Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of aluminium oxide particle sandblasting on the artificial tooth-resin bond.

AIM The influence of tooth ridge-lap surface sandblasting with aluminium oxide particles was evaluated on the adhesion of artificial teeth to acrylic resins. METHODS Specimens were made with the acrylic resin adhered to teeth (BioCler GII), according to an unmodified surface, glossy surface sandblasted with 50-μm particles and conventional (Classico) or microwaved (Onda Cryl) resin, and a glossy surface sandblasted with 100-μm particles and Classico or Onda Cryl resin. The shear bond test was performed in an Instron machine using a 500-N load cell and cross-speed of 1 mm/min. RESULTS The analysis of variance revealed significant difference in the tooth-resin shear bond strength for resin, surface treatment, and interaction. For conventional resin, control, 50-, and 100-μm particles showed statistically-different values; for microwaved resin, the control showed less statistical difference when compared to 50- and 100-μm particle treatments; for between resins, only the 100-μm particle treatment showed statistically-different values, with lower values for the microwaved resin. Mixed failures (cohesive in the resin and adhesive) were predominantly observed in all groups. Mixed (cohesive in the tooth and adhesive) or adhesive failures were not observed. CONCLUSIONS Sandblasting with different aluminium oxide particle sizes produced different effects on the shear strength values of the tooth-resin bond.
The genome of Nanoarchaeum equitans: Insights into early archaeal evolution and derived parasitism

The hyperthermophile Nanoarchaeum equitans is an obligate symbiont growing in coculture with the crenarchaeon Ignicoccus. Ribosomal protein and rRNA-based phylogenies place its branching point early in the archaeal lineage, representing the new archaeal kingdom Nanoarchaeota. The N. equitans genome (490,885 base pairs) encodes the machinery for information processing and repair, but lacks genes for lipid, cofactor, amino acid, or nucleotide biosyntheses. It is the smallest microbial genome sequenced to date, and also one of the most compact, with 95% of the DNA predicted to encode proteins or stable RNAs. Its limited biosynthetic and catabolic capacity indicates that N. equitans' symbiotic relationship to Ignicoccus is parasitic, making it the only known archaeal parasite. Unlike the small genomes of bacterial parasites that are undergoing reductive evolution, N. equitans has few pseudogenes or extensive regions of noncoding DNA. This organism represents a basal archaeal lineage and has a highly reduced genome.
Phase modulated LCCL resonant dc-dc converter for boost applications

This paper proposes an LCCL resonant tank based dc-dc boost converter. Difficulties in employing conventional resonant converters for boost applications are discussed. The novel features of the proposed topology are revealed which mitigate the drawbacks of its traditional counter parts. Significance of each circuit component is explained in detail. Characteristics of the proposed tank network is presented. Design criteria to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of primary side MOSFETs operating under phase modulation (PM) is derived analytically. Design of filter capacitor is described in appropriate details. Numerical simulation results are presented to validate analytical predictions. Practical evaluation of converter performance is done on a 160 W experimental prototype.
Components of compulsory service program for health professionals in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Aims: The global health landscape has been characterized by shortfalls and imbalances in human resources for health (HRH), with more health workers concentrated in urban than rural areas. To address this maldistribution, some countries resorted to the implementation of a compulsory service policy for HRH. However, there is no comprehensive documentation describing the different components of such policies. This scoping review aims to determine the components for compulsory service for selected health professionals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: A search was conducted in MEDLINE, PLoS, Scopus, and ProQuest Central, using keywords for ‘compulsory service’, ‘return service’, ‘mandatory service’, ‘physician’, ‘dentist’, ‘nurse’, ‘midwife’, ‘physical therapist’, ‘occupational therapist’, and identified LMICs. A total of 6757 records were retrieved and assessed, from which 41 relevant records were included in the study. Results and conclusions: Common elements of a compulsory service program are the following: a comprehensive master plan, clearly articulated program goals, appropriate education and training, transparent recruitment and placement, strong institutional and system support, competitive benefits and incentives, and active management of exit from the program. Results presented in this article can serve to inform LMICs on policy, guide program development and management, and direct future research in the area of HRH to address challenges in maldistribution.
Two Methods for Measurement of Gas-Liquid Flows in Vertical Upward Pipe Using Dual-Plane ERT System

In modern industrial processes, the accurate measurement of two-phase flow is an important task. Process tomography can provide a distribution information of a two-phase pipe flow. In order to carry out instantaneous flowrate measurements of the gas-liquid two-phase flow in a vertical upward pipe, a dual-plane electrical-resistance-tomography (ERT) system is combined with a cross-correlation technique to measure the gas-liquid two-phase flow, in which the continuous phase is a conductive liquid. A pixel correlation method and a feature-value-correlation method are applied to estimate the disperse-phase velocity. Two methods are used to estimate the local void fraction and the disperse velocity distribution by reconstructing the image pixel gray value distribution. Estimates of the mean void fraction and the disperse-phase mean velocity are obtained by extracting the feature value of the measured data at the dual-plane ERT boundary. The variation in the disperse-phase distribution with changes in time is considered, and the estimated values for both the disperse-phase void fraction and velocity have been experimentally obtained, which are used in the calculation of the instantaneous flowrate. The air-water two-phase flow experiments are designed to evaluate the validity of the two methods used in estimation. The experimental results agree with the theoretical methods for obtaining the disperse-phase velocity and instantaneous-flowrate measurement in the vertical upward pipe
Quinquennial Review of Progress in Degradation Studies and Impurity Profiling: An Instrumental Perspective Statistics

Abstract Degradation studies of drug give insightful information about the intrinsic stability of the molecule, the possible degradents formed during shelf life and thus, aid in the subsequent development of its stable formulation. For identification and characterization of degradents and impurities formed during stress studies, various analytical techniques are required including hyphenated techniques. Chromatographic methods play a crucial role in the field of degradation and impurity profiling. Many of these methods have been introduced for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drugs and their formulations. This article encompasses current trends in analytical methods used for degradents, foreign matter, genotoxic impurity, and impurity profiling studies of the last five years (2013–2017). It further provides an insight into the development of various analytical methods such as hyphenated and non-hyphenated techniques those used in the analysis of pharmaceuticals. Various components used in chromatographic development such as mobile phase, buffer solutions, elution modes, columns, column temperature, and detectors are emphasized. Techniques developed by systematic Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) approach are also discussed. Additionally, the in silico toxicity prediction studies and the methods developed for genotoxic impurity analysis are briefly explained.
The Role of Electrostatic Interaction in Triggering the Unraveling of Stable Helix 1 in Normal Prion Protein. A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation

Abstract The conversion of normal prion protein (PrPC) into scrapie isoform (PrPSc) is a key event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. However, the conversion mechanism has given rise to much controversy. For instance, there is much debate on the behavior of helix 1 (H1) in the conversion. A series of experiments demonstrated that H1 in isolated state was very stable under a variety of conditions. But, other experiments indicated that helices 2 and 3 rather than H1 were retained in PrPSc. In this paper, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is employed to investigate the dynamic behavior of H1. It is revealed that although the helix 1 of Human PrPC (HuPrPC) is very stable in the isolated state, it becomes unstable when incorporated into native HuPrPC, which likely results from the long-range electrostatic interaction between Asp147 and Arg208 located in the helices 1 and 3, respectively. This explanation is supported by experimental evaluation and MD simulation on D147N mutant of HuPrPC that the mutant becomes a little more stable than the wild type HuPrPC. This finding not only help to reconcile the existing debate on the role of helix 1 in the PrPC→PrPSc transition, but also reveals a possible mechanism for triggering the PrPC→PrPSc conversion.
Prognostic Factors in Localized Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

The prognostic factors associated with local failure and overall survival and the effect of radiotherapy were determined in 77 patients with localized (extremity and nonextremity) operable soft-tissue sarcoma. There were 52 male and 25 female patients; median age was 50 years (range: 15–83). Histologic grade of the tumors was as follows: low-intermediate grade in 32 cases and high grade in 29 cases. The primary tumors were treated by marginal resection (20 patients), wide resection (52 patients), and radical resection (5 patients). Adjuvant radiotherapy was applied to 50 (65%) patients. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 70.6%. Treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy and development of metastases were the significant prognostic factors associated with local recurrence. Radiotherapy was more effective in patients with tumors 10 cm or larger, marginally resected, extremity located, and high grades. The overall survival rate was 64.4% at 5 years. Significant adverse prognostic factors were high grade tumors, presence of local recurrence, and development of metastases in univariate analyses. Development of metastases and old age were the only adverse prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. The best 5-year survival rate was obtained in female patients younger than 50 years (90%). The present study demonstrated the importance of adjuvant radiotherapy and development of metastases as prognostic factors for local control. Again, development of metastases and age were the most important prognostic factors in operable soft-tissue sarcomas.
Partner type and condom use

Objectives:To examine the association between type of sexual partnership and condom use consistency. Design:A prospective follow-up study of women attending two urban clinics for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Methods:Sexual diaries recording barrier method, partner initials and partner type for each act of intercourse were kept by 869 women. Condom use by partner type was evaluated in three ways in the entire group: among women who encountered multiple partners, during months in which women encountered multiple partners, and within sexual partnerships that changed status during the study. Results:Consistency of condom use was higher with new and casual partners than with regular partners in the entire group and among women who encountered multiple partners. In months in which partners of different types were encountered, condom-use consistency was higher with new and casual partners than with regular partners. Consistent condom use decreased in partnerships that changed status from new to regular. The female condom was used more often with regular partners than with new or casual partners in the entire study group, among women who encountered multiple partners, and during months in which a woman achieved consistent use with her regular partner. Conclusions:This study provides strong evidence that condom use behavior is modified by partner type. Observations about condom use and partner type made in cross-sectional or retrospective surveys also hold in the present longitudinal analyses of individual women and of partnerships that change status. The female condom may be an important option for achieving consistent protection within stable partnerships.
Constraint and multimodal approaches to therapy for chronic aphasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Aphasia is a significant cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Two speech pathology treatment approaches appear efficacious: multimodal and constraint-induced aphasia therapies. In constraint-induced therapies, non-verbal actions (e.g., gesture, drawing) are believed to interfere with treatment and patients are therefore constrained to speech. In contrast, multimodal therapies employ non-verbal modalities to cue word retrieval. Given the clinical and theoretical implications, a comparison of these two divergent treatments was pursued. This systematic review investigated both approaches in chronic aphasia at the levels of impairment, participation and quality of life. After a systematic search, the level of evidence and methodological quality were rated. Meta-analysis was conducted on 14 single case experimental designs using Tau-U, while heterogeneity in the four group designs precluded meta-analysis. Results showed that high-quality research was limited; however, findings were broadly positive for both approaches with neither being judged as clearly superior. Most studies examined impairment-based outcomes without considering participation or quality of life. The application and definition of constraint varied significantly between studies. Both constraint and multimodal therapies are promising for chronic post-stroke aphasia, but there is a need for larger, more rigorously conducted studies. The interpretation of “constraint” also requires clearer reporting.
Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression in the Normal and Malignant Human Prostate: A Rapid Response Which Promotes Therapeutic Resistance

A successful prostate cancer must be capable of changing its phenotype in response to a variety of microenvironmental influences, such as adaptation to treatment or successful proliferation at a particular metastatic site. New cell phenotypes emerge by selection from the large, genotypically heterogeneous pool of candidate cells present within any tumor mass, including a distinct stem cell-like population. In such a multicellular model of human prostate cancer, flexible responses are primarily governed not only by de novo mutations but appear to be dominated by a combination of epigenetic controls, whose application results in treatment resistance and tumor relapse. Detailed studies of these individual cell populations have resulted in an epigenetic model for epithelial cell differentiation, which is also instructive in explaining the reported high and inevitable relapse rates of human prostate cancers to a multitude of treatment types.
Chromosomal microarray analysis is superior in identifying cryptic aberrations in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at diagnosis/relapse as a single assay

Conventional cytogenetics (CC) is important in diagnosis, therapy, monitoring of post‐transplant bone marrow, and prognosis assessment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, due to the nature of ALL, CC often encounters difficulties of complex karyotype, poor chromosome morphology, low mitotic index, or normal cells dividing only. In contrast, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) showed a specificity >99% and a sensitivity of 100% in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. Here, we report our experience with CMA on adult ALL patients.
BREATH CONDENSATE LEVELS OF 8-ISOPROSTANE AND LEUKOTRIENE B4 AFTER OZONE INHALATION ARE GREATER IN SENSITIVE VERSUS NONSENSITIVE SUBJECTS

Ozone (O3) inhalation induces pulmonary function decrements and inflammation. The present study was designed to determine if a relationship exists between O3 induced pulmonary function changes and the presence of inflammatory markers as measured in exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) obtained from O3-sensitive and nonsensitive human subjects. Eight healthy adult volunteers (4 males/4 females, age 18 to 30 years) were studied, characterized as to their ozone sensitivity and placed into 2 groups (sensitive and nonsensitive) with each group having 2 males and 2 females. Subjects completed a 20-minute EBC collection and pulmonary function test (PFT) prior to a single 60-minute bout of cycle ergometer exercise (VE = 50–55 L/min) while breathing filtered air (FA) or 0.35 ppm O3. Subjective symptom scores (SSSs) were collected at 6, 20, 40, and 60 minutes during exposure. An immediate postexposure PFT was performed followed by an EBC collection. Subjective symptom scores, EBCs, and PFTs were collected at 1, 4 and 8 hours post exposure. EBCs were analyzed for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), 8-isoprostane, and total nitric oxide (NO) metabolites (nitrate + nitrite content). Sensitive subjects, breathing O3, had significantly greater functional decrements in PFTs, increased SSSs, and increased rapid shallow breathing as well as elevated levels of 8-isoprostane and LTB4 in EBCs compared to those breathing FA. In addition, there were significant increases in nitrate + nitrite content in both sensitive and nonsensitive subjects breathing O3compared to FA. These results indicate that sensitive subjects have elevated arachidonic acid metabolites in EBCs compared to nonsensitive subjects after O3 inhalation.
Hox genes: Downstream “effectors” of retinoic acid signaling in vertebrate embryogenesis

One of the major regulatory challenges of animal development is to precisely coordinate in space and time the formation, specification, and patterning of cells that underlie elaboration of the basic body plan. How does the vertebrate plan for the nervous and hematopoietic systems, heart, limbs, digestive, and reproductive organs derive from seemingly similar population of cells? These systems are initially established and patterned along the anteroposterior axis (AP) by opposing signaling gradients that lead to the activation of gene regulatory networks involved in axial specification, including the Hox genes. The retinoid signaling pathway is one of the key signaling gradients coupled to the establishment of axial patterning. The nested domains of Hox gene expression, which provide a combinatorial code for axial patterning, arise in part through a differential response to retinoic acid (RA) diffusing from anabolic centers established within the embryo during development. Hence, Hox genes are important direct effectors of retinoid signaling in embryogenesis. This review focuses on describing current knowledge on the complex mechanisms and regulatory processes, which govern the response of Hox genes to RA in several tissue contexts including the nervous system during vertebrate development.
Molecular biology of myopia §

Experiments in animal models of myopia have emphasised the importance of visual input in emmetropisation but it is also evident that the development of human myopia is influenced to some degree by genetic factors. Molecular genetic approaches can help to identify both the genes involved in the control of ocular development and the potential targets for pharmacological intervention.
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Relation to All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

A previous meta-analysis provided convincing evidence for an inverse association between adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the risk of all-cause mortality. Since then, 19 prospective studies have been published. We updated the evidence from these prospective studies and conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to test the linear and potential nonlinear dose-response associations between adherence to a MedDiet and the risk of all-cause mortality. The PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Embase bibliographic databases were systematically searched up to August 24, 2018. Summary HRs were estimated with the use of a random-effects meta-analysis to assess the association between a 2-point increment in MedDiet adherence and the risk of all-cause mortality. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed and potential publication bias was tested. Twenty-nine prospective studies with 1,676,901 participants and 221,603 cases of all-cause mortality were included in the final analysis. The pooled HR of all-cause mortality was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.91; I2 = 81.1%) for a 2-point increment in adherence to a MedDiet. Subgroup analyses showed that a significant inverse association was stronger in participants who lived in the Mediterranean region compared with non-Mediterranean areas (HRs: 0.82 compared with 0.92, respectively), and in studies that used the Panagiotakos MedDiet score. A nonlinear dose-response meta-analysis indicated that the risk of all-cause mortality linearly decreased with the increase in adherence to a MedDiet. The robustness of findings was confirmed in the sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, low-quality evidence from prospective cohort studies suggests an inverse association between adherence to a MedDiet and the risk of all-cause mortality, especially in Mediterranean regions. An inverse linear dose-response relation was also observed between adherence to a MedDiet and the risk of all-cause mortality.
Motor timing variability increases in preclinical Huntington's disease patients as estimated onset of motor symptoms approaches

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder diagnosed clinically with the development of choreiform movements. However, neuropsychological studies have demonstrated cognitive and psychiatric changes during the preclinical phase (pre-HD) prior to formal diagnosis. Previous studies have demonstrated the sensitivity of time reproduction tasks to basal ganglia pathology, as seen in clinical HD and Parkinson's disease. In this study, 29 pre-HD participants, ranging from 3 to 39 years from estimated onset (YEO) of HD based on genetic testing and chronological age, were administered the paced finger-tapping task using target intervals of 600 and 1200 ms. Mean inter-response interval, a measure of timing accuracy, did not systematically deviate from the target interval as a function of YEO. In contrast, timing variability increased curvilinearly as a function of YEO, but not with chronological age alone. Motor timing variability, but not accuracy, may serve as a marker to define the earliest behavioral changes in HD. The present study is among the first to examine the relationship between behavioral measures and YEO in pre-HD. (JINS, 2007, 13, 539–543.)