Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuronal and glial differentiation during lizard (Gallotia galloti) visual system ontogeny

We studied the histogenesis of the lizard visual system (E30 to adulthood) by using a selection of immunohistochemical markers that had proved relevant for other vertebrates. By E30, the Pax6+ pseudostratified retinal epithelium shows few newborn retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the centrodorsal region expressing neuron‐ and synaptic‐specific markers such as betaIII‐tubulin (Tuj1), synaptic vesicle protein‐2 (SV2), and vesicular glutamate transporter‐1 (VGLUT1). Concurrently, pioneer RGC axons run among the Pax2+ astroglia in the optic nerve and reach the superficial optic tectum. Between E30 and E35, the optic chiasm and optic tract remain acellular, but the latter contains radial processes with subpial endfeet expressing vimentin (Vim). From E35, neuron‐ and synaptic‐specific stainings spread in the retina and optic tectum, whereas retinal Pax6, and Tuj1/SV2 in RGC axons decrease. Müller glia and abundant optic nerve glia express a variety of glia‐specific markers until adulthood. Subpopulations of optic nerve glia are also VGLUT1+ and cluster differentiation‐44 (CD44)‐positive but cytokeratin‐negative, unlike the case in other regeneration‐competent species. Specifically, coexpression of CD44/Vim and glutamine synthetase (GS)/VGLUT1 reflects glial specialization, insofar as most CD44+ glia are GS−. In the adult optic tract and tectum, radial glia and free astroglia coexist. The latter show different immunocharacterization (Pax2−/CD44−/Vim−) compared with that in the optic nerve. We conclude that upregulation of Tuj1 and SV2 is required for axonal outgrowth and search for appropriate targets, whereas Pax2+ optic nerve astroglia and Vim+ radial glia may aid in early axonal guidance. Spontaneous axonal regrowth seems to succeed despite the heterogeneous mammalian‐like glial environment in the lizard optic nerve. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2163–2184, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Caries prevalence and its relation to water fluoride levels among schoolchildren in Central Province of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE To determine dental caries prevalence and severity among primary and intermediate schoolchildren in Riyadh and Qaseem Regions, and to determine any correlation between dental caries and fluoride levels in drinking water. DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS 1,104 children; 431 (6-7-year-old) primary schoolchildren (249 in Riyadh and 182 in Qaseem) and 673 (12-13-year-old) intermediate schoolchildren (392 in Riyadh and 281 in Qaseem) were examined for dental caries utilising the WHO criteria for diagnosis of dental caries. RESULTS In primary schoolchildren the prevalence of caries was 91.2% both in Riyadh and Qaseem. The mean dmft scores were similar in Riyadh (6.53, SD 4.30) and Qaseem (6.35, SD 3.83). Among the intermediate schoolchildren the prevalence of dental caries was slightly higher in Riyadh (92.3%) than Qaseem (87.9%). The mean DMFT score was higher in Riyadh (5.06, SD 3.65) as compared with Qaseem (4.53, SD 3.57) with marginal statistical significance (p = 0.057). Among the primary schoolchildren there was statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference in mean dmft scores at various fluoride levels with lowest dmft scores at the optimum water fluoride level (0.61-0.80ppm) and highest at two extremes i.e. 0.0 to 0.3ppm and > 2.5ppm, while in intermediate schoolchildren no significant difference in overall mean DMFT scores of children at various water fluoride levels could be found. CONCLUSION The caries experience among the primary and intermediate schoolchildren in Riyadh and Qaseem was very high, and that there was no linear correlation between water fluoride level and caries experience in these children.
Nasal Septal Hematoma and Abscess in Children

