Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of adjunctive roxithromycin therapy on interleukin-1β, transforming growth factor-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in gingival crevicular fluid of cyclosporine A-treated patients with gingival overgrowth.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Systemic macrolide antibiotic administration has been shown to result in the elimination or reduction cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth. Roxithromycin (ROX) is known to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and tissue reparative effects. This study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive ROX therapy on cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth and interleukin (IL)-1β, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in gingival crevicular fluid of renal transplant patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-one patients with clinically significant overgrowth and 16 periodontally healthy subjects were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study. Patients received scaling and root planing (SRP) at baseline and randomized to take either ROX or placebo for 5 d. The clinical parameters, including plaque index, papillary bleeding index, probing depth and gingival overgrowth scores, were recorded. The amounts of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and VEGF in gingival crevicular fluid were detected by ELISA. Periodontal parameters as well as gingival crevicular fluid biomarker levels were evaluated at baseline and at 1 and 4 wk post-therapy. RESULTS Following SRP plus ROX and SRP plus placebo therapy, significant improvements in clinical periodontal parameters of both study groups were observed (p < 0.025). In the ROX group, adjunctive ROX therapy resulted in a greater gingival overgrowth scores reduction compared with those in the placebo group at 4 wk (p < 0.017). Initial amounts of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and VEGF for both the ROX and placebo groups were significantly higher than those for healthy subjects (p < 0.017), with no statistical difference between the two study groups. At 1 and 4 wk post-therapy, significant decreases in the amounts of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and VEGF were observed in both study groups when compared with baseline (p < 0.025), but there was no difference in the levels of IL-1β and VEGF between the two study groups. The amount of decrease in TGF-β1 levels for the ROX group was statistically significant compared to that for the placebo group at 4 wk after treatment (p < 0.017). CONCLUSION Our study indicated that combination of ROX with non-surgical therapy improves gingival overgrowth status and decreases gingival crevicular fluid TGF-β1 levels in patients with severe gingival overgrowth. The reduction of gingival crevicular fluid TGF-β1 following ROX therapy suggests an anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effect of ROX on the treatment of cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth.
Dictionaries and Usage

ABSTRACT Modern education conditions us to regard a dictionary with reverence. It serves as a point of stability, a standard in a world of constant change. A few years ago a great tumult arose when the new edition of Webster's Third International Dictionary retreated from the position of setting rigid standards, contenting itself with reporting the actual usages, what is rather than what ought to be.Medical dictionaries generally do not have to contend with this problem. New terms come into being and naturally are included in new editions. At the same time, obsolete terms get eliminated. Only rarely, however, do medical terms undergo a major change in usage.This problem, nevertheless, so common in ordinary speech, is becoming intrusive into medicine with a recent JAMA publication [Meyerowitz et al, 225:408, 1973] that dealt with an excision of a massive abdominal fold. The authors were not entirely consistent in their
No association between DGKH and bipolar disorder in a Scandinavian case–control sample

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in diacylglycerol kinase eta (DGKH) have recently been shown to be associated with bipolar disorder (BD). To replicate this finding, we carried out a gene-wide genotyping of 36 tagSNPs in DGKH and performed a population-based association study on two Scandinavian samples, with successful genotyping of 594 BD cases and 1421 healthy controls. We found no significant association after multiple-testing correction between any of these SNPs and BD in our sample. Thus, it is unlikely that these genetic variations confer susceptibility to BD in this large Scandinavian sample.
Using a Patient-Centered Outcome Measure to Test Methylphenidate Versus Placebo in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVES Parent rating scales are commonly used to evaluate change in clinical trials. Despite advantages, these measures may not capture parental impression of the child's most salient problems. We examine the use of parent target problems (PTPs) in a randomized trial of methylphenidate (MPH) in children with autism spectrum disorder and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. METHODS This multisite, 4-week, randomized crossover trial compared three dose levels (low, medium, and high) of MPH with placebo. At baseline, the independent evaluator (IE) asked parents to nominate the child's two biggest problems. For each problem, the IE and parent coconstructed a brief narrative of the behavior and the impact on family life. The IE and parents reviewed and revised the narratives at subsequent visits. A panel of four judges, blind to treatment condition, independently reviewed the narratives to rate change from baseline on a 9-point scale: 1, normal; 2, markedly improved; 3, definitely improved; 4, equivocally improved; 5, no change; 6, possibly worse; 7, definitely worse; 8, markedly worse; 9, disastrously worse. The mean of the four raters was compared with primary and key secondary ratings from the original study. RESULTS Two PTPs were recorded at baseline for 60 participants. The inter-rater reliability of the four judges across all PTPs and time points was excellent (intraclass correlation = 0.95). On the primary outcome measure (Aberrant Behavior Checklist Hyperactivity subscale), the medium and high-dose levels were superior to placebo. On the mean PTP rating, only the high dose was superior to placebo. We also compared PTP cutoff scores 3.0 (definitely improved), 3.25, and 3.5 with the rate of positive response on the Improvement item of the Clinical Global Impressions scale in the original study. Sensitivities ranged from 68% to 88%. CONCLUSIONS The parent target problem method offers a systematic way to identify and track patient-centered outcomes.
An association analysis of the cardiomyopathy-associated 5 (CMYA5) gene with schizophrenia in a Japanese population.

Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Laboratory of Health Education, Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo, Seiwa Hospital, Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Department of Medical Genetics, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Aichi, Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University and Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Investigating the applications of team-based learning in medical education

The purpose of this study is to perform a review to account for currently published studies on team-based learning (TBL) in medical education by accredited researchers. In doing so, our two goals included seeking information and critical appraisal. First, the literature was scanned by means of manual and computerized methods to identify pertinent documents. Selected works were then critically appraised to identify the most prevalent themes in the applications and effects of TBL in medical education. After considerable data reduction strategies, six major themes are discussed; 1) experimental TBL approaches; 2) student experiences and perceptions of TBL; 3) student examination performance; 4) faculty impressions; 5) peer evaluations in TBL; 6) TBL in gross anatomy. Although TBL is just beginning to be implemented in medicine, usage of this teaching method is thriving. Students and faculty appear to view TBL favourably and to be highly satisfied with it.
The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Confidence and Lower Extremity Strength and Balance in Residents Living Independently at a Continuing Care Retirement Community

This study examined the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TC) on lower extremity strength and balance and confidence in performing daily activities. Residents (n = 77) living independently in a continuing care retirement community were randomized to early or late TC instructional groups. The late group served as the control for the first 20 weeks. Measures of strength, balance, and confidence were assessed at baseline, 10, 20, and 40 weeks. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at baseline in mean number of chronic illnesses, medications, falls, and activities of daily living. Repeated-measures analyses revealed significant improvement for the early and late groups during their respective periods of TC instruction, but not otherwise. Confidence ratings were unaffected. The early group's improvement at 20 weeks regressed to the mean baseline score by 40 weeks, suggesting that continued exercise is necessary to maintain gains in strength and balance.
Deimatism: a neglected component of antipredator defence

Deimatic or ‘startle’ displays cause a receiver to recoil reflexively in response to a sudden change in sensory input. Deimatism is sometimes implicitly treated as a form of aposematism (unprofitability associated with a signal). However, the fundamental difference is, in order to provide protection, deimatism does not require a predator to have any learned or innate aversion. Instead, deimatism can confer a survival advantage by exploiting existing neural mechanisms in a way that releases a reflexive response in the predator. We discuss the differences among deimatism, aposematism, and forms of mimicry, and their ecological and evolutionary implications. We highlight outstanding questions critical to progress in understanding deimatism.
Candidate genes mediating magnetoreception in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Diverse animals use Earth's magnetic field in orientation and navigation, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie magnetoreception. Recent studies have focused on two possibilities: (i) magnetite-based receptors; and (ii) biochemical reactions involving radical pairs. We used RNA sequencing to examine gene expression in the brain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after exposure to a magnetic pulse known to disrupt magnetic orientation behaviour. We identified 181 differentially expressed genes, including increased expression of six copies of the frim gene, which encodes a subunit of the universal iron-binding and trafficking protein ferritin. Functions linked to the oxidative effects of free iron (e.g. oxidoreductase activity, transition metal ion binding, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation) were also affected. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a magnetic pulse alters or damages magnetite-based receptors and/or other iron-containing structures, which are subsequently repaired or replaced through processes involving ferritin. Additionally, some genes that function in the development and repair of photoreceptive structures (e.g. crggm3, purp, prl, gcip, crabp1 and pax6) were also differentially expressed, raising the possibility that a magnetic pulse might affect structures and processes unrelated to magnetite-based magnetoreceptors.
Biomechanics of aerial righting in wingless nymphal stick insects

Numerous wingless arthropods as well as diverse vertebrates are capable of mid-air righting. We studied the biomechanics of the aerial righting reflex in first-instar nymphs of the stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum. After being released upside-down, insects reoriented dorsoventrally and stabilized body posture via active modulation of limb positions and associated aerodynamic torques. We identified specific reflexes for bilaterally asymmetric leg displacements which elicit body rotation and subsequently stabilize mid-air posture. Coordinated appendicular movements thus improve torsional manoeuvrability in the absence of wings, as may have characterized the initial origins of controlled aerial behaviour in arthropods. Design of small aerial or multimodal robotic vehicles may similarly benefit from use of such strategies for flight control.
Personal Reflections of Social Work Education in the Context of the Social Work Task Force

