bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with chewing problems and oral dryness among older Chinese people in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Doris Y.P. , Leung Angela Y.M. , Chi Iris 
Published: February 2014

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the prevalence of chewing problems and oral dryness when eating and examine their risk factors among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults.BackgroundChewing problems and oral dryness are two common oral health complaints in older people. A number of factors associated with these two oral health problems in older people have been reported, but information regarding Chinese older adults is scarce.Materials and methodsSecondary analysis was conducted on the data collected from 3422 Hong Kong adults aged ≥60 who had completed a screening instrument for long‐term care services for the first time.ResultsAmong the respondents, 15.3% reported having chewing problems and 3.5% reported having oral dryness when eating. More dependence on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL, OR = 1.06, p < 0.001) was associated with a greater likelihood of chewing problems, while more negative mood (OR = 1.19, p < 0.001) was associated with a greater likelihood of oral dryness when eating, after adjusting for the effects of socio‐demographic characteristics and medical conditions. Informal care support, poor nutrition status and difficulty in brushing teeth/dentures were positively and significantly associated with these two perceived oral health problems.ConclusionsThe prevalence of both chewing problems and oral dryness was low in Hong Kong older Chinese adults. IADL was related to chewing problems, while negative mood was related to oral dryness independently and significantly, which provide a knowledge base upon which to develop strategic programs of oral health promotion among older Chinese adults.
Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents
Authors: Hsieh Chia‐Jung , Chang Chueh , Tsai Grace , Wu Hsiu‐Feng 
Published: February 2014

AimTo determine the psychological and physiological effects of a Laughing Qigong Program on an elderly population in an institutionalized setting.MethodsParticipants were recruited from a long‐term care institution in northern Taiwan. A total of 99 residents were interviewed and 66 enrolled, there were 33 control participants and 33 experimental participants. The participants were matched according to their abilities as measured by the Barthel Index of Activities for Daily Living. Experimental participants attended the Laughing Qigong Program, twice a week for 4 weeks. Comparisons were made on the Mini‐Mental State Examination, Faces Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and cortisol levels.ResultsPsychometric measures for participants in the experimental group improved, whereas those in the control group decreased. The experimental group showed the following changes: improved Mini‐Mental State Examination scores (Z = −2.28; P < 0.05), improved mood states (Z = −4.47; P < 0.001) and decreased Geriatric Depression Scale scores (Z = 3.79; P < 0.001). There were no significant changes for the experimental group in cortisol levels. By comparison, the control group showed: decreased mood states (Z = 2.53; P < 0.011), increased Geriatric Depression Scale scores (Z = 4.34; P < 0.001) and significant increases in cortisol levels (Z = 2.62; P < 0.009).ConclusionsThe Laughing Qigong Program has shown to be an effective, cost‐effective non‐pharmacological therapy for cognitive impairment, mood states and elderly depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 165‐173.
Education through Art after the Second World War: A Critical Review of Art Education in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hyungsook 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article examines how progressive education was introduced to South Korea after the Second World War and takes a closer look at critical studies of this history. It argues that the America‐led progressive education policies, which focused on art education, were an uncritical adaptation of the superpower's educational ideology and did not contribute to the advancement of education in Korea. In order to clear the vestiges of Japanese colonial rule, many progressive reform projects, including the reformation of the curriculum, were set into motion. However, these initiatives did not address South Korea's social and economic issues but helped to maintain traces of colonial rule. They influenced the Korean people to develop a negative view of their own roots, culture and traditions. It encouraged people to consider themselves as the subjects of Westernisation and was a strategy implemented by America to have influence on South Korea.
New insights into the morphogenic role of stromal cells and their relevance for regenerative medicine. lessons from the heart
Authors: Bani Daniele , Nistri Silvia 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe term stromal cells is referred to cells of direct or indirect (hematopoietic) mesenchymal origin, and encompasses different cell populations residing in the connective tissue, which share the ability to produce the macromolecular components of the extracellular matrix and to organize them in the correct spatial assembly. In physiological conditions, stromal cells are provided with the unique ability to shape a proper three‐dimensional scaffold and stimulate the growth and differentiation of parenchymal precursors to give rise to tissues and organs. Thus, stromal cells have an essential function in the regulation of organ morphogenesis and regeneration. In pathological conditions, under the influence of local pro‐inflammatory mediators, stromal cells can be prompted to differentiate into myofibroblasts, which rather express a fibrogenic phenotype required for prompt deposition of reparatory scar tissue. Indeed, scarring may be interpreted as an emergency healing response to injury typical of evolved animals, like mammals, conceivably directed to preserve survival at the expense of function. However, under appropriate conditions, the original ability of stromal cells to orchestrate organ regeneration, which is typical of some lower vertebrates and mammalian embryos, can be resumed. These concepts underline the importance of expanding the knowledge on the biological properties of stromal cells and their role as key regulators of the three‐dimensional architecture of the organs in view of the refinement of the therapeutic protocols of regenerative medicine.
Morphology and Phylogenetic Position of an Unusual Stentor polymorphus (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea) Without Symbiotic Algae
Authors: Fernandes Noemi M. , da Silva Neto Inácio Domingos , Schrago Carlos G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe investigated the live morphology, infraciliature, and small subunit rRNA gene sequences of an unusual population of Stentor polymorphus without symbiotic algae that was isolated from the southeastern region of Brazil. The morphological and molecular data confirmed the identity of this strain as S. polymorphus. The Brazilian S. polymorphus organism is 850–2,000 μm in length in vivo and has colorless cortical granules, a moniliform macronucleus with 6–12 nodules, somatic ciliature composed of 50–60 kineties, a single contractile vacuole located to the left of the cytostome, and a conspicuous oral pouch, and it does not build a lorica. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, the Brazilian S. polymorphus was located within a cluster consisting of four other S. polymorphus sequences, with high support values using both the Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood algorithms. Our study presents the first report of a S. polymorphus population without its symbionts under natural conditions. On the basis of our findings, we propose that the presence or absence of symbiotic algae should not be used as a taxonomic character for the identification of Stentor species.
Improving Maternal and Newborn Health Care Delivery in Rural Amhara and Oromiya Regions of Ethiopia Through the Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership
Authors: Sibley Lynn M. , Tesfaye Solomon , Fekadu Desta Binyam , Hailemichael Frew Aynalem , Kebede Alemu , Mohammed Hajira , Ethier‐Stover Kim , Dynes Michelle , Barry Danika , Hepburn Kenneth , Gobezayehu Abebe Gebremariam 
Published: February 2014

