Treatment of advanced nasopharyngeal cancer using low- or high-dose concurrent chemoradiotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy: A propensity score-matched, nationwide, population-based cohort study

Publication date: Available online 22 December 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Tsung-Ming Chen, Kuan-Chou Lin, Kevin Sheng-Po Yuan, Chia-Lun Chang, Jyh-Ming Chow, Szu-Yuan Wu
BackgroundNo large-scale, head-to-head, phase III, randomized, controlled trial with an adequate sample size has investigated the effect of concurrent low-dose (LD) or high-dose (HD) cisplatin with radiotherapy on nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Thus, we conducted a propensity-score-matched, nationwide, population-based cohort study in Taiwan to investigate the outcomes of LD-concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or HD-CCRT with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with advanced NPC.MethodsIn this study, patients were categorized into 2 groups according to their chemotherapy regimen: HD-CCRT and LD-CCRT groups.ResultsWe enrolled 1968 patients (328 and 1640 in the LD-CCRT and HD-CCRT groups, respectively) who had received CCRT with IMRT. According to both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.75 (0.54–1.06, P = .103) was derived for the HD-CCRT group.ConclusionLD-CCRT or HD-CCRT with IMRT can be a standard treatment that can prolong the survival of patients with advanced NPC.



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Morphologic and mechanical properties of blends from recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Denise Hirayama, Clodoaldo Saron
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) have attracted attention due to their high pollutant potential and increasing volume produced in recent years as function of the modernization and continuum substitution of the current equipment that quickly become obsolete. Among polymeric materials that make up the WEEE, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) copolymers are the most important materials. However, it is not always possible the complete segregation of ABS and HIPS during the processes for mechanical recycling of these polymers. Thus, the formation of ABS/HIPS blends is often unavoidable. In this report, the relationship between morphology and mechanical/rheological properties of ABS/HIPS blends produced from WEEE recycling was investigated. Although the component polystyrene (PS) and polybutadiene (PB) are present in the composition of both ABS and HIPS, the blends ABS/HIPS are immiscible, showing complex morphology that directly affect the mechanical and rheological behavior of the material. On the other hand, the production of the ABS/HIPS blends is an interesting alternative for properties control of the recycled polymers from WEEE.

Graphical abstract

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Welcome to the first issue of polymer for 2018!

Publication date: 3 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 134
Author(s): Leanne Mullen




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Shear-induced precursors in polyethylene: An in-situ synchrotron radiation scanning X-ray microdiffraction study

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Fengmei Su, Youxin Ji, Lingpu Meng, Jiarui Chang, Liang Chen, Liangbin Li
Localized shear flow was imposed by pulling glass fiber in polyethylene (PE) melt below and above its equilibrium melting point (141.6 °C). Immediately after the cessation of shear, the structure around the fiber was investigated with in-situ synchrotron radiation scanning X-ray microdiffraction (SR-μSXRD), which had spot area of 4.2 × 4.5 μm² and step size of 6 μm. Results indicate that crystalline precursors are induced below equilibrium melting point, as evidenced by the occurrence of crystalline diffractions. Whilst at temperature above equilibrium melting point, no crystalline diffraction is observed. SR-μSXRD measurements on the crystallization behaviors at 127 °C after shearing at 145 °C suggest that non-crystalline precursors are induced, which is supported by three evidences. (i) The occurrence of crystallization near the fiber surface implies shear-induced formation of precursors at 145 °C since the fiber has no ability to induce crystallization at quiescent condition; (ii) No crystalline diffraction is detected immediately after cessation of shear at 145 °C; (iii) The necessity of induction time for the precursors to transform into crystalline nuclei further demonstrates the non-crystalline nature of precursors. The concentration of precursors is observed to reduce with increasing shearing temperature, as evidenced by twisting degree of lamellar crystals after isothermally crystallized at 127 °C.

Graphical abstract

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Intermolecular interactions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)) with PHB-type crystal structure and PHV-type crystal structure studied by low-frequency Raman and terahertz spectroscopy

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Dian Marlina, Harumi Sato, Hiromichi Hoshina, Yukihiro Ozaki
Composition-, temperature-, and polarization-dependent low-frequency Raman and terahertz (far-infrared; FIR) spectra were measured for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)) with PHB-type crystal structure and PHV-type crystal structure to investigate their intermolecular interactions. Band assignments were attempted by comparing the low-frequency Raman and terahertz (FIR) spectra of P(HB-co-HV) with the varying HV content with the corresponding spectra of PHB and by observing spectral variations. The spectra of P(HB-co-HV) (HV = 9, 15, and 21 mol%) are similar to the corresponding spectra of PHB. There are two bands at 97 and 82 cm⁻¹ which are assigned to a spring type vibrational mode of the helical structure and to the mode reflecting the intermolecular interaction (CH3⋯O=C hydrogen bond), respectively. The low-frequency Raman and terahertz spectra of P(HB-co-HV) with HV content of 66 and 88.6 mol% show bands at 91 and 78 cm⁻¹. The 78 cm⁻¹ band is assigned to the intermolecular interaction (CH2⋯O=C hydrogen bond). In contrast to the 97 cm⁻¹ band of P(HB-co-HV) with the low HV content, the 91 cm⁻¹ band of P(HB-co-HV) with the high HV content show a temperature-dependent shift by 4 cm⁻¹. Thus, although it seems that both 97 and 91 cm⁻¹ bands are due to spring-like vibrational modes, the nature of two vibrational modes seems to be significantly different, reflecting the difference in the intermolecular interaction.

Graphical abstract

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Editorial Board

Publication date: 3 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 134





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Large-scale reverse Monte Carlo analysis for the morphologies of silica nanoparticles in end-modified rubbers based on ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering data

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Katsumi Hagita, Tetsuo Tominaga, Takuo Sone
Differences in the morphologies of silica nanoparticles (NPs) in end-modified styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and non-modified SBR were analyzed by comparing ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) experiments and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. To perform 3D topological data analysis on NPs, a modeling method for the 3D positions of NPs is essential. Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) analysis is an effective tool for modeling the 3D configuration of NPs from the USAXS data. It was previously reported that the difference in the scattering intensity I(q) between the end-modified and the non-modified SBR can be observed at a q-range of 0.0015–0.06 nm⁻¹. To take such a low q value into account in the RMC analysis, both a large system and a large number of NPs are required. In this study, a large-scale RMC analysis for 33,554,432 NPs, for a wide q-range from 0.0014 to 0.17 nm⁻¹, was performed. The 3D topological data analyses were conducted using the histograms of neighboring particles and the volumes of the Voronoi cells. The results reveal that NPs in the end-modified SBR are better dispersed than those in the non-modified SBR. The histograms of the neighboring particles show that the average size of the aggregated NPs for the modified SBR is smaller than that for the non-modified SBR. From the histograms of the volumes of the Voronoi cells, it is observed that the fraction of the large free volume among the aggregated NPs for the non-modified SBR is larger than that for the modified SBR.

Graphical abstract

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Preparation of ultra-low CTE epoxy composite using the new alkoxysilyl-functionalized bisphenol A epoxy resin

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Hyunaee Chun, Yun-Ju Kim, Sang-Yong Tak, Sook-Yeon Park, Su-Jin Park, Chang Ho Oh
The high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the epoxy composite frequently causes the CTE-mismatch problem in semiconductor packaging. However, when the epoxy resins available currently are used for composite, the CTE-mismatch problem is inevitable even at the highly-filled conditions. In this study, the new type of bisphenol A (BPA) epoxy resin, i.e., ethoxysilyl-functionalized BPA epoxy was synthesized for the ultra-low CTE epoxy composite. The new epoxy composite with 85 wt% of silica content showed the ultra-low CTE of 3.2 ppm/°C and 6.0 ppm/°C at the temperature ranges of T < Tg and T > Tg, respectively. For comparison, the non-functionalized BPA epoxy composite was prepared under the similar conditions and it showed the CTE values of 8 ppm/°C and 40 ppm/°C at the temperature ranges of T < Tg and T > Tg, respectively. In order to understand the unique feature of the alkoxysilyl-functionalized epoxy, the reaction mechanism of the new epoxy was investigated using the model compound.

Graphical abstract

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Preparation of low molecular weight cyclic polystyrenes with high purity via liquid chromatography at the critical condition

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Lingfeng Gao, Joongsuk Oh, Yingfeng Tu, Taihyun Chang
Cyclic polymers synthesized by ring-closure method from linear precursors contain some of linear contaminates. In this work, the origin of linear contaminates in cyclic polystyrenes (c-PS) is demonstrated by the coupling of liquid chromatography at the critical condition (LCCC) with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra. The linear contaminates are revealed to be the "dead" chains during ATRP by chain termination, the unreacted linear polystyrene (l-PS) precursors, and the dimers by the imperfect ring-closure reaction. The c-PS are purified by LCCC fractionation, and the results show the LCCC fractionation at the critical adsorption point (CAP) of c-PS is more efficient than that at the CAP of linears for low molecular weight (<10,000) PS. A two-step LCCC method is presented for the preparation of c-PS with high purity (>99.6%) via the tandem-coupled LCCC fractionation at the CAP of l-PS and at the CAP of c-PS.

Graphical abstract

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Soluble, porous semifluorinated poly(arylene ether) ladder polymers from 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzonitrile

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Krishnan Ranganathan, Anbanandam Parthiban
A series of new ladder polymers are synthesized from nucleophilic substitution reactions between tetrafunctional fluorinated monomers derived from 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzonitrile (PFBN) and various bisphenols such as hydroquinone (HQ), bisphenol-A (BP-A), and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (6F-BPA) by a two-step process under mild conditions. The tetrafunctional semi-fluorinated derivatives were obtained by reacting PFBN with nucleophiles such as -S^2-, HQ, BP-A, 6F-BPA in 2:1 mol ratio at room temperature. The tetrafunctional derivatives were subsequently reacted with bisphenols of the same or different type in 1:2 mol ratios respectively to yield soluble porous polymers. The MALDI-TOF MS analysis shows that each repeating unit of polymer chain consists of one unit derived from the tetrafunctional moiety and two bisphenoxy moieties exhibiting ladder structure in the polymer backbone. These polymers exhibit porous nature and the porosity can be fine-tuned by changing the bisphenols at either step.

Graphical abstract

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Self-crosslinkable nitroxide-functionalized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) through atom transfer radical coupling reaction

Publication date: 17 January 2018
Source:Polymer, Volume 135
Author(s): Chia-Yu Lin, Chien-Ho Huang, Chien-Chieh Hu, Ying-Ling Liu
Nitroxide-functionalized polymers are attractive macroinitiators for nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) and further modification of polymers. In this work, a facile reaction method to chemically bond nitroxide groups to polymer chains has been demonstrated with incorporation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperydinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) groups into poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) through the atom transfer radical coupling reaction. The TEMPO-functionalized PPO (PPO-TEMPO) has been used as a macroinitiator for NMP of styrene to result in the corresponding PPO-g-PS graft copolymers. Moreover, PPO-TEMPO could be used to carry out a thermally-induced self-crosslinking reaction through radical coupling. The crosslinked PPO displays enhanced mechanical properties, reduced oxygen permeability coefficient (from 22.5 barrer to 3.5 barrer), low dielectric constant (2.40 at 10 GHz) and low dissipation factor (0.008 at 10 GHz), so as to have high potential for application in dielectric layers of microelectronics.

Graphical abstract

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Contents

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2





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Calendar

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2





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Bowel Sonoelastography in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Lorenzo Carlo Pescatori, Giovanni Mauri, Edoardo Savarino, Luca Pastorelli, Maurizio Vecchi, Luca Maria Sconfienza
Sonoelastography is an ultrasound-based method for evaluating the biological properties of a target tissue. It is commonly used in the diagnosis of liver and thyroid disease, but recently its use for monitoring the characteristics of bowel wall in patients affected by Crohn's disease (CD) has been proposed. Our aim was a systematic review of the use of sonoelastography in patients with CD. An initial database search retrieved 32 possible articles. On initial screening, 7 articles, concerning a total of 129 patients and 154 lesions of the small and large bowel, were finally included in the review. The age range varied between 6 and 53 y, and disease duration ranged between 1 and 623 mo. We collected data on the examinations performed (type and time), bowel area considered and parameters evaluated. All authors found that elastography correlates well with the degree of fibrosis, as wall strain significantly decreases in segments affected by fibrotic stenosis. Even though the endpoints proposed in the various articles are relatively inhomogeneous and scarcely comparable, we found that sonoelastography is a promising tool in the evaluation of patients with CD as it can differentiate inflammatory and fibrotic strictures in small case series.



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Evaluating the Benefit of Elevated Acoustic Output in Harmonic Motion Estimation in Ultrasonic Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Yufeng Deng, Mark L. Palmeri, Ned C. Rouze, Clare M. Haystead, Kathryn R. Nightingale
Harmonic imaging techniques have been applied in ultrasonic elasticity imaging to obtain higher-quality tissue motion tracking data. However, harmonic tracking can be signal-to-noise ratio and penetration depth limited during clinical imaging, resulting in decreased yield of successful shear wave speed measurements. A logical approach is to increase the source pressure, but the in situ pressures used in diagnostic ultrasound have been subject to a de facto upper limit based on the Food and Drug Administration guideline for the mechanical index (MI <1.9). A recent American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine report concluded that an in situ MI up to 4.0 could be warranted without concern for increased risk of cavitation in non-fetal tissues without gas bodies if there were a concurrent clinical benefit. This work evaluates the impact of using an elevated MI in harmonic motion tracking for hepatic shear wave elasticity imaging. The studies indicate that high-MI harmonic tracking increased shear wave speed estimation yield by 27% at a focal depth of 5 cm, with larger yield increase in more difficult-to-image patients. High-MI tracking improved harmonic tracking data quality by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and decreasing jitter in the tissue motion data. We conclude that there is clinical benefit to use of elevated acoustic output in shear wave tracking, particularly in difficult-to-image patients.



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Comprehensively Assessing the Acute Femoral Cartilage Response and Recovery after Walking and Drop-Landing: An Ultrasonographic Study

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Matthew S. Harkey, J. Troy Blackburn, Anthony C. Hackney, Michael D. Lewek, Randy J. Schmitz, Daniel Nissman, Brian Pietrosimone
We compared the acute response and recovery of ultrasonography (US) cartilage outcomes (i.e., thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity) between walking, drop-landing and control conditions in 43 young adults with no history of lower extremity injury. A femoral cartilage US assessment was performed before and after each condition to determine the acute cartilage response and recovery at 15, 30 and 45 min. Percentage change scores from pre- to all post-time points were used for analysis. Acute cartilage response and recovery were analyzed with a 3 × 4 (condition × time) repeated-measures analysis of variance. Greater deformation of the medial and lateral femoral cartilage was observed immediately after both the walking and drop-landing conditions compared with the control condition. Cartilage deformation after the drop-landing condition required longer time to recover compared with the walking condition. The femoral cartilage deformation was not accompanied by concurrent alterations in cartilage echo intensity.



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An Ultrasound Surface Wave Technique for Assessing Skin and Lung Diseases

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Xiaoming Zhang, Boran Zhou, Sanjay Kalra, Brian Bartholmai, James Greenleaf, Thomas Osborn
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-organ connective tissue disease characterized by immune dysregulation and organ fibrosis. Severe organ involvement, especially of the skin and lung, is the cause of morbidity and mortality in SSc. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) includes multiple lung disorders in which the lung tissue is fibrotic and stiffened. The purpose of this study was to translate ultrasound surface wave elastography (USWE) for assessing patients with SSc and/or ILD via measuring surface wave speeds of both skin and superficial lung tissue. Forty-one patients with both SSc and ILD and 30 healthy patients were enrolled in this study. An external harmonic vibration was used to generate the wave propagation on the skin or lung. Three excitation frequencies of 100, 150 and 200 Hz were used. An ultrasound probe was used to measure the wave propagation in the tissue non-invasively. Surface wave speeds were measured on the forearm and upper arm of both left and right arm, as well as the upper and lower lungs, through six intercostal spaces of patients and healthy patients. Viscoelasticity of the skin was calculated by the wave speed dispersion with frequency using the Voigt model. The magnitudes of surface wave speed and viscoelasticity of patients' skin were significantly higher than those of healthy patients (p < 0.0001) for each location and each frequency. The surface wave speeds of patients' lung were significantly higher than those of healthy patients (p < 0.0001) for each location and each frequency. USWE is a non-invasive and non-ionizing technique for measuring both skin and lung surface wave speed and may be useful for quantitative assessment of SSc and/or ILD.



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Determination of Acoustic Cavitation Probabilities and Thresholds Using a Single Focusing Transducer to Induce and Detect Acoustic Cavitation Events: I. Method and Terminology

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Julian Haller, Volker Wilkens, Adam Shaw
A method to determine acoustic cavitation probabilities in tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) is described that uses a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer for both inducing and detecting the acoustic cavitation events. The method was evaluated by studying acoustic cavitation probabilities in agar-based TMMs with and without scatterers and for different sonication modes like continuous wave, single pulses (microseconds to milliseconds) and repeated burst signals. Acoustic cavitation thresholds (defined here as the peak rarefactional in situ pressure at which the acoustic cavitation probability reaches 50%) at a frequency of 1.06 MHz were observed between 1.1 MPa (for 1 s of continuous wave sonication) and 4.6 MPa (for 1 s of a repeated burst signal with 25-cycle burst length and 10-ms burst period) in a 3% (by weight) agar phantom without scatterers. The method and its evaluation are described, and general terminology useful for standardizing the description of insonation conditions and comparing results is provided. In the accompanying second part, the presented method is used to systematically study the acoustic cavitation thresholds in the same material for a range of sonication modes.



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Response to the Letter to the Editor-in-Chief on Manuscript Entitled: Transbulbar B-Mode Sonography in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical and Biological Relevance

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Roberto De Masi, Stefania Orlando




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Determination of Acoustic Cavitation Probabilities and Thresholds Using a Single Focusing Transducer to Induce and Detect Acoustic Cavitation Events: II. Systematic Investigation in an Agar Material

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Julian Haller, Volker Wilkens
In the accompanying article (Part I), a method is described to determine acoustic cavitation probabilities in tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) using a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer for both inducing and detecting the acoustic cavitation events, and its suitability for different sonication modes like continuous wave, single pulses (with pulse lengths from microseconds to milliseconds) and repeated burst signals is discussed. In Part II, the use of the method for a systematic study of the dependence of the acoustic cavitation thresholds in 3% (by weight) agar phantoms on the temporal sonication parameters is discussed. The values obtained at a frequency of 1.06 MHz, ranging from (0.58 ± 0.12) MPa for a 3-s continuous wave mode sonication to (5.2 ± 1.0) MPa for single shots with a length of 10 wave cycles, are discussed and interpreted on the basis of literature values and their self-consistency.



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Repeatability of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography of the Kidneys in Healthy Cats

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Emmelie Stock, Luc Duchateau, Jimmy H. Saunders, Veerle Volckaert, Ingeborgh Polis, Katrien Vanderperren
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used to image and quantify tissue perfusion. It holds great potential for the use in the diagnosis of various diffuse renal diseases in both human and veterinary medicine. Nevertheless, the technique is known to have an inherent relatively high variability, related to various factors associated with the patient, the contrast agent and machine settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess week-to-week intra- and inter-cat variation of several perfusion parameters obtained with CEUS of both kidneys of 12 healthy cats. Repeatability was determined by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). The contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters with the lowest variation for the renal cortex were time-to-peak (CV 6.0%), rise time (CV 13%), fall time (CV 19%) and mean transit time (24%). Intensity-related parameters and parameters related to the slope of the time-intensity curve had a CV of >35%. Lower repeatability was present for perfusion parameters derived from the renal medulla compared with the renal cortex. Normalization to the inter-lobar artery does not cause a reduction in variation. In conclusion, time-related parameters for the cortex show a reasonable repeatability; whereas poor repeatability is present for intensity-related parameters and parameters related to in- and outflow of contrast agent. Poor repeatability is also present for all perfusion parameters for the renal medulla, except for time to peak, which has a good repeatability.



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Effect of Temperature on the Size Distribution, Shell Properties, and Stability of Definity®

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Himanshu Shekhar, Nathaniel J. Smith, Jason L. Raymond, Christy K. Holland
Physical characterization of an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) aids in its safe and effective use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of temperature on the size distribution, shell properties, and stability of Definity^®, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved UCA used for left ventricular opacification. A Coulter counter was modified to enable particle size measurements at physiologic temperatures. The broadband acoustic attenuation spectrum and size distribution of Definity^® were measured at room temperature (25 °C) and physiologic temperature (37 °C) and were used to estimate the viscoelastic shell properties of the agent at both temperatures. Attenuation and size distribution was measured over time to assess the effect of temperature on the temporal stability of Definity^®. The attenuation coefficient of Definity^® at 37 °C was as much as 5 dB higher than the attenuation coefficient measured at 25 °C. However, the size distributions of Definity^® at 25 °C and 37 °C were similar. The estimated shell stiffness and viscosity decreased from 1.76 ± 0.18 N/m and 0.21 × 10^–6 ± 0.07 × 10^–6 kg/s at 25 °C to 1.01 ± 0.07 N/m and 0.04 × 10^–6 ± 0.04 × 10^–6 kg/s at 37 °C, respectively. Size-dependent differences in dissolution rates were observed within the UCA population at both 25 °C and 37 °C. Additionally, cooling the diluted UCA suspension from 37 °C to 25 °C accelerated the dissolution rate. These results indicate that although temperature affects the shell properties of Definity^® and can influence the stability of Definity^®, the size distribution of this agent is not affected by a temperature increase from 25 °C to 37 °C.



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Quantitative Evaluation of Denervated Muscle Atrophy with Shear Wave Ultrasound Elastography and a Comparison with the Histopathologic Parameters in an Animal Model

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Jing Wen, Yuexiang Wang, Wenli Jiang, Yukun Luo, Jiang Peng, Mingxue Chen, Xiaoguang Jing
This study explored the efficacy of shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWUE) for quantitative evaluation of denervated muscle atrophy in a rabbit model. The elastic modulus of the triceps surae muscle was measured with SWUE and compared with histopathologic parameters at baseline and at various post-denervation times (2, 4 and 8 wk) with 10 animals in each group. Our results revealed that the elastic modulus of denervated muscle was significantly lower at 2 wk but higher at 8 wk compared with that at the baseline (p < 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the elastic modulus at 4 wk and that at the baseline (p > 0.05). The wet-weight ratio and the muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the denervated muscle decreased gradually during the 8 wk post-denervation together with a gradual increase of the collagen fiber area (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SWUE was useful for quantitative evaluation of muscle denervation. The decreased elastic modulus might be an early sign of denervated muscle atrophy.



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Development and Validation of a Phase-Filtered Moving Ensemble Correlation for Echocardiographic Particle Image Velocimetry

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Brett A. Meyers, Craig J. Goergen, Pavlos P. Vlachos
A new processing method for echocardiographic particle image velocimetry (EchoPIV) using moving ensemble (ME) correlation with dynamic phase correlation filtering was developed to improve velocity measurement accuracy for routine clinical evaluation of cardiac function. The proposed method was tested using computationally generated echocardiogram images. Error analysis indicated that ME EchoPIV yields a twofold improvement in bias and random error over the current standard correlation method (βPairwise = −0.15 vs. βME = −0.06; σPairwise = 1.00 vs. σME = 0.49). Subsequently a cohort of eight patients with impaired diastolic filling underwent similar evaluation. Comparison of patient EchoPIV velocity time series with corresponding color M-mode velocity time series revealed better agreement for ME EchoPIV compared with standard PIV processing (RME = 0.90 vs. RPairwise = 0.70). Further time series analysis was performed to measure filling propagation velocity and 1-D intraventricular pressure gradients. Comparison against CMM values indicated that both measurements are completely decorrelated for pairwise processing (R²Vp = 0.15, R²IVPD = 0.07), whereas ME processing correlates decently (R²Vp = 0.69, R²IVPD = 0.69). This new approach enables more robust processing of routine clinical scans and can increase the utility of EchoPIV for the assessment of left ventricular function.



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A Novel Method of Synovitis Stratification in Ultrasound Using Machine Learning Algorithms: Results From Clinical Validation of the MEDUSA Project

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Pawel Mielnik, Marcin Fojcik, Jakub Segen, Marek Kulbacki
Ultrasound is widely used in the diagnosis and follow-up of chronic arthritis. We present an evaluation of a novel automatic ultrasound diagnostic tool based on image recognition technology. Methods used in developing the algorithm are described elsewhere. For the purpose of evaluation, we collected 140 ultrasound images of metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints from patients with chronic arthritis. They were classified, according to hypertrophy size, into four stages (0–3) by three independent human observers and the algorithm. An agreement ratio was calculated between all observers and the standard derived from results of human staging using κ statistics. Results was significant in all pairs, with the highest p value of 3.9 × 10^–6. κ coefficients were lower in algorithm/human pairs than between human assessors. The algorithm is effective in staging synovitis hypertrophy. It is, however, not mature enough to use in a daily practice because of limited accuracy and lack of color Doppler recognition. These limitations will be addressed in the future.



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Ultrasound Determination of the Femoral Head-Neck Alpha Angle

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): D.J. Robinson, S. Lee, P. Marks, M.E. Schneider
The femoral head-neck alpha angle is used to quantify the degree of femoral head asphericity in patients suspected of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement. The measurement was first performed using magnetic resonance imaging and, more recently, three-dimensional computed tomography (CT). We set out to determine whether the alpha angle could be reliably measured using ultrasound. Patients were recruited from a cohort presenting for CT of the hip. Alpha angles were calculated following the departmental protocol by institutionally accredited radiographers. After the CT, patients were imaged with ultrasound and the alpha angle calculated from the ultrasound image by a sonographer blinded to the CT result. Statistical comparison of the two methods was performed with the Bland-Altman test using SPSS (version 21.0, Chicago, USA), and a p < 0.05 afforded significance. Twenty-eight patients were recruited. Eleven patients were bilateral examinations, providing 39 hips for analysis. There were 15 females and 13 males, with 21 right and 18 left hips examined. Average patient age (±standard deviation) was 40 y (±13.9 y). Mean (±standard deviation) measurements for CT and ultrasound were 62.5° (±14.2°) and 64.5° (±12.6°), respectively. The mean absolute difference between the two methods was 10.5° (95% confidence interval 6.9°–14.0°). Sensitivity of each individual ultrasound measurement was 91.3%. The specificity of ultrasound was 43.75%. The positive predictive value was 0.7, and the negative predictive value was 0.78. Overall accuracy of the ultrasound-derived alpha angle was calculated at 0.718. Ultrasound demonstrates good sensitivity and good negative predictive value in calculation of the femoral head-neck alpha angle compared with CT; however, specificity is low. Ultrasound measurement of the alpha angle can provide objective evidence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement in symptomatic patients and can direct patients to more established imaging techniques where appropriate.



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3D spatially-adaptive canonical correlation analysis: Local and global methods

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 169
Author(s): Zhengshi Yang, Xiaowei Zhuang, Karthik Sreenivasan, Virendra Mishra, Tim Curran, Richard Byrd, Rajesh Nandy, Dietmar Cordes
Local spatially-adaptive canonical correlation analysis (local CCA) with spatial constraints has been introduced to fMRI multivariate analysis for improved modeling of activation patterns. However, current algorithms require complicated spatial constraints that have only been applied to 2D local neighborhoods because the computational time would be exponentially increased if the same method is applied to 3D spatial neighborhoods.In this study, an efficient and accurate line search sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm has been developed to efficiently solve the 3D local CCA problem with spatial constraints. In addition, a spatially-adaptive kernel CCA (KCCA) method is proposed to increase accuracy of fMRI activation maps. With oriented 3D spatial filters anisotropic shapes can be estimated during the KCCA analysis of fMRI time courses. These filters are orientation-adaptive leading to rotational invariance to better match arbitrary oriented fMRI activation patterns, resulting in improved sensitivity of activation detection while significantly reducing spatial blurring artifacts. The kernel method in its basic form does not require any spatial constraints and analyzes the whole-brain fMRI time series to construct an activation map. Finally, we have developed a penalized kernel CCA model that involves spatial low-pass filter constraints to increase the specificity of the method.The kernel CCA methods are compared with the standard univariate method and with two different local CCA methods that were solved by the SQP algorithm. Results show that SQP is the most efficient algorithm to solve the local constrained CCA problem, and the proposed kernel CCA methods outperformed univariate and local CCA methods in detecting activations for both simulated and real fMRI episodic memory data.



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The role of the cerebellum in explicit and incidental processing of facial emotional expressions: A study with transcranial magnetic stimulation

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 169
Author(s): Chiara Ferrari, Viola Oldrati, Marcello Gallucci, Tomaso Vecchi, Zaira Cattaneo
Growing evidence suggests that the cerebellum plays a critical role in non-motor functions, contributing to cognitive and affective processing. In particular, the cerebellum might represent an important node of the "limbic" network, underlying not only emotion regulation but also emotion perception and recognition. Here, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to shed further light on the role of the cerebellum in emotional perception by specifically testing cerebellar contribution to explicit and incidental emotional processing. In particular, in three different experiments, we found that TMS over the (left) cerebellum impaired participants' ability to categorize facial emotional expressions (explicit task) and to classify the gender of emotional faces (incidental emotional processing task), but not the gender of neutral faces. Overall, our results indicate that the cerebellum is involved in perceiving the emotional content of facial stimuli, even when this is task irrelevant.



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Desert actinobacteria as a source of bioactive compounds production with a special emphases on Pyridine-2,5-diacetamide a new pyridine alkaloid produced by Streptomyces sp. DA3-7

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Microbiological Research, Volume 207
Author(s): Krishnasamy Nithya, Chinnasamy Muthukumar, Bhaskar Biswas, Naiyf S. Alharbi, Shine Kadaikunnan, Jamal M. Khaled, Dharumadurai Dhanasekaran
In the present study, 134 morphologically distinct actinobacteria isolates were obtained from soil samples from 10 different localities in the Saudi Arabian desert. The preliminary screening revealed that 16 of these isolates possessed antimicrobial activity. One isolate, which was identified as Streptomyces sp. DA3-7, possessed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as against fungi, and modified nutrient glucose medium was suitable for Streptomyces sp. DA3-7 to produce extracellular metabolites. The ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp. DA3-7 exhibited antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella typhimurium, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 78 and 156μg/mL, respectively, as well as strong cytotoxicity (24h IC50 85μg/mL) against MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. The active compound was separated, purified, and identified as Pyridine-2,5-diacetamide (C9H11N3O2+H+, 194.21), which possessed a lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (31.25μg/mL) against both Escherichia coli and Cryptococcus neoformans. The antimicrobial activities of this novel compound are reported here for the first time.



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Multifarious plant growth promotion by an entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium psalliotae

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Microbiological Research, Volume 207
Author(s): C.M. Senthil Kumar, T.K. Jacob, S. Devasahayam, Stephy Thomas, C. Geethu
An entomopathogenic fungus, Lecanicillium psalliotae strain IISR-EPF-02 previously found infectious to cardamom thips, Sciothrips cardamomi promoted plant growth in cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum. The isolate exhibited direct plant growth promoting traits by production of indole-3-acetic acid and ammonia and by solubilizing inorganic phosphate and zinc. It also showed indirect plant growth promoting traits by producing siderophores and cell wall-degrading enzymes like, α-amylases, cellulases and proteases. In pot culture experiments, application of the fungus at the root zone of cardamom seedlings significantly increased shoot and root length, shoot and root biomass, number of secondary roots and leaves and leaf chlorophyll content compared to untreated plants. This is the first report on the plant growth promoting traits of this fungus. The entomopathogenic and multifarious growth promoting traits of L. psalliotae strain IISR-EPF-02 suggest that it has great potential for exploitation in sustainable agriculture.

Graphical abstract

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For the greater good: Programmed cell death in bacterial communities

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Microbiological Research, Volume 207
Author(s): Stijn H. Peeters, Marien I. de Jonge
For a long a time programmed cell death was thought to be a unique characteristic of higher eukaryotes, but evidence has accumulated showing that programmed cell death is a universal phenomenon in all life forms. Many different types of bacterial programmed cell death systems have been identified, rivalling the eukaryotic systems in diversity. Bacteria are singular, seemingly independently living organisms, however they are part of complex communities. Being part of a community seems indispensable for survival in different environments. This review is focussed on the mechanism of and reasons for bacterial programmed cell death in the context of bacterial communities.



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Informed Guessing in Change Detection.

Author: Rhodes, Stephen; Cowan, Nelson; Hardman, Kyle O.; Logie, Robert H.

DOI: 10.1037/xlm0000495

Publication Date: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 21 December 2017

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Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi attenuates osteoclast differentiation through RANKL induced NFAT pathways

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 213
Author(s): Yulei Cui, Xiaoying Zhao, Lijuan Mei, Jinjin Pei, Shuo Wang, Yun Shao, Yanduo Tao, Xiaoling Zhang, Lei Jiang
Ethnopharmacological relevanceOsteon Myospalacem Baileyi, known as Sai long gu (Tibetan language, means "blind rat bone"), is the whole skeleton of Tibet plateau rodentia animal Myospalacem Baileyi. Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi had been widely used in the Tibet region as an anti-osteoporosis drug and since 1991 Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi has been listed in the Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China as the first-class animal new medical material. However, the mechanism of its anti-osteoporosis activities is still unclear. It is very desirable to solve this problem for further study.Materials and methodsin this study, preparative chromatography was employed to produce the active fraction ET4 from Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi crude. Flow cytometry and MTT assay were used to evaluate the toxicities of ET4. BMM cells were separated from mouse bone marrow to test the inhibition effects of ET4 on osteoclastogenesis. Western blot was used to find out the pathways, through which ET4 could act on osteoclastogenesis. Q-PCR was used to test the osteoclastogenesis marker genes. At last, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy was used to test the osteoclastogenesis master protein NFATc1 nuclei translocation.ResultsIn this study we report that ET4, at the dose of 60μg/mL, significantly inhibited the formation of osteoclasts. Notably, ET4 did not affect the BMM viability at that dose. In addition, Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi could inhibit the expression of osteoclast marker genes, including cathepsin K (CTSK), nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP, Acp5) dendrite cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), calcitonin receptor (CTR), osteoclast associated and immunoglobulin-like receptor (OSCAR). Mechanistically, ET4 dose- and time-dependently blocked the RANKL-induced activation of ERK and c-Fos as well as the induction of NFATc1 which is essential for OC formation.ConclusionsThese data suggest that ET4 might be a useful alternative therapy in preventing or treating osteolytic diseases.

Graphical abstract

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Standardized fraction of Xylocarpus moluccensis fruits improve vascular relaxation and plaque stability in dyslipidemic models of atherosclerosis

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 213
Author(s): Jitendra S. Kanshana, Sanjay C. Rebello, Priya Pathak, Babu Nageswararao Kanuri, Hobby Aggarwal, Vasundhara Srivastava, Vivek Khanna, Vishal Singh, Kumaravelu Jagavelu, Manoj K. Barthwal, Madhu Dikshit
Ethnopharmacological relevanceXylocarpus moluccensis (Lamk.) M. Roem of family Meliaceae has triterpenoids rich fruits. Triterpenoids have been known to possess cardioprotection and anti-atherosclerotic activities (Han and Bakovic, 2015; Wu et al., 2009). Standardized fraction of these fruits exhibited anti-dyslipidemic (Srivastava et al., 2015), anti-inflammatory (Ravangpai et al., 2011) and CNS depressant activity (Sarker et al., 2007). However, there is no report in the literature on its cardiovascular effects.Aim of the studyThe present study was undertaken to assess vasoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic and further examine the anti-dyslipidemic effect of the standardized fraction of Xylocarpus moluccensis (F018) fruits in the mechanical injury and high fat diet (HFD) induced dyslipidemic/ atherosclerosis models.Materials and methodsGuinea pigs were fed 0.08% cholesterol + 15% fat diet for 3 weeks, while ApoE KO mice were fed high fat diet for 18 weeks to induce dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. A combination of balloon injury and high fat diet (1% cholesterol, 6% peanut oil) for 5 weeks was used to accelerate atherosclerosis in NZW rabbits. F018 was administered once daily by oral route in guinea pigs (10, 25 or 50mg/kg/day for 3 weeks), ApoE KO mice (50mg/kg/day for 6 weeks) and in NZW rabbit (25mg/kg/day for 5 weeks) to monitor its effect on dyslipidemia, vasoreactivity and plaque composition by using standard methodologies.ResultsF018 treatment in guinea pigs (25 and 50mg/kg/day), ApoE mice (50mg/kg/day) and rabbits (25mg/kg/day) significantly reduced plasma lipids and improved ACh induced vasorelaxation. Anti-dyslipidemic effect of F018 seems to be due to the modulation of enterohepatic genes involved in the cholesterol absorption and excretion. Moreover, significant improvement in the acetylcholine (ACh) induced vasorelaxation was accompanied with reduced inflammatory burden and enhanced activation of eNOS in ApoE mice aortic tissue. Similarly inflammatory cytokines, immunolabeling of macrophage marker (CD68) and MMP-9 were reduced along with augmentation in vascular smooth muscle cells and collagen type I and III in the mechanically injured iliac artery segment in the rabbits.ConclusionsAltogether, F018 preserved vasoreactivity, reduced atherosclerotic plaque progression and enhanced plaque stability by reducing lipids, inflammatory cytokines, improving endothelial function and collagen content.



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A review of the traditional and modern uses of Salvadora persica L. (Miswak): Toothbrush tree of Prophet Muhammad

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 213
Author(s): Muhammad Zakariyyah Aumeeruddy, Gokhan Zengin, Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
Ethnopharmacological relevanceSalvadora persica L., also known as Arak (in Arabic) and Peelu (in Urdu), is the most common traditional source of tooth or chewing stick (miswak) highly recommended by Prophet Muhammad. To date, extensive studies have probed primarily into the validation of its traditional uses in oral care. Nonetheless, there is still a dearth of updated compilation and critical analysis of other potential ethnopharmacological properties of S. persica. This review therefore aims to provide an up-to-date detailed structured description of the traditional uses of S. persica and a critical analysis of its modern uses, highlighting its phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and bioapplications.Materials and methodsVarious databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar), books, and relevant primary sources were probed, surveyed, analysed, and included in this review. The literature cited in this review dated from 1979 to 2017.ResultsS. persica was found to possess a plethora of bioactive compounds and broad pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory activity, antiulcer, anticonvulsant, sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antiosteoporosis, and antitumor activities. Studies also revealed the potential use of S. persica as a natural food preservative and a novel functional food ingredient. In addition, improvement in growth and reproductive performances have been observed by the introduction of S. persica in animal feed. Lastly, S. persica has also been used in the green synthesis of nanoparticles showing potential biotechnological applications.ConclusionS. persica showed a wide scope of application and its uses have been extended far beyond the initial traditional uses of its roots, stems, and twigs in oral care. We found a number of other ethnopharmacological uses and potential bioapplications of different parts of S. persica that warrants further investigations. Though widely studied using several in vitro and in vivo models, and tested clinically for oral hygiene mainly, several gaps and research priorities have been identified which needs to be addressed in future.

Graphical abstract

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Extraction, fractionation and re-fractionation of Artemisia nilagirica for anticancer activity and HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS determination

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 213
Author(s): Neha Sahu, Sanjeev Meena, Vijaya Shukla, Priyank Chaturvedi, Brijesh Kumar, Dipak Datta, K.R. Arya
Ethnopharmacological relevanceMedicinal plants used in traditional medicines are affordable, easily accessible, safer, less toxic and considered as a rich or efficient source of bioactive molecules for modern therapeutics. Artemisia nilagirica (AR) has a long history of use in Indian traditional medicine to combat a wide variety of diseases including cancer.Aim of the studyConsidering the vast potential of traditional healing plants to deliver safer, less toxic and efficient chemotherapeutics, we have examined anticancer activity of ethanolic extract, bioactive fractions and sub-fractions of AR against different human cancer cell lines along with their phytochemical analysis to understand the insights of novel anticancer activities for further preclinical studies.Materials and methodsFresh plant material of AR was procured from the wild, dried and ground. The grinded materials was extracted in ethanol (AR-01) and fractionated into butanol (AR-02), ethyl acetate (AR-03), hexane (AR-04) and water (AR-05). The cytotoxicity was evaluated against three different human cancer cell lines, i.e. colon (DLD-1), lung (A-549), and breast (MCF-7) using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay along with non-cancerous VERO cells as control and doxorubicin (DOX) as positive control. As we observed strong cytotoxicity of AR-03 and AR-04 fractions against tested cells and marked cytotoxic effects particularly in colon cancer cell lines, we further re-fractionated, AR-03 into (AR-03A, AR-03B, AR-03C, AR-03D, AR-03E) and AR-04 into (AR-04A, AR-04B, AR-04C) sub-fractions by column chromatography and investigated against the same panel of cell lines in addition to one more colon cancer cell line (HT-29). Phytochemical analysis was performed through HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS fragmentation.ResultsEthyl acetate (AR-03) and hexane (AR-04) fractions were found to be the most cytotoxic against all the tested cell lines. Further, AR-03E and AR-04A sub-fractions were found more specific cytotoxic selectively against DLD-1 cancer cell lines at 100µg/ml concentration. HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS determination revealed the presence of 17 compounds in AR-01. Among them, 4 compounds were reported for the first time in this species. However, 3 identified compounds (artemorin, β-santonin and caryophyllene oxide) in AR-03E sub-fraction were commonly present in each bioactive fraction and may be considered as potential and safest cytotoxic agents for anticancer activity.ConclusionsExperimental evidences reported in this paper for anticancer activity validate the traditional wisdom of Artemisia nilagirica as an anticancer herbal drug. To our knowledge, this is our first novel observation of cytotoxicity and selectivity of ethyl acetate and hexane sub-fraction of AR-01 i.e. AR-03E and AR-04A respectively against DLD-1 human cancer cell lines. HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS determination attributes the identification of cytotoxic compounds which may be used for further preclinical studies.

Graphical abstract

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The Japanese Angelica acutiloba root and yokukansan increase hippocampal acetylcholine level, prevent apoptosis and improve memory in a rat model of repeated cerebral ischemia

Publication date: 25 March 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 214
Author(s): Ai Nogami-Hara, Masaki Nagao, Kotaro Takasaki, Nobuaki Egashira, Risako Fujikawa, Kaori Kubota, Takuya Watanabe, Shutaro Katsurabayashi, Funda Bolukbasi Hatip, Izzettin Hatip-Al-Khatib, Katsunori Iwasaki
Ethnopharmacological relevanceJapanese Angelica acutiloba root (Angelica root) is included in several Kampo medicines including Yokukansan (YKS). Angelica root and YKS are used for the treatment of a variety of psychological and neurodegenerative disorders. Development of safe and effective therapeutic agents against cerebrovascular disorders will improve the treatment of patients with dementia.Aim of the studyThe effect of Angelica root and YKS on ischemia-impaired memory has not yet been fully investigated. The present study investigated whether Angelica root is also involved in memory improving and neuroprotective effect of YKS in a model of cerebrovascular ischemia.Materials and methodsMale Wistar rats grouped into sham rats received saline, and other three groups subjected to repeated cerebral ischemia induced by 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO), received a 7-day oral administration of either saline, Angelica root or YKS. Memory was evaluated by eight-arm radial maze task. Acetylcholine release (ACh) in the dorsal hippocampus was investigated by microdialysis-HPLC. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated fluorescein-deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling.ResultsIschemia induced apoptosis, reduced release of ACh, and impaired the memory (increased error choices and decreased correct choices). Angelica root and YKS improved the memory deficits, upregulated the release of ACh and prevented 4-VO-induced hippocampal apoptosis.ConclusionThe dual ACh-increasing and neuroprotective effect of Angelica root could make it a promising therapeutic agent useful for the treatment of symptoms of cerebrovascular dementia. Angelica root could be one of the components contributing to the memory-improving and neuroprotective effects of YKS.

Graphical abstract

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Editorial Board

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 213





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The spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease due to myelin protein zero: An electrodiagnostic, nerve ultrasound and histological study

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Gian Maria Fabrizi, Stefano Tamburin, Tiziana Cavallaro, Ilaria Cabrini, Moreno Ferrarini, Federica Taioli, Francesca Magrinelli, Giampietro Zanette
ObjectiveNerve ultrasound (US) data on myelin protein zero (MPZ)-related Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are lacking. To offer a comprehensive perspective on MPZ-related CMTs, we combined nerve US with clinics, electrodiagnosis and histopathology.MethodsWe recruited 36 patients (12 MPZ mutations), and correlated nerve US to clinical, electrodiagnostic measures, and sural nerve biopsy.ResultsAccording to motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) criteria, nine patients were categorized as "demyelinating" CMT1B, 17 as "axonal" CMT2I/J, and 10 as dominant "intermediate" CMTDID. Sural nerve biopsy showed hypertrophic de-remyelinating neuropathy with numerous complex onion bulbs in one patient, de-remyelinating neuropathy with scanty/absent onion bulbs in three, axonal neuropathy in two, mixed demyelinating-axonal neuropathy in five. Electrodiagnosis significantly differed in CMT1B vs. CMT2I/J and CMTDID subgroups. CMT1B had slightly enlarged nerve cross sectional area (CSA) especially at proximal upper-limb (UL) sites. CSA was negatively correlated to UL MNCV and not increased at entrapment sites. Major sural nerve pathological patterns were uncorrelated to UL nerve US and MNCV.ConclusionsSural nerve biopsy confirmed the wide pathological spectrum of MPZ-CMT. UL nerve US identified two major patterns corresponding to the CMT1B and CMT2I/J-CMTDID subgroups.SignificanceNerve US phenotype of MPZ-CMT diverged from those in other demyelinating peripheral neuropathies and may have diagnostic value.



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The insular cortex and QTc interval in HIV+ and HIV− individuals: Is there an effect of sympathetic nervous system activity?

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Michiaki Nagai, Keigo Dote, Masaya Kato, Noboru Oda




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Contents

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1





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Cerebellum and dystonia: The story continues. Will the patients benefit from new discoveries?

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Martin Bareš, Pavel Filip




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High-resolution ultrasound in patients with Wartenberg’s migrant sensory neuritis, a case-control study

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Ingrid J.T. Herraets, H. Stephan Goedee, Johan A. Telleman, Jan-Thies H. van Asseldonk, Leo H. Visser, W. Ludo van der Pol, Leonard H. van den Berg
ObjectiveWartenberg's migrant sensory neuritis (WMSN) is a rare, patchy, pure sensory neuropathy of unknown etiology. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) is an emerging diagnostic technique for neuropathies, but it has not been applied in WMSN. In this study we aimed to determine HRUS abnormalities in WMSN.MethodsWe performed a case-control study of 8 newly diagnosed patients with WMSN and 22 treatment-naive disease controls (16 patients with pure sensory axonal neuropathy and 6 with pure sensory chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or Lewis-Sumner syndrome (LSS)). All patients underwent routine diagnostic evaluations and a predefined HRUS protocol.ResultsWe found multifocal nerve enlargement in all 8 WMSN patients. The median nerve in the upper arm and the sural nerve were significantly larger in WMSN than in axonal controls (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04). In CIDP/LSS, sonographic enlargement was more extensive. Furthermore we found brachial plexus involvement in 3 of 8 (38%) WMSN patients.ConclusionHRUS showed enlargement of multiple nerves in all WMSN patients even if clinical testing and NCS were normal.SignificanceThe feature of multifocal nerve enlargement may be of additional value in establishing the diagnosis of WMSN and may support the suggestion of an auto-immune etiology.



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Oxyneurography: A non-invasive NIRS technique to measure nerve oxygenation

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Joe F. Jabre




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Neurophysiology and cognitive reserve: A promising path

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Tarek K. Rajji




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Editorial Board

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1





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Value of oxyneurography, based on near infrared spectroscopy, in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in comparison to provocative clinical diagnostic tests and nerve conduction studies

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Marlena Hupalo, Janusz Smigielski, Jan Fortuniak, Dariusz J. Jaskolski
ObjectiveEvaluation of the diagnostic utility of the oxyneurography (ONG) in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).MethodsONG examination of the median nerve was performed in 260 patients. The results were compared with nerve conduction studies and clinical provocative tests.ResultsONG index greater than or equal to 62% was found in 95.18% of the patients with no or minimal Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) changes (1–2 according to the Padua classification) but only in 1.69% of the patients with advanced NCS changes (Padua 3–6). The sensitivity and specificity of the ONG study i.e. 95.18% and 98.31%, respectively, were compared with standard clinical tests: Tinel sign (61.45% and 14.69%), Phalen test (34.94% and 45.20%), reverse Phalen test (81.93% and 34.46%) and carpal compression test (91.57% and 72.32%).ConclusionsONG index lower than 62% was indicative of CTS. ONG has higher sensitivity and specificity then other clinical tests and it is an accurate and reliable method for the diagnosis of CTS.SignificanceOxyneurography is a non-invasive, fast and safe study which may play role in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.



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Corrigendum to “Graph analysis of EEG resting state functional networks in dyslexic readers” [Clin. Neurophysiol. 127(9) (2016) 3165–3175]

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): G. Fraga González, M.J.W. Van der Molen, G. Žarić, M. Bonte, J. Tijms, L. Blomert, C.J. Stam, M.W. Van der Molen




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Bilateral early activity in the hip flexors associated with falls in stroke survivors: Preliminary evidence from laboratory-induced falls

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Dmitrijs Celinskis, Mark D. Grabiner, Claire F. Honeycutt
ObjectiveFalls are the most common and expensive medical complication following stroke. Hypermetric reflexes have been suggested to impact post-stroke balance but no study has evaluated reflex amplitudes under real conditions of falls in this population. Our objective was to quantify the early reflexive responses during falls induced in the laboratory.MethodsSixteen stroke survivors were exposed to posteriorly directed treadmill perturbations that required a forward step to maintain a balance. Perturbations differed in terms of treadmill translation displacement, velocity, and acceleration. EMG amplitudes were compared between Fall/Recovery trials, as well as Fallers/Non-Fallers at two different time windows: 50–75 and 75–100 ms.ResultsSixteen of 86 trials resulted in falls by nine subjects (Fallers). While no differences were found between 50 and 75 ms, EMG amplitude in the paretic rectus femoris muscle was larger between 75 and 100 ms during Fall trials. Further, a bilateral increase in RF activity was seen in Fallers but not Non-Fallers. Interestingly, the bilateral increase was related to perturbation intensity (larger EMG activity with larger perturbations) in Fallers, but again not in Non-Fallers.ConclusionsHeightened early recovery hip flexor activity between 75 and 100 ms is associated with falls and Fallers post-stroke.SignificanceThough requiring replication and expanded subject pools, these preliminary results reflect a possible clinically meaningful relationship between heightened reflexive responses and fall risk. Future work should evaluate the underlying mechanisms driving these heightened reflexes (e.g. stretch, startle) such that future rehabilitation techniques can address this abnormal response.



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Utilization of independent component analysis for accurate pathological ripple detection in intracranial EEG recordings recorded extra- and intra-operatively

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Shoichi Shimamoto, Zachary J. Waldman, Iren Orosz, Inkyung Song, Anatol Bragin, Itzhak Fried, Jerome Engel, Richard Staba, Ashwini Sharan, Chengyuan Wu, Michael R. Sperling, Shennan A. Weiss
ObjectiveTo develop and validate a detector that identifies ripple (80–200 Hz) events in intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings in a referential montage and utilizes independent component analysis (ICA) to eliminate or reduce high-frequency artifact contamination. Also, investigate the correspondence of detected ripples and the seizure onset zone (SOZ).MethodsiEEG recordings from 16 patients were first band-pass filtered (80–600 Hz) and Infomax ICA was next applied to derive the first independent component (IC1). IC1 was subsequently pruned, and an artifact index was derived to reduce the identification of high-frequency events introduced by the reference electrode signal. A Hilbert detector identified ripple events in the processed iEEG recordings using amplitude and duration criteria. The identified ripple events were further classified and characterized as true or false ripple on spikes, or ripples on oscillations by utilizing a topographical analysis to their time-frequency plot, and confirmed by visual inspection.ResultsThe signal to noise ratio was improved by pruning IC1. The precision of the detector for ripple events was 91.27 ± 4.3%, and the sensitivity of the detector was 79.4 ± 3.0% (N = 16 patients, 5842 ripple events). The sensitivity and precision of the detector was equivalent in iEEG recordings obtained during sleep or intra-operatively. Across all the patients, true ripple on spike rates and also the rates of false ripple on spikes, that were generated due to filter ringing, classified the seizure onset zone (SOZ) with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of >76%. The magnitude and spectral content of true ripple on spikes generated in the SOZ was distinct as compared with the ripples generated in the NSOZ (p < .001).ConclusionsUtilizing ICA to analyze iEEG recordings in referential montage provides many benefits to the study of high-frequency oscillations. The ripple rates and properties defined using this approach may accurately delineate the seizure onset zone.SignificanceStrategies to improve the spatial resolution of intracranial EEG and reduce artifact can help improve the clinical utility of HFO biomarkers.



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A method for the topographical identification and quantification of high frequency oscillations in intracranial electroencephalography recordings

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Zachary J. Waldman, Shoichi Shimamoto, Inkyung Song, Iren Orosz, Anatol Bragin, Itzhak Fried, Jerome Engel, Richard Staba, Michael R. Sperling, Shennan A. Weiss
ObjectiveTo develop a reliable software method using a topographic analysis of time-frequency plots to distinguish ripple (80–200 Hz) oscillations that are often associated with EEG sharp waves or spikes (RonS) from sinusoid-like waveforms that appear as ripples but correspond with digital filtering of sharp transients contained in the wide bandwidth EEG.MethodsA custom algorithm distinguished true from false ripples in one second intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings using wavelet convolution, identifying contours of isopower, and categorizing these contours into sets of open or closed loop groups. The spectral and temporal features of candidate groups were used to classify the ripple, and determine its duration, frequency, and power. Verification of detector accuracy was performed on the basis of simulations, and visual inspection of the original and band-pass filtered signals.ResultsThe detector could distinguish simulated true from false ripple on spikes (RonS). Among 2934 visually verified trials of iEEG recordings and spectrograms exhibiting RonS the accuracy of the detector was 88.5% with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 95.2%. The precision was 94.5% and the negative predictive value was 84.0% (N = 12). Among, 1,370 trials of iEEG recording exhibiting RonS that were reviewed blindly without spectrograms the accuracy of the detector was 68.0%, with kappa equal to 0.01 ± 0.03. The detector successfully distinguished ripple from high spectral frequency 'fast ripple' oscillations (200–600 Hz), and characterize ripple duration and spectral frequency and power. The detector was confounded by brief bursts of gamma (30–80 Hz) activity in 7.31 ± 6.09% of trials, and in 30.2 ± 14.4% of the true RonS detections ripple duration was underestimated.ConclusionsCharacterizing the topographic features of a time-frequency plot generated by wavelet convolution is useful for distinguishing true oscillations from false oscillations generated by filter ringing.SignificanceCategorizing ripple oscillations and characterizing their properties can improve the clinical utility of the biomarker.



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The effect of reducing EEG electrode number on the visual interpretation of the human expert for neonatal seizure detection

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Nathan J. Stevenson, Leena Lauronen, Sampsa Vanhatalo
ObjectivesTo measure changes in the visual interpretation of the EEG by the human expert for neonatal seizure detection when reducing the number of recording electrodes.MethodsEEGs were recorded from 45 infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Three experts annotated seizures in EEG montages derived from 19, 8 and 4 electrodes. Differences between annotations were assessed by comparing intra-montage with inter-montage agreement (K).ResultsThree experts annotated 4464 seizures across all infants and montages. The inter-expert agreement was not significantly altered by the number of electrodes in the montage (p = 0.685, n = 43). Reducing the number of EEG electrodes altered the seizure annotation for all experts. Agreement between the 19-electrode montage (K19,19 = 0.832) was significantly higher than the agreement between 19 and 8-electrode montages (dK = 0.114; p < 0.001, n = 42) or 19 and 4-electrode montages (dK = 0.113, p < 0.001, n = 43). Seizure burden and number were significantly underestimated by the 4 and 8-electrode montage (p < 0.001). No significant difference in agreement was found between 8 and 4-electrode montages (dK = 0.002; p = 0.07, n = 42).ConclusionsReducing the number of EEG electrodes from 19 electrodes resulted in slight but significant changes in seizure detection.SignificanceFour-electrode montages for routine EEG monitoring are comparable to eight electrodes for seizure detection in the NICU.



http://ift.tt/2zhOVQH

Correlating motor unit morphology with bioelectrical activity – A simulation study

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Ewa Zalewska, Irena Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz
ObjectivesThe aim was to determine motor unit morphology underpinning the various MUP waveforms using MUP analysis.MethodThe simulation method is based on the decomposition of MUP into single fiber potentials. Number of fibers, fiber diameters and fiber to electrode distances were determined. The impact of each muscle fiber on the MUP waveform was determined and quantified by its percentage contribution.ResultsThe origin of the four examined MUPs of distinct waveforms have been explained by showing the histograms of fiber diameters and their distance to the electrode. In the case of a low amplitude MUP it was found that it originated from fibers of smaller than normal diameters with no dominant fiber. In another case of a MUP of short duration its shape was due to a single fiber close to the electrode which contributed to about 80% of the MUP. In case of polyphasic MUP, muscle fiber diameters variability was responsible for MUP characteristic. MUP from normal muscle originated from few fibers of similar diameters. Correlation between MUP's characteristic and morphological features has been indicated. Our findings are consistent with the neurophysiological knowledge about the origins of MUP. The approximation method enables MUP analysis that provides quantitative description of motor unit morphology.ConclusionMUP analysis using an approximation method enables to get an insight into motor unit morphology and therefore increases understanding of the way the motor unit structure correlates with MUP waveform.SignificanceExtending the amount of information available from EMG examinations.



http://ift.tt/2BBB0eb

Cognitive impairment measured by event-related potentials during early and late postoperative period following intravenous or inhalation anaesthesia

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Irena Holečková, Jakub Kletečka, David Štěpánek, Slavomír Žídek, David Bludovský, Jiří Pouska, Pavel Mautner, Vladimír Přibáň
ObjectiveThis study investigated modification in cognitive function following inhalation (IA) and total intravenous (TIVA) anaesthesia measured using auditory ERPs (Event Related Potentials).MethodsAuditory ERPs examination with N1, P3a and P3b component registration was carried out one day before surgery (D−1) and on the first (D+1), sixth (D+6) and 42nd (D+42) days after surgery. Results were compared between two anaesthetic groups.ResultsOn D+1, N1 latency was increased in the IA group. A significant reduction was observed in amplitude of the P3a component on D+6, which persisted up to D+42 for both IA and TIVA groups. A reduction in the amplitude of P3b on D+1 with normalization by D+6 was found in both groups as well.ConclusionsIntravenous and inhalation anaesthesia lead to similar changes in cognitive function as determined by ERPs, both during the early and late postoperative periods. It cannot be clearly confirmed whether the observed effects are due to anaesthesia or other unmonitored perioperative factors.SignificancePost anaesthetic changes represent a subclinical impairment; nevertheless, they represent a potential risk for subsequent development of cognitive difficulties.



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Reply to “Stimulus, response and excitability – What is new?”

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): François Charles Wang




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Reply to “The insular cortex and QTc interval in HIV+ and HIV− individuals: Is there an effect of sympathetic nervous system activity?“

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 129, Issue 1
Author(s): Roger C. McIntosh, Dominic C. Chow, Corey J. Lum, Cecilia M. Shikuma, Kalpana J. Kallianpur




http://ift.tt/2ziAAmQ

Tumour-like giant nerves in entrapment neuropathies

Publication date: Available online 22 December 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Anita Csillik, Marianna Tóth, Zsuzsanna Arányi




http://ift.tt/2BD5OeE

Authors' response

Publication date: Available online 21 December 2017
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Cameron M. Callaghan




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Image-guided interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy for locally recurrent uterine cervical cancer: A single-institution study

Publication date: Available online 21 December 2017
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Rei Umezawa, Naoya Murakami, Satoshi Nakamura, Akihisa Wakita, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Keisuke Tsuchida, Tairo Kashihara, Kazuma Kobayashi, Ken Harada, Kana Takahashi, Koji Inaba, Yoshinori Ito, Hiroshi Igaki, Koji Masui, Ken Yoshida, Keiichi Jingu, Nikolaos Tselis, Jun Itami
PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of image-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for reirradiation of locally recurrent uterine cervical cancer.Methods and MaterialsBetween 2008 and 2015, patients receiving reirradiation using HDR-ISBT for local gross recurrence of uterine cervical cancer after definitive or postoperative radiotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. The prescription doses per fraction ranged 2.5–6.0 Gy, whereas the cumulative equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions ranged 48.6–82.5 Gy. The effects of prognostic factors on the local control (LC), progression-free survival, and overall survival were analyzed, and late toxicity data were evaluated.ResultsEighteen patients were included in the analysis, with a median followup of 18.1 months. A tumor response was obtained in all patients, with radiological and pathological complete remission seen in 12 (66.7%) patients. The 2-year LC, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates for all patients were 51.3%, 20.0%, and 60.8%, respectively. The hemoglobin level and maximum tumor diameter were shown to be statistically significant prognostic factors for LC (p = 0.028 and 0.009, respectively). Late ≥ Grade 2 adverse events were observed in 5 patients (27.8%).ConclusionsImage-guided HDR-ISBT for the reirradiation of locally recurrent uterine cervical cancer may play an important role for local tumor control in a subgroup of patients. However, the treatment indication must be weighed against the risk of higher-grade late toxicity.



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Ruthenium brachytherapy for uveal melanomas: Factors affecting the development of radiation complications

Publication date: Available online 21 December 2017
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Monica M. Pagliara, Luca Tagliaferri, Luigi Azario, Jacopo Lenkowicz, Angela Lanza, Rosa Autorino, Carmela G. Caputo, Maria A. Gambacorta, Vincenzo Valentini, Maria A. Blasi
PurposeTo investigate how treatment complications are related to dosimetric parameters after ruthenium-106 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma, in a large, clinically homogeneous population.Methods and MaterialsA retrospective review was performed to evaluate patients affected by small and medium size uveal melanoma, treated with ruthenium-106 brachytherapy from December 2006 to December 2014. We excluded tumors with posterior margin within 1 mm from the edge of the optic disc and foveola. Main outcome measures were occurrence and time to radiation-related maculopathy, cataract, and optic neuropathy. Secondary end points included local recurrence and distant metastases. Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank test and univariate Cox proportional hazards model at 3 years were performed to identify the covariates affecting the outcome of radiation complications.ResultsTwo hundred thirty-nine patients, with sufficient data to evaluate the end points, were enrolled. Three years after plaque treatment, radiation maculopathy was found in 61 (25.5%) patients, cataract developed in 10 patients (4.2%) receiving a dose of 27 Gy or higher to the lens, and optic neuropathy was observed in 13 patients (5.4%) with an optic nerve dose exceeding 50 Gy and tumor proximity to optic disc of less than 4 mm. Tumor recurrences and tumor-related metastasis were found respectively in 20 (8.36%) and 14 (5.85%) patients.ConclusionsRadiation maculopathy occurs within a median time of 31 months in 25% of cases after plaque treatment for uveal melanoma. The most significant risk factors are total dose and distance of tumor margin from the fovea. If the distance is greater than 11.22 mm, no signs of retinal damage are detected.



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Investigation of the growth and in situ heating transmission electron microscopy analysis of Ag2S-catalyzed ZnS nanowires

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 436
Author(s): Jung Han Kim, Jong Gu Kim, Junghyun Song, Tae-Sung Bae, Kyou-Hyun Kim, Young-Seak Lee, Yoonsoo Pang, Kyu Hwan Oh, Hee-Suk Chung
We investigated the semiconductor-catalyzed formation of semiconductor nanowires (NWs) – silver sulfide (Ag2S)-catalyzed zinc sulfide (ZnS) NWs – based on a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism through metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) with a Ag thin film. The Ag2S-catalyzed ZnS NWs were confirmed to have a wurtzite structure with a width and length in the range of ∼30 nm to ∼80 nm and ∼1 μm, respectively. Using extensive transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses from plane and cross-sectional viewpoints, the ZnS NWs were determined to have a c-axis, [0001] growth direction. In addition, the catalyst at the top of the ZnS NWs was determined to consist of a Ag2S phase. To support the Ag2S-catalyzed growth of the ZnS NWs by a VLS reaction, an in situ heating TEM experiment was conducted from room temperature to 840 °C. During the experiment, the melting of the Ag2S catalyst in the direction of the ZnS NWs was first observed at approximately 480 °C along with the formation of a carbon (C) shell. Subsequently, the Ag2S catalyst melted completely into the ZnS NWs at approximately 825 °C. As the temperature further increased, the Ag2S and ZnS NWs continuously melted and vaporized up to 840 °C, leaving only the C shell behind. Finally, a possible growth mechanism was proposed based on the structural and chemical investigations.

Graphical abstract

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Robotic excavator trajectory control using an improved GA based PID controller

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Volume 105
Author(s): Hao Feng, Chen-Bo Yin, Wen-wen Weng, Wei Ma, Jun-jing Zhou, Wen-hua Jia, Zi-li Zhang
In order to achieve excellent trajectory tracking performances, an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) is presented to search for the optimal proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller parameters for the robotic excavator. Firstly, the mathematical model of kinematic and electro-hydraulic proportional control system of the excavator are analyzed based on the mechanism modeling method. On this basis, the actual model of the electro-hydraulic proportional system are established by the identification experiment. Furthermore, the population, the fitness function, the crossover probability and mutation probability of the SGA are improved: the initial PID parameters are calculated by the Ziegler-Nichols (Z-N) tuning method and the initial population is generated near it; the fitness function is transformed to maintain the diversity of the population; the probability of crossover and mutation are adjusted automatically to avoid premature convergence. Moreover, a simulation study is carried out to evaluate the time response performance of the proposed controller, i.e., IGA based PID against the SGA and Z-N based PID controllers with a step signal. It was shown from the simulation study that the proposed controller provides the least rise time and settling time of 1.23 s and 1.81 s, respectively against the other tested controllers. Finally, two types of trajectories are designed to validate the performances of the control algorithms, and experiments are performed on the excavator trajectory control experimental platform. It was demonstrated from the experimental work that the proposed IGA based PID controller improves the trajectory accuracy of the horizontal line and slope line trajectories by 23.98% and 23.64%, respectively in comparison to the SGA tuned PID controller. The results further indicate that the proposed IGA tuning based PID controller is effective for improving the tracking accuracy, which may be employed in the trajectory control of an actual excavator.



http://ift.tt/2Dw7uDZ

Mechanosynthesis and characterization AFe2O4 (A: Ni, Cu, Zn)-activated carbon nanocomposite as an effective adsorbent for removal dodecanethiol

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, Volume 262
Author(s): Samira Mandizadeh, Minoo Sadri, Masoud Salavati-Niasari
In this study, nanocomposites of monoferrite-activated carbon (Ferrite-AC) have been prepared by mechanosynthesis technique. Nanocomposites can be utilized as adsorbent for desulfurization of hydrocarbon liquid fuels. Nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM). Results showed that NiFe2O4-AC had better performance between other adsorbents. Adsorption rate of dodecanethiol was improved by increasing NiFe2O4-AC concentration. XPS results showed that the dodecanethiol was oxidized by the catalyst surface. BET surface erea of NiFe2O4-AC nanocomposite was 626 m²/g with porous structure.

Graphical abstract

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UV excitation NO2 gas sensor sensitized by ZnO quantum dots at room temperature

Publication date: 15 April 2018
Source:Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Volume 259
Author(s): Tong Wu, Zhenbo Wang, Menghan Tian, Jiayu Miao, Haixue Zhang, Jianbo Sun
SnO2 nanosheets sensitized by ZnO quantum dots were used to fabricate UV excitation gas sensors for room temperature application. The morphology and structure of the as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Photoluminescence spectra and UV–vis spectroscopy were used to investigate the material's UV-excited gas sensing properties and mechanism. The results showed that the composite material with molar proportion of Zn/Sn = 0.01 (SZQ 1%) was highly sensitive to NO2 at room temperature. The possible UV excitation gas sensing mechanism was discussed.

Graphical abstract

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Seasonal variations of ambient air mercury species nearby an airport

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:Atmospheric Research, Volume 202
Author(s): Guor-Cheng Fang, Kai-Hsiang Tsai, Chao-Yang Huang, Kuang-Pu Ou Yang, You-Fu Xiao, Wen-Chuan Huang, Yuan-Jie Zhuang
This study focuses on the collection of ambient air mercury species (total gaseous mercury (TGM), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM), gaseous element mercury (GEM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM) pollutants at airport nearby sampling site during the year of Apr. 2016 to Mar. 2017 by using Four-stage gold amalgamation and denuder. The results indicated that the average TGM, RGM and GEM concentrations were 5.04±2.43ng/m³, 29.58±80.54pg/m³, 4.70±2.63ng/m³, respectively during the year of Apr. 2016 to Mar. 2017 (n=49) period at this airport sampling site nearby. In addition, the results also indicated that the average PBM concentrations in TSP and PM2.5 were 0.35±0.08ng/m³ and 0.09±0.03ng/m³, respectively. And the average PBM in TSP concentrations order follows as summer>autumn>spring>winter, while the average PBM in PM2.5 concentrations order follows as spring>summer>winter>autumn. Moreover, the average TGM, RGM and GEM concentrations order follow as spring>summer>autumn>winter. Finally, the Asian continent has the highest average mercury species concentrations (TGM, RGM, GEM and PBM) when compared with the American and European continents, and the average mercury species concentrations (TGM, RGM, GEM and PBM) displayed declined trends for North America (United States and Canada) and Europe (Spain, Sweden and Southern Baltic) during the years of 2004–2014. Also noteworthy is that the average mercury species concentrations (TGM, RGM, GEM) displayed increasing trends in China and Taiwan during the years of 2008–2016. Japan and Korea are the only two exceptions. Those above two countries mercury species concentrations displayed decreasing trends during years of 2008–2015.



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Effect of morphology evolution on the thermoelectric properties of oxidized ZnO thin films

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 436
Author(s): Shiying Liu, Guojian Li, Lin Xiao, Baohai Jia, Yang Gao, Qiang Wang
The effects of nanowire content on the thermoelectric properties of ZnO films were investigated. The nanowire content of ZnO films was tuned by thermal oxidation of evaporated Zn films. The results showed that hexagonal and polyhedral morphologies on the surface of Zn films can be used to tune the nanowire content of ZnO films. Hexagonal nanoplates with a diameter of 100–350nm readily grew ZnO nanowires with c-axis preferential orientation. Conversely, it was difficult to grow nanowires on polyhedral nanoparticles with diameters of 500–750nm because the meeting of ZnO (101) and (001) facets suppressed nanowire growth. Thermoelectric parameters were strongly affected by nanowire content. In particular, carrier concentration increased with nanowire content. Carrier mobility also increased with nanowire content because the nanowires behaved as channels for electronic migration. The band gap of the films narrowed with increasing nanowire content because the binding energy of O 1s electrons with oxygen vacancies decreased. The maximum power factor of the film with high nanowire content (8.80μW/mK² at 530K) was approximately 300% higher than that of the film with low nanowire content.

Graphical abstract

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Layered titanates with fibrous nanotopographic features as reservoir for bioactive ions to enhance osteogenesis

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 436
Author(s): Xiaoxia Song, Wei Tang, Danijela Gregurec, Luis Yate, Sergio Enrique Moya, Guocheng Wang
In this study, an osteogenic environment was constructed on Ti alloy implants by in-situ formation of nanosized fibrous titanate, Na2Ti6O13, loaded with bioactive ions, i.e. Sr, Mg and Zn, to enhance surface bioactivity. The bioactive ions were loaded by ion exchange with sodium located at inter-layer positions between the TiO6 slabs, and their release was not associated with the degradation of the structural unit of the titanate. In-vitro cell culture experiments using MC3T3-E1 cells proved that both bioactive ions and nanotopographic features are critical in promoting osteogenic differentiation of the cells. It was found that the osteogenic functions of the titanate can be modulated by the type and amount of ions incorporated. This study points out that nanosized fibrous titanate formed on the Ti alloy can be a promising reservoir for bioactive ions. The major advantage of this approach over other alternatives for bioactive ion delivery using degradable bioceramic coatings is its capacity of maintaining the structural integrity of the coating and thus avoiding structural deterioration and potential mechanical failure.

Graphical abstract

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Isobutanol synthesis from syngas on Zn-Cr based catalysts: New insights into the effect of morphology and facet of ZnO nanocrystal

Publication date: 1 April 2018
Source:Fuel, Volume 217
Author(s): Xiaofeng Gao, Tao Zhang, Yingquan Wu, Guohui Yang, Minghui Tan, Xiaoli Li, Hongjuan Xie, Junxuan Pan, Yisheng Tan
Isobutanol synthesis from syngas could be realized on Zn-Cr based catalysts with high activity and selectivity. The ZnO crystal morphology may play an important role on the catalytic performance of Zn-Cr based catalyst for isobutanol synthesis. In this study, a series of Zn-Cr based catalysts with polyhedral or hexagonal ZnO nanocrystal were prepared to explore the effect of morphology and facet of ZnO on direct synthesis of isobutanol from syngas. We find that the interaction between ZnO and ZnCr2O4 phases poses a crucial factor for the catalytic performance. Compared with sole ZnO or Zn-Cr catalyst, Zn-Cr/p-ZnO and Zn-Cr/h-ZnO catalysts with a binary crystal structure of ZnO and ZnCr2O4 show higher total alcohol and isobutanol selectivity. Furthermore, the hexagonal ZnO of Zn-Cr/h-ZnO catalyst exposes more (0 0 0 1) facets compared to the polyhedral ZnO of Zn-Cr/p-ZnO catalyst, resulting in stronger interaction between ZnO and ZnCr2O4 phases for Zn-Cr/h-ZnO catalyst. The most excellent catalytic performance could be obtained on Zn-Cr/h-ZnO catalyst with the highest CO conversion (22.1%) as well as isobutanol selectivity (24.4 wt%). Thus, exposing more (0 0 0 1) facets of h-ZnO could significantly improve the catalytic performance for isobutanol synthesis from syngas, which provides a new perspective of the face-activity relationship on Zn-Cr based catalyst.

Graphical abstract

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Characterisation of organic-inorganic hybrid materials of the types ZnxCd1-xSe(1,3-diaminopropane)1/2 and ZnSySe1-y(1,3-diaminopropane)1/2

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Materials Research Bulletin, Volume 100
Author(s): K. Luberda-Durnaś, P. Sanz-Camacho, A. González-Guillén, D. Mucha, E. Bielańska, W. Łasocha
Organic-inorganic hybrid materials of the type MeQ(diamine)1/2 (where Me–Zn, Cd, Mn and Q–S, Se, Te) belong to the class of 3D nanomaterials. They are built of layers of II–VI semiconductors and amines, which act as linkers. The main goal of our work was the synthesis of compounds of the type ZnxCd1-xSe(1,3-diaminopropane)1/2 and ZnSySe1-y(1,3-diaminopropane)1/2 (where x, y = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) and the study of properties changed by the composition of the semiconducting layers. Analysis of these materials was carried out with the use of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) as well as temperature dependent XRPD enabled us to obtain information about the thermal stability of hybrid compounds with mixed semiconducting layers. Another important part of our work was a study, performed with the use of UV–vis spectroscopy, of the optical properties of these materials.

Graphical abstract

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The dual regulatory function of lienal peptide on immune system

Publication date: February 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 55
Author(s): Jing Wang, Mengzhu Zheng, Qiuxia Min, Ya Gao, Weiguang Sun
Lienal peptide (LP), extracted from the spleen of healthy calves, has been reported to be a unique immune modulator which shows notable immunomodulatory effects on immune system function. This study was designed to further investigate the immunomodulatory effect of LP in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that LP significantly decreased the LPS-induced overexpression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-15, TNF-α and MIP-1α, through the NF-κB pathway. Moreover, LP showed an immunologic enhancement effect on immunosuppressed mice which were induced by cytarabine. The percentage of activated cells for bone marrow B lymphocytes, spleen lymphocytes, NK cells and peritoneal macrophages were notably increased after LP treatment. Furthermore, the administration of LP significantly reduced DNFB-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and restored CFA-induced arthritis in rats as evidenced by decrease in paw swelling and regulation of cytokines balance in serum. In conclusion, LP has outstanding immunomodulatory activity and could be served as a potential candidate for the management of patients with immune system disorders.



http://ift.tt/2DzoXv1

House dust mite allergen causes certain features of steroid resistant asthma in high fat fed obese mice

Publication date: February 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 55
Author(s): Vijay Pal Singh, Ulaganathan Mabalirajan, Kunal Pratap, Devika Bahal, Deepanshu Maheswari, Atish Gheware, Aabha Bajaj, Lipsa Panda, Ashish Jaiswal, Arjun Ram, Anurag Agrawal
Obesity is a high risk factor for diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic syndrome and asthma. Obese-asthma is another emerging phenotype in asthma which is typically refractive to steroid treatment due to its non-classical features such as non-eosinophilic cellular inflammation. The overall increased morbidity, mortality and economical burden in asthma is mainly due to steroid resistant asthma. In the present study, we used high fat diet induced obese mice which when sensitized with house dust mite (HDM) showed steroid resistant features. While the steroid, dexamethasone (DEX), treatment to high fat fed naïve mice could not reduce the airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) induced by high fat, DEX treatment to high fat fed allergic mice could not reduce the HDM allergen induced airway remodeling features though it reduced airway inflammation. Further, these HDM induced high fat fed mice with or without DEX treatment had shown the increased activity and expression of arginase as well as the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. However, DEX treatment had reduced the expressions of high iNOS and arginase I in control chow diet fed mice. Thus, we speculate that the steroid resistance seen in human obese asthmatics could be stemming from altered NO metabolism and its induced airway remodeling and with further investigations, it would encourage new treatments specific to obese-asthma phenotype.



http://ift.tt/2pfUorp

Isorhamnetin, the active constituent of a Chinese herb Hippophae rhamnoides L, is a potent suppressor of dendritic-cell maturation and trafficking

Publication date: February 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 55
Author(s): Hui Shi, Juan He, Xing Li, Jiaochan Han, Riga Wu, Dantong Wang, Fangyuan Yang, Erwei Sun
Dendritic cells (DCs) have been recognized as major targets of immunosuppressive therapies for their significant roles in connecting innate and adaptive immunity. Isorhamnetin (Iso), one of the most common flavonoid compounds extracted from the Chinese herb Hippophae rhamnoides L, has been proved to have anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant activities in many chronic inflammatory conditions, but the effects of Iso on DCs have rarely been reported before. Here we investigated the functions and the mechanisms of Iso on bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) including maturation, phagocytosis, and trafficking. Our data showed that Iso effectively inhibited the maturation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BMDCs by down regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and IL-12p70, up regulation of IL-10, and depression of costimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, and CD86, while had no effects on phagocytosis. Furthermore, Iso inhibited the migration of LPS-treated BMDCs, which may be due to its inhibition on chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) expression. These findings strongly suggest that Iso is a potent immunosuppressive agent by inhibiting DC activation and trafficking, and may be used to prevent or treat chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and graft rejections.

Graphical abstract

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Induction of thymic stromal lymphopoietin by a steroid alkaloid derivative in mouse keratinocytes

Publication date: February 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 55
Author(s): Yan Weng, Natsumi Mizuno, Jiangxu Dong, Ryosuke Segawa, Takayuki Yonezawa, Byung Yoon Cha, Je-Tae Woo, Takahiro Moriya, Masahiro Hiratsuka, Noriyasu Hirasawa
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays critical roles in inducing and exacerbating allergic diseases. Chemical compounds that induce TSLP production can enhance sensitization to antigens and exacerbate allergic inflammation. Hence, identifying such chemicals will be important to prevent an increase in allergic diseases. In the present study, we found, for the first time, that a steroid alkaloid derivative, code no. 02F04, concentration and time dependently induced mRNA expression and production of TSLP in a mouse keratinocyte cell line, PAM212. In particular, the activity of 02F04 was selective to TSLP. As an analogue of the liver X receptor (LXR) endogenous ligand, 02F04 rapidly increased ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression by regulating the nuclear receptor of LXR. However, instead of being inhibited by the LXR antagonist, 02F04-induced TSLP production was delayed and markedly suppressed by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), pan-protein kinase C (PKC), PKCδ, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and IκΒ kinase 2 (IKK2). Treatment with 02F04 caused the formation of F-actin filaments surrounding the nucleus of PAM212 cells, which then disappeared following addition of ROCK inhibitor. 02F04 also induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 from 2h after treatment, with a maximum at 24h, and increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) promoter activity by 1.3-fold. Taken together, these results indicate that 02F04-induced TSLP production is regulated via distinct signal transduction pathways, including PLC, PKC, ROCK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB but not nuclear receptors. 02F04, with a unique skeletal structure in inducing TSLP production, can represent a potential new tool for investigating the role of TSLP in allergic diseases.

Graphical abstract

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