Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tobacco smoking and neutrophil activity in patients with periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND Tobacco smoking has considerable negative effects on periodontal health. The mechanisms behind these effects are incompletely understood but may be related to the host response. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoking on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of elastase, lactoferrin (LF), alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT), and alpha-2-macroglobulin (alpha-2-MG) under periodontally diseased conditions. METHODS The study population included 15 smokers (5 women and 10 men) aged 34 to 69 years and 17 non-smokers (5 women and 12 men) aged 31 to 81 years. Clinical registration of gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth, as well as sampling of GCF were made at 3 sites with severe lesions and 3 sites with moderate lesions in each individual. The elastase activity was measured with a chromogenic low molecular substrate and the LF, alpha-1-AT, and alpha-2-MG concentrations with ELISA. RESULTS The results showed that, with regard to severe lesions, smokers had a significantly lower concentration of alpha-2-MG as well as significantly lower total amounts of alpha-2-MG and alpha-1-AT than non-smokers. With regard to moderate lesions, smokers tended to exhibit a lower concentration of alpha-2-MG, but the difference was not statistically significant. Comparing moderate and severe lesions, smokers exhibited no gradual increase with disease severity in contrast to non-smokers, who showed significantly or almost significantly increased levels of LF and alpha-2-MG in severe as compared to moderate lesions. CONCLUSIONS The present results indicate that the levels of alpha-2-MG and alpha-1-AT are suppressed in smokers with periodontitis, suggesting that smoking interferes with these protease inhibitors. This may be one mechanism by which smoking affects the inflammatory response.
Bacteriological and Mycological Profile of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media In A Tertiary Teaching Hospital , Trichy , Tamilnadu

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is the chronic inflammation of the middle ear cleft. It is one of the most common hearing problems which can cause many complications if left untreated. The most common bacteria causing CSOM are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and fungi are Aspergillus spp. , Rhizopus spp. , Cephalosporium spp. , Penicillium spp. , and Candida spp. Objectives: This study was carried out to identify the common bacteria and fungi causing CSOM and to determine the antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial isolates. Method: 70 patients (out of 96 patients) were selected from the ENT outpatient department of a rural teaching hospital. A written consent was obtained from the patients. Two swabs were collected from the discharging ear. First swab was used for Gram staining and the second for culture and sensitivity. The results were analyzed using simple statistical methods. Results and Discussion: Children belonging to the age group of 1 – 10 years were commonly affected with a predominance of left ear. The most commonly isolated bacteria was Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Non fermenting Gram negative bacilli and Klebsiella oxytoca. Aspergillus spp. was the only fungus isolated. Bacteria were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Amikacin, Amoxicillin-Clavulante and Ceftazidime. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most predominant bacteria isolated with a high sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin (92.3%) and Amikacin (92.3%). In the view of developing antibiotic resistance, and extraand intracranial complications in improperly treated cases, judicial use of antibiotics is necessary.
Central motor deficits of the deltoid muscle in patients with chronic rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Previous surface EMG studies have shown that chronic rotator cuff tears (RCT) may be associated with a altered activation of adjacent shoulder muscles. The effect of RCT on central neuromuscular control mechanisms of the shoulder girdle muscles such as the deltoideus muscle (MD), a key muscle of shoulder function, has as yet not been studied in detail. This study investigated the cortico-spinal excitability of the MD to assess the effects of RCT on the central neuromuscular function of upper limb muscles. MATERIAL AND METHODS The motor evoked potentials (MEP) in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation of MD and first dorsal interosseus muscle (FDI) on both sides were obtained of six right-handed men with chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness RCT on the dominant sides. Stimulus response curves at four different levels were measured at two tasks (MD at rest and during activity). RESULTS Different interactions were found between stimulus intensity, task and side for MEP of the MD (F = 3.9, P = 0.03), indicating that MD excitability on the affected side were lower when compared with the non-affected side. No correlation was found between the correspondent MEP amplitudes of MD and FDI at rest (r = 0.1, P = 0.44) and MD activation (r = 0.3, P = 0.05) on the affected side whereas a correlation existed on the non-affected side at rest (r = 0.5, P = 0.007) and during activation (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These decreased cortico-motoneuronal excitability of the MD on the affected side seems to related to adaptive chan- ges in motor cortex as a consequence of chronic RCT. The data suggest an involvement of central mechanisms and seem to precede severe changes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder.
Multiple Conformers in Active Site of Human Dihydrofolate Reductase F31R/Q35E Double Mutant Suggest Structural Basis for Methotrexate Resistance*

