Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of periodontal therapy on serum and salivary leptin levels in chronic periodontitis patients with normal body mass index

Abstract Summary. Leptin concentrations are altered in favour of pro health after periodontal therapy. Background. Leptin, a non-glycosylated peptide hormone, not only maintains fat stores, but is also an integral part of host defense repertoire. Leptin levels have been found to be altered in an array of inflammatory diseases including chronic periodontitis (CP), but the role of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in altering the leptin concentrations in saliva and serum of CP patients is yet to be ascertained. The aim of the present study is to quantify leptin levels in CP patients having normal body mass index (BMI) pre-therapy as compared to periodontally healthy controls and to address whether successful NSPT alters leptin concentration in serum and saliva. Materials and methods. Twenty-two saliva (modified draining method) and serum samples (by venipuncture) were collected from CP patients with normal BMI (n = 22), before and at 4 and 12 weeks after completion of NSPT, and periodontally healthy, age- and gender-matched controls (n = 22). Leptin levels were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results. At baseline, CP patients had significantly different periodontal clinical parameters and the leptin concentrations in saliva of CP patients were found to be significantly lower than periodontally healthy volunteers (4710.10 ± 1133.21 vs 8721.10 ± 1019.58 pg/ml) (p < 0.05), whereas in serum the leptin concentrations were significantly higher than healthy controls (10749 ± 2062.24 vs 8085.00 ± 2859.68 pg/ml). Significant improvement in periodontal parameters, serum and salivary leptin levels were observed in CP patients at 4 and 12 weeks post-therapy (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Altered concentrations of leptin in serum and saliva are observed in CP patients which can be restored in favor of health after periodontal therapy.
The jamming capacity of the fading Multiple Access Channel

In this paper, we formulate a non-cooperative zero sum game over the two-user fading Multiple Access Channel (MAC) in the presence of an uncorrelated jammer, where the jammer has a time-varying fading link to the receiver. The players in the game comprise the two users and the jammer. Each of the two users chooses a power allocation strategy to maximize its own average rate whilst treating the other user as noisy interference. The adversarial jammer chooses a power allocation strategy so as to minimize the sum throughput in the system. In the presence of instantaneous full channel state information at the users and the jammer, it is shown that the game has a unique Nash equilibrium. In addition, the interesting result that the Nash Equilibrium is the performance optimal maximum sum-rate operating point of the system is proved.
The Dynamics of Job Creation and Destruction and the Size Distribution of Cities

Recent studies have established that the dynamics of job creation and destruction are negatively correlated with the size of establishments. This apparent violation of Gibrat’s Law, which holds that establishment size and growth are independent, has led to alternative theoretical explanations. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an important new data set to test two recently proposed explanations: the effects of financial market frictions and the effects of the accumulation of industry specific human capital. We apply our tests at both a micro-level, for the size distribution and growth rates of establishments, and at an aggregate city-level, by consistently aggregating the establishment level data into their geographic locations or cities. We find that a proxy for diminishing returns, measured by the physical capital intensities of BEA industrial sectors, induces mean reversion in the relationship between establishment size and rates of job creation and destruction. The role of financial capital availability exhibits a more modest effect on establishment size dynamics, although access to venture capital has an economically and statistically significant effect on the size dynamics of job creations and is associated with nonproportionate growth rates in smaller cities. ∗Please address correspondence to (Wallace): Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720. Phone: (510) 642-4732. Fax: (510) 643-7357. E-Mail: wallace@haas.berkeley. edu. (Walls): Walls Associates, Oakland, CA . Phone: (510)763-0641. Fax: (510)763-0670. E-Mail: dwalls2@earthlink.net
Sensitivity to an Ethylene Biosynthesis-Inducing Endoxylanase in Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Xanthi Is Controlled by a Single Dominant Gene

