bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Velopharyngeal dysfunction from intranasal substance abuse: Case series and review of literature
Authors: You Peng , Chow Linda , Dworschak‐Stokan Anne , Husein Murad 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveIntranasal substance abuse with cocaine or opioids can result in complications involving the midline nasal and oral structures. When the defect involves the velopharyngeal musculature, this leads to velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). This article aims to illustrate this clinical entity through a series of four patients and a review of the literature.MethodsA series of four cases of VPD due to intranasal narcotic use and their management are discussed. A comprehensive search in PubMed was conducted for cases of VPD associated with intranasal drug use in the English‐language literature.ResultsFour female patients presented with symptoms of VPD, including worsening nasal regurgitation, poor speech intelligibility, and hypernasal speech. One patient presented with nasopharyngeal stenosis. All patients admitted to intranasal cocaine, methamphetamine, and/or prescription narcotics use prior to the onset of symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed with abnormal velopharyngeal musculature seen on nasopharyngoscopy. Both conservative and surgical treatment options were proposed. A literature review identified nine cases of VPD. Erosion of the velum was seen in all cases. Reported treatments included obturator prosthetic, local flap, and free flap. Ancillary investigations were not consistently pursued to rule out other etiologies to VPD.ConclusionIntranasal illicit drug use can result in destructive changes leading to VPD. This is the largest case series to date of this difficult clinical problem. Management principles including options for conservative and surgical interventions are summarized.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 128:2721–2725, 2018
99mTc‐HMPAO‐leukocyte scintigraphy for diagnosis and therapy monitoring of skull base osteomyelitis
Authors: Rozenblum‐Beddok Laura , Verillaud Benjamin , Paycha Frédéric , Vironneau Pierre , Abulizi Mukedaisi , Benada Abdel , Cross Tumatarii , El‐Deeb Ghada , Vodovar Nicolas , Peretti Ilana , Herman Philippe , Sarda‐Mantel Laure 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveSkull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is a rare but life‐threatening disease observed in elderly diabetic patients, with high risk of recurrence and difficult therapeutic management. The diagnosis is ascertained from a set of clinical, biological, and imaging findings. CT and MRI allow initial diagnosis, but are not accurate to affirm healing at the end of therapy. 99mTc‐HMPAO‐Leucocyte Scintigraphy (LS) is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate LS i) for initial diagnosis, and ii) to confirm healing at the end of antibiotherapy in SBO.Study designWe retrospectively reviewed from November 2011 to September 2015 all patients with confirmed SBO who underwent LS twice, at diagnosis and at the end of antibiotic therapy in our nuclear medicine department (n = 27).MethodsClinical, biological, CT, LS, and follow‐up data were recorded in all patients. LS images (planar and tomographic performed 4 hours and 24 hours after intravenous injection of autologous Tc‐99m‐HMPAO‐leucocytes) were visually assessed and quantified.ResultsAt initial diagnosis, 25 of 27 patients had a positive LS. At the end of antibiotic therapy (3 ± 1 months duration), 26 of 27 patients had a negative LS. During subsequent follow‐up (= or >6 months), the disease recurred in four patients including three with a negative postantibiotherapy LS scan.ConclusionIn this retrospective study, LS was powerful for initial diagnostic of SBO and for healing assessment at the end of antibiotic therapy. We conclude it is a useful technique for therapeutic monitoring of SBO.Level of Evidence4
Does the recurrent laryngeal nerve recover function after initial dysfunction in patients undergoing thyroidectomy?
