Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Erosive Tooth Wear with Intraoral Scanners In vitro

Intraoral scanners (IOS) have been used to quantify tooth wear, but so far they have not been systematically validated for monitoring of tissue loss. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate whether progression of tissue loss can be detected with an IOS and whether IOS values agree with those obtained with noncontacting profilometry (PRO) serving as a standard method. Model jaws were mounted in a phantom head positioned in a dental chair. Flattened areas were prepared on the non-load-bearing cusps of the first molars (model teeth; n = 16) in order to fix flat enamel samples with an experimental area and a reference area. After baseline PRO and IOS, the experimental enamel area was stepwise etched with 35% H3PO4 gel (4 × 30 s and 4 × 15 s). After each etching, PRO and IOS was performed and the vertical tissue loss between the reference and experimental areas was measured, each at the same 3 measurement points. Furthermore, cupped cusps were simulated by stepwise preparation of the load-bearing cusps of the model teeth with a spherical diamond bur, and the maximum vertical depth after each preparation step was measured only by IOS. Trios3 (3Shape, Denmark), Carestream CS3600 (Carestream, USA) and an optical profilometer (MicroProf, Fries, Germany) were used to measure the flat areas of the enamel samples, whereas only IOS were used to measure curved surfaces on the load-bearing cupped cusps of the model teeth. The IOS data were analyzed with an external software (GOM Inspect, Germany) and with the respective internal IOS software. PRO revealed a mean (±SD) tissue loss of 17.1 ± 4.7 µm after 30-s etching steps and 10.1 ± 5.1 µm after the 15-s etching steps. IOS and software types were able to detect the progression of tissue loss after each etching step (p ≤ 0.001 each); Bland-Altmann plots revealed good agreement with PRO regardless of the order of tissue loss, and no systematic difference was found. Increasing cupped lesion depths were detected by all IOS, with no significant differences between IOS and analysis methods. IOS were able to detect small amounts of tissue loss under simulated clinical conditions and seem to be a promising tool for monitoring even initial erosive tooth wear.
Propriedades físicas e teor de carbono orgânico de um Argissolo Vermelho sob distintos sistemas de uso e manejo

A conservacao do solo e a produtividade das culturas podem ser negativamente afetadas por mudancas causadas a composicao e arranjos dos constituintes do solo por diferentes sistemas de manejo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influencia da intensidade de revolvimento sobre atributos fisicos e teor de carbono orgânico (CO) do solo. O experimento foi realizado por 17 anos em Eldorado do Sul (RS), num Argissolo Vermelho de textura media sob diferentes sistemas de manejo: preparo convencional (PC), preparo reduzido (PR) e semeadura direta (SD), utilizando a sucessao de culturas ervilhaca-milho. Uma area de campo nativo (CN), adjacente as parcelas agricolas, foi utilizada como testemunha. As amostras de solo foram coletadas antes do estabelecimento da cultura de verao, nas camadas de 0-2,5, 2,5-7,5, 7,5-12,5 e 12,5-17,5 cm de profundidade. As propriedades avaliadas foram: teor de carbono orgânico, densidade do solo e de particulas, macro, micro e porosidade total, grau de floculacao e estabilidade de agregados. Os sistemas de preparo nao influenciaram a densidade e a porosidade total do solo, mas a distribuicao do tamanho de poros variou conforme a profundidade de amostragem. A macroporosidade foi maior no preparo convencional em relacao ao preparo reduzido e semeadura direta somente na camada de 7,5-12,5 cm, e os microporos foram mais abundantes de 0-2,5 cm na semeadura direta em relacao aos demais sistemas. A adocao da semeadura direta aumentou a estabilidade de agregados da camada superficial do solo em relacao ao preparo convencional, mediante a elevacao no teor de carbono orgânico.
Volumetric Bone Mineral Density in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Postmenopausal Women

