bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genistein represses PEPCK‐C expression in an insulin‐independent manner in HepG2 cells and in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Dkhar Barilin , Khongsti Kitboklang , Thabah Daiahun , Syiem Donkupar , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu , Das Bidyadhar
Published: August 2017

Genistein has been reported to exert beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved therein have not been clearly elucidated. To address this question, the effect of genistein on the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and glucose production in HepG2 cells and in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice was investigated. HepG2 cells were exposed to different concentration of genistein in presence or absence of modulators, and the expression of cytosolic PEPCK (PEPCK‐C) and the signaling pathways was studied. Further, the biological relevance of the in vitro study was tested in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice. Genistein lowered PEPCK‐C expression and glucose production in HepG2 cells accompanied with increased in phosphorylation states of AMPK, MEK½, ERK½, and CRTC2. Treatment with the AMPK inhibitor (compound C) enhanced genistein‐induced MEK½ and ERK½ activity indicating a potential cross‐talk between the two signaling pathways. In vivo, genistein also reduced fasting glucose levels accompanied with reduced PEPCK‐C expression and increased in AMPK and ERK½ phosphorylation states in the liver of genistein‐treated alloxan‐induced diabetic mice. Genistein fulfills the criteria of a suitable anti‐diabetic agent by reducing glucose production and inhibiting PEPCK‐C expression in HepG2 cells and also in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice. These results indicate that genistein is an effective candidate for preventing T2DM through the modulation of AMPK‐CRTC2 and MEK/ERK signaling pathways, which may allow a novel approach to modulate dysfunction in hepatic gluconeogenesis in T2DM.
Introduction of hsa‐miR‐103a and hsa‐miR‐1827 and hsa‐miR‐137 as new regulators of Wnt signaling pathway and their relation to colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Fasihi Ali , M. Soltani Bahram , Atashi Amir , Nasiri Shirzad
Published: August 2017

Wnt signaling is hyper‐activated in most of human cancers including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Therefore, the introduction of new regulators for Wnt pathway possesses promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer medicine. Bioinformatics analysis introduced hsa‐miR‐103a, hsa‐miR‐1827, and hsa‐miR‐137 as potential regulators of Wnt signaling pathway. Here, we intended to examine the effect of these human miRNAs on Wnt signaling pathway components, on the cell cycle progression in CRC originated cell lines and their expression in CRC tissues. RT‐qPCR results indicated upregulation of hsa‐miR‐103a, hsa‐miR‐1827, and downregulation of hsa‐miR‐137 in CRC tissues. Overexpression of hsa‐miR‐103a and hsa‐miR‐1827 in SW480 cells resulted in elevated Wnt activity, detected by both Top/Flash assay and RT‐qPCR analysis. Inhibition of Wnt signaling by using PNU‐74654 or IWP‐2 small molecules suggested that these miRNAs exerts their effect at the β‐catenin degradation complex level. Then, RT‐qPCR, dual luciferase assay, and western blotting analysis indicated that APC and APC2 transcripts were targeted by hsa‐miR‐103a, hsa‐miR‐1827 while, Wnt3a and β‐catenin genes were upregulated. However, hsa‐miR‐137 downregulated Wnt3a and β‐catenin genes. Further, hsa‐miR‐103a and hsa‐miR‐1827 overexpression resulted in cell cycle progression and reduced apoptotic rate in SW480 cells, unlike hsa‐miR‐137 overexpression which resulted in cell cycle suppression, detected by flowcytometry and Anexin analysis. Overall, our data introduced hsa‐miR‐103a, hsa‐miR‐1827 as onco‐miRNAs and hsa‐miR‐137 as tumor suppressor which exert their effect through regulation of Wnt signaling pathway in CRC and introduced them as potential target for therapy.
Autophagy induction plays a protective role against hypoxic stress in human dental pulp cells
Authors: Park Sam‐Young , Sun Eun‐Gene , Lee Yeonju , Kim Min‐Seok , Kim Jae‐Hyung , Kim Won‐Jae , Jung Ji‐Yeon
Published: August 2017

Human dental pulp exposed to hypoxic conditions induces cell death accompanied by autophagy. However, the role of hypoxia‐induced autophagy in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in hypoxia‐induced apoptosis of HDPCs. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) treated HDPCs, to mimic hypoxic conditions, decreased cell viability. Also, apoptosis‐related signal molecules, cleaved caspase‐3 and PARP levels, were enhanced in CoCl2‐treated HDPCs. HDPCs exposed to CoCl2 also promoted autophagy, showing upregulated p62 and microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)‐II levels, typical autophagic markers, and increased acidic autophagolysosomal vacuoles. Autophagy inhibition by 3 methyladenine (3MA) or RNA interference of LC3B resulted in increased levels of cleaved PARP and caspase‐3, and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol in the CoCl2‐treated HDPCs. However, autophagy activation by rapamycin enhanced the p62 and LC3‐II levels, whereas it reduced PARP and caspase‐3 cleavage induced by CoCl2. These results revealed that CoCl2‐activated autophagy showed survival effects against CoCl2‐induced apoptosis in the HDPCs. CoCl2 upregulated HIF‐1α and decreased the phosphorylation of mTOR/p70S6K. HIF‐1α inhibitor, YC‐1 decreased p62 and LC3‐II levels, whereas it augmented PARP and caspase‐3 cleavage in response to CoCl2. Also, YC‐1 enhanced the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K suppressed by CoCl2, demonstrating that CoCl2‐induced autophagy via mTOR/p70S6K is mediated by HIF‐1α. Taken together, these finding suggest that CoCl2‐induced autophagy mediated by the mTOR/p70S6K pathway plays a protective role against hypoxic stress in HDPCs.
Substituent Effect on the Electronic Properties and Nature of the W≡C Bond in trans‐Cl(OC)(H3P)3W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X) (X = H, F, SiH3, CN, NO2, SiMe3, CMe3, NH2, NMe2) Complexes: A Computational Quantum Chemistry Study
Authors: Ghiasi Reza , Zamani Ali
Published: August 2017

In this investigation, we describe substituent effect on the dipole moment, ionization potential, electron affinity, structure, frontier orbitals energy, in the trans‐Cl(OC)(H3P)3W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X) (X = H, F, SiH3, CN, NO2, SiMe3, CMe3, NH2, NMe2) complexes using MPW1PW91 quantum chemical calculations. The nature of chemical bond between the [Cl(OC)(H3P)3W]− and [C‐para‐C6H4X]+ fragments was illustrated with energy decomposition analysis (EDA). Percentage composition in terms of the defined groups of frontier orbitals for these complexes was inspected to investigate the character in metal–ligand bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used for illustration of metal–ligand bonds in these complexes.
Chrysin attenuates progression of ovarian cancer cells by regulating signaling cascades and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Lim Whasun , Ryu Soomin , Bazer Fuller W. , Kim Sung‐Man , Song Gwonhwa
Published: August 2017

Chrysin is mainly found in passion flowers, honey, and propolis acts as a potential therapeutic and preventive agent to inhibit proliferation and invasion of various human cancer cells. Although chrysin has anti‐carcinogenic effects in several cancers, little is known about its functional roles in ovarian cancer which shows poor prognosis and chemoresistance to traditional therapeutic agents. In the present study, we investigated functional roles of chrysin in progression of ovarian cancer cells using ES2 and OV90 (clear cell and serous carcinoma, respectively) cell lines. Results of the current study demonstrated that chrysin inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induced cell death by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels as well as inducing loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Moreover, chrysin activated mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways in ES2 and OV90 cells in concentration‐response experiments. Collectively, our results led us to propose that chrysin‐induced apoptotic events are mediated by the activation of PI3K and MAPK pathways in human ovarian cancer cells.
Response–reinforcer dependency and resistance to change
Authors: Cançado Carlos R. X. , Abreu‐Rodrigues Josele , Aló Raquel Moreira , Hauck Flávia , Doughty Adam H.
Published: August 2017

The effects of the response–reinforcer dependency on resistance to change were studied in three experiments with rats. In Experiment 1, lever pressing produced reinforcers at similar rates after variable interreinforcer intervals in each component of a two‐component multiple schedule. Across conditions, in the fixed component, all reinforcers were response‐dependent; in the alternative component, the percentage of response‐dependent reinforcers was 100, 50 (i.e., 50% response‐dependent and 50% response‐independent) or 10% (i.e., 10% response‐dependent and 90% response‐independent). Resistance to extinction was greater in the alternative than in the fixed component when the dependency in the former was 10%, but was similar between components when this dependency was 100 or 50%. In Experiment 2, a three‐component multiple schedule was used. The dependency was 100% in one component and 10% in the other two. The 10% components differed on how reinforcers were programmed. In one component, as in Experiment 1, a reinforcer had to be collected before the scheduling of other response‐dependent or independent reinforcers. In the other component, response‐dependent and ‐independent reinforcers were programmed by superimposing a variable‐time schedule on an independent variable‐interval schedule. Regardless of the procedure used to program the dependency, resistance to extinction was greater in the 10% components than in the 100% component. These results were replicated in Experiment 3 in which, instead of extinction, VT schedules replaced the baseline schedules in each multiple‐schedule component during the test. We argue that the relative change in dependency from Baseline to Test, which is greater when baseline dependencies are high rather than low, could account for the differential resistance to change in the present experiments. The inconsistencies in results across the present and previous experiments suggest that the effects of dependency on resistance to change are not well understood. Additional systematic analyses are important to further understand the effects of the response–reinforcer relation on resistance to change and to the development of a more comprehensive theory of behavioral persistence.
Is there a real role of postoperative antibiotic administration for mildmoderate acute cholecystitis? A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Eun Young , Yoon Young Chul , Choi Ho Joong , Kim Kee Hwan , Park Jung Hyun , Hong Tae Ho
Published: August 2017

Background

In cases of acute cholecystitis (AC), postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is generally used for the purpose of preventing subsequent infections. However, there is still no standardized guideline regarding antibiotic administration after cholecystectomy.

Methods

A total of 200 patients at five participating hospitals who were admitted for cholecystectomy to treat grade I or II AC were enrolled and randomly allocated to a group given a placebo (group A) or a group given postoperative antibiotics (group B). Surgical outcomes and incidence of postoperative infectious morbidities were reviewed.

Results

A total of 188 patients (95 patients in group A and 93 patients in group B) were finally analyzed. The incidence rate of infectious complications (seven cases, 7.4%, in group A and eight cases, 8.6%, in group B, P = 0.794) and overall non‐infectious complications (seven cases, 7.4%, in group A and six cases, 6.5%, in group B, P = 1.000) showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

Absence of postoperative antibiotic administration did not lead to an increase in postoperative infections in cases of mild to moderate AC. Avoidance of unnecessary antibiotic use will reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics and also allow for a tailored treatment strategy according to the severity of cholecystitis.
Performance of MRI for suspected appendicitis in pediatric patients and negative appendectomy rate: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Jeong Rye , Suh Chong Hyun , Yoon Hee Mang , Jung Ah Young , Lee Jin Seong , Kim Jung Heon , Lee Jeong‐Yong , Cho Young Ah
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To evaluate in pediatric patients the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected appendicitis and its negative appendectomy rate.

Materials and Methods

The study involved diagnostic accuracy studies that used MRI for pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis. Various field strengths and sequences were used in each included study. The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis and negative appendectomy rate were assessed. A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed until January 10, 2017. Two reviewers assessed the methodological quality of the articles using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 (QUADAS‐2) tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for appendicitis diagnosis were calculated using hierarchical logistic regression modeling. Meta‐regression was performed to explore factors affecting study heterogeneity. The pooled negative appendectomy rate was analyzed.

Results

Thirteen original articles with 1946 patients were included. The summary sensitivity and specificity were 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95–98%) and 97% (95% CI, 93–98%), respectively; the area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97–0.99). In meta‐regression, use of diffusion‐weighted imaging (P < 0.01) and age (P < 0.01) affected heterogeneity, but there was no difference according to intravenous contrast agent use (P = 0.95). The pooled negative appendectomy rate of MRI was 4.5% (95% CI, 1.9–7.1%).

Conclusion

MRI shows excellent diagnostic performance for appendicitis in pediatric patients regardless of the use of intravenous contrast media. Therefore, nonenhanced‐only MRI protocols might be appropriate for pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:767–778.
Valuable antibody detection method for classifying hepatitis E virus genotypes
Authors: Zhao Chenyan , Geng Yansheng , Huang Weijing , Ma Hongxia , Wang Youchun
Published: August 2017

Nucleotide‐based methods are conventionally used to classify the hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes. A serological enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using open reading frame 3 (ORF3) C‐terminal peptides was developed to conveniently and accurately classify and evaluate the genotypes of HEV. The sera of mice immunized with HEV genotype 1, 3, and 4 reacted highly specifically to the peptides of the corresponding genotypes. Most (84.2%) clinical sera infected with HEV genotype 4 were positive for anti‐HEV antibodies when tested with the ORF3 peptides of genotype 4, but were negative for genotypes 1 and 3. Monkey and clinical serial sera infected with HEV reacted strongly to the homologous genotype ORF3 peptides. The indirect EIAs were more sensitive, with stronger reactivity, than commercial anti‐HEV immunoglobulin G assays when serial sera from monkeys infected with HEV genotype 1 or 4 were tested. All our results indicate that the serological typing EIA assays described in this study are more effective and convenient for the classification of HEV genotypes than molecular approaches, and can be used to screen large numbers of serum samples and differentiate genotypes for the diagnosis of HEV infections.
Impact of lignocellulosic and hemicellulosic biochar on soil moisture in low clay soils
Authors: Licht Jeff , Smith Nick , Mitchell Perry , Shields Frank
Published: August 2017

Investigation of post‐amendment biochar impact on low clay soil moisture provides agriculture professionals with much needed data. While laboratory testing is available, we propose inexpensive containers, tools and measuring devices to enable agriculture professionals to directly assess biochar impact on gravimetric water content, shrinkage, and release at point of soil rupture. Sandy loam, silty loam and loamy sand soils are amended (10% ) with lignocellulosic (oak) and hemicellulosic (cardboard) biochars in cup, plug and roll experiments. Cups with oak and cardboard biochar addition produced 76.32% and 75.72% H2O retention respectively, compared to 67.75% (67.75 g H2O 100 g−1 H2O) for controls. Cardboard and oak biochar limited diametric shrinkage to 2.95% (1.29 mm) and 3.75% (1.65 mm) respectively; controls shrunk 6.96% (3.06 mm). Oak and cardboard biochar limited depth shrinkage to 2.95% (0.38 mm) and 2.99% (0.38 mm) respectively; control depth shrinkage is 3.64% (0.47 mm). In roll tests, cardboard and oak biochar treatment yielded 28.07% (1.37 g H2O), and 26.69% (1.3 g H2O) moisture at rupture, respectively, compared with 11.98% (0.58 g) for controls. Significant (p ≤ 0.001) differences in moisture retention, shrinkage and available moisture at rupture confirm biochar contributions to improved moisture performance. Physico‐chemical analyses complemented experimental findings. We find study methods suit the needs of agricultural professionals to measure moisture while working with biochar to amend soils.
The cost of being clean: A cost analysis of nasopharyngoscope reprocessing techniques
Authors: Sowerby Leigh J. , Rudmik Luke
Published: August 2017

Objective

Nasopharyngoscopes are an essential instrument to otolaryngologists; reprocessing them in a high‐value manner is paramount. Although several different techniques for reprocessing exist, all methods yield similar effectiveness. Given equivalent effectiveness outcomes, a cost analysis of four nasopharyngoscope reprocessing techniques was performed.

Study Design

Cost‐minimization analysis.

Methods

Four techniques were evaluated: 1) an automated reprocessor using peracetic acid (Steris System 1; Steris Canada Inc., Mississauga, Canada), 2) an automated reprocessor using ortho‐phthalaldehyde (OPA) (Cidex OPA; Advanced Sterilization Products, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Markham, Canada), 3) a manually performed accelerated hydrogen peroxide bath (Revital‐Ox; Steris Canada Inc.), and 4) a chlorine dioxide wipe (Tristel Trio Wipes System; Tristel plc, Cambridgeshire, U.K.). The costing perspective was a third‐party payer that was adjusted to 2014 Canadian dollars. The base‐case scenario used an annual volume of 4,153 reprocessing events in a tertiary care setting, and a scenario analysis assessed the impact of volume and capital expense.

Results

The cost per reprocessing event for the Steris (Steris Canada Inc.) automated endoscope reprocessing, Cidex OPA (Advanced Sterilization Products), Revital‐Ox (Steris Canada Inc.), and Tristel Trio Wipes (Tristel plc) were $20.58, $14.20, $9.57, and $13.14, respectively. Scenario analysis demonstrated the Tristel Trio Wipes System (Tristel plc) was the least expensive method in practices with low reprocessing volumes (a threshold of less than 6 events per day, or 22 per week), whereas the Revital‐Ox (Steris Canada Inc.) system was least expensive at higher volumes and became substantially more so as volumes increased.

Conclusion

A manual accelerated hydrogen peroxide bath offers the least costly approach to nasopharyngoscope reprocessing. The convenience and portability of the Tristel Trio (Tristel plc) system may be a good alternative for low reprocessing volumes, or when rapid turnaround is necessary.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:64–71, 2018
Predictors of complicated airway foreign body extraction
Authors: Sjogren Phayvanh P. , Mills Tyler J. , Pollak Adrianna D. , Muntz Harlan R. , Meier Jeremy D. , Grimmer J. Fredrik
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To evaluate outcomes of foreign body aspiration (FBA) and to investigate surgeon and hospital volume as risk factors for a complicated course.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Children with FBA in a multihospital network were identified from January 2005 to September 2015. Demographic information, surgeon, and hospital location were reviewed. Mean operative time and hospital length of stay were recorded. Cases requiring intensive care unit admission, hospital stay greater than 24 hours, need for more than one bronchoscopy, operative time greater than 1 hour, or death were considered “complicated.”

Results

A total of 450 cases of airway foreign body extraction were performed. Patient ages ranged from 0.6 to 18.8 years, with a median age of 1.9 years. Bronchoscopy with foreign body extraction was performed by 55 different surgeons at 11 different facilities. There were one to 24 surgeons for each facility, with an average number of 5.4 surgeons per facility. A total of 88 (19.6%) cases were considered complicated, including five (1.1%) deaths. Increased rates of complications were seen with unwitnessed aspiration (P = 0.008) and hyperlucency (P < 0.001) or infiltrates (P = 0.001) on chest radiographs. No significant association was found between surgeon type or facility as related to a complicated case.

Conclusions

Unwitnessed aspiration events and abnormalities on chest radiograph may be associated with a more complicated course in children with FBA. This multihospital study identified a low number of procedures by many surgeons; however, surgeon and hospital volume did not significantly correlate with higher complication rates.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:490–495, 2018
Factors associated with patient no‐show rates in an academic otolaryngology practice
Authors: Fiorillo Caitlin E. , Hughes Allyson L. , I‐Chen Chen , Westgate Philip M. , Gal Thomas J. , Bush Matthew L. , Comer Brett T.
Published: August 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Factors affecting access to healthcare is an expanding area of research. This study seeks to identify factors associated with no‐show rates in an academic otolaryngology practice to improve clinical efficiency and patient access to care.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

A retrospective review of scheduled clinical appointments from February 1, 2015 to January 30, 2016 at a single academic otolaryngology department was performed. Statistical analysis was completed to examine the association of no‐show rates with the following: otolaryngology subspecialty, clinic location (e.g., main campus vs. satellite), patient demographic factors, attending seniority, temporal factors, insurance types, rurality, and visit type.

Results

There was an overall no‐show rate of 20% for 22,759 scheduled clinic visits. Satellite clinics had the highest no‐show rates at 25% (P < .001). New patient visits had the highest no‐show rate at 24% (P < .001). Among subspecialties, facial plastic surgery had the lowest no‐show rate (12.6%), whereas Pediatrics had the highest (23%) (P < .001). No significant association between gender and no‐show rates was observed (P = .29), but patients over 60 years old had the lowest no‐show rate (12.7%, P < .0001). Patients with Medicaid (28%), Medicare (15.3%), and commercial insurance (12.9%) had significantly different overall no‐show rates (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Increased clinic no‐show rates are associated with satellite clinics, new patient visits, younger age, and insurance type. No‐show rates varied among subspecialties. Further investigation is warranted to assess barriers to appointment compliance and to develop interventions to improve access to care.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:626–631, 2018
Morbidity and mortality in children undergoing bronchoscopy for foreign body removal
Authors: Roberts Christopher A. , Carr Michele M.
Published: August 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Analyze morbidity and mortality among children undergoing bronchoscopy for foreign body removal.

Study Design

Multicenter retrospective review using the American College of Surgeons Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2014 and 2015.

Methods

Patients were identified using Current Procedural Terminology code 31635. Demographics, time to surgery, operative times, hospitalization time, and complications were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors for major adverse events.

Results

Three hundred thirty‐four patients were included (mean age 3.7 years, 59.0% male). Preoperative sepsis syndrome was present in 5.7% of patients and 8.1% had asthma. Of the patients, 5.1% percent of patients had a tracheostomy. Bronchoscopy was performed by an otolaryngologist (65.4%) or a pediatric surgeon (33.1%). Mean operative time was 27.4 minutes, whereas mean total operating room time was 54.6 minutes. Airway foreign bodies were located in 269 patients (80.5%), with 62.5% being located in the mainstem bronchus. Operative time was longer when foreign bodies were in the mainstem bronchus or distal to it. Mean time to surgery from admission was 0 days, and mean duration of hospitalization was 1 day. One patient (0.3%) required reoperation for respiratory reasons, and three (0.9%) required readmission for related reasons. No patients remained hospitalized at 30 days. Two (0.6%) had a postoperative pneumonia, and two (0.6%) required reintubation. One patient death (0.3%) occurred within 2 weeks of bronchoscopy. No significant differences were identified in operative time, time to surgery, or hospitalization time based on age, gender, presence of a tracheostomy, or surgical specialty.

Conclusions

Bronchoscopy for identification and removal of airway foreign bodies had minimal morbidity in this group.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1226–1229, 2018
Partial inferior turbinectomy in rhinoseptoplasty has no effect in quality‐of‐life outcomes: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: de Moura Bianca H. , Migliavacca Raphaella O. , Lima Rafaela K. , Dolci José E. L. , Becker Martina , Feijó Cássia , Brauwers Elisa , Lavinsky‐Wolff Michelle
Published: August 2017

Objective

Evaluate the impact of endoscopic partial inferior turbinectomy (EPIT) associated with primary rhinoseptoplasty on quality‐of‐life outcomes (QOL), complications, and surgical duration.

Study Design

Randomized clinical trial.

Methods

Individuals with nasal obstruction aged ≥ 16 years who were candidates for functional and aesthetics primary rhinoseptoplasty were evaluated from March 2014 through May 2015. Eligible participants were randomly allocated to rhinoseptoplasty with or without EPIT (excision of one‐third of the inferior turbinates).

Results

Fifty patients were studied. Most were Caucasian and had moderate/severe allergic rhinitis symptoms. Mean age was 36 ( ± 14.5) years. Rhinoseptoplasty was associated with improvement in all QOL scores irrespective of turbinate intervention (P < 0.001). Analysis of covariance was conducted to control for potential confounders. There was no difference between the groups in absolute score changes for Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation‐Portuguese (NOSE‐p) (−50.5 vs. −47.6; P  = 0.723), Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) (47 vs. 44.8; P = 0.742), and all World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale‐Abbreviated (WHOQOL‐bref) score domains (P  > 0.05). There were no differences between the groups regarding presence of the complications. Surgical duration was higher in the EPIT group (212 minutes ± 7.8 vs. 159.1 ± 5.6; P ? 0.001).

Conclusions

Turbinate reduction through EPIT during primary rhinoseptoplasty did not improve short‐term general and specific QOL outcomes. The use of EPIT increases surgical time considerably without improving QOL scores. There was no difference in postoperative incidence of complications, suggesting that EPIT is a safe technique.

Level of Evidence

1b. Laryngoscope, 128:57–63, 2018
Reconstructing Past Rates of Atmospheric Dust Deposition in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands Region Using Peat Cores from Bogs
Authors: Mullan‐Boudreau Gillian , Davies Lauren , Devito Kevin , Froese Duane , Noernberg Tommy , Pelletier Rick , Shotyk William
Published: August 2017

Open‐pit mining of the Athabasca Bituminous Sands generates considerable quantities of mineral dusts, but there is no published record of the amount of material deposited in the surrounding environment via the atmosphere since the industry began in 1967. Contemporary and past rates of atmospheric dust deposition were reconstructed using age‐dated peat cores (210Pb and 14C) collected from five bogs in the vicinity of mines and upgraders and from two bogs far removed from industrial activities. The main objective of this study was to quantify the impact of industry on dust emissions, and to do this, the variation in natural “background” rates of mineral matter accumulation also had to be determined. A second objective was to characterize the size, mineralogical composition, and morphology of the particulate matter emitted to better understand potential environmental consequences of dust emissions.

The concentrations of acid insoluble ash and Th (a surrogate for insoluble mineral matter) were determined to calculate dust accumulation rates. Scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis failed to reveal much variation in mineralogical composition, but near industry, the size of the particles was more variable. The abundance of fly ash particles increased with depth, which suggests that emissions from upgrader stacks may have declined over time. A comparison of acid‐insoluble ash inventories with the pH of the porewaters suggests that the acid‐soluble ash fraction of the dusts deposited may have impacted the chemical composition of the bog waters. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased myocardial contractility identifies patients with decompensated cirrhosis requiring liver transplantation
Authors: Jansen Christian , Cox Alexander , Schueler Robert , Schneider Matthias , Lehmann Jennifer , Praktiknjo Michael , Pohlmann Alessandra , Chang Johannes , Manekeller Steffen , Nickenig Georg , Berlakovich Gabriela , Strassburg Christian P. , Hammerstingl Christoph , Staufer Katharina , Trebicka Jonel
Published: August 2017

Late allocation of organs for transplant impairs post–liver transplantation (LT) survival. Cardiac dysfunction, especially diastolic and autonomic dysfunction, is frequent and plays an important role in the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. However, the role of myocardial contractility is unexplored, and its prognostic value is controversially discussed. This study analyses the role of myocardial contractility assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography in LT allocation. In total, 168 patients with cirrhosis (training cohort, 111; validation cohort [VC], 57) awaiting LT in 2 centers were included in this retrospective study. Also, 51 patients from the training and all patients from the VC were transplanted, 36 patients of the training and 38 of the VC were alive at the end of follow‐up, and 21 nontransplanted patients died. Contractility of the left ventricle (LV) increased with severity of the Child‐Pugh score. Interestingly, higher LV contractility in the training cohort patients, especially in those with Child‐Pugh C, was an independent predictor of reduced transplant‐free survival. In male patients, the effects on survival of increased left and right ventricular myocardial contractility were more pronounced. Notably, competing risk analysis demonstrated that increased contractility is associated with earlier LT, which could be confirmed in the VC. Importantly, LV myocardial contractility had no impact on survival of patients not receiving LT or on post‐LT survival. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time that increased myocardial contractility in decompensated patients identifies patients who require LT earlier, but without increased post‐LT mortality. Liver Transplantation 24 15–25 2018 AASLD.
Corrosion studies on Fe‐30Mn‐1C alloy in chloride‐containing solutions with view to biomedical application
Authors: Gebert A. , Kochta F. , Voß A. , Oswald S. , Fernandez‐Barcia M. , Kühn U. , Hufenbach J.
Published: August 2017

Austenitic Fe‐30Mn‐1C (FeMnC) is a prospective biodegradable implant material combining high mechanical integrity with adequate corrosion rates. The fast solidified TWIP alloy, its constituents and 316L stainless steel were electrochemically analysed in various electrolytes at 37 °C under laminar flow. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were conducted in Tris‐buffered simulated body fluid (SBF), in Tris‐buffered saline (TBS) and in 150–0.15 mM NaCl solutions (pH 7.6, 10, 5, 2) to study initial corrosion stages. Active dissolution of FeMnC is revealed in all electrolytes and is discussed on basis of the Fe and Mn behaviour plus is compared to that of 316L. The role of Tris (Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) as organic buffer for SBFs is critically assessed, particularly with view to the sensitivity of Fe. SEM studies of FeMnC corroded in NaCl revealed preferential dissolution along Mn‐rich grain boundary regions. Static immersion tests of FeMnC in SBF with surface and solution analyses (SEM/EDX, XPS, ICP‐OES) indicated that dissolution processes interfere with the formation of permeable surface coatings comprising hydroxides and salts.
Degradation of ferritic stainless steels at 1200 °C in air
Authors: Cheng X.‐W. , Jiang Z.‐Y. , Monaghan B. J. , Longbottom R. J. , Wei D.‐B. , Hee A. C. , Jiang L.‐Z.
Published: August 2017

Three commercial ferritic stainless steels were investigated at 1200 °C by a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) in air. The oxidation kinetics of the ferritic stainless steels differed significantly. The adhesion of the Cr2O3 scale, the morphology of the SiO2, with or without (Cr, Mn)3O4 spinel on the top can greatly influence the oxidation and the degradation behaviour of the steels. Although the SUS430 steel had less Cr among the ferritic stainless steels (16.2 wt% Cr), it did not show more degradation behaviour than the B443NT steel (21.0 wt% Cr). The spallation of the protective oxide scale on the B443NT steel was caused by vacancy condensation at the scale/substrate interface where the SiO2 particles were and the developed compressive stresses within the oxide scale during oxidation. (Cr, Mn)3O4 spinel on the top of the Cr2O3 scale on the B445J1M steel influenced its evaporation rate. The thermodynamic aspect of the chemical composition and oxidation atmosphere of the Fe–Cr–O system was also discussed.
Silane‐functionalized polybenzoxazines: A superior corrosion resistant coating for steel plates
Authors: Krishnan S. , Arumugam H. , Kuppan C. , Goswami A. , Chavali M. , Muthukaruppan A.
Published: August 2017

Effective and economic coating of polymeric materials onto steel protects it from corrosion. Among the choices, polybenzoxazines emerged as one of the most promising candidates for such purposes because of their low water adsorption, high thermal stability, zero volume shrinkage, and low flammability. In this current work, silane‐functionalized bisphenol‐F‐based polybenzoxazine coatings were synthesized, characterized, and successfully coated onto steel substrates to inhibit corrosion. First, the pure (4, 4′‐BPF) and mixture (4, 4′‐BPF, 2, 4′‐BPF, and 2, 2′‐BPF) of bisphenol‐F‐based benzoxazine isomers were functionalized with aminosilane, followed by thermal‐assisted polymerization onto steel substrates. The coating's corrosion resistivity was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and also from Tafel slopes. The different corrosion behavior was also explained based on the material's dependence on the contact angles and critical surface tension. This study is expected to aid the future development of corrosion resistant coatings especially derived from benzoxazine‐based polymers.
Long‐term corrosion behaviour of stainless steels in marine atmosphere
Authors: Burkert A. , Müller T. , Lehmann J. , Mietz J.
Published: August 2017

Nine different stainless steel alloys were exposed for 5 years under marine environment and their corrosion behaviour was compared and assessed. The investigation of four different surface finishes for all alloys tested further enabled to consider industry‐specific features of the surface finish for the material comparison. The results of the exposure tests yield conclusions regarding the influence of alloy composition, surface finish and exposure duration under marine environment. The three duplex stainless steels revealed excellent corrosion resistance even in case of crevices during the 5 years of exposure under the given exposure conditions. Also the molybdenum‐alloyed ferritic steel 1.4521 showed good corrosion resistance comparable to the classical austenitic materials 1.4301 and 1.4404.
Cocoa Shell Waste Biofilaments for 3D Printing Applications
Authors: Tran Thi Nga , Bayer Ilker S. , Heredia‐Guerrero José Alejandro , Frugone Michela , Lagomarsino Marco , Maggio Fabio , Athanassiou Athanassia
Published: August 2017

In this study, biofilaments based on cocoa shell waste, a by‐product of the chocolate industry, and biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone), PCL, have been prepared using a single‐screw extruder. Micronized cocoa shell waste is compounded in the polymer up to 50% by weight without significant alteration of its crystalline structure. Resultant elastic (Young's) modulus of biofilaments remains close to that of pure PCL. Scanning electron microscopy results indicate that micronized cocoa shell waste is homogeneously dispersed in the polymer during the extrusion process. Detailed thermal characterization measurements on the extruded filaments allow tuning of the fused deposition modeling 3D printing parameters. 3D printed items display a well‐defined structure with good adhesion between deposition layers and fine resolution. Hence, with this simple and solvent‐free fabrication technique, uniformly structured cocoa shell waste biofilaments can be produced in a very reproducible manner and can be used in 3D printing of diverse objects with potential household and biomedical applications.
Nitroxide Mediated Radical Emulsion Polymerization: Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Cano‐Valdez Andrés , Saldívar‐Guerra Enrique , González‐Blanco Roberto , Cunningham Michael F. , Herrera‐Ordóñez Jorge
Published: August 2017

Several mathematical models for nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) in miniemulsion have been reported, but virtually none for nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) in true emulsion polymerization; in part this is due to the scarcity of processes for performing NMP in this type of aqueous dispersions. Our group has recently developed a robust NMP emulsion semibatch process which is applicable to a variety of monomers and nitroxides. In this paper, the progress made in our group in the development of mathematical models aimed at explaining the experimental effects observed in the NMP emulsion process is presented. The modeling approach is based on population balances that describe the number of particles having a specific number of active radicals and a given concentration or number of nitroxide radicals. The partitioning of the nitroxide radical and its corresponding alkoxyamines between the organic and aqueous phases is included in the model. The approach and assumptions chosen are compared with those used in other models for NMP in aqueous dispersions. The model is used as a tool to understand the quantitative effects of the main variables on the process outputs; it can also be used for scaling‐up purposes. Preliminary simulation results are presented and discussed.
Optical Hand Tracking: A Novel Technique for the Assessment of Bradykinesia in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bank Paulina J.M. , Marinus Johan , Meskers Carel G.M. , de Groot Jurriaan H. , van Hilten Jacobus J.
Published: August 2017

Background

Evaluation of therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) may benefit from objective quantification of the separate movement components of bradykinesia (i.e., velocity, amplitude, and rhythm). This study evaluated the sensitivity and reliability of parameters derived from recently available optical hand tracking techniques for patient‐friendly, automated quantification of bradykinesia of the upper extremity in PD.

