bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Saving out of Remittances: Evidence from Ethiopia and Kenya
Authors: Dendir Seife 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis article examines the saving behaviour of remittance recipients in Ethiopia and Kenya. The few existing estimates of savings from remittances, often obtained indirectly using expenditure analysis, vary widely. The analysis presented here relies on ordinal saving categories reported in response to a direct survey question. The results reveal that the savings rate is higher in Kenya than Ethiopia, in the raw data and the multivariate model, although in both countries it rises with receipt size. Interestingly, gender is a robust predictor of differential savings, albeit with a contrasting pattern: women save more than men in Ethiopia, while the reverse is true in Kenya. In other results, a pre‐migration agreement about remittances has a strong positive effect on savings. Savings rates are also positively associated with financial inclusion in Ethiopia and formal channel flows in Kenya. Many of these results are confirmed by analysis of broader forms of saving/investment.
Influence of shell morphometry, microstructure, and thermal conductivity on thermoregulation in two tropical intertidal snails
Authors: Wong Yee Man , Lim Shirley S. L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTropical intertidal organisms tolerate large fluctuations in temperature and high desiccation rates when exposed during low tide. In order to withstand the short‐term heat stress, intertidal organisms adopt behavioral responses to maximize their survival. Our previous research showed that tropical littorinids found at the upper and lower intertidal shores in Singapore exhibited different behavioral adaptations during low tide. Most of the upper‐shore Echinolittorina malaccana kept a flat orientation, with the aperture against the substrate and the long axis of the shell towards the sun, whereas a majority of the lower‐shore individuals of Echinolittorina vidua stood with the edge of the aperture perpendicular to the substrate on the rocky shore during low tide. This prompted analyses of the shells of these two species to determine whether the differences in the shell morphometry, microstructure, and thermal conductivity of shells of E. malaccana and E. vidua were associated with their respective behavioral responses to thermal stress. Analyses of shell morphometry and thermal conductivity showed that shells of E. malaccana were more likely to minimize heat gain, despite having a higher thermal conductivity on the outer surface, due to their light‐gray, elongated shell. By contrast, the dark‐colored, globose shells of E. vidua probably gain heat more readily through solar radiation. Scanning electron microscopy images of the shells of both littorinid species further revealed that they have cross‐lamellar structure; however, only individuals of E. vidua showed the presence of disjointed rod layers and a pigmented inner shell surface. Individuals of E. malaccana had a rough outer shell surface with holes that inter‐connect to form water‐trapping channels that probably aid cooling. Individuals of E. vidua, however, had a smooth outer surface with rows of kidney‐shaped depressions as microsculptures which probably help to stabilize shell shape. In both Echinolittorina species, behavioral responses were used to overcome thermal stress during low tide that was associated with shell morphometry and shell thermal conductivity. Such combined adaptations increase survivability of the littorinids at their respective tidal levels.
Interannual study of spot urine–evaluated sodium excretion in young Japanese women
Authors: Yasutake Kenichiro , Moriguchi Ririko , Kajiyama Tomomi , Miyazaki Hitomi , Abe Shimako , Masuda Takashi , Imai Katsumi , Iwamoto Masako , Tsuda Hiroko , Obe Masayo , Kawate Hisaya , Ueno Hiromi , Ono Misaki , Goromaru Ryoko , Ohe Kenji , Enjoji Munechika , Tsuchihashi Takuya , Nakano Shuji 
Published: May 2017

The authors investigated interannual differences in the sodium excretion levels of young healthy Japanese women as estimated from spot urine analysis at Nakamura Gakuen University from 1995 to 2015. Participants included 4931 women aged 18 to 20 years who were classified into three time periods according to year of health check: first (1995–2001), second (2002–2007), and third (2008–2015). Estimated daily urinary sodium and potassium excretion levels and the sodium to potassium ratio were 120.6±31.9 mmol, 35.2±8.1 mmol, and 3.5±0.9, respectively. Adjusted for body weight, sodium excretion, and potassium excretion significantly decreased in the second and third period compared with the first period (P<.001). Systolic blood pressure also decreased in the same way between time periods (P<.001). Estimated urinary excretion levels of sodium and potassium in young Japanese women have decreased over the past 20 years independently of body weight.
