bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of heat treatment on torsional resistance and surface roughness of nickel‐titanium instruments
Authors: Silva E. J. N. L. , Giraldes J. F. N. , de Lima C. O. , Vieira V. T. L. , Elias C. N. , Antunes H. S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the influence of controlled memory (CM) thermal treatment on the torsional resistance and surface roughness of nickel‐titanium instruments with identical geometric and dimensional characteristics. The influence of environmental temperature on torsional resistance was also evaluated.MethodologyA sample of 25 conventional NiTi alloy and 25 CM thermal‐treated NiTi instruments, with an identical geometric design and a nominal size of 0.25 mm at D0 and a nominal taper of .06 mm mm−1 were selected. The torsional strength and the angle of rotation of the instruments were tested following ISO 3630‐1 at two temperatures: 21 and 35 °C. The fracture surfaces of all tested instruments were verified with a scanning electron microscope. The surface roughness of the blades of conventional NiTi alloy and CM wire files was evaluated by using a New View 7100 Profilometer. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t‐test and paired t‐test to analyse the torsional resistance and surface roughness at a significance level of P < 0.05.ResultsThe torsional strength of thermally‐treated instruments was significantly lower than nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). However, thermally‐treated instruments had significantly greater angular rotation to fracture than nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). Temperature did not influence the torsional strength (P > 0.05) and the angular rotation (P > 0.05) of the instruments. Regarding the roughness measurements, groove depth was lower at the surface of thermally‐treated instruments when compared to nontreated instruments (P < 0.05).ConclusionThermal treatment influenced the torsional resistance and surface roughness of NiTi instruments with identical geometric and dimensional characteristics. Temperature did not affect torsional behaviour.
Effect of larger apical size on the quality of preparation in curved canals using reciprocating instruments with different heat thermal treatments
Authors: Duque J. A. , Vivan R. R. , Duarte M. A. H. , Alcalde M. P. , Cruz V. M. , Borges M. M. B. , Bramante C. M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the influence of larger apical canal enlargement in curved canals using reciprocating systems subjected to various heat treatments.MethodologyNinety mandibular premolars with root curvatures ranging from 20° to 30° were selected and scanned by microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) before and after root canal preparation with reciprocating systems (n = 30): Reciproc Blue (RB size 25, .08 taper and size 40, .06 taper; VDW, Munich, Germany), WaveOne Gold (WOG size 25, .07 taper and size 35, .06 taper; Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and ProDesign R (PDR size 25, .06 taper and size 35, .05 taper; Easy Dental Equipment, Belo Horizonte, Brazil). Canal transportation, untouched areas, and apical and total root canal volumes were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests and a significance level set at 5%.ResultsThe between‐group comparison revealed no significant difference in untouched areas, canal transportation, and apical root canal volume among the groups (P > 0.05). However, WOG size 35, .06 taper was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of total canal volume in comparison to the PDR size 35, .05 taper (P < 0.05). The within‐group comparison revealed a significant decrease in untouched areas, increase in apical and total root canal volume for all groups when using a larger instrument (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in transportation among the groups and when a larger apical preparation was created (P > 0.05).ConclusionsLarger apical enlargement of curved canals was associated with a decrease in untouched areas, an increase in root canal volume and maintenance of canal trajectory. In addition, all systems were safe and provided similar root canal shapes.
Faking on a situational judgment test in a medical school selection setting: Effect of different scoring methods?
Authors: de Leng W. E. , Stegers‐Jager K. M. , Born M. Ph. , Themmen A. P. N. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe examined the occurrence of faking on a rating situational judgment test (SJT) by comparing SJT scores and response styles of the same individuals across two naturally occurring situations. An SJT for medical school selection was administered twice to the same group of applicants (N = 317) under low‐stakes (T1) and high‐stakes (T2) circumstances. The SJT was scored using three different methods that were differentially affected by response tendencies. Applicants used significantly more extreme responding onT2 thanT1. Faking (higher SJT score onT2) was only observed for scoring methods that controlled for response tendencies. Scoring methods that do not control for response tendencies introduce systematic error into the SJT score, which may lead to inaccurate conclusions about the existence of faking.
