Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma rich in growth factors in human extraction sockets: a radiographic and histomorphometric study on early bone deposition.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether and to what extent the additional application of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) to an extraction socket may influence the early bone deposition, as assessed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scan as well as histomorphometric markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-eight patients (age range: 34-74 years) contributing 36 extraction sockets were included in the study. Sockets were either treated with PRGF (PRGF group; 18 sites in 11 patients) or left to spontaneous healing (control group; 18 sites in 17 patients). Radiographic and histomorphometric analysis was performed on bone cores trephined from each healing socket after 4-6 (T1) or 7-10 (T2) weeks of healing. RESULTS Patients treated with PRGF application showed (i) similar bone volume and tissue mineral content, (ii) a trend, although not statistically significant, toward a greater number of CD68+ cells (at T1 and T2) and vVW+ cells (at T1), and (iii) a similar OCN staining score throughout the study, when compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS Plasma rich in growth factors-treated group did not show any enhancement in early (4 and 8 weeks) bone deposition compared with control group.
1.575 GHz Circular Polarization wearable antenna with three different substrate materials

This paper presents an analysis of a Left-Handed Circular Polarization (LHCP) wearable antenna with different textile material (substrates) for Global Positioning System (GPS) application. The proposed antennas have achieved circular polarization (CP) by truncating two opposite edged of the square patch for all designed antennas with three different substrates. The analysis is focusing on using felt, jeans and cotton as substrates while maintaining shieldit supper as a conductor. The performance comparison have been made on the simulated reflection coefficient (S11), axial ratio (AR), bandwidth and gain. The results show that jeans fabric attained a better reflection coefficient of -41.36 dB at 1.575 GHz as compared to the other materials. Besides, the jeans has achieved good AR bandwidth of 17 MHz, followed by felt with AR bandwidth of 16 MH and cotton with AR bandwidth of 13 MHz.
Gate-Free InGaAs/InP Single-Photon Detector Working at Up to 100 Mcount/s

Recently, there has been considerable effort to develop photon-counting detectors for the near-infrared wavelength range, but the main limitation is to have a practical detector with both high count rates and low noise. Here, we show a novel technique to operate InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) in a free-running equivalent mode at high count rate up to 100 Mcount/s. The photodetector is enabled with a 915-MHz sinusoidal gate signal that is kept unlocked with respect to the light stimulus, resulting in a free-running equivalent operation of the SPAD, with an afterpulsing probability below 0.3%, a photon detection efficiency value of 3% at 1550 nm, a temporal resolution of 150 ps, and a dark count rate below 2000 count/s. Such gate-free approach can be used to measure, at high count rate, signals in continuous wave or with slow time decays, where standard gated detectors would not be suitable.
Relation between serum sodium levels and clinical outcomes in Turkish patients hospitalized for heart failure: a multi-center retrospective observational study

Objective: The purpose of the study was to analyze the prevalence of hyponatremia and related 1-year outcomes of patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in Turkish patients. Methods: A total of 500 hospitalized patients with HFrEF were consecutively included in a retrospective study at 19 participating hospitals. Patients were categorized according to their serum sodium levels (sNa) on admission day as normonatremic (135–145 mEq/L) and hyponatremic (<135 mEq/L). One-year all-cause mortality, re-hospitalization rates, and the impact of the changes in sNa at the time of discharge to clinical outcomes were examined. Results: Hyponatremia was observed in 29% of patients. Patients with hyponatremia had lower blood pressures, creatinine clearance, and left ventricular ejection fraction and higher serum creatinine and BUN levels on admission compared with those with normonatremia. Hyponatremia was associated with higher 1-year all-cause mortality (14% vs. 2.6%, p<0.001) and re-hospitalization rates (46.9% vs. 33.7%, p=0.005). After adjustment for covariates, hyponatremia was independently associated with 1-year all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 4.762; 95% CI, 1.941–11.764; p=0.001). At discharge, only 50.8% of hyponatremic patients were corrected to normonatremia (≥135 mEq/L). Those with persistent hyponatremia had the highest all-cause mortality (p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, it is demonstrated that hyponatremia is relatively common and is associated with increased 1-year all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization rates among Turkish patients hospitalized with HFrEF. Approximately 50% of the patients with initial low sNa had persistent hyponatremia at discharge, and these patients had the worst clinical outcomes.
Flux-periodic persistent current in mesoscopic superconducting rings close to Tc.

