bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of remineralising agents in prevention and treatment of orthodontically induced white spot lesions: a protocol for a systematic review incorporating network meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Huimin , Feng Chong , Jiang Zhaowei , Wang Lufei , Shrestha Sonu , Su Xiaoming , Shu Yu , Ge Long , Lai Wenli , Hua Fang , Long Hu 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
White spot lesions (WSLs) are common adverse effects in fixed orthodontic treatment. Remineralising agents are widely used to prevent WSLs formation and are the first-line treatment for existing WSLs. Previous systematic reviews have evaluated the effectiveness of remineralisation agents in the management of WSLs. However, their conclusions were contradictory. The objective of this study will be to compare the effectiveness and safety of current remineralising agents used in the management of WSLs in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances in any orthodontic setting.

Methods
Literature searches will be conducted in several electronic databases (from inception onwards): MEDLINE (via Ovid), Scopus, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), among others. Grey literature will be identified through searching clinical trials registries. Randomised controlled trials that compared the effectiveness of different remineralisation agents in the prevention and treatment of WSLs will be included. Two researchers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The study risk bias will be appraised using an appropriate tool. The primary outcomes will be WSLs incidence and severity of WSLs. Secondary outcomes will be subjective measures of WSLs and adverse effects. The mean difference (MD) and relative risk (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) will be chosen as effect measures for continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. If feasible, fixed and random-effects pairwise meta-analyses and frequentist network meta-analyses will be conducted where appropriate.

Discussion
This network meta-analysis will compare the effectiveness of remineralising agents in the prevention and treatment of orthodontically induced WSLs. By integrating the evidence from direct and indirect comparisons and ranking all evaluated interventions, our findings have the potential to help clinicians make more accurate treatment decisions.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42019116852, registered on March 15, 2019
Observation of magnetic susceptibility changes within the thalamus: a comparative study between healthy and Parkinson’s disease afflicted cynomolgus monkeys using 7 T MRI
Authors: Kim Sangwoo , Lee Youngjeon , Jeon Chang-Yeop , Jin Yeung Bae , Oh Sukhoon , Lee Chulhyun 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Although the thalamus is known to modulate basal ganglia function related to motor control activity, the abnormal changes within the thalamus during distinct medical complications have been scarcely investigated. In order to explore the feasibility of assessing iron accumulation in the thalamus as an informative biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD), this study was designed to employ quantitative susceptibility mapping using a 7 T magnetic resonance imaging system in cynomolgus monkeys. A 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-injected cynomolgus monkey and a healthy control (HC) were examined by 7 T magnetic resonance imaging. Positron emission tomography with 18F-N-(3-fluoro propyl)-2ß-carboxymethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane was also employed to identify the relationship between iron deposits and dopamine depletion. All acquired values were averaged within the volume of interest of the nigrostriatal pathway.

Findings
Compared with the HC, the overall elevation of iron deposition within the thalamus in the Parkinson’s disease model (about 53.81% increase) was similar to that in the substantia nigra (54.81%) region. Substantial susceptibility changes were observed in the intralaminar part of the thalamus (about 70.78% increase). Additionally, we observed that in the Parkinson’s disease model, binding potential values obtained from positron emission tomography were considerably decreased in the thalamus (97.51%) and substantia nigra (92.48%).

Conclusions
The increased iron deposition in the thalamus showed negative correlation with dopaminergic activity in PD, supporting the idea that iron accumulation affects glutaminergic inputs and dopaminergic neurons. This investigation indicates that the remarkable susceptibility changes in the thalamus could be an initial major diagnostic biomarker for Parkinson’s disease-related motor symptoms.
Development of mass media resources to improve the ability of parents of primary school children in Uganda to assess the trustworthiness of claims about the effects of treatments: a human-centred design approach
Authors: Semakula Daniel , Nsangi Allen , Oxman Matt , Rosenbaum Sarah Ellen , Oxman Andrew David , Austvoll-Dahlgren Astrid , Glenton Claire , Lewin Simon , Kaseje Margaret , Morelli Angela , Fretheim Atle , Sewankambo Nelson Kaulukusi 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Claims about what we need to do to improve our health are everywhere. Most interventions simply tell people what to do, and do not empower them to critically assess health information. Our objective was to design mass media resources to enable the public to critically appraise the trustworthiness of claims about the benefits and harms of treatments and make informed health choices.

