bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BoPF
Authors: Le Tan N. , Sun Xiao , Chowdhury Mosharaf , Liu Zhenhua
Published: January 2019

Even though batch, interactive, and streaming applications all care about performance, their notions of performance are different. For instance, while the average completion time can suffciently capture the performance of a throughout-sensitive batch-job queue (TQ) [5], interactive sessions and streaming applications form latencysensitive queues (LQ): each LQ is a sequence of small jobs following an ON-OFF pattern. For these jobs [7], individual completion times or latencies are far more important than the average completion time or the throughput of the LQ.

Indeed, existing "fair" schedulers are inherently unfair to LQ jobs: when LQ jobs are present (ON state), they must share the resources equally with TQ jobs, but when they are absent (OFF state), batch jobs get all the resources. In the long run, TQs receive more resources than their fair shares because today's schedulers such as Dominant Resource Fairness [4] make instantaneous decisions

Clearly, it is impossible to achieve the best response time for LQ jobs under instantaneous fairness. In other words, there is a hard tradeoff between providing instantaneous fairness for TQs and minimizing the response time of LQs. However, instantaneous fairness is not necessary for TQs because average-completion time over a relatively long time horizon is their most important metric. This sheds light on the following question: how well can we simultaneously accommodate multiple classes of workloads with performance guarantees, in particular, isolation protection for TQs in terms of long-term fairness and low response times for LQs?

This work serves as our first step in answering the question by designing BoPF: the first multi-resource scheduler that achieves both isolation protection for TQs and response time guarantees for LQs in a strategyproof way. The key idea is "bounded" priority for LQs: as long as the burst is not too large to hurt the long-term fair share of TQs and other LQs, they are given higher priority so jobs can be completed as quickly as possible.
Failure Localization in Power Systems via Tree Partitions
Authors: Guo Linqi , Liang Chen , Zocca Alessandro , Low Steven H. , Wierman Adam
Published: January 2019

Cascading failures in power systems propagate non-locally, making the control and mitigation of outages extremely hard. In this work, we use the emerging concept of the tree partition of transmission networks to provide an analytical characterization of line failure localizability in transmission systems. Our results rigorously formalize the well-known intuition that failures cannot cross bridges, and reveal a finer-grained concept that encodes more precise information on failure propagation within tree-partition regions. Specifically, when a non-bridge line is tripped, the impact of this failure only propagates within components of the tree partition defined by the bridges. In contrast, when a bridge line is tripped, the impact of this failure propagates globally across the network, affecting the power flow on all remaining lines. This characterization suggests that it is possible to improve the system robustness by temporarily switching off certain transmission lines, so as to create more, smaller components in the tree partition; thus spatially localizing line failures and making the grid less vulnerable to large outages.
On the Economic Value of Vehicular Caching
Authors: Ruan Yichen , Joe-Wong Carlee
Published: January 2019

The economic value of a new mobile caching method utilizing vehicles is studied. An optimization model is built using stochastic geometry tools. Two possible choices of utility functions are discussed together with some preliminary results.
Maximizing Page-Level Cache Hit Ratios in LargeWeb Services
Authors: Wang Justin , Berg Benjamin , Berger Daniel S. , Sen Siddhartha
Published: January 2019

Large web services typically serve pages consisting of many individual objects. To improve the response times of page-requests, these services store a small set of popular objects in a fast caching layer. A page-request is not considered complete until all of its objects have either been found in the cache or retrieved from a backend system. Hence, caching only speeds up a page request if all of its objects are found in the cache. We seek caching policies that maximize the page-level hit ratio-the fraction of requests that find all of their objects in the cache.

This work analyzes page requests served by a Microsoft production system.We find that in practice there is potential for improving the page-level hit ratio over existing caching strategies, but that analytically maximizing the page-level hit ratio is NP-hard.
A First Look at Thermal Attacks in Multi-Tenant Data Centers
Authors: Shao Zhihui , Islam Mohammad A. , Ren Shaolei
Published: January 2019

This paper focuses on the emerging threat of thermal attacks in a multi-tenant data center. It discovers that a malicious tenant (i.e., attacker) can inject additional thermal loads beyond the shared cooling system capacity, thus resulting in overheating and possible system downtime. Importantly, the attacker can launch thermal attacks in a stealthy manner by discharging batteries inside its servers and still keeping its power drawn from the data center power distribution system under its subscribed capacity.
What Should We Teach in Information Retrieval?
Authors: Markov Ilya , de Rijke Maarten
Published: January 2019

Modern Information Retrieval (IR) systems, such as search engines, recommender systems, and conversational agents, are best thought of as interactive systems. And their development is best thought of as a two-stage development process: offline development followed by continued online adaptation and development based on interactions with users. In this opinion paper, we take a closer look at existing IR textbooks and teaching materials, and examine to which degree they cover the offline and online stages of the IR system development process. We notice that current teaching materials in IR focus mostly on search and on the offline development phase. Other scenarios of interacting with information are largely absent from current IR teaching materials, as is the (interactive) online development phase. We identify a list of scenarios and a list of topics that we believe are essential to any modern set of IR teaching materials that claims to fully cover IR system development. In particular, we argue for more attention, in basic IR teaching materials, to scenarios such as recommender systems, and to topics such as query and interaction mining and understanding, online evaluation, and online learning to rank.
CAIR'18
Authors: Spina Damiano , Arguello Jaime , Joho Hideo , Kiseleva Julia , Radlinski Filip
Published: January 2019

The Second International Workshop on Conversational Approaches to Information Retrieval (CAIR'18) was held on July 12th, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA in association with SIGIR 2018, the 41st International ACM SIGIR Conference on Research and Development in Information Retrieval. CAIR'18 brought together academic and industry researchers to present and discuss new research on conversational approaches to search. This report provides a summary of the workshop consisting of two keynote talks, five oral presentations, and a joint panel discussion with the KG4IR workshop.
First International Workshop on Professional Search
Authors: Verberne Suzan , He Jiyin , Kruschwitz Udo , Wiggers Gineke , Larsen Birger , Russell-Rose Tony , de Vries Arjen P.
Published: January 2019

In this report we describe the outcome of the First International Workshop on Professional Search, held in co-location with SIGIR 2018. The workshop addressed the specific requirements and challenges of professional search, as opposed to web search. The workshop included a survey held among 113 professional searchers, two keynote talks, six short paper talks, and two break-out sessions. From all parts of the workshop, we concluded that (1) we can define professional search with a set of common characteristics; but (2) there are definitely differences between domains; (3) we are in need of more knowledge about the search process in different domains, and (4) we need to collect data, not only Cranfieldstyle test collections, but also user observation data that help us understand the challenges and requirements of professional search better. Currently, there are many open problems that potentially have an impact on the IR community beyond the professional domains. We therefore call the scientific IR community to address professional search more actively.
Robust Selective Search
Authors: Kim Yubin
Published: January 2019

Selective search is a modern distributed search architecture designed to reduce the computational cost of large-scale search. Selective search creates topical shards that are deliberately content-skewed, placing highly similar documents together in the same shard. During query time, rather than searching the entire corpus, a resource selection algorithm selects a subset of the topic shards likely to contain documents relevant to the query and search is only performed on these shards. This substantially reduces total computational costs of search while maintaining accuracy comparable to exhaustive distributed search.
Compiler Support for the Fortran 2003, 2008, TS29113, and 2018 Standards Revision 25
Authors: Chivers Ian D. , Sleightholme Jane
Published: January 2019

This is a repeating article in Fortran Forum. The first version appeared in Fortran Forum in April 2007. It has been revised on a regular basis since. The 25th revision has updated all references to WG5 documents which used to reside on an ftp server at Nag (https://www.nag.co.uk/) to point to the new server maintained by Steve Lionel, the current WG5 convenor. The home address for WG5 is: https://wg5-fortran.org/
Hepatic transcriptome signatures in patients with varying degrees of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease compared with healthy normal-weight individuals
Authors: Suppli Malte P. , Rigbolt Kristoffer T. G. , Veidal Sanne S. , Heebøll Sara , Eriksen Peter Lykke , Demant Mia , Bagger Jonatan I. , Nielsen Jens Christian , Oró Denise , Thrane Sebastian W. , Lund Asger , Strandberg Charlotte , Kønig Merete J. , Vilsbøll Tina , Vrang Niels , Thomsen Karen L. , Grønbæk Henning , Jelsing Jacob , Hansen Henrik H. , Knop Filip K.
Published: January 2019

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of conditions ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL), over nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or without fibrosis, to cirrhosis with end-stage disease. The hepatic molecular events underlying the development of NAFLD and transition to NASH are poorly understood. The present study aimed to determine hepatic transcriptome dynamics in patients with NAFL or NASH compared with healthy normal-weight and obese individuals. RNA sequencing and quantitative histomorphometry of liver fat, inflammation and fibrosis were performed on liver biopsies obtained from healthy normal-weight ( n = 14) and obese ( n = 12) individuals, NAFL ( n = 15) and NASH ( n = 16) patients. Normal-weight and obese subjects showed normal liver histology and comparable gene expression profiles. Liver transcriptome signatures were largely overlapping in NAFL and NASH patients, however, clearly separated from healthy normal-weight and obese controls. Most marked pathway perturbations identified in both NAFL and NASH were associated with markers of lipid metabolism, immunomodulation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell cycle control. Interestingly, NASH patients with positive Sonic hedgehog hepatocyte staining showed distinct transcriptome and histomorphometric changes compared with NAFL. In conclusion, application of immunohistochemical markers of hepatocyte injury may serve as a more objective tool for distinguishing NASH from NAFL, facilitating improved resolution of hepatic molecular changes associated with progression of NAFLD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in Western countries. NAFLD is associated with the metabolic syndrome and can progress to the more serious form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ultimately lead to irreversible liver damage. Using gold standard molecular and histological techniques, this study demonstrates that the currently used diagnostic tools are problematic for differentiating mild NAFLD from NASH and emphasizes the marked need for developing improved histological markers of NAFLD progression.
Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosomes improve mitochondrial health in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Hogan Sarah E. , Rodriguez Salazar Maria Pia , Cheadle John , Glenn Rachel , Medrano Carolina , Petersen Thomas H. , Ilagan Roger M.
Published: January 2019

Secreted exosomes are bioactive particles that elicit profound responses in target cells. Using targeted metabolomics and global microarray analysis, we identified a role of exosomes in promoting mitochondrial function in the context of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Whereas chronic hypoxia results in a glycolytic shift in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), exosomes restore energy balance and improve O2 consumption. These results were confirmed in a hypoxia-induced mouse model and a semaxanib/hypoxia rat model of PAH wherein exosomes improved the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with disease. Importantly, exosome exposure increased PASMC expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GLUD1), linking exosome treatment to the TCA cycle. Furthermore, we show that although prolonged hypoxia induced sirtuin 4 expression, an upstream inhibitor of both GLUD1 and PDH, exosomes reduced its expression. These data provide direct evidence of an exosome-mediated improvement in mitochondrial function and contribute new insights into the therapeutic potential of exosomes in PAH.
Design and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of a Novel Organotin(IV) Complex with 1-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-3-ethyl-3-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione
Authors: Pantelić Nebojša Đ. , Zmejkovski Bojana B. , Žižak Željko , Banjac Nebojša R. , Božić Bojan Đ. , Stanojković Tatjana P. , Kaluđerović Goran N.
Published: January 2019

A novel triphenyltin(IV) compound with 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3-ethyl-3-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione was synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. In vitro anticancer activity of ligand precursor and synthesized organotin(IV) compound was determined against tumor cell lines: human adenocarcinoma (HeLa), human myelogenous leukemia (K562), and human breast cancer (MDA-MB-453), using microculture tetrazolium test (MTT) assay. The results indicate that complex exhibited very high antiproliferative activity against all tested cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.22 to 0.53 µM. The highest activity organotin(IV) compound expressed against the HeLa cells (IC50 = 0.22 ± 0.04 µM). The ligand precursor did not show anticancer activity (IC50 > 200 µM). Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy analysis of HeLa cells reveal that organotin(IV) complex induced apoptosis as a mode of cell death, which is consistent with the increase of cells in the sub-G1 phase.
Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders in Older Age
Authors: Dumic Igor , Nordin Terri , Jecmenica Mladen , Stojkovic Lalosevic Milica , Milosavljevic Tomica , Milovanovic Tamara
Published: January 2019

Considering an increase in the life expectancy leading to a rise in the elderly population, it is important to recognize the changes that occur along the process of aging. Gastrointestinal (GI) changes in the elderly are common, and despite some GI disorders being more prevalent in the elderly, there is no GI disease that is limited to this age group. While some changes associated with aging GI system are physiologic, others are pathological and particularly more prevalent among those above age 65 years. This article reviews the most important GI disorders in the elderly that clinicians encounter on a daily basis. We highlight age-related changes of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large bowels, and the clinical implications of these changes. We review epidemiology and pathophysiology of common diseases, especially as they relate to clinical manifestation in elderly. Details regarding management of specific disease are discussed in detail if they significantly differ from the management for younger groups or if they are associated with significant challenges due to side effects or polypharmacy. Cancers of GI tract are not included in the scope of this article.
High Improvement in Lactic Acid Productivity by New Alkaliphilic Bacterium Using Repeated Batch Fermentation Integrated with Increased Substrate Concentration
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Mohamed Ali , Hassan Saad El-Din , Azab Mohamed Salah , Mahin Abdullah-Al- , Gaber Mahmoud Ali
Published: January 2019

Optically pure lactic acid (LA) is an important chemical platform that has a wide range of industrial and biotechnological applications. Improved parameters for cost effective LA production are of great interest for industrial developments. In the present study, an alkaliphilic lactic acid bacterium, BoM 1-2, was selected among 369 newly obtained bacterial isolates. It was characterized using API 50 CHL kit and identified asEnterococcus hiraeBoM 1-2 by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Efficient polymer-gradeL-lactic acid production was achieved at pH 9.0 and 40°C. In batch fermentation strategy using 20 g L−1glucose, 19.6 g L−1lactic acid was obtained with volumetric productivity of 2.18 g L−1 h−1. While using 100 g L−1glucose, 96.0 g L−1lactic acid was obtained with volumetric productivity of 1.07 g L−1 h−1.The highest lactic acid concentration of 180.6 g L−1was achieved in multipulse fed batch strategy with volumetric productivity of 0.65 g L−1 h−1. To achieve higher productivity, repeated fermentation processes were applied using the two different strategies. In the first strategy, the lactic acid productivity was increased from 1.97 g L−1 h−1to 4.48 g L−1 h−1when the total of 10 repeated runs were carried out using 60 g L−1glucose, but lactic acid productivity decreased to 2.95 g L−1 h−1using 100 g L−1glucose. In second strategy, repeated fermentation coupled with gradual increase in glucose concentration from 40 to 100 g L−1was conducted for 24 runs. A dramatic increase in LA productivity up to 39.9 g L−1 h−1(18-fold compared to first run) was achieved using 40 g L−1glucose while volumetric productivity ranging between 24.8 and 29.9 g L−1 h−1was achieved using 60–100 g L−1glucose.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis as Rare Presentation of Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis
Authors: Leite José , Ribeiro Ana , Gonçalves Diana , Sargento-Freitas João , Trindade Luís , Duque Victor
Published: January 2019

Herpes simplex virus 1 is a prevalent neurotropic pathogen that infects and establishes latency in peripheral sensory neurons. It can migrate into the central nervous system and cause encephalitis. The association between herpes simplex virus encephalitis and cerebral venous thrombosis is rare, with a very limited number of case reports described in the literature, despite the recognized thrombogenic effects of the virus. A 44-year-old man was brought to the emergency department with generalized tonic-clonic seizures requiring sedation and ventilation to control it. Initial brain computed tomography revealed cortical and subcortical edema on the left frontal lobe, and a subsequent contrast-enhanced exam showed absence of venous flow over the anterior half of the superior sagittal sinus. Cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction was positive for herpes simplex virus type 1, and the patient was started on acyclovir and anticoagulation, with clinical improvement. Acyclovir administration was maintained for 14 days and oral anticoagulation for one year, with no recurrence of thrombotic events or other complications. A well-timed treatment has a validated prognostic impact on herpes simplex encephalitis, making early recognition of its clinical aspects of main importance.
Considerations and Practical Options for Measuring Muscle Strength: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: January 2019

Muscle strength impairments are related to mobility limitations and other untoward outcomes. This narrative review, therefore, describes considerations relative to the definition and measurement of muscle strength. Thereafter, practical options for measuring muscle strength are described and their clinimetric properties are delineated. Information provided herein may help students, clinicians, and researchers select the strength tests best suited to their research needs and limitations.
Delayed Diagnosis of Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Young Patient with Multivessel Disease and Familial Hypercholesterolemia Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock Finally Treated with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump as a Bridge to Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Januszek Rafał , Jędrychowska Magdalena , Jankowski Piotr , Dudek Dariusz , Bartuś Stanisław
Published: January 2019

Delayed diagnosis of coronary artery disease in young patients after cardiac arrest of unknown origin could increase the risk of death in further diagnostic and therapeutic process. Familial history of premature coronary atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia could help in proper diagnosis and treatment. We present a case of a 29-year-old female admitted to the catheterization laboratory with cardiogenic shock and multivessel coronary artery disease treated successfully with multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation as a bridge to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Technological Properties of Bifidobacterial Strains Shared by Mother and Child
Authors: Peirotén Angela , Gaya Pilar , Arqués Juan Luis , Medina Margarita , Rodríguez Eva
Published: January 2019

Technological processes in the dairy industry and the further passage through the gastrointestinal tract could impair viability and functionality of probiotic bifidobacteria. In the present work, the growth in milk of nine bifidobacterial strains shared by mother and child, their survival to freeze-drying and cold storage, and their behavior in a model cheese were investigated. All the strains exhibited high stability to the technological conditions studied when compared with two commercial strains.Bifidobacterium breveINIA P734 andBifidobacterium bifidumINIA P671 as adjunct cultures maintained high stability during manufacture and ripening of cheese. Both strains showed, at the end of ripening period, resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Moreover, their presence did not affect negatively the quality of cheese.B. breveINIA P734 andB. bifidumINIA P671 could be considered as potential candidates for their use in cheese as adjunct cultures.
Desmoglein 1 Regulates Invadopodia by Suppressing EGFR/Erk Signaling in an Erbin-Dependent Manner
Authors: Valenzuela-Iglesias Alejandra , Burks Hope E. , Arnette Christopher R. , Yalamanchili Amulya , Nekrasova Oxana , Godsel Lisa M. , Green Kathleen J.
Published: January 2019

Loss of the desmosomal cell–cell adhesion molecule, Desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), has been reported as an indicator of poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It has been well established that EGFR signaling promotes the formation of invadopodia, actin-based protrusions formed by cancer cells to facilitate invasion and metastasis, by activating pathways leading to actin polymerization and ultimately matrix degradation. We previously showed that Dsg1 downregulates EGFR/Erk signaling by interacting with the ErbB2-binding protein Erbin (ErbB2 Interacting Protein) to promote keratinocyte differentiation. Here, we provide evidence that restoring Dsg1 expression in cells derived from HNSCC suppresses invasion by decreasing the number of invadopodia and matrix degradation. Moreover, Dsg1 requires Erbin to downregulate EGFR/Erk signaling and to fully suppress invadopodia formation. Our findings indicate a novel role for Dsg1 in the regulation of invadopodia signaling and provide potential new targets for development of therapies to prevent invadopodia formation and therefore cancer invasion and metastasis.

Implications:

Our work exposes a new pathway by which a desmosomal cadherin called Dsg1, which is lost early in head and neck cancer progression, suppresses cancer cell invadopodia formation by scaffolding ErbB2 Interacting Protein and consequent attenuation of EGF/Erk signaling.
Prevalence and Factors Contributing to Daytime and Nocturnal Hypoxemia in Chronic Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Tamisier Renaud , Bocquillon Victor , Treptow Erika , Destors Marie , Salvat Muriel , Borrel Elisabeth , Pépin Jean Louis
Published: January 2019

Background: Despite clinical optimization, many chronic heart failure (CHF) patients remain symptomatic with dyspnea and poor quality of life. Study Objective: While oxygen therapy is prescribed in severe cases, the actual prevalence of different patterns of hypoxemia is unknown. Methods: We analyzed 183 stable CHF patients with optimized medical treatment in the “MARS” database. The patients underwent cardiorespiratory sleep recording and complete daytime pulmonary function tests including arterial blood gases. Results: This prospective cohort was predominately male (86.3%) with a mean age of 67.3 years (59.3; 75.7) and a mean BMI of 26.7 kg/m2 (23.7; 31.1). The patients were mainly in NYHA classes II and III with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 38%. 102 (55.61%) patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy with multiple comorbidities, and 64 (35.06%) had airflow obstruction. 8 (4.37%) patients had hypoxemia both day and night, and 151 (82.5%) had nocturnal hypoxemia only. All but 3 patients had sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and either obstructive (59%) or central sleep apnea (39%) with a mean apnea-hypopnea index of 29.59/h (16.48; 48.27), an oxygen desaturation index of 27.09/h (14.09; 45.25), time below 90% saturation of 18 min (2; 64), and a mean nocturnal saturation of 93% (92; 94). Univariate analysis found nocturnal hypoxemia was associated with higher BMI and NT-proBNP levels. In multivariate analysis, only sleep apnea severity (p < 0.0001) and diurnal PaO2 remained significant. Conclusion: Most stable CHF patients suffer from nocturnal hypoxemia, while daytime hypoxemia is relatively rare. The degree of nocturnal hypoxemia depends on the severity of SDB. Hypoxemia phenotyping and severity could help better evaluate the need for appropriate therapy in CHF patients.
Incidence and Current Treatment Gaps in Pediatric Stroke and TIA: An Ontario-Wide Population-Based Study
Authors: Surmava Ann-Marie , Maclagan Laura C. , Khan Ferhana , Kapral Moira K. , Hall Ruth E. , deVeber Gabrielle
Published: January 2019

Background: Reported incidence rates of pediatric stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) range widely. Treatment gaps are poorly characterized. We sought to evaluate in ­Ontario, the incidence and characteristics of pediatric stroke and TIA including care gaps and the predictive value of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at 147 Ontario pediatric and adult acute care hospitals. Pediatric stroke and TIA cases (age < 18 years) were identified using ICD-10 code searches in the 2010/11 Canadian Institute for Health Information’s Discharge Abstract Database (CIHI-DAD) and National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) databases in the Ontario Stroke Audit. Results: Among 478 potential pediatric stroke and TIA cases identified in the CIHI-DAD and NACRS databases, 163 were confirmed as cases of stroke and TIA during the 1-year study period. The Ontario stroke and TIA incidence rate was 5.9 per 100,000 children (3.3 ischemic, 1.8 hemorrhagic and 0.8 TIA). Mean age was 6.4 years (16% neonate). Nearly half were not imaged within 24 h of arrival in emergency and only 56% were given antithrombotic treatment. At discharge, 83 out of 121 (69%) required health care services post-discharge. Overall positive predictive value (PPV) of ICD-10 stroke and TIA codes was 31% (range 5–74%) and yield ranged from 2.4 to 29% for acute stroke or TIA event; code I63 achieved maximal PPV and yield. Conclusion: Our population-based study yielded a higher incidence rate than prior North-American studies. Important care gaps exist including delayed diagnosis, lack of expert care, and departure from published treatment guidelines. Variability in ICD PPV and yield underlines the need for prospective data collection and for improving the pediatric stroke and TIA coding processes.
Associations between Lifetime Adversity and Obesity Treatment in Patients with Morbid Obesity
Authors: Rønningen Reidun , Wammer Anne Cathrine Parelius , Grabner Nina Holte , Valderhaug Tone Gretland
Published: January 2019