Quality of life after external beam radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: Comparison with other modalities
Authors: Nakamura Katsumasa , Konishi Kenta , Komatsu Tetsuya , Ishiba Ryo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn external beam radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, acute toxicities are typically transient and mild. These symptoms will disappear within 4–8 weeks after external beam radiotherapy. Some patients might suffer from proctitis with bloody stools as late rectal toxicity. Therefore, it has been shown that external beam radiotherapy has a more pronounced negative impact on bowel function compared with other treatment modalities. However, the recent development of modern beam delivery techniques, including intensity‐modulated radiotherapy, allows us not only to deliver higher doses to the prostate, but also to decrease the doses to the critical organs, resulting in the maintenance of patients’ quality of life within satisfactory levels. Patients’ quality of life after external beam radiotherapy is also strongly related to the total dose, fractionation regimens, dose parameters of the critical organs and treatment plan quality, with a trade‐off between the radicality of external beam radiotherapy and potentially increased toxicity. Radiation oncologists should choose treatment parameters carefully to achieve a reasonable balance between a good oncological outcome and the patient's quality of life.
A longitudinal examination of the interrelationships between multiple health behaviors in cancer patients
Authors: Bernard Paquito , Ivers Hans , Savard Marie‐Hélène , Savard Josée 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPurposeA healthy lifestyle following a cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced risk for a cancer recurrence. Better understanding the interrelationships between multiple health behaviors (HB) in cancer survivors could inform the development of more effective interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle.MethodsThis prospective study assessed the longitudinal interrelationships between smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, and caffeine consumption among patients with mixed cancer sites at the peri‐operative period and 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18 months later. A cross‐lagged design and structural equation modeling were used to assess the relationships between all four HBs over time.ResultsThe study included 962 participants. The model showed a good fit to the data. For all four HBs, continuity paths consistently indicated that one particular health behavior was significantly predicted by the same health behavior at the previous time point. However, no consistent pattern of cross‐lagged relationships between HBs emerged. Physical activity at 14‐ and 18‐month evaluations was the HB most consistently involved either as a predictor as a predicted variable.ConclusionOverall, this study indicates that HBs assessed following cancer surgery are mostly independent and that interventions promoting HB changes during the cancer treatment trajectory need to target each health behavior separately.
Addressing the issue of job performance among hospital physicians in Pakistan: The role of job security, organizational support, and job satisfaction
Authors: Umrani Waheed Ali , Afsar Bilal , Khan Mirwise , Ahmed Umair 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPurposeThe success of any organization is highly dependent on how it attracts, recruits, motivates, and retains a high‐performing workforce. The reason is that performance as a phenomenon is closely related to aspects of effectiveness, knowledge management and quality from one side and to management, financing and development of the organization from the other. Especially for hospital physicians, job performance issues are inextricably linked to patient safety. Explaining the factors that influence employee performance remain a fundamental question for human resources management practitioners. The literature shows that a large number of factors influence job performance such as satisfaction from the profession, work environment, compensation policies, quality of work life, ability, effort, motivation, attitude, personality, and competence. This study looked at selected employee related factors, namely job security, organizational support, and job satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of job security and organizational support on hospital physician's job performance and the mediating role of job satisfaction on these relationships.MethodsA cross‐sectional quantitative approach was employed for this study. Hospital physicians working in public and private hospitals of Pakistan were selected. The sample comprised of 361 hospital physicians who were approached using the self‐administered technique. To outline and explain the relationship of job security and organizational support with job performance and how job satisfaction could mediate these relationship, the data were analyzed using partial least squares‐structural equation model (PLS‐SEM).ResultsThe results indicated that job security and organizational support positively affected job performance of hospital physicians. Moreover, job satisfaction mediated the link between job security and job performance as well as between organizational support and job performance.ConclusionsWe conclude that by providing job security and organizational support to hospital physicians, their job performance can be boosted. Physician satisfaction impacts physician behavior and, consequently, the quality of medical care. Physician satisfaction needs to be measured and monitored to improve working conditions and increase employment stability in the healthcare sector. Due to the health workforce crisis, knowledge regarding physician satisfaction and job security is essential to healthcare managers and policy makers for more effective human resources management.
Nicorandil alleviates apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy through PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Wang Xuyang , Pan Jinyu , Liu Dian , Zhang Mingjun , Li Xiaowei , Tian Jingjing , Liu Ming , Jin Tao , An Fengshuang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractNicorandil exerts myocardial protection through its antihypoxia and antioxidant effects. Here, we investigated whether it plays an anti‐apoptotic role in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed with high‐fat diet; then single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was performed. Rats with fasting blood glucose (FBG) higher than 11.1 mmol/L were selected as models. Eight weeks after the models were built, rats were treated with nicorandil (7.5 mg/kg day and 15 mg/kg day respectively) for 4 weeks. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with nicorandil and then stimulated with high glucose (33.3 mmol/L). TUNEL assay and level of bcl‐2, bax and caspase‐3 were measured. 5‐HD was used to inhibit nicorandil. Also, PI3K inhibitor (Miltefosine) and mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) were used to inhibit PI3K/Akt pathway. The results revealed that nicorandil (both 7.5 mg/kg day and 15mg/kg day) treatment can increase the level of NO in the serum and eNOS in the heart of diabetic rats compared with the untreated diabetic group. Nicorandil can also improve relieve cardiac dysfunction and reduce the level of apoptosis. In vitro experiments, nicorandil (100 µmol) can attenuate the level of apoptosis stimulated by high glucose significantly in H9C2 cardiomyocyte compared with the untreated group. The effect of nicorandil on apoptosis was blocked by 5‐HD, and it was accompanied with inhibition of the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, eNOS, and mTOR. After inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway, the protective effect of nicorandil is restrained. These results verified that as a NO donor, nicorandil can also inhibit apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy which is mediated by PI3K/Akt pathway.
Epigenetic and inflammatory events in experimental periodontitis following systemic microbial challenge
Authors: Palioto Daniela B. , Finoti Livia S. , Kinane Denis F. , Benakanakere Manjunatha 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to determine inflammatory and epigenetic features following induction of oral and gut dysbiosis in experimental periodontitis in order to examine the interplay between oral and systemic infection.Materials and MethodsPeriodontitis was induced in 6‐ to 8‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice by (a) Ligature placement (Lig group) (oral challenge); (b) P. gingivalis gavage (Pg group) (systemic challenge); and (c) the combination of the two models oral and systemic challenge (Pg + Lig). The duration of the experiment was 60 days, and the animals were then sacrificed for analyses. Alveolar bone loss was assessed, and a multiplex immunoassay was performed. Maxillae and gut tissues were immunostained for DNMT3b (de novo methylation marker), B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and IL‐18R1 (inflammation markers).ResultsPg and Pg + Lig groups exhibited higher bone loss when compared to Sham. BAFF, VEGF, RANKL, RANTES and IP‐10 were significantly higher with Pg gavage. Likewise, DNMT3b was overexpressed in both gut and maxilla after the Pg administration. The same pattern was observed for BTLA and IL‐18R1 in gut tissues.ConclusionsThe systemic microbial challenge either alone or in combination with local challenge leads to distinct patterns of inflammatory and epigenetic features when compared to simply locally induced experimental periodontitis.
