Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study

Aims and Objectives: Dental implants have emerged as new treatment modality for the majority of patients and are expected to play a significant role in oral rehabilitation in the future. The present study was conducted to assess various factors affecting the survival rate of dental implants. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics. In this study, 5200 patients with dental implants which were placed during June 2008–April 2015 were included. Exclusion criteria were patients with hormonal imbalance, patients with chronic infectious disease, patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, pregnant women, drug and alcohol addicts, and patients with severe periodontal diseases. Parameters such as name, age, gender, length of implant, diameter of implant, location of implant, and bone quality were recorded. Data were tabulated and statistically evaluated with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. , IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA. Results: Out of 5200 patients, 2800 were males and 2400 females. Maximum implants failures (55) were seen in age group above 60 years of age (males – 550, females –700). Age group <40 years (males – 750, females – 550) showed 20 failed implants. Age group 41–60 years (males – 1500, females – 1150) showed 45 failed implants. The difference was nonsignificant (P = 0.21). Maximum implant failure was seen in implants with length >11.5 mm (40/700) followed by implants with <10 mm (20/1650) and 10–11.5 mm (60/2850). The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Maximum implants failure (30/1000) was seen in implants with diameter <3.75 mm followed by implants with diameter >4.5 mm (16/1600) and implants with diameter 3.75–4.5 mm (50/2600). The Chi-square test showed significant results (P < 0.05). Mandibular posterior showed 3.3% implants failure, maxillary posterior revealed 2.2%, maxillary anterior showed 2.1%, and mandibular anterior showed 1% failure rate; this difference was significant (P < 0.05). Type I bone showed 0.3% implant failure, Type II showed 1.95%, Type III showed 3%, and Type IV revealed 0.8% failure rate; this difference was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Age, length of implant, diameter of implant, bone quality, and region of implant are factors determining the survival rate of implants. We found that implant above 11.5 mm length, and with diameter <3.75 mm, placed in the mandibular posterior region, in Type III bone showed maximum failures.
Major Moderators Influencing the Relationships of Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty

This study examines some major variables moderating the relationships of service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty in mobile phone services. The study employed statistical analyses, such as reliability analysis, factor analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. The results of the study reveal that service quality and customer satisfaction positively affect customer loyalty. In addition, service quality positively influences customer satisfaction. Hence, customers with high perceived service quality and satisfaction also have strong loyalty. Furthermore, the study verifies the fact that moderating variables positively influence the relationships among the aforementioned factors. Among customers with a high level of perceived value, the effect of service quality on customer satisfaction increases. In addition, when customers’ perception of reasonable price increases, the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction increases as well. Finally, the study shows that as perceived switching cost increases, the relationship between satisfaction and customer loyalty strengthens.
Twenty‐four‐hour ambulatory blood pressure in old and very old subjects

Objective To compare clinic and 24-h blood pressure levels and profiles in young elderly (aged 65–79 years) and old elderly (aged ±80 years) subjects. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 108 ambulant subjects (51 males) aged 65–95 years with no known history of hypertension, recruited from the community (55%) and hospital outpatients (35%) and inpatients (10%). Three clinic blood pressure measurements were taken, followed by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and then a further three clinic measurements, the mean of these being defined as the clinic blood pressure. Results Clinic systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in females than males (148±20 versus 136±23 mmHg, P=0.02), but 24-h systolic blood pressure was similar. Mean 24-h and daytime blood pressure levels were significantly lower than clinic blood pressure in females but in males only 24-h systolic blood pressure was lower than the clinic level. In young elderly compared to old elderly females the clinic-daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure difference was significantly reduced (14±22 versus 1±17 mmHg, respectively; P=0.04). A significant nocturnal systolic/diastolic blood pressure fall was seen in young elderly and old elderly males (9±12/7±7 versus 6±11/7±8 mmHg) but in females the nocturnal systolic blood pressure fall was inversely related to age (r = −0.32, P=0.02). Conclusions The white-coat effect is common in young elderly females, but uncommon in very elderly females and males aged ±65 years; a decline in casual blood pressure in the very elderly may partly arise from a reduction in the white-coat effect. Nocturnal blood pressure falls also decline in the very elderly, especially in females.
A pilot study of D-cycloserine in subjects with autistic disorder.

OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the effects of D-cycloserine on the core symptom of social impairment in subjects with autism. METHOD Following a 2-week, single-blind placebo lead-in phase, drug-free subjects with autistic disorder were administered three different doses of D-cycloserine during each of three 2-week periods. Measures used for subject ratings included the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and Aberrant Behavior Checklist. RESULTS Significant improvement was found on the CGI and social withdrawal subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. d-Cycloserine was well tolerated at most of the doses used in this study. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, D-cycloserine treatment resulted in significant improvement in social withdrawal. Further controlled studies of D-cycloserine in autism appear warranted.
Examination of GABAergic and Dopaminergic Compounds in the Acquisition of Nicotine-Conditioned Hyperactivity in Rats

In rats, a distinct environment repeatedly paired with nicotine (0.421 mg/kg base, s.c.) comes to evoke an increase in activity in the absence of any drug. This hyperactivity indicates a Pavlovian-conditioned association between the environment and nicotine. We investigated whether a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist (SCH-23390), a D2/D3 antagonist (eticlopride) or a GABAB agonist (baclofen) would prevent the acquisition of nicotine-conditioned hyperactivity. In saline-pretreated rats, acute nicotine suppressed activity during the conditioning phase (i.e. environment-nicotine pairings); chronic nicotine stimulated activity. Pretreatment with SCH-23390 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated the activating effects of nicotine without affecting controls. Eticlopride (0.03–0.07 mg/kg, i.p.) and baclofen (0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect nicotine-induced activity in a selective manner. Regardless of the pretreatment drug, rats acquired the environment-nicotine association as indexed in a drug-free test. The inability of SCH-23390 to block the acquisition of nicotine-conditioned locomotor activity is notable because in past research SCH-23390 blocked expression of the learned association.
Portfolio risks of bivariate financial returns using copula-VaR approach: A case study on Malaysia and U.S. stock markets

The recent financial turmoil which causes the financial markets to react in a nonlinear way has led to a renewed interest in the modeling of portfolio dependence and risk. Risk can be measured by the traditional VaR measures such as normal VaR and historical simulation. However, it is challenging to estimate the portfolio VaR via parametric methods because of the complexity of modeling the joint multivariate distribution of the assets in the portfolio. Copula model is an alternative method that is able to account for the joint multivariate distribution. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risks of equally and mixed weighted portfolios of the SP500 and KLCI returns using the VaR based copula (copula-VaR) approach. Comparisons between the copula-VaR estimates with the traditional VaR measures were also conducted. This study reveals that the marginal distribution of the SP500 and KLCI return series can be modeled by the ARMA-GARCH models, while the dependence structure between both indices can be described by the Clayton copula. The backtesting results indicate that the copula-VaR provide better estimates of the portfolio risks compared to the normal VaR and historical simulation. Our study also found that the VaR models produce a more accurate risk estimates when a less volatile asset has a higher investment fraction in the portfolio. AMS subject classification: 62P05.
Re-Examining the Determinants of Islamic Bank Performance: New Evidence from Dynamic GMM, Quantile Regression, and Wavelet Coherence Approaches

ABSTRACT This study is the first attempt to conduct a comparative analysis of the internal and external determinants of the Islamic banks’ profitability in the GCC region applying dynamic GMM, quantile regression, and wavelet coherence approaches. The dynamic GMM tends to indicate that equity financing and operating efficiency and macroeconomic variables such as money supply, and inflation are significantly related to Islamic banks’ performance. The bank-specific variables such as credit risk, equity ratio, and cost-efficiency ratios are not significant at different percentiles. ROA is driven by credit risk, equity ratio, and cost-efficiency ratios (as evidenced in wavelet coherence analysis).
Semen Analysis of Patients Who Had Orchidopexy in Childhood

Fertility potential of 135 patients who had an orchidopexy aged between 2 years 7 months and 15 years 8 months has been evaluated using semen analysis. The patients were divided into several groups taking into consideration the following criteria: (1) unilateral (112 cases) and bilateral (23 cases) orchidopexy; (2) the patient's age at the time of the operation: under 6, between 6 and 10, and over 10 years; (3) position of testes at the time of operation: abdominal, canalicular or inguinal. It has been found that increasing age at the time of unilateral orchidopexy the fraction of patients with normospermia decreases and the average number of spermatozoa both in 1 ml and in the sperm liquid as a whole goes down. In the smaller group of the bilateral orchidopexy patients the differences are not statistically significant. The beneficial effect of early operation is more clearly seen in the sub-groups of patients with the same pre-operative testicular position. Since the fertility potential is higher among the earlier operated patients, orchidopexy performed as early as possible (preferably between 1 and 2 years of age) may bring a chance to improve the results of treatment.
Learning for real life: patient‐focused interprofessional workshops offer added value

Objectives This paper reports relevant findings of a pilot interprofessional education (IPE) project in the Schools of Medicine and Healthcare Studies at the University of Leeds. The purpose of the paper is to make a contribution towards answering 2 questions of fundamental importance to the development of IPE. Is there a demonstrable value to learning together? What types of IPE, under what circumstances, produce what type of outcomes?
Evaluation of non‐extracted genital swabs for real‐time HSV PCR

Nucleic acid extraction of clinical samples is accepted as a key requirement in molecular diagnostics. At Barts Health NHS Trust, swabs taken from patients with clinical suspicion of HSV infection were routinely extracted on the Qiagen MDx BioRobot prior to testing with a real‐time triplex PCR for HSV1, HSV2, and VZV. The aim of this study was to adapt an existing HSV1/HSV2/VZV real‐time PCR by replacing VZV with phocine herpesvirus 1 (PhHV) as an internal control (IC) and evaluate whether this adapted assay required the nucleic acid extraction step for predominantly genital swabs. First 313 non‐extracted and extracted swabs were tested in parallel with the existing triplex HSV1/HSV2/VZV real‐time PCR. The second stage involved testing 176 non‐extracted swabs using a triplex real‐time PCR for HSV1, HSV2, and PhHV and comparing the results with the samples extracted and tested by the original triplex assay. The results correlated well when the existing assay was used, with only three non‐extracted samples that would have been reported as negative compared to the extracted sample result (Cqs 33, 39, 35—two samples HSV1, one sample HSV2). In the evaluation using the adapted assay containing the IC, two of 176 samples were discordant, where a HSV negative non‐extracted sample result would have been reported differently to the extracted sample result (Cqs 32, 33—both HSV1). This study demonstrated that it is feasible to test non‐extracted swabs for HSV in a real‐time PCR that includes an IC. J. Med. Virol. 87: 125–129, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relevance of Toll-like receptor-4 polymorphisms in renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND Polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) have been reported to be associated with a blunted immune response to microbial pathogens, as well as a decreased risk of atherosclerosis in the general population. We assessed the impact of the two TLR4 variants on the risk of severe infection, the incidence of acute rejection, and the occurrence of atherosclerotic complications in renal transplant recipients (RTR). METHODS TLR-4 polymorphisms were assessed in a cohort of 238 RTR. Post-transplant atherosclerotic events, acute rejection, severe bacterial infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, and opportunistic infections were evaluated as outcomes. RESULTS The patients were followed for a mean duration of 95 +/- 29 months after transplant. TLR4 polymorphism was observed in 27 (11.3%) RTR. Subjects with TLR4 polymorphisms were less likely to experience post-transplant atherosclerotic events (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.93; P= 0.02) and acute rejection (RR 0.41; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.83; P= 0.01), but presented severe bacterial infections (RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.67; P= 0.01) and opportunistic infections (RR 3.03; 95% CI 1.72 to 8.29; P= 0.008) more frequently. TLR4 polymorphism was marginally associated with CMV disease (RR 1.47; 95% CI 0.95 to 2.64; P= 0.08). CONCLUSION RTR with TLR4 polymorphism present a lower risk of post-transplant atherosclerotic events and acute allograft rejection, but experience severe infectious episodes more frequently. This subset of RTR may benefit from a less potent immunosuppression regimen, along with increased preventive measures against infectious agents.
PRESSOR RESPONSES TO SEROTONIN INJECTED INTO THE NUCLEUS TRACTUS SOLITARIUS OF SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS AND SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Previous studies in rats have shown that injection of nanomoles of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5HT) into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) acts on 5HT3 receptors to increase arterial pressure (AP). We investigated the effect of 5HT in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Injection of nanomoles of 5HT into the NTS of chloralose-anesthetized SD rats increased AP. This effect was inhibited by prior injection of 5HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline did not inhibit the effect of 5HT. Bilateral injection of 5HT or ondansetron did not affect the baroreflex sensitivity. Bilateral injection of ondansetron did not alter AP. The pressor effect of 5HT was exaggerated in SHR. These results suggest that stimulation of 5HT3 receptors in the NTS increases AP independently of activation of GABAA receptors and the baroreflex sensitivity. Furthermore, this serotonergic system is supersensitive in the NTS of SHR.
Comparison of two commercial test kits for quantification of serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin.

Serum levels of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) were measured in subjects of two independent studies using two different commercial kits. The kits measure CDT either as a percentage of total transferrin (AXIS %CDT, AXIS Biochemicals AS, Norway), or as the absolute amount (CDTect, Pharmacia, Sweden). In a population of males (mean age 41 years) consisting of alcoholics, heavy, moderate and non-drinkers, a strong correlation was found between AXIS %CDT and CDTect results (r = 0.92, n = 58, P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity in detecting chronic alcoholic drinking of over 60 g/day were 78 and 94% for the AXIS assay, and 83 and 88% for the CDTect assay, respectively. In a population from a birth cohort study, consisting of 21-year-old males and females with less excessive alcohol consumption, the correlation between AXIS %CDT and CDTect CDT was weaker but still statistically significant (r = 0.46, n = 212, P < 0.001). In this population, with specificities > 83% in detecting alcohol consumption levels of > or = 6 drinks per week, the sensitivities were low with both CDT assays (< 43% for > or = 6 drinks per week, and < 44% for > or = 16 drinks per week). These results suggest that (a) both assays are equally effective in detecting chronic drinking over 60 g/day in older alcoholic males, and (b) both assays are similarly ineffective in detecting less excessive regular drinking in young males and females.
MicroRNAs miR‐125b and miR‐100 suppress metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by disrupting the formation of vessels that encapsulate tumour clusters

We have previously shown that vessels that encapsulated tumour cluster (VETC), a prevalent vascular pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), facilitates the entry of the whole tumour cluster into the bloodstream in an invasion‐independent manner, and that angiopoietin 2 (Angpt2), the levels of which are increased in HCC cells, is essential for VETC formation. However, the mechanisms underlying VETC formation remains unclear. Herein, we characterized miR‐125b and miR‐100 as novel VETC suppressors by using human HCC specimens, and cell and animal models. We showed that reduced expression of either miR‐125b or miR‐100 in human HCC tissues was significantly associated with the presence of VETC, venous invasion of tumour cells, and the occurrence of endothelium‐coated microemboli. To confirm the role of miR‐125b and miR‐100 in VETC formation and HCC metastasis, cell lines with stable miR‐125b and miR‐100 expression were established by using human VETC‐2 cells and mouse Hepa1‐6 cells, the hepatoma cells that developed xenografts with VETC patterns. Our results showed that expression of miR‐125b or miR‐100 in VETC‐2 and Hepa1‐6 cells dramatically reduced VETC formation in xenografts, and consequently inhibited in vivo metastasis, suggesting that miR‐125b and miR‐100 may attenuate metastasis by repressing VETC formation. Further investigation revealed that miR‐125b directly suppressed the expression of Angpt2 by binding to its 3′‐untranslated region, whereas miR‐100 reduced the protein level of Angpt2 by targeting mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) and blocking the MTOR–p70S6K signalling pathway. Moreover, the suppressive effect of miR‐125b and miR‐100 on VETC formation was abrogated by injecting Angpt2‐expressing viruses into xenografts. Taken together, our findings imply that miR‐125b and miR‐100 negatively regulate Angpt2 expression through different mechanisms, in turn inhibit VETC formation, and consequently abrogate the VETC‐dependent metastasis of hepatoma cells. This study uncovers new regulatory mechanisms of VETC formation, identifies novel functions of miR‐125b and miR‐100, and provides new targets for antimetastasis therapy of HCC. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor necrosis factor as an autocrine and paracrine signal controlling the macrophage secretory response to Candida albicans

