Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Redox Balance in Erythrocytes, Plasma, and Periosteum of Patients with Titanium Fixation of the Jaw

Titanium miniplates and screws are commonly used for fixation of jaw fractured or osteotomies. Despite the opinion of their biocompatibility, in clinical practice symptoms of chronic inflammation around the fixation develop in some patients, even many years after the application of miniplates and screws. The cause of these complications is still an unanswered question. Taking into account that oxidative stress is one of the toxic action of titanium, we have evaluated the antioxidant barrier as well as oxidative stress in the erythrocytes, plasma and periosteum covering the titanium fixation of the jaw. The study group was composed of 32 patients aged 20–30 with inserted miniplates and screws. The antioxidant defense: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), uric acid (UA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as oxidative damage products: advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end products (AGE), dityrosine, kynurenine, N-formylkynurenine, tryptophan, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative status index (OSI) were evaluated. SOD1 activity (↓37%), and tryptophan levels (↓34%) showed a significant decrease while AOPP (↑25%), TOS (↑80%) and OSI (↑101%) were significantly elevated in maxillary periosteum of patients who underwent bimaxillary osteotomies as compared to the control group. SOD-1 (↓55%), TAC (↓58.6%), AGE (↓60%) and N-formylkynurenine (↓34%) was statistically reduced while AOPP (↑38%), MDA (↑29%), 4-HNE (↑114%), TOS (↑99%), and OSI (↑381%) were significantly higher in the mandibular periosteum covering miniplates/screw compared with the control tissues. There were no correlations between antioxidants and oxidative stress markers in the periosteum of all patients and the blood. As exposure to the Ti6Al4V titanium alloy leads to disturbances of redox balance in the periosteum surrounding titanium implants of the maxilla and the mandible so antioxidant supplementation should be recommended to the patients undergoing treatment of dentofacial deformities with the use of titanium implants. The results we obtained may also indicate a need to improve the quality of titanium jaw fixations through increase of TiO2 passivation layer thickness or to develop new, the most highly biodegradable materials for their production.
Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers based on PZT thin films

This paper describes fabrication arid characterization results of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) based on 2-/spl mu/m-thick Pb(Zr/sub 0.53/Ti/sub 0.47/O/sub 3/) (PZT) thin films. The applied structures are circular plates held at four bridges, thus partially undamped. A simple analytical model for the fully clamped structure is used as a reference to optimize design parameters such as thickness relations and electrodes, and to provide approximate predictions for coupling coefficients related to previously determined thin film properties. The best coupling coefficient was achieved with a 270-/spl mu/m plate and amounted to k/sup 2/=5.3%. This value compares well with the calculated value based on measured small signal dielectric (/spl epsi/=1050) and piezoelectric (/spl epsi//sub 31,f/=15 Cm/sup -2/) properties of the PZT thin film at 100 kV/cm dc bias. The resonances show relatively large Q-factors, which can be partially explained by the small diameters as compared to the sound wavelength in air and in the test liquid (Fluorinert 77). A transmit-receive experiment with two quasiidentical pMUTs was performed showing significant signal transmission up to a distance of 20 cm in air and 2 cm in the test liquid.
Two‐stage regulation of an anti‐sigma factor determines developmental fate during bacterial endospore formation

During endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis an asymmetric division produces two cells, forespore and mother cell, which follow different developmental paths. Commitment to the forespore‐specific developmental path is controlled in part by the activation of the forespore‐specific RNA polymerase sigma factor, σF. Activity of σF is inhibited in the mother cell by the anti‐sigma factor SpoIIAB. In the forespore, σF directs transcription of the structural gene for σG. However, σG does not become active until after engulfment of the forespore is complete. This σG activity is dependent upon the products of the spoIIIA operon. We showed that σG is present but mostly inactive in a spoIIIA mutant. We also demonstrated that the anti‐sigma factor SpoIIAB can bind to σGin vitro. Moreover, a mutant form of σG that binds SpoIIAB inefficiently in vitro was shown to function independently of SpoIIIA during sporulation. These and previously reported results support a model in which SpoIIAB functions as an inhibitor of σG activity during sporulation. Therefore, we propose that the anti‐sigma factor SpoIIAB antagonizes both σF and σG activities, and that this antagonism is relieved in the forespore in two stages. In the first stage, which follows septation, a SpoIIAA‐dependent mechanism partially relieves SpoIIAB inhibition of σF activity in the forespore. In the second stage, which follows forespore engulfment, a SpoIIIA‐dependent process inactivates SpoIIAB in the forespore, resulting in the activation of σG.
Does Weather Has Same Effect on Different Countries Stock Market Return

In the field of behavioral finance mood, emotions and other different effecting factors have been investigated regarding stock market return. Weather is one of the most important and vital factor that has been analyzed. In this empirical study the two different stock exchanges (Eastern Asian and South Asian) are compared with respect to the weather variable temperature. The analysis and investigation has been made by utilizing the six years record of both stock exchange (China, Pakistan) indexes (SSE-180, KSE 100). The Autoregressive (AR) Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) technique has been utilized for analysis. It has been found that temperature is the most affecting factor that has negative effect on both stock exchanges. The effect of temperature on both stock exchanges has been compared and found that Eastern Asian Country have more effect as compared South Asian country. The results are given in detail by using Eviews Package.
Strategische Effekte ertragsorientierter Entlohnung in Oligopolen/Strategic Effects of Profit Sharing in Oligopoly

Die makroökonomische Literatur der 80er Jahre wurde durch Weitzman (1983 , 1 9 8 4 , 1985) um einen Vorschlag zur alternativen Gestaltung der Entlohnungssysteme kapitalistischer Volkswirtschaften bereichert. Weitzman's Konzept sieht in einem Übergang von festen Lohnsätzen zu ertragsorientierter Entlohnung die Möglichkeit zur Beseitigung von Arbeitslosigkeit und Inflation. Die stagflatorischen Erfahrungen der vergangenen 15 Jahre und die Tatsache, daß die beiden angeführten Grundübel meist in einem ,trade-off'-Zusammenhang gesehen werden, machen plausibel, warum Weitzman's wirtschaftstheoretisch formulierte Gedanken inzwischen auch für ein breiteres Publikum kontrovers diskutiert werden (Blinder, 1986, Summers, 1986 , Siebert, 1987) . Gleichzeitig findet beispielsweise durch Bamberg (1987) ein weiteres theoretisches Ausloten dieses Ansatzes statt. Weitzman's Interesse galt in erster Linie den makroökonomischen Effekten von Gewinnbeteiligung in einem mikrofundierten Modell mit monopolistischer Konkurrenz. Hier hingegen sollen Aspekte ertragsorientierter Entlohnung untersucht werden, die bislang noch unbeachtet blieben. Auf einem Partialmarkt wird den Konsequenzen einer Einführung von Gewinnbeteiligung nachgegangen. Von Interesse sind dabei sowohl wettbewerbstheoretische oder -politische Gesichtspunkte im Zusammenhang mit den Preisund Mengeneffekten der Gewinnbeteiligung, als auch die Frage, ob eine Unternehmung von sich aus die Abkehr vom traditionellen Entlohnungssystem vollziehen wird. Als Marktform wird ein Duopol als einfachste Variante des gerade für die wettbewerbstheoretische Diskussion in der Bundesrepublik seit Kantzenbach bedeutsamen Angebotsoligopols unterstellt. Eine Verallgemeinerung auf den Fall mit mehr als zwei Unternehmen ist ohne Veränderung der Resultate entsprechend den Beispielen in der angegebenen Literatur möglich. Für die formale Struktur des zugrundegelegten Modells wird auf die gängige Formulierung der statischen Oligopoltheorie zurückgegriffen. Zur Untersuchung normativer
Evaluation of pharmacological induction of fatty acid beta-oxidation in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder associated with elevated levels of saturated unbranched very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA; C > 22:0) in plasma and tissues, and reduced VLCFA beta-oxidation in fibroblasts, white blood cells, and amniocytes from X-ALD patients. The X-ALD gene (ABCD1) at Xq28 encodes the adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP) that is related to the peroxisomal ATP-binding cassette (ABCD) transmembrane half-transporter proteins. The function of ALDP is unknown and its role in VLCFA accumulation unresolved. Previously, our laboratory has shown that sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA) treatment of X-ALD fibroblasts results in increased peroxisomal VLCFA beta-oxidation activity and increased expression of the X-ALD-related protein, ALDRP, encoded by the ABCD2 gene. In this study, the effect of various pharmacological agents on VLCFA beta-oxidation in ALD mouse fibroblasts is tested. 4PBA, styrylacetate and benzyloxyacetate (structurally related to 4PBA), and trichostatin A (functionally related to 4PBA) increase both VLCFA (peroxisomal) and long-chain fatty acid [LCFA (peroxisomal and mitochondrial)] beta-oxidation. Isobutyrate, zaprinast, hydroxyurea, and 5-azacytidine had no effect on VLCFA or LCFA beta-oxidation. Lovastatin had no effect on fatty acid beta-oxidation under normal tissue culture conditions but did result in an increase in both VLCFA and LCFA beta-oxidation when ALD mouse fibroblasts were cultured in the absence of cholesterol. The effect of trichostatin A on peroxisomal VLCFA beta-oxidation is shown to be independent of an increase in ALDRP expression, suggesting that correction of the biochemical abnormality in X-ALD is not dependent on pharmacological induction of a redundant gene (ABCD2). These studies contribute to a better understanding of the role of ALDP in VLCFA accumulation and may lead to the development of more effective pharmacological therapies.
Utility of Untimed Urinary Albumin Measurements in Assessing Albuminuria in Black NIDDM Subjects

