bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forming temperature of ethylene vinyl acetate sheets for fabrication of vacuum‐formed mouthguards
Authors: Mizuhashi Ryo , Ogura Ichiro , Sugawara Yoshihiro , Oohashi Makoto , Sekiguchi Hirokazu , Saegusa Hisato , Mizuhashi Fumi
Published: February 2020

Background/Aims

The appropriate heating temperature for the fabrication of mouthguards using ethylene vinyl acetate sheets is reported to be 80‐120°C. However, the measurement side of the heating temperature has not been determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the measurement side of the heating temperature when fabricating mouthguards.

Materials and methods

Mouthguard sheets of 3.8 mm ethylene vinyl acetate were vacuum‐formed on working models until the sheet was heated to 120°C. The sheet temperature was measured at the upper side and the lower side. The thickness of the mouthguard was measured at the labial surface of the central incisor, and the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar. The fit of the mouthguard was examined at the central incisor and the first molar by measuring the distance between the mouthguard and the cervical margin of the working model. Differences in the thickness and fit of the mouthguards were analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance.

Results

Mouthguard thickness varied among the measured regions of the central incisors and first molars (P < .01). The thicknesses at the labial surface of the central incisor and buccal surface of the first molar were larger when the sheet temperature measured at the lower side was 120°C compared to when the sheet temperature measured at the upper side was 120°C (P < .01). The fit of the mouthguard was better when the sheet temperature measured at the lower side was 120°C (P < .05).

Conclusions

The sheet temperature should be measured at the lower side of the sheet and it should be 120°C for fabricating mouthguards.
A city‐wide survey of dental students’ opinions on undergraduate oral surgery teaching
Authors: Burdurlu Muammer Çağrı , Cabbar Fatih , Dağaşan Volkan , Çukurova Zeynep Gülen , Doğanay Özge , Yalçin Ülker Gül Merve , Atalay Berkem , Gönül Onur , Özçakır Tomruk Ceyda
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to carry out a city‐wide survey to evaluate undergraduate students’ opinions on their oral surgery training by measuring their self‐confidence.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of 383 3rd year, 412 4th year and 363 5th year undergraduate dental students from six dental schools in Istanbul with a mean age of 22.73 ± 1.55 was conducted towards the end of the academic year. A web link to the questionnaire was sent to the contact person at the participating dental schools. The questionnaires were anonymously evaluated. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Chi‐square tests were performed to examine the data. A P‐value of <.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

In total, 1158 responses were returned, representing 67% of the overall students in the 2018‐2019 academic year. The male respondents were significantly more self‐confident than females in the general aspects of surgical skills. More than half of the respondents (53%) felt confident in oral surgery knowledge to undertake independent practice. Although 5th year respondents felt more confident in the general aspect of the questionnaire, their ability of differentiation of odontogenic and non‐odontogenic pain was lower than their counterparts. The majority (86%) of the participants disagreed that the only knowledge required for oral surgery was that of tooth and jaw anatomy.

Conclusion

This survey revealed perceived confidence in tooth and retained root extraction. The male respondents were found to be more self‐confident. There is a need for improvement in surgical skills, recognition of malignancies and differentiation of the origin of the pain.
Endogenous hydrogen sulfide alleviates methotrexate‐induced cognitive impairment by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress‐induced apoptosis via CHOP and caspase‐12
Authors: Lv Siyuan , Wu Ning , Wang Qiang , Yang Li‐Hua
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to estimate whether methotrexate (MTX) promotes cognitive impairment via increased ER stress and disrupted H2S signaling in the hippocampus and whether H2S may alleviate MTX‐induced cognitive impairment by inhibiting ER stress through CHOP and caspase‐12. Cognitive impairment behaviors were observed by Morris water maze test, and the apoptosis of neurons was assessed by TUNEL assay. The production of neurons was analyzed by DCX and Ki67 immunohistochemistry. The expressions of CHOP and caspase‐12 in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. MTX increased the expression of CHOP and caspase‐12 and the number of TUNEL‐positive cells in the hippocampus by inhibiting endogenous H2S‐induced neuronal pyknosis in the hippocampal CA1 region. MTX decreased the number of DCX‐ and Ki67‐positive cells in the hippocampal DG region. The results of Morris water maze showed that MTX could damage the spatial memory of rats. The changes of MTX‐induced Morris water maze test in mice and H2S levels in serum and hippocampus, as well as the expression of CHOP and caspase‐12 and the number of CHOP and caspase‐12‐positive neurons in the hippocampus, indicated that H2S could alleviate the cognitive impairment induced by methotrexate through CHOP and caspase‐12.
Future climate change will severely reduce habitat suitability of the Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamander
Authors: Zhang Zhixin , Mammola Stefano , Liang Zhiqiang , Capinha César , Wei Qiwei , Wu Yuanan , Zhou Jin , Wang Chongrui
Published: February 2020

Being the largest extant amphibian in the world, the IUCN Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus is a charismatic species with great international public interest. While threats such as commercial overexploitation and habitat degradation have been extensively documented to affect natural populations of A. davidianus, still no information is available about the species sensitivity to climate change.

