bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of human factors into the design process of helicopter maintainability
Authors: Bernard Fabien , Zare Mohsen , Sagot Jean‐Claude , Paquin Raphael
Published: January 2019

The integration of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) in maintenance activities may improve the working conditions of maintenance operators by reducing errors and accidents. Maintainability takes into account HFE in the aeronautics industry to anticipate the design of the aircrafts, following the CPA regulation FAR/CS‐25.1309, for large transport category. For the helicopter field, there are no official recommendations but the rotorcraft industry tries to integrate HFE into its design phases of maintainability to increase flight safety. Without a standard framework, the aviation industries (plane and helicopter) develop their own way of working and requirements. Furthermore, previous studies highlight the lack of compromise between the design and HFE criteria in maintainability. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to investigate how HFE is integrated within all steps of the design process in the maintainability department of helicopter manufacturers in France. The ergonomic skills and knowledge of stakeholders were studied and the associated tools to evaluate the HFE criteria were surveyed. We observed that maintainability stakeholders underutilize powerful simulation tools, which are sufficient for and efficient at performing HFE analysis. Additionally, it was reported that understanding of HFE information weakened over the course of the milestones of the design project progressed. Our conclusion details the need to provide a simple methodology or rather a relevant tool that helps maintainability stakeholders to integrate HFE in a homogenous way along all the design project milestones.
Quantifying rehabilitation risks for surface-strip coal mines using a soil compaction Bayesian network in South Africa and Australia: To demonstrate the R2AIN Framework
Authors: Weyer Vanessa D , de Waal Alta , Lechner Alex M , Unger Corinne J , O'Connor Tim G , Baumgartl Thomas , Schulze Roland , Truter Wayne F
Published: January 2019

Environmental information is acquired and assessed during the environmental impact assessment process for surface-strip coal mine approval. However, integrating these data and quantifying rehabilitation risk using a holistic multidisciplinary approach is seldom undertaken. We present a rehabilitation risk assessment integrated network (R2AIN™) framework that can be applied using Bayesian networks (BNs) to integrate and quantify such rehabilitation risks. Our framework has 7 steps, including key integration of rehabilitation risk sources and the quantification of undesired rehabilitation risk events to the final application of mitigation. We demonstrate the framework using a soil compaction BN case study in the Witbank Coalfield, South Africa and the Bowen Basin, Australia. Our approach allows for a probabilistic assessment of rehabilitation risk associated with multidisciplines to be integrated and quantified. Using this method, a site's rehabilitation risk profile can be determined before mining activities commence and the effects of manipulating management actions during later mine phases to reduce risk can be gauged, to aid decision making. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:190–208. © 2019 SETAC
Increased PARP1‐DNA binding due to autoPARylation inhibition of PARP1 on DNA rather than PARP1‐DNA trapping is correlated with PARP1 inhibitor's cytotoxicity
Authors: Chen Hua‐Dong , Chen Chuan‐Huizi , Wang Yu‐Ting , Guo Ne , Tian Yu‐Nan , Huan Xia‐Juan , Song Shan‐Shan , He Jin‐Xue , Miao Ze‐Hong
Published: January 2019

PARP1 inhibitors (PARPis) are used clinically during cancer therapy and are thought to exert their cytotoxicity through PARP1 polymerase inhibition and PARP1‐DNA trapping. Here, we showed no significant correlation between PARP1‐DNA trapping and cytotoxicity induced by PARPis. We complemented PARP1‐knockout sublines with wild‐type PARP1 and 11 mutants with different point mutations that affect the polymerase activity. When examining the PARPi talazoparib, the induced cytotoxicity was highly significantly correlated with cellular PARP1 polymerase activity, but not with its PARP1‐DNA trapping or polymerase inhibition. Similarly, talazoparib's PARP1‐DNA trapping revealed significant correlation with the polymerase activity rather than its inhibition. Differently, however, when evaluating purified wild‐type and mutated PARP1, we identified an almost linear relationship between PARPis’ inhibiting PARP1 dissociation from DNA and their cytotoxicity in 17 cancer cell lines. In contrast, no significant correlation existed between PARP1 polymerase inhibition in the histone‐based systems and the cytotoxicity. After careful comparisons on different methods and detection targets, we conclude that the PARPi‐mediated increase in PARP1‐DNA binding by inhibiting autoPARylation of PARP1 on DNA rather than in PARP1‐DNA trapping is correlated with PARPi's cytotoxicity. Accordingly, we established a new PARPi screening model that more closely predicts cytotoxicity.
Multicomponent Porphyrin‐Based Tetragonal Prismatic Metallacages and their Photophysical Properties
Authors: Zhao Zhengqing , Zhang Zeyuan , Wang Heng , Li Xiaopeng , Zhang Mingming
Published: January 2019

Multicomponent coordination‐driven self‐assembly has proved to be a convenient approach to prepare advanced supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs), especially for those with three‐dimensional structures. Herein, we report the preparation of three tetragonal prismatic cages via the self‐assembly of Pt(PEt3)2(OTf)2, three different linear dipyridyl ligands and porphyrin‐based sodium benzoate ligands. Due to the efficient charge separation in the coordination process of Pt(PEt3)2(OTf)2 with pyridine and carboxylic acid and the directionality of metal‐coordination bonds, these cages were prepared in high isolated yields (more than 90 %). The absorption and emission properties as well as the singlet oxygen quantum yields of these cages were also studied, showing their potential applications as contrast agents for bio‐imaging and photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.
Pharmacological inhibition of TLR4/NF‐κB with TLR4‐IN‐C34 attenuated microcystin‐leucine arginine toxicity in bovine Sertoli cells
Authors: Adegoke Elikanah Olusayo , Adeniran Samson Olugbenga , Zeng Yue , Wang Xue , Wang Hao , Wang Chen , Zhang Han , Zheng Peng , Zhang Guixue
Published: January 2019

This study investigated the pharmacological inhibition of the toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) genes as a measure to attenuate microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR) reproductive toxicity. Bovine Sertoli cells were pretreated with TLR4‐IN‐C34 (C34) for 1 hour. Thereafter the pretreated and non‐pretreated Sertoli cells were cultured in medium containing 10% heat‐activated fetal bovine serum + 80 μg/L MC‐LR for 24 hours to assess the ability of TLR4‐IN‐C34 to attenuate the toxic effects of MC‐LR. The results showed that TLR4‐IN‐C34 inhibited MC‐LR‐induced mitochondria membrane damage, mitophagy and downregulation of blood‐testis barrier constituent proteins via TLR4/nuclear factor‐kappaB and mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis signaling pathway blockage. The downregulation of the mitochondria electron transport chain, energy production and DNA replication related genes (mt‐ND2, COX‐1, COX‐2, ACAT, mtTFA) and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, IL‐1β, interferon‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐13 and transforming growth factor β1) were modulated by TLR4‐IN‐C34. Taken together, we conclude that TLR4‐IN‐C34 inhibits MC‐LR‐related disruption of mitochondria membrane, mitophagy and downregulation of blood‐testis barrier proteins of the bovine Sertoli cell via cytochrome c release and TLR4 signaling blockage.
Biomimetic mineralization using matrix vesicle nanofragments
Authors: Kunitomi Yosuke , Hara Emilio Satoshi , Okada Masahiro , Nagaoka Noriyuki , Kuboki Takuo , Nakano Takayoshi , Kamioka Hiroshi , Matsumoto Takuya
Published: January 2019

In vitro synthesis of bone tissue has been paid attention in recent years; however, current methods to fabricate bone tissue are still ineffective due to some remaining gaps in the understanding of real in vivo bone formation process, and application of the knowledge in bone synthesis. Therefore, the objectives of this study were first, to perform a systematic and ultrastructural investigation of the initial mineral formation during intramembranous ossification of mouse calvaria from a material scientists' viewpoint, and to develop novel mineralization methods based on the in vivo findings. First, the very initial mineral deposition was found to occur at embryonic day E14.0 in mouse calvaria. Analysis of the initial bone formation process showed that it involved the following distinct steps: collagen secretion, matrix vesicle (MV) release, MV mineralization, MV rupture, and collagen fiber mineralization. Next, we performed in vitro mineralization experiments using MVs and hydrogel scaffolds. Intact MVs embedded in collagen gel did not mineralize, whereas, interestingly, MV nanofragments obtained by ultrasonication could promote rapid mineralization. These results indicate that mechanically ruptured MV membrane can be a promising material for in vitro bone tissue synthesis. © 2019 The Authors. journal Of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published By Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1021–1030, 2019.
Igalan induces detoxifying enzymes mediated by the Nrf2 pathway in HepG2 cells
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Mi , Shin Ji Min , Chun Jaemoo , Song Kwangho , Nho Chu Won , Kim Yeong Shik
Published: January 2019

Igalan is one of the sesquiterpene lactones found in Inula helenium L., which is used as the traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the pharmacological effects of igalan have not been characterized. In this study, we isolated igalan from
I. helenium L. and evaluated the effects of igalan on signaling pathways and expression of target genes in HepG2 cells. Igalan activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway by increasing the inactive form of GSK3β, the phosphorylated form of AKT, and the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. Thus, target genes of Nrf2 such as HO‐1 and NQO1 increased in HepG2 cells. Moreover, igalan inhibited the tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐induced nuclear factor‐κB activation and suppressed the expression of its target genes, including TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, and IL‐8 in HepG2 cells. Our results indicate the potential of igalan as an activator of cellular defense mechanisms and a detoxifying agent.
Attractylone attenuates sepsis‐associated encephalopathy and cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting microglial activation and neuroinflammation
Authors: Tian Mi , Qingzhen Liu , Zhiyang Yu , Chunlong Chen , Jiao Duan , Zhang Lidong , Li Weiyan
Published: January 2019

Multiple studies demonstrated that sepsis is a life‐threatening state of organ dysfunction caused by infection and can induce neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of attractylone (Atr) on sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) and cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, we studied the underlying molecular mechanisms. We used an LPS‐induced sepsis mouse model and evaluated the cognitive function with the Morris water maze and open field test. Neuronal damage in the hippocampus was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. BV2 cells were used to identify the protective mechanism of Atr. The result showed that Atr attenuated LPS‐induced cognitive impairment, neural apoptosis, inflammatory factors, and microglial activation. The in vitro experiment showed that Atr promoted silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) expression and suppressed NFκB expression. Downregulation of SIRT1 reversed the protective effect of Atr in the LPS condition. Moreover, Atr‐induced SIRT1 expression promoted BV2 from LPS‐induced M1 to M2 phenotype. Taken together, these results indicated that Atr was a potential therapeutic agent for SAE and cognitive dysfunction.
Deletion of SMURF 1 represses ovarian cancer invasion and EMT by modulating the DAB2IP/AKT/Skp2 feedback loop
Authors: Fan Xiuhua , Wang Yan , Fan Jiajia , Chen Rui
Published: January 2019

SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1) has been described as a tumor suppressor in multiple aggressive cancers. Nevertheless, the potential role of SMURF1 in ovarian cancer invasion and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SMURF1 on tumor migration and EMT and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism in ovarian carcinoma. We found elevated SMURF1 in several ovarian cancer cells in both messenger RNA and protein. Additionally, silencing SMURF1 apparently repressed cell proliferation and invasion capacity of SKOV3 and A2780 cells and markedly attenuated expression of linked proteins such as proliferating cellnuclear antigen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, and MMP‐9. Furthermore, depletion of SMURF1 dramatically impeded EMT progress by modulating EMT biomarkers, with a notable increase in E‐cadherin expression accompanied by the decrease in N‐cadherin and vimentin in both SKOV3 and A2780 cells. Interestingly, elimination of SMURF1 led to disabled homolog 2 DOC‐2/DAB2 interacting protein (DAB2IP) activation and dampened AKT/Skp2 signaling. Most important, depleted of DAB2IP or treatment with the AKT agonist 740Y‐P effectively abolished the suppressive effects of SMURF1 knockout on cell invasiveness and EMT process. Taken all data together, these findings demonstrated that the absence of SMURF1 repressed cell proliferation, invasive capability, and EMT process in ovarian cancer through DAB2IP/AKT/Skp2 signaling loops, suggesting that SMURF1 may serve as a new potential therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.
Acetylcholinesterase with mesoporous silica: Covalent immobilization, physiochemical characterization, and its application in food for pesticide detection
Authors: Palanivelu Jeyanthi , Chidambaram Ramalingam
Published: January 2019

Toxic contamination of commonly consumed food products and water due to food chain vulnerability via agricultural products and commodities is a serious health hazard. This study reports on Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA‐15), a type of mesoporous silica nanoparticles, for efficient and stable acetylcholinesterase (AChE) adhesion toward detection of toxic pesticides. AChE was immobilized to the inert framework of mesoporous materials viz. SBA‐15 with a proficient hydrolytic response toward acetylthiocholine. The immobilized system acts as a biosensor for the detection of pesticides, which are organophosphorus compounds in food. Both the SBA‐15 and immobilized SBA‐15 were characterized to give an insight on the physiochemical and morphological modification properties. The enzyme activity was accessed by Ellman’s spectrophotometric bioassay for bare and enzyme‐immobilized SBA‐15 that resulted in promising enzymatic activity with the counterpart. Enzyme stability was also studied, which exhibited that immobilized AChE retained its catalytic activity up to 60 days and retained 80% of the hydrolytic activity even at 37°C. On the basis of the success of immobilized enzyme (covalent) being inhibited by acetylthiocholine, the sensor was administered for the inhibition by monocrotophos and dimethoate that are used widely as pesticides in agricultural. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was found to be 2.5 ppb for monocrotophos and 1.5 ppb for dimethoate inhibiting immobilized AChE. This was verified using cyclic voltammetry, an electrochemical analysis thus proving that the SBA‐15@AChE complex could be used as a sensitive and highly stable sensor for detecting the concentration of hazardous pesticide compounds.
Behavioral functions underlying NSSI and eating disorder behaviors
Authors: Muehlenkamp Jennifer J. , Suzuki Takakuni , Brausch Amy M. , Peyerl Naomi
Published: January 2019

Objective

This study examined whether the psychological functions motivating eating disorder (ED) and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) behaviors are similar, thereby representing shared mechanisms accounting for their high co‐occurrence.

Method

Self‐report data assessing NSSI, ED symptoms, and behavioral functions were collected from 676 adults with recent NSSI (past 6 months; n = 333) or disordered eating (
n = 343).

Results

Measurement invariance analyses revealed the same function‐factor structure for ED and NSSI behaviors for 8 out of 13 scales. Comparisons of scalar latent means showed that some functions, while relevant to both behaviors, were rated as subjectively more salient to engaging in either ED or NSSI behavior.

Conclusions

Similar functions have relevance to understanding engagement in NSSI and ED, but important differences exist in the subjective salience of each function. Treatments focusing on the shared functions of NSSI and ED may have greater success in simultaneously decreasing engagement in these behaviors.
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and mindfulness facets in relation to suicide risk among firefighters
Authors: Stanley Ian H. , Boffa Joseph W. , Tran Jana K. , Schmidt Norman Brad , Joiner Thomas E. , Vujanovic Anka A.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are associated with increased suicide risk among firefighters. Few studies have examined modifiable factors, such as mindfulness facets, that might attenuate this association. This study examined the interactive effects of PTSD symptoms and mindfulness facets in relation to suicide risk among firefighters.

Method

Overall, 831 career firefighters were assessed for PTSD symptoms, mindfulness facets, and suicide risk via the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire—Revised, respectively.

Results

Greater PTSD symptoms were associated with more severe suicide risk; however, higher levels of two specific mindfulness facets, acting with awareness and nonjudging of inner experience, attenuated this association. By contrast, higher levels of the observing facet of mindfulness potentiated the association between PTSD symptoms and suicide risk.

Conclusions

Suicide prevention initiatives among firefighters, particularly those experiencing trauma‐related sequelae, might benefit from the inclusion of mindfulness‐based practices alongside frontline empirically‐supported approaches.
Inhibition of Luman/CREB3 expression leads to the upregulation of testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells
Authors: Wang Lei , Lu Minjie , Zhang Ruixue , Guo Wenwen , Lin Pengfei , Yang Diqi , Chen Huatao , Tang Keqiong , Zhou Dong , Wang Aihua , Jin Yaping
Published: January 2019

Luman, also known as cAMP‐response element‐binding protein 3, is an endoplasmic reticulum stress‐related protein that has been identified as a novel transcriptional coregulator of a variety of nuclear receptors. Herein, immunohistochemistry results showed that Luman was specifically expressed in mouse Leydig cells in an age‐dependent increase manner, from prepuberty to sexual maturation. Luman was not detected in Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules at any developmental period. The immunoﬂuorescent experiment indicated that Luman was mainly located within the cytoplasm of murine Leydig tumor cells (MLTC‐1) and primary Leydig cells (PLCs). To investigate the physiological function of Luman, experiments were conducted to examine the consequences of short hairpin RNA‐ and small interfering RNA‐mediated Luman knock‐down in MLTC‐1 and PLCs, respectively. Luman knock‐down significantly upregulated the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory, cytochrome P450 cholesterol side‐chain cleavage enzymes, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 17‐α‐hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase in MLTC‐1 cells and PLCs. Luman knock‐down caused an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin‐stimulated testosterone production in vitro and in vivo. The nuclear receptors SF‐1 and Nur‐77 were significantly increased upon Luman knock‐down in MLTC‐1. By contrast, the level of the nuclear receptor SHP decreased. Luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that Luman knock‐down upregulated the activity of SF‐1 and Nur‐77 promoters. These data suggested that Luman expressed in mouse Leydig cells in an age‐dependent increase manner. Luman knock‐down upregulated the activity of SF‐1 and Nur‐77 promoters, which lead to the increase of testosterone synthesis and steroidogenesis genes expression. In conclusion, these findings provide us with new insights into the role Luman played in male reproduction.
Therapeutic potency of crocin in the treatment of inflammatory diseases: Current status and perspective
Authors: Pashirzad Mehran , Shafiee Mojtaba , Avan Amir , Ryzhikov Mikhail , Fiuji Hamid , Bahreyni Amirhossein , Khazaei Majid , Soleimanpour Saman , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi
Published: January 2019

Crocin is the major component of saffron, which is used in phytomedicine for the treatment of several diseases including diabetes, fatty liver, depression, menstruation disorders, and, of special interest in this review, inflammatory diseases. Promising selective anti‐inflammatory properties of this pharmacological active component have been observed in several studies. Saffron has been shown to exert anti‐inflammatory properties against several inflammatory diseases and can be used as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases either alone or in combination with other standard anti‐inflammatory agents. This review summarizes the protective role of saffron and its pharmacologically active constituents in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases including digestive diseases, dermatitis, asthma, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases for a better understanding and hence a better management of these diseases.
GHSR DNA hypermethylation is a new epigenetic biomarker for gastric adenocarcinoma and beyond
Authors: Amini Mohammad , Foroughi Kobra , Talebi Fatemeh , Aghagolzade Haji Hemat , Kamali Fatemeh , Jandaghi Pouria , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Manoochehri Mehdi
Published: January 2019

Aberrations of DNA methylation are early events in the development of tumors. In this study, we investigated the DNA methylation status of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), a promising pan‐cancer biomarker, in gastric cancer (GC). Initially, data sets from DNA methylation and gene expression studies available at Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed. Confirmation was done on primary tumor specimens and adjacent normal stomach tissue samples. Both analyses showed significant hypermethylation of GHSR. For further validation, The Cancer Genome Atlas data on stomach cancer was used. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded an area under the curve value of 0.85, corroborating its usefulness as a diagnostic marker. A genome‐wide comethylation analysis revealed several correlated genes. CREB1 was found to act as an upstream regulator of this gene network. Furthermore, GHSR methylation was found to be a biomarker in several other tumor entities, namely cancers of the bladder, endometrium, esophagus, head and neck, liver, thyroid, kidney, and ovary. Our findings along with previous reports on other types of cancer suggest a high potential of GHSR gene methylation as a pan‐cancer biomarker, which could be considered for liquid biopsy applications.
Ultrasonographic detection of chronic type A aortic dissection extending to the right extracranial internal carotid artery: A case report
Authors: Xu Ke , Sun Wei , Dong Zhenya , Xing Haiying , Huang Yining
Published: January 2019

We report the case of a patient with chronic type A aortic dissection (AD), who had been admitted, 18 months ago, to another hospital with acute chest‐tearing pain accompanied with transient loss of consciousness. His symptoms resolved but he reported after discharge a toothache and fluctuating right mandibular pain. He presented to our outpatient clinic because his facial pain aggravated. Physical examination demonstrated a bruit over the right carotid artery. Transthoracic echocardiography and carotid sonography demonstrated aortic dissection extending into the extracranial right internal carotid artery (ICA), which was tortuous. The patient refused surgery. This case reminds us that AD can involve the extracranial ICA, and that long‐term survival is possible with type A acute AD without treatment. Carotid ultrasonography is noninvasive, inexpensive, easily performed, and can lead to the detection of chronic type A AD extending to the extracranial ICA.
Alterations in diaphragmatic function assessed by ultrasonography in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis
Authors: Lu Zhihua , Ge Huiqing , Xu Lilong , Guo Feng , Zhang Ge , Wu Yinshan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To assess alteration of diaphragmatic function by ultrasonography in a population of mechanically ventilated patients with or without sepsis.

Methods

We performed a prospective, 6‐month, single‐center, observational cohort study. Mechanically ventilated septic and nonseptic patients were studied within 24 hours following intubation and before the moment of ventilator liberation. Diaphragm thickness and contractile activity (quantified by diaphragmatic thickening fraction, DTF) were measured by ultrasonography at the zone of apposition. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility were measured.

Results

Fifty‐two critically ill patients were included, 28 with sepsis and 24 without sepsis. Upon initiation of ventilation, DTF was lower in septic than that in nonseptic patients (P = 0.03). No difference was observed between septic and nonseptic patients for diaphragm thickness. Mean 188 ± 111 hours after the first measurement, both diaphragm thickness and DTF decreased significantly compared with first measurements in septic and nonseptic patients, all P < 0.001. Diaphragm thickness decreased by 9.1 ± 10.7% in nonseptic and by 16.0 ± 13.5% in septic patients, P = 0.049. DTF decreased by 15.2 ± 21.3% in nonseptic and by 30.7 ± 22.0% in septic patients, P = 0.013.

Conclusions

Mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis were associated with an earlier and more severe diaphragm dysfunction compared with patients without sepsis.
An ensemble classification of exudates in color fundus images using an evolutionary algorithm based optimal features selection
Authors: Ullah Hidayat , Saba Tanzila , Islam Naveed , Abbas Naveed , Rehman Amjad , Mehmood Zahid , Anjum Adeel
Published: January 2019

Atomic recognition of the Exudates (EXs), the major symbol of diabetic retinopathy is essential for automated retinal images analysis. In this article, we proposed a novel machine learning technique for early detection and classification of EXs in color fundus images. The major challenge observed in the classification technique is the selection of optimal features to reduce computational time and space complexity and to provide a high degree of classification accuracy. To address these challenges, this article proposed an evolutionary algorithm based solution for optimal feature selection, which accelerates the classification process and reduces computational complexity. Similarly, three well‐known classifiers that is, Naïve Bayes classifier, Support Vector Machine, and Artificial Neural Network are used for the classification of EXs. Moreover, an ensemble‐based classifier is used for the selection of best classifier on the basis of majority voting technique. Experiments are performed on three well‐known benchmark datasets and a real dataset developed at local Hospital. It has been observed that the proposed technique achieved an accuracy of 98% in the detection and classification of EXs in color fundus images.
Micro‐morphological, environmental and phytochemical investigation of herbal medicines by using LM and SEM: A quality control tool
Authors: Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sultana Shazia , Lubna  , Amin Adnan , Naseer Hafiz Muhammad , Jamal Zafar , Abidin Sheikh Zain Ul , Mehmood Sajid , Khan Amir Shehzad
Published: January 2019

The use of quality control tool for authentication of Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson), a folk herbal drug used for the treatment of different ailments, was studied. People face problems of adulteration for this drug at global, regional, national and local levels. Two different plant species are commercially marketed in the Indo‐Pak Subcontinent under the same trade name of Jadwar. One is D. denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson and the other is Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle. To focus on this problem, a marketable available drug sample of Jadwar was authenticated by using basic microscopy tools (LM) and advanced chemo‐taxonomic markers. Authentication, quality and standardization of this drug was achieved using morphology, organoleptography, UV and IR analyses, scanning electron microscopy of pollen and anatomical investigations. The techniques used for authentication marked the clear difference between the studied plants. Microscopic studies, chemotaxonomic investigation and other techniques used in this project provided the basis for the authentication of this species.
Microwave Synthesis of Fused Pyrans by Humic Acid Supported Ionic Liquid Catalyst and Their Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Toxicity Assessment, and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Thangaraj Muthu , Ranjan Bibhuti , Muthusamy Ramesh , Murugesan Arul , Gengan Robert Moonsamy
Published: January 2019

A series of fused quinolinyl and quinolonyl pyrans were synthesized via a one‐pot reaction of quinolinyl and quinolonyl carbaldehydes, malononitrile, and a 1,3‐diketone. The reactions were catalyzed by a new humic acid supported 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquid under microwave irradiation conditions. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and toxicity studies displayed various biological activities depending on structure of the pyrans.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene: Dependence of spectral features and resonant enhancement on surface coverage
Authors: Solovyeva Elena V.
Published: January 2019

At any applications of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, from detection of small ions to recognition of large biological molecules, an understanding the spectral profiles and its transformation occurring under changes of local environment is an important stage essential for a reliable chemical analysis. In this work, we showed that the adsorption of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene on Ag nanoparticles is accompanied by a dramatic change in the SERS profile observed at transition from submonolayer to multilayer coverage. A profile deconvolution analysis allowed revealing the spectral signatures inherent for the surface species existing at submonolayer and multilayer adsorption corresponding to the hot spots and ordinary conditions, respectively. A resonance character of Raman enhancement was detected in the case of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene adsorbed in hot spots regions. A feasibility of ligand to metal charge transfer was proved on the basis of ultraviolet–visible data. The overtones and combination bands were observed in the SERS spectra at resonance conditions. The spectral signatures of the molecules inside and outside hot spots regions were assigned. A considerable activation of rings vibrations together with a suppression of ethylenic bridge vibrations was revealed in both cases. The most prominent features of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene linked with two Ag nanoparticles in the range 200–1,800 cm‐1 are the medium bands at 581 and 1249 cm‐1 corresponding to CCC bending and C–N stretching modes, respectively. The obtained results can serve as a basis for development of new powerful Raman techniques for evaluation of surface coverage and “hot spots mapping,” which are of great interest for surface science and plasmonics.
Is and Ought: Descriptive and Prescriptive Cognitions in Military‐Related Moral Injury
Authors: Farnsworth Jacob K.
Published: January 2019

Debate exists regarding the most appropriate way to address moral injuries that stem from involvement in war and other military conflicts. In recent years, some researchers have suggested that existing treatments for trauma may be inadequate to address moral injury and have thus proposed novel interventions to help mitigate these concerns. In response, advocates of more traditional approaches have argued that standard trauma interventions are generally sufficient for moral injury, and investment in new interventions may be premature. This conceptual article draws from research findings and current theories of moral injury to demonstrate that there is merit on both sides of this debate, and further clarifying the types of cognitions involved in moral injury can guide effective treatment planning. In particular, the most recent diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder is used to distinguish the objectively falsifiable descriptive cognitions often associated with trauma from the subjectively determined prescriptive cognitions that characterize moral injury. Scenarios from war zone deployments have been used to highlight the relevance of this distinction for moral injury, and a general treatment framework that shows how existing and novel interventions may complement one another is presented. Research suggestions for assessing descriptive and prescriptive cognitions in moral injury and empirically validating this treatment framework are discussed.
Pediatric dysphagia: Is interarytenoid mucosal height significant?
Authors: Padia Reema , Coppess Steven , Horn David L. , Parikh Sanjay R. , Hoang Jennifer , Faherty Amy , DeMarre Kimberley , Johnson Kaalan
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The clinical significance of the interarytenoid mucosal height (IAMH) in pediatric dysphagia, ranging from normal anatomy to a laryngeal cleft, is unknown. This study seeks to evaluate a cohort of patients who underwent evaluation of their IAMH during microdirect laryngoscopy (MDL) for associations between IAMH and dysphagia as diagnosed on preoperative videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS).

Methods

A retrospective case series of 1,351 patients who underwent MDL between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed for intraoperative evaluation of IAMH using our interarytenoid assessment protocol. After exclusions, 182 patients were divided into three groups: 1) thickened diet: VFSS with recommendation for thickened liquids (n = 82 of 182; 45.1%), 2) normal diet: VFSS with allowance of thin liquids (n = 19 of 182; 10.4%), and 3) control: no VFSS performed (n = 81 of 182; 44.5%).

Results

There was no difference in IAMH between groups (P = 0.35). Power analysis was able to achieve > 80% power to detect an effect size of ≥ 0.5 (1–5 mucosal height scale). The majority of patients in each group had an IAMH above the false vocal folds (thickened diet: 57.3%, normal diet: 57.9%, control: 64.2%). There were similar percentages of patients in each group with an IAMH at or below the true vocal folds (thickened diet: 4.9%, normal diet: 5.3%, control: 6.1%).

Conclusion

There was no significant association between IAMH and preoperative thickened liquid recommendation in this cohort. This data fails to support the hypothesis that the IAMH is an independent etiological factor for pediatric pharyngeal dysphagia. Further studies comparing IAMH with outcomes after feeding therapy and surgery may better clarify this relationship between anatomy and physiology.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 129:2588–2593, 2019
Establishment and verification of a mouse model of nasal wound healing
Authors: Joo Yeon‐Hee , Jeon Sea‐Yuong , An Hyo Jung , Cho Hyun‐Jin , Kim Jin Hyun , Jung Myeong Hee , Kim Rock Bum , Park Jung Je , Kim Sang‐Wook
Published: January 2019

Objectives

Poor wound healing as reflected by the development of synechia and osteitis after endoscopic sinus surgery may trigger disease recurrence. Animal models provide insights into the pathogenesis of poor wound healing and may aid in the development of new therapeutics. Here, we established a mouse model of nasal wound healing and confirmed its utility.

