bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon dioxide ablative laser treatment of acquired junctional melanocytic nevi
Authors: Köse Osman 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundJunctional melanocytic nevi are common. Furthermore, surgical treatment of these nevi can be challenging due to scar formation.AimsThe study aims to detect the efficacy and safety of the CO2fractional laser for treating acquired junctional melanocytic nevi and usefulness of dermatoscopy for the monitoring of the nevus.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 618 patients with 1545 facial junctional melanocytic nevi. CO2fractional laser was applied to 2‐month intervals until complete clearance was reached. The effect of the therapy was monitored by clinical and dermatoscopy. The Global Assessment Scale (GAS) scores were used to assess the results.Results1320 nevi (85%) were treated in just one session. In addition, 120 (8%) and 75 (5%) required second and third sessions, respectively. Only thirty nevi (2%) need more than three sessions. Consequently, at the end of one‐year follow‐up, patients' (97%) and physicians' (95%) GAS scores were rated as excellent and good, respectively. Moreover, hyper/hypopigmentation, fibrosis, dimples, erythema, and scars were observed as side effects at the 1‐year follow‐up.ConclusionsCO2laser is effective in completely removing small acquired junctional melanocytic nevus. Furthermore, dermatoscopy appears to be helpful for monitorization of the nevi in the follow‐up period.
Treatment of idiopathic onychodystrophy with a 1064 nm picosecond neodymium‐doped:yttrium aluminum garnet laser: A retrospective study
Authors: Lee Yun Ho , Lee Heun Joo , Kim Won‐Serk , Lee Ga‐Young , Choi Young‐Jun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundLaser treatment has emerged as a novel treatment modality for onychodystrophy. Only a few small series have assessed the efficacy of laser treatment in onychodystrophy, most of which were case reports. The therapeutic effect of the 1064 nm neodymium‐doped:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for onychodystrophy has been demonstrated. Recently, the picosecond Nd:YAG (PSNY) laser has been introduced to improve various skin disorders.AimsThe aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of a 1064 nm PSNY in management of idiopathic onychodystrophy.MethodsWe present a case series of dystrophic nails treated with a PSNY for onychodystrophy improvement. Planimetry using ImageJ software was used to calculate lesion reduction and proximal clear nail growth. Clinical improvement was assessed using a 5‐point Global Assessment Scale (GAS). Adverse events were also assessed.ResultsTwenty‐five patients (11 males and 14 females) with a total of 128 nails (94 finger nails and 34 toe nails) were treated. The mean treatment number was 8.7 ± 6.2, and the mean total duration of treatment was 33.4 ± 34.6 weeks. The average proportion of the lesion area decreased significantly (from 65.9% to 46.6%) after PSNY treatment (P < .001). The mean GAS (3.16 ± 1.18) exhibited fair improvement, and there were no serious adverse events.ConclusionThe 1064 nm PSNY laser can provide fair improvement for onychodystrophy with a good prognosis at least during the follow‐up period and optimal cosmetic results in Asian patients.
Transdermal delivery of topical lidocaine in a mouse model is enhanced by treatment with cold atmospheric plasma
Authors: Xin Yue , Wen Xiang , Hamblin Michael R. , Jiang Xian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundTopical anesthetics are widely used in dermatology and cosmetology to alleviate the pain from nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, while the transdermal drug delivery is limited by the skin barrier. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a potential approach used for skin pretreatment to enhance transdermal delivery of topical medications.AimsTo assess the efficacy of CAP as a pretreatment to improve the transdermal delivery of topical anesthetic.MethodsFirst, we conducted ex vivo permeation studies on 30 mice with a Franz cell diffusion experiment. CAP irradiations of different intensity and duration were pretreated on the epidermal layer of mice before topical lidocaine applied, with the control group received no pretreatment. The amount of drug penetrated through the skin and drug flux were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Then, we treated 3 living mice with CAP followed by application of methylene blue cream (MB) and used skin biopsies to measure penetration depth by microscope. Last, we measured the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of mouse skin in vivo before and after CAP treatment to observe its effect on the skin barrier function.ResultsIn the permeation study, the transdermal flux of lidocaine was enhanced to 1.97 times of the control samples by CAP pretreatment. We also observed that the accumulative amount of lidocaine varied with the duration of the CAP treatment in a biphasic manner. In the MB penetration study, significant amount of MB deposition was observed under the epidermis and deeper parts of the skin after CAP pretreatment compared with the control sample. A sharp increase in TEWL value was observed directly after the CAP treatment, but 30 minutes later, it began to decrease and recovered to baseline in the next 3 hours, indicating that the skin barrier property had been changed reversibly.ConclusionsOur studies suggested that the transdermal absorption of topical lidocaine can be efficiently and safely enhanced by pretreatment of the skin with CAP. We believe that CAP could be used as an assistance to improve analgesia in dermatology.
