Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Repair of a subglottic stenosis by submucosal resection

A subglottic, intralaryngeal stenosis in a 5-year-old boy was successfully removed by microsurgical submucosal resection. The method reported provides adequate subglottic augmentation and interferes with the laryngeal cartilage only minimally. The use of small split-thickness skin grafts for lining material is advocated, as they take immediately and reduce the time for stenting. At followup, no recurrent stenosis has developed and the site of the skin grafts has been lined with ciliated mucosa. Post-operative hospitalization was considered to be acceptably short.
MicroRNAs and Their Target Genes in Gingival Tissues

To gain insights into the in vivo function of miRNAs in the context of periodontitis, we examined the occurrence of miRNAs in healthy and diseased gingival tissues and validated their in silico-predicted targets through mRNA profiling using whole-genome microarrays in the same specimens. Eighty-six individuals with periodontitis contributed 198 gingival papillae: 158 ‘diseased’ (bleeding-on-probing, PD > 4 mm, and AL ≥ 3 mm) and 40 ‘healthy’ (no bleeding, PD ≤ 4 mm, and AL ≤ 2 mm). Expression of 1,205 miRNAs was assessed by microarrays, followed by selected confirmation by quantitative RT-PCR. Predicted miRNA targets were identified and tested for enrichment by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Enriched gene sets were grouped in functional categories by DAVID and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. One hundred fifty-nine miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between healthy and diseased gingiva. Four miRNAs (hsa-miR-451, hsa-miR-223, hsa-miR-486-5p, hsa-miR-3917) were significantly overexpressed, and 7 (hsa-miR-1246, hsa-miR-1260, hsa-miR-141, hsa-miR-1260b, hsa-miR-203, hsa-miR-210, hsa-miR-205*) were underexpressed by > 2-fold in diseased vs. healthy gingiva. GSEA and additional filtering identified 60 enriched miRNA gene sets with target genes involved in immune/inflammatory responses and tissue homeostasis. This is the first study that concurrently examined miRNA and mRNA expression in gingival tissues and will inform mechanistic experimentation to dissect the role of miRNAs in periodontal tissue homeostasis and pathology.
Humoral response to oligomeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein

The humoral immune response to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is often studied by using monomeric or denatured envelope proteins (Env). However, native HIV-1 Env complexes that maintain quaternary structure elicit immune responses that are qualitatively distinct from those seen with monomeric or denatured Env. To more accurately assess the levels and types of antibodies elicited by HIV-1 infection, we developed an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a soluble, oligomeric form of HIV-1IIIB Env (gp140) that contains gp120 and the gp41 ectodomain. The gp140, captured by various monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), retained its native oligomeric structure: it bound CD4 and was recognized by MAbs to conformational epitopes in gp120 and gp41, including oligomer-specific epitopes in gp41. We compared the reactivities of clade B and clade E serum samples to captured Env preparations and found that while both reacted equally well with oligomeric gp140, clade B seras reacted more strongly with monomeric gp120 than did clade E samples. However, these differences were minimized when gp120 was captured by a V3 loop MAb, which may lead to increased exposure of the CD4 binding site. We also measured the ability of serum samples to block binding of MAbs to epitopes in gp120 and gp41. Clade B serum samples consistently blocked binding of oligomer-dependent MAbs to gp41 and, to a slightly lesser extent, MAbs to the CD4 binding site in gp120. Clade E serum samples showed equivalent or greater blocking of oligomer-dependent gp41 antibodies and considerably less blocking of CD4-binding-site MAbs. Finally, we found that < 5% of the antibodies in clade B sera bound to epitopes present only in monomeric gp120, 30% bound to epitopes present in both monomeric gp120 and oligomeric gp140, and 70% bound to epitopes present in oligomeric gp140, which includes gp41. Thus, captured oligomeric Env closely reflects the antigenic characteristics of Env protein on the surface of virions and infected cells, retains highly conserved epitopes that are recognized by antibodies raised against different clades, and makes it possible to detect a much greater fraction of total anti-HIV-1 Env activity in sera than does native monomeric gp120.
The Role of Social Intelligence in Happiness / Uloga socijalne inteligencije u sreći

