bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rates of diabetic retinopathy screening in pregnant patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in a predominantly Indigenous Central Australian population
Authors: Wicik Karolina , Bahrami Bobak , Halliday Megan , Henderson Tim , Roulston Tania , Ullrich Katja 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundPregnancy is a risk factor for the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in women with pre‐gestational diabetes. Australian screening guidelines recommend DR screening in the first trimester of pregnancy. The rates of DR screening in pregnant patients with pre‐gestational diabetes are unknown in Australia.AimTo determine the rates of DR screening in pregnant women with pre‐gestational diabetes at Alice Springs Hospital Diabetes Antenatal Care and Education (DANCE) clinic.Materials and MethodsRetrospective review of women with pre‐gestational diabetes who attended the DANCE clinic between July 2016 and June 2020.ResultsThere were 146 pregnancies in 144 individual women included in this review. There were 93% (n = 134) who identified as Aboriginal but not Torres Strait Islander. DR screening was performed in 23 (16%) pregnancies, in which DR was present in six (26%) and no retinal abnormality was found in 17 (74%). Of seven (5%) women who had a history of DR, only three had a screen during the pregnancy period. The location of the DR screen included Alice Springs Hospital (17%, n = 4), Alice Springs general practice clinics (35%, n = 8) and remote NT community clinics outside of Alice Springs (39%, n = 9). The trimesters in which women received their DR screens were: trimester 1, 45%, n = 10; trimester 2, 39%, n = 9; trimester 3, 17%, n = 4.ConclusionThe minority of pregnant women who attend the DANCE clinic at Alice Springs Hospital received DR screening in adherence with national guidelines.
Nothing like a good feud to spark competition: First use of the total artificial heart
Authors: Coselli Joseph S. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAs a native Houstonian, the notoriety surrounding Dr. Denton A Cooley’s implantation of the total artificial heart on Good Friday, April 4, 1969, was inescapable. At the time, Drs. Cooley and Michael E. DeBakey were the two most famous surgeons in Houston and much of the world. They had worked together professionally for 18 years, revolutionizing cardiothoracic surgery and mastering aortic surgery from beginning to end. However, this working relationship ended abruptly, and one of the most famous feuds in medicine began. Little did I know at the time that I would train with both men, work in both their respective institutions (which are located on the most competitive block of the Texas Medical Center), and play a role four decades later as their relationship rekindled. Here, I recount what I have come to learn about these events.
Effects of soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, and raffinose on growth performance and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens
Authors: Zhu Xin , Liu Jizhe , Yang Guiqin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study was conducted to examine the effects of soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, and raffinose on growth performance and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. Three‐hundred 1‐day‐old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: a basal diet (control diet); diets supplemented with soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, or raffinose at levels of 0.6% total sugar content; and diet with soybean meals (positive control). Results showed that feed‐to‐gain ratio (F/G) was improved (p < 0.05) in broiler chickens that received stachyose, but not raffinose, while addition of soybean oligosaccharide to the diet significantly (p < 0.05) resulted in decreases in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG). Supplementation with soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, or raffinose had a positive effect (p < 0.05) on the nutrient digestibility, but not on the blood immune parameters (p > 0.05). The results of the gene sequencing indicated that, at the family level, Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Lactobacillaceae were comparatively present in all the treatments but the cecal microbial composition was changed after dietary addition of different oligosaccharides. Our study had led to a greater understanding of prebiotic effects of these oligosaccharides on growth and intestinal health.
Proteomics discovery of protein biomarkers linked to yak meat tenderness as determined by label‐free mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Shengsheng , Li Chunbao 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTenderness is one of the most important qualities in meat. A proteomic approach is a suitable way to ensure meat tenderness. Thirty‐six tenderloin samples from yak were classified as exhibiting high (n = 12) or low (n = 12) tenderness and were evaluated using label‐free proteomics for the identification of the proteins and pathways most influential in tenderness variability. Between the two groups, proteomic changes were mainly caused by 33 differentially expressed proteins as displayed in reference patterns in heat maps. The expression of ENO2, SUCLG2, ETFDH, PGM1, TNNT3, TNNT1, HSDL2, GPI, ALAD, and COL1A1 proteins was very different between yak meats with high and low tenderness, and therefore, they are candidate biomarkers of yak meat tenderness. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses revealed that the identified proteins are related to pentose phosphate, glycolysis, the citrate cycle, fatty acid metabolism, and the calcium signaling pathway.
