bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serous IFNA3 predicts unfavorable prognosis in lung cancer via abnormal activation of AKT signaling
Authors: Ge Quanxu , Cong Peixia , Ji Ying
Published: August 2019

This study addresses the demand through datamining The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and elucidates mechanistic involvements of interferon alpha 8 (IFNA8) in lung cancer. The overall survival and disease‐free survival of lung cancer patients in respect to IFNA8 expression level were analyzed. IFNA8 expression levels in both serum and tumor tissue were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic value of serous IFNA8 in lung cancer was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Cell viability and proliferation were measured by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and Cell Counting Kit‐8 assays. in vivo pro‐tumor effect of IFNA8 was evaluated using xenograft tumor model. The metastasis‐prone behaviors were determined by Transwell chamber assay and tail vein‐injection in mice. Protein levels of p‐AKT, total AKT, and endogenous reference actin were analyzed by western blot. We uncovered high IFNA8 associated with unfavorable overall survival and disease‐free survival in lung cancer patients from TCGA. We further characterized the aberrant over‐expression of IFNA8 in both peripheral blood and solid tumor from our clinical patient panel, and ROC analysis suggested its potential diagnostic value. Ectopic over‐expression of IFNA8 promoted viability and proliferation in both A549 and H1299 cells in vitro and accelerated xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, IFNA8 facilitated migration, invasion, and metastasis of A549 cells in vivo. Mechanistically, we disclosed the over‐activation of AKT signaling in IFNA8‐proficient A549 cells, inhibition of which completely abolished the pro‐tumor effects of IFNA8. We have identified IFNA8 as a novel biomarker for either diagnostic or prognostic purpose in lung cancer, which is mechanistically associated with abnormal activation of AKT signaling.
Clinical Performance of the Updated Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) Algorithm, Which Accounts for the Soft Tissue Thickness: The OsteoLaus Study
Authors: Shevroja Enisa , Aubry-Rozier Bérengère , Hans Gabriel , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Elena , Stoll Delphine , Lamy Olivier , Hans Didier
Published: August 2019

Regional soft tissue may have a noise effect on trabecular bone score (TBS) and eventually alter its estimate. The current TBS software (TBS iNsight®) is based on an algorithm accounting for body mass index (BMI) (TBSv3.03). We aimed to explore the updated TBS algorithm that accounts for soft tissue thickness (TBSv4.0). This study was embedded in the OsteoLaus cohort of women in Lausanne, Switzerland. Hip and lumbar spine (LS) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed using Discovery A System (Hologic). The incident major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) were assessed from vertebral fracture assessments using Genant's method (vertebral MOF) or questionnaires (nonvertebral MOF). We assessed the correlations of bone mineral density (BMD) or TBS with body composition parameters; MOF prediction ability of both versions of TBS; and the differences between Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) adjusted for TBSv3.03 or TBSv4.0. In total, 1362 women with mean ± SD age 64.4 ± 7.5 years and mean ± SD BMI 25.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2 were followed for 4.4 years and 132 experienced an MOF. All the anthropometric measurements of our interest were positively correlated with LS, femoral neck, or hip BMD and TBSv4.0; whereas with TBSv3.03 their correlations were negative. In the models adjusted for age, soft tissue thickness, osteoporotic treatment, and LS-BMD, for each SD decline in TBSv3.03, there was a 43% (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.83) increase in the odds of having MOF; whereas for each SD decline in TBSv4.0, there was a 54% (OR 1.54; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.00) increase in the odds of having an MOF. Both FRAXs were very strongly correlated and the mild differences were present in the already high-risk women for MOF. This study shows that TBSv4.0 overcomes the debatable residual negative correlation of the current TBS with body size and composition parameters, postulating itself as free from the previously acknowledged technical limitation of TBS. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A density functional theory‐time‐dependent density functional theory investigation of photo‐induced hydrogen bond and proton transfer for 2‐(3,5‐dichloro‐2,6‐dihydroxy‐phenyl)‐benzoxazole‐6‐carboxylicacid
Authors: Wang Lifei , Wang Yan , Zhao Juan , Sun Haibo
Published: August 2019

Given the paramount importance of excited‐state relaxation in the photochemical process, excited‐state hydrogen bonding interactions and excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) are always hot topics. In this work, we theoretically explore the excited‐state dynamical behaviors for a novel 2‐(3,5‐dichloro‐2,6‐dihydroxy‐phenyl)‐benzoxazole‐6‐carboxylicacid (DDPBC) system. As two intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O1H2⋯N3 and O4H5⋯O6) exist in the DDPBC structure, we first check if the double proton transfer form cannot be formed in the S1 state. Then, we explore the changes of geometrical parameters involved in hydrogen bonds, based on which we confirm that the dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds are strengthened on photo‐excitation. The O1H2⋯N3 hydrogen bond particularly plays a more important role in excited state. When it comes to the photo‐induced excitation, we find charge transfer and electronic density redistribution around O1H2 and N3 atom moieties. We verify the ESIPT tendency arising from the O1H2⋯N3 hydrogen bond. In the analysis of the potential energy curves, along with O1H2⋯N3 and O4H5⋯O6, we demonstrate that the ESIPT reaction should occur along with O1H2⋯N3 rather than O4H5⋯O6. This work not only clarifies the specific ESIPT mechanism for DDPBC system but also paves the way for further novel applications based on DDPBC structure in the future.
ACR TI‐RADS: An advance in the management of thyroid nodules or Pandora's box of surveillance?
Authors: Fradin Joel M.
Published: August 2019

Numerous sets of guidelines have been proposed regarding ultrasound of thyroid nodules. None has been universally accepted. American College of Radiology‐Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR‐TIRADS) has been promoted as an improvement to existing guidelines such as the 2015 revised American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. This commentary compares and contrasts these two guidelines. Adoption of TI‐RADS is likely to result in large‐scale, costly surveillance without clear benefit. Replacement of 2015 revised ATA guidelines by TI‐RADS is not justified. The shortcomings that exist in the ATA guidelines can be addressed as described in this commentary.
Fractional DP‐colorings of sparse graphs
Authors: Bernshteyn Anton , Kostochka Alexandr , Zhu Xuding
Published: August 2019

DP‐coloring (also known as correspondence coloring) is a generalization of list coloring developed recently by Dvořák and Postle [J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 129 (2018), pp. 38–54]. In this paper we introduce and study the fractional DP‐chromatic number . We characterize all connected graphs such that : they are precisely the graphs with no odd cycles and at most one even cycle. By a theorem of Alon, Tuza, and Voigt [Discrete Math. 165–166 (1997), pp. 31–38], the fractional list‐chromatic number of any graph equals its fractional chromatic number . This equality does not extend to fractional DP‐colorings. Moreover, we show that the difference can be arbitrarily large, and, furthermore, for every graph of maximum average degree . On the other hand, we show that this asymptotic lower bound is tight for a large class of graphs that includes all bipartite graphs as well as many graphs of high girth and high chromatic number.
On packing spanning arborescences with matroid constraint
Authors: Fortier Quentin , Király Csaba , Szigeti Zoltán , Tanigawa Shin‐ichi
Published: August 2019

Let be a digraph with a designated root vertex . Edmonds’ seminal result (see J. Edmonds [4]) implies that has a packing of spanning ‐arborescences if and only if has a packing of ‐paths for all , where a packing means arc‐disjoint subgraphs. Let be a matroid on the set of arcs leaving . A packing of ‐paths is called ‐based if their arcs leaving form a base of while a packing of ‐arborescences is called ‐based if, for all , the packing of ‐paths provided by the arborescences is ‐based. Durand de Gevigney, Nguyen, and Szigeti proved in [3] that has an ‐based packing of ‐arborescences if and only if has an ‐based packing of ‐paths for all . Bérczi and Frank conjectured that this statement can be strengthened in the sense of Edmonds’ theorem such that each ‐arborescence is required to be spanning. Specifically, they conjectured that has an ‐based packing of spanning ‐arborescences if and only if has an ‐based packing of ‐paths for all . In this paper we disprove this conjecture in its general form and we prove that the corresponding decision problem is NP‐complete. We also prove that the conjecture holds for several fundamental classes of matroids, such as graphic matroids and transversal matroids. For all the results presented in this paper, the undirected counterpart also holds.
Gallai's path decomposition conjecture for graphs with treewidth at most 3
Authors: Botler Fábio , Sambinelli Maycon , Coelho Rafael S. , Lee Orlando
Published: August 2019

A path decomposition of a graph is a set of edge‐disjoint paths of that covers the edge set of . Gallai (1968) conjectured that every connected graph with vertices admits a path decomposition of size at most . Gallai's conjecture was verified for many classes of graphs. In particular, Lovász (1968) verified this conjecture for graphs with at most one vertex of even degree, and Pyber (1996) verified it for graphs in which every cycle contains a vertex of odd degree. Recently, Bonamy and Perrett verified Gallai's conjecture for graphs with maximum degree at most 5. In this paper, we verify Gallai's conjecture for graphs with treewidth at most 3. Moreover, we show that the only graphs with treewidth at most 3 that do not admit a path decomposition of size at most are isomorphic to or , the graph obtained from by removing an edge.
Disjoint cycles covering matchings in graphs with partial degrees
Authors: Wang Hong
Published: August 2019

Let be a graph of order . Let be a positive integer and a matching of with such that for each , where is the set of vertices that are endvertices of edges of . We prove that for any integers with contains disjoint cycles such that contains edges of for all . We conjecture that the same conclusion holds if the degree condition is changed to that for all .
The optimal general upper bound for the distinguishing index of infinite graphs
Authors: Pilśniak Monika , Stawiski Marcin
Published: August 2019

The distinguishing index of a graph is the least cardinal number such that has an edge‐coloring with colors, which is preserved only by the trivial automorphism. We prove a general upper bound for any connected infinite graph with finite maximum degree . This is in contrast with finite graphs since for every there exist infinitely many connected, finite graphs with . We also give examples showing that this bound is sharp for any maximum degree .
Pure laparoscopic versus open hemihepatectomy: a critical assessment and realistic expectations – a propensity score‐based analysis of right and left hemihepatectomies from nine European tertiary referral centers
Authors: Cipriani Federica , Alzoubi Mohammad , Fuks David , Ratti Francesca , Kawai Takayuki , Berardi Giammauro , Barkhatov Leonid , Lainas Panagiotis , Van der Poel Marcel , Faoury Morad , Besselink Marc G. , D’Hondt Mathieu , Dagher Ibrahim , Edwin Bjorn , Troisi Roberto Ivan , Scatton Olivier , Gayet Brice , Aldrighetti Luca , Abu Hilal Mohammad
Published: August 2019

Introduction

A stronger evidence level is needed to confirm the benefits and limits of laparoscopic hemihepatectomies.

Methods

Laparoscopic and open hemihepatectomies from nine European referral centers were compared after propensity score matching (right and left hemihepatectomies separately, and benign and malignant diseases sub‐analyses).

Results

Five hundred and forty‐five laparoscopic hemihepatectomies were compared with 545 open. Laparoscopy was associated with reduced blood loss (P < 0.001), postoperative stay (P < 0.001) and minor morbidity (P = 0.002), supported by a lower Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) (P = 0.035). Laparoscopic right hemihepatectomies were associated with lower ascites (P = 0.016), bile leak (P = 0.001) and wound infections (P = 0.009). Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomies exhibited a lower incidence of bile leak and cardiovascular complications (P = 0.024; P = 0.041), lower minor and major morbidity (P = 0.003; P = 0.044) and reduced CCI (P = 0.002). Laparoscopic major hepatectomies (LMH) for benign disease were associated with lower blood loss (P = 0.001) and bile leaks (P = 0.037) and shorter total stay (P < 0.001). LMH for malignancy were associated with lower blood loss (P < 0.001) and minor morbidity (P = 0.027) supported by a lower CCI (P = 0.021) and shorter stay (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This multicenter study confirms some associated advantages of laparoscopic left and right hemihepatectomies in malignant and benign conditions highlighting the need for realistic expectations of the minimally invasive approach based on the resected hemiliver and the patients treated.
Malignant conversion and peritoneal dissemination after endoscopic ultrasound‐guided ethanol ablation in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas
Authors: Jang Jin‐Young , Byun Yoonhyeong , Han Youngmin , Kim Hongbeom , Kwon Wooil
Published: August 2019

Background

With the increasing detection of pancreatic cysts, many centers have applied endoscopic ultrasound‐guided pancreatic cyst ablation (EUS‐PCA), even in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas based on early promising outcomes. However, long‐term effects of ethanol ablation have been rarely reported, especially regarding oncologic outcomes.

Methods and Results

We report eight cases of malignancy conversion after EUS‐PCA in patients with IPMNs who had worrisome features. Moreover, two patients showed tumor spillage or peritoneal seeding (carcinomatosis) after EUS‐PCA.

Conclusions

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided pancreatic cyst ablation must not be performed as a treatment for IPMNs, considering adverse results such as tumor spillage and the lack of oncological therapeutic effect.
Diversified Synthetic Strategies for Pyrroloindoles: An Overview
Authors: Manjal Sundeep Kaur , Pathania Shelly , Bhatia Rohit , Kaur Ramandeep , Kumar Kapil , Rawal Ravindra K.
Published: August 2019

In current scenario, heterocyclic compounds' role in medicinal chemistry has been tremendously increased as they possess wide number of pharmacological activities. One of the common heterocycles include indole skeleton with well‐established biological significance in field of medicinal chemistry. Fusion of indole nucleus with pyrrole heterocycle constitutes pyrroloindole scaffold, which further modifies the existing properties of indole alone. Pyrroloindole is a privileged scaffold found in various types of bioactive entities including natural compounds and exhibits wide variety of pharmacological activities like muscle relaxant, antifungal, antitumor, and antibiotic. Therefore, it is considered as attractive template for drug discovery. From several years, numbers of synthetic strategies have been reported for the synthesis of pyrroloindole and its derivatives, including also natural compounds such as amauromine, yuremamine, and chimonanthines. Here, in this review, we have tried to compile various synthetic strategies of pyrroloindole and its derivatives.
Radiosynthesis of the diastereomerically pure (E)‐[11C]ABP688
Authors: Bdair Hussein , Tsai I‐Huang , Smart Kelly , Benkelfat Chawki , Leyton Marco , Kostikov Alexey
Published: August 2019

We report an efficient protocol for the radiosynthesis of diastereomerically pure (E)‐[11C]ABP688, a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for metabotropic glutamate type 5 (mGlu5) receptor imaging. The protocol reliably provides sterile and pyrogen‐free formulation of (E)‐[11C]ABP688 suitable for preclinical and clinical PET imaging with >99% diastereomeric excess (d.e.), >99% overall radiochemical purity (RCP), 14.9 ± 4.3% decay‐corrected radiochemical yield (RCY), and 148.86 ± 79.8 GBq/μmol molar activity in 40 minutes from the end of bombardment.
Integration of multiple computer modeling software programs for characterization of a brain natriuretic peptide sandwich DNA aptamer complex
Authors: Bruno John G.
Published: August 2019

