bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal asthma is associated with persistent changes in allergic offspring antibody glycosylation
Authors: Sodemann Elisa B. , Dähling Sabrina , Klopfleisch Robert , Boiarina Ekaterina , Cataldo Didier , Alhasan Moumen M. , Yildirim Ali Ö. , Witzenrath Martin , Tabeling Christoph , Conrad Melanie L.
Published: January 2020

Background

Maternal asthma during pregnancy is considered an environmental risk factor for asthma development in children. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that are transferred from the mother to the fetus are known to act in a pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory manner depending on their glycosylation status.

Objective

Using a mouse model, we examined how maternal allergic airway inflammation during pregnancy influenced offspring experimental asthma severity, as well as maternal and offspring serum IgG antibody glycosylation patterns. Additionally, the effects of maternal and offspring exposure to the same or different allergens were investigated.

Methods

Female mice were either sham sensitized or sensitized to casein (CAS) or ovalbumin (OVA) before mating. Subsequently, allergic lung inflammation was induced in pregnant dams via aerosol allergen challenge (sham, CAS or OVA). After weaning, pups were subjected to an experimental asthma protocol using OVA. Asn‐297 IgG glycosylation was analysed in maternal and offspring serum.

Results

When mothers and offspring were sensitized to the same allergen (OVA‐OVA), offspring had more severe experimental asthma. This was evidenced by altered antibody concentrations, increased bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cell influx and decreased lung tissue and lung draining lymph node regulatory T cell percentages. When mothers and offspring were sensitized to different allergens (CAS‐OVA), this phenotype was no longer observed. Additionally, maternal serum from allergic mothers had significantly higher levels of pro‐inflammatory IgG1, shown by decreased galactosylation and sialylation at the Asn‐297 glycosylation site. Similar glycosylation patterns were observed in the serum of adult allergic offspring from allergic mothers.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

We observed a strong association between maternal experimental asthma during pregnancy, increased offspring airway inflammation and pro‐inflammatory IgG glycosylation patterns in mothers and offspring. IgG glycosylation is not a standard measurement in the clinical setting, and we argue that it may be an important parameter to include in future clinical studies.
Exclusion in Upscaling Institutions: The Reproduction of Neighborhood Segregation in an Urban Church
Authors: Berrelleza Erick
Published: January 2020

This paper examines the intersection of neighborhood change and parish reconfiguration in Charlestown, MA. The merger of two Roman Catholic churches has unsettled the congregational cultures, just as gentrification is unsettling broader neighborhood dynamics. Based on findings from 28 in–depth interviews and participant–observation, I examine the spatial reproduction of neighborhood segregation in the sanctuary of St. Mary's church. Affluent newcomers and “Townies”–stalwart residents who have weathered earlier waves of neighborhood upscaling–form power alliances that result in the exclusion of the poorest residents in the shared space of this urban church. By paying attention to the seating arrangements and other social interactions of churchgoers, I discover that the new parish vision of the merged church–albeit one that purported to celebrate the diverse residents of the neighborhood–resulted in the cultural exclusion of Latinos. Institutional decisions, the desire to maintain ethnic enclaves, and tacit messages of group exclusion reify the race and class divisions of the neighborhood within the walls of the church. I conclude with an exploration of the strategies of resilience to gentrification and merger evident in this case by attending to the actions of the disadvantaged in relation to the changing institution.
Gender Quotas on Corporate Boards: Similarities and Differences in Quota Scenarios
Authors: Mensi‐Klarbach Heike , Seierstad Cathrine
Published: January 2020

In this article, the use of gender quotas to strengthen gender equality on corporate boards is explored. Examining national practices in ten European countries we provide an overview, categorizing the design of various corporate board quotas (CBQs) and the contexts in which they are embedded. In particular, similarities and differences along two dimensions are investigated: the design of the CBQs in terms of their hardness and progressiveness, and the institutional context in which they are embedded. From patterns of design and context configurations, different quota scenarios are discerned. We advance the discussion of female representation and the strategies of corporate boards beyond the rather misleading dichotomy of voluntary targets versus mandatory quotas, proposing a framework for understanding various CBQ designs. Moreover, we suggest that the configuration of design and institutional context, resulting in different quota scenarios affects female representation on corporate boards.
A supervised learning approach for heading detection
Authors: Budhiraja Sahib Singh , Mago Vijay
Published: January 2020

As the popularity of the portable document format (PDF) file format increases, research that facilitates PDF text analysis or extraction is necessary. Heading detection is a crucial component of PDF‐based text classification processes. This research involves training a supervised learning model to detect headings by systematically testing and selecting classifier features using recursive feature elimination. Results indicate that decision tree is the best classifier with an accuracy of 95.83%, sensitivity of 0.981, and a specificity of 0.946. This research into heading detection contributes to the field of PDF‐based text extraction and can be applied to the automation of large scale PDF text analysis in a variety of professional and policy‐based contexts.
Reliability analysis of fish traits reveals discrepancies among databases
Authors: Cano‐Barbacil Carlos , Radinger Johannes , García‐Berthou Emili
Published: January 2020

Trait‐based approaches are commonly used in ecology to understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, environmental filtering or biotic responses to anthropogenic perturbations. However, little is known about the reliability of assigned traits and the consistency of trait information among different databases currently in use.

Using 99 native and alien Iberian inland fish species, we investigated a total of 27 biological and ecological traits for their consistency among 19 different databases and identified less reliable traits, that is, traits with high disagreement among databases. Specifically, we used generalised linear models and inter‐rater reliability statistics (Krippendorff's α) to test for differences in trait values among databases. We also identified well‐studied versus data‐deficient traits and species.

Our results show notable discrepancies and low reliability for several biological and ecological traits such as microhabitat preference, omnivory, invertivory, rheophily, and limnophily. Least reliable traits were mainly categorical (rather than continuous) and established by expert judgment and without a clear definition or a common methodology. Interestingly, categorical traits such as rheophily or limnophily, which showed significantly lower reliability, concurrently showed higher data availability and use than continuously scaled traits.

Such uncertainties in trait assignments could affect bioassessment and other ecological analyses. Species with smaller distributional ranges and those that have been described more recently, presented lower coverage and data availability in trait databases.

We encourage further standardisation of fish trait measurement protocols to help improve the robust application of bioassessment indices and trait‐based approaches.
Relationship between serum vitamin D level and sarcopenia in chronic liver disease
Authors: Okubo Tomomi , Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Yoshida Yuji , Arai Taeang , Iwashita Ai‐Nakagawa , Itokawa Norio , Kondo Chisa , Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Published: January 2020

Aim

Although the association of vitamin D with primary sarcopenia has been extensively investigated, its relationship with secondary sarcopenia in patients with liver disease remains unclear. This study aimed to identify factors associated with sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease with a focus on serum vitamin D levels.

Methods

The study included 204 patients with chronic liver disease. Independent factors significantly associated with sarcopenia were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The sarcopenia diagnosis was based on the sarcopenia criteria proposed by the Japan Society of Hepatology. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) levels to represent serum vitamin D levels were measured using double‐antibody radioimmunoassay, and vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D3 level of ≤20 ng/mL.

Results

The prevalence of sarcopenia in the cirrhotic patients (28/76, 36.8%) was significantly higher than that in the non‐cirrhotic patients (18/128, 14.1%; P = 2.48 × 10−4). Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 44 (27.5%) of the 160 patients with vitamin D deficiency, and two (4.5%) of the 44 patients without vitamin D deficiency (P = 4.90 × 10−3). On multivariate analysis, advanced age (odds ratio 1.11; P = 2.10 × 10−4), low body mass index (odds ratio 1.42; p = 2.08 × 10−5), and low serum 25(OH)D3 level (odds ratio 1.13; p = 1.20 × 10−2) were significant, independent factors associated with sarcopenia. Serum 25(OH)D3 was positively correlated with grip strength and skeletal muscle mass index.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia complicated by chronic liver disease was associated with advanced age, low body mass index, and low serum 25(OH)D3 level.
Explanatory accounts in international and comparative higher education research
Authors: Cantwell Brendan
Published: January 2020

Developing plausible explanations rooted in theory and supported by evidence is a challenge for comparative higher education studies. The purpose of this article is to consider how comparative studies in higher education might develop accounts that allow the research community to enhance explanatory power. Higher education studies can advance explanations about what is happening and why, as well as interpret the meaning of occurrences by drawing broadly on realist scholarly traditions. Rather than prioritising a methodology, the field should prioritise essential questions and address them with all appropriate empirical tools. Avenues for explanatory research include bounded case studies, multi‐method investigations into specific phenomena, mechanism‐based approaches and macro‐social analysis.
Lean mass accretion in children born very low birth weight is significantly associated with estimated changes from sedentary time to light physical activity
Authors: McGee Meghan , Unger Sharon , Hamilton Jill , Birken Catherine S. , Pausova Zdenka , Vanderloo Leigh M. , Bando Nicole , O'Connor Deborah L.
Published: January 2020

Background

Few studies have investigated how lifestyle is associated with body composition in children born very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g), a population at increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome in later life.

Objectives

Determine how time spent in physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep are associated with body composition in children born VLBW.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study of 5.5‐year‐old children born VLBW, height, weight, body composition (skinfolds, air displacement plethysmography), and 7 days of movement data (logbooks and accelerometers) were collected.

Results

Of 158 participants, 53% were male, and mean (SD) birth weight was 1013 (264) g. Only 52% achieved 60 minutes/day of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity, but 96% achieved sleep recommendations. Reallocating 30 minutes of sedentary time to light physical activity (LPA) was associated with 0.20 kg/m2 (95% CI, 0.02 to 0.37) greater fat‐free mass index. An equivalent inverse association was found when reallocating LPA to sedentary time. No associations were found for other movement behaviours.

Conclusions

Promoting LPA and reducing sedentary time may be an important strategy in reducing the elevated risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome amongst those born VLBW by supporting lean mass accretion. Funded by CIHR (FHG 129919) and SickKids Restracomp.
Australian pharmacists: ready for increased non-prescription medicines reclassification
Authors: Hope Denise L , Woods Phillip , Mey Amary , Kelly Fiona S , Townshend James , Baumann-Birkbeck Lyndsee M , King Michelle A
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Reclassification of medicines from prescription to non-prescription increases timely access to treatment, promotes self-management of minor ailments and relieves healthcare system burden. Previous research identified that Australia lagged behind the United Kingdom and New Zealand in medicines reclassification. This study aimed to identify Australian pharmacists’ opinions on the current state of medicines reclassification; the prescription medicines consumers requested without prescription; the medicines pharmacists believed should and should not be considered for reclassification; and perceived barriers to reclassification.

Methods

A 2016 national online survey that sought pharmacists’ opinions on the state of reclassification, perceived barriers to reclassification and readiness of the profession for further reclassification. Pharmacists’ comments were invited through open-ended questions.

Key findings

Two hundred and thirty-five valid surveys were completed. Respondents practised in community, hospital, consultant and academic contexts, and the majority were female (58.7%, n = 138). More than two thirds (70.66%, n = 166) of pharmacists reported receiving daily or weekly requests for non-prescription access to prescription medicines. The majority of pharmacists (71.7%) agreed that the Australian pharmacy profession is ready for further medicines reclassification, guided by patient safety, harm minimisation and medication continuance. The most prominent barrier to further reclassification was opposition from other healthcare professionals.

Conclusions

Australian pharmacists believe that their profession has the capacity to safely and effectively manage a wider range of non-prescription medicines through increased reclassification in the contexts of patient safety and risk mitigation. This study has contributed to the global conversation on non-prescription medicines access, providing momentum for practice and policy change.
Evaluation of potential risk of transmission of avian influenza A viruses at live bird markets in response to unusual crow die‐offs in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mahbubur , Mangtani Punam , Uyeki Timothy M. , Cardwell Jacqueline M. , Torremorell Montserrat , Islam Ariful , Samad Mohammed A. , Muraduzzaman A. K. M. , Giasuddin Md , Sarkar Sudipta , Alamgir A. S. M. , Salimuzzaman M. , Flora Meerjady S.
Published: January 2020

In response to unusual crow die‐offs from avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection during January‐February 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a One Health team assessed potential infection risks in live bird markets (LBMs). Evidence of aerosolized avian influenza A viruses was detected in LBMs and in the respiratory tracts of market workers, indicating exposure and potential for infection. This study highlighted the importance of surveillance platforms with a coordinated One Health strategy to investigate and mitigate zoonotic risk.
Combining social media affordances for organising collective action
Authors: Sæbø Øystein , Federici Tommaso , Braccini Alessio M.
Published: January 2020

Social media provide new opportunities for supporting the dynamics of collective action (CA), allowing for the mobilisation of people into debates and involving them in new forms of collective decision making. Although current studies focus on opportunities offered by social media for collective action, there is still a need to deepen the understanding of how social media support the organisation of CA and to study the effects of individual actions performed on social media in complex organisational settings. We here explore how social media are used to manage CA by the Italian political movement Movimento Cinque Stelle, using the concept of affordances as the conceptual framing. Based on the qualitative case analyses, our study contributes to the knowledge base by identifying a typology of nine affordances supporting CA and exploring how the combined actualisations of some affordances of the typology create antecedents of the fundamental processes of CA. On the basis of the study analysis, we suggest a model to describe how social media support CA through affordances, their combinations, and the creation of antecedents and then formulate implications for research and practice.
Climate and food resources shape species richness and trophic interactions of cavity‐nesting Hymenoptera
Authors: Mayr Antonia V. , Peters Marcell K. , Eardley Connal D. , Renner Marion E. , Röder Juliane , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: January 2020

Aim

Temperature, food resources and top‐down regulation by antagonists are considered as major drivers of insect diversity, but their relative importance is poorly understood. Here, we used cavity‐nesting communities of bees, wasps and their antagonists to reveal the role of temperature, food resources, parasitism rate and land use as drivers of species richness at different trophic levels along a broad elevational gradient.

Location

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Taxon

Cavity‐nesting Hymenoptera (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Colletidae, Megachilidae, Crabronidae, Sphecidae, Pompilidae, Vespidae).

Methods

We established trap nests on 25 study sites that were distributed over similar large distances in terms of elevation along an elevational gradient from 866 to 1788 m a.s.l., including both natural and disturbed habitats. We quantified species richness and abundance of bees, wasps and antagonists, parasitism rates and flower or arthropod food resources. Data were analysed with generalized linear models within a multi‐model inference framework.

Results

Elevational species richness patterns changed with trophic level from monotonically declining richness of bees to increasingly humped‐shaped patterns for caterpillar‐hunting wasps, spider‐hunting wasps and antagonists. Parasitism rates generally declined with elevation but were higher for wasps than for bees. Temperature was the most important predictor of both bee and wasp host richness patterns. Antagonist richness patterns were also well predicted by temperature, but in contrast to host richness patterns, additionally by resource abundance and diversity. The conversion of natural habitats through anthropogenic land use, which included biomass removal, agricultural inputs, vegetation structure and percentage of surrounding agricultural habitats, had no significant effects on bee and wasp communities.

Main conclusions

Our study underpins the importance of temperature as a main driver of diversity gradients in ectothermic organisms and reveals the increasingly important role of food resources at higher trophic levels. Higher parasitism rates at higher trophic levels and at higher temperatures indicated that the relative importance of bottom‐up and top‐down drivers of species richness change across trophic levels and may respond differently to future climate change.
Injectable platelet‐rich fibrin and microneedling for gingival augmentation in thin periodontal phenotype: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ozsagir Zeliha Betul , Saglam Ebru , Sen Yilmaz Berza , Choukroun Joseph , Tunali Mustafa
Published: January 2020

Aim

The aim of this present study was to evaluate the effect of gingival thickness (GT) and keratinized tissue width (KTW) using injectable platelet‐rich fibrin (i‐PRF) alone and with microneedling (MN) in individuals with thin periodontal phenotypes.

Materials and Methods

In this split‐mouth study, 33 systemically healthy patients with thin periodontal phenotypes were randomly treated with MN + i‐PRF and i‐PRF. I‐PRF was injected on one side, and MN + i‐PRF was performed on the other side of the same patient at 4 sessions with 10‐day intervals. Clinical periodontal measurements, GT and KTW were assessed before the treatment and every month for six months after the final injection.

Results

After the evaluation of GT between the groups, a statistically significant difference was found in MN + i‐PRF group at the sixth month. In the intra‐group comparisons, a statistically significant increase in GT was observed within both i‐PRF [from 0.43 mm ± 0.14 to 0.62 mm ± 0.11 (p < .001)] and MN + i‐PRF [from 0.4 mm ± 0.14 to 0.66 mm ± 0.12 (p < .001)] groups at the sixth month.

Conclusions

In individuals with thin periodontal phenotypes, standalone i‐PRF and i‐PRF with MN may have an influence in increasing GT. The results suggest that application of i‐PRF and MN may be a first step of non‐surgical method for increasing gingival thickness.
Hormone‐related events and periodontitis in women
Authors: Romandini Mario , Shin Hye‐Sun , Romandini Pierluigi , Laforí Andreina , Cordaro Massimo
Published: January 2020

Aim

While the short‐term effects of hormonal events on gingival inflammation have been well described, long‐term effects on the periodontium have received less attention. The aim of this cross‐sectional population‐based study was to evaluate the association between hormone‐related events and periodontitis in a representative sample of the postmenopausal women of South Korea.

Materials and Methods

A total of 10,273 postmenopausal women representative of 6.1 million of Koreans were examined. Periodontitis and severe periodontitis were defined according to the Community Periodontal Index (CPI ≧ 3 and CPI = 4, respectively). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses using 3 different models were applied controlling for age, smoking, marital status, educational level, income, BMI, hypertension, stress and frequency of toothbrushing.

Results

Severe periodontitis was directly associated with a longer reproductive life (p‐trend = .027) and with a longer duration of breastfeeding (48–72 vs. 1–17 months: OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.01–2.21). Conversely, early menopausal age (<46 vs. 49–50 years: OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.56–0.97), history of artificial menopause (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53–0.97), having had more than 6 pregnancies (vs. 4: OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.55–0.97), having had more than three abortions (vs. 0: OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28–0.93) and having had the first birth age >26 years (vs. <21 years: OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52–0.97) were inversely associated with severe periodontitis.

Conclusions

In this large nationally representative population, severe periodontitis was related to menopausal age, reproductive life length, number of pregnancies/abortions, first birth age and breastfeeding duration, while it was not to oral contraceptive and hormone replacement therapy usages.
Clinical and radiographic changes at tissue level implants with either a machined or a modified transmucosal neck surface: A 3‐year multicentre randomized controlled proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Salvi Giovanni E. , Moëne Raphaël , Wallkamm Beat , Hicklin Stefan P. , Bischof Mark , Nedir Rabah , Mombelli Andrea , Sculean Anton
Published: January 2020

Background

Surface modification may yield enhanced soft tissue adhesion to transmucosal titanium implant necks.

Aim

To evaluate and compare changes in soft tissues around implants with a modified hydrophilic sandblasted and acid‐etched neck (mSLA; test) to those with a machined neck (M; control).

Materials and methods

Implants with a diameter of 4.1 mm and a neck height of 1.8 mm were randomly inserted in healed sites with pristine bone of the posterior maxilla or mandible. The modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI) (primary outcome) was assessed at baseline (BL) and 6, 12 and 36 months. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of pocket probing depth (PPD), mucosal recession (REC) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Standardized radiographs were taken at time of implant placement, at BL and after 12 and 36 months.

Results

Of the 43 randomized subjects, 38 (19 test and 19 controls) completed the 36‐month follow‐up. Implant survival rates amounted to 95.5% (test) and 100% (control) (p > .05). At 36 months, 77.6% of test implants and 78.9% of control implants were without any bleeding sites (mSBI = 0;p > .05). The 36‐month success rate was 86.4% in the test and 85.7% in the control group, respectively (p > .05). At 36 months, the mean radiographic bone level change from BL was 0.33 ± 0.69 mm at test implants and 0.12 ± 0.3 mm at control implants (p > .05).

Conclusion

Tissue level implants with a hydrophilic mSLA transmucosal neck failed to yield clinical and radiographic benefits compared with implants with a machined neck up to 3 years.
Influence of keratinized mucosa on the surgical therapeutical outcomes of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Ravidà Andrea , Saleh Islam , Siqueira Rafael , Garaicoa‐Pazmiño Carlos , Saleh Muhammad H. A. , Monje Alberto , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: January 2020

Aim

To assess the impact of keratinized mucosa (KM) width around dental implants on surgical therapeutic outcomes when treating peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods

Surgically treated peri‐implantitis implants were divided into two groups (KM width < 2 mm and ≥2 mm). Retrospective data were obtained after implant placement (T0) and the day of peri‐implantitis surgical treatment (T1). Patients were later recruited (≥1 year after T1) for clinical and radiographic examination (T2). Outcomes were analysed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models.

Results

A total of 40 patients (68 implants) (average follow‐up: 52.4 ± 30.5 months) were included in this study. From T0 to T1, no differences were found between KM groups in terms of peri‐implant probing depths (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP). However, sites with <2 mm KM exhibited significantly higher suppuration (SUP) and lower marginal bone level (MBL) (p > .01). Between T1 and T2, no major differences were noted on PPD reduction, BOP and MBL changes between the two groups. GEE modelling demonstrated that MBL severity prior to surgical therapy was a better predictor for implant survival than KM width.

Conclusion

Surgical outcome in treating peri‐implantitis was influenced by the severity of bone loss present at the time of treatment and not by the presence of KM at the time of treatment.
Endpoints of active periodontal therapy
Authors: Loos Bruno G. , Needleman Ian
Published: January 2020

Aim

Position paper on endpoints of active periodontal therapy for designing treatment guidelines. The question was as follows: How are, for an individual patient, commonly applied periodontal probing measures—recorded after active periodontal therapy—related to (a) stability of clinical attachment level, (b) tooth survival, (c) need for re‐treatment or (d) oral health‐related quality of life.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In‐Process & Other Non‐Indexed Citations and Daily <1946 to 07 June 2019>.

Results

A total of 94 papers were retrieved. From the literature search, it was found that periodontitis patients with a low proportion of deep residual pockets after active periodontal therapy are more likely to have stability of clinical attachment level over a follow‐up time of ≥1 year. Other supporting literature confirms this finding and additionally reports, at the patient level, that probing pocket depths ≥6 mm and bleeding on probing scores ≥30% are risks for tooth loss. There is lack of evidence that periodontal probing measures after completion of active periodontal treatment are tangible to the patient.

Conclusions

Based on literature and biological plausibility, it is reasonable to state that periodontitis patients with a low proportion of residual periodontal pockets and little inflammation are more likely to have stability of clinical attachment levels and less tooth loss over time. Guidelines for periodontal therapy should take into consideration (a) long‐term tangible patient outcomes, (b) that shallow pockets (≤4 mm) without bleeding on probing in patients with <30% bleeding sites are the best guarantee for the patient for stability of his/her periodontal attachment, (c) patient heterogeneity and patient changes in immune response over time, and (d) that treatment strategies include lifestyle changes of the patient. Long‐term large population‐based and practice‐based studies on the efficacy of periodontal therapies including both clinical and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) need to be initiated, which include the understanding that periodontitis is a complex disease with variation of inflammatory responses due to environment, (epi)genetics, lifestyle and ageing. Involving people living with periodontitis as co‐researchers in the design of these studies would also help to improve their relevance.
Accuracy of cone beam computed tomography in evaluation of palatal mucosa thickness
Authors: Ogawa Miho , Katagiri Sayaka , Koyanagi Tatsuro , Maekawa Shogo , Shiba Takahiko , Ohsugi Yujin , Takeuchi Yasuo , Ikawa Takahiro , Takeuchi Shogo , Sekiuchi Takayuki , Arai Yuki , Kazama Ryunosuke , Wakabayashi Noriyuki , Izumi Yuichi , Iwata Takanori
Published: January 2020

Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the measurement of palatal mucosa thickness using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to create a conversion formula to evaluate palatal mucosa thickness more accurately. We then evaluated the palatal mucosa thickness in a Japanese population using CBCT and the conversion formula.

Materials and methods

We evaluated palatal mucosa thickness in 10 healthy subjects at 15 sites using CBCT, digital impression, and K file. Multiple regression analysis was performed to create a conversion formula to measure thickness accurately. We then obtained CBCT data from 174 patients retrospectively, applied the conversion formula, and evaluated palatal mucosa thickness.

Results

Sites of measurement affected measurement error. Measurement using CBCT was 0.34 ± 0.04 mm smaller than actual measurement; therefore, a conversion formula was created. Male, age ≥60 years, and probing pocket depth ≥4 mm had significant and positive associations with palatal mucosa thickness; however, no association was observed between bleeding on probing and palatal mucosa thickness.

Conclusion

CBCT is useful for the noninvasive and accurate measurement of palatal mucosa thickness.
Preventive intervention for trauma reactions in young injured children: results of a multi‐site randomised controlled trial
Authors: Haag Ann‐Christin , Landolt Markus A. , Kenardy Justin A. , Schiestl Clemens M. , Kimble Roy M. , De Young Alexandra C.
Published: January 2020

Background

Young children are at particular risk for injury. Ten per cent to twenty‐five per cent develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, no empirically supported preventive interventions exist. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of a standardised targeted preventive intervention for PTSD in young injured children.

Methods

Injured children (1–6 years) were enrolled in a multi‐site parallel‐group superiority prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) in Australia and Switzerland. Screening for PTSD risk occurred 6–8 days postaccident. Parents of children who screened ‘high‐risk’ were randomised to a 2‐session CBT‐based intervention or treatment‐as‐usual (TAU). Primary outcomes were PTSD symptom (PTSS) severity, and secondary outcomes were PTSD diagnosis, functional impairment and behavioural difficulties at 3 and 6 months postinjury using blinded assessments. Trials were registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000325606) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02088814). Trial status is complete.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐three children screened ‘high‐risk’ were assigned to intervention (n = 62) or TAU (n = 71). Multilevel intention‐to‐treat analyses revealed a significant intervention effect on PTSS severity over time (b = 60.06, 95% CI: 21.30–98.56). At 3 months, intervention children (M = 11.02, SD = 10.42, range 0–47) showed an accelerated reduction in PTSS severity scores compared to control children (M = 17.30, SD = 13.94, range 0–52; mean difference −6.97, 95% CI: −14.02 to 0.08, p adj. = .055, d = 0.51). On secondary outcomes, multilevel analyses revealed significant treatment effects for PTSD diagnosis, functional impairment and behavioural difficulties.

Conclusions

This multi‐site RCT provides promising preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a targeted preventive intervention for accelerating recovery from PTSS in young injured children. This has important clinical implications for the psychological support provided to young children and parents during the acute period following a single‐event trauma.
Dental caries,diabetes mellitus, metabolic control and diabetes duration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Coelho Ana Sofia , Amaro Inês Flores , Caramelo Francisco , Paula Anabela , Marto Carlos Miguel , Ferreira Manuel Marques , Botelho Maria Filomena , Carrilho Eunice Virgínia
Published: January 2020

Objective

To analyze articles aimed at evaluating the association between diabetes, metabolic control, diabetes duration, and dental caries.

Overview

A systematic search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted to retrieve papers in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, up to April 2019. The research strategy was constructed considering the “PECO” strategy. Only quantitative observational studies were analyzed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The meta‐analyses were performed based on random‐effects models using the statistical platform R. A total of 69 articles was included in the systematic review and 40 in the meta‐analysis. Type 1 diabetics have a significantly higher DMFT compared to controls. No significant differences were found between type 2 diabetics and controls and between well‐controlled and poorly controlled diabetics. Concerning diabetes duration, all authors failed to find differences between groups.

Conclusion

Although there is still a need for longitudinal studies, the meta‐analysis proved that type 1 diabetics have a high dental caries risk.

Clinical significance

It is necessary to be aware of all risk factors for dental caries that may be associated with these patients, making it possible to include them into an individualized prevention program.
Assessment of Psychological Disturbance in Patients with Tooth Loss: A Systematic Review of Assessment Tools
Authors: Kudsi Zaki , Fenlon Michael R. , Johal Ama , Baysan Aylin
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To systematically review the available evidence on screening tools to detect the psychological disturbance in patients with tooth loss and technically successful removable dentures (partial and complete).

Materials and Methods

The study protocol was registered with the National Institute of Health Research Database (I.D. CRD42017082125). The PICOS tool (patients, intervention, control, outcomes measure, and study design) was used to formulate an effective search strategy. Participants were adults (≥ 18), who were edentulous or had significant tooth loss (< 9 remaining teeth). The intervention included undergoing replacement with technically successful dentures (partial or complete). A control group of adults were either edentulous or had significant tooth loss and without dentures. Outcomes included assessing psychological disturbance due to treatment with dentures or due to no treatment using a validated tool. A structured search strategy was used to complete a standard systematic search of the electronic database without any date limit and/or language restriction. Only quantitative studies using a validated measuring tool to screen for psychological distress in adults with significant tooth loss were included. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. Data homogeneity was assessed in regards to the screening tools to measure psychological disturbance following the management of tooth loss with dentures. The significant level was set at 0.05, using IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0 (SPSS Inc., New York, NY). The psychometric properties and the validation processes of the screening tools were assessed.

Results

From the original 3510 studies identified, only eight studies were found to meet the inclusion criteria. All eight studies used the same questionnaire to screen for the emotional distress of tooth loss. In addition, one study also used the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) to screen for the association of depression with tooth loss. Six studies suggested that a significant number of patients have difficulties in accepting tooth loss, were less confident, and had emotional distress related to tooth loss. However, two studies reported no significant link. All studies found a marked impact on functional activities and social interaction. However, four studies had a potentially biased selection process, and the questionnaire used was assessed to be at high‐risk of measurement bias, as the development and validation process was not clear. There was also a lack of well‐defined control groups in all studies.

Conclusion

Tooth loss could cause psychological disturbance in some patients. To date, there is a lack of available tools that are suitable to screen and measure psychological disturbance in patients with tooth loss. Additional research is required to develop tools to identify and measure such impact and to recommend suitable interventions when needed.
Worthy of Justice: A Veterans Treatment Court in Practice
Authors: Rowen Jamie
Published: January 2020

This article examines the purpose and practice of a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a new type of problem‐solving court designed to connect qualifying former service members in the criminal justice system with social services. While existing studies of VTCs explain these courts by focusing on veterans' distinct needs or deservingness based on their military service, this article argues that these courts are being created because of societal beliefs about veteran worth. By revealing how court staff, participants, and volunteers in one VTC invoke beliefs about veteran worth, the findings of this study show that VTCs link worth to veteran identity, leaving participants suspended in conflicting notions of state and individual responsibility for criminal behavior.
Educational Support for Saudi Students with Learning Disabilities in Higher Education
Authors: Abed Mohaned G. , Shackelford Todd K.
Published: January 2020

Disability laws in Saudi Arabia mandate that higher education institutions provide support for special needs learners in order to ensure educational opportunities equivalent to opportunities for their nondisabled peers. These institutions experience challenges, however, in providing the necessary support to undergraduate and postgraduate students with learning disabilities (LDs). We conducted an exploratory study to assess educational support requirements and affordances for undergraduate and postgraduate students with LDs attending institutions of higher education in Saudi Arabia. We completed semistructured interviews with 22 special needs learners diagnosed with a LD (16 undergraduate and six postgraduate). The findings suggest that additional support services are needed for undergraduate and postgraduate students with LDs attending Saudi institutions of higher education.
An RXLR effector PlAvh142 from Peronophythora litchii triggers plant cell death and contributes to virulence
Authors: Situ Junjian , Jiang Liqun , Fan Xiaoning , Yang Wensheng , Li Wen , Xi Pinggen , Deng Yizhen , Kong Guanghui , Jiang Zide
Published: January 2020

Litchi downy blight, caused by the phytopathogenic oomycete Peronophythora litchii, results in tremendous economic loss in litchi production every year. To successfully colonize the host cell, Phytophthora species secret hundreds of RXLR effectors that interfere with plant immunity and facilitate the infection process. Previous work has already predicted 245 candidate RXLR effector‐encoding genes in P. litchii, 212 of which have been cloned and tested for plant cell death‐inducing activity in this study. We found three such RXLR effectors could trigger plant cell death through transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. Further experiments demonstrated that PlAvh142 could induce cell death and immune responses in several plants. We also found that PlAvh142 localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells. The cytoplasmic localization was critical for its cell death‐inducing activity. Moreover, deletion either of the two internal repeats in PlAvh142 abolished the cell death‐inducing activity. Virus‐induced gene silencing assays showed that cell death triggered by PlAvh142 was dependent on the plant transduction components RAR1 (require for Mla12 resistance), SGT1 (suppressor of the G2 allele of skp1) and HSP90 (heat shock protein 90). Finally, knockout of PlAvh142 resulted in significantly attenuated P. litchii virulence on litchi plants, whereas the PlAvh142‐overexpressed mutants were more aggressive. These data indicated that PlAvh142 could be recognized in plant cytoplasm and is an important virulence RXLR effector of P. litchii.
Developing competencies in genetics nursing: Education intervention for perinatal and pediatric nurses
Authors: Murakami Kyoko , Kutsunugi Saeko , Tsujino Kumiko , Stone Teresa E. , Ito Misae , Iida Kazuko
Published: January 2020

Nurses need to be appropriately trained in genetics to provide clinical care based on best practice for patients and families. This exploratory study describes an educational intervention using authentic stimulus material centered on a clinical case study of a family with a baby with Down syndrome. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of 15 nurses and 27 students from three universities in Japan before and after completing an entry‐level workshop on competency‐based genetics nursing. Participants reported increased perceived genetics knowledge and clinical confidence. Despite more than 90% of the participants reporting that they understood the underlying genetics knowledge, their confidence and the ethical aspects of genetics nursing had not been promoted after the seminar. In contrast, the reflections, coded into three categories, showed they recognized families' needs for psychological support, family decision making, and protection and privacy and suggested that nurses had undergone a profound shift in understanding about these issues. Although indicating that a single seminar was insufficient, the study findings will be useful to develop educational materials on genetics for both students and nurses.
Fogelin’s Theory of Deep Disagreements: A Relativistic Reading
Authors: Lavorerio Victoria
Published: January 2020

In “The Logic of Deep Disagreements,” Robert Fogelin claims that parties to a deep disagreement lack the common ground needed for arguments to work, making the disagreement impervious to rational resolution. Although Fogelin’s article received numerous responses, there has been no attempt to elucidate the epistemological theory behind Fogelin’s theses. In this article, I examine Fogelin’s theory of deep disagreements in light of his broader philosophy. The picture that emerges is that of relativism of distance, à la Bernard Williams. By interpreting Fogelin’s theory as relativism of distance, it avoids some of the critiques that have been raised against it.
Discussions of miscarriage and preterm births on Twitter
Authors: Cesare Nina , Oladeji Olubusola , Ferryman Kadija , Wijaya Derry , Hendricks‐Muñoz Karen D. , Ward Alyssa , Nsoesie Elaine O.
Published: January 2020

Background

Experiences typically considered private, such as, miscarriages and preterm births are being discussed publicly on social media and Internet discussion websites. These data can provide timely illustrations of how individuals discuss miscarriages and preterm births, as well as insights into the wellbeing of women who have experienced a miscarriage.

Objectives

To characterise how users discuss the topic of miscarriage and preterm births on Twitter, analyse trends and drivers, and describe the perceived emotional state of women who have experienced a miscarriage.

Methods

We obtained 291 443 Twitter postings on miscarriages and preterm births from January 2017 through December 2018. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was used to identify major topics of discussion. We applied time series decomposition methods to assess temporal trends and identify major drivers of discussion. Furthermore, four coders labelled the emotional content of 7282 personal miscarriage disclosure tweets into the following non‐mutually exclusive categories: grief/sadness/depression, anger, relief, isolation, annoyance, and neutral.

Results

Topics in our data fell into eight groups: celebrity disclosures, Michelle Obama's disclosure, politics, healthcare, preterm births, loss and anxiety, flu vaccine and ectopic pregnancies. Political discussions around miscarriages were largely due to a misunderstanding between abortions and miscarriages. Grief and annoyance were the most commonly expressed emotions within the miscarriage self‐disclosures; 50.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49.1, 52.2) and 16.2% (95%CI15.2, 17.3). Postings increased with celebrity disclosures, pharmacists’ refusal of prescribed medications and outrage over the high rate of preterm births in the United States. Miscarriage disclosures by celebrities also led to disclosures by women who had similar experiences.

Conclusions

This study suggests that increase in discussions of miscarriage on social media are associated with several factors, including celebrity disclosures. Additionally, there is a misunderstanding of the potential physical, emotional and psychological impacts on individuals who lose a pregnancy due to a miscarriage.
Sustainable phosphorus management in European agricultural and environmental law
Authors: Garske Beatrice , Stubenrauch Jessica , Ekardt Felix
Published: January 2020

Sustainable phosphorus management is indispensable for global food security and the conservation of soil and water bodies. Phosphorus governance is rooted in various areas of law, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union as well as European and national soil conservation law, water conservation law, fertilizer law, circular economy law and organic farming law. This article provides an analysis of the extent to which previously identified aspects of sustainable phosphorus management are reflected in the status quo of European agricultural and environmental law. It shows the potential for improvement regarding the integration of phosphorus‐related issues in existing regulation and points out that establishing economic instruments might help to overcome governance deficits of regulatory law.