Authors: Pantvaidya Gouri , Mishra Aseem , Deshmukh Anuja , Pai Prathamesh S. , D'Cruz Anil 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveTotal thyroidectomy with or without central compartment dissection is the treatment of choice for thyroid carcinoma. Extensive dissection along the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to vocal cord fixity and hoarseness even without nerve sacrifice. Recovery rates after surgery for thyroid cancers have not been well documented. The aim of the study is to analyze the incidence of vocal cord palsy (VCP) and its recovery rates in patients operated for thyroid cancers.Methodology: We performed a retrospective study on prospectively collected data in 152 thyroidectomy patients with 254 RLNs at risk. All patients underwent a laryngoscopic examination to document vocal cord function in the immediate postoperative period and on subsequent follow‐up. Incidence of VCP, recovery rates, univariate and multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for permanent VCP were calculated using binary logistic regression.ResultsIn our study, 28% patients underwent redo surgeries and 74% patients had dissection of the central compartment. The immediate postoperative RLN palsy rate was 11.2%, with a palsy rate of 9% and 16.2% in the per primum and redo surgery cohorts. On follow‐up, there was complete recovery of VCP in 66.7% of these nerves. The incidence of permanent RLN palsy was 3.9%. The mean time to recovery was 9.6 months.ConclusionVocal cord dysfunction recovered in most patients in this high‐risk cohort. There was a significant recovery even in the redo surgery group and a policy of watchful waiting is recommended in the absence of severe symptoms.Level of EvidenceIII
Investigation of Variations in the Human Urine Metabolome amongst European Populations: An Exploratory Search for Biomarkers of People at Risk‐of‐Poverty
Authors: Trimigno Alessia , Khakimov Bekzod , Savorani Francesco , Tenori Leonardo , Hendrixson Vaiva , Čivilis Alminas , Glibetic Marija , Gurinovic Mirjana , Pentikäinen Saara , Sallinen Janne , Garduno Diaz Sara , Pasqui Francesca , Khokhar Santosh , Luchinat Claudio , Bordoni Alessandra , Capozzi Francesco , Balling Engelsen Søren 
Published: May 2018

ScopeAccording to Eurostat 2016, approximately 119 million European citizens live at‐risk‐of‐poverty (ROP). This subpopulation is highly diverse by ethnicity, age, and culture in the different EU states, but they all have in common a low income that could represent an increased risk of nutrient deficiencies due to poor nutritional habits. This study aims to investigate the human urine metabolome in the search of common biomarkers representing dietary deficiencies amongst European populations at ROP.Methods and results2732 urine samples were collected from 1391 subjects across five different European countries, including the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, and Serbia, and analyzed using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The resulting urine metabolome data were explored according to study design factors including economic status, country, and gender.ConclusionPartitioning of the effects derived from the study design factors using ANOVA‐simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) revealed that country and gender effects were responsible for most of the systematic variation. The effect of economic status was, as expected, much weaker than country and gender, but more pronounced in Lithuania than in other countries. Citrate and hippurate were among the most powerful ROP biomarkers. The possible relationship between these markers and nutritional deficiencies amongst the ROP population is discussed.
Iterative inversion of deformation vector fields with feedback control
Authors: Dubey Abhishek , Iliopoulos Alexandros‐Stavros , Sun Xiaobai , Yin Fang‐Fang , Ren Lei 
Published: May 2018

PurposeOften, the inverse deformation vector field (DVF) is needed together with the corresponding forward DVF in four‐dimesional (4D) reconstruction and dose calculation, adaptive radiation therapy, and simultaneous deformable registration. This study aims at improving both accuracy and efficiency of iterative algorithms for DVF inversion, and advancing our understanding of divergence and latency conditions.MethodWe introduce a framework of fixed‐point iteration algorithms with active feedback control for DVF inversion. Based on rigorous convergence analysis, we design control mechanisms for modulating the inverse consistency (IC) residual of the current iterate, to be used as feedback into the next iterate. The control is designed adaptively to the input DVF with the objective to enlarge the convergence area and expedite convergence. Three particular settings of feedback control are introduced: constant value over the domain throughout the iteration; alternating values between iteration steps; and spatially variant values. We also introduce three spectral measures of the displacement Jacobian for characterizing a DVF. These measures reveal the critical role of what we term the nontranslational displacement component (NTDC) of the DVF. We carry out inversion experiments with an analytical DVF pair, and with DVFs associated with thoracic CT images of six patients at end of expiration and end of inspiration.ResultsThe NTDC‐adaptive iterations are shown to attain a larger convergence region at a faster pace compared to previous nonadaptive DVF inversion iteration algorithms. By our numerical experiments, alternating control yields smaller IC residuals and inversion errors than constant control. Spatially variant control renders smaller residuals and errors by at least an order of magnitude, compared to other schemes, in no more than 10 steps. Inversion results also show remarkable quantitative agreement with analysis‐based predictions.ConclusionOur analysis captures properties of DVF data associated with clinical CT images, and provides new understanding of iterative DVF inversion algorithms with a simple residual feedback control. Adaptive control is necessary and highly effective in the presence of nonsmall NTDCs. The adaptive iterations or the spectral measures, or both, may potentially be incorporated into deformable image registration methods.
Impact of loss‐of‐function mutations at the RNF43 locus on colorectal cancer development and progression
Authors: Eto Tsugio , Miyake Keisuke , Nosho Katsuhiko , Ohmuraya Masaki , Imamura Yu , Arima Kota , Kanno Shinichi , Fu Lingfeng , Kiyozumi Yuki , Izumi Daisuke , Sugihara Hidetaka , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Miyamoto Yuji , Sawayama Hiroshi , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Baba Yoshifumi , Yoshida Naoya , Furukawa Toru , Araki Kimi , Baba Hideo , Ishimoto Takatsugu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRNF43 mutations are frequently detected in colorectal cancer cells and lead to a loss of function of the ubiquitin E3 ligase. Here, we investigated the clinical significance of RNF43 mutations in a large Japanese cohort and the role of RNF43 at various stages of colorectal cancer development and progression. Mutation analysis of the RNF43 gene locus with pyrosequencing technology detected RNF43 hotspot mutations in one (0.88%) of 113 colorectal polyp cases and in 30 (6.45%) of 465 colorectal cancer cases. Moreover, patients with colorectal cancer harbouring mutated RNF43 experienced a higher recurrence rate than those harbouring non‐mutated RNF43. In addition, the growth of RNF43 wild‐type colorectal cancer cell lines was significantly increased by RNF43 silencing. We generated Rnf43 knockout mice in a C57BL/6 N background by using the CRISPR–Cas9 system. Although intestinal organoids from Rnf43 knockout mice did not show continuous growth in the absence of R‐spondin, an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulphate mouse model demonstrated that tumours were markedly larger in Rnf43 knockout mice than in wild‐type mice. These findings provide evidence that Wnt signalling activation by RNF43 mutations during the tumourigenic stage enhances tumour growth and promotes a high recurrence rate in colorectal cancer patients. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local aromaticity and aromatic sextet theory beyond Clar
Authors: Randić Milan , Balaban Alexandru T. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecently assigned numerical expressions to qualitative benzenoid formulas of Clar have transformed Clar's theory into a quantitative model that allowed a structural characterization of aromaticity in benzenoid polycyclic hydrocarbons and construction of aromaticity maps for benzenoid polycyclic hydrocarbons. The key structural elements of the novel quantitative aromatic sextet theory of Clar are (1) Kekulé valence structures, (2) Pauling bond orders, and (3) Clar's aromatic sextet benzenoid rings. In the present contribution we go beyond Clar and consider local aromaticities of benzenoid rings in benzenoid polycyclic hydrocarbons. We have characterized each benzenoid ring by two descriptors: (1) their content of C = C bonds in the set of Kekulé valence structures, which is reflected in the ring bond orders, and by (2) the variations of CC bond orders within rings, which are zero for benzene. This allows us to introduce for any set of benzenoid hydrocarbons local aromaticity map, which allows one to graphically view similarities and dissimilarities of local aromaticity of different benzenoid rings. For such map, one can calculate the “distance” of each ring from the benzene, with coordinates (3.00, 0) for benzene RBO and variations in CC bonds, respectively. We show that the central ring in peropyrene is visibly less aromatic that the terminal sextets, as has been claimed by Gutman and Agranat, and similarly we show that the central ring of anthracene is unexpectedly more aromatic than the terminal rings, in having greater similarity in bond lengths to benzene ring than the terminal rings. This suggests limitations of the assumption of the Clar model that migrating sextets have equal local aromaticities. Finally, we examined a pair of non benzenoid hydrocarbons related to peropyrene, built from terminal benzenoid rings and naphthalene fragments. Surprisingly, we have found the terminal benzene rings in the two non benzenoid compounds to have unusually high ring bond orders, approaching that of benzene.
Three Regioselectively Acylated Flavonoid Aglycone Derivatives in Equimolar Yield at One Blow
Authors: Kyriakou Eleni , Kostagianni Androniki D. , Kellici Tahsin F. , Giannopoulou Efstathia , Siatis Konstantinos E. , Sayyad Nisar , Kalofonos Haralabos P. , Mavromoustakos Thomas , Stamatis Haralambos , Tzakos Andreas G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA simple and time‐effective chemoenzymatic process to obtain three regioselective acylated quercetin analogues in a 1:1:1 ratio in one pot is described. This process overcomes the inherent scaffold intricacy and synthetic complexity of quercetin. Cell proliferation experiments in three breast cancers cell lines pinpoint the high potency of the generated compounds.
Recent Developments on the Total Synthesis of Nakadomarin A
Authors: Jana Samaresh , Mekonnen Habtamu Gelaw 
Published: May 2018

Abstract(‐)‐Nakadomarin A is an alkaloid belongs to manzamine family having architecturally complex structure and exhibits promising biological activities. To accomplish this target molecule, few novel synthetic strategies have been developed by eminent synthetic chemists. This review will highlight the important and improved synthetic approaches for the total synthesis of natural as well as unnatural isomers of nakadomarin A. All synthetic strategies have been enlightened from the cluster of literatures to develop a more elegant strategy for the molecule in future.
Hemocompatible 3D Silver(I) Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, X‐ray Structure, Photo‐Catalytic and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Kulovi Somnath , Dalbera Subrata , Dey Surya Kanta , Maiti (Choudhury) Sujata , Puschmann Horst , Zangrando Ennio , Dalai Sudipta 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThree new Ag(I) coordination polymers, namely, [Ag3(pyp)3(H2O)2](bpydc)1.5(H2O)6 (1), Ag2(dpe)2(phdac)](H2O)5.4 (2), and [Ag2(azbpy)3(H2O)2].(dga)(H2O)5 (3) (where pyp=1,3‐bis(4‐pyridylpropane), H2bpydc=2,2’‐bipyridine‐5,5’‐dicarboxylic acid, dpe=1,2‐di(4‐pyridyl)ethylene, H2phdac=1,4‐phenylenediacetic acid, azpy=4,4’‐azobispyridine and H2dga=diglycolic acid) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The most interesting aspect of these coordination polymers (CPs) in the solid state is represented by the number of lattice water molecules that, along with carboxylate ligands, play a crucial role in network formation through H‐bonds to attain a 3D structure. The band gap energies of the CPs were calculated. Among the compounds studied CP 2 was proved to be the most efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of noxious organic dye methylene blue (MB) and in addition tendered better antibacterial activity. Finally, all three CPs showed to be hemocompatible.
Titanium Incorporated Mesoporous Silica Immobilized Functional Ionic Liquid as an Efficient Reusable Catalyst for Cycloaddition of Carbon Dioxide to Epoxides
Authors: Hu Yu Lin , Wang Hong Bo , Chen Zhi Wei , Li Xiao Guang 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA series of functionalized ionic liquids immobilized onto SBA‐15 mesoporous materials were prepared, characterized and evaluated as catalysts in cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides. Most of these immobilized ILs perform well in the reaction, especially the multifunctional titanium incorporated SBA‐15 immobilized heterogeneous catalysts Ti‐SBA‐15@ILClCH2COO(0.5) and Al‐SBA‐15@ILClCH2COO(0.5). The catalytic tests revealed that Ti‐SBA‐15@ILClCH2COO(0.5) was the best and powerful catalyst in the cycloaddition for the preparation of cyclic carbonates with high to excellent yields. The heterogeneous catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture by filtration and reused in six consecutive cycles without significant loss in catalytic activity. The studies demonstrate that the well designed supported catalysts via cooperative catalysis of the supported carrier, anion sites of ILs is a promising platform for construction of novel and highly efficient catalytic transformation systems.
Silver Nanoflower Decorated Graphene Oxide Sponges for Highly Sensitive Variable Stiffness Stress Sensors
Authors: Khan Fakhre Alam , Ajmal C. Muhammed , Bae Seonghyun , Seo Sungwon , Moon Hyungpil , Baik Seunghyun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSoft conductive materials should enable large deformation while keeping high electrical conductivity and elasticity. The graphene oxide (GO)‐based sponge is a potential candidate to endow large deformation. However, it typically exhibits low conductivity and elasticity. Here, the highly conductive and elastic sponge composed of GO, flower‐shaped silver nanoparticles (AgNFs), and polyimide (GO‐AgNF‐PI sponge) are demonstrated. The average pore size and porosity are 114 µm and 94.7%, respectively. Ag NFs have thin petals (8–20 nm) protruding out of the surface of a spherical bud (300–350 nm) significantly enhancing the specific surface area (2.83 m2 g−1). The electrical conductivity (0.306 S m−1 at 0% strain) of the GO‐AgNF‐PI sponge is increased by more than an order of magnitude with the addition of Ag NFs. A nearly perfect elasticity is obtained over a wide compressive strain range (0–90%). The strain‐dependent, nonlinear variation of Young's modulus of the sponge provides a unique opportunity as a variable stiffness stress sensor that operates over a wide stress range (0–10 kPa) with a high maximum sensitivity (0.572 kPa−1). It allows grasping of a soft rose and a hard bottle, with the minimal object deformation, when attached on the finger of a robot gripper.
Evolution of systems engineering scholarship from 2000 to 2015, with particular emphasis on software
Authors: Sheard Sarah A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSystems engineering in 2018 has many challenges, both to build the complex systems of systems of the future, and to build the complex systems of which they are composed. Systems engineering needs to be able to design around stable requirements when there are long‐lead manufactured items to be incorporated, and also needs to be able to evolve the design along with evolving requirements for larger systems. The “systems engineering of yesterday,” which, when done well, greatly enhanced the design and use of stand‐alone systems, has to be extended to adequately cover evolving systems of systems, being agile and resilient and responsive.This paper compares articles in 1 year of the first 5 years and 1 year of the last 5 years out of the 20‐year history of the Systems Engineering journal, and considers generality via lexicographic trend analysis. Based on the topics addressed by the articles in each year, there is more interest today in the larger system (e.g., economics, simulation of the environment, systems‐of‐systems), on quality attributes (more often called “ilities” or life‐cycle properties in systems engineering) and on modeling, management, and technology maturity. There is less interest today in process and requirements. These can be explained by systems engineering having moved away from initially deeply‐explored topics into new areas.
DECOMPOSING GAPS BETWEEN ROMA AND NON-ROMA IN ROMANIA
Authors: Rauh Christopher 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIt is widely known that the Roma have been suffering persistent disadvantages. Yet, little empirical evidence exists. Using the censuses of 1977, 1992, 2002, and 2011, I provide a comprehensive overview of the past, present, and an outlook on the future of the Roma in Romania, home to a large and rapidly growing Roma community. Young Roma, in particular girls, are less likely to be attending school, indicating that lack of educational attainment is likely to persist. The Roma have worse housing conditions and face lower employment and higher unemployment levels. Amongst Roma, females are less likely to be employed than males. Oaxaca–Blinder decompositions of the ethnic and gender employment gaps reveal that the differences in employment cannot be fully explained by observables, such as age or education. Despite the seemingly dire picture, there are signs of improvement for more recent cohorts, as literacy rates have reached close to universal levels.
A MORE MEASURED APPROACH: AN EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT MEASURES OF MARRIAGE RATES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY ECONOMICS
Authors: Bronson Mary Ann , Mazzocco Maurizio 
Published: May 2018

Abstract:Marriage patterns can be well understood only if researchers employ measures of marriage rates that are appropriate for the question asked. In this paper, we provide evidence that the two classes of measures typically used in the literature, the number of new marriages per population and the share of individuals currently or ever married within an age range, generally lead to misleading inference when used to study the probability someone marries during his or her life or fertile life, how it evolves, and how it differs across populations. An alternative measure, the share of individuals ever married in a given cohort by a given age, is better suited for such studies. When researchers are interested in year-on-year changes in marriage probabilities of singles, age-specific marriage hazards are more reliable than population-based measures. We conclude by discussing implications of our findings for studies of the drivers and consequences of marriage formation.