Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Health Anxiety Inventory: development and validation of scales for the measurement of health anxiety and hypochondriasis

Background. A self-rated measure of health anxiety should be sensitive across the full range of intensity (from mild concern to frank hypochondriasis) and should differentiate people suffering from health anxiety from those who have actual physical illness but who are not excessively concerned about their health. It should also encompass the full range of clinical symptoms characteristic of clinical hypochondriasis. The development and validation of such a scale is described. Method. Three studies were conducted. First, the questionnaire was validated by comparing the responses of patients suffering from hypochondriasis with those suffering from hypochondriasis and panic disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and non-patient controls. Secondly, a state version of the questionnaire was administered to patients undergoing cognitive-behavioural treatment or wait-list in order to examine the measure's sensitivity to change. In the third study, a shortened version was developed and validated in similar types of sample, and in a range of samples of people seeking medical help for physical illness. Results. The scale was found to be reliable and to have a high internal consistency. Hypochondriacal patients scored significantly higher than anxiety disorder patients, including both social phobic patients and panic disorder patients as well as normal controls. In the second study, a ‘state’ version of the scale was found to be sensitive to treatment effects, and to correlate very highly with a clinician rating based on an interview of present clinical state. A development and refinement of the scale (intended to reflect more fully the range of symptoms of and reactions to hypochondriasis) was found to be reliable and valid. A very short (14 item) version of the scale was found to have comparable properties to the full length scale. Conclusions. The HAI is a reliable and valid measure of health anxiety. It is likely to be useful as a brief screening instrument, as there is a short form which correlates highly with the longer version.
Differential expression of fibroblast growth factor‐2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in a scarring and nonscarring model of CNS injury in the rat

Injury to the adult brain results in abortive axon regeneration and the deposition of a dense fibrous glial scar. Therapeutic strategies to promote postinjury axon regeneration are likely to require antiscarring strategies. In neonatal brain wounds, scar material is not laid down and axons grow across the lesion site, either by de novo growth or regeneration. To achieve the therapeutic goal of recapitulating the nonscarring neonatal response in the injured adult, an understanding of how ontogenic differences in scarring reflect developmental diversities in the trophic response to injury is required. Fibrobast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) expression is developmentally regulated and has been implicated as a regulator of the wounding response of the adult rat central nervous system. We have investigated the expression of FGF‐2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) after penetrating lesions to the cerebral cortex of 5 days post partum (dpp) (nonscarring) and 16 dpp and adult (scarring) rats. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed robust and sustained increases in FGF‐2 and FGFR1 mRNA and protein in reactive astrocytes around the lesion in scarring rats, a response that was attenuated substantially in the nonscarring neonate. These results demonstrate that changes in astrocyte FGF‐2 and FGFR1 expression are coincident with the establishment of a mature pattern of glial scarring after injury in the maturing central nervous system, but it is premature to infer a causal relationship without further experiments.
Lactational Transfer of Cadmium from Meriones shawi shawi Mothers to Their Pups and Its Effects on Calcium Homeostasis and Bone Calcium in Pups

Cadmium (Cd) was given to Meriones shawi shawi dams in the diet (1 g CdCl2/1.5 kg of diet) from day 1 to day 21 of lactation. Pups were killed at 5, 10, 14 and 21 days of lactation. Thereafter, liver, kidney, femur and stomach content were removed and plasma was collected to element analyses. Cd in stomach content, kidney, liver and femur and calcium (Ca) in stomach content, femur and plasma were determined in pups by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results indicate that Cd was transferred to the suckling and it was detected in the liver, the kidney and the femur from the 5th, the 10th and the 14th days of age, respectively. Stomach content of Ca was increased significantly from the 10th day to the end of lactation, whereas Ca levels increase in plasma and femur only at day 10 of lactation.
Normal Values for Microperimetry with the MAIA Microperimeter: Sensitivity and Fixation Analysis in Healthy Adults and Children

Purpose To establish normative values of retinal sensitivity and parameters describing the fixation pattern using macular analyzer integrity assessment (MAIA) microperimetry (Centervue, Padova, Italy) in adults and children. Methods A sample of 237 eyes of 237 healthy subjects aged between 10 and 70 years (mean age 30.63 ± 16.23 years) was evaluated using the MAIA microperimeter. The following parameters provided by the MAIA device were evaluated: average threshold (AT), macular integrity, fixation indexes (P1% and P2%), bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) for 95% and 63% of points, and horizontal (H) and vertical (V) axes of the ellipse of fixation. Differences between different age-related groups were evaluated. Correlation of microperimetric parameters with age was also assessed. Results Median retinal sensitivity of the overall sample was 32.90 dB (interquartile range 1.80 dB). Median P1 and P2 values were 98.00% (6.00) and 100.00% (1.00), respectively. Median BCEA for 95% and 63% of points were 2.40°2 (4.50) and 0.30°2 (0.50), respectively. Median H and V were 0.90° (0.80) and 0.90° (0.70), respectively. Age was significantly correlated with the following parameters in subjects from 21 to 70 years of age (p<0.01): AT (rho -0.47), P1 (rho -0.37), BCEA95 (rho 0.43), BCEA63 (rho 0.42), H (rho 0.43), and V (rho 0.40). Conclusions Retinal sensitivity in healthy eyes tends to decrease with age as well as the stability of the pattern of fixation. A normative database in terms of retinal sensitivity threshold and fixation performance can be established in this type of eyes.
The Evolution of New Mobile Applications: A Sociotechnical Perspective

Little is known about how viable new mobile applications emerge in complex commercial environments. Research in the sociology of technology suggests that the evolution of new applications is a process of social interaction between multiple constituencies, aiming to create a common definition of mobile technology problems and solutions that is obvious only in retrospect. This theory is illustrated by the early evolution of the personal digital assistant (PDA). According to this view, established technological communities attempt to impose their own definitions of key problems and solutions on new mobile technology, thereby forcing newer players to provide a "total system" that completely redefines a new application area.
Pythagorean Mean Images for Efficient Groupwise Registration

Groupwise registration is a powerful technique allowing to simultaneously align multiple images using an unbiased approach. Its need arises from population studies or motion estimation across dynamic sequences. An often used class of efficient groupwise metrics measures similarity as the sum of the pairwise similarities between the images and a template image, commonly chosen to be the arithmetic mean image in the current iteration. However, arithmetic averaging in intensity space limits the applications to closely related modalities, and may produce fuzzy images compromising the performance of the metric. Geometric and harmonic averaging is capable of handling range and scale differences without adding computational complexity. Groupwise similarity metrics based on mutual information and the three Pythagorean means were investigated. Experiments performed on monomodal and multimodal data demonstrated superior performance of geometric and harmonic over arithmetic averaging and the corresponding pairwise registration.
Comparison of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Multiantigen Sequence Typing and porB Sequence Analysis for Identification of Clusters of N. gonorrhoeae Isolates

ABSTRACT porB DNA sequence analysis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) methods were compared for their abilities to discriminate strains and to identify epidemiologically congruent pairs of N. gonorrhoeae. Both methods provided high-level discrimination of strains. NG-MAST further differentiated large porB-based clusters. However, considerations of cost suggest that porB DNA sequence analysis is a useful tool for preliminary molecular analysis of the epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae.
How Ego-Threats Facilitate Contracts Based on Subjective Evaluations

We show that individuals’ desire to protect their self-esteem against ego-threatening feedback can mitigate moral hazard in environments with purely subjective performance evaluations. In line with evidence from social psychology we assume that agents’ react aggressively to evaluations by the principal which do not coincide with their own positive self-perceptions and thereby generate costs of conflict for the principal. We identify conditions for a positive welfare effect of increasing costs of conflict or increasing sensitivity to ego-threats, and a negative welfare effect of a more informative information technology. As a consequence, principals may choose imperfect information technologies in equilibrium even if the signal quality is costless.
Understanding and reducing conflicts between driver and haptic shared control

Haptic shared control systems aim to guide drivers during steering using guidance torques. Many such systems generate torques using a simplified and constant lane-keeping model based on a look-ahead controller, without accounting for individual differences. Literature on haptic steering support shows beneficial effects (reduced control activity and increased performance) under experimental conditions, but also report increased steering torques. In this study, we hypothesized that increased interacting torques are the results of small conflicts between human and a constant haptic support system and that these conflicts may be mitigated by adapting the parameters of the look-ahead controller to best match each individual driver, essentially providing individualized guidance torques. Results showed that this approach provides a better match in terms of desired steering wheel angles, however this did not lead to a relevant reduction in steering torques, as discrepancies in timing and lateral error continued to exist. Future adaptations to the haptic shared control algorithm should take more realistic driver control models into consideration.
Role of MbtH-like Proteins in the Adenylation of Tyrosine during Aminocoumarin and Vancomycin Biosynthesis*

Background: l-Tyrosine adenylation is a key step in aminocoumarin antibiotic and vancomycin biosynthesis. Results: Several but not all tyrosine-adenylating enzymes require MbtH-like proteins for activity, forming heterotetrameric complexes. A single Leu-to-Met mutation creates an MbtH-independent enzyme. Conclusion and Significance: MbtH-like proteins are essential tools in the combinatorial biosynthesis of antibiotics. MbtH-like proteins consist of ∼70 amino acids and are encoded in the biosynthetic gene clusters of non-ribosomally formed peptides and other secondary metabolites derived from amino acids. Recently, several MbtH-like proteins have been shown to be required for the adenylation of amino acid in non-ribosomal peptide synthesis. We now investigated the role of MbtH-like proteins in the biosynthesis of the aminocoumarin antibiotics novobiocin, clorobiocin, and simocyclinone D8 and of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin. The tyrosine-adenylating enzymes CloH, SimH, and Pcza361.18, involved in the biosynthesis of clorobiocin, simocyclinone D8, and vancomycin, respectively, required the presence of MbtH-like proteins in a 1:1 molar ratio, forming heterotetrameric complexes. In contrast, NovH, involved in novobiocin biosynthesis, showed activity in the absence of MbtH-like proteins. Comparison of the active centers of CloH and NovH showed only one amino acid to be different, i.e. Leu-383 versus Met-383. Mutation of this amino acid in CloH (L383M) indeed led to MbtH-independent adenylating activity. All investigated tyrosine-adenylating enzymes exhibited remarkable promiscuity for MbtH-like proteins from different pathways and organisms. YbdZ, the MbtH-like protein from the expression host Escherichia coli, was found to bind to adenylating enzymes during expression and to influence their biochemical properties markedly. Therefore, the use of ybdZ-deficient expression hosts is important in biochemical studies of adenylating enzymes.
Nitric oxide and cyclic GMP formation following relaxant nerve stimulation in isolated human corpus cavernosum.

OBJECTIVE To investigate further the role of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic GMP pathway as the mediator of relaxant neurotransmission in human corpus cavernosum and to establish whether impaired activity of this pathway contributes to the pathophysiology of impotence. PATIENTS AND METHODS Samples of cavernosal tissue were obtained from 59 men undergoing penile operations. The controls comprised four men with penile carcinoma and 17 with Peyronie's disease. Of the impotent men, 35 had clinical evidence of penile vascular disease on pre-operative investigation, whilst three had non-vascular impotence. Each biopsy was divided into two strips which were then suspended under tension in organ bath chambers. The relaxant innervation of one strip of each pair was stimulated electrically whilst the other strip was left unstimulated. The formation of NO and cyclic GMP was calculated by comparing their respective tissue content in the stimulated and unstimulated strips. RESULTS Overall, stimulation of the relaxant innervation produced significant increases in the tissue content of both NO and cyclic GMP. Incubation with an inhibitor of NO biosynthesis abolished the mechanical relaxant response and the formation of both NO and cyclic GMP. The magnitude of relaxant response and the formation of NO was diminished in tissue from men with vascular impotence compared to controls. The increase in cyclic GMP content was similar in both these groups. Relaxant response, NO formation and cyclic GMP formation in tissue from men with non-vascular impotence was similar to controls. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further evidence that the NO-cyclic GMP pathway acts as the mediator of nerve-evoked smooth muscle relaxation in human corpus cavernosum. Diminished NO formation following relaxant nerve stimulation may account for impaired relaxant responses found in tissue from men with vascular impotence and may contribute to the cause of their erectile dysfunction.
The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and degeneration of the corticospinal tract after stroke: a diffusion tensor imaging study

A common single nucleotide polymorphism, Val66Met, in the human brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene has a potential role in the pathogenesis and treatment of stroke. The relevance of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism to long‐term stroke outcomes was examined, specifically with respect to changes in corticospinal integrity.
The silent hemoglobin α chain variant Hb Riccarton [α51(CE9)Gly→Ser] may affect HbA1c determination on the HLC-723 G7 analyzer

Abstract Background: Structural hemoglobin variants can affect the accuracy of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing and represent the most common pitfall in the determination of HbA1c. We here describe the characterization of an α chain variant in diabetic patients as the cause of an abnormal presentation of the HbA1c fraction on the HLC-723 G7 analyzer. Methods: HbA1c analysis was performed using various HPLC-based HbA1c analyzers and by immunoassay. α-Globin mutation analysis was performed by GAP-PCR and DNA sequencing. Results: The peak partially overlapping HbA1c in the chromatogram represents the glycated fraction of the silent α chain variant Hb Riccarton [α51(CE9)Gly→Ser]. This aberrant peak is uniquely identified by the HLC-723 instrument, as it is not observed on other HPLC-based HbA1c analyzers. Occasionally, the HLC-723 may fail to properly integrate both glycated Hb fractions, resulting in a falsely low HbA1c result. The variant was confirmed in samples from other diabetic patients with identical chromatographic patterns. Conclusions: The silent α chain variant Hb Riccarton [α51(CE9)Gly→Ser] leads to an abnormal chromatographic presentation on the HLC-723 analyzer with a risk of erroneous HbA1c determination. Manual validation of chromatograms to detect abnormalities caused by Hb variants is important to prevent incorrectly produced HbA1c results from being reported. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:827–30.
KINETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE 1A SUBFAMILY OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN UDP-GLUCURONOSYLTRANSFERASES

