bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with oral health‐related quality of life among Lebanese community‐dwelling elderly
Authors: Mitri Rosy , Fakhoury Sayegh Nicole , Boulos Christa
Published: January 2020

Objective

The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the association between sociodemographic factors, health‐related characteristics, functional status and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among a representative sample of the community‐dwelling Lebanese elderly.

Methods

The study sample included 905 randomly selected community‐dwelling elderly Lebanese aged 65 or older living in Greater Beirut. The sample was selected through multi‐stage cluster sampling. Participants completed a comprehensive multi‐component questionnaire, administrated by trained interviewers, including sociodemographic factors, health characteristics, eating behaviours and functional characteristics. OHRQoL was assessed through the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire.

Results

Among the participants, 51.6% reported poor OHRQoL. The following variables were significantly associated with poor OHRQoL: lack of health insurance (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.05‐2.81); poor or average self‐rated general health (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.23‐5.41 and OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.24‐4.16, respectively); monotony of diet (OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.02‐2.79); absence of dentures (OR = 13.78, 95% CI: 5.02‐37.84); insufficient dentures (OR = 18.19, 95%CI: 4.43‐74.68); presence of dentures (OR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.16‐4.09); and depression (OR = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.26‐3.89).

Conclusion

The present study revealed that a lack of health insurance, negative perception of general health, monotony of diet, denture use and depression were significantly correlated with poor OHRQoL among community‐dwelling Lebanese elderly.
Sox2 gene regulation via the D1 enhancer in embryonic neural tube and neural crest by the combined action of SOX2 and ZIC2
Authors: Iida Hideaki , Furukawa Yoko , Teramoto Machiko , Suzuki Hitomi , Takemoto Tatsuya , Uchikawa Masanori , Kondoh Hisato
Published: January 2020

The transcription factor (TF) SOX2 regulates various stem cells and tissue progenitors via functional interactions with cell type‐specific partner TFs that co‐bind to enhancer sequences. Neural progenitors are the major embryonic tissues where SOX2 assumes central regulatory roles. In order to characterize the partner TFs of SOX2 in neural progenitors, we investigated the regulation of the D1 enhancer of the Sox2 gene, which is activated in the embryonic neural tube (NT) and neural crest (NC), using chicken embryo electroporation. We identified essential TF binding sites for a SOX, and two ZIC TFs in the activation of the D1 enhancer. By comparison of dorso‐ventral and antero‐posterior patterns of D1 enhancer activation, and the effect of mutations on the enhancer activation patterns with TF expression patterns, we determined SOX2 and ZIC2 as the major D1 enhancer‐activating TFs. Binding of these TFs to the D1 enhancer sequence was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. The combination of SOX2 and ZIC2 TFs activated the enhancer in both the NT and NC. These results indicate that SOX2 and ZIC2, which have been known to play major regulatory roles in neural progenitors, do functionally cooperate. In addition, the recently demonstrated SOX2 expression during the NC development is accounted for at least partly by the D1 enhancer activity. Deletion of the D1 enhancer sequence from the mouse genome, however, did not affect the mouse development, indicating functional redundancies of other enhancers.
Frequent KRAS mutations in oncocytic papillary renal neoplasm with inverted nuclei
Authors: Tong Kuo , Zhu Wei , Fu Hua , Cao Fang , Wang Shu , Zhou Wenxuan , Liu Chongmei , Chen Dongliang , Fan Songqing , Hu Zhongliang
Published: January 2020

Aims

Papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity (PRNRP) is a newly documented rare tumour type. Its molecular pathological features have thus far been very little studied.

Methods and results

There were 13 PRNRP cases including 3 The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cases and our 10 cases in this study. The 3 TCGA cases were found by a combined analysis of GATA3 mRNA expression levels and digital slides from the TCGA papillary renal cell carcinoma project. KRAS codon 12 mutations were identified in the three PRNRPs from TCGA. Of our 10 PRNRP cases, the mutations were also discovered using Sanger sequencing in seven (77.8%) of nine cases with available DNA, where KRAS p.G12V (n = 3), p.G12D (n = 2), p.G12R (n = 1) and p.G12C (n = 1) alterations were found. PRNRP shared similar gene expression profiles with renal distal tubules via an interprofile correlation analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that genes involved in ‘KEGG aldosterone regulated sodium reabsorption’ or ‘hallmark apical surface’ were enriched in PRNRP. Moreover, polarised immunostaining patterns for L1CAM and EMA in the distal tubule were maintained in PRNRP.

Conclusions

These results imply that the tumour potentially originates from the distal tubule, especially from the cortical collecting duct, and probably retains its cell polarity, except for nuclear inversion. We therefore propose that oncocytic papillary renal neoplasm with inverted nuclei (OPRNIN) is a better name for this tumour type. OPRNIN is a kidney site‐specific KRAS mutation neoplasm different from conventional papillary renal cell carcinoma.
Sensory perception of textural properties of cosmetic Pickering emulsions
Authors: Terescenco D. , Hucher N. , Picard C. , Savary G.
Published: January 2020

Objective

The increasing interest for the Pickering emulsions is based on the possibility to replace classical emulsifiers by the solid particles. This approach is extremely attractive for the cosmetic field. But, the main difficulty is to obtain stable emulsions with appreciable skin feel. However, there is no information about the texture of such systems. The aim of this study is to formulate and describe the textural properties of cosmetic Pickering emulsions compared with conventional systems.

Methods

Three metal oxides were selected: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and silicon dioxide, able to form stable and totally emulsified systems. A conventional emulsifier was used to formulate the emulsion of reference. Finally, the mixture of two emulsifying systems, combining both, surfactant and particles, was also studied. Then, a sensory panel was asked to quantify the intensities of the perception of the seven discriminating attributes.

Results

Each particle brought its properties to the textural perception of the emulsion. TiO2 particles ensured the whitening effect of the emulsions, SiO2 provided the screech residue, whereas ZnO gave intermediate results. The conventional surfactant was perceived as glossy, greasy and more difficult to spread. The particle/surfactant mixtures gave mostly in‐between results.

Conclusions

The study shows that the sensory profile of Pickering emulsions is indirectly and directly governed by the particle properties used for the emulsion stabilization: indirectly, through affecting the emulsion orientation (oil in water or water in oil), the droplet organization and viscosity, and directly, through the particle perception on the skin surface.
Effect of processing parameters on microstructure and ablation behavior of SiC/ZrB2 coating for graphite
Authors: Torabi Shahla , Valefi Zia , Ehsani Naser
Published: January 2020

In this research, a SiC/ZrB2 coating was produced on graphite by reactive melt infiltration and plasma spraying method. The coating characterization was performed using XRD analysis, electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and supersonic flame ablation test at 2073 K. The results indicated that the dense C/SiC coating with good ablation resistance can be obtained at 1873 K. The coating thickness decreased with increasing infiltration temperature. The results of ablation test showed that by increasing the infiltration temperature and holding time, weight loss and mass ablation rate decreased from 22.63% to 9.83% and 3.63 × 10−3 g cm−2 s−1 to 1.34 × 10−3 g cm−2 s−1, respectively. The results showed that by using the ZrB2 as outer coating the ablation resistance improved remarkably. The weight loss and mass ablation rates for the SiC/ZrB2 coating were 12.79% and 1.857 × 10−3 g cm−2 s−1, respectively.
Microstructural evolution and sintering properties of palygorskite nanofibers
Authors: Wang Kailei , Wang Lijuan , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yuedan , Liang Jinsheng
Published: January 2020

In this study, the morphological evolution and sintering properties of the palygorskite nanofibers were studied along with the increase of temperature, using raw palygorskite as materials. The palygorskite powder was calcined at different temperatures in the range of 100°C‐1200°C, and the microstructural evolution of the palygorskite nanofibers was investigated by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Furthermore, the palygorskite powder was shaped to bars by dry pressing and sintered from 700°C to 1200°C. The properties of the sintered palygorskite were characterized by bending strength, mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP), and stepwise isothermal dilatometry (SID). The results showed that the morphology of palygorskite nanofibers maintained unchanged till 1000°C. The palygorskite nanofibers molted to bind each other and formed a solid interwoven network structure at 1100°C. Correspondingly, it was shown from the sharply decrease of the sintered palygorskite porosity from 45.46% at 1000°C to 1.82% at 1100°C that the dense sintering of palygorskite started at 1100°C. With the sintering proceeding, some closed micropores fused each other to form bigger opening pores, resulting in a slight increase of porosity at 1200°C. However, the pore size distribution got more uniform and the density of the sintered body increased. So the bending strength of the sintered body reached the maximum of 176.67 Mpa and finally the main crystalline phases of the sintered sample changed to quartz, enstatite, and kyanite. The sintering activation energy of the palygorskite was measured by means of SID with a value of 906.46 kJ·mol−1.
Quo Vadis? A question of historical awareness
Authors: McDonald T.
Published: January 2020

Aim

To emphasize the role of history in shaping clinical nursing identity and opportunities, and encourage nurses’ contribution to the story of contemporary clinical nursing.

Approach

Drawing upon history frameworks and approaches to history research, greater engagement of clinical nurses in recording nursing history is canvassed. A basic framework for developing historical research from practice narratives is suggested as a feasible option.

Outcomes

Topics identified: a) nurses’ awareness of their history and nursing’s professional standing; b) the importance of oral history in nursing development; and c) digital influences on history research and constructing historical narratives.

Conclusion

Clinical nurses’ stories contribute to historical research. All nurses are responsible for gathering and distributing contemporary local narratives on clinical nursing. Oral history research provides a framework for nurses to record and share stories.

Implications

Recorded history can prevent nursing from being trivialized or misrepresented. Missing accounts of contemporary nursing create gaps in our narrative and risk future professional disempowerment.
A reactive simheuristic using online data for a real‐life inventory routing problem with stochastic demands
Authors: Raba David , Estrada‐Moreno Alejandro , Panadero Javier , Juan Angel A.
Published: January 2020

In the context of a supply chain for the animal‐feed industry, this paper focuses on optimizing replenishment strategies for silos in multiple farms. Assuming that a supply chain is essentially a value chain, our work aims at narrowing this chasm and putting analytics into practice by identifying and quantifying improvements on specific stages of an animal‐feed supply chain. Motivated by a real‐life case, the paper analyses a rich multi‐period inventory routing problem with homogeneous fleet, stochastic demands, and maximum route length. After describing the problem and reviewing the related literature, we introduce a reactive heuristic, which is then extended into a biased‐randomized simheuristic. Our reactive approach is validated and tested using a series of adapted instances to explore the gap between the solutions it provides and the ones generated by existing nonreactive approaches.
Real‐time waiting‐price trading interval in a heterogeneous options market: a Bernoulli distribution
Authors: Shvimer Yossi , Herbon Avi
Published: January 2020

Options pricing remains an open research question that is challenging for both theoreticians and practitioners. Unlike many classical binomial models that assume a “representative agent,” the model suggested herein considers two players who are heterogeneous with respect to their estimations of the distribution of the underlying asset price on expiration day, and with respect to their levels of willingness to make a transaction (eagerness level). A two‐player binomial model is developed to find the real‐time optimal option price in two stages. First, we determine a primary feasible pricing domain. We then find a narrower feasible domain, termed the “waiting‐price trading interval,” meaning the region within which the players may either wait for better offers (due to a change in market conditions or player beliefs), or make an immediate transaction. The suggested model is formulated by a nonlinear optimization problem and the optimal price is shown to be unique. We demonstrate that the counter player's eagerness level has a significant effect on the proposed optimal option price. Using empirical analysis, several known lattice‐based models for option pricing, such as CRR and Tian, are compared with the current model (herein, S‐H) in which the price offered by the model player takes into account the subjective beliefs of the opposing market player. The comparison shows significant advantages to the S‐H model in terms of the expected profit on expiration day.
Quercetin protects against diabetic encephalopathy via SIRT1/NLRP3 pathway in db/db mice
Authors: Hu Tian , Lu Xin‐Yi , Shi Jing‐Jing , Liu Xiao‐Qi , Chen Qu‐Bo , Wang Qi , Chen Yun‐Bo , Zhang Shi‐Jie
Published: January 2020

Epidemiological studies have found that diabetes and cognitive dysfunction are closely related. Quercetin has been certified with the effect on improving diabetes mellitus (DM) and cognitive impairment. However, the effect and related mechanism of quercetin on diabetic encephalopathy (DE) are still ambiguous. In this study, we used the db/db mice (diabetic model) to discover whether quercetin could improve DE through the Sirtuin1/NLRP3 (NOD‐, LRR‐ and pyrin domain‐containing 3) pathway. Behavioural results (Morris water maze and new object recognition tests) showed that quercetin (70 mg/kg) improved the learning and memory. Furthermore, quercetin alleviated insulin resistance and the level of fasting blood glucose. Besides, Western blot analysis also showed that quercetin increased the protein expressions of nerve‐ and synapse‐related protein, including postsynapticdensity 93 (PSD93), postsynapticdensity 95 (PSD95), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain of db/db mice. Quercetin also increased the protein expression of SIRT1 and decreased the expression of NLRP3 inflammation‐related proteins, including NLRP3, the adaptor protein ASC and cleaved Caspase‐1, the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18. In conclusion, the present results indicate that the SIRT1/NLRP3 pathway may be a crucial mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of quercetin against DE.
Staphylococcus aureus facilitates its survival in bovine macrophages by blocking autophagic flux
Authors: Cai Juan , Li Jun , Zhou Yuqi , Wang Jianqiang , Li Jianji , Cui Luying , Meng Xia , Zhu Guoqiang , Wang Heng
Published: January 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that is the causative agent of several human and veterinary infections and plays a critical role in the clinical and subclinical mastitis of cattle. Autophagy is a conserved pathogen defence mechanism in eukaryotes. Studies have reported that S aureus can subvert autophagy and survive in cells. Staphylococcus aureus survival in cells is an important cause of chronic persistent mastitis infection. However, it is unclear whether S aureus can escape autophagy in innate immune cells. In this study, initiation of autophagy due to the presence of S aureus was detected in bovine macrophages. We observed autophagic vacuoles increased after S aureus infection of bovine macrophages by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was also found that S aureus‐infected bovine macrophages increased the expression of LC3 at different times(0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 hours). Data also showed the accumulation of p62 induced by S aureus infection. Application of autophagy regulatory agents showed that the degradation of p62 was blocked in S aureus induced bovine macrophages. In addition, we also found that the accumulation of autophagosomes promotes S aureus to survive in macrophage cells. In conclusion, this study indicates that autophagy occurs in S aureus‐infected bovine macrophages but is blocked at a later stage of autophagy. The accumulation of autophagosomes facilitates the survival of S aureus in bovine macrophages. These findings provide new insights into the interaction of S aureus with autophagy in bovine macrophages.
Contesting the European Central Bank in Banking Supervision: Accountability in Practice at the European Parliament
Authors: Maricut‐Akbik Adina
Published: January 2020

The establishment of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) raised expectations regarding the ability of the European Parliament (EP) to hold the European Central Bank (ECB) accountable for its decisions. This article examines the accountability interactions between the two institutions in the first years of the functioning of the SSM (2013–18). The focus is on the extent to which the EP contests ECB supervisory decisions in practice through letters and public hearings. The analysis shows a frequently‐used infrastructure of political accountability that is however limited in ensuring the contestation of ECB conduct in banking supervision. The study identifies problems with the performance of the EP as an accountability forum and with the tight confidentiality rules of the SSM, which allow the ECB to silence contestation on many politically salient issues. The findings are based on an innovative analytical framework on the study of accountability interactions.
European Integration and the Politics of Economic Ideas: Economics, Economists and Market Contestation in the Brexit Debate
Authors: Rosamond Ben
Published: January 2020

Debates about the economy are central to political exchange and political choice is typically presented as a matter of selecting among rival economic competence claims. The capacity to speak with authority about the economy or to draw upon accredited economic expertise is an important source of political advantage. However, the Brexit process is a form of politicized market contestation that has taken place against the backdrop of significant challenges to expert authority. This article shows how key parts of the Leave campaign developed three strategies within the discursive politics of Brexit: setting aside the economy as a central issue in Brexit; advancing alternative economic knowledge to that of institutionally advantaged professionals; and creating a cadre of alternative economic experts. The article suggests that attempts to use the inherently depoliticizing logic of causal ideas derived from authorized economic knowledge has not prevailed over the central normative beliefs that drive ‘Brexitism’.
Reform of the Posting of Workers Regime – An Assessment of the Practical Impact on Unfree Labour Relations
Authors: Novitz Tonia , Andrijasevic Rutvica
Published: January 2020

The 2018 Amending Directive is the most recent response to the failings of the European Union (EU) legal framework for the posting of workers. This article uses an original case study of workers posted from Serbia via Hungary to Slovakia as a basis on which to assess the practical impact of this latest Directive. We recognize the capacity for EU Member States to do more to protect posted workers than was possible previously. However, we also note significant regulatory omissions relating, in particular, to the manufactured uncertainty of employment and immigration status, limited supply chain regulation and obstacles to trade union representation. We identify the need to address in greater detail the complex operations of transnational temporary work agencies involving third country nationals which can produce legal uncertainty and foster unfree labour relations.
Higher intakes of flavonoids are associated with lower salivary IL‐1β and maintenance of periodontal health 3–4 years after scaling and root planing
Authors: Sparrow Taylor V. , Dodington David W. , Yumol Jenalyn L. , Fritz Peter C. , Ward Wendy E.
Published: January 2020

Aims

Higher intakes of fruits and vegetables, and vitamin C are associated with improved periodontal healing post‐scaling and root planing (SRP). This study determined if this association was sustained at 3–4 years post‐SRP, and if flavonoid intake is associated with periodontal health. Whether reduced probing depth (PD) is sustained and whether PD is correlated with salivary IL‐1β, IL‐6 and CRP at 3–4 years post‐SRP were also studied.

Materials and Methods

Clinical periodontal outcomes, dietary intakes and salivary markers of inflammation were measured in patients (n = 43, 23 females, 37–93 years) who had undergone SRP 3–4 years earlier and had been part of a periodontal maintenance programme.

Results

Flavonoid intake was inversely associated with PD (p = .042) and salivary IL‐1β concentration (p = .015) after adjustment for multiple confounders. When changes in PD were considered, the association of flavonoid intake with reduced PD became borderline significant (p = .051) but persisted for IL‐1β (p = .018). PD at 3–4 years and 2–4 months post‐SRP was similar. There was a positive correlation between PD and salivary IL‐1β (p = .005) but not with salivary CRP and IL‐6.

Conclusion

Higher flavonoid intake is associated with lower IL‐1β. Also, regular supportive periodontal therapy maintained the improved PD at 3–4 years post‐SRP regardless of smoking status.
N‐acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline is a valuable endogenous antifibrotic peptide for kidney fibrosis in diabetes: An update and translational aspects
Authors: Kanasaki Keizo
Published: January 2020

N‐acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline (AcSDKP) is an endogenous peptide that has been confirmed to show excellent organ‐protective effects. Even though originally discovered as a modulator of hemotopoietic stem cells, during the recent two decades, AcSDKP has been recognized as valuable antifibrotic peptide. The antifibrotic mechanism of AcSDKP is not yet clear; we have established that AcSDKP could target endothelial–mesenchymal transition program through the induction of the endothelial fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathway. Also, recent reports suggested the clinical significance of AcSDKP. The aim of this review was to update recent advances of the mechanistic action of AcSDKP and discuss translational research aspects.
Correlation between serum proinsulin levels and fatty liver: The Dynamics of Lifestyle and Neighborhood Community on Health Study
Authors: Miya Aika , Nakamura Akinobu , Miyoshi Hideaki , Ukawa Shigekazu , Nakamura Koshi , Nakagawa Takafumi , Terauchi Yasuo , Tamakoshi Akiko , Atsumi Tatsuya
Published: January 2020

Aims/Introduction

We explored the association between fatty liver and pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction in a general population.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 489 (53.8% women) community‐dwelling Japanese adults. The extent of fatty liver was estimated using the fatty liver index (FLI). After all participants were divided into three groups – low (FLI <30), moderate (30 ≤FLI <60) or high (FLI ≥ 60) degree of fatty liver – serum proinsulin levels transformed into natural logarithms were compared among the three groups. To determine whether obesity modified the association of interest, the participants were stratified into two groups according to the median body mass index. Next, to determine whether hyperinsulinemia modified the association of interest, a similar stratified analysis was carried out using the median serum insulin level.

