The purpose of this study is to evaluate the precision of fit of posterior crowns made from three commercial CAD/CAM zirconia ceramics and conventional metal-ceramic technique. The external and ...internal marginal fit of the crowns was evaluated using direct SEM-based measurements. The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis, multicomparison post hoc analysis and Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α=0.05). Significant differences were observed for the external (p<0.002) and the internal (p<0.0001) marginal evaluation among the groups. No differences were observed between the buccal and lingual surfaces for the external (p=0.34) and internal (p=0.55) evaluations. No differences were showed between the external and internal measurements (p=0.37). The accuracy of fit was within the range of clinical acceptance. The lowest discrepancies corresponded to the NobelProcera group for external (39.3±11.81 μm) and internal (41.09±7.54 µm) marginal fit. The results confirmed that destructive methods are not required to assess the marginal fit of dental prosthetic crowns.
Aminomethylenephosphonate-based scale inhibitors (SIs) have been widely studied and recognized for several decades to mitigate various oilfield scales. However, most of these compounds afforded ...several drawbacks, such as poor biodegradability and intolerance with the production system. As environmental regulations become more rigid, new production chemicals must adhere to certain criteria to qualify for use in the oil and gas industry, particularly in areas with strict regulations, such as the Norwegian Sea. The low toxicity of fosfomycin encouraged us to test fosfomycin and related molecules as new aminomethylene-free phosphonate SIs for calcite and gypsum scales. The tested chemicals are fosfomycin disodium salt (SI-1), fosfomycin trometamol (SI-2), and hydrolysis of fosfomycin called 1,2-dihydroxypropyl phosphonic acid (SI-3). The inhibition efficiency of all these chemicals was evaluated against calcite and gypsum scales compared to commercial oilfield scale inhibitor hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid (HPAA) according to the NACE Standard TM0374-2007. In addition, the calcite scale inhibition efficiency of all aminomethylene-free phosphonate SIs (SI-1 to SI-3 and HPAA) was investigated based on the Heidrun oilfield, Norway. Moreover, we have reported the calcium compatibility of these chemicals at various concentrations of SIs and calcium ions at 80 °C over 24 h. All new aminomethylene-free phosphonate SIs showed good gypsum and calcite inhibition performance. It was also found that all tested chemicals derived from fosfomycin demonstrated excellent compatibility with calcium ions of up to 1000 ppm throughout the 24 h experiment period compared to HPAA.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Chile has high incidence rates of gallbladder cancer globally, particularly among Amerindian women, who also have a high prevalence of gallstones. We examined differences in inflammatory biomarkers ...between Mapuche and non-Mapuche women from the Chile Biliary Longitudinal Study, a cohort of women with ultrasound-detected gallstones. We randomly selected 200 Mapuche women frequency matched to non-Mapuche women on age and statin use Inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed using a multiplex assay and linear regression to assess associations of a priori markers (CCL20, CXCL10, IL-6, and IL-8) with ethnicity. Novel biomarkers were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) to identify correlated marker groups, followed by linear regression to examine their association with ethnicity. The mean values of IL-8 were higher in Mapuche than non-Mapuche women (P = 0.04), while CCL20, CXCL10, and IL-6 did not differ significantly by ethnicity. EFA revealed two marker groups associated with ethnicity (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001). SDR analysis confirmed correlation between the biomarkers and ethnicity. We found higher IL-8 levels among Mapuche than non-Mapuche women. Novel inflammatory biomarkers were correlated with ethnicity and should be studied further for their role in gallbladder disease. These findings may elucidate underlying ethnic disparities in gallstones and carcinogenesis among Amerindians.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external acoustic stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promising though heterogeneous therapeutic outcomes ...for tinnitus. The present study aims to review the recent advances in applications of tDCS for tinnitus treatment. In addition, the clinical efficacy and main mechanisms of action of tDCS on suppressing tinnitus are discussed.
The study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The databases of the PubMed (1980-2018), Embase (1980-2018), PsycINFO (1850-2018), CINAHL, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews (1990-2018), Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (1990-2018), and google scholar (1980-2018) using the set search terms. The date of the most recent search was 20 May, 2018. The randomized controlled trials that have assessed at least one therapeutic outcome measured before and after tDCS intervention were included in the final analysis.
Different tDCS protocols were used for tinnitus ranging single to repeated sessions (up to 10) consisting of daily single session of 15 to 20-min and current intensities ranging 1-2 mA. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and auditory cortex are the main targets of stimulation. Both single and repeated sessions showed moderate to significant treatment effects on tinnitus symptoms. In addition to improvements in tinnitus symptoms, the tDCS interventions particularly bifrontal DLPFC showed beneficial outcomes on depression and anxiety comorbid with tinnitus. Heterogeneities in the type of tinnitus, tDCS devices, protocols, and site of stimulation made the systematic reviews of the literature difficult. However, the current evidence shows that tDCS can be developed as an adjunct or complementary treatment for intractable tinnitus. TDCS may be a safe and cost-effective treatment for tinnitus in the short-term application.
The current literature shows moderate to significant therapeutic efficacy of tDCS on tinnitus symptoms. Further randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trials with large sample sizes are needed to reach a definitive conclusion on the efficacy of tDCS for tinnitus. Future studies should further focus on developing efficient disease- and patient-specific protocols.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
People with severe disabilities require assistance to perform their routine activities; a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) will allow them to activate devices that respond according to their needs. In ...this work, an HMI based on electrooculography (EOG) is presented, the instrumentation is placed on portable glasses that have the task of acquiring both horizontal and vertical EOG signals. The registration of each eye movement is identified by a class and categorized using the one hot encoding technique to test precision and sensitivity of different machine learning classification algorithms capable of identifying new data from the eye registration; the algorithm allows to discriminate blinks in order not to disturb the acquisition of the eyeball position commands. The implementation of the classifier consists of the control of a three-wheeled omnidirectional robot to validate the response of the interface. This work proposes the classification of signals in real time and the customization of the interface, minimizing the user's learning curve. Preliminary results showed that it is possible to generate trajectories to control an omnidirectional robot to implement in the future assistance system to control position through gaze orientation.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose: The aim of this comparative in vitro study was to assess the bond strength and mechanical failure of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites against cobalt–chrome structures with ceramic ...veneering. Materials and methods: A total of 24 specimens (12 per group) simulating dental prosthetic frameworks were fabricated. The experimental specimens were subjected to a thermocycling aging process and to evaluate bond strength. All specimens were subjected to a three-point bending test to fracture using a universal testing machine. Results: The cobalt–chrome/ceramic group yielded a bond strength value of 21.71 ± 2.16 MPa, while the carbon-fiber-reinforced composite group showed 14.50 ± 3.50 MPa. The failure assessment reported statistical significance between groups. Although carbon-fiber-reinforced composite group showed lower bond strength values, the chipping incidence in this group was as well lower. Conclusions: The chrome–cobalt/ceramic group showed greater bonding strength compared to the carbon-fiber-reinforced composite; most of the fractures within the cobalt–chrome/ceramic group, had no possibility of direct clinical repair.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide, and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) represents 90% of cases. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its high affinity receptor tyrosine ...kinase A receptor (TRKA) have been associated with the development of several types of cancer, including EOC; both NGF and TRKA levels are elevated in this pathology. EOC presents high angiogenesis and several molecules have been reported to induce this process. NGF increases angiogenesis through its TRKA receptor on endothelial cells, and by indirectly inducing vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Other molecules controlled by NGF include ciclooxigenase-2, disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 (ADAM17) and calreticulin (CRT), proteins involved in crucial processes needed for EOC progression. These molecules could be modified through microRNA regulation, which could be regulated by NGF. MicroRNAs are the widest family of non-coding RNAs; they bind to 3'-UTR of mRNAs to inhibit their translation, to deadenilate or to degraded them. In EOC, a deregulation in microRNA expression has been described, including alterations of miR-200 family, cluster-17-92, and miR-23b, among others. Since the NGF-microRNA relationship in pathologies has not been studied, this review proposes that some microRNAs could be associated with NGF/TRKA activation, modifying protein levels needed for EOC progression.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Chile is one of the largest consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) world-wide. However, it is unknown whether the effects from this highly industrialized food will mimic those reported in ...industrialized countries or whether they will be modified by local lifestyle or population genetics. Our goal is to evaluate the interaction effect between SSB intake and T2D susceptibility on fasting glucose. We calculated a weighted genetic risk score (GRSw) based on 16 T2D risk SNPs in 2828 non-diabetic participants of the MAUCO cohort. SSB intake was categorized in four levels using a food frequency questionnaire. Log-fasting glucose was regressed on SSB and GRSw tertiles while accounting for socio-demography, lifestyle, obesity, and Amerindian ancestry. Fasting glucose increased systematically per unit of GRSw (β = 0.02 ± 0.006,
= 0.00002) and by SSB intake (βcat4 = 0.04 ± 0.01,
= 0.0001), showing a significant interaction, where the strongest effect was observed in the highest GRSw-tertile and in the highest SSB consumption category (β = 0.05 ± 0.02,
= 0.02). SNP-wise, SSB interacted with additive effects of rs7903146 (TCF7L2) (β = 0.05 ± 0.01,
0.002) and with the G/G genotype of rs10830963 (MTNRB1B) (β = 0.19 ± 0.05,
= 0.001). Conclusions: The association between SSB intake and fasting glucose in the Chilean population without diabetes is modified by T2D genetic susceptibility.
Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck, a crassulacean acid metabolism plant that is adapted to water-limited environments, has great potential for bioenergy production. However, drought stress decreases ...the requirement for light energy, and if the amount of incident light exceeds energy consumption, the photosynthetic apparatus can be injured, thereby limiting plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of drought and re-watering on the photosynthetic efficiency of A. salmiana seedlings. The leaf relative water content and leaf water potential decreased to 39.6 % and −1.1 MPa, respectively, over 115 days of water withholding and recovered after re-watering. Drought caused a direct effect on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in light-acclimated leaves, as indicated by a decrease in the photosynthetic electron transport rate. Additionally, down-regulation of photochemical activity occurred mainly through the inactivation of PSII reaction centres and an increased thermal dissipation capacity of the leaves. Prompt fluorescence kinetics also showed a larger pool of terminal electron acceptors in photosystem I (PSI) as well as an increase in some JIP-test parameters compared to controls, reflecting an enhanced efficiency and specific fluxes for electron transport from the plastoquinone pool to the PSI terminal acceptors. All the above parameters showed similar levels after re-watering. These results suggest that the thermal dissipation of excess energy and the increased energy conservation from photons absorbed by PSII to the reduction of PSI end acceptors may be an important acclimation mechanism to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from over-excitation in Agave plants.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The best method of optimizing the accuracy of complete arch intraoral digital scans is still unclear. For instance, the location of the scan bodies can be significantly distorted with respect to ...their actual positions, which would lead to a nonpassive fit of the definitive prosthesis.
The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze available techniques for improving the accuracy of digital scans in implant-supported complete arch fixed prostheses.
Three databases (Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar) were searched, and the results obtained were supplemented by a hand search. Specific descriptors identified techniques whose objective were to increase the accuracy of digital scans in implant-supported complete arch fixed prostheses. Titles and abstracts were screened by 2 independent reviewers, and unclear results were discussed with a third independent reviewer. A qualitative analysis based on procedural parameters was used. The interexaminer agreements of both were assessed by the Cohen kappa statistic, and the Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the risk of bias across the studies.
A total of 17 techniques matching the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Higher accuracy but also differences regarding the need for supplementary devices, number of intraoral scans, and time consumption of clinical and software program steps were observed compared with the conventional digital scanning protocol. The use of a splinting device was common to most of the studies. The outcome variables for the evaluation of the effectiveness of these protocols were heterogeneous.
The use of additional techniques during intraoral scanning can improve accuracy in implant-supported complete arch fixed prostheses. However, higher complexity for those procedures should be expected.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP