Predictors of reduced smoking quantity among recovering alcohol dependent men in a smoking cessation trial

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 84
Author(s): Matthew J. Worley, Melodie Isgro, Jaimee L. Heffner, Soo Yong Lee, Belinda E. Daniel, Robert M. Anthenelli
IntroductionAdults with alcohol dependence (AD) have exceptionally high smoking rates and poor smoking cessation outcomes. Discovery of factors that predict reduced smoking among AD smokers may help improve treatment. This study examined baseline predictors of smoking quantity among AD smokers in a pharmacotherapy trial for smoking cessation.MethodsThe sample includes male, AD smokers (N = 129) with 1–32 months of alcohol abstinence who participated in a 12-week trial of medication (topiramate vs. placebo) and adjunct counseling with 6 months of follow-up. Baseline measures of nicotine dependence, AD severity, psychopathology, motivation to quit smoking, and smoking-related cognitions were used to predict smoking quantity (cigarettes per day) at post-treatment and follow-up.ResultsOverall, the sample had statistically significant reductions in smoking quantity. Greater nicotine dependence (Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) = 0.82–0.90), motivation to quit (IRRs = 0.65–0.85), and intrinsic reasons for quitting (IRRs = 0.96–0.98) predicted fewer cigarettes/day. Conversely, greater lifetime AD severity (IRR = 1.02), depression severity (IRRs = 1.05–1.07), impulsivity (IRRs = 1.01–1.03), weight-control expectancies (IRRs = 1.10–1.15), and childhood sexual abuse (IRRs = 1.03–1.07) predicted more cigarettes/day.ConclusionsSmokers with AD can achieve large reductions in smoking quantity during treatment, and factors that predict smoking outcomes in the general population also predict greater smoking reductions in AD smokers. Treatment providers can use severity of nicotine dependence and AD, motivation to quit, smoking-related cognitions, and severity of depression to guide treatment and improve outcomes among AD smokers.



https://ift.tt/2Kl0fBw

Organic cattle products: Authenticating production origin by analysis of serum mineral content

Publication date: 30 October 2018
Source:Food Chemistry, Volume 264
Author(s): Ruth Rodríguez-Bermúdez, Carlos Herrero-Latorre, Marta López-Alonso, David E. Losada, Roberto Iglesias, Marta Miranda
An authentication procedure for differentiating between organic and non-organic cattle production on the basis of analysis of serum samples has been developed. For this purpose, the concentrations of fourteen mineral elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) in 522 serum samples from cows (341 from organic farms and 181 from non-organic farms), determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, were used. The chemical information provided by serum analysis was employed to construct different pattern recognition classification models that predict the origin of each sample: organic or non-organic class. Among all classification procedures considered, the best results were obtained with the decision tree C5.0, Random Forest and AdaBoost neural networks, with hit levels close to 90% for both production types. The proposed method, involving analysis of serum samples, provided rapid, accurate in vivo classification of cattle according to organic and non-organic production type.



https://ift.tt/2IvuNmP

Monodisperse Zn-doped Fe3O4 formation and photo-Fenton activity for degradation of rhodamine B in water

Publication date: October 2018
Source:Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, Volume 121
Author(s): Huoshi Cen, Zhaodong Nan
Zn-doped Fe3O4 can be used as a catalyst in the photo-Fenton process to degrade dye molecules dissolved in water, in which cluster-shaped Zn-doped Fe3O4 (CSZnFe) was synthesized. To enhance the catalytic activity, monodisperse Zn-doped Fe3O4 (MZnFe) was facilely synthesized by a modified solvothermal method through replacement of sodium acetate by urea as a base. The particle size of MZnFe was about 9–16 nm. MZnFe exhibits a larger surface area and higher photo-Fenton catalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B in water than CSZnFe. Additionally, MZnFe exhibits high saturation magnetization (about 80 emu/g), which is very convenient for separation of MZnFe from solution by a magnet. The growth processes for MZnFe were proposed on the basis of results from in situ calorimetry and other techniques, which indicated different formation mechanisms for MZnFe and CSZnFe.

Graphical abstract

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The impact of seasonal varied human activity on characteristics and sources of heavy metals in metropolitan road dusts

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 637–638
Author(s): Cong Men, Ruimin Liu, Qingrui Wang, Lijia Guo, Zhenyao Shen
Due to significant human activity, road dust is becoming contaminated by heavy metals in many cities. To comprehensively investigate the variation of contamination level and sources of heavy metals in road dust, 10 heavy metals in road dust samples from Beijing, China, in both summer and winter, were evaluated by spatial analysis using geographic information system (GIS) mapping technology and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) Model. Although the concentrations of some heavy metals between summer and winter had similarities, the differences of others and spatial distributions of heavy metals between summer and winter were considerable. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Fe were lower in winter, while those of Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were higher. According to the values of the Pollution Index (PI) and Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI), there were no obvious differences between summer and winter, but the range between different sites in winter was nearly twice that of summer. Based on the PMF model, four sources of heavy metals in the dust samples were identified. Although the types of sources were consistent, the relative contributions of each source differed between summer and winter. Non-exhaust vehicle emissions was the most important source in summer (34.47 wt%), while fuel combustion contributed the largest proportion to the total heavy metals in winter (32.40 wt%). The impact of each source also showed spatial variation different trends in summer and winter. With the alteration of seasons, intensity of human activities also changed, such as the number of tourists, energy needs for building temperature regulation, construction, and the amount of pesticides and fertilizer. That might be the reason for the variation of heavy metal concentrations and relative contribution of their sources between summer and winter.

Graphical abstract

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Contamination of heavy metals and isotopic tracing of Pb in surface and profile soils in a polluted farmland from a typical karst area in southern China

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 637–638
Author(s): Jing Kong, Qingjun Guo, Rongfei Wei, Harald Strauss, Guangxu Zhu, Siliang Li, Zhaoliang Song, Tongbin Chen, Bo Song, Ting Zhou, Guodi Zheng
Farmland top soils and soil profiles situated in the karst area of Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China, reveal different degrees of heavy metal pollution, both in respect to the lateral as well as the vertical dimension. Pb isotope ratios clearly identify that heavy metal contributions to the soil represent the legacy of former Pb-Zn mining and smelting in the area. Depending upon soil properties, differences in the intensity of the vertical penetration of heavy metal pollution are discernible. Top soil coverage by local farmers provides little remediation. Consequently, hazardous conditions for the regional ecology, for agricultural usage and ultimately for human health remain in place. Based on chemical and isotopic results obtained, more effective remediation strategies need to be developed.

Graphical abstract

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Facile synthesis of mesoporous ZnO sheets assembled by small nanoparticles for enhanced NO2 sensing performance at room temperature

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Volume 270
Author(s): Ruosong Chen, Jing Wang, Lan Xiang
Here we demonstrate a facile synthesis of nanoparticle-assembled mesoporous ZnO sheets by calcination of a novel sheet-like δ-Zn(OH)2 precursor at low temperature (100 °C). The mesoporous ZnO sheets were assembled by ultrasmall ZnO nanoparticles with an average crystal size less than 10 nm, having a high specific surface area of 87.63 m² g⁻¹. The high specific surface area, rich mesopores and oxygen vacancies, and the small crystal size of the ZnO nanoparticles contributed to the good NO2 sensing performance of the sensors. The comparison study indicated that the mesoporous ZnO sheets assembled by the smallest nanoparticles exhibited the highest response to ppm level of NO2 at room temperature (the response to 1 ppm of NO2 was 135%). Moreover, the sensor exhibited high response/recovery rates, full reversibility and good selectivity to NO2. Based on the surface depletion model, the higher response of the mesoporous ZnO sheets assembled by the smaller nanoparticles was attributed to their more significant narrowing of the conduction channel upon exposure to NO2.



https://ift.tt/2IHs21w

Effects of heavy metal species, concentrations, and speciation on pentachlorophenol sorption by river biofilms

Abstract

The sorption of trace organic pollutants at solid/liquid interfaces is one of the most important processes that influence their fate and behaviours in the aquatic environment. Sorption is affected by coexisting contaminants. The process and extent to which coexisting heavy metals affect the sorption of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), especially acid radical anion heavy metals, are still unclear. Here, the effects of the species, concentrations, and speciation of the heavy metals Cu, Pb, and Cr, and the metalloid As on the sorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP), as a model OCP, by river biofilms were investigated through batch experiments. The results show that the presence of Cu, Pb, Cr, and As decreased the maximum sorption quantity of PCP onto the biofilms by 67.7, 9.2, 58.4, and 14.4%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of heavy metals on sorption decreased as the initial concentration ratios of heavy metals to PCP increased. In addition, the impact of heavy metals on PCP sorption was attributed to differences in heavy metal speciation. Cu and Pb commonly existed as divalent cations, but Cr and As existed as anionic acid radicals under the experimental conditions. The inhibitory effects of heavy metals on PCP sorption by biofilms were enhanced as the cation valence state increased, while the effects were weakened as the anionic acid radical valence state increased. Although all four heavy metals had inhibitory effects on PCP sorption by biofilms, there were distinct differences in the mechanisms causing these effects.

https://ift.tt/2KexA0P

Determinants of CO 2 emissions in the MERCOSUR: the role of economic growth, and renewable and non-renewable energy

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the impact of energy consumption (divided into renewable and non-renewable sources) and income on CO₂ emissions within the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) model for the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). To do so, the annual panel data collected during the 1990–2014 periods was used. The CO₂ variable, representing carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons per capita, was used as a proxy for the emission of pollutants. The annual data were obtained from the World Bank (World Development Indicators). The sample consisted of the five MERCOSUR member countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela, comprising a period of 25 consecutive years. The results showed that energy consumption from renewable sources had a negative impact on CO₂ emissions, while the energy consumption from non-renewable sources had a positive impact. The positive impact of economic development on CO₂ emissions was also seen. In addition, this study supports the validity of the EKC hypothesis for the MERCOSUR because GDP (real output) leads to environmental degradation while GDP² reduces the level of gas emissions.

