Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Social Capital of Adolescents Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Their Parents: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract: The study explored the social capital of Australian adolescents who were deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and their parents, and investigated the relationship between social capital and individual characteristics, language, literacy, and psychosocial outcomes. Sixteen adolescents (ages 11–14 years) and 24 parents enrolled in the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study completed an online questionnaire on social capital and psychosocial outcomes. Information about demographics, language, and literacy was retrieved from the LOCHI study database. On average, parent-rated social capital was positively related to adolescent-rated social capital, but not to child outcomes. Aspects of adolescent-reported social capital were significantly related to the adolescents’ language and reading skills, but not to psychosocial outcomes. This study gives support to the promotion of social capital in adolescents who are DHH and their families, and considers how social capital promotion could be applied in interventions.
A Vision for Progress in Community Health Partnerships

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an increasingly used approach for conducting research to improve community health. Using Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory as a framework, it follows that future adoption of CBPR will occur if academic and community partners perceive CBPR to have greater relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, and observability, and less complexity than other research approaches. We propose that articles published in our new peer-reviewed journal—Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action (PCHP)—can influence academic and community partners' perceptions of CBPR that promote its adoption. Eight areas of scholarly activity are described that can promote health partnership research, education, and action: (1) original research, (2) work-in-progress and lessons learned, (3) policy and practice, (4) theory and methods, (5) education and training, (6) practical tools, (7) systematic reviews, and (8) community perspectives. These eight areas correspond with the eight main sections of PCHP. A brief description of each area's importance in promoting CBPR is provided along with examples of completed and ongoing work. Specific recommendations are made regarding issues, problems, and topics within each area on which CBPR work should focus. These recommendations, which present a vision for progress in community health partnerships, are based on idea generation and prioritization by a group of CBPR experts—PCHP's editors and editorial board.
Measurement of Arterio-Venous Ratio for Detection of Hypertensive Retinopathy through Digital Color Fundus Images

Hypertensive retinopathy is a retinal vascular damage caused by high blood pressure which results in loss of vision. In the present work, effort has been devoted to enhance and segment the retinal vasculature which is required to calculate its anatomical characteristics such as width, length for the quantitative measurement of arterio-venous ratio (AVR). Enhancement of the retinal fundus images is done using top-hat transform and segmentation of the vessels using iterative thresholding. The performance of the proposed method is tested on 50 digital fundus images of publicly available MESSIDOR dataset. The hypertensive retinopathy can be measured quantitatively by detecting the decrement in the ratio of width of retinal artery-vein to that of the normal images. The arterio-venous ratio obtained by applying the proposed methodology was found to be 0.62-0.735 in normal cases and 0.203-0.495 in case of patients suffering from hypertensive retinopathy on MESSIDOR dataset which was not performed earlier. This measurement of arterio-venous ratio will be further helpful to identify the stages of hypertensive retinopathy.
Validité et fidélité de l'Inventaire d'agitation de Cohen-Mansfield*

ABSTRACT Agitation in older persons is a major problem for the agitated individual and those around him/her. French-language measures of agitation with demonstrated validity and reliability are necessary for research and interventions in the French-speaking community. The goal of this study is to verify the reliability and validity of the “Inventaire d'agitation de Cohen-Mansfield” (IACM), a French version of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. The IACM measures the frequency of 29 agitated behaviours during a two-week period. Ninety-nine residents of a long-term care facility participated in this study. Results demonstrate the inter-rater reliability (r = .72), test-retest reliability (r = .72), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha from .75 to .77), concurrent validity (r = .74) and construct validity (all r are significant, p < .05) of the IACM. RÉSUMÉ L'agitation chez les personnes âgées représente un problème majeur pour l'individu présentant des comportements agités et son entourage. Disposer d'instruments de mesure de l'agitation en français dont la fidélité et la validité ont été démontrées est essentiel pour la recherche et l'intervention en milieu francophone. Cétte étude vise à vérifier la fidélité et la validité de l'lnventaire d'agitation de Cohen-Mansfield (IACM), la version française du «Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory”. L'IACM mesure la fréquence de 29 comportements agités pour une période de deux semaines. Quatre-vingt-dix-neuf bénéficiaires d'un centre d'hébergement et de soins de longue durée ont participé à l'étude. Les résultats démontrent la fidélité inter-juge (r = .72), la stabilité temporelle (r = .72), la consistence interne (alpha de Cronbach variant de .75 à .77), la validité concomitante (r = .74) et la validité de construit (tous les r sont significatifs, p < .05) de l'IACM.
Nosocomial Meningitis Due to Citrobacter diversus in Neonates: New Aspects of the Epidemiology

: Two term neonates born within four days of each other at a small hospital developed sepsis and meningitis caused by a unique strain of Citrobacter diversus not previously reported to cause meningitis. Eleven (27.5%) of 40 other infants admitted to the nursery during the epidemic period developed rectal or umbilical colonization by C. diversus. Contact soon after birth with either of two nurses was more common among infected or colonized infants than among infants who were not infected or colonized. Hand cultures of both nurses and a rectal culture of one of the nurses yielded the epidemic strain. C. diversus may have been introduced into the nursery by the rectal carrier and spread person to person. Six weeks later continued surveillance identified a second cluster (of four colonized infants) associated with a mother who was a carrier of C. diversus and whose newborn infant became colonized at birth. The outbreak ended after strict control measures were used.
Acculturation, Inner Peace, Cancer Self-efficacy, and Self-rated Health among Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

Cancer self-efficacy (CSE) and spiritual well-being (SWB) have been associated with better self-rated health (SRH) among breast cancer survivors (BCS), but have not been well studied among Latina BCS (LBCS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses of secondary data from a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of 330 LBCS explored relationships of language acculturation, CSE, and SWB subdomains of inner peace and faith with SRH. English proficiency was associated with SRH, independent of other covariates (OR=2.26, 95% CI 1.15, 4.45). Cancer self-efficacy attenuated this effect and was positively associated with SRH (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.22, 4.10). Adding inner peace (a SWB subscale) attenuated the association of CSE and SRH (OR=1.67, 95% CI 0.88, 3.18). Inner peace remained associated with SRH (OR= 2.44, 95% CI 1.30, 4.56), controlling for covariates. Findings support the importance of a sense of inner peace and control over breast cancer to LBCS’ perceived health.
From ecological risk assessments to risk governance: Evaluation of the Norwegian management system for contaminated sediments

Managing of contaminated sediments is a complex process that will naturally have to balance scientific, political, and economic interests. This study evaluates the Norwegian system for managing contaminated sediments toward a generic system for risk governance encompassing both knowledge, legally prescribed procedures, and social values. The review has been performed examining the management plans for 17 prioritized contaminated fjord systems in Norway. The results indicate a strong focus in the Norwegian management system on ecological risk assessment. This facilitates selection of local sustainable remediation measures, but may also complicate the balance toward other relevant interests in a decision‐making process. The Norwegian system lacks management tools to identify and handle ambiguity through concern assessments and stakeholder involvement, and the decision‐making process seems to a large extent based on ad hoc decisions, making it difficult to incorporate and document multicriteria evaluations into the management process. To develop a sustainable management system, encompassing environmental, economical, and social interests, a stronger focus on concern assessment and multicriteria evaluations is required. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:240–248. © 2009 SETAC
FcγRIIa (CD32): A Potential Marker Defining Susceptibility to Localized Juvenile Periodontitis.

Epidemiologic studies indicate that blacks are at greater risk for development of localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) than other ethnic groups. It has also been observed that, despite the relatively uncommon nature of this form of early-onset periodontitis, LJP often tends to cluster within families, which suggests that susceptibility to this disease may be inherited. Immunologic studies of a predominantly black population of LJP subjects have revealed that many of these patients mount a strong IgG response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. A substantial proportion of this response is comprised of antibodies of the IgG2 subclass. IgG antibodies are required for efficient phagocytosis and killing of A. actinomycetemcomitans by human neutrophils. Recognition of bacteria coated with IgG antibodies is a process which is mediated by IgG Fc receptors (FcγR) expressed on mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytes. A major class of FcγR found on neutrophils is a transmembrane receptor (FCγRII, or CD32) which binds IgG with low affinity. Recently, a genetically determined biallelic polymorphism has been described for this receptor. One allotype, termed H131, binds human IgG2 efficiently, whereas the alternative form, R131, does not. Neutrophils expressing the H131 allotype of FCγRII readily ingest and destroy IgG2-coated A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas neutrophils bearing the R131 allotype do not. We hypothesize that the increased risk among blacks for development of LJP may be due to a combination of two factors, which include: 1) a tendency toward preferential synthesis of IgG2 antibodies to A. actinomycetemcomitans; and 2) an increased frequency of the R131 allele of FcγRIIa in this subject population. J Periodontol 1996;67:323-331.
Comparison of dermal matrix and polytetrafluoroethylene membrane for socket bone augmentation: a clinical and histologic study.

BACKGROUND Remodeling and resorption of the alveolar crest, specifically at the buccal aspect, characterize the healing extraction socket. These result in narrowing and shortening of the alveolar ridge, which compromise esthetics and complicate restoration. Alveolar ridge augmentation has been proposed to facilitate future site restoration by minimizing ridge resorption. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare extraction socket healing and alveolar ridge alteration after socket augmentation using bone allograft covered with an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane. METHODS Twenty non-smoking healthy subjects were selected. Each subject required maxillary premolar, canine, or central incisor tooth extraction. The extraction sites were debrided and grafted with a mineralized bone allograft that was covered with an ADM or PTFE membrane. Postoperative appointments were scheduled at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. After 16 weeks of healing, final measurements were performed, and trephine core biopsies were obtained for histomorphometric analysis. Implants were placed immediately after biopsy harvesting. RESULTS Eighteen subjects completed the study. All sites healed without adverse events and allowed for implant placement. PTFE membranes exfoliated prematurely, with an average retention time of 16.6 days, whereas the ADM membranes appeared to be incorporated into the tissues. Buccal plate thickness loss was 0.44 and 0.3 mm, with a vertical loss of 1.1 and 0.25 mm, for ADM and PTFE, respectively. Bone quality assessment indicated D3 to be the most prevalent (61%). Histomorphometric analysis revealed 41.81% versus 47.36% bone, 58.19% versus 52.64% marrow/fibrous tissue, and 13.93% versus 14.73% particulate graft remaining for ADM and PTFE, respectively. No statistical difference was found between the two treatment groups for any of the parameters. CONCLUSION All sites evaluated showed minimal ridge alterations, with no statistical difference between the two treatment modalities with respect to bone composition and horizontal and vertical bone loss, indicating that both membranes are suitable for alveolar ridge augmentation.
Dental implants placed in extraction sites grafted with different bone substitutes: radiographic evaluation at 24 months.

BACKGROUND Reduction of alveolar height and width after tooth extraction may provide some problems in implant placement, especially in the anterior maxilla for esthetic reasons. Different graft materials have been advocated to prevent bone-volume reduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic parameters of implants positioned in grafted alveoli with three different biomaterials: magnesium-enriched hydroxyapatite (MHA), calcium sulfate (CS), and heterologous porcine bone (PB). METHODS In 15 patients, 45 fresh extraction sockets with three bone walls were selected. Fifteen sockets received MHA, 15 sockets received CS, and 15 sockets received corticocancellous PB as a graft material. Three months after bone filling, titanium dental implants were placed in grafted sites. Three months after implant placement, temporary restoration was performed. Follow-up examinations were conducted, and intraoral digital radiographs were taken at baseline and 12 and 24 months after implant placement to evaluate the marginal bone level in each patient. Comparisons for marginal bone loss over time between groups were performed by the Student two-tailed t test. RESULTS At the 24-month follow-up, a survival rate of 100% was reported for all implants. For the MHA group, a mean mesial bone loss of -0.21 +/- 0.08 mm and a mean distal bone loss of -0.22 +/- 0.09 mm (mean bone loss: 0.21 +/- 0.09 mm) were reported; for the CS group, a mesial bone loss of -0.14 +/- 0.07 mm and a distal bone loss of -0.12 +/- 0.11 mm (mean bone loss: -0.13 +/- 0.09 mm) were measured; for the PB group, a mean mesial bone loss of -0.15 +/- 0.10 mm and a mean distal bone loss of -0.16 +/- 0.06 mm (mean bone loss: -0.16 +/- 0.08 mm) were reported. No statistically significant differences were reported among groups (P >0.05). CONCLUSION At the 24-month follow-up, the present study showed that placement of implants in grafted sockets was not influenced by the three different biomaterials because they did not negatively impact the clinical outcome.
Microbiologic testing and outcomes of full-mouth scaling and root planing with or without amoxicillin/metronidazole in chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that use of systemic antibiotics should be limited to patients with specific microbiologic profiles. The main purpose of the present analysis was to study whether microbiologic testing before therapy was of value in predicting which patients would specifically benefit from adjunctive amoxicillin and metronidazole, given in the context of full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) within 48 hours. METHODS This was a 6-month, single-center, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized longitudinal study. Fifty-one patients received full-mouth periodontal debridement, performed within 48 hours; then, 25 subjects received metronidazole, 500 mg, and amoxicillin, 375 mg, three times a day for 7 days, and 26 received a placebo (control group). Pooled microbiologic samples were taken from the deepest pocket at baseline in each quadrant before and 6 months after treatment. Six periodontal pathogens were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Forty-seven patients were followed for 6 months. After treatment, test subjects had a substantially lower mean number of persisting sites with probing depth >4 mm and bleeding on probing than did control subjects (0.4 versus 3.0; P = 0.005; month 6). Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) could not be detected in the antibiotic group after treatment. However, in the placebo group, three of six subjects positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans continued to be positive. Lower frequencies were also noted in the test group for Porphyromonas gingivalis (P = 0.013) and Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis) (P = 0.007). However, even subjects testing negative for A. actinomycetemcomitans at baseline had a significantly better primary clinical outcome if they received the active drugs. The presence of six putative periodontal pathogens (A. actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum spp., P. gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, and T. forsythia) quantified prior to therapy was not correlated with the outcome of full-mouth SRP with or without amoxicillin and metronidazole. CONCLUSION Excellent clinical results in the antibiotics group were obtained regardless of the presence or absence of six classic periodontal periopathogens prior to treatment.
Synergistic Effects of Nell‐1 and BMP‐2 on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Myoblasts

Osteogenesis is synergistically enhanced by the combined effect of complimentary factors. This study showed that Nell‐1 and BMP‐2 synergistically enhanced osteogenic differentiation of myoblasts and phosphorylated the JNK MAPK pathway. The findings are important because of the osteochondral specificity of Nell‐1 signaling and the potential therapeutic effects of coordinated BMP‐2 and Nell‐1 delivery.
Development of an animal model for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans biofilm-mediated oral osteolytic infection: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND Biofilm-induced inflammatory osteolytic oral infections, such as periodontitis and peri-implantitis, have complex etiology and pathogenesis. A significant obstacle to research has been the lack of appropriate animal models where the inflammatory response to biofilms can be investigated. The aim of this study is to develop a novel animal model to study the host response to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans)-biofilm colonizing titanium implants. METHODS Titanium implants were inoculated in vitro with A. actinomycetemcomitans, establishing a biofilm for 1 to 3 days. Biofilm-inoculated and control implants were transmucosally placed into rat hard palate or alveolar ridge. Analysis included documentation of clinical inflammation, polymerase chain reaction, and culture detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and microcomputed tomography quantitation of peri-implant bone volume. RESULTS Viable A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm was successfully established on titanium implants in vitro, detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. An inflammatory response characterized by clinical inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, hyperplasia, and necrosis was observed around biofilm-inoculated implants. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected by polymerase chain reaction and culture analysis on 100% of biofilm-inoculated implants for up to 3 weeks and 25% for up to 6 weeks. Microcomputed tomography analysis demonstrated significantly lower bone volume (P <0.05) around biofilm-inoculated implants (29.6% ± 7.6%) compared to non-inoculated implants (50.5% ± 9.6%) after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS These results describe a novel animal model where A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm was established in vitro on titanium implants before placement in rat oral cavity, leading to an inflammatory response, osteolysis, and tissue destruction. This model may have potential use for investigation of host responses to biofilm pathogens and antibiofilm therapy.
Physical Performance and Risk of Hip Fractures in Older Men

The aim of these analyses was to describe the association between physical performance and risk of hip fractures in older men. Performance on five physical function exams (leg power, grip strength, usual walking pace, narrow walk balance test, and five repeated chair stands) was assessed in 5902 men ≥65 yr of age. Performance (time to complete or strength) was analyzed as quartiles, with an additional category for unable to complete the measure, in proportional hazards models. Follow‐up averaged 5.3 yr; 77 incident hip fractures were confirmed by physician review of radiology reports. Poor physical performance was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. In particular, repeated chair stand performance was strongly related to hip fracture risk. Men unable to complete this exam were much more likely to experience a hip fracture than men in the fastest quartile of this test (multivariate hazard ratio [MHR]: 8.15; 95% CI: 2.65, 25.03). Men with the worst performance (weakest/slowest quartile or unable) on at least three exams had an increased risk of hip fracture compared with men with higher functioning (MHR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.46, 6.73). Nearly two thirds of the hip fractures (N = 49, 64%) occurred in men with poor performance on at least three exams. Poor physical function is independently associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in older men. The repeated chair stands exam should be considered in clinical settings for evaluation of hip fracture risk. Concurrent poor performance on multiple physical function exams is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures.