Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional intervention in patients with periodontal disease: clinical, immunological and microbiological variables during 12 months

The role of nutrition in onset, progression and treatment of periodontitis has not been thoroughly evaluated. In the present prospective clinical study, we investigated the influence of a nutritional intervention on changes in clinical, microbiological and immunological periodontal variables during a period of 12 months in patients with the metabolic syndrome and chronic periodontitis. Twenty female subjects with the metabolic syndrome and mild to moderate chronic periodontitis participated in a guided nutritional intervention programme. Examinations were assessed before, and at 2 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after intervention. Clinical measurements included probing depth, Löe and Silness gingival index and Quigley–Hein plaque index. In gingival crevicular fluid, periodontopathogens, levels of IL-1β and IL-6 as well as the activity of granulocyte elastase were determined. In stimulated saliva, antioxidative and oxidative variables were measured. After 12 months the following significant changes could be observed: reduction of clinical probing depth (2·40 v. 2·20 mm; P < 0·001), reduction of gingival inflammation (gingival index 1·13 v. 0·9; P < 0·001), reduced concentrations of IL-1β (4·63 v. 1·10 pg/ml per site; P < 0·001) as well as IL-6 (1·85 v. 0·34 pg/ml per site; P = 0·022) in gingival crevicular fluid. Bacterial counts in gingival crevicular fluid as well as oxidative and antioxidative variables in saliva showed no significant changes. Only salivary catalase showed a tendency to lower values. These findings indicate that in patients with the metabolic syndrome wholesome nutrition might reduce inflammatory variables of periodontal disease and promote periodontal health.
Kinetic analysis of antioxidant capacity of wine

A competition kinetics procedure for measuring total antioxidant capacity in wine is described. This procedure is based on the &#147;crocin bleaching test&#148; (Bors et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1984, 796:, 312–319) as modified for analyzing the antioxidant capacity of complex mixtures (Tubaro et al. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 1996,73, 173–179). The antioxidant capacity of white wines ranged from 0.08 to 1.2 mM equivalents of the reference antioxidant (Trolox C), while for red wines values ranging from 6.4 to 41.9 mM have been obtained. Although a correlation exists between antioxidant capacity and total phenol content of wines, due to the variable reactivity of different phenol groups, the analysis of the phenol content provides only a crude indication of the actual antioxidant capacity. The analysis of antioxidant capacity on different polyphenol classes, separated by solid phase extraction, indicated that anthocyanins are the major antioxidants of young red wines, and tannins of old red wines and white wines. Several vintages of the same grape have been analyzed and the expected decrease of antioxidant capacity upon ageing was not observed, although spectrophotometric analysis clearly demonstrated the shift from anthocyanin monomers to polymers. Artificial ageing by stirring under air produced a rapid decrease (30 min) of antioxidant capacity, followed by an increase (up to two weeks), but not any significant modification of the spectrophotometric chemical age factor. Since neither natural nor artificial ageing present a clear‐cut relationship with a decrease of antioxidant capacity, we could conclude that the a priori assumption that an old wine contains less antioxidant capacity, although popular, is not fully correct.
Topoisomerase Assays

Topoisomerases are nuclear enzymes that play essential roles in DNA replication, transcription, chromosome segregation, and recombination. All cells have two major forms of topoisomerases: type I enzymes, which make single‐stranded cuts in DNA, and type II enzymes, which cut and pass double‐stranded DNA. DNA topoisomerases are important targets of approved and experimental anti‐cancer agents. The protocols described in this unit are for assays used to assess new chemical entities for their ability to inhibit both forms of DNA topoisomerase. Included are an in vitro assay for topoisomerase I activity based on relaxation of supercoiled DNA, and an assay for topoisomerase II based on the decatenation of double‐stranded DNA. The preparation of mammalian cell extracts for assaying topoisomerase activity is described, along with a protocol for an ICE assay to examine topoisomerase covalent complexes in vivo, and an assay for measuring DNA cleavage in vitro. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 57:3.3. 1‐3.3. 27. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of the Efficiency and Evaluation of Chinese Industrial Pollution Control Policy and Advices for Environmental Policy

In order to evaluate the efficiency of China's environmental governance policy,we mainly consider the efficiency of environmental pollution control investment by using DEA- BCC model to study the data about the investment from 2000 to 2012. The results show that China's environmental governance investment efficiency is not high and the vast majority of years are in non DEA effective. It shows that there is a clear downward trend with the actual time,the decision making units have the common problems such as input redundancy and output deficiency. Owning to evaluate effectiveness comprehensively,we use the method combined with AHP and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation based on the environmental governance policy in China. The results show that China's environmental governance policy overall evaluation is poor; the main evaluation grade of 4 kinds of environmental management policy is also not rational; score transformed scores are in the 60-65 fractional period. Therefore,in order to enhance the efficiency and effect of environmental policy,we must reform and perfect China's environmental policy. And the most important thing is to build a scientific and systematic environmental policy system.
FTFlex: accounting for binding site flexibility to improve fragment-based identification of druggable hot spots

UNLABELLED Computational solvent mapping finds binding hot spots, determines their druggability and provides information for drug design. While mapping of a ligand-bound structure yields more accurate results, usually the apo structure serves as the starting point in design. The FTFlex algorithm, implemented as a server, can modify an apo structure to yield mapping results that are similar to those of the respective bound structure. Thus, FTFlex is an extension of our FTMap server, which only considers rigid structures. FTFlex identifies flexible residues within the binding site and determines alternative conformations using a rotamer library. In cases where the mapping results of the apo structure were in poor agreement with those of the bound structure, FTFlex was able to yield a modified apo structure, which lead to improved FTMap results. In cases where the mapping results of the apo and bound structures were in good agreement, no new structure was predicted. AVAILABILITY FTFlex is freely available as a web-based server at http://ftflex.bu. edu/.
Preferential Disruption of Prefrontal GABAergic Function by Nanomolar Concentrations of the α7nACh Negative Modulator Kynurenic Acid

Increased concentrations of kynurenic acid (KYNA) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are thought to contribute to the development of cognitive deficits observed in schizophrenia. Although this view is consistent with preclinical studies showing a negative impact of prefrontal KYNA elevation on executive function, the mechanism underlying such a disruption remains unclear. Here, we measured changes in local field potential (LFP) responses to ventral hippocampal stimulation in vivo and conducted whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices to reveal how nanomolar concentrations of KYNA alter synaptic transmission in the PFC of male adult rats. Our data show that prefrontal infusions of KYNA attenuated the inhibitory component of PFC LFP responses, a disruption that resulted from local blockade of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR). At the cellular level, we found that the inhibitory action exerted by KYNA in the PFC occurred primarily at local GABAergic synapses through an α7nAChR-dependent presynaptic mechanism. As a result, the excitatory–inhibitory ratio of synaptic transmission becomes imbalanced in a manner that correlates highly with the level of GABAergic suppression by KYNA. Finally, prefrontal infusion of a GABAAR positive allosteric modulator was sufficient to overcome the disrupting effect of KYNA and normalized the pattern of LFP inhibition in the PFC. Thus, the preferential inhibitory effect of KYNA on prefrontal GABAergic transmission could contribute to the onset of cognitive deficits observed in schizophrenia because proper GABAergic control of PFC output is one key mechanism for supporting such cortical functions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Brain kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an astrocyte-derived metabolite and its abnormal elevation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to impair cognitive functions in individuals with schizophrenia. However, the mechanism underlying the disrupting effect of KYNA remains unclear. Here we found that KYNA biases the excitatory–inhibitory balance of prefrontal synaptic activity toward a state of disinhibition. Such disruption emerges as a result of a preferential suppression of local GABAergic transmission by KYNA via presynaptic inhibition of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling. Therefore, the degree of GABAergic dysregulation in the PFC could be a clinically relevant contributing factor for the onset of cognitive deficits resulting from abnormal increases of cortical KYNA.
Human-Machine Interface: Design Principles of Visual Information in Human-Machine Interface Design

This paper recapitulated the concept of human machine interface visualization design, analyzed and generalized its study contents and the attention-deserving problems relating to human machine interface visualization design. It summarized the attribute of visualizable human machine interface under the consideration of the visualization study content. Finally, the paper advanced some principles which should be observed in visualization design, providing the visualization design of human machine interface some bases.
Application of local discriminant bases to HRR-based ATR

Wavelet-based signal classification and compression techniques have gained substantial popularity due to their low computational costs, excellent localization properties, and the ability to choose from a large number of bases for signal representation. A difficulty with applying wavelet-based techniques is determining the best wavelet type and basis. For compression, the best-basis algorithm has been proposed to find the wavelet-packet basis with maximum energy compaction. The local discriminant basis (LDB) was previously introduced in the context of signal classification to find the best wavelet-packet basis with maximum class discrimination. In this paper, we apply the LDB to the problem of automatic target recognition. We describe the mechanics of the LDB as applied to one- and two-dimensional signals, and introduce a novel classification scheme that is tolerant to image scaling and moderate image translations and dilations.
Wearable m-assessment system for neurological disease patients

Wearable motion sensors are widely used in monitoring of activities of daily living (ADL). Professional wearable motion trackers are also used for clinical gait and motor performance analysis in a medically controlled environment. We developed a motor condition assessment system for home use that targets patients with progressive neurodegenerative disease (namely multiple sclerosis). The system consists of at least one wearable sensor and an appropriate assessment methodology. Paper describes the technological implementation of the solution and patient trial results conducted during a three-year study at home and in a hospital environment.
Schur Number Five

