bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryopreservation of Rat and Monkey Liver Slices
Authors: de Kanter Ruben , Koster Henk J.
Published: August 2020

A method for the long-term storage of liver slices by cryopreservation was developed. The viability of liver slices was determined by analysing the leakage of alanine aminotransferase, urea production, and the metabolism of testosterone. Rat liver slices were found to be optimally cryopreserved by exposure for 30 minutes to 12% dimethyl sulphoxide (v/v) at 2°C before freezing. Subsequent direct immersion in liquid nitrogen was more effective than a cooling rate of ±1°C/mmute, which reduced viability. Storage at a temperature of -80°C lowered viability compared to storage at -196°C.

These conditions for optimal cryopreservation were used to cryopreserve rat, rhesus monkey and cynomolgus monkey liver slices. The viability of these liver slices was maintained at: 74%, 86% and 85%, respectively, when alanine aminotransferase content was measured; 80%, 109% and 82%, respectively, when urea production was measured; and 109%, 60% and 85%, respectively, when the metabolism of testosterone was measured. Viability was maintained for at least one month. The results show that, by using the method presented here, liver slices from these species can be stored while maintaining viabilities similar to initial values. This method will facilitate the optimal use of liver slices and reduce the number of experimental animals used.
Mouse Whole-embryo Culture in Serum Diluted with Waymouth Medium: A Study of Valproic Acid Teratogenicity
Authors: Gofflot Françoise , Van Maele-Fabry Geneviève , Picard Jacques J.
Published: August 2020

The culture of whole post-implantation rodent embryos has become an important tool in developmental biology and toxicology. Since the establishment of this system, rat serum has been the main culture medium used. In this study, we demonstrate that medium composed of 50% serum and 50% chemically defined medium (Waymouth 705/1) permits satisfactory development of mouse embryos over a 26-hour period. In addition, our data demonstrate that, with less than 50% serum, the frequency of malformations increases and growth and differentiation decrease with dilution in a dose-dependent way. Little information is available in the literature on the types of abnormalities induced by inadequate dilutions of serum. This study shows that a chemically defined medium, supplemented with amounts of serum that are below threshold levels, interferes mainly with the normal development of the head (neural tube, eyes and maxillary processes) and with the growth of the embryo. The second part of this work compares the teratogenicity of valproic acid (VPA) in this new medium to that in undiluted serum. We show that the effects of VPA are similar in terms of the type of alterations observed, the reduction of growth and the differentiation. However, the concentrations necessary to induce these effects in Waymouth/human serum/rat serum are half of those needed in human serum/rat serum.
The Use of the Cultured Bovine Lens to Measure the In Vitro Ocular Irritancy of Ketones and Acetates
Authors: Sivak Jacob G. , Herbert Kelley L. , Baczmanski Anne L.
Published: August 2020

A novel in vitro alternative to in vivo eye toxicity testing measures the optical response (focal variability) of the cultured bovine lens (obtained from abattoirs) in response to exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. This approach involves measuring the optical quality of the lens by using a scanning laser system consisting of a low power scanning laser, a video camera and a video frame digitiser. This test was used to provide a rank order for the toxicity of four acetates (cellosolve acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate and n-butyl acetate) and four ketones (methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, acetone and methyl amyl ketone) based on the time taken to produce a 100% increase in lens focal variability. The results indicate that the cultured lens is very sensitive to chemical damage. In particular, the test provides a much wider range of end values than does the in vivo test, especially at low concentrations.
Computer simulation in drug research
Authors: Richards W. Graham
Published: August 2020

The widening role of computer simulation in drug, research is surveyed. Examples covered include the simulation of biological membranes and the prediction of the structures of interleukin receptors.
Intestinal Motility: A Computer Simulation of the Effects of Drugs on Colonic Peristalsis, for Teaching Undergraduate Pharmacology Students
Authors: Dewhurst David , Leathard Helen , Ullyott Richard
Published: August 2020

An interactive computer-assisted learning (CAD program, which simulates experiments performed on segments of rat colon (in vitro) to study the pharmacology of intestinal motility, is described. The program covers: a) the actions of drugs that affect cholinergic excitatory neurotransmission in the colon; b) the effects of sympathomimetic amines; and c) an investigation of the mechanism of action of the laxative, phenolphthalein.

The program can be run on any IBM-compatible PC, and makes use of text and high-resolution graphics to provide a background to the experiments and to describe the methodology. The screen display emulates a chart recorder, and simulated results, derived from actual data, are presented, in response to student selection of pre-determined experimental protocols from a menu. The program is aimed at undergraduate students, and is intended to support or replace a conventional laboratory practical class, while achieving the majority of the same teaching and learning objectives.
The Development and Interlaboratory Validation of a Quantitative Antibody Capture ELISA for the Measurement of Specific Guinea-pig IgG1: An Alternative to the Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis Assay
Authors: Babcock Laura S. , Kawabata Thomas T. , Moore Victor S. , Condo Catherine M. , Prentø Annette
Published: August 2020

Specific guinea-pig IgG1 has traditionally been measured by using an in vivo guinea-pig passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) assay. This paper describes the development and validation of a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for specific IgG1 against two protein antigens (Alcalase and Enzyme B) as an alternative to the PCA assay. The ELISA format involved a rabbit antibody bound to microtitre plates to capture the antigen. The test sera is added to this, followed sequentially by goat anti-guinea-pig IgG1 and rabbit anti-goat-IgG-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Aliquots of each serum sample from immunised guinea-pigs were analysed with the ELISA for specific IgG1 titres in three laboratories and were compared to titres determined by using the PCA assay. The findings demonstrate that there is a good correlation between the ELISA and the PCA assay and that the ELISA shows good interlaboratory reproducibility. Thus, the antibody capture ELISA described in this report is a valid and robust replacement for the guinea-pig PCA assay.
In Vitro-based and In Vivo-hased Simulations of Benzene Uptake and Metabolism in Rats
Authors: de Jongh Joost , Blaauboer Bas J.
Published: August 2020

The metabolism of benzene was modelled in the rat by application of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model. The model parameters were set by using reference physiological parameter values and reported partition coefficients from in vitro studies. Three sets of Vmax and Km values for benzene, derived from published in vitro studies, were substituted into the model while keeping all other model parameters constant. These model simulations were compared with two sets of empirical data on the metabolism or uptake of benzene after inhalation exposure. It was observed that the biotransformation parameter sets derived in vitro predicted all empirical data within a factor of two. In addition, it was observed that simulations across the two sets of empirical data which used biotransformation parameters obtained by fitting to one set of data to simulate the other set, led to results comparable to those in the in vitro-based simulations.

It is concluded that the results of in vitro studies can be directly applied in a PBPK model in order to estimate the in vivo uptake and metabolism of benzene on the basis of previously determined model parameter assumptions. These results support earlier studies on the application of in vitro techniques for deriving PBPK model parameters. On the basis of other studies on the simulation of benzene kinetics, it is also concluded that additional studies are required to extend the validity of this approach for other compounds.
An Interlaboratory Evaluation of Five Pairs of Teratogens and Non-teratogens in Post-implantation Rat Embryo Culture
Authors: Piersma Aldert H. , Bechter Rudolf , Krafft Nathalie , Schmid Beat P. , Stadler Jeanne , Verhoef Aart , Verseil Christian , Zijlstra Jacob
Published: August 2020

The usefulness of the post-implantation rat embryo culture method in screening xenobiotic compounds for developmental toxicity was validated in four laboratories with five pairs of compounds. This approach was chosen to provide information on the interlaboratory reproducibility of the results and to compare the effects of chemical analogues in embryo culture. By testing analogous compounds which are known to have different embryotoxic potencies in vivo, the discriminating power of the embryo culture method for the compound classes under study could be optimally assessed. The classes selected for testing were triazole antifungals, phthalic ester metabolites, substituted pyridines, sulphonamides and methylated xanthines. In summary, it was possible to distinguish between the compounds in three of the pairs, it was not possible to discriminate between the compounds of one pair, and it was possible to discriminate between the compounds of the other pair at two out of the four laboratories. The embryo culture results generally show a good correspondence with the embryotoxic properties of the compounds tested in vivo, although the embryo culture method appeared to be able to discriminate between only some of the pairs of chemical analogues. Some discrepancies may have arisen among the laboratories, because of methodological differences. These results suggest that the post-implantation rat embryo culture method may be a useful tool for screening xenobiotics within classes of compounds known to interfere with embryogenesis during the period of development represented in culture.
Validation of In Vitro Tests in Neurotoxicology
Authors: Campbell Iain C. , Fletcher Lynda , Grant Paul A.A. , Abdulla Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2020

The major challenges in neurotoxicity testing relate to the complexity of the nervous system, the diversity of cell types involved, and the level of integration in the mammalian nervous system. In addition, compounds which have selective pharmacological effects as receptor agonists/antagonists (for example, strychnine) may be neurotoxic at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Tests should answer the following questions: a) when is an effect toxic?, b) when is a substance to be considered toxic? and c) is the long-term risk assessment valid?

The two major strategies used in the development of in vitro neurotoxicity tests are: mechanistic, in which an attempt is made to elucidate the biochemical processes involved in neurotoxicity, and disease based, which could ultimately be the most useful strategy but which is currently constrained by lack of knowledge of the aetiology of most neurological illnesses. Potential in vitro test systems which are being developed include: a) simple tests which measure the activity of an enzyme (for example, acetylcholine esterase); b) studies involving single cell type culture (for example, neuroblastomas or dorsal root ganglion cells); c) complex primary co-culture systems (for example, reaggregate culture; 1, 2); and d) combinations of these, including tiered testing and battery testing (3). Unfortunately, the more complex a system is, the more extensive is the characterisation needed, and, arguably, such systems will never fully mimic the intact central nervous system/peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS).

To demonstrate some of the problems inherent in neurotoxicity test development, the use of a system which involves the inhibition of outgrowth is described. The ideas are developed to include the shift toward proliferation and/or apoptosis of non-terminally differentiated neurons.

The most realistic objective for the optimised, integrated and validated in vitro reductionist approach for neurotoxicological assessment is for the screening of new compounds in parallel with: a) the in vivo holistic approach (for example, to obtain pharmacokinetics and absorption/receptor-binding data); and b) quantitative structure activity relationships (QSARs).

This is necessarily a selective review, and more details of methodologies and strategies are presented in other publications (3, 4).
Environmental Genotoxicity in an Estonian Oil Shale Industrial Area
Authors: Pruul Reet , Nyland Lars , Peltonen Kimmo , Sorsa Marja , Veidebaum Toomas
Published: August 2020

The genotoxicity of environmental samples (ambient air, drinking and river waters, purified waste water and oil shale ash) from an oil shale mining and processing area was studied by using the Ames Salmonella/microsome assay. Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and YG1021 were used, with and without metabolic activation with rat liver homogenate S9. The water samples were treated with amberlite adsorbent XAD-2 for concentrating non-polar compounds. The air samples were collected on glass fibre filters by using a high volume air sampler, and extracted with dichloromethane by using a Soxhlet apparatus. The air samples were mutagenic in both strains, both with and without S9-mix. The air mutagenicity data were compared with data from similar tests on cigarette smoke condensate as a positive control. Based on the fact that the average 8-hour respiratory volume at occupational activities is between 10m3 and 20m3, the load of airborne mutagenicity at the cokery plant during one week was estimated to be equal to the mutagenicity produced by the mainstream smoke of one cigarette. The drinking and river water samples were tested with both strains, but no dose-related increases in water counts per plate were noted. The oil shale ash sample showed no mutagenic activity, but showed cytotoxicity at the higher doses tested.
Fluorescent Probes as Tools in In Vitro Toxicology
Authors: Lilius Henrik , Isomaa Boris
Published: August 2020

A number of different endpoints reflecting cell viability are commonly used to assess cytotoxicity. These endpoints are then taken to reflect cell death. It is not possible to elucidate the basis of the toxic mechanisms involved in these tests. However, by using a number of different endpoints to monitor different cellular events, the information that can be obtained from in vitro toxicity tests could be increased. Fluorescent probes appear to be promising alternatives for assessing cytotoxicity, and such probes are available for a number of different cellular events. In addition to viability, more-specific cellular events can be monitored, including intracellular glutathione levels, mitochondrial membrane potentials and intracellular concentrations of various ions. The possibility of using several fluorescent probes simultaneously, and hence of making measurements of several different cellular events at the same time, further increases the usefulness of fluorescent probes.
Main Features of Basal Cytoxicity: Sites of Toxic Action and Interaction in the Pollen Tube Cell
Authors: Kristen Udo
Published: August 2020

Pollen tubes have frequently been used to determine the cytotoxic potentials of various chemical compounds and to study the effects of toxic action in the tube cell. In this paper, the main results of these studies are used to develop a model for understanding basal cytotoxicity. The following eight intracellular sites or functions, which are known to play a significant role as targets for toxic action, are considered: mitochondria, intracellular transport, membrane flow, the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, lipid and protein synthesis, carbohydrate synthesis, the cytoskeleton, and the plasma membrane. The reactions of these targets to certain representative cytotoxic compounds frequently applied to pollen tubes are reviewed. These reactions, most of which were observed by using electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy, are discussed in relation to cell growth inhibition. In addition, interactions between the target sites are described and schematically presented. The set of targets mentioned above is representative of what is found in the majority of eukaryotic cell types. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of the cell types which are used in cytotoxicology produce values within the same logarithmic range.
Aflatoxin B1 Cytotoxicity in Neurons in Culture
Authors: Bonsi Paola , Palmery Maura , Augusti-Tocco Gabriella
Published: August 2020

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, is mainly known for its strong hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic actions. Acute and reversible effects due to exposure to aflatoxin and the presence of aflatoxins in various human tissues and organs have also been reported. In particular, aflatoxin M1 (a metabolite of AFB1) has been identified in human brain tissue, and a syndrome characterised by encephalopathy has been observed in humans poisoned by AFB1. As a first approach to the study of the neurotoxicity of AFB1, we used the human neuronal cell lines, SKNMC and SKNSH. The data reported show clearly that AFB1 is capable of interacting directly with neuronal cells and causing a decrease in cell number following the addition of toxin to the culture. Decrease in cell survival is dependent on the toxin concentration, on time of exposure, and on cell density. The cytotoxic response of these cells has been compared to the effects of AFB1 on hepatoma cells and spinal cord motor neurons. Postmitotic neurons are also susceptible to AFB1 toxicity, although to a lower extent than proliferating cells. A non-proliferating state thus appears to lower, but not destroy, neuron sensitivity to the toxin.
Reactive Oxygen Species Measured from Suspensions of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes after the Addition of Silicon Carbide Particles
Authors: Governa Mario , Valentino Matteo , Amati Monica , Monaco Francesca , Visoná Isabella , Botta Gian Carlo , Marcer Guido , Gemignani Carla
Published: August 2020

A sample of silicon carbide (SiC) dust was collected from a factory manufacturing SiC abrasives, then tested in vitro to find out whether it could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) after its addition to human polymorphonuclear leukocyte suspensions. We compared the results of milled and unmilled SiC with those obtained from quartz dust and asbestos fibres, which are known causes of severe pulmonary lesions. ROS production was measured with the chemiluminescence (CD technique. CL values obtained with our two forms of SiC (milled and unmilled) were approximately twice those measured in the controls (where no mineral particles were added), approximately 80% of the values found with asbestos fibres, and only 12.5% of the values measured with quartz. Iron traces were found on the surface of a small number of the particles tested, which could be as a result of contamination. These iron traces could help to explain our findings, since, together with the iron traces present in the culture medium, they could have triggered ROS generation in a Fenton-type reaction.
DT-Diaphorase Affects the Mutagenic Activity of Pyrene 1,6-Quinone in Chinese Hamster Epithelial Liver (CHEL) Cells
Authors: Rossini Paola , Turchi Gino
Published: August 2020

The mutagenic potential of pyrene 1,6-quinone (P 1,6-Q) has been studied in a wide range of in vitro genetic assays including the use of mammalian cell lines. P 1,6-Q has been shown to induce gene mutations and micronuclei in V79 cells, whereas, in Chinese hamster epithelial liver (CHEL) cells, a cell line which retains activities of various xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes, a non-specific pattern of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations has been observed. In this study, we have evaluated the mutagenic activity of P 1,6-Q on V79 and CHEL cells both with and without dicoumarol, a potent inhibitor of DT-diaphorase. In V79 cells, dicoumarol (100μM) did not affect the mutagenic response, whereas in CHEL cells, the mutation frequency significantly increased. This suggests that DT-diaphorase, which is expressed in liver cells at high levels, has a possible role in the detoxification of P 1,6-Q to redox-stable hydroquinone.
Role of Phase II Enzymes in the Bioactivation of 1,4-Dichlorobenzene and 1,4-Dibromobenzene
Authors: Paolini Moreno , Pozzetti Laura , Mesirca Renata , Sapone Andrea , Silingardi Paola , Grilli Sandro , Croce Clara Dalla , Bronzetti Giorgio , Cantelli-Forti Giorgio
Published: August 2020

The use of sodium phenobarbital (PB, CYP2B1 inducer) combined with β-naphthoflavone (β-NF, 1A1) to induce certain Phase I reactions in S9 liver fractions is a standard method for conducting short-term bioassays for genotoxicity. However, because post-oxidative enzymes are also able to activate many precarcinogens, we tested the possibility of adapting S9 liver fractions derived from Phase II-induced rodents to the field of genetic toxicology. In this study, S9 liver fractions derived from Swiss albino CD1 mice fed 7.5g/kg 2-(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA; a monofunctional Phase II-inducer) for 3 weeks, show a clear pattern of induction with an approximately 3.5–9.5-fold increase in glutathione S-transferase activity. In vitro DNA binding of the promutagenic agents, [14C]-l,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB) and [14C]-1,4-dibromobenzene (DBB), is mediated by such metabolic liver preparations and showed a significant increase in covalent binding capability. In some instances, enzyme activity was more elevated when compared to that obtained with traditional (Phase I-induced) S9. Together with DNA binding, the genetic response of these chemicals in the diploid D7 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae used as a biological test system, revealed the ability of the BHA-derived preparations to activate the promutagenic agents, as exemplified by the significant enhancement of mitotic gene-conversion (up to 5.2-fold for DCB and 3.4-fold for DBB) and reverse point mutation (up to 3.6-fold for DCB and 2.5-fold for DBB) at a 4mM concentration. This novel metabolising biosystem, with enhanced Phase II activity, is recommended together with a traditional S9, for detecting unknown promutagens in genotoxicity studies. The routine use of either oxidative or post-oxidative S9 increases the responsiveness of the test and can contribute to the identification of promutagens not detected when using traditional protocols.
An Interactive Computer Program to Replace in Vivo Experiments on Rat Blood Pressure for Teaching Undergraduate Students
Authors: Dewhurst David , Hughes Ian , Williams Alan
Published: August 2020

An interactive computer program is described, which presents simulated data for a range of tutor-designed, structured investigations performed in vivo in the anaesthetised rat. It is aimed at undergraduate students of pharmacology, and is designed to teach various aspects of cardiovascular pharmacology and to provide an alternative to performing the practical procedure on live animals. In addition to providing simulated data, the program covers several other aspects related to the live practical, for example, UK Home Office Licence requirements, anaesthesia of the animals, cannulation procedures and the apparatus used. It also contains suggested student tasks for each experiment, making it suitable for independent learning. The program is written for IBM-compatible PCs running Windows”’ and makes use of several features to enhance interactivity and presentation, i.e. high-resolution colour graphics, animation, interactive questions (multiple choice, drag and drop, True/False), problem-solving exercises and simulations. It has been evaluated with final year BSc (Hons) Pharmacology students at one UK university, where is was used to prepare students for the live animal practical. The results of this small study were largely favourable.
Romantic intimacy and terror management: Examining the mediating roles of felt security, relational self-esteem, and relational worldview defense
Authors: Plusnin Nicholas , Kashima Emiko S. , Pepping Christopher A.
Published: August 2020

Terror management theory posits that close relationships assuage existential mortality concerns because they foster attachment-based felt security, enhance self-esteem, and validate shared cultural worldviews. However, the relative buffering influence of these mechanisms remains relatively unknown and has sparked theoretical debate. Some theorists argue that felt security is central, whereas others suggest it does not offer unique protection from death awareness, independent of self-esteem and worldview validation. We conducted two experiments to clarify felt security’s role. Testing felt security on its own, it significantly mediated the association between death awareness and increased intimacy striving (Study 1). However, when tested alongside relational self-esteem and worldview validation, felt security again exerted a significant mediating effect in parallel with relational self-esteem, although only among female participants (Study 2). These results provide initial support for the subordinate tripartite model and functional independence claim put forth in recent years. We discuss the implications of these findings.
Early experience of pump-controlled retrograde trial off for weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients with cardiogenic shock
Authors: Ju Min Ho , Lim Mi Hee , Lee Soo Yong , Lee Chee-Hoon , Je Hyung Gon
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Pump-controlled retrograde trial off has recently been introduced as an effective method for weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients. However, studies on pump-controlled retrograde trial off in adults are still lacking. Thus, this study aimed to examine the outcomes of pump-controlled retrograde trial off for weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients.

Methods:

Between January 2018 and July 2019, 87 consecutive adult patients underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, of whom 47 (54.0%) underwent pump-controlled retrograde trial off for weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and were enrolled in this study. The pump-controlled retrograde trial off results, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation reapplication rate, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

Of the 47 patients, 38 (80.9%) were weaned from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on the first attempt of pump-controlled retrograde trial off, 5 (10.6%) on the second attempt, and 4 (8.5%) on the third attempt. Three patients were converted to venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation by desaturation but had stable blood pressure during pump-controlled retrograde trial off. No extracorporeal membrane oxygenation reapplication was performed within 3 days after removal, and two patients underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during follow-up. No complications associated with pump-controlled retrograde trial off occurred during the weaning process, including thromboembolic events. Five in-hospital deaths (10.6%) occurred after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Conclusion:

Pump-controlled retrograde trial off is an effective method to safely wean from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients. It is simple and can be easily implemented without additional invasive procedures and may help prevent deterioration of the cardiovascular system after weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Haunting and transitional justice: On lives, landscapes and unresolved pasts
Authors: Lawther Cheryl
Published: August 2020

This article explores practices of haunting and ghosting after conflict-related loss. This is not to suggest a focus on the occult or the paranormal, but to use these phenomena as a prism through which to understand the intersection between unresolved pasts and the transmission of trauma post-conflict. As Michael Levan notes, trauma lingers ‘unexorcisably in the places of its perpetration, in the bodies of those affected, in the eyes of the witnesses, and in the politics of memory’. The ghost, according to Avery Gordon ‘is the principal form by which something lost or invisible or seemingly not there makes itself known or apparent to us’. In this article I argue for three conceptualisations of haunting when past traumas remain unaddressed: the haunting of lost lives, the haunting of landscape, and the haunting presence of the unresolved past. The article focuses on Northern Ireland, a post-conflict jurisdiction described as being haunted by a ‘conflict calendar in which every day is an anniversary’ and extensive fieldwork with victims and survivors of the conflict. The article concludes by arguing that the presence of ghosts and the experience of haunting represent a ‘call to action’ in the quest to deal with a legacy of violent conflict and human rights abuses.
Type 1 tympanoplasty in patients with large perforations: Comparison of temporalis fascia, partial-thickness cartilage, and full-thickness cartilage
Authors: Xing Caixia , Liu Hong , Li Guodong , Li Jianfeng , Li Xin
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to compare the results of different graft materials in type I tympanoplasty for patients with a large perforation of the tympanic membrane.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study on 180 patients with type I tympanoplasty. The patients were divided into three groups according to the repair materials used. Age, sex, pre- and postoperative hearing levels, mean air–bone gap, rate of graft success, hearing gain, and the postoperative graft failure rate were evaluated. We continued to follow-up the patients to 1 year after surgery.

Results

The air conduction threshold was significantly higher before the operation than after the operation in the temporalis fascia, partial-thickness cartilage, and full-thickness cartilage groups. Although the hearing gain in the temporalis fascia group and the partial-thickness cartilage group was higher than that in the full-thickness cartilage group, there was no significant difference in the graft success rate among the groups.

Conclusions

Temporalis fascia, partial-thickness cartilage, and full-thickness cartilage can be used as appropriate transplantation materials for tympanoplasty type I in patients with a large perforation. Temporalis fascia and partial-thickness cartilage may be best for improvement of hearing.
Angiography-guided percutaneous thrombin injection for haemostasis of active bleeding complicated by femoral access: a case report
Authors: Jeong Jinho , Shim Dong Jae , Lee Kwan Yong , Kim Sun Ki , Lee Jeong Whee
Published: August 2020

Active bleeding from a small branch of the femoral artery can occur after catheterisation and may be difficult to treat. Stent-graft placement or embolisation after catheterisation can be a useful solution. However, stent-graft placement is often challenging for the treatment of bleeding around bifurcations, and it may be limited by available stent-graft sizes during emergencies. Embolisation can also be difficult if the vessel diameter is too small to catheterise or if the branching angle is too acute. Thrombin injection is accepted as a safe and effective treatment for iatrogenic or traumatic pseudoaneurysm. However, large haematomas can deter ultrasonographic guidance. We herein report the successful treatment of active bleeding from a small branch of the superficial femoral artery after femoral access by percutaneous direct puncture under angiographic guidance and thrombin injection at the bleeding focus.
Lack of association between CYP11B2 -344T/C polymorphism and transient ischemic attack in a Chinese population
Authors: Fan Jia , Shen Yaoliang , Chen Bo , Xu Chunyang , Ye Hongwei , Wang Jian , Zhou Wenjun , Sheng Yuefeng , Xu Feng , Yang Peng
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study investigated whether the CYP11B2 -344T/C polymorphism is correlated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) susceptibility.

Methods

We recruited 100 TIA patients and 100 control subjects and analyzed the CYP11B2 -344T/C polymorphism using restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP).

Results

The frequency in TIA patients and controls was 42% compared with 48% for TT genotypes, 51% compared with 45% for TC genotypes, and 7% compared with 7% for CC genotype, respectively. Allele frequencies in TIA patients and controls were 67.5% compared with 70.5% for T-allele and 32.5% compared with 29.5% for C-allele, respectively. No association between the CYP11B2 -344T/C polymorphism and TIA was observed in all comparisons.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that there was no association between the CYP11B2 -344T/C polymorphism and TIA in a Chinese population.
Towards an integrated political ecology of health and bodies
Authors: Nichols Carly E. , Del Casino Vincent J
Published: August 2020

Political ecology of health (PEH) has become a robust subfield in geography. PEH scholarship deploys diverse theories and methods across analytical realms of political economy, social discourse, and materiality. Yet, within PEH the materiality of the body has been theoretically divided between an affective, visceral approach and one that views the body as a socio-ecological assemblage. We contend these two approaches are not mutually exclusive and might be held in tension for more nuanced analyses. We then analyze non-communicable diseases in India to exemplify this integrated framework’s analytical potentials.
The Weight of Essentials in Economic Activity
Authors: Işıkara Baki Güney
Published: August 2020

The paper develops a measure for the weight of essential goods and services in different spheres of economic activity. The first measure is concerned with the sphere of production, which makes use of World Input-Output Tables to construct net-product subsystems so as to estimate the total (direct and indirect) share of essentials. The second measure approaches the same question from the consumption side and relies on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data. The results lie roughly in the interval of 45–70 percent and 60–85 percent in the spheres of production and consumption, respectively, with significant variation across countries. Other than certain patterns captured in cross-country group comparisons, evidence is found for the aggregate-level counterpart of Engel’s Law on the production side. The results have important implications when read in the context of the literature on the welfare state, de(commodification), universal basic income, and the imperative to adjust consumption and production in response to the looming ecological crisis.
Toward Safe Systems: Traffic Safety, Cognition, and the Built Environment
Authors: Dumbaugh Eric , Saha Dibakar , Merlin Louis
Published: August 2020

