bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of regular professional toothbrushing on oral health, related quality of life, and nutritional and cognitive status in nursing home residents
Authors: Barbe Anna Greta , Küpeli Lydia Suzan , Hamacher Stefanie , Noack Michael Johannes 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe oral hygiene of nursing home residents is poor. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of professional brushing using a specialized brush every three weeks and its impact on geriatric outcomes.MethodsNursing home residents received professional brushing with a three‐headed brush by a dental nurse every three weeks for three months. Controls comprised subjects from an earlier investigation. Their general clinical, geriatric and oral health (number of teeth, periodontitis, Gingivitis Index, Plaque Index, Root Caries Index, Volpe‐Manhold Index [VMI]) were investigated, and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was obtained before and after three months.ResultsForty nursing home residents were included. Seventy‐six percent of participants suffered from periodontitis, while 48% had partial and 20% total dentures. After three months, VMI had decreased vs baseline (P < .001). An improvement in nutritional status (P = .012) was found in residents with dementia after the intervention, as well as an improvement in the GOHAI (P = .031) in all participants. Gingivitis and plaque indices did not improve.ConclusionsThe oral health of nursing home residents is poor for various reasons, and nursing home staff cannot fully address the increased oral hygiene risk with increasing multimorbidity. Professional brushing performed regularly by a dental nurse is an efficient method to improve oral hygiene in nursing home residents and may contribute to better nutritional status and quality of life. However, brushing every three weeks with a three‐headed brush was not effective at improving gingivitis or plaque and was inferior to the two‐week brushing interval with a manual toothbrush.
Prebiotic emulsions stabilised by whey protein and kefiran
Authors: Piermaria Judith , López‐Castejón María Luisa , Bengoechea Carlos , Guerrero Antonio , Abraham Analía Graciela 
Published: April 2020

SummaryThe goal of this work has been to assess the influence of a health‐promoting hydrocolloid, such as kefiran, in oil‐in‐water emulsions (O/W: 50/50) containing whey protein isolate (1.0% wt.). Different kefiran concentration levels (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1% wt.) were studied, observing a shift from a fluid‐like to a solid‐like behaviour and higher viscosities when kefiran content increased. A pseudoplastic behaviour was detected for all systems studied. The observed evolution is attributed to the thickening effect exerted by kefiran, which promoted stability, in spite of observing a certain flocculation degree within the emulsion systems, demonstrated through the addition of sodium dodecyl sulphate (1% wt.). Furthermore, short‐term stability of these pseudoplastic emulsions has been verified by laser‐scattering techniques. Thus, a Sauter diameter around 1 µm remained unaltered up to 7 days since preparation. The addition of kefiran in the formulation would benefit from their well‐known health‐promoting effects.
Dietary whole Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) intake improves colonic barrier function by altering gut microbiota composition in mice
Authors: Tian Baoming , Zhang Ziqi , Zhao Jianhua , Ma Qingyu , Liu Huicui , Nie Chenxi , Ma Zhiyuan , An Wei , Li Juxiu 
Published: April 2020

SummaryDiet strongly affects human health by modulating gut microbiota (GM) composition. Lycium barbarum (LB), which contains polysaccharides and polyphenols, can alter the GM and intestinal barrier function, thereby reducing and preventing the occurrence of intestinal diseases. To investigate how LB improves colonic barrier function, male C57BL/6J mice were fed diets containing 1.5% or 3% LB for 10 weeks. Results of HiSeq 16S rDNA analysis showed that LB markedly altered microbial profile by supporting the growth of Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidales_S24‐7_group, Anaerotruncus, Coprococcus_1, Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐014 and Akkermansia, while suppressing Firmicutes, Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Mucispirillum. LB supported the short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA)‐producing bacteria, and the SCFA concentrations increased, while the ammonia concentrations and pH values in faeces decreased, thereby increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and mucin, subsequently improving intestinal function and histomorphology. Dietary LB, as a functional dietary component, enhanced colonic barrier function and improved gut health by altering GM composition.
