bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of transcriptional response in zebrafish eleutheroembryos exposed to climbazole: Signaling pathways and potential biomarkers
Authors: Zhang Hui , Chen Zhi-Feng , Qi Zenghua , Yan Shi-Chao , Wei Wen-Wen , Liu Guoguang , Cai Zongwei
Published: January 2019

Climbazole is an antifungal active ingredient used in personal care products. After application this chemical reaches the aquatic environment and may pose a risk to fish. In the present study, we measured the transcriptional effects of essential genes related to a wide range of signaling pathways on zebrafish eleutheroembryos exposed to climbazole at environmentally relevant and predicted worst-case environmental concentrations, and explored the potential biomarkers via partial least squares discriminant analysis. Transcription analysis covering up to 73 genes revealed significant down-regulation of circadian rhythm- and steroidogenesis-related genes in zebrafish embryos and larvae after exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of climbazole. This topical antifungal agent also modulated the transcripts of genes involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, oocyte maturation, and sexual differentiation at predicted worst-case environmental concentrations. In addition, mprα, igf3, nr1d1, nr1d2b, cyp19a1a, vtg1, il-1β, and il-8 were chosen as potential biomarkers in embryonic zebrafish following exposure to climbazole. These findings can help us understand the remarkable transcriptional response to climbazole in the early life stage of zebrafish. Future research should elucidate whether the transcriptional modulation translates into metabolic phenotypes associated with the corresponding signaling pathways. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:794–805. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

Regulation of transcriptional response in zebrafish eleutheroembryos exposed to climbazole.
Unexpected response with palliative conventional therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after anti‐programmed death‐1 progression
Authors: Denaro Nerina , Merlano Marco Carlo
Published: January 2019

Background

The application of anti‐programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) therapies for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has found promising results. It is the first “second‐line therapy” in this setting to impact on prognosis. The studies demonstrated overall response rates in the range of 20%. Therefore, HNSCC showed 60%‐80% progression at first evaluation with better overall survival, suggesting regained efficacy of treatments given thereafter.

Methods

We report three clinical cases treated with anti‐PD‐1 after platinum‐based chemotherapy.

Results

Our case reports achieved an unforeseen response to conventional therapies supporting the hypothesis of restored responses to conventional therapies after immunotherapy.

Conclusions

We believe that the inhibition of the PD‐1/PD‐ligand 1 checkpoint may synergize with both chemotherapy or radiotherapy through immunologic interplay, reversing the HNSCC‐induced immune suppression.
Modeling of maximum endurance time for one‐handed carrying tasks
Authors: Li Kai Way , Peng Lu , Yi Cannan
Published: January 2019

The objective of this study was to establish models to predict maximum endurance time (MET) for one‐handed carrying tasks. A one‐handed carrying experiment, under three loads and two walking speeds, was performed. The participant carried a dumbbell on the side using either dominant or nondominant hand. His or her arm was straight‐down. The MET values were collected. Both power and exponential functions were adopted in establishing simplified MET models considering the relative force (fMVC) applied. The simplified models were further expanded to full models where body weight and walking speed were also included. It was found that the power models provided better estimates than the exponential models when the fMVC was lower than approximately 0.17 for both the simplified and full models. Considering the effects of the walking speed, the full models are recommended when the fMVC is 0.3 or lower.
Laparoscopic radical surgery produces a good prognosis in an elderly patient with small Wilms’ tumor
Authors: Ota Yuya , Naiki Taku , Nakagawa Motoo , Naiki‐Ito Aya , Hamamoto Shuzo , Etani Toshiki , Iida Keitaro , Nozaki Satoshi , Ando Ryosuke , Kawai Noriyasu , Yasui Takahiro
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Renal nephroblastoma, also known as Wilms’ tumor, is the most common malignant renal tumor to affect children. Although rare in adults, nephroblastoma in adults is often found in its advanced stages and has a poorer prognosis than cases occurring in childhood. No report has described the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in small diameter renal tumors in elderly patients.

Case presentation

Here, we report a very rare case of 71‐year‐old woman with asymptomatic small nephroblastoma removed by laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

Conclusion

The patient refused additional treatments but shows no sign of recurrence 15 months after surgery. These findings support, therefore, that laparoscopic surgery may be effective for small nephroblastoma in elderly patients refusing other treatment modalities.
Monetary policy, housing rents, and inflation dynamics
Authors: Dias Daniel A. , Duarte João B.
Published: January 2019

In this paper we study the effect of monetary policy shocks on housing rents. Our main finding is that, in contrast to house prices, housing rents increase in response to contractionary monetary policy shocks. We also find that, after a contractionary monetary policy shock, rental vacancies and the homeownership rate decline. This combination of results suggests that monetary policy may affect housing tenure decisions (own versus rent). In addition, we show that, with the exception of the shelter component, all other main components of the consumer price index (CPI) either decline in response to a contractionary monetary policy shock or are not responsive. These findings motivated us to study the statistical properties of alternative measures of inflation that exclude the shelter component. We find that measures of inflation that exclude shelter have most of the statistical properties of the widely used measures of inflation, such as the CPI and the price index for personal consumption expenditures, but have higher standard deviations and react more to monetary policy shocks. Finally, we show that the response of housing rents accounts for a large proportion of the “price puzzle” found in the literature.
Effect of mitomycin C on X‐ray repair cross complementing group 1 expression and consequent cytotoxicity regulation in human gastric cancer cells
Authors: Tung Shui‐Yi , Lin Chien‐Tsong , Chen Cheng‐Nan , Huang Wen‐Shih
Published: January 2019

