Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation between the clinically diagnosed inflammatory process and periapical index scores in severely painful endodontically involved teeth

Abstract Aim To assess and correlate three distinct states of severely painful endodontically derived inflammation with their depiction on periapical radiographs using periapical index (PAI) scores. Methodology During a period of 15 months, 368 consecutively enrolled patients with suspected endodontic emergency conditions were examined at the University of Zurich, Center of Dental Medicine. Cases with a severely painful (numeric rating scale, NRS‐11 > 6) endodontically involved tooth and a clear pulpal and apical diagnosis (n = 162) were selected (one tooth per patient). Teeth were divided into three groups according to the clinically diagnosed main location of the inflammatory process: level 1: pulp (positive response to cold test), level 2: periodontium (no response to cold without swelling) and level 3: periapical tissues (no response to cold with swelling). Periapical radiographs were obtained using a digital unit and analysed by two calibrated observers. For level 2, which had the highest PAI variance (n = 76), the PAI scores were further scrutinized regarding their dependence on tooth location and the duration of pain. Data were analysed using chi‐squared and non‐parametric tests, alpha = 0.05. Results Overall, the PAI scores correlated well with the clinically diagnosed main location of periapical inflammation (Spearman’s rho = 0.5131, P < 0.001), with level 1 having the lowest scores by far (P < 0.001) and level 2 having significantly lower scores compared to level 3 (P < 0.05). However, a PAI score of 5 was found in merely 3 teeth within the entire cohort, and 49% of the teeth in the level 2 group had no radiolucency (PAI < 3). Within level 2, the PAI scores were not dependent on tooth location but were substantially (P < 0.001) higher for teeth which had hurt for more than one week, and for root filled teeth. Conclusions For the analysed, severely painful endodontically involved teeth, the clinically diagnosed main location of inflammation was reflected by the periapical index. PAI scores were not significantly influenced by anatomical noise, yet in some cases under‐estimated the clinical situation.
Histone exchange is associated with activator function at transcribed promoters and with repression at histone loci

Histone turnover during gene transcription is mediated by regulatory proteins, not by the transcription machinery. Transcription in eukaryotes correlates with major chromatin changes, including the replacement of old nucleosomal histones by new histones at the promoters of genes. The role of these histone exchange events in transcription remains unclear. In particular, the causal relationship between histone exchange and activator binding, preinitiation complex (PIC) assembly, and/or subsequent transcription remains unclear. Here, we provide evidence that histone exchange at gene promoters is not simply a consequence of PIC assembly or transcription but instead is mediated by activators. We further show that not all activators up-regulate gene expression by inducing histone turnover. Thus, histone exchange does not simply correlate with transcriptional activity, but instead reflects the mode of action of the activator. Last, we show that histone turnover is not only associated with activator function but also plays a role in transcriptional repression at the histone loci.
Ponseti method of treating clubfoot - Is there difference if treatment is started before or after one month of age?

INTRODUCTION Most of the authors currently agree that congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) or idiopathic clubfoot can be effectively treated with the Ponseti method instead of extensive soft tissue surgery. This study was conducted to investigate whether there is a difference in the outcome between starting treatment before one month of age or after that age. METHODS This is a retrospective study on babies with CTEV treated in University Malaya Medical Centre from 2013 to 2017. The 54 babies (35 boys and 19 girls) were divided into two cohorts, Group 1 that had treatment before the age of one month, and Group 2 that had treatment after one month old. The number of cast changes, rate of full correction, and rate of relapse after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Of the 54 babies, with 77 CTEV treated during the period, our outcome showed that the mean number of cast change was 5.9 for Group 1 and 5.7 for Group 2. The difference was not statistically significant. All the affected feet (100%) achieved full correction. One foot in the Group 1 relapsed, while three feet in Group 2 relapsed, but the difference was also not statistically significant. All of the relapsed feet were successfully treated with repeated Ponseti method. CONCLUSIONS Treating CTEV using Ponseti method starting after one month was not associated with more casting change of higher rate of relapse.
Smoking and COVID-19: Adding Fuel to the Flame

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has led to more than 771,000 deaths worldwide. Tobacco smoking is a major known risk factor for severe illness and even death from many respiratory infections. The effects of smoking on COVID-19 are currently controversial. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the effects of smoking on the clinical manifestations, disease progression, inflammatory responses, immunopathogenesis, racial ethnic disparities, and incidence of COVID-19. This review also documents future directions of smoking related research in COVID-19. The current epidemiological finding suggests that active smoking is associated with an increased severity of disease and death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Smoking can upregulate the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor utilized by SARS-CoV-2 to enter the host cell and activate a ‘cytokine storm’ which can lead to worsen outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This receptor can also act as a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on a legacy of inequalities regarding gender, racial, and ethnic health disparities associated with active smoking, thus, smoking cessation may help in improving outcomes. In addition, to flatten the COVID-19 curve, staying indoors, avoiding unnecessary social contact, and bolstering the immune defense system by maintaining a healthy diet/living are highly desirable.
Group Lifestyle Phone Maintenance for Weight, Health and Physical Function in Adults Ages 65-80 Years: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND Group lifestyle sessions with phone maintenance could improve weight, health, and function in vulnerable older adults. METHOD Community-dwelling adults (n = 322) with BMI (kg/m 2) ≥ 27 and additional risk factors received 12 one-hour in-person behavioral weight management group sessions then were randomized to 8 half-hour telephone sessions (n = 162) or newsletter control (N = 160) from 4-12 months with no treatment contact thereafter. Primary outcome was 0-12-month weight change. Cardiometabolic, short physical performance battery (SPPB), and self-reported activity changes were assessed at 12 and 24 months. RESULTS At baseline, mean (SD) age was 71.2 (4.3) and BMI was 33.8 (5.1). Participants were 77% women, 13% Black, 85% retired, averaging 4 medical conditions and taking blood pressure (67.4%) and lipid-lowering (51.6%) medications. At 12 months, a greater proportion of the phone group (66.0 %) achieved ≥ 5% weight loss compared with newsletter control (53.2%; P = 0.02). Mean [95% CI] weight loss was greater for phone (- 6.6 kg [-7.5, -5.8] than newsletter (- 5.1 kg [-7.2, -3.0]); P = 0.01). Modest lipid, glucose, and blood pressure improvements were found, but did not differ significantly between groups. Small SPPB and activity improvements were maintained at 12 and 24 months in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Brief phone contacts compared to newsletters enhanced weight loss maintenance among older high-risk adults at one-year, but not cardiometabolic outcomes. Modest functional improvements were observed in both. Lower-intensity maintenance contacts (phone or newsletter) for weight, health, and physical function in older adults warrant further study.
Involvement of NF-κB in the reversal of CYP3A down-regulation induced by sea buckthorn in BCG-induced rats

Previous studies reported that sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae, HRP) exhibits hepatoprotective effects via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as its inhibitory effects on collagen synthesis. However, it is unclear whether this hepatoprotective effect is also achieved by regulating liver drug metabolism enzyme pathways. Herein, we examined the regulatory effect of HRP on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) in rats with immune liver injury, and explored the molecular mechanism of its hepatoprotective effect. Rat models of immunological liver injury were induced by intravenous injections of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG; 125 mg kg-1; 2 wks). Specific protein levels were detected by ELISA or western blot, and CYP3A mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detected relative changes in CYP3A metabolic activity based on the rates of 1-hydroxylation of the probe drug midazolam (MDZ). BCG pretreatment (125 mg kg-1) significantly down-regulated liver CYP3A protein expression compared with the control, metabolic activity, and transcription levels while up-regulating liver NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS. HRP intervention (ED50: 78 mg kg-1) moderately reversed NF-κB, inflammatory cytokines, and iNOS activation in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), and suppressed CYP3A down-regulation (P < 0.05); thereby partially alleviating liver injury. During immune liver injury, HRP may reverse CYP3A down-regulation by inhibiting NF-κB signal transduction, and protect liver function, which involves regulation of enzymes transcriptionally, translationally and post-translationally. The discovery that NF-κB is a molecular target of HRP may initiate the development and optimization of a clinical therapeutic approach to mitigate hepatitis B and other immunity-related liver diseases.
Social Media Markers to Identify Fathers at Risk of Postpartum Depression: A Machine Learning Approach

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health issue in mothers and fathers alike; yet at-risk fathers often come to the attention of health care professionals late due to low awareness of symptoms and reluctance to seek help. This study aimed to examine whether passive social media markers are effective for identifying fathers at risk of PPD. We collected 67,796 Reddit posts from 365 fathers, spanning a 6-month period around the birth of their child. A list of "at-risk" words was developed in collaboration with a perinatal mental health expert. PPD was assessed by evaluating the change in fathers' use of words indicating depressive symptomatology after childbirth. Predictive models were developed as a series of support vector machine classifiers using behavior, emotion, linguistic style, and discussion topics as features. The performance of these classifiers indicates that fathers at risk of PPD can be predicted from their prepartum data alone. Overall, the best performing model used discussion topic features only with a recall score of 0.82. These findings could assist in the development of support and intervention tools for fathers during the prepartum period, with specific applicability to personalized and preventative support tools for at-risk fathers.
The role of sacubitril/valsartan in the management of cardiac resynchronization therapy non‐responders: a retrospective analysis

Optimal medical therapy after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation is important in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. Although sacubitril/valsartan (SV) is a mainstay in the treatment of HFrEF, its efficacy in the management of CRT non‐responders has not been emphasized. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of SV in CRT non‐responders.
The abundance of arbuscular mycorrhiza in soils is linked to the total length of roots colonized at ecosystem level

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) strongly affect ecosystem functioning. To understand and quantify the mechanisms of this control, knowledge about the relationship between the actual abundance and community composition of AMF in the soil and in plant roots is needed. We collected soil and root samples in a natural dune grassland to test whether, across a plant community, the abundance of AMF in host roots (measured as the total length of roots colonized) is related to soil AMF abundance (using the neutral lipid fatty acids (NLFA) 16:1ω5 as proxy). Next-generation sequencing was used to explore the role of community composition in abundance patterns. We found a strong positive relationship between the total length of roots colonized by AMF and the amount of NLFA 16:1ω5 in the soil. We provide the first field-based evidence of proportional biomass allocation between intra-and extraradical AMF mycelium, at ecosystem level. We suggest that this phenomenon is made possible by compensatory colonization strategies of individual fungal species. Finally, our findings open the possibility of using AMF total root colonization as a proxy for soil AMF abundances, aiding further exploration of the AMF impacts on ecosystems functioning.
Targetable BRAF and RAF1 alterations in advanced pediatric cancers.

RAF family protein kinases signal through the MAPK pathway to orchestrate cellular proliferation, survival, and transformation. Identifying BRAF alterations in pediatric cancers is critically important as therapeutic agents targeting BRAF or MEK may be incorporated into the clinical management of these patients. In this study, we performed comprehensive genomic profiling on 3,633 pediatric cancer samples and identified a cohort of 221 (6.1%) cases with known or novel alerations in BRAF or RAF1 detected in extracranial solid tumors, brain tumors, or hematological malignancies. 80% (176/221) of these tumors had a known-activating SV (98, 55.7%), fusion (72, 40.9%), or indel (6, 3.4%). Among BRAF altered cancers, the most common tumor types were brain tumors (74.4%), solid tumors (10.8%), hematological malignancies (9.1%), sarcomas (3.4%) and extracranial embryonal tumors (2.3%). RAF1 fusions containing intact RAF1 kinase domain (encoded by exons 10-17) were identified in 7 tumors including two novel fusions TMF1-RAF1 and SOX6-RAF1. Additionally, we highlight a subset of brain tumor patients with positive clinical response to BRAF inhibitors, demonstrating the rationale for incorporating precision medicine into pediatric oncology. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Precision medicine has not yet gained a strong foothold in pediatric cancers. This study describes the landscape of BRAF and RAF1 genomic alterations across a diverse spectrum of pediatric cancers, primarily brain tumors, but also encompassing melanoma, sarcoma, several types of hematologic malignancy, and others. Given the availability of multiple FDA-approved BRAF inhibitors, identification of these alterations may assist with treatment decision making, as described here in three cases of pediatric cancer.
Automated vessel density detection in fluorescein angiography images correlates with vision in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose To investigate the correlation between quantifiable vessel density, computed in an automated fashion, from ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) images from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with visual acuity and macular thickness. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective randomized controlled trial. We designed and trained an algorithm to automate retinal vessel detection from input UWFFA images. We then used our algorithm to study the correlation between baseline vessel density and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CRT for patients in the RECOVERY study. Reliability of the algorithm was tested using the intraclass correlation (ICC). 42 patients from the Intravitreal Aflibercept for Retinal Non-Perfusion in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (RECOVERY) trial who had both baseline UWFFA images and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were included in our study. These patients had PDR without significant center-involving diabetic macular edema (central retinal thickness [CRT] ≤320μm). Results Our algorithm analyzed UWFFA images with a reliability measure (ICC) of 0.98. A positive correlation (r = 0.4071, p = 0.0075) was found between vessel density and BCVA. No correlation was found between vessel density and CRT. Conclusions Our algorithm is capable of reliably quantifying vessel density in an automated fashion from baseline UWFFA images. We found a positive correlation between computed vessel density and BCVA in PDR patients without center-involving macular edema, but not CRT. Translational relevance Our work is the first to offer an algorithm capable of quantifying vessel density in an automated fashion from UWFFA images, allowing us to work toward studying the relationship between retinal vascular changes and important clinical endpoints, including visual acuity, in ischemic eye diseases.
The Thermal Properties and Degradability of Chiral Polyester-Imides Based on Several l/d-Amino Acids

Eight kinds of chiral diacid monomers were prepared with amino acids with different side groups or configurations. Polyester-imides (PEIs) were synthesized from these diacid monomers and diphenol monomers through polycondensation reaction, and the performances and properties were compared with the chiral polyamide-imides (PAIs) previously synthesized by our work group. Their thermal properties were analyzed by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA), and it was found that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PEI was mainly affected by the volume of side groups. Their degradability was studied through buffer degradation experiments, and the changes in their water contact angle, molecular weight, structure and appearance during the degradation process were characterized by contact angle tester, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With degradation, the hydrophilicity of PEI was improved, and when amino acids with larger side groups or D configuration were introduced into the backbone of PEI, the degradability decreased.
Study on Outer Chains Released from Amylopectin betwen Immobilized and Free Debranching Enzymes

