bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of caries risk assessment in minimum intervention dentistry
Authors: Hallett KB
Published: May 2013

Caries risk assessment forms the cornerstone for the successful application of a minimum intervention dentistry philosophy in the management of dental caries. Patients, particularly those with evidence of active dental caries at baseline, require a caries risk assessment to identify those risk factors that will most likely contribute to the progression of the carious disease process. Once identified, these factors should be eliminated or at least moderated to ensure the disease progression is stabilized before conservative and rehabilitative dental procedures are undertaken. Each individual will present with a slightly different caries risk profile and the principles of a patient centred approach to manage each case should be applied to the individual diagnostic and treatment planning phases of dental care. Current chairside technologies such as caries susceptibility and activity tests can be utilized to provide baseline and follow‐up data to assist the dental practitioner in this task. However, clinician intuition or ‘gut feeling’ has been found to be a better prognostic indicator for future dental caries experience than present caries prediction instruments in most cases. As caries risk data are accumulated and refined at a population, community and individual level, the sensitivity and specificity of the caries risk assessment modelling will improve as will the positive predictive power of the final statistical model algorithm. It is likely that online caries predictive tools will be available for general dental practitioners in the not too distant future to help clinicians formulate accurate caries risk profiles for their patients.
Minimum intervention dentistry and the management of tooth wear in general practice
Authors: Meyers IA
Published: May 2013

The incidence of tooth wear, or non‐carious tooth surface loss (NCTSL), is increasing and oral rehabilitation of patients with non‐carious tooth loss requires strategies that address all the factors relevant to the aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition. The multifactorial nature of tooth wear and the variability in its clinical presentation provides treatment challenges for the clinician and successful management must be more than just restoration. Management must include an appropriate mix of preventive and restorative strategies and an understanding that long‐term restorative success is affected by the patient's oral environment, and how diet, lifestyle and medical status can modify this environment. Ultimately, the success of any restorative intervention is very dependent on the stability of the oral environment and the condition of the remaining tooth structure. Minimum intervention dentistry (MID) philosophies are ideally suited to tooth wear cases and an overall MID strategy involving diagnosis, recognition and control of predisposing factors, stabilization of the oral environment, remineralization and restoration of the tooth structure, and ongoing maintenance can be implemented. When restorative treatment is required, contemporary materials and techniques are available that can provide cost‐effective and conservative restorative alternatives for patients unable to undergo the complex indirect restorative techniques that are both costly and time consuming to implement. These minimally invasive approaches are not only an economically viable solution, but can provide aesthetic and functional rehabilitation and maintain tooth structure as a precursor to more complex restorative options when required.
Lemierre's syndrome: a serious complication of a routine dental procedure
Authors: Ghaly B , Bertram A , Naim A
Published: May 2013

Lemierre's syndrome is the clinical presentation characterized by oropharyngeal or tonsillar infection, anaerobic septicaemia often with distant septic emboli, and clinical or radiological evidence of thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome in a 44‐year‐old type II diabetic male. This case is unique for two reasons. Firstly, we believe it is the first reported iatrogenic case following a routine dental procedure. Secondly, the internal jugular vein thrombosis was found to occur on the contralateral side to the primary infection.
The association between chewing and swallowing difficulties and nutritional status in older adults
Authors: Mann T , Heuberger R , Wong H
Published: May 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of chewing and swallowing dysfunctions to nutritional status in older adults.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study comprised a convenience sample of 1065 community‐dwelling older adults living in rural United States. Dietary assessment included the Block Full Length Food Frequency Questionnaire, 24‐hour Food Intake Recall and Mini Nutritional Assessment. Classification of chewing and swallowing difficulties was determined by a criterion of outlined factors.

Results

In our sample, 113 (11%) had chewing difficulties, 51 (5%) had swallowing difficulties, and 11 (1%) had both. Compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), the study population was deficient in calories and several nutrients. Mean daily intake in individuals reporting chewing, swallowing, or difficulties with both were 1489 ± 360, 1461 ± 374 and 1374 ± 240 calories respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Vitamin A, vitamin E and manganese were significantly lower in those with chewing difficulties while vitamin E and magnesium were significantly lower in individuals with swallowing difficulties (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results emphasize the importance of chewing and swallowing difficulties in modulating nutritional outcomes in older adults. These co‐morbidities should be monitored in this population and intake of nutrient dense foods should be increased in those at risk.
General practitioners' opinions and attitudes towards medical assessment of fitness to drive of older adults in Ireland
Authors: Omer Sami , Dolan Catherine , Dimitrov Borislav D , Langan Camilla , McCarthy Geraldine
Published: May 2013

Objective

The study sought to assess opinions and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) in Ireland towards fitness to drive (FTD) assessment in people older than 65 years old as well as to gather information on current assessment practices.

Method

A postal‐based cross‐sectional survey was carried out with 603 GP practices randomly selected using the Irish College of General Practitioners database.

Results

Response rate was 42.6%. The prevalence of GPs not confident in assessing FTD was less than 15% with 81% reporting the need for more education on assessing FTD, and 82% identifying that mandatory reporting of unsafe drivers posed a conflict of interest. Only 37% of GPs always/often used the Irish Road Safety Authority handbook when assessing FTD with 14% not aware of its existence. Of responders, 89% were of the opinion that a clinical assessment tool would be of benefit in assessing FTD.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the need for education and training for Irish GPs on FTD assessment in the older people patient population.
Quantitative Electrocardiographic Measures, Neuromuscular Disorders, and Survival in Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation/Noncompaction
Authors: Stöllberger Claudia , Gerger Daniel , Wegner Christian , Finsterer Josef
Published: May 2013

Background

Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is frequently associated with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) and electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. Quantitative ECG‐measures (QEMs) are risk markers for mortality in cardiomyopathies. We measured QEMs in the ECGs in LVHT patients with and without NMDs.

Methods

Included were patients in whom (a) LVHT was diagnosed between 1995 and 2011 and (b) baseline ECG recordings were available. All underwent a clinical examination and were invited for a neurological investigation. QRS duration, QT, QTc and PR intervals were analyzed. Survival status was assessed in June 2011.

Results

In 141 patients (mean age 54 years, 49 females) QRS duration ranged from 40 to 200 ms, a QRS duration >120 ms was found in 19% and was associated with increased age, heart failure, left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction (P < 0.001). QT intervals ranged from 240 to 600 ms. The QTc intervals ranged from 302 to 612 ms, a QTc interval >440 ms was found in 38% and was associated with left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction (P < 0.001). PR intervals ranged from 90 to 360 ms, a PR interval >200 ms was found in 16% and associated with left ventricular dilatation (P < 0.01). No QEM differences were found in 86 patients with and 13 without NMD. During 59 months follow‐up 45 patients died. QEMs were no mortality predictors, whereas multivariate analysis identified heart failure (P < 0.01), atrial fibrillation (P < 0.01) and diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05) as mortality predictors.

Conclusions

Prolonged QRS complexes, PR and QTc intervals in LVHT are associated with heart failure and left ventricular dilatation, but not with NMD. The prognostic role of QEMs in LVHT needs further investigations in larger series.
Clinical pharmacology = disease progression + drug action
Authors: Holford Nick
Published: May 2013

Clinical pharmacology is concerned with understanding how to use medicines to treat disease. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics have provided powerful methodologies for describing the time course of concentration and effect in individuals and in populations. This population approach may also be applied to describing the progression of disease and the action of drugs to change disease progress. Quantitative models for symptomatic and disease‐modifying effects of drugs are valuable not only for describing drugs and diseases but also for identifying criteria to distinguish between types of drug actions, with implications for regulatory decisions and long‐term patient care.
Feeling Uncertain and Acting on It During the Preschool Years: A Metacognitive Approach
Authors: Ghetti Simona , Hembacher Emily , Coughlin Christine A.
Published: May 2013

The ability to experience uncertainty (i.e., uncertainty monitoring) is an important skill that enables us to optimize our performance by acting cautiously or seeking additional information when we feel uncertain, and by expressing our knowledge when we feel certain (i.e., uncertainty control). Research reveals that even young preschoolers can introspect on uncertainty and act appropriately based on these introspections. We conclude that uncertainty monitoring and control can be driving forces of cognitive development during the preschool years. In this article, we review the emerging literature on this topic, highlight open questions, and draw connections with other research domains.
Plasma progranulin levels in cortical dementia phenotypes with asymmetric perisylvian atrophy
Authors: Gómez‐Tortosa E. , Guerrero‐López R. , Gil‐Neciga E. , Franco E. , del Ser T. , Jiménez Escrig A. , Pérez‐Pérez J. , Sainz M. J.
Published: May 2013

Background and purpose

Decreased plasma progranulin levels are a very specific marker for the diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) caused by mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN). A frequent neuroimaging pattern in this type of dementia is asymmetric cortical atrophy. The aim of this study was to screen for GRN‐linked FTLD in cases with different cortical dementia phenotypes and asymmetric perisylvian atrophy.

Methods

Progranulin plasma levels were analyzed in a variety of FTLD phenotypes (n = 71), dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) (n = 22) and probable Lewy body dementia (n = 8), both latter groups presented with asymmetric perisylvian atrophy. A group of elderly controls (n = 29) and DAT cases with symmetric atrophy (n = 33) were also analyzed. The GRN gene was sequenced in cases with lower plasma levels.

Results

Four cases with clinical FTLD phenotypes and plasma levels below 70 ng/ml were found to carry different GRN mutations: M1?, C139R, a point mutation in the splice donor site of intron 3 (A89VfsX41), and a deletion in exon 9 (A303AfsX57), this latter one being a new mutation. Thirteen cases with levels between 72 and 85 ng/ml did not show pathogenic changes in the GRN gene. None of the cases with asymmetric atrophy and clinical phenotypes other than FTLD had GRN mutations.