OBJECTIVE To determine the usefulness of an untimed morning urine specimen in screening a black NIDDM population attending an urban diabetes clinic for microalbuminuria. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Untimed morning specimens were provided by 218 black NIDDM subjects. Of the 218 subjects, 123 also provided 24-h urine specimens. The 24-h specimens were assayed for albumin excretion rate (AER) in milligrams per 24 h, and the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (A-to-C) in micrograms per milligram was determined on the untimed morning urine specimen. RESULTS Correlation between the A-to-C ratio and the 24-h AER was 0.96 (P = 0.0001). In the range of clinical proteinuria, r was 0.92 (P = 0.003, n = 7). In the range of microalbuminuria, r was 0.55 (P = 0.005, n = 26), and in the normal range, r was 0.59 (P ≤ 0.0001, n = 90). Analysis of the untimed urine specimens from 218 black NIDDM subjects showed that 171 had A-to-C < 30 μg/mg, 38 had A-to-C 30–300 μg/mg, and 9 had A-to-C > 300 μg/mg. Data were grouped according to duration of NIDDM and the presence or absence of hypertension. None of the newly diagnosed NIDDM patients (< 1 year) (n = 40) had microalbuminuria. The frequency of microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria increased with 1) duration of NIDDM 5–10 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.39; 95% CI 1.17–9.82),2) duration of NIDDM > 10 years (OR, 11.03; 95% CI 4.16–29.25), and 3) presence of hypertension (OR, 2.59; 95% CI I.20–5.61). CONCLUSIONS The A-to-C ratio obtained from an untimed morning urine specimen correlates with the AER from a 24-h collection. In black subjects with newly diagnosed NIDDM, microalbuminuria is not present to a significant degree. Duration of NIDDM > 5 years is associated with increased prevalence of microalbuminuria, and hypertension is associated with microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria in this population.
Identifying Vulnerable Subpopulations for Climate Change Health Effects in the United States

Climate change can be expected to have differential effects on different subpopulations. Biological sensitivity, socioeconomic factors, and geography may each contribute to heightened risk for climate-sensitive health outcomes, which include heat stress, air pollution health effects, extreme weather event health effects, water-, food-, and vector-borne illnesses. Particularly vulnerable subpopulations include children, pregnant women, older adults, impoverished populations, people with chronic conditions and mobility and cognitive constraints, outdoor workers, and those in coastal and low-lying riverine zones. For public health planning, it is critical to identify populations that may experience synergistic effects of multiple risk factors for health problems, both related to climate change and to other temporal trends, with specific geographic factors that convey climate-related risks.
Arterial hypertension associated with the use of a tourniquet with either general or regional anaesthesia

