Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of repair bond strength of composite: Effect of surface treatments with bur and laser and application of universal adhesive.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the effect of surface treatment by bur and laser and application of universal adhesive on repair bond strength of composite resin. Materials and Methods A total of 120 composite blocks measuring 6×4×4 mm were fabricated of Filtek Z250 composite. All samples were subjected to 5,000 thermal cycles and divided into two groups for surface preparation by bur and by Er,Cr:YSGG laser (n = 60). The surfaces were then etched with orthophosphoric acid, rinsed with water and divided into three groups (silane, silane plus Single Bond and silane plus Single Bond Universal). Repair composite was then bonded to aged composite. Half of the samples in each group were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and the other half underwent 5000 thermal cycles. All samples were then subjected to shear bond strength testing using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. Mode of failure was determined using a stereomicroscope. Results Bur preparation plus universal adhesive yielded the highest bond strength (30.16 µ 2.26 MPa). Laser plus silane yielded the lowest bond strength (5.63 µ 2.43 MPa). Bur preparation yielded significantly higher bond strength than laser (P < 0.001). Also, application of universal adhesive significantly improved bond strength compared to conventional adhesive and silane (P < 0.001). Bond strength after aging (5000 thermal cycles) had no significant difference with primary bond strength at 24 hours within each group (P = 0.182). Conclusion Surface preparation of aged composite by bur and application of universal adhesive can improve the repair bond strength of composite. Application of silane (without adhesive) in the process of repair cannot provide adequately high repair bond strength.
The requirement and toxicity of selenium in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

This study measured the dietary selenium requirement of rainbow trout and their response to excessive levels of dietary selenium. A dietary selenium level of 0.07 microgram/g dry feed with a waterborne selenium level of 0.4 +/- 0.2 microgram/liter and a dietary vitamin E level of 0.4 IU/g dry diet was sufficient to prevent frank selenium deficiency symptoms. Maximal plasma GSH.px activity was obtained at a dietary selenium level between 0.15 and 0.38 microgram/g dry feed which is less than the average selenium concentration of commercial diets. Chronic dietary selenium toxicity occurred at 13 microgram selenium/g dry feed. Major effects of selenium toxicity were reduced growth rate, poor feed efficiency and a high number of mortalities. No histopathological lesions or significant deviation in the investigated blood parameters or liver somatic index were detected in trout raised on diets containing 13 microgram selenium/g dry feed. Tissue selenium analysis indicated that trout can maintain homeostasis with dietary selenium levels up to 1.25 microgram/g dry feed. The selenium uptake and accumulation in tissues of trout reared on diets containing in excess of 3 microgram/g dry feed may ultimately be toxic to trout if maintained over long periods of time.
Spread supplemented with moderate doses of vitamin E and carotenoids reduces lipid peroxidation in healthy, nonsmoking adults.

BACKGROUND High doses of vitamin E have been shown to decrease lipid peroxidation in persons under oxidative stress. At present, the data are insufficient to predict whether lower doses offer the same benefit in healthy persons. OBJECTIVE We studied the effect of moderate doses of a combination of vitamin E and carotenoids, incorporated into a food product, on markers of antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in healthy persons. DESIGN One hundred five healthy adults were randomly, evenly assigned in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, 11-wk intervention study. After a 2-wk stabilization period during which the subjects consumed a commercial unfortified spread, the subjects consumed 25 g/d of spread containing 43 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalents (alpha-TE; 2-3 fold the US dietary reference intake) and 0.45 mg carotenoids (spread A), 111 mg alpha-TE and 1.24 mg carotenoids (spread B), or 1.3 mg RRR-alpha-tocopherol without carotenoids (spread C). RESULTS In subjects consuming spread A, plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased 31% to 32 micromol/L, with small but significant increases in concentrations of alpha-carotene and lutein. This resulted in LDL with significantly higher total antioxidant capacity (17%) and an increased resistance to oxidation, as determined by lag time (18%). These improvements were dose dependent: larger increases in these variables were observed in subjects consuming spread B. Furthermore, consumption of spread B significantly reduced concentrations of the plasma lipid peroxidation biomarker F(2 alpha)-isoprostane (15%). CONCLUSION The consumption of food products containing moderate amounts of vitamin E and carotenoids can lead to measurable and significant improvements in antioxidant status and biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy persons.
Optical Biosensors Based on Photonic Crystals Supporting Bound States in the Continuum

A novel optical label-free bio-sensing platform based on a new class of resonances supported in a photonic crystal metasurface is reported herein. Molecular binding is detected as a shift in the resonant wavelength of the bound states in the continuum of radiation modes. The new configuration is applied to the recognition of the interaction between protein p53 and its protein regulatory partner murine double minute 2 (MDM2). A detection limit of 66 nM for the protein p53 is found. The device provides an excellent interrogation stability and loss-free operation, requires minimal optical interrogation equipment and can be easily optimized to work in a wide wavelength range.
The intradiscal failure pressure on porcine lumbar intervertebral discs: an experimental approach

