bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary investigation of the variations in root canal morphology of hypomineralised second primary molars
Authors: Neboda Chaturi , Anthonappa Robert P. , King Nigel M. 
Published: March 2018

AimTo investigate the root canal morphology of hypomineralised second primary molars(HSPM) using micro‐CT(μCT) compared with non‐hypomineralised second primary molars (non‐HSPM).MethodologyTen HSPM and 10 non‐HSPM were divided into Group 1(maxillary HSPM), Group 2 (mandibular HSPM), Group 3(maxillary non‐HSPM), and Group 4 (mandibular non‐HSPM). All teeth were scanned using μCT to assess the following parameters: (i) root canal configuration, (ii) pulp volumes, and (iii) the influence of the root canal system landmarks on access cavity outline forms and canal curvature. Two‐way ANOVA was employed for descriptive analysis (P < 0.05).ResultsAt the furcation level, there was minimal variation in the number of canals. In the mesiobuccal root, Group 1 showed higher frequency of multiple canals in the middle (85.7%) and apical (85.7%) thirds compared with Group 3. In the mesial root, Group 4 demonstrated multiple canals at the furcation (60%) compared with Group 2(33.3%). In the distal root, Group 2 demonstrated a higher percentage of multiple canals at the apical level (100%) compared with Group 4. The mean pulp volumes of Group 2 and Group 4 were 54.1 mm3(16.7) and 30 mm3(5.12), respectively, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The canal curvature values did not differ significantly between HSPM and non‐HSPM groups.ConclusionsHSPM exhibited greater variations in their root canal configuration when compared to non‐HSPM.
Heterogeneous estimates of influenza virus types A and B in the elderly: Results of a meta‐regression analysis
Authors: Panatto Donatella , Signori Alessio , Lai Piero L. , Gasparini Roberto , Amicizia Daniela 
Published: March 2018

Influenza has many age‐dependent characteristics. A previous systematic review of randomized controlled trials showed that the detection rate of influenza B was higher in children than in non‐elderly adults. However, no comprehensive reviews have targeted the elderly, who carry the main burden of disease. We aimed to quantify the relative detection rates of virus types A and B among the elderly, to identify factors affecting these proportions, and to compare type distribution among seniors and younger age‐classes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify multiseason studies reporting A and B virus type distributions in the elderly. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was planned to quantify the prevalence of type B among elderly subjects with laboratory‐confirmed influenza. Meta‐regression was then applied to explain the sources of heterogeneity. Across 27 estimates identified, the type B detection rate among seniors varied from 5% to 37%. Meta‐analysis was not feasible owing to high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.5%). Meta‐regression analysis showed that study characteristics, such as number of seasons included, hemisphere, and setting, could have contributed to the heterogeneity observed. The final adjusted model showed that studies that included both outpatients and inpatients reported a significantly (P = .024) lower proportion than those involving outpatients only. The detection rate of type B among the elderly was generally lower than in children/adolescents, but not non‐elderly adults. Influenza virus type B has a relatively low detection rate in older adults, especially in settings covering both inpatients and outpatients. Public health implications are discussed.
Association of impaired endothelial glycocalyx with arterial stiffness, coronary microcirculatory dysfunction, and abnormal myocardial deformation in untreated hypertensives
Authors: Ikonomidis Ignatios , Voumvourakis Astrinos , Makavos George , Triantafyllidi Helen , Pavlidis George , Katogiannis Konstantinos , Benas Dimitris , Vlastos Dimitris , Trivilou Paraskevi , Varoudi Maria , Parissis John , Iliodromitis Efstathios , Lekakis John 
Published: March 2018

We investigated the association of endothelial glycocalyx damage with arterial stiffness, impairment of coronary microcirculatory function, and LV myocardial deformation in 320 untreated hypertensives and 160 controls. We measured perfused boundary region (PBR) of the sublingual microvessels, a marker inversely related with glycocalyx thickness, coronary flow reserve (CFR), and Global Longitudinal strain (GLS) by echocardiography, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and central systolic blood pressure (cSBP). Hypertensives had higher PBR, PWV cSBP, and lower CFR and GLS than controls (P < .05). In hypertensives, increased PBR was associated with increased cSBP, PWV, and decreased CFR and GLS after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking LV mass, heart rate, hyperlipidemia, and office SBP (P < .05). PBR had an additive value to PWV, CFR, and office SBP for the prediction of abnormal GLS (x2 = 2.4‐3.8, P for change = .03). Endothelial glycocalyx is impaired in untreated hypertensives and is related to arterial stiffness, coronary, and myocardial dysfunction.