Methods

Fifty‐seven patients with PD and 57 healthy individuals (controls) performed repetitive finger tapping (RFT), alternating hand movements (AHM), and alternating forearm movements (AFM). Movement components of bradykinesia (i.e., velocity, frequency, amplitude, hesitations, and halts) were quantified using optical hand tracking. Reliability was quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients in a subgroup of 12 patients with PD and 12 controls (test‐retest) and in all 57 controls (intra‐trial).

Results

RFT and AHM were successfully recorded in 94% of all participants. Movement components differed between patients with PD and controls and were correlated with clinical ratings. Velocity and halt duration appeared to be most useful (i.e., the largest difference between the PD and control groups, good reliability) for the quantification of RFT, whereas frequency appeared to be most useful for the quantification of AHM. Other variables, such as frequency and amplitude of RFT, showed poor test‐retest reliability, because they were susceptible to changes in movement strategy. AFM was excluded from the analysis because of problems with hand recognition.

Conclusion

Novel optical hand tracking techniques yield promising results for patient‐friendly quantification of bradykinesia of the upper extremity in PD. Future work should aim to optimize optical hand tracking and reduce susceptibility to changes in strategy.
Antibacterial and β‐Lactamase Inhibitory Activity of Monocyclic β‐Lactams
Authors: Decuyper Lena , Jukič Marko , Sosič Izidor , Žula Aleš , D'hooghe Matthias , Gobec Stanislav
Published: August 2017

Due to the widespread emergence of resistant bacterial strains, an urgent need for the development of new antibacterial agents with novel modes of action has emerged. The discovery of naturally occurring monocyclic β‐lactams in the late 1970s, mainly active against aerobic Gram‐negative bacteria, has introduced a new approach in the design and development of novel antibacterial β‐lactam agents. The main goal was the derivatization of the azetidin‐2‐one core in order to improve their antibacterial potency, broaden their spectrum of activity, and enhance their β‐lactamase stability. In that respect, our review covers the updates in the field of monocyclic β‐lactam antibiotics during the last three decades, taking into account an extensive collection of references. An overview of the relationships between the structural features of these monocyclic β‐lactams, classified according to their N‐substituent, and the associated antibacterial or β‐lactamase inhibitory activities is provided. The different paragraphs disclose a number of well‐established classes of compounds, such as monobactams, monosulfactams, monocarbams, monophosphams, nocardicins, as well as other known representative classes. Moreover, this review draws attention to some less common but, nevertheless, possibly important types of monocyclic β‐lactams and concludes by highlighting the recent developments on siderophore‐conjugated classes of monocyclic β‐lactams.
Structure Modification toward Applicability Domain of a QSAR/QSPR Model Considering Activity/Property
Authors: Ochi Shoki , Miyao Tomoyuki , Funatsu Kimito
Published: August 2017

In drug and material design, the activity and property values of the designed chemical structures can be predicted by quantitative structure−activity and structure−property relationship (QSAR/QSPR) models. When a QSAR/QSPR model is applied to chemical structures, its applicability domain (AD) must be considered. The predicted activity/property values are only reliable for chemical structures inside the AD. Chemical structures outside the AD are usually neglected, as the predicted values are unreliable. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for obtaining novel chemical structures with the desired activity or property based on a QSAR/QSPR model by making use of the neglected structures. We propose a structure modification strategy for the AD that considers the activity and property simultaneously. The AD is defined by a one‐class support vector machine and the structure modification is guided by a partial derivative of the AD model and matched molecular pairs analysis. Three proof‐of‐concept case studies generate novel chemical structures inside the AD that exhibit preferable activity/property values according to the QSAR/QSPR model.
Olive Oil Phenolics Prevent Oxysterol‐Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Through Modulation of p38 and JNK Pathways
Authors: Serra Gessica , Deiana Monica , Spencer Jeremy P. E. , Corona Giulia
Published: August 2017

Scope

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols to counteract the proinflammatory effects induced by dietary and endogenous oxysterols in ex vivo immune cells.

Methods and results

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), separated from the whole blood of healthy donors, were utilized and were stimulated with an oxysterols mixture, in the presence of physiologically relevant concentrations of the EVOO polyphenols, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and homovanillic alcohol. Oxysterols significantly increased the production of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐1β, regulated on activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in ex vivo cultured PBMCs. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also detected along with increased phosphorylation of the p38 and JNK. All phenolic compounds significantly reduced cytokine secretion induced by the oxysterols and inhibited ROS production and mitogen activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that extra virgin olive oil polyphenols modulate the immune response induced by dietary and endogenous cholesterol oxidation products in human immune cells and may hold benefit in controlling chronic immune and/or inflammatory processes.