Abstract. The intervertebral disc is submitted to complex loading during its normal daily activities which are responsible for variations of the hydrostatic pressure in its structure. Thus, the determination of the magnitude of failure hydrostatic pressure is essential as a potential for the evaluation of the mechanisms that promote the weakening and the disruption of the annular fibers, commonly linked to herniation process on the spine column. However, few studies include the determination of the failure pressure on discs and the results are widely contradictory. Therefore, the objective of the present work is to determine the values of IDP that promotes the disc disruption. To achieve this goal, the tests were performed using a hydraulic cylinder that inflates the intervertebral disc. The results revealed a mean pressure failure of 0.62 ± 0.08 MPa for lumbar porcine samples (n = 6). From this approach it can be concluded that (1) the potential for disc injury may exist at low pressures for lumbar porcine discs when compared several animal and human ones; (2) the rupture of human cervical and porcine lumbar annular fibers could occur for values of intradiscal pressure that are within the physiological range.
Resource partitioning as a factor limiting gene flow in hybridizing populations of Dolly Varden char (Salvelinus malma) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Dolly Varden char (Salvelinus malma) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) hybridize in areas of secondary contact in northwestern North America but maintain their genetic integrity in spite of gene flow. We examined juvenile stream ecology and adult reproductive ecology of these species in sympatry to test for specializations to alternative niches that may act as a basis for natural selection against hybrids. Juvenile Dolly Varden occupied deeper, faster water and foraged more during daytime in the drift, whereas bull trout used shallower, slower water and made more nighttime foraging attempts towards the substrate. The species showed extensive diet overlap (Schoener's index = 0.70.9), and we found evidence for density compensation between species among sites. Our results suggest no obvious basis for selection against hybrids at the juvenile stream-rearing life-history stage. Bull trout, however, are adfluvial, whereas Dolly Varden are permanent stream residents. Bull trout are also much larger at mat.
Pushing the limits of photoreception in twilight conditions: The rod-like cone retina of the deep-sea pearlsides

Deep-sea fishes evolved an unconventional visual system to optimize vision in twilight conditions. Most vertebrates have a duplex retina comprising two photoreceptor types, rods for dim-light (scotopic) vision and cones for bright-light (photopic) and color vision. However, deep-sea fishes are only active in dim-light conditions; hence, most species have lost their cones in favor of a simplex retina composed exclusively of rods. Although the pearlsides, Maurolicus spp. , have such a pure rod retina, their behavior is at odds with this simplex visual system. Contrary to other deep-sea fishes, pearlsides are mostly active during dusk and dawn close to the surface, where light levels are intermediate (twilight or mesopic) and require the use of both rod and cone photoreceptors. This study elucidates this paradox by demonstrating that the pearlside retina does not have rod photoreceptors only; instead, it is composed almost exclusively of transmuted cone photoreceptors. These transmuted cells combine the morphological characteristics of a rod photoreceptor with a cone opsin and a cone phototransduction cascade to form a unique photoreceptor type, a rod-like cone, specifically tuned to the light conditions of the pearlsides’ habitat (blue-shifted light at mesopic intensities). Combining properties of both rods and cones into a single cell type, instead of using two photoreceptor types that do not function at their full potential under mesopic conditions, is likely to be the most efficient and economical solution to optimize visual performance. These results challenge the standing paradigm of the function and evolution of the vertebrate duplex retina and emphasize the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of visual systems in general.
Outcome prediction in primary resected retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma: histology-specific overall survival and disease-free survival nomograms built on major sarcoma center data sets.

PURPOSE Integration of numerous prognostic variables not included in the conventional staging of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RPS) is essential in providing effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to build a specific nomogram for predicting postoperative overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with primary RPS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data registered in three institutional prospective sarcoma databases were used. We included patients with primary localized RPS resected between 1999 and 2009. Univariate (Kaplan and Meier plots) and multivariate (Cox model) analyses were carried out. The a priori chosen prognostic covariates were age, tumor size, grade, histologic subtype, multifocality, quality of surgery, and radiation therapy. External validation was performed by applying the nomograms to the patients of an external cohort. The model's discriminative ability was estimated by means of the bootstrap-corrected Harrell C statistic. RESULTS In all, 523 patients were identified at the three institutions (developing set). At a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range, 22 to 72 months), 171 deaths were recorded. Five- and 7-year OS rates were 56.8% (95% CI, 51.4% to 62.6%) and 46.7% (95% CI, 39.9% to 54.6%. Two hundred twenty-one patients had disease recurrence. Five- and 7-year DFS rates were 39.4% (95% CI, 34.5% to 45.0%) and 35.7% (95% CI, 30.3% to 42.1%). The validation set consisted of 135 patients who were identified at the fourth institution for external validation. The bootstrap-corrected Harrell C statistics for OS and DFS were 0.74 and 0.71 in the developing set and 0.68 and 0.69 in the validating set. CONCLUSION These nomograms accurately predict OS and DFS. They should be used for patient counseling in clinical practice and stratification in clinical trials.
Anthropogenic forcing on tropospheric ozone and OH since preindustrial times