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Remediation of arsenic-contaminated paddy soil by iron-modified biochar

Abstract

Arsenic contamination in paddy soils has aroused global concern due to its threats to food security and human health. Biochar modified with different iron materials was prepared for arsenic (As) immobilization in contaminated soils. Soil incubation experiments were carried to investigate the effects of biochar modified with Fe-oxyhydroxy sulfate (Biochar-FeOS), FeCl₃ (Biochar-FeCl₃), and zero-valent iron (Biochar-Fe) on the pH, NaHCO₃-extractable As concentrations, and the As fractions in soils. The scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that iron was successfully loaded onto the surface or embedded into the pores of the biochar. Addition of Biochar-FeOS, Biochar-FeCl₃, and Biochar-Fe had no significant effects on the soil pH but significantly decreased the contents of NaHCO₃-extractable As in soils by 13.95–30.35%, 10.97–28.39%, and 17.98–35.18%, respectively. Biochar-FeOS, Biochar-FeCl₃, and Biochar-Fe treatments decreased the concentrations of non-specifically sorbed and specifically sorbed As fractions in soils, and increased the amorphous and poorly crystalline, hydrated Fe, Al oxide-bound, and residual As fractions. Compared with the other iron-modified biochars, Biochar-FeOS showed the most effective immobilization and has the potential for the remediation of As-contaminated paddy soils.

https://ift.tt/2wzsxGn

Morphology-tunable tellurium nanomaterials produced by the tellurite-reducing bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. ZYM-1

Abstract

Although tellurite is highly toxic to organisms, elemental tellurium nanomaterials (TeNMs) have many uses. The microbe-mediated reduction of tellurite to Te(0) has been shown to be a green and cost-effective approach for turning waste into wealth. However, it is difficult to tune the morphology of biogenic nanomaterials. In this study, a series of experiments was conducted to investigate the factors influencing tellurite reduction by the tellurite-reducing bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. ZYM-1, including pH, tellurite concentration, temperature, and heavy metal ions. The optimal removal efficiency of tellurite was respectively achieved at pH 8, 0.5 mM tellurite, and 40 °C. All of the tested metal ions retarded the reduction of tellurite, especially Cd²⁺ and Co²⁺, which completely inhibited its reduction. Further characterization of the biogenic TeNMs indicated that their morphology could be tuned by the tellurite concentration, pH, temperature, and organic solvents used. Regular Te nanosheets were produced using 5 mM tellurite. The TeNMs were primarily synthesized in the cell membrane. Hexagonal Te nanoplates, nanorods, nanoflowers, and nanobranches were synthesized when combining membrane fractions with tellurite and NADH. The diverse morphologies are assumed to be induced by the synergy between the reduction kinetics and the protein structure. Therefore, this study confirmed that the bacterium can tune the morphology of TeNMs, broadening the potential application of biogenic TeNMs.

https://ift.tt/2rz3jD1

Controlling risks of P water pollution by sorption on soils, pyritic material, granitic material, and different by-products: effects of pH and incubation time

Abstract

Batch experiments were used to test P sorbent potential of soil samples, pyritic and granitic materials, mussel shell, mussel shell ash, sawdust, and slate waste fines for different pH and incubation times. Maximum P sorption varied in a wide range of pH: < 4 for pyritic material, 4–6 for forest soil, > 5 for slate fines, > 6 for shell ash, and pH 6–8 for mussel shell. P sorption was rapid (< 24 h) for forest soil, shell ash, pyritic material, and fine shell. On the opposite side, it was clearly slower for vineyard soil, granitic material, slate fines, pine sawdust, and coarse shell, with increased P sorption even 1 month later. For any incubation time, P sorption was > 90% in shell ash, whereas forest soil, pyritic material, and fine shell showed sorption rates approaching 100% within 24 h of incubation. These results could be useful to manage and/or recycle the sorbents tested when focusing on P immobilization or removal, in circumstances where pH changes and where contact time may vary from hours to days, thus aiding to diminish P pollution and subsequent eutrophication risks, promoting conservation and sustainability.

https://ift.tt/2wBR3Gz

Inhaltsverzeichnis

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Kontaktdermatitis durch Kräuter-Externa: Patch-Tests am besten mit Patientenprodukten

Perubalsam und Kompositenextrakte sind die häufigsten Auslöser von Kontaktdermatiden gegen pflanzliche Topika. In einer retrospektiven Analyse suchten belgische Dermatologen nach typischen Merkmalen allergischer Hautreaktionen gegen Kräutersalben.

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Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans

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Tipps: Formulare weg? Das ist zu tun!

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Normale Blutfette — aber überall Xanthome

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Köbner-Phänomen nach EKG

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Was tun bei antibiotikaresistenter Impetigo contagiosa?

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Malignes Melanom: Ein Drittel lebt nach zwei Jahren noch

Die neuen Melanomtherapeutika ermöglichen vielen Betroffenen eine relativ lange Überlebenszeit. Wie es mit den Überlebenszeiten unter klinischen Alltagsbedingungen aussieht, hat ein Team aus Deutschland geprüft.

https://ift.tt/2G7R4lj

Prävention: gezielte Kampagnen zum UV-Schutz gefordert

Junge Männer sowie Personen mit niedrigem Bildungsstand oder Migrationshintergrund gehen einer Studie zufolge besonders sorglos mit ihrer Haut um. Möglicherweise mangelt es diesen Gruppen an zielgerichteter Information zu den Folgen ausgiebiger Sonnenexposition.

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Haben Sie auch eine fachliche Frage?

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Einführung von Samstagsarbeit rechtens

Bei Verträgen, die zur Arbeit während der „praxisüblichen Sprechstundenzeiten" verpflichten, können Arztpraxen ihre Mitarbeiter im Falle geänderter Öffnungszeiten auch zum Samstagsdienst bestellen: Samstagsarbeit kann auch nach Arbeitsvertragsschluss betriebsüblich werden, hat nun das Landesarbeitsgericht Mainz entschieden.

https://ift.tt/2KU6i0G

Rezepte gestohlen? Schadenersatz droht!

Werden Rezepte und Stempel aus der Praxis geklaut, sind Schadenersatzansprüche gegen Ärzte durchaus möglich — vorausgesetzt, diese haben ihre Sorgfaltspflicht verletzt.

https://ift.tt/2KjmI1M

Kein Nachteil durch Wechsel zwischen Biosimilar und Originator

Die Sorge, bei Therapieumstellungen vom Originalbiologikum auf ein Nachahmerpräparat — und umgekehrt — könnten Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit leiden, ist für das Etanercept-Biosimilar GP2015 offenbar unbegründet.

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Am Unterarm entsteht ein knotiger Strang

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Seltsame Schwarzfärbungen am ganzen Körper

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Alopecia areata: Eine Autoimmunerkrankung kommt selten allein

Die Alopecia areata rangiert auf Platz drei der häufigsten Dermatosen im Kindesalter. Trotzdem weiß man derzeit wenig über Klinik und Epidemiologie. Neue Daten liefert nun eine Erhebung aus den USA. Diese besagt unter anderem, dass offenbar mehr Mädchen als Jungen erkranken.

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Medikamentöse Auswirkungen auf die männliche Fertilität

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Hohe UV-Belastung im Job verdoppelt Risiko für Plattenepithelkarzinome

Die berufliche UV-Exposition scheint weitaus mehr zum Risiko für Plattenepithelkarzinome beizutragen als die Exposition außerhalb des Arbeitslebens. Neuesten Untersuchungen zufolge könnte die UV-Exposition im Beruf sogar der Hauptrisikofaktor für die SCC-Entstehung sein. Darauf deutet eine Studie hin, an der acht deutsche Universitäten beteiligt waren.

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„Medizin für Menschen und nicht für Maschinen“

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Kachexie bei Tumorerkrankungen

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Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of 20C from Gastrodia elata via regulating autophagy in LPS-activated BV-2 cells through MAPKs and TLR4/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 99
Author(s): Qian-hang Shao, Xiao-ling Zhang, Ying Chen, Cheng-Gen Zhu, Jian-Gong Shi, Yu-he Yuan, Nai-hong Chen
20C, a novel bibenzyl compound, is isolated from Gastrodia elata. In our previous study, 20C showed protective effects on tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, rotenone-induced apoptosis and rotenone-induced oxidative damage. However, the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of 20C is still with limited acquaintance. The objective of this study was to confirm the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of 20C on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, 20C significantly attenuated the protein levels of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin (IL)-1β, and secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 cells. Moreover, 20C up-regulated the levels of autophagy-related proteins in LPS-activated BV-2 cells. The requirement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been well documented for regulating the process of autophagy. Both 20C and rapamycin enhanced autophagy by suppressing the phosphorylation of MAPKs signaling pathway. Furthermore, 20C treatment significantly inhibited the levels of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), phosphorylated-protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), indicating blocking TLR4/Akt/mTOR might be an underlying basis for the anti-inflammatory effect of 20C. These findings suggest that 20C has therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases in the future.



https://ift.tt/2KRTWGB

Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of 20C from Gastrodia elata via regulating autophagy in LPS-activated BV-2 cells through MAPKs and TLR4/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 99
Author(s): Qian-hang Shao, Xiao-ling Zhang, Ying Chen, Cheng-Gen Zhu, Jian-Gong Shi, Yu-he Yuan, Nai-hong Chen
20C, a novel bibenzyl compound, is isolated from Gastrodia elata. In our previous study, 20C showed protective effects on tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, rotenone-induced apoptosis and rotenone-induced oxidative damage. However, the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of 20C is still with limited acquaintance. The objective of this study was to confirm the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of 20C on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, 20C significantly attenuated the protein levels of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin (IL)-1β, and secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 cells. Moreover, 20C up-regulated the levels of autophagy-related proteins in LPS-activated BV-2 cells. The requirement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been well documented for regulating the process of autophagy. Both 20C and rapamycin enhanced autophagy by suppressing the phosphorylation of MAPKs signaling pathway. Furthermore, 20C treatment significantly inhibited the levels of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), phosphorylated-protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), indicating blocking TLR4/Akt/mTOR might be an underlying basis for the anti-inflammatory effect of 20C. These findings suggest that 20C has therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases in the future.