Several molecular modeling programs including Pep‐Fold 3, Vienna RNA, RNA Composer, Avogadro, PatchDock, RasMol, and VMD were used to define the three‐dimensional and basic binding characteristics of an extant sandwich DNA aptamer assay complex for human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). In particular, the theoretical question of demonstrating likely binding of 72 base capture and reporter aptamers to at least two separate “epitopes” or binding sites on the small 32‐amino acid BNP target was addressed, and the data support the existence of separate aptamer binding sites on BNP. The binding model was based on first docking BNP to the capture aptamer based on shape complementarity with PatchDock, followed by docking the capture aptamer‐BNP complex with the reporter aptamer in PatchDock. Although, shape complementarity clearly dominated this binding model and aptamers are known to be somewhat flexible, the model demonstrates hydrogen bond stabilization within each of the two different aptamers and between the aptamers and the BNP target, thus suggesting a strong binding and high affinity sandwich assay that matches the author's former published assay results (Bruno et al., Microchem. J. 2014;115:32‐38) with subpicogram per milliliter sensitivity and good specificity. Other aspects such as capture and reporter aptamer interactions in the absence of BNP are illustrated and suggest means for potentially improving the existing assay by truncating the capture and reporter aptamers where they overlap to further decrease background signal levels.
Hepatocellular adenomas: Understanding the pathomolecular lexicon, MRI features, terminology, and pitfalls to inform a standardized approach
Authors: Zulfiqar Maria , Sirlin Claude B. , Yoneda Norihide , Ronot Maxime , Hecht Elizabeth M. , Chernyak Victoria , Matsui Osamu , Bastati Nina , Ba‐Ssalamah Ahmed , Chatterjee Deyali , Bashir Mustafa , Fowler Kathryn J.
Published: August 2019

Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign hepatic tumors that can be complicated by bleeding and/or malignant transformation. The epidemiology of HCAs has changed over recent decades, primarily influenced by an increased incidence of obesity in both men and women. Currently, at least eight distinct pathomolecular subtypes of HCAs have been identified, several of which have distinguishing and pertinent imaging features on MRI. Emerging evidence suggests that hepatobiliary phase appearance may provide diagnostic and prognostic information. The purpose of this article is to review the current pathomolecular lexicon and imaging features with emphasis on hepatobiliary phase appearance.

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1630–1640.
Combining non‐invasive brain stimulation with functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural substrates of cognitive aging
Authors: Abellaneda‐Pérez Kilian , Vaqué‐Alcázar Lídia , Solé‐Padullés Cristina , Bartrés‐Faz David
Published: August 2019

As aging population is increasing, new methodologies to apprehend and enhance the mechanisms related to optimal brain function in advancing age become urgent. This review describes how the combined use of non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides novel experimental data on the putative neurophysiological mechanisms underlying inter‐individual differences in cognitive status among older adults, also further illuminating our understanding of theoretical models proposed within the cognitive neuroscience of aging literature. In addition, it explores published evidence of how this combined procedure entails the capacity to modify the activity and connectivity of specific brain networks in older adults, potentially leading to improvements in cognitive function and other measures reflecting mental health status. Although additional research is needed, combining NIBS with fMRI might provide innovative understanding of how fundamental brain plasticity mechanisms operate in advancing age, a knowledge that may be eventually used to refine more individually tailored approaches to promote brain health in aged populations.
Dexmedetomidine inhibits the lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated inflammatory response in microglia through the pathway involving TLR4 and NF‐κB
Authors: Zhou Xue‐Yue , Liu Jing , Xu Zhi‐Peng , Fu Qiang , Wang Pei‐Qi , Zhang Hong
Published: August 2019

To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced neuroinflammation in BV2 microglia. BV2 microglial cells were treated with various concentrations of DEX (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) for 1 hour, and then incubated in the presence or absence of 0.1 μg/mL LPS for 24 hours. Cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assays. The expression levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of TLR4 and NF‐кB were detected by western blotting. Moreover, BV2 microglial cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for TLR4 (si‐TLR4 group) or negative control siRNA (si‐NC group) for 24 hours, followed by exposing to 0.1 μg/mL LPS for 24 hours. TLR4, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α expressions were detected by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). There were no significant differences in cell viability with the different treatments. Compared with the control group, LPS markedly increased the release of IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, TLR4, and NF‐κB, but these increases were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with 10 or 100 ng/mL DEX in a dose‐dependent relationship, but not with 1 ng/mL DEX. Gene expression levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α were obviously upregulated in si‐NC group and si‐TLR4 group when cells were exposed to 0.1 μg/mL LPS for 24 hours. Meanwhile, si‐TLR4 group had significantly lower IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α expressions than si‐NC group. The anti‐inflammatory effects of DEX on LPS‐induced BV2 microglia may be mediated through pathway involving TLR4 and NF‐κB.
Anemia and blood transfusion requirements in endoscopic sinus surgery: A propensity‐matched analysis
Authors: Povolotskiy Roman , Cerasiello Samantha Y. , Siddiqui Sana H. , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson , Hsueh Wayne D.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Massive bleeding requiring blood transfusion is a feared complication of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). In an effort to improve healthcare quality and outcomes, research is focused on identifying the risk factors for complications following surgical procedures. Blood transfusions have been linked to increased complication rates, but their role has not been extensively studied in ESS.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) participant user files 2005 to 2014 were queried for all cases of ESS. Patients were divided into cohorts based on anemia (hematocrit <39.00 in men and <36.00 in women) and hematocrit levels. Univariate analyses and a propensity score‐matching algorithm were employed.

Results

Of 630 cases of ESS, 117 (18.6%) had preexisting anemia. Anemic patients were more likely to be black (19.8% vs. 6.7%, P ≤ 0.001), undergo longer operation times (117.50 minutes ±155.73 vs. 129.85 minutes ±36.03, P = 0.005), have diabetes (28.2% vs. 10.9%, P ≤ 0.001), and have hypertension (46.2% vs. 33.1%, P = 0.010). Following propensity score matching, 109 cases were selected for each cohort, with no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, operation time, or outpatient status. The anemic cohort was independently associated with an increase in overall postoperative complications (17.4% vs. 7.3%, P = 0.038). Transfusion use was significantly associated with preoperative hematocrit levels <30 (30.0% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.001) and between 30 and 34.99 (13.9% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Preoperative anemia is a significant predictor of overall complications and bleeding requiring transfusion for patients undergoing ESS. These results highlight the need for careful preoperative assessment and management of anemia in this population.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:1377–1382, 2020
Frontal inverted papillomas: A 25‐year study
Authors: Sham Cheuk Lun , van Hasselt C. Andrew , Chow Samuel M. W. , Lee Dennis L. Y. , Cho Ryan H. W. , Woo John K. S. , Tong Michael C. F.
Published: August 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

This study analyzes the treatment outcomes of frontal inverted papillomas (FIPs) in an attempt to provide guidelines for surgery selection.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

The treatment results of 29 FIPs classified into five categories were retrospectively analyzed. The five categories are F1, tumor prolapsed into frontal sinus, tumor origin outside frontal sinus; F2, tumor origin inside frontal sinus, medial to the plane of lamina papyracea; F3, tumor origin inside frontal sinus, lateral to the plane of lamina papyracea; F4, bilateral; and F5, extrasinonasal.

Results

Of the 11 F1 cases, 73% had Draf I and 27% had Draf IIA procedures. There was one (9%) frontal recurrence and one (9%) frontal stenosis. Of the 10 F2 cases, 10% had Draf I, 40% had Draf IIA, 40% had Draf IIB, and 10% had Draf III surgery with a trephination. One patient (10%) had a frontal recurrence. Of the five F3 cases, 40% had Draf IIA surgery, 20% had external frontoethmoidectomy, and 40% had external frontal sinusotomy. The recurrence rate was 60%, and frontal stenosis rate was 60%. The two F4 cases had external frontal sinusotomies and Draf III surgery with no frontal recurrence or stenosis. The patient with the F5 had a frontal recurrence after Draf IIA surgery and external frontoethmoidectomy.

Conclusions

Draf I or IIA surgery is adequate for most F1 tumors, and Draf II surgery is adequate for most F2 tumors. F3 and F4 tumors can be managed initially by Draf III surgery with external frontal sinusotomy added when required. F5 tumors probably require combined surgical approaches.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1622–1628, 2020
Trees in African drylands can promote deep soil and groundwater recharge in a future climate with more intense rainfall
Authors: Bargués‐Tobella Aida , Hasselquist Niles J. , Bazié Hugues R. , Bayala Jules , Laudon Hjalmar , Ilstedt Ulrik
Published: August 2019

Tropical regions are likely to experience more intense rainfall events in the future. Such an increase in rainfall intensities will affect soil and groundwater recharge, with potential consequences for millions of people. However, little is known about the impact of tree cover on soil and groundwater recharge under higher rainfall intensities. Here, we investigated the effect of tree cover and rainfall intensity on soil water drainage in an agroforestry parkland in West Africa. We collected soil water drainage from lysimeters located at 50 and 150 cm depth in both small and large open areas among trees, which represent contrasting degrees of tree cover, and analyzed a subset of water samples for δ18O and δ2H to gain insights into the mechanisms of water flow within the soil profile. We found that under high rainfall intensities (>20 mm d−1), the median daily soil water drainage amount at 150 cm was 13 times higher in the small compared with the large open areas, whereas at 50 cm, there were no significant differences. Low rainfall intensities (<10 mm d−1) resulted in little soil water drainage both at 50 and 150 cm depth, regardless of canopy opening size. The isotopic signature of soil water drainage suggested less evaporation and a higher degree of preferential flow in small compared with large open areas. Our results suggest that maintaining or promoting an appropriate tree cover in tropical African drylands may be key to improving deep soil and groundwater recharge under a future climate with more heavy rainfall.
Enhancing the Thermal Stability of Polypropylene by Blending with Low Amounts of Natural Antioxidants
Authors: Hernández‐Fernández Joaquín , Rayón Emilio , López Juan , Arrieta Marina P.
Published: August 2019

Natural antioxidants are added in very low amounts to protect a polypropylene (PP) matrix against thermo‐oxidative degradation during processing. Thus, PP is melt‐blended with caffeic, chlorogenic, trans‐ferrulic, andp‐coumaric acids, and also with flavone and 3‐hydroxyflavone at 0.1 wt% with respect to the PP matrix. Neat PP and PP blended with three traditional antioxidants are prepared for comparison. A complete structural, thermal, and mechanical characterization is conducted. Ferrulic acid and particularly caffeic acid increases the thermal stability, showing also the highest activation energy. The structural changes of PP‐based films due to the polymer thermal degradation at high temperature (i.e., 400 °C) followed by FTIR reveal that antioxidants effectively delay the thermal degradation process. The wettability and the mechanical performance are also studied to get information regarding the industrial application of such films. While caffeic acid provides a more flexible material, ferrulic acid provides higher water resistance. Finally, AFM‐QNM shows that PP with caffeic acid has the highest miscibility.
Rapid point‐of‐care diagnostics for the detection of Chlamydia pecorum in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification without nucleic acid purification
Authors: Hulse Lyndal S. , McDonald Sean , Johnston Stephen D. , Beagley Kenneth W.
Published: August 2019

Infectious disease, predominately chlamydiosis, contributes significantly to the decline in health of wild koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in some regions of Australia. In this study, we describe the development and evaluation of a simple, sensitive, and specific loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Chlamydia pecorum in koalas as a point‐of‐care diagnostic tool that can be used in any wildlife hospital and in the field on specialized instrumentation. A set of primers targeting a 188‐bp region of the C. pecorum genome was designed. 100% specificity of the LAMP assay was revealed by demonstrating no cross‐reactivity with 33 nontarget pathogens, and complete correlation with qPCR results for 43 clinical swabs collected opportunistically from wildlife hospitals. In sensitivity evaluations, the technique successfully detected serial dilutions of extracted C. pecorum DNA with a detection limit of 44 IFU/ml.
Gene–gene interaction among cell adhesion genes and risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Chinese case‐parent trios
Authors: Liu Dongjing , Wang Mengying , Yuan Yuan , Schwender Holger , Wang Hong , Wang Ping , Zhou Zhibo , Li Jing , Wu Tao , Zhu Hongping , Beaty Terri H.
Published: August 2019

Background

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a common birth defect with complex etiology. One strategy for studying the genetic risk factors of NSCL/P is to consider gene–gene interaction (G × G) among gene pathways having a role in craniofacial development. The present study aimed to investigate the G × G among cell adhesion gene pathway.

Methods

We carried out an interaction analysis of eight genes involved in cell adherens junctions among 806 NSCL/P Chinese case‐parent trios originally recruited for a genome‐wide association study (GWAS). Regression‐based approach was used to test for two‐way G × G interaction, while machine learning algorithm was run for exploring both two‐way and multi‐way interaction that may affect the risk of NSCL/P.

Results

A two‐way ACTN1 × CTNNB1 interaction reached the adjusted significance level. The single nucleotide polymorphisms pair composed of rs17252114 (CTNNB1) and rs1274944 (ACTN1) yielded a p value of .0002, and this interaction was also supported by the logic regression algorithm. Higher order interactions involving ACTN1, CTNNB1, and CDH1 were picked out by logic regression, suggesting a potential role in NSCL/P risk.

Conclusion

This study suggests for the first time evidence of both two‐way and multi‐way G × G interactions among cell adhesion genes contributing to the NSCL/P risk.
Variables associated with 30‐day postoperative complications in lower extremity free flap reconstruction identified in the ACS‐NSQIP database
Authors: Veith Jacob , Donato Daniel , Holoyda Kathleen , Simpson Andrew , Agarwal Jayant
Published: August 2019

Background

Lower extremity free flaps are a common way to treat both traumatic and oncologic lower extremity wounds. These patients often suffer postoperative complications. We sought to use the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS‐NSQIP) database to identify variables associated with postoperative complications.

Methods

Patients who had free flap procedure and a primary diagnosis code for lower extremity pathology were identified in the NSQIP database from 2006 to 2017. NSQIP includes data on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables, including information up to 30 postoperative days. Current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for free flaps and international classification of diseases (ICD) 9 and 10 codes for lower extremity pathology were used for our cohort. We examined overall and major complication rates. Major complications were defined as reoperation, readmission, organ space infection, or death. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify associations with complications.

Results

Four hundred and eighty‐three patients underwent lower extremity free flaps. Overall complication rate was 31.6% and major complication rate was 14.9%. Prolonged operative time (OR = 2.81, CI:1.76–4.48, p < .001), preoperative steroid use (OR = 3.04, CI:1.12–8.29, p = .030), and preoperative anemia (OR = 4.10, CI:2.00–8.41, p < .001) were independently associated with any complication. Diabetes (OR = 2.56, CI:1.24–5.29, p = .011) and prolonged operative time (OR = 3.75, CI:2.17–6.47, p < .001) were independently associated with major complications.

Conclusions

In lower extremity flap reconstruction, associations with overall complications include prolonged operative time, steroid use, and anemia. Associations with major complications included diabetes and prolonged operative time. These associations can be used to guide interventions on patients identified to have greater risk of complications.
Improving the approximation of the probability density function of random nonautonomous logistic‐type differential equations
Authors: Calatayud Julia , Cortés Juan Carlos , Jornet Marc
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we address the problem of approximating the probability density function of the following random logistic differential equation: P′(t,ω)=A(t,ω)(1−P(t,ω))P(t,ω), t∈[t0,T], P(t0,ω)=P0(ω), where ω is any outcome in the sample space Ω. In the recent contribution [Cortés, JC, et al. Commun Nonlinear Sci Numer Simulat 2019; 72: 121–138], the authors imposed conditions on the diffusion coefficient A(t) and on the initial condition P0 to approximate the density function f1(p,t) of P(t): A(t) is expressed as a Karhunen–Loève expansion with absolutely continuous random coefficients that have certain growth and are independent of the absolutely continuous random variable P0, and the density of P0,
, is Lipschitz on (0,1). In this article, we tackle the problem in a different manner, by using probability tools that allow the hypotheses to be less restrictive. We only suppose that A(t) is expanded on L2([t0,T]×Ω), so that we include other expansions such as random power series. We only require absolute continuity for P0, so that A(t) may be discrete or singular, due to a modified version of the random variable transformation technique. For
, only almost everywhere continuity and boundedness on (0,1) are needed. We construct an approximating sequence
of density functions in terms of expectations that tends to f1(p,t) pointwise. Numerical examples illustrate our theoretical results.
An x‐band waveguide orthomode transducer with integrated filters
Authors: Gao Yang , Shang Xiaobang , Wang Yi , Lancaster Michael J.
Published: August 2019

This letter presents a novel waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) with integrated filters. Resonator‐based bandpass filters are used for the two channels forming a duplexing OMT. As an example, a two‐channel duplexing OMT is designed with channels at 9.9‐10.1 GHz and 10.9‐11.1 GHz. A good filter response with 20 dB return loss is achieved for both the channels. The upper and lower bands are isolated to −80 dB due to the filtering elements and a transmission zero. This new multifunction compact filter‐OMT design leads to the size reduction and improved inter‐band isolation. A CNC machined waveguide OMT is demonstrated and its performance is verified with excellent agreement between the electromagnetic wave (EM) simulation and measured results.
A new approach to automatic fetal brain extraction from MRI using a variational level set method
Authors: Pishghadam Morteza , Kazemi Kamran , Nekooei Sirous , Seilanian‐Toosi Farrokh , Hoseini‐Ghahfarokhi Mojtaba , Zabihzadeh Mansour , Fatemi Ali
Published: August 2019

Background and purpose

Appropriate images extracted from the MRI of mothers’ wombs can be of great help in the medical diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. As maternal tissue may appear in such images, affecting visualization of myelination of the fetal brain, it is not possible to use methods routinely used for extraction of adult brains for fetal brains. The aim of the present study was to use a variational level set approach to extract fetal brain from T2‐weighted MR images of the womb.

Methods

Coronal T2‐weighted images were acquired using fast MRI protocols (to avoid artifacts). The database includes 105 MR images from eight subjects. After correcting the inhomogeneity of the images, the fetal eyes were located, and from that information, the location of the fetus brain was automatically determined. Then, the variational level set was used for fetus brain extraction. The results were analyzed by a clinical specialist (radiologist) and the similarity (Dice and Jaccard coefficients), sensitivity and specificity were calculated.

Results and conclusions

The means of the statistical analysis for the Dice and Jaccard coefficients, sensitivity and specificity, were 99.56%, 96.89%, 95.71%, and 97.96%, respectively. Thus, extraction of fetal brain from MR images was confirmed, both statistically and visually through cross‐validation.
Embryo presence regulates NODAL/LEFTY2 system in the rat oviduct in vivo
Authors: Argañaraz Martin E. , Zampini Renato , Apichela Silvana A. , Barraza Daniela E. , Angiono Georgina , Lombardo Daniel
Published: August 2019

To gain further insight in the mechanisms of the embryo–maternal dialog in the oviduct, expression of members of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily, NODAL, its inhibitor, LEFTY2, and their coreceptor, CFC1, were studied in the oviduct of 3‐day post copula (3 dpc) females with and without embryos (E and NE), pseudopregnant rats (SP3), and in 3‐day embryos. Nodal transcripts in SP3 oviducts showed a steady‐state relative abundance when compared with proestrus stage and the 3 dpc. In contrast, Lefty2 and Cfc1 relative abundance levels in proestrus and 3 dpc were higher. When comparing E with NE oviducts, Nodal and Lefty2 expression levels decreased, while Cfc1 expression increased in the presence of embryos. Nodal messenger RNA (mRNA) was observed in the embryo, but Lefty2 and Cfc1 transcripts were not found. In addition, an increase in Lefty2 expression coincided with increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases 9 mRNA and protein in the oviduct and in the oviductal fluid, respectively. These observations have shed new light on the relevance of the NODAL/LEFTY2 pathway in the oviduct during early embryo development and the role of the embryo in modulating this pathway.
Mixing Effects in Continuous Free‐Radical Solution Copolymerization Tank Reactors: II—Investigation of Micromixing Effects
Authors: Oechsler Bruno F. , Poblete Israel B. S. , Melo Príamo A. , Pinto José C.
Published: August 2019

The effect of micromixing on the dynamic behavior of continuous solution copolymerization tank reactors is evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. For this purpose, copolymerization reactions of styrene and divinylbenzene are carried out in a lab‐scale polymerization system, composed of two tank reactors in series, to provide experimental data of conversion and molar masses for analysis of micromixing effects. Besides, a detailed micromixing model, based on a dynamic population balance approach, is developed and solved with the method of characteristics, to investigate the micromixing effects on the dynamic behavior of conversion and molar masses in copolymerization reactions. Particularly, results show for the first time that micromixing effects can be important to explain the dynamic behavior of polymerization reactions performed in bulk, but are not sufficient to explain the whole set of available experimental data, which are much more sensitive to modification of residence time distributions and macromixing.
Quantitative brain relaxation atlases for personalized detection and characterization of brain pathology
Authors: Piredda Gian Franco , Hilbert Tom , Granziera Cristina , Bonnier Guillaume , Meuli Reto , Molinari Filippo , Thiran Jean‐Philippe , Kober Tobias
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To exploit the improved comparability and hardware independency of quantitative MRI, databases of MR physical parameters in healthy tissue are required, to which tissue properties of patients can be compared. In this work, normative values for longitudinal and transverse relaxation times in the brain were established and tested in single‐subject comparisons for detection of abnormal relaxation times.

Methods

Relaxometry maps of the brain were acquired from 52 healthy volunteers. After spatially normalizing the volumes into a common space, T1 and T2 inter‐subject variability within the healthy cohort was modeled voxel‐wise. A method for a single‐subject comparison against the atlases was developed by computing z‐scores with respect to the established healthy norms. The comparison was applied to two multiple sclerosis and one clinically isolated syndrome cases for a proof of concept.

Results

The established atlases exhibit a low variation in white matter structures (median RMSE of models equal to 32 ms for T1 and 4 ms for T2), indicating that relaxation times are in a narrow range for normal tissues. The proposed method for single‐subject comparison detected relaxation time deviations from healthy norms in the example patient data sets. Relaxation times were found to be increased in brain lesions (mean z‐scores >5). Moreover, subtle and confluent differences (z‐scores ~2–4) were observed in clinically plausible regions (between lesions, corpus callosum).

Conclusions

Brain T1 and T2 quantitative norms were derived voxel‐wise with low variability in healthy tissue. Example patient deviation maps demonstrated good sensitivity of the atlases for detecting relaxation time alterations.
Fast myocardial T1 mapping using cardiac motion correction
Authors: Becker Kirsten M. , Blaszczyk Edyta , Funk Stephanie , Nuesslein André , Schulz‐Menger Jeanette , Schaeffter Tobias , Kolbitsch Christoph
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To improve the efficiency of native and postcontrast high‐resolution cardiac T1 mapping by utilizing cardiac motion correction.

Methods

Common cardiac T1 mapping techniques only acquire data in a small part of the cardiac cycle, leading to inefficient data sampling. Here, we present an approach in which 80% of each cardiac cycle is used for T1 mapping by integration of cardiac motion correction. Golden angle radial data was acquired continuously for 8 s with in‐plane resolution of 1.3 × 1.3 mm2. Cine images were reconstructed for nonrigid cardiac motion estimation. Images at different TIs were reconstructed from the same data, and motion correction was performed prior to T1 mapping. Native T1 mapping was evaluated in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the technique was applied for postcontrast T1 mapping in 5 patients with suspected fibrosis.

Results

Cine images with high contrast were obtained, leading to robust cardiac motion estimation. Motion‐corrected T1 maps showed myocardial T1 times similar to cardiac‐triggered T1 maps obtained from the same data (1288 ± 49 ms and 1259 ± 55 ms, respectively) but with a 34% improved precision (spatial variation: 57.0 ± 12.5 ms and 94.8 ± 15.4 ms, respectively, P < 0.0001) due to the increased amount of data. In postcontrast T1 maps, focal fibrosis could be confirmed with late contrast‐enhancement images.

Conclusion

The proposed approach provides high‐resolution T1 maps within 8 s. Data acquisition efficiency for T1 mapping was improved by a factor of 5 by integration of cardiac motion correction, resulting in precise T1 maps.
Measuring extracellular volume fraction by MRI: First verification of values given by clinical sequences
Authors: Nordlund David , Xanthis Christos , Bidhult Sebastian , Jablonowski Robert , Kanski Mikael , Kopic Sascha , Carlsson Marcus , Engblom Henrik , Aletras Anthony H. , Arheden Håkan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To verify MR measurements of myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) based on clinically applicable T1‐mapping sequences against ECV measurements by radioisotope tracer in pigs and to relate the results to those obtained in volunteers.

Methods

Between May 2016 and March 2017, 8 volunteers (25 ± 4 years, 3 female) and 8 pigs (4 female) underwent ECV assessment with SASHA, MOLLI5(3b)3, MOLLI5(3s)3, and MOLLI5s(3s)3s. Myocardial ECV was measured independently in pigs using a radioisotope tracer method.

Results

In pigs, ECV in normal myocardium was not different between radioisotope (average ± standard deviation; 19 ± 2%) and SASHA (21 ± 2%; P = 0.086). ECV was higher by MOLLI5(3b)3 (26 ± 2%), MOLLI5(3s)3 (25 ± 2%), and MOLLI5s(3s)3s (25 ± 2%) compared with SASHA or radioisotope (P ≤ 0.001 for all). ECV in volunteers was higher by MOLLI5(3b)3 (26 ± 3%) and MOLLI5(3s)3 (26 ± 3%) than by SASHA (22 ± 3%; P = 0.022 and P = 0.033). No difference was found between MOLLI5s(3s)3s (25 ± 3%) and SASHA (P = 0.225). Native T1 of blood and myocardium as well as postcontrast T1 of myocardium was consistently lower using MOLLI compared with SASHA. ECV increased over time as measured by MOLLI5(3b)3 and MOLLI5(3s)3 for pigs (0.08% and 0.07%/min; P = 0.004 and P = 0.013) and by MOLLI5s(3s)3s for volunteers (0.07%/min; P = 0.032) but did not increase as measured by SASHA.

Conclusion

Clinically available MOLLI and SASHA techniques can be used to accurately estimate ECV in normal myocardium where MOLLI‐sequences show minor overestimation driven by underestimation of postcontrast T1 when compared with SASHA. The timing of imaging after contrast administration affected the measurement of ECV using some variants of the MOLLI sequence.
Making strides toward achieving the Triple Aim in the treatment of chronic low back pain with a biopsychosocial guided approach
Authors: Gliedt Jordan A. , Mardian Aram S.
Published: August 2019

The Triple Aim is an effort to bring attention to improving the patient experience, improving population health and reducing healthcare costs. Chronic pain, particularly chronic low back pain, is a common disabling condition with high costs and burdens to society. The biopsychosocial model may provide a framework in which chronic low back pain may be viewed to guide new and emerging clinical care models to achieve the Triple Aim in this field of care.