bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyper-reflexia in Guillain-Barré syndrome: systematic review
Authors: Uncini Antonino , Notturno Francesca , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: January 2020

Areflexia or hyporeflexia is a mandatory clinical criterion for the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). A systematic review of the literature from 1 January 1993 to 30 August 2019 revealed 44 sufficiently detailed patients with GBS and hyper-reflexia, along with one we describe. 73.3% of patients were from Japan, 6.7% from the USA, 6.7% from India, 4.4% from Italy, 4.4% from Turkey, 2.2% from Switzerland and 2.2% from Slovenia, suggesting a considerable geographical variation. Hyper-reflexia was more frequently associated with antecedent diarrhoea (56%) than upper respiratory tract infection (22.2%) and the electrodiagnosis of acute motor axonal neuropathy (56%) than acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (4.4%). Antiganglioside antibodies were positive in 89.7% of patients. Hyper-reflexia was generalised in 90.7% of patients and associated with reflex spread in half; it was present from the early progressive phase in 86.7% and disappeared in a few weeks or persisted until 18 months. Ankle clonus or Babinski signs were rarely reported (6.7%); spasticity never developed. 53.3% of patients could walk unaided at nadir, none needed mechanical ventilation or died. 92.9% of patients with limb weakness were able to walk unaided within 6 months. Electrophysiological studies showed high soleus maximal H-reflex amplitude to maximal compound muscle action potential amplitude ratio, suggestive of spinal motoneuron hyperexcitability, and increased central conduction time, suggestive of corticospinal tract involvement, although a structural damage was never demonstrated by MRI. Hyper-reflexia is not inconsistent with the GBS diagnosis and should not delay treatment. All GBS variants and subtypes can present with hyper-reflexia, and this eventuality should be mentioned in future diagnostic criteria for GBS.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal measures of chitinase proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and expression of CHI3L1 in activated astrocytes
Authors: Vu Lucas , An Jiyan , Kovalik Tina , Gendron Tania , Petrucelli Leonard , Bowser Robert
Published: January 2020

Objective

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex disease with numerous pathological mechanisms resulting in a heterogeneous patient population. Using biomarkers for particular disease mechanisms may enrich a homogeneous subset of patients. In this study, we quantified chitotriosidase (Chit-1) and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), markers of glial activation, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma and determined the cell types that express CHI3L1 in ALS.

Methods

Immunoassays were used to quantify Chit-1, CHI3L1 and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain levels in longitudinal CSF and matching plasma samples from 118 patients with ALS, 17 disease controls (DCs), and 24 healthy controls (HCs). Immunostaining was performed to identify and quantify CHI3L1-positive cells in tissue sections from ALS, DCs and non-neurological DCs.

Results

CSF Chit-1 exhibited increased levels in ALS as compared with DCs and HCs. CSF CHI3L1 levels were increased in ALS and DCs compared with HCs. No quantitative differences were noted in plasma for either chitinase. Patients with ALS with fast-progressing disease exhibited higher levels of CSF Chit-1 and CHI3L1 than patients with slow-progressing disease. Increased numbers of CHI3L1-positive cells were observed in postmortem ALS motor cortex as compared with controls, and these cells were identified as a subset of activated astrocytes located predominately in the white matter of the motor cortex and the spinal cord.

Conclusions

CSF Chit-1 and CHI3L1 are significantly increased in ALS, and CSF Chit-1 and CHI3L1 levels correlate to the rate of disease progression. CHI3L1 is expressed by a subset of activated astrocytes predominately located in white matter.
Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein is raised in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Heller Carolin , Foiani Martha S , Moore Katrina , Convery Rhian , Bocchetta Martina , Neason Mollie , Cash David M , Thomas David , Greaves Caroline V , Woollacott Ione OC , Shafei Rachelle , Van Swieten John C , Moreno Fermin , Sanchez-Valle Raquel , Borroni Barbara , Laforce Jr Robert , Masellis Mario , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Graff Caroline , Galimberti Daniela , Rowe James B , Finger Elizabeth , Synofzik Matthis , Vandenberghe Rik , de Mendonca Alexandre , Tagliavini Fabrizio , Santana Isabel , Ducharme Simon , Butler Christopher R , Gerhard Alex , Levin Johannes , Danek Adrian , Frisoni Giovanni , Sorbi Sandro , Otto Markus , Heslegrave Amanda J , Zetterberg Henrik , Rohrer Jonathan D
Published: January 2020

Background

There are few validated fluid biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a measure of astrogliosis, a known pathological process of FTD, but has yet to be explored as potential biomarker.

Methods

Plasma GFAP and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration were measured in 469 individuals enrolled in the Genetic FTD Initiative: 114C9orf72expansion carriers (74 presymptomatic, 40 symptomatic), 119GRNmutation carriers (88 presymptomatic, 31 symptomatic), 53MAPTmutation carriers (34 presymptomatic, 19 symptomatic) and 183 non-carrier controls. Biomarker measures were compared between groups using linear regression models adjusted for age and sex with family membership included as random effect. Participants underwent standardised clinical assessments including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-Clinical Dementia Rating scale and MRI. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship of plasma GFAP to clinical and imaging measures.

