bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mandibular Denture Base Deformation with Locator and Ball Attachments of Implant‐Retained Overdentures
Authors: ELsyad Moustafa Abdou , Errabti Hatem Mokhtar , Mustafa Aisha Zakaria 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare mandibular denture base deformation between ball and Locator attachments of implant‐retained overdentures.Materials and MethodsAn experimental acrylic model covered with resilient silicone mucosal simulation was constructed. Two laboratory implants were placed in the canine areas of the model. Two duplicate experimental overdentures were constructed and connected to the implants with either ball (GI) or Locator (GII) attachments. To measure overdenture strain around the attachments, 3 strain gauges were attached to the lingual polished surface of the overdentures opposite to the right implant (loading side) 2 mm above the attachment level (Ch1), at the attachment level (Ch2), and 2 mm below the attachment level (Ch3). Another 3 gauges were bonded opposite to the left implant (non‐loading side) in the same manner (Ch6, Ch7, and Ch8). To measure strain at the midline of the overdentures, two strain gauges were attached in the midline at 5 mm intervals (Ch4 and Ch5). A universal testing device was used to deliver vertical static load of 50 N unilaterally and bilaterally to the first molar area to measure strain using a multi‐channel digital strain meter.ResultsDuring bilateral load application, GII recorded higher compressive strains than GI at the majority of channels. During unilateral load application, GI recorded higher tensile strains at Ch1, Ch2, and Ch3, and GII recorded higher strains than GI at Ch6, Ch7, and Ch8. During bilateral loading the highest strain was concentrated at Ch5 for both groups. During unilateral loading, the highest strain was concentrated at Ch2 for GI, and at Ch5 for GII.ConclusionBall attachments for implant‐retained overdentures were associated with significant mandibular denture base deformation over the implants compared to Locator attachments. Therefore, denture base reinforcement may be recommended with ball attachmentz to increase fracture resistance of the base.
Variable Number Agreement in Brazilian Portuguese: An Overview
Authors: Mendes Ronald Beline , Oushiro Livia 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis survey article presents an overview of studies on variable number agreement in Brazilian Portuguese, regarding the variable usage of explicit and zero plural markers in both noun and verb phrases. Being among the most widely studied phenomena in sociolinguistics, NP and SV agreement studies provide a consistent picture of their social and linguistic embedding across multiple speech communities and have contributed to the debate on the outcomes of language contact, to the description of general constraints on natural languages (such as the effect of parallelism), as well as to discussions on linguistic prejudice outside of academia. This article summarizes the most relevant and recurrent constraints found for these variables and highlights their wider implications for language theory and for the social role of linguistics.
Global summary of maternal and newborn vitamin D status – a systematic review
Authors: Saraf Rajneeta , Morton Susan M.B. , Camargo Carlos A. , Grant Cameron C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPregnant women and newborns are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Our objective was to create a global summary of maternal and newborn vitamin D status. We completed a systematic review (1959–2014) and meta‐analysis of studies reporting serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in maternal and newborn populations. The 95 identified studies were unevenly distributed by World Health Organization (WHO) region: Americas (24), European (33), Eastern Mediterranean (13), South‐East Asian (7), Western Pacific (16) and African (2). Average maternal 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol L−1) by region were 47–65 (Americas), 15–72 (European), 13–60 (Eastern Mediterranean), 20–52 (South‐East Asian), 42–72 (Western Pacific) and 92 (African). Average newborn 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol L−1) were 35–77 (Americas), 20–50 (European), 5–50 (Eastern Mediterranean), 20–22 (South‐East Asian), 32–67 (Western Pacific) and 27–35 (African). The prevalences of 25(OH)D <50 and <25 nmol L−1 by WHO region in pregnant women were: Americas (64%, 9%), European (57%, 23%), Eastern Mediterranean (46%, 79%), South‐East Asian (87%, not available) and Western Pacific (83%, 13%). Among newborns these values were: Americas (30%, 14%), European (73%, 39%), Eastern Mediterranean (60%, not available), South‐East Asian (96%, 45%) and Western Pacific (54%, 14%). By global region, average 25(OH)D concentration varies threefold in pregnant women and newborns, and prevalence of 25(OH)D <25 nmol L−1 varies eightfold in pregnant women and threefold in newborns. Maternal and newborn 25(OH)D concentrations are highly correlated. Addressing vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and newborns should be a global priority. To protect children from the adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency requires appropriate interventions during both pregnancy and childhood.
