bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the cost of primary closure or rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap closure of the perineum after abdominoperineal excision
Authors: Woodfield J. , Hulme‐Moir M. , Ly J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimPerineal wound complications following abdominoperineal resection continue to be a major challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and cost of primary closure (PC) and rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flap reconstruction.MethodThis was a retrospective case review of consecutive patients by one surgeon over 11 years. Patient demographics, risk factors, operative details and complications were identified. Inpatient and outpatient costs were calculated.ResultsA total of 31 patients underwent a RAM reconstruction and 37 a PC. There were no significant differences in the incidence of wound complications or in the overall costs for either method of perineal closure. When there were no complications the mean costs were significantly higher in the RAM group ($20 948 vs $17 189, P = 0.005), mainly because of the longer operating time. However, the costs of perineal wound complications were greater in the PC group (8394 vs 25 911, P = 0.012). These wounds took longer to heal (median 2 months vs 5.5 months, P = 0.005) and more often required a further reconstructive surgical procedure (RAM 0 vs PC 8, P = 0.006).ConclusionThis is the first study reporting on the cost implications of PC and RAM flap reconstruction. The overall costs were similar. This implies appropriate clinical selection when choosing between procedures. While the RAM flap is more expensive to perform, the finding that it decreases the clinical severity and cost of perineal wound complications supports its use when there is a high risk of perineal wound complications.
Reflections on the Green Growth Index for developing countries: A focus of selected African countries
Authors: Kararach George , Nhamo Godwell , Mubila Maurice , Nhamo Senia , Nhemachena Charles , Babu Suresh 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article presents a pilot and baseline African Green Growth Index (AGGI). The work is premised on the importance of Africa implementing green growth strategies. Baseline indicators allow countries to monitor progress towards green growth transition. The AGGI incorporates 48 indicators applied to 22 countries that had the requisite data. What emerges is that 18 out of the 22 African countries sampled scored 50 percentage points and above. The countries scoring below this threshold were: Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa. The top five countries on the AGGI (as ranked from 1−5) were: Namibia, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania and Togo. The authors recommend that for wider acceptance across the continent, the AGGI should work towards incorporating all 54 nations.
Effects of carotenoid sequestration on a caterpillar's cryptic coloration and susceptibility to predation
Authors: Welch Bonnie J. , Obadi Obadi M. , Lampert Evan C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCarotenoids are used for many functions by animals, including combining with other pigments to produce aposematic and cryptic coloration. Carotenoids in combination with blue pigments are responsible for green coloration in many caterpillars, and thus carotenoid sequestration may reduce their contrast against a green foliage background. We tested the hypothesis that carotenoid sequestration reduces contrast and enhances survival by rearing Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Brassica oleracea L. var. Acephala (Brassicaceae) leaves and exposing them to predators. We found that carotenoids derived from the host plant are partially excreted, along with chlorophyll, but also sequestered in hemolymph. Larvae that were given plants that provided carotenoids showed less contrast against their host plants within 1 day compared to larvae that were not provided with carotenoids. Last, both short‐term field observations and laboratory trials of larvae caged with predatory Podisus maculiventris Say (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) nymphs showed that survival of carotenoid‐sequestering larvae was higher compared to larvae that did not sequester. These results suggest that carotenoid sequestration may be an important adaptive strategy that reduces susceptibility to natural enemies that hunt by sight. Further research that examines the mechanisms by which carotenoids are absorbed and modified will lend insights into the evolution of carotenoids functioning as passive defensive compounds.
Progeny of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is affected by parental exposure to clove and cinnamon essential oils
Authors: Silva S.M. , Haddi K. , Viteri Jumbo L.O. , Oliveira E.E. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe interest in and utilization of botanical insecticides, particularly essential oils, has become increasingly relevant to the control of insect pests. However, the potential ecotoxicological risks or flaws (including sublethal effects on the targeted pest generation and its subsequent progeny) of this pest control tool have been neglected frequently. Here, we evaluated the effects of sublethal exposure to clove, Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & Perry (Myrtaceae), and cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum J. Presl (Lauraceae), essential oils on adult (F0) maize weevils, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the physiology (e.g., body mass, respirometry, and grain consumption) and population dynamics (e.g., daily emergence and sex ratio) of their progeny. Longevities of the parents were negatively affected by the essential oils in a concentration‐dependent manner. Parental sublethal exposure to clove oil (0.17 μl cm−2) accelerated offspring emergence but delayed the emergence of females compared to males. Parents that were sublethally exposed to clove (0.17 μl cm−2) or cinnamon (0.35 μl cm−2) essential oils produced heavier offspring. Parental sublethal exposure to cinnamon essential oil accelerated offspring emergence (at 0.70 μl cm−2), delayed female emergence (at 0.17 μl cm−2), and enhanced grain consumption (at 0.35 and 0.70 μl cm−2) of the progeny. Thus, our findings indicate that sublethal exposure to clove and cinnamon essential oils is capable of promoting transgenerational effects in S. zeamais that can negatively impact the control efficacy of such products.