Conclusions

Asymmetric perisylvian atrophy is not likely to predict progranulin‐linked FTLD unless it is associated with a consistent FTLD clinical phenotype.
A mouse model of vitiligo induced by monobenzone
Authors: Zhu Yiping , Wang Suiquan , Xu Aie
Published: May 2013

The paucity of vitiligo animal models limits the understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis and the development of therapies for the skin disorder. In this study, we developed a new mouse model of vitiligo by topically applying the skin‐depigmenting agent monobenzone on mice. We demonstrated that monobenzone‐induced skin depigmentation on the non‐exposed sites and that the severity of lesions depended on drug dosage. The result of the histological examination of the depigmented skin indicated loss of epidermal melanocytes and perilesional accumulation of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, the monobenzone‐induced depigmentation of the Rag1 gene knockout did not appear on the non‐exposed sites, supporting the involvement of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in melanocyte destruction. Resemblance in histological characteristics and pathogenesis between monobenzone‐induced depigmentation and active human vitiligo suggests good potential of our mouse model for use in vitiligo research.
Nicotine affects cutaneous wound healing in stressed mice
Authors: de Almeida Taís F. , Romana‐Souza Bruna , Machado Saul , Abreu‐Villaça Yael , Monte‐Alto‐Costa Andréa
Published: May 2013

Stress is an important condition of modern life. Nicotine addiction can modulate the physiological response to stress. Cutaneous healing is a complex process resulting in scar formation, which can be delayed by stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nicotine administration on cutaneous wound healing in chronically stressed mice. Male mice were submitted to rotational stress, whereas control animals were not subjected to stress. These stressed and control animals were treated with a transdermal nicotine patch that was changed every day. A full‐thickness excisional lesion was also generated, and 14 days later, lesions had recovered. However, the Stress + Nicotine group presented a delay in wound contraction. These wounds showed a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration and lower expression of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), whereas there was an increase in angiogenesis and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) expression. In vitro fibroblast migration was also impaired by the nicotine treatment of stressed‐stimulated cells. In conclusion, nicotine administration potentiates the delay in wound closure observed in mice submitted to stress.
Learning routines over long‐term sensor data using topic models
Authors: Castanedo Federico , de‐Ipiña Diego López‐ , Aghajan Hamid K. , Kleihorst Richard
Published: May 2013

Recent advances on sensor network technology provide the infrastructure to create intelligent environments on physical places. One of the main issues of sensor networks is the large amount of data they generate. Therefore, it is necessary to have good data analysis techniques with the aim of learning and discovering what is happening on the monitored environment. The problem becomes even more challenging if this process is performed following an unsupervised way (without having any a priori information) and applied over a long‐term timeline with many sensors. In this work, topic models are employed to learn the latent structure and dynamics of sensor network data. Experimental results using two realistic datasets, having over 50 weeks of data, have shown the ability to find routines of activity over sensor network data in office environments.
Clinical Evaluation of a Ten‐Day Regimen with Esomeprazole, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, and Clarithromycin for the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in a High Clarithromycin Resistance Area
Authors: Georgopoulos Sotirios D. , Xirouchakis Elias , Martinez‐Gonzalez Beatriz , Sgouras Dionyssios N. , Spiliadi Charikleia , Mentis Andreas F. , Laoudi Fotini
Published: May 2013

Background

Increasing clarithromycin resistance reduces Helicobacter pylori eradication rates with conventional triple regimens. We evaluated effectiveness and safety of a 10‐day‐quadruple nonbismuth containing regimen, as first‐line treatment or second‐line treatment (after conventional triple) for H. pylori, and assessed impact of antibiotic resistance on treatment success.

Materials and methods

Eligible patients had upper GI endoscopy and positive CLO‐test, also confirmed by histology and/or culture. The eradication scheme comprised: Esomeprazole 40 mg, Metronidazole 500 mg, Amoxicillin 1000 mg, and Clarithromycin 500 mg, twice daily, for 10 days. Treatment adherence and adverse effects were recorded. Eradication was tested by 13C‐urea breath test or histology.

Results

One hundred and ninety out of 198 patients (115M/83F, aged 18–81, mean 52 years, 37% smokers, 27% ulcer disease) who completed the study protocol were evaluated for eradication. Adherence to treatment was 97.7% (95% CI 95.9–99.6). Six (3.2%) patients experienced severe side effects and discontinued treatment. Intention to treat and per protocol analysis in first line was 91.5% (95% CI 86.2–94.8) and 95% (95% CI 90.4–97.4) and in second line was 60.6% (95% CI 43.6–75.3) and 64.5% (95% CI 46.9–78.8), respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed in 106 of 124 (85%) patients who gave consent. Among them 42 (40%) harbored clarithromycin resistant strains. Eradication rates were significantly higher in sensitive and single clarithromycin or metronidazole resistant (37/37, 100% and 43/47, 91%) than in dual resistant strains (12/22, 55%) (p < .0001). Specifically, concomitant regimen eradicated 7/10, 70% of dual resistant strains as first‐line treatment and 5/12, 42% as second‐line treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that dual resistance was the only independent significant predictor of treatment failure.

Conclusions

The 10‐days “concomitant” regimen is effective and safe first‐line H. pylori treatment, in a high clarithromycin resistance area, although dual antibiotic resistance may compromise its effectiveness.
Bacterial colonization, enamel defects and dental caries in 4–6‐year‐old mono‐ and dizygotic twins
Authors: Ooi Gregory , Townsend Grant , Seow W. KIM
Published: May 2013

Background

Knowledge of the genetic and environmental influences in caries aetiology has relevance for preventive dentistry.

Aims

This classical twin study compared concordance of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) colonization, enamel defects, and caries in a cohort of 4–6‐year‐old mono‐ (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs.

Design

The twins were examined for prevalence and concordance of enamel opacities and hypoplasia, oral counts of MS and LB, and dental caries. Bacterial counts were assessed using a commercial microbiological kit.

Results

Thirty‐four MZ and 50 DZ twins (mean gestational age 35.0 ± 2.4 weeks, and birthweight 2.4 ± 0.6 kg) were examined. There were no statistically significant differences between MZ and DZ twins in the prevalence of MS, LB, and enamel hypoplasia. Concordance rates for MS and LB presence and prevalence of enamel defects within MZ and DZ twin pairs were not significantly different. There were more children with caries in DZ compared with MZ twins (18% vs 3%, P = 0.0029), most likely due to increased daily frequency of sugar consumption and less toothbrushing.

Conclusions

Concordance data from MZ and DZ twins did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference in susceptibility for enamel defects and colonization of MS and LB.
Investor Inattention: A Hidden Cost of Choice in Pension Plans?
Authors: Dahlquist Magnus , Martinez José Vicente
Published: May 2013

We investigate inattention on the part of pension plan participants using a dataset covering savings in Sweden's Premium Pension System. These data permit direct comparison of the investment behaviours of pension and retail mutual fund investors. Unlike retail mutual fund investors, pension investors do not seem to react to past fund performance. This behaviour means that pension investors face a greater risk of being caught in poorly performing funds. Our evidence suggests that inertia and inattention to past performance may translate into poorer investment results for pension investors. We discuss a potential change in the design of defined contribution pension schemes that may mitigate costs for inattentive investors while maintaining flexibility for attentive investors.
Renal Innervation and Denervation: Lessons from Renal Transplantation Reconsidered
Authors: DiBona Gerald F.
Published: May 2013

Abstract: Renal transplantation assures complete denervation of the kidney. Human renal transplantation provided an opportunity to examine the consequences of renal denervation on renal functional capacity in human subjects. These initial studies led to an anatomical and physiological assessment of the time course of renal neural degeneration and reinnervation following renal transplantation or surgical division of the renal nerves. Together with a growing body of information concerning the extensive intrinsic innervation of the kidney's structural components, there has developed a comprehensive understanding of the overall neural control of kidney function.
Charged Compounds of the Glomerular Filter and Their Role in Normal and Disordered Permselectivity
Authors: Hunsicker L. G. , Bertolatus J. A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract: Infusion into rats of the polycation hexadimethrine (HDM) leads to onset of massive proteinuria, which recovers when the infusion is stopped. Several lines of evidence indicate that the proteinuria results from binding of HDM to polyanions of the glomerular filter, with neutralization or shielding of their charges. To determine the mechanism of this proteinuria, we measured the glomerular sieving coefficients of anionic and neutral forms of albumin and IgG in control and proteinuric rats. Surprisingly, these studies revealed a marked defect in size dependence, but not in charge dependence, of glomerular permselectivity in hexadimethrine‐treated animals, indicating that binding of HDM induces a structural change in the glomerular filter. In vitro studies of binding of tritiated HDM and cationized ferritin to glomerular basement membrane (GBM) indicate that the binding is not dependent on proteoglycans such as heparan sulfate, nor on sialoproteins such as podocalyxin, but is dependent on charged carboxyl groups of GBM.
Validation of the Mobility Nursing Outcome in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Moreira Rafaella Pessoa , de Araujo Thelma Leite , Cavalcante Tahissa Frota , Guedes Nirla Gomes , Costa Alice Gabrielle de Sousa , Lopes Marcos Venicios de Oliveira
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To validate the indicators of the mobility nursing outcome.

Methods

This is a methodological study carried out from February to April 2011. The instrument was assessed by 23 nurses, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.

Findings

The title “physical mobility” was the most suitable. There was a statistical proportion of less than 85% of experts who agreed that the indicators running, crawling, jumping, and moves with ease were relevant to mobility nursing outcome (p < .05). However, these indicators were not associated with stroke patients.

Conclusions

For stroke patients, some indicators are not adequate to their evaluation.

Implications for Nursing Practice

This work supports the tools' development to assess accurate outcome measurements in specific populations.

OBJETIVO

Validar os indicadores dos resultados de enfermagem obilidade.

MÉTODOS

Este é um estudo metodológico realizado de fevereiro a abril de 2011. O instrumento foi avaliado por 23 enfermeiras, e os dados foram analisados usando SPSS versão 16.0.

DADOS

O título de "mobilidade física", foi o mais adequado. Houve uma proporção estatística inferior a 85% dos especialistas que concordaram que os indicadores corre, rastejar, pular, e se move com facilidade eram relevantes para a o resultado de enfermagem Mobilidade (p < 0.05). No entanto, estes indicadores não foram associados com os pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral.

CONCLUSÕES

Para pacientes com AVC, alguns indicadores não são adequados para a suaavaliação.

IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM

O presente trabalho apóia o desenvolvimento das ferramentaspara avaliar as medições de resultados precisos em populações específicas.
Linking exercise and causality orientations to change in well‐being among older adults: does change in motivational variables play a role?
Authors: Solberg Paul André , Halvari Hallgeir , Ommundsen Yngvar
Published: May 2013

A self‐determination theory process model of change in well‐being was tested among older adults in a 16‐week randomized exercise‐trial (n = 118, M = 74.3 years, SD = 4.6, 68% females). The exercise intervention increased participants' autonomous motivation and perceived competence over the first 7 weeks. Moreover, autonomous orientation gave rise to perceived competence, while impersonal orientation was related to increased controlled motivation. Changes in motivational variables were positively related to changes in vitality over the trial, while change in controlled motivation was negatively related to changes in vitality and subjective well‐being. Bootstrapping analyses supported an indirect exercise–vitality path through autonomous motivation and perceived competence, and an indirect autonomous orientation–vitality path through perceived competence.
A visual survey technique for deep‐water fishes: estimating anglerfish Lophius spp. abundance in closed areasa
Authors: McIntyre F. D. , Collie N. , Stewart M. , Scala L. , Fernandes P. G.
Published: May 2013

A visual survey technique was employed to estimate the abundance and distribution of anglerfish Lophius spp. in areas where destructive sampling methods, such as trawling, are unacceptable. To enable visual surveying at depths of over 300 m, a deep towed vehicle was developed equipped with video, lights and other sensors and was towed at speeds of up to 1·5 m s−1 and altitudes of up to 10 m (from the seabed) to survey large areas of the seabed around the Rockall Bank in the north‐west Atlantic Ocean. The system allowed for areas up to 125 000 m2 to be surveyed, a substantial area comparable to that surveyed by demersal‐trawl sampling. Lophius spp. densities ranged from 15 to 736 fish km−2; these are comparable to estimated Lophius spp. densities determined by trawl surveys in adjacent areas. Estimates of Lophius spp. abundance in the closed areas ranged between 99 855 and 176 887 for the time series considered (2007–2011).
Vulnerability of artisanal fisheries to climate change in the Venice Lagoona
Authors: Pranovi F. , Caccin A. , Franzoi P. , Malavasi S. , Zucchetta M. , Torricelli P.
Published: May 2013

Within the context of global warming, the western coast of the northern Adriatic Sea can be regarded as an extremely vulnerable area. Owing to the local geographic features, this area has been described as the Venetian lacuna, where Mediterranean Sea climatic conditions are replaced by Atlantic Ocean ones, supporting the presence of glacial relicts, such as sprat Sprattus sprattus, flounder Platichthys flesus and brown shrimp Crangon crangon. Nektonic assemblage therefore represents a good candidate in terms of an early proxy for thermal regime alterations. It represents a dynamic component of the lagoon ecosystem, changing in space and time, actively moving through the entire system, and dynamically exchanging with the open sea. Here, the first signals of the change have been already detected, such as the presence of alien thermophilic species. Within this context, since the beginning of the century, sampling of the nektonic assemblage has been carried out, integrating them with landings data from the fish market. Vulnerabilities to thermal regime changes have been tested by (1) categorizing species according to the mean distribution area in terms of latitudinal range (over 45°, 30°–45° and below 30°), and (2) analysing both spatial and temporal variations within fishing grounds. Results indicated a high potential vulnerability of the artisanal fishery to climate change, as the commercial catch is entirely composed of species from cold (>45° N) and temperate (between 45° and 30° N) latitudes. At present no alien thermophilic species have been recorded within the lagoon, which is possibly a sign of good resilience of the assemblage. Finally, abundance of species from cold latitudes has decreased during the past decade. All of this has been discussed in the context of the mean annual temperature trend.
Association between periodontitis and acute myocardial infarction: a case–control study of a nondiabetic population
Authors: Kodovazenitis G. , Pitsavos C. , Papadimitriou L. , Vrotsos I. A. , Stefanadis C. , Madianos P. N.
Published: May 2013

Background and Objective

Periodontitis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are two diseases that share common risk factors. The role of periodontitis as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease has been under debate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between periodontitis and AMI in a nondiabetic population, using multiple periodontal case definitions.

Material and Methods

Periodontal examination was performed in 204 patients with AMI. The control group comprised 102 healthy subjects, without significant coronary disease, confirmed angiographically. Periodontitis was assessed using measurements of clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing depth and number of missing teeth. From these measurements, five different case definitions of periodontitis were generated.

Results

Using the continuous forms of periodontal measurements, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the association with incident AMI was 1.74 (1.26–2.50), 1.83 (1.10–3.17) and 1.08 (1.06–1.13) for mean CAL, probing depth and number of missing teeth, respectively. A consistent positive association was observed regardless of the case definition of periodontitis.

Conclusion

In this nondiabetic population, the association between periodontitis and AMI was consistent across different measurements and/or definitions of periodontitis. The strength of the association increased concomitantly with the robustness of the criteria used to define periodontitis.
FINANCIAL SHOCKS, UNEMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY
Authors: DRIFFILL JOHN
Published: May 2013

This paper reviews key features of the 2007–08 financial crisis, ‘Great Recession’ and European public debt problem. In the light of these it discusses new avenues of research that have opened up. A large body of opinion supports continued research within the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) paradigm, dealing incrementally with inter alia financial frictions, heterogeneous agents, and more descriptively realistic models of wage and price adjustment than ‘Calvo contracts’. However, the crisis has boosted more radical approaches to money and finance, modelling bubbles in asset prices, and taking forward insights from psychological research and experimental and behavioural economics.
Management of ankylosed young permanent incisors after trauma and prior to implant rehabilitation
Authors: Calasans‐Maia J.A. , Neto A.S. , Batista M.M.D. , Alves A.T.N.N. , Granjeiro J.M. , Calasans‐Maia M.D.
Published: May 2013

The objective of this clinical report is to present decoronation of young permanent ankylosed incisors as an option to preserve the alveolar process in young people where implant rehabilitation is not yet indicated. A 13‐year‐old patient presented with intrusive luxation of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor and lateral luxation of both permanent maxillary central incisors. During 6 months, clinical and radiographic evaluation showed progressive root replacement resorption, and surgical decoronation was recommended for all three incisors and left for a period of 6 years until the implant and grafting procedures be performed. Decoronation in young teeth is a reliable technique in terms of preservation of the width and height of the alveolar process, and improves the aesthetic conditions after installation of the provisional prosthetics. Decoronation may be considered an alternative strategy for complex posttraumatic clinical scenarios, such as young ankylosed incisors.
REPRESENTATIVE BUREAUCRACY, GENDER, AND POLICING: THE CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARRESTS IN ENGLAND
Authors: ANDREWS RHYS , JOHNSTON MILLER KAREN
Published: May 2013

Drawing on theories of representative bureaucracy, we examine whether increased representation of women in police forces in England leads to a higher rate of domestic violence arrests. To do so, we use panel regression techniques to analyze the links between gender representation and variations in the arrest of domestic abuse perpetrators when controlling for a range of other relevant variables, including the relative prosperity of the local population and the size of the police force. Our statistical results suggest that the rate of domestic violence arrests varies in terms of the authority and discretion accorded to women police officers. We find that the presence of a female police chief constable is positively associated with the domestic violence arrest rate, but that increased representation of female police officers makes a difference only when they are accorded greater opportunity to carry out frontline police work.
WHAT MAKES GOVERNANCE NETWORKS WORK? A FUZZY SET QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 14 DUTCH SPATIAL PLANNING PROJECTS
Authors: VERWEIJ STEFAN , KLIJN ERIK‐HANS , EDELENBOS JURIAN , VAN BUUREN ARWIN
Published: May 2013

Many studies have been conducted to determine the conditions that contribute to the satisfactory outcome of decision‐making processes in governance networks. In this article, we explore how the interaction of three such conditions – network complexity, network management, and stakeholder involvement – results in stakeholder satisfaction. We use fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis – a relatively new approach in public administration research – to systematically compare the decision‐making processes and outcomes of 14 Dutch spatial planning projects. Our analysis points to three combinations that result in stakeholder satisfaction: network complexity combined with adaptive management; stakeholder involvement combined with adaptive management; and low complexity combined with both limited stakeholder involvement and closed network management.
Knowledge, Cognitive Achievement, and Environmental Luck
Authors: Jarvis Benjamin
Published: May 2013

This article defends the view that knowledge is type‐identical to cognitive achievement. I argue, pace Duncan Pritchard, that not only knowledge, but also cognitive achievement is incompatible with environmental luck. I show that the performance of cognitive abilities in environmental luck cases does not distinguish them from non‐abilities per se. For this reason, although the cognitive abilities of the subject are exercised in environmental luck cases, they are not manifested in any relevant sense. I conclude by showing that this explanation is not ad hoc as it can be generalized to apply to causal features besides cognitive abilities.
Melanocytic Nevi in Children of Southern Italy: Dermoscopic, Constitutional, and Environmental Factors
Authors: Patruno Cataldo , Scalvenzi Massimiliano , Megna Matteo , Russo Irene , Gaudiello Francesca , Balato Nicola
Published: May 2013

The objective was to estimate the prevalence of melanocytic nevi (MN) in children and to determine their dermoscopic characteristics and relationship with anatomic location and environmental and constitutional factors. The population was a randomly selected sample of 144 children who attended primary schools in Naples, Italy. Before physical examination of the children, standardized interviews were conducted with their parents. Follow‐up interviews of both the children and parents were conducted 1 year later. Photographic and dermoscopic images were obtained. Boys had more MN than girls; 465 MN (55.6%) were observed in boys and 371 (44.4%) in girls (p < 0.05). The trunk and neck were the most common locations of MN (p < 0.001). The main dermoscopic feature of all MN observed was a globular pattern (p < 0.001). A significant correlation between duration of sunbathing and MN counts was revealed (p < 0.05). At 1‐year follow‐up, 118 new MN were identified in 66 children. The trunk and neck areas were the most common regions involved in the appearance of new MN (n = 68, 57.6% of all new MN, p < 0.001). The new MN count was significantly higher in children who reported more sunbathing (p < 0.001). Changes in the dermoscopic pattern were observed in 45 persistent MN, demonstrating more MN with a reticular‐globular pattern, especially on the trunk, neck, and upper extremities (p < 0.001). MN development in early life is the result of complicated relationships between nevus evolution, anatomic location, and environmental and constitutional factors.
Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa Incidence and Survival: 5‐Year Experience of the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America (DebRA) Nurse Educator, 2007 to 2011
Authors: Kelly‐Mancuso Geraldine , Kopelan Brett , Azizkhan Richard G. , Lucky Anne W.
Published: May 2013

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a particularly devastating type of epidermolysis bullosa, especially in the newborn period. Data about the number of new cases of JEB in the United States were collected from the records of the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America (DebRA) nurse educator. Seventy‐one children with JEB were reported to have been born in the 5 years between 2007 and 2011, reflecting an incidence of at least 3.59 per million per year, significantly higher than previously estimated (2.04 per million). There was a high prevalence of morbidity and infant mortality of at least 73%, as 52 of the 71 cases proved fatal by June 2012. These data emphasize the need for future research to develop treatment and ultimately a cure for this disorder.
Healthcare‐associated pneumonia: A US disease or relevant to the Asia Pacific, too?
Authors: Dobler Claudia C. , Waterer Grant
Published: May 2013

The term ‘health care‐associated pneumonia’ (HCAP) was introduced by the American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2005 to describe a distinct entity of pneumonia that resembles hospital‐acquired pneumonia rather than community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) in terms of occurrence of drug‐resistant pathogens and mortality in patients that—while not hospitalized in the traditional sense—have been in recent contact with the health‐care system. It was proposed that HCAP should be treated empirically with therapy for drug‐resistant pathogens. Over the last few years, there has been increasing controversy over whether HCAP is a helpful definition, or leads to unnecessary and potentially problematic overtreatment. The term HCAP has been extensively criticized in Europe. While most studies have shown that HCAP is associated with more frequent drug‐resistant pathogens and higher mortality than CAP, there is no clear evidence that this is due to inappropriate antibiotic therapy. Therapy consistent with HCAP treatment guidelines has also not been found to improve mortality. Based on current evidence, we suggest broad‐spectrum antibiotic therapy to treat possible pathogens not usually covered in CAP be based on assessment of individual risk factors rather than applying a HCAP classification system in the Asia‐Pacific Region.
Holding the patient's life in my hands: Swedish registered nurse anaesthetists' perspective of advocacy
Authors: Sundqvist Ann‐Sofie , Carlsson Agneta Anderzén
Published: May 2013

Background

Anaesthesia often induces a state of unconsciousness that includes inability to communicate and influence the situation. The patient has to rely on the nurse anaesthetist to speak up for her/him as well as maintain her/his dignity and safety. Consequently, the nurse anaesthetist can be likened to the patient's advocate.

Aim

The aim of the study was to describe advocacy in anaesthesia care during the perioperative phase from the perspective of the registered nurse anaesthetist.

Method

Data for this qualitative descriptive study were collected during March and April, 2011. Individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 nurse anaesthetists from two hospitals in Sweden. The audio‐taped interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed by means of qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The main theme, Holding the patient's life in my hands, described the nurse anaesthetists' perception of advocacy and comprised three subthemes: providing dignified care, providing safe care and a moral commitment.

Conclusion

Acting as the patient's advocate includes important health and well‐being issues and could be stressful for the nurse anaesthetists'. A work environment where the nurse anaesthetists' can make their voices heard and feel that their opinion regarding the patient's best interests is taken seriously would be desirable, as all health professionals should ideally focus on those in their care.
“White men can't jump.” But can they throw? Social perception in European basketball
Authors: Furley P. , Dicks M.
Published: May 2013

In the present article, we investigate the influence of sociocultural stereotypes on the impression formation of basketball players and coaches. In Experiment 1 (n = 32), participants were shown a picture of a black or white basketball player prior to observation of a point‐light video of a player executing a basketball free throw. The participant was informed that the player depicted in the picture was executing the free throw. Results indicated that ethnicity of the target player significantly influenced participant evaluations, demonstrating specific stereotypes about black and white basketball players when evaluating performance. In Experiment 2 (n = 30), results derived from the Implicit Association Test indicated that black players are implicitly associated with athletic player attributes. The results are in line with social schema theory and demonstrate that – similar to findings that have been reported in the United States – a subpopulation of German basketball players and coaches hold specific stereotypes about the abilities of black and white basketball athletes. These stereotypes bias impression formation when coaches and players make assessments of basketball performance.
Decomposing Gender Beliefs: Cross‐National Differences in Attitudes Toward Maternal Employment and Gender Equality at Home
Authors: Yu Wei‐hsin , Lee Pei‐lin
Published: May 2013

Few cross‐national studies distinguish between different aspects of gender egalitarianism and compare them systematically. In this study, we examine cross‐national differences in attitudes toward mothers' participation in the labor market and toward gender equality within the household, using a multilevel analysis of individual data from 33 nations. The results indicate greater support for employed mothers, but a lower level of approval of gender equality at home, among residents of countries that offer women more educational and economic opportunities. We argue that macrolevel gender equality increases individuals', particularly women's, incentives to support female labor force participation. Because of a persistent belief in gender differentiation, however, macrolevel gender equality has the opposite relationship with attitudes toward altering gendered practices beyond enabling women's public sphere participation. The fewer explicit barriers to women's achievement in society, the more likely individuals will feel a need to defend gendered roles in the private sphere. That the potential harm of advocating gendered practices in the private sphere is smaller in societies with fewer impediments for women is also likely to account for the negative association between macrolevel gender equality and support for egalitarian gender roles at home.
JPEG vs. JPEG2000: benchmarking with dermatological images
Authors: Guarneri F. , Vaccaro M. , Guarneri C. , Cannavò S. P.
Published: May 2013

Background

Despite the importance of images in the discipline and the diffusion of digital imaging devices, the issue of image compression in dermatology was discussed only in few studies, which yielded results often not comparable, and left some unanswered questions.

Objective

To evaluate and compare the performance of the JPEG and JPEG2000 algorithms for compression of dermatological images.

Methods

Nineteen macroscopic and fifteen videomicroscopic images of skin lesions were compressed with JPEG and JPEG2000 at 18 different compression rates, from 90% to 99.5%. Compressed images were shown, next to uncompressed versions, to three dermatologists with different experience, who judged quality and suitability for educational/scientific and diagnostic purposes. Moreover, alterations and quality were evaluated by calculation of mean ‘distance’ of pixel colors between compressed and original images and by peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, respectively.

Results

JPEG2000 was qualitatively better than JPEG at all compression rates, particularly highest ones, as shown by dermatologists' ratings and objective parameters. Agreement between raters was high, but with some differences in specific cases, showing that different professional experience can influence judgement on images.

Conclusion

In consideration of its high qualitative performance and wide diffusion, JPEG2000 represents an optimal solution for the compression of digital dermatological images.
Automated preparation of whole blood–derived platelets suspended in two different platelet additive solutions and stored for 7 days
Authors: Cid Joan , Magnano Laura , Molina Patricia , Diaz‐Ricart Maribel , Martínez Nuria , Maymó Rosa M. , Puig Lluís , Lozano Miguel , Escolar Ginés , Galán Ana M.
Published: May 2013

Background

The Atreus system (Terumo BCT) automates the preparation of blood components from whole blood donations. Intermediate platelet (PLT) products can be pooled manually or with the OrbiSac (Terumo BCT) and suspended in different PLT additive solutions (PASs) to obtain PLT concentrates (PCs). The aim of our study was to compare the in vitro PLT quality of PCs obtained with either the Atreus 2C+ and the OrbiSac or the Atreus 3C and suspended in PAS‐II or PAS‐IIIM during storage for up to 7 days.

Study Design and Methods

We prepared eight PCs from buffy coats obtained with Atreus 2C+, pooled with the OrbiSac, and suspended in PAS‐II and eight PCs from interim PLT units obtained with the Atreus 3C and suspended either in PAS‐II or in PAS‐IIIM. We measured volume, PLT content, and mean PLT component and performed metabolic assays (pH, glucose, lactate, pO2, and pCO2) and flow cytometry analyses (GPIb, GPIIbIIIa, GPIV, CD62P, CD63, von Willebrand factor [vWF], fibrinogen, Factor V, and annexin V).

Results

PCs prepared with the Atreus 3C showed lower volume and higher PLT concentration when compared with PCs prepared with the Atreus 2C+ and the OrbiSac (p < 0.05). Glucose consumption rate and the expression of CD62P, CD63, and vWF were lower in PCs suspended in PAS‐IIIM when compared with PCs suspended in PAS‐II (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

PCs prepared with the Atreus 3C and suspended in PAS‐IIIM preserve satisfactorily the in vitro PLT quality during 7‐day storage. PLT activation during a 7‐day storage period was lower when the storage solution was PAS‐IIIM in comparison with PAS‐II.