We have previously demonstrated that the hyphal form of Candida albicans (H-Candida), but not the yeast form (Y-Candida), acts as a macrophage-stimulating agent. The early response (1 to 3 h) of the macrophage cell line ANA-1 to H-Candida results in enhanced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) transcription and production. Here we show that when coincubation times are prolonged (3 to 24 h), Y-Candida also exhibits stimulatory properties. This phenomenon has been ascribed to the occurrence of the dimorphic transition, as demonstrated by microscopic evaluation of the cultures and by experiments in which both killed Y-Candida and the agerminative strain C. albicans PCA-2 failed to induce cytokine production. TNF produced in response to H-Candida acts as an autocrine and paracrine signal controlling the macrophage secretory response to C. albicans. In fact, addition of anti-TNF polyclonal antibodies to the coculture of ANA-1 macrophages and H-Candida results in a marked and time-dependent decrease of TNF transcript levels. Moreover, pretreatment of macrophages with recombinant TNF for 3 h enhances TNF and induces interleukin-1 production in response to both forms of Candida, while pretreatment for 18 h renders macrophages refractory to any stimuli. Interestingly, the kinetics of interleukin-1 transcription and secretion in response to H-Candida are delayed with respect to those of TNF. Overall, these data indicate that TNF, produced by macrophages in response to H-Candida, regulates its own production as well as that of other soluble factors, thus suggesting that this cytokine plays multiple roles in the immune mechanisms involved in Candida infection.
Contractile activity of three endothelins (ET‐1, ET‐2 and ET‐3) on the human isolated bronchus

1 The effects of three endothelins: (i) the classical or human/porcine endothelin (ET‐1); (ii) [Trp6, Leu7] endothelin (ET‐2) and (iii) [Thr2, Phe4, Thr5, Tyr6, Lys7, Tyr14] endothelin or rat endothelin (ET‐3) were tested on the human isolated bronchus. 2 ET‐1 produced a concentration‐dependent contraction of the human isolated bronchus that proceeded in two different steps. The first step was observed at very low concentrations (pD2 = 11.01 ± 0.17, n = 10) but corresponded to a low intrinsic activity (Emax = 15.6 ± 1.8% of Emax induced by acetylcholine (ACh) 3 × 10−3 m, n = 10). This effect was potentiated by Bay K 8644 10−7 m (Emax = 26.1 ± 2.9% of ACh 3 × 10−3 m, n = 5, P < 0.05), reduced by nicardipine 10−6 m (Emax = 6.0 ± 2.6% of ACh 3 × 10−3 m, n = 5, P < 0.05) and strongly inhibited in calcium‐free medium. The second step of the action of ET‐1 corresponded to a lesser potency (pD2 = 7.90 ± 0.17, n = 9) but a higher intrinsic activity (Emax = 82.5 ± 4.7% of ACh 3 × 10−3 m). This effect was not significantly modified by nicardipine 10−6 m or by Bay K 8644 10−7 m. Neither of the two effects was modified by indomethacin 3 × 10−6m. 3 The effects of ET‐2 and ET‐3 were qualitatively similar to those of ET‐1 but quantitatively different; for these two steps of contracting activity and for potency and efficacy the ranking was: ET‐1 > ET‐2 = ET‐3. 4 Thus, ET‐1 appears to be the most potent of these three substances in its effect on the human isolated bronchus. Its activity seems to involve the action of voltage‐dependent calcium channels at low concentrations (10−12 to 10−9 m), whereas other mechanisms are involved at higher concentrations (10−8 to 3 × 10−7 m).