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Brazilian Oral Research 2024This study aimed to assess the association between underlying dentin shadows (UDS) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 15-19-year-old adolescents from...
This study aimed to assess the association between underlying dentin shadows (UDS) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 15-19-year-old adolescents from southern Brazil. This population-based cross-sectional study included a representative sample of 1,197 15-19-year-old adolescents attending 31 public and private schools from Santa Maria, Brazil. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate the OHRQoL, and clinical examinations were performed by two calibrated examiners (intra/interexaminer kappa values for caries examination ≥ 0.80) to diagnose UDS (ICDAS code 4 caries lesions). Sociodemographic information and clinical characteristics (overall caries experience, traumatic dental injury, malocclusion, and gingivitis) were also collected as adjusting variables. Multilevel Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between UDS and OHRQoL. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. The UDS prevalence was 8.8% (n = 106 adolescents). In the adjusted models, adolescents with UDS had poorer OHRQoL than those without UDS, and the strength of the association was dependent on the number of lesions per individual. Individuals with 1-2 UDS had a mean OHIP-14 score 8% higher (RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1.01-1.17) than adolescents without UDS, while those with 3-4 UDS had a mean score 35% higher (RR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.12-1.63). This negative association was related to physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap domains. This study showed that UDS was associated negatively with OHRQoL among 15-19-year-old adolescents from southern Brazil. The negative effect of UDS on OHRQoL emphasizes the importance of addressing issues regarding OHRQoL even in the posterior teeth of adolescents.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Brazil; Quality of Life; Male; Female; Oral Health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Young Adult; Dental Caries; Socioeconomic Factors; Dentin; Poisson Distribution; Prevalence
PubMed: 38922206
DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2024.vol38.0046 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The hexagonal ferrite h-YbFeO grown on YSZ(111) by pulsed laser deposition is foreseen as a promising single multiferroic candidate where ferroelectricity and...
The hexagonal ferrite h-YbFeO grown on YSZ(111) by pulsed laser deposition is foreseen as a promising single multiferroic candidate where ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism coexist for future applications at low temperatures. We studied in detail the microstructure as well as the temperature dependence of the magnetic properties of the devices by comparing the heterostructures grown directly on YSZ(111) (i.e., YbPt_Th0nm) with h-YbFeO films deposited on substrates buffered with platinum Pt/YSZ(111) and in dependence on the Pt underlayer film thickness (i.e., YbPt_Th10nm, YbPt_Th40nm, YbPt_Th55nm, and YbPt_Th70nm). The goal was to deeply understand the importance of the crystal quality and morphology of the Pt underlayer for the h-YbFeO layer crystal quality, surface morphology, and the resulting physical properties. We demonstrate the relevance of homogeneity, continuity, and hillock formation of the Pt layer for the h-YbFeO microstructure in terms of crystal structure, mosaicity, grain boundaries, and defect distribution. The findings of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping characterization enable us to conclude that an optimum film thickness for the Pt bottom electrode is = 70 nm, which improves the crystal quality of h-YbFeO films grown on Pt-buffered YSZ(111) in comparison with h-YbFeO films grown on YSZ(111) (i.e., YbPt_Th0nm). The latter shows a disturbance in the crystal structure, in the up-and-down atomic arrangement of the ferroelectric domains, as well as in the Yb-Fe exchange interactions. Therefore, an enhancement in the remanent and in the total magnetization was obtained at low temperatures below 50 K for h-YbFeO films deposited on Pt-buffered substrates Pt/YSZ(111) when the Pt underlayer reached = 70 nm.
PubMed: 38921917
DOI: 10.3390/nano14121041 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) May 2024In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life....
In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life. Herein, we aimed to determine the association between Internet use among older individuals and locomotive syndrome (LS), frailty, and sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study conducted between July 2022 and March 2023, we recruited 105 community-dwelling older Japanese adults who participated in a care prevention project called "Kayoi-no-ba". All participants were divided into Internet and non-Internet user groups according to the classification of a previous study. We assessed LS (standing test, two-step test, and five-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale), frailty (through the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old), and sarcopenia (grip strength, normal walking speed, and skeletal muscle mass index) and made group comparisons between Internet users and non-users. Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed with Internet use as the independent variable and sarcopenia or LS as the dependent variables. The Internet and non-Internet user groups had 69 and 36 participants, respectively. The Internet user group comprised 65.7% of all participants, which was similar to that reported in a previous study of the same age group. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in sarcopenia and LS items, whereas adjusted binomial logistic analysis showed a significant association between sarcopenia and Internet use. In summary, among LS, frailty, and sarcopenia, sarcopenia showed the highest association with Internet use. Older adults without sarcopenia having good physical functions, such as grip strength, walking speed, and skeletal muscle index, more likely used the Internet; while older adults with sarcopenia were less likely to use the Internet. This implied that Internet use may be associated with physical function.
PubMed: 38921715
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14020105 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... May 2024The strength of the shoulder musculature involved with internal rotation and arm extension plays an important role in the overhead throwing motion for baseball athletes,...
The strength of the shoulder musculature involved with internal rotation and arm extension plays an important role in the overhead throwing motion for baseball athletes, both for throwing-related performance and injury risk. The maintenance of shoulder strength is a high priority for baseball athletes throughout a season; however, little is known in regards to the expected changes in strength throughout a season. To examine pre-post changes in shoulder strength, lower body power, and body composition among collegiate baseball players after the completion of a summer baseball league season. Amateur baseball players ( = 12; age: 20.9 ± 1.0 years.; height: 181.6 ± 5.6 cm; body mass: 86.4 ± 11.1 kg; BMI: 26.0 ± 2.6 kg/m) participated in the current study. Pre- and post-competitive season, the participants completed shoulder strength assessments and body composition and countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) tests. An upper-body isometric test (athletic shoulder [ASH] test) was used to evaluate shoulder strength for each arm. Each subject completed maximal isometric contractions for both the throwing and non-throwing arms at four separate angles of abduction (180°, 'I'; 135°, 'Y'; 90°, 'T'; and -180°, 'A') while lying in a prone position. For shoulder strength, the primary dependent variable of interest was a composite measure that represented the average of the forces produced across all four positions of the ASH test (I, Y, T, A). For the ASH test composite measure, there was a trend toward a significant arm-by-time interaction effect ( = 0.08), as shoulder strength decreased by 9.03% for the throwing arm (ES = 0.72; 95% CI = [-0.27, -0.01]), compared to only 2.03% for the non-throwing arm (ES = 0.15; 95% CI = [-0.16, 0.09]), over the course of the season. The main effects of time ( = 0.16) and arm ( = 0.58) were not significant for the ASH test composite measure. There was no relationship between lower body power and throwing arm strength at baseline (r = 0.20, = 0.56), and only a non-significant weak relationship at post-test (r = 0.28, = 0.41). Throughout a season, baseball players may experience reductions in shoulder strength of the throwing arm with minimal changes in shoulder strength in the non-throwing arm.
PubMed: 38921634
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020098 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study aims to determine the influencing factors of the participation of older individuals aged 65 years and above in South Korea's National Cancer Screening Program...
Investigating Factors Influencing the National Cancer Screening Program among Older Individuals in Republic of Korea-Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VIII.
This study aims to determine the influencing factors of the participation of older individuals aged 65 years and above in South Korea's National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) using data from the eighth wave (2019-2021) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII), and discuss potential problems and coping strategies. Variables were selected based on Andersen's healthcare utilization model. "Participation in the NSCP" was considered the dependent variable, with independent variables including sociodemographic characteristics (sex, marital status, residence, education level, income level, economic activity, medical coverage type, and private insurance), health conditions (subjective health status, hypertension, and diabetes), and health behaviors (physical activity, monthly alcohol consumption, and current smoking status). The analysis revealed that higher participation rates correlated with being married, having an education level beyond elementary school, being employed, subscribing to private insurance, perceiving oneself as having average or poor health, engaging in physical activity, and not smoking. Sex, residence, income, medical coverage type, hypertension, diabetes, and monthly alcohol consumption were found to be insignificantly correlated. These findings underscore the importance of tailored promotion and health education for older individuals to boost NCSP participation rates, which could ultimately elevate public health standards.
PubMed: 38921351
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121237 -
Insects May 2024Artificial insemination in queen honey bees is the only tool that provides complete control over mating for research and breeding purposes, making it essential in...
Artificial insemination in queen honey bees is the only tool that provides complete control over mating for research and breeding purposes, making it essential in genetic improvement and conservation programs in this species. The aims of this study were to characterize drone semen bacterial loads by culture-dependent and independent methods and to describe their variation depending on the method of semen collection, the colony and the apiary. In the first experiment, the bacterial loads of semen collected from the seminal vesicles or from ejaculates was studied using culture-dependent methods. The collection method had a significant influence on the overall bacterial count in semen. Out of the 42 semen samples analyzed, 26 (61.9%) tested positive for bacterial isolation. This encompassed the entirety of samples obtained from the seminal vesicles (21 of 21), whereas only 23.8% of those derived from ejaculates (5 out of 21) showed bacterial isolation. In the second experiment, next-generation sequencing techniques were used to describe the microbiome of ejaculated drone semen for the first time. The most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Actinobacteriota, while the most abundant genera were , , and . The results showed that the apiary had a significant effect on the community structure composition and abundance of the seminal microbiota, and significative differences in abundance were observed for the genera , , and . Significant differences were also observed in the richness of the microbiota between apiaries and colonies.
PubMed: 38921092
DOI: 10.3390/insects15060377 -
Gels (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Nanocomposite gels consist of nanoparticles dispersed in a gel matrix. The main aim of this work was to develop nanocomposite gels for topical delivery of Flurbiprofen...
Nanocomposite gels consist of nanoparticles dispersed in a gel matrix. The main aim of this work was to develop nanocomposite gels for topical delivery of Flurbiprofen (FB) for humans and farm animals. Nanocomposite gels were prepared stemming from nanoparticles (NPs) freeze-dried with two different cryoprotectants, D-(+)-trehalose (NPs-TRE) and polyethylene glycol 3350 (NPs-PEG), sterilized by gamma (γ) irradiation, and gelled with Sepigel 305. Nanocomposite gels with FB-NPs-TRE and FB-NPs-PEG were physiochemically characterized in terms of appearance, pH, morphological studies, porosity, swelling, degradation, extensibility, and rheological behavior. The drug release profile and kinetics were assessed, as well as, the ex vivo permeation of FB was assessed in human, porcine and bovine skin. In vivo studies in healthy human volunteers were tested without FB to assess the tolerance of the gels with nanoparticles. Physicochemical studies demonstrated the suitability of the gel formulations. The ex vivo skin permeation capacity of FB-NPs nanocomposite gels with different cryoprotectants allowed us to conclude that these formulations are suitable topical delivery systems for human and veterinary medicine. However, there were statistically significant differences in the permeation of each formulation depending on the skin. Results suggested that FB-NPs-PEG nanocomposite gel was most suitable for human and porcine skin, and the FB-NPs-TRE nanocomposite gel was most suitable for bovine skin.
PubMed: 38920910
DOI: 10.3390/gels10060362 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Currently, an increasing number of Chinese urban citizens are participating in daily physical exercise. Existing research has shown that physical exercise can increase...
Currently, an increasing number of Chinese urban citizens are participating in daily physical exercise. Existing research has shown that physical exercise can increase life satisfaction. However, some studies also suggest that the relationship between the two is unstable. The purposes of this study are to examine physical exercise and to test its correlation with life satisfaction of urban residents in China. Data are obtained from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies, and we focus on urban residents. Our overall sample size is 7423 people, including 3641 females (49.05%) and 3782 males (50.95%), with an average age of 49.55 years old. Because the dependent variables are continuous variables, the multiple linear regression model is used for data analysis. We find that the life satisfaction of Chinese urban residents is on the high side. Our core discovery is that there is a significant positive relationship between the frequency and duration of physical exercise and life satisfaction. Our further discovery is that the frequency of physical exercise affects life satisfaction by influencing popularity and positive emotions. Similarly, the duration of physical exercise affects life satisfaction by influencing popularity and positive emotions. Whether it is the frequency or the duration of physical exercise, it can reflect the residents' attention to physical exercise. Physical exercise habits not only promote physical health by strengthening physical fitness but also promote mental health by alleviating depression and promote social communication by increasing social activities in the Chinese context. All of these can improve people's life satisfaction. Our research suggests that the improvement in life satisfaction not only needs the abundance of external material conditions but also needs the individual to improve their physical and mental health through physical exercise.
PubMed: 38920826
DOI: 10.3390/bs14060494 -
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In this paper, we present a systematic approach to building useful time-dependent effective Hamiltonians in molecular quantum electrodynamics. The method is based on...
In this paper, we present a systematic approach to building useful time-dependent effective Hamiltonians in molecular quantum electrodynamics. The method is based on considering part of the system as an open quantum system and choosing a convenient unitary transformation based on the evolution operator. We illustrate our formalism by obtaining four Hamiltonians, each suitable to a different class of applications. We show that we may treat several effects of molecular quantum electrodynamics with a direct first-order perturbation theory. In addition, our effective Hamiltonians shed light on interesting physical aspects that are not explicit when employing more standard approaches. As applications, we discuss three examples: two-photon spontaneous emission, resonance energy transfer, and dispersion interactions.
PubMed: 38920535
DOI: 10.3390/e26060527 -
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024We analyze the entropy production in run-and-tumble models. After presenting the general formalism in the framework of the Fokker-Planck equations in one space...
We analyze the entropy production in run-and-tumble models. After presenting the general formalism in the framework of the Fokker-Planck equations in one space dimension, we derive some known exact results in simple physical situations (free run-and-tumble particles and harmonic confinement). We then extend the calculation to the case of anisotropic motion (different speeds and tumbling rates for right- and left-oriented particles), obtaining exact expressions of the entropy production rate. We conclude by discussing the general case of heterogeneous run-and-tumble motion described by space-dependent parameters and extending the analysis to the case of -dimensional motions.
PubMed: 38920452
DOI: 10.3390/e26060443