Various kinds of partial hydrolysates of waxy maize amylopectin were prepared by controlling the debranching actions of immobilized and free isoamylase, and free pullulanase, and then frac tionated into three fractions by a gel chromatography using Toyopearl HW-65F . The smallest frac tions (fr. 3) were again debranched with free isoamylase and analyzed by HPAEC-PAD in order to obtain information of chain distributions existing in the outer portion of amylopectin molecules. About 10-15% of the partial hydrolyses were appropriate to collect the shortish chains released from amylopectin. The chain distribution of the smallest fraction consisted of many short-chains with DP 6-15, and it could be thought that most of the shortish chains might be A chains derived from outer portions of amylopectin. The comparative experiments among the debranching enzymes led us to confirm that partial hydrolyzed materials obtained by the low enzyme activity of free isoamylase and pullulanase could be used to study the outer chains of amylopectins like immobilized isoamylase.
Entoloma aprile (Agaricales, Entolomataceae) new to Japan, with notes on its mycorrhiza associated with Populus maximowiczii in cool-temperate deciduous forests of Hokkaido.

1 Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Ten-nodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan e-mail: tkasuya@sakura.cc. tsukuba.ac. jp 2 Non Profit Organization, The Forum of Fungi in Northern Japan, Kanayama 1-3-10-3, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-0041, Japan 3 Research Institute of Genome-based Biofactory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-17-2-1, Tsukisamu-higashi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-8517, Japan 4 Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan 5 National Herbarium of the Netherlands, NL-2300 Leiden, The Nertherlands
International, randomized, controlled trial of lamifiban (a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor), heparin, or both in unstable angina

Background —Unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction involve coronary arterial plaque rupture, platelet activation, and thrombus formation. This study tested the benefit of different doses of lamifiban (a platelet IIb/IIIa antagonist) alone and in combination with heparin in patients with these conditions to select the most promising lamifiban regimen for subsequent evaluation. Methods and Results —At 273 hospitals in 20 countries, 2282 patients were randomly assigned to lamifiban (2 (cid:51) 2 factorial design: low-dose [1 (cid:109) g/min] with and without heparin versus high-dose [5 (cid:109) g/min] with and without heparin) or to standard therapy (placebo and heparin). All patients received aspirin. The composite primary end point of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction at 30 days occurred in 11.7% of those receiving standard therapy, 10.6% receiving low-dose lamifiban, and 12.0% receiving high-dose lamifiban ( P (cid:53) 0.668). By 6 months, this composite was lowest for those assigned to low-dose lamifiban ( P (cid:53) 0.027) and intermediate for those assigned to high-dose lamifiban ( P (cid:53) 0.450) compared with control (13.7%, 16.4%, and 17.9%, respectively). Compared with control, the combination of high-dose lamifiban and heparin resulted in more intermediate or major bleeding (12.1% versus 5.5%; P (cid:53) 0.002) and a similar rate of ischemic events. Conversely, low-dose lamifiban and heparin yielded similar bleeding rates as in the control group but fewer ischemic events at 6 months (12.6% versus 17.9%; P (cid:53) 0.025). angina and non–Q-wave infarction, platelet IIb/IIIa antagonism with lamifiban reduces adverse ischemic events at 6 months beyond that of aspirin and heparin therapy. The role of conjunctive heparin remains uncertain but appears more favorable with low-dose IIb/IIIa antagonism. Larger-scale study is needed to more reliably estimate these effects. ( Circulation . 1998;97:2386-2395.)
Occu-track: occupant presence sensing and trajectory detection using non-intrusive sensors in buildings

Sensing occupant presence and their trajectories of movement in buildings enable new types of analysis and building operation strategies. However, obtaining such information in a cost-efficient and non-intrusive manner is a challenge. This paper proposes the Occu-track method for how inexpensive battery-powered sensors can be used at scale to estimate occupant presence and movement trajectories. The technique combines graph analysis and advanced clustering to produce accurate estimates. This paper validates the efficiency of Occu-track in two different settings; a music room and a private office. The experimental results from two room-level deployments demonstrate the benefits of the approach obtaining an average Root Mean Squared Error of 1.19 meters for case 1 and 0.88 meters for case 2 for trajectory estimation. The results can contribute to new dimensions of research associated with the generation of metadata from non-intrusive sensors to make informed decisions about efficient space utilization and floor plans, intelligent building operations, crowd management, comfortable indoor environment, or managing personnel.