Brainstem infarct after Le Fort I osteotomy: A morbid complication

With the evolution of advanced surgical skills, the Le Fort I osteotomy is commonly used to correct maxillofacial deformities, and the complications are well described, the most serious and life-threatening of which involve operative injury to the nerves and vital blood vessels.1–3 Iatrogenic injury to blood vessels may lead to massive blood loss and result in ischaemia of vital structures of the brain. We would like to report a brainstem stroke, a rare, unpreventable complication encountered during such a procedure.

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Role of the polycarboxylic compounds in the response of Silene vulgaris to chromium

Abstract

This work aims to investigate the nature and the specific mechanisms by which polycarboxylic compounds participate in the tolerance of Silene vulgaris to Cr with special attention given to the rhizosphere system. This knowledge is important to use this species in the implementation of phytoremediation technologies in Cr-polluted soils. According to the results, chromium is chelated and mobilized by the citric and malic acids in plant tissues, while oxalic acid might participate in the reduction and chelation of Cr in the rhizosphere. At the applied doses, the response of both exudation rate and root exudate composition (total polyphenols and quercitin) seems to involve a rearrangement in the lignification of the plant cell wall to immobilize Cr. Quercetin-3-dirhamnosyl-galactoside and apiin (apigenin-7-O-apiosyl-glucoside) have been identified as the major polyphenols in the root exudates of S. vulgaris. The increments found in the apiin concentration in root exudates seem to be related to the protection against Cr toxicity by chelation of Cr or by free radical scavenging. Though earlier response is detected in plant tissues, results from this work together with previous studies in S. vulgaris indicate that exudation might be a regulated mechanism of protection under Cr exposition in S. vulgaris that may involve mainly Cr reduction and chelation.

http://ift.tt/2j6A87z

Role of Interleukin-17A on the Chemotactic Responses to CCL7 in a Murine Allergic Rhinitis Model

by Yu-Lian Zhang, Doo Hee Han, Dong-Young Kim, Chul Hee Lee, Chae-Seo Rhee

Background

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A is associated with eosinophil infiltration into the nasal mucosa in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis. Chemotaxis of eosinophils is mediated primarily through C-C chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3). However, the mechanism underlying the IL-17A-mediated enhancement of eosinophil recruitment via chemoattractants/chemokines remains unknown.

Objectives

In this study, we assessed the contribution of IL-17A to eosinophil-related inflammation via the CCL7/CCR3 pathway in experimental allergic rhinitis.

Methods

IL-17A knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally and challenged intranasally with OVA to induce allergic rhinitis. Various parameters of the allergic response were evaluated, and mRNA and protein levels of CCL7 and CCR3 in nasal tissue and serum were compared between the two groups. The chemotactic response to CCL7 with or without IL-17A in bone marrow-derived eosinophils (bmEos) from BALB/c mice was measured.

Results

In the allergic rhinitis model, IL-17A deficiency significantly decreased nasal symptoms, serum IgE levels, and eosinophil recruitment to the nasal mucosa. CCL7 and CCR3 mRNA and protein levels were decreased in the nasal mucosa of IL-17A KO mice compared with the WT mice. BmEos showed a significantly increased chemotactic response to -low concentration of CCL7 in the presence of IL-17A compared with its absence.

Conclusion

The suppression of nasal inflammation due of IL-17A deficiency in allergic rhinitis is partly responsible for the regulation of CCL7 secretion and eosinophil infiltration, which may be regulated via the CCL7/CCR3 pathway.

http://ift.tt/2j1h9Yb

Analysis of the impact path on factors of China’s energy-related CO 2 emissions: a path analysis with latent variables

Abstract

Identifying the impact path on factors of CO₂ emissions is crucial for the government to take effective measures to reduce carbon emissions. The most existing research focuses on the total influence of factors on CO₂ emissions without differentiating between the direct and indirect influence. Moreover, scholars have addressed the relationships among energy consumption, economic growth, and CO₂ emissions rather than estimating all the causal relationships simultaneously. To fill this research gaps and explore overall driving factors' influence mechanism on CO₂ emissions, this paper utilizes a path analysis model with latent variables (PA-LV) to estimate the direct and indirect effect of factors on China's energy-related carbon emissions and to investigate the causal relationships among variables. Three key findings emanate from the analysis: (1) The change in the economic growth pattern inhibits the growth rate of CO₂ emissions by reducing the energy intensity; (2) adjustment of industrial structure contributes to energy conservation and CO₂ emission reduction by raising the proportion of the tertiary industry; and (3) the growth of CO₂ emissions impacts energy consumption and energy intensity negatively, which results in a negative impact indirectly on itself. To further control CO₂ emissions, the Chinese government should (1) adjust the industrial structure and actively develop its tertiary industry to improve energy efficiency and develop low-carbon economy, (2) optimize population shifts to avoid excessive population growth and reduce energy consumption, and (3) promote urbanization steadily to avoid high energy consumption and low energy efficiency.

http://ift.tt/2i82JoO

Association Between Facial Length and Width and Fundamental Frequency

This study aimed to evaluate the association between facial width and length and fundamental frequency (F0) and habitual frequency.

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Occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological risks of typical hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface sediments from a large freshwater lake of China

Abstract

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) have been frequently observed in marine aquatic environments; however, little information is available on the occurrence of these compounds in freshwater aquatic environments, including freshwater lakes. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and spatial distribution of typical OH-PBDEs, including 2′-OH-BDE-68, 3-OH-BDE-47, 5-OH-BDE-47, and 6-OH-BDE-47 in surface sediments of Taihu Lake. 3-OH-BDE-47 was the predominant congener, followed by 5-OH-BDE-47, 2′-OH-BDE-68, and 6-OH-BDE-47. Distributions of these compounds are drastically different between sampling site which may be a result of differences in nearby point sources, such as the discharge of industrial wastewater and e-waste leachate. The positive correlation between ∑OH-PBDEs and total organic carbon (TOC) was moderate (r = 0.485, p < 0.05), and site S3 and S15 were excluded due to point source pollution, suggesting that OH-PBDEs concentrations were controlled by sediment TOC content, as well as other factors. The pairwise correlations between the concentrations of these compounds suggest that these compounds may have similar input sources and environmental behavior. The target compounds in the sediments of Lake Taihu pose low risks to aquatic organisms. Results show that OH-PBDEs in Lake Taihu are largely dependent on pollution sources. Because of bioaccumulation and subsequent harmful effects on aquatic organisms, the concentrations of OH-PBDEs in freshwater ecosystems are of environmental concern.

http://ift.tt/2j6Aifi

Resonance Tube or Lax Vox?

This study compares the flow resistance of Resonance tube (RT) and Lax Vox tube (LVT) when submerged 2 cm and 10 cm in water, as well as phonation into the tubes in these conditions.

http://ift.tt/2i7WX6U