bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cynaroside inhibitsLeishmania donovaniUDP-galactopyranose mutase and induces reactive oxygen species to exert antileishmanial response
Authors: Tabrez Shams , Rahman Fazlur , Ali Rahat , Alouffi Abdulaziz S. , Akand Sajjadul Kadir , Alshehri Bader Mohammed , Alshammari Fahdah Ayed , Alam Aftab , Alaidarous Mohammed A. , Banawas Saeed , Dukhyil Abdul Aziz Bin , Rub Abdur
Published: December 2020

Cynaroside, a flavonoid, has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. Here, we evaluated its antileishmanial properties and its mechanism of action through different in silico and in vitro assays. Cynaroside exhibited antileishmanial activity in time- and dose-dependent manner with 50% of inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 49.49 ± 3.515 µM in vitro. It inhibited the growth of parasite significantly at only 20 µM concentration when used in combination with miltefosine, a standard drug which has very high toxicity. It also inhibited the intra-macrophagic parasite significantly at low doses when used in combination with miltefosine. It showed less toxicity than the existing antileishmanial drug, miltefosine at similar doses. Propidium iodide staining showed that cynaroside inhibited the parasites in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle. 2,7-dichloro dihydro fluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) staining showed cynaroside induced antileishmanial activity through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in parasites. Molecular-docking studies with key drug targets of Leishmania donovani showed significant inhibition. Out of these targets, cynaroside showed strongest affinity with uridine diphosphate (UDP)-galactopyranose mutase with −10.4 kcal/mol which was further validated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The bioactivity, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) properties, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) chemical classification and toxicity risk prediction showed cynaroside as an enzyme inhibitor having sufficient solubility and non-toxic properties. In conclusion, cynaroside may be used alone or in combination with existing drug, miltefosine to control leishmaniasis with less cytotoxicity.
Indications for very high metallicity and absence of methane in the eccentric exo-Saturn WASP-117b
Authors: Carone Ludmila , Mollière Paul , Zhou Yifan , Bouwman Jeroen , Yan Fei , Baeyens Robin , Apai Dániel , Espinoza Nestor , Rackham Benjamin V. , Jordán Andrés , Angerhausen Daniel , Decin Leen , Lendl Monika , Venot Olivia , Henning Thomas
Published: December 2020

Aims. We investigate the atmospheric composition of the long-period (Porb = 10 days) eccentric exo-Saturn WASP-117b. WASP-117b could be similar in atmospheric temperature and chemistry to WASP-107b. In mass and radius, WASP-117b is similar to WASP-39b, which allows a comparative study of these planets.

Methods. We analyzed a near-infrared transmission spectrum of WASP-117b taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFC3 G141, which was reduced with two independent pipelines. High-resolution measurements were taken with VLT/ESPRESSO in the optical.

Results. We report the robust (3σ) detection of a water spectral feature. In a 1D atmosphere model with isothermal temperature, uniform cloud deck, and equilibrium chemistry, the Bayesian evidence of a retrieval analysis of the transmission spectrum indicates a preference for a high atmospheric metallicity [Fe/H] = 2.58−0.37+0.26 and clear skies. The data are also consistent with a lower metallicity composition [Fe/H] < 1.75 and a cloud deck between 10−2.2 and 10−5.1 bar, but with weaker Bayesian preference. We retrieve a low CH4 abundance of <10−4 volume fraction within 1σ and <2 × 10−1 volume fraction within 3σ. We cannot constrain the equilibrium temperature between theoretically imposed limits of 700 and 1000 K. Further observations are needed to confirm quenching of CH4 with Kzz ≥ 108 cm2 s−1. We report indications of Na and K in the VLT/ESPRESSO high-resolution spectrum with substantial Bayesian evidence in combination with HST data.
Evolved massive stars at low-metallicity
Authors: Yang Ming , Bonanos Alceste Z. , Jiang Biwei , Gao Jian , Gavras Panagiotis , Maravelias Grigoris , Wang Shu , Chen Xiao-Dian , Lam Man I. , Ren Yi , Tramper Frank , Spetsieri Zoi T.
Published: December 2020

