Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting Neuropsychological Test Performance on the Basis of Temporal Orientation

ABSTRACT Temporal orientation is often disrupted in the context of psychiatric or neurological disease; tests assessing this function are included in most mental status examinations. The present study examined the relationship between scores on the Temporal Orientation Scale (TOS) and performance on a battery of tests that assess memory, language, and cognitive functioning in a sample of patients with Alzheimer's disease (N = 55). Pearson-product moment correlations showed that, in all but two instances, the TOS was significantly correlated with each neuropsychological measure, p values ≤ . 05. Also, severely disoriented (i.e., TOS score ≤ −8) patients were consistently ‘impaired’ on memory tests but not on tests of language and general cognitive functioning.
Tandem repeat mutation, global DNA methylation, and regulation of DNA methyltransferases in cultured mouse embryonic fibroblast cells chronically exposed to chemicals with different modes of action

Mutations at expanded simple tandem repeat (ESTR) DNA sequences provide a useful tool for screening germline mutation. However, the mechanisms resulting in induced mutations are unknown and provide an impediment to the utility of the method. Induced ESTR mutations arise through a nontargeted mechanism resulting in destabilization of the repeat locus. We hypothesized that alterations in DNA methylation, or in DNA methyltransferase expression, may be associated with this indirect mechanism of mutation. DNA mutation frequency was measured in C3H/10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells following chronic exposure to six chemicals exhibiting different modes of genotoxic action: N‐nitroso‐N‐ethylurea (ENU); benzo(a)pyrene (BaP); etoposide (ETOP); okadaic acid (OA); cisplatin (CisPt); and 5‐azacytidine (5azadC). Induced mutation ranged from 2‐fold (ENU, BaP, ETOP), to 1.3–1.4 fold (OA, 5azadC), to nonresponsive (CisPt). Global DNA methylation, measured using the cytosine extension assay, revealed hypomethylation following exposure to ENU and 5azadC, hypermethylation following BaP and OA exposure, and no change following treatment with ETOP or CisPt. DNA methyltransferase transcription (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b) was significantly affected by all treatments except ETOP, with the vast majority of changes being downregulation. There was no direct correlation between ESTR mutation, global methylation, or DNA methyltransferase transcription. However, 4/5 ESTR mutagens caused changes in global methylation, while the noninducer (CisPt) did not cause changes in methylation. We hypothesize that chemicals that modify chromatin conformation through changes in methylation may compromise the ability of mismatch repair enzymes (or other enzymes) to access and repair secondary structures that may form across ESTR loci resulting in mutation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spontaneous early exposure and marginal bone loss around conventionally and early-placed submerged implants: a double-blind study.

PURPOSE The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the frequency of spontaneous early exposure of cover screws and marginal bone resorption in conventionally and early-placed submerged implants before second-stage surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 103 Nobel Biocare Branemark implants were conventionally (Group 1), or early-placed (Group 2) in 46 consecutive patients following the two-stage surgical protocol. Patients in both groups received oral hygiene training in self-performed plaque control measures, including exposure of cover screws during healing. Spontaneous cover screw exposure (CSE) of each implant was recorded for both groups and scored from Class 0 (no perforation) to Class 4 (complete exposure). Plaque index scores were recorded and marginal bone-level (MBL) changes were measured in radiographs before second-stage surgery in a blind manner. RESULTS MBL in Group 2 was higher than Group 1 in patients with or without interim prosthesis (P<0.05). The use of interim prosthesis did not increase MBL in Group 1, but led to higher MBL in Group 2. The percentage of non-exposed implants in Group 1 was higher than Group 2 (P=0.007, odds ratio=7). Group 1 implants had 11.5 times greater plaque index score 0 than those in Group 2 (P=0.031, odds ratio=11.5). The differences between MBL with regard to CSE scores 0 and 1-4 was significant for both sides in Group 2 and the mesial side in Group 1 (P<0.05). The difference between MBL with regard to plaque index scores 1-3 was similar in both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a direct relation between spontaneous early cover screw perforations with early crestal bone loss. Early-placed implants experienced more spontaneous perforations and associated bone loss in comparison with conventionally placed submerged implants. The use of interim dentures may lead to more CSE and consequent MBL in the early-placement protocol.
Goal orientation and self-efficacy in relation to memory in adulthood

ABSTRACT The achievement goal framework (Dweck, 1986, American Psychologist, 41, 1040) has been well-established in children and college-students, but has rarely been examined empirically with older adults. The current study, including younger and older adults, examined the effects of memory self-efficacy, learning goals (focusing on skill mastery over time) and performance goals (focusing on performance outcome evaluations) on memory performance. Questionnaires measured memory self-efficacy and general orientation toward learning and performance goals; free and cued recall was assessed in a subsequent telephone interview. As expected, age was negatively related and education was positively related to memory self-efficacy, and memory self-efficacy was positively related to memory, in a structural equation model. Age was also negatively related to memory performance. Results supported the positive impact of learning goals and the negative impact of performance goals on memory self-efficacy. There was no significant direct effect of learning or performance goals on memory performance; their impact occurred via their effect on memory self-efficacy. The present study supports past research suggesting that learning goals are beneficial, and performance goals are maladaptive, for self-efficacy and learning, and validates the achievement goal framework in a sample including older adults.
Memory control beliefs and everyday forgetfulness in adulthood: The effects of selection, optimization, and compensation strategies

ABSTRACT Controlling for age, gender, education, and self-rated health, the present study used regression analyses to examine the relationships between memory control beliefs and self-reported forgetfulness in the context of the meta-theory of Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC). Findings from this online survey (N = 409) indicate that, among adult New Zealanders, a higher sense of memory control accounts for a 22.7% reduction in self-reported forgetfulness. Similarly, optimization was found to account for a 5% reduction in forgetfulness while the strategies of selection and compensation were not related to self-reports of forgetfulness. Optimization partially mediated the beneficial effects that some memory beliefs (e.g., believing that memory decline is inevitable and believing in the potential for memory improvement) have on forgetfulness. It was concluded that memory control beliefs are important predictors of self-reported forgetfulness while the support for the SOC model in the context of memory controllability and everyday forgetfulness is limited.
Volume gain and stability of peri-implant tissue following bone and soft tissue augmentation: 1-year results from a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES the aim of the present study was to evaluate the dimensional changes of peri-implant tissues obtained by implant placement, bone and soft tissue augmentation, prosthetic reconstruction and 1 year of function using a new, non-invasive method for volumetric measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS in 16 patients, the missing central or lateral maxillary incisor was reconstructed with an implant-supported single crown. Impressions were taken before (t1), after implant placement with guided bone regeneration using DBBM and a PTFE membrane (t2), after soft tissue augmentation (t3), immediately after crown placement (t4) and 1 year later (t5). The cast models were optically scanned and digitally superimposed allowing qualitative and quantitative analysis of alterations of the labial peri-implant tissue contour. In addition, the crown length and papilla height were measured at crown placement (t4) and after 1 year (t5). RESULTS fifteen patients were available for recall after 1 year. During therapy, a mean gain in distance in the labial direction of 1.27 ± 0.67 mm was observed after the surgical procedures. One year after crown insertion, a mean loss of 0.04 ± 0.31 mm in the labial direction was recorded. During the same period, the crown length increased by a mean of 0.22 ± 0.57 mm and the papilla height by 0.07 ± 0.61 mm. The degree and pattern of tissue change following crown insertion were highly variable between individuals, irrespective of the amount and quality of previously augmented tissues. CONCLUSIONS the clinical procedures were effective in augmenting peri-implant tissue volume that remained stable to a high degree within 1 year after crown insertion. Large inter-individual variations regarding the tissue alterations were observed.
Object-based and egocentric mental rotation performance in older adults: The importance of gender differences and motor ability

ABSTRACT In this study, mental rotation performance was assessed in both an object-based task, human figures and letters as stimuli, and in an egocentric-based task, a human figure as a stimulus, in 60 older persons between 60 and 71 years old (30 women, 30 men). Additionally all participants completed three motor tests measuring balance and mobility. The results show that the reaction time was slower for letters than for both human figure tasks and the mental rotation speed was faster over all for egocentric mental rotation tasks. Gender differences were found in the accuracy measurement, favoring males, and were independent of stimulus type, kind of transformation, and angular disparity. Furthermore, a regression analysis showed that the accuracy rate for object-based transformations with body stimuli could be predicted by gender and balance ability. This study showed that the mental rotation performance in older adults depends on stimulus type, kind of transformation, and gender and that performance partially relates to motor ability.
Interindividual differences in attentional control profiles among younger and older adults

This study aimed at characterizing the individual variability in three attentional control functions (shifting, inhibition, and updating), among 75 older and 75 younger adults. It also examined the intellectual and health variables associated with different cognitive profiles. Cluster analyses identified three separate attentional control profiles for both age groups, but the patterns of variability were strikingly different. Younger adults’ profiles were characterized by homogeneous performance across domains and differed only in their overall level of performance. In contrast, older adults’ profiles were characterized by uneven levels of performance across domains and inhibition stood out as critical in distinguishing between profiles. One subgroup of older adults had poor inhibition and more adverse lifestyle characteristics and appeared more cognitively vulnerable. In conclusion, subgroups of younger and older adults with different attentional control profiles can be identified, but the expression of variability changes with age as older adults’ profiles become more heterogeneous.
Cognitive rehabilitation for mild cognitive impairment: developing and piloting an intervention

This was an exploratory study, with the purpose of developing and piloting an intervention for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their family members using cognitive rehabilitation. A case series design was used with pre- and post-intervention and 3-month follow-up outcome measures. Five participants (two males, three females; mean age 75 years) with a diagnosis of MCI attended the memory clinic with a family member. Intervention consisted of six to eight individual sessions of cognitive rehabilitation consisting of personalized interventions to address individually relevant goals delivered weekly. The main rehabilitation strategies utilized were external aids, personal diary, face–name association, relaxation, and encouraging participants to develop habits and routines. The primary outcome measure was goal attainment as assessed by Goal Attainment Scaling. Secondary outcome measures included measures of memory, anxiety, depression, and activities of daily living. Qualitative data were collected post-intervention by interview. Post-intervention 84% of the goals were attained, with 68% maintained at a 3-month follow-up. Mean anxiety and depression scores decreased during the intervention. No significant changes were recorded on a test of memory. The findings suggest that the strongest effect was in relation to compensatory strategies for prospective and episodic memory deficits. Feedback from participants during qualitative interviews indicated that they found strategies useful and implemented them in their daily routines. The findings support the use of a dyadic cognitive rehabilitation intervention for people with MCI and memory difficulties.
Speech rhythm alterations in Spanish-speaking individuals with Alzheimer’s disease

ABSTRACT Rhythm is the speech property related to the temporal organization of sounds. Considerable evidence is now available for suggesting that dementia of Alzheimer’s type is associated with impairments in speech rhythm. The aim of this study is to assess the use of an automatic computerized system for measuring speech rhythm characteristics in an oral reading task performed by 45 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) compared with those same characteristics among 82 healthy older adults without a diagnosis of dementia, and matched by age, sex and cultural background. Ranges of rhythmic-metric and clinical measurements were applied. The results show rhythmic differences between the groups, with higher variability of syllabic intervals in AD patients. Signal processing algorithms applied to oral reading recordings prove to be capable of differentiating between AD patients and older adults without dementia with an accuracy of 87% (specificity 81.7%, sensitivity 82.2%), based on the standard deviation of the duration of syllabic intervals. Experimental results show that the syllabic variability measurements extracted from the speech signal can be used to distinguish between older adults without a diagnosis of dementia and those with AD, and may be useful as a tool for the objective study and quantification of speech deficits in AD.
Comparison of in vitro micronucleus and gene mutation assay results for p53‐competent versus p53‐deficient human lymphoblastoid cells

The high frequency of false or irrelevant positive results in in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity tests is a critical concern for regulators. Here, we tested whether such results may be due to the mammalian cells used in the tests being deficient in p53, which is involved in the maintenance of genomic stability. We compared the in vitro responses of two human lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from the same progenitor cell‐p53‐competent (TK6) and p53‐deficient (WTK‐1) cells‐in a micronucleus (MN) test and a thymidine kinase gene (TK) mutation assay. We tested 14 chemicals including three mutagens and 11 clastogens and spindle poisons. The three mutagens evoked clear positive responses in both assays in both cell lines. The responses to the clastogens and spindle poisons, on the other hand, depended on the assay endpoint and/or the cell line. Most of clastogens and spindle poisons were positive in the MN test in both cell lines. In the TK mutation assay, on the other hand, WTK‐1 cells but not TK6 cells detected spindle poisons, which may have been due to the disturbance of the spindle checkpoint and lack of apoptosis in the p53‐deficient cells. Some chemicals that induced chromosome aberrations in rodent cells were negative in both TK6 and WTK‐1 cells, indicating that a species‐specific factor rather than p53 status was associated with the response. In conclusion, the p53 status did not seriously influence the MN test results but it did influence the TK mutation assay results. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative approaches for assessing dose–response relationships in genetic toxicology studies

Genetic toxicology studies are required for the safety assessment of chemicals. Data from these studies have historically been interpreted in a qualitative, dichotomous “yes” or “no” manner without analysis of dose–response relationships. This article is based upon the work of an international multi‐sector group that examined how quantitative dose–response relationships for in vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology data might be used to improve human risk assessment. The group examined three quantitative approaches for analyzing dose–response curves and deriving point‐of‐departure (POD) metrics (i.e., the no‐observed‐genotoxic‐effect‐level (NOGEL), the threshold effect level (Td), and the benchmark dose (BMD)), using data for the induction of micronuclei and gene mutations by methyl methanesulfonate or ethyl methanesulfonate in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that the POD descriptors obtained using the different approaches are within the same order of magnitude, with more variability observed for the in vivo assays. The different approaches were found to be complementary as each has advantages and limitations. The results further indicate that the lower confidence limit of a benchmark response rate of 10% (BMDL10) could be considered a satisfactory POD when analyzing genotoxicity data using the BMD approach. The models described permit the identification of POD values that could be combined with mode of action analysis to determine whether exposure(s) below a particular level constitutes a significant human risk. Subsequent analyses will expand the number of substances and endpoints investigated, and continue to evaluate the utility of quantitative approaches for analysis of genetic toxicity dose–response data. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Healing outcomes at implants installed in grafted sites: an experimental study in dogs.

AIM To evaluate the integration of implants installed using a surgical guide in augmented sites with autologous bone or deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) blocks, concomitantly with a collagen membrane. MATERIAL AND METHODS Mandibular molars were extracted bilaterally in six Labrador dogs, the buccal bony wall was removed, and a box-shaped defect was created. After 3 months, flaps were elevated, a bony graft was harvested from the ascending ramus, and secured to the lateral wall of the defect by means of screws. In the left mandibular side, a DBBM block was fixed into the defect. A resorbable membrane was applied at both sides, and the flaps were sutured. After 3 months, flaps were elevated, and a customized device was used as surgical guide to prepare the recipient sites in the interface between grafts and parent bone. One implant was installed in each side of the mandible. After 3 months, biopsies were harvested, and ground sections were prepared for histologic evaluation. RESULTS One autologous bone block graft was lost before implant installation. The width of the alveolar crest at the test sites (DBBM) was 5.4 ± 1.2 mm before, 9.4 ± 1.2 mm immediately after grafting, and 9.3 ± 1 mm at implant installation. At the control sites (autologous bone), the corresponding values were: 5.2 ± 1, 9 ± 1.2, and 8.7 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. All implants installed were available for histologic evaluation (n = 5). The autologous bone grafts, rich in vessels and cells, were integrated in the parent bone, and only little non-vital bone was found. The BIC% was 56.7 ± 15.6% and 54.2 ± 13.2% at the buccal and lingual aspects, respectively. At the test sites, the DBBM appeared to be embedded into connective tissue, and very little newly formed bone was encountered within the grafts. The BIC% was 5.8 ± 12.3% and 51.3 ± 14.2% at the buccal and lingual aspects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Autologous bone blocks used to augment the alveolar bony crest horizontally allowed the complete osseointegration of implants installed after 3 months of healing. However, similar blocks of DBBM did not promote osseointegration, although the installed implants were stable owing to the osseointegration in the sites of the parent bone.
Neuropsychological Profile of a Filipino Gentleman with X-Linked Dystonia–Parkinsonism: A Case Report of Lubag Disease

X-Linked Dystonia–Parkinsonism (XDP or “Lubag”) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder unique to the Island of Panay in the Philippines. Imaging and autopsy studies have suggested involvement of the caudate and putamen in late stages. Because the clinical presentation of patients with XDP resembles that of patients with Parkinson disease or dystonia, it is reasonable to predict the neuropsychological profile might be similar; however, the neuropsychological profile of a XDP patient has not previously been published. We present the neuropsychological findings of a 67-year-old gentleman with a 10-year history of XDP who presented with parkinsonian and dystonic symptoms. He was evaluated for suitability for deep brain stimulation surgery. Neuropsychological findings demonstrated diffuse impairment involving memory, visuospatial, language, and executive functioning.