NOVA1 acts as an oncogene in melanoma via regulating FOXO3a expression
Authors: Yu Xin , Zheng Heyi , Chan Matthew T.V. , Wu William K.K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIncreasing studies have suggested that dysregulation of RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) contributes to cancer progression. Neuro‐oncological ventral antigen 1 (NOVA1) is a novel RBP and plays an important role in tumour development. However, the expression and role of NOVA1 in melanoma remain unknown. In this study, we indicated that NOVA1 expression was up‐regulated in melanoma samples and cell lines. Moreover, we demonstrated that knockdown of NOVA1 suppressed melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in both A375 and A875 cell lines. In addition, we showed that suppressed expression of NOVA1 enhanced forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) expression while inhibited AKT expression in melanoma cell. Furthermore, we demonstrated that inhibited expression of FoxO3A rescued NOVA1‐mediated cell proliferation, migration and invasion in melanoma cell line A375. These results suggested that NOVA1 acted as an oncogene in the development of melanoma partly through regulating FoxO3A expression.
From male to joint land ownership: Women's experiences of the land tenure reform programme in Rwanda
Authors: Bayisenge Jeannette 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDuring the post‐genocide period, the Government of Rwanda embarked on a land tenure reform programme that culminated in a land registration and titling process in 2009. This paper intends to capture women's experiences in relation to this programme. The empirical data were collected in Musanze District using a household survey, semi‐structured interviews, and focus group discussions. The main findings reveal that there is support of the general idea that women should benefit from the land tenure reform in Rwanda. However, there is some criticism towards parts of the land laws, and women have limited actual knowledge about land‐related laws. With land titles, women mostly have a say on the land use decisions requiring each of the spounses' legal consents but not on the daily management of land and its produce. Finally, the paper reports the persistence of social norms and culturally biased gender ideologies affecting the effective implementation of land‐related laws and policies. Therefore, the paper underscores the need to build the implementation of new laws and policies on a good understanding of customary practices to strengthen women's land rights in Rwanda.
Haematinic deficiencies and patient clinical profiles in Polish patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)
Authors: Ślebioda Zuzanna , Krawiecka Ewa , Szponar Elżbieta , Dorocka‐Bobkowska Barbara 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundRecurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common ulcerative disorder of the oral mucosa, where the immune impairment may develop in genetically predisposed subjects exposed to certain environmental factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of anaemia, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and to explore its impact on the clinical presentation of RAS.MethodsA total of 141 adults including the following: 71 subjects with RAS and 70 controls were enrolled in the study. A detailed dental and haematological assessment, including full blood count, serum iron and vitamin B12 evaluation, was performed in all study participants. The results were statistically analysed with Mann‐Whitney, Kruskal‐Wallis, χ2 and Fisher tests with P < .05 designated as a significance level.ResultsRecurrent aphthous stomatitis patients were found to suffer anaemia, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency more frequently than the controls. The mean serum iron levels were also significantly lower in RAS subjects than in controls, although still within the norm. The lowest mean serum iron levels were observed in patients with a mild course of RAS. No significant differences in mean serum iron and vitamin B12 levels were revealed as a function of stratification according to the number of lesions per single flare‐up.ConclusionsThe results of our study indicate an association between iron and vitamin B12 deficiency and RAS in a Polish population. However, as the haematinic deficiencies did not significantly modify the course and clinical phenotype of the disease, further studies to explore their role in RAS aetiology are required.
The Application of Optimal Defaults to Improve Elementary School Lunch Selections: Proof of Concept
Authors: Loeb Katharine L. , Radnitz Cynthia , Keller Kathleen L. , Schwartz Marlene B. , Zucker Nancy , Marcus Sue , Pierson Richard N. , Shannon Michael , DeLaurentis Danielle 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDIn this study, we applied behavioral economics to optimize elementary school lunch choices via parent‐driven decisions. Specifically, this experiment tested an optimal defaults paradigm, examining whether strategically manipulating the health value of a default menu could be co‐opted to improve school‐based lunch selections.METHODSThe design was a randomized comparison of optimal versus suboptimal (standard) default lunch menus for all first‐graders in a school district for a period of 1 week. We hypothesized that making the default lunch option healthier, while providing parents the opportunity to access and choose from the standard school menu for their child, would yield more frequent selection of healthier items than when the default option was suboptimal.RESULTSOverall, 127 (93%) first‐grade children's families participated. Among those families randomized to receive the nutritionally optimized default menu, all but one remained with these options; of those parents randomized to the standard menu (suboptimal default), all parents remained with these options (Χ2 = 123.06, df = 1, p < .001).CONCLUSIONSThe mere positioning of choices, without restricting options, significantly affected which menu items the children received during the test period. Results are proof of concept for a strategy to increase health‐promoting school lunch content, procedures, and policies.
Computed Tomographic Angiography of the Pancreas in Cats with Chronic Diabetes Mellitus Compared to Normal Cats
Authors: Secrest S. , Sharma A. , Bugbee A. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats. No known diagnostic test or patient characteristic at the time of diagnosis can predict likely disease course, unlike in people in whom computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is used. No published data exist regarding the CTA appearance of the pancreas in cats with DM, and thus, it is unknown what if any CTA variables should be further assessed for associations with pancreatic endocrine function.Hypothesis/ObjectivesA significant difference in pancreatic attenuation, volume, and size will be identified between normal cats and those with chronic DM on CTA.AnimalsTen healthy control cats and 15 cats with naturally occurring DM present for >12 months.MethodsProspective cross‐sectional study comparing pancreatic attenuation, enhancement pattern, size, volume, pancreatic volume‐to‐body weight ratio (V:BW), pancreatic arterial: portal phase ratio (A:P), time‐to‐arterial enhancement, and time‐to‐peak portal enhancement on CTA between sedated healthy control cats and those with chronic DM.ResultsThe pancreas in cats with chronic DM was significantly larger, had higher volume, higher V:BW, and shorter time‐to‐peak portal enhancement on CTA when compared to normal cats.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePeak portal enhancement time, pancreatic size, pancreatic volume, and V:BW can be used to differentiate normal sedated cats from those with chronic DM by CTA. These variables warrant further investigation to identify possible associations with endocrine function.
The forgotten prey of an iconic predator: a review of interactions between grey wolvesCanis lupusand beaversCastorspp.
Authors: Gable Thomas D. , Windels Steve K. , Romanski Mark C. , Rosell Frank 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPredator–prey relationships can have wide‐ranging ecological and landscape‐level effects. Knowledge of these relationships is therefore crucial to understanding how these systems function and how changes in predator–prey communities affect these systems. Grey wolvesCanis lupuscan be significant predators of beaversCastorspp., and conversely, beavers can be important prey for wolves, but wolf‐beaver dynamics in North America, Europe, and Asia are poorly understood.Our objectives were to synthesise current knowledge regarding wolf‐beaver interactions and to identify knowledge gaps that should be targeted for study to increase our understanding of wolf‐beaver dynamics.During the ice‐free season, beavers are vulnerable to predation and can be the primary or secondary prey of wolves, but the factors that affect beaver consumption by wolves are complex and are likely dependent on biological and environmental factors.High beaver abundance can increase wolf pup survival, and beavers may subsidise wolves during periods of reduced ungulate abundance. Thus, many researchers have suggested that beaver densities adversely affect ungulate populations through apparent competition, though this remains largely untested.The effects of wolf predation on beaver population dynamics are poorly understood, as most assessments are lacking in quantitative rigor and are instead based on indirect methods (e.g. scat analysis), anecdotal evidence, or speculation. To understand the effect of predation on beaver populations fully, better estimates (e.g. from documented predation events) of wolf predation on beavers are necessary.Given the complexities of wolf‐ungulate‐beaver systems, fully understanding wolf‐beaver dynamics will be challenging and is likely to require long‐term, intensive research of wolf, ungulate, and beaver population parameters. Understanding this dynamic has implications, not only for the conservation and management of wolves and beavers, but also for ungulate populations, which are affected by the numerical and functional responses of wolves in these same systems.
Iron–sulfur protein maturation in Helicobacter pylori: identifying a Nfu‐type cluster carrier protein and its iron–sulfur protein targets
Authors: Benoit Stéphane L. , Holland Ashley A. , Johnson Michael K. , Maier Robert J. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryHelicobacter pylori is anomalous among non nitrogen‐fixing bacteria in containing an incomplete NIF system for Fe–S cluster assembly comprising two essential proteins, NifS (cysteine desulfurase) and NifU (scaffold protein). Although nifU deletion strains cannot be obtained via the conventional gene replacement, a NifU‐depleted strain was constructed and shown to be more sensitive to oxidative stress compared to wild‐type (WT) strains. The hp1492 gene, encoding a putative Nfu‐type Fe–S cluster carrier protein, was disrupted in three different H. pylori strains, indicating that it is not essential. However, Δnfu strains have growth deficiency, are more sensitive to oxidative stress and are unable to colonize mouse stomachs. Moreover, Δnfu strains have lower aconitase activity but higher hydrogenase activity than the WT. Recombinant Nfu was found to bind either one [2Fe–2S] or [4Fe–4S] cluster/dimer, based on analytical, UV–visible absorption/CD and resonance Raman studies. A bacterial two‐hybrid system was used to ascertain interactions between Nfu, NifS, NifU and each of 36 putative Fe–S‐containing target proteins. Nfu, NifS and NifU were found to interact with 15, 6 and 29 putative Fe–S proteins respectively. The results indicate that Nfu, NifS and NifU play a major role in the biosynthesis and/or delivery of Fe–S clusters in H. pylori.
Normal abdominal aorta diameter in infants, children and adolescents
Authors: Akturk Yeliz , Ozbal Gunes Serra 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe normal limits of arterial diameters must be known to diagnose pathologies such as dilatation, stenosis and hypoplasia. Thoracic aorta diameter in childhood has been measured in previous studies, but the number of studies in which normal aortic diameter is determined is very small. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the normal standard diameter of the aorta and iliac arteries in children according to gender and level.MethodsPediatric abdominal computed tomography carried out for various reasons was retrospectively re‐evaluated between January 2016 and February 2017. Patients were classified according to age into six groups. Vessel diameter, age, gender and vertebra diameter were evaluated.ResultsMean proximal aorta diameter was 8.84 mm for 12–36 months, 10.02 mm for 37–84 months, 12.32 mm for 85–132 months, 14.45 mm for 133–180 months, and 16.51 mm for 181–204 months. Mean distal aorta diameter was 6.67 mm for 12–36 months, 8.07 mm for 37–84 months, 10.79 mm for 85–132 months, 12.14 mm for 133–180 months, and 14.01 mm for 181–204 months. The lumen diameter of the abdominal aorta, both proximally and distally, correlated linearly with age as an independent predictor. Similarly, the lumen diameter of the right and left common iliac artery correlated linearly with age as an independent predictor. There was no statistically significant difference in vascular diameter according to gender in any age groups.ConclusionsOptimal evaluation of aortic diameter is possible on computed tomography. Measurement outside the normal range is a sign of aneurysm or hypoplasia.
