Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview

Various modalities of treatment are available for different dental diseases, but the major drawback of these conventional drug therapies is the numerous side effects associated with their use. This has led to renewed interest in the discovery of novel anti-infective natural compounds derived from plants. Plants have been the major source of medicine since the time immemorial. Turmeric has been attributed a number of medicinal properties in the traditional system of medicine. The objective of this article is to review the efficacy of turmeric herb in maintenance of oral health, in particular, and overall health, in general. Turmeric, a rhizome of Curcuma longa, is a herb known for its medicinal properties and is a more acceptable and viable option for a common man. It has proven properties like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, antiseptic, and antimutagenic. Due to these properties, it is quite useful in dentistry as well. It has a role in the treatment of periodontal diseases and oral cancers. Turmeric can also be used as a pit and fissure sealant, mouth wash, and subgingival irrigant in different preparations. It can also be used as a component in local drug delivery system in gel form.
High-resolution 2D and 3D cryo-TEM reveals structural adaptations of two stalk-forming bacteria to an Fe-oxidizing lifestyle.

Aerobic neutrophilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) thrive where oxic and iron-rich anoxic waters meet. Here, iron microbial mats are commonly developed by stalk-forming Fe-oxidizers adapted to these iron-rich gradient environments, somehow avoiding iron encrustation. Few details are known about FeOB physiology; thus, the bases of these adaptations, notably the mechanisms of interactions with iron, are poorly understood. We examined two stalked FeOB: the marine Zetaproteobacterium Mariprofundus ferrooxydans and a terrestrial Betaproteobacterium Gallionella-like organism. We used cryo-transmission electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography to provide unprecedented ultrastructural data on intact cell-mineral systems. Both FeOB localize iron mineral formation at stalk extrusion sites, while avoiding surface and periplasmic mineralization. The M. ferrooxydans cell surface is densely covered in fibrils while the terrestrial FeOB surface is smooth, suggesting a difference in surface chemistry. Only the terrestrial FeOB exhibited a putative chemotaxis apparatus, which may be due to differences in chemotaxis mechanisms. Both FeOB have a single flagellum, which alone is insufficient to account for cell motion during iron oxidation, suggesting that stalk extrusion is a mechanism for motility. Our results delineate the physical framework of iron transformations and characterize possible structural adaptations to the iron-oxidizing lifestyle. This study shows ultrastructural similarities and differences between two distinct FeOB, setting the stage for further (e.g. genomic) comparisons that will help us understand functional differences and evolutionary history.
Radioiodinated clioquinol as a biomarker for β‐amyloid: Zn2+ complexes in Alzheimer's disease

Neocortical β‐amyloid (Aβ) aggregates in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are enriched in transition metals that mediate assembly. Clioquinol (CQ) targets metal interaction with Aβ and inhibits amyloid pathology in transgenic mice. Here, we investigated the binding properties of radioiodinated CQ ([125I]CQ) to different in vitro and in vivo Alzheimer models. We observed saturable binding of [125I]CQ to synthetic Aβ precipitated by Zn2+ (Kd = 0.45 and 1.40 nm for Aβ1‐42 and Aβ1‐40, respectively), which was fully displaced by free Zn2+, Cu2+, the chelator DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) and partially by Congo red. Sucrose density gradient of post‐mortem AD brain indicated that [125I]CQ concentrated in a fraction enriched for both Aβ and Zn, which was modulated by exogenous addition of Zn2+ or DTPA. APP transgenic (Tg2576) mice injected with [125I]CQ exhibited higher brain retention of tracer compared to non‐Tg mice. Autoradiography of brain sections of these animals confirmed selective [125I]CQ enrichment in the neocortex. Histologically, both thioflavine‐S (ThS)‐positive and negative structures were labeled by [125I]CQ. A pilot SPECT study of [123I]CQ showed limited uptake of the tracer into the brain, which did however, appear to be more rapid in AD patients compared to age‐matched controls. These data support metallated Aβ species as the neuropharmacological target of CQ and indicate that this drug class may have potential as in vivo imaging agents for Alzheimer neuropathology.
A Factor VIII Concentrate of Intermediate Purity and Higher Potency

A fractionation method has been modified to produce a factor VIII concentrate of intermediate purity and a potency of about 12 iu/ml, suitable for injection by syringe. The solubility, ease of filtration and purity of the concentrate have been improved by including a stage in which contaminants are precipitated at controlled temperature, pH and ionic strength. A summary of the first 50 production‐scale batches is presented. Plasma can be harvested from whole blood and frozen within eight hours of donation, or after overnight storage of whole blood, with no significant difference in overall yield.
Comparison of Clevudine and Entecavir for Treatment-naive Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Two-Year Follow-up Data

Background/Aim Clevudine and entecavir are highly potent antiviral agents being used in treatment of chronic hepatitis B. However, no data comparing clinical efficacy and safety of these 2 drugs over a long-term period is available. The aims of this study are to compare virologic, biochemical, and serologic response rates of clevudine and entecavir, as well as treatment failure rates up to 2 years. Methods Data of patients who started clevudine (n=86) or entecavir (n=159) as a primary treatment for chronic hepatitis B at Korea University Ansan or Guro Hospital between January 2007 and June 2008 were analyzed. Results Treatment responses were compared at 3-month intervals up to 24 months. Per protocol analysis showed no difference in virologic responses between the 2 groups at all time points, except at 18 months. When analyzed on intention-to-treat basis for virologic response at 24 months, the response rates were 45.3% in the clevudine group and 72.3% in the entecavir group, which are significantly different (P<0.001). Rates of biochemical response and HBeAg seroconversion were not significantly different between the groups at all time points. Up to 24 months, antiviral resistance developed in 18 patients (24.4%) in the clevudine group. Clevudine was discontinued owing to muscle-related problems in 10 patients (11.6%). Conclusions Although both drugs showed potent antiviral activity, entecavir showed better virologic response at 24 months, primarily owing to treatment failures in the clevudine group that were associated with development of drug resistance and muscle-related problems.
The contribution of the Tie2+ lineage to primitive and definitive hematopoietic cells

The regulatory elements of the Tie2/Tek promoter are commonly used in mouse models to direct transgene expression to endothelial cells. Tunica intima endothelial kinase 2 (Tie2) is also expressed in hematopoietic cells, although this has not been fully characterized. We determine the lineages of adult hematopoietic cells derived from Tie2‐expressing populations using Tie2‐Cre;Rosa26R‐EYFP mice. In Tie2‐Cre;Rosa26R‐EYFP mice, analysis of bone marrow cells showed Cre‐mediated recombination in 85% of the population. In adult bone marrow and spleen, we analyzed subclasses of early hematopoietic progenitors, T cells, monocytes, granulocytes, and B cells. We found that ∼ 84% of each lineage was EYFP+, and nearly all cells that come from Tie2‐expressing lineages are CD45+, confirming widespread contribution to definitive hematopoietic cells. In addition, more than 82% of blood cells within the embryonic yolk sac were of Tie2+ origin. Our findings of high levels of Tie2‐Cre recombination in the hematopoietic lineage have implications for the use of the Tie2‐Cre mouse as a lineage‐restricted driver strain. genesis 48:563–567, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative effect of a new mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine, triclosan and zinc on volatile sulphur compounds: a randomized, crossover, double-blind study.

AIM The aims of this study were to compare the volatile sulphur compounds (VSC)-reducing effect of two commercial mouthrinses using a morning bad breath model and to assess the role of mechanical plaque control (MPC) when performed previously to mouthrinse use. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eleven volunteers with good oral health were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, six-step crossover design study with a 7-day washout period. Two commercial mouthrinses were tested using a saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) as a negative control: one mouthrinse contained 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride and 0.14% zinc lactate (CHX-CPC-Zn), while the other contained 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.15% triclosan and 0.18% zinc pidolate (CHX-triclosan-Zn). A portable sulphide monitor (Halimeter(®) ) was used for VSC quantification. Measurements were made at baseline, and 1, 3 and 5 h after rinsing. Significant differences were detected by analysis of variance. RESULTS No significant differences between groups were detected at baseline. We were unable to demonstrate a significant influence of mechanical plaque control on the reduction of VSC levels when performed before mouthrinse use (P = 0.631). Both mouthrinses effectively lowered VSC levels in all test intervals (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between mouthrinses in any of the test intervals (P = 0.629, 0.069 and 0.598 at 1, 3 and 5 h). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that CHX-CPC-Zn and CHX-triclosan-Zn have significant and similar effects in reducing VSC levels, which persist for at least 5 h. Such effects were independent of previous MPC, which failed to improve on the results of mouthrinse use alone.
Clozapine use and relapses of substance use disorder among patients with co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

BACKGROUND Previous correlational research with schizophrenic patients has suggested that the second-generation antipsychotic medication clozapine helps to induce remissions of substance use disorder in patients with co-occurring psychosis and substance abuse. This research, however, could be biased by selection factors. Studying patients who are currently in substance abuse remission could control for level of motivation to stop using substances and other methodological confounds. METHODS To test whether clozapine was associated with prevention of substance abuse relapses, we examined patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were in their first 6-month remission of substance use disorder during a prospective 10-year follow-up study. All patients received yearly multimodal assessments of substance use. Antipsychotic medications were prescribed by community doctors as part of usual clinical care. RESULTS Patients using clozapine at the first 6-month period of substance abuse remission (n = 25) were much less likely to relapse over the next year compared with those on other antipsychotic medications (n = 70): 8.0% vs 40.0%, chi(2) = 8.73 (df = 1), P = . 003. Although medication assignment was not randomized, several potential confounders were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION Clozapine should be considered for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorder to prevent relapses to substance abuse.
Contextualizing EntrepreneurshipConceptual Challenges and Ways Forward

This paper sets out to explore contexts for entrepreneurship, illustrating how a contextualized view of entrepreneurship contributes to our understanding of the phenomenon. There is growing recognition in entrepreneurship research that economic behavior can be better understood within its historical, temporal, institutional, spatial, and social contexts, as these contexts provide individuals with opportunities and set boundaries for their actions. Context can be an asset and a liability for the nature and extent of entrepreneurship, but entrepreneurship can also impact contexts. The paper argues that context is important for understanding when, how, and why entrepreneurship happens and who becomes involved. Exploring the multiplicity of contexts and their impact on entrepreneurship, it identifies challenges researchers face in contextualizing entrepreneurship theory and offers possible ways forward.
Choroidal thickness profile in healthy Indian subjects

Purpose: The aim was to study choroidal thickness (CT) and its profile based on location in healthy Indian subjects using Cirrus high definition (HD) optical coherence tomography. Materials and Methods: A total of 211 eyes of 115 healthy subjects with no retinal or choroidal disease were consecutively scanned using Cirrus HD 1 line raster scan mode without pupillary dilation. Eyes with any ocular disease or axial length (AXL) >24 mm or <20 mm were excluded. Experienced technician measured CT from the lower border of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to the lower border of choroid. CT was measured from the posterior edge of the RPE to the choroid/sclera junction at 500-μm intervals up to 3000 μm temporal and nasal to the fovea. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the correlation between CT at various locations and age, AXL, spherical equivalent, and macular thickness. Results: Mean age was 42.8 ± 13.6 years. Mean AXL was 22.84 ± 0.78 mm. Median spherical equivalent was 0.16 ± 0.64 D. Mean central macular thickness was 216.4 ± 30.03 μm. Choroidal was thinnest nasally and thickest subfoveally. On multivariate regression, age was the most significant factor affecting subfoveal CT (P = 0.000). Regression analysis showed an approximate decrease in CT of 1.18 μm every year. Conclusions: Our study provides CT profile in Indian healthy subjects in various age groups. CT depends on its location, subfoveal being the thickest and nasal being the thinnest. Age is a critical factor, which is negatively correlated with CT.
Zinc Finger Protein 259 (ZNF259) Polymorphisms are Associated with the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in a Han Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND Zinc finger protein 259 (ZNF259) binds to the cytoplasmic domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in quiescent cells and contributes tolipid metabolism. This case and control study investigated the association between ZNF259 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS This study included 1,812 MetS patients and 2,036 controls from the Jilin province of Northeastern China. MetS was diagnosed using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Three ZNF259 SNPs (rs964184, rs2075290 and rs2075294) were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). RESULTS There were significant differences between metabolic syndrome and healthy control subjects for the ZNF259 rs964184 and rs2075290 genotypes. The minor alleles of both SNPs were associated with an increased risk of MetS and associated conditions (elevated triglycerides, elevated blood pressure, increased abdominal obesity, fasting hyperglycemia, and low HDL-C; p < 0.05). The distribution of haplotype G-G-G (rs964184, rs2075290 and rs2075294) was significantly different between MetS patients and controls (OR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.24 - 1.56; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that ZNF259 variants were associated with elevated MetS risk in a Han Chinese population from the Jilin province of Northeastern China.
Salmonella enterica Serovars Gallinarum and Pullorum Expressing Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Type 1 Fimbriae Exhibit Increased Invasiveness for Mammalian Cells

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovars Gallinarum and Pullorum are S. enterica biotypes that exhibit host specificity for poultry and aquatic birds and are not normally capable of causing disease in mammalian hosts. During their evolution toward host restriction serovars Gallinarum and Pullorum lost their ability to mediate mannose-sensitive hemagglutination (MSHA), a phenotype correlated with adherence to certain cell types. Because adherence is an essential requirement for invasion of cells by bacterial pathogens, we examined whether MHSA type 1 fimbriae would increase the ability of serovars Pullorum and Gallinarum to invade normally restrictive cells. Serovars Gallinarum and Pullorum expressing S. entericaserovar Typhimurium strain LT2 type 1 fimbriae exhibited a 10- to 20-fold increased ability to adhere to and a 20- to 60-fold increased invasion efficiency of the human epithelial HEp-2 cell line. Invasion was accompanied by extensive ruffling of the membranes of the HEp-2 cells. In a murine ligated ileal loop model, a 32% increase in the number of M-cell ruffles was seen when serovar Gallinarum expressed serovar Typhimurium type 1 fimbriae.
Magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of Crohn's disease: Validation of parameters of severity and quantitative index of activity

Background: The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of Crohn's disease (CD) is expanding. The aim of this study is to define and provide an external validation of the MRI predictors of active CD, severe CD, and a quantitative Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA). Methods: In all, 48 patients with clinically active (n = 29) or inactive (n = 19) CD underwent ileocolonoscopy (reference standard) and MRI. T2‐weighted and pre‐ and postcontrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted sequences were acquired. Endoscopic activity was evaluated by the Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS), and also classified as absent, mild (inflammation without ulcers), or severe (presence of ulceration). Results: In complete agreement with a previous derivation study, independent predictors of disease severity using CDEIS as a reference were wall thickness, relative contrast enhancement (RCE), presence of edema, and ulcers on MRI. Estimation of activity in each segment using this regression model, or another with simplified coefficients (MaRIAS = 1.5*wall thickness + 0.02*RCE + 5*edema + 10*ulceration) correlated with CDEIS (r = 0.798, P < 0.001; r = 0.80 P < 0.001, respectively). In the validation cohort both indexes had a high and equal accuracy for diagnosis of active disease: receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area 0.93, sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.87 using a cutoff point ≥7, and for diagnosis of severe disease: ROC area 0.96, sensitivity 0.92, specificity 0.92 using a cutoff point ≥11. The total of segment values (MaRIAT) correlated with global CDEIS (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The MRI variables that should be evaluated in clinical practice to diagnose active CD and severe CD are validated, as well as the quantitative index of activity for use in research studies. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Pathological mechanisms of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP)

The recent studies have greatly improved our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The pathological mechanisms of HAM/TSP based on the histopathological, immunological, and molecular analysis with emphasis on the longitudinal alterations of the disease will be discussed. Immunohistological examination revealed the existence and the activation both of HTLV-I-infected CD4+ cells and HTLV-I-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the spinal cord lesions, which suggest that they play an important role in the pathogenesis. Increased expression of several cytokines, Fas/Fas ligand, adhesion molecules, and molecules influencing T cell migration in the lesions have been reported. These cell infiltrates and cytokines they secrete in the lesions may damage bystander neural tissue. Furthermore, longitudinal alterations in the affected spinal cords suggest that the inflammatory process is gradually decreased. Epidemiological studies show that less than 5% of infected individuals develop HAM/TSP and indicate that increased proviral load of HTLV-I is a strong predictor for the development of HAM/TSP. A recent study has shown that the autoantibody for the ribonuclear protein-A1 can cross-react with HTLV-I Tax protein and inhibit neuronal firing ex vivo, indicating that a molecular mimicry of the humoral immune response may be involved in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP. Based on these studies, two hypotheses can be proposed for the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP, where cellular and humoral immune responses both play important roles.
Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Hyperopic Children

Purpose. To evaluate the relationship between the spherical equivalent (SE)/axial length and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness profile measured using Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) in hyperopic children. Methods. One hundred and sixty-four children with hyperopia were analyzed in the study. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their SE values: +3.00 D ≥ SE ≥ +0.50 D were designated as the low hyperopia group, +6.00 D ≥ SE ≥ +3.25 D as moderate hyperopia group, and +9.50 D ≥ SE ≥ 6.25 D as high hyperopia group. RNFL thickness measurements were taken from the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants in the peripapillary region by Stratus OCT. Axial length, visual acuity, and SE values were also determined for all patients. Results. There were 62 patients in the low hyperopia group, 60 patients in the moderate hyperopia group, and 42 patients in the high hyperopia group. The groups were similar concerning age and gender. The moderate and high hyperopia groups had lower mean BCVAs than low hyperopic group (both p < 0.001). SE and axial length were significantly different among all three groups (all p < 0.001). There were significant differences between low and high hyperopia groups concerning the mean RNFL thickness and the RNFL thicknesses of inferior and nasal quadrants (p = 0.045, p = 0.008, p = 0.03, respectively). However, when magnification attributable to SE/axial length is taken into account, the RNFL thickness differences disappear. Conclusions. We have demonstrated that when measured using the Stratus OCT, which does not take magnification into account, measurements erroneously indicate that children with high hyperopia had thicker RNFLs in inferior and nasal quadrants than children with low hyperopia. The current Stratus OCT normative database may be misleading for correct diagnosis of glaucoma in highly hyperopic children.
Effect of Suture Size on Locking and Grasping Flexor Tendon Repair Techniques

An experimental study was performed using human cadaver flexor tendons to investigate the effect of locking and grasping loop techniques on the tensile properties of repaired flexor tendons, which closely resemble the clinical model. Statistically significant improvement was observed only with the locking loop technique for ultimate and gap strength values using 2-0 core suture and ultimate strength values using 3-0 core suture. There was no statistically significant increase in tensile strength values using 4-0 core suture material. A heavier core suture used with the locking loop technique provided greater ultimate and gap strength of a repaired tendon than when used with the grasping loop technique.