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to evaluate the demographic factors, trauma type, treatment, and long-term results in patients with nasal septal hematoma (NSH) and nasal septal abscess (NSA). MethodsBetween the years 2006 and 2010, subjects who received a diagnosis of NSA and NSH were included for the study. Demographic data, the surgical findings, and long term follow-up results were recorded. ResultsTwenty-nine subjects were identified. Eleven subjects had a diagnosis of NSA, whereas 19 subjects were identified as having NSH. Eighteen subjects (62.1%) were male, whereas the remaining 11 subjects (38.9%) were female. Mean age of the subjects was 7.79 ± 3.99 years. The etiologies were fall in 26 subjects (89.6%) and blow in 3 subjects (10.4%). Four subjects were previously examined by a physician. In 9 subjects (31.1%), radiologic and clinical evidence of nasal fracture exists. Eighteen (72%) of 29 subjects experienced sequelae. No significant difference exists for clinical properties, demographic data, etiology, and so on, except mean duration; P > 0.05. Mean duration was significantly high in the NSA group than in the NSH group (8.40 ± 8.46 days vs 3.58 ± 3.64 days, P = 0.025). ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that both NSH and NSA have similar properties for demographic data, etiology, and sequelae.
Observations on the transition from intermittent to permanent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Quantitative data on the frequency with which transition from intermittent to permanent atrial fibrillation occurs are lacking. We conducted this study to determine the proportion of patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation who progress to permanent atrial fibrillation and to investigate baseline clinical characteristics that might predict such a progression. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 231 patients who were seen with intermittent atrial fibrillation at a university hospital-based clinic from January 1978 through December 1997. Patients' medical records and electrocardiograms were reviewed and data were collected for all clinic visits through May 1998. The proportion of patients who remained free of transition from intermittent to permanent atrial fibrillation was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the effect of some baseline characteristics on this transition. RESULTS The number of patients who remained free of transition from intermittent to permanent atrial fibrillation was 92% (95% confidence interval 88%-96%) at 1 year and 82% (95% confidence interval 75%-88%) at 4 years. Among 5 baseline characteristics (age, sex, structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation at presentation, and use of an antiarrhythmic medicine before presentation), the 2 significant predictors of progression from intermittent to permanent atrial fibrillation were age (P =.0003) and being in atrial fibrillation at presentation (P =.0006). The hazard ratio associated with 10 years of advancing age was 1.82 (95% confidence interval 1.31-2.51), and the hazard ratio associated with atrial fibrillation at presentation was 3.56 (95% confidence interval 1.73-7.34). CONCLUSIONS Approximately 18% of patients who had intermittent atrial fibrillation were permanently in atrial fibrillation after 4 years of follow-up. Age and being in atrial fibrillation at presentation were the only 2 important clinical variables identified in predicting such a progression.
Surgical Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms : Comparative Utilization Trends From 2001 to 2006

Purpose: Within the past few years, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has come into use for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). In many cases, EVAR has the potential to replace traditional open surgical repair (OSR), which is more invasive, risky, and expensive. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent EVAR is replacing OSR, whether the frequency of treatment is increasing with the advent of the less invasive approach, and which specialties are performing the procedures.
Adjuvanticity of a Recombinant Calreticulin Fragment in Assisting Anti-β-Glucan IgG Responses in T Cell-Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Polysaccharide-encapsulated fungi are the chief source of diseases in immunocompromised hosts such as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus or neutropenia patients. Currently available polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines are mainly T cell dependent and are usually ineffective in weakened immune systems. In this study, laminarin, a well-characterized β-1,3-glucan, was conjugated with a prokaryotically expressed recombinant fragment (amino acids [aa] 39 to 272) of calreticulin (rCRT/39–272), which exhibits extraordinarily potent immunogenicity and adjuvanticity in experimental animals. The resultant conjugate reserves the immunostimulatory effect of rCRT/39–272 on naïve murine B cells and is capable of eliciting anti-β-glucan IgG (mostly IgG1) responses in not only BALB/c mice but also athymic nude mice. Laminarin-CRT-induced mouse antibodies (Abs) are able to bind with Candida albicans and inhibit its growth in vitro. In addition, vaccination with laminarin-CRT partially protects mice from lethal C. albicans challenge. These results imply that rCRT/39–272 could be used as an ideal carrier or adjuvant for carbohydrate vaccines aimed at inducing or boosting IgG responses to fungal infections in immunodeficient hosts.
Design and Analysis of Virtualized Caching Service on Cellular Infrastructure

With the large increases in video content, mobile network operators (MNOs) are persistently seeking to lower their content access latency and backhaul traffic. To mitigate these challenges, operators have started developing an operator-owned content caching system. However, in such networks, it is difficult to provide cost-effective and reliable cache performance for dynamically changing traffic using traditional proprietary network equipment. Meanwhile, network function virtualization (NFV) technology has become a key enabler in providing new business models with reduced costs and enhanced service agility to mobile networks. In addition, dynamic scaling of virtualized network functions can be used to leverage adaptable management of network services on the fly. In this study, we introduce a system architecture of MNO-driven virtualized caching-service based on an NFV standard platform that uses an integer linear programming (ILP)-based centralized optimization algorithm. Our proposed system employs mainly two techniques: a hierarchical caching model and a hybrid (centralized and distributed) orchestration scheme to optimize cache function with fine-grained control. Through experiments, we show that the conceptual MNO caching service is an effective strategy for reducing the traffic burden and enhancing the quality of service (QoS) for streaming video.
Uncertainty and Sign-Dependent Effects of Oil Market Shocks

This paper investigates the oil market reaction to its fundamental shocks: supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand in different regimes characterised by high versus low uncertainty in the market. We do so by first proposing a novel oil uncertainty index that is measured by the conditional volatility of the unpredictable component of oil prices. Then, we employ a nonlinear model to show that the structural oil market shocks have asymmetric effects. For instance, in relation to real economic activity, we find that both supply shocks and oil-specific demand shocks have negligible impacts in periods of low oil price uncertainty but sizeable effects in periods of high oil price uncertainty. Our model also enables us to evaluate the hypothesis that real economic activity responds asymmetrically to unexpected increases and decreases in oil prices driven by supply and specific demand shocks. We find that the effects of oil supply shocks are asymmetric but oil specific demand shocks are not, which indicates that the (a)symmetric oil market reaction depends on the underlying market shocks.
Transgenic rescue of erythroid 5‐aminolevulinate synthase‐deficient mice results in the formation of ring sideroblasts and siderocytes

Molecular defects in erythroid 5‐aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS‐E), the first enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, cause X‐linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA). However, ring sideroblasts, the hallmark of XLSA, were not found in ALAS‐E‐deficient mouse embryos, indicating that simple ALAS‐E‐deficiency is not sufficient for ring sideroblast formation. To investigate the developmental stage‐specific pathogenesis caused by heme‐depletion, we attempted a complementation rescue of ALAS‐E‐deficiency. We exploited transgenic mouse lines expressing human ALAS‐E at approximately half that of wild‐type levels. In these hypomorphic embryos, most of the primitive erythroid cells were transformed into ring sideroblasts. The majority of the circulating definitive erythroid cells became siderocytes, enucleated erythrocytes containing iron deposits, and definitive ring sideroblasts were also observed. These iron‐overloaded cells suffered from an α/β globin chain imbalance. Despite the iron overload, transferrin receptors were highly expressed in the erythroid cells, suggesting they contribute to the formation of ring sideroblasts and siderocytes. These results indicate that a partially depleted heme supply provokes ring sideroblast formation. The experimental generation of ring sideroblasts in animals would contribute to our understanding of the iron metabolism and its disorder in erythroid cells.
[The effect of MTHFR polymorphisms, pregnancy and first intercourse on cervical cancer in a population from the Northeastern Mexico].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the possible association among MTHFR polymorfhisms, environmental factors and cervical cancer (CC) in the Mexican population. METHODS Seventy patients with CC and 89 control women were questioned about clinical data and their 677 and 1298 genotypes of MTHFR gene were analized. RESULTS Multipregnancies (0-2 vs. > or = 3, OR 2.1), an early age of first intercourse (IVS) (17 < or = vs. > or = 18 years, OR 4.3) or both factors (OR 3.5) were significantly associated with CC. MTHFR 677, 1298 polymorphisms and their combinations were not different between cases and controls. However, a significant association between pregnancies, IVS and MTHFR polymorphisms (presence of 1298C allele or 677TT genotype) was observed. The 1298C allele plus multipregnancies and IVS < or = 17 years, or both factors, increased 4.3, 5.3, and 11.8 times the risk for CC, respectively, while 677TT genotype changed the risk 2.0, 1.9, and 4.2 times, respectively. CONCLUSION The 1298C allele increases the risk of CC strongly in women with multipregnancies and early age of IVS, while 677TT genotype has a lower risk without becoming a protection factor.
Economic Feasibility and Resource Use Efficiency of Coastal Cage Fish Farming in Kerala

Fish farming in open water cages is a recently introduced technology in India. The successful cage farming demonstrations in the open sea led to its popularisation in the coastal waters in the country. The economic viability of cage fish farming was analysed based on primary data collected from 60 farm units in Kerala state in the South west coast of India. Asian seabass, pearlspot, tilpaia, redsnappers and caranx were the major species cultured in the study area. The average size of a farm unit was 115 m3 with a stocking density of 32 fishes per m3. The gross revenue and average cost were ` 8584 and ` 4331 respectively per m3 of farm area. The Benefit–cost ratio and operating ratios were 2.02 and 0.42 respectively indicating cage farming as an economically viable farming technology. Resource use efficiency analysis indicated that stocking density and quantity of feed used had positive and significant influence on fish production and economic efficiency could be improved by increasing the use of these inputs.
Parents’ age at birth of their offspring and child survival

Abstract This study presents some new results on parental age as a risk factor for child survival. The study is based on individual registration forms for live births and infant deaths collected in Hungary from 1984 to 1988. Logistic regression models have been fitted for early neonatal and neonatal mortality on the one hand, and post‐neonatal mortality on the other hand. Children of older males and females have significantly higher early neonatal and neonatal mortality rates compared to those of younger males and females. The impact of age of both parents remains, however, slighter than that of other biological characteristics such as previous number of fetal deaths, induced abortions, or live births. The authors discuss possible biological explanations.
E-test for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

SETTING Initial isolates should be tested for drug susceptibility to confirm the anticipated effectiveness of chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate E-test strips for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. DESIGN A proportion method using Lowenstein-Jensen medium and the Bactec radiometric system were compared with the E-test (isoniazid [INH], rifampicin [RMP], ethambutol [EMB] and streptomycin [SM]). RESULTS For 73 of the 81 M. tuberculosis isolates (90.1%) the proportion and E-test methods yielded concordant susceptibility results against all four antimicrobial agents tested. Of these 73 strains, 69 were fully susceptible; the four isolates showing resistance to antimicrobial drugs by both methods were also resistant when tested by Bactec 460TB. While the proportion method indicated susceptibility for the eight remaining strains, E-test results showed mono EMB resistance in five strains, INH resistance for two isolates (including one isolate resistant to EMB plus INH), and for one strain E-test yielded resistance to EMB and SM. Using Bactec as the reference method, the E-test resulted in false resistance in eight strains and no false susceptibility. CONCLUSION Due to a substantial rate of false resistance, this method cannot be recommended at present for practical use in clinical laboratories.
Dental pulp tissue engineering with bFGF-incorporated silk fibroin scaffolds

The clinical translation of regenerative endodontics demands further development of suitable scaffolds. Here, we assessed the possibility of using silk fibroin scaffold for pulp regeneration with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in ectopic root canal transplantation model. Porous silk fibroin scaffolds were fabricated using freeze-drying technique (with or without bFGF incorporation), and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. DPSCs were isolated, characterized, seeded onto scaffolds, and inserted into the tooth root fragments. Cell viability and morphology were tested in the 3D model in vitro using CCK8 assay and SEM. Furthermore, the ectopic transplantation model was used to verify the generation of pulp-like tissue in DPSCs seeded silk fibroin scaffold with bFGF, as examined by histological analysis. DPSCs seeded in silk fibroin scaffold survived, exhibited cytoplasmic elongation in scaffolds at least 4 weeks in culture. bFGF promoted DPSCs viability in tooth fragments/scaffolds (TSS) between 7 and 28 days. Pulp-like tissue was generated in the bFGF-incorporated TSS with DPSCs. Histologically, the generated tissue was shown to be with well vascularity, have new matrix deposition and dentin-like tissue formation, and consist of both the transplanted and host-derived cells. Collectively, these data support the use of bFGF-incorporated silk fibroin scaffold as a highly promising scaffold candidate for future treatment concepts in regenerative endodontics to save teeth.
Links Between the Microbiome and Bone

The human microbiome has been shown to influence a number of chronic conditions associated with impaired bone mass and bone quality, including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. The connection between the microbiome and bone health, however, has not been well studied. The few studies available demonstrate that the microbiome can have a large effect on bone remodeling and bone mass. The gut microbiome is the largest reservoir of microbial organisms in the body and consists of more than a thousand different species interacting with one another in a stable, dynamic equilibrium. How the microbiome can affect organs distant from the gut is not well understood but is believed to occur through regulation of nutrition, regulation of the immune system, and/or translocation of bacterial products across the gut endothelial barrier. Here we review each of these mechanisms and discuss their potential effect on bone remodeling and bone mass. We discuss how preclinical studies of bone‐microbiome interactions are challenging because the microbiome is sensitive to genetic background, housing environment, and vendor source. Additionally, although the microbiome exhibits a robust response to external stimuli, it rapidly returns to its original steady state after a disturbance, making it difficult to sustain controlled changes in the microbiome over time periods required to detect alterations in bone remodeling, mass, or structure. Despite these challenges, an understanding of the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome affects bone has the potential to provide insights into the dissociation between fracture risk and bone mineral density in patients including those with obesity, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, alteration of the gut microbiome has the potential to serve as a biomarker of bone metabolic activity as well as a target for therapies to improve bone structure and quality using pharmaceutical agents or pre‐ or probiotics. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Frequency and Type of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Moroccan Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non–small-cell lung cancer predict response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The frequency of EGFR mutations is ethnicity-dependent, with a higher proportion in Asian populations than in whites. The prevalence of these mutations among North African patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to report the frequency and spectrum of EGFR mutations in a group of Moroccan patients with lung adenocarcinoma (AC). Methods: Tumor specimens from 137 Moroccan patients with lung AC were selected to determine frequency and spectrum of EGFR mutations. Mutation detection techniques were polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of exons 18, 19, 20, and 21. Results: The overall frequency of the EGFR mutation was 21%. Mutations were mainly detected in the exon 19 (69%), followed by exon 21 (21%) and exon 20 (7%), whereas mutations in the exon 18 were rare (3%). EGFR mutation rate was significantly higher in women and in never smokers. Conclusion: Some one fifth of lung AC tumors in Moroccan patients harbor EGFR mutations. This mutation frequency is higher than that found in whites but lower than in Asian population. Further studies, in larger numbers of patients, are needed to confirm these findings.