bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective Evaluation of Healing of Periapical Lesions after Unintentional Extrusion of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate
Authors: Demiriz Levent , Bodrumlu Ebru Hazar 
Published: June 2017

Background During the apexification procedure for teeth with open apices, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) may be unintentionally extruded. The aim of the present study was the retrospective evaluation of the healing of periapical lesions in permanent incisor teeth with open apices after the unintentional extrusion of MTA. Methods The clinical and radiographic records of 55 maxillary permanent central teeth treated by MTA apexification were evaluated. Filled teeth with unintentionally extruded MTA were selected as group 1 (n = 21), whereas the teeth with no MTA extrusion were selected as group 2 (n = 34). For each tooth, the clinical and radiographic records from a 3-year follow-up were investigated. Results Complete healing (CH) was observed in 19 teeth (90.4%) in group 1, whereas the same type of healing was observed in all 34 teeth (100%) in group 2 (p>0.05). At the 6-month follow-up appointment, 25 teeth (73.5%) showed CH in group 2, whereas 15 teeth (71.4%) showed CH at the 1-year follow-up in group 1 (p<0.001). At the end of the 3-year follow-up period, the amount of MTA extrusion was reduced in 17 teeth (85%) (p<0.05), whereas it was almost absent in 2 teeth (10%). Conclusions The unintentional extrusion of MTA does not prevent the healing of periapical lesions, but may be a delaying factor for periapical healing.
Characterization of an Improved 1-3 Piezoelectric Composite by Simulation and Experiment
Authors: Zhong Chao , Wang Likun , Qin Lei , Zhang Yanjun 
Published: June 2017

Introduction To increase electromechanical coupling factor of 1-3 piezoelectric composite and reduce its bending deformation under external stress, an improved 1-3 piezoelectric composite is developed. In the improved structure, both epoxy resin and silicone rubber are used as polymer material. Methods The simulation model of the improved 1-3 piezoelectric composite was established using the finite element software ANSYS. The relationship of the performance of the improved composite to the volume percentage of silicone rubber was determined by harmonic response analysis and the bending deformation under external stress was simulated by static analysis. The improved composite samples were prepared by cutting and filling methods, and the performance was tested. Results The feasibility of the improved structure was verified by finite element simulation and experiment. The electromechanical coupling factor of the improved composite can reach 0.67 and meanwhile the characteristic impedance can decline to 13 MRayl. The electromechanical coupling factor of the improved composite is higher than that of the composite with only epoxy resin as the polymer and the improved composite can reduce bending deformation. Discussion Comparison of simulation and experiment, the results of the experiment are in general agreement with those from the simulation. However, most experimental values were higher than the simulation results, and the abnormality of the test results was also more obvious than that of the simulation. These findings may be attributed to slight difference in the material parameters of simulation and experiment.
Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma Arising from Endometriosis
Authors: Cosentino Francesco , Turco Luigi C. , Ferrandina Gabriella , Fagotti Anna , Alletti Salvatore Gueli , Cianci Stefano , Vizzielli Giuseppe , Vargiu Virginia , Scambia Giovanni 
Published: June 2017

The malignant transformation of endometriosis is a very uncommon event but can occur in 0.7% to 1% of all cases. Any histological type of tumor found in the endometrium might also occur in endometriosis. Most malignant tumors that originate from endometriosis are endometrioid adenocarcinomas and also clear-cell type carcinomas. On the other hand, sarcomas, especially endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), are extremely unusual representing 12% of all cases. ESS is an uncommon neoplasm and accounts for 0.2% of the uterine malignances. Malignant tumors arising from endometriosis can derive from the uterine wall as well as from extra-uterine sites. The most frequent extrauterine location is the ovary (78.7%), followed by the pelvic peritoneum (5.7%), the rectovaginal septum (4.3%), the colon (4.3%) and the vagina (2%), representing the majority of extragonadal sites. ESSs arising from the extrauterine and extraovarian endometriosis sites in the absence of a primary uterine lesion are extremely rare and the treatment options are not clear. Surgical debulking seems to be the best treatment. Adjuvant therapy, such as radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are not yet proven to be effective. Molecular target therapy could be a future possibility of treatment. A systematic review of English Medical Literature about incidence, treatment and prognosis of extrauterine ESS arising from endometriosis foci was performed. The selected articles on which this review is based are the following: 9 literature reviews, 8 retrospective studies, 7 case series, 1 prospective trial and 11 case reports.
Early Accrual of Organ Damage in Systemic Sclerosis: Rationale for Development of a Disease Damage Index
Authors: Tay Tien , Huq Molla , Ferdowsi Nava , Stevens Wendy , Sahhar Joanne , Ngian Gene-Siew , Roddy Janet , Zochling Jane , Walker Jenny , Proudman Susanna M , Nikpour Mandana 
Published: June 2017

Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by irreversible organ damage rather than fluctuating disease activity. However, there is no validated measure of damage in SSc. We aimed to quantify the accrual of organ damage in patients with early SSc. Methods Patients enrolled in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study with less than 2 years of SSc since the onset of the first non-Raynaud's symptom were included. Organ damage was defined by a group of six experts as substantial and permanent loss of organ function due to SSc. Results We identified 278 patients with early SSc. Among these, 38% had diffuse SSc. Damage was more common in the diffuse than in the limited disease subtype in the skin/musculoskeletal (75% vs. 25.2%, p<0.001) and lung (31.4% vs. 19.9%, p = 0.035) domains at year seven. The rates of damage accrual were highest in the skin/musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems at year two (29.1%, 18.7%, 14.4%), increasing at year five (41.4%, 30.6%, 21.2%) and declining thereafter to year seven (43.9%, 32.7%, 23.0%). In particular, there was early accrual of damage due to joint contracture (22.3%), gastrointestinal dysmotility (11.5%) and pulmonary fibrosis with forced vital capacity <70% predicted (9.7%) at year two. The highest accrual rate of organ-specific damage from years two to seven was seen in fecal incontinence followed by proximal muscle weakness and pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions Substantial accrual of organ damage occurs early in the course of disease, particularly in diffuse SSc. This provides the rationale for the development of a SSc damage index.
Smoking in Italy in 2015-2016: Prevalence, Trends, Roll-your-own Cigarettes, and Attitudes towards Incoming Regulations
Authors: Lugo Alessandra , Zuccaro Piergiorgio , Pacifici Roberta , Gorini Giuseppe , Colombo Paolo , La Vecchia Carlo , Gallus Silvano 
Published: June 2017

Purpose In 2016, a series of selective tobacco regulations, which did not affect tobacco price, came into force in Italy. To understand how Italians accepted the new norms, we analyzed data from our 2 most recent surveys among those we annually conduct on tobacco. Methods In 2015 and 2016, we conducted 2 representative cross-sectional studies focused on the new forthcoming tobacco legislation on a total sample of 6,046 Italians aged ≥15 years. Results Overall, 21.4% of Italians (26.0% of men and 17.2% of women) were current smokers, showing a small but significant decrease in smoking prevalence since 2007 (p for trend = 0.004). No change in smoking prevalence was observed over the last decade among the young (i.e., 15-24 years; 20.1% in 2015-2016). Roll-your-own cigarettes were the most frequent tobacco product for 8.3% of adult smokers and 19.7% of young smokers. According to the attitudes of Italians towards the new regulations, 91.3% supported the smoking ban in cars in presence of minors, 90.2% a more stringent enforcement of the tobacco sales-to-minors regulation, 74.3% the introduction of shocking pictorial images on tobacco packs, and 63.2% the removal from the market of small cigarette packs, usually purchased by the young. Conclusions Smoking prevalence only marginally decreased over the last decade among adults, but did not decrease among the young. Roll-your-own tobacco is increasingly used by adults and young people. Before the entrance of the new norms, Italians largely supported them, particularly those targeting children.
Association Between Opioid Intake and Disability After Surgical Management of Ankle Fractures
Authors: Finger Abigail , Teunis Teun , Hageman Michiel G. , Ziady Emily R. , Ring David , Heng Marilyn 
Published: June 2017

Background:
Opioid-centric pain management strategies have created an epidemic of prescription opioid abuse. This study assesses whether opioid intake is associated with disability, satisfaction with treatment, and pain at the time of suture removal and at 5 to 8 months after suture removal following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.

Methods:
We enrolled 102 adult patients in the study at the time of suture removal, 59 of whom were available for follow-up at 5 to 8 months. At the time of suture removal, we recorded opioid use; trauma-related factors; and scores on measures of disability, pain, and treatment satisfaction. Patients who were available for follow-up completed the disability, pain, and treatment satisfaction measures at 5 to 8 months and their opioid use at that time was recorded.

Results:
No association was found between opioid intake and disability at the time of suture removal. No association was found between opioid intake and satisfaction with treatment or satisfaction with pain management at the time of suture removal. At 5 to 8 months after suture removal, no variables were associated with opioid intake. The psychologic measures of pain anxiety and catastrophic thinking were the factors most consistently associated with disability, treatment satisfaction, satisfaction with pain management, pain at rest, and pain with activity at both of the time points.

Conclusion:
Patients with ankle fractures may be able to use fewer opioids than are currently prescribed and experience levels of disability and treatment satisfaction comparable with those of patients who take greater amounts of opioids, independent of injury characteristics.

Level of Evidence:
Prognostic level II
The Timing and Relevance of Relapsed Deformity in Patients With Idiopathic Clubfoot
Authors: Sangiorgio Sophia Nicole , Ebramzadeh Edward , Morgan Rebecca D. , Zionts Lewis E. 
Published: June 2017

Background:
The timing and relevance of relapsed deformity after correction of idiopathic clubfoot have not been well documented.

Methods:
All patients with idiopathic clubfoot seen at the authors’ institution during the study period who were followed for ≥2 years (range, 2.0 to 9.8 years) were included (N = 191). Survival analysis and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results:
The median age at first relapse was 20 months. The probability of relapse remained approximately 30% at age 2 years and increased to 45% by 4 years and 52% by 6 years. Parent-reported adherence with bracing reduced the odds of a relapse by 15 times (P < 0.01). After an initial relapse, adherence with bracing was successful in avoiding a subsequent relapse in 68% of patients. Feet graded as very severe on the Diméglio scale were 5.75 times more likely to relapse than those graded severe and were 7.27 times more likely than those graded as moderate.

Discussion:
Patients whose parents reported nonadherence with bracing and patients with very severe deformities were most likely to relapse. After an initial relapse, regaining correction of the foot and resuming bracing were beneficial to avoid further relapses. These findings can be useful to clinicians in advising families regarding the prognosis of treatment.

Conclusions:
The development of a relapse affects the subsequent management and outcome of clubfoot deformity. The importance of bracing should be reinforced to parents. Bracing until at least age 4 years may be beneficial. For patients whose families are especially resistant to brace use and for older patients who experience a second relapse, regaining correction of the deformity via cast treatment followed by an Achilles lengthening procedure and/or tendon transfer may be the best alternative.
Impacts of El Niño events on the Peruvian upwelling system productivity
Authors: Espinoza‐Morriberón D. , Echevin V. , Colas F. , Tam J. , Ledesma J. , Vásquez L. , Graco M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEvery 2–7 years, El Niño events trigger a strong decrease in phytoplankton productivity off Peru, which profoundly alters the environmental landscape and trophic chain of the marine ecosystem. Here we use a regional coupled physical‐biogeochemical model to study the dynamical processes involved in the productivity changes during El Nino, with a focus on the strongest events of the 1958–2008 period. Model evaluation using satellite and in situ observations shows that the model reproduces the surface and subsurface interannual physical and biogeochemical variability. During El Niño, the thermocline and nutricline deepen significantly during the passage of coastal‐trapped waves. While the upwelling‐favorable wind increases, the coastal upwelling is compensated by a shoreward geostrophic near‐surface current. The depth of upwelling source waters remains unchanged during El Niño but their nutrient content decreases dramatically, which, along with a mixed layer depth increase, impacts the phytoplankton growth. Offshore of the coastal zone, enhanced eddy‐induced subduction during El Niño plays a potentially important role in nutrient loss.
Vertical energy flux at ENSO time scales in the subthermocline of the Southeastern Pacific
Authors: Vergara O. , Dewitte B. , Ramos M. , Pizarro O. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe question of how energy is redistributed in the ocean has renewed the interest for the processes leading to midlatitude subthermocline variability at low frequency. Here we investigate a process that has been disregarded although potentially relevant for climatic studies dealing with the planetary energy budget. The focus is on the Southeastern Pacific where an efficient oceanic teleconnection takes place, linking the remote surface equatorial momentum forcing with the subthermocline through the vertical propagation of low‐frequency long‐wavelength extratropical Rossby waves (ETRW). A high‐resolution model is used to document the vertical energy flux associated with ETRW at interannual to decadal time scales. The analysis of a long‐term (1958–2008) simulation reveals that the vertical energy flux can be interpreted to a large extent as resulting from the coastally forced ETRW as far south as 35°S, so that heat content variability can be predicted along theoretical trajectories originating from the coast below the thermocline. It is shown that the vertical energy flux associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation forms beams below the thermocline that account for a large fraction of the total vertical energy flux at interannual time scales. Extreme El Niño events are the dominant contributor to this flux, which is hardly impacted by mesoscale activity. The energy beams experience a dissipation processes in the ocean below 1000 m that is interpreted as resulting from vertical turbulent diffusion. Our results suggest that the ETRW at ENSO time scales are strongly dissipated at the surface but still can modulate the heat content in the deep ocean of the Southeastern Pacific.
Past and future effects of climate change on spatially heterogeneous vegetation activity in China
Authors: Gao Jiangbo , Jiao Kewei , Wu Shaohong , Ma Danyang , Zhao Dongsheng , Yin Yunhe , Dai Erfu 
Published: June 2017

AbstractClimate change is a major driver of vegetation activity but its complex ecological relationships impede research efforts. In this study, the spatial distribution and dynamic characteristics of climate change effects on vegetation activity in China from the 1980s to the 2010s and from 2021 to 2050 were investigated using a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model. The GWR model was based on combined datasets of satellite vegetation index, climate observation and projection, and future vegetation productivity simulation. Our results revealed that the significantly positive precipitation–vegetation relationship was and will be mostly distributed in North China. However, the regions with temperature‐dominated distribution of vegetation activity were and will be mainly located in South China. Due to the varying climate features and vegetation cover, the spatial correlation between vegetation activity and climate change may be altered. There will be different dominant climatic factors for vegetation activity distribution in some regions such as Northwest China, and even opposite correlations in Northeast China. Additionally, the response of vegetation activity to precipitation will move southward in the next three decades. In contrast, although the high warming rate will restrain the vegetation activity, precipitation variability could modify hydrothermal conditions for vegetation activity. This observation is exemplified in the projected future enhancement of vegetation activity in the Tibetan Plateau and weakened vegetation activity in East and Middle China. Furthermore, the vegetation in most parts of North China may adapt to an arid environment, whereas in many southern areas, vegetation will be repressed by water shortage in the future.
Comparison of the recommendations of the AAPM TG‐51 and TG‐51 addendum reference dosimetry protocols
Authors: McCaw Travis J. , Hwang Min‐Sig , Jang Si Young , Huq M. Saiful 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis work quantified differences between recommendations of the TG‐51 and TG‐51 addendum reference dosimetry protocols. Reference dosimetry was performed for flattened photon beams with nominal energies of 6, 10, 15, and 23 MV, as well as flattening‐filter free (FFF) beam energies of 6 and 10 MV, following the recommendations of both the TG‐51 and TG‐51 addendum protocols using both a Farmer® ionization chamber and a scanning ionization chamber with calibration coefficients traceable to absorbed dose‐to‐water (Dw) standards. Differences in Dw determined by the two protocols were 0.1%–0.3% for beam energies with a flattening filter, and up to 0.2% and 0.8% for FFF beams measured with the scanning and Farmer® ionization chambers, respectively, due to kQ determination, volume‐averaging correction, and collimator jaw setting. Combined uncertainty was between 0.91% and 1.2% (k = 1), varying by protocol and detector.
A General Mechanism of Photoconversion of Green‐to‐Red Fluorescent Proteins Based on Blue and Infrared Light Reduces Phototoxicity in Live‐Cell Single‐Molecule Imaging
Authors: Turkowyd Bartosz , Balinovic Alexander , Virant David , Carnero Haruko G. Gölz , Caldana Fabienne , Endesfelder Marc , Bourgeois Dominique , Endesfelder Ulrike 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPhotoconversion of fluorescent proteins by blue and complementary near‐infrared light, termed primed conversion (PC), is a mechanism recently discovered for Dendra2. We demonstrate that controlling the conformation of arginine at residue 66 by threonine at residue 69 of fluorescent proteins from Anthozoan families (Dendra2, mMaple, Eos, mKikGR, pcDronpa protein families) represents a general route to facilitate PC. Mutations of alanine 159 or serine 173, which are known to influence chromophore flexibility and allow for reversible photoswitching, prevent PC. In addition, we report enhanced photoconversion for pcDronpa variants with asparagine 116. We demonstrate live‐cell single‐molecule imaging with reduced phototoxicity using PC and record trajectories of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli cells.
Potential of Nonfullerene Small Molecules with High Photovoltaic Performance
Authors: Li Wanning , Yao Huifeng , Zhang Hao , Li Sunsun , Hou Jianhui 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOver the past decades, fullerene derivatives have become the most successful electron acceptors in organic solar cells (OSCs) and have achieved great progress, with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of over 11 %. However, fullerenes have some drawbacks, such as weak absorption, limited energy‐level tunability, and morphological instability. In addition, fullerene‐based OSCs usually suffer from large energy losses of over 0.7 eV, which limits further improvements in the PCE. Recently, nonfullerene small molecules have emerged as promising electron acceptors in OSCs. Their highly tunable absorption spectra and molecular energy levels have enabled fine optimization of the resulting devices, and the highest PCE has surpassed 12 %. Furthermore, several studies have shown that OSCs based on small‐molecule acceptors (SMA) have very efficient charge generation and transport efficiency at relatively low energy losses of below 0.6 eV, which suggests great potential for the further improvement of OSCs. In this focus review, we analyze the challenges and potential of SMA‐based OSCs and discuss molecular design strategies for highly efficient SMAs.
In vitro additive antitumor effects of dimethoxycurcumin and 5‐fluorouracil in colon cancer cells
Authors: Zhao Huiying , Liu Qingchun , Wang Saisai , Dai Fang , Cheng Xiaofei , Cheng Xiaobin , Chen Wenbin , Zhang Min , Chen Dong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDimethoxycurcumin (DMC) is a lipophilic analog of curcumin, an effective treatment for colon cancer, which has greater chemical and metabolic stability. Chemotherapy treatments, such as 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu), play a key role in the current management of colon cancer. In this study, we investigated the antitumor efficacy of DMC in combination with 5‐Fu in SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cells. CCK‐8 assay was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of DMC and 5‐Fu on cancer cells proliferation, and the combination index was calculated. The influence of DMC and 5‐Fu on cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial membrane potential in SW480 and SW620 cells was determined using flow cytometry, and the related signaling pathways were detected by western blot. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe endoplasmic reticulum expansion. DMC‐ and/or 5‐Fu‐induced apoptosis, stimulated G0/G1 phase arrest, increased ROS levels, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhanced endoplasmic reticulum expansion. The induction of apoptosis is involved in the increasing of Bax and cytochrome c and decreasing of Bcl2 expressions. Increased production of ROS was accompanied by upregulation of CHOP and Noxa. Combination therapy of DMC and 5‐Fu had increased efficacy on the above pathways compared with either drug alone. Based on the calculated IC50, combination treatment with DMC and 5‐Fu had an additive antitumor effect in both cell lines. Combined treatment with DMC and 5‐Fu led to an additive antitumor effect in colon cancer cells that was related to apoptosis induction, G0/G1 phase arrest, increased ROS production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhanced endoplasmic reticulum expansion.