Accrual Accounting at Different Levels of the Public Sector: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Azhar Zubir , Alfan Ervina , Kishan Krishnen , Assanah Nurul Husna 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper has two main objectives. Firstly, it reviews relevant literature on the experiences of different levels of governments worldwide in adopting public sector accrual accounting (PSAA). Secondly, it critically analyses these studies and seeks to identify gaps in the extant literature to provide suggestions for future research. We reviewed and analysed 136 peer‐reviewed journal articles on PSAA over a 23‐year period spanning different levels of government worldwide. Our review and analysis suggest that the adoption of PSAA by different levels of government worldwide has been a long and complex process requiring possibly substantial implementation costs that are undisclosed to the public. Owing to the absence of high‐quality research providing empirical evidence of the benefits of PSAA, we conclude that thus far, the benefits of PSAA to government and citizens have yet to be substantiated. A limitation of this paper is that it is confined to the keywords used in the literature search. Nonetheless, the approach of aggregating and analysing these articles collectively allows this paper to not only provide useful insights into understanding the determinants and outcomes of PSAA but also to offer meaningful directions for future research with regards to multi‐level PSAA.
Rhein regulates redox‐mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in intestinal inflammation through macrophage‐activated crosstalk
Authors: Zhou Yangyang , Gao Caifang , Vong Chi Teng , Tao Hongxun , Li Hongyi , Wang Shengpeng , Wang Yitao 
Published: December 2021

Background and PurposeMacrophage infiltration and activation is a critical step during acute colitis. Redox‐mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in macrophages plays a critical role in mediating colonic inflammatory responses. Rhein isolated from the rhizome of rhubarb exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects in various diseases. However, its role in regulating acute colonic inflammation is unexplored. Here, we investigated the protective mechanisms of rhein during acute gut inflammation and its regulation of macrophage activation.Experimental ApproachInhibitory effects of rhein on NLRP3 inflammasomes were evaluated in activated macrophages and a mouse model of colitis. Expression of inflammatory mediators, inflammasome complex and redox‐related signalling were analysed by ELISA, Western blots, immunofluorescence staining, and qRT‐PCR. The phenotype of macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry. Colonic inflammation was evaluated by histological analysis.Key ResultsRhein significantly decreased IL‐1β secretion via NLRP3 inflammasomes by disturbing their assembly in macrophages. Rhein also activated the Nrf2‐HO1‐NQO1 pathway and inhibited expression of Nox2 subunits and translocation to regulate redox balance. Moreover, rhein attenuated inflammatory responses by mediating macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype. NF‐κB, AP‐1, and MAPK signalling were also involved in improving inflammatory conditions by rhein. In mice with acute intestinal inflammation, rhein treatment attenuated clinical features and reduced macrophage infiltration into damaged tissue to alleviate colonic inflammation.Conclusion and ImplicationsRhein regulated redox‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation to protect against acute colitis, by interfering with macrophage accumulation and polarization. These findings provide a promising strategy of novel compounds for regulating mucosal inflammation in gastrointestinal disorders.
The effects of maternal input on language in the absence of genetic confounds: Vocabulary development in internationally adopted children
Authors: Coffey Joseph R. , Shafto Carissa L. , Geren Joy C. , Snedeker Jesse 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPrevious studies have found correlations between parent input and child language outcomes, providing prima facie evidence for a causal relation. However, this could also reflect the effects of shared genes. The present study removed this genetic confound by measuring English vocabulary growth in 29 preschool‐aged children (21 girls) aged 31–73 months and 17 infants (all girls) aged 15–32 months adopted from China and Eastern Europe and comparing it to speech produced by their adoptive mothers. Vocabulary growth in both groups was correlated with maternal input features; in infants with mean‐length of maternal utterance, and in preschoolers with both mean‐length of utterance and lexical diversity. Thus, input effects on language outcomes persist even in the absence of genetic confounds.
Health economic aspects of implant‐supported restorative therapy
Authors: Karlsson Karolina , Derks Jan , Wennström Jan L. , Petzold Max , Berglundh Tord 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundIt is poorly understood how much additional dental care patients consume subsequent to implant therapy. The aim of the present study is to evaluate costs associated with implant‐supported restorative therapy during the long‐term follow‐up.Material and MethodsCosts associated with preventive measures and complication‐related procedures over a mean follow‐up period of 8.2 years were assessed in patient files of 514 Swedish subjects provided with implant‐supported restorative therapy. The restorative therapy and each of the subsequent interventions were assigned a specific cost. Accumulated costs were calculated in three categories: (i) total cost including initial restorative therapy and complication‐related interventions, (ii) cost of preventive measures alone, and (iii) cost of complication‐related procedures alone. Potential differences by background variables were analyzed using growth curve models.ResultsIn the whole sample, costs during follow‐up ranged from 878 € (95% CI 743; 1,014) for patients with single‐tooth restoration(s) to 1,210 € (95% CI 1,091; 1,329) for subjects with full‐jaw restoration(s). The majority of costs during follow‐up originated from preventive measures (741 € 95% CI 716; 766). Among individuals receiving ≥1 intervention dealing with a complication (n = 253), complication‐related costs amounted to 557 € (95% CI 480; 634). For patients with full‐jaw restorations, the corresponding amount was 769 € (95% CI 622; 916). Procedures related to peri‐implantitis and technical complications resulted in costs similar to each other. Implant loss generated greater costs than any other type of complication.ConclusionsCosts related to implant‐supported restorative therapy during follow‐up were associated with the extent of initial therapy. The higher costs during follow‐up noted in patients provided with full‐jaw restorations were explained by complication‐associated procedures. Implant loss was the most costly type of complication.
Preoperative environment enrichment preserved neuroligin 1 expression possibly via epigenetic regulation to reduce postoperative cognitive dysfunction in mice
Authors: Min Jia , Lai Zhongmeng , Wang Hui , Zuo Zhiyi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimsPostoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common and significant syndrome. Our previous studies have shown that surgery reduces dendritic arborization and spine density and that environment enrichment (EE) reduces POCD. Neuroligin 1 is a postsynaptic protein involved in the formation of postsynaptic protein complex. This study was designed to determine the role of neuroligin 1 in the protection of EE against POCD and the mechanisms for EE to affect neuroligin 1 expression.MethodsEight‐week‐old C57BL/6J male mice with or without EE for 3, 7, or 14 days had right carotid artery exposure under isoflurane anesthesia. An anti‐neuroligin 1 antibody at 1.5 µg/mouse was injected intracerebroventricularly at one and two weeks before the surgery. Mice were subjected to the Barnes maze and fear conditioning tests from one week after the surgery. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus were harvested after surgery.ResultsMice with surgery had poorer performance in the Barnes maze and fear conditioning tests than control mice. EE for 2 weeks, but not EE for 3 or 7 days, improved the performance of surgery mice in these tests. Surgery reduced neuroligin 1 in the hippocampus. Preoperative EE for 2 weeks attenuated this reduction. The anti‐neuroligin 1 antibody worsened the performance of mice with surgery plus EE in the Barnes maze and fear conditioning tests. Surgery increased histone deacetylase activity and decreased the acetylated histone in the hippocampus. EE attenuated these surgery effects.ConclusionOur results suggest that preoperative EE for 2 weeks reduces POCD. This effect may be mediated by preserving neuroligin 1 expression via attenuating surgery‐induced epigenetic dysregulation in the brain.
A Social Interpolation Model of Group Problem‐Solving
Authors: Sloman Sabina J. , Goldstone Robert L. , Gonzalez Cleotilde 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHow do people use information from others to solve complex problems? Prior work has addressed this question by placing people in social learning situations where the problems they were asked to solve required varying degrees of exploration. This past work uncovered important interactions between groups'connectivityand the problem'scomplexity: the advantage of less connected networks over more connected networks increased as exploration was increasingly required for optimally solving the problem at hand. We propose the Social Interpolation Model (SIM), an agent‐based model to explore the cognitive mechanisms that can underlie exploratory behavior in groups. Through results from simulation experiments, we conclude that “exploration” may not be a single cognitive property, but rather the emergent result of three distinct behavioral and cognitive mechanisms, namely, (a) breadth of generalization, (b) quality of prior expectation, and (c) relative valuation of self‐obtained information. We formalize these mechanisms in the SIM, and explore their effects on group dynamics and success at solving different kinds of problems. Our main finding is that broad generalization and high quality of prior expectation facilitate successful search in environments where exploration is important, and hinder successful search in environments where exploitation alone is sufficient.
Reliability of lumbar multifidus ultrasound assessment during the active straight leg raise test
Authors: Plaza‐Manzano Gustavo , Navarro‐Santana Marcos J. , Valera‐Calero Juan Antonio , Fabero‐Garrido Raúl , Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César , López‐de‐Uralde‐Villanueva Ibai 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrevious evidence showed altered lumbar multifidus (LM) activation in populations with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP). We aimed to investigate the test–retest and inter‐examiner reliability of ultrasound imaging (US) for assessing LM thickness at rest and activation during the active straight leg raise test (ASLR) and the association between thickness changes with clinical outcomes.MethodsFifty‐two patients with LBP and two examiners (one experienced and one novice) participated in this study. A total of 18 B‐mode images at L4–L5 or L5–S1 level (both sides, 3 at rest and 6 during ASLR) were collected. For assessing test–retest reliability, the experienced examiner repeated the procedure after 7 days. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurements (SEM) and minimal detectable changes (MDC) were calculated.ResultsInter‐examiner agreement was good to excellent (ICC3,2 = 0.71–0.92) and test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC3,1 = 0.91–0.98). Mean average of multiple measurements improved the agreement. Greater LM thickness at rest (p < .05) and greater thickness change after 3 s (p < .01) and 10 s (homolateral side, p < .01; contralateral side, p < .05) were associated with less pain intensity.ConclusionsUS is a reliable method to assess the LM thickness at rest and contracted during the ASLR in patients with LBP. The measurement at 3 s after maintaining ASLR, as well as the use of the mean of three measurements, has been shown to be the most reliable method for measuring LM muscle thickness during ASLR.
Design of a communication skills course in dentistry: Applying active‐learning strategies to improve educational outcomes
Authors: Berry Maria , Rodrigues Vandilson , Evans Jane L. , de Souza Maria Isabel de Castro , Reher Vanessa 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPurpose/ObjectiveEffective communication, between patient and dentist, is a core clinical skill that commands dedicated pedagogy similar to that of developing scientific knowledge and psychomotor skills. This study aimed to describe active‐learning strategies in a dental communication skills course, which sits within a broader foundation dental course and evaluate students’ educational outcomes.MethodsThis is a two‐phase retrospective, mono‐centred study, completed in 2019 at an Australian dental school. Phase I, a case report, describes the Communication Skills for Oral Health (CSOH) course design and its active‐learning strategies. Phase II analysed data from the course using Kirkpatrick's evaluation model to objectively measure the impact of the course and provide feedback to education designer. Students’ perception (Level 1) was evaluated with an institutional, validated online survey. Descriptive and statistical analysis, included paired tests and Spearman's correlation analyses, used to investigate learning effect (Level 2) and student behaviour change (Level 3). To assess the impact of the CSOH course design (Level 4) the student grades from the course were analysed.ResultsThe CSOH course encompasses three major topics: Essentials of Communication Skills, Professional‐Patient Relationship and Managing Difficult Situations. Each topic included didactic content complimented with a variety of active‐learning strategies to teach and assess students. Positive outcomes were recorded across all Kirkpatrick levels.ConclusionsThis study suggests an efficient communication skills course design, which may assist in the development of communication skills courses in other dental education institutions.
Impact of an interdisciplinary curriculum for dental students (GeriDent‐Cologne) on attitudes and awareness towards older people and geriatric conditions
Authors: Wighton Henrietta , Derman Sonja Henny Maria , Wicht Michael Jochen , Scharfenberg Isabel , Röhrig Gabriele , Noack Michael Johannes , Barbe Anna Greta 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionTraining of dental students in the treatment of older patients must also consider the multiple chronic medical conditions that may be present. We developed an interdisciplinary gerodontology training curriculum for dental students (GeriDent‐Cologne) to investigate its influence on the attitudes and expectancies of dental students towards the treatment of older patients.Materials and methodsThe curriculum (given to fourth‐year students) comprised five clinical examination stations that simulated different medical conditions affecting older people. Students were able to experience related issues first hand, express their fears and problems concerning dental treatment in older people and, through discussion with the supervisor, develop strategies to overcome these difficulties and enhance treatment. An extended version of the Los Angeles Geriatric Attitudes Scale was given to fourth‐ and fifth‐year students (who acted as controls) over one semester.ResultsDental students had a positive attitude towards older people, and their attitude did not change after attending the curriculum. However, participating in GeriDent‐Cologne had a significant beneficial impact on the feeling of being prepared to treat older people, led to a significantly greater understanding of the impact of medical issues and resulted in a considerably higher level of geriatric clinical knowledge over time.ConclusionsGeriDent‐Cologne led to positive and semester‐long changes in awareness and knowledge of specific geriatric problems that influence dental treatment. We recommend the curriculum as a blueprint for the module of senior dentistry implemented in the new German dental licencing regulations.
Observable and efficient rearing system for wood‐feeding cockroaches
Authors: Osaki Haruka 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPlant decomposition is an essential component of forest ecosystems. Wood‐feeding cockroaches are responsible for the decomposition of rotten logs. However, the ecology of wood‐feeding cockroaches is not well understood. To understand how they decompose rotten logs in the gallery inside the logs, it is necessary to observe them in laboratories. Here, I present an observable and cost‐effective for rearing these log decomposers using a culture dish and an artificial fungal meal. The culture dish is traditionally used to cultivate fungi or bacteria with the lid on. The artificial fungal meal is a commercial product for stage beetle larvae, which are a kind of log decomposers. These let researchers easy to deal with wood‐feeding cockroaches. In the course of keeping over 1,000 individuals of the wood‐feeding cockroaches, I have developed effective techniques to rear them under the observable system for several years. I present these techniques along with several tips to keep the wood‐feeding cockroaches healthy and observe them using video cameras. These techniques remove many of the limitations for study on the plant decomposers. When researchers use this observable rearing system, we can conduct rearing experiments easily and well understand the ecology of wood‐feeding cockroaches and insects associating with them.