AbstractThe main objective of this study is to examine the role which social intelligence has in happiness. Two hundred and forty nine university students (130 females/119 males) participated in the study. The Turkish Version of the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS-TR) and The Turkish Version of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short-Form (OHQ-SF) have been used as data acquisition tools. Pearson Correlation and multiple regression analysis techniques have been used for analyzing data. According to the results of the analysis it has been determined that sub-dimensions of social intelligence are positively and statistically significantly related with the happiness levels of university students. It has been concluded that in terms of the sub-dimensions of social intelligence, "social skill" is the dimension that best explains happiness. Social intelligence explains 16% of the variance in happiness. As a result, social intelligence is an important factor for the happiness of university students. Key words: happiness; social intelligence; subjective well-being. ---SažetakGlavni cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je proučiti uloge koje socijalna inteligencija ima za razvoj sreće. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 249 sveučilišnih studenata (130 žena i 119 muškaraca). Kako bi se došlo do podataka korištene su turska inačica Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS-TR) i Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short-Form (OHQ-SF). Pearsonova korelacija i višestruka regresijska analiza tehnike su koje su se koristile kod analize podataka. Prema rezultatima analize zaključeno je da su podkategorije socijalne inteligencije pozitivno i statistički značajno vezane uz dimenzije socijalne inteligencije, npr. „socijalna vještina" je dimenzija koja najbolje objašnjava sreću. Socijalna inteligencija objašnjava 16% varijance kod sreće. Iz toga slijedi da je socijalna inteligencija važan čimbenik sreće sveučilišnih studenata. Ključne riječi: socijalna inteligencija; sreća; subjektivno zadovoljstvo
Rupioid Psoriasis Associated with Arthropathy

We reported a rare case of rupioid psoriasis associated with arthropathy. A 28‐year‐old male had suffered from severe arthritis for 6 months and had limpet‐like, cone‐shaped skin lesions on the extremities for 3 months. The histopathology revealed remarkable Munro's and Kogoj microabscesses, intense dermal edema, and moderate inflammatory cell infiltration. The radiological examination showed bilateral sacroilitis. The skin lesions and arthritis responded dramatically in three weeks to i.m. methotrexate combined with topical steroids and emollients and occlusive dressing technique. There was no recurrence of such skin lesions during the two year follow‐up period.
Accuracy of ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis in doe.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Ultrasonographic scanning with real time B-mode ultrasound machine having 5 MHz linear array transducer was performed on gravid uterus (n=24) obtained from slaughterhouse (Group I). Crown rump length (CRL) measured by ultrasound was found significantly different (p<0.05) with actual CRL measured after dissection in early pregnancy. However, age predicted by ultrasound through the measurement of CRL was found highly correlated (r=0.92) with age measured after dissection through CRL and the weight of fetus. Ages predicted by ultrasound through the measurement of trunk diameter (TD) and uterine diameter (UD) and ages measured after dissection were found highly and equally correlated (r=0.98) and did not differ significantly. Data from six does synchronized (Group II) with PGF2α (Estrumate) at 11 days apart were collected through ultrasound from 17 to 42 days post breding. The correlation between CRL and gestational age was high (r=0.97) in day 30 to 42 post breeding. A high coefficient of correlation (r=0.98) was also observed between predicated age by ultrasound and actual age calculated after kidding. The correlation between CRL and gestational age by the formula Y=(a+bX) i.e. Y=24.42+0.39 X where Y=gestational age and X=CRL, was recorded very high (r=0.99). Accuracy of ultrasonography was lowest on day 17 to 19 (66%) and reached 100% on day 34. Data from 30 does (group III) randomly subjected to only one time ultrasounds scanning to assess the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis were also obtained. Ages predicted by TD and UD measurements were observed to be non-significantly different with actual age obtained after kidding and correlation between ages predicted by TD and UD measurement with actual age after kidding was found equally and highly correlated (r=0.98). The operator's accuracy in the whole experiment including all three groups was found to be 92%. The sensitivity was 93% and specificity was 86%. From the present study, it was observed that CRL was the most reliable parameter to find out gestational age in early pregnancy and the new formula derived was found very accurate to find out gestational age. TD and UD were also found to be equally reliable parameter to find out gestational age in mid and late stage of pregnancy through ultrasonography. It was concluded that ultrasonography by real time B mode with 5 MHz transrectal transducer was found to be reliable, safe and accurate and practicable means in diagnosing early pregnancy diagnosis as early as 25 days post breeding. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 6 : 760-768)
SINET5: A low-latency and high-bandwidth backbone network for SDN/NFV Era