Background: In cementless total hip arthroplasty, femoral stems should preferably not migrate at all postoperatively. This goal is difficult to achieve in postmenopausal women with impaired bone quality. Here, we explored the clinical importance of initial stem migration, measured by radiostereometric analysis (RSA), in women who underwent quantitative computed tomography (CT) of the involved hip preoperatively. Methods: A prospective cohort of 65 postmenopausal women (mean age, 69 years) with hip osteoarthritis and Dorr type-A or B femoral anatomy underwent total hip arthroplasty with implantation of a tapered, single-wedge femoral stem. Volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using quantitative CT. Femoral stem translation and rotation were measured using model-based RSA within 3 days after the surgical procedure and were repeated at 3, 5, and 11 months. Postoperative recovery parameters included walking speed, walking activity, and patient‐reported outcome measures. Subjects were categorized into 2 groups according to the magnitude of initial 5-month stem subsidence (<2 mm or ≥2 mm); RSA outliers (n = 7) were analyzed separately. Results: Subjects with stem subsidence of ≥2 mm (mean, 3.09 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.70 to 3.47 mm]) had lower intertrochanteric volumetric BMD (p = 0.008). Subjects with subsidence of <2 mm (mean, 0.80 mm [95% CI, 0.51 to 1.09 mm]) had faster improvement of patient‐reported outcome measures and exhibited faster walking speed (p = 0.007) and greater walking activity (p = 0.010) at 11 months as well as better Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (p = 0.002) and RAND 36-Item Health Survey mental component scores (p = 0.006) at 2 years. All cohort stems were osseointegrated at 2 years. Conclusions: Femoral stem stability and resistance to subsidence were sensitive to adequate intertrochanteric volumetric BMD. Low intertrochanteric volumetric BMD was associated with greater stem migration. With initial migration, clinical recovery was slower and patient-reported outcome measures were less satisfactory. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Free fatty acid receptor 4 responds to endogenous fatty acids to protect the heart from pressure overload.

AIMS Free fatty acid receptor 4 (Ffar4) is a G-protein coupled receptor for endogenous medium/long-chain fatty acids that attenuates metabolic disease and inflammation. However, the function of Ffar4 in the heart is unclear. Given its putative beneficial role, we hypothesized that Ffar4 would protect the heart from pathologic stress. METHODS AND RESULTS In mice lacking Ffar4 (Ffar4KO), we found that Ffar4 is required for an adaptive response to pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), identifying a novel cardioprotective function for Ffar4. Following TAC, remodeling was worsened in Ffar4KO hearts, with greater hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction. Transcriptome analysis 3-days post-TAC identified transcriptional deficits in genes associated with cytoplasmic phospholipase A2α signaling and oxylipin synthesis as well as reduction of oxidative stress in Ffar4KO myocytes. In cultured adult cardiac myocytes, Ffar4 induced production of the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-derived, pro-resolving oxylipin 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE). Furthermore, activation of Ffar4 attenuated cardiac myocyte death from oxidative stress, while 18-HEPE rescued Ffar4KO myocytes. Systemically, Ffar4 maintained pro-resolving oxylipins and attenuated autoxidation basally, and increased pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving oxylipins, including 18-HEPE, in high density lipoproteins post-TAC. In humans, Ffar4 expression decreased in heart failure, while the signaling-deficient Ffar4 R270H polymorphism correlated with eccentric remodeling in a large clinical cohort paralleling changes observed in Ffar4KO mice post-TAC. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that Ffar4 in cardiac myocytes responds to endogenous fatty acids, reducing oxidative injury, and protecting the heart from pathologic stress, with significant translational implications for targeting Ffar4 in cardiovascular disease.
Relationship Between Serum Inflammatory Factor Levels and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: Some evidence supports that the significance of inflammation is linked to a variety of tumors, including thyroid carcinoma. This work measured the preoperative serum inflammatory factors in thyroid tumors to explore their diagnostic values. Material and Methods: Altogether 487 thyroid tumor patients were recruited, their neutrophil (NE), white blood cell (WBC), monocyte (MO), lymphocyte (LY), platelet (PLT) counts, together with monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-27, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were compared with controls. Afterward, the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was plotted to further evaluate the values of these inflammatory markers in diagnosis. In addition, multivariable regression analysis was conducted to analyze all these inflammatory factors. Results: Serum PLR, NLR, CRP, and IL-27 levels in thyroid adenoma (TA) and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients were higher than those in controls. Only the areas under the curve (AUC) for CRP and IL-27 were significant in the context of DTC. Besides, the AUC for IL-27 was significant between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) groups, while that for NLR+PLR was also significant between PTC and healthy control groups. According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, IL-27 and CRP were associated with DTC. Conclusions: Inflammation plays an important role in TA and DTC progression. Preoperative IL-27 and CRP levels help to differentially diagnose DTC. Moreover, IL-27 assists in distinguishing FTC from PTC, and NLR+PLR is important for the differential diagnosis of PTC.
Use of chlorhexidine to eradicate oropharyngeal SARS‐CoV‐2 in COVID‐19 patients

As public distribution of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is underway, prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) relies on minimizing spread. In this study, chlorhexidine gluconate was investigated as a topical antimicrobial agent against SARS‐CoV‐2. This was a randomized, prospective cohort study using chlorhexidine as an oral rinse and posterior oropharyngeal spray in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. The primary outcome was presence or absence of laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 in the oral and oropharyngeal cavities after 4 days of chlorhexidine use and standard of care (study group) or standard of care only (control group). SARS‐CoV‐2 was eliminated from the oropharynx in 62.1% of patients who used chlorhexidine as an oral rinse, versus 5.5% of the control group patients. Among patients who used a combination of oral rinse and oropharyngeal spray, 86.0% eliminated oropharyngeal SARS‐CoV‐2, versus 6.3% of control patients. Chlorhexidine is a simple and safe addition to current COVID‐19 prevention guidelines and may play a significant role in reducing disease spread.
Short‐chain fatty acids and bile acids in human faeces are associated with the intestinal cholesterol conversion status

