bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological synthesis of Pt nanoparticles in a microfluidic chip and modeling of the formation process withPBMandCFD
Authors: Liu Hongyu , Zhang Huan , Wang Jie , Wei Junfu , Zhang Yu 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDBiological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) withCacumen platycladi(C. platycladi) in a microfluidic chip and numerical simulation of formation processes were studied. The effect of volumetric flow rate onPtNPs' size distribution was investigated in detail not only by experimental methods but also by means of numerical simulation. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a population balance model (PBM) combined with reactive kinetics were employed to simulatePtNPs' formation and to calculate the particle size distributions (PSD).RESULTSThe experimental results confirmed the validity of the model and its practicality in predicting the formation ofPtNPsandPSDevolution in the microfluidic chip. In addition, the numerical simulation results also tested and verified the accuracy of the results and conclusions acquired from the experiment.CONCLUSIONIt is concluded thatPSDwas influenced not only by mixing efficiency but also by residence time in the microfluidic chip, and that the two factors were determined by volumetric flow rate. There is a specific volumetric flow rate to achieve equilibrium (optimal mixing and residence time) that results in the average particle size reaching its maximum value. This work provides useful insight into the microfluidic biological synthesis ofPtNPsand the influence of volumetric flow rate on size distribution in a microfluidic chip. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Sonographic evaluation of surgical repair of uterine cesarean scar defects
Authors: Pomorski Michal , Fuchs Tomasz , Rosner‐Tenerowicz Anna , Zimmer Mariusz 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess the clinical outcomes of surgical repair of uterine cesarean scar defects with sonography (US).MethodsSeven nonpregnant women with history of cesarean section and a large uterine scar defect were enrolled. The surgical repair was performed by minilaparotomy. The US assessment of the uterine scar was performed using a standardized approach at baseline, then at a first visit 2–3 days following the surgical intervention (V1) and at a follow‐up visit 3 months later (V2). Residual myometrial thickness (RMT), width, and depth of the scar defect were measured.ResultsThe mean RMT increased significantly from 1.9 mm at baseline to 8.8 mm at V1 and 8.0 mm at V2. No intraoperative complications were observed. Postmenstrual spotting and abdominal pain reported preoperatively resolved after the operation.ConclusionsA surgical repair procedure for an incompletely healed uterine cesarean scar is effective in increasing RMT thickness, decreasing the depth of the scar, and reducing symptoms related to the cesarean section scar defect. Further studies on post‐repair pregnancy outcomes are required to evaluate whether the procedure affects the rate of cesarean scar pregnancy, morbidly adherent placenta, and/or uterine scar dehiscence and rupture. The repair of a cesarean scar defect is recommended only for symptomatic women. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:455–460, 2017
The importance of great saphenous vein types and segmental aplasia in venous reflux
Authors: Ekin Elif Evrim , Kurtul Yildiz Hülya 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTPurposeTo investigate the relationship among great saphenous vein (GSV) anatomic type, segmental aplasia, and reflux.MethodsColor Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) was performed on 475 legs of 277 consecutive patients with venous symptoms between November 2015 and August 2016. Exclusion criteria were previous venous surgery and venous thrombosis. Five GSV types were identified based on the saphenous compartment at thigh level, and segment aplasia and reflux were investigated.ResultsThe most frequent GSV type was type A, ie, a single GSV extending within the saphenous compartment with no accompanying large parallel tributary (53%), and the least frequent type was type B, GSV duplication (1.3%). Patients with and without reflux showed similar distributions of GSV type (p = 0.389). Segmental aplasia was observed in 117 (24.63%) of 475 legs. The mean age of patients with GSV reflux was compared between patients with and without aplasia (p = 0.798).ConclusionsThe frequency of venous reflux was nearly identical across GSV types. The frequency of segmental aplasia was similar in patients with and without reflux. Despite these similarities, defining GSV type and identifying segmental aplasia can provide guidance for treatment. In particular, type D GSVs, defined by the presence of an anterior accessory branch, should be investigated when performing CDUS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:332–336, 2017;
Ultrasound‐guided dorsal penile nerve block performed in a case of zipper entrapment injury