SINET5 is a new 100-Gbps-based academic backbone network, which started full-scale operations in April 2016. It uses multi-protocol label switching-transport profile (MPLS-TP) systems and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) to create a nationwide network and has more than 50 backbone IP routers to provide a wide range of services, such as several virtual private network (VPN) services. It provides end-to-end data communications up to 100 Gbps throughput, minimized-latency, and software-defined networking (SDN)-friendly functions to researchers in every Japanese prefecture. SINET5 is also a platform for dynamic inter-cloud connections and network functions visualization (NFV) services. This paper brief review of the network architecture, and describes new featured services, SDN-oriented layer-2 on-demand VPN services, and NFV functions. Field test results for SINET5 performance are also reported.
Communicating explicit and tacit knowledge within and across organizational borders: Their impact on absorptive capacity and competitive advantage

Drawing on knowledge management and organizational learning, we address how tacitness and explicitness of the knowledge acquired from one's partner affect the way communication mechanisms help build the firm's absorptive capacity. We also examine the different roles the two absorptive capacity subsets play in the development of firms' competitive advantage when knowledge types vary. With a sample of 286 corporations in China, our structural model analysis shows that the type of konwledge does moderate the relationships between communication, absorptive capacity and firms' competitive advantage. This study contributes to the literature by empirically proving that the knowledge type is an important variable to consider in the study of firms' absorptive capacity. It also suggests that business practitioners should take the type of the knowledge their partners possess into consideration if they want to optimize their learning outcome.
Modulation of PTH‐stimulated osteoclastic resorption by bisphosphonates in fetal mouse bone explants

We examined the effects of the bisphosphonates Cl2MDP, APD, and Me2APD on osteoclastic resorption in the absence and presence of PTH using fetal mouse osteoclast‐free bone explants cocultured with fetal liver as a source of osteoclast precursors. Results revealed qualitative and quantitative differencs among the bisphosphonates tested. With Cl2MDP and APD fractional inhibition of resorption (measured as 45Ca release) in the presence of PTH was proportional to that obtained in its absence. In contrast, Me2APD, which is the most potent inhibitor of the three, was found at low concentrations (≤5 × 10−7 M) to enhance the PTH‐stimulated osteoclastic resorption. APD as well, at concentrations that could not inhibit resorption, had a similar effect, but Cl2MDP did not. These studies describe a new phenomenon, that low doses of nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates can act synergistically with PTH and enhance osteoclastic resorption. These findings may have clinical implications in the management of patients with increased osteoclastic resorption due to parathyroid overactivity.
A TC-RRT-based path planning algorithm for the nonholonomic mobile robots

In this paper, a triangle-curvature RRT-based path planning algorithm is proposed for the application of nonholonomic mobile robots in complex environment. The algorithm named triangle-curvature RRT (TC-RRT) considers both environmental constraints and vehicle constraints. The triangular geometry is introduced into the RRT algorithm. The pruning function is applied in post-processing path to remove the needless nodes that the path length can be shortened. The fixing angle intersection method is proposed to improve the turning path smoothness. Finally, the Cantmull-Rom interpolation is used to improve the path smoothness. In this paper, the TC-RRT algorithm is compared with the basic RRT algorithm and BI-RRT algorithm. The results of simulation show that the convergence rate of TC-RRT algorithm is faster than the other two, and the smooth path with the shortest distance can be produced which can also satisfy the nonholonomic constraint of mobile robots.
Longevity of balloon-stabilized skin-level gastrostomy device.

