Seasonal dynamics response mechanism of benthic microbial community to artificial reef habitats.

Artificial reefs (ARs) have been globally deployed to enhance and restore coastal resource and ecosystems. Microorganisms play an essential role in marine ecosystems, while the knowledge regarding the impact of ARs on microecology is still limited, particularly data concerning the response of benthic microbial community to AR habitats. In this study, the seasonal dynamics of benthic microbial community in AR and adjacent non-artificial reef (NAR) areas surrounding Xiaoshi Island were investigated with high-throughput sequencing technology. The results revealed that the diversity and structure of microbial community between AR and NAR both displayed pronounced seasonal dynamics. There was a greater influence of season factors on microbial communities than that of habitat type. The microbial communities in AR and NAR habitats were characterized by a limited number of abundant taxa (ranging from 5 to 12 ASVs) with high relative abundance (8.35-25.53%) and numerous rare taxa (from 5994 to 12412 ASVs) with low relative abundance (11.91%-24.91%). Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Desulfobacterota were the common predominant phyla, with the relative abundances ranging from 50.94% to 76.76%. A total of 52 biomarkers were discovered, with 15, 4, 6, and 27 biomarkers identified in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that AR displayed a more complex interaction pattern and higher susceptibility to external disturbances. Furthermore, the neutral model and ßNTI analyses revealed that the assembly of microbial communities in both AR and NAR is significantly influenced by stochastic processes. This study could provide valuable insights into the impact of ARs construction on the benthic ecosystems and would greatly facilitate the development and implementation of the future AR projects.

Feasibility of Speech Testing Using Wireless Connection in Single-Sided Cochlear Implant Users

Background and Objectives@#The speech tests used to evaluate language performance in patients with bilateral deafness (BiD) and cochlear implant (CI) are problematic if applied to patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) because normal ear hearing should be excluded. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of using wireless connection to evaluate speech intelligibility of the CI ear in patients with SSD. @*Subjects and Methods@#Patients with BiD and SSD were administered the word recognition scores (WRS) and speech intelligibility tests using an iPadbased wireless connection and conventional methods. To exclude normal side hearing in patients with SSD, masking noise and “plugged and muffed” method were used in the WRS and speech intelligibility tests, respectively. @*Results@#In patients with BiD, the WRS and speech intelligibility tests results using wireless connection and conventional methods were similar. In patients with SSD, the WRS using masking noise in the normal hearing ear was similar to that of using wireless connection. However, 3 of 11 patients with SSD showed under-masked results if using the “plugged and muffed” method. @*Conclusions@#Speech intelligibility testing using wireless connection is a convenient and reliable method for evaluating CI performance in patients with SSD. The “plugged and muffed” method is not recommended for evaluating CI performance in patients with SSD.

Preclinical Evaluation of an Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold Via a Long-Term Rabbit Iliac Artery Model

BACKGROUND@#Biodegradable poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA), a bio safe polymer with a large elastic modulus, is widely used in biodegradable medical devices. However, because of its poor mechanical properties, a PLLA strut must be made twice as thick as a metal strut for adequate blood vessel support. Therefore, the mechanical properties of a drug-eluting metal-based stents (MBS) and a bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) were evaluated and their safety and efficacy were examined via a long-term rabbit iliac artery model. @*METHODS@#The surface morphologies of the MBSs and BVSs were investigated via optical and scanning electron microscopy. An everolimus-eluting (EE) BVS or an EE-MBS was implanted into rabbit iliac arteries at a 1.1:1 stent-toartery ratio. Twelve months afterward, stented iliac arteries from each group were analyzed via X-ray angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathologic evaluation. @*RESULTS@#Surface morphology analysis of the EE coating on the MBS confirmed that it was uniform and very thin (4.7 lm). Comparison of the mechanical properties of the EE-MBS and EE-BVS showed that the latter outperformed the former in all aspects (radial force (2.75 vs. 0.162 N/mm), foreshortening (0.24% vs. 1.9%), flexibility (0.52 vs. 0.19 N), and recoil (3.2% vs. 6.3%). At all time points, the percent area restenosis was increased in the EE-BVS group compared to the EE-MBS group. The OCT and histopathological analyses indicate no significant changes in strut thickness. @*CONCLUSION@#BVSs with thinner struts and shorter resorption times should be developed. A comparable long-term safety/efficacy evaluation after complete absorption of BVSs should be conducted.

Efficacy of loop electrosurgical excision procedure with cold coagulation for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A two center cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) combined with cold coagulation for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS: We reviewed clinic-pathologic data of 498 patients treated with LEEP alone (n=354), and LEEP combined with cold coagulation (n=144) between January 2000 and December 2011. After LEEP, we followed up all patients by using Papanicolaou smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) test, and evaluated abnormal cervical cytology-free interval and high-risk HPV infection-free interval. Moreover, we investigated independent factors affecting abnormal cervical cytology or high-risk HPV infection after LEEP. RESULTS: Abnormal cervical cytology-free interval was longer in patients treated with LEEP combined with cold coagulation than in those treated with LEEP alone (mean, 92.4 vs. 84.4 months; P=0.01), and patients treated with LEEP combined with cold coagulation also showed longer high-risk HPV infection-free interval than those treated with LEEP alone (mean, 87.6 vs. 59.1 months; P=0.01). Moreover, CIN 3 and cold coagulation were factors affecting abnormal cervical cytology after LEEP (adjusted hazard ratios, 1.90 and 0.61; 95% confidence intervals, 1.27 to 2.84 and 0.39 to 0.96), and CIN 3, positive deep cervical margin and cold coagulation were also factors affecting high-risk HPV infection after LEEP (adjusted hazard ratios, 2.07, 4.11, and 0.64; 95% confidence intervals, 1.38 to 3.08, 1.63 to 10.39, and 0.43 to 0.96). When we performed subgroup analyses for patients with CIN 2 or CIN 3, the result were similar. CONCLUSION: LEEP combined with cold coagulation may be more effective for treating CIN than LEEP alone. Moreover, cold coagulation may decrease the risk of potential of recurrence after LEEP.

Simple mathematical formulae for estimation of median values of fetal biometry at each gestational age

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to propose simple mathematical formulae to estimate median values of fetal biometry including biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) at each gestational age (GA) easily without looking up the previously established reference values. METHODS: Simple mathematical formulae to estimate median values of fetal biometric values at each gestational week were inferred. To validate these formulae, three different linear equations were derived from previously reported reference values of median BPD, AC and FL using regression analysis at each gestational week. Finally, calculated data through the inferred formula were compared to retrospectively collected data (observed data). RESULTS: The equation revealing the relationship between BPD and GA was: median BPD (cm)=GA (wk)/4. Using this simple mathematical formula, the absolute percentage error between observed data and calculated data ranged from 0.12% to 7.50%. The equation between AC and GA was: median AC (cm)=GA (wk)-5. Through this formula, the absolute percentage error was analyzed same as above and it ranged from 0.30% to 4.76%. Lastly the derived formula between FL and GA was: median FL (cm)=GA (wk)/5 and the absolute percentage error ranged from 4.52% to 16.75%. CONCLUSION: The three simple formulae suggested in our study showed a significantly easy way to estimate the median values of fetal biometry at each gestational week with good reliability.

Re-endothelization and Inflammatory Reaction at Site of Overlapping Drug-Eluting Stents in a Porcine Coronary In-Stent Restenosis Model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the inflammatory reaction at sites of overlapping stents in a porcine in-stent restenosis (ISR) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty bare metal stents (BMS, Group I; n=10), 20 sirolimus-eluting stents (SES, Group II; n=10), 20 paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES, Group III; n=10), 10 PESs and 10 SESs (Group IV; n=10) were deployed and overlapped in the left anterior descending coronary arteries of 40 pigs. Follow-up coronary angiograms and histopathologic analysis were performed at 4 weeks after stenting. RESULTS: The minimal luminal diameter of the overlapped segment at 4 weeks was smaller in group I than that in the other groups (1.78+/-0.13 mm vs. 2.79+/-0.09 mm vs. 2.90+/-0.04 mm vs. 2.80+/-0.07 mm, respectively, p<0.001). The neointimal area (5.51+/-0.58 mm2 vs. 2.38+/-0.53 mm2 vs. 2.07+/-0.37 mm2 vs. 2.39+/-0.58 mm2, respectively, p<0.001) and the area stenosis (68.74+/-4.02% vs. 27.79+/-4.73% vs. 23.66+/-3.24% vs. 27.63+/-4.07%, respectively, p<0.001) of the overlapped segment were significantly higher in Group I than that in the other groups. The inflammatory score of the overlapped segment was significantly higher in Group III than that in the other groups (1.80+/-0.42 vs. 2.10+/-0.32 vs. 2.90+/-0.31 vs. 2.50+/-0.52, respectively, p<0.001). The endothelization score of the overlapped segment was significantly lower in Group III than that in the other groups (2.80+/-0.42 vs. 2.30+/-0.67 vs. 1.30+/-0.48 vs. 2.10+/-0.74, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with the BMS, the DES inhibits neointimal hyperplasia, but inflammation and poor endothelization are observed at the sites of overlapped stents.

The Effects of Beta-Radiation Using a Holmium-166 Coated Balloon on Neointimal Hyperplasia in a Porcine Coronary Stent Restenosis Model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Brachytherapy is a promising method in the prevention and treatment of coronary stent restenosis. We sought to observe the therapeutic effects of a radioactive balloon loaded with Holmium-166 (166Ho) in a porcine coronary stent restenosis model. Materials and Methods: A radioisotope of (166Ho) was coated on the balloon surface using a polyurethane coating (20 Gy in 0.5 mm depth). Stent overdilation injuries were performed in two coronary arteries in 8 pigs. Four weeks after the stent overdilation injury, radiation therapies were performed using a control balloon dilation in one coronary artery (Group I:n = 8) and a 166Ho-coated balloon in the other coronary artery in each pig (Group II:n = 8). Follow-up coronary angiogram and histopathologic assessment were performed at 4 weeks after the therepy was administered. RESULTS: Laboratory findings did not differ significantly between the pre-treatment baseline and the measurements taken after radiation. On quantitative coronary angiogram, the coronary artery diameters were not significantly different between the two groups before stenting or at 4 and 8 weeks after stenting. On histopathologic analysis, injury score, internal elastic lamina area and lumen area did not differ significantly between the two groups. The neointimal area was 1.78 +/- 0.11 mm2 in group I and 1.36 +/- 0.12 mm2 in group II (p=0.017), and the histopathologic area of stenosis was 35.1 +/- 1.6% in Group I, 27.6 +/- 1.9% in Group II (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: A treatment of beta-radiation in a stented porcine coronary artery using radioactive Ho-166 coated balloon inhibits stent restenosis without any side effects.