Variable neighborhood search to solve the generalized orienteering problem
Authors: Urrutia‐Zambrana Adolfo , Tirado Gregorio , Mateos Alfonso 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a variable neighborhood search (VNS) algorithm to solve the extension of the orienteering problem known as the generalized orienteering problem (GOP). Our algorithm aims to use a reduced number of neighborhoods without compromising the quality of the results. This reduced number of neighborhoods, together with the precalculation of scores associated with points of interest, allows us, in most cases, to outperform all previous metaheuristics proposed for this problem. This is the first time a VNS is being applied to the GOP, and it provides promising computational results. In particular, in the case studies considered in the paper, we were able to find 35 new best solutions, all of which were found using a shorter computational time. Furthermore, the information regarding other best‐known solutions provided in the literature has also been improved, with corrections to some previously published errors regarding scores and distances. In addition, the benchmark has been extended with the incorporation of new case studies based on real data from three of the most popular tourist cities in Spain.
The Politicization of Immigration in Portugal between 1995 and 2014: A European Exception?
Authors: Carvalho João , Duarte Mariana Carmo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractImmigration is envisaged as part of an ‘emergent cultural cleavage’ across Western Europe. Within this context, this article explores the politicization of immigration in Portugal between 1995 and 2014. Politicization is interpreted as being formed by two distinct dimensions: salience and polarization of the political claims found within news articles extracted from newspapers. Notwithstanding the doubling of the foreign population settled in the country in the early 2000s, the diminished salience and the absence of significant political conflict suggest that immigration failed to become politicized in Portugal. Drawing on a comparative analysis with seven other European states between 1995 and 2009, Portugal observed the lowest rate of politicization. Rather than being related with socio‐economic factors, the lack of politicization of immigration was associated with the strategies of the mainstream parties, which successfully prevented the emergence of this topic as a significant political cleavage.
Longitudinal Associations of Religiosity and Physical Function in Older Irish Adults
Authors: Orr Joanna , Kenny Rose Anne , McGarrigle Christine Ann 
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVESResearch into the link between religion and physical function has shown inconsistent results. Most studies have used self‐reported measures of physical function, and many have excluded those who are not religious and only compared levels of religious engagement within those groups that are religious. We aimed to assess the longitudinal associations of religious affiliation and religious attendance on two objective measures of physical function.DESIGNLongitudinal study using five waves of data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).SETTINGCommunity‐dwelling adults in Ireland.PARTICIPANTSAdults aged 50 and over who participated in two or more waves of TILDA (n = 6,122),and a supplementary analysis of a sub‐sample aged 65 and over (n = 2,359).MEASUREMENTSTimed Up and Go (TUG) and grip strength were measured on at least two occasions. Data were collected approximately every 2 years over 10 years. Longitudinal linear mixed effects models were estimated to calculate the effect of religious affiliation and attendance on TUG and grip strength over time.RESULTSTUG scores increased by an average of .1 seconds with each year of age, which increased to .3 seconds by age 72 years. Grip strength scores decreased by .2 kg with each year of age and increased to −.3 kg per year by age 72. No overall differences were observed between religious affiliations in scores of TUG or grip strength.CONCLUSIONReligious affiliation does not predict performance on objective physical function measures. Results are discussed with reference to the changing religious characteristics of the Irish population.
Genetic variants of UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A genes are associated with disease presentation and outcome in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Weismüller Tobias J. , Zhou Taotao , Kalthoff Sandra , Lenzen Henrike , Manns Michael P. , Strassburg Christian P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground and aimsPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease without a curative medical therapy. The human UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases 1A play a major role in the detoxification and elimination of bilirubin, bile acids and xenobiotics. Whether genetic UGT1A variants determine course and outcome of PSC has not yet been described.MethodsA large cohort of German PSC patients with a long‐term‐follow‐up was genotyped for UGT1A variants including UGT1A1*28, UGT1A3‐66 T>C and UGT1A7 p.N129K/p.R131K using TaqMan 5'‐nuclease assays. Results were correlated with clinical characteristics and transplant‐free survival.ResultsAbout 331 patients with PSC were included in the study (69.9% male, mean age at diagnosis 32.6 years). Median transplant‐free survival was 14.9 years. Patients with wild‐type alleles of all three UGT1A genes had a longer transplant‐free survival (17.2 vs. 14.4 years, P = .048) than patients carrying a homozygous or heterozygous SNP variant in at least one of the UGT1A1, UGT1A3 or UGT1A7 genes. Additionally, we found that patients carrying wild‐type alleles of all three UGT1A genes had lower serum bilirubin (25 vs. 38 µmol/L, P = .02) and serum cholesterol (195 vs. 223 mg/dL), P = .035) at first presentation. Furthermore, inflammatory bowel disease was found to be associated with wild‐type UGT1A alleles (82.2% vs. 68.4%, P = .046).ConclusionsThis large cohort shows an association with single nucleotide polymorphisms of the UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 genes and outcome in PSC. Thus, UGT1A variants may represent a tool for the prognostic stratification of PSC patients and establish a link between disease progression and the regulation of detoxification by glucuronidation in PSC.
Effects of light intensity on Opsin4, Opsin5, and Pax6 expressions of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius
Authors: Yang Mingfang , Yu Yushi , Ding Jingyun , Luo Jia , Sun Jiangnan , Hu Fangyuan , Chang Yaqing , Zhao Chong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe detection of light intensity and subsequent phototaxis are essential for the fitness of sea urchins in intertidal and shallow subtidal waters, where light intensity varies in accordance with the depth and other hydrographic conditions. The molecular basis of photoresponse, however, remains largely unknown. We compared the expression of SiOpsin4, SiPax6, and SiOpsin5 among tube feet, coelomocytes, gonads, and gut of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius. All three genes showed the significantly highest expression in tube feet. To test whether r‐opsin genes (for example, Opsin4) and Pax6 in tube feet, rather than chaopsin genes (for example, Opsin5), are involved in the molecular responses to light intensity, we investigated the expression of Opsin4, Pax6, and Opsin5 among four light intensities. Both Opsin4 and Pax6 expressions were significantly higher in the sea urchins at 1,500 lx than at 100, 300, and 700 lx, indicating a co‐upregulation of Opsin4 and Pax6 expressions in sea urchins exposed to the high light intensity (for example, 1,500 lx). However, there was no significant difference of SiOpsin5 expression among the four light intensity groups. Consistent with our hypothesis, there was no significant difference in either Opsin4 or Pax6 expression between the two light intensity environments (low light intensity environment: 50–100 lx; high light intensity environment: 330–1400 lx). This indicates that positive phototaxis and negative phototaxis probably regulate the expression of Opsin4 and Pax6 to a similar level when sea urchins are exposed to the high and low light intensities, respectively. The present study provides new insights into the molecular basis of light intensity detection and subsequent phototaxis of eyeless species.
Copper tolerance in bacteria requires the activation of multiple accessory pathways
Authors: Giachino Andrea , Waldron Kevin J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCopper is a required micronutrient for bacteria and an essential cofactor for redox‐active cuproenzymes. Yet, excess copper is extremely toxic, and is exploited as a bacteriocide in medical and biotechnological applications and also by the mammalian immune system. To evade copper toxicity, bacteria not only control intracellular copper homeostasis, but they must also repair the damage caused by excess copper. In this review, we summarize the bacterial cell‐wide response to copper toxicity in Enterobacteria. Tapping into the abundant research data on two key organisms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, we show that copper resistance requires both the direct copper homeostatic response and also the indirect accessory pathways that deal with copper‐induced damage. Since patterns of copper response are conserved through the Proteobacteria, we propose a cell‐wide view of copper detoxification and copper tolerance that can be used to identify novel targets for copper‐based antibacterial therapeutics.
ESNM/ANMS Review. Diagnosis and management of globus sensation: A clinical challenge
Authors: Zerbib Frank , Rommel Nathalie , Pandolfino John , Gyawali C. Prakash 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGlobus is a non‐painful sensation of a tightness or a lump/foreign body in the throat that is not associated with dysphagia and may actually improve during meals. While several otorhinolaryngologic, thyroid, and esophageal disorders have been linked to globus, cause‐and‐effect relationships are difficult to establish. Consequently, though part of the evaluation, objective otorhinolaryngologic and esophageal testing is often negative. The presence of alarm symptoms, particularly pain, weight loss, dysphagia, or odynophagia is indications for objective testing. A diagnosis of idiopathic globus requires exclusion of pharyngeal, laryngeal, and esophageal disorders with laryngoscopy, endoscopy, high‐resolution manometry, barium radiography, and/or ambulatory reflux monitoring. A trial of acid‐suppressive therapy may be reasonable in the absence of alarm symptoms, especially if concurrent reflux symptoms are identified. Ablation of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the proximal esophagus has been reported to improve globus symptoms. Beyond these specific approaches, further management of idiopathic globus consists of reassurance, neuromodulators, and complementary approaches. Globus has a benign course with no long‐term consequences, and the overall prognosis is good as the magnitude of symptoms may decline over time.
Leadless left ventricular endocardial pacing in nonresponders to conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Sidhu Baldeep S. , Porter Bradley , Gould Justin , Sieniewicz Benjamin , Elliott Mark , Mehta Vishal , Delnoy Peter P. H. M. , Deharo Jean‐Claude , Butter Christian , Seifert Martin , Boersma Lucas V. A. , Riahi Sam , James Simon , Turley Andrew J. , Auricchio Angelo , Betts Timothy R. , Niederer Steven , Sanders Prashanthan , Rinaldi Christopher A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundEndocardial pacing may be beneficial in patients who fail to improve following conventional epicardial cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The potential to pace anywhere inside the left ventricle thus avoiding myocardial scar and targeting the latest activating segments may be particularly important. The WiSE‐CRT system (EBR systems, Sunnyvale, CA) reliably produces wireless, endocardial left ventricular (LV) pacing. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether this system improved symptoms or led to LV remodeling in patients who were nonresponders to conventional CRT.MethodAn international, multicenter registry of patients who were nonresponders to conventional CRT and underwent implantation with the WiSE‐CRT system was collected.ResultsTwenty‐two patients were included; 20 patients underwent successful implantation with confirmation of endocardial biventricular pacing and in 2 patients, there was a failure of electrode capture. Eighteen patients proceeded to 6‐month follow‐up; endocardial pacing resulted in a significant reduction in QRS duration compared with intrinsic QRS duration (26.6 ± 24.4 ms; P = .002) and improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (4.7 ± 7.9%; P = .021). The mean reduction in left ventricular end‐diastolic volume was 8.3 ± 42.3 cm3 (P = .458) and left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESV) was 13.1 ± 44.3 cm3 (P = .271), which were statistically nonsignificant. Overall, 55.6% of patients had improvement in their clinical composite score and 66.7% had a reduction in LVESV ≥15% and/or absolute improvement in LVEF ≥5%.ConclusionNonresponders to conventional CRT have few remaining treatment options. We have shown in this high‐risk patient group that the WiSE‐CRT system results in improvement in their clinical composite scores and leads to LV remodeling.
On the Connection between Law and Morality: Some Doubts about Robert Alexy’s View
Authors: Koller Peter 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe paper aims at a critical discussion of Alexy’s conception of the relationship between law and morality, which is known to insist on their necessary connection. After a brief recapitulation of this conception, the author scrutinizes three of its essential elements: the thesis of the dual nature of law, the argument from law’s claim to moral correctness, and the idea of an objective morality. Finally, he sketches his own position which, in some respects, resembles Alexy’s view, but also differs from it in certain relevant points.
Multivariate analysis of variance and change points estimation for high‐dimensional longitudinal data
Authors: Zhong Ping‐Shou , Li Jun , Kokoszka Piotr 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis article considers the problem of testing temporal homogeneity of p‐dimensional population mean vectors from repeated measurements on n subjects over T times. To cope with the challenges brought about by high‐dimensional longitudinal data, we propose methodology that takes into account not only the “large p, large T, and small n” situation but also the complex temporospatial dependence. We consider both the multivariate analysis of variance problem and the change point problem. The asymptotic distributions of the proposed test statistics are established under mild conditions. In the change point setting, when the null hypothesis of temporal homogeneity is rejected, we further propose a binary segmentation method and show that it is consistent with a rate that explicitly depends on p,T, and n. Simulation studies and an application to fMRI data are provided to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the proposed methods.
Pulmonary acute graft‐versus‐host disease and infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric recipients: A comparative study on CT
Authors: Yan Yuchun , Shi Yuzhu , Wang Yao , Yuan Xinyu , He Wen 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the chest CT patterns of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) and infections within 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) in pediatric recipients to help hematologist make definitive diagnosis as early as possible.MethodsA total of 143 pediatric recipients from January 2015 to June 2019 who were diagnosed pulmonary aGVHD or infections within 100 days after allo‐HSCT were enrolled in this study. Two observers evaluated the extent and distribution (unilateral, bilateral) of the CT patterns. The patterns were then classified as ground‐glass opacity (GGO) (localized, patchy, diffuse), consolidation (localized, patchy, diffuse), reticulation (localized, patchy, diffuse), nodules (localized, multiple), bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, air trapping, tree‐in‐bud sign, and pneumomediastinum. The onset time and radiological patterns of the two cohorts were statistically compared.ResultsThe mean onset time of aGVHD (n = 85) and infections group (viral n = 29, bacterial n = 22, fungal n = 7, total n = 58) was 36.89 ± 24.34 (range, 10‐99 days) and 23.48 ± 20.65 days (range, 4‐94 days) with a significant difference (P = .001). The top three underlying diseases were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 49, 57.6%); acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n = 24, 28.2%); and aplastic anemia (AA) (7.1%) in aGVHD group and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) (n = 33, 56.9%); AA (n = 9, 15.5%); and ALL (n = 6, 10.3) in infection group. GGO (41.2%) in aGVHD prevailed on CT, whereas GGO (53.4%) and consolidations (43.1%) were more prevalent in infections. The distribution of GGO showed more diffuse in aGVHD (P = .031) and symmetric while patchier GGO prefers infections (P < .001). No differences were found in the reticulation. Nodules were more common in infections (P = .004) while pleural effusion was more common in aGVHD group (P < .035).ConclusionImaging patterns of aGVHD on CT differ substantially from that of infections. Physicians and radiologists should be aware of such radiological differences in order to give accurate treatment. Notably, definite diagnosis should be made in combination with clinical manifestations, signs, and laboratory tests.
Comparison of right lateral versus left lateral versus sternal recumbence intra‐abdominal pressure measurements in normal dogs
Authors: Lapa Klayton H. , (Tony) Mann F. A. , Jackson Mary L. , Kerl Marie E. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if there is a difference in intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) among 3 anatomic body positions (right lateral, left lateral, and sternal recumbence) in apparently healthy dogs.DesignProspective, observational study.SettingUniversity Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.AnimalsFourteen apparently healthy male dogs.Measurements and Main ResultsAfter mild sedation with dexmedetomidine, a water manometer attached to a Foley urinary catheter was used to measure IAP in 3 different body positions in each dog. There was no significant difference in IAP between right lateral (3.87± 3.16 cm H2O), left lateral (4.45 ± 3.22 cm H2O), and sternal recumbence (4.04 ± 3.57 cm H2O).ConclusionsBased on data from these 14 apparently healthy dogs, these 3 body positions can be used interchangeably for monitoring an individual dog. However, more research in dogs is needed to see if this conclusion holds true when IAP is abnormal.