Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation between salivary urea level and dental caries.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the values of salivary urea in subjects with different caries activity. MATERIAL AND METHOD The planned trials were conducted in 80 children of both sexes, aged 16 years, with different caries activity. Based on the condition of teeth, the DMFT-index, respondents were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of 40 examinees with a low to very low index of caries (0-3), the second group consisted of 40 examinees with a high index of caries (>10). Material for biochemical testing of the saliva sample was taken from all subjects at different time intervals: 5, 30 and 60 minutes from the (daily) meal. The examined parameters were followed in the same examinees in a sample of saliva taken in the morning before consuming any food or implementation of oral hygiene: they represent basic information compared with the results of the examination. The concentration of urea in saliva was determined by the enzyme method of continuous measurement. This method is based on the principle of hydrolysis of urea, using the enzyme urease. RESULTS Salivary concentration of urea, measured fasting in the morning (basic values) in examinees with a low caries index, ranging in limits from 5.50 to 9.10 mmol/l, and significantly lower values in examines with a high DMFT-index (from 3.40 to 5.50 mmol/l). The same was done with the concentration of salivary urea at different time intervals after taking the meal - 5, 30 and 60 minutes in the examinees with a different DMFT-index. With the increasing time interval after taking a meal, the concentration of salivary urea continuously and significantly declines compared to its baseline concentration. The largest decrease of concentration of urea in terms of its basic value in all examinees with a different DMFT-index (with low and high) took place during the 60 minutes after having the meal. CONCLUSION Saliva with its constituents plays an important role in maintaining oral, and exspecially dental health. Urea contributes in maintaining the acidobasic balance of saliva, and thus affects the incidence of caries. The positive effect of urea was confirmed by the values found in this study: the respondents with a lower DMFT-index present a higher concentration of urea than in the basic values, and in the values of stimulated (through the meal) saliva, followed in all intervals.
The current status of primary hepatocyte culture

Recently, there have been significant advances toward the development of culture conditions that promote proliferation of primary rodent hepatocytes. There are two major methods for the multiplication of hepatocytes in vitro: one is the use of nicotinamide, the other is the use of a nutrient‐rich medium. In the medium containing a high concentration of nicotinamide and a growth factor, primary hepatocytes can proliferate well. In this culture condition small mononucleate cells, which are named small hepatocytes, appear and form colonies. Small hepatocytes have a high potential to proliferate while maintaining hepatic characteristics, and can differentiate into mature ones. On the other hand, combining the nutrient‐rich medium with 2% DMSO, the proliferated hepatocytes can recover the hepatic differentiated functions and maintain them for a long time. In this review I describe the culture conditions for the proliferation and differentiation of primary hepatocytes and discuss the small hepatocytes, especially their roles in liver growth.
Collagen types I, III, and V constitute the thick collagen fibrils of the mouse decidua

A mammal's endometrium is deeply remodeled while receiving and implanting an embryo. In addition to cell proliferation and growth, endometrial remodeling also comprises synthesis and degradation of several molecular components of the extracellular matrix. All of these events are orchestrated by a precise sequence of ovarian hormones and influenced by several types of cytokines. As we have previously reported, an intriguing and rapid increase in collagen fibril diameter occurs in the decidualized areas of the endometrium, surrounding the implantation crypt, whereas collagen fibrils situated far from the embryo remain unchanged. Collagen fibrilogenesis is a complex molecular process coordinated by a number of factors, such as the types and amounts of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans associated with collagen molecules. Collagen genetic type, mechanical stress, aging, and other factors not yet identified also contribute to this development. A recent study suggests that thick fibrils from mouse decidua are formed, at least in part, by aggregation of thin fibrils existing in the stroma before the onset of decidualization. In the present ultrastructural study using single and double immunogold localization, we showed that both thin and thick collagen fibrils present in the mouse pregnant endometrium endometrium are heterotypic structures formed at least by type I, type III, and type V collagens. However, type V collagen predominates in the thick collagen fibrils, whereas it is almost absent of the thin collagen fibrils. The putative role of type V homotrimer in the rapid increase of the diameter of collagen fibrils of the mouse decidua is discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The nucleosomal array: structure/function relationships.

A nucleosomal array consists of core histone octamer-DNA complexes spaced at approximately 200 bp intervals along a DNA molecule. Nucleosomal arrays are the fundamental building block of chromosomal superstructures, the substrate for transcription, and the first nucleoprotein assembly laid down after DNA replication. The development of homogeneous length-defined nucleosomal arrays has led to a greatly improved understanding of nucleosomal array structural dynamics in the solution state. Under physiological salt conditions, a nucleosomal array is in dynamic equilibrium between folded, self-associated and dissociated conformational states. Folding and self-association are both critically dependent on the core histone tail domains, consistent with an essential functional role for the tail domains in the mediation of chromosomal level DNA compaction in the nucleus. Nucleosomal array folding is repressive in transcription in vitro, but can be overcome by compositional (e.g., tail domain acetylation) and configurational (e.g., histone octamer depletion) changes that are correlated with transcriptional activation in vivo. The mechanism of replication-coupled chromatin assembly also appears to be functionally linked to the dynamic properties of nucleosomal arrays. Although once thought to be both structurally and functionally inert, it is now apparent that the nucleosomal array is a key participant in the biological processes that take place within the chromosomal fibers of eukaryotes.
Effects of early high-volume continuous venovenous hemofiltration on survival and recovery of renal function in intensive care patients with acute renal failure: A prospective, randomized trial

ObjectiveTo study the effects of the initiation time of continuous venovenous hemofiltration and of the ultrafiltrate rate in patients with circulatory and respiratory insufficiency developing early oliguric acute renal failure. The primary end points were mortality at 28 days and recovery of renal function. DesignA randomized, controlled, two-center study. SettingThe closed-format multidisciplinary intensive care units of a university hospital (30 beds) and a teaching hospital (18 beds). Patients and InterventionsA total of 106 ventilated severely ill patients who were oliguric despite massive fluid resuscitation, inotropic support, and high-dose intravenous diuretics were randomized into three groups. Thirty-five patients were treated with early high-volume hemofiltration (72–96 L per 24 hrs), 35 patients with early low-volume hemofiltration (24–36 L per 24 hrs), and 36 patients with late low-volume hemofiltration (24–36 L per 24 hrs). ResultsMedian ultrafiltrate rate was 48.2 (42.3–58.7) mL·kg−1·hr−1 in early high-volume hemofiltration, 20.1 (17.5–22.0) mL·kg−1·hr−1 in early low-volume hemofiltration, and 19.0 (16.6–21.1) mL·kg−1·hr−1 in late low-volume hemofiltration. Survival at day 28 was 74.3% in early high-volume hemofiltration, 68.8% in early low-volume hemofiltration, and 75.0% in late low-volume hemofiltration (p = .80). On average, hemofiltration started 7 hrs after inclusion in the early groups and 42 hrs after inclusion in the late group. All hospital survivors had recovery of renal function at hospital discharge, except for one patient in the early low-volume hemofiltration group. Median duration of renal failure in hospital survivors was 4.3 (1.4–7.8) days in early high-volume hemofiltration, 3.2 (2.4–5.4) days in early low-volume hemofiltration, and 5.6 (3.1–8.5) days in late low-volume hemofiltration (p = .25). ConclusionsIn the present study of critically ill patients with oliguric acute renal failure, survival at 28 days and recovery of renal function were not improved using high ultrafiltrate volumes or early initiation of hemofiltration.
Egypt and Malaysia: Investment, Education and Economic Growth

Numerous economists have explained economic growth using multiple theories and models, many of which highlight the importance of the accumulation of physical and human capital as the main determinants of growth. This paper aims to study the effect of investment in physical capital and human capital on economic growth and income per capita in Egypt and Malaysia, then develop an inter-relationship between the two forms of capital. The paper argues, using evidence in the form of literature and data, that there is a strong connection between physical and human capital and that sustainable economic growth can only be achieved by investing in both stocks of capital. The paper therefore concludes with a policy recommendation vis- a-vis education in Egypt.
Genome Integrity Is Regulated by the Caenorhabditis elegans Rad51D Homolog rfs-1

Multiple mechanisms ensure genome maintenance through DNA damage repair, suppression of transposition, and telomere length regulation. The mortal germline (Mrt) mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans are defective in maintaining genome integrity, resulting in a progressive loss of fertility over many generations. Here I show that the high incidence of males (him)-15 locus, defined by the deficiency eDf25, is allelic to rfs-1, the sole rad-51 paralog group member in C. elegans. The rfs-1/eDf25 mutant displays a Mrt phenotype and mutant animals manifest features of chromosome fusions prior to the onset of sterility. Unlike other Mrt genes, rfs-1 manifests fluctuations in telomere lengths and functions independently of telomerase. These data suggest that rfs-1 is a novel regulator of genome stability.
Identification and Biotyping of Escherichia coli from Diarrheic Lambs in and Around Debre Birhan Town, Ethiopia