Neuromonitoring Using Neurosonography and Pupillometry in A Weaning and Early Neurorehabilitation Unit
Authors: Siepen Bernhard M. , Grubwinkler Stephan , Wagner Andrea , Gruber Christine , Dickopf Alexander , Linker Ralf A. , Schlachetzki Felix , Baldaranov Dobri 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSELong‐term surveillance of intracranial pressure (ICP) in neurological/neurosurgical patients during ventilator weaning and early neurorehabilitation currently relies on clinical observation because neuroimaging is rarely readily available. In this prospective study, multimodal neurosonography and pupillometry are evaluated for follow‐up monitoring.METHODSSonographic neuromonitoring was used to noninvasively examine patients’ ICP during weaning and early neurorehabilitation. It allowed assessments of third ventricle width, possible midline shift, middle cerebral artery flow velocities, and bilateral optic nerve sheath diameters. Quantitative pupillometry was used to determine pupil size and reactivity. Other neuroimaging findings, spinal tap ICP measurements, and clinical follow‐up data served as controls.RESULTSSeventeen patients—11 suffering from intracranial hemorrhage, four from encephalopathies, and two from ischemic stroke—were examined for ICP changes by using neurosonography and pupillometry during a mean observation period of 21 days. In total, 354 of 980 analyses (36.1%) yielded pathological results. In 15 of 17 patients (88.2%), pathological values were found during follow‐up without a clear clinical correlate. In two patients (11.8%), clinically relevant changes in ICP occurred and were identified using neurosonography. Abnormal pupillometry findings displayed a high predictive value for absent clinical improvement.CONCLUSIONMultimodal neurosonography may be a noninvasive means for long‐term ICP assessment, whereas pupillometry may only detect rapid ICP changes during acute neurointensive care. The study also illustrates common pitfalls in neuromonitoring in general, with large numbers of pathological albeit nonsignificant findings. Additional controlled studies should validate the influence of detected subtle changes in ICP on neurological outcome.
Effects of chewing exercises on the occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness in community‐dwelling Koreans aged 65 years and older: A randomised assessor‐blind trial
Authors: Kim Min‐Ji , Hong Jun‐Young , Lee Gihyoun , Yoon Taehyung , Hwang Se‐Hyun , Kim Hwan‐Hee , Jung YoungJin , Park Ji‐Su 
Published: June 2020

AbstractChewing exercises have been applied in clinical settings to improve the occlusal force and function of the masseter muscle in elderly individuals. However, the clinical relevance and effects of chewing exercises are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bilateral chewing exercises on the occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness in community‐dwelling Koreans aged 65 years. Forty community‐dwelling healthy elderly individuals were enrolled in this study. They were assigned to the experimental or the control group. The experimental group performed chewing exercises using medical equipment developed to facilitate such exercises. The chewing exercises were divided into isometric and isotonic types and were performed for 20 min/d, 5 days/wk, for 6 weeks. The control group did not perform any chewing exercises. The outcome measures were occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness, which were evaluated using an occlusometer and ultrasound device, respectively. A paired t test and an independent t test were used to evaluate the training effects. Within‐group comparisons showed that occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness improved significantly in the experimental group (P < .001 for both), while the control group showed no significant improvements (P = .098 and .130). Between‐group comparisons showed that the experimental group had a greater increase in occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness (P < .05 for both) compared to the control group. These results suggest that chewing exercises are effective in improving occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness in healthy elderly individuals.
Assessment of somatosensory changes in Chinese temporomandibular disorders arthralgia patients by quantitative sensory testing
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhao Yanping , Yang Guangju , Xie Qiufei 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundSomatosensory changes in Chinese temporomandibular disorders (TMD) arthralgia patients have not been fully studied by the latest technologies.ObjectiveThis study aims at assessing somatosensory changes in Chinese TMD arthralgia patients quantitatively.MethodsStandardised quantitative sensory testing (QST) was performed on the pain sites and contralateral sites of 40 patients diagnosed with TMD arthralgia according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) before and after medication; similar measures were taken in 40 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. Differences within and between groups were assessed through Z‐scores, two‐way ANOVA and loss/gain coding system.ResultsThe pain sites of patients presented increased sensitivity to thermal stimuli and mechanical pain stimuli together with decreased sensitivity to mechanical tactile stimuli before medication (P < .001). Before treatment, 100% of patients had somatosensory abnormalities at the pain sites; the most frequent abnormalities were somatosensory gain to cold nociceptive, pinprick and pressure stimuli, and the most frequent loss/gain score was L0G3 (no somatosensory loss with a gain of thermal and mechanical somatosensory function; 70.0%). After treatment, although the clinical symptoms and signs of 40 patients disappeared, 80.0% of the patients' pain sites still showed multiple phenotype abnormalities. The most frequent loss/gain score was L0G2 (no somatosensory loss with a gain of mechanical somatosensory function; 35.0%).ConclusionsMultiple phenotypes of facial somatosensory abnormalities were detected in Chinese TMD arthralgia patients before and after treatment, despite the disappearance of clinical signs and symptoms. Individual variations indicate a possible need for subgroup classification, individualised management and mechanism‐based treatment.
Sleep slow oscillations favour local cortical plasticity underlying the consolidation of reinforced procedural learning in human sleep
Authors: Menicucci Danilo , Piarulli Andrea , Laurino Marco , Zaccaro Andrea , Agrimi Jacopo , Gemignani Angelo 
Published: June 2020

SummaryWe investigated changes of slow‐wave activity and sleep slow oscillations in the night following procedural learning boosted by reinforcement learning, and how these changes correlate with behavioural output. In the Task session, participants had to reach a visual target adapting cursor's movements to compensate an angular deviation introduced experimentally, while in the Control session no deviation was applied. The task was repeated at 13:00 hours, 17:00 hours and 23:00 hours before sleep, and at 08:00 hours after sleep. The deviation angle was set at 15° (13:00 hours and 17:00 hours) and increased to 45° (reinforcement) at 23:00 hours and 08:00 hours. Both for Task and Control nights, high‐density electroencephalogram sleep recordings were carried out (23:30−19:30 hours). The Task night as compared with the Control night showed increases of: (a) slow‐wave activity (absolute power) over the whole scalp; (b) slow‐wave activity (relative power) in left centro‐parietal areas; (c) sleep slow oscillations rate in sensorimotor and premotor areas; (d) amplitude of pre‐down and up states in premotor regions, left sensorimotor and right parietal regions; (e) sigma crowning the up state in right parietal regions. After Task night, we found an improvement of task performance showing correlations with sleep slow oscillations rate in right premotor, sensorimotor and parietal regions. These findings suggest a key role of sleep slow oscillations in procedural memories consolidation. The diverse components of sleep slow oscillations selectively reflect the network activations related to the reinforced learning of a procedural visuomotor task. Indeed, areas specifically involved in the task stand out as those with a significant association between sleep slow oscillations rate and overnight improvement in task performance.
Beneficial effects of DAAs on cardiac function and structure in hepatitis C patients with low‐moderate liver fibrosis
Authors: Dalbeni Andrea , Romano Simone , Bevilacqua Michele , Piccoli Anna , Imbalzano Egidio , Mantovani Anna , Benati Marco , Montagnana Martina , Donato Angela , Torin Gioia , Monaco Cinzia , Cattazzo Filippo , Tagetti Angela , Paon Veronica , Ieluzzi Donatella , Iogna Prat Laura , Roccarina Davide , Ribichini Flavio , Capra Franco , Minuz Pietro , Fava Cristiano 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related chronic infection has been associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases. An altered morphology and function of both left and right heart have been described in HCV patients; however, the causality of the association is still debated. Ninety‐eight nonobese and nondiabetic HCV patients (59.5 ± 12.0 years; males 52%) with Fibroscan‐Transient Elastography assessed low‐moderate liver fibrosis that achieved sustained viral response at 12 and 24 weeks after DAAs (direct‐acting antivirals) participated. 56 were matched with 52 control subjects for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. A trans‐thoracic echocardiography was performed in each subject at baseline (T0) and repeated in all HCV patients after eradication (6 months later eligibility, T1). TNF‐α and IL‐10 were measured at baseline and at T1. A concentric remodelling of the left heart in HCV participants was identified, whereas tricuspidal annular plane systolic excursion, right indexed atrial volume, right basal ventricular diameter, inferior vena cava diameter and pulmonary arterial pressure were higher in HCV participants compared to matched controls. After virus eradication, left indexed atrial volume and all right cardiac chambers measures were lower than baseline. A significant reduction of TNF‐α was shown at T1, while IL‐10 did not change. This study shows a concentric remodelling of the left ventricle and structural modifications in the right sections in HCV patients compared to controls. Virus eradication with DAAs was associated with a reduction of the main right atrioventricular parameters indicating a direct involvement of the HCV in cardiac changes.
Effects of different forms of barberry root (Berberis vulgaris) on growth performance, muscle fatty acids profile, whole‐body composition, and digestive enzymes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Ramezanzadeh Sara , Abedian Kenari Abdolmohammad , Esmaeili Noah , Rombenso Artur 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe supplementation of fish diets with herbal medicines aimed at improving growth and flesh quality is an attractive subject in fish nutrition research. In the present study, the effects of barberry root on the growth performance, muscle fatty acids profile, whole‐body composition, and digestive enzymes of rainbow trout were investigated. A total of 306 rainbow trout fingerlings (15.55 ± 0.76 g) were fed various diets in groups including the control (C), BRP10 (10 g/kg of barberry root powder), BRP20 (20 g/kg of barberry root powder), BRE250 (250 mg/kg of barberry root extract), BRE500 (500 mg/kg of barberry root extract), and OTC30 (30 g/kg oxytetracycline) groups. After 56 days, the results indicated that fish fed the BRE250, BRE500, and OTC30 diets had significantly higher weight gain (592.23, 580.43, and 605.21%, respectively) compared with the other dietary treatments (p < .05). Whole‐body protein and fat content showed significant differences among fish fed the treatments and the control, displaying significantly higher and lower values, respectively, compared with those fed the BRP20, BRE250, and BRE500 diets (p < .05). Muscle in fish fed the OTC30 diet displayed a significantly lower content of omega 3 compared with those fed the BRP20 and BRE500 diets (p < .05). Although digestive enzymes revealed no special trend across dietary groups, fish fed the BRP20 diet presented the highest values of amylase (22 U/mg protein−1), trypsin (57.16 U/mg protein−1), and lipase (5.62 U/mg protein−1). Based on the current findings, barberry root is suggested to be a promising and strategic feed additive in the aquaculture industry as it promotes growth performance and improves flesh quality.
The Strategic Use of Scandals
Authors: Grolleau Gilles , Marciano Alain , Mzoughi Naoufel 
Published: June 2020

SUMMARYScandals are pervasive in many areas of society. We propose a characterization of scandals that explicitly considers their potential benefits to transgressors. Although scandals are frequently considered to be undesirable to the targets or transgressors implicated, we develop four rationales by which a scandal can actually be beneficial to them. First, a scandal can propel an individual, organization or cause into the limelight and generate low‐cost publicity that can serve the target’s interest, e.g., by increasing the visibility and salience of a particular issue or providing them a platform to spin the scandal with the megaphone of mass media coverage. Second, a scandal target can choose to play the role of altruistic or self‐seeking scapegoat. Third, a scandal target can use a scandal as a smokescreen to divert attention from other more serious issues. Fourth, a scandal can serve as a way to disadvantage competitors or rivals. For each rationale, we suggest some conditions of its success. Anecdotal evidence and real‐world examples are also provided to illustrate and support these rationales.