Squamous cell carcinoma in the Afro‐Caribbean community: an 11‐year retrospective study
Authors: Cordel N. , Bonnecarrère L. , Tressières B. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is considered the most frequent skin cancer in Black people. Its incidence is not known in the Afro‐Caribbean population.ObjectiveTo assess the incidence of SCC in Guadeloupe, the largest island of the Lesser Antilles (405 000 inhabitants, mostly Black people of African and European descent). The second objective was to characterize clinical and histological patterns of SCC occurring in the Afro‐Caribbean community.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted over an 11‐year period (2000–2010). Data regarding 723 histological confirmed cases of SCC identified using the three Guadeloupean pathology laboratories' computerized databases were retrieved from the records of 551 patients. Private practice dermatologists and general practitioners were contacted to obtain any missing data.ResultsThe annual age‐adjusted incidence of SCC was 15 per 100.000 residents in Guadeloupe. In the Afro‐Caribbean community, SCC had a greater size (i.e. 2.8 ± 2.8 cm vs. 1.5 ± 1.0 cm, P < 0.001), was more often located on the anogenital area (i.e. 48/79‐60.8% vs. 14/320‐4.4%, P < 0.001) in association with an underlying dermatosis due to HPV infection (15/71‐21.1% vs. 3/366, 0.8%, P < 0.001) and led more frequently to metastasis (13/84‐15.5% vs. 10/366‐2.7%, P < 0.001) and/or fatal evolution (11/83‐13.3% vs. 7/365‐1.9%, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this original study, which first estimated the incidence of SCC in West Indies, suggest that anogenital examination should be routinely performed in skin cancer screening of Afro‐Caribbean people to detect the presence of SCC at an early stage.Implication for practiceSquamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent skin cancer in Black people. Its incidence is not known in the Afro‐Caribbean population. In Guadeloupe, the largest island of the Lesser Antilles, the annual age‐adjusted incidence of SCC was estimated to be 15.0 per 100 000 residents, 95% CI:[13.8; 16.2]. In the Guadeloupean Afro‐Caribbean community, SCC seems to more frequently occur in the anogenital area, due to HPV infection. These results support to include a routine genital urinary examination in the skin cancer screening of people of Afro‐Caribbean descent.
Eosinophilic annular erythema is clinically characterized by central pigmentation reflecting basal melanosis: a clinicopathological study of 10 cases
Authors: Nakazato S. , Fujita Y. , Shinkuma S. , Nomura T. , Shimizu H. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundEosinophilic annular erythema (EAE) has been proposed as a clinical entity to describe annular skin lesions associated with tissue eosinophilia. However, systematic investigations on the histopathology of EAE have not been performed, and useful histopathological findings for diagnosis of EAE remain unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of EAE.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 10 patients at our hospital during a 5‐year span who clinically showed annular or figurate lesions and histopathologically exhibited eosinophilic infiltration in the dermis.ResultsNine of the 10 cases had annular lesions with pigmentation on the interior side. Blood eosinophilia was found in only one patient. Histopathologically, basal melanosis was observed in nine cases. Infiltration of eosinophils was confined to the dermis in nine cases. Patients treated with systemic corticosteroid tended to show less recurrence than those treated with topical corticosteroid.LimitationsThe main limitation of our study is the small number of patients.ConclusionSkin biopsy should be performed when EAE is suspected, even in cases without blood eosinophilia. Basal melanosis and tissue eosinophilia confined to the dermis suggest the diagnosis of EAE. We recommend topical corticosteroids as the initial treatment for EAE.
Comparative study of two chemical protocols for creating white spot lesions: An in vitro FluoreCam evaluation
Authors: Abufarwa Moufida , Noureldin Amal , Campbell Phillip M. , Buschang Peter H. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness and practicality of two commonly‐used protocols for white spot lesion creation.MethodsSound posterior human teeth were sectioned into halves and randomly allocated into two groups (n=20). Using the FluoreCam system, the enamel surfaces were imaged under standardized conditions, and baseline data (area, intensity, and impact) were recorded. Specimens were covered with an acid‐resistant polish, leaving a 2×6‐mm enamel window. Group 1 was immersed in Queiroz solution (64 hours/37°C/pH5 with agitation); Group 2 was immersed in Buskes solution (14 days/37°C/pH5 with agitation). The specimens then were imaged again. Within‐group changes that occurred over time were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Between‐group differences were analyzed using the Mann‐Whitney U‐test. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was used to calculate the mean lesion depth of representative specimens.ResultsEach protocol showed significant changes in the surface area, intensity and impact of demineralization over time (P<.05). There were no statistically‐significant differences (P=.53, P=.2, P=.74) between the two groups. PLM showed that the mean lesion depths of representative specimens were 51.4 and 73.0 μm for groups 1 and 2, respectively.ConclusionsWhile both protocols produce similar amounts of demineralization, the Queiroz solution is more practical, as it requires less time.
Iron oxide nanoparticles decrease nuclear fractal dimension of buccal epithelial cells in a time‐dependent manner
Authors: NIKOLOVSKI D. , DUGALIC S. , PANTIC I. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryIn this paper, we present results that iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) induce time‐dependent structural changes in nuclei of buccal epithelial cells. The cells were treated with magnetite, Fe3O4 nanoparticles (spherical shape, diameter 80–100 nanometres). The digital micrographs of the nuclei were made in 3 different time points: 15, 30 and 60 min after the treatment with IONPs, as well as in the control cells. A total of 120 nuclear structures (30 per sample) were analysed. Fractal analysis of nuclei was done in ImageJ software of the National Institutes of Health, (Bethesda, MD, USA). For each nuclear structure, the values of fractal dimension and lacunarity were calculated. There was a time‐dependent reduction of nuclear fractal dimension in buccal epithelial cells after exposure to magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles. Negative trend was observed (p < 0.01). Nuclear lacunarity, as another fractal parameter was shown to increase, also in a time‐dependent manner, after the treatment with IONPs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate effects of magnetite nanomaterial on nuclear fractal complexity, and also the first to apply fractal analysis method in testing of the interaction between nanoparticles and cell nucleus in this experimental setting.
Correlates of Nocturia and Relationships of Nocturia With Sleep Quality and Glycemic Control in Women With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chang Chun‐Jen , Pei Dee , Wu Chien‐Chih , Palmer Mary H. , Su Ching‐Chieh , Kuo Shu‐Fen , Liao Yuan‐Mei 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPurposesTo explore correlates of nocturia, compare sleep quality and glycemic control for women with and without nocturia, and examine relationships of nocturia with sleep quality and glycemic control in women with diabetes.DesignThis study was a cross‐sectional, correlational study with data collected from 275 women with type 2 diabetes.MethodsData were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify correlates. Chi‐squared tests were used to identify candidate variables for the first logistic regression model. A one‐way analysis of variance was used to compare sleep quality and glycemic control for women with and those without nocturia. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationships of nocturia with sleep quality and glycemic control.FindingsOf the 275 participants, 124 (45.1%) had experienced nocturia (at least two voids per night). Waist circumference, parity, time since diagnosis of diabetes, sleep quality, and increased daytime urinary frequency were correlated with nocturia after adjusting for age. Compared to women without nocturia, women who had nocturia reported poorer sleep quality. A significant correlation was found between the number of nocturnal episodes and sleep quality.ConclusionsNocturia and poor sleep are common among women with diabetes. The multifactorial nature of nocturia supports the delivered management and treatments being targeted to underlying etiologies in order to optimize women's symptom management. Interventions aimed at modifiable correlates may include maintaining a normal body weight and regular physical exercise for maintaining a normal waist circumference, and decreasing caffeine consumption, implementing feasible modifications in sleeping environments and maintaining sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality.Clinical RelevanceHealthcare professionals should screen for nocturia and poor sleep and offer appropriate nonpharmacological lifestyle management, behavioral interventions, or pharmacotherapy for women with diabetes.
