bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of sleep bruxism in children: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Manfredini D. , Restrepo C. , Diaz‐Serrano K. , Winocur E. , Lobbezoo F. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe aim of the present investigation was to perform a systematic review of the literature dealing with the issue of sleep bruxism prevalence in children at the general population level. Quality assessment of the reviewed papers was performed to identify flaws in the external and internal validity. Cut‐off criteria for an acceptable external validity were established to select studies for the discussion of prevalence data. A total of 22 publications were included in the review, most of which had methodological problems limiting their external validity. Prevalence data extraction was performed only on eight papers that were consistent as for the sampling strategy and showed only minor external validity problems, but they had some common internal validity flaws related with the definition of sleep bruxism measures. All the selected papers based sleep bruxism diagnosis on proxy reports by the parents, and no epidemiological data were available from studies adopting other diagnostic strategies (e.g. polysomnography or electromyography). The reported prevalence was highly variable between the studies (3·5–40·6%), with a commonly described decrease with age and no gender differences. A very high variability in sleep bruxism prevalence in children was found, due to the different age groups under investigation and the different frequencies of self‐reported sleep bruxism. This prevented from supporting any reliable estimates of the prevalence of sleep bruxism in children.
Preparation, optimization, and in-vitro/in-vivo/ex-vivo characterization of chitosan-heparin nanoparticles: drug-induced gelation
Authors: Shahbazi Mohammad-Ali , Hamidi Mehrdad , Mohammadi-Samani Soliman 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Objectives
Management of blood coagulation-related diseases is currently limited by the inability to provide an adequate drug concentration in blood circulation for a long term. As a promising way to overcome this problem, the long-acting forms of these drugs have attracted many interests in recent years.

Methods
In this study, chitosan-heparin nanoparticles were prepared as a polymeric delivery system intended for the prolonged intravenous delivery of heparin where the drug was used as both the therapeutic agent and a gel-forming counter-ion. The nanoparticle preparation method was optimized using a Taguchi orthogonal array. Critical formulation variables were optimized in this study in terms of their corresponding effects on the target response of particle size. Nanoparticles were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and zeta potential.

Key findings
The size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency for the optimized formulation were found to be 61.33 ± 1.53 nm, 0.06, +15.7 mv and 74.16 ± 1.27%, respectively. The sizes of the prepared drug-loaded nanoparticles were stable at least 1 week at room temperature and 3 months in refrigerator.

Conclusions
The ex-vivo and in-vivo tests on the heparin-chitosan nanoparticles using activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) as the biological index were indicative of a smoother and longer elevation in aPTT in the presence of nanoparticulate drug.
Nursing home care: exploring the role of religiousness in the mental health, quality of life and stress of formal caregivers
Authors: Lucchetti G. , Lucchetti A. L. G. , Oliveira G. R. , Crispim D. , Pires S. L. , Gorzoni M. L. , Panicio C. R. G. , Koenig H. G. 
Published: May 2013

Accessible summary
Religion and spirituality have been associated with the caregiver's sense of well‐being and ability to cope, quality of life, and feelings of burden. Despite the large number of studies on family/informal caregivers, there are only few studies that have focused on the impact of religiosity on formal caregivers.
Paid caregivers (NA) have a strong sense of religiousness, which plays an important role in many ways, including the type of care they provide, their mental health and their quality of life.
Most NA have prayed for their patients, demonstrating the strong interface between religion (and religious beliefs) and health care.
Medical and nursing managers might consider these relationships in order to optimize the support they provide to NA staff and patients.
AbstractDespite the high number of studies on family caregivers, there is little research on the impact of religiosity on formal caregiving (paid providers). We examine the role of religiousness in the mental health, quality of life and stress of nurse aides (NA) who provide care for patients in a nursing home. NA in a Brazilian nursing home were invited to participate. Because of its coping function, we hypothesized that religiousness was related to better mental health and quality of life. Linear regression was used to test this hypothesis and control for confounders. Compared with the Brazilian general population, NA scored higher on measures of religious involvement. Intrinsic religiosity was associated with better mental health and quality of life. Organizational religiosity was associated with better social functioning, better general mental health and fewer anxiety symptoms. Non‐organizational religiosity (prayer), however, was associated with negative outcomes, such as higher stress, poorer general health perceptions and more anxiety symptoms. Most NA indicated that they had prayed for and with their patients. In conclusion, paid caregivers (NA) have a strong sense of religiousness, which plays an important role in many ways, including the type of care they provide, their mental health and their quality of life.
Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Older Rural Couples: The Impact of Work, Stress and Health
Authors: Rayens Mary Kay , Reed Deborah B. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPurposeOlder farmers experience a high rate of suicide, and depression is closely aligned with suicide among agricultural workers. Depressive symptoms may be influenced by work patterns, work satisfaction, stress, and health status. In addition, members of a couple may affect each other's depressive symptoms. The purpose was to determine whether depressive symptoms score is predicted by hours worked on the farm, satisfaction with work, number of health conditions, perceived stress, and demographics in a sample of older farm couples, and to assess the degree of influence on depressive symptoms spouses have on each other.MethodsA total of 494 couples participated in the initial interview for a longitudinal study of farmers aged 50 and above. Data from husbands and wives were used together in a multilevel, dyad‐based regression model to determine predictors of depressive symptoms.FindingsMen's depressive symptoms scores were predicted by their own number of health conditions and stress and by their wives’ stress and health conditions. Women's depressive symptoms scores were predicted by their own work satisfaction, stress, and number of health conditions and their husbands’ time spent working on the farm and stress.ConclusionsStress management may be particularly important in older farm couples, since perceived duress of 1 member of the dyad impacts both. Work factors and health conditions also affect depressive symptoms in older rural couples, but these may be less easily modified.
Protogyny and delayed autonomous self‐pollination in the desert herb Zygophyllum macropterum (Zygophyllaceae)
Authors: MAMUT Jannathan , LI Bing , TAN Dun‐Yan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractProtogyny and delayed selfing are two mechanisms in facilitating outcrossing and increasing female and male function in self‐compatible plant species. However, both mechanisms are rarely reported within a species. Here, we investigated pistil and stamen development, breeding system, and pollination biology of the desert herb Zygophyllum macropterum C. A. Mey. by use of field observations and manipulation experiments. Our primary aim was to assess whether protogyny and delayed autonomous self‐pollination occurred in this species. Zygophyllum macropterum is a spring flowering species with a floral longevity of approximately 3 days, including the female stage and the bisexual stage. Movement herkogamy occurred during both stages. The stigma was receptive when it was exposed from the corolla. The time of first anther dehiscence was approximately 12 h after stigma exposure. These results indicated that Z. macropterum is protogynous. Different pollination treatments showed that this species is self‐compatible and can self‐pollinate autonomously. Time of first dehiscence of anther overtopping the stigma was approximately 16 h after stigma exposure, suggesting that autonomous self‐pollination can occur in middle‐late anthesis, and thus can be defined as delayed autonomous self‐pollination. Anthophora plumipes Pallas. was the only pollinator of Z. macropterum. The unfavorable spring desert environment and the small corolla mouth diameter at the female stage would limit pollinator activity and thus lead to failure of outcrossing and occurrence of delayed self‐pollination. Therefore, both protogyny and delayed selfing play an important role in enhancing the opportunity for outcrossing and reproductive assurance of Z. macropterum in the spring desert environment.
Comparison between the rhythmic jaw contractions occurring during sleep and while chewing
Authors: Po Jessica M. C. , Gallo Luigi M. , Michelotti Ambra , Farella Mauro 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe masticatory central pattern generator (CPG) may be implicated in the pathophysiology of sleep bruxism (SB). The aim of this study was to compare rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) occurring during sleep related to SB with that of natural voluntary chewing in a sample of sleep bruxers. It was hypothesized that the pace of RMMA during sleep is correlated with the chewing pace. Electromyographic (EMG) surface activity was recorded unilaterally from the masseter muscle of 13 participants diagnosed with SB (mean age ± standard deviation =26.1 ± 9.0 years) by means of portable recorders. For each participant, recordings were carried out in the natural environment setting, always including the dinner time and the entire sleeping period. The time–frequency features of RMMA episodes were extracted automatically offline using a previously validated algorithm. Comparisons between chewing and SB activity indicated that chewing RMMA episodes almost doubled sleep RMMA in duration and power. The mean frequency of SB episodes was 1.0 ± 0.3 Hz, whereas the mean frequency of chewing episodes was 1.5 ± 0.4 Hz. The pace of SB and that of chewing were not correlated significantly (R = −0.13; P = 0.96). We conclude that sleep RMMA is not related to that of chewing. Despite both activities being accompanied by rhythmic jaw contractions, the pace‐generating mechanism of SB may be independent from that of chewing.
Adaptive evolution during an ongoing range expansion: the invasive bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Ireland
Authors: White Thomas A. , Perkins Sarah E. , Heckel Gerald , Searle Jeremy B. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRange expansions are extremely common, but have only recently begun to attract attention in terms of their genetic consequences. As populations expand, demes at the wave front experience strong genetic drift, which is expected to reduce genetic diversity and potentially cause ‘allele surfing’, where alleles may become fixed over a wide geographical area even if their effects are deleterious. Previous simulation models show that range expansions can generate very strong selective gradients on dispersal, reproduction, competition and immunity. To investigate the effects of range expansion on genetic diversity and adaptation, we studied the population genomics of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Ireland. The bank vole was likely introduced in the late 1920s and is expanding its range at a rate of ~2.5 km/year. Using genotyping‐by‐sequencing, we genotyped 281 bank voles at 5979 SNP loci. Fourteen sample sites were arranged in three transects running from the introduction site to the wave front of the expansion. We found significant declines in genetic diversity along all three transects. However, there was no evidence that sites at the wave front had accumulated more deleterious mutations. We looked for outlier loci with strong correlations between allele frequency and distance from the introduction site, where the direction of correlation was the same in all three transects. Amongst these outliers, we found significant enrichment for genic SNPs, suggesting the action of selection. Candidates for selection included several genes with immunological functions and several genes that could influence behaviour.
A flexible C‐terminal linker is required for proper FtsZ assembly in vitro and cytokinetic ring formation in vivo
Authors: Buske P. J. , Levin Petra Anne 
Published: May 2013

SummaryAssembly of the cytoskeletal protein FtsZ into a ring‐like structure is required for bacterial cell division. Structurally, FtsZ consists of four domains: the globular N‐terminal core, a flexible linker, 8–9 conserved residues implicated in interactions with modulatory proteins, and a highly variable set of 4–10 residues at its very C terminus. Largely ignored and distinguished by lack of primary sequence conservation, the linker is presumed to be intrinsically disordered. Here we employ genetics, biochemistry and cytology to dissect the role of the linker in FtsZ function. Data from chimeric FtsZs substituting the native linker with sequences from unrelated FtsZs as well as a helical sequence from human beta‐catenin indicate that while variations in the primary sequence are well tolerated, an intrinsically disordered linker is essential for Bacillus subtilis FtsZ assembly. Linker lengths ranging from 25 to 100 residues supported FtsZ assembly, but replacing the B. subtilis FtsZ linker with a 249‐residue linker from Agrobacterium tumefaciens FtsZ interfered with cell division. Overall, our results support a model in which the linker acts as a flexible tether allowing FtsZ to associate with the membrane through a conserved C‐terminal domain while simultaneously interacting with itself and modulatory proteins in the cytoplasm.
Report of a Preliminary Discontinued Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of the Anti‐TNF‐α Chimeric Monoclonal Antibody Infliximab in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Authors: Dirckx Maaike , Groeneweg George , Wesseldijk Feikje , Stronks Dirk L. , Huygen Frank J.P.M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveInflammation appears to play a role in CRPS as, for example, cytokines (like TNF‐α) are involved in the affected limb. The ongoing inflammation is probably responsible for the central sensitization that sometimes occurs in CRPS. Thus, early start of a TNF‐α antagonist may counteract inflammation, thereby preventing rest damage and leading to recovery of the disease.DesignPatients (n = 13) were randomly assigned to infliximab 5 mg/kg or placebo, both administered at week 0, 2, and 6. Outcome measures: The aim was to confirm a reduction in clinical signs of regional inflammation (based on total impairment level sumscore: ISS) after systemic administration of infliximab. Also, levels of mediators in the fluid of induced blisters were examined in relation to normalization and improvement in quality of life.ResultsSix patients received infliximab and 7, placebo. There was no significant change in total ISS score between the two groups. Similarly, no significant difference in change in cytokine levels was found between infliximab compared with placebo. However, there was a trend toward a greater reduction of TNF‐α in the intervention group compared with the placebo group. A subscale of the EuroQol (ie EuroQol VAS) revealed significant decrease in health status in the intervention group compared with the placebo group.ConclusionsThis study was terminated before the required number of participants had been reached for sufficient statistical power. Nevertheless, a trend was found toward an effect of infliximab on the initially high TNF‐α concentration.
Expression in Arabidopsis and cellular localization reveal involvement of rice NRAMP, OsNRAMP1, in arsenic transport and tolerance
Authors: TIWARI MANISH , SHARMA DEEPIKA , DWIVEDI SANJAY , SINGH MUNNA , TRIPATHI RUDRA DEO , TRIVEDI PRABODH KUMAR 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIrrigation of paddy fields to arsenic (As) containing groundwater leads to As accumulation in rice grains and causes serious health risk to the people worldwide. To reduce As intake via consumption of contaminated rice grain, identification of the mechanisms for As accumulation and detoxification in rice is a prerequisite. Herein, we report involvement of a member of rice NRAMP (Natural Resistance‐Associated Macrophage Protein) transporter, OsNRAMP1, in As, in addition to cadmium (Cd), accumulation through expression in yeast and Arabidopsis. Expression of OsNRAMP1 in yeast mutant (fet3fet4) rescued iron (Fe) uptake and exhibited enhanced accumulation of As and Cd. Expression of OsNRAMP1 in Arabidopsis provided tolerance with enhanced As and Cd accumulation in root and shoot. Cellular localization revealed that OsNRAMP1 resides on plasma membrane of endodermis and pericycle cells and may assist in xylem loading for root to shoot mobilization. This is the first report demonstrating role of NRAMP in xylem mediated loading and enhanced accumulation of As and Cd in plants. We propose that genetic modification of OsNRAMP1 in rice might be helpful in developing rice with low As and Cd content in grain and minimize the risk of food chain contamination to these toxic metals.
Efficiency of Electron Transfer Initiated Chemiluminescence
Authors: Augusto Felipe A. , de Souza Glalci A. , de Souza Júnior Sergio P. , Khalid Muhammad , Baader Wilhelm J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAlthough the mechanisms of many chemiluminescence (CL) reactions have been intensively studied, no general model has been suggested to rationalize the efficiency of these transformations. To contribute to this task, we report here quantum yields for some well‐characterized CL reactions, concentrating on recent reports of efficient transformations. Initially, a short review on the most important general CL mechanisms is given, including unimolecular peroxide decomposition, electrogenerated CL, as well as the intermolecular and intramolecular catalyzed decomposition of peroxides. Thereafter, quantum yield values for several CL transformations are compiled, including the unimolecular decomposition of 1,2‐dioxetanes and 1,2‐dioxetanones, the catalyzed decomposition of appropriate peroxides and the induced decomposition of properly substituted 1,2‐dioxetane derivatives. Finally, some representative examples of quantum yields for complex CL transformations, like luminol oxidation and the peroxyoxalate reaction, in different experimental conditions are given. This quantum yield compilation indicates that CL transformations involving electron transfer steps can occur with high efficiency in general only if the electron transfer is of intramolecular nature, with the intermolecular processes being commonly inefficient. A notable exception to this general rule is the peroxyoxalate reaction which, also constituting an example of an intermolecular electron transfer system, possesses very high quantum yields.
Nematicidal activity of Ochradenus baccatus against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Oka Y. , Shuker S. , Tkachi N. , Trabelcy B. , Gerchman Y. 
Published: May 2013

Ochradenus baccatus is a widely distributed shrub in desert regions of the Middle East and North Africa. This plant's nematicidal activity against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica was evaluated because it has been found to contain exceptionally high levels of glucosinolates. In in vitro assays with aqueous extracts of the plant, 100% of second‐stage juveniles were immobilized after exposure to 4% root‐core extract for 48 h; 8% root‐core extract suppressed their hatching by 87%, whereas stem, flower and root bark showed lower activity. Incorporation of root core or bark into the soil, as fresh or dry powder at 1 and 0·5% (w/w), respectively, reduced the number of nematodes recovered from the soil by 95–100%, whereas the flower and stem were much less effective. Results from further pot experiments indicated that only the root bark consistently contains nematicidal compounds which are effective in soil, whereas the nematicidal activity of the root core in soil was inconsistent. The presence of non‐volatile lipophilic and lipophobic nematicidal compounds in the root bark was suggested by extraction with different polar solvents, but these compounds do not seem to be isothiocyanates – glucosinolate‐hydrolysed compounds with nematicidal activity. Very poor host status of Ochradenus baccatus to M. javanica, M. incognita and M. hapla, but with root‐penetration rates of juveniles similar to those in tomato roots, suggest that this plant may be used as a cover plant or trap plant to reduce nematode populations in the soil.
Experimental and molecular evidence of Reptalus panzeri as a natural vector of bois noir
Authors: Cvrković T. , Jović J. , Mitrović M. , Krstić O. , Toševski I. 
Published: May 2013

Bois noir (BN) is an economically important grapevine yellows disease induced by the stolbur phytoplasma and principally vectored by the cixiid Hyalesthes obsoletus. This study addresses the involvement of other planthoppers and/or leafhoppers in BN epidemics in the South Banat district of northeastern Serbia, by performing transmission experiments and multilocus typing of stolbur phytoplasma isolates to determine the vector‐related characteristics of the disease. Transmission trials were conducted with adults of two cixiid congeners, Reptalus panzeri and R. quinquecostatus, which were found to harbour stolbur phytoplasma in the vineyards under study. A molecular characterization of stolbur phytoplasma isolates was performed by sequence analysis and/or RFLP typing of the two housekeeping genes tuf and secY and the two membrane proteins stamp and vmp1. Transmission trials with naturally infected R. panzeri adults from either the BN‐infected vineyards or maize redness (MR)‐affected maize fields revealed a high stolbur phytoplasma transmission efficiency to grapevines. In contrast, experiments conducted with stolbur‐positive R. quinquecostatus originating from BN‐infected vineyards, provided no evidence for a vector role of this species. Seven stolbur phytoplasma genotypes, all of which were tuf‐b types, were detected among the grapevine‐ and insect‐associated field samples according to the tuf/secY/vmp1/stamp typing. STOLg was the genotype most frequently found in naturally infected grapevine (42%), as well as R. panzeri originating from the vineyards (85%) and maize fields (98%). The same genotype was found in all experimental plants inoculated by R. panzeri, confirming its vectorship of the disease.
Control of soil‐transmitted helminthiasis in Myanmar: results of 7 years of deworming
Authors: Tun Aung , Myat Su Mon , Gabrielli Albis Francesco , Montresor Antonio 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAfter a baseline survey in 2003 which showed an overall parasitological prevalence of soil‐transmitted helminths of 69.7% in school children (prevalence of ascariasis 48.5%, prevalence of trichuriasis 57.5% and prevalence of hookworm infection 6.5), a national deworming programme was established. After 7 years of implementation, it had resulted in a significant reduction of STH prevalence (prevalence of any STH 21%, prevalence of ascariasis 5.8%, prevalence of trichuriasis 18.6% and prevalence of hookworm infection 0.3%) as well as a reduction of the infections of moderate‐heavy intensity from 18.5% at baseline to less than 7%. The results are encouraging and a reduction of the frequency of deworming can be envisaged in two of four ecological areas of Myanmar.