bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of gamma irradiation on the essential oils and antioxidants in dried thyme
Authors: Al-Kuraieef Amal N. , Alshawi Amal
Published: April 2020

This research was undertaken to investigate the effect of gamma rays at dose rates of 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 kGy on the chemical composition of essential oils, total antioxidants, total flavonoids and total phenols, as well as the antioxidant activity and the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and the free radical-scavenging activity (DPPH) of thyme. Radiation processing increased the total phenols, total flavonoids and total antioxidants of thyme, and moderate changes were detected at doses of 5 and 10 kGy for the essential oils. Thymol was sensitive to irradiation, especially at 15.0 kGy doses. In addition, the evaluation of antioxidant activity using DPPH radical-scavenging activity indicated some decreases of antioxidant activity in irradiated samples, while thyme exposed to doses of 10 and 15 kGy exhibited a significant increase in TBA values. The irradiation process can facilitate the utilisation of thyme as a preservative ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
The fortification of biscuits with coriander leaf powder and its effect on physico-chemical, antioxidant, nutritional and organoleptic characteristics
Authors: Mohite Deepali , Waghmare Roji
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of coriander powder substitutions at various proportions in biscuits. The coriander leaf powder (CLP) was rich in essential minerals like calcium (2805.46 mg/100 g), iron (42.1 mg/100 g) and phosphorous (44.36 mg/100g). The scavenging activity of CLP was 93.34% and the total phenolic content was found to be 40.43 μg/ ml GAE. The biscuits were prepared using 10, 20 and 30% CLP and were baked at 180 °C for 17 minutes. Biscuits were evaluated for their nutritional composition, antioxidant activities, phenolic content, texture, sensory quality and shelf life over 21 days. The macronutrients, antioxidant activities, phenolic content and hardness increased with increasing concentrations of coriander powder. According to the overall acceptability scores from sensory evaluation, 10% and 20% CLP supplemented biscuits were more acceptable than 30% CLP supplemented biscuits.
A comparative study of machine learning and deep learning algorithms to classify cancer types based on microarray gene expression data
Authors: Tabares-Soto Reinel , Orozco-Arias Simon , Romero-Cano Victor , Segovia Bucheli Vanesa , Rodríguez-Sotelo José Luis , Jiménez-Varón Cristian Felipe
Published: April 2020

Cancer classification is a topic of major interest in medicine since it allows accurate and efficient diagnosis and facilitates a successful outcome in medical treatments. Previous studies have classified human tumors using a large-scale RNA profiling and supervised Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to construct a molecular-based classification of carcinoma cells from breast, bladder, adenocarcinoma, colorectal, gastro esophagus, kidney, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreas, and prostate tumors. These datasets are collectively known as the 11_tumor database, although this database has been used in several works in the ML field, no comparative studies of different algorithms can be found in the literature. On the other hand, advances in both hardware and software technologies have fostered considerable improvements in the precision of solutions that use ML, such as Deep Learning (DL). In this study, we compare the most widely used algorithms in classical ML and DL to classify the tumors described in the 11_tumor database. We obtained tumor identification accuracies between 90.6% (Logistic Regression) and 94.43% (Convolutional Neural Networks) usingk-fold cross-validation. Also, we show how a tuning process may or may not significantly improve algorithms’ accuracies. Our results demonstrate an efficient and accurate classification method based on gene expression (microarray data) and ML/DL algorithms, which facilitates tumor type prediction in a multi-cancer-type scenario.
Epiphytic fungi induced pathogen resistance of invasive plant Ipomoea cairica against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Authors: Xu Hua , Zhu Minjie , Li Shaoshan , Ruan Weibin , Xie Can
Published: April 2020

Background

Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet is a destructive invasive weed in South China but rarely infected with pathogens in nature. Its pathogen resistance mechanism is largely unknown at present. Some non-pathogenic isolates of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium fujikuroi are prevalent on many plant species and function as pathogen resistance inducers of host plants. The objective of the present research is to investigate whether the symbiosis between the both fungi and I. cairica is present, and thereby induces pathogen resistance of I. cairica.

Methods

Through field investigation, we explored the occurrence rates of F. oxysporum and F. fujikuroi on leaf surfaces of I. cairica plants in natural habitats and compared their abundance between healthy leaves and leaves infected with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a natural pathogen. With artificial inoculation, we assessed their pathogenicity to I. cairica and studied their contribution of pathogen resistance to I. cairica against C. gloeosporioides.

