bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of p15 in a spectrum of spitzoid melanocytic neoplasms
Authors: Ma Sophia A. , O'Day Conor P. , Dentchev Tzvete , Takeshita Junko , Ridky Todd W. , Seykora John T. , Chu Emily Y.
Published: January 2019

Background

Accurate classification of spitzoid melanocytic lesions is difficult due to overlapping clinical and histopathologic features between Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors (ASTs), and spitzoid melanomas. Expression of p16 (CDKN2A) has been used as a marker of spitzoid lesions. However, its expression may be variable. p15 is a tumor suppressor encoded by CDKN2B, loss of which has been recently shown to promote transition from nevus to melanoma. We sought to determine whether p15 is a useful immunohistochemical marker to distinguish Spitz nevi from spitzoid melanomas and to compare p15 and p16 staining in this population.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry for p15 and p16 was performed on Spitz nevi (n = 19), ASTs (n = 41), and spitzoid melanomas (n = 17). Immunoexpression was categorized by a four‐tiered system: 0 (negative), 1+ (weak), 2+ (moderate), 3+ (strong).

Results

3+/strong p15 staining was observed in 68.4% of Spitz nevi, 34.2% of ASTs, and 17.7% of spitzoid melanomas. By contrast, we observed 3+ p16 staining in roughly equivalent percentages of Spitz nevi (57.9%), ASTs (56.1%), and spitzoid melanomas (58.8%).

Conclusion

These data illustrate that p15 may be more useful than p16 as a biomarker to help distinguish benign from malignant spitzoid lesions.
Facial pustules due to drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms may histopathologically mimic eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: A case report
Authors: Ogawa Kohei , Mitsui Yasuhiro , Miyamoto Suzuka , Nakamura‐Nishimura Yuki , Nakanishi Yukiko , Azukizawa Hiroaki , Asada Hideo
Published: January 2019

Pustules with facial and/or neck edema is one characteristic feature of drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DIHS/DRESS) at the early stage. Although several retrospective histopathologic studies on DIHS/DRESS have been reported, the detailed histopathologic findings of facial pustules for DIHS/DRESS are unavailable. We herein report a case of DIHS/DRESS with facial pustules that was histopathologically similar to eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF). Eosinophilic infiltration into expanded follicles and sebaceous glands, which is highly characteristic of EPF, was detected in pustules due to DIHS/DRESS in this case. There are numerous pathophysiological similarities between DIHS/DRESS and EPF, which may cause their histopathologic similarity. Our findings suggest that facial pustules of DIHS/DRESS may histopathologically mimic EPF.
Pyogenic granuloma over the venous component of a mixed vascular malformation
Authors: Fernandez‐Vazquez Jose , Del Pozo Losada Jesús , Sacristán‐Lista Felipe
Published: January 2019

A 52‐year‐old man presented with a rapidly growing red tumor on the central neckline. It had appeared over a congenital flat and pinkish vascular lesion that involved the shoulder and the upper anterior area of his chest. Intermingled with the pinkish stain, there were also some blue nodules several millimeters in diameter. Histopathologic examination revealed that the full lesion was a mixed venous‐capillary malformation. The red tumor was excised and diagnosed as a pyogenic granuloma developing over the venous component of the vascular malformation. To our knowledge, a pyogenic granuloma growing over a venous malformation has not been previously described.
Obesity genetics and cardiometabolic health: Potential for risk prediction
Authors: Sanghera Dharambir K. , Bejar Cynthia , Sharma Sonali , Gupta Rajeev , Blackett Piers R.
Published: January 2019

The increasing burden of obesity worldwide and its effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is an opportunity for evaluation of preventive approaches. Both obesity and CVD have a genetic background and polymorphisms within genes which enhance expression of variant proteins that influence CVD in obesity. Genome‐based prediction may therefore be a feasible strategy, but the identification of genetically driven risk factors for CVD manifesting as clinically recognized phenotypes is a major challenge. Clusters of such risk factors include hyperglycaemia, hypertension, ectopic liver fat, and inflammation. All involve multiple genetic pathways having complex interactions with variable environmental influences. The factors that make significant contributions to CVD risk include altered carbohydrate homeostasis, ectopic deposition of fat in muscle and liver, and inflammation, with contributions from the gut microbiome. A futuristic model depends on harnessing the predictive power of plausible genetic variants, phenotype reversibility, and effective therapeutic choices based on genotype–phenotype interactions. Inverting disease phenotypes into ideal cardiovascular health metrics could improve genetic and epigenetic assessment, and form the basis of a future model for risk detection and early intervention.
Q&A
Authors: AtKisson Alan
Published: January 2019

Working with leaders in global companies, national governments, international agencies, and the United Nations, Alan AtKisson has been a global voice for sustainability for the better part of three decades.
Identifying the binding mechanism of LEAP2 to receptor GHSR1a
Authors: Wang Jia‐Hui , Li Hao‐Zheng , Shao Xiao‐Xia , Nie Wei‐Han , Liu Ya‐Li , Xu Zeng‐Guang , Guo Zhan‐Yun
Published: January 2019

Liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a highly conserved secretory peptide first isolated in 2003. However, its exact biological functions remained elusive until a recent study identified it as an endogenous antagonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR1a), a G protein‐coupled receptor for which the gastric peptide ghrelin is the endogenous agonist. By tuning the ghrelin–GHSR1a system, LEAP2 has an important function in energy metabolism. In the present study, we first demonstrated that LEAP2 and ghrelin actually bound to GHSR1a in a competitive manner, rather than in a non‐competitive manner as previously reported, by binding assays and activation assays. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the antagonistic function of LEAP2 was drastically affected by the manner of its addition. LEAP2 primarily affected the maximal activation effect when added before ghrelin, whereas it primarily affected half‐maximal effective concentration when added at the same time as ghrelin. Thus, LEAP2 behaved as a competitive antagonist if added at the same time as the agonist and a non‐competitive antagonist if added before the agonist. This unusual property of LEAP2 might be caused by its slow dissociation from receptor GHSR1a. We also found that the N‐terminal fragment of LEAP2 was important for receptor binding. Our present study revealed an antagonistic mechanism for LEAP2, and will facilitate the design of novel antagonists for receptor GHSR1a in future studies.
Inference in Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression
Authors: Yu Hanchen , Fotheringham A. Stewart , Li Ziqi , Oshan Taylor , Kang Wei , Wolf Levi John
Published: January 2019

A recent paper expands the well‐known geographically weighted regression (GWR) framework significantly by allowing the bandwidth or smoothing factor in GWR to be derived separately for each covariate in the model—a framework referred to as multiscale GWR (MGWR). However, one limitation of the MGWR framework is that, until now, no inference about the local parameter estimates was possible. Formally, the so‐called “hat matrix,” which projects the observed response vector into the predicted response vector, was available in GWR but not in MGWR. This paper addresses this limitation by reframing GWR as a Generalized Additive Model, extending this framework to MGWR and then deriving standard errors for the local parameters in MGWR. In addition, we also demonstrate how the effective number of parameters can be obtained for the overall fit of an MGWR model and for each of the covariates within the model. This statistic is essential for comparing model fit between MGWR, GWR, and traditional global models, as well as for adjusting multiple hypothesis tests. We demonstrate these advances to the MGWR framework with both a simulated data set and a real‐world data set and provide a link to new software for MGWR (MGWR1.0) which includes the novel inferential framework for MGWR described here.
Geographical scale, industrial diversity, and regional economic stability
Authors: Chen Jing
Published: January 2019

This paper compares the empirical relationship between industrial diversity and economic stability across different geographical scales, including counties, states, Economic Areas, and Metropolitan Statistical Areas, in the contiguous U.S. between 2000 and 2014. It is found that this relationship varies greatly when it is analyzed across these four geographical scales. Meanwhile, several scale‐related problems, such as the modifiable areal unit problem and the small population problem, are introduced to economic diversity literature and further discussed with this variability of the diversity–stability relationship. This paper concludes that the spatial scale problem as well as the optimal unit can be study dependent. Thus, when choosing analytical units to quantify regional economic structure for a specific study, future research should pay attention to scale‐related problems.
The inverted appendix – a potentially problematic diagnosis: clinicopathologic analysis of 21 cases
Authors: Birkness Jacqueline , Lam‐Himlin Dora , Byrnes Kathleen , Wood Laura , Voltaggio Lysandra
Published: January 2019

Aims

Inverted appendices are rare, but have the potential to cause diagnostic confusion among endoscopists and pathologists. The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathological features of inverted appendices seen at our institution over the last 30 years.

Methods and results

Twenty‐one inverted appendices were identified and the clinical and pathological features reviewed. Patients were predominantly middle‐aged women. Most cases were detected incidentally on colonoscopy. Endoscopically, inverted appendices appeared polypoid in the proximal caecum. All resections featured associated pathological processes, including endometriosis (n = 3), inflammatory mucocoele (n = 1), low‐grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (n = 2), traditional serrated adenoma (n = 1) and inflammatory fibroid polyp (n = 1). Five cases were endoscopically mischaracterised as caecal polyps and removed via polypectomy; initial pathological impressions were erroneous in most cases. All polypectomies featured a dome‐like configuration covered by mucosa on the convex surface; the majority had aggregates of ganglion cells and neural plexi embedded in muscularis propria. The vast majority of cases, regardless of the procedure, showed lymphoid aggregates. Among post‐polypectomy patients with follow‐up, none experienced perforation‐associated morbidity despite the histological presence of muscularis propria.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of an inverted appendix should be considered in polypectomy specimens from the caecum or appendiceal orifice with (i) dome‐like tissue configuration covered by mucosa on the convex surface, (ii) a deep, robust smooth muscle component with ganglion cells (muscularis propria) and (iii) associated lymphoid aggregates. Prompt recognition on H&E will avoid unnecessary time and resource investment.
Comparison between gallium‐68 citrate positron emission tomography‐computed tomography and gallium‐67 citrate scintigraphy for infection imaging
Authors: Segard Tatiana , Morandeau Laurence M. J. A. , Dunne Marina L. , Robinson James O. , Murray Ronan J. , Geelhoed Elizabeth A. , Francis Roslyn J.
Published: January 2019

Background

Preliminary studies have reported promising results for the utility of gallium‐68 (Ga‐68) citrate positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (PET–CT) for infection imaging. This technique offers reduced radiation dose to patients, shorter time between injection and imaging and reduced time for image acquisition compared to the ‘gold standard’ nuclear imaging technique: gallium‐67 (Ga‐67) citrate scintigraphy.

Aims

To compare the two imaging modalities to ascertain whether Ga‐68 citrate PET–CT is of equivalent diagnostic efficacy for bone and joint infection or pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and to assess image quality and reporter confidence.

Methods

Patients with PUO and suspected bone or joint infection underwent Ga‐67 citrate scintigraphy and Ga‐68 citrate PET–CT. Participants were followed up for 3 months to record subsequent treatment, investigations and outcome.

Results

60 patients were recruited to this multicentre prospective study: 32 for bone and joint infection, 28 for PUO. The results show a sensitivity of 81% for Ga‐67 citrate scintigraphy and 69% for Ga‐68 citrate PET–CT, a specificity of 79% for Ga‐67 citrate and 67% for Ga‐68 citrate and were concordant for 76% of the participants. The reporting physician confidence was significantly lower for Ga‐68 citrate (P < 0.05), frequently due to prominent physiologic blood pool activity adjacent to the site of infection.

Conclusion

The sensitivity and specificity of Ga‐68 citrate PET–CT were found to be consistently lower than Ga‐67 citrate scintigraphy. Additionally, due to the insufficient level of confidence of the reporting physicians for the Ga‐68 citrate PET–CT, this modality could not currently be recommended to replace Ga‐67 citrate scintigraphy for routine clinical use.
Attenuation of interferon regulatory factor 7 activity in local infectious sites of trachea and lung for preventing the development of acute lung injury caused by influenza A virus
Authors: Yang Lei , Tu Liqun , Zhao Peiyan , Wang Ying , Wang Shengnan , Lu Wenting , Wang Yangyang , Li Xin , Yu Yongli , Hua Shucheng , Wang Liying
Published: January 2019

The excessive activation of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) promotes the development of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by influenza A virus (IAV). However, the deficiency of IRF7 increases the susceptibility to deadly IAV infection in both humans and mice. To test whether the attenuation rather than the abolishment of IRF7 activity in local infectious sites could alleviate IAV‐induced ALI, we established IAV‐infected mouse model and trachea/lung‐tissue culture systems, and designed two IRF7‐interfering oligodeoxynucleotides, IRF7‐rODN M1 and IRF7‐rODN A1, based on the mouse and human consensus sequences of IRF7‐binding sites of Ifna/IFNA genes, respectively. In the model mice, we found a close relationship between the IAV‐induced ALI and the level/activity of IRF7 in local infectious sites, and also found that the reduced IRF7 level or activity in the lungs of mice treated with IRF7‐rODN M1 led to decreased mRNA levels of Ifna genes, reduced neutrophil infiltration in the lungs and prolonged survival of mice. Furthermore, we found that the effects of IRF7‐rODN M1 on alleviating IAV‐induced ALI could be correlated to the reduced translocation of IRF7, caused by the IRF7‐rODN M1, from cytosol to nucleus in IAV‐infected cells. These data suggest that the proper attenuation of IRF7 activity in local infectious sites could be a novel approach for treating IAV‐induced ALI.
Feasibility and development of a cariogenic diet scale for epidemiological research
Authors: Amezdroz Emily , Carpenter Lauren , Johnson Shae , Flood Victoria , Dashper Stuart G. , Calache Hanny , Gussy Mark , Waters Elizabeth
Published: January 2019

Background

Diet cariogenicity plays a major role as both a protective and risk factor in the development of early childhood caries (ECC).

Aim

Develop a scale measuring the cariogenicity of foods and beverages and employ it to describe the cariogenicity of young children's diets and predict dental caries outcomes.

Design

Scores of cariogenicity and consumption frequency were applied to food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) collected from an Australian children's cohort study with three time‐points of data. One‐way ANOVA, with post hoc Tukey test compared mean cariogenic scale measured at 18 months between the subsample of children with caries classification at age 5 years.

Results

At 6 months, children's mean cariogenic score was 10.05, increasing to 34.18 at 12 and 50.00 at 18 months. Mean cariogenic scale score at 18 months was significantly higher in children with advanced disease at 5 years (mean scale score: 59.0 ± 15.9) compared to those that were healthy (mean score 47.7 ± 17.5, P = 0.007) or had mild‐moderate disease (mean score 48.2 ± 17.3, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

The cariogenic diet scale provides a useful indication of the increasing cariogenicity of children's diets with age and highlights the incorporation of discretionary choice foods and beverages into the diets of young children much earlier than nutritionally recommended.
Relationships between cardiometabolic disorders and obstructive sleep apnea: Implications for cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Zhao Xiaolong , Li Xinyi , Xu Huajun , Qian Yingjun , Fang Fang , Yi Hongliang , Guan Jian , Yin Shan kai
Published: January 2019

Previous studies have reported the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiometabolic disorders on cardiovascular disease (CVD), but associations between cardiometabolic biomarkers and two cardinal features of OSA (chronic intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation) and their interactions on CVD in OSA populations remain unclear. A total of 1727 subjects were included in this observational study. Data on overnight polysomnography parameters, biochemical biomarkers, and anthropometric measurements were collected. Metabolic syndrome (MS), including blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose, triglycerides (TG), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), was diagnosed based on modified criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel III. WC, mean arterial pressure, TG and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) were independently associated with apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) after adjustment for confounding factors (β = 0.578, P = 0.000; β = 0.157, P = 0.001; β = 1.003, P = 0.019; and β = 4.067, P = 0.0005, respectively). Furthermore, the interaction analysis revealed joint effects between hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, and LDL‐C dyslipidemia and AHI on CVD. The relative excess risks of CVD due to the interactions with OSA were 2.06, 1.02, 0.48, and 1.42, respectively (all P < 0.05). In contrast, we found no independent effect of the microarousal index (MAI) on CVD. However, LDL‐C level and some MS components (WC, TG) were associated with MAI. Our findings indicate that hypoxemia and cardiometabolic disorders in OSA may potentiate their unfavorable effects on CVD. Sleep fragmentation may indirectly predispose patients with OSA to an increased risk of CVD. Thus, cardiometabolic disorders and OSA synergistically influence cardiometabolic risk patterns.
A multi‐university assessment of patient safety competence during clinical training among baccalaureate nursing students: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Alquwez Nahed , Cruz Jonas Preposi , Alshammari Farhan , Felemban Ebaa Marwan , Almazan Joseph U. , Tumala Regie B. , Alabdulaziz Hawa M. , Alsolami Fatmah , Silang John Paul Ben T. , Tork Hanan M. M.
Published: January 2019

Aims and objectives

To assess the perceived patient safety competence during clinical training of Saudi nursing students.

Background

Ensuring safety in healthcare settings requires improvements in the educational and clinical practice of professionals. Experts stressed that shared patient safety culture must be of primary importance; they also emphasised the resolute need for theoretically driven research approaches for patient safety competence in healthcare organisations and educational institutions.

Design

Descriptive, cross‐sectional design.

Methods

This study was conducted in six government universities in Saudi Arabia. A sample of 829 nursing students was surveyed using the health professional education in patient safety survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The study adhered to the STROBE guideline for cross‐sectional studies (See Supporting Information Appendix S1).

Results

The percentage of agreement on the items of the health professional education in patient safety survey ranged from 61.5%–76.5%. The dimension “understanding human and environmental factors” received the highest perceived competence, whereas the dimension “working in teams” received the lowest competence. Significant differences in students’ patient safety competence from different universities were reported. Male students perceived their competence in “working in teams” higher than the female students. Students in their internship year had significantly higher levels of competence in all the six dimensions of the health professional education in patient safety survey than students in the third‐ and fourth‐year levels.

Conclusions

Saudi nursing students have positive perceptions towards their patient safety competencies. Significant differences were found in the patient safety competence of nursing students between universities, gender and year of study.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results provide valuable insights and guidance for improving the patient safety competence of nursing students. The findings can be used to guide the creation of policies and interventions that may ensure the continuous development of patient safety competence of nursing students as they navigate the clinical area.
Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes of blood donation: A multicentre study
Authors: Cicolini Giancarlo , Comparcini Dania , Alfieri Sara , Zito Elena , Marta Elena , Tomietto Marco , Simonetti Valentina
Published: January 2019

Aims and objectives

To investigate factors involved in the blood donation (BD) in a population of Italian nursing students (NSs).

Background

Young people are still numerically limited among potential blood donors. Recent research on this topic has underlined the need to promote recruitment programmes and focused advertising campaigns to specific targeted population.

Design

Cross‐sectional study. The STROBE checklist was used to grant adequate and complete reporting of research.

Methods

The study was carried out in five Italian Universities, and a structured, 22‐item questionnaire was distributed to 532 NSs (mean age = 24.64, SD = 7.41, min = 19; max = 55; population, female = 80.8% of total) to explore propensity, obstacles, knowledge of BD and to assess associations between variables. Descriptive (frequency, mean and SD) and inferential (χ2) statistics were conducted.

Results

The overall level of knowledge among NSs donors is high, when compared with non‐donors (p < 0.05); the propensity for donation is acceptable (34.8% of the total are donors; mean = 3.17 donation). The obstacles perceived by participants are “practical” (20% and 22.8% think they do not have enough time to donate or are unsuitable because of lifestyle reasons; respectively). A relevant aspect regards the NSs’ perceived role as future healthcare professionals to be responsible to educate and influence potential donors (81.5%).

Conclusions

Specifically tailored BD campaigning should be implemented to sensitise University students. NSs could become effective motivators among students of different Universities or faculties. Thanks to their role and capability to put themselves in the peer group. NSs could contribute to the promotion of this selfless practice and to the development of a mature, responsible civic attitude.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nursing educators should play a pivotal role in developing teaching methods to promote BD among NSs.
Persistence and outcomes of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wu Shanshan , Xie Shuo , Xu Yingjie , Que Dongdong , Yau Tung On , Wang Lizi , Huang Yuanping
Published: January 2019

Aims and objectives

To compare persistence and outcomes of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus warfarin in Chinese patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background

Given the unpredictable warfarin response and the costliness of NOACs, more research is needed to clarify which drug enjoys better persistence and outcomes, helping to provide personalised care for patients.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Methods

Chinese patients taking NOACs or warfarin from March 2016–April 2018 were followed up by telephone or outpatient visit at 3, 6 months and half a year thereafter. Anticoagulant persistence and outcomes including stroke and bleeding were collected. We used Cox regression to analyse data. This study was reported according to the STROBE guideline.

Results

A total of 344 patients were enrolled; 146 patients received NOACs including dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and 198 patients received warfarin. Persistence with anticoagulants was low and dropped sharply at the third month. Patients on NOACs had worse persistence at 3, 6 and 12 months than those on warfarin. There was no difference in the incidence of ischaemic stroke and bleeding between groups, although ischaemic stroke and major bleeding occurred less frequently in the NOACs group. Paroxysmal AF, no heart failure and no stroke were predictors of NOACs non‐persistence. Prior catheter ablation and no diabetes were associated with poor persistence of warfarin. The main reason for anticoagulant cessation was patient preference.

Conclusions

Chinese patients taking NOACs had lower persistence, similar rate of ischaemic stroke and bleeding compared with those on warfarin. Further inventions are needed to improve persistence in Chinese patients on NOACs.

Relevance to clinical practice

Anticoagulation should highlight both persistence and outcomes emphasising personalised care of different drugs. Further interventions to improve persistence should be developed based on causes and risk factors and carried out in the third month of therapy.
How do parents influence their adolescents’ use of over‐the‐counter analgesics: A review of the current literature
Authors: Skarstein Siv , Lagerløv Per , Helseth Sølvi , Leegaard Marit
Published: January 2019

Aim and objectives

Continuous use of over‐the‐counter analgesics (OTCAs) may prevent adolescents from learning healthier options and might lead to lifelong use of such medicines. It is possible that parents’ own use of OTCAs might influence adolescents, but little is known about this issue. Our research questions were; “What are the main factors leading to a high use of OTCAs among adolescents and how can health professionals support these adolescents in their pain management?”

Background

Frequent consumption of OTCAs may cause health problems such as drug‐induced headache and liver failure. Some adolescents frequently use non‐prescribed pain medication and their attitudes towards the use of OTCAs vary from responsible to careless.

Design

A “systematic search and review” was conducted between March 2017 and May 2018. Quantitative and qualitative studies were included.

Methods

We used the PRISMA Statement checklist, the PRISMA flow diagram and The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for quality appraisal. Our search identified 3,386 possible sources, 2,043 articles were selected for title examination, and 70 articles underwent abstract review. Fourteen articles were reviewed entirety. Ten articles were of acceptable quality.

Results

The importance of parental influence on adolescent use of OTCAs is significant. These findings seem to be independent of country and culture.

Conclusion

Parents are the most important source of information regarding the use of OTCAs; further, they are the main supplier of the medicine. A broad understanding of human development, health, pain and use of pain medication is needed to develop targeted information and support adolescents with high consumption of non‐prescription pain medication.

Relevance to clinical practice

Information from professionals such as school nurses is important. Professionals must consider the physical, social and psychological aspects influencing the use of OTCAs. Information should be made available to adolescents, parents and society in general.
Evaluation of the Marginal and Internal Fit of Implant‐Supported Metal Copings Fabricated with 3 Different Techniques: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Yildirim Bengisu , Paken Gamze
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To compare the marginal and internal fit of cobalt‐chromium (Co‐Cr) alloy copings fabricated by with lost wax technique (LW), computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐six tissue level, straight titanium abutments were screwed onto implant replicas. All specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and randomly divided into 3 subgroups according to the fabrication of metal coping: LW, CAD/CAM, and DMLS. In total, 36 (n = 12/group) Co‐Cr implant‐supported metal copings were prepared. Marginal, intermarginal, axial, and occlusal fits of each coping were measured using the silicone replica technique. The data were evaluated statistically using one‐way ANOVA and Bonferioni post‐hoc test (α = 0.05).

Results

The CAD/CAM group showed significantly lower marginal fit than the LW group and DMLS groups (p < 0.001). The marginal fit of the LW group was not significantly different from the DMLS group (p = 0.721). No significant difference found among the fabrication methods in terms of intermarginal fit (p = 0.913). The CAD/CAM group showed lower axial fit than the LW group (p = 0.026), but there was no statistical difference between the DMLS group and the LW (p = 0.999) and CAD/CAM groups (p = 0.247). No significant differences found among the fabrication methods in terms of occlusal fit (p = 0.158).

Conclusions

The LW and DMLS groups showed better marginal fit compared to the CAD/CAM group; however, the CAD/CAM group was better than the LW group in terms of axial fit. All fabrication methods demonstrated similar intermarginal and occlusal fit.
Optimal Consumption and Investment Problem Incorporating Housing and Life Insurance Decisions: The Continuous Time Case
Authors: Kung Ko‐Lun , Yang Shang‐Yin
Published: January 2019

This study considers the optimal consumption‐investment‐insurance problem incorporating housing decisions of a household when interest rates and labor income are stochastic. Under the complete market assumption, we derive the closed‐form solution of the optimal insurance demand, portfolio choice, and housing consumption. We calibrate the model using data from the financial market of Taiwan. We find that the insurer's pricing strategy has a significant impact on the household's consumption pattern. Specifically, additional loading in insurance premium allows the life‐cycle model to produce hump‐shaped consumptions of both perishable goods and housing. Loading also creates an unfair background risk to households. However, we only find a small portfolio risk reduction, because households optimally choose a large coverage to mitigate the mortality exposure. This suggests empirical background risk studies overestimate the risk reduction when insurance is available.
Selection and Redistribution in the Irish Tontines of 1773, 1775, and 1777
Authors: Li Yikang , Rothschild Casey
Published: January 2019

We construct and analyze a new data set on the mortality experience of the nominees of the 1773, 1775, and 1777 Irish tontines. The active participation of Genevan speculators in these Irish tontines has been well documented. We use our new data to quantify both the extent to which these nominees were longer‐lived and the financial consequences of their enhanced longevity. The Genevan nominees were indeed notably longer‐lived than non‐Genevan nominees—particularly so for the 50 nominees selected by a Genevan investment syndicate. Their enhanced longevity had only trivial financial consequences for the issuer, but it led to significant redistribution from non‐Genevan to Genevan investors. We highlight the implications of this across‐group distributional risk for modern proposals to introduce tontine‐like elements into modern retirement pensions.
Integrating life history traits into predictive phylogeography
Authors: Sullivan Jack , Smith Megan L. , Espíndola Anahí , Ruffley Megan , Rankin Andrew , Tank David , Carstens Bryan
Published: January 2019

Predictive phylogeography seeks to aggregate genetic, environmental and taxonomic data from multiple species in order to make predictions about unsampled taxa using machine‐learning techniques such as Random Forests. To date, organismal trait data have infrequently been incorporated into predictive frameworks due to difficulties inherent to the scoring of trait data across a taxonomically broad set of taxa. We refine predictive frameworks from two North American systems, the inland temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest and the Southwestern Arid Lands (SWAL), by incorporating a number of organismal trait variables. Our results indicate that incorporating life history traits as predictor variables improves the performance of the supervised machine‐learning approach to predictive phylogeography, especially for the SWAL system, in which predictions made from only taxonomic and climate variables meets only moderate success. In particular, traits related to reproduction (e.g., reproductive mode; clutch size) and trophic level appear to be particularly informative to the predictive framework. Predictive frameworks offer an important mechanism for integration of organismal trait, environmental data, and genetic data in phylogeographic studies.
Interpretive phenomenological methodologists in nursing: A critical analysis and comparison
Authors: Burns Margie , Peacock Shelley
Published: January 2019

Phenomenology is one of the most popular qualitative research methodologies used in nursing research. Although interpretive phenomenology is often a logical choice to address the concerns of nursing, the vast number of methods of phenomenology means choosing an appropriate method can be daunting, especially for novice researchers. It is critical that nurse researchers select a phenomenological method that fits the research problem and the skill and world view of the researcher; doing so will result in a research experience that resonates with and excites the researcher. The interpretive phenomenological methodologies of Benner, Munhall, and Conroy each offer unique methods of phenomenological inquiry. However, to date, we are not aware of any literature that explores and compares the methodological approaches of these nurses. In this paper, the origins and influence of phenomenology as both a philosophy and methodology on nurse researchers will be explored, followed by a critical analysis and comparison of these three nurses. By highlighting the distinctive differences and attributes of each method, this paper provides an analysis and comparison of the approaches of these prominent nurses. In doing so, we aim to aid the researcher in their methodological selection, thereby resulting in a successful and rewarding research endeavor.
Gastrointestinal motility in patients with end‐stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis
Authors: Broberg Bo , Madsen Jan L. , Fuglsang Stefan , Holst Jens J. , Christensen Karl Bang , Rydahl Casper , Idorn Thomas , Feldt‐Rasmussen Bo , Hornum Mads
Published: January 2019

Background

Previous studies indicated delayed gastric emptying in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) using indirect methods. The objective of the current study was to examine gastrointestinal motility using a direct method as well as the role of the incretin hormones and glucagon.

Methods

Patients on chronic hemodialysis and with either normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes, and healthy control subjects (N = 8, respectively) were studied. Gastric emptying time was measured by repeated gamma camera imaging for 6 hours after intake of a radioactive labeled standardized mixed solid and liquid meal. Glucagon, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) levels were measured.

Key Results

Patients were age, gender and BMI matched with controls. We found significantly higher gastric retention at 15 minutes, prolonged gastric mean emptying time, and gastric half‐emptying time of the solid marker in all three groups of ESRD patients compared to controls. Significant differences in mean total area under the concentration curve (AUC) values across the four groups for GIP (P = 0.001), but not for GLP‐1 and glucagon. The ESRD group had significant higher total AUC of GIP and glucagon compared to controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.04) but not for GLP‐1 (P = 0.4). No difference in incremental AUC was found.

Conclusions and Inferences

We found altered gastrointestinal motility in dialysis patients, with higher gastric retention and prolonged gastric emptying, and higher total AUC of GIP and glucagon independent of the presence of diabetes or prediabetes.
Azithromycin and erythromycin susceptibility and macrolide resistance genes in Prevotella from patients with periodontal disease
Authors: Arredondo Alexandre , Blanc Vanessa , Mor Carolina , Nart José , León Rubén
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To study oral Prevotella spp. isolated from patients with chronic periodontitis, to determine their susceptibility to azithromycin and erythromycin and to screen the presence of macrolide resistance genes therein.

Material and Methods

Isolates with a Prevotella‐like morphology were obtained from subgingival samples of 52 patients with chronic periodontitis. Each isolate was identified to the species level by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In 100 Prevotella spp. isolates, azithromycin and erythromycin susceptibility was determined using the E test method, and the screening of erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), erm(F), erm(G), erm(Q) and mef(A) genes was done by PCR.

Results

Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens were the most identified species (33% each). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranges for both antibiotics were 0.016/0.032 to >256 μg/ml. MIC50 values for azithromycin and erythromycin were 1.5 and 1 μg/ml, respectively, and MIC90 values were >256 μg/ml for both antibiotics. Nineteen per cent of the isolates carried erm(B), and 51% carried erm(F).

Conclusions

The MIC values found were high compared to previous studies. erm(F) was greatly prevalent, and we describe for the first time the erm(B) gene in Prevotella spp. The presence of either of the genes seems to be associated with a higher degree of resistance to azithromycin and erythromycin.
The Contemporary Presidency Energy or Chaos? Turnover at the Top of President Trump’s White House
Authors: Kumar Martha Joynt
Published: January 2019

The group of approximately two dozen White House staff titled “assistant to the president” form a president’s core leadership team, making turnover at this level particularly important for the stability and direction of the presidential decision‐making process. Among the assistants to the president group, President Donald Trump’s White House had the highest turnover of top‐ranked staff experienced by any recent president. At 20 months, two‐thirds of assistants appointed by President Trump in his first year in office left or announced their imminent departure. That level of turnover led to leadership changes in the dozen White House offices that are key to the processing of presidential decisions; to the policies a chief executive develops, initiates, and implements; and to those units charged with managing a president’s relationships with those outside of the administration. Without a team working together, it is difficult for a president’s staff to coordinate its plans and work as well as develop and articulate commonly shared presidential priorities and goals.
Regarding a Risk‐Pooling System of compensation
Authors: Song Fei
Published: January 2019

In this paper, I propose and defend a distinct and novel approach to compensation for risk impositions. I call it the Risk‐Pooling System of compensation. This system suggests that when X performs an action that imposes a risk of harm to Y, then X is liable to Y, and is therefore obliged to make an ex ante compensation that is roughly equivalent to the expected cost of potential harm to a social‐ risk pool. If and when Y suffers harm as a result of the risk imposed by X, they then receive an ex post compensation roughly equivalent to the cost of actual harm suffered. This system of compensation creates a social buffer between the risk imposer – the one who has the duty to pay compensation into the pool – and the victim – the one who has the right to receive compensation from the social pool. I contend that the Risk‐Pooling System is an improvement over its alternatives due to its capacity to produce the best social utilities, particularly, in terms of reducing information costs, obtaining optimal deterrence in the society and creating incentives for people to be engaged in social activities.
From numbers to narratives: Preservice teachers experiences’ with mathematics anxiety and mathematics teaching anxiety
Authors: Olson Amy M. , Stoehr Kathleen Jablon
Published: January 2019

This paper presents qualitative and quantitative approaches to exploring teachers’ experiences of mathematics anxiety (for learning and doing mathematics) and mathematics teaching anxiety (for instructing others in mathematics), the relationship between these types of anxiety and test/evaluation anxiety, and the impacts of anxiety on experiences in teacher education. Findings indicate that mathematics anxiety and mathematics teaching anxiety may be similar (i.e., that preservice teachers perceive a logical continuity and cumulative effect of their experiences of mathematics anxiety as learners in K–12 classrooms that impacts their work as teachers in future K–12 classrooms). Further, anxiety is not limited to occurring in evaluative settings, but when anxiety is triggered by thoughts of evaluation, preservice teachers may be affected by worrying about their own as well as their students' performances. The implications for preservice experiences within a teacher education program and for impacting future students are discussed.
How programs in prisons are challenging the who, where, how, and what of theological education
Authors: Jobe Sarah C.
Published: January 2019

This paper claims that programs in prisons are challenging the very who, where, how, and what of theological education. The author draws on research from the fields of pedagogy and prison studies, nearly a decade of experience teaching master's level seminary‐style classes in prison,and the findings of a two‐year cohort of prison educators convened by the Association of Theological Schools for their Educational Models and Practices Project. Addressing displacement as a learning strategy, classroom diversity, the use of student experience, narrative grading strategies, and classroom ritual, the author shows how the teaching strategies emerging from prison classrooms provide vibrant models for the theological academy at large.
Forum on Paulo Freire's pedagogy: Leaning educationally into our future
Authors: Myers William R. , Pippin Tina , Carvalhaes Cláudio , De Anda Neomi
Published: January 2019

This forum revisits Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed on the 50th anniversary of its publication in 1968. William R. Myers's opening essay reflects on his discovery of the book and the impact it has had on his life as a Christian minister and theological educator. He provides a Freirean critique of his own schooling and of church and society today. He pulls out several themes in Freire's work, demonstrating their usefulness for cultural analysis and critique in a variety of educational contexts. Succeeding essays by Tina Pippin, Neomi De Anda, and Cláudio Carvalhaes describe specific Freirean‐style pedagogies they have used in their classrooms.
Femoral tunnel in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Giron Francesco , Losco Michele , Giannini Luca , Buzzi Roberto
Published: January 2019

The failure rate after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction performed by expert surgeons is estimated to be in the range of 10-15%, and only 60% of patients undergoing this surgery are able to resume sporting activities comparable to those they engaged in prior to the traumatic incident.

Incorrect femoral tunnel placement is one of the main causes of failed ACL reconstruction and this must be remembered when undertaking revision surgery.

There are various possible errors that can be committed and, to plan revision surgery correctly, it is fundamental to study the position of the existing femoral tunnel(s) both on classic anteroposterior and lateral plain radiographs and on computed tomography scans with frontal, sagittal, and coronal sections, and also using three-dimensional reconstruction.

In-depth anatomical knowledge and familiarity with the various possible surgical techniques are also mandatory for a successful surgical outcome.
The biomaterialist’s task: scaffold biomaterials and fabrication technologies
Authors: Gervaso Francesca , Sannino Alessandro , Peretti Giuseppe
Published: January 2019

This paper focuses on tissue engineering (TE) from the biomaterialist’s point of view. With the aim of answering some simple but key questions about TE, the related literature is here reviewed. In order to obtain an engineered tissue the following steps are mandatory: (a) cell selection, (b) identification of the ideal three-dimensional scaffold for cell seeding and proliferation, (c) choice of the most suitable type of cell culture. Whereas the biotechnologist working in the TE field is responsible for optimizing the cell seeding and culture, the biomaterialist has the challenging task of optimizing the three-dimensional cell support, or scaffold. Therefore, in the present paper, scaffold properties, biomaterials and fabrication technologies are analyzed in depth and reviewed on the basis of the current literature. Finally, mention is also made of the most recently emerging and innovative technologies relating to scaffolds for TE applications.
High-voltage metal-insulator-metal capacitor based on crystalline HfAlOx film grown by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Lisiansky Michael , Popov Inna , Uvarov Vladimir , Korchnoy Valentina , Meyler Boris , Yofis Svetlana , Shneider Yacov
Published: January 2019

A metal–insulator–metal (MIM) capacitor was developed herein with an atomic layer deposition-fabricated hafnia aluminate (HfAlOx) dielectric layer. A preparation flow combining pre- and post-deposition treatment yielded a device with increased capacitance density and excellent dielectric integrity that can be employed in front-end and back-end of line implementations. With an equivalent oxide thickness scalable to 2 nm and beyond, the MIM capacitor can be implemented in either RF or analog/mixed applications with a functional voltage up to 3.3 V as a decoupling element, or for memory, bypass and coupling needs. Reduction of the equivalent oxide thickness was achieved by engineering the phase composition of the dielectric layer. A k-value of ∼30 was obtained via intentional crystallization of HfAlOx into a high-symmetry phase. The role of the bottom electrode (TiN) predeposition treatment in the dielectric layer crystallization process and, consequently, in the electrical performance of the MIM capacitor is emphasized.