bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hirano's cover–body model and its unique laryngeal postures revisited
Authors: Vahabzadeh‐Hagh Andrew M. , Zhang Zhaoyan , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: November 2017

Objectives/HypothesisIn 1974, Minoru Hirano proposed his theory of voice production that is now known as the cover–body theory. He described the thyroarytenoid (TA) and cricothyroid (CT) muscles as the major determinants of vocal fold shape and stiffness, and theorized four typical laryngeal configurations resulting from unique TA/CT activations, with implications for the resulting voice quality. In this study, we directly observed the vocal fold medial surface shape under Hirano's unique TA/CT activation conditions to obtain a three‐dimensional (3D) understanding of these laryngeal configurations during muscle activation.Study DesignIn vivo canine hemilarynx model.MethodsFlesh points were marked along the medial surface of the vocal fold. Selective TA and CT activation were performed via respective laryngeal nerves. 3D reconstructions of the vocal fold medial surface were derived using digital image correlation.ResultsLow level TA and CT activation yielded anteroposterior lengthening and vertical thinning of the vocal fold. When TA activation is far greater than CT, the vocal fold shortens and thickens. With slightly greater TA than CT, activation the vocal length is maintained on average, whereas its vertical thickness decreases. With CT far greater than TA activation, the vocal fold lengthens and thins. In all conditions, glottal contour changes remained minimal.ConclusionsAnalysis of the 3D geometry of the vocal fold medial surface under Hirano's four typical laryngeal configurations revealed that the key geometric changes during TA/CT interactions lie within the anteroposterior length and the vertical thickness of the vocal fold.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:1412–1418, 2018
The national landscape of unplanned 30‐day readmissions after total laryngectomy
Authors: Ferrandino Rocco , Garneau Jonathan , Roof Scott , Pacheco Caitlin , Poojary Priti , Saha Aparna , Chauhan Kinsuk , Miles Brett 
Published: November 2017

Objectives/HypothesisExamine rates of readmission after total laryngectomy and determine primary etiologies, timing, and risk factors for unplanned readmission.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsThe Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for patients who underwent total laryngectomy between January 2013 and November 2013. Patient‐, procedure‐, admission‐, and institution‐level characteristics were compared for patients with and without unplanned 30‐day readmission. Outcomes of interest included rates, etiology, and timing of readmission. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of 30‐day readmission.ResultsThere were 2,931 total laryngectomies performed in 2013 with an unplanned readmission rate of 17.5%. Postoperative fistula accounted for 13.7% of readmissions. The odds of readmission were elevated for patients undergoing concurrent procedures, including primary tracheoesophageal fistulization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15‐5.18, P = .02) and/or pedicle graft or flap procedures (aOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.13‐2.66, P = .01). Additionally, patients with comorbid coagulopathy (aOR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.13‐8.22, P = .03), liver disease (aOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.08‐5.71, P = .03), and valvular heart disease (aOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.20‐8.41, P = .02) had increased risk for unplanned 30‐day readmission. Private insurance and longer lengths of stay were associated with decreased odds of readmission.ConclusionsNearly one‐fifth of total laryngectomy patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Risk factors identified in this nationally representative cohort should be carefully considered during the postoperative period to reduce preventable readmissions after total laryngectomy.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 1842–1850, 2018
The hospital otolaryngologist: The louisiana state university experience
Authors: Allen Phillip G. , Hetzler Laura T. , Nuss Daniel W. , Walvekar Rohan R. , Penton Gretchen , Sharbaugh Elona 
Published: November 2017