Methotrexate is a slow, tight-binding, competitive inhibitor of human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR), an enzyme that provides key metabolites for nucleotide biosynthesis. In an effort to better characterize ligand binding in drug resistance, we have previously engineered hDHFR variant F31R/Q35E. This variant displays a >650-fold decrease in methotrexate affinity, while maintaining catalytic activity comparable to the native enzyme. To elucidate the molecular basis of decreased methotrexate affinity in the doubly substituted variant, we determined kinetic and inhibitory parameters for the simple variants F31R and Q35E. This demonstrated that the important decrease of methotrexate affinity in variant F31R/Q35E is a result of synergistic effects of the combined substitutions. To better understand the structural cause of this synergy, we obtained the crystal structure of hDHFR variant F31R/Q35E complexed with methotrexate at 1.7-Å resolution. The mutated residue Arg-31 was observed in multiple conformers. In addition, seven native active-site residues were observed in more than one conformation, which is not characteristic of the wild-type enzyme. This suggests that increased residue disorder underlies the observed methotrexate resistance. We observe a considerable loss of van der Waals and polar contacts with the p-aminobenzoic acid and glutamate moieties. The multiple conformers of Arg-31 further suggest that the amino acid substitutions may decrease the isomerization step required for tight binding of methotrexate. Molecular docking with folate corroborates this hypothesis.
Disease and family contributors to adaptation in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Research in the areas of pediatric rheumatology and pediatric chronic illness has emphasized comprehensive models of adaptation involving risk and resistance factors. This study examined adaptation, within this framework, among a large sample of children with chronic illness and children without chronic illness. METHODS A comprehensive battery of adaptation measures was administered to a sample of 107 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, 114 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and 88 healthy controls. RESULTS Medical diagnosis was associated with mothers' depression and a composite measure of parental (mother and father) distress and passive coping. Children's emotional and behavioral functioning was not related to medical diagnosis, but mothers' depression and parental distress were associated with child behavior problems. CONCLUSION Because parental distress was associated with child functioning, interventions to ameliorate parental distress may have beneficial effects on the children's behavior and on parents' reactions to their children.
Thermoelectric Material Property Measurement for Flexible Films

v LIST OF TABLES . ix LIST OF FIGURES . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xiii CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND . 1 1.1 Overview of Power Harvesting Applications . 1 1.1.1 Wearable Electronic Devices . 1 1.1.2 Implantable Biomedical Devices . 3 1.2 Existing Power Sources . 4 1.2. 1 Conventional Power Sources . 4 1.2. 2 Piezoelectric Power Source.6 1.2. 3 Electromagnetic Power Source . 7 1.2. 4 Electrostatic Power Source . 7 1.3 Overview of Thermoelectric Generators . 8 1.3. 1 Seebeck Effect . 10 1.3. 2 Figure of Merit . 11 1.4 Characterization Methods for Thermoelectric Properties . 12 1.4. 1 Seebeck Coefficient . 12
Enteral Feeding Preserves Mucosal Immunity Despite In Vivo MAdCAM-1 Blockade of Lymphocyte Homing