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Antigen presentation unfolded: identifying convergence points between the UPR and antigen presentation pathways

Fabiola Osorio | Bart N Lambrecht | Sophie Janssens

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Comments on: " Complementary and alternative therapies for restless legs syndrome: An evidence-based systematic review"

We read carefully the article by Xu et al [1] published in a recent issue of Sleep Medicine Reviews. The topic of the review is interesting and much work and effort was put in this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies for restless leg syndrome (RLS). The review included 18 Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), which include different outcomes measures such as International restless legs syndrome rating scale (IRLS), visual analogue scale (VAS), periodic leg movements index (PLMI), sleep disturbance, depression, and Quality of Life scales (QoL).

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Fisetin inhibits the generation of inflammatory mediators in interleukin-1β–induced human lung epithelial cells by suppressing the NF-κB and ERK1/2 pathways

Publication date: July 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 60
Author(s): Hui-Ling Peng, Wen-Chung Huang, Shu-Chen Cheng, Chian-Jiun Liou
Fisetin, a flavone that can be isolated from fruits and vegetables, has anti-tumor and anti-oxidative properties and ameliorates airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice. This study investigated whether fisetin can suppress the expression of inflammatory mediators and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in A549 human lung epithelial cells that were stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce inflammatory responses. A549 cells were treated with fisetin (3–30 μM) and then with IL-1β. Fisetin significantly inhibited COX-2 expression and reduced prostaglandin E2 production, and it suppressed the levels of IL-8, CCL5, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-6. Fisetin also significantly attenuated the expression of chemokine and inflammatory cytokine genes and decreased the expression of ICAM-1, which mediates THP-1 monocyte adhesion to inflammatory A549 cells. Fisetin decreased the translocation of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) subunit p65 into the nucleus and inhibited the phosphorylation of proteins in the ERK1/2 pathway. Co-treatment of IL-1β–stimulated A549 cells with ERK1/2 inhibitors plus fisetin reduced ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, fisetin significantly increased the effects of the protective antioxidant pathway by promoting the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 and heme oxygenase 1. Taken together, these data suggest that fisetin has anti-inflammatory effects and that it suppresses the expression of chemokines, inflammatory cytokines, and ICAM-1 by suppressing the NF-κB and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in IL-1β–stimulated human lung epithelial A549 cells.

Graphical abstract

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Orally administered brown seaweed-derived β-glucan effectively restrained development of gastric dysplasia in A4gnt KO mice that spontaneously develop gastric adenocarcinoma

Publication date: July 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 60
Author(s): Mark Joseph Desamero, Shigeru Kakuta, James Kenn Chambers, Kazuyuki Uchida, Satoshi Hachimura, Masaya Takamoto, Jun Nakayama, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Shigeru Kyuwa
β-Glucan refers to a heterogeneous group of chemically defined storage polysaccharides containing β-(1,3)-d-linked glucose polymers with branches connected by either β-(1,4) or β-(1,6) glycosidic linkage. To date, an extensive amount of scientific evidence supports their multifunctional biological activities, but their potential involvement in the progression of premalignant lesions remains to be clarified. A4gnt KO mice that lack α1,4-N-acetylglucosamine-capped O-glycans in gastric gland mucin are a unique animal model for gastric cancer because the mutant mice spontaneously develop gastric cancer through hyperplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. In particular, A4gnt KO mice show gastric dysplasia during 10–20 weeks of age. Here we investigated the putative gastro-protective activity of brown seaweed-derived β-glucan (Laminaran) against development of gastric dysplasia, precancerous lesion for gastric cancer in A4gnt KO mice. The mutant mice at 12 weeks of age were randomly assigned into three treatment groups namely, wildtype control + distilled water (normal control), A4gnt KO mice + distilled water (untreated control), and A4gnt KO mice + 100 mg/kg Laminaran. After 3 weeks, the stomach was removed and examined for morphology and gene expression patterns. In contrast to the untreated control group, administration of Laminaran substantially attenuated gastric dysplasia development and counterbalanced the increased induction in cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, Laminaran treatment effectively overcame the A4gnt KO-induced alteration in the gene expression profile of selected cytokines as revealed by real-time PCR analysis. Collectively, our present findings indicate that β-glucan can potentially restrain the development of gastric dysplasia to mediate their tissue-preserving activity.



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The new world of biosimilars in oncology: Translation of data to the clinic

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Hope S. Rugo, Javier Cortes




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Exceptional response to olaparib in BRCA2-altered urothelial carcinoma after PD-L1 inhibitor and chemotherapy failure

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Andrea Necchi, Daniele Raggi, Patrizia Giannatempo, Alessandra Alessi, Gianluca Serafini, Maurizio Colecchia, Siraj M. Ali, Jon H. Chung




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Letter comments on EJC published paper: ‘No overdiagnosis in the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program estimated by combining record linkage and questionnaire information in the Norwegian Women and Cancer study’

Publication date: Available online 11 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): Per Henrik Zahl




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Re: No overdiagnosis in the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program estimated by combining record linkage and questionnaire information in the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study

Publication date: Available online 11 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): Eiliv Lund, Aurelie Nakamura, Jean-Christophe Thalabard




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"Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi"[jour]; +17 new citations

17 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi"[jour]

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PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

https://ift.tt/2KiV1pw

Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery-Based Iliac Bone Flap Transfer for Reconstruction of Bony Defects

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1651489

Background The superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA)-based iliac bone flap has yet to be widely used. The purpose of this article is to validate the feasibility of SCIA-based iliac bone flap transfers for reconstruction of small to moderate-sized bony defects. Retrospective outcome comparisons between SCIA-based iliac bone flaps and fibula flaps were made. Methods Twenty-six patients with bony tissue defects underwent reconstructions using either free SCIA-based iliac bone flaps (13) or fibula flaps (13). Outcomes were evaluated 9 months after the reconstruction on the following basis: bone length, pedicle length, skin paddle area, bone union, donor-site complications, skin paddle survival, and complications at the reconstructed site. Results There was no statistically significant difference in pedicle length (iliac bone vs. fibula; 5.5 ± 1.8 vs. 4.1 ± 1.5 cm; p = 0.181), in bone union rate (iliac bone vs. fibula; 100 vs 92.3%; p = 0.308), in donor-site complication rate (iliac bone vs. fibula; 0 vs. 7.7%; p = 0.308), or in skin paddle complete survival rate (iliac bone vs. fibula; 100 vs. 83.3%; p = 0.125). Statistically significant differences were observed in bone flap length (iliac bone vs. fibula; 4.8 ± 2.2 vs. 11.1 ± 4.8 cm; p = 0.0005), in skin paddle area (superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap vs. peroneal artery perforator flap; 58.8 ± 35.6 vs. 27.7 ± 17.5 cm2; p = 0.0343), and in reconstructed site complication rate (iliac bone vs. fibula; 0 vs. 30.8%; p = 0.030). Conclusion In our series of SCIA-based iliac bone flap transfers, up to 8 × 3 cm could be procured along the iliac crest. When compared with fibula flap transfers, there were no significant statistical differences in pedicle length or in bone union rate; the SCIA-based iliac bone flap may be a feasible option for bony defects of small to moderate size.
[...]

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The Recipient Venule in Supermicrosurgical Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis: Flow Dynamic Classification and Correlation with Surgical Outcomes

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649518

Background Venules have been usually neglected in the literature on lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA). The aim of this study was to analyze the flow dynamic of recipient venules in LVA and their impact on the surgical outcomes. Patients and Methods Data from 128 patients affected by extremity lymphedema, who underwent LVA, were collected in two institutions from August 2014 to May 2016. Recipient venules were classified according to their flow dynamic into backflow, slack, and outlet (BSO classification). Quantitative (lower extremity lymphedema/upper extremity lymphedema index) and qualitative outcomes (needing of compression garment and compression garment class) were evaluated. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables and independent-samples t-test for continuous variables. The association between lymphatic collector degeneration status (normal, ectasis, contractile, sclerotic type [NECST]) and BSO classification with the outcomes was analyzed by the Mantel–Haenszel test. Results On a total of 128 patients, 37 suffered from upper and 91 from lower limb lymphedema. An average number of four LVA were performed for each patient (range: 2–8). A significant association was observed between NECST and BSO categories and the outcomes were evaluated. Patients with contractile and sclerotic collectors had 2.24 times the odd of having poor composite outcome compared with those with normal-to-ectasis collectors (p < 0.05). Patients with backflow venules had 3.32 times the odd of having poor composite outcome compared with those without outlet or slack pattern (p < 0.05). Conclusion The subtype of recipient venule flow dynamic has a significant impact on the surgical outcome of patients undergoing LVA for the treatment of lymphedema, regardless of the lymphatic collector degeneration status. Locating favorable venules in the preoperative mapping might enhance the surgical outcomes.
[...]

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Community structure and plant growth-promoting potential of cultivable bacteria isolated from Cameroon soil

Publication date: Available online 12 May 2018
Source:Microbiological Research
Author(s): Gylaine Vanissa Tchuisseu Tchakounté, Beatrice Berger, Sascha Patz, Fankem Henri, Silke Ruppel
Exploiting native plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Cameroonian agro-ecosystems provides a means to improve plant–microbe interactions that may enhance ecosystem sustainability and agricultural productivity in an environmentally eco-friendly way. Consequently, we aimed to investigate the community structure and functional PGPR diversity of maize grown in Cameroon. Native bacteria isolated from Cameroon maize rhizosphere soil were identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and screened for traits particularly relevant for Cameroon low-fertility soil conditions, such as their abilities to tolerate high concentrations of salt, and their plant growth- promoting potential. Genetic and functional diversity was characterized according to their phylogenetic affiliation. A total of 143 bacteria were identified and assigned to 3 phyla (Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria), 13 families and 20 genera. Bacillus (31.5%), Arthrobacter (17.5%), and Sinomonas (13.3%) were the most abundant genera identified among all the isolates. Based on their in vitro characterization, 88.1% were salt tolerant at 2% NaCl, but only 16.8% could tolerate 8% NaCl, 50.4% solubilized phosphate, 10.5% possessed the nifH gene, and 19.6% produced siderophores. Six isolates affiliated to the most abundant genera identified in this work, Bacillus and Arthrobacter, carrying multiple or only single tested traits were selected to evaluate their growth- promoting potential in an in vitro maize germination assay. Three strains possessing multiple traits induced significantly increased hypocotyl and root length, and improved the vigor index of maize seeds compared to non-inoculated control seeds. Our results indicate the potential of selected indigenous Cameroon rhizobacteria to enhance maize growth.



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Middle-ear disease in children with cleft palate

The objective of this review is to summarize all aspects of middle ear diseases in children with cleft palate (CP).

https://ift.tt/2IAzNXa

The impact of polymers on 3D microstructure and controlled release of sildenafil citrate from hydrophilic matrices

Publication date: 1 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 119
Author(s): Anna Krupa, Zbisław Tabor, Jacek Tarasiuk, Beata Strach, Krzysztof Pociecha, Elżbieta Wyska, Sebastian Wroński, Ewelina Łyszczarz, Renata Jachowicz
Sildenafil citrate has short biological half-life in humans. Thus, matrix tablets of controlled release were designed and prepared by compaction on the basis of hydrophilic polymers, i.e. HPMC, sodium alginate, carbomer, poloxamer and their mixtures. The impact of these polymers on sildenafil release in vitro and its pharmacokinetics in vivo was evaluated. Since drug release rate from hydrophilic matrices can be govern by the porosity of the matrix, the microstructure of tablets was studied using X-ray microcomputed tomography. 3D network of either open (percolating) or closed (non-percolating) pores was reconstructed. The tortuosity and the diameter of both kinds of pores were determined. Their spatial distribution within the matrix was analyzed in linear and radial direction. Polymer-dependent characteristics of the open pores (Ø > 2 μm) architecture was shown. The release profiles of sildenafil from matrix tablets fitted to Korsmeyer-Peppas model (r²: 0.9331–0.9993) with either Fickian diffusion or anomalous transport involved. Mean dissolution time (MDT) from tablets made of HPMC, carbomer or a mixture of HPMC and sodium alginate (2:1) was ca. 100 min, which was more than twelve times longer as compared to matrices prepared of silicified microcrystalline cellulose (MDT = 8 min). MDT correlated with the number of the open pores (Pearson's r = 0.94). Sustained release of sildenafil from ground carbomer tablets reflected in the slow absorption of the drug (tmax = 5.0 ± 1.2 h) in vivo and the relative bioavailability of 151%. Interestingly, the relative bioavailability of sildenafil from binary matrices composed of HPMC and sodium alginate (2:1) was almost four times higher than that of sildenafil alone.

Graphical abstract

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Molecular dynamics, physical and thermal stability of neat amorphous amlodipine besylate and in binary mixture

Publication date: 1 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 119
Author(s): K.P. Safna Hussan, Mohamed Shahin Thayyil, S.K. Deshpande, T.V. Jinitha, K. Manoj, K.L. Ngai
In this paper, a stable amorphous solid dispersion of an antihypertensive drug, amlodipine besylate (AMB) was prepared by entrapping it in a polymer matrix, polyvinyl pyrrollidone, in different weight ratios (AMB/PVP 05:95, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70). The glass forming ability of all binary dispersions were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry and found good correlation between experimental Tg and Fox Flory's prediction. By considering the daily dosage limit of 5 mg, a weight ratio of 05:95 was further considered for the study. The structures of neat and binary of AMB were characterized by density functional theory, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. Further, detailed molecular dynamics of both pure and binary were investigated using broadband dielectric spectroscopy to judge the physical stability of the amorphous dispersions. Translation-rotation coupling of AMB possibly explains the dual conductivity and dipolar nature of the secondary relaxation in neat AMB. Thus, the binary dispersion of AMB with commercially acceptable weight ratio with strong glass forming behaviour and better shelf life was prepared and characterized for practical applications.

Graphical abstract

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Editorial Board

Publication date: 1 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 119





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Drug permeability profiling using cell-free permeation tools: Overview and applications

Publication date: 1 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 119
Author(s): Philippe Berben, Annette Bauer-Brandl, Martin Brandl, Bernard Faller, Gøril Eide Flaten, Ann-Christin Jacobsen, Joachim Brouwers, Patrick Augustijns
Cell-free permeation systems are gaining interest in drug discovery and development as tools to obtain a reliable prediction of passive intestinal absorption without the disadvantages associated with cell- or tissue-based permeability profiling. Depending on the composition of the barrier, cell-free permeation systems are classified into two classes including (i) biomimetic barriers which are constructed from (phospho)lipids and (ii) non-biomimetic barriers containing dialysis membranes. This review provides an overview of the currently available cell-free permeation systems including Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA), Phospholipid Vesicle-based Permeation Assay (PVPA), Permeapad®, and artificial membrane based systems (e.g. the artificial membrane insert system (AMI-system)) in terms of their barrier composition as well as their predictive capacity in relation to well-characterized intestinal permeation systems. Given the potential loss of integrity of cell-based permeation barriers in the presence of food components or pharmaceutical excipients, the superior robustness of cell-free barriers makes them suitable for the combined dissolution/permeation evaluation of formulations. While cell-free permeation systems are mostly applied for exploring intestinal absorption, they can also be used to evaluate non-oral drug delivery by adjusting the composition of the membrane.

Graphical abstract

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Enhanced delivery of fixed-dose combination of synergistic antichagasic agents posaconazole-benznidazole based on amorphous solid dispersions

Publication date: 1 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 119
Author(s): Camila Bezerra Melo Figueirêdo, Daniela Nadvorny, Amanda Carla Quintas de Medeiros Vieira, Giovanna Christinne Rocha de Medeiros Schver, José Lamartine Soares Sobrinho, Pedro José Rolim Neto, Ping I. Lee, Monica Felts de La Roca Soares
Posaconazole (PCZ) and benznidazole (BNZ) are known to show synergetic effect in treating the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease, a neglected parasitic disease. However, as both compounds are poorly water soluble, the development of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of a PCZ/BNZ fixed-dose combination in a water-soluble polymer becomes an attractive option to increase their apparent solubility and dissolution rate, potentially improving their oral bioavailability. The initial approach was to explore solvent evaporated solid dispertion (SD) systems for a PCZ/BNZ 50:50 (wt%) combination at several total drug loading levels (from SD with 10% to 50% drug loading) in water-soluble carriers, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K-30) and vinylpyrrolidone–vinyl acetate copolymer (PVPVA 64). Based on comparison of non-sink in vitro dissolution performance, ASD systems based on PVPVA was identified as the most effective carrier for a 50:50 (w/w %) fixed-dose combination of PCZ/BNZ to increase their apparent solubility and dissolution rate, mainly at 10% drug loading, which shows more expressive values of area under the curve (AUC) (7336.04 ± 3.77 min.μL/mL for PCZ and 15,795.02 ± 7.29 min.μL/mL for BNZ). Further characterization with polarized microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis reveals that there exists a threshold drug loading level at about 30% PCZ/BNZ, below which ASDs are obtained and above which a certain degree of crystallinity tends to result. Moreover, infrared spectroscopic analysis reveals the lack of hydrogen bonding interactions between the drugs (PCZ and BNZ) and the polymer (PVPVA) in the ASD, this is also confirmed through molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular modeling results further show that even in the absence of meaningful hydrogen bonding interactions, there is a greater tendency for PVPVA to interact preferentially with PCZ and BNZ through electrostatic interactions thereby contributing to the stability of the system. Thus, the present SD system has the advantage of presenting a fixed-dese combination of two synergistic antichagasic agents PCZ and BNZ together in amorphous form stabilized in the PVPVA matrix with enhanced dissolution, potentially improving their bioavailability and therapeutic activity in treating Chagas disease.

Graphical abstract

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Functional Networks Reemerge During Recovery of Consciousness after Acute Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Publication date: Available online 12 May 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Zachary D. Threlkeld, Yelena G. Bodien, Eric S. Rosenthal, Joseph T. Giacino, Alfonso Nieto-Castanon, Ona Wu, Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, Brian L. Edlow
Integrity of the default mode network (DMN) is believed to be essential for human consciousness. However, the effects of acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) on DMN functional connectivity are poorly understood. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of DMN reemergence during recovery of consciousness have not been studied longitudinally in patients with acute severe TBI. We performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to measure DMN connectivity in 17 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute severe TBI and in 16 healthy control subjects. Eight patients returned for follow-up rs-fMRI and behavioral assessment six months post-injury. At each time point, we analyzed DMN connectivity by measuring intra-network correlations (i.e. positive correlations between DMN nodes) and inter-network anticorrelations (i.e. negative correlations between the DMN and other resting-state networks). All patients were comatose upon arrival to the ICU and had a disorder of consciousness (DoC) at the time of acute rs-fMRI (9.2 +/- 4.6 days post-injury): 2 coma, 4 unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, 7 minimally conscious state, and 4 post-traumatic confusional state. We found that, while DMN anticorrelations were absent in patients with acute DoC, patients who recovered from coma to a minimally conscious or confusional state while in the ICU showed partially preserved DMN correlations. Patients who remained in coma or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome in the ICU showed no DMN correlations. All eight patients assessed longitudinally recovered beyond the confusional state by 6 months post-injury and showed normal DMN correlations and anticorrelations, indistinguishable from those of healthy subjects. Collectively, these findings suggest that recovery of consciousness after acute severe TBI is associated with partial preservation of DMN correlations in the ICU, followed by long-term normalization of DMN correlations and anticorrelations. Both intra-network DMN correlations and inter-network DMN anticorrelations may be necessary for full recovery of consciousness after acute severe TBI.



