bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic periodontitis can affect the levels of potential oral cancer salivary mRNA biomarkers
Authors: Cheng Y.‐S. L. , Jordan L. , Chen H.‐S. , Kang D. , Oxford L. , Plemons J. , Parks H. , Rees T. 
Published: August 2016

Background and ObjectiveMore than 100 salivary constituents have been found to show levels significantly different in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from those found in healthy controls, and therefore have been suggested to be potential salivary biomarkers for OSCC detection. However, many of these potential OSCC salivary biomarkers are also involved in chronic inflammation, and whether the levels of these biomarkers could be affected by the presence of chronic periodontitis was not known. The objective of this pilot study was therefore to measure the levels of seven previously reported potential OSCC salivary mRNA biomarkers in patients with chronic periodontitis and compare them to levels found in patients with OSCC and healthy controls. The seven salivary mRNAs were interleukin (IL)‐8, IL‐1β, dual specificity phosphatase 1, H3 histone family 3A, ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1, S100 calcium‐binding protein P (S100P) and spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyltransferase 1.Material and MethodsUnstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from a total of 105 human subjects from the following four study groups: OSCC; CPNS (chronic periodontitis, moderate to severe degree, non‐smokers); CPS (chronic periodontitis, moderate to severe degree, smokers); and healthy controls. Levels of each mRNA in patient groups (OSCC or chronic periodontitis) relative to the healthy controls were determined by a pre‐amplification reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach with nested gene‐specific primers. Results were recorded and analyzed by the Bio‐Rad CFX96 Real‐Time System. Mean fold changes between each pair of patient vs. control groups were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U‐test with Bonferroni corrections.ResultsOnly S100P showed significantly higher levels in patients with OSCC compared to both patients with CPNS (p = 0.003) and CPS (p = 0.007). The difference in S100P levels between patients with OSCC and healthy controls was also marginally significant (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in the levels of salivary IL‐8, IL‐1β and dual specificity phosphatase 1 mRNAs between patients with OSCC and patients with CPNS (p = 0.510, 0.058 and 0.078, respectively); no significant difference in levels of salivary ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 and spermine N1‐acetyltransferase mRNAs between patients with OSCC and patients with CPS (p = 0.318 and 0.764, respectively); and no significant difference in levels of the H3 histone family 3A mRNA between patients with OSCC and either CPS (p = 0.449) or healthy controls (p = 0.107).ConclusionsSalivary S100P mRNA could be a reliable biomarker for OSCC detection, regardless of the presence of chronic periodontitis. The presence of chronic periodontitis could significantly affect the levels of the other six mRNAs, and negatively influence reliability for using them as biomarkers for oral cancer detection.
Black tea theaflavins attenuate Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence properties, modulate gingival keratinocyte tight junction integrity and exert anti‐inflammatory activity
Authors: Ben Lagha A. , Grenier D. 
Published: August 2016

Background and ObjectiveOver the last 10 years, bioactive plant food compounds have received considerable attention in regard to their beneficial effects against periodontal disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of black tea theaflavins (TFs) on the virulence properties of Porphyromonas gingivalis and gingival keratinocyte tight junction integrity. In addition, the effects of black tea TFs on the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathway and proinflammatory cytokine/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion by monocytes/macrophages were assessed.Material and MethodsVirulence factor gene expression in P. gingivalis was investigated by quantitative real‐time PCR. A fluorescence assay was used to determine P. gingivalis adherence to, and invasion of, a gingival keratinocyte monolayer. Tight junction integrity of gingival keratinocytes was assessed by determination of transepithelial electrical resistance. Proinflammatory cytokine and MMP secretion by P. gingivalis‐stimulated macrophages was quantified by ELISA. The U937‐3xκB‐LUC monocyte cell line transfected with a luciferase reporter gene was used to monitor NF‐κB activation. Gelatin degradation was monitored using a fluorogenic assay.ResultsBlack tea TFs dose‐dependently inhibited the expression of genes encoding the major virulence factors of P. gingivalis and attenuated its adherence to gingival keratinocytes. A treatment of gingival keratinocytes with black tea TFs significantly enhanced tight junction integrity and prevented P. gingivalis‐mediated tight junction damage as well as bacterial invasion. Black tea TFs reduced the secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, IL‐6, chemokine (C‐X‐C) ligand 8, MMP‐3, MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 by P. gingivalis‐stimulated macrophages and attenuated the P. gingivalis‐mediated activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Lastly, black tea TFs inhibited gelatin degradation by MMP‐9.ConclusionThis study provides clear evidence that black tea TFs represent promising multifunctional therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.
Health effects of ‘Juntos’, a conditional cash transfer programme in Peru
Authors: Pérez‐Lu José E. , Cárcamo Cesar , Nandi Arijit , Kaufman Jay S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn some countries, conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes show an impact on maternal and child health. Juntos, the CCT programme in Peru, has been evaluated several times operationally, but seldom for maternal and child health outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of Juntos on children under 6 years, pregnant women and mothers of children under 17 years. Outcomes evaluated included (1) anaemia in women and children; (2) acute malnutrition in children; (3) post‐partum complications in mothers; and (4) underweight and overweight in mothers. We identified Juntos eligible respondents from the Demographic and Health Surveys of Peru for years 2007 to 2013. Propensity score matching was used to identify comparable treatment and control groups, including eligible respondents enrolled in Juntos vs. those not enrolled in Juntos (individual‐level analysis), as well as eligible respondents living in Juntos districts vs. those not residing in Juntos districts (district‐level analysis). We then used generalized linear models to estimate prevalence ratios. Individual level analysis showed that Juntos reduced underweight in women (PR:0.39, 95%CI:0.18 – 0.85) and anaemia in children (PR:0.93, 95%CI:0.86 – 1.00). In the district level analysis, the programme was associated with a reduction of overweight in women (PR:0.94, 95%CI:0.90 – 0.98) and acute malnutrition in children (PR:0.49, 95%CI:0.32 – 0.73), but an increase in the prevalence of anaemia in children (PR:1.09, 95%CI:1.01 – 1.17). We found that Juntos had an effect on maternal and child health indicators, but further studies are required to overcome some limitations encountered here.
Computerized test versus personal interview as admission methods for graduate nursing studies: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hazut Koren , Romem Pnina , Malkin Smadar , Livshiz‐Riven Ilana 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the predictive validity, economic efficiency, and faculty staff satisfaction of a computerized test versus a personal interview as admission methods for graduate nursing studies. A mixed method study was designed, including cross‐sectional and retrospective cohorts, interviews, and cost analysis. One hundred and thirty‐four students in the Master of Nursing program participated. The success of students in required core courses was similar in both admission method groups. The personal interview method was found to be a significant predictor of success, with cognitive variables the only significant contributors to the model. Higher satisfaction levels were reported with the computerized test compared with the personal interview method. The cost of the personal interview method, in annual hourly work, was 2.28 times higher than the computerized test. These findings may promote discussion regarding the cost benefit of the personal interview as an admission method for advanced academic studies in healthcare professions.
