Periodontal surgery in furcation-involved maxillary molars revisited—an introduction of guidelines for comprehensive treatment

Maxillary molars with interradicular loss of periodontal tissue have an increased risk of additional attachment loss with an impaired long-term prognosis. Since accurate clinical analysis of furcation involvement is not feasible due to limited access, morphological variations and measurement errors, additional diagnostics, e.g., with cone-beam computed tomography, may be required. Surgical treatment options have graduated from a less invasive approach, i.e., keeping as much periodontal attachment as possible, to a more invasive approach: (1) open flap debridement with/without gingivectomy or apically repositioned flap and/or tunnelling; (2) root separation; (3) amputation/trisection of a root (with/without root separation or tunnel preparation); (4) amputation/trisection of two roots; and (5) extraction of the entire tooth. Tunnelling is indicated when the degree of root separation allows for opening of the interradicular region. Alternatively, root separation is performed particularly in root-canal treated teeth with reduced coronal tooth substance requiring crown restorations. As soon as the attachment of one or two roots in maxillary molars is severely reduced, root removal is indicated and performed either as amputation or trisection including the corresponding part of the clinical crown. While the indication for regenerative measures in maxillary molars with furcation involvement is very limited, extraction and replacement with implants is restricted, particularly in sites requiring complex alveolar ridge augmentation and sinus elevation. A systematic approach for decision making in furcation-involved maxillary molars is described in this overview, including what constitutes accurate diagnosis and what indications there are for the different surgical periodontal treatment option

Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity in Older Adults

Physical activity is the fountain of youth, strengthening both the physical body as well as the mind, leading to better emotional stability and a general sense of well-being. The population over age 65 is nearing retirement age and are transitioning from a high paced work and family life to a slower and less active “empty nest” lifestyle. Among adults over age 65, will implementing an exercise program for 30 minutes per day increase mental well-being? The benefits of physical activity will be supported by gathering a group of older adults ages 65 and up from a local retirement community to exercise 30 minutes a day for four weeks. Educating the public to the benefits of increased mental well-being with daily physical activity is important for preventive medicine. Using social cognitive theory and self-care theory is an effective way to help the patient to be motivated, acquire skills, remove barriers, develop habits, and progress physically and mentally, using the patient’s own goals as positive reinforcement. Overcoming potential barriers of lack of support and/or motivation can be assisted by APRN’s by providing a means for accountability and follow-up

The Predictive Validity of the AFIT Graduate Engineering and Environmental (GEEM) Admission Requirements

Recognizing that a strong commitment to advanced technical and management education (Van Scotter, 1993, p. 1) serves to maintain the capability and strength of the United States Air Force (USAF), the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Graduate School of Engineering and Management (GSEM) offers a full-time, eighteen-month, Graduate Engineering and Environmental Management (GEEM) program to military officers and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees. The AFIT uses the applicant\u27s undergraduate grade-point average (UGPA), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test verbal and quantitative scores, and undergraduate mathematics course grade-point average (UMGPA) to select applicants for admission. This study analyzed how well these selection devices predicted success in the GEEM program for students admitted to the classes of 1995 through 2002. Controlling for age, gender, and the time (in years) between undergraduate and graduate education (TDELTA), the UGPA, GRE (verbal) score, GRE (quantitative) score, and UMGPA were sequentially entered into a hierarchical, multivariable, linear regression model. Using this technique, three separate regression model were built, one for each operationalization of graduate school performance: cumulative graduate grade-point average (GGPA), AFIT thesis grade, and first-year graduate grade-point average (FYGGPA). Every independent variable, either alone or in combination with other predictor variables, except for age, gender, and GRE (quantitative), demonstrated statistical significance as a predictor of both FYGGPA and GGPA. Only UMGPA, combined with all other predictor variables, significantly predicted thesis grade

The role of the novel Th17 cytokine IL-26 in intestinal inflammation

Background and aims: Interleukin 26 (IL-26), a novel IL-10-like cytokine without a murine homologue, is expressed in T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells. Currently, its function in human disease is completely unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse its role in intestinal inflammation.Methods: Expression studies were performed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Signal transduction was analysed by western blot experiments and ELISA. Cell proliferation was measured by MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay. IL-26 serum levels were determined by an immunoluminometric assay (ILMA).Results: All examined intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines express both IL-26 receptor subunits IL-20R1 and IL-10R2. IL-26 activates extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/2 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, Akt and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 1/3. IL-26 stimulation increases the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines but decreases cell proliferation. In inflamed colonic lesions of patients with Crohn's disease, an elevated IL-26 mRNA expression was found that correlated highly with the IL-8 and IL-22 expression. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated IL-26 protein expression in colonic T cells including Th17 cells expressing the orphan nuclear receptor ROR\textgreekgt, with an increased number of colonic IL-26-expressing cells in active Crohn's disease.Conclusion: Intestinal cells express the functional IL-26 receptor complex. IL-26 modulates IEC proliferation and proinflammatory gene expression and its expression is upregulated in active Crohn's disease, indicating a role for this cytokine system in the innate host cell response during intestinal inflammation. For the first time, IL-26 expression is demonstrated in colonic ROR\textgreekgt-expressing Th17 cells in situ, supporting a role for this cell type in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease

Peer relations and academic achievement in early elementary school

The primary focus of the current study was to examine the relations between children’s peer relationships and academic performance. This study involved a secondary analysis of data provided by children, parents, and teachers. In all, 585 families participated in the study. The sample is predominately middle class, generally representative of the geographical regions, and demographically diverse; 52% of the children were male, 19% were of a minority or ethnic background, and 26% lived with single parents. The current study analyzed data collected over a four year period beginning when the children were enrolled in kindergarten. Data were obtained using classroom-based sociometric interviews and teacher questionnaires. Three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis stated that there are concurrent associations between peer relationship experiences and academic performance. The second hypothesis stated that associations between peer relationships and academic performance also will be found when averaging across kindergarten through third grade. Analyses computed in this study indicate that better academic performance was associated with greater peer acceptance, more friends, and less rejection by peers in each grade and when averaging over the four-year period. The third hypothesis stated that there are positive associations between yearly changes in peer relationships and academic performance and a research question asked if the associations described in the hypotheses generalized to boys and girls

Exploring the Unfolding of Dynamic Effects with Continuous-Time Models: Recommendations Concerning Statistical Power to Detect Peak Cross-Lagged Effects

Cross-lagged panel models have been commonly applied to investigate the dynamic interplay of variables. In such discrete-time models, the size of the cross-lagged effects depends on the length of the time interval between the measurement occasions. Continuous-time modeling allows to explore this interval dependence of cross-lagged effects and thus to identify the maximal “peak” cross-lagged effects. To detect these peak effects, sufficient statistical power is needed. Based on results from a simulation study, we employed machine learning algorithms to identify a highly accurate prediction model. Results are incorporated into a Shiny App (available at https://psychtools.shinyapps.io/ContinuousTimePowerCalculation) for easy power calculations. Although limitations apply, our results might be helpful for study planning.Peer Reviewe

Sample Size Recommendations for Continuous-Time Models: Compensating Shorter Time Series with Larger Numbers of Persons and Vice Versa

Autoregressive modeling has traditionally been concerned with time-series data from one unit (N = 1). For short time series (T 1). In this work, we illustrate the N/T compensation effect: With an increasing number of persons N at constant T, the model estimation performance increases, and vice versa, with an increasing number of time points T at constant N, the performance increases as well. Based on these observations, we develop sample size recommendations in the form of easily accessible N/T heatmaps for two popular autoregressive continuous-time models.Peer Reviewe

How does an inspector call: structures of UGGT, the eukaryotic glycoprotein quality control checkpoint

In all cells derived from animals, plants, fungi and protozoa a single protein called UGGT acts as a quality control checkpoint that inspects secreted glycoproteins. UGGT has fascinated scientists for many years as it has the capacity to check the quality of a huge array of glycoproteins, which come in many different shapes and sizes and folds. The way in which it screens such a diverse group of proteins is poorly understood, and no structures exist of UGGT. Furthermore, UGGT is implicated in human diseases as it can ensure that glycoproteins from viruses (such as influenza, hepatitis C, HIV and Zika) are folded correctly. By fully characterising UGGT, it is hoped that an inhibitor could be developed that may act as a broad-spectrum anti-viral drug. Using the Macromolecular Crystallography (MX) beamlines (I02, I03, I04 and I04-1) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) at the Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC), the structure of UGGT was solved. Four distinct crystal structures of a full-length UGGT revealed a novel seven domain fold, with four thioredoxin-like domains arranged in a long arc, which terminates in two β–sandwich domains that tightly clasp the catalytic domain. Together, the cryo-EM map, the crystal structures and the biochemical data suggested that UGGT is highly flexible, a feature which enables it to check such a wide variety of glycoproteins

Which Large- and Medium-Sized Mammals Use Commercial Short-Rotation Coppice as Habitat?

We surveyed occurrence and activity of large- and medium-sized mammals on six commercial mini-rotation short-rotation coppice (SRC) plantations in northern Germany by camera trapping in different seasons (winter, late summer). In total, eleven species (6–9 per site) were detected. This corresponds to the majority of mammal species occurring in the study region. Roe deer, wild boar and red fox were found across all sites. All other species were detected on fewer sites and some in only one of the seasons. Roe deer was the most active species both in terms of visit frequency (days with detection) and use intensity (detection numbers). With few exceptions on individual sites, all other species showed significantly lower activity. Number of detected species and activity of most of the species did not differ between seasons. Furthermore, there were no differences between near-edge and central areas of the crops with regard to the activity of the occurring species. Activity of individual species on different sites, however, differed considerably in some cases. Our results show that a wide range of mammal species are basically able to include SRC into their habitat utilisation. However, the sporadic use by most species indicates a rather limited current habitat value of the surveyed plantations. Options to increase the habitat value of SRC for mammals are suggested, but their effectiveness needs to be tested in future studies. Since the spatial and temporal scope of our study was limited and only SRC of a uniform age-class were considered, our results are not immediately applicable to other landscapes, seasons or types and management phases of SRC. Therefore, further research is required that considers these aspects as well as species-specific patterns of habitat selection in comparison to other habitat types. © 2022, The Author(s)