Results

We found that F. oxysporum and F. fujikuroi were widely epiphytic on healthy leaf surfaces of I. cairica in sunny non-saline, shady non-saline and sunny saline habitats. Their occurrence rates reached up to 100%. Moreover, we found that the abundance of F. oxysporum and F. fujikuroi on leaves infected with C. gloeosporioides were significantly lower than that of healthy leaves. With artificial inoculation, we empirically confirmed that F. oxysporum and F. fujikuroi were non-pathogenic to I. cairica. It was interesting that colonization by F. fujikuroi, F. oxysporum alone and a mixture of both fungi resulted in a reduction of C. gloeosporioides infection to I. cairica accompanied by lower lesion area to leaf surface area ratio, increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and salicylic acid (SA) level relative to the control. However, NPR1 expression, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities as well as stem length and biomass of I. cairica plant only could be significantly improved by F. oxysporum and a mixture of both fungi but not by F. fujikuroi. In addition, as compared to colonization by F. oxysporum and a mixture of both fungi, F. fujikuroi induced significantly higher jasmonic acid (JA) level but significantly lower β-1,3-glucanase activity in leaves of I. cairica plants. Thus, our findings indicated the symbiosis of epiphytic fungiF. fujikuroi and F. oxysporum induced systemic resistance of I. cairica against C. gloeosporioides. F. oxysporum played a dominant role in inducing pathogen resistance of I. cairica. Its presence alleviated the antagonism of the JA signaling on SA-dependent β-1,3-glucanase activity and enabled I. cairica plants to maintain relatively higher level of resistance against C. gloeosporioides.
Association of weaning preparedness with extubation outcome of mechanically ventilated patients in medical intensive care units: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Lin Feng-Ching , Kuo Yao-Wen , Jerng Jih-Shuin , Wu Huey-Dong
Published: April 2020

Background

Assessment of preparedness of weaning has been recommended before extubation for mechanically ventilated patients. We aimed to understand the association of a structured assessment of weaning preparedness with successful liberation.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated patients with acute respiratory failure who experienced an extubation trial at the medical intensive care units of a medical center and compared the demographic and clinical characteristics between those patients with successful and failed extubation. A composite score to assess the preparedness of weaning, the WEANSNOW score, was generated consisting of eight components, including Weaning parameters, Endotracheal tube, Arterial blood gas analysis, Nutrition, Secretions, Neuromuscular-affecting agents, Obstructive airway problems and Wakefulness. The prognostic ability of the WEANSNOW score for extubation was then analyzed.

Results

Of the 205 patients included, 138 (67.3%) patients had successful extubation. Compared with the failure group, the success group had a significantly shorter duration of MV before the weaning attempt (11.2 ± 11.6 vs. 31.7 ± 26.2 days, p < 0.001), more with congestive heart failure (42.0% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.020), and had different distribution of the types of acute respiratory failure (p = 0.037). The failure group also had a higher WEANSNOW score (1.22 ± 0.85 vs. 0.51 ± 0.71, p < 0.001) and worse Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (93.9 ± 63.8 vs. 56.3 ± 35.1, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a WEANSNOW Score = 1 or higher (OR = 2.880 (95% CI [1.291–6.426]), p = 0.010) and intubation duration >21 days (OR = 7.752 (95% CI [3.560–16.879]), p < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased probability of extubation failure.

Conclusion

Assessing the pre-extubation status of intubated patients in a checklist-based approach using the WEANSNOW score might provide valuable insights into extubation failure in patients in a medical ICU for acute respiratory failure. Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the practice of assessing weaning preparedness.
Interthalamic adhesion size in aging dogs with presumptive spontaneous brain microhemorrhages: a comparative retrospective MRI study of dogs with and without evidence of canine cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Dewey Curtis W. , Rishniw Mark , Johnson Philippa J. , Davies Emma S. , Sackman Joseph J. , O’Donnell Marissa , Platt Simon , Robinson Kelsey
Published: April 2020

Objective

Spontaneous brain microhemorrhages in elderly people are present to some degree in Alzheimer’s disease patients but have been linked to brain atrophy in the absence of obvious cognitive decline. Brain microhemorrhages have recently been described in older dogs, but it is unclear whether these are associated with brain atrophy. Diminution of interthalamic adhesion size-as measured on MRI or CT-has been shown to be a reliable indicator of brain atrophy in dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) in comparison with successfully aging dogs. We hypothesized that aging dogs with brain microhemorrhages presenting for neurologic dysfunction but without obvious features of cognitive decline would have small interthalamic adhesion measurements, like dogs with CCD, compared with control dogs. The objective of this study was to compare interthalamic adhesion size between three groups of aging (>9 years) dogs: (1) neurologically impaired dogs with presumptive spontaneous brain microhemorrhages and no clinical evidence of cognitive dysfunction (2) dogs with CCD (3) dogs without clinical evidence of encephalopathy on neurologic examination (control dogs). MR images from 52 aging dogs were reviewed and measurements were obtained of interthalamic adhesion height (thickness) and mid-sagittal interthalamic adhesion area for all dogs, in addition to total brain volume. Interthalamic adhesion measurements, either absolute or normalized to total brain volume were compared between groups. Signalment (age, breed, sex), body weight, presence and number of SBMs, as well as other abnormal MRI findings were recorded for all dogs.

Results

All interthalamic adhesion measurement parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) different between control dogs and affected dogs. Both dogs with cognitive dysfunction (12/15; 80%) and dogs with isolated brain microhemorrhages had more microhemorrhages than control dogs (3/25; 12%). Affected dogs without cognitive dysfunction had significantly more microhemorrhages than dogs with cognitive dysfunction. In addition to signs of cognitive impairment for the CCD group, main clinical complaints for SBM and CCD dogs were referable to central vestibular dysfunction, recent-onset seizure activity, or both. Geriatric dogs with spontaneous brain microhemorrhages without cognitive dysfunction have similar MRI abnormalities as dogs with cognitive dysfunction but may represent a distinct disease category.
Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Sarawak State of Malaysia and the Way Forward
Authors: Tang Kuok Ho Daniel
Published: April 2020

Aims/ Objectives: This study examines the current municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Sarawak and recommends measures for its improvement.Study Design: This study adopts a qualitative approach involving targeted in-depth interviews guided by a questionnaire.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among 18 local authorities (LAs) in the Sarawak state of Malaysia between January 2019 to June 2019.Methodology: This study is a qualitative survey conducted among 18 LAs in Sarawak, namely Kuching, Limbang, Marudi, Bau, Lundu, Betong, Dalat and Mukah, Kapit, Lubok Antu, Matu and Daru, Maradong and Julau, Serian, Sri Aman, Simunjan, Miri, Saratok, Subis and Lawas. Staff members in the public health section of the LAs were interviewed via phone calls and face-to-face mode. This represents a sampling size of approximately 64% which is deemed sufficient to providean adequate picture of the MSW management practice in Sarawak.Results: Smaller and remote LAs have lower MSW collection coverage than larger and more developed LAs. MSW is collected generally from 2 times a week to daily using compactors or trucks equipped with bin-lifters. Bins smaller than 240L are usually emptied manually. Waste collection is zoned in each LA and contracted to qualified contractors. Collected MSW is sent to dumpsites or landfills. Currently there are one level-4, two level-3 and three level-2 landfills in Sarawak. Organic waste particularly food residues form the bulk of MSW received at landfills. Waste segregation and recycling is not as widely practiced in Sarawak as the Peninsular Malaysia.Conclusion: The study shows that MSW management in Sarawak is equipped with the basic infrastructure but faces challenges in coverage due to the large area of the state. To improve MSW management, the recommendations comprise continuous road network development, decentralized administration of MSW management, composting, creation of ’recycling ecosystem’, education as well as research and development, backed by the state and federal governments’commitment and funding.
Performance Investigation of Different Dispersion Compensation Methods in Optical Fiber Communication
Authors: Hossain Md. Bipul , Adhikary Apurba , Khan Tanvir Zaman
Published: April 2020

In optical fiber Communication system dispersion compensation has become one of the major topics of importance and research nowadays. This is because any presence of dispersion might leads to pulse spreading which might cause inters symbolic interference (ISI) and which leads to signal degradation. In this paper six different model are considered for dispersion compensation. Dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) is used to design first three models by using its three different configurations of pre-compensation, post-compensation, symmetrical compensation and Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), uniform FBG, IDCFBG are used for designing rest of three dispersion compensation models. Single channel optical system length of 100 km with data rate of 2.5 Gbps and 10 Gbps is used to design each model and is simulated by using optisystem software package. All the designs are compared with respect to the quality factor (Q-factor) and bit error rate (BER). With the outcome of the simulations results it is seen that post–compensation DCF model is the promising approach.
Effect of Iron and Phytohormones Application on Antioxidant Enzymes Activity, Chlorophyll and Grain Yield of Maize in Iron-deficient Soil
Authors: . Kavita , Kumar Vipin
Published: April 2020

The study investigated the effect of foliar application of gibberellic acid (GA3) and cytokinin on antioxidative enzymes, chlorophyll content and grain yield of maize. Three factor randomized block design (RBD) was used to carry out the investigation in experimental farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during 2012-13.

The field experiment was laid out in Fe-deficient soil (Fe < 0.5 ppm) with contrasting cultivars of maize. The factors were: i) Fe-efficient (Suwan) vs. inefficient cultivar (Shaktiman-3); ii) ‘control’ (no Fe-spray) vs. one soil application of Fe (20 kg ha-1) + two foliar spray of Fe as 0.5% ferrous sulphate at pre-flowering and 7-days after flowering; and iii) foliar application of phytohormones viz., GA3 at10 and 20 ppm; cytokinin at10 and 20 ppm and their combinations.

Application of Fe and phytohormones significantly increased enzymes activity like catalase, peroxidise and superoxide dismutase. The highest activity was observed with combined application of cytokinin + GA3 at10 ppm. For example, the value of catalase increased from 196.0 to 217.0 µmol/min/g fresh protein, and peroxidase from 90.0 to 103.0 Units mg-1 fresh protein. There were significant increases in chlorophyll content of leaves, and grain yield with combined application of cytokinin + GA3 at 10 ppm. The maximum chlorophyll content was recorded in ‘Suwan’ (32.7 SPAD value) having treatment Fe application plus GA3 + cytokinin at10 ppm each. Grain yield increased significantly from 58.6 to 64.6 q ha-1 in ‘Suwan’ provided with Fe application and GA3+ cytokinin at10 ppm each compared to control (50.3 q ha-1). Results indicated that phytohormones were involved in regulation of nutrient availability and conversely mineral nutrients influenced hormone biosynthesis suggesting a relationship between hormones and nutritional homeostasis.

Conclusion: Exogenous application of phytohormones could alleviate Fe deficiency stresses in maize and application of Fe and phytohormones acted synergistically. Hence, application of GA3 + cytokinin at 10 ppm may be done to alleviate Fe stress and to improve grain yield of maize.
Phyto-toxic Influence of an Atrazine-based Selective Herbicide – Arda-force® on Onions (Allium cepa L)
Authors: Ogeleka Doris Fovwe , Obasi Esther
Published: April 2020

Introduction: The constant impact on the environment occasioned by pollution, indiscriminate application of agricultural chemicals, security challenges and crisis in the Niger Delta ecological area of Nigeria has caused severe damage to plants, soil organisms and humans.