A hypertensive patient with left cardiac enlargement developed marked hypertension under general anaesthesia, during which time a tourniquet was applied around his thigh. When the tourniquet was released, severe hypotension ensued which responded to therapy. The patient, however, died 16 h later of a myocardial infarction. Because of this incident, the anaesthetic and haemodynamic data of 699 patients who underwent limb surgery with a pneumatic tourniquet inflated for at least an hour were retrospectively examined using multivariate analysis. A 30% increase in systolic and/or diastolic arterial blood pressure occurred in 27% of the total patient material and in 67%, of those who had had a general anaesthetic. There was a higher frequency of the occurrence of “tourniquet hypertension” with older age, longer operations and the operation site being the lower rather than the upper limb. Tourniquet hypertension rarely occurred in patients with spinal anaesthesia (2.7%) and brachial plexus blockade (2.5%), while those with intravenous regional anaesthesia had a higher incidence (19%) of hypertension.
Maturation and secretion of the non‐typable Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin: roles of the N‐terminal and C‐terminal domains

Non‐typable Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of human disease and initiates infection by colonizing the upper respiratory tract. The non‐typable H. influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins mediate attachment to human epithelial cells, an essential step in the process of colonization. HMW1 and HMW2 have an unusual N‐terminus and undergo cleavage of a 441‐amino‐acid N‐terminal fragment during the course of their maturation. Following translocation across the outer membrane, they remain loosely associated with the bacterial surface, except for a small amount that is released extracellularly. In the present study, we localized the signal sequence to the first 68 amino acids, which are characterized by a highly charged region from amino acids 1–48, followed by a more typical signal peptide with a predicted leader peptidase cleavage site after the amino acid at position 68. Additional experiments established that the SecA ATPase and the SecE translocase are essential for normal export and demonstrated that maturation involves cleavage first between residues 68 and 69, via leader peptidase, and next between residues 441 and 442. Site‐directed mutagenesis revealed that HMW1 processing, secretion and extracellular release are dependent on amino acids in the region between residues 150 and 166 and suggested that this region interacts with the HMW1B outer membrane translocator. Deletion of the C‐terminal end of HMW1 resulted in augmented extracellular release and elimination of HMW1‐mediated adherence, arguing that the C‐terminus may serve to tether the adhesin to the bacterial surface. These observations suggest that the HMW proteins are secreted by a variant form of the general secretory pathway and provide insight into the mechanisms of secretion of a growing family of Gram‐negative bacterial exoproteins.
Extrasystolic stimulation with bi-ventricular pacing: an acute haemodynamic evaluation.

AIMS Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by means of biventricular pacing (BiVP) is well established as a treatment for patients with heart failure (HF). Post-extrasystolic potentiation, (PESP) which involves a transient increase in myocardial contractility following a ventricular extrasystole, can be achieved using extrasystolic stimulation (ESS). On this basis, ESS has been proposed as a therapeutic. We assessed acute haemodynamic effects of ESS in the context of BiVP. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients (n = 15, left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%, QRS ≥ 125 ms) with HF, received BiVP in combination with right ventricular (RV) ESS (single stimulus or pulse train). Left ventricular (LV) and peripheral arterial pressures were recorded and dP/dt was monitored. Addition of RV ESS to BiVP pacing led to a 21% increase in maximum (max) dP/dt (P < 0.001) and an 8.5 mm Hg increase in a systolic arterial pressure (P < 0.001). The modest fall in end-diastolic pressure (3.3 mmHg, P < 0.001) observed during ESS and BiVP was prevented by maintaining baseline sinus rate. Varying ESS modes or pacing outputs was not associated with differences in haemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS Biventricular pacing in combination with ESS, with maintenance of sinus rate, improves myocardial contractility in patients undergoing CRT.
Low‐dose inhaled budesonide once or twice daily for 27 months in children with mild asthma

This study is an extended follow‐up for 24 months of a 12‐week trial to study the long‐term clinical efficacy of low‐dose inhaled budesonide (BUD) once or twice daily in children with mild asthma. A total of 122 children (mean age 9.7 years, girls/boys; 42/80) with mild asthma (FEV1 103.7% of predicted, reversibility in FEV1 3.5%, and fall in FEV1 afterexercise 12.2%), not previously treated with inhaled steroids, were included in a double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group study. The children were treated with inhaled BUD 100 or 200 µg administered via Turbuhaler® once daily in the morning, 100 µg twice daily, or placebo for 27 months. Exercise and methacholine challenges were performed at 3‐month intervals the first year and at 6‐month intervals the second year, in a total of seven visits. A significant dose‐response effect favoring BUD 200 µg daily (vs 100 µg daily) was found when comparing changes in FEV1, FEF25%, and FEV50%; the fall in FEV1 after an exercise test; and the effect on blood eosinophils. Bronchial hyperreactivity to methacholine decreased significantly on three visits in patients treated with BUD 200 µg daily compared to placebo. Growth rate was not significantly affected except in children aged 7–11 years at baseline after 12 months of treatment. In conclusion, 100 or 200 µg daily of inhaled BUD for 27 months is safe and effective in protecting against exercise‐induced asthma and achieving nearly normal lung function. Baseline lung function was not significantly affected in this group of children with mild asthma.
Enterovirus infections as a risk factor for type I diabetes: virus analyses in a dietary intervention trial

This study evaluated the possible role of enterovirus infections in the pathogenesis of type I (insulin‐dependent) diabetes in a prospective dietary intervention trial. Children participated in the second pilot of the Trial to Reduce IDDM in Genetically at Risk (TRIGR) project. They were randomized into two groups receiving either a casein hydrolysed formula (Nutramigen®) or a regular formula, whenever breast milk was not available over the first 6–8 months of life. Altogether 19 children who turned positive for autoantibodies associated with type I diabetes by 2 years of age and 84 matched control children were analysed for enterovirus antibodies and enterovirus RNA in serum. Enterovirus infections were common during the first 2 years of life and more frequent among boys than girls (P = 0·02). Autoantibody‐positive children had more enterovirus infections than autoantibody‐negative children before the appearance of autoantibodies (0·83 versus 0·29 infection per child, P = 0·01). The average levels of IgG antibodies to echovirus antigen were also higher in autoantibody‐positive than in autoantibody‐negative children (P = 0·0009). No difference was found in the frequency of enterovirus infections between children receiving the casein hydrolysed formula or regular formula. These results suggest that enterovirus infections are associated with the induction of β‐cell autoimmunity in young children with increased genetic susceptibility to type I diabetes.
ATP‐sensitive potassium channel: A novel target for protection against UV‐induced human skin cell damage

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) induces cell damages leading to skin photoaging and skin cancer. ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers (KCOs) have been shown to exert significant myocardial preservation and neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo, and yet the potential role of those KCOs in protection against UV‐induced skin cell damage is unknown. We investigated the effects of pinacidil and diazoxide, two classical KCOs, on UV‐induced cell death using cultured human keratinocytes (HaCat cells). Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Kir 6.1, Kir 6.2 and SUR2 subunits of KATP channels are functionally expressed in HaCaT cells and both non‐selective KATP channel opener pinacidil and mitoKATP (mitochondrial KATP) channel opener diazoxide attenuated UV‐induced keratinocytes cell death. The protective effects were abolished by both non‐selective KATP channel blocker glibenclamide and selective mitoKATP channel blocker 5‐hydroxydecanoate (5‐HD). Also, activation of KATP channel with pinacidil or diazoxide resulted in suppressive effects on UV‐induced MAPK activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Unexpectedly, we found that the level of intracellular ROS was slightly elevated in HaCaT cells when treated with pinacidil or diazoxide alone. Furthermore, UV‐induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss, cytochrome c release and ultimately apoptotic cell death were also inhibited by preconditioning with pinacidil and diazoxide, and their effects were reversed by glibenclamide and 5‐HD. Taken together, we contend that mitoKATP is likely to contribute the protection against UV‐induced keratinocytes cell damage. Our findings suggest that KATP openers such as pinacidil and diazoxide may be utilized to prevent from UV‐induced skin aging. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 252–263, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal exposure to moderate levels of ethanol can have long‐lasting effects on hippocampal synaptic plasticity in adult offspring

Prenatal ethanol exposure has been associated with long‐lasting intellectual impairments in children. Previous studies using animal models of fetal ethanol exposure suggest that these deficits are, at least in part, linked to neurochemical abnormalities in the hippocampal formation. We explored whether prenatal exposure to moderate quantities of ethanol produced functional deficits at the entorhinal cortical perforant path‐dentate granule cell connection by examining some electrophysiological properties, including the induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP).