bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Esthetic Management of Dental Implants: Surgical and Restorative Considerations to Improve Outcomes
Authors: Levin Barry P. , Rubinstein Sergio , Rose Louis F.
Published: July 2015

Objective

Successful dental implant therapy in the maxillary anterior dentition requires meticulous attention to surgical and prosthodontic measures.

Clinical Considerations

Proper diagnosis, extraction technique, implant selection, and placement significantly impact outcomes. Respect of hard and soft tissue physiology following tooth loss and implant placement requires specific steps be taken. Management tissue contours properly, via regenerative therapy, results in successful framing of the restoration. Provisionalization and definitive restorative therapy also impacts the level of esthetic success. The contours of the temporary abutment and crown develop soft tissue contours for the final restoration. Overcontouring can lead to soft tissue recession and mucosal asymmetry. Design of the definitive crown(s) is crucial for long‐term maintenance of esthetically acceptable results.

Conclusion

Visualizing the outcome of treatment prior to its inception, following specific surgical and restorative guidelines, increases the likelihood of success.

Clinical Significance

This article demonstrates the importance of proper surgical and prosthetic principles in achieving esthetic implant results.
Color Stability and Surface Roughness of a Laboratory‐Processed Composite Resin as a Function of Mouthrinse
Authors: Cengiz Seda , Yüzbaşioğlu Emir , Cengiz M. Inanç , Velioğlu Neslin , Sevimli Gaye
Published: July 2015

Statement of the Problem

Mouthrinses can cause discoloration on indirect resin composites.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different mouthrinses on the color changes and surface roughness of a laboratory‐processed composite.

Methods and Materials

Fifty discs were made using GC Gradia/GC indirect composites and divided into five groups which immersed in artificial saliva and four different types of mouthrinses. The samples were immersed daily for 14 days in 20 mL of the solutions for 2 minutes twice a day (with a 12‐hour interval between exposures). Measurements were carried out at four different times: 1 hour after sample preparation (t0), 1 day (t1), 7 days (t2), and 14 days (t3) after the first immersion in the solutions. The color before and after immersion was measured according to Comission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE L*, a*, b*) System and ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, and ΔE* values were calculated. The surface roughness Ra (μm) of the specimens was evaluated using a profilometer.

Results

There were significant differences between the groups at all time representing ΔE values (p < 0.001). At (t1) time representing ΔRa value, there were significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). At (t2, t3) time representing ΔRa values, there were significant differences between the groups (p < 0.001). Pharmol Zn immersed specimens showed ΔE values between 1.04 and 3.67.

Conclusions

The result of this study indicated that the mouthrinses affected the color stability of indirect composites.

Clinical Significance

Based on the results of this study, patients with resin composite restorations should be warned by the dentists about the discoloration of the restorations and the time period of the mouthrinse that will be used.
Non‐Isothermal Kinetic Models of Degradation of S‐Methylmethionine
Authors: Huang Yarong , Tippmann Johannes , Becker Thomas
Published: July 2015

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which has a characteristic taste and aroma of cooked celery, is one of the most studied off‐flavors in wort and beer. Although there have been many kinetic studies conducted with different wort boiling systems under isothermal conditions, the results are difficult to apply to the heating up process, in which the decomposition of the DMS precursor (DMS‐P), S‐methylmethionine (SMM) also takes place. And it is not easy to define the time of the beginning of wort boiling (t = 0) under isothermal conditions. In this study, the kinetics of thermal decomposition of SMM was studied using multiple dynamic measurements under non‐isothermal conditions. Wort was heated to 140C in sealed test tubes with different heating rates (1–6 K/min). The activation energies (Ea) and the pre‐exponential factors (A) for the decomposition of SMM were investigated using Coats–Redfern, Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method, respectively. The reaction mechanism follows first‐order kinetics. The kinetic triple (Ea, A, G(α)) obtained from the non‐isothermal method is compared with the results from isothermal method. In order to predict the formation of DMS and provide a better control during brewing process, a kinetic model was developed, which is applied to the heating up process and boiling process.

Practical Applications

The assessment of a wort boiling system and the improvement of a brewing recipe should be based on chemical kinetic perceptions. Dimethylsulfide (DMS) is a typical leader substance and evaporation factor and also an off‐flavor in wort. The knowledge about kinetic analysis on the formation of DMS is one of the important keys in order to control the brewing process and to guarantee the final beer quality. The results in this study can be used to calculate the optimal wort boiling to achieve the desired wort quality and final beer taste under atmospheric boiling conditions. In addition, the results can be used to improve the control of other heating parameters during heating and boiling of the wort.
Characterization of novel Brown midrib 6 mutations affecting lignin biosynthesis in sorghum
Authors: Scully Erin D. , Gries Tammy , Funnell‐Harris Deanna L. , Xin Zhanguo , Kovacs Frank A. , Vermerris Wilfred , Sattler Scott E.
Published: July 2015