The effects of possible contamination by sample holders on samples to be returned by Hayabusa2
Authors: Shirai Naoki , Karouji Yuzuru , Kumagai Kazuya , Uesugi Masayuki , Hirahara Kaori , Ito Motoo , Tomioka Naotaka , Uesugi Kentaro , Yamaguchi Akira , Imae Naoya , Ohigashi Takuji , Yada Toru , Abe Masanao 
Published: June 2020

AbstractChemical compositions of materials used for new sample holders (vertically aligned carbon nanotubes [VACNTs] and polyimide film), which were developed for the analysis of Hayabusa2‐return samples, were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis and/or instrumental photon activation analysis, to estimate contamination effects from the sample holders. The synthetic quartz plate used for the sample holders was also analyzed. Ten elements (Na, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Eu, W, Au, and Th) and 14 elements (Na, Al, K, Sc, Ti, Cr, Zn, Ga, Br, Sb, La, Eu, Ir, and Au) could be detected in the VACNTs and polyimide film, respectively. The VACNT data show that contamination by this material with respect to the Murchison meteorite is negligible in terms of the elemental ratios (e.g., Fe/Mn, Na/Al, and Mn/Cr) used for the classification of meteorites due to the extremely low density of VACNTs. However, for the Au/Cr ratio, even small degrees (1.7 wt%) of contamination by VACNTs will change the Au/Cr ratio. Elemental ratios used for the classification of meteorites are only influenced by large amounts of contamination (>60 wt%) of polyimide film, which is unlikely to occur. In contrast, detectable effects on Ti isotopic compositions are caused by >0.1 and >0.3 wt% contamination by VACNTs and polyimide film, respectively, and Hf isotopic changes are caused by >0.1 wt% contamination by VACNTs. The new sample holders (VACNTs and polyimide film) are suitable for chemical classification of Hayabusa2‐return samples, because of their ease of use, applicability to multiple analytical instruments, and low contamination levels for most elements.
The micrometeorite flux to Earth during the earliest Paleogene reconstructed in the Bottaccione section (Umbrian Apennines), Italy
Authors: Boschi Samuele , Schmitz Birger , Martin Ellinor , Terfelt Fredrik 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBased on sediment‐dispersed extraterrestrial spinel grains in the Bottaccione limestone section in Italy, we reconstructed the micrometeorite flux to Earth during the early Paleocene. From a total of 843 kg of limestone, 86 extraterrestrial spinel grains (12 grains > 63 μm, and 74 in the 32–63 μm fraction) have been recovered. Our results indicate that the micrometeorite flux was not elevated during the early Paleocene. Ordinary chondrites dominated over achondritic meteorites similar to the recent flux, but H chondrites dominated over L and LL chondrites (69%, 22%, and 9%, respectively). This H‐chondrite dominance is similar to that recorded within an enigmatic3He anomaly (70, 27, and 3%) in the Turonian, but different from just before this3He anomaly and in the early Cretaceous, where ratios are similar to the recent flux (~45%, 45%, and 10%). The K‐Ar isotopic ages of recently fallen H chondrites indicate a small impact event on the H‐chondrite parent body ~50 to 100 Ma ago. We tentatively suggest that this event is recorded by the Turonian3He anomaly, resulting in an H‐chondrite dominance up to the Paleocene. Our sample spanning the 20 cm above the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary did not yield any spinel grains related to the K–Pg boundary impactor.
Reworking the Social Determinants of Health: Responding to Material‐Semiotic Indeterminacy in Public Health Interventions
Authors: Yates‐Doerr Emily 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBoth public health experts and medical anthropologists are concerned with how health is shaped by environmental forces. This creates an important cross‐disciplinary alliance, yet crucial differences in how the two disciplines tend to evaluate health remain. In this article, I compare public health's “social determinants of health” framework with anthropological interest in the sociality of health and illness. I draw on ethnographic fieldwork in Guatemala's highlands, to unpack (1) “the social,” (2) “determinants,” and (3) “of health.” Ultimately, I show how the social determinants framework is deployed in ways that risk undermining its stated health justice goals, and highlight the benefits of an approach that does not know what health is ahead of doing research and which works closely with communities to respond to the effects of its own intervention. The article argues for the need to rework the emphasis on social determinants to make space for health's material‐semiotic indeterminacy