Formalized Representation of Specifications for Construction Cost Estimation by Using Ontology
Authors: Ma Zhiliang , Liu Zhe , Wei Zhenhua 
Published: September 2015

AbstractConstruction cost estimation, which is normally labor‐intensive and error‐prone, is one of the most important works concerned by multiparticipants during a project's life cycle. However, the proficiency of estimators on specifications for construction cost estimation greatly affects the efficiency and accuracy of cost estimation. By formalizing specifications for construction cost estimation, such specifications can be better implemented in computer programs so that the working efficiency and accuracy of estimation can be greatly improved. This study aims to establish an effective approach to formalize such specifications by using ontology. First, two typical specifications for construction cost estimation are analyzed and relevant models are established. Then, an ontology‐based representation of two specifications is established based on the models. Next, a prototype tool for facilitating the establishment, modification, and extension of the ontology‐based representation for estimators is presented and the use cases of the tool are illustrated. Finally, the applicability of the approach is discussed. It is concluded that the formalized representation can be used to classify the building components into items for bill of quantities and quota items automatically by computer programs to accelerate cost estimation.
Prevalence of brain and spinal cord inclusions, including dipeptide repeat proteins, in patients with the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: a systematic neuropathological review
Authors: Schipper L. J. , Raaphorst J. , Aronica E. , Baas F. , de Haan R. , de Visser M. , Troost D. 
Published: September 2015

AimThe current literature shows no consensus on the localization and number of characteristic neuronal inclusions [p62 and dipeptide repeat proteins (DRPs) positive, TDP‐43‐negative and TDP‐43 positive] in the brain and spinal cord of patients with the hexanucleotide repeat expansion on chromosome 9 (C9ORF72‐positive patients). This may be due to small sample sizes. A valid brain map of the inclusions in C9ORF72‐positive patients may improve clinicopathological correlations and may serve as a reference for neuropathologists.MethodsWe performed a systematic review on 42 pathological studies to assess the pooled prevalence rates and density (a measure of the number of inclusions per brain region) of (phosphorylated)‐TDP‐43, p62 and DRP neuronal inclusions in seven brain regions and the spinal cord of 261 C9ORF72‐positive patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS‐FTD.ResultsIn the cerebellum and hippocampus, the pooled prevalence rates of TDP‐43 neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs; cerebellum: 3.9%; hippocampus: 68.3%) were lower than those of DRP (cerebellum: 97.2%; hippocampus 97.1%). Moreover, TDP‐43 inclusion density was lower compared with p62 inclusion density in these regions. The pooled prevalence rate of TDP‐43 NCI in the substantia nigra was high (94.4%).DiscussionThe findings of this systematic review largely confirm findings of previous smaller studies on the localization and prevalence of inclusions in the central nervous system of C9ORF72‐positive patients. The high prevalence of TDP‐43 inclusions in the substantia nigra is a relatively new finding and is probably related to the relatively high prevalence of parkinsonism in C9ORF72‐positive patients.
The long road to recombinase‐mediated plant transformation
Authors: Ow David W. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe use of site‐specific recombinases to manipulate eukaryotic genomes began nearly three decades ago. Although seemingly parallel efforts were being made in animal and plant systems, the motivation for its development in plants was unique to, at least at the time, crop bioengineering issues. The impetus behind site‐specific deletion in plants was to remove antibiotic resistance genes used during transformation but unnecessary in commercial products. Site‐specific integration in plants was more than academic curiosity of position effects on gene expression, but a necessary step towards developing the serial stacking of DNA to the same chromosome locus – to insure that bioengineered crops can be improved over time through transgene additions without inflating the number of segregating loci. This article is not a review of the literature on site‐specific recombination, but a first person account of the series of events leading to the development of a gene stacking transformation system in plants.
A review of carotenoid utilisation and function in crustacean aquaculture
Authors: Wade Nicholas M. , Gabaudan Jacques , Glencross Brett D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCrustaceans are cultured extensively around the world in intensive farming systems. High‐performance formulated feeds have been developed for crustacean aquaculture, which are often supplemented with a number of natural and synthetic carotenoid sources. Studies over a number of years have consistently shown that dietary carotenoid supplementation is beneficial for crustacean aquaculture across a range of commercially relevant parameters. Most obvious is the effect on pigmentation, where carotenoid inclusion levels in feeds and duration of feeding diets with carotenoids have been optimised across many species to improve product colour, and subsequently quality and price. However, beneficial effects of carotenoid inclusion have increasingly been demonstrated on other parameters. This review updates the recent progress in our understanding of dietary carotenoid utilisation and storage, and the combined effects of diet, genetics and environment on crustacean pigmentation. In addition, the range of other physiological benefits this class of molecules brings to these animals is summarised. These include improvements in survival, growth, reproductive capacity, disease resistance and stress resistance.
COPD and its comorbidities: Impact, measurement and mechanisms
Authors: Negewo Netsanet A. , Gibson Peter G. , McDonald Vanessa M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexists with other conditions often known as comorbidities. The prevalence of most of the common comorbid conditions that accompany COPD has been widely reported. It is also recognized that comorbidities have significant health and economic consequences. Nevertheless, there is scant research examining how comorbidities should be assessed and managed in the context of COPD. Also, the underlying mechanisms linking COPD with its comorbidities are still not fully understood. Owing to these knowledge gaps, current disease‐specific approaches provide clinicians with little guidance in terms of managing comorbid conditions in the clinical care of multi‐diseased COPD patients. This review discusses the concepts of comorbidity and multi‐morbidity in COPD in relation to the overall clinical outcome of COPD management. It also summarizes some of the currently available clinical scores used to measure comorbid conditions and their prognostic abilities. Furthermore, recent developments in the proposed mechanisms linking COPD with its comorbidities are discussed.
Tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Agaya Janet , Nnadi Chimeremma D. , Odhiambo Joseph , Obonyo Charles , Obiero Vincent , Lipke Virginia , Okeyo Elisha , Cain Kevin , Oeltmann John E. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo assess prevalence and occupational risk factors of latent TB infection and history of TB disease ascribed to work in a healthcare setting in western Kenya.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional survey among healthcare workers in western Kenya in 2013. They were recruited from dispensaries, health centres and hospitals that offer both TB and HIV services. School workers from the health facilities' catchment communities were randomly selected to serve as the community comparison group. Latent TB infection was diagnosed by tuberculin skin testing. HIV status of participants was assessed. Using a logistic regression model, we determined the adjusted odds of latent TB infection among healthcare workers compared to school workers; and among healthcare workers only, we assessed work‐related risk factors for latent TB infection.ResultsWe enrolled 1005 healthcare workers and 411 school workers. Approximately 60% of both groups were female. A total of 22% of 958 healthcare workers and 12% of 392 school workers tested HIV positive. Prevalence of self‐reported history of TB disease was 7.4% among healthcare workers and 3.6% among school workers. Prevalence of latent TB infection was 60% among healthcare workers and 48% among school workers. Adjusted odds of latent TB infection were 1.5 times higher among healthcare workers than school workers (95% confidence interval 1.2–2.0). Healthcare workers at all three facility types had similar prevalence of latent TB infection (P = 0.72), but increasing years of employment was associated with increased odds of LTBI (P < 0.01).ConclusionHealthcare workers at facilities in western Kenya which offer TB and HIV services are at increased risk of latent TB infection, and the risk is similar across facility types. Implementation of WHO‐recommended TB infection control measures are urgently needed in health facilities to protect healthcare workers.
Projections onto the Pareto surface in multicriteria radiation therapy optimization
Authors: Bokrantz Rasmus , Miettinen Kaisa 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:To eliminate or reduce the error to Pareto optimality that arises in Pareto surface navigation when the Pareto surface is approximated by a small number of plans.Methods:The authors propose to project the navigated plan onto the Pareto surface as a postprocessing step to the navigation. The projection attempts to find a Pareto optimal plan that is at least as good as or better than the initial navigated plan with respect to all objective functions. An augmented form of projection is also suggested where dose–volume histogram constraints are used to prevent that the projection causes a violation of some clinical goal. The projections were evaluated with respect to planning for intensity modulated radiation therapy delivered by step‐and‐shoot and sliding window and spot‐scanned intensity modulated proton therapy. Retrospective plans were generated for a prostate and a head and neck case.Results:The projections led to improved dose conformity and better sparing of organs at risk (OARs) for all three delivery techniques and both patient cases. The mean dose to OARs decreased by 3.1 Gy on average for the unconstrained form of the projection and by 2.0 Gy on average when dose–volume histogram constraints were used. No consistent improvements in target homogeneity were observed.Conclusions:There are situations when Pareto navigation leaves room for improvement in OAR sparing and dose conformity, for example, if the approximation of the Pareto surface is coarse or the problem formulation has too permissive constraints. A projection onto the Pareto surface can identify an inaccurate Pareto surface representation and, if necessary, improve the quality of the navigated plan.
Two Essential Light Chains Regulate the MyoA Lever Arm To Promote
Toxoplasma
Gliding Motility
Authors: Williams Melanie J. , Alonso Hernan , Enciso Marta , Egarter Saskia , Sheiner Lilach , Meissner Markus , Striepen Boris , Smith Brian J. , Tonkin Christopher J. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Key to the virulence of apicomplexan parasites is their ability to move through tissue and to invade and egress from host cells. Apicomplexan motility requires the activity of the glideosome, a multicomponent molecular motor composed of a type XIV myosin, MyoA. Here we identify a novel glideosome component, essential light chain 2 (ELC2), and functionally characterize the two essential light chains (ELC1 and ELC2) of MyoA in
Toxoplasma
. We show that these proteins are functionally redundant but are important for invasion, egress, and motility. Molecular simulations of the MyoA lever arm identify a role for Ca
2+
in promoting intermolecular contacts between the ELCs and the adjacent MLC1 light chain to stabilize this domain. Using point mutations predicted to ablate either the interaction with Ca
2+
or the interface between the two light chains, we demonstrate their contribution to the quality, displacement, and speed of gliding
Toxoplasma
parasites. Our work therefore delineates the importance of the MyoA lever arm and highlights a mechanism by which this domain could be stabilized in order to promote invasion, egress, and gliding motility in apicomplexan parasites.

IMPORTANCE
Tissue dissemination and host cell invasion by apicomplexan parasites such as
Toxoplasma
are pivotal to their pathogenesis. Central to these processes is gliding motility, which is driven by an actomyosin motor, the MyoA glideosome. Others have demonstrated the importance of the MyoA glideosome for parasite motility and virulence in mice. Disruption of its function may therefore have therapeutic potential, and yet a deeper mechanistic understanding of how it works is required. Ca
2+
-dependent and -independent phosphorylation and the direct binding of Ca
2+
to the essential light chain have been implicated in the regulation of MyoA activity. Here we identify a second essential light chain of MyoA and demonstrate the importance of both to
Toxoplasma
motility. We also investigate the role of Ca
2+
and the MyoA regulatory site in parasite motility and identify a potential mechanism whereby binding of a divalent cation to the essential light chains could stabilize the myosin to allow productive movement.
Epigenetics and Proteomics Join Transcriptomics in the Quest for Tuberculosis Biomarkers
Authors: Esterhuyse Maria M. , Weiner January , Caron Etienne , Loxton Andre G. , Iannaccone Marco , Wagman Chandre , Saikali Philippe , Stanley Kim , Wolski Witold E. , Mollenkopf Hans-Joachim , Schick Matthias , Aebersold Ruedi , Linhart Heinz , Walzl Gerhard , Kaufmann Stefan H. E. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTAn estimated one-third of the world's population is currently latently infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis. LatentM. tuberculosisinfection (LTBI) progresses into active tuberculosis (TB) disease in ~5 to 10% of infected individuals. Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to monitor disease progression are urgently needed to ensure better care for TB patients and to decrease the spread of TB. Biomarker development is primarily based on transcriptomics. Our understanding of biology combined with evolving technical advances in high-throughput techniques led us to investigate the possibility of additional platforms (epigenetics and proteomics) in the quest to (i) understand the biology of the TB host response and (ii) search for multiplatform biosignatures in TB. We engaged in a pilot study to interrogate the DNA methylome, transcriptome, and proteome in selected monocytes and granulocytes from TB patients and healthy LTBI participants. Our study provides first insights into the levels and sources of diversity in the epigenome and proteome among TB patients and LTBI controls, despite limitations due to small sample size. Functionally the differences between the infection phenotypes (LTBI versus active TB) observed in the different platforms were congruent, thereby suggesting regulation of function not only at the transcriptional level but also by DNA methylation and microRNA. Thus, our data argue for the development of a large-scale study of the DNA methylome, with particular attention to study design in accounting for variation based on gender, age, and cell type.IMPORTANCEDNA methylation modifies the transcriptional program of cells. We have focused on two major populations of leukocytes involved in immune response to infectious diseases, granulocytes and monocytes, both of which are professional phagocytes that engulf and kill bacteria. We have interrogated how DNA methylation, gene expression, and protein translation differ in these two cell populations between healthy individuals and patients suffering from TB. To better understand the underlying biologic mechanisms, we harnessed a statistical enrichment analysis, taking advantage of predefined and well-characterized gene sets. Not only were there clear differences on various levels between the two populations, but there were also differences between TB patients and healthy controls in the transcriptome, proteome, and, for the first time, DNA methylome in these cells. Our pilot study emphasizes the value of a large-scale study of the DNA methylome taking into account our findings.