Aim and Methodology: In this research, onions (Allium cepa L) was exposed to varying concentrations of an atrazine-based selective herbicide Arda-force® to estimate the phyto-toxic effects on the plant species using the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, (OECD) protocol #208.

Results: The mean effective concentration (EC50) using root growth inhibition produced indications of phyto-toxicity to the exposed species at a concentration of 0.55 ± 0.06 mg/L. Similarly, the maximum root growth inhibition efficiency relative to the control was 65% as recorded in the highest test concentration of 1.25 mg/L.

Discussion: The study indicated that constant application / indiscriminate use of the herbicide Arda-force® could cause deleterious influence on these plant and vegetable species, daily consumed by humans as a rich source of anti-oxidants.

Conclusion: This study concluded that atrazine-based herbicide Arda-force® used in this assessment resulted in phyto-toxic effects to Allium cepa L. At the exposed concentrations of the herbicide to non-target specie – Allium cepa L. that are integral parts of the ecosystems, the ‘‘harmless’’ status of atrazine acclaimed by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is still very much in doubt.
Health-related Quality of Life among Community Pharmacists
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Al-Saikhan Fahad I. , Ahmed Nehad J. , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid
Published: April 2020

Introduction: The role of community pharmacists (CPs) has kept on changing. Due to the evolving role of CPs, it is important to know its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among CPs. Besides, the literature on the HRQoL of CPs is not being enriched, there is an urge to carry out a study to evaluate the HRQoL among CPs. This study aimed to examine the association between the socio-demographic factors and the HR QoLamong CPs.

Methodology: A set of questions related to the HRQoL has been adopted from a pre-validated questionnaire, the Duke Health Profile and contextualized it to measure study outcomes. The target population in this study was the registered CPs that were practicing. The site of the study included all the chain and independent pharmacies. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to analyze the data and the significance level was set at p≤ 0.05. Various domains of the Duke Health Profile (DHP) were calculated using the provided formula.

Results: A total of 172 respondents were included in this study. Several HRQoL domains were significantly associated with socio-demographic factors. The univariate analysis illustrated that mental and general health state had significant associations with age, practice setting was significantly associated with the mental health state, the salary was significantly associated with self-esteem and mental health was significantly associated with length of service and practice setting. Dysfunction dimensions of anxiety, anxiety-depression, and pain were significantly associated with gender.

Conclusion: Gender, age, length of service, salary and practice setting were the risk factors for  HRQoL among CPs.
Green-Spinach, Red-Spinach, and Tree-Spinach (‘Three-Fold Spinach’ in Sri Lanka): An Insight into Phylogenetics and Consumer Preference
Authors: Gayathree T. H. I. , Karunarathne S. I. , Ranaweera L. T. , Jayarathne H. S. M. , Kannangara S. K. , Ranathunga A. P. D. T. , Weebadde C. , Sooriyapathirana S. S.
Published: April 2020

Three types of spinach, green spinach (GS), red spinach (RS), and tree spinach (TS) are consumed in Sri Lanka. GS, RS, and TS are referred to as Basella alba, Basella rubra, and Talinum fruticosum respectively. However, some taxonomists categorize GS and RS under B. alba causing an ambiguity. Due to the poor sanitation, consumers prefer to purchase greenhouse-grown spinach over field grown material. However, the taste parameters of field grown and greenhouse-grown spinach have not been assessed. The objectives of the present study were to resolve the taxonomic ambiguity between GS and RS, identify the evolutionary relationship of TS to other two species and to assess the organoleptic preference on the dishes prepared using greenhouse and field-grown shoot-tops of three spinach. The genomic DNA extracted from GS, RS, and TS, PCR amplified and sequenced for the barcoding markers rbcL, ITS, matK-trnT and atpB-rbcL. The sequences obtained along with other reported related sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis.  A sensory test was carried out using the shoot-tops of three species grown under greenhouse and field conditions. The taste panelists were asked to rank the dishes for preferred levels of color, aroma, texture, bitterness, and overall taste and the data were subjected to the association analysis. The rbcL and ITS markers separate GS and RS into two well -supported clades, B. alba and B. rubra respectively. The polymorphisms of atpB-rbcL and matK-trnT markers support the definition of two species. The monophyly of B. alba and B. rubra with T. fruticosum must be the reason for the same palate in dishes and designation of all three species under “spinach” in Sri Lanka. The taste panel data demonstrated that there is no specific fondness for greenhouse or field grown materials enabling the popularization of greenhouse-grown spinach to answer the safety concerns.
Effect of temperature on the rheological behavior of sugary cassava
Authors: Sodré Souza Leiliane do Socorro , Souza Tatiane Pereira de , Oliveira Rafael Lopes e , Junior Sérgio Duvoisin , Hidalgo Ari de Freitas , Pereira Anderson Mathias
Published: April 2020

The rheological behavior of the juice extracted from sugary cassava roots, a type of cassava that stored the largest amount of sugars and the starch as it was, at various temperatures (9-65ºC) and in concentrations of 5ºBrix, 10.5ºBrix, and 18.5ºBrix. The experiments were performed on a Brookfield viscometer in a shear rate range of 0.01-237.6 s-1. The rheological models of Newton, Bingham, and Ostwald-De-Waele were fitted to the experimental results. The Newton model describes well the rheological behavior of the three samples evaluated. The effect of temperature on viscosity was evaluated using an Arrhenius equation; the viscosity value is influenced by the same temperature. The activation energy values ​​for the concentrations of 5ºBrix, 10.5ºBrix and 18.5ºBrix correspond to 3.14 kcal mol-1, 3.53 kcal mol-1 and 3.71 kcal mol-1. This type of cassava can be used in the production of ethanol, fermented beverages and syrups. It is also an important alternative for food production, as the cultivation of cassava can be classified as less aggressive to the environment, in comparison with sugarcane.
Expert‐level automated malaria diagnosis on routine blood films with deep neural networks
Authors: Manescu Petru , Shaw Michael J. , Elmi Muna , Neary‐Zajiczek Lydia , Claveau Remy , Pawar Vijay , Kokkinos Iasonas , Oyinloye Gbeminiyi , Bendkowski Christopher , Oladejo Olajide A. , Oladejo Bolanle F. , Clark Tristan , Timm Denis , Shawe‐Taylor John , Srinivasan Mandayam A. , Lagunju Ikeoluwa , Sodeinde Olugbemiro , Brown Biobele J. , Fernandez‐Reyes Delmiro
Published: April 2020

Over 200 million malaria cases globally lead to half a million deaths annually. Accurate malaria diagnosis remains a challenge. Automated imaging processing approaches to analyze Thick Blood Films (TBF) could provide scalable solutions, for urban healthcare providers in the holoendemic malaria sub‐Saharan region. Although several approaches have been attempted to identify malaria parasites in TBF, none have achieved negative and positive predictive performance suitable for clinical use in the west sub‐Saharan region. While malaria parasite object detection remains an intermediary step in achieving automatic patient diagnosis, training state‐of‐the‐art deep‐learning object detectors requires the human‐expert labor‐intensive process of labeling a large dataset of digitized TBF. To overcome these challenges and to achieve a clinically usable system, we show a novel approach. It leverages routine clinical‐microscopy labels from our quality‐controlled malaria clinics, to train a Deep Malaria Convolutional Neural Network classifier (DeepMCNN) for automated malaria diagnosis. Our system also provides total Malaria Parasite (MP) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts allowing parasitemia estimation in MP/μL, as recommended by the WHO. Prospective validation of the DeepMCNN achieves sensitivity/specificity of 0.92/0.90 against expert‐level malaria diagnosis. Our approach PPV/NPV performance is of 0.92/0.90, which is clinically usable in our holoendemic settings in the densely populated metropolis of Ibadan. It is located within the most populous African country (Nigeria) and with one of the largest burdens of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Our openly available method is of importance for strategies aimed to scale malaria diagnosis in urban regions where daily assessment of thousands of specimens is required.
The management of periorbital cellulitis secondary to sinonasal infection: a multicenter prospective study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Mahalingam Sridhayan , Hone Robert , Lloyd Gareth , Grounds Robert , Shamil Eamon , Wong Gentle , Al‐Lami Ali , Pervez Anum , Rudd James , Poon Jia Shin , Riley Peter , Hopkins Claire
Published: April 2020

Background

Periorbital cellulitis is a potential sight‐threatening complication of sinusitis. The majority of patients improve with medical management. Previous studies have suggested significant variations in practice and lack of evidence regarding the optimal management of this condition.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted over a 12‐month period at 8 centers in the United Kingdom assessing the management of patients requiring inpatient treatment for periorbital cellulitis secondary to sinonasal infections.

Results

A total of 143 patients were recruited, of whom 40 were excluded. Of the remaining 103 patients, 5 (4.9%) were diagnosed with neurosurgical complications. This resulted in 98 patients admitted with periorbital cellulitis secondary to an upper respiratory tract infection/sinusitis. A total of 72 were children, of whom 12 (16.7%) required surgical intervention; and of 26 adults, 5 (19.2%) required surgery: the most common antimicrobial regimes administered were intravenous ceftriaxone (with or without metronidazole), and co‐amoxiclav. The use of both ceftriaxone and metronidazole from admission was associated with the shortest duration of inpatient stay (3.8 days) in comparison to ceftriaxone alone (5.8 days) or co‐amoxiclav (4.5 days) and a reduction in number of patients requiring surgical intervention. There was also an association between the early use of intranasal decongestants and steroids and reduction in requirement for surgical intervention.

Conclusion

For a condition where swab and blood cultures are often negative, this study supports the use of ceftriaxone in combination with metronidazole. The administration of intranasal decongestants and corticosteroids correlated with a smaller percentage of those progressing to surgery in those with and without periorbital abscesses.
A multi‐institutional review of outcomes in biopsy‐proven chronic invasive fungal sinusitis
Authors: Humphreys Ian M. , Wandell Grace M. , Miller Craig , Rathor Aakanksha , Schmidt Rodney A. , Turner Justin H. , Hwang Peter H. , Davis Greg E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Chronic invasive fungal sinusitis (CIFS) is a rare, life‐threatening infection of the nose and sinuses. This study aims to identify factors that impact survival in 1 of the largest cohorts to date.

Methods

Pathology records were reviewed for biopsy‐proven CIFS from 3 tertiary academic institutions from 1995 to 2016. Variables were analyzed using log‐rank survival analysis. Univariate Cox regression was performed at 1 and 12 months.

Results

Thirty‐eight patients were included. Hematologic malignancy and diabetes were the most common underlying diseases (32% each). Aspergillus was the most common fungus (63%). Greater than 75% of the patients had an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >1000 at the time of diagnosis. Overall survival at 1, 6, and 12 months was 89%, 68%, and 48%, respectively. In univariate analysis, factors associated with worse survival included: ANC <500 at 12 months (hazard ratio [HR] 4.8; p = 0.01), ANC <1000 at 12 months (HR 5.8; p = 0.001), and recent chemotherapy (HR 4; p = 0.01). The following factor was associated with improved survival in univariate analysis: ANC as a linear variable in the entire cohort (HR 0.7; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

We present a multi‐institutional case‐series of CIFS and long‐term follow‐up. ANC <1000 at time of diagnosis and recent chemotherapy (within 1 month of diagnosis) are associated with poorer survival, whereas a rising ANC >1000 is associated with improved survival at 12 months. Further prospective studies are needed to further define factors that affect outcomes.
Understood? Evaluating the readability and understandability of intranasal corticosteroid delivery instructions
Authors: Lee Saangyoung E. , Brown William C. , Gelpi Mark W. , Kimple Adam J. , Senior Brent A. , Zanation Adam M. , Thorp Brian D. , Ebert Charles S.
Published: April 2020

Background

Allergic rhinitis is a widespread disease that has significant quality‐of‐life ramifications. Symptoms include rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, cough, and postnasal drip. Intranasal corticosteroids are a hallmark of treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, the benefits of treatment are dependent on correct nasal spray technique, of which many patients are not aware. Patient instructions are included with the purchase of these medications. The readability and understandability for these educational materials has been minimally assessed in the medical literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the readability and understandability of commonly used intranasal steroids.

Methods

Three readability measures (Gunning Fog, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook [SMOG], and FORCAST) and an understandability assessment (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials [PEMAT‐P]) were used to evaluate the instructions for use of commonly prescribed intranasal steroids. Instructions with 6th grade readability level or lower were considered to meet health literacy experts’ recommendations. Higher understandability values correlate to easier understandability.

Results

Instructions for 10 intranasal corticosteroid brands were reviewed. Gunning Fog consistently estimated easiest readability, whereas FORCAST estimated most difficult readability. Twenty percent (20%) of analyzed instructions met National Institutes of Health and health literacy experts’ recommended reading levels. Understandability of instructions ranged from 33% to 90%, with an average of 66%.

Conclusion

The benefit of intranasal corticosteroids is contingent on correct use by patients. However, the prepackaged instructions provided are most often above recommended reading levels and are difficult to understand. Future development of intranasal steroid instructions should meet recommended readability levels and be understandable to maximize their utility.
How to deploy a uniform and simplified acute‐phase management strategy for traumatic pancreatic injury in any situation
Authors: Uchida Kenichiro , Hagawa Naohiro , Miyashita Masahiro , Maeda Toshiki , Kaga Shinichiro , Noda Tomohiro , Nishimura Tetsuro , Yamamoto Hiromasa , Mizobata Yasumitsu
Published: April 2020

Aim

Management of traumatic pancreatic injury is challenging, and mortality and morbidity remain high. Because pancreatic injury is uncommon and strong recommendations for pancreatic injury management are lacking, management is primarily based on institutional practices. We propose our strategy of pancreatic injury management.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with pancreatic injury and evaluated our strategy and outcomes.

Results

From January 2013 to December 2019, 18 patients were included with traumatic pancreatic injury. The median Injury Severity Score was 22 (25–75% interquartile range, 17–34) and probability of survival was 0.87 (25–75% interquartile range, 0.78–0.93). Patients were grouped according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma injury grades: grade I, n = 3 (16.7%); II, n = 6 (33.3%); III, n = 7 (38.9%); and IV, n = 2 (11.1%). All patients underwent endoscopic pancreatic ductal evaluation within 1–2 days after admission. Abbreviated surgery because of hemodynamic instability and subsequent open abdominal management were undertaken in one patient with pancreas head injury and two patients with pancreas body/tail injury. Management was by laparotomy for closed suction drain insertion with main ductal endoscopic drainage in six patients, endoscopic ductal drainage only in six patients, and distal pancreatectomy with closed suction drainage and endoscopic drainage in five patients. One patient with grade I injury underwent observation only. Median length of closed suction drainage was 12 days and that of hospital stay was 36 days. The observed mortality during the study period was 0%. Late formation of pseudo‐pancreatic cyst was observed in two patients (11.1%).

Conclusion

Our uniform, simplified strategy offers good outcomes for any pancreatic injury site and any concomitant injuries, even in hemodynamically unstable patients.
Frontotemporal Dementia: Correlations Between Psychiatric Symptoms and Pathology
Authors: Scarioni Marta , Gami‐Patel Priya , Timar Yannick , Seelaar Harro , van Swieten John C. , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , Dols Annemiek , Scarpini Elio , Galimberti Daniela ,   Netherlands Brain Bank, Hoozemans Jeroen J. M. , Pijnenburg Yolande A. L. , Dijkstra Anke A.
Published: April 2020

Objective

The pathology of frontotemporal dementia, termed frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), is characterized by distinct molecular classes of aggregated proteins, the most common being TAR DNA‐binding protein‐43 (TDP‐43), tau, and fused in sarcoma (FUS). With a few exceptions, it is currently not possible to predict the underlying pathology based on the clinical syndrome. In this study, we set out to investigate the relationship between pathological and clinical presentation at single symptom level, including neuropsychiatric features.

Methods

The presence or absence of symptoms from the current clinical guidelines, together with neuropsychiatric features, such as hallucinations and delusions, were scored and compared across pathological groups in a cohort of 150 brain donors.

Results

Our cohort consisted of 68.6% FTLD donors (35.3% TDP‐43, 28% tau, and 5.3% FUS) and 31.3% non‐FTLD donors with a clinical diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and a different pathological substrate, such as Alzheimer's disease (23%). The presence of hyperorality points to FTLD rather than non‐FTLD pathology (p < 0.001). Within the FTLD group, hallucinations in the initial years of the disease were related to TDP‐43 pathology (p = 0.02), including but not limited to chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) repeat expansion carriers. The presence of perseverative or compulsive behavior was more common in the TDP‐B and TDP‐C histotypes (p = 0.002).

Interpretation

Our findings indicate that neuropsychiatric features are common in FTLD and form an important indicator of underlying pathology. In order to allow better inclusion of patients in targeted molecular trials, the routine evaluation of patients with frontotemporal dementia should include the presence and nature of neuropsychiatric symptoms. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:950–961
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Isomerization of Highly Substituted Allylic Alcohols by C−H Bond Activation
Authors: Guo Kai , Zhang Zhongchao , Li Anding , Li Yuanhe , Huang Jun , Yang Zhen
Published: April 2020

Photoredox‐catalyzed isomerization of γ‐carbonyl‐substituted allylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds was achieved for the first time by C−H bond activation. This catalytic redox‐neutral process resulted in the synthesis of 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds. Notably, allylic alcohols bearing tetrasubstituted olefins can also be transformed into their corresponding carbonyl compounds. Density functional theory calculations show that the carbonyl group at the γ‐position of allylic alcohols are beneficial to the formation of their corresponding allylic alcohol radicals with high vertical electron affinity, which contributes to the completion of the photoredox catalytic cycle.
Symmetry‐Breaking Charge‐Transfer Chromophore Interactions Supported by Carbon Nanodots
Authors: Cacioppo Michele , Scharl Tobias , Đorđević Luka , Cadranel Alejandro , Arcudi Francesca , Guldi Dirk M. , Prato Maurizio
Published: April 2020

Carbon dots (CDs) and their derivatives are useful platforms for studying electron‐donor/acceptor interactions and dynamics therein. Herein, we couple amorphous CDs with phthalocyanines (Pcs) that act as electron donors with a large extended π‐surface and intense absorption across the visible range of the solar spectrum. Investigations of the intercomponent interactions by means of steady‐state and pump‐probe transient absorption spectroscopy reveal symmetry‐breaking charge transfer/separation and recombination dynamics within pairs of phthalocyanines. The CDs facilitate the electronic interactions between the phthalocyanines. Thus, our findings suggest that CDs could be used to support electronic couplings in multichromophoric systems and further increase their applicability in organic electronics, photonics, and artificial photosynthesis.
Enhanced performance of Mindel membranes by incorporating conductive polymer and inorganic modifier for application in direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Ramachandran Sathish Kumar , Gangasalam Arthanareeswaran , Ismail Ahmed Fauzi , Kweon Jihyang
Published: April 2020

Sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES), polyaniline (PANI), and Cloisite 15 A® were used as modifiers for the fabrication of Mindel composite polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs). Pristine Mindel and Mindel composite PEMs were fabricated by the solution intercalation technique. The presence of modifiers in the Mindel membrane matrix was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. The primary characteristics of pristine Mindel and Mindel PEMs such as water uptake, methanol uptake, proton conductivity ion‐exchange capacity (IEC), and chemical and mechanical stability were evaluated. The pore size of Mindel/SPES/Cloisite 15 composite PEM was increased owing to the addition of SPES and Cloisite 15. The higher proton conductivity of 4.323 × 10−4 S cm−1, enhanced IEC of 0.482 mequiv. g−1, and maximum water uptake (%) of 38.12 were noted for Mindel/SPES/Cloisite membrane. Membrane selectivity of all Mindel PEMs was enhanced by the addition of modifiers. The results of this study indicate that Mindel composite membranes could be utilized as PEMs for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).
Effect of alcohols on combustion characteristics and particle size distribution of a diesel engine fueled with diesel‐castor oil blended fuel
Authors: Qi Donghui , Xing Wenqian , Luo Peng , Liu Jianhua , Chen Ru
Published: April 2020

The research was motivated to experimentally study the effect of alcohol addition on the performance, combustion characteristics, particle size distribution (PSD) and exhaust emissions of a common rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine fueled with diesel‐castor oil blended fuels. The main properties of the blended fuels were measured by the standard test procedures. The results revealed that, compared with diesel fuel, the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was increased by an average of 7.7%, 8.5% and 16.5% for DA80B10E10, DC80B20, and DC60B20E20 fuels respectively. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) kept almost identical for the blended fuels. The peak in‐cylinder pressure was about 0.4 MPa higher and the heat release rate (HRR) was evidently higher than that of diesel fuel, and the combustion duration was 5–12 crank angles shorter. The blended fuels exhibited bi‐modal PSD, and diesel fuel showed uni‐modal behavior under all operating conditions. The total number concentration (TNC) of particles was larger, but the geometric mean diameter (GMD) was lower than that of diesel fuel. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were increased by about 30% and hydrocarbon (HC) was evidently higher for the blended fuels under almost all operating conditions, but carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were about 22% lower than that of diesel fuel.
What painting? Encountering and interpreting the archaeological record in western Arnhem Land, northern Australia
Authors: BRADY LIAM M. , MAY SALLY K. , GOLDHAHN JOAKIM , TAÇON PAUL S.C. , LAMILAMI PATRICK
Published: April 2020

Research into contemporary Indigenous relationships with the archaeological record has increasingly drawn upon frameworks emphasising relational, affectual and cultural understandings to learn about the complex ways that meaning and symbolism are negotiated and expressed. In this paper, we use a series of case studies from Arnhem Land to investigate the network of relationships Aboriginal Traditional Owners use in the process of interpreting the archaeological record. At the core of this process is Edward Casey's idea of “grasping‐together”, where people draw on their social and cultural knowledge as a means to make sense out of what is being encountered and how it fits into existing frameworks of knowledge and understanding. By approaching rock art through the lens of encounter and interaction, archaeologists are in a privileged position to add another layer to the, symbolism and significance people attach to their cultural heritage today.
Genome‐Wide Occupancy Profiling Reveals Critical Roles of FoxO1 in Regulating Extracellular Matrix and Circadian Rhythm Genes in Human Chondrocytes
Authors: Duffy Tomas , Bekki Hirofumi , Lotz Martin K.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common age‐related joint disease. With aging and in OA, the expression of FoxO transcription factors is reduced, diminishing their chondroprotective actions. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which FoxO1 protects chondrocytes, we sought to identify the genome‐wide occupancy profile of FoxO1.

Methods

We performed FoxO1 chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high‐throughput sequencing (ChIP‐Seq) on human primary chondrocytes. ChIP‐Seq data were integrated with RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) data sets. Bioinformatics results were confirmed in primary chondrocytes that were treated with a FoxO1 inhibitor.

Results

Analysis of FoxO1 ChIP‐Seq on human primary chondrocytes showed that pathways implicated in OA pathogenesis are mainly regulated by FoxO1 binding to tissue‐specific enhancers with suboptimal binding sites (20% of the peaks), while more ubiquitous FoxO1 pathways are regulated at the promoter level through interaction with its canonical binding motif (7% of the peaks). Integrating FoxO1 occupancy data with RNA‐Seq data comparing OA and healthy human cartilage revealed 428 putative FoxO1 target genes that are dysregulated in OA. Pathway analysis showed enrichment for genes belonging to the senescence pathway (logP = −6.73), extracellular matrix (ECM) pathway (logP = −12.97), and circadian clock pathway (logP = −6.30), which suggests that FoxO1 dysregulation plays an important role in their abnormal expression in OA. Using an inhibitor of FoxO1, we confirmed that FoxO1 regulates these pathways in cultured human chondrocytes.

Conclusion

FoxO1 regulates ubiquitous and cartilage‐specific genes in chondrocytes by using different mechanisms. The FoxO1 transcriptional network is a key player in regulating homeostasis, ECM, and circadian clock genes and plays an important role in the abnormal expression of these pathways observed in OA pathogenesis.
Observer‐based tracking controller design for a class of polynomial fuzzy systems with disturbance
Authors: Salimi Tari Roozbeh , Moarefianpour Ali
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the tracking control law design problem for a class of polynomial fuzzy systems subjected to external bounded disturbance is studied. The tracking control design problem is solved using the observer‐based tracking controller design method in which the observer estimates the controlled system state vector and also the system states will follow the state vector of a stable reference model subject to an H∞ performance. The process of calculating controller parameters is formulated as an SOS feasibility program. Simulation results are presented to show the merits of the proposed control design approach.
Shallow transit follow‐up from Next‐Generation Transit Survey: Simultaneous observations of HD 106315 with 11 identical telescopes
Authors: Smith Alexis M. S. , Eigmüller Philipp , Gurumoorthy Ramanathan , Csizmadia Szilárd , Bayliss Daniel , Burleigh Matthew R. , Cabrera Juan , Casewell Sarah L. , Erikson Anders , Goad Michael R. , Grange Andrew , Jenkins James S. , Pollacco Don , Rauer Heike , Raynard Liam , Udry Stéphane , West Richard G. , Wheatley Peter J.
Published: April 2020

The Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) is a photometric survey for transiting exoplanets, consisting of 12 identical 0.2‐m telescopes. We report a measurement of the transit of HD 106315 c using a novel observing mode in which multiple NGTS telescopes observed the same target, with the aim of increasing the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Combining the data allows the robust detection of the transit, which has a depth less than 0.1%, rivaling the performance of much larger telescopes. We demonstrate the capability of NGTS to contribute to the follow‐up of K2 and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite discoveries using this observing mode. In particular, NGTS is well‐suited to the measurement of shallow transits of bright targets. This is particularly important to improve orbital ephemerides of relatively long‐period planets, where only a small number of transits are observed from space.