Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in dental treatment at a school of dentistry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Health services should be targeted toward those most in need of health care. Poor oral health disproportionately affects Māori, Pacific Island, and socioeconomically deprived New Zealanders of all ages, and oral health care services should be prioritised to such groups. In New Zealand, free oral health care is available for all children up to the age of 17. On the other hand, adult dental services are provided on a user-pays basis, except for a limited range of basic services for some adults, access to which varies regionally. This study investigated the extent of dental treatment inequalities among patients at New Zealand's only School of Dentistry. METHODS Data were audited for all treatments provided at the University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry from 2006 to 2011 for patients born prior to 1990. Ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in the provision of dental extractions, endodontic treatment, crowns, and preventive care were investigated. Differences were expressed as the odds of having received one or more treatments of that type during the six-year period 2006 to 2011. RESULTS Data were analysed for 23,799 individuals, of whom 11,945 (50.2%) were female, 1,285 (5.4%) were Māori and 479 (2.0%) were Pacific, 4,040 (17.0%) were of low socioeconomic status (SES), and 2,681 (11.3%) were beneficiaries or unemployed. After controlling for SES, age, and sex, Māori had 1.8 times greater odds of having had a tooth extracted than NZ European patients, while Pacific Islanders had 2.1 times the odds. Furthermore, after controlling for ethnicity, age, and sex, low-SES patients had 2.4 times greater odds of having had a tooth extracted than high-SES patients, and beneficiaries had 2.9 times the odds. Conversely, these groups were less likely to have had a tooth treated with a crown or endodontics or receive preventive care. CONCLUSIONS Existing policies call for the reduction of inequalities. There is a need for a strategy to monitor changes in treatment inequality over time which includes improving equity in service care provision. The observed treatment inequalities are likely to be an underestimate of those occurring in private dental practice in New Zealand.
Engineering Adolescence: Maturation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes

The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including both human embryonic stem cells and human-induced pluripotent stem cells, has opened up novel paths for a wide range of scientific studies. The capability to direct the differentiation of hPSCs into functional cardiomyocytes has provided a platform for regenerative medicine, development, tissue engineering, disease modeling, and drug toxicity testing. Despite exciting progress, achieving the optimal benefits has been hampered by the immature nature of these cardiomyocytes. Cardiac maturation has long been studied in vivo using animal models; however, finding ways to mature hPSC cardiomyocytes is only in its initial stages. In this review, we discuss progress in promoting the maturation of the hPSC cardiomyocytes, in the context of our current knowledge of developmental cardiac maturation and in relation to in vitro model systems such as rodent ventricular myocytes. Promising approaches that have begun to be examined in hPSC cardiomyocytes include long-term culturing, 3-dimensional tissue engineering, mechanical loading, electric stimulation, modulation of substrate stiffness, and treatment with neurohormonal factors. Future studies will benefit from the combinatorial use of different approaches that more closely mimic nature’s diverse cues, which may result in broader changes in structure, function, and therapeutic applicability.
MicroRNAs regulate signaling pathways in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (Review)

Osteogenesis is a complex multi-step process involving the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblast progenitor cells, preosteoblasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes, and the crosstalk between multiple cell types for the formation and remodeling of bone. The signaling regulatory networks during osteogenesis include various components, including growth factors, transcription factors, micro (mi)RNAs and effectors, a number of which form feedback loops controlling the balance of osteogenic differentiation by positive or negative regulation. miRNAs have been found to be important regulators of osteogenic signaling pathways in multiple aspects and multiple signaling pathways. The present review focusses on the progress in elucidating the role of miRNA in the osteogenesis signaling networks of MSCs as a substitute for bone implantation the the field of bone tissue engineering. In particular, the review classifies which miRNAs promote or suppress the osteogenic process, and summarizes which signaling pathway these miRNAs are involved in. Improvements in knowledge of the characteristics of miRNAs in osteogenesis provide an important step for their application in translational investigations of bone tissue engineering and bone disease.
Changes in mammographic densities induced by a hormonal contraceptive designed to reduce breast cancer risk.

BACKGROUND It has been known for some time that oral contraceptives substantially reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, but they do not reduce the risk of breast cancer. A hormonal contraceptive regimen has been developed which uses a gonadotropin-releasing hormone against (GnRHA) to suppress ovarian function, and this regimen includes the administration of very low doses of both estrogen and progestogen. This hormonal contraceptive regimen attempts to minimize exposure of the breast epithelium to these steroids and to preserve the maximum beneficial effects of estrogen, while still preventing endometrial hyperplasia. PURPOSE Our purpose was to determine whether changes occurred in mammographic densities between baseline and 1 year for women on this hormonal contraceptive regimen with reduced estrogen and progestogen levels compared with women in a control group. METHODS Twenty-one women were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the GnRHA-based contraceptive group (14 women) or to a control group (seven women). The contraceptive group received the following: 7.5 mg leuprolide acetate depot by intramuscular injection every 28 days; 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen by mouth for 6 days out of 7 every week; and 10 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate orally for 13 days every fourth 28-day cycle. The control group received no medication. Baseline and 1-year follow-up mammograms of contraceptive and control subjects were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two radiologists. RESULTS Comparison of the changes between the baseline and 1-year mammograms in the two groups of women showed significant (P = .039) reduction in mammographic densities at 1 year for women on the contraceptive regimen. Assessing the reduction in mammographic densities by noting the fineness of fibrous septae showed a highly significant (P = .0048) difference in the contraceptive regimen group. One of the women on the contraceptive regimen was withdrawn from the study because of poor compliance. CONCLUSION The reduced estrogen and progestogen exposures to the breast that were achieved by the hormonal contraceptive regimen resulted in substantial reductions in follow-up mammographic densities at 1 year compared with baseline. Although there is no direct evidence that such a reduction in densities will lead to a reduced risk of breast cancer, indirect evidence for a protective effect of this regimen is that early menopause reduces breast cancer risk, and that menopause is associated with a reduction in mammographic densities.
Inflammation in Parkinson’s disease: role of glucocorticoids

Chronic inflammation is a major characteristic feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Studies in PD patients show evidence of augmented levels of potent pro-inflammatory molecules e.g., TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β whereas in experimental Parkinsonism it has been consistently demonstrated that dopaminergic neurons are particularly vulnerable to activated glia releasing these toxic factors. Recent genetic studies point to the role of immune system in the etiology of PD, thus in combination with environmental factors, both peripheral and CNS-mediated immune responses could play important roles in onset and progression of PD. Whereas microglia, astrocytes and infiltrating T cells are known to mediate chronic inflammation, the roles of other immune-competent cells are less well understood. Inflammation is a tightly controlled process. One major effector system of regulation is HPA axis. Glucocorticoids (GCs) released from adrenal glands upon stimulation of HPA axis, in response to either cell injury or presence of pathogen, activate their receptor, GR. GR regulates inflammation both through direct transcriptional action on target genes and by indirectly inhibiting transcriptional activities of transcriptional factors such as NF-κB, AP-1 or interferon regulatory factors. In PD patients, the HPA axis is unbalanced and the cortisol levels are significantly increased, implying a deregulation of GR function in immune cells. In experimental Parkinsonism, the activation of microglial GR has a crucial effect in diminishing microglial cell activation and reducing dopaminergic degeneration. Moreover, GCs are also known to regulate human brain vasculature as well as blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability, any dysfunction in their actions may influence infiltration of cytotoxic molecules resulting in increased vulnerability of dopamine neurons in PD. Overall, deregulation of glucocorticoid receptor actions is likely important in dopamine neuron degeneration through establishment of chronic inflammation.
Naturally Occurring Variation in Vasopressin Immunoreactivity Is Associated with Maternal Behavior in Female Peromyscus Mice

In many mammals, species-appropriate social behavior is necessary for an individual’s ability to survive and reproduce. In the present study, we examined whether arginine-vasopressin (AVP) pathways that have been associated with social behavior differed between two closely related species of Peromyscus mice with different patterns of maternal behavior. We also tested whether individual levels of AVP-immunoreactive staining (AVP-ir) were associated with individual levels of maternal behavior as measured using a composite score consisting of huddling, nursing, grooming and time spent inside the nest (HNGI score). In addition, we examined whether these associations between vasopressin and behavior differed between species. Females from the highly biparental species, California mice, displayed higher AVP-ir in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), which corresponded with a higher level of nest building and a higher HNGI score than was found in the less parental white-footed mice. The HNGI score was positively associated with AVP-ir in the medial amygdala in female California mice but not white-footed mice. Finally, we examined whether AVP-ir in these pathways varied based on the species-specific rearing environments by reciprocally cross-fostering California mice and white-footed mice. In contrast to previous research with male California mice, cross-fostering itself had no effect on maternal behavior or any consistent effect on AVP-ir staining in brain areas such as the BNST and associated brain areas. This suggests that there is little plasticity in maternal behavior and that the underlying AVP system in females does not respond to the postnatal environment provided by the parents. The positive associations between maternal behavior and AVP-ir indicate that AVP may regulate maternal behavior despite the lack of plasticity in AVP and maternal behavior.
Uncoating of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Requires Prolyl Isomerase Pin1*

The process by which the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) conical core dissociates is called uncoating, but not much is known about this process. Here, we show that the uncoating process requires the interaction of the capsid (CA) protein with the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 that specifically recognizes the phosphorylated serine/threonine residue followed by proline. We found that the HIV-1 core is composed of some isoforms of the CA protein with different isoelectric points, and one isoform is preferentially phosphorylated in the Ser16-Pro17 motif. The mutant virus S16A/P17A shows a severely attenuated HIV-1 replication and an impaired reverse transcription. The S16A/P17A change increased the amount of particulate CA cores in the cytosol of target cells and correlated with the restriction of HIV-1 infection. Glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays demonstrated a direct interaction between Pin1 and the HIV-1 core via the Ser16-Pro17 motif. Suppression of Pin1 expression by RNA interference in a target cell results in an attenuated HIV-1 replication and increases the amount of particulate CA cores in the cytosol of target cells. Furthermore, heat-inactivated, inhibitor-treated, or W34A/K63A Pin1 causes an attenuated in vitro uncoating of the HIV-1 core. The Pin1-dependent uncoating is inhibited by antisera raised against a CA peptide phosphorylated at Ser16 or treatment of the HIV-1 core with alkaline phosphatase. These findings provide insights into this obscure uncoating process in the HIV-1 life cycle and a new cellular target for HIV-1 drug development.
Fixed-dimensional linear programming queries made easy

We derive two results from Clarkson’s randomized algorithm for linear programming in a fixed dimension d. The first is a simple general method that reduces the problem of answering linear programming queries to the problem of answering halfspace range queries. For example, this yields a randomized data structure with O(n) space and 0(nl-li[d12~ 2°f10g* ‘)) query time for linear programming on n halfspaces (d > 3). The second result is a simpler proof of the following: a sequence of q linear programming queries on n halfspaces can be answered in O (n log q) time, if q s nud for a certain const ant ad > 0. Unlike previous methods, our algorithms do not require parametric searching.
DNA damage response: A barrier or a path to tumor progression?

Commentary to: DNA damage signaling is activated during cancer progression in human colorectal carcinoma Kazuhito Oka, Toshiki Tanaka, Tadahiko Enoki, Koichi Yoshimura, Mako Ohshima, Masayuki Kubo, Tomoyuki Murakami, Toshikazu Gondou, Yoshihide Minami, Yoshihiro Takemoto, Eijirou Harada, Takaaki Tsushimi, Tao-Sheng Li, Frank Traganos, Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz and Kimikazu Hamano
Risk factors for mortality after surgery in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Current methods of predicting risk of postoperative mortality in patients with cirrhosis are suboptimal. The utility of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) in predicting mortality after surgery other than liver transplantation is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for postoperative mortality in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS Patients with cirrhosis (N = 772) who underwent major digestive (n = 586), orthopedic (n = 107), or cardiovascular (n = 79) surgery were studied. Control groups of patients with cirrhosis included 303 undergoing minor surgical procedures and 562 ambulatory patients. Univariate and multivariable proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the relationship between risk factors and mortality. RESULTS Patients undergoing major surgery were at increased risk for mortality up to 90 days postoperatively. By multivariable analysis, only MELD score, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and age predicted mortality at 30 and 90 days, 1 year, and long-term, independently of type or year of surgery. Emergency surgery was the only independent predictor of duration of hospitalization postoperatively. Thirty-day mortality ranged from 5.7% (MELD score, <8) to more than 50% (MELD score, >20). The relationship between MELD score and mortality persisted throughout the 20-year postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS MELD score, age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class can quantify the risk of mortality postoperatively in patients with cirrhosis, independently of the procedure performed. These factors can be used in determining operative mortality risk and whether elective surgical procedures can be delayed until after liver transplantation.
Generating qualitatively Different Plans througt Metatheoretic Biases

Current methods for generating qualitatively different plans are either based on simple randomization of planning decisions and so cannot guarantee meaningful differences among generated plans, or require extensive user involvement to drive the system into different sections of the overall plan space. This paper presents a cost-effective method for automatically generating qualitatively different plans that is rooted in the creation of biases that focus the planner toward solutions with certain attributes. Biases are derived from analysis of a domain metatheory and enforced through compilation into preferences over planning decisions. Users can optionally direct the planner into desired regions of the plan space by designating aspects of the metatheory that should be used for bias generation. Experimental results are provided that validate the effectiveness of the biasing method for reliably generating a range of plans with meaningful semantic differences.
A Blueprint for Affective Computing: A Sourcebook and Manual

'Affective computing' is a branch of computing concerned with the theory and construction of machines which can detect, respond to, and simulate human emotional states. It is an interdisciplinary field spanning the computer sciences, psychology, and cognitive science. Affective computing is a rapidly developing field within industry and science. There is now a great drive to make technologies such as robotic systems, avatars in service-related human computer interaction, e-learning, game characters, or companion devices more marketable by endowing the 'soulless' robots or agents with the ability to recognize and adjust to the user's feelings as well as to be able to communicate appropriate emotional signals.A Blueprint for Affective Computing: A sourcebook and manual is the very first attempt to ground affective computing within the disciplines of psychology, affective neuroscience, and philosophy. This book illustrates the contributions of each of these disciplines to the development of the ever-growing field of affective computing. In addition, it demonstrates practical examples of cross-fertilization between disciplines in order to highlight the need for integration of computer science, engineering and the affective sciences. Focusing on a topic at the frontiers of human computer interaction research, this book will be of great interest to students and researchers in psychology, neuroscience, computational neuroscience, computer science, and artificial intelligence.
Clinical and Laboratory Differences between Lymphocyte- and Neutrophil-Predominant Pleural Tuberculosis

Pleural tuberculosis (TB), a form of extrapulmonary TB, can be difficult to diagnose. High numbers of lymphocytes in pleural fluid have been considered part of the diagnostic criteria for pleural TB; however, in many cases, neutrophils rather than lymphocytes are the predominant cell type in pleural effusions, making diagnosis more complicated. Additionally, there is limited information on the clinical and laboratory characteristics of neutrophil-predominant pleural effusions caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). To investigate clinical and laboratory differences between lymphocyte- and neutrophil-predominant pleural TB, we retrospectively analyzed 200 patients with the two types of pleural TB. Of these patients, 9.5% had neutrophil-predominant pleural TB. Patients with lymphocyte-predominant and neutrophil-predominant pleural TB showed similar clinical signs and symptoms. However, neutrophil-predominant pleural TB was associated with significantly higher inflammatory serum markers, such as white blood cell count (P = 0.001) and C-reactive protein (P = 0.001). Moreover, MTB was more frequently detected in the pleural fluid from patients in the neutrophil-predominant group than the lymphocyte-predominant group, with the former group exhibiting significantly higher rates of positive results for acid-fast bacilli in sputum (36.8 versus 9.4%, P = 0.003), diagnostic yield of MTB culture (78.9% versus 22.7%, P < 0.001) and MTB detected by polymerase chain reaction (31.6% versus 5.0%, P = 0.001). Four of seven patients with repeated pleural fluid analyses revealed persistent neutrophil-predominant features, which does not support the traditional viewpoint that neutrophil-predominant pleural TB is a temporary form that rapidly develops into lymphocyte-predominant pleural TB. In conclusion, neutrophil-predominant pleural TB showed a more intense inflammatory response and a higher positive rate in microbiological testing compared to lymphocyte-predominant pleural TB. Pleural TB should be considered in neutrophil-predominant pleural effusions, and microbiological tests are warranted.
Thinking about Social Theory and Philosophy for Information Systems

The phrase 'social theory and philosophy for information systems' invites an examination of following terms: social, theory, philosophy , information, systems, information systems, philosophy for information systems, and social theory for information systems. I shall refrain (no doubt to the relief of the reader) from providing the definition and scholarly treatment that each and every one of these terms deserves. Instead, I will pursue just a few issues where my intention is to suggest an imagination that is helpful to thinking about philosophy, social theory and information systems. Much as C. Wright Mills (1959) sought to instill in his readers a sense of what he called 'the sociological imagination', I will attempt to suggest to the reader a means of thinking about philosophy , social theory and information systems that, in a way, is more important than whatever the content of such thinking might be. The content of such thinking can and should change from philosophy to philosophy, from social theory to social theory and from information system to information system. However, once a person captures a particular imagination for raising and addressing questions about philosophy, social theory and information systems, the content of such thinking becomes nothing more than an ephemeral instantiation of a longer-lasting and more significant form of knowledge. It is this form of knowledge that motivates this chapter. I will draw on my own experiences in becoming a scholar to help evoke such an imagination and also to help explain what the terms 'philosophy', 'social theory' and 'information systems'
Nitric oxide and the developing airway.

shaul and colleagues, in one of the current articles in focus (Ref. [9][1], see p. L1192 in this issue), investigate an intriguing subject, the role of endogenously released nitric oxide (NO) on airway function in the developing respiratory system. Their prior studies in the developing sheep have