Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term side effects of 0.2% alcohol-free chlorhexidine mouthrinse used as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment: a double-blind clinical study.

BACKGROUND The aims of this clinical study were to evaluate the short-term subjective (by means of questionnaire) and objective (by means of clinical examination) side effects of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthrinse without alcohol used as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment and to elucidate the relationship between the subjective and objective evaluations. METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with two groups: 1) the test group, rinsing with the test product (0.2% CHX without alcohol) twice per day for 1 week, and 2) the control (placebo) group, rinsing with a placebo solution twice per day for 1 week. Following the start of rinsing, patients were subjectively and objectively evaluated for the presence and severity of side effects (pain, burning sensation, pruritus, dryness of mouth, taste disturbance, mucosal irritations, and discoloration of tooth and tongue surfaces) at days 1, 3, and 7 of the rinsing period. The presence of subjective and objective side effects of the groups was compared via use of chi2 and Fisher exact tests. Analysis of the subjective and objective side effects within the evaluation periods was done by McNemar test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between the subjective and objective side effects. RESULTS None of the patients in either group complained of dryness of the mouth. The most commonly reported side effect was the change in color of the labial and buccal mucosa, particularly of the gingiva, after day 3 of rinsing. There were significant (r=0.308 to 0.835; P<0.05) correlations between the discolorations of tongue and tooth surfaces reported by the patients and clinically detected at all evaluation periods. There was a significant and positive relationship between the subjective side effects and the soft tissue irritations when the duration of rinsing increased. CONCLUSION Within the limits of this clinical evaluation, rinsing with 0.2% alcohol-free CHX for 1 week caused more irritation to oral mucosa, greater burning sensation, and increased altered taste perception compared to the placebo rinse.
In Vitro Sugar Transport in Zea mays L. Kernels : II. Characteristics of Sugar Absorption and Metabolism by Isolated Developing Embryos.

In vitro sugar transport into developing isolated maize embryos was studied. Embryo fresh and dry weight increased concomitantly with endogenous sucrose concentration and glucose uptake throughout development. However, endogenous glucose and fructose concentration and sucrose uptake remained constant. The uptake kinetics of radiolabeled sucrose, glucose, and fructose showed a biphasic dependence on exogenous substrate concentration. Hexose uptake was four to six times greater than sucrose uptake throughout development. Carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone and dinitrophenol inhibited sucrose and glucose uptake significantly, but 3-O-methyl glucose uptake was less affected. The uptake of 1 millimolar sucrose was strongly pH dependent while glucose was not. Glucose and fructose were readily converted to sucrose and insoluble products soon after absorption into the embryo. Thus, sucrose accumulated, while glucose pools remained low. Based on the findings of this and other studies a model for sugar transport in the developing maize kernel is presented.
The Couple Who Facebooks Together, Stays Together: Facebook Self-Presentation and Relationship Longevity Among College-Aged Dating Couples

Drawing on public commitment theory, this research examined the association between Facebook self-presentations of coupledom and relationship longevity among college-aged dating partners. Using a longitudinal design and a path model analytic approach, this study shows that Facebook self-presentational cues (i.e., being listed as "in a relationship," posting dyadic photographs, writing on the partner's wall) were associated with an increase in relationship commitment for dating couples, which, in turn, increased their likelihood of remaining together after 6 months. Contrary to predictions, the number of mutual Friends and the number of posts written by partners on participants' walls were negatively related to relationship commitment. This study is the first to apply public commitment theory to an online romantic relationship context, and one of the few to examine the effects of Facebook on the state and fate of romantic relationships.
Outlook on optimizing ultramicroscopy imaging technique through optical characterization

Here, we present an optically optimized system for static ultramicroscopy imaging technique. The unit for generating an ultra‐thin light sheet employs aspheric and meso‐optical elements (meso‐aspheric system). An analytical as well as an experimental comparison between the light sheet produced by the standard system (using a rectangular slit aperture and one cylindrical lens) and the one produced by our latest optimized system, which converts a symmetrical Gaussian beam into an ultra‐thin light sheet is presented. Using the new light sheet in combination with our objective equipped with a modulator unit to compensate the refractive index mismatch between air and mediums with indices of 1.45–1.56, we present high resolution images of various biological samples that were chemically cleared using different methods. They demonstrate a marked improvement in quality, contrast and resolution.
Reversion to virulence and efficacy of an attenuated Canarypox vaccine in Hawai'i 'Amakihi (Hemignathus virens).

Vaccines may be effective tools for protecting small populations of highly susceptible endangered, captive-reared, or translocated Hawaiian honeycreepers from introduced Avipoxvirus, but their efficacy has not been evaluated. An attenuated Canarypox vaccine that is genetically similar to one of two passerine Avipoxvirus isolates from Hawai'i and distinct from Fowlpox was tested to evaluate whether Hawai'i 'Amakihi (Hemignathus virens) can be protected from wild isolates of Avipoxvirus from the Hawaiian Islands. Thirty-one (31) Hawai'i 'Amakihi were collected from high-elevation habitats on Mauna Kea Volcano, where pox transmission is rare, and randomly divided into two groups. One group was vaccinated with Poximune C, whereas the other group received a sham vaccination with sterile water. Four of 15 (27%) vaccinated birds developed life-threatening disseminated lesions or lesions of unusually long duration, whereas one bird never developed a vaccine-associated lesion or "take. " After vaccine lesions healed, vaccinated birds were randomly divided into three groups of five and challenged with either a wild isolate of Fowlpox (FP) from Hawai'i, a Hawai'i 'Amakihi isolate of a Canarypox-like virus (PV1), or a Hawai'i 'Amakihi isolate of a related, but distinct, passerine Avipoxvirus (PV2). Similarly, three random groups of five unvaccinated 'Amakihi were challenged with the same virus isolates. Vaccinated and unvaccinated 'Amakihi challenged with FP had transient infections with no clinical signs of infection. Mortality in vaccinated 'Amakihi challenged with PV1 and PV2 ranged from 0% (0/5) for PV1 to 60% (3/5) for PV2. Mortality in unvaccinated 'Amakihi ranged from 40% (2/5) for PV1 to 100% (5/5) for PV2. Although the vaccine provided some protection against PV1, both potential for vaccine reversion and low efficacy against PV2 preclude its use in captive or wild honeycreepers.
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Tetracycline Resistance in Enterococcus Isolates from Food

ABSTRACT In the present study, a collection of 187 Enterococcus food isolates mainly originating from European cheeses were studied for the phenotypic and genotypic assessment of tetracycline (TC) resistance. A total of 45 isolates (24%) encompassing the species Enterococcus faecalis (n = 33), E. durans (n = 7), E. faecium (n = 3), E. casseliflavus (n = 1), and E. gallinarum (n = 1) displayed phenotypic resistance to TC with MIC ranges of 16 to 256 μg/ml. Eight of these strains exhibited multiresistance to TC, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol. By PCR detection, TC resistance could be linked to the presence of the tet(M) (n = 43), tet(L) (n = 16), and tet(S) (n = 1) genes. In 15 isolates, including all of those for which the MIC was 256 μg/ml, both tet(M) and tet(L) were found. Furthermore, all tet(M)-containing enterococci also harbored a member of the Tn916-Tn1545 conjugative transposon family, of which 12 erythromycin-resistant isolates also contained the erm(B) gene. Filter mating experiments revealed that 10 E. faecalis isolates, 3 E. durans isolates, and 1 E. faecium isolate could transfer either tet(M), tet(L), or both of these genes to E. faecalis recipient strain JH2-2. In most cases in which only tet(M) was transferred, no detectable plasmids were acquired by JH2-2 but instead all transconjugants contained a member of the Tn916-Tn1545 family. Sequencing analysis of PCR amplicons and evolutionary modeling showed that a subset of the transferable tet(M) genes belonged to four sequence homology groups (SHGs) showing an internal homology of ≥99.6%. Two of these SHGs contained tet(M) mosaic structures previously found in Tn916 elements and on Lactobacillus and Neisseria plasmids, respectively, whereas the other two SHGs probably represent new phylogenetic lineages of this gene.
Antibiotic Addition to Cement - is it Beneficial?

Antibiotic loaded acrylic cement (ALAC) is widely employed in primary as well as revision hip arthroplasties. There are prerequisites in relation to antibiotic choice and mixing techniques. The 2007 French Consensus Conference delivered recommendations for ALAC in primary arthroplasty. Decisions need to be more patient-specific in revision surgery. Appropriate use of ALAC (and associated antibiotics) and awareness of alternative possibilities such as collagen or bone graft impregnated with antibiotics may guide future practice.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Cupriavidus necator N-1

ABSTRACT Here we announce the complete genome sequence of the copper-resistant bacterium Cupriavidus necator N-1, the type strain of the genus Cupriavidus. The genome consists of two chromosomes and two circular plasmids. Based on genome comparison, the chromosomes of C. necator N-1 share a high degree of similarity with the two chromosomal replicons of the bioplastic-producing hydrogen bacterium Ralstonia eutropha H16. The two strains differ in their plasmids and the presence of hydrogenase genes, which are absent in strain N-1.
Toxoplasma gondii: a protozoan for the nineties

Toxoplasma gondii is growing in popularity as a model for studying intracellular parasitism (17). The parasite has also gained more attention recently as the most common cause of focal central nervous system infections in patients with AIDS (15) and continues to cause more than 3,000 congenital infections per year in the United States alone. T. gondii infects nearly all animals and most birds and is one of the most widely distributed of all intracellular parasites. In vitro, tachyzoites of T. gondii can invade and replicate within essentially all nucleated cells, an unusual feat for any intracellular organism. The intracellular tachyzoites reside within a vacuole which is incapable of acidifying or fusing with any membrane-bound organelle within the host cell endocytic system (11-13, 28) and as such is effectively hidden from the host; yet the parasite replicates rapidly. In contrast, the encysted bradyzoite stage can lie dormant within tissues for decades, apparently hidden from the host's immune system and from potentially effective antimicrobial therapy, only to emerge when host immunity wanes. What do we know about these rather prodigous accomplishments, what are we and what should we be trying to learn, and where are we likely to succeed or fail? We will attempt to answer these questions by dividing the discussion into separate areas: attachment and invasion, cytoskeletal proteins and motility, parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) formation, intracellular development, and differentiation. This perspective will not attempt to cover the immunologic response to T. gondii or to deal with new diagnostic
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and breast cancer. Does adjuvant therapy for breast cancer improve platelet counts in ITP?

Although both breast cancer and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are common conditions, the simultaneous coexistence of these two diseases is rare. ITP is an autoimmune disease in which the presence of autoantibodies against platelets results in splenic sequestration and thrombocytopenia that may be associated with lymphoid neoplasms [1]. Except for an observational case series of 10 patients [2], only a few individual case reports of ITP coinciding with breast cancer have been reported [3–8]. We are reporting two cases with simultaneous confirmed ITP and breast cancer. The platelet counts in both women have improved during adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy.
DOES RELATIVISTIC TIME DILATION CONTRIBUTE TO THE DIVERGENCE OF UNIVERSAL TIME AND EPHEMERIS TIME?

It is well known that two timescales, one based on the Earth's rotation and generically called Universal Time, and the other based on the Earth's orbital motion and generically called Ephemeris Time, diverge. The divergence is explained mostly by a secular slowing down of the Earth's rotation due to tidal braking. This paper investigates the question whether relativistic time dilation plays any role in this divergence, as it has sometimes been proposed. After a detailed analysis from the point of view of general relativity, we demonstrate that relativistic time dilation does not influence the divergence in question. We conclude that there is no reason to refute the present understanding of the secular variation of Earth's rotation.
Gender Performativity in Cynthia Ozick’s Heir to the Glimmering World

本文通过分析美国犹太作家辛西娅·欧芝克的小说《微光世界的继承人》中三位主人公的性别述行,探索由性别定义的社会角色规范对男女两性造成的身份困惑。 他们的述行僭越了由男女性别模式定义的社会角色,但同时他们僭越的角色在一定程度上固化了由性别定义的社会角色规范,因此需要改变的是已经固化的性别意识形态。
Filamentous ascomycetes inhabiting the rhizoid environment of the liverwort Cephaloziella varians in Antarctica are assessed by direct PCR and cloning

We molecularly assesed the ascomycetous fungal communities inhabiting the rhizoid environment of Cephaloziella varians, collected at Rothera Point on the western Antarctic Peninsula. The RFLP-phenotyped and cloned PCR products of a partial small subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene were sequenced and analyzed with neighbor joining (NJ) and maximum parsimony (MP). Both analyses identified four bootstrap-supported groups: (i) a sister group to Onygenales, (ii) a well-supported clade with Phialocephala fortinii, (iii) a large group of clones nested within Chaetothyriales, and (iv) a group nested within Eurotiales with a likely affinity to the genus Aspergillus. An additional marginally supported clade, including helotialean Hymenoscyphus fructigenus, was detected in the NJ analysis. Placement of one clone (possibly helotialean) was not supported by either analysis. We included Hymenoscyphus ericae (Helotiales) in our analyses to test for its presence in clone libraries. None of our clones showed strongly supported affinity to H. ericae. The culture-independent technique proved useful for assessing the composition of rhizoid fungal communities, although it remains unknown whether any of these fungi colonize C. varians tissues. Direct-community assays of this kind might be best combined with traditional isolation techniques to get a more holistic view of fungi occupying plant tissues.
Hardware implementation of a secure random number generator

This paper presents novel approaches to design and validation of a secure hardware Random Number Generator (RNG), Filtered-FCSR cascade, which is based upon the structure of Gollmann cascade. To further validate the security of the proposed RNG structure a more extensive check has been performed over many output bit sequences, using the US National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) SP 800-22 test suite. It is shown that this design holds a secure mathematical structure which can resist attacks, and meets known standards. Hardware implementation using an Altera Cyclone FPGA has been developed and results show such architecture is novel in being both secure and very highly efficient for hardware implementation.
Cardioprotective effects of ranolazine (RS-43285) in the isolated perfused rabbit heart.

OBJECTIVE The aim was to examine the putative cardioprotective effects of the novel antianginal agent, ranolazine, using an isolated rabbit heart model of ischaemia and reperfusion. METHODS Hearts from male New Zealand White rabbits were perfused in the Langendorff mode with a recirculating Krebs buffer at a constant flow of 20-25 ml.min-1. After equilibration, hearts were treated with ranolazine (10 or 20 microM) or vehicle control for 10 min before exposure to a 30 min period of global ischaemia and 60 min reperfusion; a normoxic control group was also studied. Haemodynamic variables (left ventricular pressure), myocardial creatine kinase, and potassium release were measured at baseline (preischaemic) and at selected points during reperfusion; tissue calcium and ATP content were also measured and electron microscopy was performed. RESULTS Left ventricular developed pressure during reperfusion was improved (p < 0.05) in a concentration dependent manner by 10 and 20 microM ranolazine (the baseline value was unaffected) with the latter dose resulting in a return to preischaemic values. The release of creatine kinase and potassium was reduced in the ranolazine groups (p < 0.05). A 2.5-fold increase in tissue calcium content in vehicle treated hearts at the end of reperfusion (compared to normoxic time control) was reduced by 10 microM ranolazine (p < 0.05) and completely prevented by 20 microM ranolazine. Similarly, the decrease in tissue ATP was largely inhibited by ranolazine in a concentration dependent manner. Electron microscopy showed that 20 microM ranolazine prevented the occurrence of many indications of reperfusion injury observed in vehicle treated control hearts, for example, blurring of myofibrillar Z bands, derangement of myofibrillar architecture, disruption of mitochondrial cristae and matrices, and the appearance of electron-dense bodies within them. The deposition of lanthanum chloride, a marker of blood vessel integrity, is also modified in the ranolazine treated hearts. CONCLUSIONS Ranolazine has impressive cardioprotective properties in an isolated rabbit heart model of ischaemia and reperfusion, suggesting that the drug warrants further research into its precise mechanism of action.
Temporal Coherence of Tropical Forests at P-Band: Dry and Rainy Seasons

In this letter, the temporal coherence of tropical forest scattering at P-band is addressed by means of a ground-based experiment. The study is based on the TropiScat campaign in French Guiana, designed to support the Biomass mission, which will be the ESA 7th Earth Explorer mission. For Biomass, temporal coherence is a crucial parameter for coherent processing of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry and SAR tomography in repeat-pass acquisitions. During the experiment, data were continuously collected for six months during both the rainy and dry seasons. For the rain-free days in both seasons, the coherence exhibits a daily cycle showing a high decorrelation during daytime, which is likely due to motion in the canopy. Up to a 20-day baseline, the coherence is much higher in the dry season than in the rainy season (> 0.8). From 20 to 40 days, it presents the same order of magnitude in both seasons [0.6, 0.7]. For larger temporal baselines, it becomes lower in the dry season. The results can be used to assess the long-term coherence of repeat-pass observations over a tropical forest. However, an extension of this study to several years and over other forest spots would be necessary to draw more general conclusions.
A UDP-Glucose:Monoterpenol Glucosyltransferase Adds to the Chemical Diversity of the Grapevine Metabolome1[W]

A glucosyltransferase forms geranyl and neryl glucosides during grape ripening. Terpenoids represent one of the major classes of natural products and serve different biological functions. In grape (Vitis vinifera), a large fraction of these compounds is present as nonvolatile terpene glycosides. We have extracted putative glycosyltransferase (GT) sequences from the grape genome database that show similarity to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) GTs whose encoded proteins glucosylate a diversity of terpenes. Spatial and temporal expression levels of the potential VvGT genes were determined in five different grapevine varieties. Heterologous expression and biochemical assays of candidate genes led to the identification of a UDP-glucose:monoterpenol β-d-glucosyltransferase (VvGT7). The VvGT7 gene was expressed in various tissues in accordance with monoterpenyl glucoside accumulation in grape cultivars. Twelve allelic VvGT7 genes were isolated from five cultivars, and their encoded proteins were biochemically analyzed. They varied in substrate preference and catalytic activity. Three amino acids, which corresponded to none of the determinants previously identified for other plant GTs, were found to be important for enzymatic catalysis. Site-specific mutagenesis along with the analysis of allelic proteins also revealed amino acids that impact catalytic activity and substrate tolerance. These results demonstrate that VvGT7 may contribute to the production of geranyl and neryl glucoside during grape ripening.
Brain, appetite and obesity.

Food intake and energy expenditure are controlled by complex, redundant, and distributed neural systems that reflect the fundamental biological importance of adequate nutrient supply and energy balance. Much progress has been made in identifying the various hormonal and neural mechanisms by which the brain informs itself about availability of ingested and stored nutrients and, in turn, generates behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine output. While hypothalamus and caudal brainstem play crucial roles in this homeostatic function, areas in the cortex and limbic system are important for processing information regarding prior experience with food, reward, and emotion, as well as social and environmental context. Most vertebrates can store a considerable amount of energy as fat for later use, and this ability has now become one of the major health risks for many human populations. The predisposition to develop obesity can theoretically result from any pathological malfunction or lack of adaptation to changing environments of this highly complex system.
Dynamic slot allocation multiple access protocol for wireless ATM networks

In this paper, a novel multiple access scheme named DSAMA protocol is proposed for wireless ATM networks. DSAMA is the combination of reservation multiple access protocol and dynamic slot allocation algorithm. The orthogonal code is used for reservation in the DSAMA system. Hence, the packet collisions are prevented while several packets apply for reservation slot simultaneously. In addition, due to bandwidth limitation, the dynamic slot allocation algorithm with bound variable for bursty traffic is also proposed in this paper, so that the QoS of multimedia traffic is guaranteed in wireless ATM networks. A computer simulation is utilized to validate the DSAMA protocol. From the analysis and simulation results, we know that the slot utilization in the DSAMA system is higher than that of the other well-known integrated services multiple access (e.g., PRMA, PRMA++). Furthermore, the performance of bursty traffic in the DSAMA system outperforms the case without dynamic slot allocation. We are sure that DSAMA protocol is a competitive candidate to be adopted in the wireless ATM networks.