The ethylene biosynthesis-inducing xylanase (EIX) is known to be a potent elicitor of ethylene biosynthesis and other responses when applied to leaf tissue of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Xanthi. In contrast, leaf tissue of the tobacco cultivar Hicks was insensitive to EIX at concentrations 100-fold higher than was needed to elicit responses from Xanthi. Cell-suspension cultures of Xanthi and Hicks showed similar differences in sensitivity to EIX. Equivalent levels of ethylene production were elicited in leaf discs of both cultivars after treatment with CuSO4. The F1 and Xanthi backcross progeny of Hicks and Xanthi crosses were all sensitive to EIX, whereas the F2 and Hicks backcross progeny segregated for sensitivity to EIX. Individual plants from the F2 and Hicks backcross that were insensitive to EIX produced only insensitive progeny when they were self-pollinated. Progeny from sensitive plants either segregated for sensitivity to EIX or produced all sensitive progeny (an F2 plant). Sensitivity to EIX is controlled by a single dominant gene, based on chi-square analysis of segregation ratios.
Scoring a goal or an own-goal against disease? A multilevel framework for describing metaphor coherence in health campaigns

Many contemporary public health campaigns use some form of metaphor. Studies into what makes this strategy effective typically focus on the ability of metaphors to attract attention and trigger conversations. Consequently, the question of how they might enhance or impede people’s understanding of the information conveyed is often overlooked. This article brings together key concepts in Conceptual Metaphor Theory with the latest findings in health communication to present a framework for describing metaphors in health promotion on the basis of their experiential, internal, external and narrative coherence. Using the comparative analysis of two children’s comics about tuberculosis as a small-scale case study, the paper argues that metaphor coherence is particularly important in health campaigns that aim to convey complex, new information. The paper ends with suggestions for validating the framework more broadly.
Macrophage-specific overexpression of group IIa sPLA2 increases atherosclerosis and enhances collagen deposition Published, JLR Papers in Press, December 1, 2004. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M400253-JLR200

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel wall characterized by the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages and fibrotic material. The initiation of the disease is accompanied by the accumulation of modified lipoproteins in the vessel wall. Group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2 IIa) is a key candidate player in the enzymatic modification of low density lipoproteins. To study the role of sPLA2 IIa in macrophages during atherogenesis, transgenic mice were generated using the human sPLA2 IIa gene and the CD11b promoter. Bone marrow transplantation to LDL receptor-deficient mice was performed to study sPLA2 IIa in atherosclerosis. After 10 weeks of high-fat diet, mice overexpressing sPLA2 IIa in macrophages showed 2.3-fold larger lesions compared with control mice. Pathological examination revealed that sPLA2 IIa-expressing mice had increased collagen in their lesions, independent of lesion size. However, smooth muscle cells or fibroblasts in the lesions were not affected. Other parameters studied, including T-cells and cell turnover, were not significantly affected by overexpression of sPLA2 IIa in macrophages. These data clearly show that macrophage sPLA2 IIa is a proatherogenic factor and suggest that the enzyme regulates collagen production in the plaque and thus fibrotic cap development.
Caracterização genética de populações de campo de Schistosoma mansoni com o uso de microssatélites.

Apresentamos a utilizacao de 4 bibliotecas genomicas enriquecidas, como fonte de microssatelites, para o estudo da estrutura genetica de populacoes de Schistosoma mansoni. De 382 sequencias obtidas, 250 (65,4%) apresentaram loci de microssatelites. Onze destes loci foram polimorficos quando testados em 100 vermes, com 2 a 19 alelos por loci. A heterozigosidade esperada (He) foi de 0,79 e a observada (Ho) de 0,59. Apresentamos ainda um locus de minissatelites, com uma porcao interna variavel composta por um microssatelite “CA”. Este minissatelite e outros 3 loci de microssatelites, anteriormente descritos, mostraram sucesso na diferenciacao de cepas de S. mansoni e de 9 diferentes especies do genero Schistosoma. Apresentamos tambem, a utilizacao de ovos individualizados de S. mansoni como fonte de DNA para PCR, um novo protocolo, que utiliza resina de troca ionica, para extracao do DNA e a utilizacao de PCR-multiplex na genotipagem de ovos e vermes adultos de S. mansoni. O numero de alelos por locus nao diferiu entre ovos e vermes e observamos ainda uma reducao no numero de genotipos homozigotos nos vermes, em relacao aos ovos. Tanto os ovos quanto os vermes utilizados foram provenientes das amostras de fezes coletadas de moradores da area endemica de Virgem das Gracas – Minas Gerais. Analisamos ainda, entre 10 e 22 ovos, de outras 53 populacoes de parasitos, da mesma area, para a determinacao de sua variabilidade genetica. (AU) Para se testar uma possivel estruturacao geografica destas populacoes, estas foram divididas em 5 grupos, de acordo com sua origem geografica dentro do municipio. Destas populacoes, 33 foram coletadas de amostras de fezes pre-tratamento e 20, pos-tratamento quimioterapico. Nove populacoes coletados antes e depois do tratamento foram comparadas para o estudo da influencia da quimioterapia sobre variabilidade genetica. Foram utilizados nestas analises 5 loci de microssatelites por apresentarem resultados consistentes com DNA de ovos e em PCR-multiplex. Entre as 53 populacoes observamos que o numero de alelos por locus variou de 2 a 13 e nao houve correlacao entre variacoes no numero de alelos por locus e o tratamento. A heterozigozidade observada variou de 0,0 a 1,0. Com excecao de 13 populacoes, Ho foi sempre menor que He. Em 39 das 53 populacoes, em pelo menos um locus, Ho foi significativamente diferente de He (p
Immunoexpression of p53 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Dysplastic Lesions in Patients with the Habit of Reverse Smoke

Marcadores biologicos moleculares se han sugerido para ser de valor en el diagnostico y evaluacion pronostica de lesiones precancerosas. El proposito del presente estudio fue investigar la expresion de la proteina p53 en mucosa oral normal, lesiones displasicas orales (LD), y en el carcinoma oral de celulas escamosas (COCC), comparando pacientes con el habito de fumar convencional y fumar invertido. Los pacientes fueron sometidos a biopsia por incision y los especimenes de tejidos blandos fueron fijados en formalina al 10% y se procesaron en el laboratorio. La tecnica inmunohistoquimica se realizo utilizando el protocolo de avidina-biotina-peroxidasa. De los 102 pacientes incluidos, 42 fueron fumadores invertidos y 60 fumadores convencionales. Hubo 79 casos de displasia epitelial leve, 15 moderada, y 3 severa. Cinco casos de COCC microinvasivo incluyeron un hombre y cuatro mujeres. Las caracteristicas clinicas de los tumores microinvasores incluyen parches, placas o erosiones; el 100% mostro tincion nuclear positiva para p53. Se encontro una asociacion significativa de la expresion de p53 y la exposicion de los fumadores invertidos entre pacientes con COCC microinvasivo y DL en la poblacion estudiada.
Functional Role for Piezo1 in Stretch-evoked Ca2+ Influx and ATP Release in Urothelial Cell Cultures*

Background: The Piezo1 channel was recently identified as a genuine mechanosensor in mammalian cells. Results: Urothelial cells exhibited a Piezo1-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations in response to mechanical stretch stimuli, leading to ATP release. Conclusion: Piezo1 senses extension of the bladder urothelium, which is converted into an ATP signal. Significance: Inhibition of Piezo1 might provide a new treatment for bladder dysfunction. The urothelium is a sensory structure that contributes to mechanosensation in the urinary bladder. Here, we provide evidence for a critical role for the Piezo1 channel, a newly identified mechanosensory molecule, in the mouse bladder urothelium. We performed a systematic analysis of the molecular and functional expression of Piezo1 channels in the urothelium. Immunofluorescence examination demonstrated abundant expression of Piezo1 in the mouse and human urothelium. Urothelial cells isolated from mice exhibited a Piezo1-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations in response to mechanical stretch stimuli, leading to potent ATP release; this response was suppressed in Piezo1-knockdown cells. In addition, Piezo1 and TRPV4 distinguished different intensities of mechanical stimulus. Moreover, GsMTx4, an inhibitor of stretch-activated channels, attenuated the Ca2+ influx into urothelial cells and decreased ATP release from them upon stretch stimulation. These results suggest that Piezo1 senses extension of the bladder urothelium, leading to production of an ATP signal. Thus, inhibition of Piezo1 might provide a promising means of treating bladder dysfunction.
New vectors for gene therapy

Retrovirus‐based vectors are presently the most efficient gene transfer vehicles for introducing genes into human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. However, their use for gene therapy is still problematic. A major obstacle is viral sequences such as the tRNA primer binding site or the dimerization and encapsidation signals that are not required for the expression of the therapeutic gene. These sequences can recombine with endogenous and/or exogenous retroviruses to generate new forms of unpredictable retroviruses. Moreover, these sequences are the targets for transcriptional repressors which inhibit the expression of the transduced genes. Therefore we have developed a new generation of retrovirus vectors which self‐delete upon integration. The vectors are based on the natural life cycle of retroviruses, involving duplication of the terminal control regions U5 and U3 to generate long terminal repeats, and on the ability of the P1‐phage site‐specific recombinase (Cre) to excise any sequences positioned between two target sequences (loxP). Thus, while inserting a therapy gene into the genome, the vectors simultaneously excise most proviral sequences that are not required for gene expression.
Estimation of sedimentary proxy records together with associated uncertainty

Abstract. Sedimentary proxy records constitute a significant portion of the recorded evidence that allows us to investigate paleoclimatic conditions and variability. However, uncertainties in the dating of proxy archives limit our ability to fix the timing of past events and interpret proxy record intercomparisons. While there are various age-modeling approaches to improve the estimation of the age–depth relations of archives, relatively little focus has been placed on the propagation of the age (and radiocarbon calibration) uncertainties into the final proxy record. We present a generic Bayesian framework to estimate proxy records along with their associated uncertainty, starting with the radiometric age–depth and proxy–depth measurements, and a radiometric calibration curve if required. We provide analytical expressions for the posterior proxy probability distributions at any given calendar age, from which the expected proxy values and their uncertainty can be estimated. We illustrate our method using two synthetic data sets and then use it to construct the proxy records for groundwater inflow and surface erosion from Lonar lake in central India. Our analysis reveals interrelations between the uncertainty of the proxy record over time and the variance of proxies along the depth of the archive. For the Lonar lake proxies, we show that, rather than the age uncertainties, it is the proxy variance combined with calibration uncertainty that accounts for most of the final uncertainty. We represent the proxy records as probability distributions on a precise, error-free timescale that makes further time series analyses and intercomparisons of proxies relatively simple and clear. Our approach provides a coherent understanding of age uncertainties within sedimentary proxy records that involve radiometric dating. It can be potentially used within existing age modeling structures to bring forth a reliable and consistent framework for proxy record estimation.
IL-1 Signaling Cascade in Liver Cells and the Involvement of a Soluble Form of the IL-1 Receptor Accessory Protein1 2

