mice. Elevated plasma levels of inorganic pyrophosphate in ENT1–/– mice indicated generalized disruption of pyrophosphate homeostasis. This is the first report of a role for ENT1 in regulating the calcification of soft tissues. Moreover, ENT1–/– mice may be a useful model for investigating pathogenesis and evaluating therapeutics for the prevention of mineralization in DISH and related disorders. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
How do oil supply and demand shocks affect Asian stock markets?

This paper examines how oil market shocks affect Asian stock prices using the structural vector autoregression (VAR) approach. Global oil supply and demand shocks are disentangled using sign restrictions and elasticity bounds. Oil price increases are bad news only if the source is from oil-market-specific demand shifts. Northeast Asian stock markets are more resilient as investors’ expectation of continued economic growth outweighs the adverse effect of higher oil prices. Increased global economic activity also stimulates stock prices. Global oil shocks are more important in explaining variability in Asian stock returns compared with the United States, suggesting different dynamics in Asia.
Use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants and young children

Introduction : The inclusion of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in the immunization schedule of infants and young children has greatly reduced the incidence of invasive and non-invasive diseases due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, as PCV7 has some limitations, new vaccines containing more pneumococcal serotypes have been developed. Only two of these have so far reached the market: a 10-valent preparation containing the PCV7 serotypes plus serotypes 1, 5 and 7F (PCV10), and a 13-valent vaccine containing the PCV7 serotypes plus serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F and 19A (PCV13). Areas covered : The main aim of this review is to discuss the reasons that have led to the formulation of PCV13, its immunogenicity, safety and tolerability and the recommendations concerning its use in children. Expert opinion : There is no doubt that a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine with the composition of PCV13 has significantly increased the possibility of preventing pneumococcal disease. Its immunogenicity, safety and tolerability seem to be optimal, as does its cost-effectiveness. However, despite these favorable premises, it cannot be considered the final preparation for the prevention of pneumococcal disease, and it is likely that a new vaccine capable of covering all pneumococcal serotypes will be needed in the future.
Surgical pleth index: prediction of postoperative pain and influence of arousal.

BACKGROUND There are conflicting reports concerning the outcome after anaesthesia guided by the surgical pleth index (SPI; GE Healthcare, Helsinki, Finland). One potential explanation may be the lack of evidence for the selection of SPI cut-off values. The aim of this trial was to investigate the correlation between SPI, arousal, and postoperative pain and to define a cut-off value for SPI to predict moderate-to-severe pain. METHODS After obtaining ethical approval and written informed consent, 70 patients undergoing non-emergency surgery were enrolled. Data relating to SPI, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and state entropy were recorded every 10 s for the last 10 min of surgery (state entropy <60 at all times). Subsequently, recordings continued during the phase of arousal. After recovery room admission, pain scores (numerical rating scale 0-10) were obtained every 3 min for 15 min. RESULTS Data from 65 patients were analysed. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed an optimal intraoperative cut-off SPI value of 30 to discriminate between numerical rating scale scores 0-3 and 4-10. For this value, the negative and positive predictive values to discriminate between numerical rating scale scores 0-3 and 4-10 were 50 and 89.7%, respectively. The SPI was significantly affected by arousal, and SPI scores obtained during this phase were not predictive of postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS Surgical pleth index values are predictive of postoperative pain only if obtained before patient arousal. In contrast to previous studies, a relatively low SPI, >30, appears to predict pain with a high positive predictive value and may therefore be suggested for future studies of SPI-guided anaesthesia. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000804583.
Multiple antibodies to titin immunoreact with AHNAK and localize to the mitotic spindle machinery.

Recently, the large filamentous striated-muscle protein titin has been observed in non-muscle cells, and, in one instance, has been proposed to have a nuclear function as a chromosomal component contributing to structure and elasticity. In this study, we sought to further characterize the presumptive nuclear isoform of titin. Immunofluorescence microscopy with multiple titin-specific monoclonal antibodies shows localization to the nucleus in interphase cells and to the spindle machinery in mitotic cells in all cell types examined; localization to condensed chromosomes is not observed. An abundant 700-kDa phosphoprotein is the predominant species immunoprecipitated with these antibodies. Sequencing of peptide fragments of the immunopurified protein reveals identity to AHNAK, a nuclear phosphoprotein, an identification that was confirmed by Western blot analysis with antibodies to AHNAK and peptide fragmentation patterns. Sequence comparison suggests similarities between the repetitive heptad phi+/-phiP+/-phi+/- motif in AHNAK and the PEVK region of titin, potentially explaining the cross-reactivity observed between AHNAK antibodies and titin antibodies. Interestingly, although some AHNAK antibodies stain interphase nuclei, no evidence of mitotic spindle localization is seen, suggesting that the identity of the protein at the latter location is more closely related to titin than AHNAK. This concept is further supported by observations that cell lines not expressing AHNAK have similar antititin antibody localization to the mitotic spindle. We conclude that (1) multiple titin antibodies, particularly those recognizing the PEVK region, cross-react with AHNAK, and (2) the mitotic spindle staining observed with antititin antibodies is most likely due to the association of titin or a titin-like molecule with this structure.
Accurate Measurement of Bone Mineral Density Using Clinical CT Imaging With Single Energy Beam Spectral Intensity Correction

Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) offers an effective measurement of bone mineral density, it only provides a 2-D projected measurement of the bone mineral density. Clinical computed tomography (CT) imaging will have to be employed for measurement of 3-D bone mineral density. The typical dual energy process requires precise measurement of the beam spectral intensity at the 80 kVp and 120 kVp settings. However, this is not used clinically because of the extra radiation dosage and sophisticated hardware setup. We propose an accurate and fast approach to measure bone material properties with single energy scans. Beam hardening artifacts are eliminated by incorporating the polychromatic characteristics of the X-ray beam into the reconstruction process. Bone mineral measurement from single energy CT correction is compared with that of dual energy correction and the commonly used DXA. Experimental results show that single energy correction is compatible with dual energy CT correction in eliminating beam hardening artifacts and producing an accurate measurement of bone mineral density. We can then estimate Young's modulus, yield stress, yield strain and ultimate tensile stress of the bone, which are important data for patient specific therapy planning.
Role of the M2-1 Transcription Antitermination Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Sequential Transcription

ABSTRACT M2-1 protein of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a transcription antitermination factor that is important for the efficient synthesis of full-length mRNAs as well as for the synthesis of polycistronic readthrough mRNAs, which are characteristic of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses. The contributions of these effects to RSV sequential transcription were investigated with minigenomes which contained one to five genes which were either foreign marker genes or authentic RSV genes. When evaluated on a promoter-proximal gene, the effect of M2-1 on the synthesis of full-length mRNA was much greater for a long (1,212- or 1,780-nucleotide) gene (up to a 615-fold increase) than for a short (274-nucleotide) gene (less than a 2-fold increase). This was independent of whether the gene contained non-RSV or RSV-specific sequence. Once the polymerase had terminated prematurely, it was unable to reinitiate at a downstream gene. These studies also confirmed that M2-1 enhances the synthesis of polycistronic mRNAs and that the magnitude of this effect varied greatly among different naturally occurring gene junctions. The synthesis of polycistronic mRNAs, which presumably involves antitermination at the gene-end signal, required a higher level of M2-1 than did the synthesis of the corresponding monocistronic mRNAs. M2-1 did not have a comparable antitermination effect at the junction between the leader region and the first gene. In a minigenome containing the NS1 and NS2 genes in their authentic sequence context, synthesis of full-length NS1 and NS2 mRNAs in the absence of M2-1 was remarkably high (36 and 57%, respectively, of the maximum levels observed in the presence of M2-1). In contrast, synthesis of mRNA from additional downstream genes was highly dependent on M2-1. Thus, RSV has the potential for two transcription programs: one in the absence of M2-1, in which only the NS1 and NS2 genes are transcribed, and one in the presence of M2-1, in which sequential transcription of the complete genome occurs. The dependence on M2-1 for transcription was greater for a gene in the fifth position from the promoter than for one in the third position. This indicates that under conditions where M2-1 is limiting, its concentration affects the gradient of transcription. Although M2-1 was found to have profound effects on transcription, it had no effect on replication of any minigenome tested, suggesting that it is not an active participant in RNA replication or regulation of RNA replication. Finally, since a permissive RSV infection is marked by a gradual increase in the intracellular accumulation of viral proteins including M2-1, we examined the relative abundances of various mRNAs during RSV infection for evidence of temporal regulation of transcription. None was found, implying that the availability of M2-1 during a permissive infection is sufficient at all times such that its concentration does not mediate temporal regulation of gene transcription.
Investigation of toxin gene diversity, molecular epidemiology, and antimicrobial resistance of Clostridium difficile isolated from 12 hospitals in South Korea.

BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The objective of this study was to characterize clinical isolates of C. difficile obtained from various regions in Korea with regard to their toxin status, molecular type, and antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODS We analyzed a total of 408 C. difficile isolates obtained between 2006 and 2008 from 408 patients with diarrhea in 12 South Korean teaching hospitals. C. difficile toxin genes tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, and cdtB were detected by PCR. Molecular genotyping was performed by PCR ribotyping. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the 120 C. difficile isolates were assessed by agar dilution methods. RESULTS Among 337 toxigenic isolates, 105 were toxin A-negative and toxin B-positive (A(-)B(+)) and 29 were binary toxin-producing strains. PCR ribotyping showed 50 different ribotype patterns. The 5 most frequently occurring ribotypes comprised 62.0% of all identified ribotypes. No isolate was susceptible to cefoxitin, and all except 1 were susceptible to piperacillin and piperacillin-tazobactam. The resistance rates of isolates to imipenem, cefotetan, moxifloxacin, ampicillin, and clindamycin were 25%, 34%, 42%, 51%, and 60%, respectively. The isolates showed no resistance to metronidazole or vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS This is the first nationwide study on the toxin status, including PCR ribotyping and antimicrobial resistance, of C. difficile isolates in Korea. The prevalence of A-B+ strains was 25.7%, much higher than that reported from other countries. Binary toxin-producing strains accounted for 7.1% of all strains, which was not rare in Korea. The most prevalent ribotype was ribotype 017, and all A-B+ strains showed this pattern. We did not isolate strains with decreased susceptibility to metronidazole or vancomycin.
Proteomic analysis of opsins and thyroid hormone-induced retinal development using isotope-coded affinity tags (ICAT) and mass spectrometry.

PURPOSE Analyses that reveal the relative abundance of proteins are informative in elucidating mechanisms of retinal development and disease progression. However, popular high-throughput proteomic methods do not reliably detect opsin protein abundance, which serve as markers of photoreceptor differentiation. We utilized thyroid-hormone (TH) treatment of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a model of cone apoptosis and cone regeneration. We used this model to investigate if emerging proteomic technology allows effective analysis of retinal development and opsin protein abundance. We also sought to begin a characterization of proteomic changes in the retina occurring with TH treatment and address whether TH affects proliferation or photoreceptor differentiation. METHODS Retinal homogenates were prepared from control and TH-treated fish. Peptides from control and treated homogenates were differentially labeled, using isotope-code affinity tags (ICAT) and analyzed using capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (capLC-ESI-MS/MS). This method identifies proteins and quantifies their relative abundance between two samples. RESULTS The relative abundance of many retinal proteins changed during TH treatment. These included proteins from every functional class. We detected 1,684 different peptides, and our quantification suggests that 94 increased and 146 decreased in abundance more than 50% during TH treatment. Cell-cycle proteins appear to be increased, consistent with TH-inducing cell proliferation, similar to its effect in Xenopus. Other proteins associated with retinal development, such as deltaA and tubulins, changed in abundance during TH treatment. Rod opsin and three cone opsins were identified and the relative abundance of each changed with TH treatment. CONCLUSIONS ICAT and capLC-ESI-MS/MS are an effective complement to other molecular approaches that investigate the mechanisms of retinal development. Unlike other proteomic techniques, this approach does not require development of species- or tissue-specific methodology, such as characterizing two dimensional (2D) gels or antibodies, in order to be practical as a high-throughput approach. Importantly, this technology was able to assess the relative abundance of opsin proteins. These findings represent the first high-throughput proteomic analysis of the retina and demonstrate the technique's ability to provide useful information in retinal development.
Regulation of Sesquiterpene Cyclase Gene Expression (Characterization of an Elicitor- and Pathogen-Inducible Promoter)

The promoter for a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) sesquiterpene cyclase gene, a key regulatory step in sesquiterpene phytoalexin biosynthesis, has been analyzed. The EAS4 promoter was fused to the [beta]-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, and the temporal and spatial expression patterns of GUS activity were examined in stably transformed plants and in transient expression assays using electroporated protoplasts of tobacco. No GUS activity was observed in any tissues under normal growth conditions. A low level of GUS activity was detected in wounded leaf, root, and stem tissues, whereas a much higher level was observed when these tissues were challenged with elicitors or microbial pathogens. The GUS expression pattern directed by the EAS4 promoter was identical to the induction patterns observed for the endogenous sesquiterpene cyclase genes. Neither exogenous salicylic acid nor methyl jasmonate induced GUS expression; and H2O2 induced GUS expression to only a limited extent. Although the EAS4 promoter contains cis-sequences resembling previously identified transcriptional control motifs, other cis-sequences important for quantitative and qualitative gene expression were identified by deletion and gain-of-function analyses. The EAS4 promoter differs from previously described pathogen-/elicitor-inducible promoters because it only supports inducible gene expression and directs unique spatial expression patterns.