The analysis of human faecal metabolites can provide an insight into metabolic interactions between gut microbiota and the host organism. The creation of metabolic profiles in faeces has received little attention until now, and reference values, especially in the context of dietary and therapeutic interventions, are missing. Exposure to xenobiotics significantly affects the physiology of the microbiome, and microbiota manipulation and short‐chain fatty acid administration have been proposed as treatment targets for several diseases. The aim of the present study is to give concomitant concentration ranges of faecal sterol species, bile acids and short‐chain fatty acids, based on a large cohort.
Incidence and outcomes of endophthalmitis with in-house compounded intravitreal bevacizumab injections: A multicentric study

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the incidence rate and outcomes of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of in-house compounded bevacizumab. Methods In this multicentric study performed from 2014 to 2018, patients who were injected with in-house compounded and sterilized bevacizumab were observed for endophthalmitis. In-house compounded syringes were prepared in compounding pharmacy using sterile standard operating guidelines. All cases of acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection were recorded and followed up for final anatomical and visual outcome after management. Results A total of 50,361 bevacizumab injections were administered. Incidence of post-injection endophthalmitis was 0.0377%. Incidence of culture-positive endophthalmitis was 0.0178%, with 55.5% culture positivity for Staphylococcus species. A significant improvement in the final visual outcome was noted (p<0.05), and overall five patients (26.3%) achieved visual acuity of 6/18 or more. Conclusions In-house compounded injections of bevacizumab can reduce post-injection endophthalmitis to a minimum, with maintenance of proper asepsis and strict protocols by the compounding pharmacy.
Thermal blooming effects of gas on laser propagation in a closed tube

Thermal blooming effect of inner optical path remarkably affects far-field beam quality and energy distributions which should be taken into account in high energy laser (HEL) system. A physical model of thermal blooming is established. Based on the model, numerical simulations are carried out to study both the influences of absorptions of laser energy and tube structures on laser propagation in a closed tube. The natural convection of gas is numerically simulated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. Gas temperature distributions, additional phase differences (APDs), variations of beam quality and drifts of mass center in far-field under different absorptions of laser energy and tube structures (Z-shaped and U-shaped) are compared, respectively. By analysis of numerical simulation results, the switch time of heat conduction and heat convection in gas is distinguished, which significantly affects the variations of beam quality and drifts of mass center in far-field. In addition, it also indicates that less absorption of laser energy improves beam quality and delays the switch time of beam quality between two heat transfer mechanisms. Therefore, it is significant to control the absorptions of laser energy for HEL system in practice. Different tube structures owning different beam paths change the distributions of APDs and thus influence beam quality. APDs of the two horizontal sections are the same (superposition effect) for Z-shaped tube while inverse (compensation effect) for U-shaped tube. It is shown that drifts of mass center in far-field are greatly suppressed for U-shaped tube than that of Z-shaped tube and beam quality is also improved.
A mobile technology‐based cooperative learning platform for undergraduate biology courses in common college classrooms

As a high‐impact educational practice, cooperative learning uses a structured group study to promote students' active learning. Currently, it lacks economical yet effective tools to facilitate the interactive nature of structured cooperative learning in regular classrooms. Here, we have established a mobile technology‐based cooperative learning (MBCL) platform that comprises the 2018 iPad, Apple Pencil, LiveBoard, Google Forms, and Google Drive. We tested the MBCL platform in multiple undergraduate biology courses. During semester‐long MBCL studies, the students engaged in cooperative learning to discuss a real‐life issue or chapter‐based contents. With the MBCL platform, the students' group study processes were shown on shared, visible electronic whiteboards that were updated in real‐time, generating visible thinking and instant, interactive communication. The instructor was able to guide the students promptly to conduct knowledge integration and knowledge synthesis using tables and diagrams. The deep learning outcome was evident in the examples and quantitative analyses of students' whiteboard study results and team presentations. Thus, integrating innovative mobile technologies into high‐impact teaching practices, exemplified by the MBCL platform, promotes deep learning in higher education.
Loneliness Perceptions in Older Portuguese Gay and Bisexual Men