Relational mechanisms in the goal pursuit process
Authors: GORE JONATHAN S. , HESTER RAVEN , SPEGAL LAUREN , KAVANAUGH KIMBERLEY , NAKAI YOSHIE 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFour studies tested a model for goal pursuit, which proposed three relational mechanisms that yield motives for a goal. These motives, in turn, predict goal outcomes, but the association was expected to be stronger among women than among men. Study 1 (n = 116) tested the model for a short‐term, collaborative project between strangers; Study 2 (n = 186) examined parents being motivated by their children to be healthier; Study 3 (n = 124) examined nontraditional college students' career searches; and Study 4 (n = 181) examined young adults' progress toward a self‐improvement goal. Results showed support for the model in all four studies, with the exception that feeling accountable to others was not a consistent predictor of relational motives.
THE PEROXIDASE‐PROMOTED METABOLIC ACTIVATION OF ACETAMINOPHEN PRODUCES ELECTRONICALLY EXCITED SPECIES
Authors: SCHMITT KARIN , CILENTO GIUSEPPE 
Published: March 2018

When the analgesic and antipyretic drug acetaminophen is exposed to the horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide system, light emission is observed. Both the rate of reaction and the emission intensity arc increased in the presence of the cationic detergent CTAB. The emission spectrum indicates the presence of at least three emitters. The peak at 445 nm is close to the position of the only band observed in the fluorescence spectrum of the spent reaction mixture and is ascribed to excited N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine. The other two emission bands (505 and 580 nm) must be due to transients. Total emission from the system increases in the presence of Triton X‐100 solubilized‐chlorophyll; the main donor to chlorophyll is the 445 nm emitter.The generation of excited species in this model system of acetaminophen peroxidative metabolization expands the number of candidates responsible for the deleterious effects of the drug in high doses.
Blastocyst production after intracytoplasmic sperm injection with semen from a stallion with testicular degeneration
Authors: Roels K , Smits K , Ververs C , Govaere J , D'Herde K , Van Soom A 
Published: March 2018

ContentsIn horse breeding, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has gained interest to obtain offspring from subfertile individuals. This paper presents a case report of a stallion with severe testicular degeneration. Semen analysis showed very low motility and 83.5% of detached heads. Histology of a testicular biopsy showed severely decreased spermatogenesis, while transmission electron microscopy of the sperm cells revealed no significant abnormalities. A total of 39 oocytes were fertilized by ICSI with frozen‐thawed spermatozoa of this stallion: 25 oocytes with intact spermatozoa and 24 with detached heads. When using intact sperm cells, 8 out of the 25 oocytes cleaved, and 1 developed to the blastocyst stage 9 days after ICSI. None of the oocytes injected with a detached sperm head cleaved. Studies on the paternal influence on ICSI outcome are limited in the horse and further research is needed to define which stallion factors may influence ICSI results. Here, we report the possibility to produce a blastocyst by ICSI of a stallion suffering from testicular degeneration with a poor spermiogram, as long as an intact sperm cell containing a centriole is selected.
Predicting Suicide Ideation in the Military: The Independent Role of Aggression
Authors: Start Amanda R. , Allard Yvonne , Adler Amy , Toblin Robin 
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between aggression and suicide ideation when controlling for other externalizing (i.e., alcohol misuse and risk‐taking) and internalizing (i.e., depression and sleep problems) risk factors in an active duty, military sample. Preexisting data from a longitudinal study were analyzed to assess the wellness of service members across the deployment cycle. Participants were 944 active duty service members (95% male, 48% between 18 and 24 years old) who completed surveys upon initial return from deployment and approximately 3 months later. After controlling for other externalizing (alcohol misuse, risk‐taking) and internalizing (depression, sleep problems) risk factors, service members reporting aggression were significantly more likely to report suicide ideation than those reporting no aggression (OR = 3.19; OR 95% CI: 1.16–8.80). The independent nature of the relationship between anger and suicidality suggests aggression may be an important indicator of suicidality for service members. Understanding the role of aggression in suicidality may improve the ability to identify at‐risk service members and to develop effective interventions to reduce suicide risk.