Results

Logarithm (proinsulin) was significantly higher in the high FLI group than in the moderate and low groups, and it was significantly higher in the moderate group than in the low group after adjustment for age and sex (P < 0.05). Logarithm (proinsulin) was significantly higher in the high FLI group than in the low FLI group, regardless of body mass index, after adjustment for age and sex. A similar pattern was observed regardless of serum insulin levels.

Conclusions

The degree of fatty liver was positively associated with proinsulin level, regardless of the presence of obesity or hyperinsulinemia, suggesting that fatty liver reflects pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction.
5‐Aminolevulinic acid patch (Alacare) photodynamic therapy for actinic cheilitis: data from a prospective 12‐month follow‐up study on 21 patients
Authors: Radakovic S. , Dangl M. , Tanew A.
Published: January 2020

Background

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a variant of actinic keratosis (AK) affecting the lips and caused by chronic ultraviolet exposure.

Objective

Alacare is a self‐adhesive, skin‐coloured 5‐aminolaevulinic acid patch that has been developed for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of mild‐to‐moderate AK. Based on promising preliminary results in the treatment of AC with Alacare patch PDT, we decided to extend our previous investigation to gain more data on the efficacy, tolerability, safety and cosmetic outcome of Alacare patch PDT for AC.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients with a clinical diagnosis of mild‐to‐moderate AC were included in the study and subjected to one single session of PDT. After occlusion with the Alacare patch for 4 h, the AC lesions were illuminated for 10 min with red light at a dose of 37 J/cm2. All patients received local anaesthesia prior to illumination. Additionally, all lesions were cooled during PDT with a cold air blower. PDT‐induced pain and skin phototoxicity were monitored during and up to 7 days after PDT. Clinical assessment of efficacy, cosmetic outcome and global patient satisfaction was performed at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment.

Results

Nineteen patients completed the study. Three months after PDT, 17 patients (89.5%) had achieved complete remission. Of these, one patient presented with recurrence of AC at the 6‐month follow‐up, whereas all other patients remained in remission until the end of the observation period. The complete clinical cure rate at 1 year after a single Alacare patch PDT thus was 84.2%. Pain during illumination and the phototoxic skin reaction were in general mild to moderate. The cosmetic outcome was excellent.

Conclusion

The present prospective study on Alacare patch PDT for AC confirms its high clinical efficacy, good tolerability and favourable cosmetic effects. Alacare patch PDT should be considered as a valid treatment option for patients with AC.
Development and validation of a claims‐based measure of abortion services
Authors: Gibbs Susannah E. , Oakley Lisa P. , Harvey S. Marie
Published: January 2020

Rationale

Data on abortion services are critical for monitoring trends in access and utilization, evaluating policies, and examining a wide range of research questions. Accurate and timely data, however, can be difficult to obtain for abortion services. Oregon is one of several states that use state funds to finance abortion services in their Medicaid programmes. Oregon's Medicaid programme contracts with managed care plans that receive global budgets to provide care. Abortion services, however, must be billed directly to the state through fee‐for‐service (FFS) billing to ensure that federal funds are not used. In this study, we identify possible abortions using Medicaid insurance claims data from Oregon and categorize identified abortions as high, medium, or low confidence according to convergent validity analysis of FFS billing.

Methods

We used individually linked Medicaid eligibility and claims data from women ages 15 to 44 enrolled in Oregon's Medicaid programme from 2008 to 2013. Abortion‐related Medicaid claims were identified and categorized based on diagnosis, procedure, and drug codes. These categories were assessed for convergent validity by examining FFS billing for possible abortions to women enrolled in managed care plans.

Results

In total, 23 763 possible abortions obtained by 18 518 women were classified with high (n = 21 450), medium (n = 562), and low (n = 1751) confidence. Among managed care abortions, more than 99% of high confidence abortions were billed on an FFS basis compared with 72% of medium confidence and <1% of low confidence abortions. The majority of high confidence abortions were to urban‐residing (89%) white (73%) women.

Conclusions

Research on abortion services using insurance claims has important implications for women's health care and public health policy. A high‐quality claims‐based measure can facilitate monitoring the provision of abortion services within health systems and evaluation of initiatives to increase equitable abortion access.
Elevated fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin associated with small intestinal lesions in patients with Behçet disease
Authors: Hayashida Mari , Miyoshi Jun , Mitsui Tatsuya , Miura Miki , Saito Daisuke , Sakuraba Akihito , Kawashima Soko , Ikegaya Noriko , Fukuoka Kazuhito , Karube Miho , Komagata Yoshinori , Kaname Shinya , Okada Annabelle A , Fujimori Shunji , Matsuura Minoru , Hisamatsu Tadakazu
Published: January 2020

Background and Aims

Small intestinal lesions in patients with Behçet disease (BD) have a risk of perforation and hemorrhage requiring surgery. However, no screening strategy for such lesions has been established. We investigated small intestinal lesions in BD patients with video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and analyzed clinical characteristics to identify noninvasive biomarkers of such lesions.

Methods

This study included 33 BD patients who underwent VCE (PillCam® SB3) at our institution from June 2016 to January 2019. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, gastrointestinal symptoms, eye involvement, and blood examinations, were obtained from the medical records of 27 of the 33 patients. Fecal immunochemical tests for hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin (FC), and fecal lactoferrin (FL) were measured. VCE findings of 145 healthy Japanese individuals from a previous report were used as controls.

Results

Two intestinal BD patients were included in the 27 patients. We observed that BD patients exhibit more small intestinal lesions compared with healthy individuals, including erosions, ulcers, and total lesions (erosions or ulcers). FC and FL levels were significantly higher in patients with versus without small intestinal lesions (P = 0.034 and P = 0.046, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated that FC (cutoff value = 119 μg/g) and FL (cutoff value = 17 μg/g) were biomarkers for small intestinal lesions in patients with BD.

Conclusion

The present study using VCE showed that patients with BD had more small intestinal lesions than healthy individuals. FC and FL could be useful for screening BD patients who may have small intestinal lesions.
Improving EBSD precision by orientation refinement with full pattern matching
Authors: WINKELMANN A. , JABLON B.M. , TONG V.S. , TRAGER‐COWAN C. , MINGARD K.P.
Published: January 2020

We present a comparison of the precision of different approaches for orientation imaging using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in the scanning electron microscope. We have used EBSD to image the internal structure of WC grains, which contain features due to dislocations and subgrains. We compare the conventional, Hough‐transform based orientation results from the EBSD system software with results of a high‐precision orientation refinement using simulated pattern matching at the full available detector resolution of 640 × 480 pixels. Electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) is used to verify the correspondence of qualitative ECCI features with the quantitative orientation data from pattern matching. For the investigated sample, this leads to an estimated pattern matching sensitivity of about 0.5 mrad (0.03°) and a spatial feature resolution of about 100 nm. In order to investigate the alternative approach of postprocessing noisy orientation data, we analyse the effects of two different types of orientation filters. Using reference features in the high‐precision pattern matching results for comparison, we find that denoising of orientation data can reduce the spatial resolution, and can lead to the creation of orientation artefacts for crystallographic features near the spatial and orientational resolution limits of EBSD.
The G protein‐coupled oestrogen receptor, GPER1, mediates direct anti‐inflammatory effects of oestrogens in human cholinergic neurones from the nucleus basalis of Meynert
Authors: Sarchielli Erica , Guarnieri Giulia , Idrizaj Eglantina , Squecco Roberta , Mello Tommaso , Comeglio Paolo , Gallina Pasquale , Maggi Mario , Vannelli Gabriella B. , Morelli Annamaria
Published: January 2020

It has been well established, particularly in animal models, that oestrogens exert neuroprotective effects in brain areas linked to cognitive processes. A key protective role could reside in the capacity of oestrogen to modulate the inflammatory response. However, the direct neuroprotective actions of oestrogens on neurones are complex and remain to be fully clarified. In the present study, we took advantage of a previously characterised primary culture of human cholinergic neurones (hfNBM) from the foetal nucleus basalis of Meynert, which is known to regulate hippocampal and neocortical learning and memory circuits, aiming to investigate the direct effects of oestrogens under inflammatory conditions. Exposure of cells to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α (10 ng mL‐1) determined the activation of an inflammatory response, as demonstrated by nuclear factor‐kappa B p65 nuclear translocation and cyclooxygenase‐2 mRNA expression. These effects were inhibited by treatment with either 17β‐oestradiol (E2) (10 nmol L‐1) or G1 (100 nmol L‐1), the selective agonist of the G protein‐coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER1). Interestingly, the GPER1 antagonist G15 abolished the effects of E2 in TNFα‐treated cells, whereas the ERα/ERβ inhibitor tamoxifen did not. Electrophysiological measurements in hfNBMs revealed a depolarising effect caused by E2 that was specifically blocked by tamoxifen and not by G15. Conversely, G1 specifically hyperpolarised the cell membrane and also increased both inward and outward currents elicited by a depolarising stimulus, suggesting a modulatory action on hfNBM excitability by GPER1 activation. Interestingly, pretreating cells with TNFα completely blocked the effects of G1 on membrane properties and also significantly reduced GPER1 mRNA expression. In addition, we found a peculiar subcellular localisation of GPER1 to focal adhesion sites that implicates new possible mechanisms of action of GPER1 in the neuronal perception of mechanical stimuli. The results obtained in the present study indicate a modulatory functional role of GPER1 with respect to mediating the oestrogen neuroprotective effect against inflammation in brain cholinergic neurones and, accordingly, may help to identify protective strategies for preventing cognitive impairments.
The middle ear of the pink fairy armadillo Chlamyphorus truncatus (Xenarthra, Cingulata, Chlamyphoridae): comparison with armadillo relatives using computed tomography
Authors: Basso Ana P. , Sidorkewicj Nora S. , Casanave Emma B. , Mason Matthew J.
Published: January 2020