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of loneliness among gay and bisexual men in Portugal over 60 years old. Despite the growth of the older population in Portugal, the social isolation and loneliness experiences in older gay and bisexual men is only beginning to be understood. A structured electronic inquiry with 35 gay and bisexual men over 60 years of age from Portugal (mean age was 66.45 years (SD = 4.45) was used, ranging from 60 to 77 years). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, comparing self-perceived loneliness levels by sexual orientation and by levels of loneliness. The recurrent themes in the narratives of loneliness perception of the participants in the study were as follows: Mental Health, Support System, Dating and Relationships, Discrimination, Coping, Personal Characteristics, and Coming-out issues. Differences between sexual orientation and levels of loneliness were also found.
Phenoconversion from Possible REM Sleep Behavior to Parkinsonism in the Population‐Based CLSA

threshold for probable prodromal PD using original criteria as compared with 16 using updated criteria. A correlation analysis between original probabilities and updated probabilities is presented in upper row of Fig. 1. Updated probabilities in participants with incident PD were higher than the original ones (Fig. 1, middle row), while in participants who remained free of PD during follow-up, updated probabilities were lower than the original ones (P < 0.001; Table S1). However, these significant divergent changes (Fig. 1, lower row) did not translate into higher predictive accuracies of the updated criteria for incident PD in our sample, as in absolute numbers only a few participants with incident PD were reclassified (Tables S1 and S2). In summary, we previously reported our findings of the original criteria in the unselected population-based Bruneck Study cohort showing a moderate to high predictive accuracy in identifying cases of incident PD over up to 10 years of follow-up. Predictive accuracy did not change when using the updated criteria, probably due to the low sample size and thus low number of converters despite the long follow-up time. Nevertheless, the updated MDS criteria were superior to the original MDS criteria with regard to separating individuals with low and high probabilities likely indicating presence of prodromal PD. Therefore, together with one other study published to date that has applied the updated criteria, our findings speak to the MDS Task Force Bayesian classifier methodology that allows for sequential inclusion of new markers as they become available. The results of the present study should be confirmed by larger prospective populationbased studies, which should include markers with high LR.
A new risk-scoring system to predict Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma in adults

Objective The objective was to derive and validate a practical scoring system for preoperative diagnosis of Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in adults. Methods Epidemiology, symptomatology, and imaging methods were correlated between patients with common RCC and those with Xp11.2 translocation RCC using a derivation study (N = 6352) and a validation study (N = 127). Univariate analysis of risk factors was performed to derive a scoring system to predict the occurrence of Xp11.2 translocation RCC in adults. The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to validate the scoring system. Results Based on odd ratios, three low-risk factors (sex, gross haematuria, and intratumoural calcification) and three high-risk factors (age, unenhanced computed tomography density, and enhancement pattern) were given weighted scores of 1 and 2, respectively. Patients who scored 3 to 5 points underwent an additional magnetic resonance imaging examination. The final scoring system had a sensitivity of 81.0% and a specificity of 98.0%. Conclusion We established a practical scoring system for the preoperative diagnosis of Xp11.2 translocation RCC in adults, which can be optimised through further clinical findings in the future.
Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

l-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide), an amino acid in green tea, has been shown to affect brain functions by relieving stress disorders, improving mood, and maintaining normal sleep. However, the cognitive functions for which theanine is effective are unclear. This study aimed to clarify which cognitive functions are positively affected by intake of l-theanine. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted. The subjects were Japanese men and women aged 50–69 years. Mini Mental State Examination-Japanese version score was 24 or higher. Cognitrax was used as a test battery for cognitive function. Evaluations were performed before the intervention, after a single dose of l-theanine, and after 12 weeks of regular intake. The single dose of l-theanine reduced the reaction time to attention tasks (Stroop test, Part 1), and it increased the number of correct answers and decreased the number of omission errors in working memory tasks (4-Part continuous performance test, Part 4). In conclusion, our study indicated that l-theanine may contribute to improving attention, thus enhancing working memory and executive functions. Clinical Trial No.: UMIN000033812.
The buffering role of paternal parenting stress in the relationship between maternal parenting stress and children's problematic behaviour

The present study aimed at exploring the relationship between parenting stress and children's problematic behaviour in the families of 99 children aged 8–11 years. Parenting stress was assessed by parents, using the Parenting Stress Index, and children's problematic behaviour was assessed by teachers, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. A moderation regression analysis showed a conditioning effect of paternal parenting stress in the relationship between maternal parenting stress and children's problematic behaviour. In the presence of high levels of paternal parenting stress, the relationship between maternal parenting stress and children's problematic behaviour was significant and strong (p = .01). When paternal parenting stress levels were low, the relationship between maternal parenting stress and children's problematic behaviour was not significant (p = .49). The results underlined that paternal parenting stress may buffer the relationship between maternal parenting stress and children's problematic behaviour. Clinical implications are discussed.