Objectives/HypothesisTo describe the implementation and impact of a hospital otolaryngologist in an academic medical center setting. Our hypothesis was that the hospital otolaryngologist would increase productivity of the Louisiana State University (LSU) faculty otolaryngologists and provide more timely access to inpatient otolaryngology services.Study DesignRetrospective clinical and administrative database review.MethodsA comparative database review was performed with data from the year predating the initiation of the hospitalist program (2013) to the first full year after initiation of the program (2014). A clinical database review including diagnoses and procedures was also performed.ResultsOverall outpatient clinic relative value units for the aggregated LSU faculty increased 16% (despite the fact that the direct outpatient contribution of the hospital otolaryngologist was negligible). Overall capture of inpatient consult codes increased 128%. The hospital otolaryngologist was responsible for 84.5% of inpatient consult codes. There was a 100% increase in outpatient consult codes for the LSU faculty, of which <1% was attributed to the otolaryngology hospitalist. No significant impact was seen on length of stay over the study interval. Clinical database review of the first 2 years of the program showed 3,707 total encounters with postoperative encounters the most common. Four hundred fifty‐four inpatient procedures were logged. The most common surgical procedure was tracheostomy.ConclusionsThe otolaryngology hospitalist program is a viable clinical and economic model.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 1851–1857, 2018
Microfibers as Physiologically Relevant Platforms for Creation of 3D Cell Cultures
Authors: McNamara Marilyn C. , Sharifi Farrokh , Wrede Alex H. , Kimlinger Daniel F. , Thomas Deepak‐George , Vander Wiel Jonathan B. , Chen Yuanfen , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nicole N. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMicrofibers have received much attention due to their promise for creating flexible and highly relevant tissue models for use in biomedical applications such as 3D cell culture, tissue modeling, and clinical treatments. A generated tissue or implanted material should mimic the natural microenvironment in terms of structural and mechanical properties as well as cell adhesion, differentiation, and growth rate. Therefore, the mechanical and biological properties of the fibers are of importance. This paper briefly introduces common fiber fabrication approaches, provides examples of polymers used in biomedical applications, and then reviews the methods applied to modify the mechanical and biological properties of fibers fabricated using different approaches for creating a highly controlled microenvironment for cell culturing. It is shown that microfibers are a highly tunable and versatile tool with great promise for creating 3D cell cultures with specific properties.
Hierarchical Porous Phenolic Resin and Its Supported Pd‐Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions in Water Medium
Authors: Deng Gaoyang , Wang Zhonggang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe motivation of this work is to build micro and mesopores within phenolic resins to extend their applications to the heterogeneous catalysis field. For this purpose, porous hyper‐cross‐linked phenolic resin (PFN‐P) with Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) surface area of 775 m2 g−1 is synthesized through one‐step polycondensation from tri(4‐formylphenyl)phosphine and 2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone, which simultaneously contains abundant hydroxyl and triphenylphosphine moieties in the network. The resultant palladium‐coordinated Pd@PFN‐P possesses hierarchical porous structure with pore sizes ranging from 1.3 to 42.6 nm. The good hydrophilicity and broad pore sizes are advantageous for the accessibility of reactants to the catalyzing sites in the water medium for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions. As a result, high conversions for reactions between various aryl halides and phenylboronic acid are achieved under both oxygen‐free and aerobic conditions. Moreover, the reaction conversions are almost unchanged after repeatedly using Pd@PFN‐P for five times, showing promising potential for application in heterogeneous catalysis.
Proteases and protease inhibitors in infectious diseases
Authors: Agbowuro Ayodeji A. , Huston Wilhelmina M. , Gamble Allan B. , Tyndall Joel D. A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThere are numerous proteases of pathogenic organisms that are currently targeted for therapeutic intervention along with many that are seen as potential drug targets. This review discusses the chemical and biological makeup of some key druggable proteases expressed by the five major classes of disease causing agents, namely bacteria, viruses, fungi, eukaryotes, and prions. While a few of these enzymes including HIV protease and HCV NS3‐4A protease have been targeted to a clinically useful level, a number are yet to yield any clinical outcomes in terms of antimicrobial therapy. A significant aspect of this review discusses the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of inhibitors of the various proteases discussed. A total of 25 inhibitors have been considered potent and safe enough to be trialed in humans and are at different levels of clinical application. We assess the mechanism of action and clinical performance of the protease inhibitors against infectious agents with their developmental strategies and look to the next frontiers in the use of protease inhibitors as anti‐infective agents.