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What is special about the human arcuate fasciculus? Lateralization, projections, and expansion

Publication date: Available online 12 May 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Nicole Eichert, Lennart Verhagen, Davide Folloni, Saad Jbabdi, Alexandre A. Khrapitchev, Nicola R. Sibson, Dante Mantini, Jerome Sallet, Rogier B. Mars
Evolutionary adaptations of the human brain are the basis for our unique abilities such as language. An expansion of the arcuate fasciculus (AF), the dorsal language tract, in the human lineage involving left lateralization is considered canonical, but this hypothesis has not been tested in relation to other architectural adaptations in the human brain. Using diffusion-weighted MRI, we examined AF in the human and macaque and quantified species differences in white matter architecture and surface representations. To compare surface results in the two species, we transformed macaque representations to human space using a landmark-based monkey-to-human cortical expansion model.We found that the human dorsal AF, but not the ventral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFO), is left-lateralized. In the monkey AF is not lateralized. Moreover, compared to the macaque, human AF is relatively increased with respect to IFO. A comparison of human and transformed macaque surface representations suggests that cortical expansion alone cannot account for the species differences in the surface representation of AF.Our results show that the human AF has undergone critical anatomical modifications in comparison with the macaque AF. More generally, this work demonstrates that studies on the human brain specializations underlying the language connectome can benefit from current methodological advances in comparative neuroanatomy.



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Comparative study on treatment of kitchen wastewater using a mixed microalgal culture and an aerobic bacterial culture: kinetic evaluation and FAME analysis

Abstract

Microalgae-based treatment systems have been successfully used for the polishing of domestic wastewater. Research is underway in studying the suitability of using these systems as main treatment units. This study focuses on comparing the performances of a mixed microalgal culture and an aerobic bacterial culture, based on the kinetic evaluation, in removing organic carbon from a kitchen wastewater. The two systems were operated at six different solid retention times (SRTs)—2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days in continuous mode. The influent and effluent samples were analyzed for chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), phosphates, and surfactants. Steady-state kinetics (k, K_s, Y, and k_d) for organic carbon removal were obtained by fitting experimental data in linearized Michaelis-Menten and Monod equations. The mixed microalgal system showed similar or better performance in COD and TN removal (88 and 85%, respectively) when compared with the COD and TN removal by the aerobic bacterial system (89 and 48%). A maximum lipid yield of 40% (w/w of dry biomass) was observed in the microalgal system. Saturated fatty acids accounted for 50% of the total observed FAME species. The study indicates that the mixed microalgal culture is capable of treating kitchen wastewater and has the potential to replace aerobic bacteria in biological treatment systems in certain cases.

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Immobilization of soil cadmium using combined amendments of illite/smectite clay with bone chars

Abstract

The widespread use of cadmium (Cd)-containing organic fertilizers is a source of heavy metal inputs to agricultural soils in suburban areas. Therefore, the research and development of new materials and technologies for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil is of great significance and has the potential to guarantee the safety of agricultural products and the protection of human health. We performed pot experiments to determine the potential of combined amendments of illite/smectite (I/S) clay with bone chars for the remediation of Cd-contaminated agricultural soils in a suburban area of Beijing, China. The results showed that both diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd in soil and the Cd in Brassica chinensis were significantly decreased by the application of 1, 2, or 5% combined amendments with various I/S and bone char (BC) ratios. The higher proportions of BC used in the combined amendments resulted in a better immobilization of soil Cd. The application of the 5% amendment that combined I/S with either pig or cattle BC resulted in the best immobilization. All of the combined amendments, regardless of the composition and ratio of the components, had no negative effects on the growth of B. chinensis. Therefore, it was concluded that combined amendments of I/S and BC have a good potential for remediating Cd-contaminated soils.

https://ift.tt/2IxnECr

Preparation and Cr(VI) removal performance of corncob activated carbon

Abstract

Corncob activated carbon (CCAC) was prepared by a H₃PO₄ activation method. The optimum conditions for the preparation of CCAC were determined by orthogonal experiments. The effects of pH, reaction time, CCAC dosage, and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) concentrations on Cr(VI) removal by CCAC were studied. Corn straw activated carbon (CSAC) was also prepared using the optimum preparation conditions determined for CCAC. The properties of samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the optimum preparation conditions for CCAC were as follows: a mass of corncob of 10 g; a mass ratio of corncob to H₃PO₄ of 1:2; a 5% H₃BO₃ content of 10 mL; an impregnation time of 45 min; a carbonization temperature of 500 °C. The optimum conditions for the removal of Cr(VI) were as follows: pH < 9; temperature, 308 K; rotation speed, 150 r min⁻¹; reaction time, 60 min; CCAC dosage, 1 g L⁻¹. The Cr(VI) removal rate was above 98%, and the maximum adsorption capacity of CCAC was 9.985 mg g⁻¹. The concentration of residual Cr(VI) in water was less than 0.05 mg L⁻¹. FTIR showed that the surfaces of the samples had more oxygen-containing functional groups, which promoted the adsorption. XRD showed that CCAC and CSAC had similar peaks and that these peaks promoted the adsorption of Cr(VI). BET indicated that the number of pores in the samples followed the order CCAC > CSAC > CAC. SEM showed that the CCAC surface had a more porous structure, which enhanced adsorption. EDS showed that the C contents of CCAC and CSAC were much higher than that of CAC. Cr(VI) adsorption on CCAC followed quasi-second-order kinetics and was in accordance with a Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with monolayer adsorption. The adsorption reaction was endothermic, where higher temperatures increased the degree of spontaneous reaction.

https://ift.tt/2wAHMyH

Converging cellular themes for the hereditary spastic paraplegias

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 51
Author(s): Craig Blackstone
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are neurologic disorders characterized by prominent lower-extremity spasticity, resulting from a length-dependent axonopathy of corticospinal upper motor neurons. They are among the most genetically-diverse neurologic disorders, with >80 distinct genetic loci and over 60 identified genes. Studies investigating the molecular pathogenesis underlying HSPs have emphasized the importance of converging cellular pathogenic themes in the most common forms of HSP, providing compelling targets for therapy. Most notably, these include organelle shaping and biogenesis as well as membrane and cargo trafficking.



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Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities integrated to chemical composition of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão - A conservationist proposal for the species

Publication date: 10 August 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 222
Author(s): W.R. Aguiar Galvão, R. Braz Filho, K.M. Canuto, P.R.V. Ribeiro, A.R. Campos, A.C.O.M. Moreira, S.O. Silva, F.A. Mesquita Filho, Santos S.A.A.R., J.M.A. Melo Junior, N.G.G. Gonçalves, S.G.C. Fonseca, M.A.M. Bandeira
Ethnopharmacological relevanceMyracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Aroeira-do-Sertão), Anacardiaceae, is one of the most used plants in folk medicine in Northeastern Brazil as an anti-inflammatory, healing and antiulcer. This species is threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic exploitation. The importance of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of a conservationist model of replacement of the M. urundeuva adult tree (inner bark) for its under developing plants (shoots) in order to ensure the preservation of this species, but also to ensure sufficient raw material for pharmaceutical purposes.Aim of the studyTo characterize chemically and assess the gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of the fluid extracts from M. urundeuva innebark (adult plant) as well as stem and leaves of shoots (young plant).Materials and methodsThe fluid extracts were prepared by maceration-percolation with hydroalcoholic solution according to the methodology described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. These extracts were cleaned-up through solid phase extraction (SPE) and chemically characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS). Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts (700 or 1000 mg/kg) were assessed on ethanol-induced gastric lesions and Croton oil-induced ear edema in rats, respectively. The extracts were evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro.ResultsThe UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis evidenced the presence of chalcones, flavonoids and tannins. Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities achieved with fluid extracts from the stems and leaves was similar to inner bark. The fluid extracts were not toxic.ConclusionIt is possible to replace the inner bark of the adult tree for the stems and leaves from the shoots as raw material to be used in the preparation of its the phytotherapeutics. Therefore, this finding may help in the implementation of public policies that ensure the conservation of the species along with its sustainable use for pharmaceutical purposes.

Graphical abstract

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Primary thyroid angiosarcoma: A systematic review

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 82
Author(s): F. De Felice, E. Moscatelli, S. Orelli, N. Bulzonetti, D. Musio, V. Tombolini
Thyroid angiosarcoma (TAS) is rare and represents a very aggressive malignancy. Its rarity is principally linked to two major pitfalls. Firstly, TAS histopathology diagnosis can be difficult; second, the limited clinical experience with this condition can make its management complex.We conducted a detailed systematic review, focusing on the knowledge available regarding TAS etiopathogenesis, treatment options and prognosis. The aim is to present the main TAS characteristics and to summarize the clinical experiences described worldwide, in order to provide a useful clinical tool.



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An unusual finding in a desmoid-type fibromatosis of the pancreas: a case report and review of the literature

Desmoid-type fibromatoses are rare benign and fibrous tumors that account for approximately 0.03% of total neoplasms. Within this category of neoplasms, pancreatic desmoid-type fibromatosis is an extremely rar...

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Second language learners who are at-risk for reading disabilities: A growth mixture model study

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 78
Author(s): Susanna S. Yeung
This one-year longitudinal study examined the developmental trajectories of English reading in Chinese children learning English as a second language (ESL) and identified cognitive profiles of children who are at risk for English reading disability. One hundred and eighty-four Chinese ESL children from eight Hong Kong kindergartens were measured four times during their last year of kindergarten for phonological awareness, letter knowledge, vocabulary and English word reading. Growth mixture modeling was applied to classify the children based on their growth trajectories in English word reading. Four subgroups of word reading growth were classified, namely high-achieving, fast-growth, slow-growth and low-achieving groups. The cognitive-linguistic skills were compared across different groups with age, non-verbal intelligence and receptive vocabulary in L1 controlled. The results showed that low-achieving groups, who were expected to be at-risk for L2 reading disability, showed deficits in letter-name knowledge, phonemic awareness, and receptive and expressive vocabulary. Fast-growth and high-achieving groups were not distinguishable on the measured cognitive-linguistic skills. Children in the low-growth groups were significantly weaker in phonemic awareness, receptive vocabulary and expressive vocabulary than children in the high-achieving group. Our findings identified specific cognitive-linguistic deficits that were associated with children who are at-risk for reading disability. Implications for the early identification of L2 reading disability were discussed.



https://ift.tt/2rE3f4R

Predicting airborne particle deposition by a modified Markov chain model for fast estimation of potential contaminant spread

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 185
Author(s): Xiong Mei, Guangcai Gong
As potential carriers of hazardous pollutants, airborne particles may deposit onto surfaces due to gravitational settling. A modified Markov chain model to predict gravity induced particle dispersion and deposition is proposed in the paper. The gravity force is considered as a dominant weighting factor to adjust the State Transfer Matrix, which represents the probabilities of the change of particle spatial distributions between consecutive time steps within an enclosure. The model performance has been further validated by particle deposition in a ventilation chamber and a horizontal turbulent duct flow in pre-existing literatures. Both the proportion of deposited particles and the dimensionless deposition velocity are adopted to characterize the validation results. Comparisons between our simulated results and the experimental data from literatures show reasonable accuracy. Moreover, it is also found that the dimensionless deposition velocity can be remarkably influenced by particle size and stream-wise velocity in a typical horizontal flow. This study indicates that the proposed model can predict the gravity-dominated airborne particle deposition with reasonable accuracy and acceptable computing time.



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Editorial Board

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 184





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Green synthesis of palm oil mill effluent-based graphenic adsorbent for the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater

Abstract

Textile wastewater contains methylene blue (MB), a major coloring agent in textile industry. Activated carbon (AC) is the most widely used adsorbent in removing dyes from industrial wastewater. However, high production cost of AC is the major obstacle for its wide application in dye wastewater treatment. In this study, a sustainable approach in synthesizing graphenic adsorbent from palm oil mill effluent (POME), a potential carbonaceous source, has been explored. This new development in adsorption technique is considered as green synthesis as it does not require any binder during the synthesis process, and at the same time, it helps to solve the bottleneck of palm oil industry as POME is the main cause contributed to Malaysia's water pollution problem. The synthesized GSC was characterized through XRD, FESEM, and EDX. The adsorption performance of the synthesized GSC was evaluated by adsorption of MB. The effect of initial concentration of synthetic MB solution (1–20 mg/L) and weight of GSC (5–20 g) were investigated. A remarkable change in color of synthetic MB solution from blue to crystal clear was observed at the end of adsorption study. High efficiency of the synthesized GSC for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment is concluded.

https://ift.tt/2rAU7y4

Effects of multi-component co-addition on reaction characteristics and impact damage properties of reactive material

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Song Zhang, Jinxu Liu, Min Yang, Liu Wang, Jia Lan, Shukui Li, Chuan He, Xinying Xue
Reaction energy, reaction rate, and extent of reaction were the influencing factors of the damage effect of reactive materials. To improve the destructive effects of the reactive material, we systematically studied the influence of multi-component co-addition on the material properties. Reaction energy, burning speed, specific volume of explosive, and reaction processes under high-speed impact of the two kinds of reactive materials (50W-35PTFE-15Al and 50W-35PTFE-10Al-5Mg) were investigated. Furthermore, we fabricated incendiary bullets with the reactive material core and tested their damage effect. The results showed that the addition of the Mg increased the reaction heat in oxygen atmosphere. Meanwhile, we observed that the addition of Mg accelerated the reaction rate of the reactive material over different experimental conditions, including the combustion of natural stacking powder and the deflagration of dense bulk material under high-speed impact. Moreover, under the impact loading, the extent of reaction was improved significantly by Mg addition. Even though the smaller explosive specific volume of the 50W-35PTFE-10Al-5Mg, an obviously improved destruction were caused by the 50W-35PTFE-10Al-5Mg incendiary due to the sufficient reaction.

Graphical abstract

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Characterization of cold-rolled heterogeneous microstructure formed by multimodal deformation in an Fe-Ni-Al-C alloy with lattice softening

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Tadahiko Furuta, Izuru Miyazaki, Keiichiro Oh-ishi, Shigeru Kuramoto, Akinobu Shibata, Nobihiro Tsuji
A heterogeneous microstructure in cold-rolled Fe-24.1Ni-4.06Al-0.43C with lattice softening, where C′ = (C11 − C12) / 2 is significantly reduced, was investigated through hierarchical analysis from the macroscale to nanoscale to determine the origin of the ultrahigh-strength and large ductility of the alloy. Microstructural analysis revealed that the heterogeneous microstructure in the developed Fe-based alloy exhibited a mixture of four kinds of morphology, formed through different deformation processes activated by the specific phase stability with lattice softening which arises at the limit of phase stability of austenite (fcc) phase. In addition to the reduced C′, the alloy is also characterized by the lowered stacking fault energy (SFE) and decreased the austenite-to-martensite (Ms) transformation temperature down to ambient temperature. These results suggest that both deformation twinning and stress-induced martensitic transformation are activated simultaneously or successively, in addition to dislocation glide, during cold rolling in the present alloy. On the basis of microstructural and mechanical characterization of the cold-rolled specimen, it is reasonable to conclude that the work-hardening induced by cold rolling activates a multimodal deformation mechanism which suppresses the premature failure during plastic deformation at ultrahigh-strength.

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Microstructure and phase constitution in the bonding zone of explosively welded tantalum and stainless steel sheets

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): H. Paul, M.M. Miszczyk, R. Chulist, M. Prażmowski, J. Morgiel, A. Gałka, M. Faryna, F. Brisset
Microstructure and phase constitution in the bonding zone of tantalum and stainless steel explosively welded clads were examined by transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy as well as synchrotron radiation. The macroscale analyses showed that the interface between joined plates were deformed to a wave-shape with solidified melt inclusions located preferentially at the crest of the wave and in the wave vortexes. The micro- and nanoscale analyses revealed a very thin reaction layer at the flat parts of the joint plates. The microstructure and phase distribution of the solidified melt strongly depend on the localization. The melted zones locked inside the wave vortexes predominantly show a uniform chemical composition, whereas those situated at the wave crest a non-uniform phase distribution. TEM investigations of the solidified melt zones unveiled amorphous and nanocrystalline phases of different chemical composition incorporating elements from the joined plates. The parent plates appear to be affected by explosive welding exhibiting a strong increase of dislocation density near the joint. Close to the thicker pockets of the solidified melt recovery and recrystallization processes were observed.

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Enhanced microwave electromagnetic properties of core/shell/shell-structured Ni/SiO2/polyaniline hexagonal nanoflake composites with preferred magnetization and polarization orientations

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Jiaheng Wang, Siu Wing Or, Jun Tan
Core/shell/shell-structured Ni/SiO2/polyaniline hexagonal nanoflakes possessing in-plane [111] easy magnetization (M) and out-of-plane interfacial polarization (P) are synthesized by a three-step liquid chemical method, and their physicochemical properties and growth mechanism are investigated. Three characteristic types of paraffin-bonded ring-shaped nanoflake composites having random (R), vertical–horizontal (V–H), and horizontal–vertical (H–V) orientations of the orthogonal M and P to their two major surfaces are prepared by randomly, vertically, and horizontally aligning the nanoflakes in the paraffin matrix under a magnetic alignment and thermal curing process. The composites are evaluated experimentally and theoretically in the L–Ku (1–18 GHz) bands of microwaves in order to investigate the orientation effect of the orthogonal M and P on their microwave electromagnetic properties. The in-plane M in the H–V-oriented composite and the out-of-plane P in the V–H-oriented composite, which are parallel to the effective magnetic and electric field vectors of incident microwaves, result in a significant enhancement in permeability with multiple magnetic natural resonances and an obvious improvement in permittivity in comparison with other composites, respectively. The observations agree with the theoretical predictions based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation and Bruggeman's effective medium theory for permeability and the Debye's polarization theory for permittivity. As a result, the H–V-oriented composite achieves the best microwave electromagnetic impedance matching and absorption with a broad absorbing bandwidth of 4 GHz, a wide thickness range of 7–10 mm, and a minimal reflection loss of −41.5 dB in the Ku (12–18 GHz) band.

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An extra-long-life supercapacitor based on NiO/C&S composite by decomposition of Ni-based coordination complex

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Fa-Nian Shi, Jun Jiang, Hongping Xiao, Xinhua Li
Single-material electrodes do not satisfy the demands of high-performance supercapacitors. To exploit the advantages of both oxides and carbon-based materials, a tightly packed NiO/C&S nanocomposite is fabricated by sintering a Ni-based coordination complex precursor at 450 °C. The composites and basic components are characterized using various techniques, namely, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area analysis, and elemental analysis. The electrochemical performance is analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry. A uniform nanocomposite was found to be formed of NiO nanoparticles, incompletely carbonized C, and incompletely vulcanized S. When used as supercapacitor electrodes, the synthesized composites show extra-long cycling stability (>5000 cycles) during the charge/discharge process. This improvement in the cycle life of the composites is attributed to its highly stable structure. The roles of C and S in forming a stable structure are investigated. The results show that a supercapacitor with electrodes made from the as-prepared NiO/C&S composite will be promising for commercial applications.

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On the machining of selective laser melting CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Jiang Guo, Minhao Goh, Zhiguang Zhu, Xiaohua Lee, Mui Ling Sharon Nai, Jun Wei
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted significant attention due to its superior low temperature mechanical properties. Recently, with the success of 3D additive manufacturing (AM) of CoCrFeMnNi HEA by selective laser melting (SLM), the fabrication of complex components in one step became possible. However, due to the low surface quality, post-machining is necessary. Up to date, there is no study that comprehensively reported the machinability of SLM CoCrFeMnNi HEA. Hence, this research presents a pioneer work on the machinability study of SLM CoCrFeMnNi HEA by commonly used mechanical, thermal and electro chemical machining processes. The surface and subsurface quality generated by different machining processes were quantitatively evaluated from the aspects of surface morphology and roughness, microhardness, residual stress and subsurface quality. The results show that milling and grinding smoothed the surface, enhanced surface microhardness but induced tool marks and compressed residual stresses. Wire EDM flattened the surface but caused a heat melt layer resulting in the increase of the tensile residual stress and surface microhardness. EP released the residual stress and with the combination of mechanical and electrical processes, smoother surfaces were obtained and subsurface damages were removed. A super smooth surface without subsurface damages was achieved by mechanical polishing.

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Incipient plasticity and surface damage in LiTaO3 and LiNbO3 single crystals

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): M. Gruber, A. Leitner, D. Kiener, P. Supancic, R. Bermejo
The outstanding functional properties of single crystals used in many engineering applications often rely on their surface quality. The associated grinding process in single crystals is known to introduce surface or sub-surface defects (cracks), which may compromise the functionality and/or structural integrity of the final device. The small size of such defects often yields relatively high strength values, but also usually large scatter which implies low reliability. The aim of this work is to analyze the onset of surface contact damage in single crystals with respect to crystal orientation and elastic properties. LiTaO3 and LiNbO3 anisotropic single crystal samples are investigated using nanoindentation techniques and focused ion beam based sub-surface analyses. Experimental findings show that the onset of damage is correlated to weaker cleavage planes. At this stage also traces of plastic deformation on the contact surface due to twinning are observed. Further load increase revealed contact cracks in both materials; their morphology and extension being related to the orientation of the cleavage planes and elastic properties of the crystals. Our results advance the understanding of damage in anisotropic materials such as LiTaO3 and LiNbO3, and can generally be utilized to assess the onset of damage in other brittle materials.

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Tunable twin stability and an accurate magnesium interatomic potential for dislocation-twin interactions

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Zongrui Pei, Howard Sheng, Xie Zhang, Rui Li, Bob Svendsen
We showed that there are two variants of twin boundaries for each twin system in hexagonal close-packed materials in our previous study. In this work we further demonstrate that the mechanical stability of these two twin variants in Mg are controlled by their energies and theoretically tunable. In the second part of this work, we continue to incorporate this information of twin boundaries into a newly developed embedded-atom-method (EAM) potential for pure Mg. In addition to twins, the other important information of dislocations and stacking faults is also included, which renders our potential among one of the rare comprehensively optimized ones. Therefore our potential is supposed to be able to accurately capture the physics of not only single defect but also defect-defect interactions. The defect-defect interactions have not been adequately addressed, since modeling their long-range force fields based on density functional theory is computationally too expensive. The new potential will supply new momentum to the study of defect-defect (such as twin-dislocation) interactions and the defect-controlled mechanical properties in Mg. Our study therefore sheds light on the design of novel Mg alloys with optimized mechanical properties.

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Manufacturing process and mechanical properties of a novel periodic cellular metal with closed cubic structure

Publication date: 5 September 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 153
Author(s): Qiyang Zuo, Kai He, He Mao, Xiaobing Dang, Ruxu Du
Cellular metal is an ideal energy absorbing material which is extensively used in passive safety area. This paper investigates the manufacturing process and mechanical properties of a novel periodic cellular metal with three-dimensional closed cubic structure. The manufacturing process of this kind of cellular metal is unconventional because it is obtained initially by sheet metal forming, and then by cells bonding. In this work, two methods including gluing and laser welding are introduced for bonding the cells. By the gluing method, various cellular metals with irregular/regular topological cellular structures can be automatically manufactured via an innovative device which is originally put forward in this work. By contrast, the laser welding method is more suitable for fabricating the cuboid cellular metal blocks. Meanwhile, the cellular metal fabricated by laser welding comparing with by adhesive owns better mechanical performance because there are not any heterogeneous layers between the cells. In order to investigate the mechanical properties of the cellular metal fabricated by laser welding, a series of quasi-static compressive and drop weight impact experiments were carried out. The experimental results demonstrate that the presented cellular metal possesses a sound energy absorbing performance and a great potential used for passive safety.

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Robust, Transient Neural Dynamics during Conscious Perception

Publication date: Available online 12 May 2018
Source:Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Author(s): Biyu J. He
While neuroscientific research on perceptual awareness has traditionally focused on the spatial and temporal localizations of neural activity underlying conscious processing, recent development suggests that the dynamic characteristics of spatiotemporally distributed neural activity contain important clues about the neural computational mechanisms underlying conscious processing. Here, we summarize recent progress.



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A gyral coordinate system predictive of fibre orientations

Publication date: 1 August 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 176
Author(s): Michiel Cottaar, Matteo Bastiani, Charles Chen, Krikor Dikranian, David Van Essen, Timothy E. Behrens, Stamatios N. Sotiropoulos, Saad Jbabdi
When axonal fibres approach or leave the cortex, their trajectories tend to closely follow the cortical convolutions. To quantify this tendency, we propose a three-dimensional coordinate system based on the gyral geometry. For every voxel in the brain, we define a "radial" axis orthogonal to nearby surfaces, a "sulcal" axis along the sulcal depth gradient that preferentially points from deep white matter to the gyral crown, and a "gyral" axis aligned with the long axis of the gyrus.When compared with high-resolution, in-vivo diffusion MRI data from the Human Connectome Project, we find that in superficial white matter the apparent diffusion coefficient (at b = 1000) along the sulcal axis is on average 16% larger than along the gyral axis and twice as large as along the radial axis. This is reflected in the vast majority of observed fibre orientations lying close to the tangential plane (median angular offset < 7°), with the dominant fibre orientation typically aligning with the sulcal axis.In cortical grey matter, fibre orientations transition to a predominantly radial orientation. We quantify the width and location of this transition and find strong reproducibility in test-retest data, but also a clear dependence on the resolution of the diffusion data. The ratio of radial to tangential diffusion is fairly constant throughout most of the cortex, except for a decrease of the diffusivitiy ratio in the sulcal fundi and the primary somatosensory cortex (Brodmann area 3) and an increase in the primary motor cortex (Brodmann area 4).Although only constrained by cortical folds, the proposed gyral coordinate system provides a simple and intuitive representation of white and grey matter fibre orientations near the cortex, and may be useful for future studies of white matter development and organisation.



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Brain extraction from normal and pathological images: A joint PCA/Image-Reconstruction approach

Publication date: 1 August 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 176
Author(s): Xu Han, Roland Kwitt, Stephen Aylward, Spyridon Bakas, Bjoern Menze, Alexander Asturias, Paul Vespa, John Van Horn, Marc Niethammer
Brain extraction from 3D medical images is a common pre-processing step. A variety of approaches exist, but they are frequently only designed to perform brain extraction from images without strong pathologies. Extracting the brain from images exhibiting strong pathologies, for example, the presence of a brain tumor or of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), is challenging. In such cases, tissue appearance may substantially deviate from normal tissue appearance and hence violates algorithmic assumptions for standard approaches to brain extraction; consequently, the brain may not be correctly extracted.This paper proposes a brain extraction approach which can explicitly account for pathologies by jointly modeling normal tissue appearance and pathologies. Specifically, our model uses a three-part image decomposition: (1) normal tissue appearance is captured by principal component analysis (PCA), (2) pathologies are captured via a total variation term, and (3) the skull and surrounding tissue is captured by a sparsity term. Due to its convexity, the resulting decomposition model allows for efficient optimization. Decomposition and image registration steps are alternated to allow statistical modeling of normal tissue appearance in a fixed atlas coordinate system. As a beneficial side effect, the decomposition model allows for the identification of potentially pathological areas and the reconstruction of a quasi-normal image in atlas space.We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on four datasets: the publicly available IBSR and LPBA40 datasets which show normal image appearance, the BRATS dataset containing images with brain tumors, and a dataset containing clinical TBI images. We compare the performance with other popular brain extraction models: ROBEX, BEaST, MASS, BET, BSE and a recently proposed deep learning approach. Our model performs better than these competing approaches on all four datasets. Specifically, our model achieves the best median (97.11) and mean (96.88) Dice scores over all datasets. The two best performing competitors, ROBEX and MASS, achieve scores of 96.23/95.62 and 96.67/94.25 respectively. Hence, our approach is an effective method for high quality brain extraction for a wide variety of images.



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The Persian version of auditory word discrimination test (P-AWDT) for children: Development, validity, and reliability

Publication date: July 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 110
Author(s): Nassim Hashemi, Ali Ghorbani, Zahra Soleymani, Mohmmad Kamali, Zohreh Ziatabar Ahmadi, Saeid Mahmoudian
ObjectiveAuditory discrimination of speech sounds is an important perceptual ability and a precursor to the acquisition of language. Auditory information is at least partially necessary for the acquisition and organization of phonological rules. There are few standardized behavioral tests to evaluate phonemic distinctive features in children with or without speech and language disorders. The main objective of the present study was the development, validity, and reliability of the Persian version of auditory word discrimination test (P-AWDT) for 4-8-year-old children.MethodsA total of 120 typical children and 40 children with speech sound disorder (SSD) participated in the present study. The test comprised of 160 monosyllabic paired-words distributed in the Forms A-1 and the Form A-2 for the initial consonants (80 words) and the Forms B-1 and the Form B-2 for the final consonants (80 words). Moreover, the discrimination of vowels was randomly included in all forms. Content validity was calculated and 50 children repeated the test twice with two weeks of interval (test–retest reliability). Further analysis was also implemented including validity, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency), age groups, and gender.ResultsThe content validity index (CVI) and the test-retest reliability of the P-AWDT were achieved 63%–86% and 81%-96%, respectively. Moreover, the total Cronbach's alpha for the internal consistency was estimated relatively high (0.93). Comparison of the mean scores of the P-AWDT in the typical children and the children with SSD revealed a significant difference. The results revealed that the group with SSD had greater severity of deficit than the typical group in auditory word discrimination. In addition, the difference between the age groups was statistically significant, especially in 4–4.11-year-old children. The performance of the two gender groups was relatively same.ConclusionThe comparison of the P-AWDT scores between the typical children and the children with SSD demonstrated differences in the capabilities of auditory phonological discrimination in both initial and final positions. It supposed that the P-AWDT meets the appropriate validity and reliability criteria. The P-AWDT test can be utilized to measure the distinctive features of phonemes, the auditory discrimination of initial and final consonants and middle vowels of words in 4-8-year-old typical children and children with SSD.



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Tonsillar antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression profiles of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis (PFAPA) patients

Publication date: July 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 110
Author(s): Umut Gazi, Martha Emmanuel Agada, Hanife Ozkayalar, Ceyhun Dalkan, Burcin Sanlidag, Mustafa Asım Safak, Gamze Mocan, Nerin Onder Bahceciler
IntroductionPFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis) is the most frequent non-infectious cause of high fever observed among the European child population. While its cause is still not yet fully identified, PFAPA patients were previously shown to have altered tonsillar microbiome composition. Our study hypothesized that this is associated with a change in antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression levels, as in the case of Crohn's disease which is another autoinflammatory disorder.Methods and materialsThe tonsil specimens were isolated from seven patients with PFAPA syndrome, and six patients with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GAβHS) recurrent tonsillitis. Tonsillar expression levels of human beta-defensin 1-2, cathelicidin, ribonuclease-7, and liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-1 were monitored by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Expression levels were scored using semi-quantitative analysis method and were statistically analyzed by Two-Way Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance test.ResultsOur results showed no significant difference in AMP expression levels between PFAPA and GAβHS patients. Immunolocalization of human beta-defensin 1 was different between the two groups; expressed at higher levels on tonsil surface epithelium (SE) than lymphoid interior (LI) in PFAPA patient group, while this was not evident in GAβHS patients group.ConclusionsOur results suggest that, PFAPA patients may be associated with altered AMP expression as in other autoinflammatory diseases. Future studies with subjects without any inflammatory condition are required for more precise conclusions.



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Glycolysis inhibition as a strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment?

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Glycolysis inhibition as a strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment?

Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2018 Apr 30;:

Authors: Alves A, Mamede AC, Alves M, Oliveira PF, Rocha SM, Botelho F, Maia CJ

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequently detected primary malignant liver tumor, representing a worldwide public health problem due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. The HCC is commonly detected in advanced stage, precluding the use of treatments with curative intent. For this reason, it is crucial to find effective therapies for HCC. Cancer cells have a high dependence of glycolysis for ATP production, especially under hypoxic environment. Such dependence provides a reliable possible strategy to specifically target cancer cells based on the inhibition of glycolysis. HCC, such as other cancer types, presents a clinical well-known upregulation of several glycolytic key enzymes and proteins, including glucose transporters particularly glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Such enzymes and proteins constitute potential targets for therapy. Indeed, for some of these targets, several inhibitors were already reported, such as 2-Deoxyglucose, Imatinib or Flavonoids. Although the inhibition of glycolysis presents a great potential for an anticancer therapy, the development of glycolytic inhibitors as a new class of anticancer agents needs to be more explored. Herein, we propose to summarize, discuss and present an overview on the different approaches to inhibit the glycolytic metabolism in cancer cells, which may be very effective in the treatment of HCC.

PMID: 29749314 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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"Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi"[jour]; +17 new citations

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Interplay between metalloproteinases and cell signalling in blood brain barrier integrity.

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Interplay between metalloproteinases and cell signalling in blood brain barrier integrity.

Histol Histopathol. 2018 May 11;:18003

Authors: Pla-Navarro I, Bevan D, Hajihosseini MK, Lee M, Gavrilovic J

Abstract
The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is a highly specialised interface separating the Central Nervous System (CNS) from circulating blood. Dysregulation of the BBB is a key early event in pathological conditions such as inflammation, in which the entry of activated leukocytes into the CNS is facilitated by BBB breakdown. The metzincin family of metalloproteinases (MPs) is one of the major contributors to BBB permeability as they cleave endothelial cell-cell contacts and underlying basal lamina components. However, the mechanisms by which MPs regulate BBB integrity has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of pathways by which MPs could regulate the BBB in the context of neuroinflammation.

PMID: 29749591 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Preoperative embolization of skull base meningiomas: Outcomes in the Onyx era.

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Preoperative embolization of skull base meningiomas: Outcomes in the Onyx era.

World Neurosurg. 2018 May 08;:

Authors: Przybylowski CJ, Baranoski JF, See AP, Flores BC, Almefty RO, Ding D, Chapple KM, Sanai N, Ducruet AF, Albuquerque FC

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Preoperative embolization may facilitate skull base meningioma resection, but its safety and efficacy in the Onyx era have not been investigated. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the outcomes of preoperative embolization of skull base meningiomas using Onyx as the primary embolysate.
METHODS: We queried an endovascular database for patients with skull base meningiomas who underwent preoperative embolization at our institution in 2007-2017. Patient, tumor, procedure, and outcome data were analyzed.
RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (28 meningiomas) underwent successful preoperative meningioma embolization. The mean (±SD) patient age was 56 (±13) years, and 18 patients (64%) were women. The mean tumor size was 49 cm3. One, 2, or 3 arterial pedicles were embolized in 21 (75%), 6 (21%), and 1 (4%) case, respectively. The embolized pedicles included branches of the middle meningeal artery in 19 cases (68%), the internal maxillary artery in 8 (29%), the ascending pharyngeal artery in 2 (7%), and posterior auricular, ophthalmic, occipital, and anterior cerebral arteries in 1 each (4%). The embolysates used were Onyx alone in 20 cases (71%), NBCA alone in 3 (11%), coils+particles and Onyx/NBCA in 2 each (7%), and Onyx+coils in 1 (4%). The median degree of tumor devascularization was 60%. Significant neurological morbidity was incurred by 1 patient (4%) who developed symptomatic peritumoral edema after Onyx embolization.
CONCLUSION: For appropriately selected skull base meningiomas supplied by dura mater-based arterial pedicles without distal cranial nerve supply, preoperative embolization with current embolysate technology affords substantial tumor devascularization with a low complication rate.

PMID: 29751190 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Endoscopic Endonasal Transclival Approach to the Ventral Brainstem: Anatomic Study of the Safe Entry Zones Combining Fiber Dissection Technique with 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Guided Neuronavigation.

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Endoscopic Endonasal Transclival Approach to the Ventral Brainstem: Anatomic Study of the Safe Entry Zones Combining Fiber Dissection Technique with 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Guided Neuronavigation.

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2018 May 10;:

Authors: Weiss A, Perrini P, De Notaris M, Soria G, Carlos A, Castagna M, Lutzemberger L, Santonocito OS, Catapano G, Kassam A, Galino AP

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Treatment of intrinsic lesions of the ventral brainstem is a surgical challenge that requires complex skull base antero- and posterolateral approaches. More recently, endoscopic endonasal transclival approach (EETA) has been reported in the treatment of selected ventral brainstem lesions.
OBJECTIVE: In this study we explored the endoscopic ventral brainstem anatomy with the aim to describe the degree of exposure of the ventral safe entry zones. In addition, we used a newly developed method combining traditional white matter dissection with high-resolution 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the same specimen coregistered using a neuronavigation system.
METHODS: Eight fresh-frozen latex-injected cadaver heads underwent EETA. Additional 8 formalin-fixed brainstems were dissected using Klingler technique guided by ultra-high resolution MRI.
RESULTS: The EETA allows a wide exposure of different safe entry zones located on the ventral brainstem: the exposure of perioculomotor zone requires pituitary transposition and can be hindered by superior cerebellar artery. The peritrigeminal zone was barely visible and its exposure required an extradural anterior petrosectomy. The anterolateral sulcus of the medulla was visible in most of specimens, although its close relationship with the corticospinal tract makes it suboptimal as an entry point for intrinsic lesions. In all cases, the use of 7T-MRI allowed the identification of tiny fiber bundles, improving the quality of the dissection.
CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of the ventral brainstem with EETA requires mastering surgical maneuvers, including pituitary transposition and extradural petrosectomy. The correlation of fiber dissection with 7T-MRI neuronavigation significantly improves the understanding of the brainstem anatomy.

PMID: 29750275 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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