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and ranks as the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths across the world. The combination therapy of surgery with chemotherapeutic drugs, that is, mitomycin C (MMC), is becoming a major strategy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, drug resistance is a major factor that limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy, which ultimately leads to the failure of cancer chemotherapy. X‐ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1), a scaffold protein of the base excision repair process, has been implicated in the development of tumor chemoresistance. Thus, this study aimed to explore whether XRCC1 expression could be regulated, its role in gastric AGS cancer cells treated with MMC, and the underlying mechanism. The results of this study demonstrate that XRCC1 expression could be upregulated in AGS cells treated with MMC, and this upregulation could subsequently reduce the cytotoxicity of MMC in AGS cells. Furthermore, MMC‐upregulated XRCC1 expression was regulated by MAPK signaling through activating the transcription factor Sp1. These results indicate the role of XRCC1 in the development of drug resistance to MMC in gastric AGS cells. Elucidating the mechanism concerning the MAPKs and transcription factor Sp1 may provide another notion for the development of a clinical chemotherapy strategy for gastric cancers in the future.
A meta‐analysis on correlations of OX40L variants with atherosclerotic disorders
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Luan Yaxin , Zhang Chengsen
Published: January 2019

Background

This meta‐analysis was conducted to analyze the correlations of OX40 ligand (OX40L) variants with atherosclerotic cardio‐cerebral vascular diseases (ASCVD).

Methods

Systematic literature research was conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Embase. All statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager.

Results

Totally eighteen studies were enrolled for analyses. Although no any significant correlations between OX40L variants and ASCVD were detected in overall analyses. Further subgroup analyses by ethnicity revealed that rs1234314 variant was significantly associated with ASCVD in East Asians (dominant model: P = 0.03, odds ratios [OR] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01‐1.31; allele model: P = 0.04, OR = 1.10, 95%CI, 1.00‐1.20). When we stratified eligible studies by type of disease, positive results were observed for rs17568 variant in subjects with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (allele model: P = 0.04, OR = 0.81, 95%CI, 0.65‐0.99), for rs1234314 variant in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) (dominant model: P = 0.04, OR = 1.16, 95%CI, 1.00‐1.35), for rs3850641 variant in subjects with CAD (recessive model: P = 0.02, OR = 1.42, 95%CI, 1.05‐1.90) and myocardial infarction (MI) (recessive model: P = 0.03, OR = 1.49, 95%CI, 1.05‐2.11).

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that rs17568, rs1234314, and rs3850641 variants might serve as genetic biomarkers of certain types of CAD.
Long noncoding RNA LINC00339 promotes renal tubular epithelial pyroptosis by regulating the miR‐22‐3p/NLRP3 axis in calcium oxalate–induced kidney stone
Authors: Song Zhengyao , Zhang Yangyang , Gong Binbin , Xu Hanjiang , Hao Zongyao , Liang Chaozhao
Published: January 2019

This study aims to investigate the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 339 (LINC00339) in regulating renal tubular epithelial pyroptosis in kidney stones and to explore the underlying mechanism. The human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK‐2) cells were treated with calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) for 72 hours to establish the cell model of renal tubular injury. Relative expression of LINC00339 and miR‐22‐3p was measured by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression of pyroptosis‐related molecules was measured by Western blot analysis (NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved caspase‐1 p10) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (interleukin‐1β [IL‐1β] and IL‐18). Pyroptosis was also determined by lactate dehydrogenase release and active caspase‐1‐propidium iodide double staining. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify whether miR‐22‐3p could bind to LINC00339 or NLRP3. We observed increased LINC00339, decreased miR‐22‐3p, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and enhanced cell pyroptosis in COM‐treated HK‐2 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of both LINC00339 and NLRP3 activated NLRP3 inflammasome and promoted pyroptosis in COM‐treated HK‐2 cells, whereas miR‐22‐3p mimic and NLRP3 knockdown exerted the opposite effects. Mechanically, LINC00339 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA by sponging miR‐22‐3p to facilitate NLRP3 expression. In conclusion, lncRNA LINC00339 promotes cell pyroptosis by sponging miR‐22‐3p to regulate NLRP3 expression in COM‐treated HK‐2 cells.
On the spouse‐loving variant of the Oberwolfach problem
Authors: Bolohan Noah , Buchanan Iona , Burgess Andrea , Šajna Mateja , Van Snick Ryan
Published: January 2019

We prove that , the complete graph of even order with a 1‐factor duplicated, admits a decomposition into 2‐factors, each a disjoint union of cycles of length if and only if , except possibly when is odd and . In addition, we show that admits a decomposition into 2‐factors, each a disjoint union of cycles of lengths , whenever are all even.
Presence of fragmented QRS is associated with increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness in hypertensive patients
Authors: Bekar Lütfü , Kalçık Macit , Çelik Oğuzhan , Alp Çağlar , Yetim Mucahit , Doğan Tolga , Ekinözü İsmail , Karaarslan Osman , Çamkıran Volkan , Karavelioğlu Yusuf , Gölbaşı Zehra
Published: January 2019

Background

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a cardiometabolic risk factor, and its possible relationship with hypertension has been reported previously. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) detected on electrocardiography (ECG) has been demonstrated to be a marker of myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the thickness of EAT, and presence of fQRS in hypertensive patients.

Methods

Consecutive patients who were diagnosed with hypertension were included in the study. ECG and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed to all patients. fQRS was defined as additional R′ wave or notching/splitting of S wave in two contiguous ECG leads. Thickness of EAT was measured by TTE.

Results

This study enrolled 69 hypertensive patients with fQRS on ECG and 45 hypertensive patients without fQRS as the control group. Age (P = .869), and gender distribution (P = .751) were similar in both groups. Left atrial diameter (P = .012), interventricular septal thickness (P < .001), posterior wall thickness (P < .001), left ventricular ejection fraction (P = .009), left ventricular mass (P = .006), left ventricular mass ındex (P = .014), left ventricular hypertrophy (P = .003), and EAT thickness (P < .001) were found to be significantly increased in patients with fQRS. In multivariate analysis, among these variables only EAT was observed to be an independent predictor of fQRS (odds ratio:3.306 [95% confidence interval, 0.030‐0.118], P = .001).

Conclusion

A significant association exists between the presence of fQRS and EAT thickness in hypertensive patients. The presence of fQRS, just as EAT thickness, may be used as a cardiometabolic risk factor in hypertensive patients.
Automated techniques for blood vessels segmentation through fundus retinal images: A review
Authors: Akbar Shahzad , Sharif Muhammad , Akram Muhammad Usman , Saba Tanzila , Mahmood Toqeer , Kolivand Mahyar
Published: January 2019

Retina is the interior part of human's eye, has a vital role in vision. The digital image captured by fundus camera is very useful to analyze the abnormalities in retina especially in retinal blood vessels. To get information of blood vessels through fundus retinal image, a precise and accurate vessels segmentation image is required. This segmented blood vessel image is most beneficial to detect retinal diseases. Many automated techniques are widely used for retinal vessels segmentation which is a primary element of computerized diagnostic systems for retinal diseases. The automatic vessels segmentation may lead to more challenging task in the presence of lesions and abnormalities. This paper briefly describes the various publicly available retinal image databases and various machine learning techniques. State of the art exhibited that researchers have proposed several vessel segmentation methods based on supervised and supervised techniques and evaluated their results mostly on publicly datasets such as digital retinal images for vessel extraction and structured analysis of the retina. A comprehensive review of existing supervised and unsupervised vessel segmentation techniques or algorithms is presented which describes the philosophy of each algorithm. This review will be useful for readers in their future research.
The effect of different ratios of nano‐sized hydroxyapatite fillers on the micro‐tensile bond strength of an adhesive resin
Authors: Kavrik Fevzi , Kucukyilmaz Ebru
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the micro‐tensile bond strength (μTBS) of dentin bonding agents containing different ratios of nano‐sized hydroxyapatite fillers (HA). X‐ray diffraction analysis was used for characterization, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used to determine the HA particle size after that HA were mixed a bonding agents without filler. Dentin bonding agents were divided into four groups according to addition of different ratios of nano‐sized hydroxyapatite fillers as 2% HA, 5% HA, 7% HA, and no‐filler control group. The teeth (n = 32) were sectioned with a low‐speed diamond blade under water cooling to expose the mid‐coronal dentin. Following the bonding application, restorations were applied incrementally. Each tooth was cut on the x and y axis, and each specimen was fixed to a testing device and stressed until failure occurred. The debonded specimens were examined under 250× magnification without a coating layer at 2.00 kV using a SEM to determine failure patterns. μTBS data were analyzed using a anova and Tukey's post hoc test. The failure mode data were analyzed using the Chi‐Square test. The maximum mean value of μTBS was in the 7% HA group, while the minimum mean value of μTBS was observed in the control group. 7% HA group was statistically significant and higher than other groups while there were no significant differences between the control, 2% HA, and 5% HA groups. According to SEM analysis, fracture analysis revealed that the mixed fracture type was seen more often than the other fracture types. The particle size and amount of HA fillers added to the adhesive resin seem to affect the success of the bond strength to the dentin. Adding different ratio nano‐sized HA fillers to the adhesive resin contributed positively to the immediate μTBS values in the dentin.
Imaging human keratinocytes grown on electrospun mats by scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Sokolova Anastasiia I. , Pavlova Elizaveta R. , Khramova Yuliya V. , Klinov Dmitry V. , Shaitan Konstantin V. , Bagrov Dmitry V.
Published: January 2019

Drying is a critical step in preparing cell samples for examination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The two commonly used drying procedures are the critical point drying (CPD) and the chemical drying using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS drying). Here we compared the application of these procedures for the drying of HaCaT human keratinocyte cells grown on electrospun nylon mats. Both drying procedures allowed us to obtain images of the cells and characterize the microvilli on the cell surface. After HMDS drying the membrane was less damaged than after CPD. Both drying procedures could be used to investigate contact guidance–the substrate‐induced changes in cell shape. The aspect ratio of HaCaT cells grown on the aligned and random mats was 4.2 ± 2.8 and 1.5 ± 0.3, respectively.
Dentine tubule disinfection by different irrigation protocols
Authors: Morago Ana , Ruiz‐Linares Matilde , Ferrer‐Luque Carmen María , Baca Pilar , Rodríguez Archilla Alberto , Arias‐Moliz María Teresa
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study was to test the antimicrobial activity and the smear layer removal of different irrigation protocols—sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), NaOCl followed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and NaOCl combined with etidronic acid (HEBP)—against infected dentine tubules during root canal preparation. Single rooted premolars contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis were chemomechanically prepared. Depending on the irrigation protocols, the roots were divided into the following groups: (1) distilled water during and after instrumentation; (2) 2.5% NaOCl during and after instrumentation; (3) 2.5% NaOCl/9% HEBP during and after instrumentation; and (4) 2.5% NaOCl during instrumentation followed by 17% EDTA after instrumentation. The percentage of dead cells and the biovolume in infected dentine tubules were measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the live/dead technique. Smear layer removal on root canal wall surfaces was observed by means of scanning electron microscopy. Results were compared through parametric tests (p < .05). The groups NaOCl, NaOCl/HEBP, and NaOCl+EDTA exerted the highest antimicrobial activity (p > .05), followed by the group irrigated with water. All the irrigation protocols—including water—significantly reduced the bacteria biovolume. No dentine tubules free of smear layer were found in the positive control or the 2.5% NaOCl group. With NaOCl/HEBP and NaOCl+EDTA, respectively, 90.41% ± 7.33 and 76.54% ± 15.30 of dentine tubules were free of smear layer (p = .01). NaOCl/HEBP and NaOCl+EDTA exerted an important antimicrobial activity against bacteria inside dentine tubules, lowering the bacteria biovolume and eliminating a high amount of the smear layer, particularly in the NaOCl/HEBP group.
Effect of ultrasonic activation on dentinal tubule penetration of calcium silicate‐based cements
Authors: Aksel Hacer , Arslan Elifcan , Puralı Nuhan , Uyanık Özgür , Nagaş Emre
Published: January 2019

This study investigated the dentinal tubule penetration of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), NeoMTA Plus and Biodentine placed by either manual condensation or ultrasonic activation in simulated open apex model. Standardized divergent open apex models were created using palatal roots of 60 human maxillary molars and divided into six groups according to the used cements and activation methods (n = 10): MTA‐manual condensation, MTA‐ultrasonic activation, NeoMTA Plus‐manual condensation, NeoMTA Plus‐ultrasonic activation, Biodentine‐manual condensation, Biodentine‐ultrasonic activation. For the measurement of penetration, the cements were mixed with 0.1% Rhodamin B and 6‐mm apical portions of each root canal were obturated in an orthograde direction. The roots were embedded into acrylic blocks, and 1‐mm‐thick sections were obtained at 3 mm from the apex. Specimens were mounted onto glass slides and scanned under a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and stereomicroscope. Dentinal tubule penetration areas, depth and percentage were measured using LSM and ImageJ software. The data were analyzed using two‐way analysis of variance (anova) with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05). No correlation was found between stereomicroscope and CLSM analyses (p > .05). CLSM analysis showed no significant differences between MTA, NeoMTA Plus, and Biodentine groups when manual condensation was used (p > .05). Ultrasonic activation did not increase the tubular penetration of MTA, NeoMTA Plus or Biodentine as compared to manual condensation of each material (p > .05). MTA, NeoMTA Plus and Biodentine showed similar tubular penetration when manual condensation was used. Ultrasonic activation of these cements had no effect on tubular penetration of each material as compared to the manual condensation counterparts.
Evaluation of Varicella‐zoster virus‐specific cell‐mediated immunity by interferon‐γ Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay in adults ≥50 years of age administered a herpes zoster vaccine
Authors: Yang Ping , Chen Zhen , Zhang Jieqiong , Li Wei , Zhu Changlin , Qiu Ping , Quan Yaru , Cui Xiaoyu , Yuan Liyong , Jiang Chunlai
Published: January 2019

Varicella‐zoster virus (VZV)‐specific cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) is critical for preventing and controlling the onset of herpes zoster (HZ). To assess VZV CMI, an interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was validated by examining the influence of VZV‐specific antigen content, incubation time, and interval from whole blood collection on the assay. In phase II clinical trial, VZV‐specific CMI in adults ≥50 years of age administered an HZ vaccine were evaluated by IFN‐γ ELISA, as determined by measuring IFN‐γ production in the whole blood in response to stimulation with ultraviolet light‐inactivated VZV. The VZV‐specific IFN‐γ levels varied among individuals from prevaccination (baseline) to 6 weeks postvaccination. In most subjects, VZV‐specific CMI was increased at 6 weeks postvaccination. The HZ vaccine elicited a significant increase in the VZV‐specific CMI response as measured by ELISA; the geometric mean fold‐rises from baseline to 6 weeks postvaccination were 3.50, 4.22, and 5.24 in the 4.3, 4.7, and 4.9 log plaque‐forming unit vaccine groups, respectively, which was significantly higher than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that vaccination enhances the VZV‐specific CMI responses in subjects; IFN‐γ ELISA is an effective method for evaluating the CMI response and may be useful for identifying individuals at a high risk of HZ infection.
Novel Long‐Acting GLP‐2 Analogue, FE 203799 (Apraglutide), Enhances Adaptation and Linear Intestinal Growth in a Neonatal Piglet Model of Short Bowel Syndrome with Total Resection of the Ileum
Authors: Slim George M. , Lansing Marihan , Wizzard Pamela , Nation Patrick N. , Wheeler Sarah E. , Brubaker Patricia L. , Jeppesen Palle B. , Wales Paul W. , Turner Justine M.
Published: January 2019

Background

Glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2) is an intestinotrophic factor released from L‐cells in the ileum, a segment commonly resected or atretic in neonatal short bowel syndrome (SBS). In piglets, ileal resection decreases intestinal adaptation and endogenous GLP‐2 production, whereas exogenous replacement promotes adaptation. In this study, we determined the effect of a novel long‐acting GLP‐2 analogue, FE 203799 (FE; apraglutide), upon intestinal growth, adaptation, and function in neonatal SBS piglets without ileum.

Methods

Neonatal piglets were randomized to saline (n = 10) vs FE treatment (n = 8). All piglets underwent 75% intestinal resection with jejunocolic anastomosis and were pair‐fed parenteral and enteral nutrition. Saline and FE (5 mg/kg) treatments were administered subcutaneously on days 0 and 4. On day 6, 24‐hour fecal samples were collected for subsequent nutrient analysis. On day 7, small‐intestinal length and weight were measured and tissue collected for analyses.

Results

On day 7, saline and FE‐treated piglets were healthy and gained equivalent weight (P = 0.12). Compared with saline piglets, FE‐treated piglets had lower fecal fat (P = 0.043) and energy (P = 0.043) losses and exhibited intestinal lengthening (P = 0.001), greater small‐intestinal weight (P = 0.004), longer villus height (P = 0.027), and greater crypt depth (P = 0.054).

Conclusions

The subcutaneous GLP‐2 analogue, FE, enhanced intestinal adaptation in a neonatal model of SBS without ileum. The observed intestinal lengthening with FE treatment was unique compared with our prior experience with native GLP‐2 in this same model and has important clinical implications for treating neonatal SBS. At this developmental stage, growth in the intestine, if augmented, could accelerate weaning from parenteral nutrition.
Effect of Early Parenteral Nutrition Discontinuation on Time to Regain Birth Weight in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Perrem Lucy , Semberova Jana , O'Sullivan Anne , Kieran Emily A , O'Donnell Colm P. F. , White Martin John , Miletin Jan
Published: January 2019

Background

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are used to administer parenteral nutrition (PN) in very low birth weight infants (VLBW; <1500 g). Clinicians try to optimize early nutrition but also minimize the risks associated with intravascular devices. The objective of this study was to examine the early nutrition impact of discontinuing PN at different enteral feed volumes in VLBW infants.

Methods

In this unmasked, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly assigned to PICC removal and PN discontinuation at an enteral feed volume of 100 mL/kg/day (intervention) or 140 mL/kg/day (control). Clinically stable VLBW infants with a PICC in situ who were receiving PN were eligible for inclusion. Infants with major congenital anomalies were excluded. A total of 139 patients were enrolled; 69 and 70 patients were randomized to the intervention and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome measure was the mean difference in time (days) to regain birth weight.

Results

The groups were well matched at study entry. Patients in the intervention group regained birth weight more slowly (mean difference 1.5 days CI: 0.3–2.7 days, P = 0.01). The mean difference in time to regain birth weight for infants <1000 g was 2.8 days (95% CI: 0.8–4.8 days, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

In VLBW infants, early PICC removal at an enteral feed volume of 100 mL/kg/day compared with later removal at 140 mL/kg/day resulted in a significant delay in time to regain birth weight, and this delay was more pronounced in infants <1000 g.
Analysis of platelets in hypertensive and normotensive individuals using Raman and Fourier transform infrared‐attenuated total reflectance spectroscopies
Authors: García‐Rubio Diana L. , de la Mora M. B , Badillo‐Ramírez Isidro , Cerecedo Doris , Saniger José M. , Benítez‐Benítez José Luis , Villagrán‐Muniz M.
Published: January 2019

Platelets of both healthy and hypertensive subjects were analyzed by Raman and Fourier transform infrared by attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR) spectroscopies. We compared the average relative intensities of the main Raman peaks, the areas of convoluted bands in the amide I region, and the second derivative of the FTIR‐ATR spectra. Key differences were found in the bands reflecting lipid content and protein structure. The Raman spectra exhibited statistically significant changes in the intensity of bands associated with CC stretching vibrations in the carbon chains of lipids (960 cm−1) and the amide I band (centered at 1,658 cm−1). The amide I deconvolution showed changes in the area percentages of the bands corresponding to different protein secondary structures, suggesting biochemical and protein conformational differences between healthy versus arterial hypertension platelets, which might be related to the platelet activation stage. An analysis by using the second derivative of the FTIR‐ATR spectra, followed by deconvolution of amide regions support this observation, revealing differences in the amide II and amide I bands. Moreover, modifications observed in the phosphate‐associated bands are possibly related to the phospholipids' behavior and the phosphorylation of proteins. Our results suggest interesting differences between the spectra of healthy versus hypertensive platelets, which may be mainly associated with biochemical changes at the cellular membrane level.
Dissipation dynamics of intrachain exciton coupled with phonons in MEH‐PPV: Time‐resolved multiplex coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering
Authors: Wang Jiao , Wang Quan , Wang Wenyan , Wang Lin , Kang Zhihui , Yang Yanqiang , Zhang Hanzhuang , Wang Yinghui
Published: January 2019

Time‐resolved coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy can disentangle the exciton energy dissipation (EED) dynamics of the intrachain exciton in conjugated polymers (MEH‐PPV) coupled with several phonon modes and the corresponding phonon relaxation dynamics by adjusting the timing between lasers in the coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy system. The intrachain EED process is coupled with phonon modes located at 966; 1118; 1283; and 1560 cm−1, respectively. Of these, the phonon mode at 966 cm−1 corresponds to the out‐of‐plane CH bending vibration in the vinylene group. This is the primary channel for EED because the vinylene group is close to the conjugated unit and the corresponding chemical bond is flexible. After annihilation of the intrachain exciton, some excess energy from MEH‐PPV in the ground state would further dissipate via energy redistribution between phonon modes at 1283 and 1118 cm−1, ultimately leading to phonon relaxation.
Chemical study of degradation processes in ancient metallic materials rescued from underwater medium
Authors: Estalayo Estefania , Aramendia Julene , Matés Luque José Manuel , Madariaga Juan Manuel
Published: January 2019

Underwater Cultural Heritage understands all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical, or archaeological character, which have been partially or totally underwater, in periodic or continuous forms for at least 100 years, according to UNESCO. This work is focused on two pieces extracted in 1999 from a shipwreck located in Bakio (Basque Country, Northern Spain). The two analyzed pieces were an iron anchor and a swivel gun, both exposed in Bakio's Town Hall after their restoration in 2005. The aim of this work is to study the elemental composition of archaeological metallic pieces extracted from underwater and the degradation processes that affect them. For that purpose, nondestructive analytical techniques were employed. Concretely, Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy were used to check the conservation state and to identify the raw materials that were used in the manufacture of those pieces. The analyses concluded that both artifacts were manufactured in cast iron, although the composition of the raw materials was not exactly the same. The main decaying compound was lepidocrocite (γ‐FeO(OH)), a highly reactive iron phase that increases the corrosion rate of the artifacts, though other iron oxy‐hydroxides were also detected in minor amounts. This compound together with the also found akaganeite (β‐Fe2(OH)3Cl) were probably the responsible of the continuous oxidation of the metallic pieces, which are in a poor conservation state. Therefore, the applied treatment was not suitable for these pieces.
Phosphorus and mowing improve native alfalfa establishment, facilitating restoration of grassland productivity and diversity
Authors: Zhou Jiqiong , Wilson Gail W.T. , Cobb Adam B. , Yang Gaowen , Zhang Yingjun
Published: January 2019

Seeding legumes into degraded grasslands may effectively replace nitrogen fertilization and restore ecosystem stability by retaining or increasing native plant species diversity while increasing forage production. However, previous research indicated limited legume persistence and potential plant community diversity loss following seeding of legumes into grasslands, constraining successful restoration of degraded grasslands. Our research defined optimal management thresholds for successful legume establishment, reconciling both environmental conservation and production priorities. Large areas of degraded steppe in Inner Mongolia, northeast China, were seeded to either native alfalfa (yellow‐flowered alfalfa: Medicago falcata L.), cultivated alfalfa (purple‐flowered alfalfa: Medicago sativa L.), or left nonseeded (control). Within each seeded area, management treatments (P fertilization or mowing) were assigned to plots in the second year of alfalfa establishment. Our results indicated P amendments and mowing improve native alfalfa establishment, increasing plant productivity while maintaining diverse plant communities, thereby successfully rehabilitating degraded meadow steppe grasslands. However, cultivated alfalfa was not persistent under any management treatment. Alfalfa shoot N and P concentration was linearly related to plant‐available P, indicating P fertilization differentially benefits alfalfa compared with the dominate C3 grass, Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. Mowing successfully increased plant species diversity and plant species asynchrony; however, mowing did not alter the temporal stability of plant community productivity, potentially maintaining or enhancing ecosystem stability. Our research showed promise that native alfalfa seeding combined with P fertilization and mowing can restore degraded grasslands to support both forage production and diverse plant communities.
Impacts of wise grazing on physicochemical and biological features of soil in a sandy grassland on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Nan Nan , Sun Geng , Zhong Bo , Wang En Tao , Zhao Chun Zhang , Wang Yan Jie , Cheng Wei , Wu Ning
Published: January 2019

Desertification is a serious environmental problem on the Tibetan Plateau and various strategies, such as long‐term fencing and grazing management, have been implemented in that region to control the soil degradation. However, little is known about the role of interactions among the soil aggregate, microbial communities, and nutrient traits in the soil restoration. In this study, we compared the effects of different restoration strategies on the formation of aggregates, the amount and distribution of soil nutrients, as well as the abundance and diversity of bacteria in a sandy soil of grassland at the Tibetan Plateau. The results demonstrated that both the grazing exclusion (GE: artificial planting and nutrient addition) and wise grazing (WG: artificial planting and nutrient addition with controlled grazing) treatments significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates (4.0‐and 5.2‐ times, p < 0.05) compared with the control. Increased soil organic carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus were found in the aggregates of WG treatment, but not in the GE samples. In addition, WG significantly changed the bacterial composition and increased bacterial abundance in soil. This study evaluated WG as an efficient management for restoration of degraded sandy grassland in the Tibetan Plateau because it significantly enriched the soil nutrients, improved the soil structure, and increased bacterial abundance. This is the first study to relate the aggregates with nutrient accumulation and bacterial community during the soil restoration in the Tibetan Plateau.
A miniaturized, tethered, spectrally‐encoded confocal endomicroscopy capsule
Authors: Kang Dongkyun , Do Dukho , Ryu Jiheun , Grant Catriona N. , Giddings Sarah L. , Rosenberg Mireille , Hesterberg Paul E. , Yuan Qian , Garber John J. , Katz Aubrey J. , Tearney Guillermo J.
Published: January 2019

Background and Objective

The tethered spectrally‐encoded confocal endomicroscopy (SECM) capsule is an imaging device that once swallowed by an unsedated patient can visualize cellular morphologic changes associated with gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases in vivo. Recently, we demonstrated a tethered SECM capsule for counting esophageal eosinophils in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in vivo. Yet, the current tethered SECM capsule is far too long to be widely utilized for imaging pediatric patients, who constitute a major portion of the EoE patient population. In this paper, we present a new tethered SECM capsule that is 33% shorter, has an easier and repeatable fabrication process, and produces images with reduced speckle noise.

Materials and Methods

The smaller SECM capsule utilized a miniature condenser to increase the fiber numerical aperture and reduce the capsule length. A custom 3D‐printed holder was developed to enable easy and repeatable device fabrication. A dual‐clad fiber (DCF) was used to reduce speckle noise.

Results

The fabricated SECM capsule (length = 20 mm; diameter = 7 mm) had a similar size and shape to a pediatric dietary supplement pill. The new capsule achieved optical sectioning thickness of 13.2 μm with a small performance variation between devices of 1.7 μm. Confocal images of human esophagus obtained in vivo showed the capability of this new device to clearly resolve microstructural epithelial details with reduced speckle noise.

Conclusions

We expect that the smaller size and better image performance of this new SECM capsule will greatly facilitate the clinical adoption of this technology in pediatric patients and will enable more accurate assessment of EoE‐suspected tissues. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:452–458, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment of telangiectasia on the cheeks with a compact yellow (585 nm) semiconductor laser and a green (532 nm) KTP laser: a randomized double‐blinded split‐face trial
Authors: Karppinen Toni , Kantola Emmi , Karppinen Ari , Rantamäki Antti , Kautiainen Hannu , Mordon Serge , Guina Mircea
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to compare a traditional green KTP laser to a new investigational yellow laser (PhotoLase) in the treatment of facial telangiectasia in terms of the treatment outcomes. The secondary objective was to assess the functionality and reliability of the PhotoLase system from the perspective of the user.

Study Design/Methods

The study was a randomized split‐face double‐blinded study that compared the treatment efficacy of the 532‐nm KTP laser and the investigational 585‐nm PhotoLase laser. One or two treatments were given based on the response of the first treatment. The improvement of telangiectasia was graded according to a 7‐point Telangiectasia Grading Scale (TGS) by the subjects and blinded physicians. The subjects assessed the amount of pain during the treatments using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and evaluated adverse effects 2–3 days after the treatment(s) using a self‐assessment form.

Results

At least 50% improvement was seen in 15/18 subjects after the first PhotoLase treatment, and a similar result was observed for KTP, as assessed by the blinded physicians (P = 0.29). In the subjects’ assessment, 7/18 subjects had at least 50% improvement after the first PhotoLase treatment, whereas at least 50% improvement was observed for 10/18 subjects in the KTP side, the difference being significant (P = 0.008). The amount of pain was higher with PhotoLase compared to KTP (67.7 vs. 34.6, P < 0.001). There was no difference in the frequency of erythema, crusting or purpura between the devices, but more blistering and less edema were seen after PhotoLase treatment (P < 0.05). Treatment with PhotoLase was evaluated to be 4.7‐fold faster than with KTP and the PhotoLase system was more compact, narrower, lighter, and easier to carry than KTP.

Conclusions

The investigational PhotoLase laser enables significantly faster treatments, but the process is somewhat more painful than with KTP, otherwise providing a similar clinical outcome in the treatment of facial telangiectasia. Treatment Protocol Lasers Surg. Med. 51:223–229, 2019. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eradication of hairy mouth after oncological resection of the tongue and floor mouth using a diode laser 808 nm. Postoperative pain assessment using thermal infrared imaging
Authors: Scarano Antonio , Lorusso Felice , Di Cerbo Alessandro , Lucchina Alberta Greco , Carinci Francesco
Published: January 2019

Objectives

Vascularized soft tissue flaps are often harvested from hair‐bearing areas, such as the radial forearm or anterolateral thigh, making their use in oral reconstruction problematic due to postoperative hair growth. The presence of intact hair follicles in free tissue transfer and continued hair growth at the recipient site can result in difficulties with oral hygiene, intraoral irritation, food trapping, and patient distress. This study was to evaluate the intraoral efficacy and safety of a diode laser 808 nm when used for hair removal.

Materials and Methods

Sixteen male patients, between 2010 and 2017, were referred for intraoral hair eradication with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue or floor mouth resection. An 808 nm diode laser (Stark 808, Plume s.r.l., Rome, Italy) was used to remove the intraoral hair. Each patient received a total of six treatments at 4‐week intervals. Perifollicular pain was quantified by the physician using visual analog scales. Follow‐up visits were scheduled at 1, 4, and 6 days to check the state of the tissues. The recall program included assessments of VAS, erythema, and perifollicular temperature. Patients were followed up for long‐term assessments at 6 and 12 months after the final treatment session.

Results

All patients presented well with no occurrence of symptoms, indicating possible perifollicular inflammation. Based on the VAS scores, very mild discomfort during laser irradiation was recorded in all patients, with average pain score of 10.98 ± 1.42. No pain or discomfort was recorded 1, 4, and 6 days after the procedure. After the third pulse of light was applied, the average temperature with standard deviation of the hair tip with both the dark and light skin was 74.4 ± 11.7°C. The difference in temperature before the procedure (basal measurement 37.5 ± 2.8°C) and immediately after laser irradiation was 36.9 ± 3.7°C. The difference in temperature disappeared after 0.29 seconds, and no temperature increase was recorded on days 1, 4, or 6. In all the patients, the hair clearance between baseline and the 6th treatment, the 6‐month follow‐up, and the 12‐month follow‐up rated as significant P < 0.05. The mean percentage of hair reduction was 97.3% at 12 months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the clinical findings demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the 808 nm diode laser system for intraoral hair removal Lasers Surg. Med. 51:516–521, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Part 2: Responding to the Union
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: January 2019

If an employer gets a report that there is—or seems to be—union activity, it should move aggressively to start its own campaign. Even if the employer is not absolutely sure there is union activity, it should, at a minimum, review and update any campaign materials already prepared and get some legal advice on what to do next and what not to do.
Core fucosylation of copper transporter 1 plays a crucial role in cisplatin‐resistance of epithelial ovarian cancer by regulating drug uptake
Authors: Lv Xiaoxue , Song Jiazhe , Xue Kai , Li Zhi , Li Ming , Zahid Danish , Cao Hongyu , Wang Lu , Song Wanli , Ma Tonghui , Gu Jianguo , Li Wenzhe
Published: January 2019

Core fucosylation catalyzed by core fucosyltransferase (Fut8) contributes to the progressions of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Copper transporter 1 (CTR1), which contains one N‐glycan on Asn15, mediates cellular transport of cisplatin (cDDP), and plays an important role in the process of cDDP‐resistance in EOC. In the present study, we found that the core fucosylation level elevated significantly in the sera of cDDP‐treated EOC patients. The in vitro assays also indicate that core fucosylation of CTR1 was significantly upregulated in cDDP‐resistant A2780CP cells compared to the cDDP‐sensitive A2780S cells. Intriguingly, the hyper core fucosylation suppressed the CTR1‐cDDP interactions and cDDP‐uptake into A2780CP cells. Conversely, contrast to the Fut8+/+ mouse ovarian epithelial cells, the Fut8‐deleted (Fut8−/−) cells obviously showed higher cDDP‐uptake. Furthermore, the recovered core fucosylation induced the suppression of cDDP‐uptake in Fut8‐restored ovarian epithelial cells. In addition, the core fucosylation could regulate the phosphorylation of cDDP‐resistance‐associated molecules, such as AKT, ERK, JNK, and mTOR. Our findings suggest that the core fucosylation of CTR1 plays an important role in the cellular cDDP‐uptake and thus provide new strategies for improving the outcome of cDDP based chemotherapy of EOC.