bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sealing ability and adaptation of root‐end filling materials in cavities prepared with different techniques
Authors: Küçükkaya Eren Selen , Görduysus Mehmet Ömer , Şahin Cem 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability and marginal adaptation of calcium silicate‐based cements (CSCs) in root‐end cavities prepared by ultrasonic and laser tips. A total of 72 extracted human maxillary incisor teeth were randomly divided as 60 teeth in experimental groups and 6 teeth each for positive and negative control groups. Specimens in experimental groups were obturated, their root‐end resections were performed and randomly divided into six groups (n = 10) as follows: G1: Ultrasonic retrotip + MTA, G2: Ultrasonic retrotip + Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM), G3: Ultrasonic retrotip + Biodentine, G4: Er:YAG laser tip + MTA, G5: Er:YAG laser tip + CEM, G6: Er:YAG laser tip + Biodentine. The sealing ability was measured by fluid transport method. Six specimens from each experimental group were randomly selected to analyze marginal adaptation and prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Micrographs were scored and also analyzed using Image J software. Data were analyzed with; two‐way ANOVA, Bonferroni, Kruskall–Wallis, Mann–Whitney‐U, Siegel & Castellan, and Spearman correlation coefficient tests. No significant difference was found between materials regarding the sealing ability and marginal adaptation (p > 0.05). Significantly greater fluid movement and poor marginal adaptation were seen for materials placed in cavities prepared by laser tips (p < 0.05). Positive correlation was found between the results of scoring and Image J analysis of SEM images (r = 0.596, p < 0.001). Fluid transport method and SEM analysis gave similar results suggesting the use of ultrasonic‐retrotips for preparing root‐end cavities which are going to be filled with one of these CSCs.
One‐pot Three‐component Synthesis of Furan‐based Heterocycles from Benzyl Halides
Authors: Beerappa Mallappa , Shivashankar Kalegowda 
Published: March 2017

An efficient and a novel approach for the synthesis of furochromene and furopyran scaffolds are described. Benzyl halides undergo oxidation in Kornblum conditions to give the corresponding aldehydes, which in turn undergo [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction with isocyanide to afford the corresponding furan derivatives. The significant attraction of this protocol is simple procedure, mild reaction condition, and good yield.
The synthesis of [14C]4‐acetylphenylalanine, effect on cell viability, and assessment of protein incorporation in male rat hepatocytes
Authors: Maxwell Brad D. , Ly Van , Brock Barry , Dodge Robert , Tirmenstein Mark , Calvano Jacqueline 
Published: March 2017

PEGylation is a proven approach to prolonging the duration of action and enhancing biophysical solubility and stability of peptides. 4‐Acetylphenylalanine is a novel amino acid with a ketone side chain that is uniquely reactive in proteins. The ketone functionality can react with an aminooxy functionalized polyethyleneglycol polymer to form a stable oxime adduct of the protein. One concern with using unnatural amino acids, such as 4‐acetylphenylalanine, is the possibility of it being cleaved from the peptide and becoming incorporated into endogenous proteins. To determine whether this occurs, an in vitro experiment to assess the cell viability and amino acid incorporation into endogenous proteins using primary male rat hepatocytes in the presence of [14C]4‐acetylphenylalanine, 4 or [14C(U)]L‐phenylalanine was conducted. [14C]4‐acetylphenylalanine, 4 was prepared in 2 radiochemical steps from [1‐14C]acetyl chloride in an overall 8% radiochemical yield and in 99.9% radiochemical purity. The results showed that there was no evidence of carbon‐14 incorporation into hepatocyte endogenous proteins with [14C]pAcF and there was no difference between it and L‐phenylalanine in cell viability assessments at any of the concentrations studied between 0.1 and 1000 μM.