Effect of Applying Force to Self‐Adhesive Electrodes on Transthoracic Impedance: Implications for Electrical Cardioversion
Authors: RAMIREZ F. DANIEL , FISET SANDRA L. , CLELAND MARK J. , ZAKUTNEY TIMOTHY J. , NERY PABLO B. , NAIR GIRISH M. , REDPATH CALUM J. , SADEK MOUHANNAD M. , BIRNIE DAVID H. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundCurrent guidelines disagree on the role for applying force to electrodes during electrical cardioversion (ECV) for atrial fibrillation, particularly when using self‐adhesive pads. We evaluated the impact of this practice on transthoracic impedance (TTI) with varying force and in individuals with differing body mass indices (BMI). We additionally assessed whether specific prompts could improve physicians’ ECV technique.MethodsThe study comprised three parts: (1) TTI was measured in 11 participants throughout the respiratory cycle and with variable force applied to self‐adhesive electrodes in anteroposterior (AP) and anterolateral (AL) configurations. (2) Three participants in different BMI classes then had TTI measured with prespecified incremental force applied. (3) Ten blinded cardiology trainees simulated ECV on one participant with and without prompting (guideline reminders and force analogies) while force applied and TTI were measured.ResultsThe AP approach was associated with 13% lower TTI than AL (P < 0.001). Strongly negative correlations were observed between force applied and TTI in the AL position, irrespective of BMI (P ≤ 0.003). In all cases, 80% of the total reduction in TTI observed was achieved with 8 kg‐force (∼80 N). All prompts resulted in significantly greater force applied and modest reductions in TTI.ConclusionsApplying force to self‐adhesive electrodes reduces TTI and should be considered as a means of improving ECV success. Numerically greater mean force applied with a “push‐up” force analogy suggests that “concrete” cues may be useful in improving ECV technique.
Social Justice: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Matwick Angela L. , Woodgate Roberta L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSocial justice is presented frequently as a core or shared value at the very foundation of nursing practice. Despite its acceptance as a core value, its use is varied and there has been inherent difficulty in establishing a definitive explanation for what is meant by social justice. As such, a clearly defined meaning for the concept of social justice does not exist in contemporary nursing literature. Following the method outlined by Walker and Avant, an analysis of the concept of social justice provides clarity to the meaning of social justice as it is used within the nursing profession, in academia, education, and practice.
Tacalcitol: a useful adjunct to narrow‐band ultraviolet‐B phototherapy in vitiligo
Authors: Sahu Priyadarshini , Jain Vijay Kumar , Aggarwal Kamal , Kaur Sarabjit , Dayal Surabhi 
Published: August 2016

SummaryBackgroundPhototherapy especially narrow‐band UV‐B (NBUVB) has been considered as mainstay of therapy in nonsegmental vitiligo (generalized type). Topical tacalcitol has also been claimed to be effective, either as monotherapy or as combination therapy.PurposeComparison of clinical efficacy and safety of NBUVB in combination with topical tacalcitol vs. NBUVB alone in vitiligo.Material & methodsThirty patients with symmetrical vitiliginous lesions were enrolled for 24 weeks. Patients were instructed to apply tacalcitol ointment on right side of body once daily. In addition, the whole body was irradiated with NBUVB thrice weekly. All the patients were examined, and lesional photography was done. Patients were also followed up for 6 months post‐treatment.ResultsOur study resulted in two key findings: (1) There was a statistically significant difference in mean percentage of repigmentation at 8, 16 and 24 weeks between combination therapy and NBUVB. (2) The mean cumulative dose and number of treatment sessions for initial repigmentation were significantly lower with combination therapy. No serious adverse effects were observed during the study period.ConclusionTopical tacalcitol potentiates efficacy of NBUVB as it enhances extent of pigmentation, decrease time to repigmentation and lowers the cumulative doses of NBUVB, thereby leading to greater patient satisfaction and improved compliance.
