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Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a major complication after total laryngectomy, with significant morbidity and mortality. Whether mechanical stapler closure of the pharynx reduces fistula rates compared to hand‐sewn techniques remains unclear. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis to clarify this question. Five databases were systematically searched from inception through November 2023 for studies comparing stapler versus suture closure for fistula outcomes after laryngectomy. Odds ratios (OR) were pooled using random‐effects models and fixed‐effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Risk of bias was appraised using NHLBI tools. Nine studies with 803 patients were included. Mechanical closure significantly reduced fistula incidence versus suture closure (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.95, p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis found that stapling's protective effect varied by patient age, country/region, linear stapler size and female percentage. Stapling reduced fistula odds by 80% in the Turkey subgroup (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.09–0.50) but showed no benefit in other regions. Patients <60 years showed an 84% fistula reduction with stapling (OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06–0.45), whereas older subgroups did not. Linear stapler size of 60 mm significantly reduced fistula occurrence while 75 mm did not. There was no evidence that low female percentage mitigated stapling benefits. Mechanical stapler closure after total laryngectomy meaningfully reduces the likelihood of postoperative PCF formation compared to hand‐sewn closure, especially for patients younger than 60 years old. The absolute risk reduction supports its utility to prevent this complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We performed a paired analysis to compare the therapeutic effect between the induction chemotherapy‐based organ‐preservation approach and immediate total laryngectomy in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients requiring total laryngectomy. Methods: 351 patients who were treated with organ‐preservation approach were compared with 110 patients who were treated with total laryngectomy. The main measures and outcomes were progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and larynx function preservation survival (LFPS). Results: No statistical difference was observed for 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year PFS and OS in two groups. In the organ‐preservation group, the 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year LFPS was 30.7%, 23.3%, and 16.6%, respectively. The LFPS of Stage III > Stage IV, N0 > N1 > N2 > N3, T2 > T3 > T4, CR > PR > SD > PD patients (all p values <0.05). Conclusions: Survival outcomes did not significantly differ between the two groups. The organ‐preservation approach allowed more than 70% of the survivors to retain their larynx function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of immunotherapy to treat recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has become a popular research topic in recent years, and many clinical trials have been carried out. Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and other databases up to 1 November 2019 for publications reporting the use of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Revman 5.0 was used for combination analysis, and the overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and adverse events were determined. Results: Five articles were included. Compared with other treatment methods, this meta‐analysis showed that treatment with PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors can significantly improve OS (P <.0001), but there was no significant improvement in PFS or ORR. The risk of anaemia and nausea was significantly reduced by treatment with PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors. Conclusions and Significance: Treatment with PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors alone can improve the overall survival rate for recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck but there is no obvious advantage in other aspects and adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic analysis for germline mutations of RET proto‐oncogene has provided a basis for individual management of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma. Most of compound mutations have more aggressive phenotypes than single point mutations, but the compound C634Y/V292M variant in MTC has never been reported. Thus, we retrospectively investigated synergistic effect of C634Y and V292M RET germline mutations in family members with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. Nine of 14 family members in a northern Chinese family underwent RET mutation screening using next‐generation sequencing and PCR followed by direct bidirectional DNA sequencing. Clinical features of nine individuals were retrospectively carefully reviewed. In vitro, the scratch‐wound assay was used to investigate the difference between the cells carrying different mutations. We find no patients died of MTC. All 3 carriers of the V292M variant were asymptomatic and did not have biochemical or structural evidence of disease (age: 82, 62 and 58). Among 4 C634Y mutation carriers, 2 patients had elevated calcitonin with the highest (156 pg/mL) in an 87‐year‐old male. Two carriers of compound C634Y/V292M trans variant had bilateral MTC with pheochromocytoma or lymph node metastasis (age: 54 and 41 years, respectively). Further, the compound C634Y/V292M variant had a faster migration rate than either single point mutation in vitro (P <.05). In conclusion, the V292M RET variant could be classified as 'likely benign' according to ACMG (2015). The compound variant V292M/C634Y was associated with both more aggressive clinical phenotype and faster cell growth in vitro than was either single mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipid‐extracted residues of Desmodesmus sp. cultivated in anaerobically digested effluents (LERDADEs) were determined in real time using a thermogravimetric analyser and pyrolysis‐gas chromatography–mass spectrometry coupling technology over a range of temperature (300–800°C). The composition analysis results indicated that LERDADE has potential for energy application due to its high carbon content and relatively low nitrogen content. The main decomposition temperature of LERDADE was 319.9°C, at which up to 68.4% of the mass was lost. The fast pyrolysis of LERDADE at 800°C produced the maximum yield (36.6%) of bio‐oil compared with 29% at 700°C. However, the number of harmful pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen compounds) released at 800°C (41.7%) was much higher than that released at 700°C (28.3%), which caused a relative increase of 32.1%. Considering the reasonably high bio‐oil production and minimum pollutant emission, a lower temperature (∼700°C) was found to be optimum for producing biofuel from LERDADE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer and nanomaterial modifiers can improve the performance of asphalt, and how to utilize the synergistic effect for modifying asphalt is still a problem. In this article, modified asphalt by waste polyethylene (WPE)/styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block polymer (SBS) in different proportions was prepared via a melting‐mixing method. Then, the WPE/SBS‐modified asphalt with an optimum modifier content was further modified by nano‐CaCO3 into different shapes. The performances of modified asphalt were investigated by thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic shear rheological test (DSR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the morphology was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the penetration of modified asphalt increased and the ductility decreased with the increase of WPE content. In addition, the softening point increased with the increase of WPE/SBS content. For the modified asphalt with 4 wt% composite modifier (40 wt% WPE+60 wt% SBS), the ductility was improved after adding nano‐CaCO3 whiskers. However, the ductility slightly decreased when the content of nano‐CaCO3 particles increased, resulting in negative effects. The WPE content in WPE/SBS modifier was optimized to 40 wt%, and the performance of modified asphalt can satisfy the requests in practical applications, thus providing an economical access to reuse packaging waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The goal of this study was to detect and explore the mechanisms of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex subunit-related gene mutations in cases of multiple paraganglioma (PGL) in the head and neck.Methods: In Beijing Tongren Hospital (Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China) between January 2013 and February 2017, 23 cases of head and neck multiple PGL were evaluated by genetic sequencing. From these cases, four hereditary families and 10 cases with sporadic occurrences were found. Gene mutations, including SDHD, SDHB, SDHC, SDHAF2, VHL and RET in germ cells and somatic cells, were detected by gene capture and high throughput sequencing.Results: In family 1, 12 instances of SDHD gene mutation were detected, eight of which manifested as bilateral carotid body tumor (CBT) with one bilateral malignant CBT. In family 2, three cases of SDHD mutation were found with one case of bilateral CBT and two cases of unilateral CBT. In family 3, two cases of SDHD gene mutation were found, both characterized by vagus PGL and pheochromocytoma. Of the 10 patients with sporadic manifestations, five cases of SDHD gene mutation and one case of RET gene mutation were detected. Two novel gene mutations, c.387_393del7 mutation of SDHD gene and c.3247A>G mutation of RET gene, were also detected.Conclusion: In patients with multiple PGL in the head and neck, these are accompanied by a genetic mutation of the germ cell. In this case study, this mutation was most commonly a mutation of the SDHD gene.Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:E67-E71, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TGF‐β1rs1982073 polymorphism at the miRNA‐187 binding site may alter TGF‐β1 expression and function, and thereby this polymorphism (genotype CT/CC) increases cancer susceptibility. HPV16 L1 seropositivity is associated with the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Thus, we hypothesized that TGF‐β1rs1982073 polymorphism at the miRNA‐187 binding site combined with HPV16 L1 seropositivity may have a joint effect on OSCC susceptibility. We determined the genotypes of TGF‐β1rs1982073 and HPV16 status in 325 OSCC subjects and 335 cancer‐free controls in the non‐Hispanic white population, and used logistic regression models to evaluate the joint effects on OSCC susceptibility. TGF‐β1rs1982073 polymorphism (CT/CC genotype) combined with HPV16 L1 seropositivity increased the risk of OSCC via joint effects, particularly in OPSCC subjects who were never‐smokers (OR, 165.9; 95% CI, 28.6–960.4) or never‐drinkers (OR, 196.0; 95% CI, 28.2–1,000.0), respectively. Younger subjects had a higher risk of OPSCC than older subjects (OR, 23.5; 95% CI, 6.3–87.0 vs. OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.7–17.9, respectively). The significant associations between this polymorphism and HPV16‐associated OSCC and OPSCC were also observed. However, OCSCC subjects did not have similar results. Our findings suggest that the joint effects of TGF‐β1rs1982073 and HPV16 L1 seropositivity can increase risk of HPV16‐associated oral cancer, particularly in OPSCC subjects who are never‐smokers, never‐drinkers and young. This result may help us understand the tumorigenesis process and improve early detection, which are critical for prevention and intervention strategies. However, larger studies are needed to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A practical inertial‐measurement‐unit‐based method is proposed to measure the angle of a single‐axis rotation, where the axis rotation is invisible or inaccessible. The proposed method utilises the angular velocities of an inertial‐measurement unit (IMU) to compute the orientation of the rotating axis. An equation with respect to the unknown rotation angle is first developed due to that the attitude angles of IMU vary as the measured target rotates. An interpolation algorithm is proposed to solve the equation, and simulations are performed. Finally, with a turntable and an IMU, comparative experiments are conducted to validate the proposed method. Results demonstrate the robustness to initial noise and the effectiveness under different situations.The proposed method is practical because of its simple structure, flexible installation and applicability in complex environments. Another more contributions of this study are a feasible approach to measure the orientation of the rotating axis. This method solves the problem of complex and difficult installation of angle measuring equipment in specific environments. It is simple and suited for use in the real‐time calculation of angular displacement. It can be used to measure the rotation angle of rotating motors or the rotating axis of some equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

APETALA2 ( AP2) is best known for its function in the outer two floral whorls, where it specifies the identities of sepals and petals by restricting the expression of AGAMOUS ( AG) to the inner two whorls in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we describe a role of AP2 in promoting the maintenance of floral stem cell fate, not by repressing AG transcription, but by antagonizing AG activity in the center of the flower., We performed a genetic screen with ag-10 plants, which exhibit a weak floral determinacy defect, and isolated a mutant with a strong floral determinacy defect. This mutant was found to harbor another mutation in AG and was named ag-11. We performed a genetic screen in the ag-11 background to isolate mutations that suppress the floral determinacy defect. Two suppressor mutants were found to harbor mutations in AP2., While AG is known to shut down the expression of the stem cell maintenance gene WUSCHEL ( WUS) to terminate floral stem cell fate, AP2 promotes the expression of WUS., AP2 does not repress the transcription of AG in the inner two whorls, but instead counteracts AG activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two flame retardants, aluminium poly-hexamethylenephosphinate ( APHP) and bisphenol-A bis(diphenyl phosphate) ( BDP), were incorporated into diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A ( DGEBA) thermoset with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone ( DDS) as curing agent, and then the synergistic flame-retardant behaviors of the cured thermosets were investigated. Compared with thermosets containing 10 wt% APHP and 10 wt% BDP alone, the sample with 3.3 wt% APHP and 6.7 wt% BDP (3.3% APHP/6.7% BDP/ EP; EP is DGEBA/ DDS) possessed a better flame-retardant effect since its limited oxygen index reached 35.0% and in the UL94 test it passed the V-0 rating. The cone calorimeter test revealed that the 3.3% APHP/6.7% BDP/ EP sample generated less gaseous fragments and more smoke particles instead of fuels and verified that APHP and BDP exhibited an outstanding synergistic effect on the barrier effect. Macroscopic digital photos and micrographs from scanning electron microscopy further disclose that BDP facilitated the formation of a flexible film covering holes in the residue. The flexible film was combined with aluminium phosphate particles which were produced by decomposed APHP, thereby forming a char layer with increased barrier effect. The synergistic barrier effect from APHP and BDP imposed a better flame-retardant performance for epoxy thermosets. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing use of high data rate navigation signals, the detection performance is severely affected by sign transition. An acquisition method based on multiple correlation strategies fusion (MCSF) has been proposed to reduce the correlation loss caused by the sign transition. The detection performances of non‐coherent (NCH) method, zero‐padding (ZP) method and MCSF in the presence of sign transition have been analysed. The theoretical and simulation results show that the proposed method can provide 1–3 dB acquisition sensitivity improvement compared with the NCH and ZP methods, and reduce the mean acquisition time by 21.3 and 8.5%, respectively. Moreover, the real data from GPS L5 and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System B2I have been used to analyse the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant architecture is an important factor for crop production. Some members of microRNA156 ( miR156) and their target genes SQUAMOSA Promoter-Binding Protein-Like ( SPL) were identified to play essential roles in the establishment of plant architecture. However, the roles and regulation of miR156 is not well understood yet. Here, we identified a T-DNA insertion mutant Osmtd1 ( Oryza sativa multi-tillering and dwarf mutant). Osmtd1 produced more tillers and displayed short stature phenotype. We determined that the dramatic morphological changes were caused by a single T-DNA insertion in Osmtd1. Further analysis revealed that the T-DNA insertion was located in the gene Os08g34258 encoding a putative inhibitor I family protein. Os08g34258 was knocked out and OsmiR156f was significantly upregulated in Osmtd1. Overexpression of Os08g34258 in Osmtd1 complemented the defects of the mutant architecture, while overexpression of OsmiR156f in wild-type rice phenocopied Osmtd1. We showed that the expression of OsSPL3, OsSPL12, and OsSPL14 were significantly downregulated in Osmtd1 or OsmiR156f overexpressed lines, indicating that OsSPL3, OsSPL12, and OsSPL14 were possibly direct target genes of OsmiR156f. Our results suggested that OsmiR156f controlled plant architecture by mediating plant stature and tiller outgrowth and may be regulated by an unknown protease inhibitor I family protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the role of polymorphisms of p53-related genes in etiology of oral cancer, we investigated joint effects of seven putatively functional polymorphisms of p53 (codon 72 Arg/Pro), p73 (4/14 GC/AT), murine double minute 2 gene ( MDM2; A2164G and T2580G) and MDM4 (rs11801299 G > A, rs10900598 G > T and rs1380576 C > G) on risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)16-associated oral cancer in a case-control study with 325 cases and 335 cancer-free controls. We found that HPV16 seropositivity alone was associated with an increased risk of oral cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.1-4.6]. After combining genotypes of seven polymorphisms and using the low-risk group (0-3 combined risk genotypes) and HPV16 seronegativity as the reference group, the medium-risk (4 combined risk genotypes) and high-risk groups (5-7 combined risk genotypes) and HPV16 seronegativity were associated with only an OR of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1-2.5) and 1.2 (95% CI, 0.7-1.9) for oral cancer risk, respectively, whereas the low-risk, medium-risk and high-risk groups and HPV16 seropositivity were significantly associated with a higher OR of 2.1 (95% CI, 1.2-3.6), 4.0 (95% CI, 1.8-9.1) and 19.1 (95% CI, 5.7-64.2), respectively. Notably, such effect modification by these combined risk genotypes was particularly pronounced in young subjects (aged < 50 years), never smokers and patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Taken together, these findings suggest that the combined risk genotypes of p53-related genes may modify risk of HPV16-associated oral cancer, especially in young patients, never-smokers and patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Larger studies are needed to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Because of the structural and biochemical similarities between the antitumor p53 and p73 proteins, the authors hypothesized that individuals who carry high-risk genotypes of p53 codon 72 and p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphisms have a higher risk of developing second primary malignancy (SPM) after index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). METHODS: A cohort of 1269 patients with index cases of SCCHN was recruited between May 1995 and January 2007 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and followed for SPM development. Patients were genotyped for p53 codon 72 and p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphisms. A log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare SPM-free survival and SPM risk among different risk groups with the combined risk genotypes of the 2 polymorphisms. RESULTS: The data demonstrated that patients with p53 WP + PP and p73 GC/GC genotypes had a worse SPM-free survival and an increased SPM risk compared with the corresponding p53 WW and p73 GC/AT + AT/AT genotypes. After combining the 2 polymorphisms, a borderline significantly or significantly reduced SPM-free survival and increased SPM risk were observed in the medium-risk group ( p53 WW and p73 GC/GC or p53 P carriers and p73 AT carriers) and high-risk group ( p53 P carriers and p73 GC/GC) compared with low-risk group ( p53 WW and p73 AT carriers), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest an increased risk of SPM after index SCCHN with both p53 and p73 polymorphisms individually and in combination. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTThis article describes the development of a hurricane wind field model and a damage model that can be used to assess the expected damage to residential structures, in terms of claims and insured losses, when a hurricane is approaching the coast of South Carolina. Reconnaissance aircraft measurements are used to develop a gradient-level wind field that is then moved along the projected track of the hurricane. By using gradient-to-surface conversion factors and decay rates based on observations in recent hurricanes, mean wind speeds are determined at 10-min intervals at the centroid of each zip code. Damage models relating the number of claims and amount of losses to the maximum mean surface wind speed in a zip code are developed using loss data from Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew. The application of the assessment procedure is demonstrated using Hurricane Hugo. Specifically, the procedure is used to predict the expected number of claims and the expected amount of losses likely to be experienced by a particular insurance company if a storm the size and strength of Hugo were to follow the actual path of the hurricane, a track deviating 5° to the left, and a track deviating 5° to the right. Owing to the location and distribution of population centers in the state, small deviations in the track of the hurricane were shown to produce significant changes in the number of claims and the amount of the total insured losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puerarin has been reported to have anticancer properties; however, its mechanism in regulating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. Cell function was assessed using a cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay. Additionally, the glucose assay kit, lactate assay kit, and ADP/ATP ratio assay kit were used to analyze glucose metabolism. mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed using qRT-PCR and western blotting assays, respectively. The relationship between FUS RNA binding protein (FUS) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MAPK4) was determined using an RNA immunoprecipitation assay. TNBC cell malignancy in vitro was validated using a xenograft mouse model assay. Puerarin treatment or MAPK4 knockdown effectively inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, invasion, and glucose metabolism, and induced cell apoptosis. Additionally, puerarin treatment downregulated MAPK4 and FUS expression. Conversely, MAPK4 overexpression attenuated the effects of puerarin in TNBC cells. FUS stabilized MAPK4 mRNA expression in TNBC cells. Furthermore, puerarin decreased MAPK4 expression by downregulating FUS in TNBC cells. Finally, puerarin inhibited tumor formation in vivo. Puerarin inhibited TNBC development by decreasing the expression of FUS-dependent MAPK4, indicating that puerarin may serve as a promising therapeutic agent to hind TNBC., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)