The presence of lignin reduces the quality of lignocellulosic biomass for forage materials and feedstock for biofuels. In C4 grasses, the brown midrib phenotype has been linked to mutations to genes in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway. For example, the Bmr6 gene in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has been previously shown to encode cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), which catalyzes the final step of the monolignol biosynthesis pathway. Mutations in this gene have been shown to reduce the abundance of lignin, enhance digestibility, and improve saccharification efficiencies and ethanol yields. Nine sorghum lines harboring five different bmr6 alleles were identified in an EMS‐mutagenized TILLING population. DNA sequencing of Bmr6 revealed that the majority of the mutations impacted evolutionarily conserved amino acids while three‐dimensional structural modeling predicted that all of these alleles interfered with the enzyme's ability to bind with its NADPH cofactor. All of the new alleles reduced in vitro CAD activity levels and enhanced glucose yields following saccharification. Further, many of these lines were associated with higher reductions in acid detergent lignin compared to lines harboring the previously characterized bmr6‐ref allele. These bmr6 lines represent new breeding tools for manipulating biomass composition to enhance forage and feedstock quality.
Experimental evaluation of environmental scanning electron microscopes at high chamber pressure
Authors: FITZEK H. , SCHROETTNER H. , WAGNER J. , HOFER F. , RATTENBERGER J.
Published: July 2015

In environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) high pressure applications have become increasingly important. Wet or biological samples can be investigated without time‐consuming sample preparation and potential artefacts from this preparation can be neglected.

Unfortunately, the signal‐to‐noise ratio strongly decreases with increasing chamber pressure. To evaluate the high pressure performance of ESEM and to compare different electron microscopes, information about spatial resolution and detector type is not enough. On the one hand, the scattering of the primary electron beam increases, which vanishes the contrast in images; and on the other hand, the secondary electrons (SE) signal amplification decreases. The stagnation gas thickness (effective distance the beam has to travel through the imaging gas) as well as the SE detection system depend on the microscope and for a complete and serious evaluation of an ESEM or low vacuum SEM it is necessary to specify these two parameters.

A method is presented to determine the fraction of scattered and unscattered electrons and to calculate the stagnation gas thickness (θ). To evaluate the high pressure performance of the SE detection system, a method is presented that allows for an analysis of a single image and the calculation of the signal‐to‐noise ratio of this image. All investigations are performed on an FEI ESEM Quanta 600 (field emission gun) and an FEI ESEM Quanta 200 (thermionic gun). These methods and measurements should represent opportunities for evaluating the high pressure performance of an ESEM.
TGR5 signaling reduces neuroinflammation during hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: McMillin Matthew , Frampton Gabriel , Tobin Richard , Dusio Giuseppina , Smith Jenny , Shin Hope , Newell‐Rogers Karen , Grant Stephanie , DeMorrow Sharon
Published: July 2015

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious neurological complication of acute and chronic liver failure. Expression of the neurosteroid/bile acid receptor Takeda G protein‐coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) has been demonstrated in the brain and is thought to be neuroprotective. However, it is unknown how TGR5 signaling can influence the progression and associated neuroinflammation of HE. HE was induced in C57Bl/6 mice via intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) and tissue was collected throughout disease progression. TGR5 expression was elevated in the frontal cortex following AOM injection in mice. The cellular localization of TGR5 was found in both neurons and microglia in the cortex of C57Bl/6 mice. Central infusion of the TGR5 agonist, betulinic acid, prior to AOM injection delayed neurological decline, increased cortical cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations, reduced microglia activation and proliferation, and reduced proinflammatory cytokine production. Betulinic acid treatment in vitro reduced the neuronal expression of chemokine ligand 2, a chemokine previously demonstrated to contribute to HE pathogenesis. Lastly, treatment of the microglia cell line EOC‐20 with conditioned media from betulinic acid‐treated primary neurons decreased phagocytic activity and cytokine production. Together, these data identify that activation of TGR5, which is up‐regulated during HE, alleviates neuroinflammation and improves outcomes of AOM‐treated mice through neuron and microglia paracrine signaling.

image

This study supports that betulinic acid infusion into the brain during hepatic encephalopathy reduces the release of the neuronal cytokine CCL2 and subsequently inhibits proinflammatory cytokine release from microglia. This improves neurological outcomes in a mouse model of hepatic encephalopathy and identifies a potential therapeutic target for management of this disease.
Influence of depressive symptoms on memory in transient global amnesia
Authors: Noël Audrey , Quinette Peggy , Dayan Jacques , de la Sayette Vincent , Viader Fausto , Desgranges Béatrice , Giffard Bénédicte , Eustache Francis
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Recent studies have shown that patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) experience a depressive mood during the episode. However, little evidence has been found of possible mood congruency effects on memory, which are probably masked by the massive anterograde amnesia. An implicit assessment could provide a means of settling this question.

Methods

First, we measured patients' emotional states on psychopathological scales. Second, we administered a lexical decision task to assess three priming effects: Semantic priming (SP; table–chair), emotional priming (EP; murder–garbage), and emotional plus semantic priming (ESP; cemetery–coffin).

Results

Patients displayed a more depressed mood than controls. For patients, we found a SP effect in the ESP condition and a striking inhibition effect (i.e., negative target recognized more slowly when preceded by a negative prime rather than a neutral one) in the EP condition. For controls, a priming effect was found in the SP and ESP conditions, but not the EP condition. Finally, whereas the priming effect was greater in SP than in the other two conditions for controls, for patients it was the EP condition that stood out from the other two, being the only condition that led to an inhibition effect.

Conclusions

We highlighted a mood congruency effect in TGA which could impel patients to focus their attention on negative information. While the negative valence of items always led to a slowdown in reaction times for both patients and controls, attesting to a negativity bias, this bias was greater in patients, leading to an inhibition effect.
Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability among female undergraduate students in China: the role of knowledge and psychosocial factors
Authors: Gu Can , Niccolai Linda M , Yang Shengbo , Wang Xiuhua , Tao Lijian
Published: July 2015

Aims and objectives

To examine young women's perceptions and acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination and factors influencing acceptability in mainland China.

Background

In the light of current concepts, human papillomavirus vaccines serve as new paradigms in cervical cancer prevention programme for young women. However, knowledge and acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination and factors influencing acceptability among young Chinese women are not known.

Design

We implemented a cross‐sectional descriptive study in the Hunan province of China.

Methods

One hundred and seventeen female undergraduate students completed confidential surveys in 2012. The questionnaire included five parts: background information, awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus vaccine and cervical cancer, attitudes towards the vaccine and intentions to be vaccinated, psychosocial burden of human papillomavirus infection, and human papillomavirus‐related sexual stigma.

Results

Only 44% of the participants were willing to be vaccinated in the future. Young women demonstrated low awareness and knowledge about human papillomavirus vaccine and cervical cancer. Their intention to receive future vaccination was associated with the high levels of knowledge about risk factors for cervical cancer and perceptions that infected women are responsible for their own infection of human papillomavirus.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest low awareness and knowledge among young Chinese women about the preventive nature and value of human papillomavirus vaccination. Social and cultural factors including moral obligation and STD‐related stigma may influence young women's intention to future vaccination.

Relevance to clinical practice

Educational interventions are necessary to promote public awareness and deliver information about human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. Results of this study can help health care practitioners develop appropriate programmes for the promotion of human papillomavirus vaccination among this population.
Standardised care plans for in hospital stroke care improve documentation of health care assessments
Authors: Pöder Ulrika , Dahm Marie Fogelberg , Karlsson Nina , Wadensten Barbro
Published: July 2015

Aims and objectives

To compare stroke unit staff members' documentation of care in line with evidence‐based guidelines pre‐ and postimplementation of a multi‐professional, evidence‐based standardised care plan for stroke care in the electronic health record.

Background

Rapid and effective measures for patients with stroke or suspected stroke can limit the extent of damage; it is imperative that patients be observed, assessed and treated in accordance with evidence‐based practice in hospital.

Design

Quantitative, comparative.

Methods

Structured retrospective health record reviews were made prior to (n 60) and one and a half years after implementation (n 60) of a multi‐professional evidence‐based standardised care plan with a quality standard for stroke care in the electronic health record.

Results

Significant improvements were found in documentation of assessed vital signs, except for body temperature, Day 1 post compared with preimplementation. Documentation frequency regarding body temperature Day 1 and blood pressure and pulse Day 2 decreased post compared with preimplementation. Improvements were also detected in documented observations of patients' micturition capacity, swallowing capacity and mouth status and the proportion of physiotherapist‐documented aid assessments. Observations of blood glucose, mobilisation ability and speech and communication ability were unchanged.

Conclusions

An evidence‐based standardised care plan in an electronic health record assists staff in improving documentation of health status assessments during the first days after a stroke diagnosis.

Relevance to clinical practice

Use of a standardised care plan seems to have the potential to help staff adhere to evidence‐based patient care and, thereby, to increase patient safety.
Supporting new graduate nurses making the transition to rural nursing practice: views from experienced rural nurses
Authors: Lea Jackie , Cruickshank Mary
Published: July 2015

Aims and objectives

To present the findings from the experienced rural nurse participants of a larger study that explored the transitional experiences of newly graduated nurses making the role transition in rural health care facilities in Australia.

Background

There are specific and unique aspects of rural nursing practice that influence the nature and timing of support for new graduate nurses that have not been explored or acknowledged as influencing the new graduate nurses’ experience of transition. Specifically, the difficulties and challenges that experienced rural nurses face in providing effective and timely support for new graduate nurses who are making the transition to rural nursing practice is yet to be explored.

Design

Using a qualitative case study framework, this study specifically aimed to investigate and describe the nature and timing of support required during the transition to nursing practice that is specific for the rural context and capacity.

Methods

Individual in‐depth interviews were conducted with 16 experienced rural nurses who, at the time of the study, worked with new graduate nurses in the rural practice environment.

Results

The findings from this study showed that the provision of timely on‐ward support for new graduates making the transition to rural nursing practice is affected and influenced by the skill mix and staffing allocation within the rural environment. As well, there is a lack of awareness by rural nurses of how to meet the on‐ward support needs of new graduate nurses.

Conclusions

This study has identified the specific and unique aspects of the rural nurse's role and responsibilities for which the new graduate nurse requires incremental learning and intensive clinical support.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can be used by rural health services and experienced rural registered nurses to assist in implementing adequate and timely support for new graduate nurses.
Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and management of unruptured interstitial pregnancy
Authors: Takeda Akihiro , Koike Wataru , Hayashi Shotaro , Imoto Sanae , Nakamura Hiromi
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis and management of suspicious unruptured interstitial pregnancy.

Material and Methods

Only patients with unruptured interstitial pregnancy evaluated by MRI and observed for at least a year after surgery were included. Initial evaluation was performed by measurement of serum β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin level and ultrasonography. In suspicious cases, emergency MRI was performed to diagnose interstitial pregnancies with the exclusion of rudimentary horn pregnancy and angular pregnancy. Three‐dimensional computed tomographic (CT) angiography was additionally performed if the uteroplacental neovascularization needed to be evaluated. Then, management procedures were individually determined along with the need for preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for immediate devascularization, and for the local or systemic administration of methotrexate. Either laparoscopic cornuostomy or cornual resection was chosen to excise the gestational mass.

Results

Five consecutive women with unruptured interstitial pregnancy were enrolled. One case each of rudimentary horn pregnancy and angular pregnancy was excluded. Three‐dimensional CT angiography was performed in three cases due to increased vascular flow on color Doppler ultrasonography. Preoperative devascularization by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was performed in two cases, in which a prominent neovascularized gestational mass was identified. Uterine preservation was achieved by cornuostomy or cornual resection in all cases. Two patients with a desire to become pregnant conceived spontaneously thereafter, followed by successful cesarean birth.

Conclusion

This small case series emphasizes that precise localization of gestational products in the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube by MRI can facilitate the minimally invasive management of unruptured interstitial pregnancy for uterine preservation.
Efficacy and safety of cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) in gynecologic cancer patients with a large volume of ascites
Authors: Wang Liangcheng , Okubo Takashi , Shinsaka Mamiko , Kobayashi Akiko , Ogasawara Miwa , Sakaguchi Riko , Nagai Tomonori , Seki Hiroyuki
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cell‐free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) on a large amount of ascites.

Material and Methods

Fifty‐eight CART procedures were performed in nine patients with ovarian, endometrial, or cervical cancer from February 2013 to September 2014. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed for the amount of collected ascites, vital signs, and laboratory results before and after CART.

Results

No obvious change in the plasma protein and plasma albumin concentration was found after CART for < 5 L of ascites; however, obvious increases in both were observed in CART for ≥ 5 L of ascites (P < 0.001). The optimum cut‐off value for obtaining a positive variant of plasma protein and plasma albumin after CART was 7.9 L. CART for ≥ 5 L of ascites did not increase the risk of transient water retention in the body (odds ratio = 2.2; 95% confidence interval: 0.35–13.83; P = 0.38); however, CART for ≥ 7.9 L of ascites increased the risk of water retention (odds ratio = 8.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.91–44.09; P = 0.004). The optimal cut‐off value of ascites for predicting water retention due to CART was 9.2 L.

Conclusion

Massive ascites collection in CART < 9.2 L appears to be a safe and effective treatment for improving general condition, plasma protein, and electrolytes in gynecologic cancer patients.
Calcium supplements: benefits and risks
Authors: Reid I. R. , Bristow S. M. , Bolland M. J.
Published: July 2015

Calcium is an essential element in the diet, but there is continuing controversy regarding its optimal intake, and its role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Most studies show little evidence of a relationship between calcium intake and bone density, or the rate of bone loss. Re‐analysis of data from the placebo group from the Auckland Calcium Study demonstrates no relationship between dietary calcium intake and rate of bone loss over 5 years in healthy older women with intakes varying from <400 to >1500 mg day−1. Thus, supplements are not needed within this range of intakes to compensate for a demonstrable dietary deficiency, but might be acting as weak anti‐resorptive agents via effects on parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. Consistent with this, supplements do acutely reduce bone resorption and produce small short‐term effects on bone density, without evidence of a cumulative density benefit. As a result, anti‐fracture efficacy remains unproven, with no evidence to support hip fracture prevention (other than in a cohort with severe vitamin D deficiency) and total fracture numbers are reduced by 0–10%, depending on which meta‐analysis is considered. Five recent large studies have failed to demonstrate fracture prevention in their primary analyses. This must be balanced against an increase in gastrointestinal side effects (including a doubling of hospital admissions for these problems), a 17% increase in renal calculi and a 20–40% increase in risk of myocardial infarction. Each of these adverse events alone neutralizes any possible benefit in fracture prevention. Thus, calcium supplements appear to have a negative risk–benefit effect, and so should not be used routinely in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.
Testing the Parent–Adolescent Acculturation Discrepancy Hypothesis: A Five‐Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: Schwartz Seth J. , Unger Jennifer B. , Baezconde‐Garbanati Lourdes , Zamboanga Byron L. , Córdova David , Lorenzo‐Blanco Elma I. , Huang Shi , Des Rosiers Sabrina E. , Soto Daniel W. , Lizzi Karina M. , Villamar Juan A. , Pattarroyo Monica , Szapocznik José
Published: July 2015

This 2½‐year, 5‐wave longitudinal study tests the hypothesis that acculturation discrepancies between Hispanic immigrant parents and adolescents would lead to compromised family functioning, which would then lead to problematic adolescent outcomes. Recent‐immigrant Hispanic parent–adolescent dyads (N = 302) completed measures of acculturation and family functioning. Adolescents completed measures of positive youth development, depressive symptoms, problem behavior, and substance use. Results indicated that Time 1 discrepancies in Hispanic culture retention, and linear trajectories in some of these discrepancies, negatively predicted adolescent positive youth development, and positively predicted adolescent depressive symptoms and binge drinking, indirectly through adolescent‐reported family functioning. The vast majority of effects were mediated rather than direct, supporting the acculturation discrepancy hypothesis. Implications for further research and intervention are discussed.
Phloridzin-sensitive transport of echinacoside and acteoside and altered intestinal absorption route after application of Cistanche tubulosa extract
Authors: Tanino Tadatoshi , Nagai Noriaki , Funakami Yoshinori
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to address the beneficial effects of Cistanche tubulosa extract on improving the low intestinal permeability of echinacoside (ECH) and acteoside (ACT).

Methods

Absorption of ECH and ACT in C. tubulosa extract was characterized using human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers with intact compounds. Glucose transporter-dependent absorption of ECH and ACT was confirmed by an in-situ intestinal perfusion technique.

Key findings

The apparent permeability (Papp) was not significantly different between intact ECH and intact ACT. In the presence of phloridzin, the Papp of the ECH and ACT at a high dose was reduced to 20% of the respective non-treatment, but was not altered by phloretin and verapamil. C. tubulosa extract at low and high doses enhanced the Papp of ECH and ACT (both by threefold), resulting in their large participation in sodium-dependent glucose transporter-independent absorption. At a low concentration, concomitant ECH and ACT levels in portal blood were significantly suppressed by phloridzin.

Conclusion

The dietary and medicinal C. tubulosa extract enhancing the intestinal absorption of ECH and ACT may serve to better manage human health, although the involvement of phloridzin-sensitive transport should be reduced.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish Burnout Inventory among staff nurses
Authors: Gil‐Monte P. R. , Manzano‐García G.
Published: July 2015

Accessible summary

The burnout syndrome contributes to the deterioration in the quality of personal life as well as lower quality practice in healthcare personnel. Researchers have been concerned about the psychometric limitations of some previous questionnaires designed to evaluate burnout. The Spanish Burnout Inventory was developed to address the problems associated with other instruments, but it has not yet been validated in staff nurses.

This study provides evidence that the Spanish Burnout Inventory has adequate psychometric properties to estimate burnout in staff nurses.

The Spanish Burnout Inventory offers a theoretical proposal to explain the different components of burnout.

The Spanish Burnout Inventory provides researchers and practitioners with an expanded conceptualization of the burnout syndrome, which can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of nursing professionals.

Researchers have been concerned about the psychometric limitations of the some previous questionnaires designed to evaluate burnout. To address these problems associated with previous instruments, the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) was developed. The instrument has not yet been validated in staff nurses. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SBI. The sample consisted of 720 staff nurses from two Spanish general hospitals. The instrument is composed of 20 items distributed in four dimensions: Enthusiasm towards the job (five items), Psychological exhaustion (four items), Indolence (six items) and Guilt (five items). Data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. To assess the factorial validity of the SBI, four alternative models were tested. Results show that the four‐factor model of the SBI has adequate psychometric properties for the study of burnout in staff nurses. This model fitted the data better than the alternative models. The study provides evidence of the adequate psychometric properties of a measure to evaluate burnout in nursing professionals. The SBI proposes a theoretical explanation for the different types of burnout, facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of staff nurses.
The preliminary study on the effects of growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor‐I on κ‐casein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Wang M. Z. , Ji Y. , Wang C. , Chen L. M. , Wang H. R. , Loor J. J.
Published: July 2015

The effects of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) on protein synthesis and gene expression of κ‐casein in bovine mammary epithelial cell in vitro were studied. The treatments were designed as follows: the growth medium without serum was set as the control group, while the treatments were medium supplemented with GH (100 ng/ml), IGF‐I (100 ng/ml), and GH (100 ng/ml) + IGF‐I (100 ng/ml). The quantity of κ‐casein protein was measured by ELISA, and the κ‐casein gene (CSN3) expression was examined by real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR). Compared with the control group, all the experimental groups had greater (p < 0.05) expression of CSN3. The concentration of κ‐casein followed a similar response as CSN3, but the difference between the treatments and the control was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no synergistic effect of GH and IGF‐I was observed for both the κ‐casein concentration and CSN3 expression. It is therefore concluded that GH or IGF‐I can independently promote the expression of CSN3 in bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro.
Effects of daidzein on alveolar bone loss and internal microstructures of bone in a rat model of experimental periodontitis: a study using micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Bae S. H. , Ha M. H. , Choi E.‐Y. , Choi J.‐I. , Choi I. S. , Kim S.‐J.
Published: July 2015

Background and Objective

Daidzein is an isoflavone abundant in soybeans, kudzu root and red clover, which have been widely studied for its therapeutic potential. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of daidzein on alveolar bone loss and internal microstructures of bone in a rat model of experimental periodontitis by assessing morphological data obtained from micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT).

Material and Methods

Twenty‐four male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following three groups comprising eight animals each: the nonligation (NL) group; the ligation (L) group; and the ligation+daidzein (LD) group. To induce periodontitis, a 4‐0 braided silk ligature was tied around the cervical area of the lower‐right first molars of rats in groups L and LD. Rats in the LD group were given daily doses of daidzein (10 mg/kg of body weight) by intraperitoneal injection immediately after ligature placement. Two weeks after the placement of ligatures, mandibular block biopsies were scanned using a micro‐CT system.

Results

Daily administration of daidzein strongly suppressed the ligature‐induced loss of alveolar bone height. In addition, when rats were treated with daidzein, the ligature‐induced decrease in the bone volume fraction was significantly recovered. Furthermore, daidzein significantly reversed ligature‐induced deteriorations in the microarchitecture parameters of trabecular bone, such as trabecular thickness, bone mineral density, trabecular separation and structure model index.

Conclusion

The study presented here demonstrates, for the first time, that daidzein effectively reduces alveolar bone destruction resulting from experimental periodontitis in rats. Further studies are necessary for the translation of this compound clinically to improve the outcomes of patients diagnosed with periodontitis.
Refining Inclusion Levels of Grain Distiller's Dried Yeast in Commercial‐type and Plant‐based Diets for Juvenile Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Sealey Wendy M. , O'Neill Thomas J. , Peach Jesse T. , Gaylord T. Gibson , Barrows Frederic T. , Block Stephanie S.
Published: July 2015

Recent studies with rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, demonstrated that grain distiller's dried yeast (GDDY) at up to 12% inclusion was an effective dietary protein source when replacing fish meal. To examine the effectiveness of GDDY when replacing an increased variety of dietary protein sources, two feeding trials were conducted. In the first trial, six commercial‐type diets were formulated to contain 42% digestible protein and 20% crude lipid with GDDY included at 0, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18% to replace all dietary protein sources except fish meal. In the second trial, four plant‐based diets with GDDY at 0, 9, 12, and 15% were examined. Experimental diets were fed twice daily, to apparent satiation, to three replicate tanks of fish/diet (initial weight = 22.3 ± 0.7 g) for 10 wk in a 15 C recirculating system. Results demonstrated excellent fish growth and the inclusion rate of GDDY did not negatively affect growth or feed conversion. No significant negative effects of GDDY on body indices or whole‐body proximate composition were observed. Based on these results, GDDY can be included in both commercial‐type diets and plant‐based diets for rainbow trout at up to 18 or 15%, respectively, without decreasing growth performance.
Sequence Variation in the Farnesoic Acid O‐methyltransferase Gene and its Associations with Growth of Shrimp, Penaeus chinensis
Authors: Li Zhaoxia , Wang Jinye , Zhang Yan , Wang Chunde , He Yuying
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study is to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the farnesoic acid O‐methyltransferase gene in shrimp, Penaeus chinensis (PcFAMeT), and analyze the potential association between PcFAMeT gene polymorphisms and growth traits in a cultured population. Four SNPs (A163G, G392T, A708G, and T752C) were tested for association with six growth traits in 240 individuals using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method. The association analysis of SNPs of PcFAMeT gene with the six growth traits was carried out using general linear model estimation. Results indicated that SNP2 (G392T) of the PcFAMeT gene was significantly associated with body weight (P < 0.05) and carapace width (P < 0.05). The individuals of genotype GG grew faster than those of genotype GT and TT. The results would provide potential application in future shrimp breeding programs and may be used to improve the efficiency in shrimp, P. chinensis, breeding programs.
Growth Performance, Fatty Acid Composition, Peroxisome Proliferator‐activated Receptors Gene Expressions, and Antioxidant Abilities of Blunt Snout Bream, Megalobrama amblycephala, Fingerlings Fed Different Dietary Oil Sources
Authors: Li Yang , Zhao Yuntong , Zhang Yongkang , Liang Xiao , Zhang Yin , Gao Jian
Published: July 2015

A 60‐d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary oil sources on growth, fatty acid composition, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) gene expression levels, and antioxidant responses of blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala, fingerlings. Fish (average initial weight, 0.35 ± 0.01 g) were fed five experimental diets respectively containing fish oil (FO), soybean oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and palm oil (PaO). Results showed that body weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio did not significantly differ among treatments. Fish fed PaO diet showed significantly higher hepatosomatic index value and liver lipid content than those fed FO diet. The FO group showed significantly higher liver eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) + docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) concentrations than other groups in both neutral lipid and polar lipid fractions. The mRNA expression levels of PPAR‐α and PPAR‐γ in the liver were significantly increased by feeding vegetable oil diets compared to FO. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in livers of fish fed PaO diet were lower than those fed FO diet. Meanwhile, PaO group had significantly lower malondialdehyde value than other groups. In conclusion, we suggested that a combination of FO and vegetable oil diet should be used in feed formulations for blunt snout bream fingerlings.
Iron isotopic measurements in presolar silicate and oxide grains from the Acfer 094 ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite
Authors: Ong Wei Jia , Floss Christine
Published: July 2015

We carried out Fe isotopic analyses on 21 O‐rich presolar grains from the Acfer 094 ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite. Presolar grains were identified on the basis of oxygen isotopic ratios, and elemental compositions were measured by Auger spectroscopy. The Fe isotopic measurements were carried out by analyzing the Fe isotopes as negative secondary oxides with the NanoSIMS to take advantage of the higher spatial resolution of the Cs+ primary ion beam. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach for measuring both 54Fe/56Fe and 57Fe/56Fe. The ion yield for FeO– is significantly lower than for Fe+, but this is not a serious limitation for presolar silicate grains with Fe as a major element. Most of the grains analyzed are ferromagnesian silicates, but we also measured four oxide grains. Iron contents are high in all of the grains, ranging from 10 to 40 atom%. Three of the grains belong to oxygen isotope Group 4. All of them have 54Fe/56Fe and 57Fe/56Fe ratios that are solar within errors, consistent with an origin in the outer zones of a Type II supernova, as indicated by their oxygen isotopic compositions. The remaining grains belong to oxygen isotope Group 1, with origins in low‐mass AGB stars. The majority of these also have solar 54Fe/56Fe and 57Fe/56Fe ratios. However, four grains are depleted in 57Fe; one is also slightly depleted in 54Fe. Current AGB models predict excesses in 57Fe with 54Fe/56Fe ratios that largely reflect the metallicity of the parent star. While the solar 57Fe/56Fe ratios are consistent with formation of the grains in early third dredge‐up episodes, these models cannot account for the grains with 57Fe depletions. Comparison with galactic evolution models suggests formation of these grains from stars with significantly subsolar metallicity; however, these models also predict large depletions in 54Fe, which are not observed in the grains. Thus, the isotopic compositions of these grains remain unexplained.
Variable light environments induce plastic spectral tuning by regional opsin coexpression in the African cichlid fish, Metriaclima zebra
Authors: Dalton Brian E. , Lu Jessica , Leips Jeff , Cronin Thomas W. , Carleton Karen L.
Published: July 2015

Critical behaviours such as predation and mate choice often depend on vision. Visual systems are sensitive to the spectrum of light in their environment, which can vary extensively both within and among habitats. Evolutionary changes in spectral sensitivity contribute to divergence and speciation. Spectral sensitivity of the retina is primarily determined by visual pigments, which are opsin proteins bound to a chromophore. We recently discovered that photoreceptors in different regions of the retina, which view objects against distinct environmental backgrounds, coexpress different pairs of opsins in an African cichlid fish, Metriaclima zebra. This coexpression tunes the sensitivity of the retinal regions to the corresponding backgrounds and may aid in detection of dark objects, such as predators. Although intraretinal regionalization of spectral sensitivity in many animals correlates with their light environments, it is unknown whether variation in the light environment induces developmentally plastic alterations of intraretinal sensitivity regions. Here, we demonstrate with fluorescent in situ hybridization and qPCR that the spectrum and angle of environmental light both influence the development of spectral sensitivity regions by altering the distribution and level of opsins across the retina. Normally, M. zebra coexpresses LWS opsin with RH2Aα opsin in double cones of the ventral but not the dorsal retina. However, when illuminated from below throughout development, adult M. zebra coexpressed LWS and RH2Aα in double cones both dorsally and ventrally. Thus, environmental background spectra alter the spectral sensitivity pattern that develops across the retina, potentially influencing behaviours and related evolutionary processes such as courtship and speciation.
Distinguishing noise from signal in patterns of genomic divergence in a highly polymorphic avian radiation
Authors: Campagna Leonardo , Gronau Ilan , Silveira Luís Fábio , Siepel Adam , Lovette Irby J.
Published: July 2015

Recently diverged taxa provide the opportunity to search for the genetic basis of the phenotypes that distinguish them. Genomic scans aim to identify loci that are diverged with respect to an otherwise weakly differentiated genetic background. These loci are candidates for being past targets of selection because they behave differently from the rest of the genome that has either not yet differentiated or that may cross species barriers through introgressive hybridization. Here we use a reduced‐representation genomic approach to explore divergence among six species of southern capuchino seedeaters, a group of recently radiated sympatric passerine birds in the genus Sporophila. For the first time in these taxa, we discovered a small proportion of markers that appeared differentiated among species. However, when assessing the significance of these signatures of divergence, we found that similar patterns can also be recovered from random grouping of individuals representing different species. A detailed demographic inference indicates that genetic differences among Sporophila species could be the consequence of neutral processes, which include a very large ancestral effective population size that accentuates the effects of incomplete lineage sorting. As these neutral phenomena can generate genomic scan patterns that mimic those of markers involved in speciation and phenotypic differentiation, they highlight the need for caution when ascertaining and interpreting differentiated markers between species, especially when large numbers of markers are surveyed. Our study provides new insights into the demography of the southern capuchino radiation and proposes controls to distinguish signal from noise in similar genomic scans.
Untangling the evolutionary history of a highly polymorphic species: introgressive hybridization and high genetic structure in the desert cichlid fishHerichtys minckleyi
Authors: Magalhaes Isabel S. , Ornelas‐Garcıa Claudia Patricia , Leal‐Cardin Mariana , Ramírez Tania , Barluenga Marta
Published: July 2015

Understanding the origin of biodiversity requires knowledge on the evolutionary processes that drive divergence and speciation, as well as on the processes constraining it. Intraspecific polymorphisms can provide insight into the mechanisms that generate and maintain phenotypic, behavioural and life history diversification, and can help us understand not only the processes that lead to speciation but also the processes that prevent local fixation of morphs. The ‘desert cichlid’Herichtys minckleyiis a highly polymorphic species endemic to a biodiversity hotspot in northern Mexico, the Cuatro Ciénegas valley. This species is polymorphic in body shape and trophic apparatus, and eco‐morphotypes coexist in small spring‐fed lagoons across the valley. We investigated the genetic structure of these polymorphisms and their phylogeographic history by analysing the entire control region of the mitochondrialDNAand 10 nuclear microsatellite markers in several populations from different sites and morphs. We found two very divergent mitochondrial lineages that most likely predate the closing of the valley and are not associated with morphotypes or sites. One of these lineages is also found in the sister speciesHerichthys cyanoguttatus. Data from neutral microsatellite markers suggest that most lagoons or drainages constitute their own genetic cluster with sympatric eco‐morphotypes forming panmictic populations. Alternative mechanisms such as phenotypic plasticity and a few loci controlled traits provide possible explanations for the sympatric coexistence of discrete nonoverlapping eco‐morphotypes with apparent lack of barriers to gene flow within multiple lagoons and drainages.
The molecular evolution of spiggin nesting glue in sticklebacks
Authors: Seear P. J. , Rosato E. , Goodall‐Copestake W. P. , Barber I.
Published: July 2015

Gene duplication and subsequent divergence can lead to the evolution of new functions and lineage‐specific traits. In sticklebacks, the successive duplication of a mucin gene (MUC19) into a tandemly arrayed, multigene family has enabled the production of copious amounts of ‘spiggin’, a secreted adhesive protein essential for nest construction. Here, we examine divergence between spiggin genes among three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from ancestral marine and derived freshwater populations, and propose underpinning gene duplication mechanisms. Sanger sequencing revealed substantial diversity among spiggin transcripts, including alternatively spliced variants and interchromosomal spiggin chimeric genes. Comparative analysis of the sequenced transcripts and all other spiggin genes in the public domain support the presence of three main spiggin lineages (spiggin A,spiggin Bandspiggin C) with further subdivisions withinspiggin B(B1,B2) andspiggin C(C1,C2).Spiggin Ahad diverged least from the ancestralMUC19, while thespiggin Cduplicates had diversified most substantially. In silico translations of the spiggin gene open reading frames predicted that spiggins A and B are secreted as long mucin‐like polymers, while spiggins C1 and C2 are secreted as short monomers, with putative antimicrobial properties. We propose that diversification of duplicated spiggin genes has facilitated local adaptation of spiggin to a range of aquatic habitats.