The initial glucuronidation rates were determined for eight recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) of the 1A subfamily, and the bisubstrate kinetics and inhibition patterns were analyzed. At low substrate concentrations, the reactions followed general ternary complex kinetics, whereas at higher concentrations of both substrates, the reactions were mostly characterized by ternary complex kinetics with substrate inhibition. The glucuronidation of entacapone by UGT1A9 was inhibited by 1-naphthol in a competitive fashion, with respect to entacapone, and an uncompetitive fashion, with respect to UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA). Its inhibition by UDP, on the other hand, was noncompetitive with respect to entacapone and competitive with respect to UDPGA. These inhibition patterns are compatible with a compulsory ordered bi bi mechanism in which UDPGA is the first-binding substrate. Despite the identical primary structure of the C-terminal halves of the UGT1A isoforms, there were marked differences in the respective Km values for UDPGA, ranging from 52 μM for UGT1A6 to 1256 μM for UGT1A8. Relative specificity constants were calculated for the eight UGT1A isoforms with 1-hydroxypyrene, 4-nitrophenol, scopoletin, 4-methylumbelliferone, and entacapone as aglycone substrates. The results demonstrated that seven of the UGT1A isoforms are capable of conjugating phenolic substrates with similar highest kcat values, and UGT1A4 has a lower relative turnover rate. The highest specificity constants were obtained for 1-hydroxypyrene, even with UGT1A6, which has been regarded as a specific isoform for small planar phenols. A kcat value of 1.9 s–1 was calculated for the glucuronidation of scopoletin by purified UGT1A9.
Pathological Impact of the Interaction of NO and CO with Mitochondria in Critical Care Diseases

The outcome of patients with critical care diseases (CCD) such as sepsis, hemorrhagic shock, or trauma is often associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In turn, mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently induced upon interaction with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), two gaseous messengers formed in the body by NO synthase (NOS) and heme oxygenase (HO), respectively. Both, NOS and HO are upregulated in the majority of CCD. A multitude of factors that are associated with the pathology of CCD exert a potential to interfere with mitochondrial function or the effects of the gaseous messengers. From these, four major factors can be identified that directly influence the effects of NO and CO on mitochondria and which are defined by (i) local concentration of NO and/or CO, (ii) tissue oxygenation, (iii) redox status of cells in terms of facilitating or inhibiting reactive oxygen species formation, and (iv) the degree of tissue acidosis. The combination of these four factors in specific pathological situations defines whether effects of NO and CO are beneficial or deleterious.
Protocol for a new concept of no-prep ultrathin ceramic veneers.

OBJECTIVES No-prep veneers, although ideally considered the best option because of tooth structure maximum preservation, have been frequently criticized for some potential limitations including esthetic outcomes and periodontal complications. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS A new protocol to optimize no-prep veneers restorations is presented. A key point of the proposed technique is to identify optimal margins' positions: margin is positioned in the point of maximum convexity of teeth, avoiding the over contouring of traditional no-prep veneers. CONCLUSION The procedure can be appreciated for the marginal accuracy and the resulting aesthetic stability. The case reports show that properly managed no-prep veneers can have biologically healthy and aesthetically pleasant tooth-restoration transitions and emergence profiles. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE High-quality no-prep veneers can be more challenging to realize than conventional veneers and the success seems to depend on a combination of good case selection, margins' position, sound adhesive principles, clinical, and laboratory experience.
Caries Prevalence and Caries Associated Measures in Children Living in a Rural Romanian Village

A cross-sectional study was performed with the aim to investigate the caries prevalence and associated factors in 6 to 15 year old school children living in a village outside Cluj-Napoca, Romania. All children were offered to be included and examined for dental caries according to World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria. Caries was scored at the tooth and surface levels D/d=decayed, M/m=missing, F/f=filled, T/t=tooth, S/s=surface (DMFT/DMFS/dmft/dmfs) for the permanent and deciduous dentition, respectively. Presence of dental plaque was evaluated according to Silness-Löe, infection with the caries associated bacterial species Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and general information collected with a questionnaire. Totally, 71 children, 69 children were clinically examined. Mean DMFT was 5.7 and DMFS 9.8, and the Significant-Caries-Index (SIC), i.e. the mean (DMFT-value) in the highest tertile based on caries distribution, was 10.8. S. mutans was detected in 86% and S. sobrinus in 49% of the children, and 46% were infected with both species. Five children (7%) were neither infected by S. mutans nor S. sobrinus. Among all children the mean number of reported daily intakes of sweet products was 4.8, and large amounts of dental plaque was generally seen. In conclusion, the caries prevalence among school children in the village was very high, oral hygiene inadequate, daily sugar intake high, and prevalence of S. mutans high, combined with no access to dental care and caries preventive programs.