Conventional transportation practice attributes traffic crashes to human error, leading to the prevailing assumption that crash prevention is principally an outcome of driver education and law enforcement programs. But what if planning and urban design decisions induce human errors? In this study, we examine the literature in organizational systems safety, cognitive psychology, and behavioral economics to detail how cognitive interpretations of the built environment may produce the errors that result in traffic crashes. We proceed to examine crash incidence in Charlotte-Mecklenberg County in light of this cognitive framework and discuss its implications for research and practice.
Investigation of simple, objective, and effective indicators for predicting acute paraquat poisoning outcomes
Authors: Su Yiwei , Liu Weiwei , Dong Guanghui , Qian Zhengmin , Gurram Namratha , Liu Echu , Cummings-Vaughn Lenise A , Howard Steven W , Vaughn Michael G , Jansson Daire R , Zhang Chen , Wang Jianyu , Liu Yimin
Published: August 2020

Initial symptoms of paraquat (PQ) toxicity are often not obvious, and the lack of advanced testing equipment and medical conditions in the primary hospital make it difficult to provide early diagnosis and timely treatment. To explore simple, objective, and effective indicators of prognosis for primary clinicians, we retrospectively analyzed acute PQ poisoning in 190 patients admitted to our hospital from 2008 to 2017. Based on their condition at the time of discharge, patients were categorized into either the survival group ( n = 71) or the mortality group ( n = 119). Age, PQ ingested amount, urinary PQ, urinary protein, white blood cell (WBC), and serum creatinine (Cr) were the key factors associated with the prognosis for PQ poisoning. We identified specific diagnostic thresholds for these key indicators of PQ poisoning: PQ ingested amount (36.50 mL), urinary PQ (semiquantitative result “++”), urinary protein (semiquantitative result “±”), WBC (16.50 × 109/L), and serum Cr (102.10 µmol/L). Combining these five indicators to identify poisoning outcomes was considered objective, accurate, and convenient. When the combined score was <1, the predicted probability of patient death was 6%. When the combined score was ≥3, the predicted probability of patient death was 96%. These findings provide metrics to assist primary clinicians in predicting outcomes of acute PQ poisoning at earlier stages, a basis for administering treatment.
Health City: Transforming health and driving economic development
Authors: Joseph Reg , Bruni Antonio , Carvalho Chris
Published: August 2020

Health City was established in the fall of 2018 as a Canadian not-for-profit corporation that works with numerous stakeholders to develop new pathways of care that can drive better health outcomes and economic development in the health sector. Data, artificial intelligence, and extended reality are technology platforms in healthcare that are highlighted in the context of Health City Initiatives presented here. Health City’s future area of focus in addressing challenges in procurement for health innovations is also discussed as a new approach that connects the health industry to healthcare. Health City has been an active stakeholder in health innovation in Edmonton and will continue to focus on developing a global niche and owning that space through meaningful partnerships and impactful projects. This will drive improved health outcomes and economic development for the Edmonton region and Canada that can be scaled globally.
Experimental and computational investigation on comparison of micro-scale open rotor and shrouded rotor hovering in ground effect
Authors: Han Han , Xiang Changle , Xu Bin , Yu Yong
Published: August 2020

Various investigations on open rotor (OR) hovering in-ground effect (IGE) are carried out, but few papers report shrouded rotor (SR) hovering IGE. This paper compares aerodynamic performance and flowfield characteristics of OR and SR hovering IGE by both experimental measurements and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. Experimental results reveal that in IGE flight, the aerodynamic performance of SR is more sensitive than that of OR. And at constant power, SR offers more thrust than OR at the same ground distance. Ground has a great influence on thrust for OR below 2.2 rotor radius distance, while for SR it shows obvious effect below 1.5 rotor radius distance. It is also shown that normalized aerodynamic coefficients of OR and SR are independent on rotor speed. In addition, for OR the rotor thrust coefficient changes nearly linearly with the logarithmic distance from ground, while for SR it changes nonlinearly. Flowfield analysis by CFD shows that shroud changes the tip flow features and expands the slipstream area of SR. When ground distance gets small, back pressure below the rotor-disk plane increases, which is more obvious for SR than OR. Furthermore, shroud thrust of SR decreases because of tip leakage flow and flow separation.
Surface toughening – An industrial approach to increase the robustness of pure adhesive joints with film adhesives
Authors: Schollerer MJ , Kosmann J , Holzhüter D , Bello-Larroche C , Hühne C
Published: August 2020

Bonding is known for its wide range of advantages over bolted joints when joining different materials together. However, the advantages e.g. of homogeneous load distribution can quickly be lost in case of overload. For this reason, the load occurring in the adhesive is reduced by constructive measures far below the yield stress of the adhesive, which leads to a conservative joint design. And to be on the safe side, a few “chicken rivets” are then placed again. This problem is particularly well known in aviation. Highly loaded components are structurally bonded by a combination of rivets and adhesive in order to underline the advantages of structural adhesive bonding with the safety of the well-known bolted joints. Known as fail-safe design, this concept is damage tolerant and more robust against manufacturing defects through a secured double load path.

 Especially when joining fiber-reinforced composites, bolts weaken the adherends of the joint and only contribute to load transfer when the brittle adhesive fails. With the help of Surface Toughening, a boltless technique for reducing stress concentrations and arresting cracks in adhesive bonded joints is available. This work describes the industrial application of this technique. Starting with coupon tests and a small scale demonstrator to ensure the compatibility with industrial manufacturing processes, such as infusion and prepreg manufacturing, a large scale demonstrator of a 2 m carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) - HTP leading edge with hybrid laminar flow control is manufactured by the industrial partner AERnnova. Verifying a simple and cost-effective application of the technology, Surface Toughening enables robust bonded joints with a minimum impact on today's process of adhesive bonding.
An overview of dynamic modeling of rolling-element bearings
Authors: Kumbhar Surajkumar G , Sudhagar P Edwin , Desavale RG
Published: August 2020

The marvelous uniqueness of vibration responses of faulty roller bearings can be simply observed through its vibration signature. Therefore, vibration analysis has been claimed as an effective tool not only for primitive detection but also for subsequent analysis. The dynamic behavior of roller bearings has been investigated by systematic modeling of system and its validation under diverse operating conditions. This article presents an overview of imperative marks in the development of dynamic modeling of rolling-element bearing, which especially predicted vibration responses of damaged bearings. This study aims to address dimensional analysis; a new and imperative way to model the dynamic behavior of rolling-element bearings and their real-time performance in a rotor-bearing system. The findings are described with influential advantages over earlier research to pinpoint the intention behind its development. A literature summary is trailed by remarkable findings and future directions for research.
Consumers’ heterogeneous preferences toward the renewable portfolio standard policy: An evaluation of Korea’s energy transition policy
Authors: Lee Jihee , Moon HyungBin , Lee Jongsu
Published: August 2020

The low electricity tariff in Korea compared with other developed countries renders renewable energy expansion more challenging as its costs are higher than those of traditional power generation such as thermal and nuclear power. An increase in the electricity tariff is required to help the expansion of renewable energy and accelerate the energy transition. It is therefore necessary to understand public acceptance of the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policies implemented by the Korean government to expand renewable energy. This study analyzes public’s heterogeneous preferences of renewable energy policies and identifies the determinants of people’s divided reactions to the policy. This study also forecasts the change in the degree of public acceptance of renewable energy expansion until 2030 and provides suggestions for the enhancement of public awareness and acceptance of the RPS plan. The simulation analysis shows that a sharp decline in the public’s acceptance rate is to be expected when the renewable energy expansion target becomes more challenging in 2025. The drastic change in acceptance is attributed to the electricity tariff spike. We conclude that the government should prepare to address the severe backlash from the public against the increase in electricity tariff to have a successful renewable energy policy.
Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by tomentosin in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and Huh7 cells
Authors: Yu SH , Lee CM , Ha SH , Lee J , Jang KY , Park SH
Published: August 2020

Tomentosin, a sesquiterpene lactone, is known to possess various biological activities. However, its anticarcinogenic activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells has not been investigated in detail. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the cytotoxic mechanism of tomentosin in human HCC cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. WST-1, cell counting, and colony formation assay results showed that treatment with tomentosin decreased the viability and suppressed the proliferation rate of HepG2 and Huh7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed increased population of cells at the SubG1 and G2/M stage, and decreased population of cells at the G0/1 stage in HepG2 and Huh7 cells treated with tomentosin. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining and TUNEL assay results showed increased apoptotic cell population and DNA fragmentation in HepG2 and Huh7 cells treated with tomentosin. Western blotting analysis results showed that tomentosin treatment significantly increased the expression level of Bax, Bim (short form), cleaved PARP1, FOXO3, p53, pSer15p53, pSer20p53, pSer46p53, p21, and p27, but decreased the expression of Bcl2, caspase3, caspase7, caspase9, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4, CDK6, cyclinB1, cyclinD1, cyclinD2, cyclinD3, and cyclinE in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, this study revealed that tomentosin, which acted through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, may be a useful therapeutic option against HCC.
The Implications of the Internet for Career Counselling and the Use of Career Information
Authors: May Murray
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the practical implications of Internet use by career counsellors and their clients. It is set within the broader context of the use of career information in career counselling. A review of relevant literature and Internet sites and interviews with practicing counsellors are used. The study emphasises the importance of information literacy and access for practitioners and their clients, the value of a diversity of formats for career-related information, and suggests that the values underlying career information be given more attention than in the past. It underlines the optimal use of such information through the facilitative practitioner-client relationship.
“Bridge to Employability” Program
Authors: Simans Monika
Published: August 2020

Securing employment is a major issue for senior and graduating students. One of the most common problems identified by employers is that students tend to undervalue and undersell their employability skills. Employability skills include those skills, attitudes and behaviours that provide the basic foundation to get, keep and progress in a job and to achieve the best results. Research carried out with employers, parents and students identified a need for a process that would prepare and equip students for the transition from classroom to the workplace that provided them with self-marketing skills enabling them to successfully secure employment.