bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Reading Aloud Exercises for Complete Denture Patients during the Functional Rehabilitation Period
Authors: Liu Lang , Ye Xiu‐hua , Li Jie‐yin , Liao Juan‐kun , Ye Jian‐tao 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeThe focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of reading aloud on masticatory performance and patient satisfaction of patients rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures for the first time.Materials and MethodsSixty‐two edentulous patients who received conventional complete denture treatment for the first time were randomly divided into two equal groups. After insertion of the dentures, patients in group I were asked to read a news report three times per day for 4 weeks, while those in group II did not read. The reading duration increased by 5 minutes per week, from 5 minutes in the first week to 20 minutes in the fourth week. The patients’ mouth opening during reading aloud was advised to gradually increase throughout the training project. Two and four weeks after insertion of the dentures, masticatory performance was assessed using the sieving method, and patient satisfaction was measured using a visual analogue scale, which combined the patient's perceptions in relation to comfort, esthetics, stability, ability to talk, and ability to chew.ResultsThere were significant improvements in masticatory performance with reading aloud exercises after the insertion of complete dentures (p < 0.001) at the 2‐ and 4‐week follow‐up visits. Masticatory performance also showed significant improvement within each group in the follow‐up periods (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the two groups in patient satisfaction (p > 0.05) at 2 weeks, but at 4 weeks, patient satisfaction regarding stability, ability to talk, and ability to chew was significantly higher for group I (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that reading aloud exercises significantly improved early masticatory performance and patient satisfaction for denture wearers who were treated with conventional complete dentures for the first time, and may be a useful clinical application for more effective denture treatment.
Clinical Evaluation and Patient Satisfaction of Single Zirconia‐Based and High‐Noble Alloy Porcelain‐Fused‐to‐Metal Crowns in the Esthetic Area: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shi Jun‐Yu , Li Xin , Ni Jie , Zhu Zi‐Yuan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to assess clinical survival, complications, and patient satisfaction with single zirconia‐based crowns (ZC) or high‐noble alloy PFM crowns (HC) in esthetic areas.Materials and MethodsThe study was a retrospective cohort study with up to 3.8 years follow‐up (mean 2.5 years). Patients who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Survival rates, complications, satisfaction rates (color and form), and overall satisfaction (visual analogue scale, VAS) were evaluated by follow‐up examination. Chi‐square test (survival, complication, and satisfaction rate) and unpaired t‐test (overall satisfaction: VAS) were used to test the difference between the ZC and HC groups. Survival rates and complications were assessed both at subject‐level (patient as statistical unit) and at tooth‐level (tooth as statistical unit).ResultsOne hundred and thirteen patients met the inclusion criteria; 95 patients (ZC: 45, HC: 50) with 132 crowns (ZC: 61, HC: 71) were enrolled in the study. The overall survival rate was 93.3% for ZC crowns and 96.0% for HC crowns at subject‐level and 93.4% for ZC crowns and 97.2% for HC crowns at tooth‐level (p = 0.56 and 0.30, respectively). Veneer chipping was the most frequently seen complication. One HC crown lost retention because of poor cementation. One patient in the ZC group showed progression of periodontal disease. No significant difference of complications was found between the two groups at subject‐level and tooth‐level (p = 0.37 and 0.34, respectively). The overall satisfaction (VAS) was 8.18 for ZC crowns and 8.46 for HC crowns (p = 0.34).ConclusionsThe results of the study showed that a high survival rate could be achieved in both ZC and HC groups. Chipping of the veneering porcelain was the most frequently seen event that led to short‐term (less than 3 years) failure and complications. The patients’ rating of ZC crowns was not superior to HC crowns. Well‐designed studies with high evidence level and large sample size are still needed to further explore the clinical success of ZC and HC crowns.
