bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Centralized and Distributed Anonymization for High-Dimensional Healthcare Data
Authors: Mohammed Noman , Fung Benjamin C. M. , Hung Patrick C. K. , Lee Cheuk-Kwong
Published: November 2010

Sharing healthcare data has become a vital requirement in healthcare system management; however, inappropriate sharing and usage of healthcare data could threaten patients’ privacy. In this article, we study the privacy concerns of sharing patient information between the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) and the public hospitals. We generalize their information and privacy requirements to the problems of
centralized anonymization
and
distributed anonymization
, and identify the major challenges that make traditional data anonymization methods not applicable. Furthermore, we propose a new privacy model called
LKC-privacy
to overcome the challenges and present two anonymization algorithms to achieve LKC-privacy in both the centralized and the distributed scenarios. Experiments on real-life data demonstrate that our anonymization algorithms can effectively retain the essential information in anonymous data for data analysis and is scalable for anonymizing large datasets.
Bayesian Browsing Model
Authors: Liu Chao , Guo Fan , Faloutsos Christos
Published: November 2010

A fundamental challenge in utilizing Web search click data is to infer user-perceived relevance from the search log. Not only is the inference a difficult problem involving statistical reasonings but the bulky size, together with the ever-increasing nature, of the log data imposes extra requirements on scalability. In this paper, we propose the Bayesian Browsing Model (BBM), which performs exact inference of the document relevance, only requires a single pass of the data (i.e., the optimal scalability), and is shown effective.

We present two sets of experiments to evaluate the model effectiveness and scalability. On the first set of over 50 million search instances of 1.1 million distinct queries, BBM outperforms the state-of-the-art competitor by 29.2% in log-likelihood while being
57 times
faster. On the second click log set, spanning a quarter of petabyte, we showcase the scalability of BBM: we implemented it on a commercial MapReduce cluster, and it took only 3 hours to compute the relevance for 1.15 billion distinct query-URL pairs.
A Model-Agnostic Framework for Fast Spatial Anomaly Detection
Authors: Wu Mingxi , Jermaine Chris , Ranka Sanjay , Song Xiuyao , Gums John
Published: November 2010

Given a spatial dataset placed on an
n
×
n
grid, our goal is to find the rectangular regions within which subsets of the dataset exhibit anomalous behavior. We develop algorithms that, given any user-supplied arbitrary likelihood function, conduct a likelihood ratio hypothesis test (LRT) over each rectangular region in the grid, rank all of the rectangles based on the computed LRT statistics, and return the top few most interesting rectangles. To speed this process, we develop methods to prune rectangles without computing their associated LRT statistics.
Portfolio Theory: As I Still See It
Authors: Markowitz Harry M.
Published: November 2010

This essay summarizes my views on (a) the foundations of portfolio theory and its applications to current issues, such as the choice of criteria for practical risk-return analysis, and whether some form of risk-return analysis should be used in fact; (b) hypotheses about actual financial behavior, as opposed to idealized rational behavior, including two proofs of the fact that expected-utility maximizers would never prefer a multiple-prize lottery to all single-prize lotteries, as asserted in one of my 1952 papers; and (c) a simple proof of the theorem (which was initially greeted with some skepticism, especially by referees) that investors in capital asset pricing models do not get paid for bearing risk.
Privatization and Finance
Authors: Megginson William
Published: November 2010

This paper summarizes research examining how privatization programs implemented by governments over the past three decades have changed the size and efficiency of global financial markets, altered the practice of corporate finance in economies that experienced large privatizations, and impacted the returns earned by individual investors who purchased stock in a privatized company. I show how sales programs have changed during the three historical eras of privatization, describe the principal methods that governments use to sell state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to private investors, and examine how governments choose between selling SOEs directly to existing operating companies or investor groups through direct sales (asset sales) and selling stock to investors through share issue privatizations (SIPs). I document and examine the role privatization has played in increasing the total market capitalization of global stock exchanges from $3.2 trillion in 1983 to over $62 trillion in 2007. I show that investors have benefited from purchasing SIP shares, both in the short and long term, and attempt to answer the critical question: What do governments have left to sell?
Martingale Pricing
Authors: Back Kerry
Published: November 2010

The fact that properly normalized asset prices are martingales is the basis of modern asset pricing. One normalizes asset prices to adjust for risk and time preferences. Both adjustments can be made simultaneously via a stochastic discount factor, or one can adjust for risk by changing probabilities and adjust for time using the return on an asset, for example, the risk-free return. This paper reviews this methodology and the circumstances in which it is feasible. Three examples are given to illustrate the delicate link in continuous-time models between the absence of arbitrage opportunities and the feasibility of martingale pricing.
Risk Management
Authors: Jorion Philippe
Published: November 2010

Modern risk management systems were developed in the early 1990s to provide centralized risk measures at the top level of financial institutions. These are based on a century of theoretical developments in risk measures. In particular, value at risk (VAR) has become widely used as a statistical measure of market risk based on current positions. This methodology has been extended to credit risk and operational risk. This article reviews the benefits and limitations of these models. In spite of all these advances, risk methods are poorly adapted to measure liquidity risk and systemic risk.
Limits of Arbitrage
Authors: Gromb Denis , Vayanos Dimitri
Published: November 2010