Automatic differential analysis of NMR experiments in complex samples
Authors: Margueritte Laure , Markov Petar , Chiron Lionel , Starck Jean‐Philippe , Vonthron‐Sénécheau Catherine , Bourjot Mélanie , Delsuc Marc‐André 
Published: November 2017

Liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for the analysis of complex mixtures of unknown molecules. This capacity has been used in many analytical approaches: metabolomics, identification of active compounds in natural extracts, and characterization of species, and such studies require the acquisition of many diverse NMR measurements on series of samples.Although acquisition can easily be performed automatically, the number of NMR experiments involved in these studies increases very rapidly, and this data avalanche requires to resort to automatic processing and analysis.We present here a program that allows the autonomous, unsupervised processing of a large corpus of 1D, 2D, and diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy experiments from a series of samples acquired in different conditions. The program provides all the signal processing steps, as well as peak‐picking and bucketing of 1D and 2D spectra, the program and its components are fully available. In an experiment mimicking the search of a bioactive species in a natural extract, we use it for the automatic detection of small amounts of artemisinin added to a series of plant extracts and for the generation of the spectral fingerprint of this molecule.This program called Plasmodesma is a novel tool that should be useful to decipher complex mixtures, particularly in the discovery of biologically active natural products from plants extracts but can also in drug discovery or metabolomics studies.
Adaptive integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming (iPRES‐A) with microelectromechanical systems switches
Authors: Darnell Dean , Ma Yixin , Wang Hongyuan , Robb Fraser , Song Allen W. , Truong Trong‐Kha 
Published: November 2017

PurposeIntegrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming coil arrays with N shim loops per radio‐frequency (RF) coil element (iPRES(N)) allow an RF current and N direct currents (DC) to flow in each coil element, enabling simultaneous reception/excitation and shimming of highly localized B0 inhomogeneities. The purpose of this work was to reduce the cost and complexity of this design by reducing the number of DC power supplies required by a factor N, while maintaining a high RF and shimming performance.MethodsIn the proposed design, termed adaptive iPRES(N) (iPRES(N)‐A), each coil element only requires one DC power supply, but uses microelectromechanical systems switches to adaptively distribute the DC current into the appropriate shim loops to generate the desired magnetic field for B0 shimming. Proof‐of‐concept phantom experiments with an iPRES(2)‐A coil and simulations in the human abdomen with an 8‐channel iPRES(4)‐A body coil array were performed to demonstrate the advantages of this innovative design.ResultsThe iPRES(2)‐A coil showed no loss in signal‐to‐noise ratio and provided a much more effective correction of highly localized B0 inhomogeneities and geometric distortions than an equivalent iPRES(1) coil (88.2% vs. 32.2% lower B0 root‐mean‐square error). The iPRES(4)‐A coil array showed a comparable shimming performance as that of an equivalent iPRES(4) coil array (52.6% vs. 54.2% lower B0 root‐mean‐square error), while only requiring 8 instead of 32 power supplies.ConclusionThe iPRES(N)‐A design retains the ability of the iPRES(N) design to shim highly localized B0 inhomogeneities, while drastically reducing its cost and complexity. Magn Reson Med 80:371–379, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A biomimetic tumor tissue phantom for validating diffusion‐weighted MRI measurements
Authors: McHugh Damien J. , Zhou Feng‐Lei , Wimpenny Ian , Poologasundarampillai Gowsihan , Naish Josephine H. , Hubbard Cristinacce Penny L. , Parker Geoffrey J. M. 
