Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Health Status of Kuwaiti Children with a History of Chronic Liver Disease

Objective: To investigate the oral health status and dental manifestations of children with a history of chronic liver disease (CLD) compared to healthy children.Subjects and Methods: Twenty children (15 boys and 5 girls) with a history of CLD were compared to 20 healthy controls matched for age and gender. The clinical examination was carried out by the same dentist. Caries prevalence, using the decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent teeth indices (dmft/DMFT), was recorded. Developmental enamel defects, plaque scores, and gingival overgrowth were also investigated. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in mean dmft scores for children with a history of CLD (4.9 ± 5.4) and for healthy individuals (3.9 ± 4.5). However, the mean DMFT score was significantly higher (p =0.025) in children with CLD (4.2 ± 4.6) compared to controls (1.7 ± 1.6). The mean decayed teeth parameter (DT) was also significantly higher in children with CLD (p =0.004). All patients with CLD exhibited enamel defects compared to only 33% in the control group (p< 0.05). A higher mean plaque index was observed in children with a history of CLD (p< 0.001). Also, a positive correlation for gingival overgrowth was noted in patients with a history of CLD (p< 0.05). Green staining was evident only in the permanent dentition of 1 child with CLD. Conclusion: Children with a history of CLD exhibited a high caries prevalence, high plaque scores, and more enamel defects compared to healthy subjects. Gingival overgrowth is less prevalent among pediatric liver transplant patients on tacrolimus therapy.
Effects of Acute Alcohol Consumption on the Human Brain: Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging and Arterial Spin-Labeling Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain function and microstructure are affected by alcohol consumption. Until recently, the effect of alcohol on neural mechanisms has not been fully elucidated. Our aim was to explore the acute effects of alcohol on healthy human brains by diffusional kurtosis imaging and 3D arterial spin-labeling and elucidate structural and functional changes in the brain on acute alcohol intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional MR imaging, diffusional kurtosis imaging, and 3D arterial spin-labeling were performed on 24 healthy volunteers before and 0.5 and 1 hour after drinking alcohol. Participants were divided into 2 groups according to the response to alcohol: blushing (n = 12) and unblushing (n = 12) groups. Twenty brain regions were analyzed. RESULTS: Diffusional kurtosis imaging revealed an increase in mean kurtosis and fractional anisotropy at 0.5 hour post-alcohol intake in most brain regions, whereas mean diffusion was decreased in several brain regions at 1 hour after drinking. 3D arterial spin-labeling showed increased cerebral blood flow in most brain regions, particularly in the frontal regions. However, perfusion in the anterior commissure decreased. Regional changes in the brain correlated with various behavioral performances with respect to blush response and sex. In general, blushing individuals and men are more sensitive to alcohol with acute effects. CONCLUSIONS: Physiologic and microstructural alterations in the brain on alcohol consumption were examined. Brain areas with blood flow alteration detected by 3D arterial spin-labeling were highly consistent with susceptible areas detected by diffusional kurtosis imaging. The current study provides new insight into the effects of alcohol on the brain and behavioral performance in different blush response and sex populations.
Slicing and dicing viruses: antiviral RNA interference in mammals

To protect against the harmful consequences of viral infections, organisms are equipped with sophisticated antiviral mechanisms, including cell‐intrinsic means to restrict viral replication and propagation. Plant and invertebrate cells utilise mostly RNA interference (RNAi), an RNA‐based mechanism, for cell‐intrinsic immunity to viruses while vertebrates rely on the protein‐based interferon (IFN)‐driven innate immune system for the same purpose. The RNAi machinery is conserved in vertebrate cells, yet whether antiviral RNAi is still active in mammals and functionally relevant to mammalian antiviral defence is intensely debated. Here, we discuss cellular and viral factors that impact on antiviral RNAi and the contexts in which this system might be at play in mammalian resistance to viral infection.
Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) supplementation on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

This study was aimed to quantify the antihyperglycemic effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa). An in‐depth search to identify clinical trials investigating the impact of N. sativa on glycemic indices via MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google scholar databases were performed up to November 2018. We used a random effects model to estimate pooled effect size of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial blood glucose (PPBG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). A total of 17 randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of N. sativa on FPG, PPBG, and HbA1c were included. Meta‐analysis suggested a significant association between N. sativa supplementation and reduction in FPG (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −9.93 mg/dl, 95% CI [−13.44, −6.41]), PPBG (WMD: −14.79 mg/dl, 95% CI [−24.19, −5.39]), and HbA1c (WMD: −0.57%, 95% CI [−0.77, −0.37]). Subgroup analysis revealed that N. sativa oil was more effective than N. sativa powder in reduction of FPG. To sum up, N. sativa consumption has a significant lowering effect on glycemic status. Further studies with prolonged durations and powerful design are needed to specify the exact mechanism, optimal dosage, and duration of N. sativa supplementation to obtain a beneficial effect on glycemic status.
Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy of Plasmonic Nanomaterials: A Review

We report on the recent scientific research contribution of non-linear optics based on Sum-Frequency Generation (SFG) spectroscopy as a surface probe of the plasmonic properties of materials. In this review, we present a general introduction to the fundamentals of SFG spectroscopy, a well-established optical surface probe used in various domains of physical chemistry, when applied to plasmonic materials. The interest of using SFG spectroscopy as a complementary tool to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in order to probe the surface chemistry of metallic nanoparticles is illustrated by taking advantage of the optical amplification induced by the coupling to the localized surface plasmon resonance. A short review of the first developments of SFG applications in nanomaterials is presented to span the previous emergent literature on the subject. Afterwards, the emphasis is put on the recent developments and applications of the technique over the five last years in order to illustrate that SFG spectroscopy coupled to plasmonic nanomaterials is now mature enough to be considered a promising research field of non-linear plasmonics.
Lateral bone flap approach for displaced intra‐articular calcaneus fractures

The traditional extended lateral approach for calcaneus fractures can provide sufficient exposure for reduction, but complications are frequent. The minimally invasive approach does limited damage to the soft tissue and its complication rate is low, but provides limited surgical exposure for complicated fracture. Thus, an approach that could provide wide exposure with less soft tissue injury is important.
Effects of long‐term paroxetine or bupropion treatment on puberty onset, reproductive and feeding parameters in adolescent male rats

Antidepressant use in adolescents has become more common in recent years. We have found several studies stating that prenatal antidepressant exposure can lead to delayed or earlier puberty onset but there was no study on postnatal paroxetine or bupropion. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of postnatal exposure to bupropion or paroxetine on puberty onset, reproductive and feeding results. The male rats (n = 8/group) aged 21 days were exposed to paroxetine (3.6 mg/kg) or bupropion (17 mg/kg) orally by gastric gavage every day from postnatal day 21–90. Also, control group received only saline orally as a vehicle. Postnatal exposure to bupropion or paroxetine delayed puberty onset compared to control group, but it was not significant. Sperm counts were significantly lower in the paroxetine and bupropion groups compared to control group. Sperm motility was significantly lower in only bupropion group. In addition, sperm motility was lower in paroxetine group, but it was not significant. In the histopathological examination, there was damage to the testicular structure in both treatments. Taken together, our result indicates that postnatal paroxetine or bupropion exposure may affect puberty onset and contribute to the impairment in fertility in male rats.
Differences in Parental Monitoring Components and Their Associated Health Indicators Between Sexual-Minority and Heterosexual Girls

ABSTRACT Our study sought to assess whether parental monitoring and their associations with health behaviors differed for heterosexual girls compared to sexual-minority girls (girls who identified as lesbian or bisexual, endorsed same-sex attraction, or had same-sex romantic or sexual partners). We analyzed three components of parental monitoring—adolescent disclosure, parental solicitation, and parental knowledge—between heterosexual and sexual-minority girls. We also tested if the associations between these three constructs and adolescent relationship abuse, suicidality, heavy drinking, binge drinking, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms were different for heterosexual girls compared to sexual-minority girls. Sexual-minority girls were less likely to disclose accurately to their parents their location and activities and perceived their parents asked less and knew less about their location and activities than did heterosexual girls. Heterosexual girls who reported higher levels of adolescent disclosure were less likely than were sexual-minority girls to report suicidality and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, heterosexual girls who reported higher levels of parental knowledge were also less likely than were sexual-minority girls to report anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that parental monitoring may not be as protective for sexual-minority girls as it is for heterosexual girls.
Organ Preservation Among Patients With Clinically Node-Positive Rectal Cancer: Is It Really More Dangerous?

BACKGROUND: Select patients with complete clinical response to chemoradiation have been managed without radical surgery. The presence of radiologic evidence of nodal metastases at baseline could be a risk factor for local tumor regrowth, more advanced stage at the time of recurrence, and worse distant metastases-free survival. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with baseline node-positive and node-negative cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and complete clinical response managed nonoperatively. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of consecutive patients with nonmetastatic distal rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with clinical and radiologic evidence of complete clinical response at 8 to 10 weeks were managed nonoperatively and enrolled in a strict follow-up program (watch and wait). Patients with incomplete clinical response or tumor regrowth after initial complete clinical response were referred to surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Surgery-free and distant metastases-free survival were compared between patients according to nodal status at baseline. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients with node-positive and 218 with node-negative cancer at baseline were reviewed. Overall, 62 (53.0%; node positive) and 135 (61.9%; node negative) achieved a complete clinical response and were managed nonoperatively (p = 0.13). Patients with baseline node-positive cancer had similar rates of pathologic nodal metastases at the time of recurrence. Five-year surgery-free (39.7% vs 46.8%; p = 0.2) and distant metastases–free survival (77.5% vs 80.5%; p = 0.49) were similar between baseline node-positive and node-negative patients. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study with a small sample size and possible inaccurate nodal staging. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rectal cancer with node-positive cancer at baseline who develop a complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation are not at increased risk for local tumor regrowth or development of more advanced disease at the time of recurrence. These patients seem to be safe candidates for organ-preserving strategies after achieving complete clinical response. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww. com/DCR/A902.
Potential influence of socioeconomic status on genetic correlations between alcohol consumption measures and mental health

Abstract Background. Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption are metrics commonly used to measure alcohol consumption behaviors. Epidemiological studies indicate that these alcohol consumption measures are differentially associated with (mental) health outcomes and socioeconomic status (SES). The current study aims to elucidate to what extent genetic risk factors are shared between frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, and how these alcohol consumption measures are genetically associated with four broad phenotypic categories: (i) SES; (ii) substance use disorders; (iii) other psychiatric disorders; and (iv) psychological/personality traits. Methods. Genome-Wide Association analyses were conducted to test genetic associations with alcohol consumption frequency (N = 438 308) and alcohol consumption quantity (N = 307 098 regular alcohol drinkers) within UK Biobank. For the other phenotypes, we used genome-wide association studies summary statistics. Genetic correlations (rg) between the alcohol measures and other phenotypes were estimated using LD score regression. Results. We found a substantial genetic correlation between the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption (rg = 0.52). Nevertheless, both measures consistently showed opposite genetic correlations with SES traits, and many substance use, psychiatric, and psychological/personality traits. High alcohol consumption frequency was genetically associated with high SES and low risk of substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders, whereas the opposite applies for high alcohol consumption quantity. Conclusions. Although the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption show substantial genetic overlap, they consistently show opposite patterns of genetic associations with SES-related phenotypes. Future studies should carefully consider the potential influence of SES on the shared genetic etiology between alcohol and adverse (mental) health outcomes.
Effects of Silicon Compounds on Biomineralization, Osteogenesis, and Hard Tissue Formation

Bioinspired stem cell-based hard tissue engineering includes numerous aspects: The synthesis and fabrication of appropriate scaffold materials, their analytical characterization, and guided osteogenesis using the sustained release of osteoinducing and/or osteoconducting drugs for mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, growth, and proliferation. Here, the effect of silicon- and silicate-containing materials on osteogenesis at the molecular level has been a particular focus within the last decade. This review summarizes recently published scientific results, including material developments and analysis, with a special focus on silicon hybrid bone composites. First, the sources, bioavailability, and functions of silicon on various tissues are discussed. The second focus is on the effects of calcium-silicate biomineralization and corresponding analytical methods in investigating osteogenesis and bone formation. Finally, recent developments in the manufacturing of Si-containing scaffolds are discussed, including in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as recently filed patents that focus on the influence of silicon on hard tissue formation.
Paternal stimulation and father-infant attachment

ABSTRACT This study examined the longitudinal associations between fathers’ observed parenting behaviors and father-infant attachment (n = 58 father-infant dyads). Fathers were observed playing with their infants at 9 months postpartum and were assessed for stimulating behaviors (i.e. physical and/or object stimulation), as well as their sensitivity and intrusiveness. When the infants were 12 to 18 months of age, fathers and infants participated together in the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) to assess father-infant attachment security. Logistic regression analyses revealed that higher levels of paternal stimulation at 9 months postpartum were associated with greater odds of classification as a secure father-infant dyad. Additionally, fathers’ observed intrusiveness at 9 months postpartum moderated this association; greater paternal stimulation was associated with significantly greater odds of father-infant attachment security at low and average levels of paternal intrusiveness, but not at high levels of paternal intrusiveness. This study provides new insight into the paternal behaviors that may foster secure father-infant attachment.
Glutathione transferase Omega 1‐1 (GSTO1‐1) modulates Akt and MEK1/2 signaling in human neuroblastoma cell SH‐SY5Y

In the human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cell line, the glutathione transferase Omega 1‐1 (GSTO1‐1) appears to modulate Akt and MEK1/2 kinase activation. We observed a glutathionylation modification was involved in the activation of Akt but not MEK1/2. With the specific GSTO1‐1 inhibitor ML175, we show the enzyme activity of GSTO1‐1 is important for modulation as the inhibited GSTO1‐1 allowed activation of both Akt and MEK1/2. The inhibition of GSTO1‐1 showed a similar extent of activation of Akt and MEK1/2 as treatment by the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. The GSTO1‐1 also either directly interacts with Akt and MEK1/2 or interacts with a protein complexed with Akt and MEK1/2 as both kinases coimmunoprecipitated with GSTO1‐1. The results suggest that GSTO1‐1 enzyme activity inhibits the activation of these two kinases to maintain basal levels. The possible regulation by GSTO1‐1 is of interest as both kinases have hundreds of potential downstream targets that are known to have contributions to various cellular processes including survival, growth, proliferation, and metabolism.
Discovery of early life stress interacting and sex‐specific quantitative trait loci impacting cocaine responsiveness

Addiction vulnerability involves complex gene X environment interactions leading to a pathological response to drugs. Identification of the genes involved in these interactions is an important step in understanding the underlying neurobiology and rarely have such analyses examined sex‐specific influences. To dissect this interaction, we examined the impact of prenatal stress (PNS) on cocaine responsiveness in male and female mice of the BXD recombinant inbred panel.
The Role of Public Nutrition Research Organizations in the Construction, Implementation and Evaluation of Evidence-Based Nutrition Policy: Two National Experiences in Mexico

Malnutrition and poor diet are the largest risk factors responsible for the global burden of disease. Therefore, ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030 is a global priority. To achieve this goal, a key element is to design and implement nutrition policies based on the best available scientific evidence. The demand for evidence-based nutrition policies may originate directly from policymakers or through social actors. In both cases, the role of research institutions is to generate relevant evidence for public policy. The two key objects of analysis for the design of an effective policy are the nutrition conditions of the population and the policies and programs available, including the identification of delivery platforms and competencies required by personnel in charge of the provision of services (social response). In addition, systematic literature reviews about risk factors of malnutrition, as well as the efficacy and effectiveness of policy actions, lead to evidence-based policy recommendations. Given the multifactorial nature of malnutrition, the drivers and risk factors operate in several sectors (food and agriculture, health, education, and social development) and may be immediate, underlying or basic causes. This multilevel complexity should be considered when developing nutrition policy. In this article, we show two models for the evidence-based design of nutrition policies and programs that may be useful to academia and decision makers demonstrated by two examples of policy design, implementation and evaluation in Mexico.
An Analysis of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 Measurement Model Using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling

The researchers examined the factor structure and model specifications of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) with confirmatory tetrad analysis (CTA) using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with a sample of adult clients (N = 298) receiving individual therapy at a university-based counseling research center. The CTA and PLS-SEM results identified the formative nature of the WHODAS 2.0 subscale scores, supporting an alternative measurement model of the WHODAS 2.0 scores as a second-order formative–formative model.
Control of Silver Coating on Raman Label Incorporated Gold Nanoparticles Assembled Silica Nanoparticles

Signal reproducibility in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) remains a challenge, limiting the scope of the quantitative applications of SERS. This drawback in quantitative SERS sensing can be overcome by incorporating internal standard chemicals between the core and shell structures of metal nanoparticles (NPs). Herein, we prepared a SERS-active core Raman labeling compound (RLC) shell material, based on Au–Ag NPs and assembled silica NPs (SiO2@Au@RLC@Ag NPs). Three types of RLCs were used as candidates for internal standards, including 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) and 4-methylbenzenethiol (4-MBT), and their effects on the deposition of a silver shell were investigated. The formation of the Ag shell was strongly dependent on the concentration of the silver ion. The negative charge of SiO2@Au@RLCs facilitated the formation of an Ag shell. In various pH solutions, the size of the Ag NPs was larger at a low pH and smaller at a higher pH, due to a decrease in the reduction rate. The results provide a deeper understanding of features in silver deposition, to guide further research and development of a strong and reliable SERS probe based on SiO2@Au@RLC@Ag NPs.