Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avaliação histometrica da associação do plasma rico em plaquetas com o enxerto de tecido conjuntivo subepitelial em retrações gengivais em cães

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar histometricamente, o processo de cura dos defeitos periodontais tipo retracoes gengivais, criados cirurgicamente em caes, apos serem tratados pela tecnica do enxerto de tecido conjuntivo subepitelial em associacao com o plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP). Inicialmente foram criados cirurgicamente defeitos de retracao Classe I de Miller nos caninos superiores de seis caes de raca indefinida. Apos um mes de cronificacao, os defeitos bilaterais semelhantes foram aleatoriamente designados a receber os seguintes tratamentos: Lado 1: enxerto de tecido conjuntivo subepitelial associado ao uso de PRP; Lado 2: enxerto de tecido conjuntivo subepitelial. Decorridos 45 dias do tratamento os animais foram sacrificados e foram obtidas as pecas para analise histologica dos seguintes parâmetros histometricos: novo cemento formado com fibras inseridas, novo osso, extensao do epitelio sulcular e juncional, area de adaptacao conjuntiva e extensao do defeito. Observou-se uma maior extensao linear de novo cemento estatisticamente significante (p? 0,05) nos dentes tratados com o PRP (2,18 ± 0,78 mm) quando comparados aos dentes do lado controle (1,19 ± 0,62 mm). Todos os outros parâmetros nao tiveram diferencas estatisticas. As medias obtidas nos lados teste e controle, respectivamente, foram: extensao de epitelio sulcular e juncional, 2,04 ± 0,57mm e 2,49 ± 0,82mm; adaptacao conjuntiva 0,29 ± 0,28mm e 0,23 ± 0,18mm; novo osso ? 0,57 ± 0,95mm e ? 0,46 ± 1,34mm, e extensao do defeito 4,13 ± 0,83mm e 4,47 ± 0,58mm. Considerando os limites deste estudo, pode-se concluir que a associacao do PRP ao enxerto de tecido conjuntivo, no tratamento de defeitos de retracao, promoveu maior neoformacao cementaria quando comparado ao tratamento controle Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis and dynamic CT in colorectal carcinoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

AIM To investigate the correlation between microvessel density and spiral CT perfusion imaging in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS Thirty-seven patients, with histologically proven colorectal carcinoma, underwent water enema spiral CT scan. The largest axial surface of the primary tumor was searched on unenhanced spiral CT images. At this level, the enhanced dynamic scan series was acquired. Time-density curves (TDC) were created from the region of interest drawn over the tumor, target artery by Toshiba Xpress/SX spiral CT with perfusion functional software. Then the perfusion was calculated. Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti-CD34, and then MVD was correlated with perfusion. RESULTS MVD of colorectal carcinomas was 33.11-173.44, mean 87.28, and perfusion was 15.60-64.80 mL/min/100 g, mean 39.74 mL/min/100 g. MVD and perfusion were not associated with invasive depth, metastasis and disease stage, and they all decreased with increasing Dukes' stage, but no significant correlation was found between them (r = 0.18, P = 0.29). CONCLUSION There is no significant correlation between MVD and perfusion. Neovascularizaton and perfusion are highly presented in early colorectal carcinoma. CT perfusion imaging may be more suited for assessing tumorigenesis in colorectal carcinoma than histological MVD technique.
Bap31 Enhances the Endoplasmic Reticulum Export and Quality Control of Human Class I MHC Molecules1

The assembly of class I MHC molecules and their export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is governed by chaperones and accessory proteins. We present evidence that the putative cargo receptor protein Bap31 participates in the transport and the quality control of human class I molecules. Transfection of the human adenocarcinoma cell line HeLa with yellow fluorescent protein-Bap31 chimeras increased surface levels of class I in a dose-dependent manner, by as much as 3.7-fold. The increase in surface class I resulted from an increase in the rate of export of newly synthesized class I molecules to the cell surface and from an increase in the stability of the exported molecules. We propose that Bap31 performs quality control on class I molecules in two distinct phases: first, by exporting peptide-loaded class I molecules to the ER/Golgi intermediate compartment, and second, by retrieving class I molecules that have lost peptides in the acidic post-ER environment. This function of Bap31 is conditional or redundant, because we find that Bap31 deficiency does not reduce surface class I levels. Overexpression of the Bap31 homolog, Bap29, decreases surface class levels in HeLa, indicating that it does not substitute for Bap31.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF NEONATAL HYPOTHYROIDISM ON WISTAR RAT SPERMATOGENESIS

The effect of neonatal hypothyroidism on spermatogenesis was studied in Wistar rats of different age groups. Hypothyroidism was induced in newborn male rats from day one postpartum up to day 60 postpartum by daily administration of 0.05% methimazole (MMI) to the nursing mothers or directly through drinking water. The animals were killed at days 10, 15, 30, 40, and 60 postpartum, blood plasma was collected, and testes, epididymides, prostates, and seminal vesicles were separated and weighed. Testes were fixed in formalin for histological studies. Plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Hypothyroidism significantly reduced seminiferous tubule and lumen diameter. Control rats showed active spermatogenesis whereas in hypothyroid rats, the proliferation and differentiation of germ cells were arrested and their number was decreased. Plasma T, E2, and SHBG levels were significantly decreased at all ages for hypothyroid rats. The absolute weight of testes was decreased irrespective of age (except day 10 postpartum), however ventral, dorsolateral prostate, and epididymis weights were decreased at 30, 40, and 60 days postpartum. Coagulating gland weight was decreased in all age groups of hypothyroid rats. Hypothyroid rats of day 40 and 60 postpartum showed a decrease in absolute seminal vesicle weight. Relative testicular weights of hypothyroid rats decreased by postpartum day 15, 30, 40, and 60 whereas the opposite effect was observed by postpartum day 10. Relative organ weights were increased in epididymides (day 15 and 30 postpartum), seminal vesicles (day 30 and 40 postpartum), and dorsolateral prostates (day 15, 30, and 40 postpartum) and decreased in 10 and 60 day old hypothyroid rat. Ventral prostate relative weight was decreased in 40 and 60 day old rats. The coagulating gland weight was decreased in 10, 15, and 60 days postpartum and an opposite effect was observed in 30 and 40 days hypothyroid rats. The present study clearly indicates that hypothyroidism adversely affects spermatogenesis; it also indicates that thyroid hormones are essential for normal spermatogenesis. Their effect may either be direct or indirect.
Measurement of low level environmental tritium samples.

Australian water samples have been shown to have a much lower tritium content than samples in the Northern hemisphere, and quantitative assay of their tritium content is correspondingly more difficult. A gas proportional counter using butane prepared from electrolytically enriched water samples is described. The counter, which has better counting characteristics for low level tritium assay than most others described in the literature, has been applied to assay of both surface and underground water samples.
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) as therapeutic targets

Introduction: Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) add one or two monomethyl groups to the guanidino nitrogen atoms of arginine residues, resulting in epigenetic modification of histones or changes of protein–protein interactions, which in turn leads to the regulation of a variety of biological functions, including transcriptional activation/repression, signal transduction, cell differentiation, and embryonic development. As dysregulation of PRMTs has been observed in diverse types of cancers and modulation of their levels affects cancer cell growth, these enzymes are considered to be potential therapeutic targets. Areas covered: In this review, we examined recent advances in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PRMT activity and the biological roles of PRMTs in embryonic stem cell, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and cancer development. Expert opinion: The roles of PRMTs have been fairly well established, but further studies are required to determine how PRMTs are regulated by cellular signaling pathways in vivo. Since the usage of adult stem cells is under intense scrutiny by society, identification of the roles of PRMTs in adult stem cells is expected in the near future. Although small molecules specific to PRMTs with high potency in vitro have been identified, development of small molecules that can regulate the activity of PRMTs in vivo is urgently required for therapeutic purposes.
Wie wär's mit einem richtigen Mädelsabend? Plural -s within Compounds in Colloquial Northern German

In standard German, the non-occurrence of -s plurals as the first element of a lexical compound (e.g., *Auto-s-berg ‘heap of cars') vs. the regular occurrence of the other plural suffixes (e.g., Kind-er-club ‘children's club', Frau-en-fete 'women's party') has often been quoted as evidence for a dual mechanism model of morphology, which sees irregular forms as stored in the mental lexicon while regular forms are generated by rule (see Marcus et al. 1995). However, in colloquial northern German, where the s-plural is more widely used than in the standard language, it is possible to form productive compounds containing this suffix (e.g., Mädel-s-treff ‘girls’ meeting'). This paper investigates to what extent -s plurals are acceptable within compounds in colloquial northern German, whether they are subject to any linguistic constraints (for example, morphological or phonological), and what implications they might have for current morphological theory. *
Encapsulation and release of α-chymotrypsin from poly(glycerol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone) microparticles

Polymer-based microparticles are increasingly becoming of interest for a variety of applications including drug delivery. Recently poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA) and poly(glycol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone) have shown promise for delivery of dexamethasone phosphate and ibuprofen. In this paper the copolyester poly(glycol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone) was evaluated as a colloidal delivery system for encapsulated therapeutic proteins. Enzyme containing microparticles were prepared via the double water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion-solvent evaporation methodology. α-Chymotrypsin was used as a model proteolytic enzyme and its transfer was monitored during the emulsification process, in addition to in vitro release from formed particles. On average, 22.1 µg protein per 1 mg polymer was encapsulated, although gradual loss of activity of the protein, once released, was recorded. The work presented shows the potential of this polyester as a delivery system for enzymes via microparticles, with improvements to the system achievable via polymer and process optimization. The pendant hydroxyl groups on the polymer backbone provide future capacity for tailored alteration of the physical and chemical properties of the polymer, in addition to covalent attachment of various compounds.
Environmental governance and languages of valuation: two European case studies

El analisis de politicas ambientales mediante el uso de homo economicus ha sido criticado por no tomar en cuenta la multiplicidad de valores ambientales y bases eticas en las cuales se basa la motivacion humana. Esta limitacion es importante, dado que puede resultar en excluir algunas preferencias ambientales y asi generar politicas ambientales inefectivas y de poca legitimidad. Esta tesis considera las implicaciones de la racionalidad comunicativa para formar y analizar politicas ambientales, dado que esa pretende ser no solo un modelo alternativo a homo economicus sino tambien un modelo capaz de integrar multiples lenguajes de valoracion en la governanza ambiental. La tesis primero examina temas conceptuales y teoricos relacionados al uso de racionalidad comunicativa como modelo analitico y luego considera de forma empirica, implicaciones de usar este modelo para analizar la governanza ambiental por medio de dos estudios de caso. El primero, emplea la metodologia Q para analizar discursos de ‘ruralidad' que son la base de percepciones sobre el papel de empresas sociales operando en areas rurales de Escocia. El segundo, analiza la formacion politica de disputas sobe el valor paisajistico que fomentan conflictos ambientales sobre parques eolicos en Cataluna rural. La tesis concluye que la racionalidad comunicativa es un concepto util para analizar y mejorar la governanza ambiental, aunque con sus limitaciones. En terminos normativos, el concepto permite conectar con el paradigma de democracia deliberativa que ofrece un marco potente para entender y evaluar aspectos relacionados a la legitimidad de governanza ambiental, particularmente en terminos de justicia social y ambiental. Analiticamente, la accion comunicativa permite conceptualizar conflictos ambientales como retos de governanza y no meramente como fallos de politica ambiental, lo cual ayuda entender politicas ambientales que promueven tomas de decisiones participativa en la emergente sociedad de redes. Una limitacion basica es que conceptualizando las acciones de agentes como acciones basadas en la racionalidad comunicativa, la investigacion cientifica puede acabar ignorando contextos de poder que rodean la governanza ambiental. La tesis sugiere que el campo de economia ecologica adopte como un principio normativo la creacion de esferas publicas de deliberacion sobre decisiones ambientales y que enfoque al estudio del potencial deliberativo de configuraciones actuales de toma de decision participativa. Esto ayudaria mejorar su capacidad de efectuar cambio y comprobaria si dichos procesos se transformen en mecanismos de legitimacion de politicas que promueven desigualdades en el uso y reparto de recursos ambientales y desigualdades de poder. Tal vision investigadora podria tambien avanzar el estudio de poder que esta relativamente atrasado en economia ecologica, por medio de mejorar vinculos entre esta disciplina y la ecologia politica.
Perspectives series: host/pathogen interactions. Apoptosis in bacterial pathogenesis.

Increasing numbers of bacterial pathogens have been identified as mediators of apoptosis in vitro (1, 2). These pathogens infect many different tissues and include gram-positive and -negative bacteria as well as Mycobacteria . In this review, we analyze the role of apoptosis in bacterial pathogenesis. At least three pathogenic strategies involve programmed cell death: activation of apoptosis to destroy cells, utilization of apoptosis to initiate inflammation (3), and inhibition of host cell apoptosis. In addition, host cell apoptosis might represent a host defense reaction (4).
Pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone in the rat after its administration as the preformed metabolite, and after administration of amiodarone

The pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone (DEA), the active metabolite of amiodarone (AM), were studied in the rat after administration of AM or preformed metabolite. Rats received 10 mg/kg of either intravenous or oral AM HCl or DEA base. Blood samples were obtained via a surgically implanted jugular vein cannula. Plasma concentrations were measured by a validated LC/MS method. In all AM treated rats, AM plasma concentrations greatly exceeded those of the formed DEA. The fraction of AM converted to DEA after i.v. administration was 14%. Amiodarone had a significantly lower (∼50%) clearance than DEA, although the volume of distribution and terminal phase half‐life did not differ significantly. The hepatic extraction ratio of DEA was 0.48, similar to that of AM (0.51). Oral AM demonstrated higher plasma AUC (5.6 fold) and higher Cmax (6.1 fold) than oral DEA and oral bioavailability of AM (46%) was greater than DEA (17%). The estimated fraction of the oral dose of AM converted to DEA was 4.5 fold higher than after i.v. administration, suggesting first‐pass formation of DEA from AM. Amiodarone and DEA differed in their pharmacokinetic characteristics mostly due to a higher CL of DEA. With oral dosing, AM appeared to undergo significant presystemic first‐pass metabolism within the intestinal tract. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN ADAPTATION THEORY FOR NONPARAMETRIC CONFIDENCE INTERVALS 1

A nonparametric adaptation theory is developed for the construction of conﬁdence intervals for linear functionals. A between class modulus of continuity captures the expected length of adaptive conﬁdence intervals. Sharp lower bounds are given for the expected length and an ordered modulus of continuity is used to construct adaptive conﬁdence procedures which are within a constant factor of the lower bounds. In addition, minimax theory over nonconvex parameter spaces is developed.
A broadband THz imager in a low-cost CMOS technology

Terahertz (THz) technology has become of large interest over the last 10 years. THz rays are an alternative to X-rays for imaging through thin materials and their non-ionizing character makes them inherently health-safe. The THz domain is also suitable for heterodyne detection and the use of radar techniques to perform 3D imaging. Commercial applications range from non-destructive testing, security screening of objects or persons, and medical imaging to secure communications.
DNA Sequences Encoding CD4+ and CD8+T-Cell Epitopes Are Important for Efficient Protective Immunity Induced by DNA Vaccination with a Trypanosoma cruziGene

ABSTRACT Immunization of BALB/c mice with a plasmid containing the gene forTrypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase (TS) induced antibodies that inhibited TS enzymatic activity, CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 cells, and protective immunity against infection. We used this model to obtain basic information on the requirement of CD4 or CD8 or B-cell epitopes for an effective DNA-induced immunity against T. cruzi infection. For that purpose, mice were immunized with plasmids containing DNA sequences encoding (i) the entire TS protein, (ii) the TS enzymatic domain, (iii) the TS CD4+ T-cell epitopes, (iv) the TS CD8+T-cell epitope, or (v) TS CD4+ and CD8+T-cell epitopes. Plasmids expressing the entire TS or its enzymatic domain elicited similar levels of TS-inhibitory antibodies, γ interferon (IFN-γ)-producing T cells, and protective immunity against infection. Although the plasmid expressing TS CD4 epitopes was immunogenic, its protective efficacy against experimental infection was limited. The plasmid expressing the CD8 epitope was poorly immunogenic and provided little protective immunity. The reason for the limited priming of CD8+ T cells was due to a requirement for CD4+ T cells. To circumvent this problem, a plasmid expressing both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes was produced. This plasmid generated levels of IFN-γ-producing T cells and protective immunity comparable to that of the plasmid expressing the entire catalytic domain of TS. Our observations suggest that plasmids expressing epitopes recognized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells may have a better protective potential against infection with T. cruzi.
Développement de fragments d’anticorps ciblant ZnT8 pour l’imagerie fonctionnelle des cellules bêta pancréatiques

Le diabete est une maladie chronique qui concerne plus de 380 millions de personnes dans le monde. Le diabete de type 1, qui represente 10 a 15% des cas, et le diabete de type 2, qui represente 85 a 90% des formes de diabete, ont pour caracteristique commune une diminution anatomique et/ou fonctionnelle de la masse de cellules beta (MCB). L’estimation de la MCB des patients diabetiques presente un interet majeur pour l’amelioration du suivi de leur pathologie et une meilleure adaptation des traitements. Les tests metaboliques, qui sont actuellement les seuls outils disponibles pour evaluer la fonctionnalite des cellules β, presentent l’inconvenient d’etre souvent lourds a mettre en place, et de ce fait, sont non utilisables en routine ou peu informatifs. L’imagerie, plus simple et plus sensible, represente une alternative attractive pour la mesure non invasive de la MCB d’autant plus qu’elle pourrait permettre a la fois une evaluation anatomique et fonctionnelle. Les outils actuellement en cours de developpement visent principalement une imagerie anatomique de la MCB et s’orientent d’avantage vers le suivi longitudinal des patients que vers une quantification precise de la MCB dans un but purement diagnostique compte tenu des contraintes de sensibilite et de resolution necessaires pour imager les cellules β. A l’heure actuelle, il n’existe pas encore d’outil ideal. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de mon travail de these etait le developpement de fragments d’anticorps ciblant ZnT8 pour l’imagerie fonctionnelle des cellules β pancreatiques en imagerie nucleaire. Le transporteur du zinc ZnT8 est une cible interessante pour l’imagerie des cellules β dans la mesure ou il est exprime presque exclusivement par ces dernieres. De plus, ZnT8 etant situe a la surface des vesicules de secretion et a la surface de la cellule lors de l’exocytose de l’insuline, son ciblage devrait donc permettre de rendre compte de la fonctionnalite des cellules β. Deux F(ab’)2, puis un Fab, radiomarques ont d’abord ete evalues in vivo chez la souris. Leurs poids moleculaire eleves ne permettaient pas une cinetique sanguine favorable et ralentissaient probablement leur passage a travers un endothelium vasculaire sain les empechant ainsi d’acceder rapidement a leur cible. Des sdAbs, qui constituent une alternative interessante aux F(ab’)2 et aux Fab compte tenu de leur poids moleculaire plus faible, ont ensuite ete selectionnes par phage display. Pour l’instant, seule une partie de ces sdAbs a pu etre produite et le meilleur candidat n’a pas pu etre suffisamment purifie pour permettre son radiomarquage.
A priori results in linear-quadratic optimal control theory

In the present paper we shall see that philosophizing on the specific nature of Linear-Quadratic optimal Control Problems (LQCPs) yields several a priori statements that are valid for the entire set of these problems. For instance, the real symmetric matrix that represents the optimal cost for a particular LQCP necessarily is a rank minimizing solution of the diSSipation inequality (DI). Since, in case of a positive definite input weighting matrix, the set of these solutions of the DI is equivalent to the set of real symmetric solutions of the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE). our result thus covers both the regular and the singular case. In addition, we will provide a character ization of the afore-mentioned set of solutions of the DI. Next, a serious attempt is made at reducing general (indefinite) LQCPs to nonnegative definite LQCPs. Moreover, a distributional framework for singular LQCPs is proposed.
High-Tech Virtual Industrial Cluster Resource Sharing Platform Based on Grid Technology

Resource sharing is one of construction aims of high-tech virtual industrial cluster (HTVIC) and furthermore is the key factor to keep cluster competitive force. This paper analyzes current situation and problems in resource sharing in HTVIC, and indicates the necessity of constructing a resource sharing platform in HTVIC. Combined with these studies, this paper puts forward a concept of resource sharing platform of high-tech virtual industrial cluster based on grid technology and sets up its architecture, and then discusses the platform's constitution and advantages.