bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GATA‐3 expression in primary pure choriocarcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Shinohara Mayuka , Shin Toshitaka , Daa Tsutomu , Mimata Hiromitsu
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Primary pure choriocarcinoma of the bladder is extremely rare and should be distinguished from urothelial carcinoma. GATA‐3 is a zinc finger transcription factor and a known sensitive immunostaining marker for urothelial carcinoma. However, its accuracy in the detection of urothelial carcinoma is moderate and it is also an important factor in trophoblast differentiation.

Case presentation

A 78‐year‐old man presented with asymptomatic gross hematuria for 6 months. Cystoscopy and clinical imaging revealed local bladder carcinoma. He underwent a radical cystectomy and histological diagnosis revealed pure choriocarcinoma (pT2aN0M0) with positive immunostaining, indicating GATA‐3 was present. Systemic chemotherapy could not be applied due to his poor general condition, and he died 7 months after surgery.

Conclusion

We reported the first case of pure choriocarcinoma of the bladder, which showed positive immunostaining results indicating the presence of GATA‐3.
Atorvastatin inhibits renal inflammatory response induced by calcium oxalate crystals via inhibiting the activation of TLR4/NF‐κB and NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Sun Yan , Liu Yunlong , Guan Xiaofeng , Kang Juening , Wang Xiang , Liu Quan , Li Derong , Xu Hua , Tao Zhiwei , Deng Yaoliang
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to investigate the renal protective effect of atorvastatin (ATV) on the kidney inflammation induced by calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. A cell model of cell‐crystal interactions and a rat model of CaOx kidney stone were established. The expressions of TLR4, NF‐κB, NLRP3, and cleaved caspase‐1 in cells and rat kidney tissues were detected using Western blot, immunohistochemical, and/or immunofluorescence. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture medium were measured. The secreted levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐18, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were examined by ELISA. The serum levels of creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. von Kossa staining was used for the evaluation of renal lens deposition. The CaOx model group showed significantly decreased SOD level; increased concentrations of MDA; ROS and LDH; elevated expressions of TLR4, NF‐κB, NLRP3, and cleaved caspase‐1; and the elevated release of IL‐1β, IL‐18, IL‐6, and TNF‐ α as compared to the control group. The treatment with ATV significantly inhibited the formation of CaOx kidney stone by increasing the level of SOD; downregulating MDA, ROS, and LDH; inhibiting the expressions of TLR4, NF‐κB, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase‐1; and blocking the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the serum levels of CRE and BUN, and the intrarenal crystal deposition were also significantly decreased in ATV‐treated rats. In summary, oxidative stress, TLR4/NF‐κB, and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways are involved in renal inflammatory responses induced by CaOx crystals. ATV treatment significantly suppressed oxidative stress, inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF‐κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, and decreased the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby ameliorating CaOx crystal‐induced damage and crystal deposition in HK‐2 cells and rat kidney tissues.
Optimization of the interaction of graphene quantum dots with lipase for biological applications
Authors: Mohammadi Asra , Rahmandoust Moones , Mirzajani Fateme , Azadkhah Shalmani Armin , Raoufi Mohammad
Published: February 2020

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are known as emerging sub‐10 nm nanoparticles (NPs), which are in fact few‐layered pieces of graphene, capable of emitting blue fluorescence, when exposed to 360 nm UV light. Understanding the details of the interaction between GQDs and lipase can serve as a critical step for improving the biological outcome of GQD‐derived drug‐delivery and diagnosis systems. The interaction occurs in the form of surface adsorption, which can subsequently influence the physicochemical properties of both the NP and the protein. Hence, a systematic approach was taken here to optimize the GQDs' synthesis conditions in order to achieve the highest possible quantum yield (QY). Furthermore, to understands the influence of the interaction of GQDs and lipase, on both the activity of lipase and the emission intensity of GQDs, various incubation conditions were tested to achieve optimized conditions over central composite design algorithm by Design‐Expert®, using response surface methodology. The results show that the GQDs fabricated by thermal decomposition of citric acid at 160°C, with a heating duration of 55 min, obtain almost three times higher QY than the highest values reported previously. The best enzymatic activity after the formation of the hard corona, as well as the highest fluorescent emission, were achieved at GQD‐to‐enzyme ratios within the rage of 23–25%, at temperatures between 41 and 42°C, for 6–8 min. In the aforementioned condition, the enzyme retains 91–95% of its activity and the NP preserves about 80–82% of its fluorescence intensity after incubation.
Regio‐ and stereoselective glycosylation of 2‐(o‐dihydroxyborylbenzyl) thioglucoside and unprotected methyl glycosides
Authors: Lam Sarah , Hsu Mei‐Yuan , Wang Cheng‐Chung
Published: February 2020

A highly regio‐ and stereoselective glycosylation of a boronic acid‐containing thioglucoside and unprotected methyl glycosides is described. A boronic acid moiety was installed at the ortho‐position of the 2‐O‐benzyl group of a thioglucosyl donor. This provides transient partial protection for the unprotected glycosyl acceptor upon condensation and concomitantly prearranged the acceptor with respect to the donor for the ensuing intramolecular glycosylation.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Daptomycin Against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in Pediatric Patients by Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Wei Xiao‐Chen , Zhao Ming‐Feng , Li Xin , Xiao Xia
Published: February 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various daptomycin dosing regimens against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in pediatric patients with proven/suspected gram‐positive infection. Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) were conducted using pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and pharmacodynamic (PD) data to determine the probabilities of target attainment and cumulative fractions of response in terms of area under the concentration curve/minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) targets of daptomycin. According to the results of the MCSs, currently approved pediatric dosage regimens were sufficient against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC ≤ 0.5 μg/mL for all pediatric patients, but poor when MIC ≥ 1 μg/mL except for adolescents (12‐17 years) who need a dosage of ≥10 mg/kg/day at MIC = 1 μg/mL. For Enterococcus faecium with MIC ≤ 4 μg/mL, the recommended dosage of 8‐12 mg/kg/day in adults was enough for adolescents, but not subjected to younger pediatric patients. Furthermore, based on MIC distributions obtained from the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, the approved high‐dose regimen should be recommended for infants aged 3‐12 months, children (2‐11 years), and adolescents to achieve better clinical efficacy against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the dosage of 8‐12 mg/kg/day was powerful against Enterococcus faecium for adolescents; however, only the highest dosage of 12 mg/kg/day was effective for infants aged 3‐12 months and children. All the simulated regimens were not optimal for infants aged 13‐24 months. These PK/PD‐based simulations rationalize and optimize the dosage regimens of daptomycin against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in pediatric patients.
Design and evaluation of novel bio‐based deep eutectic solvents for highly efficient bioproduction of chiral aryl alcohol
Authors: He Yushu , Huang Qianyue , Wang Pu
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) derived from bio‐available materials are promising eco‐friendly solvents in the field of biocatalysis. However, the type of bio‐based DES is still limited and its application in bioprocess has not been well‐explored. We adopted a design strategy via the combination of choline and amino acids to synthesize novel bio‐based DESs, aimed to enhance biocatalytic efficacy by exploiting the developed DESs as co‐solvents.

RESULTS

Various bio‐based DESs were synthesized, where the two components are both bio‐available (choline and amino acids). Their performances in the bioreduction of 2‐chloro‐1‐(3,4‐difluorophenyl)ethanone (CFPO) were subsequently evaluated with recombinant Escherichia coli cells. The efficient asymmetric production of (S)‐2‐chloro‐1‐(3,4‐difluorophenyl)ethanol ((S)‐CFPL) was successfully achieved in a developed choline acetate/lysine (ChAc/Lys)‐containing medium. ChAc/Lys can strengthen coenzyme regeneration and properly improve cell membrane permeability during bioreduction, which account for high conversion. After optimized reaction parameters were conducted in the ChAc/Lys‐buffer system, 87.0% (S)‐CFPL yield was observed with > 99.9% enantiomeric excess (ee) value at 1 mol L−1 CFPO content. The substrate loading in the established ChAc/Lys‐buffer system was increased by 3.3‐fold compared to aqueous medium. This bioprocess was also proved to be feasible at 500 mL preparative‐scale with a satisfactory conversion.

CONCLUSION

ChAc/Lys bio‐DES is a promising and biocompatible co‐solvent. Introducing ChAc/Lys to the reaction system is an effective strategy for challenging high substrate loading for bioreduction. Our results give a valuable insight for developing green and benign sustainable bio‐DESs for biotransformation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Extraction of nano‐porous silica from hydrosodalite produced via modification of low‐grade kaolin for removal of methylene blue from wastewater
Authors: Alizadeh Arasi Mahshid , Salem Amin , Salem Shiva
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND: This work employs low‐grade kaolin as raw material in the economical production of nano‐porous silica with extended surface area via the hydrothermal acidification of intermediate zeolite composite to remove methylene blue from wastewater. Hydrosodalite fabricated through the modification of meta‐kaolin (MK) with sodium aluminate (NaAlO2) was used as a precursor in the hydrothermal acidification step.

RESULTS: The direct conversion of MK to zeolite composite generating a low crystalline phase, containing quartz which was eliminated in the acidification step, exhibited a strong affinity towards dye adsorption. It was indicated that the NaAlO2/MK ratio could influence the hydrosodalite crystallization as well as adsorption efficiency of the nano‐porous silica obtained from acidification of zeolite composite. The nano‐porous silica formation involved the ion extraction from hydrosodalite cabbage‐like particles, depending on crystallinity of intermediate zeolite composite.

CONCLUSION: The mesoporous silica represented the appropriate adsorptive behavior when produced from precursor modified with lower NaAlO2 content, NaAlO2/MK = 0.24, attributed to superior specific surface area, 420 m2 g−1, with average pore diameter about 3.3 nm. The equilibrium data was better correlated by Redlich–Peterson isotherm. Compared to the surface area of silica powders fabricated from high grade kaolins, Al2O3/SiO2, > 0.83, by the acid‐etched strategy, the mesoporous silica produced from the low‐grade kaolin by the template free method indicates higher value. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound‐assisted synthesis of substituted triazines and their corrosion inhibition behavior on N80 steel/acid interface
Authors: Salman Mohammad , Ansari Kashif R. , Haque Jiyaul , Srivastava Vandana , Quraishi Mumtaz A. , Mazumder Mohammad A. J.
Published: February 2020

The three substituted triazines were synthesized by ultrasound irradiation method and characterized by FTIR, 13C NMR, and 1H NMR. The corrosion inhibition behavior of the synthesized inhibitors on N80 steel in 15% HCl was studied using electrochemical analyses and weight loss methods. All three inhibitors exhibited excellent corrosion inhibition performance, and the best inhibition effect was shown by TZ‐3 (93.2% at 800 mg/L). EIS measurements suggest that the corrosion inhibition process is a charge transfer controlled. The PDP results indicated that all the triazines are mixed‐type inhibitors. Langmuir adsorption model is the best fit among the other tested isotherms. These molecules can act as promising acidizing corrosion inhibitors for the oil gas industry. FTIR, AFM, and UV‐vis studies corroborate the adsorption of inhibitor molecules over the metal surface.
TLR8 and complement C5 induce cytokine release and thrombin activation in human whole blood challenged with Gram-positive bacteria
Authors: Ehrnström Birgitta , Kojen June F. , Giambelluca Miriam , Ryan Liv , Moen Siv H. , Hu Zhenyi , Yin Hang , Mollnes Tom E. , Damås Jan K. , Espevik Terje , Stenvik Jørgen
Published: February 2020

We recently showed that TLR8 is critical for the detection of Gram-positive bacteria by human monocytes. Here, we hypothesized that TLR8 and complement together regulate antibacterial responses in human blood. Anticoagulated blood was treated with selective inhibitors of TLR8 and/or complement C5, and then challenged with live Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus, GBS), Staphylococcus aureus, or Escherichia coli. Cytokine production, plasma membrane permeability, bacterial survival, phagocytosis, and activation of coagulation was examined. GBS and S. aureus, but not E. coli, triggered TLR8-dependent production of IL-12p70, IL-1β, TNF, and IL-6 in fresh human whole blood. In purified polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), GBS and S. aureus induced IL-8 release in part via TLR8, whereas PMN plasma membrane leakage and extracellular DNA levels increased independently of TLR8. TLR8 was more important than C5 for bacteria-induced production of IL-12p70, IL-1β, and TNF in blood, whereas IL-8 release was more C5 dependent. Both TLR8 and C5 induced IL-6 release and activation of prothrombin cleavage, and here their combined effects were additive. Blocking of C5 or C5aR1 attenuated phagocytosis and increased the extracellular growth of GBS in blood, whereas TLR8 inhibition neither reduced phagocytosis nor intracellular killing of GBS and S. aureus. In conclusion, TLR8 is more important than C5 for production of IL-12p70, IL-1β, and TNF upon GBS and S. aureus infection in blood, whereas C5 is central for IL-8 release and phagocytosis. Both TLR8 and C5 mediate IL-6 release and activation of coagulation during challenge with Gram-positive bacteria in blood.
Paeoniflorin relieves LPS-induced inflammatory pain in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via transient receptor potential vanilloid 1
Authors: Yin Nina , Gao Qinghua , Tao Wenting , Chen Jiaojiao , Bi Jing , Ding Fengmin , Wang Zhigang
Published: February 2020

LPS has been widely used to induce inflammatory pain, attributing to production of inflammatory cytokines and sensitization of nociceptors. Paeoniflorin (PF) possesses anti-nociceptive property, but its effect on LPS-induced inflammatory pain has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of PF on an inflammatory pain mouse model and explore the underlying mechanisms. LPS-induced inflammatory pain model was established in C57BL/6J mice after PF treatment. Then, thermal hyperalgesia, neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory cytokine production, intracellular Ca2+ levels, PKC activity, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) expression, NF-κB transcription, and NLPR3 inflammasome activation were assessed by thermal withdrawal latency, histopathology, ELISA, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot, separately. PF significantly relieved inflammatory pain and paw edema in mice with LPS-induced inflammatory pain. Additionally, PF inhibited neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), intracellular Ca2+ levels, and PKC activity as well as suppressed TRPV-1 expression, NF-κB transcription, and NLPR3 inflammasome activation in the footpad tissue samples. Importantly, capsaicin (TRPV-1 agonists) obviously reversed the pain-relieving effect of PF, suggesting the involvement of TRPV-1 in the analgesic activity of PF. Our results indicated PF ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation and pain in mice by inhibiting TRPV-1-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These findings suggest that PF can be as a potential pharmacological agent for inflammatory pain and thus deserves more attention and further investigation.
Tissue Characterization by Mapping and Strain Cardiac MRI to Evaluate Myocardial Inflammation in Fulminant Myocarditis
Authors: Li Haojie , Zhu Hui , Yang Zhaoxia , Tang Dazhong , Huang Lu , Xia Liming
Published: February 2020

Background

The clinical value of novel mapping techniques and strain measures to assess myocardial inflammation in fulminant myocarditis (FM) has not been fully explored.

Purpose

To evaluate the ability of mapping and strain cardiac MRI to assess myocardial inflammation in patients with FM, and to which degree the strain metrics correlate with myocardial edema.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Twenty‐nine patients (37 ± 16 years, 48% male) with FM and 29 patients with nonfulminant acute myocarditis (NFAM) (29 ± 14 years, 69% male).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T; Cine imaging, black blood T2‐weighted imaging, T1mapping, T2 mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement.

Assessment

Native T1, extracellular volume (ECV), and T2 were measured. Myocardial strain was evaluated by feature tracking.

Statistical Tests

Student's t‐ or Mann–Whitney U‐test. Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

The myocardial edema rate (2.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2, P < 0.001) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) mass (16.5 [11.7, 41.7] vs. 6.9 [2.2, 15.8] g, P < 0.001) were significantly increased in FM patients when compared to the NFAM group. LGE in the FM group was predominantly located in the septal wall, and 38% of the patients showed a diffuse LGE pattern. Native T1, ECV, and T2 values in the FM group were significantly more elevated than those with NFAM, while global peak radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strain values were significantly reduced (all P < 0.001). Circumferential strain showed the strongest correlations with ECV (r = 0.72, P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion

Patients with FM showed significant differences in LGE patterns, increased edema, and decreased strain measurements compared to those with NFAM. Circumferential strain showed significant associations with quantitative cardiac MRI parameters of myocardial inflammation.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:930–938.
A New Method to Evaluate the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Domestic Laundry Detergents
Authors: Schages Jan , Stamminger Rainer , Bockmühl Dirk P.
Published: February 2020

During the last decades, the strive for energy efficiency lead to lower washing temperatures in laundering processes. In this regard, there is a rising need to measure the antimicrobial action of laundry detergents and additives, since chemistry must be considered an important means to compensate for the loss of temperature. Although there is an existing standard method (EN 16616) to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of detergents for the medical area, this method does not reflect the domestic situation and neglects important steps, such as the rinse cycles. Hence, we developed an experimental setup, which represents the whole washing process and reflects the domestic situation by using a household‐related setting. The suggested method uses a lab‐scale washing machine, which does not only allow to test products that can be applied throughout the whole laundering process (including the rinse steps) but also proved to be able to show the impact of different parameters (e.g., detergent ingredient or different types of textiles) in a very systematic manner.
Contribution of Sonoelastography to Diagnosis in Distinguishing Benign and Malignant Breast Masses
Authors: Yıldız Mehmet Sıddık , Goya Cemil , Adin Mehmet Emin
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of strain index measurements and a 5‐point scoring method to diagnostic accuracy in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant solid breast masses and to compare the diagnostic performances of both methods.

Methods

Eighty female patients were included in this study. Before biopsy, all patients underwent ultrasound (US) and sonoelastographic examinations. The elastographic images of lesions were assessed according to the 5‐point scoring method, and then elasticity scores were determined. Strain values of the masses and subcutaneous adipose tissue were measured. The diagnostic efficacies of B‐mode US, sonoelastographic 5‐point scoring, and strain index methods were compared with histopathologic findings.

Results

The mean age of the patients ± SD was 42 ± 13 years (range, 14–81 years). In histopathologic evaluations, 59 (74%) lesions were diagnosed as benign, and 21 (26%) were diagnosed as malignant. The mean strain index values were 10.45 ± 7.04 (range, 3.4–25.1) in malignant lesions and 2.88 ± 2.5 (range, 0.5–19.81) in benign lesions. The mean strain index for malignant lesions was significantly higher than that for benign lesions (P < .05). The highest sensitivity was found for B‐mode US, and the highest specificity was found for the strain index. The diagnostic performance of the strain index was higher than that of the 5‐point scoring method.

Conclusions

The addition of a sonoelastographic examination to B‐mode US prevents unnecessary biopsies. The strain index was found to be superior to the 5‐point scoring method to a limited extent.
Comparison of Recording Electrode Arrays in Endotracheal Thyroid Monitoring Tubes in a Porcine Model
Authors: Kandil Emad , Al‐Qurayshi Zaid , Randolph Gregory , Shama Mohamed , Bamford Jeremy , Kang Sang‐Wook
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Alteration in positioning or head manipulation during thyroid surgery can lead to endotracheal tube movement and potentially a change in intraoperative neural monitoring readings. We sought to study the impact of positional changes on two different commercially available recording electrode arrays.

Materials

Eight pigs divided equally into two study groups based on recording electrode arrays were used: Neurosign Lantern Laryngeal Electrode (LLE) (Neurosign_Technomed, The Netherlands) and Medtronic NIM EMG [neural integrity monitor electromyogram] endotracheal tube (ETT) (Medtronic, Jacksonville, FL). Neck movement and reposition were performed for all pigs. Signal data, including amplitude and latency, were collected for vagus nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) before and after repositioning. The differences of amplitude and latency by pre‐ and post‐repositioning were compared for all animals.

Results

Eight pigs were included in the current study. ETT group (Medtronic) had a significant decrease in amplitude of all tested nerves: for the vagus nerve on the left side by 36.30% (P = .021) and on the right by 49.29% (P = .024), for RLN on the left by 30.22% (P = .014) and on the right by 42.34% (P = .004), and for EBSLN on the left by 63.62% (P = .003) and on the right by 13.58% (P = .010). The amplitude changes in LLE group (Neurosign) repositioning were not statistically significant in all nerves.

Conclusion

Recording electrode array configuration can impact the stability of nerve monitoring signal during thyroid surgeries. Repositioning was associated with changes in nerve signal amplitude in ETT group (Medtronic), whereas LLE (Neurosign) did not show any significant differences. Human studies are warranted.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:2499–2505, 2020
The Correlation Between Endolymphatic Hydrops and Clinical Features of Meniere Disease
Authors: Zhang Weidong , Hui Lian , Zhang Bo , Ren Ling , Zhu Jingyi , Wang Fei , Li Songbai
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the grades of endolymphatic hydrops determined by gadolinium‐contrast magnetic resonance (MR) and correlation to the clinical features in patients with Meniere disease.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Methods

A total of 24 patients suffering from unilateral Meniere disease with either definite or probable clinical diagnosis were included. The duration of vertigo, duration of tinnitus, duration of vertigo attacks, hearing thresholds, and canal paresis (CP) value of caloric tests were assessed. Three‐dimensional fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 4 hours after intravenous injection of double dose of gadobutrol (Gd) to show endolymph and perilymph, and the grades of endolymphatic hydrops were measured. Additionally, the correlation between clinical features and the grades of endolymphatic hydrops of cochlea and vestibular were evaluated.

Results

Different grades of the endolymphatic hydrops in the impaired ear were revealed by MRI. The Spearman correlation showed a strong correlation between the hearing thresholds of low, middle, and high tone and the grades of cochlea and vestibular hydrops (P < .05); However, no significant correlation between the duration of vertigo, duration of tinnitus, duration of vertigo attacks, CP value, and endolymphatic hydrops was determined (P > .05).

Conclusion

By visualizing the endolymph and perilymph of inner ear in patients with Meniere disease assisted with intravenous injection of double doses of Gd, the grades of endolymphatic hydrops could be assessed. As a result, the grades of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with Meniere disease can be used to predict the level of hearing impairment.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E144–E150, 2021
The use of platelet‐rich plasma in treatment of olfactory dysfunction: A pilot study
Authors: Yan Carol H. , Mundy David C. , Patel Zara M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Olfactory dysfunction is a prevalent problem with a significant impact on quality of life and increased mortality. Limited effective therapies exist. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biologic product with anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. This novel pilot study evaluated the role of PRP on olfactory neuroregeneration in patients with hyposmia.

Methods

Seven patients who had olfactory loss greater than 6 months in duration, no evidence of sinonasal inflammatory disease, and no improvement with olfactory training and budesonide topical rinses were enrolled in this preliminary study. Patients received a single intranasal injection of PRP into the mucosa of the olfactory cleft. The Sniffin' Sticks olfactory test consisting of threshold, discrimination, and identification measurements (TDI) was administered at the beginning of the study and at 1 and 3 months.

Results

All patients reported a subjective improvement of their smell shortly after injection but then stabilized. At 3‐month post‐treatment, two patients with functional anosmia (TDI < 16) did not improve significantly. Five patients with hyposmia (TDI > 16 but <30) showed an improvement with 60% achieving normosmia (TDI > 30) at 3‐month follow‐up. On average, patients with baseline TDI > 16 improved by 5.85 points with the most significant improvement in the threshold subcomponent. There were no adverse outcomes from intranasal PRP injections.

Conclusion

PRP appears safe for use in the treatment of olfactory loss, and preliminary data suggest possible efficacy, especially for those with moderate yet persistent loss. Further studies will help determine optimal frequency and duration of use.

Level of evidence: 2B
SMART‐DECK: Multifunctional carbon‐reinforced concrete interlayer for bridges
Authors: Driessen‐Ohlenforst Carla
Published: February 2020

The service life of bridges is often threatened by an insufficient shear force capacity in the transverse direction as well as by leakages in the sealing layer, which leads to chloride ingress and therefore corrosion damages. To prevent expensive repair work and traffic obstructions, a thin, multifunctional interlayer of textile‐reinforced concrete called SMART‐DECK was developed. This interlayer provides three functions: A full‐surface moisture monitoring in real‐time, a preventive cathodic corrosion protection, and an increase of the shear force capacity. The operator of the bridge is able to monitor the condition of the sealer in real‐time. The relevant data are transmitted via the internet and show the condition of the sealer in a simple color scheme. If leakage occurs, the cathodic corrosion protection can be switched on to protect the reinforcement from corrosion damages. The renewing of the damaged bridge deck sealing has not to be carried out immediately but can be postponed over years, for example, to periods with little traffic. In this paper, the scientific approach for the realization of the system is presented, beginning with laboratory pretests on the materials and numerical simulations. The results are used to test the functions of the system in the laboratory and later on two demonstrators. An outlook will present the next research questions.
Tossing and Turning in Bed: Nocturnal Movements in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mirelman Anat , Hillel Inbar , Rochester Lynn , Del Din Silvia , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Avanzino Laura , Nieuwboer Alice , Maidan Inbal , Herman Talia , Thaler Avner , Gurevich Tanya , Kestenbaum Meir , Orr‐Urtreger Avi , Brys Mirek , Cedarbaum Jesse M. , Giladi Nir , Hausdorff Jeffrey M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Sleep disturbances and nocturnal hypokinesia are common in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent work using wearable technologies showed fewer nocturnal movements in PD when compared with controls. However, it is unclear how these manifest across the disease spectrum.

Objectives

We assessed the prevalence of sleep disturbances and nocturnal hypokinesia in early and advanced PD and their relation to nonmotor symptoms and dopaminergic medication.

Methods

A total of 305 patients with PD with diverse disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr [H&Y] stage 1 = 47, H&Y stage 2 = 181, H&Y stage 3 = 77) and 205 healthy controls continuously wore a tri‐axial accelerometer on the lower back for at least 2 days. Lying, turning, and upright ‐time at night were extracted from the acceleration signals. Percent upright time and nighttime walking were classified as sleep interruptions. The number, velocity, time, side, and degree of rotations in bed were used to evaluate nocturnal movements.

Results

Nocturnal lying time was similar among all groups (healthy controls, 7.5 ± 1.2 hours; H&Y stage 1, 7.3 ± 0.9 hours; H&Y stage 2, 7.2 ± 1.3 hours; H&Y stage 3, 7.4 ± 1.6 hours; P = 0.501). However, patients with advanced PD had more upright periods, whereas the number and velocity of their turns were reduced (P ≤ 0.021). Recently diagnosed patients (<1 year from diagnosis) were similar to controls in the number of nocturnal turns (P = 0.148), but showed longer turning time (P = 0.001) and reduced turn magnitude (P = 0.002). Reduced nocturnal movements were associated with increased PD motor severity and worse dysautonomia and cognition and with dopaminergic medication.

Conclusions

Using wearable sensors for continuous monitoring of movement at night may offer an unbiased measure of disease severity that could enhance optimal nighttime dopaminergic treatment and utilization of turning strategies. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
New NAMI CEO: Position is opportunity to make a difference
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2020

As Daniel H. Gillison Jr. settles into his new role as CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), he cites his respect for and appreciation of the advances NAMI has made over the last 40 years and his hopes to assist the advocacy organization in building on that legacy going forward.
Lack of BV bounds for approximate solutions to a two‐phase transition model arising from vehicular traffic
Authors: Benyahia Mohamed , Rosini Massimiliano D.
Published: February 2020

We consider wave‐front tracking approximate solutions
to a two‐phase transition model for vehicular traffic. We construct an explicit example showing that the total variation in space of
may blow up in finite time for
even for an initial datum with bounded total variation.
Environmental DNA Sampling Informs Fish Eradication Efforts: Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Authors: Carim K. J. , Bean N. J. , Connor J. M. , Baker W. P. , Jaeger M. , Ruggles M. P. , McKelvey K. S. , Franklin T. W. , Young M. K. , Schwartz M. K.
Published: February 2020

Worldwide, freshwater ecosystems are threatened by invasive species, resulting in adverse effects on infrastructure, economy, recreation, and native aquatic communities. In stream settings, chemical piscicides can be an effective tool for eradicating invasive fishes. However, chemical treatments are expensive and time consuming, and they do not discriminate between invasive and native species in a system. Therefore, managers would ideally limit treatment to only the area occupied by the invasive species. Because traditional survey methods may not accurately detect individuals in low abundance (e.g., at the edge of their distribution, or following an eradication effort), chemical treatments may be applied more broadly and more often than is necessary to ensure complete coverage. Furthermore, inadequate posttreatment sampling can fail to detect survivors of a treatment. As a result, managers may erroneously conclude that eradication was successful, leaving the ecosystem vulnerable to reestablishment by the invader. More sensitive sampling tools should allow for more precise definition of the treatment area and more accurate evaluation of project success. This would reduce project costs and overall effects on native species. Here, we illustrate how environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling addressed these challenges through three case studies, each of which used eDNA sampling to inform the removal of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis in small streams. We found that eDNA methods can be informative throughout all stages of eradication projects in stream settings. It can assist with delimiting the population prior to treatment, provide detailed location data on surviving target individuals, and serve as an efficient and relatively inexpensive monitoring tool to assess long-term treatment efficacy. When combined with traditional survey tools, such as electrofishing, eDNA sampling may help reduce the size and number of treatments that are necessary to reach project goals. This translates directly to increased efficacy of treatments, reduced labor and cost, and reduced adverse effects on the native community.
Hospitalizations in Patients With Nonmalignant Short‐Bowel Syndrome Receiving Home Parenteral Support
Authors: Fuglsang Kristian Asp , Brandt Christopher Filtenborg , Scheike Thomas , Jeppesen Palle Bekker
Published: February 2020

Background

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the frequency, duration, and causes of hospitalizations in patients receiving home parenteral support (HPS) due to short‐bowel syndrome (SBS) of nonmalignant causes. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate potential risk factors and hypothesized that patients with the shortest remnant, functional, small bowel—hence, the highest need for HPS—would have the highest incidence of hospitalizations.

Methods

Patients with nonmalignant SBS who initiated HPS in the period from 1970 to 2016 from the Department of Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, were included. Information about demography, hospitalizations at the department, and duration of HPS was obtained from the Copenhagen intestinal failure database.

Results

Patients (n = 331) received HPS for a total of 1409.9 years in the period. Hospitalizations accounted for 6.6% of the time registered as HPS‐dependent. The average patient was hospitalized for 5.7% (range 0%–82%) of the registered HPS days. The incidence of admissions was 2.5 per HPS year. The median length of stay was 7 days (range; 0–387). Catheter‐related complications were the most frequently registered causes of admissions (35.2%), subsequently accounting for 31.3% of the total admission time. A Cox regression of admissions showed no significant influence of the remnant‐bowel anatomy but identified the ability to administer HPS unaided as associated with a significantly reduced hazard.

Conclusions

This retrospective study illustrated that 6.6% of the provided HPS days were, in fact, spent hospitalized. Since admissions elsewhere were not accounted for, this may be an underestimation.
Kidney‐sparing whole abdominal irradiation in Wilms tumor: Potential advantages of VMAT technique
Authors: Chen Michael Jenwei , Leao Caio Raposo , Simoes Roberto Campos Pereira , Belletti Fernanda Salheb , Figueiredo Maria Luisa Sucharski , Cypriano Monica Santos
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To present a preliminary clinical experience and a dosimetric comparison of kidney‐sparing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT) for whole abdominal irradiation (WAI), in the setting of Wilms tumor (WT) treatment.

Materials and methods

From a total of 20 consecutive WT cases treated with adjuvant irradiation, seven were submitted to WAI with VMAT. Renal function and survival rates were evaluated, and, for comparison purposes, similar VMAT and 3D‐CRT treatment plans were performed for WAI patients, and differences were dosimetrically evaluated regarding doses to the remaining kidney and other organs at risk and the planning target volume (PTV).

Results

After a median follow‐up time of 40.8 months (35.3‐52.2), no acute significant intestinal toxicity was observed, and median creatinine clearance was 110.1 and 103.3 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively, before treatment and at last follow‐up for WAI patients (P = 0.128). For comparative plans, maximum and median doses were lower for the remaining kidney with VMAT than with 3D‐CRT. VMAT was associated with better PTV coverage as compared with 3D‐CRT, with superior results for all the evaluated parameters (D95, D2, V100%, V98%, V95%; P = 0.018).

Conclusion

The use of VMAT technique is associated with lower radiation doses to the remaining kidney and better coverage to the PTV than 3D‐CRT technique for WAI, with preliminary clinical experience showing a favorable toxicity profile. Long‐term results from prospective studies might prove the ability of VMAT to spare renal function in the setting of WT treatment.
Synergistic effect of thermoplastic phenolic resin and multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the crystallization of polyoxymethylene
Authors: Xue Meiling , Lv Kanghui , Gao Shengqiang , Lu Xiangzhou , Liu Yingjie , Yan Shouke
Published: February 2020

To reduce the crystallization rate of polyoxymethylene (POM) to meet the requirement of thick‐walled and large‐sized articles production, and maintain high crystallinity as well as obtain refined crystalline grains to ensure the strength and stiffness simultaneously, thermoplastic phenolic resin (PF) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as crystal growth inhibitor and nucleating agent, respectively, and their effects on the crystallization of POM were studied in details. The results showed that PF is an effective inhibitor and MWCNTs exhibits excellent nucleation effect on POM. Based on the obtained results, their synergistic influences on the crystallization process of POM were investigated. It is found that the objective of decreasing the crystallization rate while maintaining high crystallinity and forming fine crystalline grains can be realized. The 97/3/1 wt% POM/PF/MWCNTs, compared with those of neat POM, TheTcshifts by 3.3°C to a lower temperature, the crystallization enthalpy increases by 16.1 J/g and the full width at half‐maximum widens by 48.5%. The modulation effect of PF and MWCNTs on the crystallization is closely related to the PF content and dispersion, the distribution and dispersion of MWCNTs in the PF and POM phases.
A predictive model of unfrozen water content including the influence of pressure
Authors: Ming Feng , Li Dong‐qing , Liu Yu‐hang
Published: February 2020

Unfrozen water content has strong control on the permeability, strength and thermal properties of frozen soil. Several techniques have been used to measure unfrozen water content in frozen soil and many models have been developed for its prediction. However, there has been little investigation on the quantitative analysis of the relationship between pressure and unfrozen water content. With the development of artificial ground freezing techniques and deep mining, knowledge of unfrozen water content in frozen soil under high pressure is critical to the stability of the frozen structures. Here, a new predictive model is presented based on the relationship between chemical potential and unfrozen water content and a previous empirical formula. The simulation results are in good agreement with those from laboratory tests. Both the theoretical analysis and the test results indicated that: (a) the pressure applied to frozen soil reduces the freezing point of bulk water and delays the phase change, and (b) unfrozen water content increases with increasing pressure, and at higher pressures the change is greater. The results improve our understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of freezing soil under pressure for artificial ground freezing applications and deep mining engineering.
Investigation of the explosion severity of multiphase hybrid mixtures
Authors: Addai Emmanuel K. , Aljaroudi Ali , Abbas Zaheer , Amyotte Paul , Addo Albert , Krause Ulrich
Published: February 2020

This study presents an experimental investigation of the maximum explosion pressure (Pmax) and rate of pressure rise (dP/dt)max of dusts (lycopodium and brown coal), solvents (ethanol, isopropanol), gases (methane and hydrogen) as well as two‐ and three‐phase hybrid mixtures. Experiments were performed in a standard 20 L sphere with a 10‐J electrical igniter as an ignition source and a 60 ms ignition delay time. It was consistently noticed that the explosion severity of a dust and gas/spray hybrid mixture was higher than that of dust, but lower than either gas or solvent. The addition of a flammable gas/spray to a dust‐air mixture increases the maximum explosion pressure to some extent and significantly increases the maximum rate of the dust mixture pressure rise, even though the concentration of the flammable gas/vapor is below its lower explosion limit. For instance, lycopodium with maximum rate of pressure rise value of 272 bar/s increased to 322, 369, 410, and 504 bar/s when methane concentration of 1, 2, 3, and 4 vol% was respectively, added. These values of maximum rate of pressure rise further increased to 430, 460, 573, and 798 bar/s when a nonexplosible concentration of a third‐phase isopropanol (50% lower than the lower explosion limit) was added. From the findings of this research, it could be inferred that one cannot rely on the explosion severity of a single substance to ensure the safety of a process or system when substances with different states of aggregate are present.
A long-lived stop with freeze-in and freeze-out dark matter in the hidden sector
Authors: Aboubrahim Amin , Feng Wan-Zhe , Nath Pran
Published: February 2020

Abstract

In extended supersymmetric models with a hidden sector the lightestR-parity odd particle can reside in the hidden sector and act as dark matter. We consider the case when the hidden sector has ultraweak interactions with the visible sector. An interesting phenomenon arises if the LSP of the visible sector is charged in which case it will decay to the hidden sector dark matter. Due to the ultraweak interactions, the LSP of the visible sector will be long-lived decaying outside the detector after leaving a track inside. We investigate this possibility in the framework of a U(1)X-extended MSSM/SUGRA model with a small gauge kinetic mixing and mass mixing between the U(1)Xand U(1)Ywhere U(1)Yis the gauge group of the hypercharge. Specifically we investigate the case when the LSP of MSSM is a stop which decays into the hidden sector dark matter and has a lifetime long enough to traverse the LHC detector without decay. It is shown that such a particle can be detected at the HL-LHC and HE-LHC as anR-hadron which will look like a slow moving muon with a large transverse momentumpTand so can be detected by the track it leaves in the inner tracker and in the muon spectrometer. Further, due to the ultraweak couplings between the hidden sector and the MSSM fields, the dark matter particle has a relic density arising from a combination of the freeze-out and freeze-in mechanisms. It is found that even for the ultraweak or feeble interactions the freeze-out contribution relative to freeze-in contribution to the relic density is substantial to dominant, varying between 30% to 74% for the model points considered. It is subdominant to freeze-in for relatively small stop masses with relatively larger stop annihilation cross-sections and the dominant contribution to the relic density for relatively large stop masses and relatively smaller stop annihilation cross-sections. Our analysis shows that the freeze-out contribution must be included for any realistic analysis even for dark matter particles with ultraweak or feeble interactions with the visible sector. A discovery of a long-lived stop as the lightest particle of the MSSM may point to the nature of dark matter and its production mechanism in the early universe.
From positive geometries to a coaction on hypergeometric functions
Authors: Abreu Samuel , Britto Ruth , Duhr Claude , Gardi Einan , Matthew James
Published: February 2020

Abstract

It is well known that Feynman integrals in dimensional regularization often evaluate to functions of hypergeometric type. Inspired by a recent proposal for a coaction on one-loop Feynman integrals in dimensional regularization, we use intersection numbers and twisted homology theory to define a coaction on certain hypergeometric functions. The functions we consider admit an integral representation where both the integrand and the contour of integration are associated with positive geometries. As in dimensionally- regularized Feynman integrals, endpoint singularities are regularized by means of exponents controlled by a small parameter ϵ. We show that the coaction defined on this class of integral is consistent, upon expansion in ϵ, with the well-known coaction on multiple polylogarithms. We illustrate the validity of our construction by explicitly determining the coaction on various types of hypergeometric p+1Fp and Appell functions.
Stochastic Cahn–Hilliard equation in higher space dimensions: the motion of bubbles
Authors: Blömker Dirk , Schindler Alexander
Published: February 2020

We study the stochastic motion of a droplet in a stochastic Cahn–Hilliard equation in the sharp interface limit for sufficiently small noise. The key ingredient in the proof is a deterministic slow manifold, where we show its stability for long times under small stochastic perturbations. We also give a rigorous stochastic differential equation for the motion of the center of the droplet.