We study the function-induced persistent current close to ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in effectively one-dimensional superconducting rings threaded by a magnetic flux \ensuremath{\varphi}. Using a transfer-operator approach to the Ginzburg-Landau theory we calculate the dependences of the persistent current on temperature, flux, and ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$. In agreement with a simple physical argument we find that the temperature dependence of the current amplitude is similar to that of the order-parameter fluctuations 〈\ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Vert}}}^{2}$〉. We discuss the observability of a flux-periodic response below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in view of the existence of metastable states and phase slips. Our predictions apply to experiments on superconductors whose ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is larger than the correlation energy ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{c}}$.
Tuning electrical and photoelectrical properties of CdSe nanowires via indium doping.

As an important II–VI semiconductor material, CdSe has attracted considerable attention due to its unique properties such as a direct band-gap ( 1.7 eV at room temperature) and excellent photoelectrical characteristics that make it a promising material for applications in photodetectors and photovoltaics. Thus far, 1D CdSe nanostructures, such as nanowires (NWs), nanotubes, nanosaws, nanosheets, and nanoribbons, have been successfully synthesized by using various methods including electrochemistry, solution chemical reactions, self-catalysis thermal evaporation, and laser ablation-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Besides their usage in single-electron transistors and electrochromic and charge-coupling devices, CdSe nanostructures also show application potential in biomolecular labeling, phosphors, and light-emitting diodes. Notably, photodetectors and field-effect transistors (FETs) based on a single CdSe nanoribbon have been recently realized. Nevertheless, the practical applications of CdSe nanostructures are hindered by poor materials properties, due mainly to lack of control over conductivity. Doping is an efficient approach to tune the electrical properties of semiconductors, and has been widely utilized in the semiconductor industry. Indeed, CdSe films and bulk crystals with tunable conductivity have been realized by using indium as n-type dopant. Doping of CdSe nanostruc-
Epoprostenol and home mechanical ventilation for pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) of infancy, and mortality in these pediatric patients is high without aggressive medical treatment. Continuous intravenous epoprostenol (prostacyclin) was shown to lower pulmonary artery pressures (PAP) in children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), formerly referred to as primary pulmonary hypertension. We report on the first case of long‐term home ventilation in combination with chronic intravenous epoprostenol in a child with severe pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung disease. This aggressive combination resulted in significant improvement in pulmonary artery pressures, substantial improvement in quality of life, and eventual discontinuation of home ventilation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mouse Models of Food Allergy: How Well do They Simulate the Human Disorder?

Food allergy is a growing health problem with serious concerns due to high potential for fatality. Rapid advances in the knowledge on causes and mechanisms as well as in developing effective prevention/therapeutic strategies are needed. To meet these goals, mouse models that simulate the human disorder are highly desirable. During the past decade, several mouse models of food allergies have been reported. Here, we briefly reviewed the human disorder and then critically evaluated these models seeking answers to the following important questions: To what extent do they simulate the human disorder? What are the strengths and limitations of these models? What are the challenges facing this scientific area? Our analysis suggest that: (i) the mouse models, with inherent strengths and limitations, are available for many major food allergies; there is scope for additional model development and validation; (ii) models mostly simulate the severe forms of human disorder with similar immune and clinical features; (iii) the approaches used to develop some of the mouse models may be questionable; and (iv) the specific mechanisms of sensitization as wells as oral elicitation of fatal reactions in both humans and mice remains incompletely understood and therefore warrants further research.
Prevention of Biofilm Colonization by Gram-Negative Bacteria on Minocycline-Rifampin-Impregnated Catheters Sequentially Coated with Chlorhexidine

ABSTRACT Resistant Gram-negative bacteria are increasing central-line-associated bloodstream infection threats. To better combat this, chlorhexidine (CHX) was added to minocycline-rifampin (M/R) catheters. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of CHX-M/R catheters against multidrug resistant, Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was tested. M/R and CHX-silver sulfadiazine (CHX/SS) catheters were used as comparators. The novel CHX-M/R catheters were significantly more effective (P < 0.0001) than CHX/SS or M/R catheters in preventing biofilm colonization and showed better antimicrobial durability.
Streamlined protocol for polytene chromosome in situ hybridization.

eosinophil autofluorescence. J. Leukoc. Biol. 51:172-175. 12.Nokubo, M. , M. Ohta, K. Kitani and I. Z.Nagy. Identification of protein-bound riboflavin in rat hepatocyte plasma membrane as a source of autofluorescence. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 981:303-308. 13.Olson, K.R. , J.R. McIntosh and J.B. Olmsted. 1995. Analysis of MAP4 function in living cells using green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimeras. J. Cell Biol. 130:639-650. 14.Rizzuto, R. , M. Brini, P. Pizzo, M. Murgia and T. Pozzan. 1995. Chimeric green fluorescent protein as a tool for visualizing subcellular organelles in living cells. Curr. Biol. 5:635642.
Immune Regulatory T Cells in Siblings of Children Suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type 1 diabetes are suffering from defects in immune regulatory cells. Their siblings may be at increased risk of type 1 diabetes especially if they are carriers of certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. In a prospective non‐randomized study, we intended to evaluate 31 healthy siblings of paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes and explore immune regulatory populations of CD4+CD25+ T cells and natural killer (NK) T cells. Tested siblings of type 1 diabetes patients were stratified according to the HLA‐associated risk of possible diabetes development. Immune regulatory function of CD4+CD25+ T cells was tested in vitro. Significant differences in CD4+CD25+ but not in NK T cells have been identified. Siblings of type 1 diabetes patients carrying high risk HLA alleles (DQA1*05, DQB1*0201, DQB1*0302) had significantly lower number of immune regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells than the age‐matched healthy controls or siblings carrying low‐risk HLA alleles (DQB1*0301, DQB1*0603, DQB1*0602). Regulatory function of CD4+CD25+ T cells demonstrated a dose‐escalation effect. In siblings of type 1 diabetes patients, the defect in immune regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells exists in association with genetic HLA‐linked risk for type 1 diabetes.
Media-assisted language learning for young children: Effects of a word-learning app on the vocabulary acquisition of two-year-olds

The intervention study investigated the effects of an interactive word-learning app and picture cards on the vocabulary acquisition of 2-year-olds. Of particular interest was whether or not adult accompaniment during the use of the app or while looking at the picture cards had a positive effect on the child's vocabulary acquisition. The findings show that those children who used the word-learning app when accompanied by an adult had the largest growth in vocabulary, and those who used the word-learning app without adult accompaniment showing the second largest growth. Less successful were those children who played with the picture cards (with or without adult accompaniment). The group of children who focused on the subject matter for the longest period of time on average learned the most new words, while the group who focused on the subject matter for the shortest period of time had the smallest growth in vocabulary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Effect of Nitrous Oxide Concentration on Event‐related: Potentials during Painful Tooth Stimulation

Effects of inhaling three levels of nitrous oxide in oxygen on event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and pain report were examined in 10 volunteers undergoing painful electrical stimulation of tooth pulp. Previous work by the authors demonstrated that inhalation of nitrous oxide 33 per cent in oxygen, iv injection of 0.1 mg fentanyl, oral administration of 975 mg aspirin, and electrical acupunctural stimulation all reduced ERP amplitudes obtained at vertex during painful tooth pulp stimulation. The authors report here the demonstration of a dose-response relationship between increasing concentrations of nitrous oxide in oxygen and measures of ERP amplitude and pain report. Subjects inhaled room air, nitrous oxide 25 per cent, 37 per cent, and 50 per cent in oxygen while ERPs were recorded and pain reports were given. The procedure was repeated on three separate days with each subject experiencing all levels of treatment of each day. Analyses of variance revealed that both ERP amplitude and pain report significantly decreased as dosage increased, and a significant linear trend was observed for the positive-going ERP wave-form deflection between 160 and 240 ms. Pain report scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and proportionally as dosage increased, but there was not a significant linear trend. Inhalation of nitrous oxide in oxygen increased peak latency for the negative component at 50 ms and the positive component at 90 ms but not for later components. These outcomes demonstrate that amplitude measures of the vertex ERP obtained with dental dolorimetry correlate consistently with pain and analgesia. Simultaneous assessment of brain electrical activity and subjective report appears to be a useful approach for the assessment of analgesia in humans.
Asymptotic H∞ control of singularly perturbed systems with parametric uncertainties

This paper deals with the problem of control of singularly perturbed linear continuous-time systems. The authors' attention is focused on the design of a composite linear controller based on the slow and fast problems such that both stability and a prescribed H/sub /spl infin// performance for the full-order system are achieved. The asymptotic behavior of the composite controller is studied, which is independent of the singular perturbation /spl epsiv/ when /spl epsiv/ is sufficiently small. Furthermore, the problem of robust control for the above system with parameter uncertainty is also investigated.
HIV/AIDS Behavioral Surveillance Surveys of the Cross-Border Sex-Networker Population in Hong Kong From 1997 to 2001

Background Mobility is an important risk factor in the spread of HIV. Goal The goal was to conduct behavioral surveillance surveys on Hong Kong males crossing the border to mainland China to have sex with female sex workers (FSW) or nonregular female sex partners who were not FSW (NRP). Study Design Four surveys (1997–2001), using a special data collection method, were conducted at the Hong Kong-mainland China border checkpoint (n = 5294). Results Consistently, a notable proportion of the travelers had patronized FSW or had had sex with NRP in the preceding trip to mainland China. Inconsistent condom use was high (≥40%) and HIV antibody testing was low (<12%). Self-perceived susceptibility of contracting HIV also was low. Conclusion No remarkable improvement on the level of risk behaviors was observed over the study period. Sustained efforts to promote safer sex and awareness of the risk associated with sex-networking are required.
Date Seed Oil Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Normal Human Epidermal Melanocytes

The administration of antioxidants has been shown to enhance repair and healing processes in cutaneous tissue. Date seed oil (DSO) extract, which might be a potential source of natural antioxidants such as phenols and tocopherols, has been reported to be beneficial in the reduction of chemically induced oxidative stress in normal human skin. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of DSO against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in terms of lipid peroxidation, depletion of such endogenous antioxidant defense enzymes as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) using normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM). The results showed that DSO, endowed with a radical scavenging ability, decreased oxidative injury by inhibition of damage caused by H2O2. Treatment of NHEM with DSO inhibited H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation. In addition, the extract inhibited H2O2-induced depletion of antioxidant defense components, such as SOD, CAT, and GPx. Our findings demonstrate that DSO is an efficient extract able to prevent melanocytes oxidative damage induced by H2O2 exposure. Thus it may be a potential promising candidate, as a chemopreventive agent, in the development of melanocyte-related pathologies like vitiligo and melanoma.
Hierarchic T‐Cell Help to Non‐Linked B‐Cell Epitopes

The induction of antibodies against peptides requires the presence of a T helper cell epitope. In the absence of an added T‐cell epitope only 10% of the mice, or less depending on the strain, gave an antibody response to a series of peptides of the measles virus (MV) fusion (F) protein. After co‐immunization with a non‐covalently coupled T‐cell epitope more than 60% of the peptides became immunogenic. Considerable differences became apparent when BALB/c mice were immunized with peptides in the presence of different T‐cell epitopes. An immunodominant T‐cell epitope of the MV‐F protein was more efficient than a subdominant or a cryptic T‐cell epitope in providing help to a non‐linked B‐cell epitope. There is both a ranking order of the amount of help which B‐cell epitopes require and a ranking order for the help T‐cell epitopes are able to provide. The capability of a T‐cell epitope to provide help to a B‐cell epitope correlated with its own immunogenicity, i.e. the intensity of the antibody response to the peptide representing the T‐cell epitope. The data suggest that for each MHC class II allele there is an optimal T‐cell epitope which can provide help to a maximal number of B‐cell epitopes and that such a peptide can be identified by its ability to induce antibodies against itself. By using this strategy, the authors were able to induce antibodies which cross‐reacted with the MV.
Effect of concentration on the viscosity of dilute solutions.

if the solute is a nonelectrolyte. TJo is the viscosity of the pure solvent. Considerable experimental and theoretical effort has been devoted to a determination of the coefficient ai, the so-called intrinsic viscosity, for susp'ensions of particles of various shapes since Einstein's [1] 1 original hydrodynamic treatment of sphcres. In these hydrodynamic theories, al is a measure of the disturbance of the flow of the solvent due to the presence of the solute particles at infinite dilution. The total effect under such conditions is the sum of the effects of the individual particles. For the range of higher concentrations, a number of
Structural and neurochemical features of postganglionic sympathetic neurons in the superior mesenteric ganglion of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons, which are exquisitely sensitive to small changes in levels of target‐derived nerve growth factor (NGF), express two transmembrane receptors: 1) the trkA receptor mediates neuron survival and neurite outgrowth; and 2) the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) enhances neuronal responsiveness of trkA to NGF. Elevating levels of NGF induces several morphological and neurochemical alterations in sympathetic neurons, including axonal sprouting, increased levels of p75NTR mRNA relative to trkA mRNA, and increased accumulations of NGF in hypertrophied somata. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) display both elevated NGF levels and increased sympathetic axonal innervation of the mesenteric vasculature. In this investigation we assessed whether sympathetic neurons innervating the mesenteric vasculature of SHR display other features indicative of increased levels of target‐derived NGF. In 5‐week‐old SHR, levels of both p75NTR and trkA mRNA in mesenteric sympathetic neurons were significantly elevated compared to levels in age‐matched control rats. By 15 and 30 weeks of age, levels of p75NTR mRNA expression in mesenteric sympathetic neurons were similar between SHR and control rats. Accumulations of NGF were depleted in the sympathetic somata of 15‐ and 30‐week‐old SHR compared to age‐matched control rats. Moreover, sympathetic neurons in SHR were not hypertrophied, as the sizes of somata were comparable between SHR and control rats. Our data illustrate that despite having augmented levels of NGF in the mesenteric vasculature, SHR do not display many of the morphological and neurochemical features that are associated with an enhanced responsiveness by sympathetic neurons to elevated levels of target‐derived NGF. J. Comp. Neurol. 466:148–160, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.