A global three-dimensional model of tropospheric chemistry is used to investigate the changes in tropospheric O3 and OH since preindustrial times as a result of fuel combustion and industry, biomass burning, and growth in atmospheric CH4. Model results indicate a 63% increase of the global tropospheric O3 burden from preindustrial times to present (80% and 50% in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively). Anthropogenic emissions of NOx and of CO and hydrocarbons make comparable contributions to the global O3 increase (60% and 40% respectively), even though the local rate of tropospheric O3 production is generally NOχ limited. The rise in O3 production parallels closely the rise in the emissions of CO and hydrocarbon because the O3 yield per mole of CO or hydrocarbon oxidized has remained constant at 0.7–0.8 mol/mol since preindustrial times. In contrast, the O3 production efficiency per mole of NOχ emitted has decreased globally by a factor of 2. We find a 9% decrease in the global mean OH concentration (mass-weighted) since preindustrial times. A linear relationship is found in the model between the global mean OH concentration and the SN/SC3/2 ratio, where SN and SC are the sources of NOχ and of CO and hydrocarbons, respectively. The relative constancy of the global mean OH concentration since preindustrial times reflects the conservation of the SN/SC3/2 ratio despite large increases in both SN and SC. Comparisons of model results with reconstructed nineteenth century observations of O3 at continental sites indicate a systematic overestimate of about 5 ppbv. Correcting this overestimate would require either a large missing chemical sink for O3 or a downward revision of the natural NOχ source from lightning (3 Tg N yr−1 in our model). The nineteenth century observations of O3 over France show no vertical gradient between the boundary layer and the free troposphere, which is inconsistent with our current understanding of tropospheric O3. The model underestimates preindustrial CO concentrations derived from polar ice cores; these measurements are difficult to reconcile with any reasonable CO emission inventories.
Fats, oils, and oleogels: Their significance in and impacts on comminuted meat products

Animal fat is an essential ingredient in processed meats as it provides unique organoleptic properties which are characteristic of these products. That being said, furtherprocessed meat products could become more beneficial to consumer health if highlysaturated animal fat is replaced with unsaturated vegetable oils. Oleogels, gels with oil as the liquid phase, have the potential to produce comminuted meat products similar in organoleptic properties to conventional products, but with an alternative set of health benefits as a result of increased unsaturated fatty acids. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the impact that rice bran wax/soybean oil oleogel as a pork fat replacement has on the shelf-life stability and organoleptic properties of frankfurters. Five frankfurter treatments were produced using the following lipid replacements or strategies: 1) pork back fat (PF); 2) soybean oil (SBO); 3) oleogel made with soybean oil and 2.5% rice bran wax (2.5 RBW); 4) oleogel made with soybean oil and 10% rice bran wax (101RBW); and 5) oleogel made with soybean oil and 2.5% rice bran wax added later in the chopping step of the frankfurter batter (RBW/LS). Replacing pork fat with oleogels did not influence emulsion stability or cook/chill yield of the frankfurters. Color analysis revealed PF to be significantly darker (P < 0.05) than SBO, 2.5 RBW, and 10 RBW, and significantly (P < 0.05) redder than all other treatments. Texture analysis revealed PF, 2.5 RBW, 10lRBW, and RBW/LS to be similar in firmness and springiness, but SBO was significantly (P < 0.05) different from PF in these attributes. Incisor texture probe revealed PF to require significantly (P < 0.05) less force to puncture than all other treatments. Additionally, sensory evaluation revealed that replacing pork fat did not influence cured frank aroma, but cured
Transient Response of Thermal Paints for Use on Short- Duration Hypersonic Flight Tests

Calibration experiments were performed to measure the transient response of a series of commercially available single-change and multi-change thermal paints applied to metal samples. These samples were transiently heated either in a furnace, at a range of soak temperatures, or using a planar heater mat. In the later tests the painted sample plate was simultaneously monitored using an infra-red thermographic camera which measured both the surface temperature distribution history of the plate and the emissivity history of each of the paints. Histories of the paint hue were extracted from the recorded images and correlated with the surface temperatures. Time-accurate numerical simulations of the tests were performed to ascertain the transient thermal behaviour of the metal test substrates upon which the thermal paint coatings were applied. Response times of less than 20 seconds were observed under elevated heating and suggest the ability of these thermal paint coatings to provide useful data on the peak surface temperature distributions on airframes used for short-duration hypersonic flight tests. The response of the paints was confirmed to be a strong function of the heating history and not just the temperature of the surface on which they are applied. Careful development of appropriate calibration techniques is required to enable quantitative data extraction from final colour distributions obtained during flight tests.
Active evolution of memory B-cells specific to viral gH/gL/pUL128/130/131 pentameric complex in healthy subjects with silent human cytomegalovirus infection