OBJECTIVE The gastrostomy button is increasingly used in patients requiring long-term enteral feeding. No data are available addressing the longevity of balloon-type gastrostomy buttons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity of balloon-type gastrostomy buttons in children and the cause of the button removal. PATIENTS AND METHODS During a period of 2.5 years, 165 gastrostomy (Mic-Key, Medical Innovations Corporation, Draper, Utah, U.S.A.) buttons were inserted in 84 children. In all patients, the button replaced a standard tube gastrostomy. The first button was usually inserted under general anesthesia at least 2 months after the insertion of a surgical gastrostomy tube. Additional replacement was performed without sedation. RESULTS Mean longevity of balloon-type gastrostomy buttons was 5 months (range, 14 days-14 months). Causes of button removal were: inner balloon rupture (n = 101, 61%); leak around button or deflation of the balloon (n = 23, 14%); accidental removal (n = 20, 12%); device damage (n = 5), and obstruction (n = 3). When considering the subgroup with inner balloon rupture, the longevity of the button was 6 months (range, 1-13 months). No correlation was found between duration of gastrostomy button and underlying disease, age of the patient, or the use of antisecretory drugs. CONCLUSION Although the Mic-Key button has the advantage of an easy insertion, its major limitation is the high frequency of inner balloon rupture, which was the primary main reason for removal.
Diffusion, spread, and migration of botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent used for the treatment of a variety of neurologic and medical conditions. The efficacy and safety of BoNT depends on accurate selection and identification of intended targets but also may be determined by other factors, including physical spread of the molecule from the injection site, passive diffusion, and migration to distal sites via axonal or hematogenous transport. The passive kinetic dispersion of the toxin away from the injection site in a gradient‐dependent manner may also play a role in toxin spread. In addition to unique properties of the various BoNT products, volume and dilution may also influence local and systemic distribution of BoNT. Most of the local and remote complications of BoNT injections are thought to be due to unwanted spread or diffusion of the toxin's biologic activity into adjacent and distal muscles. Despite widespread therapeutic and cosmetic use of BoNT over more than three decades, there is a remarkable paucity of published data on the mechanisms of distribution and its effects on clinical outcomes. The primary aim of this article is to critically review the available experimental and clinical literature and place it in the practical context. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Influenza virus-specific TCR-transduced T cells as a model for adoptive immunotherapy

Adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes equipped with tumor-antigen specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) represents a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy, but the approach remains technically demanding. Using influenza virus (Flu)-specific T-cell responses as a model system we compared different methods for the generation of T-cell clones and isolation of antigen-specific TCRs. Altogether, we generated 12 CD8+ T-cell clones reacting to the Flu matrix protein (Flu-M) and 6 CD4+ T-cell clones reacting to the Flu nucleoprotein (Flu-NP) from 4 healthy donors. IFN-γ-secretion-based enrichment of antigen-specific cells, optionally combined with tetramer staining, was the most efficient way for generating T-cell clones. In contrast, the commonly used limiting dilution approach was least efficient. TCR genes were isolated from T-cell clones and cloned into both a previously used gammaretroviral LTR-vector, MP91 and the novel lentiviral self-inactivating vector LeGO-MP that contains MP91-derived promotor and regulatory elements. To directly compare their functional efficiencies, we in parallel transduced T-cell lines and primary T cells with the two vectors encoding identical TCRs. Transduction efficiencies were approximately twice higher with the gammaretroviral vector. Secretion of high amounts of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α by transduced cells after exposure to the respective influenza target epitope proved efficient specificity transfer of the isolated TCRs to primary T-cells for both vectors, at the same time indicating superior functionality of MP91-transduced cells. In conclusion, we have developed optimized strategies to obtain and transfer antigen-specific TCRs as well as designed a novel lentiviral vector for TCR-gene transfer. Our data may help to improve adoptive T-cell therapies.
Predictability of Resin-bonded Splints in the Treatment of Patients with Periodontitis: a Retrospective Study

A long-term retrospective analysis of clinical and radiographic data was carried out to determine the interest and value of splint therapy for stabilizing clinical conditions after periodontal treatment. The study population was composed of 51 patients enrolled in periodontal maintenance. Patients were selected for splint therapy (splints or combined splint-fixed partial dentures) because of residual tooth mobility in the anterior area following completion of periodontal treatment. The follow-up period comprised between 2 to15 years. During the observation period, 2 out of the 308 abutment teeth were lost and a small number of complications (3 pulpal incidents, 9 debondings) occurred. The mean percentage of bone loss calculated on periapical radiographs was 0.27% in the group 5‐10 years after splinting and 0.40% in the group 10‐15 years after splinting. The results of this study demonstrate that when modern adhesive techniques are applied, resinbonded splints and fixed partial denture splints can be viable alternatives to conventional complete coverage prostheses in the treatment and maintenance of patients with periodontal diseases.
Efficacy of oral WIN 54954 for prophylaxis of experimental rhinovirus infection

The efficacy of oral WIN 54954 for the prevention of rhinovirus infection and illness was tested in two randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled volunteer challenge studies. Volunteers were inoculated with rhinovirus type 39 (MIC of WIN 54954, 0.17 microgram/ml) or rhinovirus type 23 (MIC, 0.016 microgram/ml). The volunteers received two doses of drug (600 mg per dose) or placebo on the first day; this was followed by three doses on each of the subsequent 5 days. All volunteers were challenged with virus after the third dose of study drug. No significant antiviral or clinical effect was detected in either study. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that on the last day of drug administration, 38 of 39 (97%) volunteers had trough levels of WIN 54954 in plasma greater than the MIC for the respective virus. Nasal wash specimens collected on the same day revealed a detectable level in only 6 of 24 (25%) volunteers at the peak (range, 6 to 24 ng/ml) and in only 2 of 14 (14%) volunteers at the trough (range, 6 and 7 ng/ml). These results suggest that the lack of efficacy of WIN 54954 against rhinovirus may be related to an inability to deliver sufficient drug to the site of viral infection.
Underfill selection strategy for Pb-free, low-K and fine pitch organic flip chip applications

The role of underfills is expanding from preserving solder joint reliability to also protecting fragile low-k chip dielectric layers. Traditionally, solder joints required stiff and rigid underfills. Today, low-k layers require more compliant underfill properties. Further complexity comes from the migration to Pb-free solders and changes in chip carrier materials. The myriad of candidates prohibits long term reliability testing of module hardware for every available underfill. A sequential three phase selection strategy is used to characterize and systematically eliminate undesirable candidates and to identify the few favorable underfills that have a high probability of successfully meeting module reliability requirements. The process includes use of industry practices as well as internally developed characterization methods. From an initial list of 20, the selection process identified five underfills for package qualification testing
Hadron spectrum, quark masses, and decay constants from light overlap fermions on large lattices

We present results from a simulation of quenched overlap fermions with Luescher-Weisz gauge field action on lattices up to 24{sup 3}48 and for pion masses down to {approx_equal}250 MeV. Among the quantities we study are the pion, rho, and nucleon masses; the light and strange quark masses; and the pion decay constant. The renormalization of the scalar and axial vector currents is done nonperturbatively in the RI-MOM scheme. The simulations are performed at two different lattice spacings, a{approx_equal}0.1 fm and {approx_equal}0.15 fm, and on two different physical volumes, to test the scaling properties of our action and to study finite volume effects. We compare our results with the predictions of chiral perturbation theory and compute several of its low-energy constants. The pion mass is computed in sectors of fixed topology as well.