Examining the association between pruritus and quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with crisaborole
Authors: Ständer S. , Yosipovitch G. , Bushmakin A.G. , Cappelleri J.C. , Luger T. , Tom W.L. , Ports W.C. , Zielinski M.A. , Tallman A.M. , Tan H. , Gerber R.A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPruritus is a leading cause of reduced health‐related quality of life (QoL) in atopic dermatitis (AD). Crisaborole ointment is a non‐steroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate AD. In identical Phase 3 studies (NCT02118766, NCT02118792), crisaborole reduced disease and pruritus severity versus vehicle.ObjectiveQuantify the relationship between pruritus and QoL using data from these studies.MethodsPatients aged ≥2 years were randomly assigned 2 : 1 to receive crisaborole:vehicle twice daily for 28 days. QoL was measured at baseline and day 29 using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; patients aged ≥16 years), the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI; patients aged 2–15 years) and the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI; caregivers of patients aged 2–17 years). Pruritus was measured using the Severity of Pruritus Scale (SPS), a 4‐point scale from 0 (‘no itching’) to 3 (‘bothersome itching/scratching that disturbs sleep’), and captured morning and evening via electronic diary. Data from crisaborole and vehicle arms were pooled for this analysis. A repeated‐measures longitudinal model was used to estimate relationships between pruritus (SPS) and QoL (DLQI, CDLQI and DFI in separate analyses).ResultsOne thousand five hundred and twenty two patients received crisaborole or vehicle. A linearity assumption for the relationship between SPS and DLQI (n = 294), CDLQI (n = 1200), and DFI (n = 1293) was appropriate. For DLQI, SPS score of 0 was associated with ‘no negative effect on patient QoL’; SPS score of 1 was associated with ‘small effect on patient QoL’; SPS score of 2 was associated with ‘moderate effect on patient QoL’; and SPS score of 3 was associated with ‘very large effect on patient QoL’. The pattern of relationships between SPS and CDLQI and DFI was similar.ConclusionsThe relationships between SPS and DLQI, CDLQI and DFI substantiate the significant link between pruritus and patient/caregiver QoL in AD.
Bacteriological quality and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 in ready‐to‐eat foods from Barbados, WI
Authors: Hull‐Jackson Carol , Mota‐Meira Marilaine , Adesiyun Abiodun 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe bacteriological quality and safety of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods in Barbados were assessed in two separate studies conducted between 2014 and 2016. In Study 1, 206 food samples were processed for Salmonella spp. by conventional bacteriological methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serotyping were used for confirmation. In Study 2, 120 food samples were processed for the total aerobic plate count (TAPC), coliform count, and E. coli count using conventional bacteriological methods. After a 24 hr pre‐enrichment, the food samples were screened for Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 by PCR. To validate the PCR screening method for use after pre‐enrichment, the detection limit was investigated in cooked chicken samples spiked with 10‐fold serial dilutions of an overnight culture of Salmonella Enteritidis. In Study 1, the prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis was 1.5% (3/206). In Study 2, the prevalence of E. coli was 1.7%, and unsatisfactory TAPC (12.5%) and coliform counts (4.2%) were documented. The PCR screen detected DNA extracted from homogenates with as low as 6 CFU/mL, after a 24 hr pre‐enrichment. However, all samples screened negative (0.0%) for Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7. Compared with other developing countries, the prevalence of pathogens in RTE foods in Barbados is low.Practical applicationsSalmonella and E.coli are major causes of food borne illness globally and antibiotic resistance among these bacteria have presented increasing challenges for clinicians. Studies demonstrate that bacterial contamination in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods have varied among developed and developing nations. While there are several published reports on the bacterial contamination of RTE foods from the developing Caribbean region, none have originated from Barbados. This study is the first to report a low prevalence of Salmonella, E. coli and other microbial contaminants in RTE foods sold in popular tourist districts in Barbados. This information can be applied to food safety considerations for public health and the tourism industry.
