bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonmotor symptoms in primary adult‐onset cervical dystonia and blepharospasm
Authors: Yang Jing , Shao Na , Song Wei , Wei Qianqian , Ou Ruwei , Wu Ying , Shang Hui‐Fang
Published: December 2016

Background

The nature and frequency of nonmotor symptoms in primary adult‐onset cervical dystonia (CD) and blepharospasm (BSP) patients in Chinese populations remain unknown.

Methods

Hamilton's Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton's Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE‐R), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to evaluate NMS in 120 patients with primary focal adult‐onset dystonia (60 with BSP and 60 with CD) and 60 age‐, sex‐, and education level‐ matched healthy controls (HCs). Motor symptoms of BSP and CD patients were evaluated by Jankovic rating scale and Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale‐severity scale separately.

Results

Twenty patients had depression, and 29 patients had anxiety. The mean HAMD and HAMA scores were significantly higher in patient groups. Thirty‐six patients had cognitive decline based on the cut‐off score of 75. The total score and scores of each domain of ACE‐R were significantly lower in patient groups than that in HCs. Quality of sleep was impaired in patient groups, and patients with CD had worse quality of sleep than patients with BSP. Thirty‐three BSP patients and 43 CD patients suffered from sleep disorder separately. The frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness did not differ between patients and HCs. No significant correlation was found between NMS and motor severity in the two forms of dystonia.

Conclusions

Current study suggests that NMS are prevalent in Chinese CD and BSP patients, and the motor severity of dystonia did not contribute to the severity of nonmotor symptoms. Assessment of nonmotor symptoms should be considered in clinical management of focal dystonia
microRNA from brush biopsy to characterize oral squamous cell carcinoma epithelium
Authors: Zhou Yalu , Kolokythas Antonia , Schwartz Joel L. , Epstein Joel B. , Adami Guy R.
Published: December 2016

Few cancers are diagnosed based on RNA expression signatures. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is no exception; it is currently diagnosed by scalpel biopsy followed by histopathology. This study sought to identify oral tumor epithelial microRNA (miRNA) expression changes to determine if these changes could be used to diagnose the disease noninvasively. Analysis of miRNA profiles from surgically obtained OSCC tissue, collected under highly standardized conditions for The Cancer Genome Atlas, was done to determine the potential accuracy in differentiating tumor from normal mucosal tissue. Even when using small 20 subject datasets, classification based on miRNA was 90 to 100% accurate. To develop a noninvasive classifier for OSSC, analysis of brush biopsy miRNA was done and showed 87% accuracy in differentiating tumor from normal epithelium when using RT‐qPCR or miRNAseq to measure miRNAs. An extensive overlap was seen in differentially expressed miRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma epithelium obtained using brush biopsy and those reported in saliva and serum of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients in several studies. This suggested that nonselective release of these miRNAs into body fluids from tumor epithelium was largely responsible for the changes in levels in these fluids seen with this disease. Using a variation in mirRPath we identified the KEGG pathway of neurotrophin signaling as a target of these miRNAs disregulated in tumor epithelium. This highlights the utility of brush biopsy of oral mucosa to allow simple acquisition of cancer relevant miRNA information from tumor epithelium.
Tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicts long‐term survival outcomes in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A secondary analysis of a randomized phase 3 clinical trial
Authors: Peng Hao , Chen Lei , Li Wen‐Fei , Guo Rui , Mao Yan‐Ping , Zhang Yuan , Guo Ying , Sun Ying , Ma Jun
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using the regimen of cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil could define high‐risk patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the regimen of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5‐fluorouracil (TPF) appears to be more effective than the regimen of cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil. Therefore, one needs to redefine the high‐risk subpopulation of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TPF.

METHODS

A total of 231 patients from a randomized phase 3 trial with American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer stage III to stage IVB NPC (except T3‐T4N0 disease) who were receiving treatment with the TPF regimen were enrolled. Patient survival rates between different groups were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 231 patients, the overall response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was a complete response (CR) for 26 (11.3%), a partial response (PR) for 184 patients (79.6%), and stable disease (SD) for 21 patients (9.1%). Univariate analysis revealed the 3‐year failure‐free survival (FFS) rates in the CR (88.5% vs 61.9%; P =.017) and PR (81.2% vs 61.9%; P = .01) groups, and the 3‐year overall survival rates for the CR (96.2% vs 76.2%; P =.048) and PR (93.4% vs 76.2%; P =.025) groups were obviously higher compared with that of the SD group. In multivariate analysis, CR was established as a favorable prognostic factor for FFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.210; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.057‐0.779 [P =.02]), and PR for FFS (HR, 0.447; 95% CI, 0.213‐0.936 [P =.033]) and OS (HR, 0.361; 95% CI, 0.132‐0.986 [P =.047]) when compared with SD. No survival difference was observed between the CR and PR groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor response to TPF may be a properly powerful prognosis predictor and help to develop individualized treatment strategies for patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. Cancer 2017;123:1643–1652. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Drug‐induced progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in multiple sclerosis: European regulators' perspective
Authors: Anton R , Haas M , Arlett P , Weise M , Balabanov P , Mazzaglia G , Prieto L , Keller‐Stanislawski B , Raine J
Published: December 2016

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has been associated with the use of a number of multiple sclerosis (MS) immunomodulatory therapies and has assumed a critical place in the evaluation of their benefit/risk. In this review, we discuss the European Union regulatory approach to drug‐induced PML in MS, highlight a number of key issues related to the current knowledge on PML, and outline possible paths to help progress the risk management of patients with MS at risk of PML.
The contribution of nitrogen deposition to the eutrophication signal in understorey plant communities of European forests
Authors: van Dobben Han F. , de Vries Wim
Published: December 2016

We evaluated effects of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen on the composition of forest understorey vegetation both in space and time, using repeated data from the European wide monitoring program ICP‐Forests, which focuses on normally managed forest. Our aim was to assess whether both spatial and temporal effects of deposition can be detected by a multiple regression approach using data from managed forests over a relatively short time interval, in which changes in the tree layer are limited. To characterize the vegetation, we used indicators derived from cover percentages per species using multivariate statistics and indicators derived from the presence/absence, that is, species numbers and Ellenberg's indicator values. As explanatory variables, we used climate, altitude, tree species, stand age, and soil chemistry, besides deposition of nitrate, ammonia and sulfate. We analyzed the effects of abiotic conditions at a single point in time by canonical correspondence analysis and multiple regression. The relation between the change in vegetation and abiotic conditions was analyzed using redundancy analysis and multiple regression, for a subset of the plots that had both abiotic data and enough species to compute a mean Ellenberg N value per plot using a minimum of three species. Results showed that the spatial variation in the vegetation is mainly due to “traditional” factors such as soil type and climate, but a statistically significant part of the variation could be ascribed to atmospheric deposition of nitrate. The change in the vegetation over the past c. 10 years was also significantly correlated to nitrate deposition. Although the effect of deposition on the individual species could not be clearly defined, the effect on the vegetation as a whole was a shift toward nitrophytic species as witnessed by an increase in mean Ellenberg's indicator value.
Influence of hydrological pathways on dissolved organic carbon fluxes in tropical streams
Authors: da Costa Eline Nayara Dantas , de Souza Jéssica Carneiro , Pereira Marilane Andrade , de Souza Marcelo Friederichs Landim , de Souza Weber Friederichs Landim , da Silva Daniela Mariano Lopes
Published: December 2016

Water flow pathways and water balance are fundamental components for understanding the dynamics of C in the soil/water interface of small basins. The objective of this study was to describe the seasonal variations and estimate the annual balance of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by comparing two tropical microbasins (preserved forest—PF and cacao plantation—CP). Twenty‐one weekly collections were conducted from September to December 2012 and from April to June 2013. The calculation of the partial balance considered precipitation (P) as inflow and the stream as outflow. The samples were filtered and analyzed using a TOC analyzer. Overall, the DOC was higher CP compared with FP. The behavior of both venues showed that rainy season caused an increase in concentrations in the overland flow (OF) and in the stream, and a decrease in the precipitation (P) and in the throughfall (T). In the CP, the outflow and the soil were chiefly responsible for the high DOC concentrations in the stream, when compared to the PF, which is the result of constant OM decomposition. Soil composition contributes to the control of DOC consumption in each type of soil. The balances were negative in both microbasins, although losses were higher in the AFS (agroforestry systems) when compared to the PF, especially during rainy seasons (−8.98 and −3.05 kg ha−1 year−1, CP and FP, respectively). Thus, the high annual loss of DOC in the CP of the microbasins during the rainy season indicates changes in ecosystem metabolism due to the vegetation cover and to the interactions with the soil.
Mountains too high and valleys too deep drive population structuring and demographics in a Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau frog Nanorana pleskei (Dicroglossidae)
Authors: Zhou Weiwei , Jin Jieqiong , Wu Jun , Chen Hongman , Yang Junxiao , Murphy Robert W. , Che Jing
Published: December 2016

Pleistocene glacial–interglacial climatic oscillations greatly shaped the current genetic structure of many species. However, geographic features may influence the impact of climatic cycling. Distinct geographic and environmental characters between northern and southern parts of the eastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (EQTP) facilitate explorations into the impacts of geographic features on species. The northern parts of EQTP contain large areas of marsh, and the environment is rather homogeneous. In contrast, the southern EQTP harbors complex alpine valleys and a much more heterogeneous setting. We evaluate DNA sequence variation from both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in Nanorana pleskei, a species endemic to the EQTP. Hypothesis testing on the evolutionary history of N. pleskei indicates that northern populations can disperse freely, but alpine valleys isolate southern populations. Demographic histories between northern and southern populations also differ. Northern populations appear to have experienced population expansions, while southern frogs exhibit a far more stable demographic history. By combining climatic analyses and species' distribution models, our study suggests that geographic and environmental features drive the differences between the northern and southern EQTP.
Fluvial biotopes influence macroinvertebrate biodiversity in South‐East Asian tropical streams
Authors: Baker Kate , Chadwick Michael A. , Kahar Rafhiah , Sulaiman Zohrah Haji , Wahab Rodzay A.
Published: December 2016

Given the widespread degradation of aquatic systems caused by land‐use changes associated with palm oil production in South‐East Asia, it is imperative to identify and study the remaining undisturbed rivers and streams. Stream macroinvertebrates are reliable indicators of environmental health. Linking the community structure of these organisms to natural hydraulic and geomorphic conditions (categorized as biotopes) is vital for the conservation and restoration of streams. This study characterizes the effects of biotopes on macroinvertebrate community structure in three streams within Ulu Temburong National Park in northern Borneo. Biotopes within these streams were categorized as either bedrock (waterfalls and cascades) or mixed substrate (riffles and pools). In total, 119 taxa were collected from all sampled biotopes, but not all taxa were collected from each stream. Biotopes were statistically distinct in terms of taxonomic richness, but not mean individual density or average community biomass. There were differences in community structure between waterfalls, cascades, pools, and riffles. The survey suggests that pool and riffle biotopes were more vulnerable to scouring flows and had similar community structure, while waterfalls and cascades likely experienced lower sheer stress during floods and had similar macroinvertebrate communities. This study has found that classification and mapping of macroinvertebrates with biotope theory in pristine, tropical streams is a useful framework for simplifying the many linkages between ecology, geomorphology, and hydrology. These natural patterns increase our understanding of tropical streams and can be used to assess the impacts of forest degradation.
Embracing variability in amino acid δ15N fractionation: mechanisms, implications, and applications for trophic ecology
Authors: McMahon Kelton W. , McCarthy Matthew D.
Published: December 2016

Compound‐specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of individual amino acids (AAs) has become a powerful analytical tool in trophic ecology. Heavily fractionating “trophic” AAs (e.g., glutamic acid: Glu) provide a robust indicator of trophic transfer, while minimally fractionating “source” AAs (e.g., phenylalanine: Phe) closely reflect the δ15N value at the base of the food web (δ15Nbaseline). Together, the CSIA‐AA approach provides an unprecedented ability to disentangle the influences of δ15Nbaseline values and trophic fractionation on consumer nitrogen isotope values. Perhaps the most important assumption underlying CSIA‐AA applications to trophic ecology is that trophic fractionation of Glu and Phe, and thus the trophic discrimination factor TDFGlu‐ Phe (Δ15NGlu − Δ15NPhe), is effectively constant across diverse consumer–resource relationships. To test this assumption, we conducted a comprehensive meta‐analysis of controlled feeding experiments that examined individual AA trophic fractionation (Δ15NC‐D) and resulting TDFGlu‐ Phe values. We found tremendous variability in TDFGlu‐ Phe values from 0‰ to >10‰ across 70 species (317 individuals) and 88 distinct consumer–diet combinations. However, this variability appears to follow predictable patterns driven by two dominant variables: diet quality and mode of nitrogen excretion. Consumers feeding on high‐quality diets (small diet–consumer AA imbalances) tend to have significantly lower TDFGlu‐ Phe values than consumers feeding on low‐quality diets. Similarly, urea/uric acid‐producing consumers also exhibit significantly lower TDFGlu‐ Phe values than their ammonia‐producing counterparts. While these patterns are certainly not universal, together these factors likely explain many of the observed patterns of TDFGlu‐ Phe variability. We provide an overview of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms underpinning AA Δ15NC‐D to explain these patterns. There are several seemingly unique systems, including the remarkably consistent TDFGlu‐ Phe values across insect food webs and the isotopically “invisible” trophic transfers in microbial food webs, that may provide additional insight into the influence of diet quality and nitrogen cycling on AA fractionation. In this review, we argue that to realize the full potential of CSIA‐AA approaches in trophic ecology, we must embrace the variability in TDFGlu‐ Phe values. This likely requires developing new models of trophic transfer dynamics for some applications, including multi‐TDFGlu‐ Phe equations that directly incorporate variability in TDFGlu‐ Phe value.
Bismuth(III) Anthranilates – Synthesis and Characterization of a Coordination Polymer and a Polynuclear Oxido Cluster
Authors: Wrobel Lydia , Rüffer Tobias , Korb Marcus , Lang Heinrich , Mehring Michael
Published: December 2016

Bismuth carboxylates of the composition Bi(anth)3·Solv (1a: Solv = 0.5MeNO2·0.5H2O, 1b: Solv = 0.5MeCN) were isolated from the reaction of BiPh3 with three equivalents of anthranilic acid (Hanth, 2‐aminobenzoic acid) in nitromethane and acetonitrile, respectively. The composition of the soluble compounds 1a and 1b was established by NMR and infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The thermal behavior was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and bismuth oxide and bismuth were observed as final decomposition products in air and helium, respectively. Both compounds 1a and 1b crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n with formation of a one‐dimensional coordination polymer of Bi–N‐bridged dimers, which crystallize with non‐coordinating solvent molecules to give [Bi(anth)3·Solv]∞, as was shown by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The reaction of [Bi6O4(OH)4(NO3)6]·H2O with anthranilic acid resulted in the polynuclear bismuth oxido anthranilato nitrate [{Bi38O45(anth)4(NO3)20(DMSO)24}{Bi38O45(anth)4(NO3)20(DMSO)24}]·6DMSO (2) upon crystallization from DMSO. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit and represents the first example of a bismuth oxido cluster bearing anthranilate ligands.
The Water–Energy Nexus: Solutions towards Energy‐Efficient Desalination
Authors: Goh Pei S. , Matsuura Takeshi , Ismail Ahmad F. , Ng Be Cheer
Published: December 2016

Global water shortages across all continents have led to the explosive practice of desalination. However, desalination is undeniably recognized as one of the most energy‐intensive techniques for creating a clean and safe water supply. Cost reduction in different aspects is necessary to make desalination processes affordable and accessible. In fact, the cost of water from desalination facilities is momentously impacted by the energy requirements for water production. As the water production cost cannot be separated from the issue of energy, the desalination community is continuously seeking ways to reduce energy consumption further. Current research focuses on assessing and alleviating the major energy issues by finding ways to improve the energy efficiency of desalination facilities, which would pave the way for overall cost reduction. Improving the process and the efficiencies of materials implies improved water quality and an increase in the quantity produced per unit of energy consumed. This review highlights recent emerging approaches that aim to reduce the energy consumption and, hence, the water production cost of desalination technology. In brief, the advances made in membrane science and technology, the development of emerging desalination processes and their integrated systems, as well as the use of renewable energy and energy‐recovery systems are recognized as effective and feasible solutions towards energy‐efficient desalination to address the water crisis.
A coupled continuous and discontinuous finite element method for the incompressible flows
Authors: Gao Puyang , Ouyang Jie , Dai Pengfei , Zhou Wen
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we develop a coupled continuous Galerkin and discontinuous Galerkin finite element method based on a split scheme to solve the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. In order to use the equal order interpolation functions for velocity and pressure, we decouple the original Navier–Stokes equations and obtain three distinct equations through the split method, which are nonlinear hyperbolic, elliptic, and Helmholtz equations, respectively. The hybrid method combines the merits of discontinuous Galerkin (DG) and finite element method (FEM). Therefore, DG is concerned to accomplish the spatial discretization of the nonlinear hyperbolic equation to avoid using the stabilization approaches that appeared in FEM. Moreover, FEM is utilized to deal with the Poisson and Helmholtz equations to reduce the computational cost compared with DG. As for the temporal discretization, a second‐order stiffly stable approach is employed. Several typical benchmarks, namely, the Poiseuille flow, the backward‐facing step flow, and the flow around the cylinder with a wide range of Reynolds numbers, are considered to demonstrate and validate the feasibility, accuracy, and efficiency of this coupled method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bifunctionalized allenes, Part XIX: Synthesis, electrophilic cyclization/addition, and coinage metal‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of phosphorylated 3‐(β‐hydroxy)allenes
Authors: Hasanov Hasan H. , Ivanov Ivaylo K. , Christov Valerij Ch.
Published: December 2016

A convenient and efficient regioselective synthesis of phosphorylated 3‐(β‐hydroxy)allenes by an atom economical [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of the mediated propargyl phosphite or phosphinite which can be readily prepared via reaction of protected 5‐(tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐yloxy)‐hex‐1‐yn‐3‐ol with dimethyl chlorophosphite or chlorodiphenyl phosphine, respectively, is described. This paper discusses a reaction of phosphorylated 3‐(β‐hydroxy)allenes with protected or unprotected hydroxy group involving 5‐endo‐trig cyclization or 2,3‐addition. Reaction of 3‐(β‐hydroxy)allenephosphonates with electrophiles that produces 2‐oxo‐2,5‐dihydro‐1,2‐oxaphospholes due to the participation of the phosphonate neighboring group in the cyclization is described. On the other hand, 5‐hydroxyhex‐(1E)‐enyl phosphine oxides were prepared by chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselective electrophilic addition to the C2‐C3 double bond in the allenyl phosphine oxides and subsequent attack of the external (chloride anion) nucleophile. Phosphorylated 3‐(β‐hydroxy)allenes were smoothly converted into the corresponding 2‐phosphoryl‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrans by using 5 mol % of coinage metal salt as catalyst in 6‐endo‐trig cycloisomerization reaction.
Inclusion of Hermetia illucens larvae meal on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feed: effect on sensory profile according to static and dynamic evaluations
Authors: Borgogno Monica , Dinnella Caterina , Iaconisi Valeria , Fusi Renzo , Scarpaleggia Claudia , Schiavone Achille , Monteleone Erminio , Gasco Laura , Parisi Giuliana
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Diet implementation with insect meal has aroused increased attention in aquaculture considering the advantages of this new protein source. The effect of Hermetia illucens meal (HI) inclusion in diets on rainbow trout physical–chemical and sensory properties was evaluated. Three diets were prepared: HI0, HI25, HI50, with 0, 25 and 50% of HI replacing fish meal, respectively. Fillet sensory profiles were described by descriptive analysis and temporal dominance of sensation methods. Cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force, proximate analysis, and fatty acid composition were also determined.

RESULTS

Diets significantly affected fillets sensory profile. Descriptive analysis indicated significant changes in perceived intensity of aroma, flavour and texture descriptors as a function of diet composition. Temporal dominance of sensation evaluations provided information on dominance and evolution of sensations perceived in fillets from different diets. The first sensations perceived as dominant were related to texture attributes, followed by flavours. Dominance of fibrousnesses decreased with the increase of HI in the diet. Boiled fish, algae flavours and umami taste clearly dominated the HI0 dynamic profile. The onset of metallic flavour dominance characterised HI25 and HI50. No differences in physical parameters were detected. Principal component analysis highlighted the relationship between sensory attributes and physico‐chemical parameters.

CONCLUSION

The sensory description of fillets indicated that HI inclusion induces significant differences in the perceived profile. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Training model for control of an internal carotid artery injury during transsphenoidal surgery
Authors: Muto Jun , Carrau Ricardo L. , Oyama Kenichi , Otto Brad A. , Prevedello Daniel M.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

As the adoption of endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) continues to proliferate, increasing numbers of internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries are reported. The objective of this study was to develop a synthetic ICA injury‐training model that could mimic this clinical scenario and be portable, repeatable, reproducible, and without risk of biological contamination.

Methods

Based on computed tomography of a human head, we constructed a synthetic model using selective laser sintering with polyamide nylon and glass beads. Subsequently, the model was connected to a pulsatile pump using 6‐mm silicon tubing. The pump maintains a pulsatile flow of an artificial blood‐like fluid at a variable pressure to simulate heart beats. Volunteer surgeons with different levels of training and experience were provided simulation training sessions with the models. Pre‐ and posttraining questionnaires were completed by each of the participants.

Results

Pre‐ and posttraining questionnaires suggest that repeated simulation sessions improve the surgical skills and self‐confidence of trainees.

Conclusion

This ICA injury model is portable; reproducible; and avoids ethical, biohazard, religious, and legal problems associated with cadaveric models. A synthetic ICA injury model for EEA allows recurring training that may improve the surgeon's ability to maintain endoscopic visualization, control catastrophic bleeding, decrease psychomotor stress, and develop effective team strategies to achieve hemostasis.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:38–43, 2017
Endoscopic posterior cricoid split with costal cartilage graft: A fifteen‐year experience
Authors: Dahl John P. , Purcell Patricia L. , Parikh Sanjay R. , Inglis Andrew F.
Published: December 2016

Objective

To evaluate outcomes of the endoscopic posterior cricoid split with rib graft (EPCS/RG) procedure in the treatment of subglottic stenosis (SGS), posterior glottic stenosis (PGS), and bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI).

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Chart review of all patients who underwent EPCS/RG at a single tertiary‐care facility between 1999 and 2014. Patients were grouped based on the primary indication for the procedure. Decannulation was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were the number of subsequent airway procedures and length of hospitalization.

Results

Thirty‐three patients were identified; 32 had tracheotomy. Overall decannulation rate was 65.6%. Subgroup analysis demonstrated the following decannulation rates: 53.8% for SGS, 100% for PGS, and 28.6% for BVFI. Fisher exact test found a significant difference in overall decannulation rates between groups (P = 0.002). Operation‐specific decannulation rates for patients who never required an open procedure were 23% for SGS, 91.6% for PGS, and 28.6% for BVFI. This difference was also statistically significant (P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found prematurity had a positive correlation with decannulation that approached statistical significance (P < 0.051; odds ratio 6.1; 95% confidence interval 0.99, 37.6). The percentage of patients who underwent repeat airway procedures for the groups was 61.5% for SGS, 16.6 % for PGS, and 14.3% for BVFI. The median length of hospitalization after EPCS/RG was 3 days.

Conclusion

This represents the largest series of patients who have undergone EPCS/RG and demonstrates that the majority of patients can be decannulated after this procedure. Patients with PGS had the highest operation‐specific decannulation rates.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:252–257, 2017
Abnormal spontaneous activity in primary myopathic disorders
Authors: Nojszewska Monika , Gawel Malgorzata , Szmidt‐Salkowska Elzbieta , Kostera‐Pruszczyk Anna , Potulska‐Chromik Anna , Lusakowska Anna , Kierdaszuk Biruta , Lipowska Marta , Macias Anna , Gawel Damian , Seroka Andrzej , Kaminska Anna M.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Reproducible non‐insertional spontaneous activity (SA), with the exception of endplate activity, is an unequivocal sign of abnormality and is one of the most useful findings obtained on electromyography.

Methods

In this retrospective study we analyzed occurrence and distribution of abnormal SA in 151 patients with genetically confirmed myopathies.

Results

Complex repetitive discharges (CRDs) occurred more frequently than fibrillation potentials (fibs) and positive sharp waves (PSWs) in centronuclear myopathy (CNM) and limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD‐2A), whereas fibs/PSWs were observed more often in desminopathy and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Abnormal SA was commonly found in CNM (66.7%) and desminopathy (61.5%), occasionally in Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) (45.2% and 27.6%, respectively), but rarely in FSHD (14.9%) and LGMD‐2A (12.0%).

Conclusions

Abnormal SA probably occurs more frequently in disorders associated with structural changes in muscle fibers. Screening for SA may be a valuable tool for diagnosis of non‐myotonic myopathies. Muscle Nerve 56: 427–432, 2017
Cross calibration of two dual‐energy X‐ray densitometers and comparison of visceral adipose tissue measurements by iDXA and MRI
Authors: Reinhardt Martin , Piaggi Paolo , DeMers Barbara , Trinidad Cathy , Krakoff Jonathan
Published: December 2016

Objective

Compare total percentage body fat (pfat) measurements between two densitometers and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) estimates between iDXA and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the same defined abdominal region.

Methods

Participants [N = 93 (50 men, 43 women), BMI: 19.1–57.6 kg/m2] underwent dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans on two DXA systems (GE Healthcare Lunar iDXA and Lunar Prodigy), and a subgroup underwent abdominal MRI imaging for quantification of VAT.

Results

Pfat correlated strongly between both machines (r2 = 0.98, P < 1.0E‐14). Bland‐Altman plots showed a bias with higher measured pfat on iDXA versus Prodigy in leaner subjects and the opposite in more overweight subjects. The R2 for regression of MRI on iDXA VAT values was 0.948. Bland‐Altman bias was +104.1 cm3 with 95% limits of agreement of −681.9 to 890.0 cm3. For both DXA methods, and iDXA versus MRI determined VAT, comparison using rank regression demonstrated no order bias.

Conclusions

The total pfat measured by both machines was strongly and linearly associated, allowing for conversion (equations are provided) of iDXA for assessment of longitudinal body fat changes. Despite a bias of abdominal VAT measures of iDXA versus MRI, the high rank correlation makes iDXA a good alternative to the more complicated and time‐consuming MRI for use in larger cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies.
3D Interconnected Carbon Fiber Network‐Enabled Ultralong Life Na3V2(PO4)3@Carbon Paper Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kretschmer Katja , Sun Bing , Zhang Jinqiang , Xie Xiuqiang , Liu Hao , Wang Guoxiu
Published: December 2016

Sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) are an emerging technology, which can meet increasing demands for large‐scale energy storage. One of the most promising cathode material candidates for sodium‐ion batteries is Na3V2(PO4)3 due to its high capacity, thermal stability, and sodium (Na) Superionic Conductor 3D (NASICON)‐type framework. In this work, the authors have significantly improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability of Na3V2(PO4)3 by introducing a 3D interconnected conductive network in the form of carbon fiber derived from ordinary paper towel. The free‐standing Na3V2(PO4)3‐carbon paper (Na3V2(PO4)3@CP) hybrid electrodes do not require a metallic current collector, polymeric binder, or conducting additives to function as a cathode material in an NIB system. The Na3V2(PO4)3@CP cathode demonstrates extraordinary long term cycling stability for 30 000 deep charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 2.5 mA cm−2. Such outstanding cycling stability can meet the stringent requirements for renewable energy storage.
Synthesis of Siloxane Polyether Surfactants and Their Solubility in Supercritical CO2
Authors: Shi Qingzhao , Qiao Weihong
Published: December 2016

Four siloxane polyether surfactants were synthesized from allyl bromide, polyethylene glycol methyl ether and heptamethyltrisiloxane (HMTS) to explore their solubility in CO2. The dissolving pressures of these surfactants were measured using a high‐pressure view cell at 318–343 K to calculate their solubility in CO2. The results show that, the silicone‐containing surfactants exhibit excellent solubility in CO2. The shorter the polyethylene glycol group, the better the solubility in CO2. Of the five compounds tested, HMTS showed the best solubility in CO2 which was around 2.4% as a mole percentage. The surfactants show much better solubility than the commonly used surfactants. Moreover, by investigating the effects of the pressure and temperature on the solubility, it was found that an increase in pressure benefits solubility of the compound in CO2, while an increase in temperature within the experimental range does the opposite. In addition, a linear correlation in the logarithmic values of the solubility data and the density of CO2 was found, which means the solubility follows density more directly and not the pressure.
Production of High‐Melting Symmetrical Monounsaturated Triacylglycerol‐Rich Fats from Mango Kernel Fat by Acetone Fractionation
Authors: Jin Jun , Mu Hongyan , Wang Yue , Pembe Warda , Liu Yijun , Huang Jianhua , Jin Qingzhe , Wang Xingguo
Published: December 2016

1,3‐Distearoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐glycerol, 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐3‐stearoyl‐glycerol and 1‐stearoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐3‐arachidoyl‐glycerol are typical high‐melting symmetrical monounsaturated triacylglycerols (Hm‐SMT) found in cocoa butter improver (CBI). These triacylglycerols help to increase the hardness of chocolate products in tropical climates. In the present study, natural CBI products were produced from mango (Mangifera indica, Linn) kernel fat (MKF) by selective three‐stage fractionation using acetone. The second stearin (fraction I) from the first precipitate of MKF by fractionation for 180 min at 15 °C contained 86.9% of Hm‐SMT, and the third stearin (fraction II) obtained from fraction I by further fractionation for 180 min at 18 °C was enriched with 94.4% Hm‐SMT. High percentages of such triacylglycerols in these products contributed to higher slip melting points (36.5–37.7 °C) than commercial cocoa butter and cocoa butter equivalent (26.7 and 27.9 °C). Also, their differential scanning calorimetry properties and solid fat content values were superior to those in traditional confectionery fats, indicating that the tailored stearins could be used as ideal CBI. In particular, the hard fat blends consisting of 55–70% cocoa butter (CB) and 30–45% fraction II were considered as the preferred heat‐resistant chocolate ingredients. In addition, the mixture of the oleins (fraction III) was rich in diunsaturated and triunsaturated triacylglycerols and showed similar thermal properties to super palm oil, thus making it more suitable as special fat ingredients and modified fat sources.
Fat Crystals Influence Methylcellulose Stabilization of Lipid Emulsions
Authors: Thiel A. E. , Hartel R. W. , Spicer P. T.
Published: December 2016

Oil‐in‐water emulsions stabilized with methylcellulose (MC) varied in stability depending on the composition of the fat phase. When droplets were composed entirely of liquid oil, MC was able to form a continuous, protective film around the droplets. Therefore, when two liquid oil droplets were brought into contact, they underwent extreme shape deformation but did not coalesce, even when excess force was used. Subsequently, interfacial crystals extending into the aqueous phase from palm kernel oil droplets were aimed into an entirely liquid oil droplet. The MC‐coated droplet would deform wherever the crystal contacted; however, the protruding crystals could not penetrate into the liquid oil droplet. Conversely, when the target droplet was composed of a small amount of solid fat that resulted in localized crystalline regions and the interfacial crystals of the second droplet were aimed at this region, they then easily pierced the droplet. This demonstrates that MC is an excellent stabilizer for liquid oil droplets but internal lipid crystals within fat globules can alter MC surface conformation to allow for crystal penetration and arrested coalescence.
Qualitative and quantitative assessment of self‐reported cognitive difficulties in nondemented elders: Association with medical help seeking, cognitive deficits, and β‐amyloid imaging
Authors: La Joie Renaud , Perrotin Audrey , Egret Stéphanie , Pasquier Florence , Tomadesso Clémence , Mézenge Florence , Desgranges Béatrice , de La Sayette Vincent , Chételat Gaël
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) could help identify early stages of Alzheimer's disease. However, SCD is multidetermined and protean, and the type of cognitive complaint associated with preclinical Alzheimer's disease needs refinement.

Methods

A total of 185 nondemented elders recruited from either the community or from a memory clinic filled a questionnaire. We searched for item responses associated with medical help seeking, cognitive deficits, and β‐amyloidosis.

Results

Compared with community‐recruited control subjects (n = 74), help‐seeking patients reported a stronger multidomain SCD that was mostly unrelated to the presence of detectable cognitive deficits. Only a few items, notably assessing temporal disorientation, distinguished help‐seeking patients with (n = 78) or without (n = 33) memory deficits. Associations between SCD and β‐amyloidosis were not restricted to the memory domain and varied across clinical stages.

Discussion

Detailed evaluation of SCD could provide accessible indication of the presence of β‐amyloid or cognitive deficits, which might prove useful for early diagnosis and clinical trial enrichment strategies.
Diagnostic Conversion to Bipolar Disorder in Unipolar Depressed Patients Participating in Trials on Antidepressants
Authors: Holmskov J. , Licht R.W. , Andersen K. , Bjerregaard Stage T. , Mørkeberg Nilsson F. , Bjerregaard Stage K. , Valentin J.B. , Bech P. , Ernst Nielsen R.
Published: December 2016

Objective

In unipolar depressed patients participating in trials on antidepressants, we investigated if illness characteristics at baseline could predict conversion to bipolar disorder.

Method

A long-term register-based follow-up study of 290 unipolar depressed patients with a mean age of 50.8 years (SD = 11.9) participating in three randomized trials on antidepressants conducted in the period 1985–1994. The independent effects of explanatory variables were examined by applying Cox regression analyses.

Results

The overall risk of conversion was 20.7%, with a mean follow-up time of 15.2 years per patient. The risk of conversion was associated with an increasing number of previous depressive episodes at baseline, [HR 1.18, 95% CI (1.10–1.26)]. No association with gender, age, age at first depressive episode, duration of baseline episode, subtype of depression or any of the investigated HAM-D subscales included was found.

Limitations

The patients were followed-up through the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register, which resulted in inherent limitations such as possible misclassification of outcome.

Conclusion

In a sample of middle-aged hospitalized unipolar depressed patients participating in trials on antidepressants, the risk of conversion was associated with the number of previous depressive episodes. Therefore, this study emphasizes that unipolar depressed patients experiencing a relatively high number of recurrences should be followed more closely, or at least be informed about the possible increased risk of conversion.
Exploring the nexus of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias with cancer and cancer therapies: A convening of the Alzheimer's Association & Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
Authors: Snyder Heather M. , Ahles Tim , Calderwood Stuart , Carrillo Maria C. , Chen Honglei , Chang Chung-Chou H. , Craft Suzanne , De Jager Philip , Driver Jane A. , Fillit Howard , Knopman David , Lotze Michael , Tierney Mary C. , Petanceska Suzana , Saykin Andrew , Seshadri Sudha , Shineman Diana , Ganguli Mary
Published: December 2016

Recent population studies suggest an intriguing inverse relationship between several types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the intersection of the underlying biology for these two distinct families of diseases with one another may offer novel approaches to identify new therapeutic approaches and possible opportunities to repurpose existing drug candidates. The Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation convened a one‐day workshop to delve into this discussion. Workshop participants outlined research focus areas, potential collaborations, and partnerships for future action.
Non-equilibrium between ions and electrons inside hot spots from National Ignition Facility experiments
Authors: Fan Zhengfeng , Liu Yuanyuan , Liu Bin , Yu Chengxin , Lan Ke , Liu Jie
Published: December 2016

The non-equilibrium between ions and electrons in the hot spot can relax the ignition conditions in inertial confinement fusion [Fan et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 010703 (2016)], and obvious ion-electron non-equilibrium could be observed by our simulations of high-foot implosions when the ion-electron relaxation is enlarged by a factor of 2. On the other hand, in many shots of high-foot implosions on the National Ignition Facility, the observed X-ray enhancement factors due to ablator mixing into the hot spot are less than unity assuming electrons and ions have the same temperature [Meezan et al., Phys. Plasmas 22, 062703 (2015)], which is not self-consistent because it can lead to negative ablator mixing into the hot spot. Actually, this non-consistency implies ion-electron non-equilibrium within the hot spot. From our study, we can infer that ion-electron non-equilibrium exists in high-foot implosions and the ion temperature could be ∼9% larger than the equilibrium temperature in some NIF shots.
Management of Rabies Prophylaxis for Potential Bat Exposures in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Bailey Ann L. , Quick Rachel D. , Dixon Joanne , Hauger Sarmistha B.
Published: December 2016

This report describes the unique challenges of managing potential exposure to bats in a neonatal intensive care unit. The outcome demonstrates that rabies post-exposure prophylaxis can be safely administered to preterm infants with evidence that preterm infants are able to develop adequate titers post vaccination.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:483–485
Montmorency Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) modulate vascular function acutely, in the absence of improvement in cognitive performance
Authors: Keane K. M. , Haskell-Ramsay C. F. , Veasey R. C. , Howatson G.
Published: December 2016

Cerebral blood volume and metabolism of oxygen decline as part of human ageing, and this has been previously shown to be related to cognitive decline. There is some evidence to suggest that polyphenol-rich foods can play an important role in delaying the onset or halting the progression of age-related health disorders such as CVD and Alzheimer’s disease and to improve cognitive function. In the present study, an acute, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, cross-over, randomised Latin-square design study with a washout period of at least 14 d was conducted on twenty-seven, middle-aged (defined as 45–60 years) volunteers. Participants received either a 60 ml dose of Montmorency tart cherry concentrate (MC), which contained 68·0 (sd 0·26) mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/l, 160·75 (sd 0·55) mean gallic acid equivalent/l and 0·59 (sd 0·02) mean Trolox equivalent/l, respectively, or a placebo. Cerebrovascular responses, cognitive performance and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and 1, 2, 3 and 5 h following consumption. There were significant differences in concentrations of total Hb and oxygenated Hb during the task period 1 h after MC consumption (P≤0·05). Furthermore, MC consumption significantly lowered systolic blood pressure (P≤0·05) over a period of 3 h, with peak reductions of 6±2 mmHg at 1 h after MC consumption relative to the placebo. Cognitive function and mood were not affected. These results show that a single dose of MC concentrate can modulate certain variables of vascular function; however, this does not translate to improvements in cognition or mood.
The Impact of State Television on Voter Turnout
Authors: Sørensen Rune J.
Published: December 2016

In an influential study, Matthew Gentzkow found that the introduction of TV in the United States caused a major drop in voter turnout. In contrast, the current analysis shows that public broadcasting TV can increase political participation. Detailed data on the rollout of television in Norway in the 1960s and 1970s are combined with municipality-level data on voter turnout over a period of four decades. The date of access to TV signals was mostly a side effect of geography, a feature that is used to identify causal effects. Additional analyses exploit individual-level panel data from three successive election studies. The new TV medium instantly became a major source of political information. It triggered political interest and caused a modest, but statistically significant, increase in voter turnout.
Is Door-to-Door Canvassing Effective in Europe? Evidence from a Meta-study across Six European Countries
Authors: Bhatti Yosef , Dahlgaard Jens Olav , Hansen Jonas Hedegaard , Hansen Kasper M.
Published: December 2016

A vast amount of experimental evidence suggests that get-out-the-vote encouragements delivered through door-to-door canvassing have large effects on turnout. Most of the existing studies have been conducted in the United States, and are inspiring European mobilization campaigns. This article explores the empirical question of whether the American findings are applicable to Europe. It combines existing European studies and presents two new Danish studies to show that the pooled point estimate of the effect is substantially smaller in Europe than in the United States, and finds no effects in the two Danish experiments. The article discusses why the effects seem to be different in Europe compared to the United States, and stresses the need for further experiments in Europe as there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the European effects. While one possible explanation is that differences in turnout rates explain the differences in effect sizes, the empirical analysis finds no strong relationship between turnout and effect sizes in either Europe or the United States.