Published: November 2017

PurposeTo develop a biomimetic tumor tissue phantom which more closely reflects water diffusion in biological tissue than previously used phantoms, and to evaluate the stability of the phantom and its potential as a tool for validating diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI measurements.MethodsCoaxial‐electrospraying was used to generate micron‐sized hollow polymer spheres, which mimic cells. The bulk structure was immersed in water, providing a DW‐MRI phantom whose apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and microstructural properties were evaluated over a period of 10 months. Independent characterization of the phantom's microstructure was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The repeatability of the construction process was investigated by generating a second phantom, which underwent high resolution synchrotron‐CT as well as SEM and MR scans.ResultsADC values were stable (coefficients of variation (CoVs) < 5%), and varied with diffusion time, with average values of 1.44 ± 0.03 µm2/ms (Δ = 12 ms) and 1.20 ± 0.05 µm2/ms (Δ = 45 ms). Microstructural parameters showed greater variability (CoVs up to 13%), with evidence of bias in sphere size estimates. Similar trends were observed in the second phantom.ConclusionA novel biomimetic phantom has been developed and shown to be stable over 10 months. It is envisaged that such phantoms will be used for further investigation of microstructural models relevant to characterizing tumor tissue, and may also find application in evaluating acquisition protocols and comparing DW‐MRI‐derived biomarkers obtained from different scanners at different sites. Magn Reson Med 80:147–158, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Optimally scheduling interfering and non‐interfering cranes
Authors: Emde Simon 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis article treats the problem of scheduling multiple cranes processing jobs along a line, where cranes are divided into different groups and only cranes in the same group can interfere with each other. Such crane scheduling problems occur, for example, at indented berths or in container yards where double rail‐mounted gantry cranes stack containers such that cranes of the same size can interfere with each other but small cranes can pass underneath larger ones. We propose a novel algorithm based on Benders decomposition to solve this problem to optimality. In a computational study, it is shown that this algorithm solves small and medium‐sized instances and even many large instances within a few seconds or minutes. Moreover, it improves several best known solutions from the literature with regard to the simpler problem version with only one crane group. We also look into whether investment in more complicated crane configurations with multiple crane groups is actually worthwhile.
Being overweight or obese as a risk factor for acute liver injury secondary to acute acetaminophen overdose
Authors: Chomchai Summon , Chomchai Chulathida 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeIncreased incidences of hepatotoxicity have been observed in obese patients with acute acetaminophen overdose. We evaluate whether the status of being overweight or obese is associated with increase in the development of hepatotoxicity and acute liver injury (ALI) in patients with acute acetaminophen overdose.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study comparing the risk of hepatotoxicity and ALI between overweight or obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25) and normal BMI patients (BMI ≤ 24.9) presenting with acute acetaminophen overdose at Siriraj Hospital during January 2004 to June 2012. All patients were treated with intravenous N‐acetylcysteine. Psi parameters were calculated. High psi was defined as psi of ≥5.0 mM‐hour. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regressions, odds ratio (OR), stratified OR, and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThere were 197 patients who fulfilled the criteria for analysis, 35 (17.8%) were obese, 24 (12.2%) were overweight, and 138 (70%) were normal BMI cases. Hepatotoxicity and ALI developed in 25 (12.7%) and 40 (20.3%) cases, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that the overweight‐obesity status and log10(psi value) were significant risk factors of ALI, with OR (95% CI) of 2.68 (1.21‐5.95) and 1.74 (1.27‐2.38), respectively, while only log10(psi) was a significant risk factor of hepatotoxicity with OR (95% CI) 378.51 (39.49‐3627.99). From stratification, overweight‐obesity had significant odds ratios for ALI in strata with low acetaminophen concentration, early initiation of N‐acetylcysteine and low psi.ConclusionWe conclude that being overweight or obese is an independent risk factor of ALI in acute acetaminophen overdoses.