IntroductionIn Ethiopia, rural residence and limited access to skilled providers and health services pose challenges for maternal and newborn survival. The Maternal Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP) developed a community‐based model of maternal and newborn health focusing on birth and the early postnatal period and positioned it for scale‐up. MaNHEP's 3‐pronged intervention included community‐ and facility‐based community maternal and newborn health training, continuous quality improvement, and behavior change communications.MethodsEvaluation included baseline and endline surveys conducted with random samples of health extension workers, community health development agents, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and women who gave birth the year prior to the survey; pretraining, posttraining, and postintervention clinical skills assessments conducted with health extension workers, community health development agents, and traditional birth attendants; endline surveys conducted with quality improvement teams; and a perinatal verbal autopsy study.ResultsThere were significant improvements in the completeness of maternal and newborn health care provided by the team of health extension workers, community health development agents, and TBAs in their demonstrated capacity and confidence to provide care and a sense of being part of a maternal and newborn health care team. There were also significant improvements in women's awareness of and trust in the ability of these team members to provide maternal and newborn health care, in the completeness of care that women received, and in the use of skilled providers and health extension workers for antenatal and postnatal care. In addition, a shift occurred toward the use of providers with a higher level of skills for birth care. Successful local solutions for pregnancy identification, antenatal care registration, labor‐birth notification, and postnatal follow‐up were adopted across 51 project communities. The number of days between perinatal deaths increased over the duration of the project.DiscussionMaNHEP was associated with more, and more complete, coverage of maternal and newborn health care and improved perinatal outcomes. The model is adaptable and potentially scalable, as indicated by the pilot test of its integration into the Ethiopian Ministry of Health's newly revised Primary Health Care Unit and Health Extension Program structures.
Protective and toxic roles of dopamine in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Segura‐Aguilar Juan , Paris Irmgard , Muñoz Patricia , Ferrari Emanuele , Zecca Luigi , Zucca Fabio A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe molecular mechanisms causing the loss of dopaminergic neurons containing neuromelanin in the substantia nigra and responsible for motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease are still unknown. The discovery of genes associated with Parkinson's disease (such as alpha synuclein (SNCA), E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (parkin), DJ‐1 (PARK7), ubiquitin carboxyl‐terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 (UCHL‐1), serine/threonine‐protein kinase (PINK‐1), leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), cation‐transporting ATPase 13A1 (ATP13A), etc.) contributed enormously to basic research towards understanding the role of these proteins in the sporadic form of the disease. However, it is generally accepted by the scientific community that mitochondria dysfunction, alpha synuclein aggregation, dysfunction of protein degradation, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in neurodegeneration. Dopamine oxidation seems to be a complex pathway in which dopamine o‐quinone, aminochrome and 5,6‐indolequinone are formed. However, both dopamine o‐quinone and 5,6‐indolequinone are so unstable that is difficult to study and separate their roles in the degenerative process occurring in Parkinson's disease. Dopamine oxidation to dopamine o‐quinone, aminochrome and 5,6‐indolequinone seems to play an important role in the neurodegenerative processes of Parkinson's disease as aminochrome induces: (i) mitochondria dysfunction, (ii) formation and stabilization of neurotoxic protofibrils of alpha synuclein, (iii) protein degradation dysfunction of both proteasomal and lysosomal systems and (iv) oxidative stress. The neurotoxic effects of aminochrome in dopaminergic neurons can be inhibited by: (i) preventing dopamine oxidation of the transporter that takes up dopamine into monoaminergic vesicles with low pH and dopamine oxidative deamination catalyzed by monoamino oxidase (ii) dopamine o‐quinone, aminochrome and 5,6‐indolequinone polymerization to neuromelanin and (iii) two‐electron reduction of aminochrome catalyzed by DT‐diaphorase. Furthermore, dopamine conversion to NM seems to have a dual role, protective and toxic, depending mostly on the cellular context.
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Dopamine oxidation to dopamine o‐quinone, aminochrome and 5,6‐indolequinone plays an important role in neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease since they induce mitochondria and protein degradation dysfunction; formation of neurotoxic alpha synuclein protofibrils and oxidative stress. However, the cells have a protective system against dopamine oxidation composed by dopamine uptake mediated by Vesicular monoaminergic transporter‐2 (VMAT‐2), neuromelanin formation, two‐electron reduction and GSH‐conjugation mediated by Glutathione S‐transferase M2‐2 (GSTM2).
Bad Romance: Sex Differences in the Longitudinal Association Between Romantic Relationships and Deviant Behavior
Authors: Monahan Kathryn C. , Dmitrieva Julia , Cauffman Elizabeth 
Published: February 2014

