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Purpose: This study aimed to verify the association between dental pain and severity of dental caries (caries morbidity stages) and the impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 199 children (2–5 years old) enrolled at preschools in Capão do Leão-RS, Brazil. The self-report of mothers of children with a history of dental pain in the last 6 months and perception of their child's OHRQoL (ECOHIS) were obtained through a structured questionnaire. This questionnaire also collected independent variables. Children's oral examination was performed using the CAST instrument to determine caries morbidity stage. Crude and adjusted Poisson regression analysis was performed. Results: The prevalence of dental pain was 14.57%. The chance of the occurrence of dental pain was higher among children diagnosed in morbidity [Prevalence ratio—PR: 5.29 (95% confidence interval—95% CI 1.91–14.61); p = 0.001] and severe morbidity [RP = 6.12 (95 CI% 2.25–16.64); p < 0.001] stages. Children with dental pain presented higher scores in the total ECOHIS [rate ratio = 7.11 (95% CI 4.55–11.09); p < 0.001] and in all of the domains of this instrument. Furthermore, children with a history of dental trauma [PR = 2.41 (95% CI 1.15–5.04); p < 0.001] and those whose reason for last visit to the dental office was for restorative/endodontic/extraction treatment [PR = 1.29 (95% CI 1.01–6.19); p = 0.049] had a higher prevalence of dental pain. Conclusion: A substantial prevalence of dental pain in the last 6 months and negative impact on children's OHRQoL was identified in this sample. Children diagnosed with carious dentin lesions and abscess and fistula were more likely to have dental pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ureaplasma species are common pathogens of the urogenital tract and can cause a range of diseases. Unfortunately, there is still a scarcity of large-scale and cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of Ureaplasma species in China to clarify their epidemic patterns. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 18667 patients who visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital for showing various symptoms of (suspected) Ureaplasma species infection during the period 2013–2022. The overall prevalence of Ureaplasma species was calculated, and subgroup analyses were conducted in view of gender, age, specimen types, and diagnosis in every year within the period studied. Furthermore, previous literature that reported on the prevalence of Ureaplasma species in various regions of China was searched and summarized. Results: The overall positive rate of Ureaplasma species in this study reached 42.1% (7861/18667). Specifically, the prevalence of Ureaplasma species was significantly higher in female patients, while the highest detection rate was found in the 21–50 age group. From 2013 to 2022, there were no significant differences in positive rates of Ureaplasma species among years. However, the detection rate of Ureaplasma species was decreased in COVID-19 period (2020–2022) compared to pre-COVID-19 period (2017–2019). In view of the distribution of patients, outpatients predominated, but the detection rate was lower than inpatients. Urine was the most common specimen type, while cervical swabs had the highest detection rate of Ureaplasma species. When grouped by diagnosis, the highest positive rate of Ureaplasma species was seen in patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes and the lowest rate in patients with prostate disease. The previous literature, although heterogeneous, collectively suggested a high prevalence of Ureaplasma species in China. Conclusions: Our study has shown that Ureaplasma species have reached a significant prevalence in China and demands adequate attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terms of the budget equations for turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), heat, flux, and temperature variance are evaluated observationally using 4 levels of turbulence observations made over a period of 10 months at a 30-m tower in southern Brazil. All terms are evaluated, except those associated with horizontal transport or pressure perturbations, which were not observed. The analysis is split between daytime, convective conditions and night-time, stable conditions. In both cases, the terms are initially shown in their original dimensional form as a function of the mean wind speed at 3 m, and the observations are then classified by net radiation. During the day, the TKE budget is dominated by shear and buoyant production, while dissipation is the main removal mechanism and the residual analysis indicates that the pressure transport term is positive near the surface. At night, the TKE budget is dominated by shear production and destruction by dissipation, while the buoyant destruction is about an order of magnitude smaller than both. The inferred role of pressure transport depends on the turbulence regime. In the daytime heat flux budget the dominant production mechanism varies between gradient and buoyant production, depending on mean wind speed and net radiation, while most of the destruction is mainly attributed to the pressure covariance term, inferred from the budget residual. At night, buoyancy becomes a relevant destruction mechanism, and its relationship with gradient production is related to the stable boundary layer turbulence regime. Temperature variance budget is a balance between gradient production and dissipation both at day and night, in which case the residual is larger and its possible causes are discussed. Dimensionless expressions for the dominant terms in the three budgets considered are compared to the data, as a function of the stability parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has generated many negative impacts on the family, including impaired psychological well-being of family members (parents and children) and family processes (such as parenting and family functioning). Regarding social policies to support families under the pandemic, there are several missing links. First, COVID-19 related policies mainly focus on physical well-being with a relatively weaker emphasis on psychological well-being. Second, with social policies primarily aiming at stabilizing the "financial capital" of the public, human capital (particularly personal resilience) and social capital (particularly family resilience) are relatively neglected. Third, while "general" social policies may help "averaged" individuals and families, there is a need to take pre-existing family vulnerabilities (such as poverty and caregiving burdens) and inequalities into account when formulating "down to earth" social policies. Fourth, while social science knowledge and theories have important potential contributions to help develop relevant policies and services to promote quality of life under COVID-19, explicit utilization is not strong. With reference to these missing links, we proposed several research and practice directions for the promotion of quality of life under the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ureaplasma, a genus of the order Mycoplasmatales and commonly grouped with Mycoplasma as genital mycoplasma is one of the most common microbes isolated from women with infection/inflammation-associated preterm labor (PTL). Mycoplasma spp. produce sialidase that cleaves sialic acid from glycans of vaginal mucous membranes and facilitates adherence and invasion of the epithelium by pathobionts, and dysregulated immune response. However, whether Ureaplasma species can induce the production of sialidase is yet to be demonstrated. We examined U. parvum-infected vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) for the production of sialidase and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods: Immortalized VECs were cultured in appropriate media and treated with U. parvum in a concentration of 1 × 105 DNA copies/ml. After 24 h of treatment, cells and media were harvested. To confirm infection and cell uptake, immunocytochemistry for multi-banded antigen (MBA) was performed. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production and protein analysis for sialidase confirmed pro-labor pathways. Results: Infection of VECs was confirmed by the presence of intracellular MBA. Western blot analysis showed no significant increase in sialidase expression from U. parvum-treated VECs compared to uninfected cells. However, U. parvum infection induced 2-3-fold increased production of GM-CSF (p = 0.03), IL-6 (p = 0.01), and IL-8 (p = 0.01) in VECs compared to controls. Conclusion: U. parvum infection of VECs induced inflammatory imbalance associated with vaginal dysbiosis but did not alter sialidase expression at the cellular level. These data suggest that U. parvum's pathogenic effect could be propagated by locally produced pro-inflammatory cytokines and, unlike other genital mycoplasmas, may be independent of sialidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Janus nanoparticles have aroused the interest of scholars because of their highly efficient emulsification of spilled oils in wastewater. In this work, interfacially active Janus hollow glass microparticles (J-HGMPs) of asymmetric wettability were designed and synthesized in order to achieve more efficient separation of emulsified oil droplets from oily wastewater. Surface characteristic techniques such as FTIR, SEM, zeta potential and contact angle measurements had been employed to assess the amphiphilic surface properties of J-HGMPs. The oil removal/recovery performance of J-HGMPs in different oil–water systems and their interfacial activities were studied. As a particulate emulsifier, J-HGMPs could remove/recover > 96% oil from oil–water mixed phase. The results showed that J-HGMPs had strong interfacial activities and anchored firmly at oil/water interfaces. This high adsorption energy was also evaluated and verified via the calculation of Gibbs free energy. Overall, this study provided a novel and low-cost oil recovery method via a convenient buoyancy force that could be effectively applied in the treatment of oil spills while achieving the goal of benign and green environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous preterm births (< 37 weeks gestation) are frequently associated with infection. Current treatment options are limited but new therapeutic interventions are being developed in animal models. In this PROSPERO-registered preclinical systematic review, we aimed to summarise promising interventions for infection/inflammation-induced preterm birth. Following PRISMA guidance, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science using the themes: "animal models", "preterm birth", "inflammation", and "therapeutics". We included original quantitative, peer-reviewed, and controlled studies applying prenatal interventions to prevent infection/inflammation-induced preterm birth in animal models. We employed two risk of bias tools. Of 4020 identified studies, 23 studies (24 interventions) met our inclusion criteria. All studies used mouse models. Preterm birth was most commonly induced by lipopolysaccharide (18 studies) or Escherichia coli (4 studies). Models varied according to infectious agent serotype, dose, and route of delivery. Gestational length was significantly prolonged in 20/24 interventions (83%) and markers of maternal inflammation were reduced in 20/23 interventions (87%). Interventions targeting interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and toll-like receptors show particular therapeutic potential. However, due to the heterogeneity of the methodology of the included studies, meta-analysis was impossible. All studies were assigned an unclear risk of bias using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool. Interventions targeting inflammation demonstrate therapeutic potential for the prevention of preterm birth. However, better standardisation of preterm birth models, including the dose, serotype, timing of administration and pathogenicity of infectious agent, and outcome reporting is urgently required to improve the reproducibility of preclinical studies, allow meaningful comparison of intervention efficacy, and aid clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of chemical dispersants aims to stimulate microbial oil degradation by increasing the bioavailability of oil compounds. Overall, nine microcosms were prepared (three for each treatment) using treated sediment with (i) dispersant (d: 25 ppm), (ii) oil (500 ppm), and (iii) with oil + dispersant (500: 25 ppm), respectively. There are also three control microcosms containing only water and sediment without petroleum. Then, we analyzed bacterial abundance, total hydrocarbon, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in each microcosm. Bacterial response density was significantly affected after 40 days of exposure; it was higher in the control microcosm and d (> 24.103 cell/l) than in the other treatments. The index of total hydrocarbons was equal to 53 mg/kg dw in oil and 56 mg/kg dw in oil + dispersant. The higher BOD5 found in oil and in oil + d shows the increased amount of oxygen consumed, which indicates enhanced bacterial activity. Microcosms treated with dispersant had higher COD than the others, but the dispersant did not stimulate microbial hydrocarbon degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the societal burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivorship 2–10 years post-diagnosis in terms of (1) societal costs, and (2) quality of life/utilities, and to analyze associated patient characteristics. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, bottom-up prevalence-based burden of disease study, conducted from a societal perspective in the Netherlands. In total, 155 CRC survivors were included. Utilities were measured by the EQ-5D-5L, using the Dutch tariffs. A cost questionnaire was developed to obtain cost information. Subgroup analyses were performed, based on patient characteristics and sensitivity analyses. Results: Of all CRC survivors, 81(54%) reported no problems for mobility, 133(88%) for self-care, 98(65%) for daily activities, 59(39%) for pain/discomfort, and 112(74%) for anxiety/depression on the EQ-5D-5L. The average EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.82 (SD = 0.2) on a scale from 0 (death) to 1 (perfect health). Significant differences in utility score were found for gender, tumor stage, number of comorbidities, and lifestyle score. The average societal costs per CRC survivor per 6 months were estimated at €971 (min = €0, max = €32,425). Significant differences in costs were found for the number of comorbidities. Conclusions: This study shows a considerable burden of CRC survivors 2–10 years after diagnosis, in comparison with survivors sooner after diagnosis and with healthy individuals in the Netherlands. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Long-term care of CRC survivors should focus on improving the societal burden by identifying modifiable factors, as summarized in the WCRF/AICR lifestyle score, including body composition, physical activity, and diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study, preterm birth after pre-pregnancy partial cervical excision demonstrated abnormal wound healing with an increased muscle-to-collagen ratio at the proximal site of the cervix. We aimed to investigate whether treatment with plasma fibronectin affects the differentiation of mouse uterine cervical fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and mediates a reduction in the incidence of preterm delivery in mice. We examined the gestational period after the administration of lipopolysaccharide in mice subjected to cervical excision and subsequently treated with fibronectin or vehicle. We confirmed that the gestational period was longer in the plasma fibronectin–treated group than in the vehicle-treated control group. In addition, the ratio of α-smooth muscle actin to collagen type I alpha 1 increased after LPS injection in mice subjected to cervical excision, and this increase was suppressed by plasma fibronectin treatment. Plasma fibronectin may serve as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent preterm delivery by inhibiting myogenic differentiation in the cervix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the clear role of GBA in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and its impact on phenotypical characteristics, this review provides an overview of the current knowledge of GBA-associated PD with a special focus on clinical trajectories and the underlying pathological mechanisms. Importantly, differences and characteristics based on mutation severity are recognized, and current as well as potential future treatment options are discussed. These findings will inform future strategies for patient stratification and cohort enrichment as well as suitable outcome measures when designing clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study sought to explore whether cancer pain (CP) already exists in patients at colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis before treatment compared with patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after treatment and a healthy matched control group. The study also sought to examine whether factors related to physical health status could enhance pain processes.