The pink fairy armadillo Chlamyphorus truncatus is the smallest extant armadillo and one of the least‐known fossorial mammals. The aim of this study was to establish if its middle ear is specially adapted to the subterranean environment, through comparison with more epigeic relatives of the groups Euphractinae (Chaetophractus villosus, Chaetophractus vellerosus, Zaedyus pichiy) and Dasypodinae (Dasypus hybridus). We examined the middle ears using micro‐computed tomography and subsequent three‐dimensional reconstructions. D. hybridus has a relatively small middle ear cavity, an incomplete bulla and ‘ancestral’ ossicular morphology. The other species, including Chlamyphorus, have fully ossified bullae and middle ear ossicles, with a morphology between ‘transitional’ and ‘freely mobile’, but in all armadillos the malleus retains a long anterior process. Unusual features of armadillo ears include the lack of a pedicellate lenticular apophysis and the presence, in some species, of an element of Paaw within the stapedius muscle. In common with many subterranean mammals, Chlamyphorus has a relatively flattened malleo‐incudal articulation and appears to lack a functional tensor tympani muscle. Its middle ear cavity is not unusually enlarged, and its middle ear ossicles seem less robust than those of the other armadillos studied. In comparison with the euphractines, there is no reason to believe that the middle ear of this species is specially adapted to the subterranean environment; some aspects may even be indicative of degeneration. The screaming hairy armadillo, Chaetophractus vellerosus, has the most voluminous middle ear in both relative and absolute terms. Its hypertrophied middle ear cavity likely represents an adaptation to low‐frequency hearing in arid rather than subterranean conditions.
Postnatal development of skeletal muscle in pigs with intrauterine growth restriction: morphofunctional phenotype and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Felicioni Fernando , Pereira Andreia D. , Caldeira‐Brant Andre L. , Santos Thais G. , Paula Thais M. D. , Magnabosco Diogo , Bortolozzo Fernando P. , Tsoi Stephen , Dyck Michael K. , Dixon Walter , Martinelli Patricia M. , Jorge Erika C. , Chiarini‐Garcia Helio , Almeida Fernanda R. C. L.
Published: January 2020

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious condition which impairs the achievement of the fetus' full growth potential and occurs in a natural and severe manner in pigs as a result of placental insufficiency. Reduced skeletal muscle mass in the fetus with IUGR persists into adulthood and may contribute to increased metabolic disease risk. To investigate skeletal muscle postnatal development, histomorphometrical patterns of the semitendinosus muscle, myosin heavy chain (MyHC; embryonic I, IIA, IIB and IIX isoforms) fiber composition and the relative expression of genes related to myogenesis, adipogenesis and growth during three specific periods: postnatal myogenesis (newborn to 100 days old), hypertrophy (100–150 days old), and postnatal development (newborn to 150 days old) were evaluated in female pigs with IUGR and normal birth weight (NW) female littermates. NW females presented higher body weights compared to their IUGR counterparts at all ages evaluated (P < 0.05). Moreover, growth restriction in utero affected the semitendinosus muscle weight, muscle fiber diameter, and muscle cross‐sectional area, which were smaller in IUGR pigs at birth (P < 0.05). Notwithstanding the effects on muscle morphology, IUGR also affected muscle fiber composition, as the percentage of MyHC‐I myofibers was higher at birth (P < 0.05), and, in 150‐day‐old gilts, a lower percentage of MyHC‐IIX isoform (P < 0.05) and the presence of embryonic MyHC isoform were also observed. Regarding the pattern of gene expression in both the postnatal myogenesis and postnatal development periods, IUGR led to the downregulation of myogenic factors, which delayed skeletal muscle myogenesis (PAX7, MYOD, MYOG, MYF5 and DES). Altogether, growth restriction in utero affects muscle fiber number and size at birth and muscle fiber composition through the downregulation of myogenic factors, which determines the individual´s postnatal growth rate. This fact, associated with delayed myofiber development in growth‐restricted animals, may affect meat quality characteristics in animal production. Hence, knowledge of the morphofunctional phenotype of the skeletal muscle throughout postnatal development in individuals with IUGR, and the mechanism that governs it, may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that limit postnatal muscle growth, and help the establishment of potential strategies to improve muscle development and prevent the onset of later‐life metabolic diseases.
Avian palaeoneurology: Reflections on the eve of its 200th anniversary
Authors: Knoll Fabien , Kawabe Soichiro
Published: January 2020

In birds, the brain (especially the telencephalon) is remarkably developed, both in relative volume and complexity. Unlike in most early‐branching sauropsids, the adults of birds and other archosaurs have a well‐ossified neurocranium. In contrast to the situation in most of their reptilian relatives but similar to what can be seen in mammals, the brains of birds fit closely to the endocranial cavity so that their major external features are reflected in the endocasts. This makes birds a highly suitable group for palaeoneurological investigations. The first observation about the brain in a long‐extinct bird was made in the first quarter of the 19th century. However, it was not until the 2000s and the application of modern imaging technologies that avian palaeoneurology really took off. Understanding how the mode of life is reflected in the external morphology of the brains of birds is but one of several future directions in which avian palaeoneurological research may extend. Although the number of fossil specimens suitable for palaeoneurological explorations is considerably smaller in birds than in mammals and will very likely remain so, the coming years will certainly witness a momentous strengthening of this rapidly growing field of research at the overlap between ornithology, palaeontology, evolutionary biology and neurosciences.
Towards a Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB)—Overview and general remarks of a multidimensional bruxism evaluation system
Authors: Manfredini Daniele , Ahlberg Jari , Aarab Ghizlane , Bracci Alessandro , Durham Justin , Ettlin Dominik , Gallo Luigi M. , Koutris Michail , Wetselaar Peter , Svensson Peter , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: January 2020

Abstracts

The aim of the present paper was to give an overview of the general project and to present the macrostructure of a comprehensive multidimensional toolkit for the assessment of bruxism, viz. a bruxism evaluation system. This is a necessary intermediate step that will be detailed in a successive extended publication and will ultimately lead to the definition of a Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB) as the final product. Two invitation‐only workshops were held during the 2018 and 2019 General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meetings. Participants of the IADR closed meetings were split into two groups, to put the basis for a multidimensional evaluation system composed of two main axes: an evaluation Axis A with three assessment domains (ie subject‐based, clinically based and instrumentally based assessment) and an aetiological/risk factors Axis B assessing different groups of factors and conditions (ie psychosocial assessment; concurrent sleep and non‐sleep conditions; drug and substance use or abuse; and additional factors). The work of the two groups that led to the identification of different domains for assessment is summarised in this manuscript, along with a road map for future researches. Such an approach will allow clinicians and researchers to modulate evaluation of bruxism patients with a comprehensive look at the clinical impact of the different bruxism activities and aetiologies. The ultimate goal of this multidimensional system is to facilitate the refinement of decision‐making algorithms in the clinical setting.
Asthma and Academic Performance Among Children and Youth in North America: A Systematic Review
Authors: Schneider Tali
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

The increasing prevalence of asthma among adolescents and the limited studies exploring the educational outcomes for youth coping with asthma makes the inquiry in this field of special interest. This paper reviews the literature on empirical studies exploring the relationship between asthma and academic performance among adolescents.

METHODS

Five databases (CINAHL, PubMed, ERIC EBSCO, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) were searched for peer‐reviewed empirical studies exploring the link between asthma and academic performance utilized. Studies were reviewed, logged, and assessed studies for their research design, methods, and findings. Data synthesis incorporated strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research and practice.

RESULTS

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 13 employed a survey design and 7 evaluated school‐based interventions implementing an experimental design. Whereas researchers applied quantitative methods in all the studies, qualitative and mixed‐method designs were infrequently used. Studies showed a link between school absenteeism and asthma; other academic indicators (eg, graduation and test‐scores) showed inconsistent correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should deploy more variable research designs and methods to improve understanding of the factors contributing to the relationship between adolescent asthma and academic performance. Additional topic‐specific inquiry is needed to inform school practices and policies.
Temporal profile of HEV RNA concentration in blood and stool from patients with acute uncomplicated hepatitis E in a region with genotype 1 predominance
Authors: Goel Amit , V. Padmaprakash Kodavoor , Benjamin Mercilena , Katiyar Harshita , Aggarwal Rakesh
Published: January 2020

Acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) is associated with viremia and faecal excretion of the virus. The information on duration and temporal pattern of viremia and faecal shedding in HEV infection is important, but is not available. Serial serum and stool specimens were collected from patients with acute hepatitis E (typical clinical picture, serum alanine aminotransferase levels > 5‐folds the upper limit of normal and presence of IgM anti‐HEV), beginning from within 7 days of the onset of symptoms. HEV RNA concentrations were measured in sera and 10% stool suspensions, using a real‐time Taqman‐based nucleic acid amplification assay. Seventeen patients (median age 25 [range 19‐61] years; all men) were enrolled within a median of 5 (range 3‐8) days of the onset of the first symptom and provided 113 serum specimens and 71 stool specimens. The median (range) highest levels of serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the patients were 10.3 (5.9‐43.4) mg/dL, 1817 (442‐4642) IU/L and 1016 (88‐4561) IU/L, respectively. All the 17 patients had demonstrable viremia, and 12 of the 13 patients who were tested had faecal excretion at one or more time points. The HEV RNA titres were the highest in the early phase of disease and declined rapidly with time, becoming nondetectable in the serum by day 20 and in the stool by day 21. In most of the patients with acute uncomplicated acute hepatitis E, the degree of viremia and faecal shedding decline quickly after the onset of clinical illness and rapidly disappear in parallel with each other.