Foot shape in arboreal birds: two morphological patterns for the same pincer‐like tool
Authors: Abourachid Anick , Fabre Anne‐Claire , Cornette Raphaël , Höfling Elizabeth 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe feet are the only contact between the body and the substrate in limbed animals and as such they provide a crucial interface between the animal and its environment. This is especially true for bipedal and arboreal species living in a complex three‐dimensional environment that likely induces strong selection on foot morphology. In birds, foot morphology is highly variable, with different orientations of the toes, making it a good model for the study of the role of functional, developmental, and phylogenetic constraints in the evolution of phenotypic diversity. Our data on the proportions of the phalanges analyzed in a phylogenetic context show that two different morphological patterns exist that depend mainly on habitat and toe orientation. In the anisodactyl foot, the hallux is the only backward‐oriented toe and is enlarged in climbing species and reduced in terrestrial ones. Moreover, a proximo‐distal gradient in phalanx size is observed depending on the degree of terrestriality. In the two other cases (heterodactyl and zygodactyl) that have two toes that point backward, the hallux is rather small in contrast to the other backward‐pointing toe, which is enlarged. The first pattern is convergent and common among tetrapods and follows rules of skeletal development. The second pattern is unique for the clade and under muscle–morphogenetic control. In all cases, the functional result is the same tool, a pincer‐like foot.
Osteoarthritis in two marine mammals and 22 land mammals: learning from skeletal remains
Authors: Nganvongpanit Korakot , Soponteerakul Ratsadakorn , Kaewkumpai Piyatida , Punyapornwithaya Veerasak , Buddhachat Kittisak , Nomsiri Raksiri , Kaewmong Patcharaporn , Kittiwatanawong Kongkiat , Chawangwongsanukun Rachanchai , Angkawanish Taweepoke , Thitaram Chatchote , Mahakkanukrauh Pasuk 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe occurrence of osteoarthritis (OA) in marine mammals is still questionable. Here we investigated the prevalence of OA in marine (dolphin and dugong) and terrestrial mammals (Asian elephant, Asiatic buffalo, camel, cat, cattle, deer, dog, domestic goat, horse, human, hyena, impala, lion, Malayan tapir, Assam macaque, mule, pig, rabbit, red kangaroo, sheep, tiger and waterbuck). Skeletal remains obtained from five institutes were used as subjects; a total of 45 different parts (locations) of bones were observed for OA lesions. The prevalence of OA was reported as number of OA lesions/total number of bones. Our results revealed that the presence of OA in marine species (dolphin and dugong) was 2.44% and 3.33%, respectively. In dolphins, the highest OA occurrence was on the left and right humeral trochlea, with 13.68% and 12.63%, respectively, while the highest number of OA lesions in dugongs was on the lumbar vertebrae (8.79%). No significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of OA between sexes in dolphins and dugongs was observed, but we found a significant difference (P < 0.05) in 24 bone locations of human bones, which had the highest OA prevalence (48.93%), followed by dogs (3.94%). In conclusion, OA can occur in marine mammals, similar to terrestrial mammals, even though their natural habitat is the ocean.
Comparative Effect of Different Polymerization Techniques on the Flexural and Surface Properties of Acrylic Denture Bases
Authors: Gad Mohammed M. , Fouda Shaimaa M. , ArRejaie Aws S. , Al‐Thobity Ahmad M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPurposePolymerization techniques have been modified to improve physical and mechanical properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture base, as have the laboratory procedures that facilitate denture construction techniques. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of autoclave polymerization on flexural strength, elastic modulus, surface roughness, and the hardness of PMMA denture base resins.Materials and MethodsMajor Base and Vertex Implacryl heat‐polymerized acrylic resins were used to fabricate 180 specimens. According to the polymerization technique, tested groups were divided into: group I (water‐bath polymerization), group II (short autoclave polymerization cycle, 60°C for 30 minutes, then 130°C for 10 minutes), and group III (long autoclave polymerization cycle, 60°C for 30 minutes, then 130°C for 20 minutes). Each group was divided into two subgroups based on the materials used. Flexural strength and elastic modulus were determined by a three‐point bending test. Surface roughness and hardness were evaluated with a profilometer and Vickers hardness (VH) test, respectively. One‐way ANOVA and the Tukey‐Kramer multiple‐comparison test were used for results analysis, which were statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsAutoclave polymerization showed a significant increase in flexural strength and hardness of the two resins (p < 0.05). The elastic modulus showed a significant increase in the major base resin, while a significant decrease was seen for Vertex Implacryl in all groups (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in surface roughness between autoclave polymerization and water‐bath polymerization (p > 0.05).ConclusionAutoclave polymerization significantly increased the flexural properties and hardness of PMMA denture bases, while the surface roughness was within acceptable clinical limits. For a long autoclave polymerization cycle, it could be used as an alternative to water‐bath polymerization.