Restoration of the Occlusal Vertical Dimension with an Overlay Removable Partial Denture: A Clinical Report
Authors: Zanardi Piero Rocha , Santos Mayara Silva , Stegun Roberto Chaib , Sesma Newton , Costa Bruno , Laganá Dalva Cruz 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe process of tooth loss throughout life associated with severe occlusal wear may pose a challenge in the rehabilitation of partially edentulous arches. In these cases, many therapeutic procedures are necessary because each tooth must be restored to obtain the correct anatomical contour and recover the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). A removable partial denture (RPD) with occlusal/incisal coverage, also known as an overlay RPD, is an alternative treatment option with fewer interventions, and, consequently, lower cost. This clinical report reviews the principles involved in the clinical indication for an overlay RPD, as well as the necessary planning and execution, to discuss the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of this treatment, identifying the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of this procedure through the presentation of a clinical case. The overlay RPD can be an alternative treatment for special situations involving partially edentulous arches in patients who need reestablishment of the OVD and/or realignment of the occlusal plane, and it can be used as a temporary or definitive treatment. The main advantages of this type of treatment are its simplicity, reversibility, and relatively low cost; however, further studies are needed to ensure the efficacy of this treatment option.
Variation in Primary Care Service Patterns by Rural‐Urban Location
Authors: Weigel Paula A.M. , Ullrich Fred , Shane Dan M. , Mueller Keith J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundRural communities have disproportionately faced primary care shortages for decades in spite of policy efforts to prepare and attract primary care health professionals to practice in rural locales. Insight into how primary care physicians’ service patterns in rural areas differ from those in less rural places is important to better inform recruitment strategies that target primary care providers and rural communities.ObjectivesThe purpose of this research is to describe how primary care physician service patterns vary by rural‐urban location for a large, privately insured population. We discuss implications of service pattern variation on policy efforts to attract primary care providers to underserved rural areas.MethodsClaims data from fully insured commercial health insurance beneficiaries were used to develop service pattern profiles for primary care providers located in 1 of 4 types of rural‐urban areas in Iowa in 2009. The 4 area types are metropolitan, micropolitan, noncore area adjacent to a metro area, and noncore/nonadjacent rural area.ResultsThere were differences in primary care physicians’ service patterns by rural‐urban area type. Physicians in nonmetropolitan areas provided relatively more care on a per physician basis than those in the metropolitan area type, as well as more surgery, maternity, emergency, and nursing facility services than metropolitan physicians.ConclusionPrimary care physicians who value practicing a relatively diverse range of services may find locating in rural areas an appealing choice. Health systems and policy makers seeking to attract primary care physicians to rural areas can incorporate this reality into a recruitment strategy.
Changes in the Supply of US Rural Health Centers, 2000‐2011: Implications for Rural Minority Communities
Authors: Ko Michelle , Cummings Janet R. , Ponce Ninez A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeRural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care in rural areas with a shortage of providers. This paper examines whether racial and ethnic minority composition was related to changes in the supply of RHCs and FQHCs in rural counties from 2000 to 2011.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of rural counties using the Area Health Resource File 2012‐2013. We examined rural counties defined as non‐Core‐Based Statistical Areas, with complete data on county characteristics for the study period (N = 1,349). Logistic regression analyses estimated associations between percentage of minority residents, and net gains and losses of RHCs and FQHCs, adjusting for total population, percentage of elderly residents, infant mortality rate, poverty rate, and physician, hospital, and clinic supply. Model estimates were used to calculate the predicted probability of outcomes across a range of minority percentage, from the 10th (≤1.6%) to 90th (≥46%) percentile of rural counties.FindingsIn high‐minority counties, the predicted probability of a net gain in any type of clinic was 28.6% (95% CI: 21.3‐35.8), versus 46.4% (95% CI: 40.0‐52.8) for low‐minority counties. High‐minority counties were also more likely to experience a net decline in RHCs.ConclusionsDuring a period of substantial growth in both programs, the percentage of minority residents was negatively associated with gaining new clinics of either type. Policy makers may need to consider targeting rural minority communities for additional primary care workforce support.
Electroencephalogram of Healthy Horses During Inhaled Anesthesia
Authors: Williams D.C. , Aleman M.R. , Brosnan R.J. , Fletcher D.J. , Holliday T.A. , Tharp B. , Kass P.H. , Steffey E.P. , LeCouteur R.A. 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundPrevious study of the diagnostic validity of electroencephalography (EEG) to detect abnormalities in equine cerebral cortical function relied on the administration of various drugs for sedation, induction, and maintenance of general anesthesia but used identical criteria to interpret recordings.ObjectivesTo determine the effects of 2 inhalation anesthetics on the EEG of healthy horses.AnimalsSix healthy horses.MethodsProspective study. After the sole administration of one of either isoflurane or halothane at 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 times the minimum alveolar concentration, EEG was recorded during controlled ventilation, spontaneous ventilation, and nerve stimulation.ResultsBurst suppression was observed with isoflurane, along with EEG events that resembled epileptiform discharges. Halothane results were variable between horses, with epileptiform‐like discharges and bursts of theta, alpha, and beta recorded intermittently. One horse died and 2 were euthanized as the result of anesthesia‐related complications.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe results of this study indicate that the effects of halothane and isoflurane on EEG activity in the normal horse can be quite variable, even when used in the absence of other drugs. It is recommended that equine EEG be performed without the use of these inhalation anesthetics and that general anesthesia be induced and maintained by other contemporary means.
Factors associated with early growth in Egyptian infants: implications for addressing the dual burden of malnutrition
Authors: Kavle Justine A. , Flax Valerie L. , Abdelmegeid Ali , Salah Farouk , Hafez Seham , Ramzy Magda , Hamed Doaa , Saleh Gulsen , Galloway Rae 
Published: September 2015

AbstractOptimal nutrition is critical to the attainment of healthy growth, human capital and sustainable development. In Egypt, infants and young children face overlapping forms of malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, stunting and overweight. Yet, in this setting, little is known about the factors associated with growth during the first year of life. A rise in stunting in Lower Egypt from 2005 to 2008 prompted this implementation research study, which followed a longitudinal cohort of infants from birth to 1 year of age within the context of a USAID‐funded maternal and child health integrated programme. We sought to determine if growth patterns and factors related to early growth differed in Lower and Upper Egypt, and examined the relationship between weight loss and subsequent stunting at 12 months of age. Growth patterns revealed that length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ) decreased and weight‐for‐length z‐score (WLZ) increased from 6 to 12 months of age in both regions. One‐quarter of infants were stunted and nearly one‐third were overweight by 12 months of age in lower Egypt. Minimum dietary diversity was significantly associated with WLZ in Lower Egypt (β = 0.22, P < 0.05), but not in Upper Egypt. Diarrhoea, fever and programme exposure were not associated with any growth outcome. Weight loss during any period was associated with a twofold likelihood of stunting at 12 months in Lower Egypt, but not Upper Egypt. In countries, like Egypt, facing the nutrition transition, infant and young child nutrition programmes need to address both stunting and overweight through improving dietary quality and reducing reliance on energy‐dense foods.
Azithromycin‐containing intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy affects gestational weight gain, an important predictor of birthweight in Papua New Guinea – an exploratory analysis
Authors: Unger Holger W. , Wangnapi Regina A. , Ome‐Kaius Maria , Boeuf Philippe , Karl Stephan , Mueller Ivo , Rogerson Stephen J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn Papua New Guinea, intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine and azithromycin (SPAZ‐IPTp) increased birthweight despite limited impact on malaria and sexually transmitted infections. To explore possible nutrition‐related mechanisms, we evaluated associations between gestational weight gain (GWG), enrolment body mass index (BMI) and mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), and birthweight. We investigated whether the increase in birthweight associated with SPAZ‐IPTp may partly be driven by a treatment effect on GWG. The mean GWG rate was 393 g/week (SD 250; n = 948). A 100 g/week increase in GWG was associated with a 14 g (95% CI 2.6, 25.4) increase in birthweight (P = 0.016). Enrolment BMI and MUAC also positively correlated with birthweight. SPAZ‐IPTp was associated with increased GWG [58 g/week (26, 900), P < 0.001, n = 948] and with increased birthweight [48 g, 95% CI (8, 880), P = 0.019] when all eligible women were considered (n = 1947). Inclusion of GWG reduced the birthweight coefficient associated with SPAZ‐IPTp by 18% from 44 to 36 g (n = 948), although SPAZ‐IPTp was not significantly associated with birthweight among women for whom GWG data were available (P = 0.13, n = 948). One month post‐partum, fewer women who had received SPAZ‐IPTp had a low post‐partum BMI (<18.5 kg m−2) [adjusted risk ratio: 0.55 (95% CI 0.36, 0.82), P = 0.004] and their babies had a reduced risk of wasting [risk ratio 0.39 (95% CI 0.21, 0.72), P = 0.003]. SPAZ‐IPTp increased GWG, which could explain its impact on birthweight and maternal post‐partum BMI. Future trials of SPAZ‐IPTp must incorporate detailed anthropometric evaluations to investigate mechanisms of effects on maternal and child health.
Evidence for altered cholesterol metabolism in Huntington's disease post mortem brain tissue
Authors: Kreilaus Fabian , Spiro Adena S. , McLean Catriona A. , Garner Brett , Jenner Andrew M. 
Published: September 2015

AimsCholesterol plays an essential role in membrane structure and function, being especially important in the brain. Alteration of brain cholesterol synthesis and metabolism has been demonstrated in several Huntington's disease (HD) mouse and cell models; however, less is known about these alterations in human tissue. This study aimed to identify alterations to cholesterol synthetic and metabolic pathways in human HD brain tissue.MethodsA broad range of cholesterol synthetic precursors, metabolites and oxidation products were measured by gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry in five regions of human post mortem HD brain and compared with age‐ and sex‐matched control tissues. The level of enzymes that regulate cholesterol homeostasis, cholesterol 24‐hydroxylase and delta(24)‐sterol reductase were investigated by Western blotting and qPCR in putamen.ResultsThe most significant changes were localized to the putamen, where a 60% decrease in 24(S)‐hydroxycholesterol, 30% increase in cholesterol and 100–200% increase in synthetic precursors (lathosterol, zymosterol and desmosterol) was detected. The enzymes cholesterol 24‐hydroxylase and delta(24)‐sterol reductase were also significantly decreased in HD putamen as compared with control tissues. Free radical‐generated cholesterol oxidation products 7‐keto cholesterol and 7β‐hydroxycholesterol were also increased by 50–70% in HD putamen.ConclusionHuman HD brain has significantly decreased cholesterol metabolism and disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. Our data also indicate that lipid oxidative stress accompanies HD pathology.
Saxagliptin reduces renal tubulointerstitial inflammation, hypertrophy and fibrosis in diabetes
Authors: Gangadharan Komala Muralikrishna , Gross Simon , Zaky Amgad , Pollock Carol , Panchapakesan Usha 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimIn addition to lowering blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors have been shown to be antifibrotic and anti‐inflammatory. We have previously shown that DPP4 inhibition in human kidney proximal tubular cells exposed to high glucose reduced fibrotic and inflammatory markers. Hence, we wanted to demonstrate renoprotection in an in vivo model.MethodsWe used a type 1 diabetic animal model to explore the renoprotective potential of saxagliptin independent of glucose lowering. We induced diabetes in enos −/− mice using streptozotocin and matched glucose levels using insulin. Diabetic mice were treated with saxagliptin and outcomes compared with untreated diabetic mice.ResultsWe provide novel data that saxagliptin limits renal hypertrophy, transforming growth factor beta‐related fibrosis and NF‐κBp65‐mediated macrophage infiltration. Overall, there was a reduction in histological markers of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. There was no reduction in albuminuria or glomerulosclerosis.ConclusionOur findings highlight the potential of DPP4 inhibition as additional therapy in addressing the multiple pathways to achieve renoprotection in diabetic nephropathy.
Basiliximab treatment for autoimmune bowel disease in a pediatric heart transplant patient
Authors: Puri K. , Kocoshis S. , Risma K. , Perez L. , Hart C. , Chin C. , Ryan T. D. , Jefferies J. L. , Schumacher K. R. , Castleberry C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAutoimmune‐mediated bowel disease has been reported after pediatric heart transplantation. Recognition and treatment of these patients has been difficult. We describe a patient who responded to steroids and basiliximab therapy after an inflammatory process secondary to abnormal T‐cell activation. Our patient is a 28‐month‐old female who received a heart transplant at five wk of age. At 24 months post‐transplant, she developed fever and bloody stools. Initial investigations were significant for an elevated ESR (>120) and CRP (15.2). Symptoms persisted despite bowel rest and mycophenolate discontinuation. Endoscopic evaluation revealed discontinuous ulcerative disease involving esophagus, terminal ileum, right and left colon, necessitating extensive bowel resection. She had additional airway inflammation leading to a TEF at the site of esophageal ulceration, requiring tracheostomy. Immune evaluation revealed autoimmune dysregulation that responded to parenteral methylprednisolone. Chronic basiliximab therapy allowed for successful weaning of steroids with sustained remission. She has been transitioned to sirolimus and tacrolimus maintenance immunosuppression with plans to discontinue basiliximab once off steroids. In conclusion, bowel disease in the setting of pediatric heart transplantation can be severe and refractory to traditional treatment methods. Tailoring immune therapy to activated T cells can result in remission. Basiliximab therapy was used in our patient to maintain steroid‐induced remission, but long‐term complications of this disease process are unknown.
Probing soil physical and biological resilience data from a broad sampling of arable farms in Scotland
Authors: Griffiths B. S. , Hallett P. D. , Daniell T. J. , Hawes C. , Squire G. S. , Mitchell S. M. , Caul S. , Valentine T. A. , Binnie K. , Adeloye A. J. , Rustum R. , Nevison I. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPhysical and biological soil stabilities (i.e. resistance and resilience) were measured on a range of arable farms across eastern Scotland under a range of management practices, with the objective of using a geographically restricted set of soils under similar land use to detect any underlying associations between soil stability, management factors and soil properties. Data were analysed using a combination of a stepwise fixed effects model selection within a linear mixed‐model framework (LMM) and neural network analysis using a Kohonen self‐organising map (KSOM). In general, physical and biological measures of stability were associated with both physical and biological soil properties, particularly bulk density, water retention characteristics, soil carbon and bacterial community structure. A strength of KSOM is its ability to fit more flexible models than the linear relationships of LMM. However, a weakness is that it does not have the ability of LMM to model the sampling design, which is likely to lead to overstating statistical significance. Consequently, KSOM identified more significant associations between soil properties and stability than LMM, while the latter identified significant associations at the between‐farm level. The high‐level land management decisions of farm type (conventional, organic, integrated), crop type or underlying soil type were not associated with stability at this regional scale, thus indicating that the effects of different management practices between farms were overridden by the soil properties on each farm. Management decisions on improving soil stability therefore need to be taken at the individual field scale.
Antibody‐reactive class I epitopes defined by pairs of mismatched eplets and self‐eplets
Authors: Resse M. , Paolillo R. , Minucci B. P. , Moccia G. , Napoli C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe identification of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in the sera of candidates awaiting organ transplantation has evolved over time. This has been possible because of the introduction of more sensitive techniques and to the increasing focus on the structural aspects of the HLA epitopes. The use of the HLAMatchmaker algorithm in the analysis of positive sera and the verification of HLA ABC epitopes in the HLA Epitope Registry website provide new stimuli on the interpretation of antibody reactivity. The epitopes defined by eplet pairs often involve a nonself‐eplet and a self‐eplet (nonself–self paradigm), suggesting that the antibody response to an HLA mismatch must have an auto‐reactive component. Here, we report an application of the nonself–self paradigm that provides a basis for better knowledge and interpretation of HLA‐antibody reactivity in Luminex assays with single alleles.