Methods
Research was conducted between 2013 and 2016 across multiple iterative phases. Participants included researchers, journalists, parents, other members of the public. First, we developed a list of 32 key concepts that people need to understand to be able to assess the trustworthiness of claims about treatment effects. Next, we used a human-centred design approach, to generate ideas for resources for teaching the key concepts, and developed and user-tested prototypes through qualitative interviews. We addressed identified problems and repeated this process until we had a product that was deemed relevant and desirable by our target audience, and feasible to implement.

Results
We generated over 160 ideas, mostly radio-based. After prototyping some of these, we found that a podcast produced collaboratively by health researchers and journalists was the most promising approach. We developed eight episodes of the Informed Health Choices podcast, a song on critical thinking about treatments and a reminder checklist. Early versions of the podcast were reportedly too long, boring and confusing. We shortened the episodes, included one key concept per episode, and changed to story-telling with skits. The final version of the podcast was found to be useful, understandable, credible and desirable.

Conclusion
We found many problems with various prototypes of mass media resources. Using a human-centred design approach, we overcame those problems. We have developed a guide to help others prepare similar podcasts.
Modeling the potential climate change- induced impacts on future genus Rhipicephalus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick distribution in semi-arid areas of Raya Azebo district, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Hadgu Meseret , Menghistu Habtamu Taddele , Girma Atkilt , Abrha Haftu , Hagos Haftom 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundClimate change is believed to be continuously affecting ticks by influencing their habitat suitability. However, we attempted to model the climate change-induced impacts on future genus Rhipicephalus distribution considering the major environmental factors that would influence the tick. Therefore, 50 tick occuance points were taken to model the potential distribution using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) software and 19 climatic variables, taking into account the ability for future climatic change under representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5, were used.ResultsMaxEnt model performance was tested and found with the AUC value of 0.99 which indicates excellent goodness-of-fit and predictive accuracy. Current models predict increased temperatures, both in the mid and end terms together with possible changes of other climatic factors like precipitation which may lead to higher tick-borne disease risks associated with expansion of the range of the targeted tick distribution. Distribution maps were constructed for the current, 2050, and 2070 for the two greenhouse gas scenarios and the most dramatic scenario; RCP 8.5 produced the highest increase probable distribution range.ConclusionsThe future potential distribution of the genus Rhipicephalus show potential expansion to the new areas due to the future climatic suitability increase. These results indicate that the genus population of the targeted tick could emerge in areas in which they are currently lacking; increased incidence of tick-borne diseases poses further risk which can affect cattle production and productivity, thereby affecting the livelihood of smallholding farmers. Therefore, it is recommended to implement climate change adaptation practices to minimize the impacts.
On the mesh resolution of industrial LES based on the DNS of flow over the T106C turbine
Authors: Alhawwary Mohammad , Wang Z.J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA high-order Navier-Stokes solver based on the flux reconstruction (FR) or the correction procedure via reconstruction (CPR) formulation is employed to perform a direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulations (LES) of a well-known benchmark problem – transitional flow over the low-pressure T106C turbine cascade. Hp-refinement studies are carried out to assess the resolution requirement. A 4th order (p3) simulation on the fine mesh is performed with a DNS resolution to establish a "converged" solution, including the mean pressure and skin-friction distributions, and the power spectral density in the wake. Then LES on the coarse and fine meshes with lower order schemes are conducted to assess the mesh and order dependence of the solution. In particular, we study the error in the transition location, the mean skin-friction distribution, and the mean lift and drag coefficients. These h- and p-refinement studies provide a much-needed guideline in h- and p- resolutions to achieve a certain level of accuracy for industrial LES applications.
An ethno-nutritional study on spices used in traditional foods of the Western Regions of Cameroon: the case of nah poh
Authors: Djiazet Stève , Mezajoug Kenfack Laurette Blandine , Linder Michel , Tchiégang Clergé 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe consumption rate of traditional foods is gradually being reduced with time due to the globalization of the food systems and non-availability of modernized ready-to-use traditional food products. In order to contribute to the sustainability and to promote the consumption of nah poh, the present study was undertaken to gather traditional culinary knowledge related to the consumption of some local spices in nah poh, as to contribute to the development of a ready-to-use spice formulation. It consisted in carrying out a qualitative and quantitative survey. The study revealed that there is a great variability with respect to the different Divisions of the Western Regions of Cameroon, regarding the spice composition of nah poh. All the local spices used for this study are utilized for the preparation of nah poh. Seven spices were found to be essential in most Divisions. Scorodophloeus zenkeri fruits and Xylopia africana were shown to be essential spices for consumers in Mezam Division. The quantities of essential spices for one litre of nah poh varied between 0.61 ± 0.24 g and 4.59 ± 2.06 g.
Myocardial perfusion imaging by single-photon emission tomography (MPI SPECT) versus Instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR) for assessment of functional significance of intermediate coronary artery lesions
Authors: Amin Osama Ahmed , Hady Yasser Ahmed Abdel , Esmail Mohammad Ahmad Nour El-Din 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
The aim of our work was to compare the myocardial perfusion imaging by single-photon emission tomography (MPI-SPECT) as a non-invasive, relatively non-expensive test versus the instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR) for the evaluation of functional significance of the borderline coronary artery lesions in the view of results of fractional flow reserve (FFR) which is considered the gold standard reference test.