Synthesis and preclinical pharmacokinetic study of DHA-10, a novel potential antifungal pogostone analogue
Authors: Liu Ming , Zhou Yanfen , Zhu Jianwei , Ma Bo , Fang Zheng , Zhang Qi 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Objectives
The emergence of fungal disease calls for the urgency of development of novel drug. In this study, we developed a novel pogostone analogue, DHA-10 and investigated its preclinical pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, excretion and protein binding rate in rats.

Methods
DHA-10 was synthesized with dehydroacetic acid (DHA) as the starting material and the structure confirmed by NMR and HRMS. The LC-MS/MS was applied to quantitative analysis of DHA-10 concentrations in the biological samples.

Key finding
DHA-10 was eliminated rapidly in rat plasma with half-lives of 3.39 ± 0.5, 3.24 ± 0.32 and 3.80 ± 0.40 h after single oral doses of 70, 140 and 280 mg/kg, respectively, and showed linear pharmacokinetic within the examined dosage range. The oral bioavailability of DHA-10 was 69.09 ± 3.9%. DHA-10 distributed widely in tissues with highest tissue concentration was found in small intestine at 2.5 h postdose, followed by the stomach, liver and uterus. Approximately, 1.50 ± 0.26% and 9.12 ± 2.53% of parent drug was excreted via the urine and faeces within 48 h, respectively; 1.45 ± 0.12% was excreted into the bile up to 36 h after a single oral administration of 140 mg/kg. Binding rate of DHA-10 with plasma protein was about 78.80 ± 1.75% in a concentration-independent manner.

Conclusions
DHA-10 was successfully synthesized and characterized. The preclinical pharmacokinetics study in rats supported the further development of this new antifungal candidate compound.
Implication, clinical and biological impact of vector‐borne haemopathogens in anaemic dogs in France: a prospective study
Authors: Bouzouraa T. , Cadore J. L. , Chene J. , Goy‐Thollot I. , Ponce F. , Chalvet‐Monfray K. , Rannou B. , Chabanne L. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesTo prospectively describe the clinical and biological impact of vector‐borne haemopathogens in anaemic dogs in France and occurrence of haemolysis.Materials and MethodsThis prospective descriptive cohort study includes 134 client‐owned dogs that were anaemic on admission at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of VetAgro Sup, Lyon, France. They underwent comprehensive screening with PCR to detect a panel of vector‐borne haemopathogens, SNAP Leishmania and SNAP 4Dx Plus (IDEXX).ResultsVector‐borne haemopathogen‐associated anaemia accounted for 17·2% (23/134) of anaemic cases. PCR forBabesiaspecies,Mycoplasmaspecies,Anaplasmaplatys orEhrlichiacanis and positive serology forLeishmaniaspecies, occurred in 11/23, 10/23, 2/23, 1/23 and 1/23 cases, respectively. Two dogs had positive PCR for bothBabesiaandMycoplasmaspecies. All dogs infected withMycoplasmaspecies alone had neoplastic disease. Vector‐borne haemopathogens were the second most common cause of haemolysis (7/23, 30·4%). In the multivariable regression model, males were overrepresented ( OR : 2·82, P=0·03) and haemolysis ( OR : 3·31, P=0·01) was more frequent in dogs with vector‐born haemopathogen‐associated anaemia.Clinical SignificanceVector‐borne haemopathogens are a common cause of anaemia in this geographical region.