Medicine by Sfakianakis Alexandros: 05/11/17

Πέμπτη 11 Μαΐου 2017

Application of Raman and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies to cultural heritage materials : the non-destructive examination of paintings, pigments, and their degradation

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The Argument Web: an Online Ecosystem of Tools, Systems and Services for Argumentation

Abstract

The Argument Web is maturing as both a platform built upon a synthesis of many contemporary theories of argumentation in philosophy and also as an ecosystem in which various applications and application components are contributed by different research groups around the world. It already hosts the largest publicly accessible corpora of argumentation and has the largest number of interoperable and cross compatible tools for the analysis, navigation and evaluation of arguments across a broad range of domains, languages and activity types. Such interoperability is key in allowing innovative combinations of tool and data reuse that can further catalyse the development of the field of computational argumentation. The aim of this paper is to summarise the key foundations, the recent advances and the goals of the Argument Web, with a particular focus on demonstrating the relevance to, and roots in, philosophical argumentation theory.

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Current FDA-approved injection pattern versus targeted peripheral nerve–directed injection pattern. The current FDA-approved injection pattern includes chemodenervation of 7 head and neck muscle groups (A–C). The total units of BOTOX injected for each site bilaterally include: corrugators 10U, procerus 5U, frontalis 20U (A), temporalis 40U (B), occipitalis 30U, cervical paraspinal 20U, and trapezius 30U (C). By comparison, peripheral nerve–directed BOTOX injection targets fewer sites with a small

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Original.01720096-201703000-00013.FF1.jp

Original.01720096-201703000-00013.FF3.jp

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com

http://ift.tt/2q7X8Wr

Current FDA-approved injection pattern versus targeted peripheral nerve–directed injection pattern. The current FDA-approved injection pattern includes chemodenervation of 7 head and neck muscle groups (A–C). The total units of BOTOX injected for each site bilaterally include: corrugators 10U, procerus 5U, frontalis 20U (A), temporalis 40U (B), occipitalis 30U, cervical paraspinal 20U, and trapezius 30U (C). By comparison, peripheral nerve–directed BOTOX injection targets fewer sites with a smaller total quantity of BOTOX (D–F). The total units of BOTOX injected for each site bilaterally include: supraorbital nerve/supratrochlear nerve 25U (D), zygomaticotemporal nerve 37.5U (E), and greater occipital nerve 50U (F). Source Targeted Peripheral Nerve-directed Onabotulinumtoxin A Injection for Effective Long-term Therapy for Migraine Headache

http://otorhinolaryngology-crete.blogspot.com/2017/05/current-fda-approved-injection-pattern.html

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com

Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma Glue : Seroma and hematoma formations are the most common complications after plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (A-PRP) glue to reduce postoperative wound complications and improve surgical outcomes.

http://ift.tt/2q7Neo1

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com

http://ift.tt/2pr1GYU

Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma Glue : Seroma and hematoma formations are the most common complications after plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (A-PRP) glue to reduce postoperative wound complications and improve surgical outcomes.

http://otorhinolaryngology-crete.blogspot.com/2017/05/autologous-platelet-rich-plasma-glue.html

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com

PhotoExam: adoption of an iOS-based clinical image capture application at Mayo Clinic

Abstract

Background

Mayo Clinic developed an internal iOS-based, point-of-care clinical image capture application for clinicians. We aimed to assess the adoption and utilization of the application at Mayo Clinic.

Methods

Metadata of 22,784 photos of 6417 patients taken by 606 users over 8040 clinical encounters between 3/1/2015 and 10/31/2015 were analyzed. A random sample of photos from 100 clinical encounters was assessed for quality using a five-item rubric. Use of traditional medical photography services before and after application launch were compared.

Results

The largest group of users was residents/fellows, accounting for 31% of users but only 18% of all photos. Attending physicians accounted for 29% of users and 30% of photos. Nurses accounted for 14% of users and 28% of photos. Surgical specialties had the most users (36% of users), followed by dermatology (14% of users); however, dermatology accounted for 54% of all photos, and surgery accounted for 26% of photos. Images received an average of 91% of possible points on the quality scoring rubric. Most frequent reasons for missing points were the location on the body not clearly being demonstrated (19% of encounters) and the perspective/scale not being clearly demonstrated (12% of encounters). There was no discernible pre-post effect of the application's launch on use of traditional medical photography services.

Conclusions

Point-of-care clinical photography is a growing phenomenon with potential to become the new standard of care. Patient and provider attitudes and the impact on patient outcomes remain unclear.

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Tattooing and psoriasis: a case series and review of the literature

Abstract

Background

Koebner phenomenon (KP) affects from a quarter to a third of the patients with psoriasis and can occur on tattoos

Material and methods

We retrospectively reviewed a case series of seven tattooed patients with an isomorphic response on their tattoos or partial psoriasis patches on their tattoos. We collected the demographic data, the past history of psoriasis, the clinical presentation, and the outcomes. We also performed a review of the literature. We tried to classify the different clinical profile of KP/psoriasis on tattoos accordingly.

Results

Six men and one woman with a median age of 36 ± 6.4 years old were included. Five disclosed a KP in a recent tattoo within days to 1 month after its completion. Fifteen additional cases were collected from the literature (8 men, median age 22 ± 8.2 years old). The delay of psoriasis flare-up after tattooing was rather short, from a few weeks to several months. We found a high variability in the clinical presentation with five clinical subtypes/profiles of psoriasis on tattoos. A possible confusion between "genuine" KP on tattoos and the coincidental occurrence of psoriasis patches on tattoos is possible in some cases of the literature. Patients were mainly managed locally, rarely by systemic treatments or biologics.

Conclusion

Koebner phenomenon on tattoos may occur in patients with psoriasis under various forms. The evolution is benign, and psoriasis is not a contraindication for tattooing, but patients need proper counseling before getting tattooed.

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A case–control study analyzing the association of keloids with hypertension and obesity

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Dermatitis herpetiformis (Duhring's disease): a therapeutic challenge

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Quality assurance trials for Ki67 assessment in pathology

Abstract

Ki67 is a broadly used proliferation marker in surgical pathology with an obvious need for standardization to improve reproducibility of assessment. Here, we present results of the so far only existing round robin tests on Ki67, organized annually in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from 2010 to 2015 with up to 160 participating laboratories (QuIP). In each quality assessment trial, eight probes from each breast cancer, neuroendocrine tumor, and malignant lymphoma were compiled on a tissue microarray (TMA). TMAs were stained in the participants' laboratories with antibodies and procedures also applied in their daily routine. Participating pathologists were expected to assign Ki67 values to one of four different categories for each tumor type. All local stainings and evaluations were reassessed by the organizing panel and compared to a preset standard. On average, 95% of participants reached the benchmark of over 80% concordance rates with the Ki67 category pre-established by the panel. Automatization and type of antibody did not affect the success rate. Concordance rates differed between tumor entities being highest in each tumor type with either very high or very low labeling indices. Lower rates were seen for intermediate Ki67 levels. Staining quality improved during the observation period as did inter-observer concordance with 85% of participants achieving excellent agreement (kappa > 0.8) in the first year and over 95% in 2015. In conclusion, regular external quality assurance trials have been established as a tool to improve the reproducibility and reliability of the prognostic and predictive proliferation marker Ki67.

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Quantification of rat supraglottic laryngeal sensation threshold

Objective

Laryngeal adductor response (LAR) to air puff is used as a reliable method in evaluating sensation thresholds (ST) in human laryngeal sensory disorders. This method has been difficult to perform in small subjects such as rodents. The aims of this study were to 1) evaluate ST to air puff under binocular microlaryngoscopy in rats to evaluate laryngeal sensory disorders, 2) determine sensory thresholds at varying target locations, and 3) determine the ideal depth of anesthesia.

Study Design

Animal study.

Methods

Rats were induced with ketamine/xylazine. The level of anesthesia was monitored by spontaneous glottic closure and corneal reflex testing. Air puffs were delivered to the epiglottis, arytenoid, and piriform sinus at varied pressures with pulse time kept constant. Sensation thresholds were determined by direct visualization of the larynx using a binocular microscope. Topical lidocaine was then applied to the larynx and ST was determined. Trials were repeated in a small subset of animals.

Results

Twenty-six trials were performed in 14 rats. Mean STs were 39 ± 9.7 mm Hg at the epiglottis, 48.8 ± 10.5 at the arytenoid, and not detectable at the pyriform sinus. Repeated trials demonstrated consistent results. Lidocaine effectively ablated the LAR in each trial. The LAR was difficult to induce while corneal reflex was absent and was difficult to distinguish from spontaneous glottic closures while under lighter sedation.

Conclusion

Air pulse stimulation in rats is a simple, reliable, and effective way to determine laryngopharyngeal STs in rats and can be used as an efficient and affordable method for experimentation involving laryngeal sensory disorders.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 2017

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Homozygous EDNRB mutation in a patient with Waardenburg syndrome type 1

Publication date: Available online 11 May 2017
Source:Auris Nasus Larynx
Author(s): Noriko Morimoto, Hideki Mutai, Kazunori Namba, Hiroki Kaneko, Rika Kosaki, Tatsuo Matsunaga
ObjectiveTo examine and expand the genetic spectrum of Waardenburg syndrome type 1 (WS1).MethodsClinical features related to Waardenburg syndrome (WS) were examined in a five-year old patient. Mutation analysis of genes related to WS was performed in the proband and her parents. Molecular modeling of EDNRB and the p.R319W mutant was conducted to predict the pathogenicity of the mutation.ResultsThe proband showed sensorineural hearing loss, heterochromia iridis, and dystopia canthorum, fulfilling the clinical criteria of WS1. Genetic analyses revealed that the proband had no mutation in PAX3 which has been known as the cause of WS1, but had a homozygous missense mutation (p.R319W) in endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) gene. The asymptomatic parents had the mutation in a heterozygote state. This mutation has been previously reported in a heterozygous state in a patient with Hirschsprung's disease unaccompanied by WS, but the patient and her parents did not show any symptoms in gastrointestinal tract. Molecular modeling of EDNRB with the p.R319W mutation demonstrated reduction of the positively charged surface area in this region, which might reduce binding ability of EDNRB to G protein and lead to abnormal signal transduction underlying the WS phenotype.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that autosomal recessive mutation in EDNRB may underlie a part of WS1 with the current diagnostic criteria, and supported that Hirschsprung's disease is a multifactorial genetic disease which requires additional factors. Further molecular analysis is necessary to elucidate the gene interaction and to reappraise the current WS classification.