We present a clean, magnitude-limited (IRAC1 or WISE1 ≤ 15.0 mag) multiwavelength source catalog for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The catalog was built by crossmatching (1″) and deblending (3″) between the source list of Spitzer Enhanced Imaging Products and Gaia Data Release 2, with strict constraints on the Gaia astrometric solution in order to remove the foreground contamination. It is estimated that about 99.5% of the targets in our catalog are most likely genuine members of the LMC. The catalog contains 197 004 targets in 52 different bands, including two ultraviolet, 21 optical, and 29 infrared bands. Additional information about radial velocities and spectral and photometric classifications were collected from the literature. We compare our sample with the sample from Gaia Collaboration (2018, A&A, 616, A12), indicating that the bright end of our sample is mostly comprised of blue helium-burning stars (BHeBs) and red HeBs with inevitable contamination of main sequence stars at the blue end. After applying modified magnitude and color cuts based on previous studies, we identified and ranked 2974 red supergiant, 508 yellow supergiant, and 4786 blue supergiant candidates in the LMC in six color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). The comparison between the CMDs from the two catalogs of the LMC and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) indicates that the most distinct difference appears at the bright red end of the optical and near-infrared CMDs, where the cool evolved stars (e.g., red supergiant stars (RSGs), asymptotic giant branch stars, and red giant stars) are located, which is likely due to the effect of metallicity and star formation history. A further quantitative comparison of colors of massive star candidates in equal absolute magnitude bins suggests that there is essentially no difference for the BSG candidates, but a large discrepancy for the RSG candidates since LMC targets are redder than the SMC ones, which may be due to the combined effect of metallicity on both spectral type and mass-loss rate as well as the age effect. The effective temperatures (Teff) of massive star populations are also derived from reddening-free color of (J − KS)0. The Teff ranges are 3500 < Teff < 5000 K for an RSG population, 5000 < Teff < 8000 K for a YSG population, and Teff > 8000 K for a BSG population, with larger uncertainties toward the hotter stars.
Rôle des connexines astrocytaires dans la régulation des taux extracellulaires de glutamate : implication pour le traitement des épisodes dépressifs majeurs
Authors: Portal Benjamin , Guiard Bruno P.
Published: December 2020

La dépression majeure est une pathologie psychiatrique reposant sur différents mécanismes neurobiologiques. Parmi ces mécanismes, on trouve une hypersensibilité de l’axe hypothalamo-hypophyso-surrénalien associée à un excès de cortisol dans le sang et un déficit de neurotransmission monoaminergique. Ainsi, l’efficacité thérapeutique des antidépresseurs actuels repose sur leur capacité à augmenter les taux extracellulaires de monoamines dans la fente synaptique. Depuis la découverte des effets antidépresseurs rapides et durables de la kétamine, un antagoniste des récepteurs NMDA, un intérêt croissant est porté sur les moyens pharmacologiques atténuant l’action du glutamate pour traiter la dépression majeure. Les astrocytes jouent un rôle prépondérant dans la balance excitation/inhibition du système nerveux central en régulant la recapture et la sécrétion du glutamate. De manière intéressante, la libération de cet acide aminé excitateur est contrôlée, du moins en partie, par des canaux membranaires regroupés au niveau de jonctions intercellulaires de type « gap » ou d’hémicanaux formés par les connexines 30 et 43. Les données précliniques suggèrent que ces deux entités fonctionnelles ont des effets sur les comportements émotionnels dans différents modèles murins de dépression. Après un bref rappel sur les troubles de l’humeur et leurs traitements, cette revue de la littérature décrit le rôle des astrocytes et des connexines dans la neurotransmission glutamatergique et la dépression majeure. Les arguments avancés soulignent l’intérêt thérapeutique potentiel du blocage des connexines astrocytaires mais aussi les difficultés pratiques à cibler la fonction hémicanal sans impacter la fonction « gap ».
Le Génie Écologique, une science par et pour le vivant
Authors: Béhé Mélanie , Bou Orm Eliane , Hahn Léa , Palenstijn Adrien
Published: December 2020

Dans les années 1960, le concept de génie écologique a été théorisé par Howard Odum, qui a montré la possibilité de contrôler les trajectoires évolutives des écosystèmes en influant sur leurs dynamiques naturelles. Depuis, les définitions de ce concept ont évolué et la discipline s’est diversifiée, comptant actuellement pas moins de 15 domaines d’applications différents. La bibliométrie concernant l’ingénierie écologique montre bien l’importance de cette discipline à travers le monde. On remarque son évolution continuelle depuis les années 1995 avec une augmentation quasi exponentielle du nombre de publications chaque année, avec plus de 6500 publications au total provenant de tous les continents.
La science face à l’érosion de la biodiversité
Authors: Boulanger Laureline , Héraud Amélie , Martzloff Dorian , Ropital Valentin
Published: December 2020

Aujourd’hui, le monde fait face à une érosion importante de sa biodiversité ; le déclin des populations animales est si important qu’il est considéré par certains comme la sixième extinction de masse de la terre. L’homme, au travers de ses actions, est la cause principale de cette crise écologique et menace une biodiversité qui lui est pourtant indispensable. Agir pour la préserver devient donc primordial et passe par une meilleure connaissance des espèces à protéger. Ainsi, la science joue un rôle essentiel, notamment via trois disciplines spécifiques : l’écologie, qui étudie les êtres vivants en relation avec leur milieu naturel, l’éthologie, axée sur le comportement animal, et l’écophysiologie, qui s’intéresse aux adaptations physiologiques des êtres vivants aux changements de leur environnement. Ensemble, celles-ci permettent d’œuvrer pour la protection de la biodiversité grâce à une meilleure compréhension des espèces animales et de leur mode de vie qui conduit à mettre en place des actions de conservation spécifiques et réfléchies.
Le régime cétogène : une stratégie alimentaire efficace en complément des traitements contre le cancer ?
Authors: Charlot Anouk , Conrad Ombline , Zoll Joffrey
Published: December 2020

Le cancer est une pathologie qui touche tout type de tissu et qui tue chaque année en France plus de 150 000 personnes. Les cellules cancéreuses présentent des modifications dans leur métabolisme par rapport aux cellules saines, puisqu’elles tirent leur énergie très majoritairement de la glycolyse anaérobie et non de la phosphorylation oxydative mitochondriale : on parle de l’effet Warburg. À l’heure actuelle, les traitements les plus utilisés pour soigner le cancer en routine sont des traitements dits non spécifiques qui présentent de nombreux effets secondaires, altérant la vie des patients. Il semble de plus en plus crucial de trouver de nouvelles stratégies pour lutter contre la progression des cellules cancéreuses. Le régime cétogène, pauvre en sucres et riche en lipides, est un candidat intéressant, puisqu’il affaiblit la machinerie énergétique de la cellule cancéreuse. Ce régime est déjà utilisé dans le cadre de la prise en charge de l’épilepsie réfractaire aux traitements classiques, et commence à être étudié en cancérologie également. Cet article, qui fait le point sur les preuves scientifiques des effets bénéfiques du régime cétogène, souligne son intérêt thérapeutique potentiel comme traitement complémentaire pour lutter contre certains cancers.
La Société de Biologie de Strasbourg : 100 ans au service de la science et de la société
Authors: Antony Pierre , Fournel Sylvie , Zoll Joffrey , Mantz Jean-Marie , Befort Katia , Massotte Dominique , Giégé Philippe , Céraline Jocelyn , Metzger Daniel , Becker Hubert , Drouard Laurence , Florentz Catherine , Martin Robert , Nébigil Canan , Potier Serge , Schaefer Adrien , Schaeffer Evelyne , Schuster Catherine , Bresson Anne , Quéméneur Eric , Choulier Laurence , Matt Nicolas , Monassier Laurent , Lugnier Claire , Freysz Louis , Hoffmann Jules , Dreyfus Henri , Romier Christophe
Published: December 2020

Filiale de la Société de Biologie, la Société de Biologie de Strasbourg (SBS) est une société savante qui a pour objet la diffusion et la promotion du savoir scientifique en biologie et en médecine. Fondée en 1919, La SBS a célébré son Centenaire le mercredi 16 octobre 2019. Cette journée a permis de retracer les différents jalons de la SBS, à travers ses lignes de forces, ses difficultés et sa volonté permanente de mettre en exergue les défis scientifiques et sociétaux auxquels participent les recherches strasbourgeoises. Le fil rouge de cette journée a été la transmission d’un savoir en lien avec le passé, le présent, mais également le futur. En ce début du 21e siècle, la SBS se doit de continuer de se réinventer pour poursuivre son objectif de transmission des connaissances scientifiques en biologie et au-delà. L’ensemble des participants du Centenaire de la SBS a ainsi posé la première pierre du Bicentenaire de la SBS.
Online petitions as actual protest practice in Russia and Germany: general and linguistic socio-cultural specific system-communicative characteristics
Authors: Rebrina Larisa , Shamne Nikolay , Eltanskaya Elena , Wendti Nina
Published: December 2020

Conceptualization of the phenomenon of modern protest is important for understanding the current political and social space. The aim of the research is a comprehensive comparative system – communicative study based on a separate communicative practice (online petition) of modern protest in Russia and Germany in the context of changes in the information and communication space, parameters of satisfaction, dialectics of the general and linguo-sociocultural specific. In their research the authors use such approaches as integrative (allowing to use achievements in the given field of linguistics, sociology, political science, cultural studies, media psychology); system-communicative (to study the main communicative dimensions of protest practice), comparative (to determine the general characteristics and linguistic-socio-cultural specifics of the analyzed protest practice). The results obtained contribute to the further development of the provisions of the communicative theory of protest, to the comprehension of the communicative nature of social phenomena, the interaction of technological and socio-cultural changes; they can be used to optimize the management of conflict societies.
Lexical Features of Text Complexity: the case of Russian academic texts
Authors: Churunina Anna , Solnyshkina Marina , Gafiyatova Elzara , Zaikin Artem
Published: December 2020

The work presented in this paper is a part of an ongoing project that investigates academic text features indicative of its complexity at different grade levels. In this study we examine comparative complexity of Social science texts used in Russian secondary and high schools. Based on the metrics of ten descriptive and four lexical features assessed for seven classroom textbooks we claim lexical diversity, frequency, abstractness and the number of terminological units to be statistically significant predictors of text complexity. The total size of the Corpus of over 160.000 tokens comprising two sets of textbooks ranging from the 5th to the 11th grades provides a satisfactory level of its representativeness and as such a solid foundation for statistical validity of the results. We employ RusAC, an online text analyzer, to compute lexical features of texts and the effect of the four lexical features on text complexity is confirmed with a mixed analysis of variance. The study fills a gap both in corpus linguistics as regards a systematic approach to Russian academic texts and in text complexity studies as regards the description of secondary and high school textbooks.
Interlingual duplicating in the speech of bilingual children
Authors: Chirsheva Galina , Houston Marina
Published: December 2020

Bilinguals of every age sometimes double units of one language with those of the other, especially in the situations where they have to interact with speakers of different languages. Bilingual communication stimulates code-switches, various in their structure and pragmatics. Among them, researchers observe the following phenomena in bilingual children’s speech: a) double morphology, b) translation/interpreting equivalents combinations, and c) self-interpreting. However, the interrelation between structural and semantic/pragmatic aspects, on the one hand, and the developmental characteristics of childhood bilingualism, on the other hand, have been underresearched. The authors of the paper argue that various cases of interlingual duplicating can indicate the balance between the competences of children in their two languages at different stages of their bilingual development. The purpose of the study is to describe structural, semantic, and pragmatic aspects of interlingual duplicating combinations in the speech of two children who acquire Russian and English simultaneously, as well as to find the correlation between their duplications and the development of their bilingualism. The results of the study can be used for the description of childhood bilingualism and the evaluation of bilingual children’s communicative competence in each of their languages and their interpreting abilities at various age stages.
Fluctuations of text complexity: the case of Basic State Examination in English
Authors: Gizatulina Diana , Ismaeva Farida , Solnyshkina Marina , Martynova Ekaterina , Yarmakeev Iskander
Published: December 2020

Text complexity as a research problem is equally relevant in linguistics and education since its solution provides an algorithm to match readers of certain categories to texts. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify quantitative and qualitative parameters that affect text complexity in ESOL. However, text complexity range within one proficiency level remains a research niche. The current study is aimed at identifying the range of text complexity fluctuations within one proficiency level and their appropriateness for readers. We conduct a multi-factor analysis and contrast 66 English texts for Basic State Examination (OGE) in readability, average sentence length, word length, number of verbs and nouns, cohesion and lexical diversity. The text features computed with the two online services, Text Inspector and Coh-Metrix, provide slightly different quantitative results though consistent in qualifying the range of text complexity fluctuations as high. The research findings refute the hypothesis of a linear nature of text complexity growth in the textbooks designed to increase students’ proficiency and confirm the lack of correlation between the revealed and claimed complexity of texts. The algorithm suggested by the authors can be useful for textbook writers and test developers selecting reading material for any proficiency level.
The problem of the development of foreign language professional competencies of public administration students
Authors: Nurlybaeva Guliya
Published: December 2020

For the full realization of the strategic goals of public administration, as well as the worthy representation of the interests of the state at the international level, public servants must have high foreign language professional competencies. This is stated in the Concept of Sustainable Development until 2030, adopted by the UN in 2015, as well as in the Strategy for the Innovative Development of Russia until 2020, prepared by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. The author analyzed the current state of the level of foreign language training of the students at the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) of the Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of Russia (RANEPA) basing on a study of the practice of creating training programs for the development of foreign-language professional competencies of future public servants. The analysis included the identification of existing tasks, goals, learning technologies that could meet the qualification requirements of future public servants, the identification of ways to develop foreign-language competencies of students, the ways of improvement of methodological support for the teaching of foreign languages, the principles of using textbooks to solve the above-mentioned problems. The methodology of the study included the methodology of theoretical, analytical, empirical research (the questionnaire and the survey of 80 students of ISS, RANEPA) as well as a comparative research methodology. Some conclusions were made based on the results obtained, and the ways to improve programs for formation and development of foreign-language professional competencies of future public servants were outlined by the author. Some recommendations for teachers and education managers are given. The results of the study could help foreign language teachers create an effective learning environment for future public servants.
Semi-annual, annual and Universal Time variations in the magnetosphere and in geomagnetic activity: 4. Polar Cap motions and origins of the Universal Time effect
Authors: Lockwood Mike , Haines Carl , Barnard Luke A. , Owens Mathew J. , Scott Chris J. , Chambodut Aude , McWilliams Kathryn A.
Published: December 2020

We use theam,an, asand theaσgeomagnetic indices to the explore a previously overlooked factor in magnetospheric electrodynamics, namely the inductive effect of diurnal motions of the Earth’s magnetic poles toward and away from the Sun caused by Earth’s rotation. Because the offset of the (eccentric dipole) geomagnetic pole from the rotational axis is roughly twice as large in the southern hemisphere compared to the northern, the effects there are predicted to be roughly twice the amplitude of those in the northern hemisphere. Hemispheric differences have previously been discussed in terms of polar ionospheric conductivities generated by solar photoionization, effects which we allow for by looking at the dipole tilt effect on the time-of-year variations of the indices. The electric field induced in a geocentric frame is shown to also be a significant factor and gives a modulation of the voltage applied by the solar wind flow in the southern hemisphere that is typically a ±30% diurnal modulation for disturbed intervals rising to ±76% in quiet times. For the northern hemisphere these are 15% and 38% modulations. Motion away from/towards the Sun reduces/enhances the directly-driven ionospheric voltages and reduces/enhances the magnetic energy stored in the tail and we estimate that approximately 10% of the effect appears in directly driven ionospheric voltages and 90% in changes of the rate of energy storage or release in the near-Earth tail. The hemispheric asymmetry in the geomagnetic pole offsets from the rotational axis is shown to be the dominant factor in driving Universal Time (UT) variations and hemispheric differences in geomagnetic activity. Combined with the effect of solar wind dynamic pressure and dipole tilt on the pressure balance in the near-Earth tail, the effect provides an excellent explanation of how the observed Russell-McPherron pattern with time-of-yearFandUTin the driving power input into the magnetosphere is converted into the equinoctialF-UTpattern in average geomagnetic activity (after correction is made for dipole tilt effects on ionospheric conductivity), added to a pronouncedUTvariation with minimum at 02–10 UT. In addition, we show that the predicted and observedUTvariations in average geomagnetic activity has implications for the occurrence of the largest events that also show the nettUTvariation.
The Causes and Management of Asymmetrical Double Eyelids
Authors: Kim Chang Yeom , Jang Jae Woo
Published: December 2020

