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We explored the effects of multiple times of topdressing nitrogen application under equal level on the characteristics of absorption, utilization, accumulation, and distribution of 15 N and 13 C in four-year-old potted winter jujube during fruit developmental periods using the stable isotope tra-cer technology. The results showed that with the increases of nitrogen application times, the 15 N derived from fertilizer (Ndff) in each organ significantly increased at the fruit maturity. The distribution rates of 15 N in reproductive organ (fruit) and vegetative organs (leaf, deciduous spur, new branch, and fine root) were highest under four-time application, and lowest under one-time application. The opposite pattern was observed in storage organs (trunk, perennial branch, and coarse root). The 15 N utilization rate under four-time application was 27.4% and 15.5% higher than one-time and two-time application, respectively. The more times N being applied, the more total N content and 15 N absorption amount of plant. Soil 15 N abundance and total N content continued to drop under one-time application and increased at the beginning and then declined with the time under two-time application. The relatively stable soil 15 N abundance and total N content appeared in four-time application, which was significantly higher than those in the other treatments in later treatment stages. The chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic rate displayed an order of four-time application > two-time application > one-time application during fruit white-mature period to fruit harvest period. The accumulation and distribution of 13 C varied across different treatments. Increasing nitrogen application times would promote more 13 C being transported to fruit and storage organs but decrease that in annual vegetative organs. Our findings indicated that four-time nitrogen application could enhance and optimize the accumulation and distribution of photosynthetic products by ensuring steady and adequate supply of nitrogen and improving the absorption and utilization of nitrogen during fruit development period, which facilitates the growth, yield and quality of winter jujube.

Background: Red pepper flakes are often contaminated with various microorganisms; however, any technologies aiming to decontaminate the flakes should also maintain their quality properties. This study investigated the effect of microwave-combined cold plasma treatment (MCPT) at different microwave power densities on microbial inactivation and preservation of red pepper flakes. Red pepper flake samples inoculated with spores of Bacillus cereus or Aspergillus flavus and without inoculation were subjected to MCPT at 900 W for 20 min at either low microwave power density (LMCPT, 0.17 W m -2 ) or high microwave power density (HMCPT, 0.25 W m -2 )., Results: The numbers of B. cereus and A. flavus spores on red pepper flakes after LMCPT and HMCPT were initially reduced by 0.7 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.3 log spores cm -2 and by 1.5 ± 0.3 and 1.5 ± 0.2 log spores cm -2 respectively and remained constant for 150 days at 25 °C. Immediately after HMCPT, the concentrations of capsaicin and ascorbic acid in the flakes were significantly lower than in untreated samples; however, no difference in concentration was detected during storage. Neither LMCPT nor HMCPT affected the antioxidant activity or color of the flakes during storage. LMCPT also did not affect the sensory properties and the concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin of the flakes, indicating its suitability in preserving their quality properties., Conclusion: MCPT may provide an effective non-thermal treatment for food preservation which can improve the microbial safety and stability of red pepper flakes while maintaining intact their qualitative properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Importance: Oxygenation index (OI), an invasive measurement, is routinely used as a marker of severity of hypoxemic respiratory failure in neonates. Oxygen saturation index (OSI) is a noninvasive measurement and has been shown to be a reliable surrogate marker of OI in children and adults with respiratory failure., Objectives: To evaluate the correlation of OI with OSI and to derive and validate predictive OI from noninvasive OSI measurements for clinically relevant OI values., Design, Setting, and Participants: For this retrospective cohort study, 220 neonates requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for hypoxic respiratory failure during the first 3 days of admission were recruited from a level III neonatal intensive care unit during a 6-year period, from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from January 2017 to December 2017., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was correlation of OI with OSI, analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. The secondary outcome was derivation and validation of OI from OSI. The data were split into derivative samples, from which a predictive equation for OI was derived using generalized linear model, and a validation sample was used to assess the predictive ability of the derived OI. Bland-Altman plot was used to assess agreement between derived OI and measured OI., Results: A total of 1442 paired OI and OSI measurements from 220 infants (190 preterm and 30 term; median [interquartile range] gestational age, 29 [26-33] weeks; mean [SD] birth weight, 1602 [1092] g) were recorded during the study. The median (interquartile range) number of samples was 5 (3-9) per patient. Overall, OI and OSI showed strong correlation (r = 0.89). The correlation was stronger in preterm infants (<28 weeks, r = 0.93; 28-33 weeks, r = 0.93) and within an oxygen saturation range of 85% to 95% (r = 0.94). The predictive derivative equation showed a strong linear association and good agreement in both derivation and validation data sets, with strong accuracy measures of derived OI for OI cutoffs of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25., Conclusions and Relevance: A strong correlation of OI with OSI was found. Derived OI from OSI was in good agreement and strongly predictive of clinically relevant OI cutoffs from 5 to 25. Oxygenation index derived from noninvasive sources may be useful to reliably assess severity of respiratory failure and response to therapy on a continuous basis.

This study identified 8-azaguanine (8-AG) as a novel immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) through a high-throughput screen of the Preswick Chemical Library in a model of human NK cell cytotoxicity against blood cancer cells. 8-AG, originally developed as an antineoplastic agent, significantly increased the cytotoxicity of NK cells and was superior in this activity to previously known IMiDs, such as fluoxetine and amphotericin B, identified from the same library. IFN-γ expression was also slightly increased by 8-AG. Mechanistically, 8-AG increased conjugate formation between NK and target cells and subsequent cytolytic granule polarization, but not calcium mobilization, regulation of activating receptors, or expression of perforin or granzyme B. Thus, the antineoplastic activity of 8-AG should be re-evaluated in light of this novel potentiating effect on NK cells., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ginsenosides are the principal active components of ginseng and are considered attractive candidates for combination cancer therapy because they can kill tumors and have favorable safety profiles. However, the overall benefit of ginsenosides remains unclear, particularly in cancer immunosurveillance, considering the controversial results showing repression or promotion of immune responses. Here we identify a potentiating role of ginsenoside F1 (G-F1) in cancer surveillance by natural killer (NK) cells. Among 15 different ginsenosides, G-F1 most potently enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity in response to diverse activating receptors and cancer cells. G-F1 also improved cancer surveillance in mouse models of lymphoma clearance and metastatic melanoma that rely on NK cell activity. G-F1-treated NK cells exhibited elevated cytotoxic potential such as upregulation of cytotoxic mediators and of activation signals upon stimulation. NK cell potentiation by G-F1 was antagonized by insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 blockade and recapitulated by IGF-1 treatment, suggesting the involvement of IGF-1. Thus, our results suggest that G-F1 enhances NK cell function and may have chemotherapeutic potential in NK cell-based immunotherapy. We anticipate our results to be a starting point for further comprehensive studies of ginsenosides in the immune cells mediating cancer surveillance and the development of putative therapeutics.

Fabrication and applications of lightweight, high load-bearing, thermally stable composite materials would benefit greatly from leveraging the high mechanical strength of ceramic nanowires (NWs) over conventional particles or micrometer-scale fibers. However, conventional synthesis routes to produce NWs are rather expensive. Recently we discovered a novel method to directly convert certain bulk bimetallic alloys to metal-organic NWs at ambient temperature and pressure. This method was demonstrated by a facile transformation of polycrystalline aluminum-lithium (AlLi) alloy particles to aluminum alkoxide NWs, which can be further transformed to mechanically robust aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) NWs. However, the transformation mechanisms have not been clearly understood. Here, we conducted advanced materials characterization (via electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies) and chemo-mechanical modeling to elucidate key physical and chemical mechanisms responsible for NWs formation. We further demonstrated that the content of Li metal in the AlLi alloy could be reduced to about 4 wt % without compromising the success of the NWs synthesis. This new mechanistic understanding may open new avenues for large-scale, low-cost manufacturing of NWs and nanofibers for a broad range of composites and flexible ceramic membranes.

Introduction: Medical students rarely learn about the intersection of socioeconomic and environmental effects on access to health care and maintenance of health. Case-based discussion can cohesively highlight the social determinants of health to complement preclinical education. Our modules can foster future interest in working with vulnerable populations, help students recognize barriers to care, and identify strategies to help these patients., Methods: The Social Determinants of Health Orientation Program (SDHOP) introduced students to the nonbiomedical factors that contribute to patients' health. Key topics were presented in small discussion groups led by faculty facilitators. The subjects addressed included access to care; immigration/language barriers; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health; human trafficking; race/ethnicity; and women's health., Results: The SDHOP initiative was integrated into the formal curriculum and successfully implemented in its first year at our institution. Pre- and postsurveys were administered to assess student satisfaction with the course, as well as changes in knowledge and attitude regarding the topics covered. Of the 186 SDHOP participants, 111 medical students responded to both surveys and reported improvements in both knowledge of and comfort level with these topics and specific related terms. Ninety-one percent rated the overall quality of SDHOP and its individual modules as good or excellent., Discussion: SDHOP contributes to medical education by providing an all-inclusive model for teaching students about the social determinants of health. Our results suggest that presenting these topics in a small-group discussion model improves medical student cultural competency and comfort level with patients of diverse backgrounds., Competing Interests: None to report.

Outdoor heat stress poses a serious public health threat and curtails industrial labor supply and productivity, thus adversely impacting the wellness and economy of the entire society. With climate change, there will be more intense and frequent heat waves that further present a grand challenge for sustainability. However, an efficient and economical method that can provide localized outdoor cooling of the human body without intensive energy input is lacking. Here, a novel spectrally selective nanocomposite textile for radiative outdoor cooling using zinc oxide nanoparticle-embedded polyethylene is demonstrated. By reflecting more than 90% solar irradiance and selectively transmitting out human body thermal radiation, this textile can enable simulated skin to avoid overheating by 5-13 °C compared to normal textile like cotton under peak daylight condition. Owing to its superior passive cooling capability and compatibility with large-scale production, this radiative outdoor cooling textile is promising to widely benefit the sustainability of society in many aspects spanning from health to economy., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Purpose: To determine whether a history of conception by assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with occurrence of one or more imprinting disorders of either maternal or paternal origin., Methods: We implemented a systematic review of scholarly literature followed by comprehensive meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize data from reports relating to use of ART to occurrence of any imprinting disorder of humans, including Beckwith-Wiedemann (BWS), Angelman (AS), Prader-Willi (PWS), and Silver-Russell (SRS) syndromes, as well as transient neonatal diabetes mellitus (TNDB) and sporadic retinoblasoma (RB)., Results: The systematic review identified 13 reports presenting unique data from 23 studies that related conception following ART to occurrence of imprinting disorders. Multiple studies of four disorder were identified, for which meta-analysis yielded the following summary estimates of associations with a history of ART: AS, summary odds ratio (sOR) = 4.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-8.5, 4 studies); BWS, sOR = 5.8 (95% CI 3.1-11.1, 8 studies); PWS, sOR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.0, 6 studies); SRS, sOR = 11.3 (95% CI 4.5-28.5, 3 studies). Only one study reported on each of TNDB and RB., Conclusion: Published data reveal positive associations between history of ART conception and each of four imprinting disorders. Reasons for these associations warrant further investigation.

Objective: Studies suggest that prenatal exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) may contribute to childhood obesity. While exact mechanisms for this association are unknown, circulating adipokines are hypothesized to contribute to early-life weight gain., Methods: The Maternal and Child Health Study birth cohort included 136 women from the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center. This study estimated prenatal residential TRAP exposure and used linear regression analysis to examine associations between adipokines with TRAP exposure and infant weight change (birth to 6 months)., Results: A one standard deviation (1-SD: 2 ppb) increase in prenatal non-freeway nitrogen oxides was associated with 33% (P = 0.01) higher leptin and 9% higher high molecular weight adiponectin levels (P = 0.07) in cord blood. Leptin levels were 71% higher in mothers who lived <75 m than those living >300 m from major roadways (P = 0.03). A 1-SD (10 ng mL -1 ) increase in leptin was associated with a significant increase in infant weight change in female infants (0.62 kg, P = 0.02) but not male infants (0.11 kg, P = 0.48)., Conclusions: Higher TRAP exposures were associated with higher cord blood levels of leptin and high molecular weight adiponectin. These adipokines were associated with increased infant weight change in female infants, which may have implications for future obesity risk., (© 2017 World Obesity Federation.)

We study topological nodes (phase singularities) in electromagnetic wave interactions with structures. We show that, when the nodes exist, it is possible to bind certain nodes to a specific plane in the structure by a combination of mirror and time-reversal symmetry. Such binding does not rely on any resonances in the structure. As a result, the nodes persist on the plane over a wide wavelength range. As an implication of such broadband binding, we demonstrate that the topological nodes can be used for hiding of metallic objects over a broad wavelength range.

Films containing microencapsulated cinnamon oil (CO) were developed using a large-scale production system to protect against the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella). CO at concentrations of 0%, 0.8%, or 1.7% (w/w ink mixture) was microencapsulated with polyvinyl alcohol. The microencapsulated CO emulsion was mixed with ink (47% or 59%, w/w) and thinner (20% or 25%, w/w) and coated on polypropylene (PP) films. The PP film was then laminated with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film on the coated side. The film with microencapsulated CO at 1.7% repelled P. interpunctella most effectively. Microencapsulation did not negatively affect insect repelling activity. The release rate of cinnamaldehyde, an active repellent, was lower when CO was microencapsulated than that in the absence of microencapsulation. Thermogravimetric analysis exhibited that microencapsulation prevented the volatilization of CO. The tensile strength, percentage elongation at break, elastic modulus, and water vapor permeability of the films indicated that microencapsulation did not affect the tensile and moisture barrier properties (P > 0.05). The results of this study suggest that effective films for the prevention of Indian meal moth invasion can be produced by the microencapsulation of CO using a large-scale film production system., Practical Application: Low-density polyethylene-laminated polypropylene films printed with ink incorporating microencapsulated cinnamon oil using a large-scale film production system effectively repelled Indian meal moth larvae. Without altering the tensile and moisture barrier properties of the film, microencapsulation resulted in the release of an active repellent for extended periods with a high thermal stability of cinnamon oil, enabling commercial film production at high temperatures. This anti-insect film system may have applications to other food-packaging films that use the same ink-printing platform., (© 2018 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Early life adversities together with genetic predispositions have been associated with elevated risks of neuropsychiatric disorders during later life. In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms, many chronic, early-life stress paradigms in multiple animal models have been developed. Previously, studies reported that maternal separation (MS) in the early postnatal stages triggers depression-and/or anxiety-like behaviors in rats. However, similar studies using mice have reported inconsistent behavioral outcomes. In this study, we sought to assess behavioral outcomes from two different early-life stress paradigms; a conventional 3-hour MS and a maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW) paradigm using C57BL/6J male mice with independent cohorts. Our data demonstrated that both MS and MSEW paradigms did not produce reported behavioral anomalies. Therefore, MS paradigms in mice require further validation and modification.

Maintaining human body temperature is one of the most basic needs for living, which often consumes a huge amount of energy to keep the ambient temperature constant. To expand the ambient temperature range while maintaining human thermal comfort, the concept of personal thermal management has been recently demonstrated in heating and cooling textiles separately through human body infrared radiation control. Realizing these two opposite functions within the same textile would represent an exciting scientific challenge and a significant technological advancement. We demonstrate a dual-mode textile that can perform both passive radiative heating and cooling using the same piece of textile without any energy input. The dual-mode textile is composed of a bilayer emitter embedded inside an infrared-transparent nanoporous polyethylene (nanoPE) layer. We demonstrate that the asymmetrical characteristics of both emissivity and nanoPE thickness can result in two different heat transfer coefficients and achieve heating when the low-emissivity layer is facing outside and cooling by wearing the textile inside out when the high-emissivity layer is facing outside. This can expand the thermal comfort zone by 6.5°C. Numerical fitting of the data further predicts 14.7°C of comfort zone expansion for dual-mode textiles with large emissivity contrast.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains one of the most intensive therapies for newborns in the United States. However, there is limited information on resource utilization for neonates receiving ECMO., Methods: We conducted a retrospective data analysis of the Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997 to 2012. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was completed to identify predictors of LOS, hospital costs and mortality. Cardiac and non-cardiac diagnoses of neonates receiving ECMO were also included in the bivariate and multivariable analysis., Results: Of the 5151 ECMO cases, survival to discharge was 62%. 22% had a principal cardiac diagnosis. After adjusting for covariates, increased mortality was associated with treatment in the midwest compared to the northeast region (aOR=2.0, p<0.01) and decreased among neonates with a non-cardiac diagnosis (aOR=0.4, p<0.01). Living in midwest was associated with longer LOS by 13days and increased hospital costs by 63,000 dollars (p<0.01). When stratified by non-cardiac diagnoses, infants with a diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia was associated with increased mortality (2.3, p<0.01) and longer LOS (25, p<0.01) and increased costs (11,100, p<0.01)., Conclusion: Neonates who received ECMO in certain regions of the United States were associated with poorer survival outcomes as well as increased LOS and hospital costs., Type of Study: Retrospective study., Level of Evidence: Level III., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Space heating accounts for the largest energy end-use of buildings that imposes significant burden on the society. The energy wasted for heating the empty space of the entire building can be saved by passively heating the immediate environment around the human body. Here, we demonstrate a nanophotonic structure textile with tailored infrared (IR) property for passive personal heating using nanoporous metallized polyethylene. By constructing an IR-reflective layer on an IR-transparent layer with embedded nanopores, the nanoporous metallized polyethylene textile achieves a minimal IR emissivity (10.1%) on the outer surface that effectively suppresses heat radiation loss without sacrificing wearing comfort. This enables 7.1 °C decrease of the set-point compared to normal textile, greatly outperforming other radiative heating textiles by more than 3 °C. This large set-point expansion can save more than 35% of building heating energy in a cost-effective way, and ultimately contribute to the relief of global energy and climate issues.Energy wasted for heating the empty space of the entire building can be saved by passively heating the immediate environment around the human body. Here, the authors show a nanophotonic structure textile with tailored infrared property for passive personal heating using nanoporous metallized polyethylene.

The detrimental impact of poverty on child behavioral problems is well-established, but the mechanisms that explain this relationship are less well-known. Using data from the Families in Germany Study on parents and their children at ages 9-10 (middle childhood), this study extends previous research by examining whether or not and to what extent different parenting styles and parents' subjective well-being explain the relationship between poverty and child behavior problems. The results show that certain parenting styles, such as psychological control, as well as mothers' life satisfaction partially mediate the correlation between poverty and child behavioral problems., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The project was funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG).

This study investigated the effects of cold plasma treatment (CPT) on the inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium on radish sprouts and the quality attributes of the sprouts. Radish sprouts were treated with nitrogen (N 2 )-cold plasma at 900W and 667Pa for 0, 2, 5, 10, and 20min using a microwave-powered CPT system. The sensory attributes of the radish sprouts, appearance and odor, were evaluated before and after the treatment. The effects of N 2 -CPT for 10min on microbial growth and the quality attributes of the radish sprouts were evaluated during storage for 12days at 4 and 10°C. N 2 -CPT at 900W and 667Pa for 20min reduced the number of S. typhimurium by 2.6±0.4logCFU/g. The moisture content of the radish sprouts decreased with treatment time. The appearance and odor of the radish sprouts were not altered by CPT (p>0.05) and this treatment did not affect the quality attributes of the sprouts in terms of color, ascorbic acid concentration, or antioxidant activity during storage at both 4 and 10°C. These findings suggest that CPT has the potential to improve the microbiological safety of radish sprouts with reference to S. typhimurium during cold storage without significant detriment to its quality properties., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Thermal management through personal heating and cooling is a strategy by which to expand indoor temperature setpoint range for large energy saving. We show that nanoporous polyethylene (nanoPE) is transparent to mid-infrared human body radiation but opaque to visible light because of the pore size distribution (50 to 1000 nanometers). We processed the material to develop a textile that promotes effective radiative cooling while still having sufficient air permeability, water-wicking rate, and mechanical strength for wearability. We developed a device to simulate skin temperature that shows temperatures 2.7° and 2.0°C lower when covered with nanoPE cloth and with processed nanoPE cloth, respectively, than when covered with cotton. Our processed nanoPE is an effective and scalable textile for personal thermal management., (Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

Objective: The study tries to explore what effects multiple cognitive intervention, computer-based intervention, and memory training program had on dementia patients through meta-analysis., Method: Data was collected using an overseas search engine and 13 pieces of research published from January 2001 to April 2015 were selected. On papers that fit the selection criteria qualitative evaluation was conducted using Jadad evaluation and using pre-post average, standard deviation, and sample size of cognitive function, meta-analysis was conducted., Results: The 13 studies selected included 6 multiple interventions, 4 computer-based interventions, and 3 memory training programs. In the Jadad evaluation all had 3 points or higher and there were 474 research participants and in the result of effect size analysis memory training intervention was found to be 'large effect size', computer-based intervention 'medium effect size', and multiple cognitive intervention 'small effect size'. All three intervention methods were all statistically significant (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: It was found that the effect on dementia patients was in the order of memory training intervention, computer-based intervention, and multiple cognitive intervention. Clinically, this can be objective basis for treatment method for cognitive intervention of dementia patients.

Imperviousness in watershed is a key index to measure urbanization status which exerts an important impact on both eco-hydrological process and spatio-temporal pattern. Taking Yuqiao Reservoir Watershed as a case study area, based on the ENVI 5.1 software, the basic impervious surface information was extracted from remote sensing images taken in 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2013. The linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA) model was applied to extract the impervious surface area (ISA) in nine coverage classes of watershed in order to analyze its spatio-temporal varying trend in terms of the landscape pattern metrics. Results showed that the RMSE and IS pixel accuracy of all samples were 0.005 and 85.4% respectively, which indicated that the method of extracting impervious surface on a basin scale was feasible. The average of ISA showed a linear growth, from 0.16 to 0.23, the impervious surface area increased by 4.9% in the whole watershed, and the total impervious surface area increased by 1 time. In the sub-basin road network, the impervious surface area increased gradually with the density of the road network, and its expansion pattern was of infilling growth. The patch shape of the middle coverage degree was irregular, and its fragmentation degree was the highest. The fragmentation degree and diversity of the landscape in the whole river basin increased year by year due to increasing human disturbance.

The effects of cold plasma (CP) treatment on the physicochemical and biodegradable properties of polylactic acid (PLA) films were studied. The PLA films were exposed to CP for 40 min at 900 W and 667 Pa using oxygen as the plasma-forming gas. The tensile, optical, and dynamic mechanical thermal properties, surface morphology, printability, water contact angle, chemical structure, weight change, and biodegradability properties of the films were evaluated during storage for up to 56 d. The tensile and optical properties of the PLA films were not significantly affected by CP treatment (CPT; P > 0.05). The surface roughness and water contact angle of PLA films increased by CPT and further increased during storage for 56 d. The printability of the PLA films increased following CPT and remained stable throughout the storage period. CP-induced hydrophilicity was also sustained during the storage period. The PLA films lost 1.9% of their weight after CPT, but recovered 99.5% of this loss after 14 d in storage. Photodegradation, thermal, and microbial biodegradable properties of the films were significantly improved by CPT (P < 0.05). Accelerated biodegradation of CP-treated PLA sachets with and without cheese was observed in compost. These results demonstrate the potential of CPT for modifying the stiffness, water contact angle, and chemical structure of PLA films and improving the printability and biodegradability of the films for food packaging., (© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Purpose: To determine the influence of denture base resins coated with antibacterial coating on water sorption, solubility and monomer elution., Methods: The values of water sorption and solubility were measured according to YY 0270-2003 and gas chromatography was used to examine the leachability of 4 commercially available heat-cured acrylic resins between experimental group and control group. Degree of crosslinking of the experimental heat-cured acrylic denture bases we remeasured by soxhlet extraction method. The data was analyzed by 17.0 software package., Results: The values of water sorption, solubility and monomer elution of experimental group were lower compared to the control group. Degree of crosslinking of Heraeus reins was the highest among the experimental heat-cured acrylic denture bases., Conclusions: There is a same trend among water sorption, degree of crosslinking and the monomer elution. When the degree of crosslinking increases, the values of water sorption and monomer elution decrease. Antibacterial coating can improve the comprehensive properties of the denture base resins.

Unlabelled: Insect-resistant laminate films containing microencapsulated cinnamon oil (CO) were developed to protect food products from the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella). CO microencapsulated with polyvinyl alcohol was incorporated with a printing ink and the ink mixture was applied to a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film as an ink coating. The coated LDPE surface was laminated with a polypropylene film. The laminate film impeded the invasion of moth larvae and repelled the larvae. The periods of time during which cinnamaldehyde level in the film remained above a minimum repelling concentration, predicted from the concentration profile, were 21, 21, and 10 d for cookies, chocolate, and caramel, respectively. Coating with microencapsulated ink did not alter the tensile or barrier properties of the laminate film. Microencapsulation effectively prevented volatilization of CO. The laminate film can be produced by modern film manufacturing lines and applied to protect food from Indian meal moth damage., Practical Application: The LDPE-PP laminate film developed using microencapsulated cinnamon oil was effective to protect the model foods from the invasion of Indian meal moth larvae. The microencapsulated ink coating did not significantly change the tensile and barrier properties of the LDPE-PP laminate film, implying that replacement of the uncoated with coated laminate would not be an issue with current packaging equipment. The films showed the potential to be produced in commercial film production lines that usually involve high temperatures because of the improved thermal stability of cinnamon oil due to microencapsulation. The microencapsulated system may be extended to other food-packaging films for which the same ink-printing platform is used., (© 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Objective: To investigate three-dimensional angular changes of the pelvis and lower extremities during trunk axial rotation in subjects with and without chronic low back pain (LBP)., Design: Repeated-measures design., Participants: Thirty volunteers participated in the study (15 with LBP, 15 without LBP). The mean age of the subjects was 44 (standard deviation 15.8) years (range 27 to 63 years)., Main Outcome Measures: All participants were asked to perform five sets of axial trunk rotation activities with a bar in a standing position. The outcome measures included three-dimensional rotational angles of the pelvis and lower extremities (foot, calf and thigh)., Results: The angular change of the pelvis in the sagittal plane differed between subjects with and without LBP (P=0.03). There were no significant differences in angular changes of the lower extremities in the frontal and transverse planes between groups., Conclusions: The angular change of the pelvis in the sagittal plane differed significantly between groups. Further research is needed to investigate the three-dimensional characteristics of biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects in subjects with LBP., (Copyright © 2011 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Fe(3)O(4)-Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by one-pot non-aqueous nanoemulsion with the assistance of a biocompatible triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-PPO-PEO), integrating the magnetic properties of Fe(3)O(4) and the bioactive functions of Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) into single entities. The Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles were pre-formed first by thermal reduction of Fe(acac)(3) and then the Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) layer was coated by simultaneous deposition of Ca(2+) and PO(4)(3-). The characterization shows that the combination of the two materials into a core-shell nanostructure retains the magnetic properties and the Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) shell forms an hcp phase (a = 7.490 Å, c = 9.534 Å) on the Fe(3)O(4) surface. The magnetic hysteresis curves of the nanoparticles were further elucidated by the Langevin equation, giving an estimation of the effective magnetic dimension of the nanoparticles and reflecting the enhanced susceptibility response as a result of the surface covering. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis provides the characteristic vibrations of Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) and the presence of the polymer surfactant on the nanoparticle surface. Moreover, the nanoparticles could be directly transferred to water and the aqueous dispersion-collection process of the nanoparticles was demonstrated for application readiness of such core-shell nanostructures in an aqueous medium. Thus, the construction of Fe(3)O(4) and Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) in the core-shell nanostructure has conspicuously led to enhanced performance and multi-functionalities, offering various possible applications of the nanoparticles.

In this paper, four plots representing the typical secondary succession stages of forest community were selected at the shady slope of bedrock area in Zhongyang County of West Shanxi, aimed to study the variation patterns of the structure and complexity of forest community in the process of secondary succession. The results showed that in the succession process of the community, there was an evident regularity in the variation of height and diameter class structure. The proportion of high and big individuals in the community increased gradually, while that of low and small ones increased first but decreased then. From the viewpoint of height class structure, the compositional complexity of tree species H (X), structural complexity of tree species H (Y/X), and complexity of whole community H (X,Y) all increased first, but decreased then with the succession. At the early, middle and arbor stages of succession, the H(X) value was 2.96, 3.85 and 3.75, while H (Y/X) value was 1.27, 1.66 and 1.37, respectively.

Postbariatric body contouring is an expanding and rapidly evolving specialty within plastic surgery. To best address the many clinical issues related to the safe and effective care of the postbariatric patient, the authors have established a dedicated multidisciplinary treatment center. Team building efforts have brought together attending plastic surgeons who specialize in body contouring, nurses focused on body contouring after weight loss, and an administrative staff well trained in the issues related to managing these specific types of cases. Through core partnerships, nutritionists, lifestyle counselors, and psychologic professionals are present in the clinic to evaluate patients alongside the plastic surgeon. A dedicated physician assistant and body-contouring fellow work in both the clinic and the operating room (OR). This team approach has allowed for the establishment of defined screening procedures and patient care algorithms. Outreach and patient education initiatives have allowed the center to forge strong alliances with the regional bariatric surgeons and make patients aware of the role of plastic surgery as they start the process of weight loss. A strong research mission is demonstrated by an IRB-approved clinical registry and database that facilitate outcomes studies.

Objective: Because post-bariatric surgery patients undergo massive weight loss, the resulting skin excess can lead to both functional problems and profound dissatisfaction with appearance. Correcting skin excess could improve all these corollaries, including body image. Presently, few data are available documenting body image and weight-related quality of life in this population., Research Methods and Procedures: Eighteen patients who underwent both bariatric surgery and body contouring completed our study. Both established surveys and new surveys designed specifically for the study were used to assess body perception and ideals, quality of life, and mood. Patients were surveyed at the following time-points: pre-body contouring (after massive weight loss) and both 3 and 6 month post-body contouring. Statistical testing was performed using Student's t test and ANOVA., Results: The mean age of the patients was 46 +/- 10 years (standard deviation). Quality of life improved after obesity surgery and was significantly enhanced after body contouring. Three months after body contouring, subjects ascribed thinner silhouettes to both current appearance and ideal body image. Body image also improved with body contouring surgery. Mood remained stable over 6 months., Discussion: Body contouring after surgical weight loss improved both quality-of-life measurements and body image. Initial body dissatisfaction did not correlate with mood. Body contouring improved body image but produced dissatisfaction with other parts of the body, suggesting that as patients become closer to their ideal, these ideals may shift. We further developed several new assessment methods that may prove useful in understanding these post-surgical weight loss patients.

Background: Surgical repair of the superficial fascial system (SFS) has been claimed to both increase wound strength and enhance surgical outcome through anchoring of deeper tissues., Objective: The authors assessed the biomechanical properties of the SFS to determine whether repair of the SFS layer improved early and long-term postoperative wound strength., Methods: Four complementary studies were conducted to study the dermis and SFS junctional architecture and connective tissue content: gross dissection using a dehydrating agent (Pen-Fix; Richard-Allan Scientific, Kalamazoo, MI), a histologic study with hemotoxylin and eosin staining, soft tissue radiography, and immunofluorescence staining. Freshly excised human abdominal and lower back/buttock tissues underwent a midline incision, followed by repair using dermal sutures only (DRM), dermal sutures plus SFS sutures (DRM/SFS) or repair of the SFS only (SFS). Fresh swine abdominal tissues were similarly excised and repaired. Biomechanical tests were undertaken to compare the ex vivo human and swine tissues. Three types of closure-dermal sutures only (DRM), dermal sutures plus permanent 0-braided nylon suture in the SFS (DRM/SFS/N), and dermal sutures plus absorbable 0-vicryl suture in the SFS (DRM/SFS/V) were also tested in an in vivo swine model., Results: Immunofluorescence studies showed collagen and elastin content and ratios to be comparable in the dermis and SFS. In ex vivo studies of human abdominal and back tissues, cyclic creep did not vary significantly among the different types of repair. DRM/SFS repair had a significantly higher failure load than dermal repair alone in both human abdominal and back tissues. In the in vivo swine study, normal tissue had a significantly higher failure load than all repair groups. The wounds where SFS had been repaired in addition to dermis exhibited an increased tensile strength and, among these, the wounds closed with SFS repair with a nonabsorbable suture exhibited greater tensile strength compared to absorbable suture repair. However, no statistically significant difference was noted, due to the small sample size., Conclusions: We have determined, using an ex vivo model, that repair of the SFS layer in addition to dermis repair significantly increases the initial biomechanical strength of wound repair. This has the potential to decrease early wound dehiscence. In our in vivo model, the use of a nonabsorbable suture to approximate the SFS demonstrated a trend toward increased long-term wound strength. We believe our studies provide scientific data documenting that SFS is a key contributory strength layer in the early postoperative period, and is likely to be a strength layer even in the later stages of wound healing.

Background: Functional free muscle transfer for the surgical correction of long-standing facial paralysis has gained validity over the past three decades. These traditionally multistep reconstructions often achieve clinical success, but at the cost of significant morbidity and lengthy recovery periods. To address this dilemma, the authors propose reconstruction using the rectus abdominis and accompanying intercostal nerve in a one-stage neurovascular free flap reanimation procedure., Methods: Between 1998 and 2001, five patients with long-standing unilateral facial paralysis at the University of Pittsburgh Facial Nerve Center underwent reanimation using the authors' protocol. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included clinical evaluation using the Facial Grading System and electromyography. The patients were followed for a mean of 16 months., Results: At the final postoperative visit, all five patients demonstrated improved levator electromyographic potential, with a median 67 percent improvement. All five patients further demonstrated an increase in zygomaticus electromyographic potential, with a median 225 percent improvement. All five patients demonstrated increased Facial Grading System score at most recent follow-up., Conclusions: The one-step reanimation using free rectus abdominis neurovascular free flap demonstrated a consistent positive outcome in electromyographic and clinical assessments. The additional benefits of reduced recovery time and anatomical reliability of the flap render the authors' method preferable to other traditional methods of surgical reanimation of the paralyzed face.

Background: A number of plastic surgeons have advocated using hypotonic solution in ultrasound lipoplasty, theorizing that induced adipocyte swelling increases membrane susceptibility to ultrasonic disruption. Additionally, it has been theorized that potassium increases membrane permeability. This study aimed to determine the effect of solution osmolality on adipocyte diameter, the time course of hypotonic solution action, and the effect of potassium addition on adipocyte diameter., Methods: Base solutions with three different osmolalities were prepared: normal saline (NS) (154 mOsm/l), 1/2NS (77 mOsm/l), and 1/4NS (38.5 mOsm/l). Each solution was modified to contain 0, 5, and 10 mEq/l of potassium and adjusted to starting osmolality. Adipocytes of six patients were suspended in the nine solutions, and diameters were determined at 0, 15, 30, and 45 min. Diameters were measured using imaging software (Kodak ID 3.6)., Results: At time 0, the average adipocyte diameter was 79 +/- 8 microm, and no difference was seen in any of the solutions. Cells in the NS group showed no significant increase in diameter over 45 min. The 1/2NS group achieved an 8% +/- 1.9% increase in diameter at 45 min (p < 0.05). The 1/4NS group showed an increase by 14% +/- 2.4% (p < 0.01) at 15 min, and 15% +/- 2.3% (p < 0.01) at 45 min. Potassium had no independent effect on cell diameter., Conclusions: Hypotonic solution can significantly increase human adipocyte diameter. The findings showed that 1/2NS had a significant effect within 15 min. Tumescent solutions with an osmolality of 1/4NS may be useful in facilitating ultrasonic lipoplasty.

Background: Characterization of optimal aesthetics in transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) breast reconstruction is a challenge that even the most experienced breast surgeon faces. Aesthetic assessment in breast surgery has attempted to evaluate the reconstructed breast either as one cohesive entity or as a sum of its parts. The authors propose that the most advantageous assessment involves looking at the reconstructions in terms of aesthetic components, not necessarily in visual subunits., Methods: The authors investigated the responses of five physicians and 12 nonphysician evaluators using various methods of aesthetic assessment, including, most importantly, a visual analogue scale survey. Pearson's correlation and intraclass correlation analyses were performed using SAS software., Results: Their analysis determined that while all components of TRAM reconstruction were important, symmetry, contour, and breast positioning were consistently named the most important components of breast reconstruction. When the breast reconstruction was divided into aesthetic subunits, there was a high degree of correlation between the overall score and the subunit scores (r = 0.81: r > 0.6 for good correlation)., Conclusions: From these assessments, the authors derived a set of aesthetic rules for TRAM flap reconstruction. They believe that methodical application of these rules on a consistent basis can lead to the production of maximal aesthetic outcomes in TRAM breast reconstruction.

The optimal diagnostic modality for extracranial carotid artery aneurysm is not firmly established because of the emerging trend of replacing traditional carotid angiography with magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. An extracranial carotid artery aneurysm can have profound neurologic sequelae, and an elective resection is often suggested. Imaging studies should firmly establish the diagnosis and differentiate the aneurysm from other lesions of the carotid, especially carotid body tumor, prior to surgical planning. Magnetic resonance studies may not properly distinguish between different lesions of the carotid arteries. This case of an unexpected carotid aneurysm found intraoperatively demonstrates that while traditional angiography is costly and invasive, it is still the diagnostic study of choice when an aneurysm is a possible diagnosis.

Background: Contour deformities after massive weight loss are diverse and often severe in nature. Current progress has necessitated a valid, accessible, and comprehensive rating system that correlates appearance and appropriate surgical treatment. Presently, no existing rating system addresses the breadth and variety of deformities that can occur or allows for adequate postsurgical evaluation., Methods: The authors reviewed full-body photographs of over 300 female patients seen between October of 2002 and May of 2004. The authors targeted body areas most frequently demonstrating skin and soft-tissue laxity and ptosis. A 10-region, four-point grading system was designed to describe the common deformities found in each region of the body. To validate the scale, 12 trained observers applied the rating scale to photographs of 25 patients who showed the 10 regions. Each grading scale ranged from 0, indicating normal, to 3, indicating the most severe deformity. Repeat testing was performed at 2 weeks. Interobserver validity and test-retest reliability were determined using weighted kappa analysis., Results: In all 10 categories, the kappa value was 0.6 or higher (0.6 = threshold for good validity), with a mean kappa value of 0.68 (range, 0.61 to 0.78) and an overall agreement of 69 percent over two sessions. All 12 observers scored an individual mean kappa value of greater than 0.6, indicating good interobserver validity. A given observer had a mean 67 percent agreement, indicating reasonable test-retest reliability., Conclusions: The Pittsburgh Rating Scale is a validated measure of contour deformities after bariatric weight loss. This scale may have applications in preoperative planning and evaluating surgical outcomes.

Inspection of the Vineland social Maturity Scale scores of a representative sample of 150 nonretarded children between the ages of 2 weeks and 36 months revealed that the social ages of most of these children using the original norm table were consistently higher than their chronological ages. A table of adjusted Vineland ages based on the performance of these children was provided, along with the original Vineland norms. Comparison of the original and adjusted scores suggests that the social ages on the Vineland may be overestimated in the 1- to 2-year range.