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 induces the biosynthesis of a number of immunologically important proteins during infection, tissue damage, and/or stress, in part through the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. Signal transduction is initiated at the cell membrane by complex formation between extracellular IL-1 and the transmembrane IL-1R type I (IL-1RI) and IL-1R accessory protein (IL-1RAcP). The intracellular signaling cascade involves recruitment of two IL-1R-associated kinases, IRAK1 and IRAK2, and the adapter protein MyD88, events which are dependent on the intracellular domain of membrane-bound IL-1RAcP (mIL-1RAcP). In mouse liver, IL-1RAcP is expressed as a soluble protein (sIL-1RAcP), the function of which is unknown. We have cloned the human sIL-1RAcP and established by sequence analysis that the human sIL-1RAcP mRNA arises from alternative splicing of the IL-1RAcP gene (shown here to encompass 12 exons spanning more than 56 kb). Furthermore, we demonstrate that human HepG2 hepatoma cells express both mIL-1RAcP and sIL-1RAcP and that signal transduction in these cells is mediated through IRAK1, IRAK2, and MyD88. We show that phorbol esters induce a change in the pre-mRNA splice pattern such that sIL-1RAcP mRNA becomes the dominant form. Overexpression of a membrane-anchored fusion protein of sIL-1RAcP and MHC in HepG2 cells inhibits IL-1-mediated NF-κB activation, whereas coexpression of IL-1RI with membrane-anchored sIL-1RAcP restores the capacity of the cells to respond to IL-1. This suggests that sIL-1RAcP may act as an inhibitor of IL-1 by directly interacting with IL-1RI to abolish its capacity to transduce signal.
Association analysis of an (AC)n repeat polymorphism in the GABA(B) receptor gene and schizophrenia.

The human gamma-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA(B)) receptor gene is a candidate gene for schizophrenia due to its chromosomal location and neurobiologic roles. In the present study, association analyses of genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(B) receptor gene with schizophrenia were carried out in 102 unrelated schizophrenic patients and 100 healthy controls, using a polymerase chain reaction-based, single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis. Although the Ala20Val and Gly489Ser mutations were not found in our samples, we found a novel polymorphism of (AC)n dinucleotide repeats located approximately 1.6 kb upstream from the translational start site. No significant difference in allele frequencies was found between controls and patients with schizophrenia (P = 0.0587) using the Monte Carlo method. Significant differences were found between controls and patients with continuous-course schizophrenia (P = 0.0019), and between controls and patients with a positive family history of psychoses (P = 0.0015). These differences, however, were not significant after Bonferroni correction. These data did not support our hypothesis that polymorphisms of the GABA(B) receptor gene may confer vulnerability for schizophrenia.
Risk analysis of the electric power generation potential from biogas coming from vinasse biodigestion

This paper presents risk analysis methodology of to determine the biogas and electricity generation potential from vinasse generated in the ethanol production process in sugarcane plants. The Monte Carlo method, associated with the Cholesky decomposition, is applied to stochastic models for the generation of synthetic time series for the random variables: (i) quantity of cane ground; (ii) quantity of sugarcane bagasse extracted from the process; (iii) ethanol production. The production of vinasse is obtained from the production of ethanol. A case study is developed based on historical data from a sugarcane industry located in the Midwest region of Brazil. The Dickey Fuller and Variance Ratio tests corroborate the validation process of stochastic models. The results present important information about the potential of biogas production and electric power generation, which are essential for the economic feasibility analysis of these types of investment projects.
An Assessment of Post-Tsunami Psychosocial Training Programmes in Tamilnadu, India

Background: After the Tsunami struck Tamilnadu in India in 2004, a spate of psychosocial training programmes were held by a host of agencies, both government and non-government. Aim: This study is an empirical approach to the assessment of the psychosocial training programmes held after tsunami. The nature and quality of training received by the community level workers (CLWs) and the interventions carried out by them are described. Methods: CLWs were interviewed using a questionnaire to assess details about training and interventions carried out by them. Qualitative information was also gathered both from CLWs and the community. A comparison was made between CLWs of government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and those belonging to self-help groups. Results: While most CLWs seemed to have benefited greatly from the training programmes, they had several suggestions to make about refining its quality. Multiple programmes, not well coordinated, resulted in a lot of overlap. The community was generally happy with the interventions provided and felt that they were necessary for about six months at least. One-to-one interventions are preferred to group activities, except in the case of children. Conclusions: Psychosocial support (PSS) training programmes after a disaster situation will need to be coordinated by a nodal agency. Too many players on the field with their own agenda do not benefit the community and can well be a waste of resources.