High floral resource density leads to neural constraint in the generalist, floriphilic katydid, Phaneroptera brevis (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae)
Authors: TAN MING KAI , LEEM CHERYL J. M. , TAN HUGH T. W. 
Published: April 2017

1. The neural constraint hypothesis has been investigated in the field of insect–plant interactions. It predicts that the consumer's detection ability, time spent on resources, and efficiency in resource use are affected by different aspects of resource availability.2. The applicability of this hypothesis in florivory, however, generally lacks a mechanistic understanding of the effect of resource density on neural constraint, so using caged experiments, the (i) ability of a generalist, floriphilic katydid [(Phaneroptera brevis (Serville)] to find a floral resource (inflorescences of Bidens pilosa L.), (ii) attentiveness of the katydid on this resource after successfully detecting the floral resource, and (iii) efficiency of resource use under varying densities of the floral resource were studied.3. The present results indicated no evidence of an obvious effect of floral resource density on the detection of resources by the florivore but an increase in floral‐resource density generally led to lower efficiency and attentiveness in the foraging katydids.4. These findings provide the first evidence of the neural constraint hypothesis in the context of resource density and corroborate the applicability of the neural constraint hypothesis in florivory.
The economic geography of race in the New World: Brazil, 1500–2000†
Authors: Bucciferro Justin R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRace is a fundamental aspect of historical inequality and institutions, yet it is at times overlooked within the literature on comparative development in the Americas. This article investigates the nature of staple production in Brazil and attendant changes in the racial composition of 20 modern states from its discovery by the Portuguese to the present. The Indigenous population was surpassed by that of African descent in the north‐east, south‐east, and north, respectively, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; not until decades after the abolition of slavery did people of European heritage come to constitute a majority. These transitions were guided by the relative productivity, natural increase, and price of Native and African slaves, contingent on the extent of natural resource wealth (mineral deposits or land suitable for growing cash crops) and supply of free labour. In those areas where slavery was most profitable, a 1 per cent increase in the relative cost of Native labour raised the proportion of people of African ancestry by up to 2 per cent, depending on the measures of slave prices and racial classifications considered. This relationship is robust to changes in output prices or the populace of European descent, and alternative scenarios of aboriginal population decline.
Cortical hyperexcitability and disease spread in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Menon P. , Geevasinga N. , van den Bos M. , Yiannikas C. , Kiernan M. C. , Vucic S. 
Published: April 2017

Background and purposeAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by focal disease onset with a predominantly contiguous pattern of disease spread. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying disease progression in ALS have not been elucidated. Given that cortical hyperexcitability has been identified as an important pathogenic mechanism in ALS, the aim of the present study was to determine whether changes in cortical function could mediate disease spread in ALS.MethodsThreshold‐tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation was undertaken in 50 patients with sporadic ALS with recording of responses over both abductor pollicis brevis muscles, with results matched to clinical assessments and concurrent neurophysiological investigation of lower motor neuron function. Subsequently, patients were followed longitudinally to map patterns of clinical disease progression.ResultsCortical dysfunction was evident over both motor cortices, with hyperexcitability more prominent over the dominant motor cortex, contralateral to the site of disease onset, with reduction of resting motor threshold (F = 3.83, P < 0.05), short‐interval intracortical inhibition (F = 15.0, P < 0.0001) and cortical silent‐period duration (F = 8.01, P < 0.01), along with an increase in motor evoked potential amplitude (F = 5.66, P < 0.01). In addition, patterns of cortical change were consistent with a contiguous pattern of disease progression.ConclusionsCortical hyperexcitability appears to be more prominent over the dominant motor cortex, contralateral to the side of symptom onset, and contributes to a contiguous pattern of spread in sporadic ALS.
School Holidays and Stock Market Seasonality
Authors: Fang Lily , Lin Chunmei , Shao Yuping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUsing school holiday data from 47 countries, we find a strong link between school holidays and market returns. Stock market returns in the month after major school holidays are 0.6% to 1% lower than in other months. This explains, but is not limited to, the “September effect.” In the United States, September is the only month that exhibits a negative average return over the past century. The postschool holiday effect remains even with monthly fixed effects. We explore the explanation that the effect is due to investor inattention during school holidays, which slows the incorporation of (negative) information in security prices.
Elemental ion release and cytotoxicity of antimicrobial acrylic resins incorporated with nanomaterial
Authors: de Castro Denise Tornavoi , Valente Mariana Lima da Costa , Aires Carolina Patricia , Alves Oswaldo Luiz , dos Reis Andréa Cândido 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the release of ions and the cytotoxicity of acrylic resins incorporated with silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgVO3).BackgroundThe inhibition of the accumulation of microorganisms on the resins is critical in preventing diseases. However, the hypothesis is that the release of ions from the incorporation of AgVO3 may be important in biocompatibility.Materials and methodsSpecimens of autopolymerising (AP) and heat‐polymerising resin (HP) with AgVO3 were prepared and immersed in culture medium. The release of silver ions (Ag) and vanadium (V) was evaluated by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP‐MS) (n=9) and the cell viability of fibroblasts L929 by MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐ 2yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (n=12). The results were evaluated with analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey and Pearson correlation test (α=.05).ResultsThe groups containing AgVO3 presented a difference in relation to the control (0%) regarding the release of Ag and V (P<.0001). All groups showed a reduction in L929 viability when compared with the cellular control (100%) (P<.0001). In comparison with the control resins for HP, a reduction in the metabolism of cells occurred starting at 2.5% and for AP at 5% (P<.0001). A positive correlation was found between the concentration of AgVO3 and the ion release, and a negative between the ion release and the cell viability.ConclusionsSignificant numbers of Ag and V ions were released from resins with higher concentrations of AgVO3, presenting cytotoxicity for cells, suggesting that the use of low concentrations is indicated to avoid risks to patients.
Association between using medications with anticholinergic properties and short‐term cognitive decline among older men: A retrospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Yi‐Hui , Wang Chih‐Jen , Hung Cheng‐Hao , Chen Liang‐Yu , Lin Ming‐Hsien , Wang Pei‐Ning , Chen Liang‐Kung 
Published: April 2017

AimThe use of anticholinergic drugs had been strongly linked to adverse health outcomes among older adults, especially in cognitive impairment or dementia. The present study aimed to evaluate the cognitive decline related to the use of anticholinergic drugs among older men living in the veterans’ homes in Taiwan.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was a substudy of The Longitudinal Older Veterans study. A total of 274 residents living in four Taiwan veterans’ homes and receiving two consecutive Mini‐Mental State Examinations within the interval of 6 months from January 2012 to December 2014 were enrolled in the present study. The medication lists for all participants were reviewed by the same physician, and the anticholinergic properties of the individual medications were evaluated by using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale. Cognitive decline was defined as the decrease of Mini‐Mental State Examinations scores during the study period.ResultsOverall, 139 persons (50.7%) had exposure to anticholinergic drugs at baseline (designated as AC[+]), and the most frequently used anticholinergic drugs were cardiovascular drugs (48.2%), antipsychotics (21.6%), theophylline (20.1%), antidepressants (12.2%), gastrointestinal drugs (11.5%) and antihistamines (8.6%). After adjusting for covariates, AC(+) participants had a significantly higher risk for short‐term cognitive decline (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.36–5.31). After excluding 30 participants using antipsychotics, non‐antipsychotics AC(+)participants still had a significantly higher risk for short‐term cognitive decline (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.26–3.99).ConclusionsExposure to anticholinergic drugs significantly increased the risk for short‐term cognitive decline among older men, and the adverse effects remained similar when antipsychotics were excluded for analysis. A further intervention study is required to evaluate whether reducing anticholinergic burden might improve cognitive function among older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017: 17 (Suppl. 1): 57–64.
Hospitalization and associated factors in people with Alzheimer's disease residing in a long‐term care facility in southern Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chu‐Sheng , Lin Shih‐Yi , Chou Ming‐Yueh , Chen Liang‐Yu , Wang Kuei‐Yu , Chen Liang‐Kung , Lin Yu‐Te , Loh Ching‐Hui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimIt has been reported that many people with dementia require hospitalizations. The objective of the present study was to determine predictive factors for hospitalizations in people with dementia.MethodsA total of 70 individuals with dementia living in a veterans’ home in southern Taiwan were consecutively enrolled. During prospective follow up, all hospitalization events were recorded.ResultsThe mean age of residents with dementia was 86.1 ± 4.0 years, and the mean follow‐up time for this population was 2.2 ± 1.1 years. Among individuals, 62.9% suffered from malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition (minimal nutritional assessment‐short form score ≤11), and 8.6% of individuals had a body mass index of <18.5 Kg/m2. There were 52 (74.3%) individuals who had previously fallen. Overall, 51 of 70 residents were hospitalized during the follow‐up period. In those individuals with previous falls, there was a significantly increased risk of hospitalization (odds ratio 5.61, 95% CI 1.18–26.7). Furthermore, three factors were significantly associated with the risk of fall, including handgrip strength, malnutrition and Mini‐Mental State Examination score.ConclusionsThe results of the present study showed that hospitalization was a frequent event in residents with dementia living in a long‐term care facility. The major predictor for hospital admission was history of a previous fall. Screening those with dementia for history of injurious falls and associated risk factors for falling could help identify those at risk of hospitalization, thus necessitating a comprehensive intervention to reduce hospitalization. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17 (Suppl. 1): 50–56.
The expression of Helicobacter pylori tfs plasticity zone cluster is regulated by pH and adherence, and its composition is associated with differential gastric IL‐8 secretion
Authors: Silva Bruno , Nunes Alexandra , Vale Filipa F. , Rocha Raquel , Gomes João Paulo , Dias Ricardo , Oleastro Mónica 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori virulence is associated with different clinical outcomes. The existence of an intact dupA gene from tfs4b cluster has been suggested as a predictor for duodenal ulcer development. However, the role of tfs plasticity zone clusters in the development of ulcers remains unclear. We studied several H. pylori strains to characterize the gene arrangement of tfs3 and tfs4 clusters and their impact in the inflammatory response by infected gastric cells.MethodsThe genome of 14 H. pylori strains isolated from Western patients, pediatric (n=10) and adult (n=4), was fully sequenced using the Illumina platform MiSeq, in addition to eight pediatric strains previously sequenced. These strains were used to infect human gastric cells, and the secreted interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) was quantified by ELISA. The expression of virB2, dupA, virB8, virB10, and virB6 was assessed by quantitative PCR in adherent and nonadherent fractions of H. pylori during in vitro co‐infection, at different pH values.ResultsWe have found that cagA‐positive H. pylori strains harboring a complete tfs plasticity zone cluster significantly induce increased production of IL‐8 from gastric cells. We have also found that the region spanning from virB2 to virB10 genes constitutes an operon, whose expression is increased in the adherent fraction of bacteria during infection, as well as in both adherent and nonadherent fractions at acidic conditions.ConclusionsA complete tfs plasticity zone cluster is a virulence factor that may be important for the colonization of H. pylori and to the development of severe outcomes of the infection with cagA‐positive strains.
Relationship between self‐assessment and clinical evaluation of dental plaque and gingival condition in Japanese adolescents
Authors: Shizuma Y , Zaitsu T , Ueno M , Ohnuki M , Kawaguchi Y 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo apply a self‐administered assessment form about dental plaque level and gingival condition to Japanese adolescents and to examine the extent to which they can evaluate their own dental plaque and gingivae by comparing with dentists' clinical evaluation.MethodsParticipants were 151 senior high school students (adolescents) who observed their own mouths and recorded dental plaque seen on their 12 anterior teeth, and gingival inflammation condition of 10 anterior interdental papillae, on a self‐assessment form. Dentists clinically evaluated dental plaque using the, modified Debris Index (modified DI) and gingival condition, modified PMA index (P‐index). “Recognition score” of dental plaque and gingival condition was the total number of agreement between the adolescents' self‐assessment and dentists' evaluation.ResultsProportion of agreement on dental plaque between the adolescents' self‐assessment and dentists' evaluation with modified DI was 37.4%, and agreement on modified DI score 1, 2 or 3 was significantly lower than that on score 0 (P<.01). Agreement on gingivae was 47.3% in total, and agreement was significantly lower on gingival condition with inflammation than gingivae without inflammation (P<.01). Recognition scores of dental plaque or gingival condition were significantly lower in adolescents with fair or poor modified DI or P‐index than in those with good condition (P<.01).ConclusionMost adolescents could not recognize their dental plaque and gingival condition. Adolescents with poorer dental plaque level or gingival condition had lower recognition scores compared to those with better oral health. Improving oral health self‐assessment skills could help adolescents achieve better oral health.
European Society of Endodontology position statement: the use of antibiotics in endodontics
Authors: Segura‐Egea J. J. , Gould K. , Hakan Şen B. , Jonasson P. , Cotti E. , Mazzoni A. , Sunay H. , Tjäderhane L. , Dummer P. M. H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis position statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on Antibiotics in Endodontics. The statement is based on current scientific evidence as well as the expertise of the committee. The goal is to provide dentists and other healthcare workers with evidence‐based criteria for when to use antibiotics in the treatment of endodontic infections, traumatic injuries of the teeth, revascularization procedures in immature teeth with pulp necrosis, and in prophylaxis for medically compromised patients. It also highlights the role that dentists and others can play in preventing the overuse of antibiotics. A recent review article provides the basis for this position statement and more detailed background information (International Endodontic Journal, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.12741). Given the dynamic nature of research in this area, this position statement will be updated at appropriate intervals.