Structure and Function of the Armored Keel in Piranhas,Pacus, and their Allies

The serrasalmids: piranhas, pacus, and their relatives, are ubiquitous Neotropical fishes with diverse diets, ecologies, and behaviors. Serrasalmids have a bony, serrated keel which lines the underbellies of these fishes, the structure for which the family is named. We examined the diversity and structure of the keel in piranhas and allies using micro-computed tomography scanning in over 30 species of serrasalmids, a third of the species richness for the family, and for 95 total characiform specimens. The keel is highly diverse across serrasalmids, with serrae shape dictating the overall form of the keel. Serrae shape varies considerably among different species and even within keels themselves. The keel morphology can be divided into distinct anterior and posterior regions, as separated by the pelvic fins. Compared to other characiform fishes, serrasalmid skeletons are frequently damaged. Gouging perforations and signs of healing (serrae fusion) are common on the keel. We propose the keel is a defensive structure based on the high incidence of injury (>50%) in our dataset. This is the highest incidence of damage ever recorded in the skeletons of bony fishes. The loss of the anterior keel region in rheophilic taxa suggests competing performance demands and selective pressures on this structure. Competition and aggression among conspecifics or confamilials is a frequently invoked phenomenon for explaining animal weaponry and armor in terrestrial vertebrates. The keel in serrasalmids and other instances of armor in fishes could be complementary study systems for examining competitive rivalry in vertebrates. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy.     

Low colectomy rate five years after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Results from a prospective population-based cohort in Sweden (ICURE) diagnosed during 2005–2009*

Objective: The medical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) has seen a change towards a more active attitude during recent years, including both the use of more traditional drugs as well as new biological substances. In this epidemiological study we have evaluated the results of modern treatment of UC in a population-based cohort of patients including all age groups, with regard to relapse rate, colectomy and IBD-associated mortality.

Material and methods: Patients diagnosed with UC in the Uppsala health care region in the middle of Sweden during 2005–2009 were included in the study. Out of 524 patients, 491 (93%) could be followed for five full years or until death.

Results: Nineteen patients (3.9%) had died and two of these deaths could be attributed to UC (one postoperative death and one colonic carcinoma). The following drugs were used by the patients during the study period: 5-ASA (91%), systemic steroids (66%), immunomodulators (IMM), mainly thiopurines (26%) and anti-TNF (11%). During the observation period, 74% experienced at least one relapse and 5.3% were subjected to colectomy. Among patients?<17 years at diagnosis, colectomy was performed in two (4.8%).

Conclusions: Five years after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, 5.3% had been subjected to colectomy and two patients (0.38%) had died because of the disease.     

Enabling the return-to-work process among people with affective disorders: A multiple-case study

Background: The Individual Enabling and Support (IES) model is an adapted, supported employment program developed to meet motivational, cognitive and time-use needs of people with affective disorders. Vocational programs for this target group have been developed but more knowledge is needed about the important characteristics and perceived usefulness of the programs. The aim of this study was to illustrate the IES model and process from multiple perspectives.

Methods: Five participants were included in this multiple-case study. The material comprised interviews with participants, intervention documents, memos and interviews with employment specialists. Within and cross-case analyzes and an analytical generalization were performed.

Results: The cases illustrated different IES processes, and the theme; Enabling engagement in return to work (RTW) was formulated. Continuous support from the employment specialist and a focus on personal resources and motivation were essential to overcome low self-confidence regarding RTW. Motivational, cognitive and time-use strategies gave an opportunity to learn new behavior and coping strategies for job seeking, getting employed and working.

Conclusion: Providing a combination of these strategies integrated with supported employment could promote self-efficacy and engagement in the RTW process among people on sick leave due to an affective disorder.     

Associations between orthodontic treatment need and oral health‐related quality of life among young adults: does it depend on how you assess them?

Liu Z, McGrath C, Hägg U. Associations between orthodontic treatment need and oral health‐related quality of life among young adults: does it depend on how you assess them? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011; 39: 137–144. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objective: To determine the association between orthodontic treatment need (OTN) and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: A cross‐sectional study involving 273 young adults seeking orthodontic care. OHRQoL was assessed by the short‐form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) and United Kingdom oral health‐related quality of life measure (OHQoL‐UK). Study casts were assessed for OTN by: Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN)‐Aesthetic Component (IOTN‐AC) and Dental Health Component (IOTN‐DHC) and Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON). Variations in OHIP‐14 and OHQoL‐UK were determined with respect to OTN, and the magnitude of differences was calculated (effect size: ES). Results: There were significant but weak correlations between occlusal indices scores and OHIP‐14 scores (P < 0.05, r < 0.3) and between occlusal indices scores and OHQoL‐UK scores (P < 0.05, r < 0.4). The magnitude of the statistical difference in OHQoL‐UK scores was moderate to large with respect to OTN (ES: 0.36–0.87) and largest when DHC (ES = 0.87) and ICON (ES = 0.74) were used. The magnitude of the statistical difference in OHIP‐14 scores was relatively lower (ES: 0.21–0.69), but also greatest when DHC and ICON were used to determine OTN (ES 0.69 and 0.50, respectively). Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment need was associated with OHRQoL. The magnitude of the statistical difference between those with and without an orthodontic treatment need was larger when OHRQoL was assessed using OHQoL‐UK compared to OHIP‐14. DHC and ICON were more useful indices in identifying greater differences in OHRQoL with respect to orthodontic treatment need.     

Prunus mume extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against pathogenic oral bacteria

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 21: 299–305 Objectives. Prunus mume is a common fruit in Asia, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we focused on the antimicrobial properties of Prunus mume extract against oral pathogens related to dental caries and periodontal diseases. Study design. A total of 15 oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, P. gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Candida species were included in the study. Initially, agar diffusion assay was performed to screen the antimicrobial activities of Prunus mume extract. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were then determined for sensitive species. Effect of Prunus mume extract on human oral keratinocytes (HOK) viability was also tested. Result. In the agar diffusion assay, drug suspension of 2 g/mL was able to inhibit all the bacterial species tested, but not the fungal species. MIC and MBC range of Prunus mume extract against the oral bacteria was 0.15625–0.0003 g/mL and P. gingivalis being the most susceptible species. Prune extract did not cause any detrimental effect on HOK. Conclusion. Prunus mume extract may be a potential candidate for developing an oral antimicrobial agent to control or prevent dental diseases associated with oral pathogenic bacteria.