Authors: Rose Gabriel , Costa Vincent , Drake Aaran , Siadecki Sebastian D , Saul Turandot 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTInjury to the penis resulting from zipper entrapment is a painful condition that presents a unique anesthetic challenge to the emergency physician and may even require procedural sedation for removal. In this case report, we describe successful removal of zipper entrapment from the penis of a 34‐year‐old patient after the application of an ultrasound‐guided dorsal penile nerve block. We discuss the anatomy, sonographic features, and steps required for the nerve block procedure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:589–591, 2017
Orientation of the lateral semicircular canal in Xenarthra and its links with head posture and phylogeny
Authors: Coutier Florence , Hautier Lionel , Cornette Raphaël , Amson Eli , Billet Guillaume 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe orientation of the semicircular canals of the inner ear in the skull of vertebrates is one of the determinants of the capacity of this system to detect a given rotational movement of the head. Past functional studies on the spatial orientation of the semicircular canals essentially focused on the lateral semicircular canal (LSC), which is supposedly held close to horizontal during rest and/or alert behaviors. However, they generally investigated this feature in only a few and distantly related taxa. Based on 3D‐models reconstructed from µCT‐scans of skulls, we examined the diversity of orientations of the LSC within one of the four major clades of placental mammals, that is, the superorder Xenarthra, with a data set that includes almost all extant genera and two extinct taxa. We observed a wide diversity of LSC orientations relative to the basicranium at both intraspecific and interspecific scales. The estimated phylogenetic imprint on the orientation of the LSC was significant but rather low within the superorder, though some phylogenetic conservatism was detected for armadillos that were characterized by a strongly tilted LSC. A convergence between extant suspensory sloths was also detected, both genera showing a weakly tilted LSC. Our preliminary analysis of usual head posture in extant xenarthrans based on photographs of living animals further revealed that the LSC orientation in armadillos is congruent with a strongly nose‐down head posture. It also portrayed a more complex situation for sloths and anteaters. Finally, we also demonstrate that the conformation of the cranial vault and nuchal crests as well as the orientation of the posterior part of the petrosal may covary with the LSC orientation in Xenarthra. Possible inferences for the head postures of extinct xenarthrans such as giant ground sloths are discussed in the light of these results.
Evaluating extreme climate indices from CMIP3&5 global climate models and reanalysis data sets: a case study for present climate in the Andes of Ecuador
Authors: Campozano Lenin , Vázquez‐Patiño Angel , Tenelanda Daniel , Feyen Jan , Samaniego Esteban , Sánchez Esteban 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThe reliability of climate models depends ultimately on their adequacy in relevant real situations. However, climate in mountains, a very sensitive system, is scarcely monitored, making the assessment of global climate models (GCMs) projections problematic. This is even more critical for tropical mountain regions, where complex atmospheric processes acting across scales are specially challenging for GCMs. To help bridge this gap, we evaluated the representation of extreme climate indices by GCMs and reanalysis data in the Andes of Ecuador. This work presents an intercomparison of 11 climate precipitation indices (Climate Change Detection and Indices, ETCCDIs) reconstructed for the period 1 January 1981–31 December 2000 using the data of six climate stations situated in a medium‐sized Andean catchment in southern Ecuador, reanalysis data sets (RAD) ERA40, ERA‐Interim, NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis 1 (NCEP/NCAR‐R1) and NCEP/DOE Reanalysis 2 (NCEP/DOE‐R2), and the data sets of 19 and 29 models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, Phases 3 and 5 (CMIP3&5). Temporal and spatial analysis highlights that the values and the variability of ETCCDIs based on reanalysis and CMIP3&5 data overestimate observations, especially in ENSO years. However, frequency‐type indices are in general better captured than amount‐related indices in RAD. In general, reanalysis data displayed a similar uncertainty as the CMIP model data sets and some indices present lower uncertainty. The uncertainty of ETCCDIs based on CMIP5 remains similar to CMIP3 GCMs, with small variations. The indices using NCEP/NCAR‐R1, NCEP/DOE‐R2, and ERA‐Interim data performed better than those obtained with the ERA40 data sets, with no discernible improvement between both NCEP products. It can be concluded that for the given study region CMIP3&5 models and reanalysis products with respectively good and poor performance, exist, however data should be carefully screened before use. Furthermore, these results confirm that the specificity of the studied region is a key to identify limiting aspects on the GCMs and reanalysis extreme climate representation.
Polymorph formation in fenofibrate in the absence and presence of polymer stabilizers: a low wavenumber Raman and differential scanning calorimetry study
Authors: Ying Ye , Beck Christian , Wu Aide , Dave Rajesh , Iqbal Zafar 
Published: February 2017

In situ, variable temperature low wavenumber Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry together with scanning electron microscope imaging were used to investigate polymorph formation in the non‐hydrogen bonded, anti‐cholesterol drug fenofibrate (FNB), in the absence and presence of two non‐ionic polymeric stabilizers: triBlock copolymer pluronic‐F127 (PF/127) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC/E3).Low wavenumber Raman spectra show that metastable phase II formation occurs on initial cooling to 25 °C following the first heat‐up to 100 °C for both pure FNB and FNB in the presence of PF/127, but not in the presence of HPMC/E3. Differential scanning calorimetry results on the other hand show that phase II of FNB crystallizes near 75 °C during the first heat‐up of the drug in the presence of PF/127 but was not observed in the pure drug or the drug in the presence of HPMC/E3. These results are discussed in terms of molecular simulations carried out to determine the non‐bonded interaction energies between the polymers and FNB. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample self‐absorption in surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): influence of the resonance, dilution and depth of the measurements
Authors: Muehlethaler Cyril , Lombardi John R. , Leona Marco 
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we demonstrate that sample self‐absorption can strongly attenuate the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal when resonant conditions are used. Below a monolayer coverage of the SERS substrate (silver nanoparticles), the signal is weakly attenuated, and a linear relationship to the concentration is maintained, as suggested by the fact that the scattered signal is proportional to the concentration. For concentrations of analytes superior to a monolayer coverage, the intensity reaches a maximal plateau value, and the increasing amount of molecules in solution acts as filters. As a result, it strongly attenuates the intensity of the SERS scattered main peaks and of the incident excitation light. These molecules contribute to the absorption but not to the Raman scattering. At this point, the attenuation of the light follows an exponential relationship to the concentration, and a decrease in intensity is observed for very concentrated solutions. A practical example is given with the analysis of an orange dye, having a strong absorption in the visible (~400–500 nm). We show that the effect of self‐absorption is even more pronounced when depth‐related measurements are made. We also demonstrate that exciting the sample off‐resonance eliminates the self‐absorption and that a linear relationship of the Raman intensities to the concentration is respected. We finally compare the surface‐enhanced with normal Raman measures. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of new spectral signatures associated with dengue virus infected sera
Authors: Amin Ayyaz , Ghouri Nimrah , Ali Safdar , Ahmed M. , Saleem M. , Qazi Javaria 
Published: February 2017

In a quest to use Raman spectroscopy as an optical diagnostic tool, we recorded Raman spectra of 32 dengue virus (DENV)‐infected and 28 healthy sera samples in the near‐infrared spectral range (540 to 1700 cm−1) using laser at 785 nm as the excitation source. We observed clear differences in the Raman spectra of DENV‐infected sera as compared with those of healthy individuals. Here, as a result of our study, we report 12 unique Raman bands associated with DENV‐infected sera that are not reported earlier. After applying analysis of variance andt‐test (p < 0.05) on these 12 bands, six Raman bands at 630 (N‐acetylglucosamine), 883 (in‐plane bending (ring) of deoxyribose), 1218 (amide III–βconformation from C6H5–C stretching vibrations of tryptophan and phenylalanine), 1273 (amide–III), 1623 (tryptophan) and 1672 cm−1(ceramide) were found only in the DENV‐infected sera. The remaining six Raman bands at 716 (lipids), 780 (Uracil‐based ring breathing mode), 828 (ring breathing tyrosine), 840 (α‐anomers), 1101 (ν(C–N) of lipids and DNA) and 1150 cm−1(glycogen/carotenoids) were only found in healthy sera. Two types of classification models, principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, were employed to develop principal component analysis–linear discriminant analysis model that has provided diagnostic accuracy 96.50%, sensitivity 93.44%, and specificity 100%. This indicates that these 12 Raman bands have the potential to be used as biomarkers for optical diagnosis of DENV infection. This study provides a new insight for future research in the field of optical diagnosis using Raman spectroscopy. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degradation of poly(L‐lactic acid) coating on permanent coronary metal stent investigatedex vivoby micro Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Vano‐Herrera Kelim , Vogt Carla 
Published: February 2017

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with a variety of applications, such as functional coatings on implants, due to its biodegradability, good biocompatibility and very low toxicity. In this study, the degradation behavior of high molecular weight poly(L‐lactic acid) (L‐PLA), which was used as polymer coating on permanent coronary metal stent, was investigatedex vivo. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)‐embedded histological specimens of stented porcine coronary arteries (left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery and right coronary artery) were used to follow the degradation at various implantation times (6, 12, 24 and 36 months). Micro Raman spectroscopy was applied as an alternative technique for the determination of the residual content of theL‐PLA coating. For this purpose, the PMMA‐embedded cross sections of stented porcine coronary arteries were characterized through a previously developed Raman method forin situquantitative analysis of PLA in a PMMA matrix. The residual content ofL‐PLA coating on the surface of the coronary metal stent was determined through the relative Raman band area ratioof the C–COO stretching band of PLA at 873 cm−1and the C–O–C symmetric stretching band of PMMA at 813 cm−1. This study demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy provides an alternative, non‐destructive technique for quantification ofL‐PLA coating on permanent coronary metal stent in an animal model. The results suggest that the complete absorption of theL‐PLA coating required more than 24 months for the layer thickness applied in this study and that the degradation of high molecular weightL‐PLA in a porcine model is carried out by a hydrolytic degradation through the bulk erosion mode. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of epidural compared to patient‐controlled intravenous analgesia on outcomes for patients undergoing liver resection for neoplastic disease
Authors: Allen Shelby , DeRoche Amy , Adams Lu , Slocum Karen Valerie , Clark Clancy J. , Fino Nora F. , Shen Perry 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDEpidural analgesia is routinely used for postoperative pain control following abdominal surgeries, yet data regarding the safety and efficacy of epidural analgesia is controversial.METHODSPain‐related and clinical perioperative data were extracted and correlated with baseline clinicopathologic data and method of analgesia (epidural vs. intravenous patient‐controlled analgesia) in patients who underwent hepatectomy from 2012 to 2014. Chronic pain was defined by specific narcotic requirements preoperatively.RESULTSEighty‐seven patients underwent hepatectomy with 60% having epidurals placed for postoperative pain control. Epidural patients underwent more major hepatectomies and open resections. Comparison of pain scores between both groups demonstrated no significant difference (all P > .05). A significantly lower proportion of TEA patients required additional IV pain medications than those with IVPCA (P < 0.001). There was no major effect of epidural analgesia on time to ambulation or complications (all P > 0.05). After adjusting for perioperative factors, and surgical extent and approach, no significant differences in fluids administered or length of stay were detected.CONCLUSIONSOverall postoperative outcomes were not significantly different based on method of analgesia after adjusting for type and extent of hepatic resection. Though patients with epidurals underwent more extensive operations they required less additional IV pain medications than IVPCA patients.
Ethmoidectomy combined with superior meatus enlargement increases olfactory airflow
Authors: Nishijima Hironobu , Kondo Kenji , Nomura Tsutomu , Yamasoba Tatsuya 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesThe relationship between a particular surgical technique in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and airflow changes in the post‐operative olfactory region has not been assessed. The present study aimed to compare olfactory airflow after ESS between conventional ethmoidectomy and ethmoidectomy with superior meatus enlargement, using virtual ESS and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.Study DesignProspective computational study.Materials and MethodsNasal computed tomography images of four adult subjects were used to generate models of the nasal airway. The original preoperative model was digitally edited as virtual ESS by performing uncinectomy, ethmoidectomy, antrostomy, and frontal sinusotomy. The following two post‐operative models were prepared: conventional ethmoidectomy with normal superior meatus (ESS model) and ethmoidectomy with superior meatus enlargement (ESS‐SM model). The calculated three‐dimensional nasal geometries were confirmed using virtual endoscopy to ensure that they corresponded to the post‐operative anatomy observed in the clinical setting. Steady‐state, laminar, inspiratory airflow was simulated, and the velocity, streamline, and mass flow rate in the olfactory region were compared among the preoperative and two postoperative models.ResultsThe mean velocity in the olfactory region, number of streamlines bound to the olfactory region, and mass flow rate were higher in the ESS‐SM model than in the other models.ConclusionWe successfully used an innovative approach involving virtual ESS, virtual endoscopy, and CFD to assess postoperative outcomes after ESS. It is hypothesized that the increased airflow to the olfactory fossa achieved with ESS‐SM may lead to improved olfactory function; however, further studies are required.Level of EvidenceNA.
Disruption in cerebellar and basal ganglia networks during a visuospatial task in cervical dystonia
Authors: Filip Pavel , Gallea Cécile , Lehéricy Stéphane , Bertasi Eric , Popa Traian , Mareček Radek , Lungu Ovidiu V. , Kašpárek Tomáš , Vaníček Jiří , Bareš Martin 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTBackground: Although dystonia is traditionally conceptualized as a basal ganglia disorder, increasing interest has been directed at a different neural network node, the cerebellum, which may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of dystonia. Abnormal sensorimotor processing and disturbed motor schemes, possibly attributable to cerebellar changes, remain unclear.Methods: We sought to characterize the extent of cerebellar dysfunction within the motor network using functional MRI activation analysis, connectivity analysis, and voxel‐based morphometry in cervical dystonia patients (n = 25, 15 women, mean age 45.8 years) and healthy volunteers (n = 25, 15 women, mean age 44.7 years) in a visuospatial task requiring predictive motor timing.Results: Cervical dystonia patients showed decreased activation in the posterior cerebellar lobules as well as in the premotor areas, the associative parietal cortex, and visual regions. Patients also had decreased cerebellar connectivity with bilateral basal ganglia structures and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.Conclusions: This promotes the view that dystonia results from miscommunication between the basal ganglia and cerebellar loops, thus providing new insights into the brain regions essential for the development of cervical dystonia. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society