Decrease in fat de novo synthesis and chemokine ligand expression in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by inhibition of mixed lineage kinase domain‐like pseudokinase
Authors: Saeed Waqar Khalid , Jun Dae Won , Jang Kiseok , Oh Ju Hee , Chae Yeon Ji , Lee Jai Sun , Koh Dong Hee , Kang Hyeon Tae 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and AimReceptor‐interacting serine/threonine kinase 3 and mixed lineage kinase domain‐like pseudokinase (MLKL) have gained attention as apoptosis alternate cell death signaling molecules. We aimed to evaluate the role of MLKL in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).MethodsHepatic tissue MLKL expression was compared between NAFLD patients and healthy controls. High‐fat diet was fed to wild‐type and MLKL‐knockout (KO) mice for 12 weeks. Brown adipose fat tissue was measured by [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry. Anti‐MLKL effects were also evaluated in in vitro setting using U937 and HepG2 cells.ResultsHepatic tissue MLKL expression increased in NAFLD patients compared with healthy controls. MLKL expression increased according to the degree of steatosis, ballooning, and inflammation. High‐fat diet‐fed MLKL‐KO mice displayed decreased alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, liver weight, NAFLD activity score (6.3 vs 3.5, P < 0.001), steatosis score (3.0 vs 1.8, P < 0.001), inflammation, and ballooning degeneration compared with wild‐type mice. SREBP1c, fatty acid synthase, and SCD‐1 expressions decreased in MLKL‐KO mice. Adipose tissue F4/80‐positive crown‐like structures were also reduced in MLKL‐KO mice. HepG2 cells treated with necrosulfonamide (an MLKL inhibitor) showed reduced Nile red staining and reduced SREBP1c and SCD‐1 expressions. Stimulation of necroptosis using lipopolysaccharide + caspase inhibitor (zVAD) increased CXCL1/2 expressions in U937 monocyte cells. Lipopolysaccharide + zVAD‐induced increased expressions of CXCL1/2 were reduced with necrosulfonamide treatment.ConclusionsMixed lineage kinase domain‐like pseudokinase inhibition has protective effects in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis by decreasing hepatic de novo fat synthesis and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand expressions.
Q‐FACTORS IN EMPIRICAL ASSET PRICING: A REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
Authors: Datta Smita , Chakraborty Anindita 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe latest development in the asset pricing literature is the emergence of empirical asset pricing models comprising q‐factors (profitability and investment factors) in conjunction with other factors. However, as in the case of the older empirical models, there is scepticism regarding the application of these newer factor models consisting of q‐factors because of the debate surrounding the explanatory power of these empirically inspired asset pricing models. This review attempts to synthesize studies pertaining to the four alternative explanations of the asset pricing models comprising the q‐factors (profitability and investment) – the data snooping hypothesis, the risk‐based explanation, the irrational investor behaviour explanation and the interpretation that suggest that the combination of the risk‐free asset and the factors comprising the model span the mean‐variance efficient tangency portfolio that prices the universe of assets.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: from epidemiologic to genetic phenotypes
Authors: Reichart D. , Magnussen C. , Zeller T. , Blankenberg S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilatation and, consecutively, contractile dysfunction. The causes of DCM are heterogeneous. DCM often results from myocarditis, exposure to alcohol, drugs or other toxins and metabolic or endocrine disturbances. In about 35% of patients, genetic mutations can be identified that usually involve genes responsible for cytoskeletal, sarcomere and nuclear envelope proteins. Due to its heterogeneity, a detailed diagnostic work‐up is necessary to identify the specific underlying cause and exclude other conditions with phenotype overlap. Patients with DCM show typical systolic heart failure symptoms, but, with progress of the disease, diastolic dysfunction is present as well. Depending on the underlying pathology, DCM patients also become apparent through arrhythmias, thromboembolic events or cardiogenic shock. Disease progression and prognosis are mostly driven by disease severity and reverse remodelling within the heart. The worst prognosis is seen in patients with lowest ejection fractions or severe diastolic dysfunction, leading to terminal heart failure with subsequent need for left ventricular assist device implantation or heart transplantation. Guideline‐based heart failure medication and device therapy reduces the frequency of heart failure hospitalizations and improves survival.