Background: Bariatric surgery is associated with greater and more sustainable weight loss compared with lifestyle intervention programs. On the other hand, bariatric surgery may also be associated with physical and psychosocial complications. The influence of psychological evaluation on treatment choice, however, is not known. We aimed to examine variables associated with treatment choice and, specifically, if self-reported lifetime adversity influenced obesity treatment, i.e. bariatric surgery, high-intensive lifestyle treatment or low-intensive lifestyle treatment in primary care. Methods: We consecutively included 924 patients from the registry study of patients with morbid obesity at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway. Treatment selection was made through a shared decision-making process. Self-reported lifetime adversity was registered by trained personnel. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between obesity treatment and possible predictors. Results: Patients who chose bariatric surgery were more likely to have type 2 diabetes (DM2) compared with patients who chose lifestyle treatment (bariatric surgery: 35%, high-intensive lifestyle treatment: 26%, and low-intensive lifestyle treatment: 26%; p = 0.035). Patients who chose bariatric surgery were less likely than patients who chose lifestyle intervention to report lifetime adversity (bariatric surgery: 39%, high-intensive lifestyle treatment: 47%, and low-intensive lifestyle treatment: 51%; p = 0.004). After multivariable adjustments, increasing BMI, having DM2, and joint pain were associated with choosing bariatric surgery over non-surgical obesity treatment (odds ratio [95% CI]: BMI 1.03 [1.01–1.06], DM2 1.47 [1.09–1.99], and joint pain 1.46 [1.08–1.96]). Self-reported lifetime adversity was furthermore associated with lower odds of choosing bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity (0.67 [0.51–0.89]). Conclusion: This study shows that increasing BMI, DM2, and joint pain were all associated with treatment choice for obesity. In addition, self-reported lifetime adversity was associated with the patients’ treatment choice for morbid obesity. Consequently, we suggest that decisions concerning obesity treatment should include dialogue-based assessments of the patients’ lifetime adversity.
Development of a SYBR Green II Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Clinical Detection of the Duck-Origin Goose Parvovirus in China
Authors: Luo Qihui , Chen Bing , Xu Jing , Ma Wenjing , Lao Chengjie , Li Yifan , Tan Jinglong , Tang Yi , Huang Chao , Liu Wentao , Chen Zhengli
Published: January 2019

Objective: To establish an efficient, convenient and quantitative method for the clinical detection of the duck-origin goose parvovirus. Method: In the present study, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was established for detecting the duck-origin goose parvovirus using the fluorescent chimeric dye SYBR Green II. Specific primers were designed to target a highly conserved region of the VP3 gene of the duck-origin goose parvovirus. Results: This method was able to detect a minimum of 19.6 copies/μL of viral genomic DNA. Results showed that this method was faster and had a higher sensitivity than the traditional PCR in the clinical specimen test. In this paper, we developed a rapid, sensitive detection and quantitative analysis technology for the duck-origin goose parvovirus by real-time PCR assay. Conclusion: This test provides improved technical support for studies regarding the clinical diagnosis and epidemiological investigations of the duck-origin goose parvovirus.
EEG Resting-State Networks in Dementia with Lewy Bodies Associated with Clinical Symptoms
Authors: Aoki Yasunori , Kazui Hiroaki , Pascal-Marqui Roberto D. , Ishii Ryouhei , Yoshiyama Kenji , Kanemoto Hideki , Suzuki Yukiko , Sato Shunsuke , Hata Masahiro , Canuet Leonides , Iwase Masao , Ikeda Manabu
Published: January 2019

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and parkinsonism. DLB is the second most common type of degenerative dementia of all dementia cases. However, DLB, particularly in the early stage, is underdiagnosed and sometimes misdiagnosed with other types of dementia. Thus, it is of great interest investigating neurophysiological markers of DLB. Method: We introduced exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA)-independent component analysis (ICA) to assess activities of 5 electroencephalography (EEG) resting-state networks (RSNs) in 41 drug-free DLB patients. Results: Compared to 80 healthy controls, DLB patients had significantly decreased activities in occipital visual and sensorimotor networks, where DLB patients and healthy controls showed no age dependences in all EEG-RSN activities. Also, we found correlations between all EEG-RSN activities and DLB symptoms. Specifically, decreased occipital α activity showed correlations with worse brain functions related to attention/concentration, visuospatial discrimination, and global cognition. Enhanced visual perception network activity correlated with milder levels of depression and anxiety. Enhanced self-referential network activity correlated with milder levels of depression. Enhanced memory perception network activity correlated with better semantic memory, visuospatial discrimination function, and global cognitive function as well as with severer visual hallucination. In addition, decreased sensorimotor network activity correlated with a better semantic memory. Conclusion: These results indicate that eLORETA-ICA can detect EEG-RSN activity alterations in DLB related to symptoms. Therefore, eLORETA-ICA with EEG data can be a useful noninvasive tool for sensitive detection of EEG-RSN activity changes characteristic of DLB and for understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease.
One-Year Results of Using a Treat-and-Extend Regimen without a Loading Phase with Anti-VEGF Agents in Patients with Treatment-Naive Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Schwarzer Petra , Ebneter Andreas , Munk Marion , Wolf Sebastian , Zinkernagel Martin S.
Published: January 2019

Purpose: To evaluate real-life outcomes in treatment-naive patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents using a treat-and-extend regimen without a fixed loading phase. Methods: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measured using optical coherence tomography at baseline and after 1 year of treatment, intervals and number of injections were analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare anatomical and functional outcomes between patients receiving ranibizumab or aflibercept. Results: Seventy-five eyes of 61 patients met the inclusion criteria and had follow-up for 1 year. Baseline BCVA and CRT were 68.1 ± 13.2 letters and 424 ± 135 µm, retrospectively. After 1 year, there was a significant mean gain in BCVA of +5.8 ± 7.4 letters (paired t test: p < 0.0001) and a significant decrease in mean CRT of –117 ± 134 µm (paired t test: p < 0.0001). The mean number of anti-VEGF injections was 10.0 ± 1.6 (range 6–12). The mean maximum interval between injections was 8.5 ± 2.9 weeks (range 4–14) and the mean interval 6.0 ± 1.2 weeks (range 4.1–8.9). 96% of eyes could be extended after a mean of 5.3 injections and 17% of patients could be extended before reaching a formal loading dose of 3 injections. Subgroup analysis did not reveal any differences in outcomes between patients treated with ranibizumab or aflibercept. Subretinal fluid at baseline was associated with better BCVA gain after 1 year (stepwise forward regression analysis, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our results suggest that not all patients with DME require a fixed loading phase when initiating anti-VEGF treatment. Finding anatomical predictors to identify this subgroup of patients would help to reduce treatment burden and optimize clinical outcomes.
Different Types of Maculopathy in Eyes after a High-Voltage Electrical Shock Injury
Authors: Choe Hye Rim , Park Un Chul
Published: January 2019

Background: We report a case of different types of maculopathy in eyes after a high-voltage electrical shock injury. Case Report: A 43-year-old male suffered high-voltage electrical injury through his left arm. He underwent cataract surgery in both eyes 3 months after the injury, but there was no vision improvement. Ocular examination, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography, revealed diffuse retinal atrophy in the left eye which did not change until the final visit. In the right eye, an impending macular hole was observed but regressed spontaneously 9 months after the injury, and the visual acuity improved to 20/32 at the final visit. Conclusion: Two different types of maculopathy can occur in each eye after high-voltage electrical shock injury, and this might be due to asymmetric pathogenesis of the eyes according to the proximity to the route of electrical current.
Can Iodixanol Prevent Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis? A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Ogura Takeshi , Imoto Akira , Okuda Atsushi , Fukunishi Shinya , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: January 2019

Background: It is yet not clear whether differences in the contrast medium may affect post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of PEP between high osmolality contrast medium (HOCM) and iso osmolar medium (IOCM) in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Methods: Patients who were scheduled to undergo a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure under ERCP guidance were included. Patients were excluded from this study if they (1) were < 20 years old; (2) had acute or active pancreatitis; (3) had previously undergone ERCP; (4) had surgical altered upper gastrointestinal tract anatomy; or (5) refused to be involved in this study. Results: Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to the IOCM group, and 71 patients were assigned to the HOCM group. PEP occurred in 27 patients (18.5%). Although there were no significant differences, the severe grade of PEP was more frequent in the HOCM group than in the IOCM group (p = 0.08). The results of the multivariate analyses for PEP were not identified as independent risk factors. Also, independent risk factors of hyperamylasemia were performing pre-cut. In subgroup analyses, HOCM was an independent risk factor for hyperamylasemia. Conclusions: In conclusion, HOCM may play a role in the development of PEP and in PEP severity grade.
Returning to Unpaid Work after Stroke: The Psychosocial Outcomes in Stroke Cohort Study
Authors: Carcel Cheryl , Farnbach Sara , Essue Beverley M. , Li Qiang , Glozier Nick , Jan Stephen , Lindley Richard , Hackett Maree L.
Published: January 2019

Background: While returning to paid work is a crucial marker of stroke recovery, little is known about the differences in unpaid work by sex following stroke. We aimed to determine the sex differences in participation in unpaid work 12 months after stroke. Methods: Psychosocial outcomes in stroke were a prospective, multicentre observational study that recruited individuals, 18–64 years, within 28 days of stroke from New South Wales, Australia. Unpaid work was defined as ≥5 h per week of one or more of: unpaid domestic work for the household; unpaid care of others; looking after own children without pay or looking after someone else’s children without pay. Data was collected before stroke, 28 days (baseline), 6 and 12 months follow-up. Results: Eighty per cent of women and 52% of men engaged in ≥5 h per week of unpaid work before stroke. At 12 months after, 69% of women and 53% of men completed ≥5 h of unpaid work per week. For women, there was a significant association between participation in unpaid work at 12 months and having financially dependent children (OR 2.67; 95% CI 1.08–6.59). A return to unpaid work in men was associated with participation in unpaid work before stroke (OR 3.74; 95% CI 2.14–6.53). Conclusions: More women are engaged in unpaid work before and at 12 months after stroke, but there is a reduction in the proportion of women returning to unpaid work at 12 months not seen in men. Consideration may need to be given to the development of rehabilitation strategies targeted at the specific needs of stroke survivors.
FURIN Inhibition Reduces Vascular Remodeling and Atherosclerotic Lesion Progression in Mice
Authors: Yakala Gopala K. , Cabrera-Fuentes Hector A. , Crespo-Avilan Gustavo E. , Rattanasopa Chutima , Burlacu Alexandrina , George Benjamin L. , Anand Kaviya , Mayan David Castaño , Corlianò Maria , Hernández-Reséndiz Sauri , Wu Zihao , Schwerk Anne M.K. , Tan Amberlyn L.J. , Trigueros-Motos Laia , Chèvre Raphael , Chua Tricia , Kleemann Robert , Liehn Elisa A. , Hausenloy Derek J. , Ghosh Sujoy , Singaraja Roshni R.
Published: January 2019

Objective—

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and current treatment options are insufficient. Using systems-level network cluster analyses on a large coronary artery disease case-control cohort, we previously identified PCSK3 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin family member 3;
FURIN
) as a member of several coronary artery disease–associated pathways. Thus, our objective is to determine the role of FURIN in atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

In vitro, FURIN inhibitor treatment resulted in reduced monocyte migration and reduced macrophage and vascular endothelial cell inflammatory and cytokine gene expression. In vivo, administration of an irreversible inhibitor of FURIN, α-1-PDX (α1-antitrypsin Portland), to hyperlipidemic
Ldlr
−/−
mice resulted in lower atherosclerotic lesion area and a specific reduction in severe lesions. Significantly lower lesional macrophage and collagen area, as well as systemic inflammatory markers, were observed. MMP2 (matrix metallopeptidase 2), an effector of endothelial function and atherosclerotic lesion progression, and a FURIN substrate was significantly reduced in the aorta of inhibitor-treated mice. To determine FURIN’s role in vascular endothelial function, we administered α-1-PDX to
Apoe
−/−
mice harboring a wire injury in the common carotid artery. We observed significantly decreased carotid intimal thickness and lower plaque cellularity, smooth muscle cell, macrophage, and inflammatory marker content, suggesting protection against vascular remodeling. Overexpression of FURIN in this model resulted in a significant 67% increase in intimal plaque thickness, confirming that FURIN levels directly correlate with atherosclerosis.

Conclusions—

We show that systemic inhibition of FURIN in mice decreases vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis. FURIN-mediated modulation of MMP2 activity may contribute to the atheroprotection observed in these mice.
Serum Dkk-1 (Dickkopf-1) Is a Potential Biomarker in the Prediction of Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhu Zhengbao , Guo Daoxia , Zhong Chongke , Wang Aili , Xie Xuewei , Xu Tan , Chen Chung-Shiuan , Peng Yanbo , Peng Hao , Li Qunwei , Ju Zhong , Geng Deqin , Chen Jing , Liu Liping , Wang Yilong , Zhang Yonghong , He Jiang
Published: January 2019

Objective—

Serum Dkk-1 (dickkopf-1) level has been shown to be elevated in patients with ischemic stroke, but its impact on clinical outcomes of ischemic stroke remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between serum Dkk-1 and prognosis of ischemic stroke.

Approach and Results—

We measured serum Dkk-1 levels in 3178 patients with ischemic stroke from CATIS (China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke). The primary outcome was a combination of all-cause mortality and major disability (modified Rankin scale score, ≥3) at 1 year after stroke. Secondary outcomes were stroke recurrence and vascular events. After multivariate adjustment, elevated Dkk-1 levels were associated with an increased risk of primary outcome (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.03–1.89;
P
trend
=0.015) when 2 extreme quartiles were compared. Each SD increase of log-transformed Dkk-1 was associated with 12% (95% CI, 1%–24%) increased risk of primary outcome. Multiple-adjusted spline regression model showed a linear association between serum Dkk-1 and risk of primary outcome (
P
for linearity, 0.039). Subgroup analyses further confirmed these associations. The addition of serum Dkk-1 to conventional risk factors improved the predictive power for primary outcome (net reclassification improvement: 10.11%,
P
=0.029; integrated discrimination improvement: 0.21%,
P
=0.028).

Conclusions—

High serum Dkk-1 levels at baseline were associated with poor prognosis at 1 year after ischemic stroke, suggesting that serum Dkk-1 may be a potential prognostic biomarker for ischemic stroke. Further studies from other samples of patients with ischemic stroke are needed to replicate our findings and to clarify the potential mechanisms.
Statin Toxicity
Authors: Ward Natalie C. , Watts Gerald F. , Eckel Robert H.
Published: January 2019

There is now overwhelming evidence to support lowering LDL-c (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins are a class of drugs frequently prescribed to lower cholesterol. However, in spite of their wide-spread use, discontinuation and nonadherence remains a major gap in both the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The major reason for statin discontinuation is because of the development of statin-associated muscle symptoms, but a range of other statin-induced side effects also exist. Although the mechanisms behind these side effects have not been fully elucidated, there is an urgent need to identify those at increased risk of developing side effects as well as provide alternative treatment strategies. In this article, we review the mechanisms and clinical importance of statin toxicity and focus on the evaluation and management of statin-associated muscle symptoms.