Study Design

Animal study.

Methods

Unilateral intranasal wounds were induced using a small interdental brush in 6‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice. Forty‐five mice were divided into three groups (each n = 15): one control and two experimental groups (intranasal vs. intraperitoneal dexamethasone). Mice were sacrificed on days 2, 14, and 28 after injury (each n = 5). Serial changes in nasal wound histopathology were described, and intergroup differences were analyzed.

Results

On day 2, mucosal detachment, hemorrhage, and exudate were observed. On day 14, synechiae featuring neo‐osteogenesis (bone lacunae, osteoblasts, and multinucleated osteoclasts) between the septum and the maxilloturbinate were prominent, followed by wound maturation on day 28: fewer lacunae and smaller osteoblasts. Macrophages were evident only on day 2, and lymphocytes were predominant on day 28. The amount of exudate on day 2 and the synechial area on day 28 were significantly reduced in mice that received dexamethasone systemically compared with control mice, with similar trends in those treated intranasally.

Conclusion

Our mouse model of nasal wound healing was characterized by the development of bony synechia and neo‐osteogenesis, not soft‐tissue synechia. The model may be useful in the assessment of novel therapeutics to prevent those wounds.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:E266–E271, 2019
Taste disorders are partly genetically determined: Role of the TAS2R38 gene, a pilot study
Authors: Melis Melania , Grzeschuchna Lisa , Sollai Giorgia , Hummel Thomas , Tomassini Barbarossa Iole
Published: January 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Taste sensitivity varies greatly among individuals influencing eating behavior and health, consequently the disorders of this sense can affect the quality of life. The ability to perceive the bitter of thiourea compounds, such as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), has been largely reported as a marker of the general taste sensitivity, food preferences, and health. PTC sensitivity is mediated by the TAS2R38 receptor and its genetic common variants. We study the role of the TAS2R38 receptor in taste disorders with the aim of understanding if these can be genetically determined.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Differences in the PTC responsiveness between the patients cohort and healthy controls were assessed. All subjects received standardized tests for smell and taste function and were genotyped for the TAS2R38 gene.

Results

PAV/PAV homozygous patients gave high PTC ratings, whereas PAV/AVI genotypes reported lower values, which are similar to those determined in AVI/AVI or rare genotypes. In addition, the patients cohort did not meet the Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium at the TAS2R38 locus, showing a very low frequency of subjects carrying the PAV/AVI diplotype. Independently, in healthy controls who were in equilibrium at the locus, PAV/PAV homozygous and heterozygous rated PTC bitterness higher compared to AVI/AVI or rare genotypes.

Conclusions

Our findings, by showing that an only taster haplotype (PAV) is not sufficient to evoke high responses of TAS2R38 receptor in patients with taste disorders, suggest that the genetic constitution may represent a risk factor for the development of taste disorders.

Level of Evidence

2c

Laryngoscope, 129:E307–E312, 2019
Is open access affordable? Why current models do not work and why we need internet‐era transformation of scholarly communications
Authors: Green Toby
Published: January 2019

Progress to open access (OA) has stalled, with perhaps 20% of new papers ‘born‐free’, and half of all versions of record pay‐walled; why? In this paper, I review the last 12 months: librarians showing muscle in negotiations, publishers’ Read and Publish deals, and funders determined to force change with initiatives like Plan S. I conclude that these efforts will not work. For example, flipping to supply‐side business models, such as article processing charges, simply flips the pay‐wall to a ‘play‐wall’ to the disadvantage of authors without financial support. I argue that the focus on OA makes us miss the bigger problem: today’s scholarly communications is unaffordable with today’s budgets. OA is not the problem, the publishing process is the problem. To solve it, I propose using the principles of digital transformation to reinvent publishing as a two‐step process where articles are published first as preprints, and then, journal editors invite authors to submit only papers that ‘succeed’ to peer review. This would reduce costs significantly, opening a sustainable pathway for scholarly publishing and OA. The catalyst for this change is for the reputation economy to accept preprints as it does articles in minor journals today.
An All‐Optical, Actively Q‐Switched Fiber Laser by an Antimonene‐Based Optical Modulator
Authors: Wang Yunzheng , Huang Weichun , Wang Cong , Guo Jia , Zhang Feng , Song Yufeng , Ge Yanqi , Wu Leiming , Liu Jie , Li Jianqing , Zhang Han
Published: January 2019

Q‐switched fiber lasers are of great interest in industrial material processing, nonlinear frequency conversion, spectroscopy etc. However, passive Q‐switching possesses drawbacks of degradation and failure of the saturable absorber and the difficulty in accurate modification of the repetition rate. To overcome these issues, active Q‐switching that can normally modulate the cavity quality‐factor by an externally‐driven Q‐switcher is in high demand. Herein, an actively Q‐switched laser with antimonene‐based all‐optical modulator is devised based on the high photo‐thermal efficiency (48%) and broadband response in antimonene. It is demonstrated that this actively modulated laser represents all‐optically tunable output parameters (e.g., output repetition rate), environmental stability, and easy synchronization. It is anticipated that this actively antimonene‐based all‐optical modulator with advantages of large modulation depth, low energy consumption, and high conversion efficiency has great potential in all‐optical information processing and pulsed laser engineering.
Spatial and Temporal Control Over Multilayer Bio‐Polymer Film Assembly and Composition
Authors: Nordin Nurdiana , Bordonali Lorenzo , Badilita Vlad , MacKinnon Neil
Published: January 2019

Biosensing applications have taken advantage of lab‐on‐a‐chip technologies for sample handling and sensors integration for highly sensitive, specific detection with high throughput. These systems are based on 2.5D fabrication principles with sensing elements restricted to an array format in two dimensions. In this report, a sensing platform that recovers biosensing capabilites in three spatial dimensions is presented. This is achieved by leveraging chitosan, a stimulus responsive polyaminosaccharide that undergoes a sol–gel transition driven by a change of pH. This process can be repeated, resulting in a multilayered hydrogel stack where each layer carries a unique chemical identity. In addition, the functionality of chitosan can be modified prior to or during the assembly process. This is demonstrated by introducing both a carboxylic acid functionality and additional primary amines to the base chitosan polymer. The assembly process is shown to be compatible with microfluidic dimensions.
Microstructure and corrosion behavior of electrodeposited Zn‐TiN composite coatings
Authors: Sheng Junwei , Shen Xixun , Wang Yaxue , Xu Qunjie , Zhang Xiaoxue
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the pure Zn coating and Zn‐TiN composite coatings containing four different concentrations of TiN particles were prepared on the carbon steel by direct current electrodeposition. The X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the crystal size, preferred orientation, and surface morphology of these coatings. The results show that the incorporation of TiN particles refines the crystal size of the Zn coating and results in the formation of a special surface morphology with papillary‐shaped clusters structure that preferentially grows along the (100) crystallographic plane. Such a surface provides better hydrophobicity for the Zn‐TiN composite coatings. The corrosion behavior of these coatings was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the long‐term immersion test. The results show that the incorporation of TiN nanoparticles leads to a significant increase in corrosion resistance of the Zn coating and there is an optimal addition of TiN nanoparticles to provide a best corrosion resistance for the composite coatings. Additionally, the microhardness of prepared coatings was also evaluated.
Preparation and Self‐Repairing of Highly Oriented Structures of Ultrathin Polymer Films
Authors: Hu Jian , Xin Rui , Hou Chunyue , Yan Shouke
Published: January 2019

Thin and ultrathin polymer films play an important role in a variety of applications, such as electronics, liquid crystal alignment, adhesion, and so on. It is well established that the properties of semicrystalline polymeric materials depend remarkably on their multiscale structures; for example, an increase of more than a factor of 100 has been reported for the electrical conductivity of doped and aligned conjugated macromolecules compared with their nonoriented counterparts. Consequently, sophisticated methods have been developed for preparing highly oriented polymer ultrathin films. It should be pointed out that the highly oriented crystalline structure of polymers can be maintained only at temperatures below their melting points. Otherwise, structure rearrangement will result in the loss of orientation and therefore the properties. Therefore, self‐repairing of highly oriented polymer structures is of great significance for the long‐term application of polymer thin films in some specific fields. In this review paper, the preparation and self‐repair of the highly oriented structure of polymer thin films is described in the hopes that this will afford useful information for further development of polymeric materials for advanced applications.
The role of the tyrosine kinase Wzc (Sll0923) and the phosphatase Wzb (Slr0328) in the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by Synechocystis PCC 6803
Authors: Pereira Sara B. , Santos Marina , Leite José P. , Flores Carlos , Eisfeld Carina , Büttel Zsófia , Mota Rita , Rossi Federico , De Philippis Roberto , Gales Luís , Morais‐Cabral João H. , Tamagnini Paula
Published: January 2019

Many cyanobacteria produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) mainly composed of heteropolysaccharides with unique characteristics that make them suitable for biotechnological applications. However, manipulation/optimization of EPS biosynthesis/characteristics is hindered by a poor understanding of the production pathways and the differences between bacterial species. In this work, genes putatively related to different pathways of cyanobacterial EPS polymerization, assembly, and export were targeted for deletion or truncation in the unicellular Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. No evident phenotypic changes were observed for some mutants in genes occurring in multiple copies in Synechocystis genome, namely ∆wzy (∆sll0737), ∆wzx (∆sll5049), ∆kpsM (∆slr2107), and ∆kpsM∆wzy (∆slr2107∆sll0737), strongly suggesting functional redundancy. In contrast, Δwzc (Δsll0923) and Δwzb (Δslr0328) influenced both the amount and composition of the EPS, establishing that Wzc participates in the production of capsular (CPS) and released (RPS) polysaccharides, and Wzb affects RPS production. The structure of Wzb was solved (2.28 Å), revealing structural differences relative to other phosphatases involved in EPS production and suggesting a different substrate recognition mechanism. In addition, Wzc showed the ATPase and autokinase activities typical of bacterial tyrosine kinases. Most importantly, Wzb was able to dephosphorylate Wzc in vitro, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation plays a role in cyanobacterial EPS production.