We survey theoretical developments in the literature on the limits of arbitrage. This literature investigates how costs faced by arbitrageurs can prevent them from eliminating mispricings and providing liquidity to other investors. Research in this area is currently evolving into a broader agenda, emphasizing the role of financial institutions and agency frictions for asset prices. This research has the potential to explain so-called market anomalies and inform welfare and policy debates about asset markets. We begin with examples of demand shocks that generate mispricings, arguing that they can stem from behavioral or from institutional considerations. We next survey, and nest within a simple model, the following costs faced by arbitrageurs: (a) risk, both fundamental and nonfundamental; (b) short-selling costs; (c) leverage and margin constraints; and (d) constraints on equity capital. We finally discuss implications for welfare and policy and suggest directions for future research.
Ambiguity and Asset Markets
Authors: Epstein Larry G. , Schneider Martin
Published: November 2010

The Ellsberg paradox suggests that people's behavior is different in risky situations—when they are given objective probabilities—from their behavior in ambiguous situations—when they are not told the odds (as is typical in financial markets). Such behavior is inconsistent with subjective expected utility (SEU) theory, the standard model of choice under uncertainty in financial economics. This article reviews models of ambiguity aversion. It shows that such models—in particular, the multiple-priors model of Gilboa and Schmeidler—have implications for portfolio choice and asset pricing that are very different from those of SEU and that help to explain otherwise puzzling features of the data.
Investment Performance Evaluation
Authors: Ferson Wayne E.
Published: November 2010

This article provides a review of the rapidly developing literature on investment performance evaluation. The goals are to summarize the significant forces and contributions that have brought this field of research to its current state of knowledge and to suggest directions for future research. This review is written for a reader who is familiar with financial economics but not the specific literature and who wishes to become familiar with the current state of the art. Suggestions for future research include refinements to portfolio holdings-based performance measures, a more balanced treatment of costs, and clientele-specific measures of investment performance.
A Life in Political Science
Authors: Verba Sidney
Published: November 2010

Political science has been a central part of my life for over half a century. This essay records thoughts about the discipline, what it has given me, and what I hope I have given it. It records my entrance into the field and the direction of my work, and offers a personal view of the nature of political science. Using my own work as the examples, it traces the evolution of comparative survey research as a method. And it outlines a list of works on citizen voice and political equality. It focuses as well on the openness and breadth of the discipline, two of its finest virtues.
Stochastic Processes in Finance
Authors: Madan Dilip B.
Published: November 2010

Stochastic processes arising in the description of the risk-neutral evolution of equity prices are reviewed. Starting with Brownian motion, I review extensions to Lévy and Sato processes. These processes have independent increments; the former are homogeneous in time, whereas the latter are inhomogeneous. One-dimensional Markov processes such as local volatility and local Lévy are discussed next. Finally, I take up two forms of stochastic volatility that are due to either space scaling or time changing. An encompassing discrete-time model closes the presentation.
Analysis of Codon Usage Patterns in Toxic DinoflagellateAlexandrium tamarensethrough Expressed Sequence Tag Data
Authors: Hsiao Yi-Yuong , Lin Chorng-Horng , Liu Jong-Kang , Wong Tit-Yee , Kuo Jimmy
Published: November 2010

We have analyzed synonymous codon usage in the genome ofA. tamarenseCCMP 1598 for protein-coding sequences from 10865 expressed sequence tags (ESTs). We reconstructed a total of 4284 unigenes, including 74 ribosomal protein and 40 plastid-related genes, from ESTs using FrameDP, an open reading frame (ORF) prediction program. Correspondence analysis ofA. tamarensegenes based on codon usage showed that the GC content at the third base of synonymous codons (GC3s) was strongly correlated with the first axis (r=0.93withP<.001). On the other hand, the second axis discriminated between presumed highly and low expressed genes, with expression levels being confirmed by the analysis of EST frequencies (r=−0.89withP<.001). Our results suggest that mutational bias is the major factor in shaping codon usage inA. tamarensegenome, but other factors, namely, translational selection, hydropathy, and aromaticity, also appear to influence the selection of codon usage in this species.
Peroxynitrite Mediates Diabetes-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction: Possible Role of Rho Kinase Activation
Authors: El-Remessy Azza B. , Tawfik Huda E. , Matragoon Suraporn , Pillai Bindu , Caldwell Ruth B. , Caldwell R. William
Published: November 2010

Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by reduced bioavailability of NO due to its inactivation to form peroxynitrite or reduced expression of eNOS. Here, we examine the causal role of peroxynitrite in mediating diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction. Diabetes was induced by STZ-injection, and rats received the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (FeTTPs, 15 mg/Kg/day) for 4 weeks. Vasorelaxation to acetylcholine, oxidative-stress markers, RhoA activity, and eNOS expression were determined. Diabetic coronary arteries showed significant reduction in ACh-mediated maximal relaxation compared to controls. Diabetic vessels showed also significant increases in lipid-peroxides, nitrotyrosine, and active RhoA and 50% reduction in eNOS mRNA expression. Treatment of diabetic animals with FeTTPS blocked these effects. Studies in aortic endothelial cells show that high glucose or peroxynitrite increases the active RhoA kinase levels and decreases eNOS expression and NO levels, which were reversed with blocking peroxynitrite or Rho kinase. Together, peroxynitrite can suppress eNOS expression via activation of RhoA and hence cause vascular dysfunction.
On Equivalence of Some Iterations Convergence for Quasi-Contraction Maps in Convex Metric Spaces
Authors: Xue Zhiqun , Lv Guiwen , Rhoades BE
Published: November 2010

We show the equivalence of the convergence of Picard and Krasnoselskij, Mann, and Ishikawa iterations for the quasi-contraction mappings in convex metric spaces.
Pioglitazone Attenuates Cystic Burden in the PCK Rodent Model of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Blazer-Yost Bonnie L. , Haydon Julie , Eggleston-Gulyas Tracy , Chen Jey-Hsin , Wang Xiaofang , Gattone Vincent , Torres Vicente E.
Published: November 2010

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by growth of fluid-filled cysts predominately in kidney tubules and liver bile ducts. Currently, the clinical management of PKD is limited to cyst aspiration, surgical resection or organ transplantation. Based on an observation that PPARγagonists such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone decrease mRNA levels of aCl−transport protein, CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), and theCl−secretory response to vasopressin in cultured renal cells, it is hypothesized that PPARγagonists will inhibit cyst growth. The current studies show that a 7- or 14-week pioglitazone feeding regimen inhibits renal and hepatic bile duct cyst growth in the PCK rat, a rodent model orthologous to human PKD. These studies provide proof of concept for the mechanism of action of the PPARγagonists and suggest that this class of drugs may be effective in controlling both renal and hepatic cyst growth and fibrosis in PKD.
Optimal Control of Production and Remanufacturing in a Reverse Logistics Model with Backlogging
Authors: Konstantaras I.
Published: November 2010

Reverse logistics activities have received increasing attention within logistics and operations management during the last years, both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. The field of reverse logistics includes all logistics processes starting with the take‐back of used products from customers up to the stage of making them reusable products or disposing them. In this paper, a single‐product recovery system is studied. In such system, used products are collected from customers and are kept at the recoverable inventory warehouse in view to be recovered. The constant demand rate can be satisfied either by newly produced products or by recovered ones (serviceable inventory), which are regarded as perfectly as the new ones. Excess demand is completely backlogged. Following an exact analytical approach, the optimal set‐up numbers and the optimal lot sizes for the production of new products and for the recovery of returned products are obtained. A numerical cost comparison of this model with the corresponding one without backordering is also performed.
Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Infection after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Sugawara Yasuhiko , Tamura Sumihito , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: November 2010

A significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection develop liver cirrhosis and complications of end-stage liver disease over two to three decades and require liver transplantation, however, reinfection is common and leads to further adverse events under immunosuppression. Pretransplant antiviral or preemptive therapy is limited to mildly decompensated patients due to poor tolerance. The mainstay of management represents directed antiviral therapy after evidence of recurrence of chronic hepatitis C. Combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy is the current standard treatment with sustained viral response rates of 25% to 45%. The rate is lower than that in the immunocompetent population, partly due to the high prevalence of intolerability. To date, there is no general consensus regarding the antiviral treatment modality, timing, or dosing for HCV in patients with advanced liver disease and after liver transplantation. New anti-HCV drugs to delay disease progression or to enhance viral clearance are necessary.
Persistence of an SEIR Model with Immigration Dependent on the Prevalence of Infection
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Xin Jingqi , Zhang Fengqin
Published: November 2010

We incorporate the immigration of susceptible individuals into an SEIR epidemic model, assuming that the immigration rate decreases as the spread of infection increases. For this model, the basic reproduction number, R0, is found, which determines that the disease is either extinct or persistent ultimately. The obtained results show that the disease becomes extinct as R0 < 1 and persists in the population as R0 > 1.
Spectrum of Linear Difference Operators and the Solvability of Nonlinear Discrete Problems
Authors: Ma Ruyun , Xu Youji , Gao Chenghua
Published: November 2010

Let T ∈ ℕ with T > 5. Let 𝕋 : = {1, …, T}. We study the Fuik spectrum Σ of the discrete problem Δ2u(t − 1) + λu+(t) − μu−(t) = 0, t ∈ 𝕋, u(0) = u(T + 1) = 0, where u+(t) = max {u(t), 0}, u−(t) = max {−u(t), 0}. We give an expression of Σ via the matching‐extension method. We also use such discrete spectrum theory to study nonlinear boundary value problems of difference equations at resonance.
Syphilitic Coronary Artery Ostial Stenosis Resulting in Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Nakazone Marcelo A. , Machado Maurício N. , Barbosa Raphael B. , Santos Márcio A. , Maia Lilia N.
Published: November 2010

Cardiovascular abnormalities are well-known manifestations of tertiary syphilis infections which although not frequent, are still causes of morbidity and mortality. A less common manifestation of syphilitic aortitis is coronary artery ostial narrowing related to aortic wall thickening. We report a case of a 46-year-old male admitted due to acute anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention successfully. Coronary angiography showed a suboccluded ostial lesion of left main coronary artery. VDRL was titrated to 1/512. The patient was discharged with treatment including benzathine penicillin. Previous case reports of acute myocardial infarction in association with syphilitic coronary artery ostial stenosis have been reported, but the fact that the patient was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention is unique in this case.
Mouse Model Resources for Vision Research
Authors: Won Jungyeon , Shi Lan Ying , Hicks Wanda , Wang Jieping , Hurd Ronald , Naggert Jürgen K. , Chang Bo , Nishina Patsy M.
Published: November 2010

The need for mouse models, with their well-developed genetics and similarity to human physiology and anatomy, is clear and their central role in furthering our understanding of human disease is readily apparent in the literature. Mice carrying mutations that alter developmental pathways or cellular function provide model systems for analyzing defects in comparable human disorders and for testing therapeutic strategies. Mutant mice also provide reproducible, experimental systems for elucidating pathways of normal development and function. Two programs, the Eye Mutant Resource and the Translational Vision Research Models, focused on providing such models to the vision research community are described herein. Over 100 mutant lines from the Eye Mutant Resource and 60 mutant lines from the Translational Vision Research Models have been developed. The ocular diseases of the mutant lines include a wide range of phenotypes, including cataracts, retinal dysplasia and degeneration, and abnormal blood vessel formation. The mutations in disease genes have been mapped and in some cases identified by direct sequencing. Here, we report 3 novel alleles ofCrxtvrm65,Rp1tvrm64, andRpe65tvrm148as successful examples of the TVRM program, that closely resemble previously reported knockout models.
Glioblastoma Stem Cells: A Neuropathologist's View
Authors: McLendon Roger E. , Rich Jeremy N.
Published: November 2010

Glioblastoma (WHO Grade IV) is both the most common primary brain tumor and the most malignant. Advances in the understanding of the biology of the tumor are needed in order to obtain a clearer picture of the mechanisms driving these tumors. To neuropathologists, glioblastoma is a tumor that represents a complex system of migrating pleomorphic tumor cells, proliferating blood vessels, infiltrating inflammatory cells, and necrosis. This review will highlight how the glioma stem cell concept brings these elements together into a collective whole, interacting with microenvironmental influences in complex ways. Borrowing from chaos theory a vocabulary of “self organizing systems” and “complex adaptive systems” that seem useful in describing these pathologic features, a new paradigm of glioblastoma biology will be proposed that genetic changes should be understood in a three dimensional framework as they relate not only to the tumor cells themselves but also to the multicellular hierarchical unit, not isolated from, but responsive to, its local milieu. In this way we will come to better appreciate the impact our therapeutic interventions have on the regional phenotypic heterogeneity that exists within the tumor and the intercellular communications directing adaptation and progression.
Cell Cycle Deregulation in Ewing's Sarcoma Pathogenesis
Authors: Kowalewski Ashley A. , Randall R. Lor , Lessnick Stephen L.
Published: November 2010

Ewing's sarcoma is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor of bone that usually contains the characteristic chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12). This translocation encodes the oncogenic fusion protein EWS/FLI, which acts as an aberrant transcription factor to deregulate target genes necessary for oncogenesis. One key feature of oncogenic transformation is dysregulation of cell cycle control. It is therefore likely that EWS/FLI and other cooperating mutations in Ewing's sarcoma modulate the cell cycle to facilitate tumorigenesis. This paper will summarize current published data associated with deregulation of the cell cycle in Ewing's sarcoma and highlight important questions that remain to be answered.
Furin Functions as a Nonproteolytic Chaperone for Matrix Metalloproteinase-28: MMP-28 Propeptide Sequence Requirement
Authors: Pavlaki Maria , Zucker Stanley , Dufour Antoine , Calabrese Nikki , Bahou Wadie , Cao Jian
Published: November 2010

Although MMP-28 is involved in numerous important physiologic and pathologic conditions, the mechanisms of action of this secreted proteinase is not well understood. We now have demonstrated that furin serves as an intermolecular chaperone for MMP-28 secretion by interacting with the propeptide domain of MMP-28. Employing COS-1 cells transfected with MMP-28 cDNA, protein levels of MMP-28 were quite low in conditioned media as compared to cell lysates. Coexpression of MMP-28 with furin cDNA resulted in markedly enhanced MMP-28 secretion. Contrary to expectation, cleavage of MMP-28 at the furin consensus sequence did not occur and proteolytic inactive furin was equally effective in enhancing MMP-28 secretion. Furin and MMP-28 coimmunoprecipitated and were partially coimmunolocalized in the cytoplasm of transfected cells. Cotransfection with furin cDNA also enhanced MMP-28 induced cell migration. In conclusion, our data provide a novel mechanism for MMP-28 function in cells in which furin serves as an intermolecular chaperone.
Oscillation Criteria for a Class of Second‐Order Neutral Delay Dynamic Equations of Emden‐Fowler Type
Authors: Han Zhenlai , Li Tongxing , Sun Shurong , Zhang Chao , Han Bangxian
Published: November 2010

We establish some new oscillation criteria for the second‐order neutral delay dynamic equations of Emden‐Fowler type,
on a time scale unbounded above. Here γ > 0 is a quotient of odd positive integers with a and p being real‐valued positive functions defined on 𝕋. Our results in this paper not only extend and improve the results in the literature but also correct an error in one of the references.
Behçet's Disease (Adamantiades-Behçet's Disease)
Authors: Kaneko Fumio , Togashi Ari , Saito Sanae , Sakuma Hideo , Oyama Noritaka , Nakamura Koichiro , Yokota Kenji , Oguma Keiji
Published: November 2010

Adamantiades-Behçet's disease (ABD) is characterized by starting with oral aphthous ulceration and developing of the systemic involvements. The pathogenesis of ABD is closely correlated with the genetic factors and the triggering factors which acquire delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction against oralstreptococcimediated by IL-12 cytokine family. HLA-B51 is associated in more than 60% of the patients and its restricted CD8+ T cell response is clearly correlated with the target tissues.Bes-1gene encoded partialS. sanguinisgenome which is highly homologous with retinal protein, and 65 kD heat shock protein (Hsp-65) released from streptococci is playing an important role with human Hsp-60 in the pathogenesis of ABD. Although Hsp-65/60 has homologies with the respective T cell epitope, it stimulates peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ABD patients. On the other hand, some peptides of Hsp-65 were found to reduce IL-8 and IL-12 production from PBMCs of ABD patients in active stage.
IL-12 and Related Cytokines: Function and Regulatory Implications inCandida albicansInfection
Authors: Ashman Robert B. , Vijayan Dipti , Wells Christine A.
Published: November 2010

IL-12 is a cytokine with links to both innate and adaptive immunity systems. In mice, its deletion leads to acute susceptibility to oral infection with the yeastCandida albicans, whereas such mice are resistant to systemic disease. However, it is an essential component of the adaptive response that leads to the generation of Th1-type cytokine responses and protection against disseminated disease. This paper presents an overview of the role of IL-12 in models of systemic and mucosal infection and the possible relationships between them.
Robust L2‐L∞ Filtering of Time‐Delay Jump Systems with Respect to the Finite‐Time Interval
Authors: He Shuping , Liu Fei
Published: November 2010

This paper studied the problem of stochastic finite‐time boundedness and disturbance attenuation for a class of linear time‐delayed systems with Markov jumping parameters. Sufficient conditions are provided to solve this problem. The L2‐L∞ filters are, respectively, designed for time‐delayed Markov jump linear systems with/without uncertain parameters such that the resulting filtering error dynamic system is stochastically finite‐time bounded and has the finite‐time interval disturbance attenuation γ for all admissible uncertainties, time delays, and unknown disturbances. By using stochastic Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional approach, it is shown that the filter designing problem is in terms of the solutions of a set of coupled linear matrix inequalities. Simulation examples are included to demonstrate the potential of the proposed results.
A Comparison of Radical Perineal, Radical Retropubic, and Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomies in a Single Surgeon Series
Authors: Mirza Moben , Art Kevin , Wineland Logan , Tawfik Ossama , Thrasher J. Brantley
Published: November 2010

Objective. We sought to compare positive surgical margin rates (PSM), estimated blood loss (EBL), and quality of life outcomes (QOL) among perineal (RPP), retropubic (RRP), and robot-assisted laparoscopic (RALP) prostatectomies.Methods. Records from 463 consecutive men undergoing RPP (92), RRP (180), or RALP (191) for clinically localized prostate cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Age, percent tumor volume, Gleason score, stage, EBL, PSM, and QOL using the expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) were compared.Results. PSM were similar when adjusted for stage, grade, and volume. EBL was significantly less in the RALP (189 ml) group compared to both RPP (475 ml) and RRP (999 ml) groups. When corrected for nerve sparing, there were no differences in erectile function and sexual function amongst the three groups. Urinary summary and pad usage scores showed no significant differences.Conclusion. RPP, RRP, and RALP offer similar surgical and QOL outcomes. RALP and RPP demonstrate less EBL compared to RRP.
Macular Retinal Ganglion Cell Complex Thickness and Its Relationship to the Optic Nerve Head Topography in Glaucomatous Eyes with Hemifield Defects
Authors: Takagi Seiji T. , Kita Yoshiyuki , Takeyama Asuka , Tomita Goji
Published: November 2010

Purpose. To evaluate the relationship between the macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC) thickness, which is the sum of the retinal nerve fiber, ganglion cell, and inner plexiform layers, measured with a spectral-domain optical coherence tomograph and the optic nerve head topography measured with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope in glaucomatous eyes with visual field defects localized predominantly to either hemifield.Materials and Methods. The correlation between the mGCC thickness in hemispheres corresponding to hemifields with and without defects (damaged and intact hemispheres, respectively) and the optic nerve head topography corresponding to the respective hemispheres was evaluated in 18 glaucomatous eyes.Results. The mGCC thickness was significantly correlated with the rim volume, mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and cross-sectional area of the retinal nerve fiber layer in both the intact and the damaged hemispheres(P<.05).Discussion. For detecting very early glaucomatous damage of the optic nerve, changes in the thicknesses of the inner retina in the macular area and peripapillary RNFL as well as rim volume changes in the optic nerve head are target parameters that should be carefully monitored.
Predictors of Psychological Well-Being during Behavioral Obesity Treatment in Women
Authors: Vieira Paulo N. , Mata Jutta , Silva Marlene N. , Coutinho Sílvia R. , Santos Teresa C. , Minderico Cláudia S. , Sardinha Luís B. , Teixeira Pedro J.
Published: November 2010

This study examined the association of autonomy-related variables, including exercise motivation, with psychological well-being and quality of life, during obesity treatment. Middle-aged overweight/obese women (n=239) participated in a 1-year behavioral program and completed questionnaires measuring need support, general self-determination, and exercise and treatment motivation. General and obesity-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-esteem, depression, and anxiety were also assessed. Results showed positive correlations of self-determination and perceived need support with HRQOL and self-esteem, and negative associations with depression and anxiety (P<.001). Treatment autonomous motivation correlated positively with physical (P=.004) and weight-related HRQOL (P<.001), and negatively with depression (P=.025) and anxiety (P=.001). Exercise autonomous motivation was positively correlated with physical HRQOL (P<.001), mental HRQOL (P=.003), weight-related HRQOL (P<.001), and self-esteem (P=.003), and negatively with anxiety (P=.016). Findings confirm that self-determination theory's predictions apply to this population and setting, showing that self-determination, perceived need support, and autonomous self-regulation positively predict HRQOL and psychological well-being.
Longitudinal Associations between Endogenous Melatonin Production and Reported Sleep Duration from Childhood to Early Adulthood
Authors: Diethelm Katharina , Libuda Lars , Bolzenius Katja , Griefahn Barbara , Buyken Anette E. , Remer Thomas
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims: The study objective was to assess longitudinal associations between melatonin secretion and reported sleep duration from childhood to early adulthood. Methods: In the frame of the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study, 24-hour melatonin secretion and average daily sleep duration were determined once during childhood (4–< 11 years), adolescence (11–<16 years) and early adulthood (16–19 years) in 52 participants (23 males/29 females) aged 4–19 years. The associations between (1) melatonin secretion and sleep duration in childhood (cross-sectional); (2) melatonin secretion in childhood and sleep duration in early adulthood (prospective), and (3) changes in melatonin secretion and concurrent changes in sleep duration from childhood to early adulthood (concurrent) were analyzed. Results: Melatonin secretion was associated with sleep duration in childhood (cross-sectional, 3.5 min/day/10 µg 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS)/day, p = 0.009) and tended to predict sleep duration in early adulthood (prospective, 9.8 min/day/10 µg 6-OHMS/day, p = 0.09). An individual increase in melatonin secretion between childhood and early adulthood was associated with a concurrent increase in sleep duration (concurrent, 6.9 min/day/10 µg 6-OHMS/day, p = 0.046). Conclusion: Our observational data suggest that pineal production of melatonin in childhood is correlated with alterations in sleep duration until early adulthood. Nevertheless, this observational evidence needs to be verified in clinical studies.
Atypical GH Insensitivity Syndrome and Severe Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Deficiency Resulting from Compound Heterozygous Mutations of the GH Receptor, Including a Novel Frameshift Mutation Affecting the Intracellular Domain
Authors: Aisenberg Javier , Auyeung Valerie , Pedro Helio F. , Sugalski Rachel , Chartoff Amy , Rothenberg Rachel , Derr Michael A. , Hwa Vivian , Rosenfeld Ron G.
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims: GH insensitivity and IGF deficiency may result from aberrations of the GH receptor (GHR). We describe a 4-year-old child with modest growth failure and normal serum concentrations of GH-binding protein (GHBP), but clinical evidence of GH insensitivity. Method: Serum and DNA samples from the proband and his parents were analyzed. Results: The child had a height of –4 SD, elevated serum GH concentrations, abnormally low serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations and normal GHBP concentrations. DNA analysis revealed compound heterozygosity for mutations of GHR, including a previously reported R211H mutation and a novel duplication of a nucleotide in exon 9 (899dupC), the latter resulting in a frameshift and a premature stop codon. Treatment with recombinant DNA-derived IGF-I resulted in growth acceleration. Conclusion: Mutations affecting the intracellular domain of the GHR can result in GH insensitivity and IGF deficiency, despite normal serum concentrations of GHBP. The presence of clinical and biochemical evidence of GH resistance is sufficient to consider the possibility of aberrations of the GHR, even in the presence of normal serum GHBP concentrations.
Spontaneous Endogenous Hypermelatoninemia: A New Disease?
Authors: Duman Ozgur , Durmaz Erdem , Akcurin Sema , Serteser Mustafa , Haspolat Senay
Published: November 2010

Melatonin, a major photoperiod-dependent hormone, regulates circadian rhythms and biological rhythms and acts as a prominent sleep promoter. Symptoms related to hypermelatoninemia have been reported in individuals supplemented with melatonin. However, spontaneous endogenous hypermelatoninemia has not been reported previously. A 6-year-old girl previously diagnosed with Shapiro’s syndrome was admitted to our hospital on several occasions during a 1-year period with complaints of altered consciousness, syncope, hypothermia and episodes of sweating. The episodes occurred daily and during sleep and lasted for 1–6 h. During these episodes, she sweated profusely and felt faint and her skin was pale and cool. Other complaints included recurrent abdominal pain, urge incontinence and myopia. She was shown to have hypermelatoninemia (>1,000 pg/ml, normal range 0–150 pg/ml) during these episodes. The duration of her attacks decreased with phototherapy and she was successfully treated with propranolol. To our knowledge, this is the first case of hypermelatoninemia without any detectable organic pathology. We did not determine the exact mechanism of hypermelatoninemia in this patient; however, it might have been related to irregular control of pinealocytes by the suprachiasmatic nucleus or related pathways. Hypermelatoninemia should be considered in patients with spontaneous periodic hypothermia and hyperhidrosis, and also in patients with Shapiro’s syndrome.
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Comparison of Letrozole to Oxandrolone Effects upon Growth and Puberty of Children with Constitutional Delay of Puberty and Idiopathic Short Stature
Authors: Salehpour Shadab , Alipour Parvin , Razzaghy-Azar Maryam , Ardeshirpour Laleh , Shamshiri Alireza , Monfared Mahtab Farahmand , Gharib Atoosa
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims: Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) with short stature is one of the most common problems in pediatrics. We compared the effects of letrozole with that of oxandrolone on predicted adult height (PAH), puberty, bone mineral density, serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and blood lipoproteins. Methods: In a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 91 CDGP boys (12.6–14.6 years old) with predicted short stature were treated with letrozole (2.5 mg/day), oxandrolone (2.5 mg/day), or placebo, at the outpatient pediatric endocrine clinic of Mofid Children’s Hospital in Tehran for 2 years. Results: Letrozole differed from oxandrolone and placebo in significantly increasing PAH (p < 0.05), and slightly but significantly decreasing HDL-cholesterol. Oxandrolone, and to a lesser degree letrozole, significantly increased the height standard deviation score and bone age compared to placebo. Conclusion: This first randomized controlled clinical trial in CDGD teenage boys with predicted short stature shows that letrozole increases PAH more than oxandrolone and advances pubertal stage and bone mineralization less.
Influence of Fetal Growth Velocity and Smallness at Birth on Adrenal Function in Adolescence
Authors: Beck Jensen Rikke , Vielwerth Signe , Larsen Torben , Hilsted Linda , Cohen Arieh , Hougaard David M. , Jensen Lars Thorbjørn , Greisen Gorm , Juul Anders
Published: November 2010

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is susceptible to programming during fetal development and may be linked to risk of disease later in life. In a former prospective study the cohort was divided into those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA; birth weight <10 percentile). In 52 adolescent boys (17.5 years) we assessed circulating androgen levels (T, Δ4-adione, DHEAS), overnight serum cortisol profiles (every 20 min), ACTH stimulation test (250 µg i.v.) and analysis of 24-hour urinary adrenal steroid excretion. Urinary excretion of adrenal androgen and cortisol metabolites were significantly lower in the SGA compared to the AGA group. Basal morning cortisol levels were lower in adolescents born SGA compared to those born AGA (365 mmol/l, interquartile range (IQR) 284–413 vs. 445 mmol/l, IQR 377–495, p = 0.04), but overnight cortisol profiles (AUC) did not differ. The ACTH test showed equally stimulated levels of cortisol for those born SGA and AGA. There was no difference in serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and Δ4-adione levels between the SGA and AGA subjects. This suggests impaired excretion of adrenal androgen and cortisol metabolites in young men born SGA compared to AGA. In conclusion, this study demonstrated subtle changes in adolescent adrenal function associated with birth weight.
Effect of Testosterone Therapy for Delayed Growth and Puberty in Boys with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Mason A. , Wong S.C. , McGrogan P. , Ahmed S.F.
Published: November 2010

Background: Pubertal delay and growth retardation are common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aims: To assess pubertal status and growth in a group of boys with IBD undergoing testosterone therapy for pubertal induction. Methods: Retrospective study of height, weight and pubertal status in 8 boys with IBD before and after testosterone therapy. Height velocity (HV) over the 6 months before each assessment was converted to standard deviation score. Markers of disease activity and concomitant medication were recorded. Response was based on an advance in pubertal status and a greater than 50% increase in HV. Results: Eight boys with IBD, median age 14.8 years, had pubertal induction using either monthly injections of 50 mg Sustanon or daily 2.5/5 mg Andropatch. Seven boys showed an advance of pubertal status. Six boys had a greater than 50% increase in HV; median HV at T0 was 1.6 cm/year (0, 5) compared with 6.9 cm/year (1, 11.7) at T6 (p = 0.005). C-reactive protein during testosterone therapy had a significant association with HV at T6 (r = –0.786; p = 0.021). Conclusion: In most cases, testosterone therapy in boys with IBD and delayed growth and puberty is associated with an advance in pubertal status and an improvement in growth.
Evaluation of Parathyroid Gland Function Using Sodium Bicarbonate Infusion Test for 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Nagasaki Keisuke , Iwasaki Yasumasa , Ogawa Yohei , Kikuchi Toru , Uchiyama Makoto
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a congenital malformation syndrome with hypoparathyroidism. The spectrum of parathyroid gland dysfunction ranges from severe neonatal hypocalcemia to subclinical hypoparathyroidism. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretory reserve is reduced in a significant number of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome patients with normocalcemia. The aim of this study was to investigate hypoparathyroid function using the bicarbonate infusion test for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with normocalcemia. Methods: Sodium bicarbonate solution [7% (w/v); 40 ml/m2 body surface area] was infused for 2 min, and blood samples for the determination of plasma ionized calcium and plasma intact PTH were serially obtained. The test was conducted on five 22q11.2 deletion syndrome patients with normocalcemia. Results: Two patients presented increments of intact PTH levels (peak value – basal value) of 70 pg/ml or higher during the test, whereas the remaining 3 showed PTH level increments of <30 pg/ml. The former 2 patients were diagnosed as having normal parathyroid gland function, and the latter 3 patients as having subclinical hypoparathyroidism. Conclusion: The bicarbonate infusion test may be a valuable method for the evaluation of residual parathyroid gland function in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Screening of subclinical hypoparathyroidism should be considered in the regular follow-up of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, even in cases with normocalcemia.
Comparison of Multiple Steroid Concentrations in Serum and Dried Blood Spots throughout the Day of Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Sarafoglou Kyriakie , Himes John H. , Lacey Jean M. , Netzel Brian C. , Singh Ravinder J. , Matern Dietrich
Published: November 2010

Background/Aim: Periodic measurement of plasma concentrations of cortisol precursors on a clinic visit may be of limited value in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia because it does not reflect a patient’s circadian patterns of adrenal steroid secretion. Steroid profiling in dried blood spots (DBS) may allow for more frequent and sensitive monitoring. Methods: We compared the agreement between 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androstenedione (D4A) levels determined from DBS samples and concurrently collected serum samples. Blood was drawn from 9 congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients every 4 h over a 24-hour period. Serum and DBS steroid levels were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: DBS determinations of 17-OHP overestimated corresponding serum levels (mean difference 1.67 ng/ml), and underestimated D4A serum levels (mean difference 0.84 ng/ml). However, the DBS assay yielded excellent agreement (97%) with serum 17-OHP, but did considerably poorer for D4A (31%). Conclusions: Our results indicate an excellent agreement between DBS and serum 17-OHP measurements to identify the peaks and troughs associated with an individual’s circadian pattern. Larger-scale studies are required to evaluate the utility of DBS for home monitoring and to determine if more frequent monitoring leads to improved clinical outcomes.
Prevalence of Testicular Adrenal Rest Tissue in Neonates
Authors: Bouman A. , Hulsbergen-van de Kaa C. , Claahsen-van der Grinten H.L.
Published: November 2010

Background: Infertility is a serious complication among male congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients which is often caused by testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART). TART are already present in childhood and early infancy in CAH patients. The incidence of TART in neonates without CAH has not yet been described in detail before. Objective: To study the prevalence of testicular adrenal rests in non-CAH neonates. Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. Patients and Methods: 115 testis samples of 89 male infants without CAH who died within the neonatal period were histologically examined. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of adrenal rest tissue in the neonatal testes. Results: Adrenal rests were found in 4 samples (3.5%). These adrenal nodules were all located within the epididymis; only in 1 sample a nodule was found close to the rete testis but still within the caput of the epididymis. No nodules were found within the testes. Of the 4 children with adrenal rests, 3 had urological malformations. Conclusion: The incidence of testicular adrenal rests in non-CAH neonates is low. Further studies are necessary to study the incidence of TART in CAH infants and detect typical risk factors in this patient group.
The Role of SRY Mutations in the Etiology of Gonadal Dysgenesis in Patients with 45,X/46,XY Disorder of Sex Development and Variants
Authors: Nishi Mirian Yumie , Costa Elaine Maria Frade , Oliveira Suely Beirão , Mendonca Berenice Bilharinho , Domenice Sorahia
Published: November 2010

Background: The potential involvement of SRY in abnormal gonadal development in 45,X/46,X,der(Y) patients was proposed following the identification of SRY mutations in a few patients with Turner syndrome (TS). However, its exact etiological role in gonadal dysgenesis in patients with Y chromosome mosaicisms has not yet been clarified. Aims: It was the aim of this study to screen for allelic variation in SRY in a large cohort of patients with disorders of sex development due to chromosomal abnormalities with 45,X/46,X,der(Y) karyotype. Patients: Twenty-seven patients, 14 with TS and 13 with mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD), harboring 45,X/46,X,der(Y) karyotypes were selected. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of all patients and from gonadal tissue in 4 cases. The SRY coding region was PCR amplified and sequenced. Results: We identified only 1 polymorphism (c.561C→T) in a 45,X/46,XY MGD patient, which was detected in blood and in gonadal tissue. Conclusion: Our results indicate that mutations in SRY are rare findings in patients with Y chromosome mosaicisms. Therefore, a significant role of mutated SRY in the etiology of gonadal dysgenesis in patients harboring 45,X/46,XY karyotype and variants seems very unlikely.