Estimating soil carbon dynamics in intercrop and sole crop agroecosystems using the Century model
Authors: Oelbermann Maren , Echarte Laura , Marroquin Lisa , Morgan Svenja , Regehr Alison , Vachon Karen E. , Wilton Meaghan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractUsing process‐based models to predict changes in carbon (C) stocks enhances our knowledge on the long‐term dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in various land management systems. The objective of this study was to apply the Century model to evaluate temporal SOC dynamics in two temperate intercrop systems [1:2 (one row of maize and two rows of soybeans); 2:3 intercrop (two rows of maize and three rows of soybean)] and in a maize and soybean sole crop. Upon initiation of intercropping, SOC increased by 47% after ≈ 100 years, whereas SOC in the maize sole crop increased by 21% and 2% in the soybean sole crop. The quantity of crop residue input was sufficient to increase the active (turnover time of months to years) SOC fraction in the intercrops and the maize sole crop, but not in the soybean sole crop. The slow fraction, with a turnover time of 20 to 50 years, increased in all crop systems and was the major driver of SOC accumulation. A 3 to 15% loss of SOC from the passive fraction, with a turnover time of 400 to 2000 years, in all crop systems showed the long‐term impact of land‐use conversion from historically undisturbed native grasslands to intensive agricultural production systems. This study provided an example of the potential of process‐based models like Century to illustrate possible effects of cereal–legume intercropping on SOC dynamics and that the model was able to predict SOC stocks within –7 to +4% of measured values. We conclude, however that further fine‐tuning of the model for application to cereal–legume intercrop systems is required in order to strengthen the relationship between measured and simulated values.
Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in awake transcervical injection laryngoplasty
Authors: Dang Jennifer H. , Liou Nelson Eddie , Ongkasuwan Julina 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveVocal fold movement impairment (VFMI) due to neuronal injury occurs in 20% to 30% of surgeries in the region of the aortic arch. Early injection laryngoplasty can aid with postoperative pulmonary toilet in these high‐risk cardiovascular patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether continuing antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy during awake transcervical injection laryngoplasty surgery is safe, and if there is any increase in bleeding complications in these patients.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of patients undergoing awake injection laryngoplasty surgery for VFMI between 2013 and 2016 at a tertiary academic center specializing in aortic and mediastinal diseases. Records were reviewed for patients regarding baseline antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy, and whether these medications were stopped or continued preoperatively. The primary outcome was bleeding complications.ResultsOf the 95 surgeries reviewed, 44 (46%) were performed for patients on antiplatelet therapy, and 71 (75%) for patients on anticoagulation therapy. None of the patients on antiplatelet therapy had their treatment discontinued. Of the patients on anticoagulation, 13 (16.4%) had their therapy held prior to surgery. There was no observed difference in bleeding complications between patients who were continued on antiplatelet or anticoagulation treatment versus those whose therapy was withheld.ConclusionThese results suggest that patients undergoing awake transcervical injection laryngoplasty for VFMI can be maintained on antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy without increased risk of bleeding. Further larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:1850–1854, 2017
Utility of nasal swab and age in detecting methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric head and neck abscesses
Authors: Bradford Benjamin D. , Macias David , Liu Yuan F. , Inman Jared C. , Dyleski Robin A. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveTo identify risk factors associated with the presence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in surgical cultures taken from incision and drainage (I&D) of head and neck abscesses in the pediatric population.Study DesignRetrospective case series.MethodsAll patients under 18 years of age with a head and neck abscess requiring I&D from 2009 to 2015 were reviewed. MRSA nasal swab cultures were taken from all patients upon hospitalization. Surgical cultures were obtained from all patients and correlated with MRSA nasal swab results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed, and odds ratios (ORs) along with descriptive statistics were analyzed.ResultsOf a total of 272 patients, there were 68 (25%) MRSA‐positive abscesses. The majority (86.8%) of these abscesses were in children under 2 years of age. Overall, 12 (4.4%) presented with positive admission MRSA nasal swabs. Of these, 91.7% had MRSA‐positive abscess cultures. Decreasing age in years showed an OR of 1.650 (P < 0.001) for MRSA‐positive abscess, with children less than 1 year old having the highest OR of 10.74 (P < 0.001).ConclusionYounger age and MRSA nasal colonization were two statistically significant risk factors for developing an MRSA abscess of the head and neck. This study demonstrates a high positive predictive value for MRSA‐positive neck abscesses when nasal swab screenings were MRSA‐positive (91.7%). Children under 2 years of age—especially those under 1 year of age—or those with MRSA nasal colonization can be considered a high‐risk population that may benefit from empiric antibiotics against MRSA for head and neck abscesses.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2407–2412, 2017
Endoscopic anterior–posterior cricoid split for pediatric bilateral vocal fold paralysis
Authors: Rutter Michael J. , Hart Catherine K. , Alarcon Alessandro de , Daniel Sam J. , Parikh Sanjay R. , Balakrishnan Karthik , Lam Derek , Johnson Kaalan , Sidell Douglas R. 
Published: March 2017

Objectives/HypothesisChildren with bilateral true vocal fold immobility (BTVFI) may present with significant airway distress necessitating tracheostomy. The objective of this study was to review our preliminary experience with the anterior–posterior cricoid split (APCS), an endoscopic intervention used as an alternative to tracheostomy in children with BTVFI.Study DesignMulticenter review.MethodsA review of patients undergoing endoscopic APCS for BTVFI at four institutions was performed. Patients were evaluated for the ability to ventilate without the requirement for tracheostomy or reintubation. Additional data extracted included the duration of intubation following APCS, the requirement for additional procedures, and demographics. Surgical success was defined as the ability to avoid tracheostomy and to cap or decannulate without respiratory symptoms if a tracheostomy was present prior to APCS.ResultsNineteen APCS procedures were performed between October 2010 and June 2016. There were 12 male patients, the mean age at APCS was 4.7 months. BTVFI was primarily idiopathic (58%) and associated with other comorbidities (74%). All patients were candidates for tracheostomy prior to APCS. Fourteen patients (74%) were considered surgical successes. Of the unsuccessful patients, three (66%) required tracheostomy following APCS, and one was treated with a posterior cartilage graft. There was one nonsurgical mortality greater than 2 months after APCS and thought to be unrelated to the airway.ConclusionsEndoscopic APCS appears to be a safe and effective intervention for pediatric BTVFI. Under the correct circumstances, this can be performed as a single procedure, obviating tracheostomy. Further study is warranted.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:257–263, 2018
Topology induced anomalous plasmon modes in metallic Möbius nanorings
Authors: Yin Yin , Li Shilong , Engemaier Vivienne , Saei Ghareh Naz Ehsan , Giudicatti Silvia , Ma Libo , Schmidt Oliver G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe report on the theoretical investigation of plasmonic resonances in metallic Möbius nanorings. Half‐integer numbers of resonant modes are observed due to the presence of an extra phase π provided by the topology of the Möbius nanostrip. Anomalous plasmon modes located at the non‐orientable surface of the Möbius nanoring break the symmetry that exist in conventional ring cavities, thus enable far‐field excitation and emission as bright modes. The far‐field resonant wavelength as well as the feature of half‐integer mode numbers is constant to the change of charge distribution on the Möbius nanoring due to the topology of Möbius ring. Owing to the ultra‐small mode volume induced by the remaining dark feature, an extremely high sensitivity as well as a remarkable figure of merit is obtained in our numerical calculations for sensing performance. The topological metallic nanostructure provides a novel platform for the investigation of localized surface plasmon modes exhibiting unique phenomena for potential plasmonic applications.
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Estimating the occurrence and severity of hail based on 10 years of observations from weather radar in Belgium
Authors: Lukach M. , Foresti L. , Giot O. , Delobbe L. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe goal of the present study was to exploit the volumetric data from the Wideumont weather radar to estimate the occurrence and severity of hail over a period of 10 years (2003–2012). The radar is located in the southeastern part of Belgium and its domain covers Belgium, Luxembourg and some parts of Germany, France and The Netherlands. Two hail detection algorithms were used for detecting hail falls in the volumetric radar data. The algorithms provide an empirical estimation of the probability of hail (POH) and the probability of severe hail (POSH). The study shows that post‐processing of probabilities by means of the advection correction significantly influences the statistical results about hail occurrence. The advection correction is very effective in reducing the ‘fishbone effect’ due to a temporal sampling of the radar data that is too low, which has an impact on the geographical distribution of the hail fall frequencies over the study domain. The post‐processed POH and POSH datasets are verified against hail reports at the ground. The statistics obtained show that the diurnal cycle of hail falls has a pronounced peak in the 1500–1600 UTC (local solar time + 1 h) time interval with 28% of all hail events occurring in July and 30% of severe hail events occurring in May. Nevertheless, severe hail events have a low occurrence in absolute terms and longer time series of observations are required to obtain a more reliable severe hail climatology.
Multifactorial study and kinetics of signal development in ferrous–methylthymol blue–gelatin gel dosimeters
Authors: Penev Kalin I. , Mequanint Kibret 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo develop and characterize a ferrous–methylthymol blue–gelatin gel dosimeter with low optical background and appropriate additives for reduced rate of auto‐oxidation and diffusion.MethodsA mixed‐level multifactorial design of experiments was used to test the effects of the concentrations of sulfuric acid, 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Nn), and glyoxal (Gx) on the background absorbance, dose sensitivity, and auto‐oxidation of the tested gel dosimeter. The dosimetric properties of the proposed ferrous–methylthymol blue–gelatin dosimeter, doped with Nn and Gx, were compared with the undoped formulation and with ferrous–xylenol orange–gelatin gel dosimeters. Irradiations were performed in both small‐scale cuvette samples and large 400‐mL bulk samples. In addition to that, a new kinetic model for the signal development postirradiation was derived based on chemical principles and used for comparison of the different formulations.ResultsThe new formulation showed a reduced auto‐oxidation rate, while maintaining low background absorbance relative to the common ferrous–xylenol orange–gelatin gel dosimeter. Compared with undoped ferrous–xylenol orange or ferrous–methylthymol blue gels, the dose sensitivity of the new formulation is approximately 2 to 3 times lower, but remains clinically adequate. A previously unreported dose rate dependence of the dose sensitivity was observed, and a new kinetic model for the signal development postirradiation was used to investigate this effect. Similar dose rate dependences in gels containing either methylthymol blue or xylenol orange, with or without doping with Nn and Gx, were observed, suggesting that the low ferrous ammonium sulfate concentrations used in studied formulations were responsible for this effect.ConclusionsA multifactorial design of experiments and a new kinetic model for the signal development postirradiation were successfully employed to optimize the composition and characterize the properties of a new ferrous–methylthymol blue–gelatin gel dosimeter doped with 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline and glyoxal. Concrete recommendations were provided for precise dosimetry using the new formulation.
A phantom study: Should 124I‐mIBG PET/CT replace 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT?
Authors: Beijst Casper , de Keizer Bart , Lam Marnix G.E.H. , Janssens Geert O. , Tytgat Godelieve A.M. , de Jong Hugo W.A.M. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe isotope 123I is commonly labeled with meta‐iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) for imaging of neuroendocrine tumors, such as pheochromocytomas and neuroblastomas. 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT imaging is performed for staging, follow‐up and selection of patients for treatment with 131I mIBG. As an alternative to 123I, 124I‐mIBG PET/CT may be used, potentially taking advantage of the superior PET image quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 124I PET/CT improves image quality as compared with 123I SPECT/CT for equal patient effective radiation dose (in mSv).MethodsPhantom measurements were performed using the NEMA‐2007 image quality phantom. SPECT and PET reconstruction settings were used with and without time‐of‐flight (TOF) and point‐spread‐function (PSF) modeling. As a measure of image quality, the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. The ratio of the 123I to 124I activity concentration was determined at which the contrast‐to‐noise ratio was equal for both modalities. This metric was defined as the contrast equivalent activity ratio (CEAR).ResultsCEARs of 47.7, 25.6, 23.1, 14.6, 10.0, and 9.1 were obtained for a TOF and PSF modeled 124I reconstruction method and an attenuation and scatter‐corrected 123I reconstruction method for sphere sizes of 10 to 37 mm, respectively. As the effective radiation dose of 124I‐mIBG is higher than of 123I‐mIBG (in mSv/MBq), an equal effective dose corresponds to a CEAR of 5 to 10. Therefore, CEARs higher than 5 to 10 indicate that 124I PET/CT outperforms 123I SPECT/CT in the sense of image quality for equal patient effective radiation dose.ConclusionThe CEAR is much larger than a factor of 5 to 10 (needed for equal patient effective radiation dose) for most of the reconstruction methods and sphere sizes. Therefore, 124I‐mIBG PET/CT is expected to improve image quality and/or may be used to reduce effective patient dose as compared with 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT.
Substance dependence among those without symptoms of substance abuse in the World Mental Health Survey
Authors: Lago Luise , Glantz Meyer D. , Kessler Ronald C. , Sampson Nancy A. , Al‐Hamzawi Ali , Florescu Silvia , Moskalewicz Jacek , Murphy Sam , Navarro‐Mateu Fernando , Torres de Galvis Yolanda , Viana Maria Carmen , Xavier Miguel , Degenhardt Louisa 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative uses the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The first 13 surveys only assessed substance dependence among respondents with a history of substance abuse; later surveys also assessed substance dependence without symptoms of abuse. We compared results across the two sets of surveys to assess implications of the revised logic and develop an imputation model for missing values of lifetime dependence in the earlier surveys. Lifetime dependence without symptoms of abuse was low in the second set of surveys (0.3% alcohol, 0.2% drugs). Regression‐based imputation models were built in random half‐samples of the new surveys and validated in the other half. There were minimal differences for imputed and actual reported cases in the validation dataset for age, gender and quantity; more mental disorders and days out of role were found in the imputed cases. Concordance between imputed and observed dependence cases in the full sample was high for alcohol [sensitivity 88.0%, specificity 99.8%, total classification accuracy (TCA) 99.5%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.94] and drug dependence (sensitivity 100.0%, specificity 99.8%, TCA 99.8%, AUC 1.00). This provides cross‐national evidence of the small degree to which lifetime dependence occurs without symptoms of abuse. Imputation of substance dependence in the earlier WMH surveys improved estimates of dependence.
Inhibition of prostate cancer proliferation by Deferiprone
Authors: Simões Rui V. , Veeraperumal Suresh , Serganova Inna S. , Kruchevsky Natalia , Varshavsky Joseph , Blasberg Ronald G. , Ackerstaff Ellen , Koutcher Jason A. 
Published: March 2017

Cancer growth and proliferation rely on intracellular iron availability. We studied the effects of Deferiprone (DFP), a chelator of intracellular iron, on three prostate cancer cell lines: murine, metastatic TRAMP‐C2; murine, non‐metastatic Myc‐CaP; and human, non‐metastatic 22rv1. The effects of DFP were evaluated at different cellular levels: cell culture proliferation and migration; metabolism of live cells (time‐course multi‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy cell perfusion studies, with 1‐13C‐glucose, and extracellular flux analysis); and expression (Western blot) and activity of mitochondrial aconitase, an iron‐dependent enzyme. The 50% and 90% inhibitory concentrations (IC50 and IC90, respectively) of DFP for the three cell lines after 48 h of incubation were within the ranges 51–67 μM and 81–186 μM, respectively. Exposure to 100 μM DFP led to: (i) significant inhibition of cell migration after different exposure times, ranging from 12 h (TRAMP‐C2) to 48 h (22rv1), in agreement with the respective cell doubling times; (ii) significantly decreased glucose consumption and glucose‐driven tricarboxylic acid cycle activity in metastatic TRAMP‐C2 cells, during the first 10 h of exposure, and impaired cellular bioenergetics and membrane phospholipid turnover after 23 h of exposure, consistent with a cytostatic effect of DFP. At this time point, all cell lines studied showed: (iii) significant decreases in mitochondrial functional parameters associated with the oxygen consumption rate, and (iv) significantly lower mitochondrial aconitase expression and activity. Our results indicate the potential of DFP to inhibit prostate cancer proliferation at clinically relevant doses and plasma concentrations.