Following the death of ‘Baby P’, the UK Government set up a Social Work Task Force that reported in 2009. This made 15 recommendations, including five relating to the initial training of social workers at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This article considers the gap that exists between those HEIs and Local Authority employers from the perspective of someone who has spent 25 years working as a Local Authority social worker and manager, but who has recently moved to head up a social work department in an English university. Consideration is given to the provision of placements and that it is difficult to ‘fail’ social work students, particularly their practice learning components. Reference to experiential learning is discussed as being helpful to provide a theoretical connection to practice. The call is made for much closer partnership working between HEIs and Local Authority employers to start to bridge the gap.
Comparing Norberg angle, linear femoral overlap and surface femoral overlap in radiographic assessment of  the canine hip joint.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare Norberg angle, linear femoral overlap and surface femoral overlap in radiographs of hips accepted for official hip dysplasia screening. METHODS Radiographs of 100 dogs (200 hips) were reviewed. The three measurements were performed in each hip according to previously described methods and thereafter correlated. RESULTS Intra- and inter-observer reliability was very high (all >85%). The linear correlation between Norberg angle and linear femoral overlap or surface femoral overlap was 0·40 and 0·41, respectively. The linear correlation between linear femoral overlap and surface femoral overlap was 0·84. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Norberg angle cannot be compared with surface femoral overlap or linear femoral overlap, and a mathematical formula could not be computed for the comparison.
Bioinspired artificial photonic nanoarchitecture using the elytron of the beetle Trigonophorus rothschildi varians as a ‘blueprint’

An unusual, intercalated photonic nanoarchitecture was discovered in the elytra of Taiwanese Trigonophorus rothschildi varians beetles. It consists of a multilayer structure intercalated with a random distribution of cylindrical holes normal to the plane of the multilayer. The nanoarchitectures were characterized structurally by scanning electron microscopy and optically by normal incidence, integrated and goniometric reflectance measurements. They exhibit an unsaturated specular and saturated non-specular component of the reflected light. Bioinspired, artificial nanoarchitectures of similar structure and with similar properties were realized by drilling holes of submicron size in a multilayer structure, showing that such photonic nanoarchitectures of biological origin may constitute valuable blueprints for artificial photonic materials.
OR10-2STRESS CAN BE AVOIDABLE IN OPIOID DETOXIFICATION

Introduction. Opioid detoxification is related to unavoidable stress response. Subjective and Objective Opiate Withdrawal Scales provide an indirect quantitative evaluation, whereas cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) have been used in some studies as direct markers of stress response. Statistically significant increase of both markers have been reported in studies of opioid detoxification under general anaesthesia and conscious sedation. Method. Randomised double-blind study comparing stress response to Naltrexone induction during rapid opioid detoxification under conscious sedation. Control group received a single 12,5 mg dose, intervention group received an gradual increase from 50 microg to a total of 12,5 mg according to a predefined protocol. Serum concentrations of stress hormones were measured before Naltrexone induction and every 2, 4, and 24 hours after the induction and compared in both control and intervention groups. Result. We report interim results (n = 32). Following Naltrexone induction, levels of both stress hormones incresed significantly in control group and decreased in intervention group - cortisol 850 and 571 nmol/L (p < 0.001), ACTH 34.7 and 19.7 pg/mL (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Gradual increase of Naltrexone dose may significantly reduce stress response to opioid detoxification procedure.
Mechanotransmission in endothelial cells subjected to oscillatory and multi-directional shear flow

Local haemodynamics are linked to the non-uniform distribution of atherosclerosic lesions in arteries. Low and oscillatory (reversing in the axial flow direction) wall shear stress (WSS) induce inflammatory responses in endothelial cells (ECs) mediating disease localization. The objective of this study is to investigate computationally how the flow direction (reflected in WSS variation on the EC surface over time) influences the forces experienced by structural components of ECs that are believed to play important roles in mechanotransduction. A three-dimensional, multi-scale, multi-component, viscoelastic model of focally adhered ECs is developed, in which oscillatory WSS (reversing or non-reversing) parallel to the principal flow direction, or multi-directional oscillatory WSS with reversing axial and transverse components are applied over the EC surface. The computational model includes the glycocalyx layer, actin cortical layer, nucleus, cytoskeleton, focal adhesions (FAs), stress fibres and adherens junctions (ADJs). We show the distinct effects of atherogenic flow profiles (reversing unidirectional flow and reversing multi-directional flow) on subcellular structures relative to non-atherogenic flow (non-reversing flow). Reversing flow lowers stresses and strains due to viscoelastic effects, and multi-directional flow alters stress on the ADJs perpendicular to the axial flow direction. The simulations predict forces on integrins, ADJ filaments and other substructures in the range that activate mechanotransduction.
Gyroscopic stabilization minimizes drag on Ruellia ciliatiflora seeds