ObjectiveTo determine the influence of route of nutrition on gut mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) expression and the effect of MAdCAM-1 blockade on gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) lymphocyte populations and established respiratory antibacterial immunity. Summary Background DataLymphocytes, sensitized to antigens in Peyer’s patches, migrate via mesenteric lymph nodes and home to intestinal lamina propria. MAdCAM-1 located on endothelial cells regulates this trafficking. Experimentally, parenteral nutrition (PN) decreases GALT cell mass and mucosal immunity when compared with enteral feeding. MethodsIn experiment 1, MAdCAM-1 expression was quantified in 32 mice after 4 days of feeding chow, a complex diet, intragastric (IG)-PN, or PN. In experiment 2, MAdCAM-1 was measured in 102 mice 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours after starting PN and at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, or 48 hours after reinstituting chow following 5 days of PN. In experiment 3, 56 mice received chow, PN, chow + MECA-367 (anti-MAdCAM-1 mAb), or chow + Isotype control Ab (IsoAb) for 5 days, followed by Peyer’s patches, lamina propria, and intraepithelial lymphocyte yield with respiratory and intestinal IgA levels. In experiment 4, 10 days after Pseudomonas immunization, mice received chow + MECA-367 or chow + IsoAb for 4 days followed by 1.2 × 108Pseudomonas intratracheally. ResultsDiet and route affect MAdCAM-1 expression (chow > complex diet > IG-PN > PN). Decreased MAdCAM-1 expression occurred within hours of starting PN in Peyer’s patches, but not mesenteric lymph nodes or the intestine, and recovered quickly with enteral refeeding. MAdCAM-1 blockade reduced all GALT populations. Blockade had little effect on IgA levels and partially impaired the late response of established respiratory immunity. ConclusionsEnteral feeding affects MAdCAM-1 expression. Complete MAdCAM-1 blockade reduces GALT lymphocytes to PN levels, but the chow feeding stimulus preserves IgA and early antibacterial resistance, implying the existence of non-MAdCAM-1 mechanisms to preserve mucosal immunity.
Performance of the CHIRON high-resolution Echelle spectrograph

CHIRON is a fiber-fed Echelle spectrograph with observing modes for resolutions from 28,000 to 120,000, built primarily for measuring precise radial velocities (RVs). We present the instrument performance as determined during integration and commissioning. We discuss the PSF, the effect of glass inhomogeneity on the cross-dispersion prism, temperature stabilization, stability of the spectrum on the CCD, and detector characteristics. The RV precision is characterized, with an iodine cell or a ThAr lamp as the wavelength reference. Including all losses from the sky to the detector, the overall efficiency is about 6%; the dominant limitation is coupling losses into the fiber due to poor guiding.
A Membrane-proximal Tyrosine-based Signal Mediates Internalization of the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein via Interaction with the AP-2 Clathrin Adaptor*

The envelope glycoprotein (Env) of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) undergoes rapid internalization after its transport to the cell surface. Env internalization is dependent upon information contained within the cytosolic domain of the protein. Here, we report that the cytosolic domain of Env binds specifically to the medium chain, μ2, of the clathrin-associated protein complex AP-2, as well as to the complete AP-2 complex. The Env cytosolic domain contains two highly conserved tyrosine-based motifs (Y712SPL and Y768HRL), both of which are capable of binding to μ2 when presented as short peptides. However, only the membrane-proximal motif Y712SPL binds to μ2 and is required for internalization in the context of the whole cytosolic domain of Env. A glycine residue (Gly711) adjacent to the Y712SPL motif is also important for binding to μ2/AP-2 and internalization. These observations suggest that the accessibility of the membrane-proximal GY712SPL to μ2/AP-2 determines its function as a signal for recruitment of HIV-1 Env into clathrin-coated pits and its ensuing internalization.
Correlation of HbA 1 c and Major Depressive Disorder in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between major depressions and glucose control index in type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Onehundred thirty four patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and HbA1c were measured in patients. Linear mixed-model analysis was applied to determine the relation between HbA1c levels and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Groups of patients with and without depression were similar in age and BMI. Correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between HAM-D scores and HbA1c level. Depressive scores were significantly higher in diabetic patients with hypertension (P = 0.0001) and on insulin treatment (P = 0.005). There was a significant positive relationship between HAM-D scores and disease duration. (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that there was no significant association between the level of depressive symptoms and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Parametric Real-Time Model Checking Using Splitting Trees

This article discusses a new approach to model checking of real-time systems. One of the novel aspects of our approach is the fact that an unconventional approach is chosen to deal with representing symbolic state spaces. Its key feature is that it does not use a canonical representation for representing symbolic nodes, but an alternative representation based on splitting trees. We describe this approach in terms of the verification problem of parametric reacheability of systems described in an extension of timed automata. Additionally, we describe how we extended this approach to deal With more complex verification problems, namely the parametric verification of an extension of the real-time temporal logic TCTL. This resulted in a model checking tool called PMC. The practical application of our approach is addressed through the analysis and verification of the root contention protocol of the IEEE1394 (FireWire) standard using this tool.
Effects of a 1:1 Inspiratory to Expiratory Ratio on Respiratory Mechanics and Oxygenation during One-Lung Ventilation in the Lateral Decubitus Position

Prolonged inspiratory to expiratory (I:E) ratio ventilation may have both positive and negative effects on respiratory mechanics and oxygenation during one-lung ventilation (OLV), but definitive information is currently lacking. We therefore compared the effects of volume-controlled ventilation with I:E ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 on respiratory mechanics and oxygenation during OLV. Fifty-six patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were randomly assigned volume-controlled ventilation with an I:E ratio of 1:1 (group 1:1, n=28) or 1:2 (group 1:2, n=28) during OLV. Arterial and central venous blood gas analyses and respiratory variables were recorded 15 minutes into two-lung ventilation, at 30 and 60 minutes during OLV, and 15 minutes after two-lung ventilation was re-initiated. Peak and plateau airway pressures in cmH2O [standard deviation] during OLV were significantly lower in group 1:1 than in group 1:2 (P P aO2 during OLV between the two groups (OLV30, P=0.856; OLV60, P=0.473). In summary, volume-controlled ventilation with an I:E ratio of 1:1 reduced peak and plateau airway pressures improved dynamic compliance and efficiency of alveolar ventilation, but it did not improve arterial oxygenation in a substantial manner. Furthermore, the associated increase in mean airway pressure might have reduced cardiac output, resulting in a lower central venous oxygen saturation.
Graph Regularized Within-Class Sparsity Preserving Projection for Face Recognition

As a dominant method for face recognition, the subspace learning algorithm shows desirable performance. Manifold learning can deal with the nonlinearity hidden in the data, and can project high dimensional data onto low dimensional data while preserving manifold structure. Sparse representation shows its robustness for noises and is very practical for face recognition. In order to extract the facial features from face images effectively and robustly, in this paper, a method called graph regularized within-class sparsity preserving analysis (GRWSPA) is proposed, which can preserve the within-class sparse reconstructive relationship and enhances separatability for different classes. Specifically, for each sample, we use the samples in the same class (except itself) to represent it, and keep the reconstructive weight unchanged during projection. To preserve the manifold geometry structure of the original space, one adjacency graph is constructed to characterize the interclass separability and is incorporated into its criteria equation as a constraint in a supervised manner. As a result, the features extracted are sparse and discriminative and helpful for classification. Experiments are conducted on the two open face databases, the ORL and YALE face databases, and the results show that the proposed method can effectively and correctly find the key facial features from face images and can achieve better recognition rate compared with other existing ones.
Evolutionary learning of fuzzy logic controllers and their adaptation through perpetual evolution

This paper presents an adaptive control architecture, where evolutionary learning is applied for initial learning and real-time tuning of a fuzzy logic controller. The initial learning phase involves identification of an artificial neural network model of the process and subsequent development of a fuzzy controller with parameters obtained via a genetic search. The neural network model is utilized for evaluating trial fuzzy controllers during the genetic search. The proposed adaptive mechanism is based on the concept of perpetual evolution, where parameters of the fuzzy controller are updated at each time step with solutions extracted from a continuously evolving population of trials. There are two mechanisms that accommodate the real-time changes in the control task and/or the process into the continuous genetic search: a scheme that dynamically modifies the fitness evaluation criteria of the genetic algorithm, and an online learning of the neural network model used for evaluating the trial controllers. The potential of using evolutionary learning for real-time adaptive control is illustrated through computer simulations, where the proposed technique is applied to a chemical process control problem.
Dose-reduced conditioning and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors in 42 patients.

PURPOSE A fludarabine-based "nonmyeloablative" preparative regimen was investigated in 42 patients with hematological malignancies receiving hematopoietic stem cell grafts from unrelated volunteer donors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Recipient conditioning consisted of fludarabine 30 mg/m(2) on days -6 to -2 and i.v. busulfan 3.3 mg/kg on days -6 to -5. Antithymocyte globuline was added at 2.5 mg/kg i.v. on days -5 to -2. The patients were grafted with bone marrow (n = 13) or peripheral blood stem cells either unmanipulated (n = 20) or CD34+ selected (n = 9). Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis was performed with cyclosporine A (CsA, n = 12), CsA/methotrexate (n = 12), or CsA/mycophenolate mofetil (n = 18). RESULTS With a median follow-up of 13 months (range, 5-26 months), the actuarial disease-free survival is 64% and 38% for patients with lymphoid malignancies and standard-risk leukemia compared with only 14% for patients with high-risk disease. The main cause of treatment failure was relapse of disease in high-risk patients (n = 14). An increased incidence of primary (n = 1) or secondary graft-failure (n = 8) was observed (21%). Chimerism analysis of CD56+/CD3--sorted natural killer (NK) cells, available in 10 patients, showed an impaired increase of donor NK cell chimerism between day 10 and 30 after transplantation in three of four patients with graft failure, whereas the percentage of donor NK cells surpassed 75% in all of the six patients with stable engraftment. CONCLUSIONS Unrelated transplants after dose-reduced conditioning are associated with a higher risk of graft-failure. Pretransplant host immunosuppression has to be optimized to overcome resistance to grafts from unrelated donors after nonmyeloablative conditioning therapy.
Pulmonary dysfunction and impaired granulocyte homeostasis result in poor survival of Jam‐C‐deficient mice

Jam‐C−/− mice exhibit growth retardation and multilobular pneumonia concomitant with poor survival of the mice under conventional housing conditions. The deficient mice present a mega‐oesophagus and have altered airway responsiveness. In addition, the number of circulating granulocytes is increased in Jam‐C−/− mice as compared to control animals. These phenotypes probably reflect the different functions of JAM‐C expressed by endothelial and mesenchymal cells. Indeed, the deregulation in the number of circulating granulocytes is caused by the lack of JAM‐C expression on endothelial cells since rescuing endothelial expression of the protein in the Jam‐C−/− mice is sufficient to restore homeostasis. More importantly, the rescue of vascular JAM‐C expression is accompanied by better survival of deficient mice, suggesting that endothelial expression of JAM‐C is mandatory for animal survival from opportunistic infections and fatal pneumonia. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PARTITIONING COMBINATIONAL CIRCUITS FOR K-LUT BASED FPGA MAPPING

Partiţionarea este o problemă centrală în automatizarea proiectării VLSI vizând manufacturabilitatea circuitelor. Partiţionarea circuitelor are multe aplicaţii în proiectarea VLSI. Una dintre cele mai întâlnite este aceea a divizării circuitelor combinaţionale (de regulă cele cu dimensiuni mari, care nu încap într-o singură capsulă), în mai multe capsule. Partiţionarea joaca un rol practic important în implementarea circuitelor în tehnologiile FPGA bazate pe k-LUT. În această lucrare este prezentat un algoritm pentru partiţionarea circuitelor combinaţionale mari astfel încât să se poată utiliza eficient capsulele FPGA existente disponibile comercial.