42 research outputs found
Lectin-Cytochemistry of Experimental Rat Nephrolithiasis
Lectin reactivity in epithelial apical cell coats of normal rat kidneys was compared to that from animals subjected to crystal inducing diets (CID). The aim was to see whether the absence of lectin reactivity in cell coats is related to intratubular calcium oxalate crystal retention. In normal rat kidneys, after a pre-embedding procedure, it was observed that at the ultrastructural level, reactivity was present but that the lectin specificity for the various parts of the nephron might have to be reconsidered. There was heterogeneity between the epithelial cells with respect to the presence of coat material in the tubular cell apices. Tubular epithelial cell apices from CID rats showed no obvious changes in lectin reactivity pattern. Lectin reactivity was present at the periphery of intratubular crystals but undetectable at true crystal attachment sites or reduced at cell apices in the vicinity of recently attached crystals or agglomerates.
After a post-embedding reaction procedure, wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA)-lectin reactivity confirmed the presence of coat material in the cleft between cell apex and retained crystal at crystal-attachment sites. The WGA/Au-10 nm reaction products were also seen inside epithelial cells. WGA/Au-10 nm reaction products mark a crystal matrix component inside intratubular and re-tained crystals. A similar matrix was also marked by an α-osteopontin ( αOPN/Au-10 nm) reaction product
The course of swallowing problems in the first 2Â years after diagnosis of head and neck cancer
Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment often negatively impact swallowing function. The aim was to investigate the course of patient-reported swallowing problems from diagnosis to 3, 6, 12, and 24Â months after treatment, in relation to demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. Methods: Data were used of the Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical Cohort Study in head and neck cancer research (NET-QUBIC). The primary outcome measures were the subscales of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL). Linear mixed-effects models (LMM) were conducted to investigate changes over time and associations with patient, clinical, and lifestyle parameters as assessed at baseline. Results: Data were available of 603 patients. There was a significant change over time on all subscales. Before treatment, 53% of patients reported swallowing problems. This number increased to 70% at M3 and decreased to 59% at M6, 50% at M12, and 48% at M24. Swallowing problems (i.e., longer eating duration) were more pronounced in the case of female, current smoking, weight loss prior to treatment, and stage III or IV tumor, and were more prevalent at 3 to 6Â months after treatment. Especially patients with an oropharynx and oral cavity tumor, and patients receiving (C)RT following surgery or CRT only showed a longer eating duration after treatment, which did not return to baseline levels. Conclusion: Half of the patients with HNC report swallowing problems before treatment. Eating duration was associated with sex, smoking, weight loss, tumor site and stage, and treatment modality, and was more pronounced 3 to 6Â months after treatment
Caries in deprived areas 1. Adults
In the Netherlands, little epidemiologic data is available on the oral health of the various cultural groups comprising the adult population living in deprived areas. The aim of an investigation carried out in 2013 was to obtain an impression of the extent of caries experience among less well-educated adults in deprived areas by comparison with a reference group of adults from the city of 's-Hertogenbosch. A total of 1,597 less well-educated respondents participated in this research. The reference population had the largest amount of caries experience, mostly due to a relatively large number of filled surfaces. The relatively low caries experience found in the respondents in the deprived areas with a non-Dutch cultural affiliation was due to lower numbers of filled surfaces. The differences in average filled-surface scores were statistically significant in all age categories, except the youngest. The strategy of 'extension for prevention' in caries treatment in the permanent dentition represents a possible explanation for the fact that less well-educated adults in 's-Hertogenbosch had significantly more filled surfaces than those with a non-Dutch cultural affiliation.</p
Reconceptualizing conservation
Early definitions of conservation focused largely on the end goals of protection or restoration of nature, and the various disciplinary domains that contribute to these ends. Conservation science and practice has evolved beyond being focused on just issues of scarcity and biodiversity decline. To better recognize the inherent links between human behaviour and conservation, âsuccessâ in conservation is now being defined in terms that include human rights and needs. We also know that who engages in conservation, and how, dictates the likelihood that conservation science will be embraced and applied to yield conservation gains. Here we present ideas for reconceptualizing conservation. We emphasize the HOW in an attempt to reorient and repurpose the term in ways that better reflect what contemporary conservation is or might aspire to be. To do so, we developed an acrostic using the letters in the term âCONSERVATIONâ with each serving as an adjective where C = co-produced, O = open, N = nimble, S = solutions-oriented, E = empowering, R = relational, V = values-based, A = actionable, T = transdisciplinary, I = inclusive, O = optimistic, and N = nurturing. For each adjective, we briefly describe our reasoning for its selection and describe how it contributes to our vision of conservation. By reconceptualizing conservation we have the potential to center how we do conservation in ways that are more likely to result in outcomes that benefit biodiversity while also being just, equitable, inclusive, and respectful of diverse rights holders, knowledge holders, and other actors. We hope that this acrostic will be widely adopted in training to help the next generation of conservation researchers and practitioners keep in mind what it will take to make their contributions effective and salient
Identifying the participant characteristics that predict recruitment and retention of participants to randomised controlled trials involving children : a systematic review
Background
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are recommended as the âgold standardâ in evaluating health care interventions. The conduct of RCTs is often impacted by difficulties surrounding recruitment and retention of participants in both adult and child populations. Factors influencing recruitment and retention of children to RCTs can be more complex than in adults. There is little synthesised evidence of what influences participation in research involving parents and children.
Aim
To identify predictors of recruitment and retention in RCTs involving children.
Methods
A systematic review of RCTs was conducted to synthesise the available evidence. An electronic search strategy was applied to four databases and restricted to English language publications. Quantitative studies reporting participant predictors of recruitment and retention in RCTs involving children aged 0â12 were identified. Data was extracted and synthesised narratively. Quality assessment of articles was conducted using a structured tool developed from two existing quality evaluation checklists.
Results
Twenty-eight studies were included in the review. Of the 154 participant factors reported, 66 were found to be significant predictors of recruitment and retention in at least one study. These were classified as parent, child, family and neighbourhood characteristics. Parent characteristics (e.g. ethnicity, age, education, socioeconomic status (SES)) were the most commonly reported predictors of participation for both recruitment and retention. Being young, less educated, of an ethnic minority and having low SES appear to be barriers to participation in RCTs although there was little agreement between studies. When analysed according to setting and severity of the childâs illness there appeared to be little variation between groups. The quality of the studies varied. Articles adhered well to reporting guidelines around provision of a scientific rationale for the study and background information as well as displaying good internal consistency of results. However, few studies discussed the external validity of the results or provided recommendations for future research.
Conclusion
Parent characteristics may predict participation of children and their families to RCTs; however, there was a lack of consensus. Whilst sociodemographic variables may be useful in identifying which groups are least likely to participate they do not provide insight into the processes and barriers to participation for children and families. Further studies that explore variables that can be influenced are warranted. Reporting of studies in this field need greater clarity as well as agreed definitions of what is meant by retention
The prevalence of tooth wear in the Dutch adult population
This study, performed in 2013, aimed to assess the prevalence of tooth wear in the Dutch adult population. The prevalence of tooth wear was not only determined for different age groups but also according to gender, socioeconomic status and types of teeth. Results were compared with the outcomes of a previous study in a comparable population in 2007. The data were collected as part of a comprehensive dental-epidemiological research project. The 1,125 adults from the city of 's-Hertogenbosch who participated in the project were subdivided into 5 age groups. Tooth wear was quantified using a 5-point ordinal occlusal/incisal grading scale. The number of teeth affected by tooth wear was higher in older age groups. Men showed more tooth wear than women, as did individuals with lower socioeconomic status, among whom a similar tendency was observed. Tooth wear prevalence found in 2013 was higher in all age groups than in 2007. One can conclude that tooth wear is a common condition in the Dutch adult population
The impacts of century-old, arsenic-rich mine tailings on multi-trophic level biological assemblages in lakes from Cobalt (Ontario, Canada)
Silver mining in the early-1900s has left a legacy of arsenic-rich mine tailings around the town of Cobalt, in northeastern Ontario, Canada. Due to a lack of environmental control and regulations at that time, it was common for mines to dispose of thei
Ecological consequences of shoreline armoring on littoral fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in an Eastern Ontario lake
Shoreline erosion in lakes is a pressing issue for many landowners, yet common erosion mitigation practices that involve armoring can alter littoral habitat and potentially diminish near-shore biodiversity. We studied the effects of two armoring methods (i.e., riprap, retaining walls) on habitat, taxonomic richness, relative abundance, and total abundance of fishes and benthic macroinvertebrates at shorelines on Big Rideau Lake in eastern Ontario, Canada. Snorkel surveys were conducted to assess aquatic habitat characteristics and fish diversity, and benthic infauna were sampled using kick-nets. Submergent and emergent macrophytes were more abundant at natural rocky shorelines compared to shorelines modified with riprap or retaining walls. Coarse woody debris was also more abundant at natural shorelines compared to riprap and retaining wall shorelines. Relative abundances of some fish species varied between shoreline types, but overall species richness and total abundance did not. Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) were more abundant at natural sites than armored sites. Conversely, Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris), Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), Yellow Perch (Perca
Factors associated with swallowing dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer
Background: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate swallowing function in relation to personal and clinical factors among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) from diagnosis up to 2Â years after treatment. Methods: The 100Â ml water swallow test was measured before treatment, and 3, 6, 12, and 24Â months after treatment. Linear mixed-effects model analysis was conducted to investigate changes over time and the association with personal (sex and age) and clinical (tumor site, tumor stage, and treatment modality) factors. Results: Among 128 included patients, number of swallows increased from baseline to 3Â months after treatment and decreased to baseline again at 6Â months after treatment. The number of swallows was associated with age and treatment modality. Conclusions: In patients with HNC, swallowing (dys)function changes over time with the worst score 3Â months after treatment. A higher age and being treated with surgery are factors associated with swallowing dysfunction over time