Fruits of Ruellia ciliatiflora (Acanthaceae) explosively launch small (2.5 mm diameter × 0.46 mm thick), disc-shaped seeds at velocities over 15 m s−1, reaching distances of up to 7 m. Through high-speed video analysis, we observe that seeds fly with extraordinary backspin of up to 1660 Hz. By modelling the seeds as spinning discs, we show that flying with backspin is stable against gyroscopic precession. This stable backspin orientation minimizes the frontal area during flight, decreasing drag force on the seeds and thus increasing dispersal distance. From high-speed video of the seeds' flight, we experimentally determine drag forces that are 40% less than those calculated for a sphere of the same volume and density. This reduces the energy costs for seed dispersal by up to a factor of five.
Improving healthy dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy among underserved school children with parent and community involvement.

BACKGROUND University–community partnerships through coordinated school health programs (CSHP) can play a key role in decreasing child obesity. The main objective of this study was to measure over a 1-year period whether a CSHP with parental, school, and home-based components to promote optimal nutrition will reduce BMI percentiles and z-scores and improve dietary behaviors in a sample of low-income, school-aged children. METHODS The intervention included, Kids Nutrition and Fitness, a 6-week nutrition, physical activity educational after-school program, and school activities, including creation of an Advisory Committee that made wellness policies. A randomized controlled pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention that contrasts 251 (n = 251) predominantly Mexican-American 8 to 12 year olds from low-income Los Angeles–based schools. A mixed model of repeated measures analysis assessed changes in BMI percentiles and z-scores, dietary behaviors, food preferences, knowledge, and self-efficacy measured by a reliable/valid questionnaire. These data were collected at baseline and at 4 and 12 months postintervention. Process measures, collected via focus groups with parents, evaluated parent/community involvement. RESULTS At the 12-month follow-up, children in the intervention group decreased their BMI on average by 2.80 (p = 0.04) and BMI z-scores on average by 0.48 (p = 0.03) and they increased their daily dietary intake of vegetables on average by 1.51 (p = 0.03), fruit on average by 2.00 (P = 0.001), and 100% fruit juice by 1.12 (p = 0.05). An increase of 1.02 (p = 0.03) was seen in self-efficacy of healthy food choices (p = 0.03). Parent (P = 0.04) and community (p = 0.001) involvement significantly increased to 100% participation by the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A CSHP using parent and community involvement was effective in reducing the risk of obesity in school-aged Mexican- American children attending low-income schools. The findings need to be examined in a larger, more diverse sample of children.
Structural and biochemical characterization of novel bacterial α-galactosidases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 31.

Glycoside hydrolase family 31 (GH31) proteins have been reportedly identified as exo-α-glycosidases with activity for α-glucosides and α-xylosides. We focused on a GH31 subfamily, which contains proteins with low sequence identity (<24%) to the previously reported GH31 glycosidases and characterized two enzymes from Pedobacter heparinus and Pedobacter saltans. The enzymes unexpectedly exhibited α-galactosidase activity, but were not active on α-glucosides and α-xylosides. The crystal structures of one of the enzymes, PsGal31A, in unliganded form and in complexes with D-galactose or L-fucose and the catalytic nucleophile mutant in unliganded form and in complex with p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside, were determined at 1.85-2.30 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution. The overall structure of PsGal31A contains four domains and the catalytic domain adopts a (β/α)8-barrel fold that resembles the structures of other GH31 enzymes. Two catalytic aspartic acid residues are structurally conserved in the enzymes, whereas most residues forming the active site differ from those of GH31 α-glucosidases and α-xylosidases. PsGal31A forms a dimer via a unique loop that is not conserved in other reported GH31 enzymes; this loop is involved in its aglycone specificity and in binding L-fucose. Considering potential genes for α-L-fucosidases and carbohydrate-related proteins within the vicinity of Pedobacter Gal31, the identified Gal31 enzymes are likely to function in a novel sugar degradation system. This is the first report of α-galactosidases which belong to GH31 family.