We present the solution of a century-old problem known as Schur Number Five: What is the largest (natural) number n such that there exists a five-coloring of the positive numbers up to n without a monochromatic solution of the equation a + b = c? We obtained the solution, n = 160, by encoding the problem into propositional logic and applying massively parallel satisfiability solving techniques on the resulting formula. We also constructed and validated a proof of the solution to increase trust in the correctness of the multi-CPU-year computations. The proof is two petabytes in size and was certified using a formally verified proof checker, demonstrating that any result by satisfiability solvers---no matter how large---can now be validated using highly trustworthy systems.
Blood pressure gradients in cerebral arteries: a clue to pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease

Rationale The role of hypertension in cerebral small vessel disease is poorly understood. At the base of the brain (the ‘vascular centrencephalon’), short straight arteries transmit blood pressure directly to small resistance vessels; the cerebral convexity is supplied by long arteries with many branches, resulting in a drop in blood pressure. Hypertensive small vessel disease (lipohyalinosis) causes the classically described lacunar infarctions at the base of the brain; however, periventricular white matter intensities (WMIs) seen on MRI and WMI in subcortical areas over the convexity, which are often also called ‘lacunes’, probably have different aetiologies. Objectives We studied pressure gradients from proximal to distal regions of the cerebral vasculature by mathematical modelling. Methods and results Blood flow/pressure equations were solved in an Anatomically Detailed Arterial Network (ADAN) model, considering a normotensive and a hypertensive case. Model parameters were suitably modified to account for structural changes in arterial vessels in the hypertensive scenario. Computations predict a marked drop in blood pressure from large and medium-sized cerebral vessels to cerebral peripheral beds. When blood pressure in the brachial artery is 192/113 mm Hg, the pressure in the small arterioles of the posterior parietal artery bed would be only 117/68 mm Hg. In the normotensive case, with blood pressure in the brachial artery of 117/75 mm Hg, the pressure in small parietal arterioles would be only 59/38 mm Hg. Conclusion These findings have important implications for understanding small vessel disease. The marked pressure gradient across cerebral arteries should be taken into account when evaluating the pathogenesis of small WMIs on MRI. Hypertensive small vessel disease, affecting the arterioles at the base of the brain should be distinguished from small vessel disease in subcortical regions of the convexity and venous disease in the periventricular white matter.
Regulation of Vascular Tone in Animals Overexpressing the Sarcolemmal Calcium Pump*

The mechanisms governing vascular smooth muscle tone are incompletely understood. In particular, the role of the sarcolemmal calcium pump PMCA (plasma membrane calmodulin-dependent calcium ATPase), which extrudes Ca2+ from the cytosol, and its importance compared with the sodium/calcium exchanger remain speculative. To test whether the PMCA is a regulator of vascular tone, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing the human PMCA4b under control of the arterial smooth muscle-specific SM22α promoter. This resulted in an elevated systolic blood pressure compared with littermate controls. In PMCA-overexpressing mice, endothelium-dependent relaxation of norepinephrine-preconstricted aortic rings to acetylcholine did not differ from wild type controls (76 ± 8% versus 79 ± 8% of maximum relaxation; n = 12, n.s.). De-endothelialized aortas of transgenic mice exhibited stronger maximum contraction to KCl (100 mmol/liter) compared with controls (86 ± 6% versus 68 ± 7% of reference KCl contraction at the beginning of the experiment; p <0.05). Preincubation of de-endothelialized vessels with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME (l-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester) (10–5 mol/liter) resulted in a stronger contraction to KCl (p <0.05 versus without l-NAME), thus unmasking vasodilatory effects of inherent NO production. Maximum contraction to KCl after preincubation with l-NAME did not differ between PMCA mice and controls. In analogy to the results in PMCA-overexpressing mice, contractions of de-endothelialized aortas of neuronal NOS-deficient mice to KCl were significantly increased compared with controls (151 ± 5% versus 131 ± 6% of reference KCl contraction; p <0.05). In conclusion, our data suggest a model in which the sarcolemmal Ca2+ pump down-regulates activity of the vascular smooth muscle Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent neuronal NOS by a functionally relevant interaction. Therefore, the PMCA represents a novel regulator of vascular tone.
A two-variable model of cardiac action potential with controlled pacemaker activity and ionic current interpretation

Since the introduction of the historical Fitzhugh-Nagumo model (1961) with its two state-variables used to describe the excitability phenomena of cell membranes and action potential generation, more complex models have been proposed to better capture the physiology of cardiac cells. However in some model-based signal or image processing applications, two-state-variable models are still useful and there is a need to improve both their qualitative behaviors (shape of action potential, pacemaker activity) and the interpretation of their parameters. Several models have then been derived from the Fitzhugh-Nagumo model, e.g. the van Capelle-Durrer (1980) or Aliev-Panfllov (1996) models, or from simplifications of more complex ionic models, like the Mitchell-Schaeffer model (2003). In this paper, we introduce a two state-variable model of cardiac action potentials from which the above mentioned models can be derived for particular values of its parameters. Like the Mitchell-Schaeffer model, it has an ionic current interpretation relevant for inverse problems and it improves that model, being capable of pacemaker activity as we show using the phase plane representation and a bifurcation analysis.
Effects of Short-Term Treatment with an H+,K+-ATPase Inhibitor (B8301-078) on Enterochromaffin-Like (ECL) Cells in Rat Fundic Mucosa

In the present study, female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally over 2, 14, and 29 days with 50 mg/kg/day of the H+,K+-ATPase inhibitor B8301–078, a substituted benzimidazole. The endocrine cells in the fundic mucosa were quantified by light microscopy with the aid of Grimelius silver staining and examined by electron microscopy. After 2 days of treatment, the number of argyrophilic Grimelius-positive cells (GPC) was clearly reduced compared to the controls, whereas after 14 and 29 days, hyperplasia was observed. Electron microscopy showed that there was only an apparent decrease in GPC density after 2 treatments. This reduction was due to the massive degranulation of the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells and the resultant decrease in stainability with silver. After 14 and 29 days the granular depletion was less pronounced. The cells were, therefore, detectable again by light microscopy.
Increased frequency of hematopoietic malignancies in relatives of patients with lymphoid neoplasms: A French case–control study

Lymphoid neoplasms (LNs), including non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS) and multiple myeloma (MM), are among the most frequent cancers (∼17,000 new cases per year in France), after those related to smoking. LNs were investigated using the data from the ENGELA study. ENGELA is a multicenter hospital‐based case–control study that was carried out in France over the period September 2000–December 2004. In all, 822 cases (397 NHL, 149 LH, 168 SLP and 108 MM) and 752 controls were included and described 5,481 and 5,188 first‐degree relatives, respectively. A positive association with a familial history of hematopoietic cancer was observed for LN (OR = 1.7 [1.0–2.8]) overall and for LPS (OR = 3.2 [1.4–6.8]). The associations with HL (OR = 10.4 [2.0–53.8]) and NHL (OR = 2.4 [1.0–5.9]) were stronger for men. The associations were also stronger when the disease had been diagnosed before the relatives were aged 45 years. The results mainly support the involvement of genetic factors and suggest that at least some of those factors may be sex‐linked. However, the slight overrepresentation of affected spouses among the cases might also support the responsibility of environmental factors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Critical Teacher Education and the Politics of Teacher Accreditation: Are We Practicing What We Preach?.

With this article, we challenge the successful implementation of critical perspectives in an increasingly neoliberal and neoconservative educational climate. Although many teacher education programs challenge teachers to be critical and to empower students, current top-down accountability practices and policy mandates do not allow teachers the freedom to do so. Are we just setting teachers up to fail? Through our analyses of teacher accreditation practices in the United States, we highlight examples of the contradictory measures set through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) to prepare teachers for diverse populations. We question why social foundations of education and multicultural education, both disciplines that we believe capable of forming critically conscious teachers, are not more prevalent in teacher education programs. In a climate where critique becomes insubordination, we argue for spaces of resistance in both teacher preparation programs and in the classroom.
Effects of Homologous and Heterologous Neuraminidase Vaccines in Chickens Against H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Abstract The 2004 Asian H5N1 epizootic outbreak indicates the urgent need for vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. The manufacture of inactivated whole-virus vaccines from HPAI viruses by traditional methods is not feasible for safety reasons as well as technical issues. The low pathogenic avian influenza A/wild bird feces/CSM2/02 (H5N3) virus was used as a heterologous neuraminidase vaccine, and HPAI A/CK/Korea/ES/03 (H5N1) virus was used as a homologous neuraminidase vaccine. Protection efficacy of both vaccines was evaluated by clinical signs, mortality rates, and virus shedding from oropharynx and cloaca of vaccinated chickens after challenge with HPAI A/CK/Korea/ES/03 (H5N1) virus. One dose of 128 hemagglutinin (HA) homologous H5N1 vaccine induced 100% protection in mortality and prevented viral shedding completely after lethal dose virus challenge, whereas one dose of 64 HA unit of heterologous H5N3 vaccine only induced 50% protection in mortality, and it did not prevent viral shedding. However, two doses at a 3-wk interval of 64 HA unit of heterologous H5N3 vaccine as well as one dose of 1024 HA unit of heterologous H5N3 vaccine induced 100% survival rate and could prevent viral shedding completely. Furthermore, we could differentiate the sera of infected birds from those of vaccinated birds by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. These results suggest that heterologous neuraminidase H5N3 vaccine could be a useful tool for the control of H5N1 HPAI epidemic in poultry.