Here, we develop an ensemble of species distribution models (SDMs) for A. davidianus and projected its habitat suitability under present‐day and future climate change scenarios. We based our SDMs on bioclimatic and topographic predictors, and recent (2012–2018) field‐collected occurrence data across the whole distribution range of the species.

The ensemble SDMs exhibited good predictive capacity and suggested that slope, maximum temperature of warmest month, precipitation of driest month, and isothermality are the most influential predictors in determining distribution patterns in this species. The projections of our models point to a pronounced impact of climate changes over A. davidianus, with more than two‐thirds of its suitable range expected to be lost in all scenarios of future climates tested.

In concert with the numerous other threats that are affecting this species, climate change poses a serious hindrance to the long‐term survival of A. davidianus. We emphasise the urgent need of undertaking strict measures to manage this species and safeguard the few remaining available suitable habitats. We suggest that adaptive management strategies including designation of new reserves should be considered to mitigate the impacts of climate change on A. davidianus.
Assessing the Impact of a Heated Basement on Groundwater Temperatures in Bratislava, Slovakia
Authors: Krcmar David , Flakova Renata , Ondrejkova Ivana , Hodasova Kamila , Rusnakova Daniela , Zenisova Zlatica , Zatlakovic Martin
Published: February 2020

Groundwater temperature is a useful hydrogeological parameter that is easy to measure and can provide much insight into groundwater flow systems, but can be difficult to interpret. For measuring temperature directly in the ground, dedicated specifically designed monitoring wells are recommended since conventional groundwater wells are not optimal for temperature monitoring. Multilevel monitoring of groundwater temperature is required to identify contributions of different possible heat inputs (sources) on measured temperature signals. Interpreting temperature data as a cosine function, including period, average temperature, amplitude, and phase offset, is helpful. Amplitude dampening and increasing phase shift with distance from a boundary can be used for estimation of transport parameters. Temperature measurements at different depths can be used for evaluation of unknown parameters of analytical functions by optimization of regression fits in Python. These estimated parameters can be used to calculate temperatures at known water table depths which can be applied as a fixed transient boundary condition in MT3DMS to overcome the limitations of MT3DMS heat transport modeling in the unsaturated zone. In this study, temperature monitoring and modeling was used to evaluate the influence of a department store's heated basement foundation on groundwater temperature within a green space (city park), with the main outcome that 17 years after construction, the department store foundation has increased the mean groundwater temperature by 3.2 °C. Heat input evaluated by the MT3DMS model varied from 0.1 W/m2 at a distance of 100 m up to 12 W/m2 next to the building.
Patients, caregivers and health‐care professionals’ experience with an interdisciplinary intervention for people with multimorbidity in primary care: A qualitative study
Authors: Ngangue Patrice Alain , Forgues Catherine , Nguyen Tu , Sasseville Maxime , Gallagher Frances , Loignon Christine , Stewart Moira , Belle Brown Judith , Chouinard Maud‐Christine , Fortin Martin
Published: February 2020

Background

Multimorbidity challenges the health‐care system and requires innovative approaches. In 2015, a 4‐month patient‐centred interdisciplinary pragmatic intervention was implemented in primary care with the aim of supporting self‐management for patients with multimorbidity.

Objective

To explore the perceptions and experiences of health‐care professionals, patients and their caregivers with a 4‐month patient‐centred interdisciplinary pragmatic intervention in primary care.

Design

A descriptive, qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews was conducted.

Setting and participants

A purposive sample of 30 participants was recruited from seven family medicine groups including patients, caregivers and health‐care professionals (HCPs). Interviews were analysed using Thorne's interpretive description approach.

Results

Findings were grouped into the benefits and challenges of participating in the intervention. The programme allowed patients to adopt realistic and adapted objectives; to customize interventions to the patient's reality; and to help patients gain confidence, improve their knowledge, skills and motivation to manage their condition. Interprofessional collaboration eased the exchange of information via team meetings and electronic medical records. Challenges were related to collaboration, communication, coordination of work and integration of newly relocated HCPs mainly due to part‐time assignments and staff turnover. HCPs part‐time schedules limited their availability and hindered patients’ follow‐up.

Discussion and conclusion

This intervention was useful and rewarding from the HCPs, patients and caregivers’ perspective. However, to ensure the success of this complex interdisciplinary intervention, implementers and managers should anticipate organizational barriers such as availability and time management of relocated HCPs.
Antibacterial effectiveness of calcium hydroxide alone or in combination with Ibuprofen and Ciprofloxacin in teeth with asymptomatic apical periodontitis: a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Karataş E. , Baltacı M. Ö. , Uluköylü E. , Adıgüzel A.
Published: February 2020

Aim

To evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of Ca(OH)2 paste combined with Ibuprofen or Ciprofloxacin in infected root canals of teeth with asymptomatic apical periodontitis.

Methodology

Forty‐five patients were randomly divided into three groups using a web programme according to the medication selected: Ca(OH)2: 1 g Ca(OH)2 powder with 1 mL propylene glycol, Ca(OH)2 + Ibuprofen: 50 mg of Ibuprofen was added into 950 mg Ca(OH)2 powder and mixed with 1 mL propylene glycol, Ca(OH)2 + Ciprofloxacin: 50 mg of Ciprofloxacin was added into 950 mg Ca(OH)2 powder and mixed with 1 mL propylene glycol. Root canal bacteriological samples were collected before root canal treatment (S1) and after chemo‐mechanical procedures (S2). After root canal preparation, the intracanal medicaments were placed into the root canals to a level approximately 1 mm short of the working length using K‐files and access cavities were filled temporarily. The participants were scheduled for a second visit 7 days later when the medication was removed mechanically, and after irrigation of the root canals, the final samples (S3) were collected. Samples were subjected to quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the numbers of total bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus species. For intragroup analysis, a Friedman test was used to compare reduction of counts of total bacteria, Streptococci and E. faecalis amongst the three samples (S1, S2 and S3). The chi‐square test was used to compare the number of root canals positive for bacteria in S1, S2 and S3 amongst the groups.

Results

Intragroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in the number of intracanal bacterial cells from S1 to S2 and from S2 to S3 in all medication groups (P < 0.01). Although there was no significant difference amongst the groups when comparing quantitative S1 or S2 data, there were significantly lower bacterial counts in the Ca(OH)2 + Ciprofloxacin group (0.49 × 102) than the pure Ca(OH)2 (1.25 × 102) and Ca(OH)2 + Ibuprofen groups (0.76 × 102) at S3. The percentage reduction from S1 to S3 and from S2 to S3 was significantly greater in the Ca(OH)2 + Ciprofloxacin than the pure Ca(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 + Ibuprofen groups (P < 0.05). In the Ca(OH)2 + Ciprofloxacin group, there were significantly fewer positive cases (8/15) than the pure Ca(OH)2 (13/15) and Ca(OH)2 + Ibuprofen (13/15) groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The addition of Ciprofloxacin to Ca(OH)2 provided further antibacterial effectiveness when used as an intracanal medicament in vivo during root canal treatment.
Direct‐bonded Al/Al2O3 using a transient eutectic liquid phase
Authors: Cheng Yun‐Hsiang , Lin Chien‐Cheng , Lin Kun‐Lin
Published: February 2020

Directed bonding with Al and Al2O3 was achieved using a transient liquid phase (TLP) method after annealing at the low melting point of Al, which deposited Ni, Cu, Ge, and Si on the Al2O3 substrate. Al/Al2O3 microstructures were evaluated using a scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A reaction layer was absent at the Al/Al2O3 interface, and all deposited metal films dissolved into the Al foil and reacted with Al to form an eutectic liquid phase near the interface to wet and join with the Al2O3. Al9Fe2 and Al3Fe intermetallic compounds were formed in the Al substrate because of Fe precipitation, which is an impurity of Al foil, and the reaction with Al at the grain boundaries of Al. The bonding area percentage, shear strength, and thermal conductivity for Al and Al2O3 were assessed using scanning acoustic tomography (SAT), the ISO 13 124 shear strength test, and the laser flash method, respectively. The Al/Al2O3 specimen deposited with the Ni film had the highest shear strength (33.74 MPa), thermal conductivity (42.3 W/mK), and bonding area percentage (96.78%). The Al/Al2O3 specimens deposited with Ge and Si exhibited relatively poor bonding because of the oxidation of Ge and Si at the surface of Al2O3 before bonding with Al.
Effect of cold cap coverage and emissivity on the plenum temperature in a pilot‐scale waste vitrification melter
Authors: Abboud Alexander W. , Guillen Donna P. , Pokorny Richard
Published: February 2020

Integrated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are being developed to model the complex physics occurring within the high‐level waste melter for vitrification of legacy tank waste at the Hanford site. This study presents a validation of the integrated CFD model by using data from two experimental runs in a pilot‐scale melter. While the model uses several simplifying assumptions (such as constant heat sinks from a cooling jacket and inleakage of ambient air, steady state feed‐to‐batch conversion heat, and a cold cap model with a simplified shape), it closely predicts the molten glass (1150°C and 1175°C) and plenum temperatures (550°C) obtained from thermocouples during two pilot‐scale tests, with an average cold cap coverage of 80%. Additional simulations were performed to explore the sensitivity of the predicted plenum temperatures to variations in cold cap coverage (fraction of melt surface covered by the glass batch) and batch emissivity. The plenum temperature was found to be in the range of 606°C when cold cap coverage decreased from 95% to 70%. Cold cap emissivity had a smaller effect, increasing the plenum temperature by as much as 179°C when cold cap emissivity increased from 0.2 to 0.8. Maintaining a high cold cap coverage without overfeeding is important for a sustained melter operation with high glass throughput. This work provides a tool for achieving that goal in terms of correlating the plenum temperature with the cold cap coverage.
Efficacy and safety profile of vismodegib in a real‐world setting cohort of patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma in Argentina
Authors: Cozzani Romina , del Aguila Roxana , Carrizo Mariano , Sanchez Sergio , Gonzalez Abel ,   ML29740 Investigators
Published: February 2020

Introduction and Objectives

Vismodegib (Erivedge®), a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, is approved to treat metastatic or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) not suitable for surgery or radiotherapy. Our main objectives were to study the objective response rate (ORR) assessed by treating physicians and safety of vismodegib in a real‐world practice setting in Argentina.

Material and Methods

This is a prospective cohort study in real‐world practice. We included consecutive adult patients treated in Argentina with locally advanced or metastatic BCC not suitable for surgery or radiotherapy. Patients were followed until the end of the study, death, or loss to follow‐up, whichever occurred first. Patients received 150 mg vismodegib PO daily.

Result

We included in the analysis 63 patients who received treatment. Locally advanced BCC was present in 57 (90.4%) and metastatic disease in two (3.2%). ORR was observed in 46 patients (73%; 95% CI: 60.3–83.4), with partial response in 36 (57%; 95% CI: 44‐69.5) and complete response in 10 (16%; 95% CI: 7.8‐27.2). As to safety, 48 (76.2%) patients had at least one adverse event (AE). The most frequently observed AEs were muscular spasms in 25 (39.6%); dysgeusia in 23 (36.5%); alopecia in nine (14.2%); weight loss in seven (11.1%); and ageusia in (9.5%) patients. Serious AEs were observed in 11 (17%) patients with one episode of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism resulting in death.

Conclusion

Our study provides additional evidence of the efficacy and tolerability of vismodegib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic BCC in a real‐world practice.
Cutaneous cysts: a clinicopathologic analysis of 2,438 cases
Authors: Kamyab Kambiz , Kianfar Nika , Dasdar Shayan , Salehpour Zahra , Nasimi Maryam
Published: February 2020

Background

Benign cutaneous lesions, so‐called cysts, are frequently seen in clinics and might evoke cosmetic and psychosocial concerns.

Aim

This study aimed to demonstrate the clinicopathologic findings of these lesions and also the importance of histological evaluation for prevention of misdiagnosing a benign‐appearing malignant lesion.

Methods

A descriptive study was conducted of 2,438 cases who had a diagnosis of cyst confirmed with pathology. The data of patients over the 6‐year period between 2011 and 2017, including gender, age, location, prevalence, complications, and microscopic evaluation, were gathered.

Results

From a total of 2,438 records with a clinical diagnosis of mucocutaneous cyst, 2077 had the pathologic diagnosis of cysts. They consisted of 910 women (43.8%) and 1167 men (56.1%) with a mean age of 42. The most common mucocutaneous cysts were epidermal cyst 994 (47.8%) followed by trichilemmal cyst 495 (23.8%). In 479 (19.6%) records, the clinical diagnosis was not congruent with histopathological diagnosis including 45 malignant cases. Basal cell carcinoma in 22 (48.9%) was the most common one.

Conclusions

This study reports on clinical characteristics of cutaneous cysts and the need for a decent diagnostic investigation, like histopathology, for achieving a reliable diagnosis regarding the benign mimicking malignant lesions, especially high risk ones.
Infant screen exposure links to toddlers' inhibition, but not other EF constructs: A propensity score study
Authors: McHarg Gabrielle , Ribner Andrew D. , Devine Rory T. , Hughes Claire ,   The NewFAMS Study Team
Published: February 2020

Technology is pervasive in homes of families with young children, despite evidence for negative associations between infant exposure to screen‐based media and cognitive development that has led the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to discourage parents from exposing children under the age of 18 months to any kind of screen time (AAP, 2016). Here, we apply a propensity score matching approach to estimate relations between electronic screen‐based media use in infancy and executive function in early toddlerhood. In an international sample of 416 firstborn infants, parental report of regular exposure to screen‐based media at 4 months predicted poorer performance on a test of inhibition at 14 months, but was unrelated to either cognitive flexibility or working memory at 14 months. Results of this study are therefore consistent with the view that early exposure to screen‐based media adversely affects the development of executive function.
La Tihāma yéménite avant l'Islam: notes d'histoire et de géographie historique
Authors: Robin Christian Julien
Published: February 2020

The history of pre‐Islamic Tihāma is difficult to reconstruct due to the paucity of known inscriptions, the lack of ceramic studies, the difficulty of dating the structures, and the infrequent references to the region in the corpus of Sabaean, Qatabanian and Himyarite inscriptions and in the Classical sources. Nevertheless recension of the available texts makes it possible to establish a chronological order in which we can begin to discern the periods of Tihāma history. The complementary list of toponyms and ethnonyms, already in relatively good supply, illustrates the remarkable stability of geographic names in Yemen.
Sabaeans in Tihāma
Authors: Beeston A. F. L.
Published: February 2020

Evidences of Sabaean presence in the Red Sea coastal area west of the Sarāt watershed are exceedingly scanty. In the first three centuries AD, rulers based on Marib or Sanaa made occasional military campaigns down into the coastal area, in order to prevent or punish raiders from the coastal tribes who sometimes made incursions into the highlands; but these campaigns were purely military and led to no permanent Sabaean settlement there. In the very late period, in the sixth century AD, despite the Himyarite kings of the Tabābiʿa dynasty claiming sovereignty over the Tihāma in their title, they were still obliged to undertake military policing activity against what was evidently a non‐Sabaean population. However, in the archaic period (first half of the first millennium BC), we have evidence of just one small Sabaean (or Sabaean influenced) settlement in the W. Sihām a little south of Bāǧil, where a small shrine has yielded a handful of early Sabaean votive inscriptions.
Observations on 29 silver coins from the Bāǧil hoard
Authors: Davidde Barbara
Published: February 2020

In 1989 a newly discovered hoard of 181 silver coins of the “imitation ancient Athenian tetradrachm” type was documented by Francine Stone. The coins had been found in the area of Baǧil, near the village of al‐ʿAydab on the eastern slope of Ǧabal Ǧarayd. The typological analysis of this hoard has led to the dating of its burial around the end of the 4th century BC. Fixing the date of the deposit of Baǧil was important not only for typological studies and for those concerning the circulation of Sabaean coins, but also for the history of the area. The nearest pre‐Islamic site known is the village of al‐Hāmid, one of the few pre‐Islamic sites attested in Tihāma. This village was presumably a way‐station along the Wadi Sihām, one of the routes connecting the interior of the country with the coast. The discovery of such a rich hoard in this area suggests intense use of the route at the end of the 4th century BC.
The city of al‐Sawā in the Periplus of the Erythræan Sea
Authors: ʿAbdullah Yūsuf Muḥammad
Published: February 2020

Mention of the city of SAWA (‘Saua‘) in Section 22 of the Periplus of the Erythræan Sea can now he confirmed due to the discovery of an eponymous inscription and of the location of the site in what was the pre‐Islamic province of al‐Maʿāfir, present‐day al‐Ḥuǧarīya. Using the archaeological evidence, available written sources including a reading of this inscription and the living evidence of place names and local traditions, the author establishes the soundness of the historical and geographical information contained in this Section of the Periplus.
The city of al‐Sawā: An archaeological/historical study
Authors: Saʿīd ʿAbd Al‐Ġanī ʿalī
Published: February 2020

Summarising his MA Thesis, the author describes the archaeological and historical survey of the recently discovered site of al‐Sawā, capital of the pre‐Islamic province of al‐Maʿāfir. The discussion draws on the available written sources as well as the physical remains in order to demonstrate the historical, political, economic and architectural importance of the city known heretofore primarily from the Periplus of the Erythræan Sea.
Some notes on the Arabic historiography of Tihāma in the pre‐Islamic and early Islamic periods
Authors: Wilson R. T. O.
Published: February 2020

This article discusses what may be learned about the Yemeni Tihāma in the pre‐Islamic and early Islamic periods from Arabic texts. In practice the texts that are available to us, consisting of a barely differentiated mixture of fact and legend, provide only glimpses of the pre‐Ismalmic history, although there are more substantial references in the early Islamic period. For details of the tribal populations of Tihāma, we have a fairly detailed picture of the situation in the 3rd/9th century in the works of al‐Hamdānī. Some of this may have been applicable in earlier centuries. Ibn al‐Muǧāwir's Tārīẖ al‐MustabṢir includes a number of intriguing legends, at least one of which may have a foundation in fact.
A new hydration kinetics model of composite cementitious materials, Part 2: Physical effect of SCMs
Authors: Zhang Zengqi , Chen Weiyi , Han Fanhui , Yan Peiyu
Published: February 2020

This paper is the second part of an overall research project that aims to model the hydration kinetics of composite cementitious materials. The new hydration kinetic model of Portland cement was constructed in the first part of this research project. The aim of this part is to characterize the physical effect of SCMs by modifying some kinetic parameters of the hydration kinetic model of cement. In this paper, the filler effect of SCMs is attributed to the “dilution effect”, “nucleation effect” and “accelerated dissolution effect”. The dilution effect is considered by introducing the actual water/cement ratio into the kinetic model. The nucleation surface area, nucleation and growth rates are modified to account for the nucleation effect and accelerated dissolution effect of fillers. The simulative fit results show that the extra contribution of SCMs due to their filler effect on hydration of cement at early ages has an upper limit: at most 20% extra nucleation surface area, 30% extra nucleation ratio and 40% extra growth ratio of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). The new modified kinetic model and the value‐taking method of the newly introduced parameters are verified by simulative fitting to the kinetic data from reference. The apparent activation energies of the nucleation rate, growth rate, and diffusion rate are approximately 35 kJ/mol, 36 kJ/mol and 38.5 kJ/mol, which are slightly smaller than those of the pure Portland cement reported in the first part of this research project.
Safety and effectiveness of tofogliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Results of 24‐month interim analysis of a long‐term post‐marketing study (J‐STEP/LT)
Authors: Utsunomiya Kazunori , Kakiuchi Seigo , Senda Masayuki , Fujii Shoko , Kurihara Yuji , Gunji Ryoji , Koshida Ryusuke , Kameda Hiroyuki , Tamura Masahiro , Kaku Kohei
Published: February 2020

Aims/Introduction

Tofogliflozin is a potent and highly selective sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, and is currently used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We designed a 3‐year study of tofogliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to evaluate the safety and effectiveness in routine clinical practice. The 3‐ and 12‐month interim analysis showed tofogliflozin was well‐tolerated, safe and clinically effective. Here, we report the results of the 24‐month interim analysis.

Materials and Methods

This is a 3‐year prospective, observational and multicenter post‐marketing study (Japanese Study of Tofogliflozin with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients/Long Term).

Results

Of the 6,897 patients enrolled, 6,712 and 6,461 patients were analyzed for the safety and effectiveness of tofogliflozin, respectively. During the 24‐month observation period, the incidence rates of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and serious adverse drug reactions were 11.25 and 1.21%, respectively. As to adverse drug reactions of special interest, the incidence rates of hypoglycemia, polyuria/pollakiuria, volume depletion‐related events, urinary tract infections and genital infection were 0.83, 1.28, 1.46, 1.18 and 1.62%, respectively. Renal disorders, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders occurred in 0.63 and 0.76% of the patients, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A1c and bodyweight decreased significantly by −0.70% (P < 0.0001) and −2.95 kg (P < 0.0001), respectively, from baseline to week 104 (last observation carried forward).

Conclusions

Significant safety concerns have not been observed, and clinical benefit including a long‐term reduction in glycated hemoglobin A1c over a 104‐week (24 months) observation period with weight loss was suggested in this 24‐month interim analysis of the 3‐year Japanese Study of Tofogliflozin with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients/Long Term in routine clinical practice.
Attitudes toward preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy among patients with recurrent pregnancy loss in Japan
Authors: Takeda Eri , Sugiura‐Ogasawara Mayumi , Ebara Takeshi , Kitaori Tamao , Goto Shinobu , Yoshihara Hiroyuki , Sato Takeshi
Published: February 2020

Aim

To examine attitudes toward preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT‐A) in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) because it has been performed worldwide in spite of little evidence regarding whether it can improve the live birth rate and prevent miscarriage. There has been no study to examine attitudes toward PGT‐A in patients with RPL.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study that used a questionnaire to examine attitudes toward PGT‐A, the desire for PGT‐A and the factors associated with this desire in 386 patients with RPL between November 2014 and January 2019.

Results

Overall, 25.1% of patients desired PGT‐A and 35.2% answered that they knew about it. Regarding the reasons for wanting PGT‐A, 42.3% thought that it would insure a live birth and with complete case analysis, showed that the patients' wish for PGT‐A as a means of giving live birth was affected by their IVF‐ET history (adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–7.2) and whether they had any knowledge of PGT‐A (2.4, 1.1–5.3). Those with a higher total family income (3.5, 1.2–10.1) and a previous IVF‐ET (4.6, 2.0–10.3) tended to want PGT‐A as a means of avoiding miscarriage.

Conclusion

The majority had no opinion or a poor knowledge of PGT‐A. More patients who self‐assessed as knowing about PGT‐A or who had undergone IVF‐ET had the above type of misunderstanding. Accurate and up‐to‐date information from facilities different from those in which PGT‐A is performed is necessary before reaching a decision on PGT‐A.
New‐onset primary biliary cholangitis in anti‐mitochondrial antibody‐positive patients may be underestimated without liver biopsy
Authors: Yang Z. , Liang Y.
Published: February 2020

Click here to view the Original article by Zandanell et al.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor fused with a collagen-binding domain inhibits neuroinflammation and promotes neurological recovery of traumatic brain injury mice via TrkB signalling
Authors: Yin Rui , Zhao Shufa , Qiu Caixia
Published: February 2020

Objectives

As one of the vital nutrient factors in central nervous system (CNS), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can significantly attenuate neuron damage and promote neurogenesis. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted on regulating the effect of BDNF on the inflammatory response after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

In this study, we used BDNF fused with a collagen-binding domain (CBD-BDNF) to maintain a sufficient concentration of BDNF in the TBI hemisphere, and then, the regulatory effects of BDNF and CBD-BDNF on the inflammatory response of microglia were investigated both on a TBI mice model in vivo and LPS-stimulated microglia experiment in vitro.

Key findings

The results revealed that BDNF and CBD-BDNF had similar effects on attenuating the pro-inflammatory reactions but promoting anti-inflammatory responses of microglia induced by LPS in vitro. Furthermore, CBD-BDNF significantly improved the neurological behaviours of TBI mice and alleviated the inflammatory reaction after TBI, while BDNF had weaker effects compared with those of CBD-BDNF. Additionally, the TrkB inhibitor K252a significantly inhibited the above effects of CBD-BDNF.

Conclusions

In conclusion, CBD-BDNF can promote the anti-inflammatory function of microglia and neurological recovery of TBI mice through TrkB signalling.
Positive selection of digestive proteases in Daphnia: A mechanism for local adaptation to cyanobacterial protease inhibitors
Authors: Schwarzenberger Anke , Hasselmann Martin , Von Elert Eric
Published: February 2020

Due to the combined effects of global warming and eutrophication, the frequency of deleterious cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems has increased. In line with this, local adaptation of the aquatic keystone herbivore Daphnia to cyanobacteria has received major attention. Besides microcystins, the most frequent cyanobacterial secondary metabolites in such blooms are protease inhibitors (PIs). Recently, it has been shown that a protease gene showed copy number variation between four D. magna populations that differed in tolerance to PIs. From that study, we chose two distinct populations of D. magna which had or had not coexisted with cyanobacteria in the past. By calculating FST values, we found that the two populations were genetically more distant in the protease loci than in neutral loci. Population genetic tests applied to the tolerant population revealed that positive selection was most probably acting on the gene loci of the digestive protease CT448 and CT802. We conclude that the selection of digestive proteases and subsequent reduction in copy number is the molecular basis of evolutionary changes leading to local adaptation to PIs.
Cryptic and extensive hybridization between ancient lineages of American crows
Authors: Slager David L. , Epperly Kevin L. , Ha Renee R. , Rohwer Sievert , Wood Chris , Van Hemert Caroline , Klicka John
Published: February 2020

Most species and therefore most hybrid zones have historically been defined using phenotypic characters. However, both speciation and hybridization can occur with negligible morphological differentiation. Recently developed genomic tools provide the means to better understand cryptic speciation and hybridization. The Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus) and American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) are continuously distributed sister taxa that lack reliable traditional characters for identification. In this first population genomic study of Northwestern and American crows, we use genomic SNPs (nuDNA) and mtDNA to investigate the degree of genetic differentiation between these crows and the extent to which they may hybridize. Our results indicate that American and Northwestern crows have distinct evolutionary histories, supported by two nuDNA ancestry clusters and two 1.1%‐divergent mtDNA clades dating to the late Pleistocene, when glacial advances may have isolated crow populations in separate refugia. We document extensive hybridization, with geographic overlap of mtDNA clades and admixture of nuDNA across >900 km of western Washington and western British Columbia. This broad hybrid zone consists of late‐generation hybrids and backcrosses, but not recent (e.g., F1) hybrids. Nuclear DNA and mtDNA clines had concordant widths and were both centred in southwestern British Columbia, farther north than previously postulated. Overall, our results suggest a history of reticulate evolution in American and Northwestern crows, perhaps due to recurring neutral expansion(s) from Pleistocene glacial refugia followed by lineage fusion(s). However, we do not rule out a contributing role for more recent potential drivers of hybridization, such as expansion into human‐modified habitats.
Smad3 signalling affects high glucose‐induced podocyte injury via regulation of the cytoskeletal protein transgelin
Authors: Jiang Lina , Cui Hong , Ding Jie
Published: February 2020

Aim

The aim of the present study was to characterize the role of Smad3 signalling on high glucose‐induced podocyte injury.

Methods

Synchronized conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cell line (MPC5) cells were treated with either D‐glucose alone or D‐glucose plus the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3. The distribution of F‐actin and transgelin in a high glucose‐induced model of podocyte injury were examined by immunofluorescence. Levels of transgelin and Smad3 signalling proteins in MPC5 cells were determined by Western blot.

Results

A disordered distribution of F‐actin, as well as co‐localization of F‐actin and transgelin, was observed in podocytes exposed to high glucose. Increased levels of transgelin were first observed 10 minutes after treatment with glucose, suggesting that this protein is sensitive to hyperglycaemic injury. Levels of phosphorylated Smad3 and cleaved caspase 3 increased significantly with glucose stimulation. Moreover, expression of the downstream protein c‐Myc, but not JAK1/STAT3, was induced in conditions of high glucose. The Smad3‐specific inhibitor SIS3 prevented the effects of high glucose on Smad3 phosphorylation, expression of transgelin and c‐Myc, caspase 3 cleavage and cytoskeletal organization. Expression of the tumour suppressor protein p15INK4B increased after podocyte injury but was unaffected by Smad3 inhibition, suggesting that Smad3 regulation of high glucose‐induced podocyte injury occurs through a p15INK4B‐independent mechanism.

Conclusion

Smad3 signalling plays a critical role in the modulation of hyperglycaemic injury. Targeted inhibition of the Smad3 pathway may offer a novel route for treatment of podocyte damage, especially in cases of diabetic nephropathy.
Ageist attitudes among healthcare professionals and older patients in a geriatric rehabilitation facility and their association with patients' satisfaction with care
Authors: Heyman Noemi , Osman Iyad , Ben Natan Merav
Published: February 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of ageist attitudes among older adults hospitalised in a geriatric rehabilitation facility, as well as the association between satisfaction with care and ageist attitudes. In addition, this study also explores the prevalence of ageist attitudes among healthcare professionals.

Background

An ageist environment may potentially increase internalisation of stereotypes by older adults, which in turn may have a negative impact on care outcomes.

Methods

In this quantitative correlational study, a questionnaire was completed by 100 older patients hospitalised in a rehabilitation department of a geriatric medical centre located in North‐Central Israel, and 87 healthcare professionals working in the same department.

Results

The attitudes of older patients towards their peers were neither definitely positive nor definitely negative, as were the attitudes held among healthcare professionals working in the facility. Patients with lower knowledge about old age, women and patients born in former Soviet Republics had more ageist attitudes. Older patients' satisfaction with care was relatively high and was not associated with ageist attitudes towards their peers.

Conclusions

Both healthcare professionals and older patients held ageist attitudes to some extent. Certain older patients' sociodemographic characteristics, as well as lower knowledge about old age, have been found associated with more ageist attitudes towards their peers. In contrast, satisfaction with care does not seem to affect older patients' attitudes towards their peers. Healthcare professionals working in a geriatric facility should be aware of the prevalence of ageism among older patients.

Implications for practice

The findings highlight the importance of educational interventions among healthcare professionals to increase awareness of the prevalence of ageism among older patients in a geriatric setting.
Efficacy Analysis of Separation Surgery Combined with SBRT for Spinal Metastases—A Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study Based on Patients with Spinal Metastatic Tumor in a Single‐Center
Authors: Xiaozhou Liu , Xing Zhou , Xin Shi , Chengjun Li , Lei Zhang , Guangxin Zhou , Sujia Wu
Published: February 2020

Objective

Follow‐up data of patients with spinal metastatic tumors were analyzed to investigate the effect of separation surgery combined with SBRT on clinical outcomes.

Methods

The clinical data of 52 patients with spinal metastatic tumors admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 28 females, aged 25–77 years, with an average of 56.7 ± 7.4 years. The separation surgery of all patients was successfully completed and followed up. Frankel neurological function grading, Karnofsky performance scores, VAS scores, Epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) grading and muscle strength grading were used to assess the patients’ condition. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and the Log⁃rank test were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% feasible interval for patients with different ages, genders, and treatments. The multivariate Cox regression model was used to calculate the risk value HR and the 95% feasible interval in patients undergoing only separation surgery or separation surgery combined with SBRT.

Results

After separation surgery, 46 patients had pain relief (88.5%), and the average VAS score decreased to 2.17 ± 0.52 points, which was significantly improved compared with preoperative score (P < 0.01). Muscle strength grading decreased in seven cases, showed no change in two cases, and recovered in 19 cases. Postoperative Frankel neurological function grading and Karnofsky performance scores were also significantly improved compared with preoperative scores (P < 0.01). The patients who accepted separation surgery were followed up for 9–47 months (26.3 ± 18.1 months), and 15 patients died due to the deterioration of the primary tumor. Thirteen patients received SBRT after surgery, including 12 cases of pain relief. The average VAS score of these 13 patients decreased to 1.64±0.41 points, which was significantly improved compared with preoperative and postoperative (P < 0.01), and muscle strength recovered in eight cases. Frankel neurological function grading and Karnofsky performance scores of these patients were also significantly improved compared with preoperative and postoperative Frankel neurological function grading and Karnofsky performance scores (P < 0.01). The patients who accepted separation surgery combined with SBRT were followed up for 11–38 months (mean 22.5 ± 10.2 months), and five cases died of primary tumor. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that separation surgery combined with SBRT was an independent predictor of overall survival rate (OS).

Conclusions

Separation surgery combined with SBRT is an effective way to treat spinal metastatic tumors as it not only has smaller surgical trauma, but can also significantly relieve pain, improve nerve function, and relieve spinal cord compression.
Wading through the swamp: what does tropical peatland restoration mean to national‐level stakeholders in Indonesia?
Authors: Ward Caroline , Stringer Lindsay C. , Warren‐Thomas Eleanor , Agus Fahmuddin , Hamer Keith , Pettorelli Nathalie , Hariyadi Bambang , Hodgson Jenny , Kartika Winda D. , Lucey Jennifer , McClean Colin , Nurida Neneng L. , Saad Asmadi , Hill Jane K.
Published: February 2020

Ecological restoration is considered to play an important role in mitigating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and preventing environmental degradation. Yet, there are often multiple perspectives on what outcomes restoration should be aiming to achieve, and how we should get to that point. In this study we interview a range of policymakers, academics, and non‐governmental organization (NGO) representatives to explore the range of perspectives on the restoration of Indonesia's tropical peatlands—key global ecosystems that have undergone large‐scale degradation. Thematic analysis suggests that participants agreed about the importance of restoration, but had differing opinions on how effective restoration activities to date have been and what a restored peatland landscape should look like. These results exemplify how ecological restoration can mean different things to different people, but also highlight important areas of consensus for moving forward with peatland restoration strategies.
Cuing oyster recruitment with shell and rock: implications for timing reef restoration
Authors: McAfee Dominic , Connell Sean D.
Published: February 2020

Reducing uncertainty surrounding the biological responses of degraded habitat is key to providing confidence and efficiency in its restoration. Many coastal habitats are so extensively degraded that organismal responses to restoration interventions are entirely unknown. Among the most degraded coastal ecosystems are oyster reefs, whose restoration typically occurs where oysters are degraded to the point of functional extinction. This loss creates uncertainty on the fundamental processes for reef recovery; the timing of oyster recruitment and their preferred substratum for settlement. Such knowledge can inform restoration strategies to accelerate habitat recovery. Near the site of Australia's largest restoration of native oyster reef, we quantified temporal variability in recruitment of the native flat oyster (Ostrea angasi) and assessed their preference between the settlement substrata deployed for the reef restoration. Combining half a decade of environmental data with oyster recruitment data, we provide a model that identified distinct peaks in oyster recruitment which correlate with food availability and seawater temperature. In addition, oysters preferentially settled on oyster shell relative to other materials used in local restoration. In combination, these results suggest that there are opportunities to augment recruitment through addition of shell substratum synced with recruitment peaks. Our recruitment model likely represents a minor investment with large returns, providing opportunities to capture peak recruitment and greater confidence in utilizing natural recruitment as a restoration resource.