Background: Infectious diarrhea is the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal dairy sheep throughout the world. This is the first study conducted on isolation and biotyping of E. coli from lamb diarrhea in and around Debre Birhan. The present study was undertaken with the objective of isolation, omnilog characterization and biotyping of E. coli isolates from faecal samples around Debrebrhan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2012 to April, 2013. The study focused on lambs less than three months of age showing clinical symptoms of diarrhea. Standard cultural and Omnilog tests were done to identify E. coli species and biotypes; descriptive statistics and Chi-square were used to analyze the collected data. Results: From a total of 100 diarrheic lambs examined, 84% were found to be positive for E. coli. On the basis of fermentation reactions of sugars viz. dulcitol, raffinose, rhamnose, salicin, starch and sucrose, 70 isolates utilized one or more sugar while 14 isolates failed to utilize any of the sugars. 70 E. coli isolates were biotyped into 15 different combinations. Association between different age groups and occurrence of lamb diarrhea caused by E. coli strains showed a significant association (p < 0.05). From the questionnaire findings, 60% of all the health problems in lambs were due to diarrhea where young sheep were more affected. Conclusion: pathogenic E. coli has the potential to cause sheep diarrhea. The distribution of the E. coli isolates into different biotypes indicates the diverse nature of the organism. Therefore, further detailed study should be carried out to understand the role of E. coli in lamb diarrhea and identify the virulent strains involved.
Ecology of Antarctic Marine Sponges: An Overview1

Abstract Sponges are important components of marine benthic communities of Antarctica. Numbers of species are high, within the lower range for tropical latitudes, similar to those in the Arctic, and comparable or higher than those of temperate marine environments. Many have circumpolar distributions and in some habitats hexactinellids dominate benthic biomass. Antarctic sponge assemblages contribute considerable structural heterogeneity for colonizing epibionts. They also represent a significant source of nutrients to prospective predators, including a suite of spongivorous sea stars whose selective foraging behaviors have important ramifications upon community structure. The highly seasonal plankton blooms that typify the Antarctic continental shelf are paradoxical when considering the planktivorous diets of sponges. Throughout much of the year Antarctic sponges must either exploit alternate sources of nutrition such as dissolved organic carbon or be physiologically adapted to withstand resource constraints. In contrast to predictions that global patterns of predation should select for an inverse correlation between latitude and chemical defenses in marine sponges, such defenses are not uncommon in Antarctic sponges. Some species sequester their defensive metabolites in the outermost layers where they are optimally effective against sea star predation. Secondary metabolites have also been shown to short-circuit molting in sponge-feeding amphipods and prevent fouling by diatoms. Coloration in Antarctic sponges may be the result of relict pigments originally selected for aposematism or UV screens yet conserved because of their defensive properties. This hypothesis is supported by the bioactive properties of pigments examined to date in a suite of common Antarctic sponges.
Structure, Growth, and Decomposition of Laminated Algal-Bacterial Mats in Alkaline Hot Springs

Laminated mats of unique character in siliceous alkaline hot springs of Yellowstone Park are formed predominantly by two organisms, a unicellular blue-green alga, Synechococcus lividus, and a filamentous, gliding, photosynthetic bacterium, Chloroflexus aurantiacus. The mats can be divided approximately into two major zones: an upper, aerobic zone in which sufficient light penetrates for net photosynthesis, and a lower, anaerobic zone, where photosynthesis does not occur and decomposition is the dominant process. Growth of the mat was followed by marking the mat surface with silicon carbide particles. The motile Chloroflexus migrates vertically at night, due to positive aerotaxis, responding to reduced O2 levels induced by dark respiration. The growth rates of mats were estimated at about 50 μm/day. Observations of a single mat at Octopus Spring showed that despite the rapid growth rate, the thickness of the mat remained essentially constant, and silicon carbide layers placed on the surface gradually moved to the bottom of the mat, showing that decomposition was taking place. There was a rapid initial rate of decomposition, with an apparent half-time of about 1 month, followed by a slower period of decomposition with a half-time of about 12 months. Within a year, complete decomposition of a mat of about 2-cm thickness can occur. Also, the region in which decomposition occurs is strictly anaerobic, showing that complete decomposition of organic matter from these organisms can occur in the absence of O2.
A Conceptual Content Analysis of 75 Years of Diversity Research in Public Administration

Diversity is an important facet of public administration, thus it is important to take stock and examine how the discipline has evolved in response to questions of representative democracy, social equity, and diversity. This article assesses the state-of-the-field by addressing the following question: How has research on diversity in the field of public administration progressed over time? Specifically, we seek to examine how the focus of diversity has transformed over time and the way the field has responded to half a century of legislation and policies aimed at both promoting equality and embracing difference. We utilize a conceptual content analysis approach to examine articles published on diversity in seven key public administration journals since 1940. The implications of this study are of great importance given that diversity in the workplace is a central issue for modern public management.
Racial/ethnic disparities in the treatment of localized/regional prostate cancer.