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause life-threatening infection in immunosuppressed patients, and in utero infection that may lead to birth defects. No vaccine is currently available. HCMV infection in healthy subjects is generally asymptomatic, and virus persists as latent infection for life. Host immunity is effective against reactivation and super-infection with another strain. Thus, vaccine candidates able to elicit immune responses similar to those of natural infection may confer protection. Since neutralization is essential for prophylactic vaccines, it is important to understand how antiviral antibodies are developed in natural infection. We hypothesized that the developmental path of antibodies in seropositive subjects could be unveiled by interrogating host B-cell repertoires using unique genetic signature sequences of mAbs. Towards this goal, we isolated 56 mAbs from three healthy donors with different neutralizing titers. Antibodies specific to the gH/gL/pUL128/130/131 pentameric complex were more potent in neutralization than those to gB. Using these mAbs as probes, patterns of extended lineage development for B-cells and evidence of active antibody maturation were revealed in two donors with higher neutralizing titers. Importantly, such patterns were limited to mAbs specific to the pentamer, but none to gB. Thus, memory B-cells with antiviral function such as neutralization were active during latent infection in the two donors, and this activity was responsible for their higher neutralizing titers. Our results indicated that memory B-cells of neutralizing capacity could be frequently mobilized in host, probably responding to silent viral episodes, further suggesting that neutralizing antibodies could play a role in control of recurrent infection.
Persistent hypercholesterolemia is associated with the development of obesity among girls: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Cross-sectional data suggest that hypercholesterolemia is associated with the development of childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess age-related changes in relative weight and the association between relative weight and CVD risk factors in hypercholesterolemic and nonhypercholesterolemic children who were nonobese at baseline. DESIGN Data on relative weight and CVD risk factors were extracted from the Bogalusa Heart Study for nonobese 5-6-y-old black and white hypercholesterolemic (LDL cholesterol > 75th percentile; n = 58) and nonhypercholesterolemic (LDL cholesterol < 60th percentile; n = 215) children (41% black, 52% girls) who were also assessed 3 and 6 y later. Changes in body mass index (BMI) and CVD risk factors were assessed as a function of age, sex, race, and cholesterol concentration. RESULTS BMI increased more in the hypercholesterolemic (n = 31) than in the nonhypercholesterolemic (n = 111) girls during the 6 y of follow-up but was not significantly different between hypercholesterolemic (n = 27) and nonhypercholesterolemic (n = 104) boys aged 5-12 y. Associations between BMI and the risk factors blood pressure, insulin, and blood lipids were observed to be stronger with increasing age and, in some cases, stronger in hypercholesterolemic children and girls. CONCLUSIONS Hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased relative weight in girls. The increased relative weight, even at an early age, is associated with a deleterious effect on blood lipids and other CVD risk factors in hypercholesterolemic children, although the strength of these associations is sex dependent.
A prospective study of an aggressive warfarin dosing algorithm to reach and maintain INR 2 to 3 after heart valve surgery

Summary Good anticoagulation control in patients during the first months after heart valve surgery is important to prevent thrombotic complications. This is difficult to achieve, partly because the sensitivity to warfarin decreases progressively during approximately three months after valve surgery. A recently developed, simple but aggressive algorithm might improve anticoagulation control in this patient group. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the level of anticoagulation control when a specialised anticoagulation clinic changed from empirical dosing to the use of this new algorithm. In a before-and-after design, a cohort of consecutive patients managed with a new, aggressive dosing algorithm (‘Algorithm cohort’) was compared to a ‘Retrospective cohort’ of similar patients dosed empirically. Primary endpoint was individual time in therapeutic range (ITTR) during the first three months of warfarin therapy. Secondary endpoints included proportion of extreme International Normalised Ratio (INR) results, thrombotic and bleeding complications. Ninety-eight patients were included in the Algorithm cohort, 94 of whom were warfarin-naïve. Two hundred patients were included in the Retrospective cohort. Mean ITTR was 60.1% in the Algorithm cohort versus 48.7% in the Retrospective cohort (p <0.001). Patients in the Algorithm cohort spent 0.5% of time at an INR >5, versus 0.2 % in the Retrospective cohort. There was no major bleeding in either cohort; one patient in each cohort had a thrombotic complication. We demonstrate an improvement of the level of anticoagulation control with the use of a condition-specific, aggressive algorithm, as compared to standard dosing, in patients after heart valve surgery.