Blepharoplasty is a commonly performed aesthetic surgery, especially in Asians. Nevertheless, as in all surgeries, postoperative complications still occur. Asymmetry is the most common complication after double eyelid surgery. Preexisting asymmetries in patient appearance and technical faults during surgery are associated with postoperative asymmetrical double eyelids. In this review, we discuss how to prevent unfavorable outcomes after this procedure and how to manage asymmetrical double eyelids when they do occur.
ESR and CRP Diagnostic Thresholds for Prosthetic Joint Infection in Hip Hemiarthroplasty
Authors: Warren Jared A. , Scotting Oliver , Anis Hiba K. , Bircher James , Klika Alison K. , Kamath Atul F. , Piuzzi Nicolas S. , Higuera Carlos A.
Published: December 2020

Diagnostic thresholds used to standardize the definition for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) have largely focused on total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Established PJI thresholds exist for serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in TJA; however, they do not exist for revision hip hemiarthroplasty (rHHA). The purpose of this study was to establish thresholds for (1) ESR and (2) CRP to diagnose PJI in rHHA. Data were collected on a prospective cohort of 69 rHHA patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery between 1/2017 and 2/2019 in a single health care system. Procedures were categorized as septic or aseptic revisions using Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria (2013). There were 44 ESRs (n = 28 aseptic, n = 16 septic) and 46 CRPs (n = 29 aseptic, n = 17 septic) available for analysis. Two tailed t-tests were performed to compare the mean ESR and CRP in aseptic and septic cases. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to obtain diagnostic cutoff thresholds using the Youden's Index (J) for ESR and CRP. The mean ESR was 50.3 ± 30.6 mm/h versus 15.4 ± 17.7 mm/h (p < 0.001), while the mean CRP was 29.9 ± 24.8 mg/L versus 4.1 ± 8.2 mg/L (p < 0.001) for septic and aseptic revisions, respectively. The diagnostic threshold for PJI determined by the ROC curve was 44 mm/h for ESR (sensitivity = 56.3%; specificity = 100.0%; J = 0.563; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.845), while it was 12.5 mg/L for CRP (sensitivity = 70.6%; specificity = 96.6%; J = 0.672; AUC = 0.896). For patients with HHA, an ESR of 44 mm/h was and a CRP of 12.5 mg/L was highly specific for PJI. The thresholds are similar to the MSIS thresholds currently published. Larger prospective trials are needed to establish more robust and conclusive diagnostic criteria for PJI in HHA, including investigations not only of ESR and CRP but synovial white blood cell count and synovial polymorphonuclear leukocytes % as well.
Advances in Oromandibular Reconstruction with Three-Dimensional Printing
Authors: Bender-Heine Adam , Petrisor Daniel , Wax Mark K.
Published: December 2020

The mandibular structures are a complex anatomical structure that is fundamental to many physiological and homeostatic functions. It may be involved in many pathological processes that require partial or complete removal. When this happens, reconstruction is mandatory to improve cosmetic outcome with its effect on social interaction as well as to provide an opportunity for complete dental rehabilitation with restoration of all physiological functions. This article will review the different reconstructive options available for complex defects of the mandibular complex. It will highlight the surgical options available to maximize functional restoration. Finally, it will discuss computer modeling to optimize reconstructive planning.
Taking an Idea from Inception to Innovation: Evolution in Restrictive Transfusion Criteria
Authors: Wax Mark K.
Published: December 2020

Innovation in surgical care is a complex procedure. When you reflect on how your practice has changed, whether it be 5 years or over decades, it can be enlightening to not only see the change but also conceptualize how it came about. Examining one's practice as part of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index or as a result of reading the literature, attending a meeting, or some other educational activity can lead one to question if there is a better method available. In this manuscript, I will describe how outside influences initiated a paradigm shift that ultimately benefited patient care, the system, and my practice. The methodology has been used over the course of my career to influence and modulate practice patterns.
The Number of Concomitant Drugs and the Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Routine Care Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: van den Dries Carline J. , van Doorn Sander , Souverein Patrick , Pajouheshnia Romin , Moons Karel G.M. , Hoes Arno W. , Geersing Geert-Jan , van den Ham Hendrika A.
Published: December 2020

Background The benefit of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) on major bleeding was less prominent among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with polypharmacy in post-hoc randomized controlled trials analyses. Whether this phenomenon also exists in routine care is unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate whether the number of concomitant drugs prescribed modifies safety and effectiveness of DOACs compared with VKAs in AF patients treated in general practice.

Study Design Adult, nonvalvular AF patients with a first DOAC or VKA prescription between January 2010 and July 2018 were included, using data from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Primary outcome was major bleeding, secondary outcomes included types of major bleeding, nonmajor bleeding, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. Effect modification was assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression, stratified for the number of concomitant drugs into three strata (0–5, 6–8, ≥9 drugs), and by including the continuous variable in an interaction term with the exposure (DOAC vs. VKA).

Results A total of 63,600 patients with 146,059 person-years of follow-up were analyzed (39,840 person-years of DOAC follow-up). The median age was 76 years in both groups, the median number of concomitant drugs prescribed was 7. Overall, the hazard of major bleeding was similar between VKA-users and DOAC-users (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.11), though for apixaban a reduction in major bleeding was observed (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.68–0.98). Risk of stroke was comparable, while risk of nonmajor bleeding was lower in DOAC users compared with VKA users (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88–0.97). We did not observe any evidence for an impact of polypharmacy on the relative risk of major bleeding between VKA and DOAC across our predefined three strata of concomitant drug use (p-value for interaction = 0.65). For mortality, however, risk of mortality was highest among DOAC users, increasing with polypharmacy and independent of the type of DOAC prescribed (p-value for interaction <0.01).

Conclusion In this large observational, population-wide study of AF patients, risk of bleeding, and ischemic stroke were comparable between DOACs and VKAs, irrespective of the number of concomitant drugs prescribed. In AF patients with increasing polypharmacy, our data appeared to suggest an unexplained yet increased risk of mortality in DOAC-treated patients, compared with VKA recipients.
Direct Percutaneous Puncture and Embolization of Visceral Pseudoaneurysm: Safety and Clinical Efficacy
Authors: Kumar Sunil K. , Singh Jagadeesh R. , Kumar Mahesh , Nagbhushan K.N. , Reddy Nageshwar D. , Rao G.V.
Published: December 2020

Purpose The aim of the study is to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of direct percutaneous embolization of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms.

Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone direct percutaneous embolization of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms between January 2012 and May 2017 was performed. The study included 26 patients with a mean age of 36 years (range 10–71 years). The indications for direct percutaneous embolization included the inability to catheterize endovascularly (n = 24) or prior embolization (n = 2) of the feeding artery. Patient demographics, details of the procedure, complications, and outcomes were evaluated. Patients were followed for a mean of 15 months to assess for recurrence of the pseudoaneurysms on ultrasound.

Results Splenic artery (n = 13), gastroduodenal artery (n = 4), right hepatic artery (n = 3), pancreaticoduodenal arteries (n = 3), left gastric artery (n = 2), and left hepatic artery (n = 1) were the embolized arteries. Etiology for pseudoaneurysm were pancreatitis (n = 20), trauma (n = 2), postoperative (n = 2), and few were incidentally detected (n = 2). N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) with lipiodol was used in 23 (88.4%) patients, coil in one (3.8%), and both coil and NBCA in two patients (7.7%). Embolization of the pseudoaneurysm was successful in all cases. No procedure-related complication was observed. Follow-up showed no recurrence of the pseudoaneurysm. Self-limiting splenic infarct was seen in six patients. Self-limiting abdominal pain was seen in all the patients with embolization with NBCA. One patient developed liver infarct and subsequent liver abscess requiring percutaneous drainage.

Conclusion Direct percutaneous embolization is safe and effective in the treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms and should be considered as an alternative in patients with a failed endovascular approach.
Hypertrophied Right Inferior Phrenic Artery in Cirrhotic Patients without Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Interesting Observation on 256 Slice Multidetector Computed Tomography
Authors: Kulkarni Chinmay Bhimaji , Nazar P. K. , Pullara Sreekumar Karumathil , Prabhu Nirmal Kumar , Moorthy Srikanth
Published: December 2020

Aim To evaluate whether right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) is a source of extrahepatic arterial supply to the liver in cirrhotic patients without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using 256 slice computed tomography (CT).

Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study. A total of 262 consecutive cirrhotic patients (male:female–172:90; mean age 56.45 ± 12.96 years) without HCC and hepatic vascular invasion, and who underwent technically successful multiphase CT, were included in the study. Additionally, 280 noncirrhotic patients (male:female–169:111; mean age 54.56 ± 14.21 years) who underwent abdominal multiphase CT scans for indications other than liver disease and did not have focal liver lesions or hepatic vascular disease were included as a control group. The RIPA and left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA) diameters were measured at the level of the ascending segment of IPA located anterior to the diaphragmatic crus. The relationship between RIPA diameters and Child–Pugh score was assessed.

Results The cirrhotic patient group and control group were matched for age (p = 0.11) and gender (p = 0.20). The mean diameter of RIPA in the cirrhotic group (1.93 ± 0.4 mm) was significantly higher than in the control group (1.50 ± 0.5 mm), p < 0.001. The mean diameter of LIPA in the cirrhotic group (1.34 ± 0.5 mm) was not significantly higher than in the control group (1.30 ± 0.5 mm), p = 0.32. We found a statistically linear and moderate degree relationship between RIPA diameter values and Child–Pugh scores (p = 0.002, r = 0.593).

Conclusion RIPA is hypertrophied in patients with cirrhosis without HCC. It may be an important contributor to the blood flow to the liver in cirrhotic patients even without HCC, especially with portal hypertension.
Complications of Mandibular Fracture Repair and Secondary Reconstruction
Authors: Perez Daniel , Ellis Edward
Published: December 2020

Mandibular fractures are common facial injuries. Their treatment varies as do postoperative complications. This paper discusses the common complications that are associated with the treatment of mandibular fractures and presents management strategies.
Radiation Necrosis of the Lateral Skull Base and Temporal Bone
Authors: Herr Marc W. , Vincent Aurora G. , Skotnicki Meghan A. , Ducic Yadranko , Manolidis Spiros
Published: December 2020

Radiation therapy plays a critical role in the treatment of malignancies involving the head and neck. Although the therapeutic effects of ionizing radiation are achieved, normal tissues are also susceptible to injury and significant long-term sequelae. Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone (ORNTB) is among the many complications that can arise after therapy. ORNTB is a debilitating and potentially lethal condition that continues to challenge patients and treating physicians. Herein, we review the pathophysiology, presentation, work-up, and management of ORNTB.
Complications in Skull Base Surgery and Subsequent Repair
Authors: Wang Weitao , Shokri Tom , Manolidis Spiros , Ducic Yadranko
Published: December 2020

Over the past several decades, endoscopic sinus surgery has revolutionized the approach to skull base surgery. Open skull base approaches remain a viable option for advanced skull base tumors. Complications have gone down with increased reliability of vascularized tissue transfer. In this article, the authors explore the various complications that can present following skull base surgery and review the approaches for repair when such issues are encountered.
Paradigms in Complex Facial Scar Management
Authors: Shokri Tom , Smith Jesse , Ducic Yadranko
Published: December 2020

The process of scar formation is a sequela of the healing following soft tissue injury extending to, or through, the reticular dermis. Scars, within the head and neck in particular, may be physically disfiguring with resultant psychosocial implications. Mitigation of excessive scar formation during the healing process following surgery, or in the setting of trauma, begins with meticulous soft tissue handling and reconstructive technique. The reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium must therefore include techniques that minimize initial scar formation and revision techniques that address unfavorable outcomes. With this in mind, this article reviews both conservative nonsurgical and surgical treatment modalities that mitigate scar formation or address mature scar formation.
Twisting 2D diamond layers creates ultra-wide bandgap
Authors: Fore Meredith
Published: December 2020

By rotating the layers in a 2D diamond material at specific angles to improve its semiconducting properties, researchers align the stars for it to be used in future applications.
From cryopreservation to X-ray imaging: finding the right applications for persistent phosphors
Authors: McConnon Aili
Published: December 2020

Persistent phosphors now used in emergency signage, indicators and toys may find future applications ranging from medical bio-imaging to geological dating.
Laser-thermophoresis and magnetophoresis of a micro-bubble in organic liquids
Authors: Urabe Yuka , Monjushiro Hideaki , Watarai Hitoshi
Published: December 2020

Several hundreds of micrometer migration of a bubble to the laser irradiation point was observed in an organic liquid in a silica capillary. The phenomenon was attributed to the laser-induced thermophoresis, which was due to the surface tension difference between both sides of the bubble induced by the temperature gradient, generated longitudinally in the organic liquid by the laser irradiation of 1064 nm. Alternatively, the application of magnetic field gradient on a bubble in a capillary accelerated remarkably the rising velocity of the bubble due to magnetophoresis. The combination of the laser-thermophoresis and the magnetophoresis could be used to manipulate reversibly the up-and-down vertical migration of a bubble in a liquid. From repeated measurements of magnetophoretic velocity of a bubble, the magnetic susceptibility of the liquid medium was determined.
Final report on APMP.QM-K18.2016 key comparison on pH measurement of carbonate buffer
Authors: Asakai Toshiaki , Maksimov Igor , Onuma Sachiko , Bastkowski Frank , Sander Beatrice , Aparicio José Luis Ortiz , Manzano Judith Velina Lara , Lo Samuel M F , Poon Desmond K F , Delgado Mabel , Avendaño Paola , Amaya Ronald Cristancho , Quezada Henry Torres , Gonzaga Fabiano Barbieri , Pardellas Leonardo da Silva , Dias S D I , Gunawardana D , Hongyu Xiu , Bing Wu , Tangpaisarnkul Nongluck , Rodruangthum Patumporn , Gavrilkin Vladimir V , Petrenko Anton V , Prokunin Sergey , Vengina Darya , Dobrovolskiy Vladimir
Published: December 2020

Main text

This key comparison is being performed to evaluate the degree of equivalence of measurement procedures to support the participants' claims of Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) and to evaluate the capabilities of participants for the determination of the pH of carbonate buffer solutions.

This is the fourth APMP key comparison on pH measurement following APMP.QM-K9/P16 (phosphate), APMP.QM-K19/P25 (borate) and APMP.QM-K91/P29 (phthalate).

The results have the linkage to CCQM-K18.2016 (carbonate buffer) and were evaluated by comparing the results of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) performing Harned cell method. The results of PTB and NMIJ were used for the definition of the Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV). The ensuing pH value was calculated based on the Bates-Guggenheim convention to compare the results of primary and secondary methods.

In this comparison measurements of pH were performed only at the temperature of 25 °C.

The results demonstrated by most participants are in better agreement than those in CCQM-K18.2016.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Report of the CCQM-K152. Assay of potassium iodate
Authors: Sobina Alena , Shimolin Alexandr , Sobina Egor , Tabatchikova Tatyana , Ortiz-Aparicio José Luis , Lara-Manzano Judith Velina , Borges Paulo Paschoal , Neves Rodrigo de Santis , Sobral Sidney Pereira , Sena Rodrigo Caciano de , Osorio Ana Catalina Palacios , Almeida Marcelo Dominguez de , Iglesias Ana , Lozano Hernán , Liandi Ma , Bing Wu , Naijie Shi , Tao Zhou , Jianying Zhang , Asakai Toshiaki , Mariassy Michal , Uysal Emrah , Liv Lokman , Tunc Murat , Coskun F Gonca
Published: December 2020

Main text

The CCQM-K152 key comparison in parallel with CCQM-P192 pilot comparison were organised jointly by the Inorganic Analysis (IAWG) and Electrochemical Analysis and Classical Chemical methods (EAWG) working groups of CCQM to test the abilities of the metrology institutes to measure the amount content of the non-metallic elements in high purity salts as well as assaying high purity salts to be used as primary standards.

Eight NMIs participated in the key comparison CCQM-K152. Ural Research Institute for Metrology (UNIIM) (since 2020 it has been called Affiliated Branch of D.I.Mendeleev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM-UNIIM)), Russian Federation, acted as the coordinating laboratory of the comparison. There were two measurands: the amount content of oxidants expressed as potassium iodate, mol/kg, and the mass fraction of iodine, kg/kg. The measurement methods used by participants for the amount content of oxidants expressed as potassium iodate were constant current coulometry and titrimetry. For the mass fraction of iodine results were provided by 5 NMIs, 3 of them used the direct approach (recalculation from coulometric or titrimetric results) and 2 NMIs implemented the indirect approach based on impurities assessment using combination of the instrumental methods (ion chromatography, ICP OES, ICP MS).

In general, good overlap of results was observed for both measurands. Direct and indirect approaches for purity determination of pure salt provide overlapping results when impurities are summarized in ionic form. The suitability of coulometry for assay of high purity materials was demonstrated again, and some possible technical problems were highlighted.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
CCQM-K143 comparison of copper calibration solutions prepared by NMIs/DIs
Authors: Molloy John L , Winchester Michael R , Butler Therese A , Possolo Antonio M , Rienitz Olaf , Roethke Anita , Goerlitz Volker , Sena Rodrigo Caciano de , Almeida Marcelo Dominguez , Yang Lu , Methven Brad , Nadeau Kenny , Arancibia Patricia Romero , Bing Wu , Tao Zhou , Snell James , Vogl Jochen , Koenig Maren , Kotnala R K , Tripathy S Swarupa , Elishian Christine , Ketrin Rosi , Suzuki Toshihiro , Okumu Tom Oduor , Yim Yong-Hyeon , Heo Sung Woo , Min Hyung Sik , Han Myung Sub , Lim Youngran , Manzano Judith Velina Lara , Regalado Francisco Segoviano , Torres Maria del Rocio Arvizu , Moya Edith Valle , Buzoianu Mirella , Sobina Alena , Zyskin Veniamin , Sobina Egor , Migal Pavel , Linsky Maré , Can Süleyman Z , Ari Betul , Infante Heidi Goenaga
Published: December 2020

Main text

CCQM-K143 is a key comparison that assesses participants' ability to prepare single element calibration solutions. Preparing calibration solutions properly is the cornerstone of establishing a traceability link to the International System of Units (SI), and therefore should be tested in order to confirm the validity of CCQM comparisons of more complex materials. CCQM-K143 consisted of participants each preparing a single copper calibration solution at 10 g/kg copper mass fraction and shipping 10 bottled aliquots of that solution to the coordinating laboratory, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The masses and mass fraction for the prepared solutions were documented with the submitted samples.

The solutions prepared by all participants were measured at NIST by high performance inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (HP-ICP-OES). The intensity measurements for copper were not mapped onto values of mass fraction via calibration. Instead, ratios were computed between the measurements for copper and simultaneous measurements for manganese, the internal standard, and all subsequent data reductions, including the computation of the KCRV and the degrees of equivalence, were based on these ratios. Other than for two participants whose measurement results appeared to suffer from calculation or preparation errors, all unilateral degrees of equivalence showed that the measured values did not differ significantly from the KCRV. These results were confirmed by a second set of ICP-OES measurements performed by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). CCQM-K143 showed that participants are capable of preparing calibration solutions starting from high purity, assayed copper metal. Similar steps are involved when preparing solutions for other elements, so it seems safe to infer that similar capabilities should prevail when preparing many different, single-element solutions.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).