The current study investigates how romantic relationships are related to antisocial behavior longitudinally among delinquent males and females (n = 354; ages 14–25). While being in a relationship or not is unrelated to antisocial behavior, romantic partner characteristics (antisocial behavior and antisocial influence) are associated with greater antisocial behavior. As males age, they become increasingly resistant to romantic partner characteristics. In contrast, females become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of romantic partner characteristics on antisocial behavior as they age, particularly when these relationships are relatively shorter. Females in shorter romantic relationships with partners who are antisocial or exert antisocial influence are at risk of persisting in antisocial behavior.
Testing for Asymmetric Information Using “Unused Observables” in Insurance Markets: Evidence from the U.K. Annuity Market
Authors: Finkelstein Amy , Poterba James 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article tests for asymmetric information in the U.K. annuity market of the 1990s by trying to identify “unused observables,” attributes of individual insurance buyers that are correlated both with subsequent claims experience and with insurance demand but that insurance companies did not use to set insurance prices. Unlike the widely used positive correlation test for asymmetric information, which searches for a positive correlation between insurance demand and risk experience, the unused observables test is not confounded by heterogeneity in individual preference parameters that may affect insurance demand. We identify residential location as an unused observable in the U.K. annuity market of this period. Even though residential location was observed by all market participants, the decision not to condition prices on it created the same types of market inefficiencies that arise when annuity buyers have private information about mortality risk. Our findings raise questions about how insurance companies select the set of buyer attributes that they use in setting policy prices. In the decade following the period that we study, U.K. insurance companies changed their pricing practices and began to condition annuity prices on a buyer's postcode.
The influence of metacognitive training on delusion severity and metacognitive ability in schizophrenia
Authors: Erawati Erna , Keliat Budi Anna , Helena Novy , Hamid Achiryani 
Published: February 2014