Induction of regulatory T cells by Opisthorchis viverrini
Authors: Kaewraemruaen C. , Sermswan R. W. , Wongratanacheewin S. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryOpisthorchis viverrini causes public health problems in South‐East Asia. Recently, TGF‐β and IL‐10 have been reported to increase in O. viverrini‐infected hamsters but the sources of these cytokines are still unknown. In this study, the CD4+ T cells in infected hamsters were investigated. It was demonstrated that IL‐4+CD4+ T cells were significantly increased in hamster spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) during chronic infection. Interestingly, IL‐10+CD4+ T cells were also discovered at a significant level while Treg (T regulatory)‐like TGF‐ β+CD4+ T cells were in MLNs of infected hamsters. Moreover, the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cell response was significantly found both in spleens and MLNs in infected hamsters. The findings were then confirmed by development of T‐cell clones against crude somatic antigens (CSAg) in immunized BALB/c mice. Five clones named TCC21, TCC23, TCC35, TCC41 and TCC108 were established. The TCC21 was found to be the TGF‐β+CD4+ while TCC35, TCC41 and TCC108 were IL‐4+CD4+ and TCC23 was IFN‐γ+CD4+. This TGF‐β+CD4+ T clone showed an inhibitory function in vitro in mononuclear cell proliferation via TGF‐β‐mediated mechanisms. This study indicated that O. viverrini‐infected hamsters could induce TGF‐β+ CD4+ Treg‐like cells. The CSAg‐specific Tregs secreted high TGF‐β, and limited immune cell proliferation.
Closing the Small Open Economy Model: A Demographic Approach
Authors: Oxborrow David , Turnovsky Stephen J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractClosing the small open economy model has been a stumbling block in studying the dynamic evolution of such models. The typical procedure of equating the after‐tax return on traded bonds to the rate of time preference involves imposing an arbitrary and constraining knife‐edge condition. This paper replaces the infinitely lived representative agent framework with a plausible demographic structure. This yields a well‐behaved macrodynamic equilibrium without imposing any knife‐edge conditions. The equilibrium dynamics generated by the Rectangular survival function, characteristic of the Samuelson–Diamond model, closely track those corresponding to an empirically estimated survival function. However, the Blanchard survival function tracks the data poorly in terms of absolute levels, while the closeness of its relative dynamics (following a structural change) depends on the source of the structural change.
Statistical Clustering of Temporal Networks Through a Dynamic Stochastic Block Model
Authors: Matias Catherine , Miele Vincent 
Published: August 2016

SummaryStatistical node clustering in discrete time dynamic networks is an emerging field that raises many challenges. Here, we explore statistical properties and frequentist inference in a model that combines a stochastic block model for its static part with independent Markov chains for the evolution of the nodes groups through time. We model binary data as well as weighted dynamic random graphs (with discrete or continuous edges values). Our approach, motivated by the importance of controlling for label switching issues across the different time steps, focuses on detecting groups characterized by a stable within-group connectivity behaviour. We study identifiability of the model parameters and propose an inference procedure based on a variational expectation–maximization algorithm as well as a model selection criterion to select the number of groups. We carefully discuss our initialization strategy which plays an important role in the method and we compare our procedure with existing procedures on synthetic data sets. We also illustrate our approach on dynamic contact networks: one of encounters between high school students and two others on animal interactions. An implementation of the method is available as an R package called dynsbm.
Predictive model for early math skills based on structural equations
Authors: Aragón Estíbaliz , Navarro José I. , Aguilar Manuel , Cerda Gamal , García‐Sedeño Manuel 
Published: August 2016

Early math skills are determined by higher cognitive processes that are particularly important for acquiring and developing skills during a child's early education. Such processes could be a critical target for identifying students at risk for math learning difficulties. Few studies have considered the use of a structural equation method to rationalize these relations. Participating in this study were 207 preschool students ages 59 to 72 months, 108 boys and 99 girls. Performance with respect to early math skills, early literacy, general intelligence, working memory, and short‐term memory was assessed. A structural equation model explaining 64.3% of the variance in early math skills was applied. Early literacy exhibited the highest statistical significance (β = 0.443, p < 0.05), followed by intelligence (β = 0.286, p < 0.05), working memory (β = 0.220, p < 0.05), and short‐term memory (β = 0.213, p < 0.05). Correlations between the independent variables were also significant (p < 0.05). According to the results, cognitive variables should be included in remedial intervention programs.
Perspectives on the impact of storage duration on blood quality and transfusion outcomes
Authors: Roback J. D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackground & ObjectivesRed blood cells (RBCs) may be stored up to 42 days before transfusion, per US and EU standards. Although there is ample evidence that RBCs undergo deleterious changes during storage, studies assessing outcomes relative to storage time report conflicting findings. This study investigated RBC storage duration perspectives and practices among blood banking and transfusion professionals.Materials & MethodsA survey was administered at the American Association of Blood Banking annual meeting in October 2014 (N = 69).ResultsOn average, participants believed RBC storage should not exceed 34 days (median: 35; range: 1–52), and estimated that RBCs are typically stored 21 days before transfusion at their institutions (median: 20; range: 10–40). There was 97% agreement that minimizing/reversing changes during RBC storage may produce clinical benefits; however, 80% believed the research does not consistently demonstrate worse outcomes using older blood. Two‐thirds agreed that RBC storage duration is a major concern, but 81% agreed most institutions are not pursuing measures to shorten storage.ConclusionsThis study found that many transfusion professionals believe RBCs should be stored for fewer than the 42 days currently allowed and that further efforts are warranted to abrogate changes in stored RBCs. These findings suggest a need for increased awareness of potential consequences of extended RBC storage and for strategies to maximize transfusion benefits.
High‐Definition Video Telescope‐Assisted Ventral Slot Decompression Surgery for Cervical Intervertebral Disc Herniation in 30 Dogs
Authors: Rossetti Diego , Ragetly Guillaume R. , Poncet Cyrill M. 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveTo describe the use of a video telescope operating monitor (VITOM™) for ventral slot decompression and to report its clinical applications using preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) myelography.Study DesignProspective case series.AnimalsConsecutive dogs presented with cervical intervertebral disc disease requiring surgical decompression (n = 30).MethodsDemographic data, preoperative neurological status, localization and lateralization of the compression, total operative time, surgical complications, ventral slot size and orientation, hospitalization time, and postoperative outcome were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative spinal cord area at the compression site and ratios of compressed to normal spinal cord area were calculated by CT myelography.ResultsFrench Bulldogs were the most common breed of dogs (n = 15; 50%) and neck pain was the most common neurological sign (n = 18; 60%). Postoperative CT myelography confirmed that spinal cord decompression, postoperative spinal cord area, and the ratios of compressed to normal spinal cord area improved significantly compared with preoperative measurements (P = .01). Sinus bleeding occurred in 20% of dogs. The mean ratios (± SD) of ventral slot length and width compared with vertebral body length and width were 0.21 ± 0.08 and 0.31 ± 0.07, respectively. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 3.0 ± 0.6 days and all dogs showed clinical improvement and an excellent outcome.ConclusionThe VITOM™ ventral slot decompression technique was fast and easy to perform. It allowed a minimally invasive approach with a small ventral slot while improving spinal cord visualization. The results of this study support the use of the VITOM™ technique in spinal veterinary surgery.
Assessing the relevance of littoral pedestals to chlorophyll a levels in a shallow lentic freshwater system
Authors: Utete Beaven , Tsamba Joshua 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPedestals or shoreline terraces, a disjuncture of the last flooding level with the adjacent littoral upland, can help in understanding the contribution of the shoreline to the productivity of the pelagic zones. We investigated littoral pedestal dynamics and assessed their ecological relevance to a water body, Manjirenji Dam in Zimbabwe, with marked and sharp drawdowns, in ten littoral sites by measuring chlorophyll a, water transparency, pedestal contour length and drawdown zone length once per month from August 2013 to April 2014. Chlorophyll a levels were not significantly correlated to the euphotic depth, pedestal contour length and the drawdown zone retraction length in Manjirenji Dam. Our results which are inconsistent with the hypothesis that drawdown zone and contour pedestal lengths are vital in predicting chlorophyll a concentration in the littoral zones of limnetic systems, suggest a need to explore other intricate limnological factors which may influence productivity in shallow reservoirs.