Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival rate after endodontic treatment in general dentistry for cracked teeth with different coronal restorations

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to analyse the survival rate of cracked teeth after endodontic treatment. The secondary aim was to compare the survival rate of cracked teeth restored with composite filling/crown and those restored with a full crown. Materials and methods The study was conducted retrospectively from three general dental clinics in Stockholm, which are all part of the national dental service organisation. Two-hundred patients with teeth receiving endodontic treatment due to symptomatic cracks were included. The patient data range from year 2001 to 2016. Results The mean age of the patients was 48 years (range 29–69). Fifty-five per cent had cracks located above the pulpal cavity, 11% within the pulpal cavity and 3% located in the root canal. The cracks were located most commonly on the proximal surfaces. The survival rate for teeth with cracks was 68% and 54% after 5 and 10 years, respectively. The survival rate was significantly higher (97%) for cracked teeth receiving a full crown after endodontic treatment compared to teeth restored with either a composite filling or composite crown. Conclusion The overall survival rate for cracked teeth was 68% after 5 years, while it was significantly higher for cracked teeth restored with a full crown. The results suggest within the limitations of this study that cracked teeth should be restored with a full crown after endodontic treatment.
Living Alone with Mild-To-Moderate Dementia: Findings from the IDEAL Cohort.

BACKGROUND A significant proportion of people with dementia live alone, but little is known about their specific needs. OBJECTIVE To understand the profile of people living alone with mild-to-moderate dementia in the UK and identify any systematic differences associated with living situation. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,541 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 1,277 caregivers participating in the IDEAL cohort at the first wave of assessment. RESULTS There were 1,256 (81.5%) people with dementia living with others and 285 (18.5%) living alone, of whom 51 (3% of whole sample) reported little or no informal support. There were relatively few differences associated with living situation and odds ratios were generally small. People living alone were older on average, and more likely to be female, than those living with others. Those living alone were more likely to have higher cognitive ability and self-reported functional ability, and more social contact with those from other households. They were also lonelier, expressed less satisfaction with life, and used home care services and equipment more. There were no differences in symptoms, mood, quality of life, or well-being. CONCLUSION The findings support the view that it is possible to 'live well' with mild-to-moderate dementia while living alone, given appropriate support, including home care and equipment. Nevertheless, it is important to consider how those living alone may be supported to have a more satisfactory experience, and how health and social care services can best respond to their needs.
Campus Sexual Violence Victims with Disabilities: Disclosure and Help Seeking

Undergraduate students with disabilities represent an important population on college campuses. Yet the incidence of sexual violence and disclosing/reporting of sexual violence among this population is understudied. This exploratory and largely descriptive study uses an intersectional framework to understand the sexual victimization of undergraduate students with disabilities at a large Mid-Atlantic academic institution. The sample consisted of students who completed a sexual violence module (N = 2,929) as part of a larger campus climate survey. Students with disabilities comprised a smaller sample within this group (n = 177) and descriptive and chi-square results from both groups of students are reported. Students with disabilities had a statistically significant higher likelihood of sexual violence victimization before coming to campus and while at the university, with much higher rates for precollege victimization than students with no disabilities. Disclosure rates were not different for students across the two groups, though students with disabilities were more likely to utilize formal sources of support, such as campus Title IX offices and mental health services. This study shows support for a strengths-based approach that recognizes that students with disabilities may be more likely to reach out to campus resources. The findings of the study also underscore the need for culturally relevant victim services for students with disabilities. An evaluation of the culture of a university and its environment of openness, sharing, community, and protection (or lack thereof) can be a key point for future approaches to sexual violence on campus.
The circuitry of the tumor microenvironment in adult and pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: cellular composition, cytokine profile, EBV, and exosomes

Background: Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a unique lymphoid malignancy with a tumor microenvironment (TME) consisting of a small number of neoplastic—Hodgkin and Reed‐Sternberg (H‐RS) cells (<1%), surrounded by a large number of nonneoplastic infiltrating immune cells (>90%). The TME of cHL critically depends on immune cells to support tumor growth as H‐RS cells cannot survive and proliferate in isolation.
Mineral composition of Atriplex halimus plant as influenced by genotype and thermal regime