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Cystic adventitial disease of the common femoral vein

We present the case of a 46-year-old commercial pilot with a history of unilateral leg swelling following a flight to Geneva. Although initial clinical examination suggested a deep vein thrombosis, the swelling only partially resolved with anticoagulation and further imaging suggested the presence of adventitial cystic disease (ACD). The patient underwent initial anticoagulation to allow any thrombus to be lysed, followed by excision of the ACD from the venous wall and venous reconstruction. Following the excision of the ACD, providing the patient remains asymptomatic and further imaging finds normal venous anatomy, we hope the patient will discontinue anticoagulation and return to flying.

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Bilateral corneal injury after face-paint application to upper eyelids

A 40-year-old woman with no known medical conditions or allergies presented with severely painful, watery eyes and blurred vision. She reported topical application of face-paint onto both upper eyelids prior to attending a Halloween party. She subsequently noticed a burning sensation, epiphora and misty vision within a few hours. On examination, bilateral large corneal epithelial defects were highlighted with fluorescein dye under cobalt-blue light. Antibiotic ointment, mydriatic and sodium ascorbate 10% eye-drops were given, and patient was advised to keep the eyelids shut to promote healing. No corneal defects were visible by day 4 and the patient was discharged with vision recovering to normal levels.

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Mixed cryoglobulinemia: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Mixed cryoglobulinemia is frequently secondary to hepatitis C virus infection. Diagnosis and therapeutic management are challenging, depending on the spectrum and severity of manifestations, as well as on the presence of comorbidities. We describe a case of a 79-year-old woman with a non-cirrhotic hepatitis C virus infection presenting with weakness, arthralgias, purpuric rash with left leg ulcerative lesions, bilateral peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy, renal impairment and cardiac failure. The investigation was compatible with a severe type II mixed cryoglobulinemia with multisystemic involvement, including a low-grade B cell lymphoma and concomitant intestinal tuberculosis. Initial management with immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids to control symptoms and simultaneous tuberculosis treatment was required. Unavailability of adequate antiviral treatment led to the need to control the severity of systemic manifestations with rituximab, before the effective aetiological treatment with sofosbuvir and ledipasvir was possible, allowing the definitive resolution of the disease.

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A rare view: giant liver abscess with underlying liver metastases

Description

Liver abscess (LA) refers to a suppurated cavity caused by the invasion of liver parenchyma, most commonly by Gram-negative bacteria. Although rare, it is potentially life-threatening. Giant LA (>10 cm) is even more uncommon.1 Symptoms and signs are non-specific and the diagnosis relies essentially on imaging with ultrasound (US) and CT scan. Treatment is based on antimicrobials, abscess drainage and approach to the underlying disease.2 For pyogenic LA, prompt initiation of empirical broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics,2 usually a third-generation cephalosporin plus metronidazole, is essential with subsequent adjustment to culture and sensitivity, usually for 10–14 days, depending on clinical and radiological response. Together with CT scan or US-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PD), it is the initial treatment of choice.1 However, large LA >5 cm predicts failure of PD and the need for surgical drainage.3 Malignancy and multiloculation are also risk factors for therapy...

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Vitamin A deficiency due to chronic malabsorption: an ophthalmic manifestation of a systemic condition

A 47-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of progressive loss of vision, first manifesting as night blindness. Additionally, the patient reported frequent severe episodes of diarrhoea over the past month. Her medical history included end-stage renal failure for which she was currently on haemodialysis after a failed renal transplant, chronic pancreatitis and autonomic diabetes mellitus. Ophthalmological examination revealed severe bilateral corneal xerosis, bilateral Bitot's spots and inferior ulceration of the right cornea. A diagnosis of xerophthalmia due to vitamin A deficiency was made, most likely due to the presence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and the patient's chronic malabsorptive state. Standard management using oral vitamin A tablets was ineffective, resulting in the patient requiring intravenous supplementation. The extent of visual deterioration on presentation and the difficulties encountered managing the patient resulted in the patient's vision failing to improve.

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Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing autologous noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation for vitiligo and other leukodermas

Persistence of pigmentation after a melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP) is an important consideration for efficacy.

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Blocking of stromal interaction molecule 1 expression influence cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibit tumor growth in vivo in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

by Ping Li, Xue-yan Bian, Qing Chen, Xiao-feng Yao, Xu-dong Wang, Wen-chao Zhang, Ying-jie Tao, Rui Jin, Lun Zhang

Calcium signal plays an important role in a variety of cancer cell metabolism, but knowledge on its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is limited. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the principal Ca²⁺ entry mechanism that maintains calcium concentration and produces calcium signal in non-excitable cells. SOCE is triggered by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), which is located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as Ca²⁺ sensor. Although, many studies demonstrated that STIM1 and SOCE play important functions in the regulation of many cancer progressions, their clinical relevance in HNSCC remains unclear. In this study, STIM1 expression levels notably increased in 89% HNSCC tissues compared with those in adjacent normal tissues. Meanwhile, this overexpression was close associated with tumor size but not with neck lymph node metastasis. Thus, this study mainly focuses on STIM1 function in HNSCC tumor growth. Three HNSCC cell lines, namely, TSCCA (oral cancer cell line) and Hep2 (laryngeal cell line) with high STIM1 expression levels and Tb3.1 (oral cancer cell line) with STIM1 expression level lower than previous two cell lines, were selected for in vitro study. Downregulated STIM1 expression levels in TSCCA and Hep2 arrested cells in G0/G1 stages, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell proliferation. By contrast, upregulated STIM1 expression in Tb3.1 inhibited cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation. Induced by thapsigargin (TG), ER stress was amplified when STIM1 expression was downregulated but was attenuated as STIM1 expression was upregulated. Furthermore, TSCCA cell xenograft models confirmed that STIM1 could promote HNSCC tumor growth in vivo. The present study provides new insight into HNSCC molecular mechanism and potential therapeutic target through targeting SOCE-dependent process. However, whether STIM1 participates in HNSCC metastasis requires further study.

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Homozygous EDNRB mutation in a patient with Waardenburg syndrome type 1

To examine and expand the genetic spectrum of Waardenburg syndrome type 1 (WS1).

http://ift.tt/2qxQ0Uk

The effect of pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation on lung protection in obese patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Specific aim

To examine the effects of pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation (PCIRV) and volume-control ventilation (VCV) on arterial oxygenation, pulmonary function, hemodynamics, levels of surfactant protein A (SP-A), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in obese patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

Sixty patients, body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m², scheduled for elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either PCIRV with an inspiratory–expiratory (I:E) ratio of 1.5:1 (PCIRV group n = 30) or VCV with an I:E ratio of 1:2 (VCV group n = 30). Ventilation variables, viz. tidal volume (V _T), dynamic respiratory-system compliance (C _RS), driving pressure (ΔP = V _T/C _RS), arterial blood oxygen partial pressure/fraction of inspiration oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) and arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO₂), were measured. Hemodynamic variables, viz. mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and serum levels of SP-A and TNF-α, were also measured.

Results

When compared to patients in the VCV group, patients in the PCIRV group had higher V _T, dynamic C_RS, and PaO₂/FiO₂, and lower ΔP and PaCO₂ at 20 and 60 min after the start of pneumoperitoneum (p < 0.05). Patients in the PCIRV group had lower SP-A and TNF-α levels at 24 and 48 h after surgery than those in the VCV group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In obese patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery, PCIRV can improve ventilation, promote gas exchange and oxygenation, and is associated with decreased levels of SP-A and TNF-α. These effects demonstrate improved lung protection provided by PCIRV in this patient population.

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Comment on “Epigenetics in the pathogenesis of RA”

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Synovial cellular and molecular markers in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The profound alterations in the structure, cellular composition, and function of synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the basis for the persistent inflammation and cumulative joint destruction that are hallmarks of this disease. In RA, the synovium develops characteristics of a tertiary lymphoid organ, with extensive infiltration of lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Concurrently, the fibroblast-like synoviocytes undergo massive hyperplasia and acquire a tissue-invasive phenotype. In this review, we summarize key components of these processes, focusing on recently-described roles of selected molecular markers of these cellular components of RA synovitis.

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An open, multicenter, randomized clinical study in patients with bullous pemphigoid comparing methylprednisolone and azathioprine with methylprednisolone and dapsone

Abstract

Background

Current treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is based on the long-term use of topical and/or systemic corticosteroids associated with a high rate of adverse events and increased mortality.

Objective

To study the corticosteroid-sparing potential of azathioprine and dapsone.

Method

A prospective, multicenter, randomized, non-blinded clinical trial that compares efficacy and safety of two parallel groups of BP patients treated with oral methylprednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/d in combination with either azathioprine 1.5-2.5 mg/kg/d or dapsone 1.5 mg/kg/d. Nine German and Austrian departments of dermatology included 54 patients based on clinical lesions, positive direct immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy and detection of serum autoantibodies by indirect IF microscopy, immunoblotting or ELISA. The primary end point was time until complete tapering of methylprednisolone, the most important secondary end point the cumulative corticosteroid dose.

Results

In eight patients (5 azathioprine, 3 dapsone), methylprednisolone could be discontinued after a median time of 251 days in the azathioprine and 81 days in the dapsone group. The median cumulative corticosteroid dose was 2,654 mg for azathioprine compared to 1,917 mg for dapsone (p=0.06). The median number of days when corticosteroids were applied was 148 and 51, respectively (p=0.24). No significant difference in the number of adverse events was seen between the treatment arms. Four patients (8%) died within the observation period of 12 months.

Conclusions

Due to the lower than intended number of patients, results of primary and secondary endpoints were not or only barely significant. Dapsone appeared to have a moderately higher corticosteroid-sparing potential compared to azathioprine. The combination regimen of both drugs with oral methylprednisolone is associated with a relatively low one-year mortality in this vulnerable patient population.

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Paracrine regulation of melanogenesis

Summary

Melanocytes are generally characterized by the basic ability of melanin synthesis and transfer to adjacent keratinocytes to constitute individual skin phenotype and provide epidermal protection from various stimuli, such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, through a complex process called melanogenesis, which can be regulated by autocrine or paracrine factors. Recent evidences have revealed the paracrine effects of keratinocytes on melanogenesis by secreting cytokines, including alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and endothelin-1. In addition to keratinocytes, there are other types of cells in the skin, such as fibroblasts and immune cells that are also actively involved in the regulation of melanocyte behavior through the production of paracrine factors. In addition, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which are mainly secreted by skin resident cells, not only play direct roles in regulating melanocyte morphology and functions but also provide structural support between the epidermis and dermis to control the distribution of various secreted cytokines from keratinocytes and/or fibroblasts, which are potentially involved in the regulation of melanogenesis. Moreover, with respect to the origin of melanocytes (neural crest cells) and the presence of nerve endings in the epidermis, it is considerable to reveal the intimate contact between melanocytes and cutaneous specific nervous system-proteins. Melanocytes are associated with all these networks with corresponding receptors expressed on the cell surface. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in the intimate relationships between melanocytes and their surrounding elements, which provide insights into the complex nature of the regulation of melanogenesis.

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Incidence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and T-cell response in psoriatic patients before and during anti-TNF-α therapy

Abstract

psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects approximately 2-3% of the world population.¹ Among the cytokines produced by T cells, TNF-α has a crucial role in psoriasis.² Thus, TNF-α blocking therapy is efficient in the treatment of psoriasis.

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Recommendation to test limonene hydroperoxides 0.3% and linalool hydroperoxides 1.0% in the British Baseline patch test series

Abstract

Background

There is a significant rate of sensitisation worldwide to the oxidised fragrance terpenes limonene and linalool. Patch testing to oxidised terpenes is not routinely carried out; the ideal patch test concentration is unknown.

Objectives

To determine the best test concentrations for limonene and linalool hydroperoxides, added to the British baseline patch test series, to optimise detection of true allergy and minimise irritant reactions.

Methods

During 2013-2014, 4563 consecutive patients in 12 UK centres were tested to hydroperoxides of limonene in petrolatum (pet.) 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.1%, and hydroperoxides of linalool 1.0%, 0.5% and 0.25% pet. Irritant (IR) reactions were recorded separately from doubtful (?+) reactions. Concomitant reactions to other fragrance markers and clinical relevance were documented.

Results

Limonene hydroperoxide 0.3% gave positive reactions in 241 (5.3%) patients, irritant reactions in 93 (2.0%) and doubtful reactions in 110 (2.4%). Linalool hydroperoxide 1.0% gave positive reactions in 352 (7.7%), irritant reactions in 178 (3.9%), and doubtful reactions in 132 (2.9%). 119 patients with crescendo reactions to 0.3% limonene would have been missed if only tested with 0.1%. 131 patients with crescendo reactions to 1.0% linalool would have been missed if only tested with 0.25%. In almost two-thirds of patients with positive patch tests to limonene and linalool the reaction was clinically relevant. The majority of patients did not react to any fragrance marker in the baseline series.

Conclusions

We recommend that limonene hydroperoxides be tested at 0.3% and linalool hydroperoxides at 1.0% in the British baseline patch test series.

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Cochleotoxicity monitoring protocol

Publication date: Available online 10 May 2017
Source:Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española
Author(s): José Ferreira Penêda, Nuno Barros Lima, Leandro Ribeiro, Diamantino Helena, Bruno Domingues, Artur Condé
IntroductionCochlear damage is frequent in long-term aminoglycosides therapy or chemotherapeutic treatments with platinum-based agents. Despite its prevalence, it is currently underestimated and underdiagnosed. A monitoring protocol is vital to the early detection of cochleotoxicity and its implementation is widely encouraged in every hospital unit. Our aim was to elaborate a cochleotoxicity monitoring protocol for patients treated with platinum compounds or aminoglycosides antibiotics.MethodsPubMed® database was searched using terms relevant to drug cochleotoxicity in order to identify the most adequate protocol. Several articles and guidelines influenced our decision.ResultsThere is no consensus on a universal monitoring protocol. Its formulation and application rely heavily on available resources and personnel. High-frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emissions play an important role on early detection of cochleotoxicity caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics and platinum compounds.ConclusionA cochleotoxicity monitoring protocol consisting on an initial evaluation, treatment follow-up and post-treatment evaluation is proposed.

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A new adenovector system for implementing thymulin gene therapy for inflammatory disorders

Publication date: July 2017
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 87
Author(s): María F. Zappa-Villar, Micaela López-León, Joaquín Pardo, Mariana Costa, Rosana Crespo, Mireille Dardenne, Rodolfo G. Goya, Paula C. Reggiani
Thymulin is a thymic peptide possessing anti-inflammatory effects. In order to manipulate thymulin expression in gene therapy studies, we built a bidirectional regulatable two-vector Tet-Off system and the corresponding control system. The experimental two-vector system, ETV, consists of a recombinant adenovector (RAd) harboring an expression cassette centered on a Tet-Off bidirectional promoter flanked by a synthetic gene for thymulin and the gene for humanized Green Fluorescent Protein (hGFP). The second adenovector of this system, RAd-tTA, constitutively expresses the regulatory protein tTA. When cells are co-transduced by the two adenovector components, tTA activates the bidirectional promoter and both transgenes are expressed. In the presence of the antibiotic doxycycline (DOX) transgene expression is deactivated. The control two-vector system, termed CTV, is similar to ETV but only expresses hGFP. In CHO-K1, BHK, and C2C12 cells, ETV and CTV induced a dose-dependent hGFP expression. In CHO-K1 cells, transgene expression was almost completely inhibited by DOX (1mg/ml). After intracerebroventricular injection of ETV in rats, thymulin levels increased significantly in the cerebrospinal fluid and there was high hGFP expression in the ependymal cell layer. When injected intramuscularly the ETV system induced a progressive increase in serum thymulin levels, which were inhibited when DOX was added to the drinking water. We conclude that our regulatable two-adenovector system is an effective molecular tool for implementing short and long-term anti-inflammatory thymulin gene therapy in animal models of acute or chronic inflammation.

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Our Experience of Treating Wide Spectrum of External Ear Canal Atresia of Different Etiologies in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

External auditory canal atresia (EACA) is a common otologic condition. Etiology can vary from congenital to acquired causes. It causes considerable difficulty to the patient. Bilateral ear canal atresia in children can lead to speech delays due to hearing impairment caused by this condition. Though easily diagnosed it is one of the most difficult conditions to treat. Acquired conditions can affect any age group. Restenosis following treatment is very common. This article focuses on the treatment of EACA due to different etiologies and emphasizes on special points of surgical treatment and follow up. Five cases of external auditory canal atresia was treated between 2014 and 2016. Two of them were congenital cases and three were acquired. One congenital atresia patient had pinna abnormalities in the form of one sided anotia and other side microtia. Another patient of congenital ear canal atresia had congenital cholesteatoma. Acquired atresia was due to osteoma, external trauma and surgical trauma following a condylectomy surgery. All the patients were treated surgically. A wide meatoplasty with split thickness skin graft lining the canal/cavity was done to avoid restenosis. Merocel wicks were used in all cases. Removal of localized granulations on follow up helped keep the canal patent especially in congenital EACA. All patients had significant hearing improvement following surgery. Child with bilateral atresia and pinna anomaly has now achieved normal hearing and speech milestones. She does not use any hearing aid. None of the patients developed restenosis of their reconstructed ear canal. One of the patient developed granulations around the meatoplasty edges which was cauterized using silver nitrate. External auditory canal atresia surgery is a difficult surgery keeping in view the distorted anatomy and the propensity of restenosis of the newly constructed ear canal. Hearing restoration in the operated ear is all the more challenging. Meticulous planning with close discussion with patients and their caregivers regarding multiple surgeries has to be done. Using skin graft, doing a wide meatoplasty, using merocel wicks for ear canal dressing are few important aspects of this surgery which can give satisfactory results in long term.

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Our Experience of Treating Wide Spectrum of External Ear Canal Atresia of Different Etiologies in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

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Acute radiology rarely confirms sinus disease in suspected recurrent acute rhinosinusitis

Background

Episodic or recurrent sinonasal symptoms are often suspected as "sinus" in origin. With normal sinus radiology between events, the diagnosis of recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RecARS) is made. However, other conditions can produce episodic symptoms. In this study we analyze acutely performed computed tomography (CT) in a population with suspected or self-diagnosed "sinus" disease.

Methods

Patients referred to a tertiary clinic for suspected RecARS were assessed. Sinus changes were defined by CT (initial assessment) and during the acute event, by a semiurgent CT performed during the symptomatic episode. Mucosal thickening, ostiomeatal compromise, and severe septal deformity were recorded. Symptom profile was assessed during both time-points with the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22).

Results

Forty-eight patients (49.5 ± 14.7 years of age, 70.8% female) were assessed. At presentation, 75% were resolute in a diagnosis of "sinus." Baseline Lund-Mackay scores were <6 (median 0 [interquartile range 1]). Ostiomeatal compromise was 6.8% left and 4.5% right at baseline. Of the patients who returned for acute CT (n = 27), SNOT-22 and subdomains were similar to baseline. Septal deviation was similar (13.6% vs 15.3%). Acutely, ostiomeatal compromise was 0% left and 7.4% right (n = 2). Of these 2 patients with ostiomeatal compromise, 1 was diagnosed with RecARS (4%) and the other with triptan-responsive migraine, with incidental sinus changes. Final diagnosis was rhinitis (47%), headache/migraine (37%), and facial pain otherwise undefined (12.5%).

Conclusion

Patients with a history of "recurrent acute sinusitis" and normal CT scans between episodes rarely have abnormal CT findings during acute exacerbations of symptoms. Antibiotics and surgical intervention are often inappropriate in this population.

http://ift.tt/2pCALEY

Intralesional interleukin-2 for unresectable mucosal melanoma refractory to nivolumab

http://ift.tt/2q6EPB3

Current status of chimeric antigen receptor engineered T cell-based and immune checkpoint blockade-based cancer immunotherapies

Abstract

Adoptive cell therapies with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells (CAR-T) and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI)-based cancer immunotherapies have lately shown remarkable success in certain tumor types. CAR-T cell-based therapies targeting CD19 can now induce durable remissions as well as prolong disease-free survival of patients with CD19 positive treatment refractory B cell malignancies and ICI-based therapies with humanized monoclonal antibodies against the T cell inhibitory receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1 as well as against the PD-1 ligand, PD-L1, can now achieve durable remissions as well as prolongation of life of a sizeable fraction of patients with melanoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-small cell cancers. Most importantly, these immuno-therapeutic treatment modalities have raised the possibility of achieving long-term "containment" as well as "cures" for certain types of cancer. While this represents major advances in cancer immunotherapy, both modalities come with considerable toxicities, including fatalities. Although more work will be needed to bring CAR-T cell-based therapies to the bedside for most major cancers and a good deal more will be needed to make ICI—alone or in combination with other treatment modalities—work more consistently and across most major cancers, these two treatment modalities stand out as superb examples of successful translation of bench research to the bedside as well as represent real progress in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

http://ift.tt/2q9V7as

Blocking of stromal interaction molecule 1 expression influence cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibit tumor growth in vivo in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

by Ping Li, Xue-yan Bian, Qing Chen, Xiao-feng Yao, Xu-dong Wang, Wen-chao Zhang, Ying-jie Tao, Rui Jin, Lun Zhang

Cochlear implant electrode sealing techniques and related intracochlear pressure changes

The inserted cochlear implanted electrode is covered at the site of the round window or cochleostomy to prevent infections and leakage. In a surgically hearing preservational concept, low intracochlear pressur...

http://ift.tt/2qYqFTn

Health Literacy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

This Viewpoint discusses the impact of health literacy on treatment compliance and outcomes in a number of medical conditions, focusing on a general measure and a cancer-specific measure of health literacy.

http://ift.tt/2pCbTgB

Cholesteatoma Risk Among Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis

This population-based study evaluates the risk of cholesteatoma in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

http://ift.tt/2qYyI2u

Conservative Treatment of Isolated Cricoid Cartilage Fractures From Blunt Trauma

This case series examines the conservative treatment of laryngotracheal traumas.

http://ift.tt/2pCiYO4

Automated Posttonsillectomy Bleed Capture vs Self-report

This medical record review evaluates the feasibility and accuracy of an algorithm to capture posttonsillectomy bleeding in a single health care system compared with traditional self-reported bleeding by the surgical team.

http://ift.tt/2qXZsjW

Comptes rendus des étudiants Erasmus Mundus

In South Korea, it is still possible to witness a procession of pallbearers. Dressed in coarse hempen garments and raised hats, these mourners move down the road while repeating the lines of the funeral singer and stepping to the rhythm of the drums. At the first person make a sound of bells and keep singing and he leads their visitors to grave. Here comes this song"Ije gamyun unje ona - Don't lost your way, please keep walking with your body. here is your body, follow me". It takes the soul of the dead person to its new home.

http://ift.tt/2qXSfAk

Allergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is in the process of developing Guidelines on Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) for Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis. In order to inform the development of clinical recommendations, we undertook a systematic review to assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of AIT in the management of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Methods

We searched 15 international biomedical databases for published, in progress and unpublished evidence. Studies were independently screened by two reviewers against pre-defined eligibility criteria and critically appraised using established instruments. Our primary outcomes of interest were symptom, medication and combined symptom and medication scores. Secondary outcomes of interest included cost-effectiveness and safety. Data were descriptively summarized and then quantitatively synthesized using random-effects meta-analyses.

Results

We identified 5932 studies of which 160 studies satisfied our eligibility criteria. There was a substantial body of evidence demonstrating significant reductions in standardized mean differences (SMD) of symptom (SMD -0.53, 95%CI -0.63, -0.42), medication (SMD -0.37, 95%CI -0.49, -0.26) and combined symptom and medication (SMD -0.49, 95%CI -0.69, -0.30) scores whilst on treatment that were robust to pre-specified sensitivity analyses. There was in comparison a more modest body of evidence on effectiveness post-discontinuation of AIT, this suggesting a benefit in relation to symptom scores.

Conclusions

AIT is effective in improving symptom, medication and combined symptom and medication scores in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis whilst on treatment, and there is some evidence suggesting that these benefits are maintained in relation to symptom scores after discontinuation of therapy.

http://ift.tt/2q7prE1

Growing together : emancipatory lessons from North Korean defector's art education in South Korea

http://ift.tt/2q71BYZ

Superior parathyroid gland approach to the recurrent laryngeal nerve

ABSTRACT

Background

The superior parathyroid gland is known to be almost constant in its location under the false thyroid capsule. Could it be a landmark to point to the site of incision of the false thyroid capsule and find the plane of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroidectomy?

Methods

The study included 48 patients with benign goiter scheduled for hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy; there were 16 cases of solitary thyroid nodules, 27 cases of multinodular goiter, and 5 cases of toxic goiter.

Results

This study included 80 lobectomies. All patients showed no evidence of postoperative RLN palsy, bleeding, or hypoparathyroidism. The superior parathyroid gland was consistently found within the false capsule in all cases, whereas the inferior parathyroid was found within the same layer in 64 sides (80%).

Conclusion

The described approach can accurately guide dissection between true and false capsules of the thyroid to reach and preserve both the RLN and the superior parathyroid gland. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017

http://ift.tt/2qvWPWJ

Perioperative practices in thyroid surgery: An international survey

Abstract

Background

Perioperative practices in thyroid surgery vary from one specialty, institution, or country to the next. We evaluated the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative practices of thyroid surgeons focusing on preoperative ultrasound, vocal cord evaluation, wound drains, and hospitalization duration, among others.

Methods

A survey was sent to 7 different otolaryngology and endocrine/general surgery associations.

Results

There were 965 respondents from 52 countries. Surgeon-performed ultrasound is practiced by more than one third of respondents. Otolaryngologists perform preoperative and postoperative vocal cord evaluation more often than endocrine/general surgeons (p < .001). Sixty percent of respondents either never place drains or place drains <50% of the time in thyroid lobectomies (43% for total thyroidectomies). Outpatient thyroid surgery is most frequently performed by surgeons in the United States (63%).

Conclusion

This epidemiologic study is the first global thyroid survey of its kind and clearly demonstrates the variability and evolving trends in thyroid surgery. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017

http://ift.tt/2q9aVKA

Comparison of risk of malignancy in a subgroup with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

As heterogeneous findings are included in the atypia of undetermined significance (AUS)/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) category, differing risks of malignancy in subgroups have been reported in several articles.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of full-text publications written in English found in the Embase and PubMed databases.

Results

The 4-tiered subgroup proportion meta-analysis showed that the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the risk of malignancy in the cellular atypia group did not overlap with the other 3 subgroups and demonstrated a significant difference. Two-tiered analysis using the cytologic and architectural atypia groups showed that cytologic atypia group had a 2.64-fold increase in the risk of malignancy compared with the architectural atypia group.

Conclusion

The cytologic atypia had a significantly higher risk of malignancy than the architectural atypia group, and it should be considered as a separate category.

http://ift.tt/2q5WfOr

A new reference genome assembly for the microcrustacean Daphnia pulex

http://ift.tt/2qXrUSY

CRISPR/Cas9 in insects : applications, best practices and biosafety concerns

http://ift.tt/2pBEjak

The importance of relative humidity and trophic resources in governing ecological niche of the invasive carabid beetle Merizodus soledadinus in the Kerguelen archipelago

http://ift.tt/2qXXAaw

Bisacylhydrazine insecticides for selective pest control

http://ift.tt/2pBCMRq

History of Childhood Abuse and Mother-infant Interaction: a Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Vaillancourt, K; Pawlby, S; Fearon, RMP; (2017) History of Childhood Abuse and Mother-infant Interaction: a Systematic Review of Observational Studies. Infant Mental Health Journal , 38 (2) pp. 226-248. 10.1002/imhj.21634 .

http://ift.tt/2pClTas

The state of the discipline: authorship, research designs, and citation patterns in studies of EU interest groups and lobbying

Bunea, A; Baumgartner, FR; (2014) The state of the discipline: authorship, research designs, and citation patterns in studies of EU interest groups and lobbying. Journal of European Public Policy , 21 (10) pp. 1412-1434. 10.1080/13501763.2014.936483 .

http://ift.tt/2q6Ny5G

FUBAR: Flow utility based routing

Gvozdiev, N; Karp, B; Handley, M; (2014) FUBAR: Flow utility based routing. In: Katz-Bassett, E and Heidemann, J and Godfrey, B and Feldmann, A, (eds.) Proceedings of the 13th ACM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks. ACM: New York, USA. Green open access

http://ift.tt/2pCYBRv

Role of the TREK2 potassium channel in cold and warm thermosensation and in pain perception

Pereira, V; Busserolles, J; Christin, M; Devilliers, M; Poupon, L; Legha, W; Alloui, A; Pereira, V; Busserolles, J; Christin, M; Devilliers, M; Poupon, L; Legha, W; Alloui, A; Aissouni, Y; Bourinet, E; Lesage, F; Eschalier, A; Lazdunski, M; Noël, J; - view fewer (2014) Role of the TREK2 potassium channel in cold and warm thermosensation and in pain perception. Pain , 155 (12) pp. 2534-2544. 10.1016/j.pain.2014.09.013 .

http://ift.tt/2q6Z15v

Yield performance, carbon assimilation and spectral response of triticale to water stress

Water stress is arguably the most limiting factor affecting cereal productivity in the world and its effects are likely to increase due to climate change. It is therefore imperative to have a wide-ranging understanding of water stress effects on crop physiological processes so as to better manage, improve and adapt crops to future climates. A field study was carried out to investigate the influence of four moisture levels on the following: (1) flag leaf CO2 assimilation and flag leaf carbon content; (2) the utility of flag leaf spectral reflectance to monitor leaf water status and as an indicator of biomass and grain yield; and (3) biomass and grain yield performance of four spring triticale genotypes in a dry winter environment (steppe, arid climate). The experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement of four moisture levels and four spring type triticale genotypes). Soil moisture level significantly influenced biomass accumulation, grain yield, CO2 assimilation, flag leaf carbon content and spectral reflectance. Grain yield levels ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 t ha(-1) in 2013 and 1.8 to 4.9 t ha(-1) in 2014. CO2 assimilation was significantly higher under well-watered (WW) conditions (9.92 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) in 2013; 11.64 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) in 2014) and decreased gradually with moisture level to 1.82 and 4.74 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) under severe stress (SS) in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Flag leaf carbon content was significantly higher under water limited conditions compared to WW. Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Water Index (WI) were significant and positively correlated to biomass and grain yield. WI was particularly strongly correlated to biomass (0.72***) and grain yield (0.55***). However, no clear varietal effects were detected. This study revealed that carbon tends to accumulate in flag leaves under water stress and that flag leaf carbon content is influenced more by the export capacity of the flag leaves than on CO2 assimilation rate. WI was found to be superior index in monitoring water stress in triticale compared to NDVI and NDWI. Above all, spring triticale proved to be adaptable to steppe (dry) climate of Limpopo and that livestock farmers in the province can successfully grow triticale for silage under MS conditions.

http://ift.tt/2qXQ27W

Nitrogen cycling and sequestration in temperate forest edges

http://ift.tt/2pBxV2Z

Saliva-based Detection of CD44

Conditions: Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Oropharynx Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Intervention: Device: OncAlert
Sponsors: Joseph Califano; Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.; Greater Baltimore Medical Center; San Diego Veterans Healthcare System; New York University School of Medicine
Recruiting - verified May 2017

http://ift.tt/2qXQ0wA

PROCLAIM-CX-2009: A Trial to Find Safe and Active Doses of an Investigational Drug CX-2009 for Patients With Selected Solid Tumors

Conditions: Solid Tumor, Adult; Breast Cancer; Non Small Cell Lung Cancer; Prostate Cancer; Ovarian Cancer; Endometrial Cancer; Head and Neck Cancer; Cholangiocarcinoma
Intervention: Drug: CX-2009
Sponsor: CytomX Therapeutics
Not yet recruiting - verified May 2017

http://ift.tt/2pBud9q

Durvalumab in Combination With Docetaxel, Cisplatin and 5-FU for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Condition: Head and Neck Cancers
Interventions: Drug: Durvalumab; Drug: Docetaxel; Drug: Cisplatin; Drug: 5 Fluorouracil
Sponsors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris; French National Cancer Institute
Recruiting - verified May 2017

http://ift.tt/2qXSI5l

Case 14-2017: A 20-Year-Old Man with Pain and Swelling of the Left Calf and a Purpuric Rash

Presentation of Case. Dr. Lauren R. Zeitels (Medicine): A 20-year-old man was seen in an outpatient clinic of this hospital because of pain and swelling of the left calf and a purpuric rash. The patient had been well until 3 weeks before presentation to this hospital, when sore throat,…

http://ift.tt/2r3JlO2

ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma undiagnosed in a patient with tuberculosis: a case report and review of the literature

Due to a similarity between the features of lymphoma and the features of tuberculosis, lymphoma may go unrecognized and undiagnosed in patients with tuberculosis.

http://ift.tt/2r5qvXE

A giant squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of the thoracic wall: a case report and review of the literature

We report a case of a 48-year-old white woman who presented with a huge cutaneous protruding tumor of the thoracic wall below her left breast.

http://ift.tt/2qvVv5U

UV-VIS spectral analysis as process tool to assess ozone reactivity for secondary effluent

http://ift.tt/2pB3yte

Use of habitat suitability modeling in the integrated urban water system modeling of the Drava River (Varazdin, Croatia)

The development of practical tools for providing accurate ecological assessment of rivers and species conditions is necessary to preserve habitats and species, stop degradation and restore water quality. An understanding of the causal mechanisms and processes that affect the ecological water quality and shape macroinvertebrate communities at a local scale has important implications for conservation management and river restoration. This study used the integration of wastewater treatment, river water quality and ecological assessment models to study the effect of upgrading a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and their ecological effects for the receiving river. The WWTP and the water quality and quantity of the Drava river in Croatia were modelled in the software WEST. For the ecological modeling, the approach followed was to build habitat suitability and ecological assessment models based on classification trees. This technique allows predicting the biological water quality in terms of the occurrence of macroinvertebrates and the river status according to ecological water quality indices. The ecological models developed were satisfactory, and showed a good predictive performance and good discrimination capacity. Using the integrated ecological model for the Drava river, three scenarios were run and evaluated. The scenario assessment showed that it is necessary an integrated approach for the water management of the Drava river, which considers an upgrading of the WWTP with Nitrogen and Phosphorous removal and the treatment of other diffuse pollution and point sources (including the overflow of the WWTP). Additionally, if an increase in the minimum instream flow after the dams is considered, a higher dilution capacity and a higher self-cleaning capability could be obtained. The results proved that integrated models like the one presented here have an added value for decision support in water management. This kind of integrated approach is useful to get insight in aquatic ecosystems, for assessing investments in sanitation infrastructure of urban wastewater systems considering both, the fulfilling of legal physical chemical emission limits and the ecological state of the receiving waters.

http://ift.tt/2qXD0Hr

Influence of NOM concentration on parameter sensitivity of a mechanistic ozone decomposition model

Aqueous ozone decomposition proceeds through a complex chain mechanism of radical reactions. When natural organic matter (NOM) is present, the system becomes much more complex and often (semi-)empirical modelling approaches are used to describe ozonation of water and wastewater systems. Mechanistic models, however, can be of great value to gain knowledge in the chemical pathways of ozonation and advanced oxidation processes in view of engineering applications. However, the numerous model parameters and model complexity often restrict their applicability. Model simplification is then an option to cure these drawbacks. In this study, sensitivity analyses (SAs) were used to determine the most important elementary reactions from the complex kinetic model. Additionally, SAs were used to understand the reaction mechanism. It was demonstrated that only seven of the twenty-eight first and second order rate constants showed to impact ozone and HO• concentrations. Processes involving HO• scavenging by inorganic carbon were of minor importance. Mass-transfer related parameters kLa and [O3*] were of major importance in all cases. Hence, it is of extreme importance that these parameters are determined with high accuracy. It was shown that the aqueous ozone concentration is extremely sensitive to parameters involving NOM at very low scavenger concentrations implying that impurities should always be considered in models, even in ultrapure water systems. Uncertainty analysis showed that especially the HO• concentration is susceptible to variations in influent composition. The uncertainty regarding this species significantly reduced with increasing levels of scavengers and especially NOM. It was demonstrated that simplification of the elementary radical scheme should be considered. On the other hand, a model extension with regard to reactions involving NOM should be performed in order to improve the applicability of future wastewater ozonation models.

http://ift.tt/2pBqpF3

Influence of NOM concentration on parameter sensitivity of a mechanistic ozone decomposition model

Aqueous ozone decomposition proceeds through a complex chain mechanism of radical reactions. When natural organic matter (NOM) is present, the system becomes even more complex and often (semi-)empirical modelling approaches are used to describe ozonation of water and wastewater systems. Mechanistic models, however, can be of great value to gain knowledge in the chemical pathways of ozonation and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in view of engineering applications. However, the numerous model parameters and model complexity often restrict their applicability. Model simplification is then an option to cure these drawbacks. In this study, sensitivity analyses (SAs) were used to determine the most important elementary reactions from the complex kinetic model. Additionally, SAs were used to understand the reaction mechanism. It was demonstrated that only seven of the twenty-eight first and second order rate constants showed to impact ozone and hydroxyl radical (HO•) concentrations. Processes involving HO• scavenging by inorganic carbon were of minor importance. Mass-transfer related parameters were of major importance in all cases. Hence, it is of extreme importance that these parameters are determined with high accuracy. It was shown that the aqueous ozone concentration is extremely sensitive to parameters involving NOM at very low scavenger concentrations implying that impurities should always be considered in AOP models, even in ultrapure water systems. Uncertainty analysis showed that especially the HO• concentration is susceptible to variations in influent composition. The uncertainty regarding this species significantly reduced with increasing levels of scavengers and especially NOM. It was demonstrated that simplification of the elementary radical scheme should be considered. On the other hand, a model extension with regard to reactions involving NOM should be performed in order to improve the applicability of future wastewater ozonation models.

http://ift.tt/2qXIjGU

Gamma rays-induced mutant spectrum and frequency in sesame

http://ift.tt/2pBdanX

Dynamic transport and fate models for micro-pollutants in integrated urban wastewater systems

http://ift.tt/2qXEUYF

Radiosensitivity of African sesame cultivars to gamma-rays

The effects of gamma irradiation on germination, seedling height and survival rate of two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars from Senegal were investigated. Seeds of the extensively grown cultivars in Senegal, "32-15" and "38-1-7", were irradiated with 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 Gy. The irradiated seeds (0, 300 and 400 Gy) of a Turkish cultivar "Birkan" were also used as a reference. Irradiated seeds were sown with their respective controls both in field and greenhouse conditions to assess germination rate, seedling height and survival rate as affected by the different doses of gamma rays. Germination, seedling height and survival rate significantly decreased with increasing irradiation dose. The depressive effect of radiation on germination was more pronounced in the field than in the greenhouse conditions. Cultivar "32-15" was more sensitive to gamma irradiation than cultivar "38-1-7". The effective dose which caused 50 % growth reduction was 645 Gy for variety "32-15" and 740 Gy for variety "38-1-7". The lethal dose (LD(50)) determined at 50 days after sowing was 550 Gy and 740 Gy for "32-15" and "38-1-7", respectively. From the parameters studied, seedling height reduction or LD(50) can equally be used in determining effective dose suitable for inducing artificial mutations.

http://ift.tt/2pBlgwV

Influence of cow manure and composts on the effects of chlorfenvinphos on field crops

Cauliflower crops were grown in several regions and seasons (spring and summer). Five days after planting, the plants were treated against the root fly by pouring onto soil around the plant stem an emulsion of chlorfenvinphos [2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) ethenyl diethyl phosphate] in water. The fields were divided into plots. Onto each plot, one of the organic fertilizers, city refuse compost, mushroom cultivation compost, or cow manure was applied at the rate of 100 tons/ha, 1 or 3.5 months before the insecticide treatment. There were also control plots which were not treated with any of the organic fertilizers. During the first 50 days crop period which followed the insecticide treatment, the chlorfenvinphos soil concentrations were always greater in the organic fertilizer-treated plots, than in the untreated ones (controls). The intensity of the organic fertilizers effect as to the increase of chlorfenvinphos soil persistence was in the following increasing order: city refuse compost < cow manure < mushroom cultivation compost. The organic fertilizer effects were greater when they had been soil-incorporated 3.5 months-instead of 1 month-before the chlorfenvinphos soil treatment. The increase of the insecticide soil concentrations-due to the organic fertilizers treatments-should increase the plant protection efficiency during the period of the first 50 days, during which time the young plants are the most sensitive to insects. During the following period of the 2 or 3 last crop weeks, the effects of the organic fertilizers onto the rate of chlorfenvinphos soil metabolism were levelled off; at harvest, the very low soil-resting residues were similar in the organic fertilizers treated and untreated plots. At harvest, no chlorfenvinphos nor its metabolites were detected in the 'flower' of cauliflower of all the plots, the analytical limit of sensitivity being 0.02 mg kg-1 fresh weight for all of these compounds.

http://ift.tt/2qXj2N4

Disease suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt of banana in an agroforestry system : influence of soil characteristics and plant community

http://ift.tt/2q5zLwT

Vreemde ogen dwingen. Toezicht op detentie. Achtergronden, nationale en internationale evoluties

http://ift.tt/2q8lj5m

De nieuwe interneringswetgeving

http://ift.tt/2q5K83C

Efficacy and safety of inhaled anaesthetic for postoperative sedation during mechanical ventilation in adult cardiac surgery patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of volatile anaesthetic for postoperative sedation in adult cardiac surgery patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We retrieved randomized controlled trials from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, clinical trials registries, conference proceedings, and reference lists of included articles. Independent reviewers extracted data, including patient characteristics, type of intraoperative anaesthesia, inhaled anaesthetic used, comparator sedation, and outcomes of interest, using pre-piloted forms. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Tool and evaluated the strength of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Eight studies enrolling 610 patients were included. Seven had a high and one a low risk of bias. The times to extubation after intensive care unit (ICU) admission and sedation discontinuation were, respectively, 76 [95% confidence interval (CI) −150 to − 2, I2=79%] and 74 min (95% CI − 126 to − 23, I2=96%) less in patients who were sedated using volatile anaesthetic. There was no difference in ICU or hospital length of stay. Patients who received volatile anaesthetic sedation had troponin concentrations that were 0.71 ng ml−1 (95% CI 0.23–1.2) lower than control patients. Reporting on other outcomes was varied and not suitable for meta-analysis. Volatile anaesthetic sedation may be associated with a shorter time to extubation after cardiac surgery but no change in ICU or hospital length of stay. It is associated with a significantly lower postoperative troponin concentration, but the impact of this on adverse cardiovascular outcomes is uncertain. Blinded randomized trials using intention-to-treat analysis are required. PROSPERO registry number: 2016:CRD42016033874. Available from <a href="http://ift.tt/2pCmIQf">http://ift.tt/2q6Jv9z;

http://ift.tt/2pCtl5d

Efficacy and safety of carbetocin given as an intravenous bolus compared with short infusion for Caesarean section - double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

<div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Background. Carbetocin is a synthetic oxytocin-analogue, which should be administered as bolus according to manufacturer's recommendations. A higher speed of oxytocin administration leads to increased cardiovascular side-effects. It is unclear whether carbetocin administration as short infusion has the same efficacy on uterine tone compared with bolus administration and whether haemodynamic parameters differ.Methods. In this randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial, women undergoing planned or unplanned Caesarean section (CS) under regional anaesthesia received a bolus and a short infusion, only one of which contained carbetocin 100 mcg (double dummy). Obstetricians quantified uterine tone two, three, five and 10 min after cord-clamping by manual palpation using a linear analogue scale from 0 to 100. We evaluated whether the lower limit of the 95% CI of the difference in maximum uterine tone within the first five min after cord-clamping did not include the pre-specified non-inferiority limit of −10.Results. Between December 2014 and November 2015, 69 patients were randomized to receive carbetocin as bolus and 71 to receive it as short infusion. Maximal uterine tone was 89 in the bolus and 88 in the short infusion group (mean difference −1.3, 95% CI −5.7 to 3.1). Bp, calculated blood loss, use of additional uterotonics, and side-effects were comparable.Conclusions. Administration of carbetocin as short infusion does not compromise uterine tone and has similar cardiovascular side-effects as a slow i.v. bolus. In accordance with current recommendations for oxytocin, carbetocin can safely be administered as short -infusion during planned or unplanned CS.Clinical trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02221531 and <a href="http://www.kofam.ch">http://ift.tt/2pCMX9m; SNCTP000001197.

http://ift.tt/2q6Jsup

Automatic cow lameness detection with a pressure mat: Effects of mat CD length and sensor resolution

While previous research has shown the potential of automatic lameness detection by means of a pressure mat, these systems are currently not adopted in practice due to their high cost and low on-farm applicability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate to what level the size (0.61 x 4.88 m) and resolution (0.0127 x 0.0127 m) of the pressure mat can be reduced without significant loss in lameness detection performance. To this end, standard gait variables were calculated based on adapted datasets in which the available data had been reduced to simulate the effects of a decreasing mat length and sensor resolution. These extracted gait variables were then used in a linear discriminant analysis to classify cows as non-lame, mildly lame or severely lame. This analysis indicated that the measurement zone length must be at least 3.28 m to successfully monitor one complete gait cycle, while the size of each individual sensing element should not be larger than 2.58 * 10(-3) m(2) to avoid an increase in the misiden-tification of imprints. When these limits were taken into account, the obtained overall lameness detection accuracy was not worse than that of the original system. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2q5ISOf

Computational fluid dynamics modelling of biomass slow pyrolysis in screw reactors for the production of biochar and charcoal

http://ift.tt/2q8DEz7

Plant-parasitic nematode infections in rice: molecular and cellular insights

Being one of the major staple foods in the world, and an interesting model monocot plant, rice (Oryza sativa L.) has recently received attention from molecular nematologists studying the cellular and molecular aspects of the interaction between this crop and plant-parasitic nematodes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in this field, with a focus on the best-studied root-knot nematodes. Histological studies have revealed the cellular changes inside root-knot nematode-induced feeding sites, both in the compatible interaction with Oryza sativa and the incompatible interaction with the related species Oryza glaberrima. After comparing the published data from transcriptome analyses, mutant studies, and exogenous hormone applications, we provide a comprehensive model showing the role and interaction of plant hormone pathways in defense of this monocot crop against root nematodes, where jasmonate seems to play a key role. Finally, recent evidence indicates that effectors secreted from rice-infecting nematodes can suppress plant defense.

http://ift.tt/2q5wiOR

Genetic relationships in an international collection of Puccinia horiana isolates based on newly identitfied molecular markers and demonstration of recombination

The obligate biotrophic pathogen Puccinia horiana is the causal agent of chrysanthemum white rust. Although P. horiana is a quarantine organism, it was able to spread to most chrysanthemum producing regions in the world since the 1960's, however, the transfer routes are largely obscure. An extremely low level of allelic diversity was observed in a geographically diverse set of eight isolates using Complexity Reduction of Polymorphic Sequences (CRoPS) technology. Only 184 of the 16,196 contigs (1.1 %) showed one or more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thirty two SNPs and one simple sequence repeat (SSR) were translated into molecular markers and used to genotype 45 isolates originating from North and South America, Asia and Europe. Phylogenetic clustering was in most cases related to geographic origin, indicating local establishment. The European isolates mostly grouped in two major populations that may relate to the two historic introductions previously reported. However, evidence of recent geographical transfer was also observed, including transfer events between Europe and South America and between South-East Asia and Europe. In contrast with the presumed clonal propagation of this microcyclic rust, strong indications of marker recombination were observed, presumably as a result of anastomosis, karyogamy and somatic meiosis. Recombination and transfer also explain the geographical dispersal of specific markers. A near-to-significant correlation between the genotypic data and previously obtained pathotype data was observed and one marker was associated withthe most virulent pathotype group. In combination with a fast SNP detection method, the markers presented here will be helpful tools to further elucidate the transfer pathways and local survival of this pathogen.

http://ift.tt/2q8xzCC

Chemical risks related to food and feed containing masked Fusarium mycotoxins

http://ift.tt/2q5AZIr

Phytophthora ramorum in Canada: evidence for migration within North America and from Europe

Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of sudden oak death on oaks and ramorum blight on woody ornamentals, has been reported in ornamental nurseries on the West Coast of North America from British Columbia to California. Long distance migration of P. ramorum has occurred via the nursery trade, and shipments of host plants are known to have crossed the United States-Canadian border. We investigated the genotypic diversity of P. ramorum in Canadian nurseries and compared the Canadian population to US and European nursery isolates for evidence of migration among populations. All three of the P. ramorum clonal lineages were found in Canada, but unexpectedly the most common was the NA2 lineage. The NA1 clonal lineage, which has been the most common lineage in US nurseries, was found relatively infrequently in Canada and these isolates may have been the result of migration from the US to Canada. The EU1 lineage was observed almost every year and shared multilocus genotypes with isolates from Europe and the US. Estimation of migration rates between Europe and North America indicated that migration was higher from Europe to North America than vice versa, and that unidirectional migration from Europe to North America was more likely than bidirectional migration.

http://ift.tt/2q8wue4

Rhizoctonia spp. causing root and hypocotyl rot in Phaseolus vulgaris in Cuba

Sixty isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were obtained from Cuban bean fields during the period 2004-2007. Isolates were characterized with different techniques, including nuclei staining, pectic zymogram, PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA-ITS region and sequencing of the rDNA-ITS region. The majority of the isolates were identified as multinucleate Rhizoctonia solani isolates, representing two different anastomosis groups (AGs), AG 2-2 WB and AG 4 HGI; the remaining isolates were binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates and belonged to AG F and AG A. AG 4 HGI isolates were equally distributed in all soil types; AG 2-2 isolates were more frequently isolated from cambisols, whereas AG F isolates were related to calcisols. Pathogenicity experiments in vitro and in the greenhouse, revealed that binucleate isolates only caused root rot, whereas R. solani isolates were able to cause root rot and hypocotyl rot. Furthermore, differences in virulence level were observed between R. solani and binucleate isolates and among different AGs. Isolates of R. solani AG 4 HGI and R. solani AG 2-2 WB were the most aggressive, binucleate isolates of AG F were intermediate aggressive, whereas a binucleate isolate of AG A was weakly aggressive. In contrast with other reports about R. solani in bean, web blight symptoms were never observed during this study.

http://ift.tt/2q5xWjy

Vegetation parameter retrieval from SAR data using near-surface soil moisture estimates derived from a hydrological model

Previous experiments demonstrated the relationships between the radar backscattering coefficient, σ o and crop parameters such as fresh biomass, plant height and Leaf Area Index (LAI). Topsoil water content also influences the backscattered signal and is as such a required input parameter in the physical and semi-empirical models that extract vegetation parameters from σ o. In an operational environment, it is not possible to measure soil moisture over an entire agricultural region. As the vegetation cover hampers the radar remote sensing of soil moisture, near surface soil moisture can be simulated using a hydrological model. In this paper, it is investigated whether soil moisture values obtained through the hydrological model TOPLATS can be used in a crop parameter retrieval algorithm. The data set used for this investigation was collected from March to September 2003 in the Loamy Region, Belgium. During this period, 18 agricultural fields were sampled for vegetation parameters and soil moisture. In addition, 11 ERS-2 images of that period were acquired of which 6 coincided with the field measurement dates. Because the necessary catchment data were not available, TOPLATS was calibrated on a point scale for every field with in situ soil moisture. The calibrated TOPLATS model was applied to simulate soil moisture values at the ERS-2 acquisition dates for which no soil moisture field measurements were available. In parallel, the Water Cloud model was calibrated using the biophysical parameters measured on the field in order to retrieve LAI estimates from ERS SAR time series. In a second step, the simulated soil moisture values corresponding to the SAR acquisition dates were used as input in the Cloud model as substitutes of field measurements, and the propagation of the soil moisture estimate error in the LAI retrieval algorithm was studied. Finally the experimental results were discussed in the perspective of a regional crop monitoring system and the operational feasibility is assessed.

http://ift.tt/2q8ozxB

Radar based surface soil moisture retrieval through the combined use of two backscattering models

Radar based surface soil moisture retrieval has been subject of intense research during the last decades. However, several difficulties hamper the operational estimation of soil moisture based on actually available space borne sensors. The main difficulty experienced so far consists of the parameterization of other surface characteristics, mainly roughness, which strongly influences the backscattering coefficient and harms the soil moisture inversion. This fact, along with the high spatial variability of the surface roughness parameters, makes it necessary to perform intensive roughness measurements in order to invert soil moisture values with an adequate accuracy, what reduces the applicability of the approach. This paper reviews an approach, proposed by Pauwels et al. 8, in which a combined application of two well documented backscattering models, i.e. the Integral Equation Method model and the Oh model, is carried out following an iterative scheme. The approach can be applied to single configuration scenes acquired over homogeneous roughness conditions and yields estimates of both soil moisture and roughness parameters without performing ground measurements of soil moisture or roughness. The proposed algorithm was applied to a set of five RADARSAT-1 scenes acquired over Navarre (Spain) between February and April 2003. Inverted soil moisture and surface roughness parameters were compared to ground measured reference values over an experimental watershed. Results are encouraging and the possibility of simultaneously estimating both variables opens new application scenarios for radar remote sensing on the study of numerous processes at the soil surface.

http://ift.tt/2q5Idwa

Effect of soil roughness uncertainty on the accuracy of soil moisture retrieval from ERS SAR backscattering

Radar remote sensing of bare soil surfaces has shown to be very useful for retrieving soil moisture. However, the error on the retrieved value depends on the accuracy of the roughness parameters (RMS height and correlation length). Several studies have revealed that these parameters show a high variability within a field, and therefore, a lot of soil roughness profiles need to be measured to obtain accurate measurements of soil roughness. Yet, in an operational mode, soil roughness measurements are not available and therefore, for different tillages, possibility distributions of roughness values can be defined. Through inverting the Integral Equation Model, possibility distributions for soil moisture are determined. After transferring these possibilities into probabilities, mean soil moisture values and the uncertainty hereupon (given by the standard deviation on the retrieved soil moisture values) are obtained. The effect of different roughness types on the retrieval accuracy is assessed. It is found that the accuracy depends on the wetness state of the soil.

http://ift.tt/2q8JQHv

Surface soil moisture retrieval on agricultural catchments of Navarre, Spain through RADARSAT-1 SAR data: first results

The importance of soil moisture on many scientific fields like hydrology. meteorology, crop growth or soil erosion has been addressed frequently. Its characterisation has been a difficult task because of its high spatial and temporal variability. Several point based measurement techniques have been developed with different degree of success, but their conversion to spatially distributed values depends on complex geostatistical techniques. Furthermore., sensor installation and maintenance can be quite tedious. In this background, SAR remote sensing sensors provide valuable information on land surface parameters. The backscattering of the SAR signal depends amongst others on the dielectric constant of the observed surface. which is mainly related to the soil surface water content. It also gives spatially distributed information with a resolution adequate for different spatial scales: from medium or small watersheds to agricultural fields. Its periodicity, can be appropriate for calibrating, on a monthly basis.. the simulations of distributed hydrologic modelling tools. The present paper reports the first results of an ongoing research of which the main objective is the development of a simple methodology for the calibration of the soil moisture component of distributed hydrological models using SAR data. Five RADARSAT-1 images, acquired between 27/02/2003 and 02/04/2003 over the Navarre region (Northern Spain) have been processed. The calculated backscattering values have been compared to soil moisture and surface roughness ground measurements. Empirical linear regression models have been fitted at three different scales: point scale,. field scale and catchment scale, showing acceptable correlation between calculated backscattering values and ground measured soil moisture specially at field and watershed scale. However, consistent trends have not been found probably due to differing local conditions such as surface roughness or vegetation cover. Seeking for a more consistent approach, the physically based Integral Equation Method (IEM) model has been applied. Yet., simulations run by the IEM have not been completely successful probably due to an inadequate characterisation of surface roughness.

http://ift.tt/2q5JhA1

Fine mapping and identification of nucleotide binding site/leucine-rich repeat sequences at the MER locus in Populus deltoides 'S9-2'

http://ift.tt/2q8vFC5

Diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia: When and how?

Publication date: Available online 11 May 2017
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
Author(s): J.-J. Braun, N. Boehm, C. Metz-Favre, I. Koscinski, M. Teletin, C. Debry
IntroductionPrimary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare congenital disorder involving permanent ubiquitous structural and/or functional ciliary abnormalities.MethodsA single-center retrospective study included 56 cases of PCD (respiratory form) out of a cohort of 280 patients with suspected PCD. The main features of history-taking and clinical examination were analyzed, to formulate a pragmatic diagnostic procedure, easy to implement in clinical practice.ResultsChronic respiratory tract infectious symptoms are sensitive but non-specific for the diagnosis of PCD. Nasal brushing for phase-contrast microscopy study of ciliary morphology and activity proved to be a fast, easy, non-invasive, cost-effective and age-independent diagnostic method. In doubtful cases, depending on local availability, further tests are indicated: nasal nitric oxide level, electronic microscopy, genetic study and cell culture.ConclusionsIn suspected PCD, there being no gold standard method of screening and early diagnosis, nasal brushing with ciliary study is contributive, alongside numerous other complementary tests, on condition that the clinician is experienced and results are interpreted in the light of clinical examination and history-taking.

http://ift.tt/2qvb3aa

Ototoxicity associated with topical administration of diclofenac sodium as an otic drop: An experimental animal study

Publication date: July 2017
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 98
Author(s): Engin Acioglu, Ozgur Yigit, Firat Onur, Ahmet Atas, Ela Araz Server, Eyup Kara
ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to evaluate the ototoxicity of topical diclofenac sodium in comparison to positive and negative controls prior to the investigation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of the agent in otic administration.MethodsTwenty four ears of 12 guinea pigs were included in the study. Wide myringotomy was performed on all tympanic membranes under general anesthesia and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were evaluated. The subjects were separated into four groups, two groups received diclofenac sodium at low and high doses, positive controls received gentamicin and negative controls received isotonic sodium chloride topically for 14 days and ABRs were reevaluated.ResultsNo significant difference were observed between the pre and post-treatment click response, 1 kHz and 8 kHz response threshold levels after isotonic sodium chloride administration. All threshold levels were elevated in the positive control group. In the low and high dose diclofenac sodium groups, click response, 1 kHz and 8 kHz response threshold levels were significantly higher compared to the baseline values. Pre and post-treatment mean threshold level changes were not significantly different between the low and high dose diclofenac sodium groups. Pre and post-treatment mean threshold level changes in the gentamicin group were not significantly different from low or high dose diclofenac sodium groups.ConclusionDiclofenac sodium, considered as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory otic preparation, is shown to be as ototoxic as gentamicin in chronic use which may lead to loss of hearing especially when used topically in chronic otitis cases with tympanic membrane damage.

http://ift.tt/2qvAxEz

Plate fin heat sink modelling and design considerations for thermoelectric generators

http://ift.tt/2qXnYld

Simulations of absorption heat pump implementation in a drying system: an industrial case study

http://ift.tt/2pAPnEQ

Continuous flow metathesis for direct valorization of food waste : an example of cocoa butter triglyceride

The direct chemical conversion of cocoa butter triglycerides, a material available as a postmanufacture waste stream from the food industry, to 1-decene by way of ethenolysis is reported. The conversion of the raw waste material was made possible by use of 1 mol % of the [RuCl2(iBu-phoban)(2)(3-phenylindenyl] catalyst. The process has been investigated in both batch and flow conditions, where the latter approach employs a Teflon AF-2400 tube-in-tube gas liquid membrane contactor to deliver ethylene to the reaction system. These preliminary studies culminate in a continuous processing system, which maintained a constant output over a 150 min period tested.

http://ift.tt/2qXqGqO

Water-soluble NHC-metal complexes in catalysis, a new frontier in sustainable chemistry

http://ift.tt/2pAQVOX

Chemical solution deposition of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ layers in coated conductors: sustainable chemistry and growth process

http://ift.tt/2qXqFTM

Comparison of two pharmaceutical production processes using different eco-efficiency measuring methods

http://ift.tt/2pB0WM4

Zipper plot : visualizing transcriptional activity of genomic regions

Background: Reconstructing transcript models from RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data and establishing these as independent transcriptional units can be a challenging task. Current state-of-the-art tools for long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) annotation are mainly based on evolutionary constraints, which may result in false negatives due to the overall limited conservation of lncRNAs. Results: To tackle this problem we have developed the Zipper plot, a novel visualization and analysis method that enables users to simultaneously interrogate thousands of human putative transcription start sites (TSSs) in relation to various features that are indicative for transcriptional activity. These include publicly available CAGE-sequencing, ChIP-sequencing and DNase-sequencing datasets. Our method only requires three tab-separated fields (chromosome, genomic coordinate of the TSS and strand) as input and generates a report that includes a detailed summary table, a Zipper plot and several statistics derived from this plot. Conclusion: Using the Zipper plot, we found evidence of transcription for a set of well-characterized lncRNAs and observed that fewer mono-exonic lncRNAs have CAGE peaks overlapping with their TSSs compared to multi-exonic lncRNAs. Using publicly available RNA-seq data, we found more than one hundred cases where junction reads connected protein-coding gene exons with a downstream mono-exonic lncRNA, revealing the need for a careful evaluation of lncRNA 5′-boundaries. Our method is implemented using the statistical programming language R and is freely available as a webtool.

http://ift.tt/2q6gLh6

Lady Park Wood: the loss of ground flora

http://ift.tt/2pCwvWs

The science of managing forests to sustain water resources

http://ift.tt/2q6mymY

A guide to useful revision resources for the Specialty Certificate Examination in dermatology

http://ift.tt/2pAyIkG

Dermatology board exam resource review

http://ift.tt/2qXgzCk

Effects of noise exposure on auditory function

Bakay, WMH; (2017) Effects of noise exposure on auditory function. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

http://ift.tt/2r3neHj

Consciousness and the Limits of Social Conformity: A Theory of Ideology through the Works of Marcuse, Jameson and Žižek

Bailes, JR; (2017) Consciousness and the Limits of Social Conformity: A Theory of Ideology through the Works of Marcuse, Jameson and Žižek. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London). Green open access

http://ift.tt/2pno0T7

Ultra scale-down process synthesis of microalgae primary recovery operations

Auta, HA; (2017) Ultra scale-down process synthesis of microalgae primary recovery operations. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

http://ift.tt/2r32EXy

Principles of excitatory and inhibitory functional connectivity in cerebellar cortex in vivo

Arlt, C; (2017) Principles of excitatory and inhibitory functional connectivity in cerebellar cortex in vivo. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

http://ift.tt/2pneuQe

Energy Efficient Large Scale Antenna Systems for 5G Communications and Beyond

Amadori, PV; (2017) Energy Efficient Large Scale Antenna Systems for 5G Communications and Beyond. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London). Green open access

http://ift.tt/2r3mbXX

Persian crucible steel production: Chāhak tradition

Alipour, R; (2017) Persian crucible steel production: Chāhak tradition. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

http://ift.tt/2pnIg7e

Mathematical modelling of clean water treatment works

Akinmolayan, F; (2017) Mathematical modelling of clean water treatment works. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

http://ift.tt/2r3hfT4

The Use of PEEK as a Material for Shoulder Arthroplasty

Ajami, S; (2017) The Use of PEEK as a Material for Shoulder Arthroplasty. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

http://ift.tt/2r3b6X9

Development and selection of decision trees for water management : impact of data preprocessing, algorithms and settings

In the present research, we found that different preprocessing options and parameterizations of classification and regression trees alter their model fit and have a direct effect on their applicability for end-users. We found that, in terms of applicability, classification trees react different to pruning than regression trees. Indeed, in case of high pruning levels, classification focus on the extreme values of the response variable, whereas regression tree are more likely to predict the intermediate values. Furthermore, when applying cross-validation with a high number of folds, modellers are likely to find one model that outperforms the other models in terms of reliability. Models were assessed based on the determination coefficient, the percentage of Correctly Classified Instances and the Cohen's Kappa statistic for each parameterization. We found positive correlations (R-2 > 0.70) between the statistical criteria and we found a non-linear negative relation between the model fit and the level of pruning. Therefore, environmental modellers should make use of an exhaustive list of model parameterizations to develop and compare environmental models in a transparent and objective manner. General methodological guidelines derived from the present research may help modellers to efficiently select statistical and ecological relevant models that are meeting the needs of users. The validity of our conclusion should be further tested for other datasets and scientific domains as our findings are based on one set of freshwater data.

http://ift.tt/2pB2fKO

Measuring emerging organic micropollutants in the North Sea using high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry: method validation and occurrence in harbour and open sea

http://ift.tt/2pAubyM

EPRENNID : an evolutionary prototype reduction based ensemble for nearest neighbor classification of imbalanced data

http://ift.tt/2qWHoGU

Large-scale distance metric learning for k-nearest neighbors regression

http://ift.tt/2pAqU2e

40-Gb/s TDM-PON Downstream Link With Low-Cost EML Transmitter and APD-Based Electrical Duobinary Receiver

http://ift.tt/2r3kWrE

The Institution of Service in Rural Flanders in the Sixteenth Century: A Regional Perspective

http://ift.tt/2pncpnc

De vele gezichten van zorg. Armoede en armenzorg op het platteland in het graafschap Vlaanderen tijdens de achttiende eeuw

http://ift.tt/2r3kWb8

The clone relation of a binary relation

http://ift.tt/2pn1cDn

A dynamic model of irrigation and land-use choice: application to the Beauce aquifer

http://ift.tt/2pAjI6s

Does one size fit all? A comparative analysis of the mandatory legal regime for apartment co-ownership

http://ift.tt/2qWP1gi

Automatically measured variables related to tenderness of hoof placement and weight distribution are valuable indicators for lameness in dairy cows

As lameness detection in dairy cattle using visual locomotion scoring is cumbersome and subjective, research efforts are dedicated to develop automatic lameness detection systems. 'Tender hoof placement' and the distribution of the body weight over the four legs are possible lameness indicators, but no research exists on how to derive from automatically measured gait characteristics. This study aims to derive new variables related to the (i) landing, full weight bearing and lifting phases of a stance time and the (ii) time spent on combinations of legs during the different phases of the gait cycle from cow gait recordings on a dedicated pressure mat, known as the Gaitwise. Data of 9 non-lame, 11 mildly lame and 12 severely lame cows were gathered. For all measurements, each variable was calculated per leg or combination of legs, after which the group means of each variable were compared between the three lameness statuses using a one-way ANOVA analysis. Landing and lifting variables indicated that the proportion of time for hoof placement and hoof lifting during the total stance time was longer in lame cows, and that the proportion of full weight bearing time was shorter. Lame cows were thus more careful to place and retract the hind feet in the case of a hind-lame leg. Support time variables indicated that lame cows increased the percentage triple support time (i.e time spent with three feet on the ground during walking) and lowered the percentage double support (i.e. time spent with two legs on the ground). Also, double support combinations on the same side of the body were preferred above diagonal combinations. The newly defined gait variables indeed reflect tenderness of hoof placement and body weight distribution and hence seem useful for discriminating between non-lame, mildly lame and severely lame cows. However, several of these interesting variables may have to be combined to obtain automatic lameness detection with sufficient accuracy. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2pAwcuR

De Vlaamse schoolsport onder de loep

http://ift.tt/2qX06xN

Study of three putative nuclear modulators of the p53 pathway

http://ift.tt/2pAc9wu

Beweging en sport binnen een brede school: inzichten in de implementatie binnen Vlaanderen en Brussel

http://ift.tt/2qWQun1

Brede school met sportaanbod: samenwerken doet bewegen

http://ift.tt/2pAD6jt

Een sportaanbod op school: hoe pakken scholen het aan?

http://ift.tt/2qWQ4gp

Kinematics of developmental coordination disorder : motor control of functional movement skills

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have problems with the performance of all sorts of activities that require motor coordination. These movement difficulties often interfere with the children's academic achievements and they also inhibit normal participation to activities of daily living. In order to better understand the movement difficulties of these children, the aim of this dissertation is to present an objective and quantitative in depth analysis of a range of basic movement skills of children with DCD. An introductory chapter (Chapter 1) attempts to provide an overview of the diagnosis, the prevalence, the outcome, the characteristics, and putative underlying mechanisms of DCD. After that, a detailed analysis of the control of a simple catching task gives insight into the basic interceptive capacities of children with DCD (Chapter 2). In a second study, the spatio- temporal control and the body kinematics of children with DCD during walking is investigated and compared to that of typically developing children (Chapter 3). The study described into Chapter 4 builds on the knowledge of the first gait-study and goes beyond that by looking to the contribution of visual information to the control of walking. The fourth and last study concentrates on the control of balance and the fundamental sensory integration capacities in children with DCD (Chapter 5). The results of these studies are discussed in the light of putative, underlying perceptual and motor control deficits of DCD in a final, general discussion (Chapter 6).

http://ift.tt/2pAv4Hs

The association between semaphorin 3A levels and gluten-free diet in patients with celiac disease

Publication date: Available online 11 May 2017
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Aharon Kessel, Chen Lin, Zahava Vadasz, Regina Peri, Nasren Eiza, Drora Berkowitz
Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory disease affecting the small intestine. We aim to assess serum level and expression of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) on T regulatory (Treg) cells in CD patients. Twenty-six newly diagnosed celiac patients, 13 celiac patients on a gluten-free diet and 16 healthy controls included in the study. Sema3A protein level in the serum of celiac patients was significantly higher compared to healthy group (7.17±1.8ng/ml vs. 5.67±1.5ng/ml, p=0.012). Sema3A expression on Treg cells was statistically lower in celiac patients compared to healthy subjects (p=0.009) and significantly lower in celiac patients compared to celiac patients on gluten free diet (p=0.04). Negative correlation was found between Sema3A on Teg cells and the level of IgA anti-tTG antibodies (r=−0.346, p<0.01) and anti-DGP (r=−0.448, p<0.01). This study suggests involvement of the Sema3A in the pathogenesis of CD.

http://ift.tt/2pAsQI1

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