Results
Our study was conducted in the Cardiology Department. It included 50 patients with borderline coronary artery lesions; they underwent physiological evaluation by stress/rest myocardial perfusion imaging using followed by an invasive physiological assessment by Instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR) and Fractional flow reserve (FFR). Finally, the results of both SPECT MPI and IFR were compared to FFR as a gold standard reference. There was a strong (kappa = 0.754) significant (P value < 0.001) agreement between the MPI results and FFR results and the overall agreement was 88%. The sensitivity of the MPI was 81.8%, the specificity was 92.9%, the positive predictive value was 90%, the negative predictive value was 86.7%, the positive likelihood ratio was 11.45, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.20. There was a strong (kappa = 0.918) significant (P value < 0.001) agreement between the IFR results and FFR results and the overall agreement was 96%. The sensitivity of the IFR was 90.9%, the specificity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 100 %, the negative predictive value was 93.3%, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.09.

Conclusions
The instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR) may be a valid alternative to fractional flow reserve to assess the functional significance of intermediate coronary lesions. The myocardial perfusion imaging may be an alternative, non-invasive, relatively non-expensive test for the evaluation of the physiological significance of intermediate coronary lesions.
Oviductal Retention of Embryos in Female Mice Lacking Estrogen Receptor α in the Isthmus and the Uterus
Authors: Herrera Gerardo G B , Lierz Sydney L , Harris Emily A , Donoghue Lauren J , Hewitt Sylvia C , Rodriguez Karina F , Jefferson Wendy N , Lydon John P , DeMayo Francesco J , Williams Carmen J , Korach Kenneth S , Winuthayanon Wipawee 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ESR1; encoded by Esr1) is a crucial nuclear transcription factor for female reproduction and is expressed throughout the female reproductive tract. To assess the function of ESR1 in reproductive tissues without confounding effects from a potential developmental defect arising from global deletion of ESR1, we generated a mouse model in which Esr1 was specifically ablated during postnatal development. To accomplish this, a progesterone receptor Cre line (PgrCre) was bred with Esr1f/f mice to create conditional knockout of Esr1 in reproductive tissues (called PgrCreEsr1KO mice) beginning around 6 days after birth. In the PgrCreEsr1KO oviduct, ESR1 was most efficiently ablated in the isthmic region. We found that at 3.5 days post coitus (dpc), embryos were retrieved from the uterus in control littermates while all embryos were retained in the PgrCreEsr1KO oviduct. Additionally, serum progesterone (P4) levels were significantly lower in PgrCreEsr1KO compared to controls at 3.5 dpc. This finding suggests that expression of ESR1 in the isthmus and normal P4 levels allow for successful embryo transport from the oviduct to the uterus. Therefore, alterations in oviductal isthmus ESR1 signaling and circulating P4 levels could be related to female infertility conditions such as tubal pregnancy.
In vitro efficacy of vancomycin combined with fosfomycin against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci strains
Authors: Aktas Gulseren 
Published: December 2019

Objective: Enterococci have been isolated frequently worldwide and have difficulties in the treatment. Combination antibiotherapies have a distinct advantage over monotherapies in terms of their synergistic effect. In the study, it was aimed to investigate in vitro activity of vancomycin combined with fosfomycin against VRE strains.
Methods: A total of 30 VRE strains were included in the study. Bacterial identifications of the strains were undertaken using conventional routine methods. The resistance to agents tested was investigated by using the broth microdilution method. Glucose-6-phosphate (25 mcg/mL) for fosfomycin were used in all experiments. The activity of antibiotics in combination was assessed using a broth microcheckerboard. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was interpreted as follows: synergism, FICI ≤0.5. Additionally, two strains in 30 VRE were studied to determine the time-kill curves to verify the synergistic results. For each strain, antibiotics were studied alone and in combination at the minimum inhibitory concentration (1xMIC) values.
Results: Susceptibility rate to fosfomycin was found at 26.6 % (8/30). The MIC50, MIC90 and MIC interval values of antimicrobials were 512, 512, and 512 - 1024 mcg/mL for vancomycin, and 128, 160, and 64 - 224 mcg/mL for fosfomycin, respectively. The rate of synergism was found as 100 % by both checkerboard and time-kill methods.
Conclusion: The result shows that the combination of vancomycin with fosfomycin could be an alternative in the treatment of infections caused by VRE.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.2.1347
How to cite this:Aktas G. In vitro efficacy of vancomycin combined with fosfomycin against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci strains. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(2):281-285. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.2.1347
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
‘Rub Him About the Temples’: Othello, Disability, and the Failures of Care
Authors: Shaw Justin 
Published: December 2019

Focusing on how race and disability deconstruct and expose the facades of friendship, this article explores the ethical differences in models of care in Shakespeare's Othello. It examines the networks of care surrounding the character of Othello – particularly his interactions with Cassio – and demonstrates how, by revealing the many pretensions and failures of relationship, the play develops a theory and praxis for ethical caring that attends to the complexity of a black and disabled character. The play, this essay argues, finally presents a solution to the problem of care in the symbolic and material web of the ancestral handkerchief.
Prevalência e impacto da fluorose dentária na qualidade de vida em escolares de uma ONG em Salvador, Bahia
Authors: Sampaio Layana Santtana Freitas , Almeida Tatiana Frederico de , Silva Ricardo Araújo da 
Published: December 2019

Introdução: Medidas de saúde de amplo impacto (fluoretação da água, dentifrícios fluoretados e aplicação de flúor), mas sem devidos controles, podem resultar no aumento da prevalência e gravidade da fluorose. A avaliação demedidas subjetivas da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida, favorecida pela incorporação de dimensões clínicas e psicossociais, é requerida para estudos epidemiológicos de fluorose. Objetivos: descrever a prevalência e gravidade da fluorose dentária em escolares de uma Organização Não Governamental (ONG) e avaliar o impacto desse agravo na qualidade de vida. Metodologia: estudo de corte transversal, com crianças e adolescentes entre 10 a 17 anos de uma ONG do distrito Cabula-Beirú, Salvador-Bahia. A fluorose foi classificada através do Índice de Dean e seus impactos subjetivos avaliados através do Child Perception Questionnaire (adaptado ao Brasil). Resultados: Na amostra de 116 alunos, a prevalência da fluorose foi 65,5%, tendo o nível leve ocorrido em maior frequência (28,5%). Os escolares com fluorose relataram maior insatisfação com suas condições bucais do que aqueles sem este agravo (p<0,005). Conclusão: A alta prevalência da fluorose entre os jovens estudados aponta a necessidade de monitoramento da concentração de flúor na água daquela região e do uso de fluoretos nos dentifrícios nessa população. O impacto negativo da fluorose na qualidade de vida requer medidas de combate a esse problema de saúde.Abstract Introduction: Wide-ranging health measures such as fluoridation of water, use of fluoride dentifrices and application of fluoride when used without control can increase the prevalence and severity of fluorosis. Assessment of subjective measures of oral health related to quality of life combined with clinical and psychosocial dimensions is needed for epidemiological studies of fluorosis. Objectives: To describe the prevalence and severity of fluorosis in school children of a non-governmental organization – Cabula-Beirú district, Salvador-BA – and to assess its impact related to quality of life. Methodology: cross-sectional epidemiological study with children and adolescents, from 10 to 17 years old. Fluorosis was classified with Dean’s Index. Subjective impacts of oral health were assessed through the Child Perception Questionnaire (adapted to Brazil). Results: From the sample of 116 students, the prevalence of fluorosis was 65.5%, and the mild level was 28.54%. Students with fluorosis reported greater dissatisfaction with their oral conditions than those without fluorosis (p <0.005). Conclusion: The results revealed that fluorosis prevalence was higher and this situation requires monitoring the concentration of fluoride in the water of that region and the use of fluorides in dentifrices in this population. The negative impact of fluorosis on quality of life requires measures to combat this health problem.