The Severity of Cleft Lip and Palate and Postsurgical Outcome in Non-syndromic Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Pilot Study Based on Surgeon’s Perception

Pollyana Marques de Moura(Pollyana Marques de Moura),James Seaward(Seaward James),Alex Kane(Alex Kane),Yong Jong Park(Yong Jong Park) 대한구순구개열학회 2023 대한구순구개열학회지 Vol.26 No.1

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the pre-operative and post-operative aesthetic outcome of patients following primary lip repair to investigate the association of the severity of the cleft deformity after NAM therapy and final surgical outcome. Materials and Methods: To assess the correlation between severity of the cleft and the primary surgery outcome, four pediatric craniofacial surgeons from the affiliated teaching hospital were asked to independently rate 156 randomized sets of photographs from 39 case of non-syndromic patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who received NAM treatment.by mean of visual analogue scale. The photographs were acquired in four different time points: (T1) Pre NAM therapy, (T2) Post NAM therapy, (T3) Immediate post-operative, (T4) Late post-operative. Results: The mean of VAS score for lip and nose improved significantly after NAM therapy. There was significant correlation between NAM treatment (T2) outcome and immediate post-operative outcome (T3) for nose. There was no significant correlation between NAM treatment outcome (T2) and immediate postoperative outcome (T3) or late postoperative outcome for lip. Conclusion: Cleft deformity improved significantly after NAM therapy and this improvement led to better nasal esthetics immediate post operatively.

QCD sum rules for the Δ isobar in neutron matter

Marques L., Jesuel,Lee, Su Houng,Park, Aaron,Matheus, R. D.,Jeong, Kie Sang American Physical Society 2018 Physical Review C Vol.98 No.2

Arising synergetic and antagonistic effects in the design of Ni- and Ru-based water splitting electrocatalysts

Marques Mota, Filipe,Choi, Chi Hun,Boppella, Ramireddy,Lee, Ji-Eun,Kim, Dong Ha The Royal Society of Chemistry 2019 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.7 No.2

<P>In the development of water splitting technologies, the design of hybrid architectures incorporating multiple phases which provide active centers with precise functionalities is a promising strategy. Herein, we report the design of Ni- and Ru-based electrocatalysts within a wide Ni/Ru ratio range, prepared through a one-step heat treatment of ultra-thin ruthenate nanosheets and NiCl2·6H2O and NaH2PO2·H2O precursors. At 250 °C under an argon flow, a pristine Ru electrode was shown to undergo preferential ruthenate-to-metallic Ru phase transformation, revealing preferable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) fingerprints. At low Ni/Ru ratios, the interaction between the Ni<SUP>2+</SUP> ions and the negatively charged ruthenate favored the <I>in situ</I> growth of highly dispersed surface Ni-based moieties below 5 nm in diameter. XPS measurements confirmed, however, that these narrow moieties were swiftly oxidized to NiO, whereas larger Ni-based agglomerates at higher Ni/Ru ratios were less prone to oxidation. This size-dependent propensity of Ni2P moieties toward oxidation, reported here for the first time, agrees with the surface oxidation of Ni2P nanoparticles (50-100 nm) to a limited extent. At Ni/Ru = 0.36, the incorporated NiO favored a synergistically superior oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance and an optimal 1.7-fold activity enhancement at limiting current densities. An antagonistic effect in the HER performance of these hybrid materials was, nonetheless, simultaneously observed and ascribed to the blockage of the active Ru surface. While the performance of these nano-architectures remains a modest addition to the current state-of-the-art of water splitting platforms in alkaline electrolyte media, our results primarily reveal representative bottlenecks in the integration of multiple phases during synthesis steps and the effects of arising between integrated components on the catalytic behavior of resulting hybrids.</P>

Whole-genome sequencing analysis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O22:H8 isolated from cattle prediction pathogenesis and colonization factors and position in STEC universe phylogeny

Marques Da Silva Wanderson,Larzabal Mariano,Aburjaile Flavia Figueira,Riviere Nahuel,Martorelli Luisina,Bono James,Amadio Ariel,Cataldi Angel 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.7

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne pathogen capable of causing illness in humans. In a previous study, our group showed that a STEC isolate belonging to O22:H8 serotype (strain 154) can interfere with STEC O157:H7 colonization both in vitro and in vivo. Using whole-genome sequencing and genomic comparative, we predicted a subset of genes acquired by O22:H8 strain 154 through horizontal gene transfer that might be responsible for the phenotype previously described by our group. Among them were identified genes related to the pathogenesis of non-LEE (locus of enterocyte effacement) STEC, specific metabolic processes, antibiotic resistance and genes encoding for the T6SS-1 that is related to inter-bacterial competition. In addition, we showed that this strain carries stx1c and stx2dact, a mucus-inducible variant. The results obtained in this study provide insights into STEC genomic plasticity and the importance of genomic islands in the adaptation and pathogenesis of this pathogen.

Impact of Individualized Hemolysis Management Based on Biological Variation Cut-offs in a Clinical Laboratory

Marques-Garcia Fernando,Jung David Hansoe Heredero,Pérez Sandra Elena 대한진단검사의학회 2022 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.42 No.2

Background: Hemolysis is the most common type of preanalytical interference. Cut-offs based on the hemolysis index level can be established using different approaches. The Working Group for Preanalytical Phase of the European Federation of Laboratory Medicine has developed a protocol for hemolysis management based on cut-offs estimated from biological variation (BV) and the use of interpretative comments. We developed and assessed the implementation of the protocol in our laboratory. Methods: Hemolysates from whole blood were prepared following the Meites method, and pooled serum samples with known Hb concentrations were prepared. For each analyte (42 ), interferograms were generated and used to establish cut-offs: desirable analytical quality specification and reference change value. This protocol was assessed, both pre- and post-implementation, according to expert rules in the Laboratory Information System. Results: Among the analytes evaluated, we selected those that showed the highest degree of hemolysis interference: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase, direct bilirubin, potassium, and folic acid. The cut-offs for LDH and direct bilirubin were the lowest. Only 28.16% of all LDH values were adequately reported in the pre-implantation retrospective study, but this percentage improved in the post-implementation stage. Conclusions: The development and implementation of a harmonized protocol for hemolysis management based on BV cut-offs and result reporting significantly improve hemolysis detection and lead to a decrease in the number of hemolyzed samples over time.

Evaluation of 2 techniques of epithelial removal in subepithelial connective tissue graft surgery: a comparative histological study

Paola Marques de Mattos,Vula Papalexiou,Vinícius Augusto Tramontina,Sung Hyun Kim,Sônia Mara Luczyszyn,Patrícia Vida Cassi Bettega,Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues Johann 대한치주과학회 2020 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.50 No.1

Purpose: Subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTGs) are commonly performed for the treatment of gingival recession due to their high predictability. This study evaluated and histologically compared connective tissue grafts in terms of the presence of epithelial remnants and composition of the tissue types that were present (epithelium, lamina propria, and submucosa). Methods: Ten patients underwent epithelium removal using 2 different techniques: the use of a blade (group B) and through abrasion (group A). Twenty samples were collected and each tissue type was analyzed histologically in terms of its area, thickness, and proportion of the total area of the graft. Results: In 4 samples (40%) from group B (n=10) and 2 samples (20%) from group A (n=10), the presence of an epithelial remnant was observed, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant ( P >0.05). Likewise, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the area, mean thickness, or proportion of the total area for any of the tissue types ( P >0.05). Conclusions: Histologically, SCTGs did not show statistically significant differences in terms of their tissue composition depending on whether they were separated from the epithelial tissue by abrasion or by using a blade.

Mapping mechanistic pathways driven by the effect of a Br₃^-/Br₂ redox promoter in CO₂-assisted Li-O₂ Batteries

( Filipe Marques Mota ),변혜령,김동하 한국공업화학회 2019 한국공업화학회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2019 No.1

Rechargeable Li-air cells operating under CO₂ or O₂/CO₂ offer alternative mechanistic pathways with analogously high theoretical energy density. The Li-O₂/CO₂ cell in tetraglyme electrolyte suffers from recharge potentials at ~4.5 V required for the decomposition of the main discharge product, Li₂CO₃. In this work we assess the promise of incorporating a Br₃^-/Br₂ redox promoter. Hindered overcharges (~0.5 V) driven by electrochemically-generated Br₂ are revealed to be a function of the LiBr concentration and the insulating Li₂CO₃ structure. Coupled electrochemical and spectroscopic analyses at progressive states-of-charge are proposed as a seminal methodology to dissect the underlying complexity of involved redox shuttling steps and evaluate the appropriateness of redox mediators beyond an overcharge decrease.

Redox Mediators in CO₂-assisted Li-O₂ Batteries: Performance Enhancement and Mechanistic Studies

( Filipe Marques Mota ),변혜령,김동하 한국공업화학회 2020 한국공업화학회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2020 No.-

While replacing O₂ with air reflects a critical step towards the practical application of Li-air batteries, the present CO₂ alters the O₂ chemistry. In the tetraglyme-electrolyte, minor CO₂ reflected a swift shift towards the formation of Li₂CO₃, requiring impracticable recharge potentials (4.5 V). In our recent study, we revealed that a Br₃ ^-/Br₂ redox mediator could successfully suppress the overcharge potential. Hindered overcharges (~0.5 V) driven by electrochemically-generated Br₂ were found to be a function of the LiBr concentration and the insulating Li₂CO₃ structure. Coupled electrochemical and spectroscopic analyses shed light on the involved redox shuttling steps and unveiled the prominent presence of soluble Br₂···Br₃ ^- loosely-bound anionic complexes at progressive states-of-charge.

Accuracy and Reliability of X-ray Measurements in the Cervical Spine

Catarina Marques,Emma Granström,Anna MacDowall,Nuno Canto Moreira,Martin Skeppholm,Claes Olerud 대한척추외과학회 2020 Asian Spine Journal Vol.14 No.2

Study Design: This study is a post hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial which compared artificial disc replacement and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Purpose: Useful radiographic parameters for assessing cervical alignment include the Cobb angles, T1 slope (T1S), occipitocervical inclination (OCI), K-line tilt (KLT), and cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA). This study aimed to determine measurement accuracy and reliability for these parameters. Overview of Literature: Various authors have assessed repeatability by comparing different methods of measurement, but knowledge of measurement error and minimal detectable change is scarce. Methods: We evaluated 758 lateral cervical radiographs. One medical student and one spine surgeon (i.e., measured ×2 within 4 weeks) independently measured the parameters obtaining 5,850 values. Standard error of measurement (SEm) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated for each parameter. The accuracy and reliability of the Cobb angle measurements were calculated for the different types of angles: cervical lordosis, prosthesis angle, segmental angle with two bone surfaces (SABB), and segmental angle with one bone and one metal surface. Reliability was determined with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: SEm was 1.8° and MDC was 5.0° for the Cobb angle, with an intraobserver/interobserver ICC of 0.958/0.886. All the different subtypes of Cobb angles had an ICC higher than 0.950, except SABB (intraobserver/interobserver ICC of 0.922/0.716). The most accurate and reliable measurement was for KLT. Conclusions: This study provides normative data on SEm and MDC for Cobb angles, T1S, KLT, OCI, and cSVA in cervical lateral radiographs. Reliability was excellent for all parameters except SABB (e.g., good).

The EU`s New Economic Geography after the Eastern Enlargement

( Helena Marques ),( Hugh Metcalf ) 세종대학교 경제통합연구소 2003 Journal of Economic Integration Vol.18 No.4

Using a centre-two periphery new economic geography model we study the location and real wage effects of the EU`s Eastern enlargement on current and future EU member countries under pure trade integration and with migration of skilled labour. The quality of final and intermediate products differs across countries according to their effective endowments of human capital engaged in R&D. Allowing for migration prevents the relocation of firms into the integrating periphery. Moreover, the location of firms differs according to the sectors` skill and R&D intensity, low skill and low R&D firms tending to locate in the Eastern and Southern peripheries.