Accessible summary
Individualized metacognitive training is an effective therapy for reducing delusion severity and at the same time increasing metacognitive ability.
Correlations emerged between delusion severity and metacognitive ability was needed to be established.
Current research findings on cognitive biases and their link to schizophrenia/delusions are explained in a comprehensible and non‐stigmatizing manner to patients and illustrated by multiple (everyday life) examples.
AbstractThe article is a report of a study conducted to explore the influence of individualized metacognitive therapy (MCT) on delusional severity and metacognitive ability. Delusional beliefs are at the core of schizophrenia. While there is emerging evidence on the usefulness treatment for psychosis of the group training MCT, so far only one study has investigated the effectiveness of individualized metacognitive training. A quasi experimental approach was adopted: The sample consisted of each 26 patients in the intervention group and in the control group. We found that delusion severity as assessed with the Psychosis Rating Scales and metacognitive abilities using the Metacognitive Ability Questionnaire improved significantly in the intervention group. Group differences achieved significance in favour of the MCT for all measures. Correlations that emerged between delusion severity and metacognitive ability were needed to be established. Metacognitive training appears to be effective in decreasing delusion severity and increasing metacognitive ability. We recommend that individualized MCT for a schizophrenic client should become a standard procedure in the treatment of psychosis, which can be administered by a qualified nurse.
Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction Incidence and Remission in Men
Authors: Martin Sean A. , Atlantis Evan , Lange Kylie , Taylor Anne W. , O'Loughlin Peter , Wittert Gary A. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Introduction
The progress and determinants of sexual dysfunction in middle-aged and elderly men remain unclear.

Aim
To describe the incidence or remission and biopsychosocial predictors of erectile dysfunction (ED) and low sexual desire (SD).

Main Outcome Measures
Erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function) and sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory 2) were assessed at follow-up. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors were examined in multivariate models of ED and low SD.

Methods
Data were collected from 810 randomly selected men residing in northern and western Adelaide, Australia, and aged 35–80 years at baseline, who made clinic visits 5 years apart.

Results
At baseline, 23.2% (n = 123) of men had ED. ED incidence and remission were observed in 31.7% (n = 179) and 29.0% (n = 71) of eligible men, respectively. At baseline, 19.2% (n = 165) had low solitary sexual desire, and 6.0% (n = 50) had low dyadic sexual desire; incidence of low sexual desire occurred in 17.6% (n = 83) (solitary) and 8.3% (n = 51) (dyadic), while remission occurred in 15.4% (n = 68) (solitary) and 22.6% (n = 40) (dyadic) of men. In the final regression models, predictors of incident ED were higher age, lower income, higher abdominal fat mass, low alcohol intake, higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, voiding lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), depression, and diabetes. Predictors of ED remission were lower age, current employment, and absence of voiding LUTS, angina, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Predictors of low dyadic SD incidence included higher age, never having been married, widowhood, being unemployed, being retired, insufficient physical activity, and low alcohol intake. Predictors of low dyadic SD remission were being married, not being widowed, higher income, lower abdominal fat mass, lower OSA risk, and higher plasma testosterone. Predictors of low solitary SD included never having been married, being unemployed, low alcohol intake, lower testosterone, storage LUTS, and hypertension. Predictors of low solitary SD remission were being married, being employed, higher income, higher physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, and depression.

Conclusions
Sexual dysfunction in aging men is a dynamic disorder whose incidence and remission are predicted by a range of modifiable risk factors.
Rheological and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study on Heat‐Induced Gel Properties of Spent‐Hen Myofibrillar Protein Affected by Porcine Plasma Protein
Authors: Wang Peng , Han Minyi , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong , Huang Mengmeng 
Published: February 2014

AbstractModel heat‐induced gels were prepared. Compared with the broiler myofibrillar protein (BMP), interactions between porcine plasma protein (PPP) and spent‐hen myofibrillar protein (SHMP) were evaluated using rheology, textural analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The gel hardness of SHMP was higher than that of BMP. PPP had the highest stickiness and immobilized water fraction of all the gels. The plasma and broiler myofibrillar mixed proteins had a storage modulus similar to that of BMP. After mixing SHMP or BMP with PPP, immobilized water fraction was increased by 5.59% or 50.57%, respectively, and the water‐holding capacity (WHC) of the latter significantly increased. Addition of PPP transformed SHMP heat‐induced gel to a uniform interconnected network. Introducing PPP can improve the WHC and microstructure of SHMP and BMP gels.Practical ApplicationsSpent‐hen meat is an underutilized raw material which could be used for mince or imitation products. However, there lies diversity on heat‐induced gel properties among different researches. As incorporation of spent‐hen breast surimi into analog food can bring worse quality, such as increases of cooking losses and decreases of water‐holding capacity, it is the valuable trying to improve quality through protein interaction. This research could be useful to the modification of mince or imitation products with spent‐hen meat, and to the manipulation of texture and water‐holding capacity of meat products with plasma protein.