Silica Nanoparticles as Adhesives for Biological Tissues? Re‐Examining the Effect of Particles Size, Particle Shape, and the Unexpected Role of Base
Authors: Liu Hui , Peng Yanfen , Yang Cangjie , Wang Mingfeng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDevelopment of new, effective, and patient‐friendly adhesives for biological tissues is important for medical and surgical practices such as bleeding control and organ repairing. While some commercially available silica nanoparticles such as LUDOX SM‐30 have shown adhesive properties for biological tissues, the role of inorganic base present in the adhesive properties of the silica nanoparticles has not been examined. Moreover, it remained unclear how the size and the shape of silica nanoparticles affect the adhesion properties. To address these questions, synthesis and characterization of a series of uniform silica nanostructures with different sizes and shapes is carried out. Unexpectedly, none of the synthesized silica nanostructures without additional inorganic base shows adhesion properties against liver tissues. Such surprising phenomena motivate to examine other factors in the commercial silica nanoparticles as tissue adhesives, and reach a conclusion that the inorganic base plays a key role in the adhesion properties. It is believed that this study answers the important question whether silica nanoparticles can act as biological adhesives or not. The conclusion also gives a lesson to other scientists and engineers in design and exploration of new biological adhesives.
Dynamic expiratory CT: An effective non‐invasive diagnostic exam for fragile children with suspected tracheo‐bronchomalacia
Authors: Ullmann Nicola , Secinaro Aurelio , Menchini Laura , Caggiano Serena , Verrillo Elisabetta , Santangelo Teresa Pia , Cutrera Renato , Tomà Paolo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundTracheobronchomalacia, defined as variable collapse of the airways, has been recognized as an important cause of respiratory morbidity but still widely underdiagnosed. Bronchoscopy is still considered as the gold standard, but numerous limitations are known, especially for fragile sick children. Moreover, information on parenchymal lung disease cannot be described. There is a real need for a reliable, non‐invasive test to help detection of airway and parenchymal malformations in children, specifically when bronchoscopy cannot be performed.Methods and Results34 paediatric patients underwent cine multidector CT for ongoing respiratory symptoms and were included. All CT images were of good quality and sedation was never needed. Airway disease such as trachea‐broncomalacia with/without stenosis was described in 53% with the first being more frequent. Bronchomalacia alone was described in 10 patients and in 4 patients was associated with tracheomalacia. Moreover, CT allowed identification of parenchymal disease in 10 patients. Airways stenosis alone was detected in seven patients. The majority of patients (85%) underwent also bronchoscopy for clinical decision. The agreement between CT and bronchoscopy was explored. The two examinations did not agree only in two cases. CT dynamic showed an excellent sensitivity of 100% (81.47‐100 %), a great specificity of 82% (48.22‐97.72 %), NPV 100%, and PPV 90% (72‐96.9 %).ConclusionDynamic CT results an effective and highly sensitive diagnostic exam for children with tracheo‐bronchomalacia. CT is especially indicated for those small and fragile patients that cannot undergo an invasive investigation. Moreover, CT allows a detailed evaluation both of the airways and the lungs which is useful for the clinical management.
Vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor gene expression profiles in Spodoptera exigua are related to host plant suitability
Authors: Zhao Jing , Sun Yang , Xiao Liubin , Tan Yongan , Jiang Yiping , Bai Lixin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua, a worldwide phytophagous pest, causes considerable economic agricultural losses. Understanding the relationship between its fecundity and the host plant is a basic and important component of early forecasting of beet armyworm outbreaks. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism by which distinct hosts affect S. exigua fecundity.RESULTSIn this study, key life‐history parameters of S. exigua reared on distinct hosts were investigated; the host plants could be ranked as lettuce > shallot > tomato > celery in their order of suitability. Full‐length S. exigua vitellogenin receptor (SeVgR) cDNA was cloned, and sex‐, stage‐ and tissue‐specific expression characteristics were assessed. Spodoptera exigua vitellogenin (SeVg) and SeVgR expression levels were markedly modulated by host nutrients (P < 0.05). SeVg and SeVgR expression levels were significantly higher in S. exigua reared on lettuce, the most preferred and most nutritive host, than in those reared on tomato and celery. Interestingly, significant linear regression correlations were found between SeVg and SeVgR expression levels and key S. exigua life‐history parameters, especially life span, pupa weight, and female fecundity (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONHost plant type and suitability could affect the expression pattern of SeVg and SeVgR, which influenced S. exigua fecundity. Vg and VgR have the potential to be used as molecular markers of S. exigua fecundity and for forecasting outbreaks of S. exigua on different hosts. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry