bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Older Adult and Surrogate Perspectives on Serious, Difficult, and Important Medical Decisions
Authors: Petrillo Laura A. , McMahan Ryan D. , Tang Victoria , Dohan Daniel , Sudore Rebecca L.
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To elicit decisions that diverse older adults and surrogates perceive as serious, difficult, or important and explore what helped them make those decisions.

Design

Focus groups (N=13) in which participants were asked to recall serious, difficult, or important medical decisions and what helped them make those decisions.

Setting

Clinics, support groups and senior centers.

Participants

Diverse English‐ and Spanish‐speaking older adults (age: mean 78, range 64–89) and surrogates (age: mean 57, range 33–76) (29% African American, 26% white, 26% Asian or Pacific Islander, 19% Hispanic) (N=69).

Measurements

We used thematic analysis to analyze transcripts.

Results

We identified 168 decisions. Older adults from all racial and ethnic groups frequently recalled cancer treatment decisions and decisions about chronic illness management. Surrogates described decisions about transitions in care and medical crises. Older adults valued self‐sufficiency and maximizing survival and relied on personal experiences as often as medical advice. In all racial and ethnic groups, surrogates valued avoiding suffering for loved ones.

Conclusion

Diverse older adults and surrogates perceive life‐threatening illness and day‐to‐day decisions about chronic disease to be serious, difficult, and important. The surrogates' goal of avoiding suffering of older adults may differ from older adults' priorities of self‐sufficiency and maximizing survival. Clinicians should support older adults and surrogates in identifying important and difficult decisions and learn about the values and information sources they bring to decision‐making. With this knowledge, clinicians can customize decision support and achieve person‐centered care.
Trajectories of Relative Performance with 2 Measures of Global Cognitive Function
Authors: Espeland Mark A. , Chen Jiu‐Chiuan , Weitlauf Julie , Hayden Kathleen M. , Rapp Stephen R. , Resnick Susan M. , Garcia Lorena , Cannell Brad , Baker Laura D. , Sachs Bonnie C. , Tindle Hilary A. , Wallace Robert , Casanova Ramon ,   for the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Group
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To examine whether trajectories of global cognitive function over time in studies that change assessment protocols may be modeled based on an individual's performance relative to others in the study cohort.

Design

Extended follow‐up of a cohort originally enrolled in a clinical trial of postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Setting

The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study switched from an in‐person interview with the Modified Mini‐Mental State Examination to a telephone‐based interview with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status to assess global cognitive function over long‐term follow‐up.

Participants

Women aged 75 to 92 (N=2,561).

Measurements

Annual cognitive assessments from participants, ranked according to age‐, race‐ and ethnicity‐adjusted performance levels, were used to identify distinct trajectories. Participants assigned to the resulting trajectories were compared for selected risk factor profiles.

Results

Our approach grouped participants into five trajectories according to relative cognitive performance over time. These groups differed significantly according to 3 known risk factors for cognitive decline—education level, apolipoprotein E‐ϵ4 genotype, and type 2 diabetes mellitus—and a biomarker based on brain structure that has been linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Participants with consistently low relative levels of cognitive function over time and those whose relative performance over time declined to these levels tended to have poorer risk factor profiles.

Conclusion

Longitudinal measures of an individual's relative performance on different assessment protocols for global cognitive function can be used to identify trajectories of change over time that appear to have internal validity with respect to known risk factors.
Association Between History of Abuse and Falling in Older Adults
Authors: Reyes‐Ortiz Carlos A. , Ocampo‐Chaparro Jose Mauricio , Campo‐Arias Adalberto , Holmes Holly , Halphen John
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To explore the association between history of several types of abuse and falling.

Design

Cross‐sectional population‐based study.

Setting

Data from the Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (Health, Well‐being, and Aging) Bogotá Study.

Participants

Community‐dwelling adults aged 60 and older living in Bogotá, Colombia (n=2,000).

Measurements

Falling was defined as the number of times a person had fallen during the previous 12 months. History of abuse was assessed according to self‐report. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between elder abuse and falling, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Multivariate data analyses showed significant higher odds of any falls (≥1 vs 0) for past emotional (odds ratio (OR)=1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.23–1.90), physical (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.57–2.51), or sexual (OR=3.08, 95% CI=1.78–5.32) abuse. Similarly, the odds of recurrent falls (≥2 vs 0–1) were significantly higher with each type of abuse. In addition, the odds of any falls and recurrent falls were significant higher in participants with polyvictimization (≥2 types of abuse) than in those with no history of abuse or 1 type of abuse.

Conclusion

History of abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual) was strongly associated with falling in older adults living in Bogota. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and further delineate the independent effects of elder abuse on fall risk.
Federal and Individual Spending on the 10 Costliest Medications in Medicare Part D from 2011 to 2015
Authors: Watanabe Jonathan H. , Chau Diane L. , Hirsch Jan D.
Published: July 2018

Access to prescription medications is critical as the U.S. population ages. Escalating drug costs have garnered mounting attention from the public with increasing federal scrutiny. The Medicare Part D program will increasingly be relied upon to support the health of our nation's older people. We reviewed the publically available Medicare Part D usage data from 2011 to 2015 to quantify the cost of the 10 costliest medications for Part D, evaluated the number of beneficiaries treated with these medications, and measured beneficiaries' out‐of‐pocket costs. We observed over the analysis period, an increase in spending for these medications, a reduction in number of patients that received them, with increased out‐of‐pocket costs for the patient. In 2015 U.S. dollars, the amount Medicare Part D spent on the 10 costliest medications increased from $21.5 billion in 2011 to $28.4 billion in 2015—a 32% increase. The number of beneficiaries who received 1 of the 10 costliest medications fell from 12,913,003 in 2011 to 8,818,471—a 32% drop, with an average annual decrease of 7.9%. Out of pocket spending by patients that use these medications increased over the study period. For beneficiaries without the low‐income subsidy, the average out‐of‐pocket cost share for 1 of the 10 costliest medications increased from $375 in 2011 to $1,366 in 2015—a 264% increase overall and an average 66% increase per year. Specialty medications are a growing portion of the costliest medications. As medication costs continue to escalate, and specialty medications become more common, the U.S. will be increasingly challenged with devising mechanisms to access sustainable, affordable medications for all older adults.
Manual signing throughout the day: Influence from staff's sign use and type of activity
Authors: Rombouts E. , Maes B. , Zink I.
Published: July 2018

Background

Both individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and staff may be more inclined to use manual signs during formal than informal activities. In addition, the sign use of individuals with ID and staff is positively related. It is unclear if activity type and the sign use of staff interact as they shape the sign use of individuals with ID.

Methods

Through non‐continuous partial interval coding, we observed frequency of manual sign usage in adults with ID during communicative activities, non‐communicative activities and mealtimes in four special schools and 4‐day centres. Using loglinear analysis and partial associations, we measured how sign use varied by activity between the people with ID and the staff.

Results

When staff used signs, clients and students did not vary their spontaneous signing rate between types of activities. When staff did not use signs, a differential influence appeared according to the type of activity: clients and students were significantly more likely to also refrain from using signs during mealtimes and leisure or work activities such as crafts (84% to 89% of the time) than during communicative activities such as signing sessions (65% of the time).

Conclusions

Reluctance of staff to model sign use seemed to hinder signing implementation by the people with ID. Future studies should take into account various levels of sign prompting and increasing pragmatic functions of individuals' sign use.
Determination of major histocompatibility class I and class II genetic composition of the Caribbean Primate Center specific pathogen‐free rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) colony based on massively parallel sequencing
Authors: Kanthaswamy Sreetharan , Oldt Robert F. , Ng Jillian , Smith David Glenn , Martínez Melween I. , Sariol Carlos A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Knowledge of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) composition and distribution in rhesus macaque colonies is critical for management strategies that maximize the utility of this model for biomedical research.

Methods

Variation within the Mamu‐A and Mamu‐B (class I) and DRB, DQA/B, and DPA/B (class II) regions of 379 animals from the Caribbean Primate Research Center's (CPRC) specific pathogen free (SPF) colony was examined using massively parallel sequencing.

Results

Analyses of the 7 MHC loci revealed a background of Indian origin with high levels of variation despite past genetic bottlenecks. All loci exhibited mutual linkage disequilibria while conforming to Hardy–Weinberg expectations suggesting the achievement of mutation‐selection balance.

Conclusion

The CPRC's SPF colony is a significant resource for research on AIDS and other infectious agents. Characterizing colony‐wide MHC variability facilitates the breeding and selection of animals bearing desired haplotypes and increases the investigator's ability to understand the immune responses mounted by these animals.
Neuroendocrine correlates of the critical day length response in the Soay sheep
Authors: Hazlerigg David , Lomet Didier , Lincoln Gerald , Dardente Hugues
Published: July 2018

In mammals, melatonin is the hormone responsible for synchronisation of seasonal physiological cycles of physiology to the solar year. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland with a profile reflecting the duration of the night and acts via melatonin‐responsive cells in the pituitary pars tuberalis (PT), which in turn modulate hypothalamic thyroid hormone status. Recent models suggest that the actions of melatonin in the PT depend critically on day length‐dependent changes in the expression of eyes absent 3 (Eya3), which is a coactivator for thyrotrophin β‐subunit (Tshβ) gene transcription. According to this model, short photoperiods suppress Eya3 and hence Tshβ expression, whereas long photoperiods produce the inverse effect. Studies underpinning this model have relied on step changes in photoperiod (from 8 to 16 hours of light/24 hours) and have not compared the sensitive ranges of photoperiods for changes in Eya3 and Tshβ expression with those for relevant downstream molecular and endocrine responses. We therefore performed a “critical day length” experiment in Soay sheep, in which animals acclimated to 8 hours of light/24 hours (SP) were exposed to a range of increased photoperiods spanning the range 11.75 to 16 hours (LP) and then responses at the level of the PT, hypothalamus and hormonal output were assessed. Although Eya3 and Tshβ both showed the predicted SP vs LP differences, they responded quite differently to intermediate photoperiods within this range and, at the individual animal level, no clear Eya3‐Tshβ relationship could be seen. This result is inconsistent with a simple coactivator model for EYA3 action in the PT. Further downstream layers of nonlinearity were also seen in terms of the Tshβ‐dio2 and the dio2‐testosterone relationships. We conclude that the transduction of progressive changes in photoperiod into transitions in endocrine output is an emergent property of a multistep signalling cascade within the mammalian neuroendocrine system.
The attribute priming effect in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Perri Roberta , Carlesimo Giovanni Augusto , Monaco Marco , Caltagirone Carlo , Zannino Gian Daniele
Published: July 2018

Experiments with semantic priming (SP) paradigms have documented early hypopriming in patients with AD when concepts are used as primes and attribute concept features as targets, suggesting that concept attributes are vulnerable to damage very early in the disease course. The aims of this study were to confirm early priming reduction in the attribute condition in patients with AD and to determine which of several semantic indexes (such as the level of distinctiveness, correlation or feature dominance of concept features) best predicts the priming effect size in AD. We administered an SP attribute condition paradigm to 20 mildly demented patients with AD and to 10 NCs. We used concept–attribute pairs for which normative data of semantic indexes relative to both concept primes (i.e., number, type, mean level of dominance, distinctiveness and correlation of features constituting the concepts) and target features (i.e., level of feature dominance, correlation and distinctiveness) were available. Results showed that compared to NCs, the AD group obtained very reduced priming facilitation. Furthermore, the item regression analyses showed that the priming decrement in the AD group was predicted by the feature dominance of the target in the related pairs; that is, the lower the target feature dominance, the lower the priming effect elicited. These results confirmed hypopriming in the attribute condition from the very early phase of AD and support the view that attributes which are more salient for the identification of a given concept are also those most resistant to semantic memory degradation in AD pathology.
“A body in transformation”—An empirical phenomenological study about fear‐avoidance beliefs towards physical activity among persons experiencing moderate‐to‐severe rheumatic pain
Authors: Lööf Helena , Johansson Unn‐Britt
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To gain a better understanding of fear‐avoidance beliefs towards physical activity and body awareness in people experiencing moderate‐to‐severe rheumatic pain.

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are long‐term conditions with pain as the prominent symptom. Health‐promoting physical activity is recommended and can have an analgesic effect. High self‐rated pain has previously been reported to be associated with increased fear‐avoidance behaviour in relation to physical activity. Body awareness, which includes attentional focus and awareness of internal body sensations, could be valuable in the nursing care of long‐term diseases.

Design

Empirical phenomenological.

Methods

An empirical phenomenological psychological method was applied. The interviews took place between autumn 2016–spring 2017 with 11 informants (eight women and three men, age range 44–71 years) who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 7) or psoriatic arthritis (n = 4), with a disease duration ranging from 3–35 years. The mean visual analogue scale score in the study sample was 60 mm.

Results

Three typologies were identified: “My relatively fragile physical status”, “I am an active creator” and “Part of something bigger than myself.”

Conclusions

The current findings indicated that pain anticipation and fear‐avoidance beliefs towards physical activity sometimes affected the behaviour of individuals with long‐term rheumatic pain syndromes. People experiencing moderate‐to‐severe rheumatic pain tended to focus on their fragile physical and emotional state. By adopting a more favourable attitude towards the self, the body could be restored to a state of calm and balance.

Relevance to clinical practice

The current findings are relevant for healthcare professionals engaged in health‐promotion clinical practice.
Cross‐cultural differences in types and beliefs about treatment in women with temporomandibular disorder pain
Authors: Al‐Harthy Mohammad , List Thomas , Ohrbach Richard , Michelotti Ambra
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Women with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain from three cultures were assessed for type of treatment received and core illness beliefs.

Methods

In a clinical setting, 122 women patients with chronic TMD pain (39 Saudis, 41 Swedes and 42 Italians) were evaluated for patient characteristics, type of practitioner, type of treatment received and beliefs about TMD prior to consultation in TMD specialist centres. Measures included a survey of treatments received and a belief scale regarding contributing, aggravating and treatment‐relevant factors related to the pain. All questionnaires were translated from English and culturally adapted. Comparisons among cultural groups were performed using a linear regression model for continuous variables and logistic regression model for dichotomous variables. A P‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The study found no significant associations between cultures and the type of practitioners consulted previously. Treatments differed among cultures: Swedes most commonly received behavioural therapy, acupuncture and an occlusal appliance; Saudis most commonly received Islamic medicine; and Italians most commonly received an antidepressant. Swedes were significantly more likely than Saudis and Italians to believe that TMD pain treatment should address behavioural factors.

Conclusions

Among Saudi, Italian and Swedish women with chronic TMD pain, culture does not influence the type of practitioner consulted before visiting a TMD specialist or their beliefs about contributing and aggravating factors for their pain. However, treatment types and beliefs concerning mechanisms underlying the pain differed cross‐culturally, with local availability or larger cultural beliefs also probably influencing the types of treatments that TMD patients pursue.
Anxiety and malocclusion are associated with temporomandibular disorders in adolescents diagnosed by RDC/TMD. A cross‐sectional study
Authors: de Paiva Bertoli Fernanda Mara , Bruzamolin Carolina Dea , de Almeida Kranz Graciely Osternack , Losso Estela Maris , Brancher Joao Armando , de Souza Juliana Feltrin
Published: July 2018

Background

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is a multifactorial condition, which could be associated to occlusal and psychological factors, such as anxiety.

Objective

Investigate if anxiety and malocclusion are associated with the prevalence of TMD in adolescents.

Methods

To ensure a population‐based representative sample, 934 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old from Curitiba‐PR, Brazil were randomly selected and examined according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and malocclusion by a single‐calibrated examiner (Kappa > 0.80). Anxiety was assessed according to trait anxiety (STAI‐T), categorised as high, moderate and low levels. For occlusal exam, it was considered: Angel's molar relationship, anterior and posterior crossbite, excessive overjet, open and deep bite. The associations were analysed by the crude and adjusted prevalence ration (RPa) of TMJ, calculated by a Poisson multivariate regression with robust variance (α = 0.05).

Results

The prevalence of at least one type of malocclusion was found in 52.3%. Anxiety was found in high level (12.2%), moderate (70.4%) and low (17.5%). Presence of high anxiety was significantly associated with the prevalence of TMD symptoms (RPa = 4.06, P < 0.001), as well as the prevalence of myofascial pain (RPa = 24.78; P < 0.001) and prevalence of disc displacement with reduction (RPa = 11.08, P < 0.001). Adolescents Class II had higher prevalence of myofascial pain (Class II RPa = 1.73; P < 0.015) than adolescents Class I. Adolescents Class III presented higher prevalence of myofascial pain (PRa 2.53; P = 0.004) than adolescents Class I.

Conclusion

Anxiety is strongly associated with TMD in adolescents. Presence of Class II or III is associated with higher prevalence of myofascial pain in adolescentsPLESAE check and approve the edit made in the article title.
Prevalence of psychosocial impairment in temporomandibular disorder patients: A systematic review
Authors: De La Torre Canales Giancarlo , Câmara‐Souza Mariana Barbosa , Muñoz Lora Victor Ricardo Manuel , Guarda‐Nardini Luca , Conti Paulo César Rodrigues , Rodrigues Garcia Renata Matheus , Del Bel Cury Altair Antoninha , Manfredini Daniele
Published: July 2018

Background

Several studies have described high levels of psychosocial disorders in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), but an estimate of their prevalence in populations of TMD patients has never been assessed systematically.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the prevalence of research diagnostic criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) Axis II findings in TMD patients.

Methods

Search for articles was carried out by two independent researchers to retrieve papers published after 1992. Inclusion was reserved to observational studies with a minimum sample size of 100 individuals, which used RDC/TMD diagnostic protocol. Quality assessment was performed with the adoption of the methodological evaluation of observational research (MORE).

Results

A total of 1186 citations were obtained from search strategy, but only 14 filled the inclusion criteria. Included papers reported somatisation, depression and/or pain‐related disability prevalence or scores from populations of 12 different countries. A broad range in the prevalence of moderate‐to‐severe somatisation in patients with TMD was observed, ranging from 28.5% to 76.6%. Similar results were found for depression, with moderate‐to‐severe levels in 21.4%‐60.1% of patients. Finally, most patients were rated as grade I or II of the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, whereas high pain‐related impairment was present in 2.6% to 24% of the individuals.

Conclusion

The prevalence of severe‐to‐moderate somatisation and depression was high in TMD patients, while severe physical impairment was not commonly reported.
Association between obstructive sleep apnea and alcohol, caffeine and tobacco: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Taveira Karinna Veríssimo Meira , Kuntze Morgane Marion , Berretta Fernanda , de Souza Beatriz Dulcineia Mendes , Godolfim Luiz Roberto , Demathe Thiago , De Luca Canto Graziela , Porporatti André Luís
Published: July 2018

The aim of this systematic review was to answer the focused question, “Is there an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and alcohol, caffeine or tobacco use?” Five electronic databases (Cinahl, Literatura Latth American and Caribbean, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) and 3 grey literature (Google Acadêmico, ProQuest, OpenGrey) were searched, as well as search on reference list of included papers and contacts with study authors. Observational studies were included. The Meta‐Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (MAStARI) tool assessed the potential risk of bias (RoB) among the studies, while the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach determined the level of evidence. Meta‐Analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3 software. Among 3,442 identified studies, 14 were included. Eleven studies were classified as moderate RoB and 3 as high RoB. Meta‐analysis showed OSA has no association with tobacco and presented a positive association with alcohol. The odds ratio for OSA increased almost 1.33 times (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.10‐1.62) for alcohol users. There was insufficient published data to evaluate whether OSA is associated with caffeine. The overall quality of evidence ranged from low to very low. OSA was associated with the use of alcohol, however there is not enough evidence to confirm the association with tobacco or caffeine. Due to the very low GRADE level of evidence, caution should be applied when considering these findings.
Reliability, validity, and sex differences in a quantitative gag reflex measurement method
Authors: Karibe Hiroyuki , Okamoto Ayuko , Kato Yuichi , Shimazu Kisaki , Goddard Greg
Published: July 2018

A reliable assessment method is required to manage the gag reflex. We tested the inter‐ and intra‐examiner reliability and validity of a quantitative measurement method and evaluated the differences between sexes. This study included 21 healthy adults (10 women, 11 men; mean age, 27.1 ± 9.9 years). An examiner inserted a standard saliva ejector slowly down the participant's throat to determine the maximum tolerance of the gag reflex; the insertion depth was used as an index of gag reflex. The reflex was measured by one examiner during two sessions (S1 and S3) and by a second examiner during one session (S2) under the same conditions. The galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate (HR) were recorded during each session to test the method validity. Data were analysed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), paired t test, and two‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance. The ICC of the gag reflex measurements was 0.91 between S1 and S2, and 0.93 between S1 and S3. The GSR and HR increased significantly after the maximum tolerance of the reflex in S1, S2, and S3 (GSR: P < 0.001, P = 0.004, P = 0.001, respectively; HR: all, P < 0.001). Differences in the measurements according to sex and session were not significant. Our method exhibited excellent inter‐ and intra‐examiner reliability and was unaffected by the participants’ sex. Measurement revealed significant autonomic reactivity, which is common for this reflex. Consequently, this method may be used in clinical and laboratory‐based applications.
Human jaw joint hypermobility: Diagnosis and biomechanical modelling
Authors: Tuijt Matthijs , Parsa Azin , Koutris Michail , Berkhout Erwin , Koolstra Jan Harm , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: July 2018

Patients with hypermobility disorders of the jaw joint experience joint sounds and jerky movements of the jaw. In severe cases, a subluxation or luxation can occur. Clinically, hypermobility disorders should be differentiated from disc displacements. With biomechanical modelling, we previously identified the anterior slope angle of the eminence and the orientation of the jaw closers to potentially contribute to hypermobility disorders. Using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT), we constructed patient‐specific models of the masticatory system to incorporate these aspects. It is not known whether the clinical diagnosis of hypermobility disorders is associated with the prediction of hypermobility by a patient‐specific biomechanical model. Fifteen patients and eleven controls, matched for gender and age, were enrolled in the study. Clinical diagnosis was performed according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and additional testing to differentiate hypermobility from disc displacements. Forward simulations with patient‐specific biomechanical models were performed for maximum opening and subsequent closing of the jaw. This predicted a hypermobility disorder (luxation) or a control (normal closing). We found no association between the clinical diagnosis and predictions of hypermobility disorders. The biomechanical models overestimated the number of patients, yielding a low specificity. The role of the collagenous structures remains unclear; therefore, the articular disc and the ligaments should be modelled in greater detail. This also holds for the fanned shape of the temporalis muscle. However, for the osseous structures, we determined post hoc that the anterior slope angle of the articular eminence is steeper in patients than in controls.
Validity and reliability of the mixing ability test as masticatory performance outcome in children with spastic cerebral palsy and children with typical development: A pilot study
Authors: Remijn Lianne , Vermaire Jorine A. , Nijhuis‐van der Sanden Maria W. G. , Groen Brenda E. , Speksnijder Caroline M.
Published: July 2018

Background

The mixing ability test (MAT) as an outcome measure of masticatory performance is largely used in studies with adults, but not yet with children.

Objective

This study aimed to test the construct validity and the test‐retest reliability of the MAT in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and children with typical development (TD).

Method

The results of the MAT were correlated with tongue movements, mandible movements, relative muscle contraction and clinical observation measured with ultrasound, 3D kinematics, electromyography (EMG) and relevant items of the mastication observation and evaluation (MOE) instrument, respectively. Moreover, the between‐groups effect was tested. Test‐retest reliability was calculated with an intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM).

Results

Twenty‐one children (seven children with spastic CP and 14 children with TD) participated in this study. The MAT scores showed moderate to good correlations with some variables of the tongue movements, horizontal mandible movements and occlusion duration, relative muscle contraction of the left temporalis and all six MOE items (−0.80 < r < 0.49). The MAT scores were significantly higher for children with CP (mean 22.6; SD 2.4) compared to children with TD (mean 19.9; SD 1.9). The test‐retest reliability had an ICC of 0.7 and a SEM of 1.16 (±5% of the mean score).

Conclusion

These results indicate that the MAT is suitable and complementary to ultrasound, 3D kinematics, EMG and observation to compare the masticatory performance between children with CP and children with TD, with an acceptable test‐retest reliability.
Midline perineal lesion in a newborn girl
Authors: Pereira Catarina , Salgado Manuel , Cascais Mafalda
Published: July 2018

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Identification of Fusarium proliferatum causing leaf spots on Cymbidium orchids in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Chao‐Jen , Chen Yi‐Jeng , Jain Yi‐Chi , Chung Wen‐Chuan , Wang Chih‐Li , Chung Wen‐Hsin
Published: July 2018

Previous research indicated that black and yellow leaf spots on Cymbidium, Ondontioda, Dendrobium and Cattleya could be caused by Fusarium proliferatum worldwide. However, the agent causing leaf spot on Cymbidium spp. plants is still obscure in Taiwan. Thirty‐five F. fujikuroi species complex (FFSC)‐like isolates were collected from Cymbidium leaf spot from different greenhouses in Taiwan. All isolates were identified as F. proliferatum based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. Sequence of translation elongation factor 1‐alpha gene showed 99%–100% homology with F. proliferatum. In addition, two assay techniques using either detached leaves or seedlings were used to evaluate the pathogenicity and host range of the isolates and consequently their effects on Cymbidium and other orchid plants. Pathogenicity assays revealed that all isolates induced black and necrotic spots on detached leaves of Cymbidium, showing 9.4%–29.5% severity on seedlings of Cymbidium. Results of host specificity tests on detached leaves of different plants indicated that the F. proliferatum isolates collected from Cymbidium plants caused severe black spots on Oncidium, Cymbidium, Dendrobium and Cattleya plants. The symptoms on Phalaenopsis plants were relatively mild. Results of host specificity tests on plant seedlings indicated that the F. proliferatum isolates of Cymbidium origin were also pathogenic to Oncidium, Cymbidium and Dendrobium, but not to Cattleya and Phalaenopsis. Phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor (TEF) gene among all fungal isolates using maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed that the isolates of F. proliferatum from Cymbidium spp. could be separated from other FFSC‐like species with high phylogenetic support.
Protective effect of methylsulfonylmethane in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury in mice
Authors: Velusamy Ranjith Kumar , Tamizhselvi Ramasamy
Published: July 2018

Objectives

In the present study, we have elaborated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of MSM through homing of CD34+ stem cells towards an inflamed region by regulating hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in an in vivo model of caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) and associated lung injury.

Methods

Male Swiss mice were treated with hourly intraperitoneal injections of caerulein (50 μg/kg) for 6 h. MSM (500 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 1 h after the first caerulein injection (therapeutic). The serum amylase activity and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung and pancreas were measured. The levels of H2S and interleukin (IL)-1β, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and CD34+ expressions in pancreas and lungs were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA.

Key Findings

Methylsulfonylmethane significantly ameliorated pancreas and lung histopathological changes, decreased serum amylase, MPO activity and inhibited caerulein-induced IL-1β expression. Furthermore, MSM reduced caerulein-induced H2S levels by alleviating the expression of CSE in pancreas and lungs and increased CD34 expression and inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-κB translocation in caerulein-induced AP and associated lung injury.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that MSM can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and induce the homing of CD34+ cells to the injured tissues.
UV‐light and dietary vitamin D and their effects on ionized calcium and 25‐OH‐D plasma concentrations in captive gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua)
Authors: Tröndle Ursina , Steinmetz Hanspeter W. , Rüegg Simon R. , Müller Anja , Liesegang Annette
Published: July 2018

In this study, the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light and dietary vitamin D on calcium metabolism in permanently indoor‐housed gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) was investigated. The study consisted of three periods, each completed with blood samples to analyse plasma concentrations of 25‐OH‐D, 1,25‐(OH)2‐D, ionized (iCa) and total calcium (tCa). During the first study period (D), animals were housed under routine conditions without UV‐light and fed a diet of different fish species, supplemented with 1,000 IU vitamin D per animal and day. The following study period (Baseline) of 28‐day duration consisted of the same diet without any vitamin D supplementation and without UV‐light. During the study period (UVB) artificial UV‐light was added for 3 weeks. The vitamin D content of fish was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. It varied between fish species and between facilities, ranging from no measurable content in capelin (Mallotus villosus) to 7,340 IU vitamin D/kg original matter (OM) in herring (Clupea spp). The average dietary vitamin D content was 311 IU/kg OM at facility 1 and 6,325 IU/kg OM at facility 2, resulting in a vitamin D intake per animal and day without supplementation of 130 IU (25.5 IU/kg body weight BW) and 2,454 IU (438.2 IU/kg BW) respectively. The supplementation of vitamin D elevated significantly the plasma concentrations of 25‐OH‐D by an intraindividual difference of 15 (range −2 to 59) nmol/L and tCa by 0.1 (0.0–0.3) mmol/L only at facility 2. The exposure to UV‐light raised the blood concentrations of tCa at facility 2 by 0.15 (0.1–0.2) mmol/L, and of iCa and tCa for females at facility 1 by 0.23 (0.13–0.41) mmol/L and 1.8 (1.1–2.5) mmol/L respectively. No significant influence of the study periods (D) and (UVB) was found for the concentrations of 1,25‐(OH)2‐D at both facilities.
Evaluation of factors associated with retained surgical sponges in veterinary patients: a survey of veterinary practitioners
Authors: Rodriguez F. R. , Kirby B. M. , Ryan J.
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To evaluate factors that could be associated with retained surgical sponges in veterinary patients.

Materials and Methods

A survey was distributed to 322 veterinarians attending a national veterinary conference in the UK. The survey included questions about the staff, scheduling, type of surgical procedure, surgical sponges, methods to track surgical sponges and details of clinical cases with retained surgical sponges.

Results

The response rate was 64 of 322 (19%). Lack of designated scheduled time for surgical procedures was reported by 30% of respondents and was variable for 31%. More than half of respondents (66%) had two people involved in each surgical procedure. The majority of respondents sterilised their own surgical sponges (91%) and used non‐radiopaque surgical sponges (56%). Sponges were not counted by 27% of respondents and only occasionally by 20%. Sponge count was not recorded by 70% of respondents. The majority (66%) did not use or have a surgical checklist. Lack of awareness of gossypibomas was reported by 11% of respondents. In all, 27% of respondents were aware of at least one case of retained surgical sponge. Of the 17 cases reported, 14 were small animals. The abdomen was the most common anatomical location for retained surgical sponges and followed elective neutering.

Clinical Significance

Despite the low‐response rate, our results suggest that methods of surveillance might reduce the incidence of retained surgical sponges. Lack of specifically scheduled time for surgery, few theatre staff and lack of sponge counting and documentation may have contributed to the 17 retained surgical sponge cases reported.
Feasibility study of a combined lifestyle behaviors and asthma self‐management intervention for school‐aged children
Authors: Horner Sharon D. , Timmerman Gayle M. , McWilliams Bennie C.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of delivering an intervention that combines healthy lifestyle behaviors related to weight management with asthma self‐management, the Living Healthy with Asthma intervention, to children who have asthma.

Methods and Design

Using a mixed design, the feasibility study of the 12‐week Living Healthy with Asthma intervention was conducted with a single group of children diagnosed with asthma. Pretest and posttest data were collected on asthma‐related (self‐management, metered dose inhaler [MDI] skill, asthma severity, quality of life [QOL]), and healthy lifestyle variables (body mass index [BMI], dietary quality). A matched comparison sample was drawn from a separate study that tested the same asthma self‐management component (single intervention) used in the feasibility study to determine if the Living Healthy with Asthma intervention worked as well as the single intervention for improving children's asthma self‐management.

Results

Thirteen school‐aged children were enrolled in the feasibility study. There were significant reductions in BMI z‐scores (P = 0.007), and improvements in vegetable servings (P = 0.03), MDI skill (P = 0.005), children's QOL (P < 0.001), and parents’ QOL (P = 0.03). When comparing the feasibility group with the matched comparison group (n = 13), there were no significant differences in asthma self‐management, MDI skill, or asthma severity after the interventions.

Practice Implications

Findings supported the feasibility of implementing the combined intervention, and it was not inferior to the single intervention—which supports nurses’ efforts to help families manage multiple health problems.
Comparative plasma and interstitial fluid pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of ceftiofur crystalline‐free acid in cattle with induced coliform mastitis
Authors: Gorden Patrick J. , Ydstie Joshua A. , Kleinhenz Michael D. , Brick Troy A. , Smith Joe S. , Griffith Ronald W. , Wulf Larry W. , Rajewski Suzanne M. , Zhang Min , Sidhu Pritam K. , Mochel Jonathan P. , Coetzee Johann F.
Published: July 2018

Ceftiofur (CEF) is a third‐generation cephalosporin that is the most widely used antimicrobial in the dairy industry. Currently, violative meat residues in cull dairy cattle are commonly associated with CEF. One potential cause for violative residues is altered pharmacokinetics of the drug due to disease, which could increase the time needed for the residue to deplete. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine the absolute bioavailability of CEF crystalline‐free acid (CFA) in healthy versus diseased cows; (b) to compare the plasma and interstitial fluid pharmacokinetics and plasma protein binding of CEF between healthy dairy cows and those with disease; and (c) to determine the CEF residue profile in tissues of diseased cows. For this trial, disease was induced through intramammaryEscherichia coliinfusion. Following disease induction and CEF CFA administration, for plasma concentrations, there was not a significant effect of treatment (p = 0.068), but the treatment‐by‐time interaction (p = 0.005) was significant. There was a significantly greater concentration of CEF in the plasma of the DIS cows at T2 hr (p = 0.002), T8 hr (p < 0.001), T12 hr (p = 0.001), and T16 hr (p = 0.002). For PK parameters in plasma, the slope of the terminal phase of the concentration versus time curve was significantly lower (p = 0.007), terminal half‐life was significantly longer (p = 0.014), and apparent volume of distribution during the elimination phase was significantly higher (p = 0.028) diseased group. There was no difference in plasma protein binding of CEF and interstitial fluid pharmacokinetics. None of the cows had kidney CEF residues above the US tolerance level following observation of the drug's withdrawal period, but one cow with a larger apparent volume of distribution and longer terminal half‐life had tissue residues slightly below the tolerance. Whereas these findings do not support the hypothesis that severely ill cows need longer withdrawal times, alterations in the terminal half‐life suggest that it is theoretically possible.
The presence of the brown bear Ursus arctos in Holocene Britain: a review of the evidence
Authors: O'Regan Hannah J.
Published: July 2018

The brown bear Ursus arctos was Holocene Britain's largest carnivoran and has appeared in recent rewilding discussions.

Despite widespread interest, we know very little about the species in Holocene Britain, as few studies have been undertaken. This paper draws together information on the brown bear to examine its presence and extinction through evaluation of the archaeological and palaeontological evidence.

Data were collected from published literature and museum catalogues. Information on the chronological date of archaeological sites, the number of bear specimens, and the body parts present were particularly sought.

A total of 85 sites were identified, 57 are well‐dated, 25 are of uncertain date but are likely to be Holocene, and three have uncertain species identifications. Very few specimens from non‐anthropogenic sites (e.g. fens and caves) are well‐dated, skewing the data towards anthropogenic sites such as settlements and graves.

Analysis of body part representation shows that the bear bones found in the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and most of the early medieval period are largely phalanges or metapodials, which are likely to be derived from skins. Other body parts are present during the Romano‐British, medieval, and post‐medieval period, indicating that live bears were present and were probably imported for entertainment.

It seems that the brown bear was rare in Britain throughout the Holocene, and, based on current evidence, two extinction scenarios can be put forward: extinction in the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age, or extinction in the early medieval period.
The reaction of carbonates in contact with laser‐generated, superheated silicate melts: Constraining impact metamorphism of carbonate‐bearing target rocks
Authors: Hamann Christopher , Bläsing Saskia , Hecht Lutz , Schäffer Sebastian , Deutsch Alex , Osterholz Jens , Lexow Bernd
Published: July 2018

We simulated entrainment of carbonates (calcite, dolomite) in silicate impact melts by 1‐bar laser melting of silicate–carbonate composite targets, using sandstone, basalt, calcite marble, limestone, dolomite marble, and iron meteorite as starting materials. We demonstrate that carbonate assimilation by silicate melts of variable composition is extremely fast (seconds to minutes), resulting in contamination of silicate melts with carbonate‐derived CaO and MgO and release of CO2 at the silicate melt–carbonate interface. We identify several processes, i.e., (1) decomposition of carbonates releases CO2 and produces residual oxides (CaO, MgO); (2) incorporation of residual oxides from proximally dissociating carbonates into silicate melts; (3) rapid back‐reactions between residual CaO and CO2 produce idiomorphic calcite crystallites and porous carbonate quench products; (4) high‐temperature reactions between Ca‐contaminated silicate melts and carbonates yield typical skarn minerals and residual oxide melts; (5) mixing and mingling between Ca‐ or Ca,Mg‐contaminated and Ca‐ or Ca,Mg‐normal silicate melts; (6) precipitation of Ca‐ or Ca,Mg‐rich silicates from contaminated silicate melts upon quenching. Our experiments reproduce many textural and compositional features of typical impact melts originating from silicate–carbonate targets. They reinforce hypotheses that thermal decomposition of carbonates, rapid back‐reactions between decomposition products, and incorporation of residual oxides into silicate impact melts are prevailing processes during impact melting of mixed silicate–carbonate targets. However, by comparing our results with previous studies and thermodynamic considerations on the phase diagrams of calcite and quartz, we envisage that carbonate impact melts are readily produced during adiabatic decompression from high shock pressure, but subsequently decompose due to heat influx from coexisting silicate impact melts or hot breccia components. Under certain circumstances, postshock conditions may favor production and conservation of carbonate impact melts. We conclude that the response of mixed carbonate–silicate targets to impact might involve melting and decomposition of carbonates, the dominant response being governed by a complex variety of factors.