Abstract Atriplex halimus grows in humid and saline warm regions of Mediterranean area showing high adaptability but less information is available on resistance to chilling temperatures. Potted plants of five clones (MAR1, GIO1, SAN3, PAL1, and FAN3) were cultivated during 30 months in four localities (Oristano, Tempio, Sassari, and Villasor). Every 6 months, leaves, stems and roots of plants were the object of mineral composition analysis (N, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn). During the experiment, air temperature was recorded and hour degrees sums calculated for thresholds ranging from 0 °C to 35 °C. Leaves showed highest content of all elements, with the exception of iron. Plants showed ability to accumulate mineral elements in a synergic or antagonistic way. Accumulation of chilling hour degrees positively correlated with calcium in leaves and stems, and with manganese in the whole plant. Sodium in leaves, instead, was favored by high temperatures, which are unfavorable to nitrogen accumulation in roots. Magnesium accumulation in leaves and roots enhanced with moderately high temperatures. Two of the tested clones (GIO1 and SAN3) showed a relative low adaptability to the coldest conditions. The other three clones provided better performances with the best behavior of PAL1.
Dermal Fibroblast Cells: Biology and Function in Skin Regeneration

: Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells, which play an important role in epithelial-mesenchymal reactions. These cells also play a key role in epidermal proliferation and differentiation and cellular matrix formation through secretion of different growth factors and cytokines. Cell therapy is a new treatment for skin diseases. In fact, conditions, such as burns, diabetic wounds, scars, and aging skin, have been treated with these cells. In cell therapy, samples obtained from the patient’s skin are isolated and cultured; then, the cells are injected into damaged tissues. In recent years, several clinical trials have been conducted in this area, and numerous studies have been published. In this review, we aimed to investigate the biology and function of these cells in the treatment of skin diseases.
Effect of Hypoxic Exercise on Glucose Tolerance in Healthy and Pre-diabetic Adults.

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms known to regulate glucose homeostasis in human skeletal muscle of healthy and pre-diabetic subjects exercising in normobaric hypoxia. METHODS Seventeen healthy (H; 28.8±2.4y; VO2max: 45.1±1.8mL·kg-1·min-1) and fifteen pre-diabetic (P; 44.6±3.9y; VO2max: 30.8±2.5mL·kg-1·min-1) men were randomly assigned to two groups performing an acute exercise bout (heart rate corresponding to 55% VO2max) either in normoxic (NE) or in hypoxic (HE; FiO2 14.0%) conditions. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in a basal state and after an acute exercise bout. Muscle biopsies from m. vastus lateralis were taken before and after exercise. Venous blood samples were taken at regular intervals before, during and after exercise. RESULTS The two groups exercising in hypoxia had a larger area under the curve of blood glucose levels during the OGTT after exercise compared to baseline (H: +4%; P: +11%). Compared to pre-exercise, an increase in p-TBC1D1 Ser237 and in p-AMPK Thr172 was observed post-exercise in P NE (+95%; +55%, respectively) and H HE (+91%; +43%, respectively). An increase in p-ACC Ser212 was measured after exercise in all groups (H NE: +228%; P NE: +252%; H HE: +252%; P HE: +208%). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that an acute bout of exercise in hypoxia reduces glucose tolerance in healthy and pre-diabetic subjects. At a molecular level, some adaptations regulating glucose transport in muscle were found in all groups without associations with glucose tolerance after exercise. The results suggest that hypoxia negatively affects glucose tolerance post-exercise through unidentified mechanisms.
Prognostic value of D‐dimer in acute myocardial infarction complicated by heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is common. Contemporary data are lacking on the prognostic utility of the measurement of biomarker for patients with AMI complicated by HF according to preserved (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We aim to assess the association between D‐dimer levels and all‐cause mortality in patients with AMI complicated by different HF subtypes during hospitalization in the context of other risk factors.
Reconstructing prehistoric demography: What role for extant hunter‐gatherers?

Demography is central to biological, behavioral, and cultural evolution. Knowledge of the demography of prehistoric populations of both Homo sapiens and earlier members of the genus Homo is, therefore, key to the study of human evolution. Unfortunately, demographic processes (fertility, mortality, migration) leave little mark on the archeological and paleoanthropological records. One common solution to this issue is the application of demographic data from extant hunter‐gatherers to prehistory. With the aim of strengthening this line of enquiry, here we outline some pitfalls and their interpretative implications. In doing so, we provide recommendations about the application of hunter‐gatherer data to the study of demographic trends throughout human evolution. We use published demographic data from extant hunter‐gatherers to show that it is the diversity seen among extant hunter‐gatherers—both intra‐ and inter‐population variability—that is most relevant and useful for understanding past hunter‐gatherer demography.
“It’s Pure Panic”: The Portrayal of Residential Care in American Newspapers During COVID-19

Abstract Background and Objectives This study examines the discursive construction of residential care during the COVID-19 pandemic in three leading American newspapers: The New York Times, USA Today, and The New York Post. Research Design and Methods A total of 54 news articles between 21 January and 8 May 2020 were identified from the LexisNexis academic database for analysis. The articles were analyzed using both a critical discourse analysis approach and a thematic analytical framework. Results Findings indicate that residents’ voices are excluded and superseded by others, namely their family members. Literary elements were used to portray residential care as shockingly dangerous, deceptive, and problematic. Blame was often assigned to an individual or group according to the political tendency of the newspaper. Discussion and Implications A cultural model of panic and dishonesty begins to take shape through the COVID-19 pandemic. Fearmongering and the portrayal of residential care as lacking transparency will likely create future mistrust of the industry. The depiction of vulnerability and the illusion of resident inclusion in the news coverage enable paternalistic decision-making and care practices in the name of supposed protection.
A Hydrogen‐Bonded Extracellular Matrix‐Mimicking Bactericidal Hydrogel with Radical Scavenging and Hemostatic Function for pH‐Responsive Wound Healing Acceleration

Generation of reactive oxygen species, delayed blood clotting, prolonged inflammation, bacterial infection, and slow cell proliferation are the main challenges of effective wound repair. Herein, a multifunctional extracellular matrix‐mimicking hydrogel is fabricated through abundant hydrogen bonding among the functional groups of gelatin and tannic acid (TA) as a green chemistry approach. The hydrogel shows adjustable physicochemical properties by altering the concentration of TA and it represents high safety features both in vitro and in vivo on fibroblasts, red blood cells, and mice organs. In addition to the merit of facile encapsulation of cell proliferation‐inducing hydrophilic drugs, accelerated healing of skin injury is obtained through pH‐dependent release of TA and its multifaceted mechanisms as an antibacterial, antioxidant, hemostatic, and anti‐inflammatory moiety. The developed gelatin‐TA (GelTA) hydrogel also shows an outstanding effect on the formation of extracellular matrix and wound closure in vivo via offered cell adhesion sites in the backbone of gelatin that provide increased re‐epithelialization and better collagen deposition. These results suggest that the multifunctional GelTA hydrogel is a promising candidate for the clinical treatment of full‐thickness wounds and further development of wound dressing materials that releases active agents in the neutral or slightly basic environment of infected nonhealing wounds.
Stroke in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, affecting millions of people. However, the relationship between COVID-19 and acute cerebrovascular diseases is unclear. Aims We aimed to characterize the incidence, risk factors, clinical–radiological manifestations, and outcome of COVID-19-associated stroke. Methods Three medical databases were systematically reviewed for published articles on acute cerebrovascular diseases in COVID-19 (December 2019–September 2020). The review protocol was previously registered (PROSPERO ID = CRD42020185476). Data were extracted from articles reporting ≥5 stroke cases in COVID-19. We complied with the PRISMA guidelines and used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to assess data quality. Data were pooled using a random-effect model. Summary of review Of 2277 initially identified articles, 61 (2.7%) were entered in the meta-analysis. Out of 108,571 patients with COVID-19, acute CVD occurred in 1.4% (95%CI: 1.0–1.9). The most common manifestation was acute ischemic stroke (87.4%); intracerebral hemorrhage was less common (11.6%). Patients with COVID-19 developing acute cerebrovascular diseases, compared to those who did not, were older (pooled median difference = 4.8 years; 95%CI: 1.7–22.4), more likely to have hypertension (OR = 7.35; 95%CI: 1.94–27.87), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.56; 95%CI: 3.34–9.24), coronary artery disease (OR = 3.12; 95%CI: 1.61–6.02), and severe infection (OR = 5.10; 95%CI: 2.72–9.54). Compared to individuals who experienced a stroke without the infection, patients with COVID-19 and stroke were younger (pooled median difference = −6.0 years; 95%CI: −12.3 to −1.4), had higher NIHSS (pooled median difference = 5; 95%CI: 3–9), higher frequency of large vessel occlusion (OR = 2.73; 95%CI: 1.63–4.57), and higher in-hospital mortality rate (OR = 5.21; 95%CI: 3.43–7.90). Conclusions Acute cerebrovascular diseases are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19, especially in those whom are severely infected and have pre-existing vascular risk factors. The pattern of large vessel occlusion and multi-territory infarcts suggests that cerebral thrombosis and/or thromboembolism could be possible causative pathways for the disease.
TERT promoter mutated circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Background and aims Plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) with tumor-specific mutations is an attractive biomarker. The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) C228T promoter mutation is the most prevalent tumor-associated mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the presence and prognostic value of the TERT C228T mutation in plasma and tissue in a Danish HCC cohort. Methods We analyzed ctDNA from 95 HCC patients and 45 liver cirrhotic patients without HCC for the TERT mutation using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. We also analyzed DNA from the corresponding primary tumor tissues in 34 HCC patients. Results The plasma TERT C228T mutation was detected in 42/95 HCC patients (44%) but in none of the non-HCC patients. The TERT mutation was detected in 23/34 tumor samples (68%). The TERT mutation was associated with increased mortality when detected in plasma (adjusted HR 2.16 (1.20–3.88), p = . 010) but not in tumor tissue (adjusted HR 1.11 (0.35–3.56), p = . 860). There was a positive correlation between the presence of the TERT mutation in plasma and an advanced TNM stage (p < .0001) and vascular invasion (p = .005). Analysis of the TERT mutation in plasma and tumor DNA from the same patient was concordant in 21/34 samples (62%; kappa value 0.31, p = .014). Non-concordance was associated with an early TNM stage. Conclusion The plasma TERT mutation was detected in 44% of HCC patients and in none of non-HCC cirrhotic patients; and was associated with increased mortality. We propose the TERT C228T mutation in ctDNA as a promising HCC biomarker for prognosis.
LINSEED MEAL: ITS SUCCESSFUL USE AS A PARTIAL AND COMPLETE REPLACEMENT FOR FISH MEAL IN PRACTICAL DIETS FOR NILE TILAPIA, Oreochromis niloticus (L.).

The main objectives of this study was to evaluate the effect of partial and total replacement of fish meal protein by linseed meal protein (LSMP) in practical diets of Nile tilapia fingerlings on growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Fish of an average weight 12.4 ± 0.71 g were stocked in 15 glass aquariums (100 l each) at a rate of 15 fish per aquarium. Fish meal protein (30 % of the diet) was used as the sole source of animal protein in the control diet. Percent replacement of fish meal by linseed meal on the basis of crude protein were as follows: 0 % (control diet A), 25 % (diet B), 50 % (diet C), 75 % (diet D) and 100 % (diet E). Diets were fed to fish at a rate of 6 %, then gradually reduced to 3 % of the total fish biomass daily, for a period of 20 weeks. The results of this study revealed that, the fish fed the control diet A (100 % FM) had the best average body weight, specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain %, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER), but the lowest was obtained with fish fed diet E (100 % LSM). The same parameters of fish fed diet D (75 % LSMP) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of fish fed the control diet A. Proximate composition of fish flesh moisture and lipid contents were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among all experimental diets and control diet. The highest value of protein contents was obtained on fish fed 75 % linseed meal protein (diet D) and the lowest was obtained on fish fed 100 linseed meal and fish fed the control diet A. For ash content, there was no significant differences (P > 0.05) between fish fed 75 % linseed meal diet D and control diet A. Feed significantly influenced apparent digestibility of crude protein crude ash and energy. Crude fat digestibility did not influenced by the experimental diets. Therefore, these findings suggest that up to 75 % of fish meal protein can be replaced by linseed meal protein in fingerlings Nile tilapia diets.
Validating a predictive model of cannabinoid inheritance with feral, clinical, and industrial Cannabis sativa

Premise How genetic variation within a species affects phytochemical composition is a fundamental question in botany. The ratio of two specialized metabolites in Cannabis sativa, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can be grouped into three main classes (THC‐type, CBD‐type, and intermediate type). We tested a genetic model associating these three groups with functional and nonfunctional alleles of the cannabidiolic acid synthase gene (CBDAS). Methods We characterized cannabinoid content and assayed CBDAS genotypes of >300 feral C. sativa plants in Minnesota, United States. We performed a test cross to assess CBDAS inheritance. Twenty clinical cultivars obtained blindly from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and 12 Canadian‐certified grain cultivars were also examined. Results Frequencies of CBD‐type, intermediate‐type, and THC‐type feral plants were 0.88, 0.11, and 0.01, respectively. Although total cannabinoid content varied substantially, the three groupings were perfectly correlated with CBDAS genotypes. Genotype frequencies observed in the test cross were consistent with codominant Mendelian inheritance of the THC:CBD ratio. Despite significant mean differences in total cannabinoid content, CBDAS genotypes blindly predicted the THC:CBD ratio among clinical cultivars, and the same was true for industrial grain cultivars when plants exhibited >0.5% total cannabinoid content. Conclusions Our results extend the generality of the inheritance model for THC:CBD to diverse C. sativa accessions and demonstrate that CBDAS genotyping can predict the ratio in a variety of practical applications. Cannabinoid profiles and associated CBDAS segregation patterns suggest that feral C. sativa populations are potentially valuable experimental systems and sources of germplasm.
A pilot project: handwashing educational intervention decreases incidence of respiratory and diarrheal illnesses in a rural Malawi orphanage

Children who live in orphanages represent a population particularly vulnerable to transmissible diseases. Handwashing interventions have proven efficacy for reducing the rate of transmission of common infectious diseases. Few studies have analyzed the delivery of health interventions for children in orphanages in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this gap, we conducted an ecological assessment and piloted a handwashing intervention in an orphanage in rural Malawi, focusing on caregiver knowledge and behaviors, child handwashing behaviors, and disease incidence. A secondary study aim was to demonstrate program feasibility for a future randomized controlled trial. Orphanage caregivers participated in a three-module educational intervention on handwashing based on WHO recommendations and workshops on how to teach the curriculum to children. Seventeen orphanage caregivers and 65 children were monitored for handwashing behavior and child disease incidence. Friedman’s tests were conducted to compare changes in caregiver knowledge and behaviors. Child handwashing behaviors and surveillance of child disease incidence were measured pre- and post-intervention. There were significant increases in caregiver hand hygiene knowledge. At six months post-intervention, handwashing with soap increased significantly among caregivers (p < 0.001) and was observed in children. The incidence of acute respiratory infections decreased from 30% to 6% post-intervention, resulting in an 80% decrease. The incidence of diarrhea decreased from 9.2% to 6.2% post-intervention, resulting in a 33% decrease. A brief educational intervention may improve handwashing knowledge and behaviors and help to decrease the incidence of common infectious diseases in an orphanage in rural Malawi. In addition, the caregiver uptake of the intervention demonstrated feasibility for future studies.