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted following the STROBE checklist. Twenty-nine newly diagnosed and forty post-treatment patients with CRC and 40 healthy age/sex-matched controls were included for comparison. Pain, local muscle function, and body composition outcomes were assessed by a physiotherapist with > 3 years of experience. ANCOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed, with Bonferroni and Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc analyses and Cohen's d and Hedge's effect size, as appropriate.Results: The analysis detected lower values of pressure pain threshold (PPT) points, the PPT index, and abdominal strength and higher values of self-reported abdominal pain in newly diagnosed patients, with even more marked results observed in the post-treatment patients, where lower lean mass and skeletal muscle index values were also found than those in the healthy matched controls (p < 0.05). In the post-treatment and healthy matched control groups, positive associations were observed between the PPT lumbar dominant side points and abdominal isometric strength and lean mass, and negative associations were observed between the lumbar dominant side points and body fat (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Upon diagnosis, patients with CRC already show signs of hyperalgesia and central sensitization and deteriorated physical conditions and body composition, and this state could be aggravated by subsequent treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immiscible hydrocarbons occur in the ocean water column as droplets of varying diameters. Although microbial oil degradation is a central process in the remediation of hydrocarbon pollution in marine environments, the relationship between droplet size distribution and oil degradation rates by bacteria remains unclear, with a conflicting history of laboratory studies. Despite this knowledge gap, the use of chemical dispersants in oil spill response and mitigation is based on the rationale that increasing the surface-area-to-volume ratio of droplets will enhance net bacterial biodegradation rates. We demonstrate that this intuitive argument does not apply to most natural marine environments, where the abundance of oil droplets is much lower than in laboratory experiments and droplet-bacteria encounters are the limiting factor. We present a mechanistic encounter-consumption model to predict the characteristic time for oil degradation by marine bacteria as a function of the initial oil concentration, the distribution of droplet sizes, and the initial abundance of oil-degrading bacteria. We find that the tradeoff between the encounter time and the consumption time leads to an optimal droplet size larger than the average size generated by the application of dispersants. Reducing droplet size below this optimum can increase the persistence of oil droplets in the environment from weeks to years. The new perspective granted by this biophysical model of biodegradation that explicitly accounts for oil–microbe encounters changes our understanding of biodegradation particularly in the deep ocean, where droplets are often small and oil concentrations low, and explains degradation rate discrepancies between laboratory and field studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Poor sleep quality is prevalent among individuals with chronic pain and contributes to increased physical and emotional dysfunction. However, treatments that improve sleep quality among individuals with chronic pain are scant. A previously developed mind–body activity program for chronic pain has been shown to be feasible and associated with improvements in pain and physical and emotional function. Using secondary data analysis, the purpose of this study was to understand whether participants also experienced significant and sustained improvements in sleep quality over time and whether these improvements were explained by change in two core treatment targets, relaxation and mindfulness. Methods: Participants with heterogenous chronic pain (N = 82) were randomized to a mind–body activity intervention with (GetActive-Fitbit; n = 41) or without (GetActive; n = 41) a Fitbit device. Sleep quality was measured with the PSQI, mindfulness with the CAMS-R, and relaxation with the relaxation subscale of the MOCS-A. Mediation was tested via mixed models analysis. Results: Both intervention groups experienced significant and comparable improvements in sleep quality from baseline to post-treatment, which were sustained through a 3-month follow-up. Mindfulness and relaxation also improved significantly over time, and these improvements were associated with improved sleep quality. Mindfulness and relaxation fully mediated improvement in sleep quality (medium to large effect sizes). Conclusions: Results suggest that, despite not targeting sleep directly, the mind–body activity program holds promise for sustainably improving sleep quality among patients with chronic pain. Targeting mindfulness and relaxation may facilitate these improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether the emergency service of a major Swiss dental institution faced different demands (patient volume, treatment needs, dental care characteristics) during a lockdown, issued to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the weeks before and after. Materials and methods: Data of patients receiving urgent care at a university center for dental medicine (Basel, Switzerland) during the 6-week lockdown, pre-lockdown, and post-lockdown periods were retrospectively evaluated. Statistical analysis involved tests for equal proportions and logistic regression models. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Results: The study comprised 3109 dental emergency visits in the period from February 2 to June 5, 2020. Daily caseloads increased during lockdown. Abscesses, orthodontic emergencies, and surgical follow-ups were more common during lockdown, whereas the number of dento-alveolar injuries declined (≤0.048). Urgent dental care provision involved intraoral radiographs more frequently in the pre-lockdown period compared with the following weeks (p<0.001). Among all treatments, aerosol-generating procedures dropped from 56.1% (pre-lockdown) to 21.3% during lockdown (p<0.001), while teledentistry follow-ups became more frequent (p<0.001). Patients with comorbidities sought urgent dental care less frequently during the post-lockdown period (p=0.004). Conclusions: The lockdown significantly impacted the dental emergency service in terms of patients' diagnoses, treatment needs, and the characteristics of the urgent care that was delivered. Clinical relevance: Access to essential dental care must be monitored and safeguarded throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond as deferred care entails risks for serious sequelae and persons with comorbidities may change their dental care-seeking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While C9orf72-specific imaging signatures have been proposed by both ALS and FTD research groups and considerable presymptomatic alterations have also been confirmed in young mutation carriers, considerable inconsistencies exist in the literature. Accordingly, a systematic review of C9orf72-imaging studies has been performed to identify consensus findings, stereotyped shortcomings, and unique contributions to outline future directions. A formal literature review was conducted according to the STROBE guidelines. All identified papers were individually reviewed for sample size, choice of controls, study design, imaging modalities, statistical models, clinical profiling, and identified genotype-associated pathological patterns. A total of 74 imaging papers were systematically reviewed. ALS patients with GGGGCC repeat expansions exhibit relatively limited motor cortex involvement and widespread extra-motor pathology. C9orf72 positive FTD patients often show preferential posterior involvement. Reports of thalamic involvement are relatively consistent across the various phenotypes. Asymptomatic hexanucleotide repeat carriers often exhibit structural and functional changes decades prior to symptom onset. Common shortcomings included sample size limitations, lack of disease-controls, limited clinical profiling, lack of genetic testing in healthy controls, and absence of post mortem validation. There is a striking paucity of longitudinal studies and existing presymptomatic studies have not evaluated the predictive value of radiological changes with regard to age of onset and phenoconversion. With the advent of antisense oligonucleotide therapies, the meticulous characterisation of C9orf72-associated changes has gained practical relevance. Neuroimaging offers non-invasive biomarkers for future clinical trials, presymptomatic ascertainment, diagnostic and prognostic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the stable boundary layer, thermal submesofronts (TSFs) are detected during the Shallow Cold Pool experiment in the Colorado plains, Colorado, USA in 2012. The topography induces TSFs by forming two different air layers converging on the valley-side wall while being stacked vertically above the valley bottom. The warm-air layer is mechanically generated by lee turbulence that consistently elevates near-surface temperatures, while the cold-air layer is thermodynamically driven by radiative cooling and the corresponding cold-air drainage decreases near-surface temperatures. The semi-stationary TSFs can only be detected, tracked, and investigated in detail when using fibre-optic distributed sensing (FODS), as point observations miss TSFs most of the time. Neither the occurrence of TSFs nor the characteristics of each air layer are connected to a specific wind or thermal regime. However, each air layer is characterized by a specific relationship between the wind speed and the friction velocity. Accordingly, a single threshold separating different flow regimes within the boundary layer is an oversimplification, especially during the occurrence of TSFs. No local forcings or their combination could predict the occurrence of TSFs except that they are less likely to occur during stronger near-surface or synoptic-scale flow. While classical conceptualizations and techniques of the boundary layer fail in describing the formation of TSFs, the use of spatially continuous data obtained from FODS provide new insights. Future studies need to incorporate spatially continuous data in the horizontal and vertical planes, in addition to classic sensor networks of sonic anemometry and thermohygrometers to fully characterize and describe boundary-layer phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removing spilled oil from the water surface is critically important given that oil spill accidents are a common occurrence. In this study, TiO2@Palygorskite composite prepared by a simple coprecipitation method was used for oil spill remediation via a dispersion-photodegradation synergy. Diesel could be efficiently dispersed into small oil droplets by TiO2@Palygorskite. These dispersed droplets had an average diameter of 20–30 µm and exhibited good time stability. The tight adsorption of TiO2@Palygorskite on the surface of the droplets was observed in fluorescence and SEM images. As a particulate dispersant, the direct contact of TiO2@Palygorskite with oil pollutants effectively enhanced the photodegradation efficiency of TiO2 for oil. During the photodegradation process, ·O2− and •OH were detected by ESR and radical trapping experiments. The photodegradation efficiency of diesel by TiO2@Palygorskite was enhanced by about 5 times compared with pure TiO2 under simulated sunlight irradiation. The establishment of this new dispersion-photodegradation synergistic remediation system provides a new direction for the development of marine oil spill remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As people around the world are facing the Covid-19 outbreak, their perception of oral health problems could be changed. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of adolescents. Methods: A cohort study with schoolchildren from southern Brazil was conducted. Data on adolescents' OHRQoL were collected from December 2019 to February 2020 (T1), before the Brazilian Covid-19 outbreak. Posteriorly, the data were collected again in June and July of 2020 (T2), under the Brazilian Covid-19 outbreak. The OHRQoL was assessed using the Brazilian short version of the CPQ11-14. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and the degree of social distancing were also assessed. Changes in OHRQoL between T1 and T2 were evaluated by adjusted Multilevel Poisson regression models for repeated measures. Results: From 290 individuals evaluated at T1, 207 were reevaluated at T2 (response rate of 71.3%). The overall CPQ11-14 mean score was significantly lower during the pandemic, reducing from 10.8 at T1 to 7.7 at T2. This significant reduction was also observed for all CPQ domains, indicating a lower negative impact of oral conditions on adolescents' quality of life during the pandemic. Adolescents from families that had a middle or low degree of social distancing during the pandemic and whose parents were harmed in employment had higher CPQ11-14 scores. Conclusion: Overall and specific-domains CPQ-14 scores were significantly lower during the Brazilian Covid-19 outbreak, indicating a decrease in the perception of oral health problems by adolescents over that period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine salivary human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3) levels in caries-free preschool children and in those with early childhood caries (ECC) or severe-ECC, in a daily probiotic group, receiving reconstituted milk with the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 once daily; a triweekly probiotic group, receiving the probiotic milk 3 days a week; and a placebo group. Materials and methods: Oral examination and unstimulated whole saliva collection were conducted in 354 children at baseline, 6 months after intervention (T6), and after probiotic discontinuation (T12). Of the 354, adequate volume of saliva samples from 268 children were simultaneously analyzed for Streptococcus mutans and total lactobacilli levels using qPCR and for HNP1-3 levels using ELISA. Results: In the severe-ECC status, significant increases in the median HNP1-3 levels at T12 were found in both daily and triweekly probiotic groups (p < 0.001). The median S. mutans levels in the daily group were significantly decreased at T6 and T12 (p < 0.01), whereas the median total lactobacilli levels were significantly increased at T6 (p < 0.001). Significantly inverse correlations between altered HNP1-3 and S. mutans levels and significant decreases in caries progression were found in both probiotic groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the severe-ECC status, daily or triweekly consumption of L. paracasei SD1 significantly enhanced salivary HNP1-3 levels, but reduced S. mutans levels, possibly resulting in reduction of caries progression. Clinical relevance: Significant enhancement of salivary HNP1-3 levels by probiotic consumption is associated with reduction in S. mutans levels, consistent with diminished caries progression in children with severe-ECC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful pregnancy inevitably depends on the implantation of a competent embryo into a receptive endometrium. Although many substances have been suggested to improve the rate of embryo implantation targeting enhancement of endometrial receptivity, currently there rarely are effective evidence-based treatments to prevent or cure this condition. Here we strongly suggest minimally-invasive intra-uterine administration of embryo-secreted chemokine CXCL12 as an effective therapeutic intervention. Chemokine CXCL12 derived from pre- and peri-implanting embryos significantly enhances the rates of embryo attachment and promoted endothelial vessel formation and sprouting in vitro. Consistently, intra-uterine CXCL12 administration in C57BL/6 mice improved endometrial receptivity showing increased integrin β3 and its ligand osteopontin, and induced endometrial angiogenesis displaying increased numbers of vessel formation near the lining of endometrial epithelial layer with higher CD31 and CD34 expression. Furthermore, intra-uterine CXCL12 application dramatically promoted the rates of embryo implantation with no morphologically retarded embryos. Thus, our present study provides a novel evidence that improved uterine endometrial receptivity and enhanced angiogenesis induced by embryo-derived chemokine CXCL12 may aid to develop a minimally-invasive therapeutic strategy for clinical treatment or supplement for the patients with repeated implantation failure with less risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five planetary-boundary-layer parametrizations of the Weather Research and Forecasting model are compared with respect to their ability to simulate the very stable and the weakly stable regimes of the stable boundary layer. This is performed for single column models where the large-scale mechanical forcing is represented by geostrophic wind speeds ranging from 0.5 to 12 m s - 1 . The performance of the models is assessed by contrasting the relationships they produce between the turbulence velocity scale and the mean wind speed, between potential temperature gradient and the mean wind speed, and between the flux and gradient Richardson numbers. The level-2.5 Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino parametrization simulates the very stable regime the best, mainly because its heat eddy diffusivity decreases with respect to the momentum eddy diffusivity as the stability increases, while the same is not true for the other parametrizations considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureaplasma parvum is the most prevalent genital mycoplasma in women of childbearing age. There is debate around the relevance of its presence in male or female genitals for disease development and as a cofactor. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of colonization/infection by U. parvum and its possible relationship with reproductive tract infections. We retrospectively analyzed the presence of U. parvum in patients referred by specialist clinicians for suspicion of genitourinary tract infection. U. parvum was detected in 23.8% of samples, significantly more frequently in females (39.9%) than in males (6%). Among the males, U. parvum was found alone in 68.4% of episodes, with Ct < 30. Among the females, U. parvum was detected in 88.6% of cases, with Ct < 30, including 22 cases with premature rupture of membranes and 6 cases with threat of preterm labor. Co-infection was significantly more frequent in females (62.6%) than in males (31.6%). Given the high prevalence of U. parvum as sole isolate in males and females with genitourinary symptoms, it should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of genital infections, although its pathogenic role in some diseases has not been fully elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, although dispersants have been widely applied for emergency response to oil spills, they are potentially hazardous to the marine ecosystem. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dispersants' toxicity in a practical and integrated way before their large-scale application. Here, we compared the acute toxicity of five chemical dispersants (concentrate RS-I, conventional RS-I, HLD-501, Fuken-2, and Weipu) to three species (a microalgae Platymonas helgolandica, a mollusk Ruditapes philippinarum, and a luminescent bacterium Acinetobacter sp. Tox2) which represent different trophic levels. Our results showed that (1) conventional RS-I was slightly toxic to all the three test organisms; (2) concentrate RS-I and Weipu were slightly toxic to R. philippinarum, but were not toxic to the other two test species; (3) Fuken-2 and HLD-501 exhibited no acute toxicity to the three test organisms. Our results could provide information on toxicity data derived from multiple test organisms for the use of these five dispersants in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we review the current state of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) management. BTcP is a heterogeneous condition and a global problem for cancer patients. It is often managed suboptimally, which results in a negative outcome for patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare systems. Several barriers to the appropriate management of BTcP have been identified. These include, among others, an incomplete definition of BTcP, poor training of healthcare providers and patients alike, a lack of a multidisciplinary approach and the absence of specific protocols and tools. We provide some actions to help physicians and patients improve their approach to BTcP, including specific training, the design of easy-to-use tools for BTcP identification and assessment (such as checklists and pocket-sized cards), individualized treatment, and the use of multidisciplinary teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The devastating effects of oil spills on the ecosystems must be minimized by looking for effective solutions which offer a fast response to them. This work aimed at characterizing the oil-absorption capacity of flexible low-density open-cell foams based on polyolefins with different levels of tortuosity by comparing it to the one displayed by a commercial flexible open-cell polyurethane foam. The results showed that the tortuosity played a critical role in this property, absorbing the open-cell foams with low tortuosity up to 3 times more oil than the ones with high tortuosity. Oil absorptions as considerable as 43 g of oil per gram of foam were obtained, absorbing these foams up to 3.76 times more oil than the open-cell PU foam used as the reference. The hydrophobic character of these foams has also been characterized obtaining negligible water absorptions for the open-cell polyolefin-based materials, showing besides excellent oil–water selectivity. Finally, the reusability of the foams has been analyzed by using two methodologies: mechanical tests at low strain rates and by performing successive oil-absorption tests. The results indicated that open-cell EVA-based foams can be reused at least 50 times, whereas the open-cell LDPE-based foams tended to collapse. This study has proven that open-cell EVA-based foams with low tortuosity can be a potential alternative to be used in oil spill remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The baffled flasks were used to simulate regular wave and breaking wave at different oscillation intensities to study the effects of wave strength, reaction time, and dispersant on the submergence of oil spill. It was found that the wave strength has the greatest impact on submerging rate and submergence stability of Liaohe crude oil and Fuel 180. The characteristics of the impacts of the wave strength and dispersant content are that there are thresholds, below which the impacts are not obvious; their coupling effects are obvious only when both the wave strength and the dispersant content exceed their threshold; the impacts can accumulate over time and have the maximum value; the submerging rate reaches maximum at 30 min for Liaohe crude oil and 60 min for Fuel 180; the submerging rate will decrease after the time of the maximum impact. Based on the experimental results, it is proposed that the submerging model should have different forms based on the thresholds of conditions and different phases of the time, which need more work to be determined for different oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to examine the nephrotoxic effects of heavy metals including lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) in diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. Animals were exposed to heavy metals for 30 days, Pb was injected as lead acetate (C4H6O4Pb), Mn was injected as manganese chloride (MnCl2), Cd was injected as cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and As was administered orally to rats in the form of sodium arsenite (AsO2Na). Results showed that metal deposition trends in tissues were Pb > As > Cd > Mn and the urinary metal levels were Pb > Cd > As > Mn. Diabetic metal alone, as well as metal mixture-treated groups, showed decreased urinary metal levels as compared with non-diabetic metal alone and metal mixture-treated groups. Both diabetic- and non-diabetic metal mixture-treated groups revealed an increasing trend of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine. In addition, heavy metal treatments resulted in elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the kidney tissue while decreased levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GHS) were observed in the kidney tissue in comparison with the control group. The histological analysis of the kidney tissues showed tubular degeneration, fibrosis, and vacuolation as a result of heavy metal exposure. The present study revealed that co-exposure of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Mn, As) induced more nephrotoxicity as compared with the metal alone treatment. Moreover, diabetic Wistar rats are more prone to kidney damage as a result of heavy metal exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic pain, depression, and fatigue are common effects resulting from the cancer experience; new interventions are needed. This study examined the effect of Reimagine, an online symptom self-management curriculum that teaches coping skills, on key outcomes.Methods: Adult breast cancer survivors with chronic pain were recruited from the Army of Women volunteer registry for this randomized controlled trial and randomized 1:1 to Reimagine or usual care conditions. Electronic surveys collected demographic, clinical, and outcome data at baseline and 18 weeks post-intervention.Results: Participants (N = 89) were mean age 56.7 ± 8.7 years; 67% married; 58% employed; mean years since diagnosis 8.2 ± 6.6; and 89% were in remission or cured of their breast cancer. There was a significant difference in the change in depression scores for treatment (M = - 1.7, SD = 4.5) and usual care (M = 0.3, SD = 3.8) conditions; t(85) = - 2.3, p = .03. Difference in the change in fatigue scores was significant for treatment (M = 4.8, SD = 9.0) and usual care (M = 1.2, SD = 6.6) conditions; t(87) = 2.2, p = .03. Most Reimagine users (94%) would recommend the curriculum to others.Conclusions: These results suggest that Reimagine has an effect on depression and fatigue symptoms for breast cancer survivors. Online programs can be a feasible and effective alternative to in-person support. Additional research is recommended with larger and more diverse samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oily wastewater, one of the major threats to environment nowadays, mainly originates from petrochemical, heavy metal, food processing, paint, automobile industrial premises. This oil contaminated wastewater is mutagenic and carcinogenic to human health as well as inhibitory to plant growth. Without any proper treatment if such oily water stream disposed into water bodies, apart from increasing the BOD and COD, it also imparts a sunlight impervious layer at the top of the stream restricting the entrance of sunlight followed by disruption of aquatic ecosystem. Hence proper treatment of oily wastewater before its discharge to environment is one of the primary concerns. Researchers have used several technologies such as, gravity sedimentation, coagulation, flotation, coagulation composite flotation, demulsification, membrane separation, flocculation, chemical precipitation and bioremediation have been explored to purify this oil contaminated wastewater to a desired level. Especially, the uniqueness of the treatment will require a through merit analysis of the process, when the wastewater comprises of oil–water emulsion. Hence, in this review an analytical insight on the merits of the process for the treatment of such emulsified system has been provided. The review article also discusses different microorganisms that are required for bioremediation of either oil spill over a large aquatic zone or oil–water emulsion at source point. Finally, the manuscript highlighted some of the effluent treatment plants' operational process from different industries, which might provide a typical understanding of a comparative view between different treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breakthrough pain (BTP) has great repercussions on the quality of life, and on the use of health resources. The scope of BTP costs in cancer patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic cost of BTP in patients with cancer and the relationship with their quality of life.Methods: A 1-month observational prospective cost-of-illness study was designed. The patients recorded the consumption of health resources and drugs related to BTP in a diary. The current symptoms in Edmonton Symptoms Assessment Scale (ESAS) and their quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30, version 3) were assessed. The direct medical and non-medical costs fixed and variable and the indirect costs of the patient and the caregivers were evaluated. Factors related to cost and quality of life were identified using linear generalized models (LGM) type gamma and logistic link. Participants were oncologic patients with BTP, older than 18 years, with controlled basal pain.Results: Eight Spanish pain units, eight palliative care units, and one oncology department included 152 patients. One hundred patients (65.8%) were male and the mean age was 66.8 years (95% CI 64.8-68.8). The total cost per patient was 2941.60 euros per month: 88% direct medical costs, 5% non-medical direct costs, and 7% indirect costs due to lost productivity. A better score in EORTC QLQ-30 quality of life was associated with a reduction in overall costs.Conclusions: The study showed the results of the first real-life prospective study evaluating the cost of illness of BTP in cancer patients demonstrating that the presence of breakthrough pain in a cancer patient causes a very significant increase in healthcare costs.Funding: Kyowa Kirin Farmacéutica, S.L.U. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Imaging studies in diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGG) vary across centers. In order to establish a minimal core of imaging necessary for further investigations and clinical trials in the field of DLGG, we aimed to establish the status quo within specialized European centers.Methods: An online survey composed of 46 items was sent out to members of the European Low-Grade Glioma Network, the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, the German Society of Neurosurgery and the Austrian Society of Neurosurgery.Results: A total of 128 fully completed surveys were received and analyzed. Most centers (n = 96, 75%) were academic and half of the centers (n = 64, 50%) adhered to a dedicated treatment program for DLGG. There were national differences regarding the sequences enclosed in MRI imaging and use of PET, however most included T1 (without and with contrast, 100%), T2 (100%) and TIRM or FLAIR (20, 98%). DWI is performed by 80% of centers and 61% of centers regularly performed PWI.Conclusion: A minimal core of imaging composed of T1 (w/wo contrast), T2, TIRM/FLAIR, PWI and DWI could be identified. All morphologic images should be obtained in a slice thickness of ≤ 3 mm. No common standard could be obtained regarding advanced MRI protocols and PET.Importance of the study: We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because we were able to determine similarities in numerous aspects of LGG imaging. Using the proposed “minimal core of imaging” in clinical routine will facilitate future cooperative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a series of novel Cu2O@sponge composite materials including cubic Cu2O@sponges, octahedral Cu2O@sponges and cubo-octahedral Cu2O@sponges were prepared through a facile dip coating method to coat Cu2O particles on melamine sponge, all of which possess very highly hydrophobic and oleophilic properties. The crystal phase, microstructure and surface functional group of the as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The effect of different crystal facet of Cu2O on contact angle, wettability and oil absorption was systematically investigated. Meanwhile, the DFT calculation results show that the surface energy has significant influence on the hydrophobic property of Cu2O, and the calculated surface energies of Cu2O (111) and Cu2O (100) crystal surface are 0.73 and 1.29 J/m2, respectively. On basis of the DFT calculations and experimental results, the octahedral Cu2O with eight (111) crystal facet-coated sponges has the highest hydrophobic properties with the contact angle of 149°, which therefore shows very high separation efficiency in oil/water separation and quickly absorbs floating oils on the water surface. Additionally, all the Cu2O@sponges composite materials indicate excellent oil absorption performances and reusability in terms of hydrophobicity and oil absorbency, which would provide new materials for the potential application of oil/water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the applicability of eight types of biomarkers namely, adamantanes, diamantanes, sesquiterpanes, steranes, terpanes, TA-steranes, MA-steranes, and alkylated PAHs, to characterize chemically dispersed oil (CDO) after the 60-day weathering. The stability of diagnostic ratios of the selected biomarkers was evaluated and summarized. The results indicated that the concentrations of biomarkers with low molecular weight, such as adamantanes, diamantanes, and sesquiterpanes, in CDO were markedly affected by weathering and the associated diagnostic ratios were changed extensively. Most of the alkylated PAHs were degraded during weathering as well. These biomarkers thus were not recommended for characterizing CDO. The majority of the terpanes, steranes, TA-steranes, and MA-steranes could be used for weathered CDO fingerprinting due to the relatively stable diagnostic ratios. The findings could help to identify applicable biomarkers for fingerprinting of weathered dispersed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, shrimp waste was enzymatically hydrolyzed to generate a green dispersant and the product was tested for crude oil dispersion in seawater. The hydrolysis process was first optimized based on the dispersant effectiveness (DE) of the product. The functional properties of the product were identified including stability, critical micelle concentration, and emulsification activity. Water was confirmed as a good solvent for dispersant generation when compared with three chemical solvents. The effects of salinity, mixing energy, and temperature on the dispersion of the Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil were examined. Microtox acute toxicity test was also conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the produced dispersant. In addition, DE of the product on three different types of crude oil, including ANS crude oil, Prudhoe Bay crude oil (PBC), and Arabian Light crude oil (ALC) was compared with that of the Corexit 9500, respectively. The research output could lead to a promising green solution to the oil spill problem and might result in many other environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical dispersants can be a useful tool to mitigate oil spills. This study examined potential risks to sensitive estuarine species by comparing the toxicity of two dispersants (Corexit® EC9500A and Finasol® OSR 52) individually and in chemically enhanced water-accommodated fractions (CEWAFs) of Louisiana Sweet Crude oil. Acute toxicity thresholds and sublethal biomarker responses were determined in seven species (sheepshead minnow, grass shrimp, mysid, amphipod, polychaete, hard clam, mud snail). Comparing median lethal (LC50) values for the dispersants, Finasol was generally more toxic than Corexit and had greater sublethal toxicity (impaired embryonic hatching, increased lipid peroxidation, decreased acetylcholinesterase activity). The nominal concentration-based mean LC50 for all species tested with Corexit was 150.31 mg/L compared with 43.27 mg/L with Finasol. Comparing the toxicity of the CEWAFs using the nominal concentrations (% CEWAF), Corexit-CEWAFs appeared more toxic than Finasol-CEWAFs; however, when LC50 values were calculated using measured hydrocarbon concentrations, the Finasol-CEWAFs were more toxic. There was greater dispersion efficiency leading to greater hydrocarbon concentrations measured in the Corexit-CEWAF solutions than in equivalent Finasol-CEWAF solutions. The measured concentration-based mean LC50 values for all species tested with Corexit-CEWAF were 261.96 mg/L total extractable hydrocarbons (TEH) and 2.95 mg/L total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), whereas the mean LC50 values for all species tested with Finasol-CEWAF were 23.19 mg/L TEH and 0.49 mg/L total PAH. Larval life stages were generally more sensitive to dispersants and dispersed oil than adult life stages within a species. These results will help to inform management decisions regarding the use of oil-spill dispersants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoactive drug use is a common behavior in many societies worldwide, frequently associated with drug instrumentalization. Regular use may develop into drug addiction, which is a severe psychiatric disorder with multiple pathological effects to virtually all organ systems. Treatment strategies for addiction are often insufficient with no broadly working pharmaco-treatment available. Recently, lipids, and particularly sphingolipids, have been considered as new mediators in the pathogenic pathways and as possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of addictive states. In our review, we discuss the contribution of sphingolipids in the development of addictive states including alcohol consumption, nicotine, amphetamine, morphine, and cocaine dependencies. Recent data show that the involvement of various classes of sphingolipids, such as sphingomyelins, ceramides, globosides, sulfatides, and cerebrosides, might explain the development of some specific features of addictive states, for example, apoptotic neurodegeneration induced by psychoactive substances. On the other hand, protective effects of sphingolipids are discussed. Sphingolipids might be a key mechanism in the development of beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption. Therefore, sphingolipid systems emerge as possible new pathways involved in the development of addiction and its pathophysiological consequences. However, further analysis is still needed to investigate the exact mechanisms of sphingolipid contribution and possibility of using of sphingolipids as new therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A one-pot sonochemical irradiation method was developed for the fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic cotton fabric from a solution consisting of branched silica nanoparticles and tetraethoxysilane-dodecyltrimethoxysilane sol. The silica/sol-coated cotton fabric could be wetted by liquids of low surface tension, but was water repellent with a water contact angle of 159 ± 1.2° and water shedding angle of 6 ± 0.8°. The as-prepared cotton fabric could be used as effective materials for the separation of oil from water with separation efficiency as high as 98.2% and maintained separation efficiency above 94% after 30 separation cycles for the kerosene-water mixture. Moreover, the superhydrophobic and superoleophilic cotton fabric could maintain stable superhydrophobicity after treatment with strong acidic and alkali solutions, and harsh mechanical damage. Therefore, this reported robust superhydrophobic cotton fabric exhibits encouraging practical application for oil-water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil spills over seawater and dye pollutants in water cause economic and environmental damage every year. Among various methods to deal oil spill problems, the use of porous materials has been proven as an effective strategy. In recent years, graphene-based porous sorbents have been synthesized to address the shortcomings associated with conventional sorbents such as their low uptake capacity, slow sorption rate, and non-recyclability. This article reviews the research undertaken to control oil spillage using three-dimensional (3D) graphene-based materials. The use of these materials for removal of dyes and miscellaneous environmental pollutants from water is explored and the application of various multifunctional 3D oil sorbents synthesized by surface modification technique is presented. The future prospects and limitations of these materials as sorbents are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prelimbic prefrontal cortex is necessary for associating actions with their consequences, enabling goal-directed decision making. We find that the strength of action-outcome conditioning correlates with dendritic spine density in prelimbic cortex, suggesting that new action-outcome learning involves dendritic spine plasticity. To test this, we inhibited the cytoskeletal regulatory factor Rho kinase. We find that the inhibitor fasudil enhances action-outcome memory, resulting in goal-directed behavior in mice that would otherwise express stimulus-response habits. Fasudil transiently reduces prelimbic cortical dendritic spine densities during a period of presumed memory consolidation, but only when paired with new learning. Fasudil also blocks habitual responding for cocaine, an effect that persists over time, across multiple contexts, and depends on actin polymerization. We suggest that Rho kinase inhibition promotes goal-oriented action selection by augmenting the plasticity of prelimbic cortical dendritic spines during the formation of new action-outcome memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the U.S. serious mental illness (SMI) is common in jails, which are often primary healthcare providers. Incarceration and healthcare are intertwined-lack of care access increases the risk of imprisonment which decreases care access. This case study explores a jail program which assists people with SMI with the disability determination process. Interviews with employees (n = 4) and clients (n = 25), and administrative data from jail databases on recidivism, benefit receipt, and demographics highlight the importance of reentry planning and access to resources in crime desistance, as well as how the program increased resource access, and provided feelings of hope and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical dispersants can be a beneficial method for breaking up oil slicks; however, their use in mitigation could pose potential toxic effects on the marine ecosystem. Dispersants may be transported to lower salinity habitats, where toxicity data for aquatic species have not been established. This study examined the effect of salinity on oil dispersant toxicity in the eastern mud snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta, using two dispersants authorized for oil spill response, Corexit® 9500A and Finasol® OSR 52. Median lethal toxicity values (LC50) and sublethal effects were examined at 10, 20, and 30 ppt salinity in adult and larval mud snails. Two biomarkers (lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase) were used to measure sublethal effects. The 96-h static renewal LC50 values indicated significant differences in toxicity between dispersants and salinities. Larval snails were significantly more sensitive than adult snails to both dispersants, and both life stages were significantly more sensitive to Finasol than to Corexit. Larval snails were more sensitive to dispersants at lower salinity, but adult snails were more sensitive at higher salinities. Dispersants increased lipid peroxidation and decreased acetylcholinesterase activity. These results demonstrate that dispersant toxicity varies among compounds and organism life stages, and that physicochemical properties of the environment, such as salinity, can affect the potential toxicity to estuarine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate if locus of control (LOC) predicts various quality of life (QOL) and mental well-being measures among terminally ill cancer patients at the time of palliative care consult.Methods: Multi-site analysis of patients with advanced cancer being seen as new patients in a Palliative and Supportive Care outpatient clinic. Patients completed the following surveys: locus of control (LOC) scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-General (FACT-G), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and Herth Hope Index (HHI). Regression models were created to examine the effect of LOC upon QOL, symptoms, and other measures of mental well-being. These models adjusted for the effect of age, gender, race, partnership status, education, and months since diagnosis as potential confounders.Results: This study enrolled 100 patients. After adjusting for site, race, and partnership status, higher levels of LOC chance predicted decreased QOL (FACT-G) (p < 0.01). Higher levels of LOC chance also correlated with increased depression and anxiety (p ≤ 0.01) and decreased meaning/peace and faith (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, higher levels of LOC chance predicted decreased hope (HHI) (p ≤ 0.001).Conclusions: Terminally ill cancer patients with a high LOC chance may be at risk for decreased physical and mental well-being at the end of life. Efforts should be made to identify these patients and design interventions to increase their feeling of control over the situation in order to improve physical and mental well-being at the end of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the controlling factors that allow a prompted skill to become autonomous in a discrete-trials implementation of Touchette's (1971) progressively delayed prompting procedure, but our subjects were rats rather than children with disabilities. Our prompted skill was a left-right lever-press sequence guided by two panel lights. We manipulated (a) the effectiveness of the guiding lights prompt and (b) the presence or absence of a progressively delayed prompt in four groups of rats. The less effective prompt yielded greater autonomy than the more effective prompt. The ability of the progressively delayed prompt procedure to produce behavioral autonomy depended upon characteristics of the obtained delay (trial duration) rather than on the pending prompt. Sequence accuracy was reliably higher in unprompted trials than in prompted trials, and this difference was maintained in the 2 groups that received no prompts but yielded equivalent trial durations. Overall sequence accuracy decreased systematically as trial duration increased. Shorter trials and their greater accuracy were correlated with higher overall reinforcement rates for faster responding. Waiting for delayed prompts (even if no actual prompt was provided) was associated with lower overall reinforcement rate by decreasing accuracy and by lengthening trials. These findings extend results from previous studies regarding the controlling factors in delayed prompting procedures applied to children with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the sensitivity of the wolfish Anarhichas denticulatus exposed to crude oil, comparing the effects of mechanically dispersed versus chemically dispersed oil using sub-lethal endpoints. To test the toxicity of this controversial technique, two experiments involving exposure of the organisms for 48 h were conducted. The first experiment assessed the effects of oil exposure on biomarker responses. The second experiment monitored the growth of juveniles over 5 weeks after exposure. Overall, this study demonstrated that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biliary metabolites, ethoxyresorufin- O-deethylase (EROD), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are appropriate biomarkers to assess exposure of A. denticulatus. Growth rate, both in length and weight, was significantly higher in control compared to oil exposure treatments. The lack of differences between chemically and mechanically dispersed oils in biomarker response and growth suggests that dispersant application is no more toxic than the natural oil dispersion. The results indicate the potential for population-level effects resulting from exposure to oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectrum characteristics of dried deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and two types of crystalline amino acids (L-lysine, D-asparagine) are compared in a wide range of frequencies, including the regions of lattice (7 to 200 cm) and intramolecular (200 to 4000 cm) vibrations. It is found that the spectral position of the low-frequency band in the Raman spectrum of DNA with a peak near 26 cm correlates with the Raman spectrum of high-Q low-frequency modes that manifest themselves in the crystalline amino acids under investigation. The low-frequency band of DNA refers to a twist-like vibrational mode of nucleobases. The intensities of this DNA mode and the high-Q lattice modes of the crystalline amino acids L-lysine and D-asparagine are several times as high as those of the Raman lines corresponding to the intramolecular modes. Resonant coupling of low-frequency modes of DNA and amino acid molecular chains is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To ascertain the level of agreement and achieve a consensus among cancer pain specialists in Spain with regard to the optimal definition, diagnosis, and management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP). Design: Two-round Delphi methodology survey (February-May 2013) using seven-point Likert scales (ranging from 1 'strongly disagree' to 7 'strongly agree') was carried out. Mean scores >5 or <3 indicated, respectively, agreement or disagreement. Scores from 3 to 5 indicated no consensus. Results: A total of 126 experienced specialists were surveyed. Response rates were 68 % in round 1 and 90 % in round 2. Agreement (mean Likert score) was strongest for the proposed BTcP definition (6.6), the use of oral (6.1), and intranasal (6.0) transmucosal fentanyl, the need for early assessment after BTcP treatment initiation, and the need to improve staff knowledge of BTcP. Broad agreement was also reached regarding the need to systematically screen all cancer patients for BTcP (5.9). Most respondents (82 %) considered strong opioids to be appropriate treatment. In contrast, no consensus was reached regarding strong opioid treatment for baseline pain as a prerequisite for BTcP diagnosis. Conclusions: Consensus was strong for most treatment, and diagnostic aspects were evaluated in the study. However, several important issues remain unresolved, particularly whether the diagnostic criteria must include strong opioids for background pain. Nurses' awareness and understanding of BTcP was considered insufficient, and more training is needed in this area. Overall, agreement among specialists was good, but more work is needed to better define the optimal diagnostic features and treatments for this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As widely recognized during the golden age of survey research thanks to the work of the Columbia school, the use of mixed strategies allows survey research to overcome its limitations by incorporating the advantages of qualitative approaches rather than seeking alternative methods. The need to re-think survey research before embarking on this course impelled the author to undertake a critical analysis of one of the survey's most important assumptions, proposing a shift from standardization of stimulus to standardization of meanings in order to anchor the requirement of answer comparability on a more solid basis. This proposal for rapprochement with qualitative research is followed by a more detailed section in which the author distinguishes four different types of mixed survey strategies, combining two criteria (time order and function of qualitative procedures). The most significant parts of the constructed typology are then brought together in a model called the multilevel integrated survey approach. This methodological model is concretely illustrated in an empirical study of homophobic prejudice among teenagers. The example shows how in research practice analytical mixed strategies can be creatively combined in the same survey research design, contributing to improvements in data quality and the relevance of research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]