PURPOSE Racial/ethnic disparities in the utilization of definitive therapy for prostate cancer are well recognized in the United States. The effect of race on the use of contemporary definitive therapies, including brachytherapy, and the assessment of Hispanic men with regard to racial/ethnic disparity has not been fully characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated treatment patterns using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry data on 142340 localized/regional stage cases between 1992 and 1999 in white, black and Hispanic American men. Definitive therapy was defined as radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation, brachytherapy or combinations thereof. Logistic regression models were constructed to determine the odds of receiving definitive treatment, adjusting for age, marital status, tumor grade, and Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results site. RESULTS Black and Hispanic men were less likely to receive definitive therapy than white men (p <0.001). Higher tumor grade was associated with decreasing odds of definitive therapy for black and Hispanic men (p <0.001) compared to white men. The racial/ethnic disparities in the use of definitive therapy decreased between 1992 and 1999 with the greatest decrease in Hispanic men. CONCLUSIONS Hispanic and black men were less likely than white men to receive definitive therapy. The disparity in the use of definitive therapy between 1992 and 1999 decreased significantly in Hispanic men, although a significant disparity in the use of definitive therapy persisted in black men. Our observation of an association between tumor grade and the racial/ethnic disparity in definitive therapy ties together relevant biological and social factors that may contribute to the observed racial/ethnic disparity in mortality.
Phase II study of FOLFOX, bevacizumab and erlotinib as first-line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor and angiogenesis have proven useful strategies against metastatic colorectal cancer. The benefit of combining inhibitors of both pathways is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled in a phase II trial of infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), bevacizumab and erlotinib. The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS Thirty-five patients were enrolled and all came off trial for reasons other than progression; 18 (51%) had protocol-defined adverse events requiring removal, nine (26%) withdrew consent due to toxicity, six pursued surgery or localized therapies and two requested a treatment holiday. Principal toxic effects included rash, neuropathy and diarrhea. Seven patients came off trial before first restaging. By intention-to-treat analysis, one patient had a confirmed complete response, 10 had confirmed partial responses and one had an unconfirmed partial response (response rate = 34%). One patient had progressive disease at time of withdrawal from the trial, thus progression-free survival could not be calculated. CONCLUSION The combination of FOLFOX, bevacizumab and erlotinib led to higher than expected early withdrawal due to toxicity, limiting conclusions regarding efficacy. These findings raise concern regarding the tolerability of adding more agents to already complex combination regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer.
The Evolution of Nonhuman Primate Vocalizations: Effects of Phylogeny, Body Weight, and Social Context

E. S. Morton proposed that, in birds and mammals, individuals tend to produce low-frequency atonal vocalizations in highly aggressive situations, whereas they typically produce high-frequency tonal vocalizations during nonaggressive or fearful situations. This hypothesis, referred to as the "motivation-structural (MS) rules," is based on two assumptions: the frequency of a vocalization is negatively correlated with body weight, and large animals are dominant over smaller animals, and thus aggressive vocalizations tend to have a lower pitch than fearful vocalizations. The relationship between body weight and frequency is examined using data on 36 nonhuman primate species representing 23 genera and 474 vocalizations. Results show that there is a statistically significant negative correlation between body weight and frequency: larger species produce relatively lower-pitched vocalizations than smaller species. A test of Morton's MS rules provided overall support for the predicted relationship between motivational state and frequency (i.e., high-frequency calls were produced by fearful individuals, and low-frequency calls were produced by aggressive individuals) but no support for the expected relationship between motivational state and tonality. However, the motivational state-frequency pairing was confounded by the fact that some taxonomic groups (Platyrrhini and Catarrhini) showed a much stronger level of association than other groups (Prosimii and Hominoidea). In summary, therefore, the nonhuman primate data provide only partial support for MS rules. At least three factors may have influenced the outcome of the current test. First, in some species, motivational state may be more closely associated with other acoustic parameters than absolute frequency and tonality. Second, the acoustic structure of nonhuman primate vocalizations is, at least in some cases, more closely associated with an external referent than with the caller's internal state. And third, features of the species-typical habitat have had direct selective effects on signal structure, optimizing for effective propagation through the environment.