Results

Plasma GFAP concentration was significantly increased in symptomaticGRNmutation carriers (adjusted mean difference from controls 192.3 pg/mL, 95% CI 126.5 to 445.6), but not in those withC9orf72expansions (9.0, –61.3 to 54.6),MAPTmutations (12.7, –33.3 to 90.4) or the presymptomatic groups. GFAP concentration was significantly positively correlated with age in both controls and the majority of the disease groups, as well as with NfL concentration. In the presymptomatic period, higher GFAP concentrations were correlated with a lower cognitive score (MMSE) and lower brain volume, while in the symptomatic period, higher concentrations were associated with faster rates of atrophy in the temporal lobe.

Conclusions

Raised GFAP concentrations appear to be unique toGRN-related FTD, with levels potentially increasing just prior to symptom onset, suggesting that GFAP may be an important marker of proximity to onset, and helpful for forthcoming therapeutic prevention trials.
Effect of rovatirelin in patients with cerebellar ataxia: two randomised double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials
Authors: Nishizawa Masatoyo , Onodera Osamu , Hirakawa Akihiro , Shimizu Yoshitaka , Yamada Masayuki
Published: January 2020

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of rovatirelin, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, for ataxias in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD).

Methods

Two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 studies (KPS1301, KPS1305) enrolled patients with predominant cerebellar ataxia, including SCA6, SCA31 or cortical cerebellar atrophy. KPS1301 enrolled patients with truncal ataxia and KPS1305 enrolled patients with truncal and limb ataxia. Each study included 4 weeks of pretreatment, a 28-week or 24-week treatment period and 4 weeks of follow-up. Patients were randomised (1:1:1) to rovatirelin (1.6 or 2.4 mg) or placebo in KPS1301, and randomised (1:1) to rovatirelin 2.4 mg or placebo in KPS1305. The primary endpoint was change in Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) total scores. Pooled analysis was performed in patients who met the SARA recruitment criteria of KPS1305.

Results

From October 2013 to May 2014, KPS1301 enrolled 411 patients; 374 were randomised to rovatirelin 1.6 mg (n=125), rovatirelin 2.4 mg (n=126) or placebo (n=123). From November 2016 to August 2017, KPS1305 enrolled 241 patients; 203 were randomised to rovatirelin 2.4 mg (n=101) or placebo (n=102). The primary endpoint showed no significant difference between rovatirelin and placebo in these two studies. In the pooled analysis (n=278), the difference between rovatirelin 2.4 mg (n=140) and placebo (n=138) was –0.61 (–1.64 vs –1.03; 95% CI –1.16 to –0.06; p=0.029) in the adjusted mean change in the SARA total score.

Conclusions

Rovatirelin is a potentially effective treatment option for SCD.

Trial registration number

NCT01970098;NCT02889302
Prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients undergoing tracheostomy invasive ventilation therapy in Japan
Authors: Hayashi Naoki , Atsuta Naoki , Yokoi Daichi , Nakamura Ryoichi , Nakatochi Masahiro , Katsuno Masahisa , Izumi Yuishin , Kanai Kazuaki , Hattori Nobutaka , Taniguchi Akira , Morita Mitsuya , Kano Osamu , Shibuya Kazumoto , Kuwabara Satoshi , Suzuki Naoki , Aoki Masashi , Aiba Ikuko , Mizoguchi Kouichi , Oda Masaya , Kaji Ryuji , Sobue Gen
Published: January 2020

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe and clarify the factors affecting the prognosis of Japanese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) undergoing tracheostomy invasive ventilation (TIV) therapy.

Methods

We conducted a prospective longitudinal observational case-control study using a multicentre registry. ALS patients who started TIV therapy after registration (TIV group) and those who did not receive TIV (non-TIV group) were included. We compared the survival time between the TIV group and the non-TIV group using a propensity score matching analysis and evaluated the prognostic factors in the TIV group.

Results

From February 2006 to January 2018, 190 patients in the TIV group and 1093 patients in the non-TIV group were included in this study. The mean age of disease onset and usage rate of gastrostomy and non-invasive ventilation therapy differed between the groups. In the propensity score matching analysis using known prognostic factors, the median overall survival time of the TIV group was significantly greater than that of the non-TIV group (11.33 years vs 4.61 years; p<0.001). Analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model suggested that older age of onset and respiratory onset was an independent factor for poor prognosis after starting TIV therapy.

Conclusion

We showed that there was a significant difference of approximately 7 years in life expectancy between Japanese ALS patients who did and did not receive TIV therapy.
Integrated proteogenomic approach identifying a protein signature of COPD and a new splice variant of SORBS1
Authors: Brandsma Corry-Anke , Guryev Victor , Timens Wim , Ciconelle Ana , Postma Dirkje S , Bischoff Rainer , Johansson Maria , Ovchinnikova Ekaterina S , Malm Johan , Marko-Varga Gyorgy , Fehniger Thomas E , van den Berge Maarten , Horvatovich Peter
Published: January 2020

Translation of genomic alterations to protein changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely unexplored. Using integrated proteomic and RNA sequencing analysis of COPD and control lung tissues, we identified a protein signature in COPD characterised by extracellular matrix changes and a potential regulatory role for SUMO2. Furthermore, we identified 61 differentially expressed novel, non-reference, peptides in COPD compared with control lungs. This included two peptides encoding for a new splice variant of SORBS1, of which the transcript usage was higher in COPD compared with control lungs. These explorative findings and integrative proteogenomic approach open new avenues to further unravel the pathology of COPD.
RAGE-induced ILC2 expansion in acute lung injury due to haemorrhagic shock
Authors: Zhang Kai , Jin Yue , Lai Dengming , Wang Jieyan , Wang Yang , Wu Xiaoliang , Scott Melanie , Li Yuehua , Hou Jinchao , Billiar Timothy , Wilson Mark , Shu Qiang , Fang Xiangming , Fan Jie
Published: January 2020

Background

Type 2 immune dysfunction contributes to acute lung injury and lethality following haemorrhagic shock (HS) and trauma. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a significant role in the regulation of type 2 immune responses. However, the role of ILC2 in post-HS acute lung injury and the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated.

Objective

To investigate the regulatory role of ILC2s in HS-induced acute lung injury and the underlying mechanism in patients and animal model.

Methods

Circulating markers of type 2 immune responses in patients with HS and healthy controls were characterised. Using a murine model of HS, the role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) signalling in regulation of ILC2 proliferation, survival and function was determined. And the role of ILC2 in inducing type 2 immune dysfunction was assessed as well.

Results

The number of ILC2s was significantly increased in the circulation of patients with HS that was correlated with the increase in the markers of type 2 immune responses in the patients. Animal studies showed that HMGB1 acted via RAGE to induce ILC2 accumulation in the lungs by promoting ILC2 proliferation and decreasing ILC2 death. The expansion of ILC2s resulted in type 2 cytokines secretion and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs, both of which contributed to lung injury after HS.

Conclusions

These results indicate that HMGB1-RAGE signalling plays a critical role in regulating ILC2 biological function that aggravates type 2 lung inflammation following HS.
Impact of respiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength, respiratory function and quality of life in individuals with tetraplegia: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Boswell-Ruys Claire L , Lewis Chaminda R H , Wijeysuriya Nirupama S , McBain Rachel A , Lee Bonsan Bonne , McKenzie David K , Gandevia Simon C , Butler Jane E
Published: January 2020

Background

Respiratory complications remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people with acute and chronic tetraplegia. Respiratory muscle weakness following spinal cord injury-induced tetraplegia impairs lung function and the ability to cough. In particular, inspiratory muscle strength has been identified as the best predictor of the likelihood of developing pneumonia in individuals with tetraplegia. We hypothesised that 6 weeks of progressive respiratory muscle training (RMT) increases respiratory muscle strength with improvements in lung function, quality of life and respiratory health.

Methods

Sixty-two adults with tetraplegia participated in a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Active or sham RMT was performed twice daily for 6 weeks. Inspiratory muscle strength, measured as maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included lung function, quality of life and respiratory health. Between-group comparisons were obtained with linear models adjusting for baseline values of the outcomes.

Results

After 6 weeks, there was a greater improvement in PImax in the active group than in the sham group (mean difference 11.5 cmH2O (95% CI 5.6 to 17.4), p<0.001) and respiratory symptoms were reduced (St George Respiratory Questionnaire mean difference 10.3 points (0.01–20.65), p=0.046). Significant improvements were observed in quality of life (EuroQol-Five Dimensional Visual Analogue Scale 14.9 points (1.9–27.9), p=0.023) and perceived breathlessness (Borg score 0.64 (0.11–1.17), p=0.021). There were no significant improvements in other measures of respiratory function (p=0.126–0.979).

Conclusions

Progressive RMT increases inspiratory muscle strength in people with tetraplegia, by a magnitude which is likely to be clinically significant. Measurement of baseline PImax and provision of RMT to at-risk individuals may reduce respiratory complications after tetraplegia.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12612000929808).
Time to exhaustion during cycling is not well predicted by critical power calculations
Authors: Pallarés Jesus G. , Lillo-Bevia Jose R. , Morán-Navarro Ricardo , Cerezuela-Espejo Victor , Mora-Rodriguez Ricardo
Published: January 2020

Three to 5 cycling tests to exhaustion allow prediction of time to exhaustion (TTE) at power output based on calculation of critical power (CP). We aimed to determine the accuracy of CP predictions of TTE at power outputs habitually endured by cyclists. Fourteen endurance-trained male cyclists underwent 4 randomized cycle-ergometer TTE tests at power outputs eliciting (i) mean Wingate anaerobic test (WAnTmean), (ii) maximal oxygen consumption, (iii) respiratory compensation threshold (VT2), and (iv) maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). Tests were conducted in duplicate with coefficient of variation of 5%–9%. Power outputs were 710 ± 63 W for WAnTmean, 366 ± 26 W for maximal oxygen consumption, 302 ± 31 W for VT2 and 247 ± 20 W for MLSS. Corresponding TTE were 00:29 ± 00:06, 03:23 ± 00:45, 11:29 ± 05:07, and 76:05 ± 13:53 min:s, respectively. Power output associated with CP was only 2% lower than MLSS (242 ± 19 vs. 247 ± 20 W; P < 0.001). The CP predictions overestimated TTE at WAnTmean (00:24 ± 00:10 mm:ss) and MLSS (04:41 ± 11:47 min:s), underestimated TTE at VT2 (–04:18 ± 03:20 mm:ss; P < 0.05), and correctly predicted TTE at maximal oxygen consumption. In summary, CP accurately predicts MLSS power output and TTE at maximal oxygen consumption. However, it should not be used to estimate time to exhaustion in trained cyclists at higher or lower power outputs (e.g., sprints and 40-km time trials).

Novelty CP calculation enables to predict TTE at any cycling power output. We tested those predictions against measured TTE in a wide range of cycling power outputs. CP appropriately predicted TTE at maximal oxygen consumption intensity but err at higher and lower cycling power outputs.
Proceedings of the 14th annual RiboWest conference: perspectives and outcome
Authors: Thakor Nehal , Kothe Ute , Wieden Hans-Joachim , Patel Trushar R.
Published: January 2020

The RiboWest Conference brings together RNA researchers in Canada with the 2-fold goals of fostering internationally competitive RNA research and of training the next generation of scientists. The 14th Annual RiboWest conference (RiboWest 2018) was held at the University of Lethbridge (Lethbridge, Alberta) from June 10th to 13th, 2018. This meeting was focused on all major aspects of RNA research, ranging from understanding the cellular role of RNA, studying RNA interactions and structures, and employing them as a therapeutic tool. The invited keynote speakers (5) provided insights into the wide-range of RNA-based research. One of the unique features of this conference was that the majority of the oral presentations were given by the trainees (undergraduate/graduate students and postdoctoral researchers). Hosted by the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) at the University of Lethbridge as the leading center of RNA research in Western Canada, the RiboWest 2018 was well attended by researchers from across the country (>110 attendees in total). This conference proceedings editorial presents the overview of the conference, and briefly introduces articles published in this special issue of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
The interactive effect of competition and climate on growth of boreal tree species in western Canada and Alaska
Authors: Oboite Felix O. , Comeau Philip G.
Published: January 2020

Understanding interactions between competition and climate in relation to their effects on individual tree growth is crucial to the development of climate-sensitive growth models required for modelling boreal forest succession in a changing climate. We used data from permanent growth and yield sample plots in western Canada and Alaska to investigate the impact of competition within a regional gradient of climatic conditions for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.). We characterized the effects of competition (basal area of spruce–fir, deciduous, and pine trees larger than the focal tree) and climate (mean annual temperature and precipitation) and their interactions on basal area growth of individual trees using linear mixed-effects models. Our results indicated that intraspecific competition had stronger effects on growth than interspecific competition and climate. Moreover, significant interactions between intraspecific competition and climate suggest that an increase in intraspecific competition will lead to a reduction in tree growth for warmer regions (lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, balsam poplar, and white spruce) and wetter regions (jack pine). The manner in which interspecific competition altered tree growth responses to climate was variable, depending on tree species and competition type. These results indicate that the relationships between growth and climate may differ according to the degree of competition and the structure of the stand.
Gravastars in f(R, G) gravity
Authors: Shamir M. Farasat , Zia Saeeda
Published: January 2020

This paper is focused on the study of gravitational vacuum stars or, briefly, gravastars in f(R, G) gravity, where R and G stand for the Ricci scalar and Gauss–Bonnet invariant term, respectively. Due to the involvement of highly non-linear differential equations, solutions are found by using some appropriate numerical techniques. The main structure of gravastars has been discussed according to core, shell, and exterior regions for a well-known f(R, G) gravity cosmological model. Mass–radius evolution is described graphically for the considered gravastar, and it is shown that the mass is directly proportional to the radius.
Eddington-inspired-Born–Infeld tensorial instabilities neutralized in a quantum approach
Authors: Albarran Imanol , Bouhmadi-López Mariam , Chen Che-Yu , Chen Pisin
Published: January 2020

The recent direct detection of gravitational waves has highlighted the huge importance of the tensorial modes in any extended gravitational theory. One of the most appealing approaches to extend gravity beyond general relativity is the Eddington-inspired-Born–Infeld gravity which is formulated within the Palatini approach. This theory can avoid the Big Bang singularity in the physical metric although a Big Bang intrinsic to the affine connection is still there, which in addition couples to the tensorial sector and might jeopardize the viability of the model. In this paper, we suggest that a quantum treatment of the affine connection, or equivalently of its compatible metric, is able to rescue the model. We carry out such an analysis and conclude that from a quantum point of view such a Big Bang is unharmful. We expect therefore that the induced tensorial instability, caused by the Big Bang intrinsic to the affine connection, can be neutralized at the quantum level.
Monogenic period equations are cyclotomic polynomials
Authors: Gallas Jason A. C.
Published: January 2020

We study monogeneity in period equations, [Formula: see text], the auxiliary equations introduced by Gauss to solve cyclotomic polynomials by radicals. All monogenic [Formula: see text] of degrees [Formula: see text] are determined for extended intervals of primes [Formula: see text], and found to coincide either with cyclotomic polynomials or with simple de Moivre reduced forms of cyclotomic polynomials. The former case occurs for [Formula: see text], and the latter for [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text], we conjecture all monogenic period equations to be cyclotomic polynomials. Totally real period equations are of interest in applications of quadratic discrete-time dynamical systems.
Chinese Medicine She-Xiang-Xin-Tong-Ning, Containing Moschus, Corydalis and Ginseng, Protects from Myocardial Ischemia Injury via Angiogenesis
Authors: Li Jia , Cao Gui-Yun , Zhang Xiao-Fan , Meng Zhao-Qing , Gan Lu , Li Jin-Xin , Lan Xin-Yi , Yang Chao-Lin , Zhang Chun-Feng
Published: January 2020

The Chinese patent medicine She-Xiang-Xin-Tong-Ning (SXXTN) is a clinical medication for coronary heart disease (CHD) and angina pectoris. This study aimed to investigate pharmacological effects of SXXTN and elucidate the role in angiogenesis on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rats. We prepared SXXTN to treat the cells to reveal their effects on oxidative stress-damaged cell viability, as well as cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation processes. SXXTN was also used to treat coronary artery ligation-induced acute myocardial ischemia rats to confirm whether it had positive effect on myocardial issues by hematoxylin and eosin (HE), 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and immunohistochemical staining. We measured the levels of peroxidative damage-related enzymes in cytoplasm and serum by biochemical kits and detected vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin II (Ang II), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1[Formula: see text]) levels in cells and rats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The results showed that SXXTN protects HUVECs against oxidative stress damage and reversed the decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and increase of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) caused by oxidative stress. SXXTN promoted angiogenesis through stimulating cell migration, tube formation, and activating VEGF/VEGFR2 and ERK1/2 pathways. Furthermore, SXXTN reduced infarct size and inhibited PGI2/TXA2 imbalance, preventing atherosclerosis plaque rupture leading to worsening coronary heart disease. Taken together, we report the first in vivo and in vitro evidence that SXXTN reduced oxidative stress-mediated damage and enhanced angiogenesis, which might be useful in treatment of myocardial infarction.
𝜃23 = π/4 and δ = −π/2 in neutrino mixing, which convention?
Authors: Pan Junxing , Sun Jin , He Xiao-Gang
Published: January 2020

Considerable information has been obtained about neutrino mixing matrix. Present data show that in the particle data group (PDG) parametrization, the 2–3 mixing angle and the CP violating phase are consistent with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. A lot of efforts have been devoted to constructing models in realizing a mixing matrix with these values. However, the particular angles and phase are parametrization convention dependent. The meaning about the specific values for mixing angle and phase needs to be clarified. Using the well-known nine independent ways of parametrizing the mixing matrix, we show in detail how the mixing angles and phase change with conventions even with the 2–3 mixing angle to be [Formula: see text] and the CP violating phase to be [Formula: see text]. The original Kobayashi–Maskawa and an additional one belong to such a category. The other 6 parametrizations have mixing angles and phase very different values from those in the PDG parametrization although the physical effects are the same. Therefore one should give the specific parametrization convention when making statements about values for mixing angles and phase.
EXACT CALCULATIONS OF FIRST-PASSAGE QUANTITIES ON A CLASS OF WEIGHTED TREE-LIKE FRACTAL NETWORKS
Authors: WU BO , ZHANG ZHIZHUO , SU WEIYI
Published: January 2020

This paper concerns the weight-dependent random walk on a class of weighted tree-like fractal networks controlled by a positive integer parameter [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and the weight factor [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. We study the first return time (FRT) of a given hub and the global first-passage time (GFPT) to a given hub on the networks. By the probability generating function method, we derive the analytic expressions of the first and second moments of FRT and GFPT. In order to evaluate the fluctuation of FRT and GFPT, we further calculate the variance and the reduced moments of FRT and GFPT.
CROSS-CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BACTERIAL FOODBORNE DISEASES AND METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS BASED ON MF-DCCA: A CASE IN SOUTH KOREA
Authors: WANG JIAN , SHAO WEI , KIM JUNSEOK
Published: January 2020

In this study, we apply multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA) to examine the nonlinear cross-correlations between bacterial foodborne diseases (FBDs) and meteorological factors in South Korea. The results demonstrate that power-law cross-correlations between bacterial FBD and meteorological factors exist; and that multifractal characteristics are significant. In addition, the cross-correlation between bacterial FBD and temperature is more persistent than that between bacterial FBD and humidity. Comparison of the strengths of multifractal spectra showed that the degree of multifractality of the Humidity/FBD time series pair is greater than that of Temperature/FBD pair; this indicates that the monthly number of outpatient FBD cases is more sensitive to humidity. Furthermore, to document the major source of multifractality, we shuffle the original series. We conclude that both the long-range correlations and fat-tail distribution contribute to the multifractality of the Temperature/FBD time series pair. The long-range correlations are also an important source that contributes to the multifractality between bacterial FBD and humidity time series.
SLOW GROWTH RATE OF THE DIGITS IN ENGEL EXPANSIONS
Authors: SHANG LEI , WU MIN
Published: January 2020

We are concerned with the Hausdorff dimension of the set [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the digit of the Engel expansion of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a function such that [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text]. The Hausdorff dimension of [Formula: see text] is studied by Lü and Liu [Hausdorff dimensions of some exceptional sets in Engel expansions, J. Number Theory 185 (2018) 490–498] under the condition that [Formula: see text] grows to infinity. The aim of this paper is to determine the Hausdorff dimension of [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] slowly increases to infinity, such as in logarithmic functions and power functions with small exponents. We also provide a detailed analysis of the gaps between consecutive digits. This includes the central limit theorem and law of the iterated logarithm for [Formula: see text] and the Hausdorff dimension of the set [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] with the convention [Formula: see text].
HAUSDORFF MEASURES OF A CLASS OF MORAN SETS
Authors: JIANG XIAOFANG , LIU QINGHUI , WANG GUIZHEN , WEN ZHIYING
Published: January 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be the class of Moran sets with integer [Formula: see text] and real [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text]. It is well known that the Hausdorff dimension of any set in this class is [Formula: see text]. We show that for any [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] denotes [Formula: see text]-dimensional Hausdorff measure of [Formula: see text]. For any [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] there exists a self-similar set [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text].
GLOBAL MARKET AND ECONOMIC WELFARE IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL YIELDS DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Authors: CALVIN KATHERINE , MIGNONE BRYAN K. , KHESHGI HAROON S. , SNYDER ABIGAIL C. , PATEL PRALIT , WISE MARSHALL , CLARKE LEON E. , EDMONDS JAE
Published: January 2020

The economic welfare effects of climate change on global agriculture will be mediated by several complex biophysical and economic processes. For a given emissions scenario, these include: (1) the response of the climate system to anthropogenic forcing, (2) the response of crop yields to climate system and carbon dioxide changes, given baseline improvements in crop yields, (3) the response of agricultural markets to crop yield changes, and (4) the economic welfare implications of such market responses. In this paper, we use information about the first two processes from available climate-crop model comparison studies to analyze implications for the third and fourth processes. Applying the range of crop yield changes in a Global Integrated Assessment Model (GCAM) highlights several important economic relationships. First, we find a consistent relationship between global cropland area and yield change that is approximately orthogonal to the relationship between regional cropland area and yield change. Second, we find that the change in economic welfare, expressed as total surplus change per unit economic output, peaks during the 21st century. Third, we find that, at the global level, changes in yield affect both producer surplus and consumer surplus. Specifically, surplus changes to producers and consumers are always opposite in sign, although which economic actors gain or lose varies with the sign of yield change for any given commodity. Taken together, these results contribute to a growing body of research on climate-induced changes on agriculture by highlighting several economic relationships that are robust to differences in the underlying biophysical responses.
Efficient Neural Matrix Factorization without Sampling for Recommendation
Authors: Chen Chong , Zhang Min , Zhang Yongfeng , Liu Yiqun , Ma Shaoping
Published: January 2020

Recommendation systems play a vital role to keep users engaged with personalized contents in modern online platforms. Recently, deep learning has revolutionized many research fields and there is a surge of interest in applying it for recommendation. However, existing studies have largely focused on exploring complex deep-learning architectures for recommendation task, while typically applying the negative sampling strategy for model learning. Despite effectiveness, we argue that these methods suffer from two important limitations: (1) the methods with complex network structures have a substantial number of parameters, and require expensive computations even with a sampling-based learning strategy; (2) the negative sampling strategy is not robust, making sampling-based methods difficult to achieve the optimal performance in practical applications.

In this work, we propose to learn neural recommendation models from the whole training data without sampling. However, such a non-sampling strategy poses strong challenges to learning efficiency. To address this, we derive three new optimization methods through rigorous mathematical reasoning, which can efficiently learn model parameters from the whole data (including all missing data) with a rather low time complexity. Moreover, based on a simple Neural Matrix Factorization architecture, we present a general framework named ENMF, short for
Efficient Neural Matrix Factorization
. Extensive experiments on three real-world public datasets indicate that the proposed ENMF framework consistently and significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on the Top-K recommendation task. Remarkably, ENMF also shows significant advantages in training efficiency, which makes it more applicable to real-world large-scale systems.
An Accidental Genetic Epidemiologist
Authors: Elston Robert C.
Published: January 2020

I briefly describe my early life and how, through a series of serendipitous events, I became a genetic epidemiologist. I discuss how the Elston–Stewart algorithm was discovered and its contribution to segregation, linkage, and association analysis. New linkage findings and paternity testing resulted from having a genotyping lab. The different meanings of interaction—statistical and biological—are clarified. The computer package S.A.G.E. (Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology), based on extensive method development over two decades, was conceived in 1986, flourished for 20 years, and is now freely available for use and further development. Finally, I describe methods to estimate and test hypotheses about familial correlations, and point out that the liability model often used to estimate disease heritability estimates the heritability of that liability, rather than of the disease itself, and so can be highly dependent on the assumed distribution of that liability.
Lexical-Functional Grammar: An Overview
Authors: Börjars Kersti
Published: January 2020

Lexical-Functional Grammar (LFG) is a model for the analysis of language in which different types of linguistic information are represented in separate dimensions, each with its own formalism. These dimensions are linked by mapping principles. In this article, I describe the architecture of the model and illustrate some dimensions of information and the mapping between them in more detail. I also provide an outline of the analysis of long-distance dependencies and control to illustrate the advantages of this type of model. I briefly mention some further areas where LFG has proven to be a useful tool for analysis and provide references for the reader to follow up.
The Accuracy of Single MicroRNAs in Peripheral Blood to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cui Yubao , Hong Shanchao , Zhu Xuming
Published: January 2020

Background. Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of death of women due to cancer in the United States. Although carbohydrate antigen 125 has a moderate diagnostic utility, the phenomenon of false-positive exists. As novel effective biomarkers, some single microRNAs (miRNAs) have diagnostic values for ovarian cancer, but the results lack consistency. In order to precisely and comprehensively assess the diagnostic value of single miRNAs for ovarian cancer, a meta-analysis is performed. Methods. Articles concerning the diagnostic value of single miRNAs for ovarian cancer were searched from databases. The pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Area under curve (AUC) of the summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve was also calculated. Results. In total, 22 studies including 8 kinds of single miRNAs were enrolled in this paper (6 studies for miR-200c, 3 studies for miR-200a and miR-200b, and 2 studies for miR-205, miR-145, miR-141, miR-429, and miR-125b). For miR-200c, the pooled SEN and SPE were, respectively, 0.768 (95% CI: 0.722-0.811) and 0.680 (95% CI: 0.624-0.732); the pooled PLR and NLR were, respectively, 2.897 (95% CI: 1.787-4.698) and 0.340 (95% CI: 0.276-0.417); the pooled DOR was 8.917 (95% CI: 4.521-17.587); and AUC of SROC curve was 0.815. For miR-200a, the pooled SEN and SPE were, respectively, 0.759 (95% CI: 0.670-0.833) and 0.717 (95% CI: 0.627-0.795); the pooled PLR and NLR were, respectively, 3.129 (95% CI: 0.997-9.816) and 0.301 (95% CI: 0.207-0.437); the pooled DOR was 11.323 (95% CI: 3.493-36.711); and AUC of SROC curve was 0.857. For miR-200b, the pooled SEN and SPE were, respectively, 0.853 (95% CI: 0.776-0.912) and 0.775 (95% CI: 0.690-0.846); the pooled PLR and NLR were, respectively, 4.327 (95% CI: 0.683-27.415) and 0.225 (95% CI: 0.081-0.625); the pooled DOR was 19.678 (95% CI: 2.812-137.72); and AUC of SROC curve was 0.90. For miR-205, miR-145, miR-141, miR-429, and miR-125b, each diagnostic value should be interpreted cautiously because only two studies were included. Conclusions. miR-200c, miR-200a, and miR-200b can be useful diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer. More related studies are needed for miR-205, miR-145, miR-141, miR-429, and miR-125b.
Zinc Monotherapy as an Alternative Treatment Option for Decompensated Liver Disease due to Wilson Disease?
Authors: Haftu Hansa , Mustefa Mohammed , Gebrehiwot Teklu
Published: January 2020

Background. Wilson disease is a rare metabolic disorder involving copper metabolism, and patients may present with a variable degree of hepatic, neurologic, and psychiatric manifestations. In the case of hepatic presentation, treatment is usually initiated with potentially toxic copper chelators (D-penicillamine or Trenton). Although zinc is of low toxicity and low cost for treatment of Wilson disease, it has been limited to the adjunctive as a single maintenance drug or for asymptomatic patients. The use of zinc monotherapy in patients suffering from a severe liver disease was not well studied. In our case report, we describe a pediatric patient who presented with liver failure and the use of zinc monotherapy in patients with severe hepatic manifestations. Case presentation. A 15-year-old male patient from Ethiopia presented with generalized body swelling (edema and ascites) with yellowish discoloration of his eyes and easy fatigability. He had hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, and deranged liver enzymes. He had a Keyser–Fleischer ring visible with the naked eye, which was confirmed by slit-lamp examination. He had very low serum ceruloplasmin (<8 mg/L) and high 24-hour urine copper (150 mcg/dl). In accordance with the scoring system proposed by the 8th International Meeting on Wilson Disease and Menkes Disease, a diagnosis of Wilson disease was made. Zinc monotherapy with low copper diet was initiated for decompensated liver disease due to Wilson disease because of the inaccessibility of chelators (D-penicillamine or Trientine). After months of treatment with zinc, the patient experienced normalization of hepatic synthetic function and resolution of hypoalbuminemia and coagulopathy. The patient had also clinically stabilized (ascites, lower extremity swelling, edema, and jaundice were improved. Currently, the patient is on follow-up almost for the last four years in the gastrointestinal clinic. Conclusion. Our case shows that zinc has the potential for treatment in improving liver function. Though zinc has its own side effects, it is important and maybe an alternative treatment option in those with limited resources (not able to access chelators). This example hopefully will encourage future investigations and researches on zinc monotherapy for treating symptomatic decompensated hepatic Wilson disease.
Scalable Revocable Identity-Based Signature Scheme with Signing Key Exposure Resistance from Lattices
Authors: Xie Congge , Weng Jian , Wen Jinming
Published: January 2020

In 2014, a new security definition of a revocable identity-based signature (RIBS) with signing key exposure resistance was introduced. Based on this new definition, many scalable RIBS schemes with signing key exposure resistance were proposed. However, the security of these schemes is based on traditional complexity assumption, which is not secure against attacks in the quantum era. Lattice-based cryptography has many attractive features, and it is believed to be secure against quantum computing attacks. We reviewed existing lattice-based RIBS schemes and found that all these schemes are vulnerable to signing key exposure. Hence, in this paper, we propose the first lattice-based RIBS scheme with signing key exposure resistance by using the left-right lattices and delegation technology. In addition, we employ a complete subtree revocation method to ensure our construction meeting scalability. Finally, we prove that our RIBS scheme is selective-ID existentially unforgeable against chosen message attacks (EUF-sID-CMA) under the standard short integer solutions (SIS) assumption in the random oracle model.
Development of an IoT-Based Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Platform
Authors: Jo JunHo , Jo ByungWan , Kim JungHoon , Kim SungJun , Han WoonYong
Published: January 2020

In this paper, an IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring platform, consisting of an air quality-sensing device called “Smart-Air” and a web server, is demonstrated. This platform relies on an IoT and a cloud computing technology to monitor indoor air quality in anywhere and anytime. Smart-Air has been developed based on the IoT technology to efficiently monitor the air quality and transmit the data to a web server via LTE in real time. The device is composed of a microcontroller, pollutant detection sensors, and LTE modem. In the research, the device was designed to measure a concentration of aerosol, VOC, CO, CO2, and temperature-humidity to monitor the air quality. Then, the device was successfully tested for reliability by following the prescribed procedure from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Also, cloud computing has been integrated into a web server for analyzing the data from the device to classify and visualize indoor air quality according to the standards from the Ministry. An application was developed to help in monitoring the air quality. Thus, approved personnel can monitor the air quality at any time and from anywhere, via either the web server or the application. The web server stores all data in the cloud to provide resources for further analysis of indoor air quality. In addition, the platform has been successfully implemented in Hanyang University of Korea to demonstrate its feasibility.
Effects of Tomato Juice Intake on Salivary 8-Oxo-dG Levels as Oxidative Stress Biomarker after Extensive Physical Exercise
Authors: Pour Khavari Ali , Haghdoost Siamak
Published: January 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) at a normal level are important molecules involved in several cellular processes including immune response and cell signalling. Overproduction of ROS may lead to elevated oxidative stress and consequently to age-related diseases. Most of the studies related to oxidative stress in humans have been done on blood samples. However, blood sampling might be painful, requires special qualified personnel, and has to be performed at medical centers. An alternative to blood is saliva. Saliva sampling is noninvasive and can be performed by the donor. Biomarker determination in saliva is becoming an important part of laboratory diagnosis, but method development is needed before it can be used in the clinics. In the present investigation, 16 donors performed extensive physical exercise by cycling and keeping their heart rate at 80% of maximum for 20 minutes. The physical activity was repeated 3 times: before tomato juice intake, after daily intake of 100 ml tomato juice during 3 weeks, and finally 3 weeks after finishing tomato juice intake (washout period). The level of the stress biomarker, salivary 8-oxo-dG, was determined before and after the physical activity. The results indicate that (a) 20 min extensive physical activity increases the level of 8-oxo-dG in saliva significantly (p=0.0078) and (b) daily intake of 100 ml tomato juice may inhibit (p=0.052) overproduction of salivary 8-oxo-dG by 20 min physical activity. We conclude that the 20 min extensive physical activity increases the level of salivary 8-oxo-dG in healthy donors and 100 ml daily intake of tomato juice may inhibit the increase of 8-oxo-dG in saliva.