Seo D‐G, Gu Y, Yi Y‐A, Lee S‐J, Jeong J‐S, Lee Y, Chang S‐W, Lee J‐K, Park W, Kim K‐D, Kum K‐Y. A biometric study of C‐shaped root canal systems in mandibular second molars using cone‐beam computed ...tomography. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 807–814, 2012.
Aim To investigate the configuration of C‐shaped canals in mandibular second molars, canal wall thickness and the orientation of the thinnest area at 1‐mm intervals from the canal orifice to the apex by using cone‐beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images.
Methodology Three‐dimensional CBCT images of 92 Korean mandibular second molars having C‐shaped root canals were analysed to determine their configuration using a modification of Melton’s classification, as well as the thinnest walls and their location. Associations between configuration type and distance from the canal orifice to the apex, as well as associations between the directional orientation of the thinnest root wall and distance from the canal orifice to the apex, were assessed by Fisher’s exact test. Because serial measurements of minimum wall thicknesses were correlated with individual teeth, a mixed‐effects analysis was applied.
Results The most common configuration types were Melton’s type I in the coronal region and Melton’s type III in the apical region. Mean thicknesses of the thinnest root canal walls were 1.39 ± 0.38, 0.85 ± 0.25 and 0.77 ± 0.20 mm in the coronal, middle and apical regions, respectively. The thicker the root canal walls at the orifice region, the greater the decrease in thickness towards the apical region (P < 0.05), with the linguo‐central root area being the thinnest. The pattern of decreasing thickness from the orifice to the apex formed a nonlinear cubic curve.
Conclusions The most prevalent configuration types were Melton’s type I (coronal region) and type III (apical region). The linguo‐central root area was the thinnest in C‐shaped root canals of Korean mandibular second molars. These anatomical variations should be considered during surgical or nonsurgical endodontic procedures.
•C. vulgaris contributes to the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater.•Microorganisms eliminate most organic matter in wastewater.•Nitrogen removal rate by algae is faster than that by ...algae-microorganism consortium.•More than 44.1–64.0% of total nitrogen is recycled into the biomass.
Impacts of Chlorella vulgaris with or without co-existing bacteria on the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter from wastewaters were studied by comparing the wastewater treatment effects between an algae–bacteria consortium and a stand-alone algae system. In the algae–bacteria system, C.vulgaris played a dominant role in the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus, while bacteria removed most of the organic matter from the wastewater. When treating unsterilized wastewater, bacteria were found to inhibit the growth of algae at >231mg/L dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Using the algae–bacteria consortium resulted in the removal of 97% NH4+, 98% phosphorus and 26% DOC at a total nitrogen (TN) level of 29–174mg/L. The reaction rate constant (k) values in sterilized and unsterilized wastewaters were 2.17 and 1.92mg NH4+–N/(mg algal cell ·d), respectively.
We present a search for anisotropic cosmic birefringence in 500 deg2 of southern sky observed at 150 GHz with the SPTpol camera on the South Pole Telescope. We reconstruct a map of cosmic ...polarization rotation anisotropies using higher-order correlations between the observed cosmic microwave background (CMB) E and B fields. We then measure the angular power spectrum of this map, which is found to be consistent with zero. The nondetection is translated into an upper limit on the amplitude of the scale-invariant cosmic rotation power spectrum, L(L + 1) CααL/2π < 0.10 × 10−4 rad2 (0.033 deg2, 95% C.L.). This upper limit can be used to place constraints on the strength of primordial magnetic fields, B1 Mpc < 17 nG (95% C.L.), and on the coupling constant of the Chern-Simons electromagnetic term gaγ < 4.0 × 10−2/HI (95% C.L.), where HI is the inflationary Hubble scale. For the first time, we also cross-correlate the CMB temperature fluctuations with the reconstructed rotation angle map, a signal expected to be nonvanishing in certain theoretical scenarios, and find no detectable signal. We perform a suite of systematics and consistency checks and find no evidence for contamination.
Aim
This study aimed to evaluate an association between colorectal neoplasm (CRN) and skeletal muscle mass using three widely accepted skeletal muscle mass indices (SMIs) in a large population at ...average risk.
Method
We performed a cross‐sectional study using a screening colonoscopy database of 33 958 asymptomatic subjects aged 40–75 years. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyser. ASM adjusted for height squared (ASM/ht2), weight (ASM/wt) and body mass index (ASM/BMI) were used as indices for muscle mass. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between SMIs and CRN.
Results
In a multivariable‐adjusted model, the risk of an advanced CRN increased linearly with decreasing quartiles for all three SMIs. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for advanced CRN in quartiles 1, 2 and 3 of ASM/wt compared with that in quartile 4 were 1.279, 1.196 and 1.179, respectively (Ptrend = 0.017); for ASM/BMI, ORs were 1.307, 1.144 and 1.091, respectively (Ptrend = 0.002); and for ASM/ht2, ORs were 1.342, 1.169 and 1.062, respectively (Ptrend = 0.002). The risk of distally located advanced CRN was higher in quartile 1 than in quartile 4 for all three SMIs (ASM/wt, OR = 1.356; ASM/BMI, OR = 1.383; ASM/ht2, OR = 1.430).
Conclusion
Our study demonstrated that low skeletal muscle mass was consistently associated with the presence of advanced CRN in a population at average risk regardless of the operational definition of the SMI, and it was particularly associated with distal advanced CRN.
Summary
Background
Few large population‐based studies have compared the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients.
Aims
To investigate if cirrhotic patients ...have higher risk of PUB than the general population and to identify possible risk factors of PUB in cirrhotic patients.
Methods
Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, a nationwide population‐based dataset in Taiwan and matching age, gender, comorbidities and ulcerogenic medication by propensity score, 4013 cirrhotic patients, 8013 chronic hepatitis patients and 7793 normal controls were compared. The log‐rank test was used to analyse differences in accumulated PUB‐free survival rates between the groups. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to evaluate independent risk factors for PUB in all patients and identified risk factors of PUB in cirrhotic patients.
Results
During the 7‐year follow‐up, cirrhotic patients had significantly higher incidences of PUB than chronic hepatitis patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001 by log‐rank test). By Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, cirrhosis was independently associated with increased risk of PUB (hazard ratio: 4.22; 95% CI 3.37–5.29, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, gender, economic status, underlying comorbidities and ulcerogenic medication. Age, male, diabetes, chronic renal disease, history of gastro‐oesophageal variceal bleeding and use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were risk factors for PUB in cirrhotic patients.
Conclusion
Cirrhotic patients have a significantly higher risk of peptic ulcer bleeding after adjustments for possible confounding factors like age, gender, economic status, underlying comorbidities and ulcerogenic medication.
Summary
Background
Peptic ulcer bleeding remains a major healthcare problem despite decreasing prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. The role of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the risk ...of peptic ulcer bleeding has not yet been established.
Aim
To determine if COPD patients have a higher risk of peptic ulcer bleeding than the general population and to identify the risk factors of peptic ulcer bleeding in COPD patients.
Methods
From Taiwan's National Health Insurance research database, 62 876 patients, including 32 682 COPD and 30 194 age‐gender‐matched non‐COPD controls, were recruited. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to evaluate independent risk factors for ulcer bleeding in all patients and to identify risk factors in COPD patients.
Results
During the 8‐year follow‐up, COPD patients had a significant higher rate of peptic ulcer bleeding than the control group (P < 0.001, by log‐rank test). By Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, COPD hazard ratio (HR) 1.93, 95% CI 1.73–2.17 was an independent risk factor after adjusting for age, gender, underlying comorbidities and ulcerogenic medication. Age > 65 years, male, comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, history of peptic ulcer disease, and chronic renal disease and use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were risk factors of ulcer bleeding in COPD patients.
Conclusion
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a higher risk of peptic ulcer bleeding after adjustments for possible confounding factors like underlying comorbidities and ulcerogenic medication.
Summary Objective Test the hypothesis that greater baseline peak external knee adduction moment (KAM), KAM impulse, and peak external knee flexion moment (KFM) during the stance phase of gait are ...associated with baseline-to-2-year medial tibiofemoral cartilage damage and bone marrow lesion progression, and cartilage thickness loss. Methods Participants all had knee OA in at least one knee. Baseline peak KAM, KAM impulse, and peak KFM (normalized to body weight and height) were captured and computed using a motion analysis system and six force plates. Participants underwent MRI of both knees at baseline and 2 years later. To assess the association between baseline moments and baseline-to-2-year semiquantitative cartilage damage and bone marrow lesion progression and quantitative cartilage thickness loss, we used logistic and linear regressions with generalized estimating equations (GEE), adjusting for gait speed, age, gender, disease severity, knee pain severity, and medication use. Results The sample consisted of 391 knees (204 persons): mean age 64.2 years (SD 10.0); BMI 28.4 kg/m2 (5.7); 156 (76.5%) women. Greater baseline peak KAM and KAM impulse were each associated with worsening of medial bone marrow lesions, but not cartilage damage. Higher baseline KAM impulse was associated with 2-year medial cartilage thickness loss assessed both as % loss and as a threshold of loss, whereas peak KAM was related only to % loss. There was no relationship between baseline peak KFM and any medial disease progression outcome measures. Conclusion Findings support targeting KAM parameters in an effort to delay medial OA disease progression.
Metastasis of the cervical lymph nodes frequently leads to poor survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The underlying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis are unclear. ...Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5B (WNT5B), one component of the WNT signal pathway, was markedly up-regulated in OSCC sublines with high potential of lymphatic metastasis compared to that in OSCC cells with low nodal metastasis. Increased WNT5B mRNA was demonstrated in human OSCC tissues in comparison with adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Interestingly, the high level of WNT5B protein in serum was associated with lymph node metastasis in OSCC patients. Knockdown of WNT5B expression in OSCC sublines did not affect tumour growth but impaired lymph node metastasis and tumour lymphangiogenesis of orthotopic transplantation. Conditioned medium from WNT5B knockdown cells reduced the tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). In contrast, recombinant WNT5B enhanced the tube formation, permeability and migration of LECs. In LECs stained with phalloidin, the morphology of those treated with recombinant WNT5B changed from flat to spindle-like. Recombinant WNT5B also increased α-smooth muscle actin and inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin but retained characteristics of endothelial cells. The results suggest that WNT5B functions in the partial endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Furthermore, WNT5B-induced tube formation was impaired in the LECs following the knockdown of EndoMT-related transcription factor, SNAIL or SLUG. The WNT5B-induced expression of Snail or Slug was abolished by IWR-1-endo and Rac1 inhibitors, which are involved in the WNT/β-catenin and planar cell polarity pathways, respectively. Collectively, the data suggest that WNT5B induces tube formation by regulating the expression of Snail and Slug proteins through activation of canonical and non-canonical WNT signalling pathways.
•An ionic liquid (IL) with di-cationic group was prepared for evaluation of supercapacitive behaviour.•Morphology and electrochemistry of graphene oxide (GO) and thermally reduced graphene oxide ...(rGO) before/after reduction were studied.•Capacitances of GO and rGO were 23Fg−1 and 155Fg−1, respectively.•Charge transfer resistances of the rGO electrode were 18.3Ω in 0.1M LiClO4, and 12.8Ω in 0.1M IL.•Cycling durability of rGO exhibited 90.6% retention after 2000 cycles in IL, but 64% in 0.1M LiClO4.
A novel ionic liquid (IL) with di-cationic group was synthesized and used to evaluate the supercapacitive behaviour of a thermally reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in comparison with aqueous LiClO4 electrolyte. The morphological properties of GO and thermally reduced GO were characterized by XRD, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and rGO was found to have a typical structural nature after thermal reduction. The electrochemical performance of the GO and rGO were studied using cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge/discharge in two different aqueous electrolytes, 0.1M C6(TMA)2(BF4)2 and 0.1M LiClO4, respectively. Superior capacitive properties were observed from rGO in both the electrolytes than that of GO electrode. Maximum specific capacitances of 102Fg−1 and 155Fg−1 from rGO were obtained in 0.1M LiClO4 and C6(TMA)2(BF4)2, respectively, at a scan rate of 10mVs−1, and that are higher than that of GO (12Fg−1 and 23Fg−1 in 0.1M LiClO4 and C6(TMA)2(BF4)2, respectively). The charge transfer resistances of the rGO electrode were 18.3Ω for 0.1M LiClO4, and 12.8Ω for 0.1M C6(TMA)2(BF4)2. The rGO electrode also exhibited a desirable profile and maintained over 90.6% of its initial capacitance after 2000 cycles, while 63.8% retention was observed in 0.1M LiClO4, indicating that it has an excellent cycling performance and structural stability in IL compared with the other electrolyte.
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