bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An applications of signed quadratic residues in public key cryptography
Authors: Goswami Pinkimani , Singh Madan Mohan
Published: September 2018

At Eurocrypt ’02, Cramer and Shoup introduced the idea of public key encryption schemes with double decryption mechanism (DD-PKE) and at Asiacrypt ’03, Bresson, Catalano and Pointcheval revisited the notion of DD-PKE. They proposed the first DD-PKE scheme (called BCP cryptosystem) over the group of quadratic residues. In this paper, we point out an attack against BCP cryptosystem and propose a secure variant constructed over the group of signed quadratic residues (SQR).
Regulatory Reform
Authors: Metrick Andrew , Rhee June
Published: September 2018

In the wake of the global financial crisis (GFC), many nations embarked on reform to the financial regulatory system. This reform, unprecedented in its scope, touched virtually every part of the financial system in the United States and Western Europe. This article summarizes the key reforms, explains how these reforms fit together, assesses the relevant scholarly literature, and suggests six significant areas of open questions for researchers. These six areas are ( a) liquidity rules, ( b) central clearing of swaps, ( c) shadow banking, ( d) lenders of last resort, ( e) extended guarantees, and ( f) resolution and restructuring.
Shadow Banking in China
Authors: Hachem Kinda
Published: September 2018

Shadow banking and the Chinese economy are two subjects that have independently garnered much attention. A new but actively growing literature is now emerging at their intersection. I review this literature and argue that shadow banking in China is not fundamentally different from the textbook definition of shadow banking, namely credit intermediation with maturity mismatch that is structured to avoid regulation. I emphasize maturity mismatch because that is what creates run risk and makes any shadow banking system inherently fragile. I explain how the rise of shadow banking in China can be traced back to stricter liquidity regulation, how shadow banking has changed the financial landscape in China, and what the current state of the industry is. Interactions between shadow banking and the rest of the economy have some characteristics that reflect China's unique politico-economic structure, but this is because the rest of the economy has these characteristics, not because there is something fundamentally different about the forces behind shadow banking in China.
Marine Metazoan Modern Mass Extinction: Improving Predictions by Integrating Fossil, Modern, and Physiological Data
Authors: Calosi Piero , Putnam Hollie M. , Twitchett Richard J. , Vermandele Fanny
Published: September 2018

Evolution, extinction, and dispersion are fundamental processes affecting marine biodiversity. Until recently, studies of extant marine systems focused mainly on evolution and dispersion, with extinction receiving less attention. Past extinction events have, however, helped shape the evolutionary history of marine ecosystems, with ecological and evolutionary legacies still evident in modern seas. Current anthropogenic global changes increase extinction risk and pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, which are critical for human use and sustenance. The evaluation of these threats and the likely responses of marine ecosystems requires a better understanding of evolutionary processes that affect marine ecosystems under global change. Here, we discuss how knowledge of ( a) changes in biodiversity of ancient marine ecosystems to past extinctions events, ( b) the patterns of sensitivity and biodiversity loss in modern marine taxa, and ( c) the physiological mechanisms underpinning species’ sensitivity to global change can be exploited and integrated to advance our critical thinking in this area.
Maintenance of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Health, Exercise, and Aging
Authors: Hood David A. , Memme Jonathan M. , Oliveira Ashley N. , Triolo Matthew
Published: September 2018

Mitochondria are critical organelles responsible for regulating the metabolic status of skeletal muscle. These organelles exhibit remarkable plasticity by adapting their volume, structure, and function in response to chronic exercise, disuse, aging, and disease. A single bout of exercise initiates signaling to provoke increases in mitochondrial biogenesis, balanced by the onset of organelle turnover carried out by the mitophagy pathway. This accelerated turnover ensures the presence of a high functioning network of mitochondria designed for optimal ATP supply, with the consequence of favoring lipid metabolism, maintaining muscle mass, and reducing apoptotic susceptibility over the longer term. Conversely, aging and disuse are associated with reductions in muscle mass that are in part attributable to dysregulation of the mitochondrial network and impaired mitochondrial function. Therefore, exercise represents a viable, nonpharmaceutical therapy with the potential to reverse and enhance the impaired mitochondrial function observed with aging and chronic muscle disuse.
Nitrate-Rich Fruit and Vegetable Supplement Reduces Blood Pressure in Normotensive Healthy Young Males without Significantly Altering Flow-Mediated Vasodilation: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial
Authors: Sweazea Karen L. , Johnston Carol S. , Miller Brendan , Gumpricht Eric
Published: September 2018

Nitric oxide (NO) is a primary vasodilatory factor released from endothelial cells of the peripheral vasculature. NO production is stimulated through enzymatic-dependent mechanisms via NO synthase and from dietary intake of nitrate-containing foods or supplements. We evaluated the efficacy of a nitrate-rich fruit and vegetable liquid supplement (FVS, AMPED NOx, Isagenix International LLC) versus a juice low in nitrates (prune juice, PRU) on circulating nitrates/nitrites as well as cardiovascular parameters in 45 healthy normotensive men (18–40 y). Blood pressure, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and plasma nitrates and nitrites were measured at baseline and after two weeks of supplementation (2 oz/d). Subjects also completed questionnaires on sleep quality and mood since these measures have been associated with endothelial function. In contrast to PRU, FVS significantly increased plasma nitrates and nitrites (+67%, p<0.001) and decreased diastolic blood pressure (−9%, p=0.029) after two weeks. The change in FMD for FVS supplementation versus PRU supplementation was not significant (+2% vs. −9%, respectively, p=0.145). Changes in sleep quality or total mood state did not differ between groups after the 2-week study. Thus, the nitrate-rich FVS supplement increased plasma NO and reduced diastolic blood pressure in young normotensive men, but increased plasma NO was not associated with improvements in FMD, mood, or sleep. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03486145.
An Updating Method for Finite Element Models of Flexible‐Link Mechanisms Based on an Equivalent Rigid‐Link System
Authors: Belotti R. , Caracciolo R. , Palomba I. , Richiedei D. , Trevisani A.
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a comprehensive methodology to update dynamic models of flexible‐link mechanisms (FLMs) modeled through ordinary differential equations. The aim is to correct mass, stiffness, and damping matrices of dynamic models, usually based on nominal and uncertain parameters, to accurately represent the main vibrational modes within the bandwidth of interest. Indeed, the availability of accurate models is a fundamental step for the synthesis of effective controllers, state observers, and optimized motion profiles, as those employed in modern control schemes. The method takes advantage of the system dynamic model formulated through finite elements and through the representation of the total motion as the sum of a large rigid‐body motion and the elastic deformation. Model updating is not straightforward since the resulting model is nonlinear and its coordinates cannot be directly measured. Hence, the nonlinear model is linearized about an equilibrium point to compute the eigenstructure and to compare it with the results of experimental modal analysis. Once consistency between the model coordinates and the experimental data is obtained through a suitable transformation, model updating has been performed solving a constrained convex optimization problem. Constraints also include results from static tests. Some tools to improve the problem conditioning are also proposed in the formulation adopted, to handle large dimensional models and achieve reliable results. The method has been experimentally applied to a challenging system: a planar six‐bar linkage manipulator. The results prove their capability to improve the model accuracy in terms of eigenfrequencies and mode shapes.
Periprosthetic Fracture through a Unicortical Tracking Pin Site after Computer Navigated Total Knee Replacement
Authors: Blue Matt , Douthit Christian , Dennison Joel , Caroom Cyrus , Jenkins Mark
Published: September 2018

A rare complication from computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty is a fracture through the insertion site of a tracking pin. These pins are inserted across the femoral and tibial shafts either bicortically, transcortically, or unicortically and have a reported fracture incidence of 1.38%, with all published cases occurring after bicortical pin placement. In this case, a 60-year-old female suffered a femoral shaft fracture through a unicortically inserted computer navigation tracking pin 6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty. Her fracture was successfully fixated with an intramedullary nail with retention of the knee prosthesis. This case is important as it records the risk for a postoperative fracture through a unicortically inserted computer navigation pin.
Effect of MDP-Based Primers on the Luting Agent Bond to Y-TZP Ceramic and to Dentin
Authors: Butler Sheila , Linke Bernie , Torrealba Ysidora
Published: September 2018

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of multimode MDP-based primers and different application protocols on the bond strength of a representative resin cement to an yttrium stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) ceramic.Materials and Methods. The occlusal dentin from 60 human molars was exposed. The teeth and zirconia cylinders (N = 60) (3 mm of diameter; 4 mm of height) were divided into six groups (n = 10) according to the ceramic surface conditioning: (1) air abraded with SiO2particles; (2) Z-Prime Plus; (3) air abraded with SiO2particles + Z-Prime Plus; (4) air abraded with SiO2particles + All-Bond Universal; (5) air abraded with SiO2particles + ScotchBond Universal Adhesive; and (6) untreated zirconia. The luting agent (Duo-Link cement) was applied on the treated dentin surface. Specimens were stored in water (37°C, 24 h) and tested in shear bond strength. Data were statistically analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey tests (α= 0.05).Results. Significant effects of ceramic conditioning were found (p<0.0001). The specimens sandblasted with silica particles followed by the application of Z-Prime Plus or All-Bond Universal presented greater bond strength values. For the untreated zirconia, several specimens failed prematurely prior to testing.Conclusions. Sandblasting with silica particles combined with Z-Prime Plus increased the bond strength.
Exact Analytical Nanofluid Flow and Heat Transfer Involving Asymmetric Wall Heat Fluxes with Nonlinear Velocity Slip
Authors: Zhu Jing , Chu Pengfei , Sui Jiani
Published: September 2018

Nanofluid slip flow and heat transfer over the microchannel with asymmetric wall heat fluxes are investigated theoretically. The local thermal nonequilibrium model in which there is a difference between the solid temperature and nanofluid temperature is modified by considering the nonlinear velocity slip and temperature jump. Exact analytical solutions and homotopy series solutions for both velocity and temperature of nanofluid and solid are first obtained. Two groups of solutions agree well with existing references and residual errors are plotted. In addition, the effects of the physical factors on the heat transfer are graphically discussed. The results show that the first velocity slip enhances Nusselt numbers while the second slip coefficient has a reverse effect on them. As expected, the nanoparticle concentration enhances heat transfer on bottom wall.
Location Privacy Protection Research Based on Querying Anonymous Region Construction for Smart Campus
Authors: Sun Ruxia , Xi Jinwen , Yin Chunyong , Wang Jin , Kim Gwang-jun
Published: September 2018

Along with the rapid development of smart campus, the deployment of novel learning applications for smart campus requires full consideration of information security issues. Location privacy protection is one of the most important issues, which considers the privacy protection and guarantees the quality of service. The existing schemes did not consider the area of the querying regions for location-based service provider (LSP) during the construction of the anonymous regions, which led to the low quality of service. To deal with this problem, the user’s query range was introduced to present a novel anonymous region construction scheme. In the proposal, the anonymous server first generated the original anonymous subregions according to the user’s privacy requirements, and then merged these subregions to construct the anonymity regions submitted to LSP based on the size of corresponding querying regions. The security and experiment analysis show that the proposed scheme not only protects the user’s privacy effectively but also decreases the area of LSP querying regions and the region-constructing time, improving the quality of service for smart campus.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Serological and Lacrimal Signaling in Patients Affected by Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC)
Authors: Nebbioso Marcella , Iannaccone Andrea , Duse Marzia , Aventaggiato Michele , Bruscolini Alice , Zicari Anna Maria
Published: September 2018

Background. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare inflammatory disease involving the ocular surface, with seasonally exacerbated symptoms. Both type-1 and type-4 hypersensitivity reactions play a role in the development of VKC. Purpose. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence and evaluate the concentration of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tear and blood samples from patients with VKC, during the acute phase, based on the histopathological vasculostromal structure of the tarsal papillae. Methods. Two groups of children aged between 6 and 16 years of life were enrolled: 21 patients (16 males, 76%) affected by VKC, tarsal or mixed form, and 13 healthy children (5 males, 38%) used as controls. Blood and tear samples were obtained from all patients, in order to specifically assess the presence of VEGF. Statistical analyses were performed with one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc comparisons with the Bonferroni tests. Pearson’s correlation was chosen as statistical analysis to assess the relationship between the expression levels of VEGF in tears and blood and the clinical parameters measured. Results. Comparing the 2 groups for VEGF concentration, a statistically significant difference was found in tear samples: the mean value was 12.13 pg/mL (±5.54 SD) in the patient group and 7 pg/ml (±4.76 SD) in controls (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing VEGF concentration in blood samples (p>0.05), with a mean value of 45.17 pg/mL (±18.67 SD) in VKC patients and 38.08 pg/mL (±19.43 SD) in controls. Conclusions. This pilot study highlights the importance of lacrimal and vascular inflammatory biomarkers that can be detected in VKC patients during the acute phase, but not in healthy children. The small group of patients warrants additional studies on a larger sample, not only to further investigate the role of VEGF but also to evaluate the angiogenic biomarkers before and after topical treatment.
Vitamin D and Nonskeletal Complications among Egyptian Sickle Cell Disease Patients
Authors: Hamdy Mona , Salama Niveen , Maher Ghada , Elrefaee Amira
Published: September 2018

Lower levels of vitamin D have been documented in many patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but data are still inconclusive regarding the association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and the occurrence or the severity of various SCD complications. Our study aimed to detect the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Egyptian patients with SCD and to associate it with the clinical course of the disease. We measured the level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in 140 children (age from 4.3 to 15.5years), 80 patients with SCD and 60 controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Vitamin D was deficient in 60% of SCD compared to 26.7% of controls. Severe VDD was significantly higher in SCD patients than controls. Patients were divided into 2 groups; Normal group (32 patients) and Deficient group (48 patients). There were statistically significant differences between the 2 groups regarding their age, height percentile, the presence of clinical jaundice, and osseous changes (P values 0.043, 0.024, 0.001, and 0.015, respectively). Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were significantly lower in Deficient group (P values 0.022 and 0.004, respectively) while the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and total and indirect bilirubin were significantly higher in the same group (P values 0.006, 0.001, 0.038, and 0.016, respectively). The frequency of blood transfusions, hospitalization, and vasoocclusive crisis previous year as well as the history of bone fracture and recurrent infections proved to be significantly higher in Deficient group. These findings suggest that VDD may play a role in the pathogenesis of hemolysis and other complication of SCD. Vitamin D monitoring and supplementation in patients with SCD should be implemented as a standard of care to potentially improve health outcomes in these affected patients.
The Harary Index of All Unicyclic Graphs with Given Diameter
Authors: Xing Bao-Hua , Yu Gui-Dong , Wang Li-Xiang , Cao Jinde
Published: September 2018

The Harary index of G is the sum of reciprocals of distance between any two vertices in G. In this paper, we obtain the graphs with the maximum and second-maximum Harary indices among n-vertex unicyclic graphs with diameter d.
Evaluation of Soluble CD48 Levels in Patients with Allergic and Nonallergic Asthma in Relation to Markers of Type 2 and Non-Type 2 Immunity: An Observational Study
Authors: Breuer Oded , Gangwar Roopesh Singh , Seaf Mansour , Barhoum Ahlam , Kerem Eitan , Levi-Schaffer Francesca
Published: September 2018

CD48 is a costimulatory receptor associated with human asthma. We aimed to assess the significance of the soluble form of CD48 (sCD48) in allergic and nonallergic asthma. Volunteer patients completed an asthma and allergy questionnaire, spirometry, methacholine challenge test, a common allergen skin prick test, and a complete blood count. sCD48, IgE, IL5, IL17A, IL33, and IFNγ were quantitated in serum by ELISA. Asthma was defined as positive methacholine challenge test or a 15% increase in FEV1 post bronchodilator in symptomatic individuals. Allergy was defined as positive skin test or IgE levels > 200 IU/l in symptomatic individuals. 137 individuals participated in the study: 82 (60%) were diagnosed with asthma of which 53 (64%) was allergic asthma. sCD48 levels were significantly elevated in patients with nonallergic asthma compared to control and to the allergic asthma cohort (median (IQR) pg/ml, 1487 (1338–1758) vs. 1308 (1070–1581), p<0.01, and 1336 (1129–1591), p=0.02, respectively). IL17A, IL33, and IFNγ levels were significantly elevated in allergic and nonallergic asthmatics when compared to control. No correlation was found between sCD48 level and other disease markers. sCD48 is elevated in nonallergic asthma. Additional studies are required for understanding the role of sCD48 in airway disease.
Rosai-Dorfman Disease: Self-Resolving Unilateral Lymphadenopathy and a Brief Review of Literature
Authors: Feriante Joshua , Lee Richard T.
Published: September 2018

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML), is a disease of histiocytic proliferation with no known pathogenesis. This disease is defined by histological and cytological characteristics, including emperipolesis and positive S100 and CD68 markers. Although the disease typically presents clinically with massive bilateral lymphadenopathy due to sinus expansion from excessive histiocytosis, only unilateral lymphadenopathy was observed in this patient. The case involves a 40-year-old Caucasian male from the Netherlands presenting with unilateral lymphadenopathy suspicious for malignancy. Subsequent histological and laboratory testing led to the rare diagnosis of RDD. The lymphadenopathy resolved spontaneously over the course of several weeks following the initial presentation. Rosai-Dorfman disease reportedly has a benign prognosis with approximately 20% of patients experiencing spontaneous disease resolution (as was the case for this patient) with 70% experiencing chronic symptoms that may last years but not require intervention. We therefore advocate observation as a mainstay of treatment for most cases of this rare disease with intervention only being pursued in symptomatic cases. A review of recent literature regarding pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnostic factors, prognosis, and treatment is provided and discussed.
The Protein Expression of PDL1 Is Highly Correlated with Those of eIF2α and ATF4 in Lung Cancer
Authors: Chang Liang-Che , Chen Tzu-Ping , Kuo Wei-Ke , Hua Chung-Ching
Published: September 2018

Introduction. The expression of programmed death 1 (PD1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) can be induced by the interferon (IFN)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. The PD1/PDL1 reverse signaling can activate the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway which in turn regulates the expression of IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 7 and IFNα. The eIF2α/ATF4 pathway is responsible for the integrated stress response (ISR) of unfolded protein response (UPR) which can affect immune cell function in tumor microenvironment. Materials and Methods. The protein levels of PDL1, IRF1, IRF7, STAT1, STAT2, IFNAR1, eIF2α, and ATF4 in the normal and tumor tissues of 27 subjects with lung cancer were determined by Western blot. Results. The protein level of PDL1 was significantly correlated with those of IRF1, eIF2α, and ATF4 in the tissues of all subjects and the subgroup of squamous cell carcinoma but not in the normal tissue of adenocarcinoma. The protein levels of IRF1, eIF2α, and ATF4 were consistently correlated in the tumor tissues but to various extents in the normal ones. The protein level of PDL1 was not correlated with those of STAT1 and STAT2 in all the tissues. Conclusion. The PDL1 expression in lung cancer may be independent of STAT1 and STAT2. The PD1/PDL1 axis and UPR/ISR may be closely associated in the tumor tissues of lung cancer.
Additional Biomarkers beyond RAS That Impact the Efficacy of Cetuximab plus Chemotherapy in mCRC: A Retrospective Biomarker Analysis
Authors: Zheng Peng , Liang Chunmin , Ren Li , Zhu Dexiang , Feng Qingyang , Chang Wenju , He Guodong , Ye Lechi , Chen Jingwen , Lin Qi , Yi Tuo , Ji Meiling , Niu Zhengchuan , Jian Mi , Wei Ye , Xu Jianmin
Published: September 2018

Purpose. We aimed to identify new predictive biomarkers for cetuximab in first-line treatment for patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods. The study included patients with KRAS wild-type unresectable liver-limited mCRC treated with chemotherapy with or without cetuximab. Next-generation sequencing was done for single nucleotide polymorphism according to custom panel. Potential predictive biomarkers were identified and integrated into a predictive model within a training cohort. The model was validated in a validation cohort. Results. Thirty-one of 247(12.6%) patients harbored RAS mutations. In training cohort (N=93), six potential predictive genes, namely, ATP6V1B1, CUL9, ERBB2, LY6G6D, PTCH1, and RBMXL3, were identified. According to predictive model, patients were divided into responsive group (n=66) or refractory group (n=27). In responsive group, efficacy outcomes were significantly improved by addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy. In refractory group, no benefit was observed. Interaction test was significant across all endpoints. In validation cohort (N=123), similar results were also observed. Conclusions. In the first-line treatment of mCRC, the predictive model integrating six new predictive mutations divided patients well, indicating a promising approach to further refine patient selection for cetuximab on the basis of RAS mutations.
Deep Denoising Autoencoding Method for Feature Extraction and Recognition of Vehicle Adhesion Status
Authors: He Jing , Liu Linfan , Zhang Changfan , Zhao Kaihui , Sun Jian , Li Peng
Published: September 2018

Feature extraction and classification for deep learning are studied to recognize the problem of vehicle adhesion status. Data concentration acquired by automobile sensors contains considerable noise. Thus, a sparse autoencoder (stacked denoising autoencoder) is introduced to achieve network weight learning, restore original pure signal data by use of overlapping convergence strategy, and construct multiclassification support vector machine (SVM) for classification. The sensors are adopted in different road environments to acquire data signals and recognize the adhesion status online. Results show that the proposed method can achieve higher accuracies than those of the adhesion status recognition method based on SVM and extreme learning machine.
Follicular Development and Secretion of Ovarian Hormones during the Juvenile and Adult Reproductive Lives of the Myelin MutanttaiepRat: An Animal Model of Demyelinating Diseases
Authors: Muñoz-de-la-Torre L. P. , Eguibar J. R. , Cortés C. , Ugarte A. , Trujillo A.
Published: September 2018

Infertility and reproductive problems have been reported in women with several neurological disorders, for example, demyelination. However, the physiology of such problems has remained unknown so far. Thetaieprats are an animal neurological model that initially shows a hypomyelination followed by a progressive demyelination of the central nervous system. This animal has reproductive problems, and the aim of this work is to characterize the follicular development, secretion of ovarian hormones, and presence of noradrenaline in the ovaries of the femaletaieprats in the juvenile and adult stages. Thetaieprats have low body weight (approximately 19% less than that of SD rats), a delay of 4 days in the age of vaginal opening, and an irregularity in the estrous cycle by the absence or prolongation of some estral cycle stage. In the juvenile stage, we observed a decrease of approximately 44% in the total number of follicles with a 15% increase of atresia and an 80% decrease in the fluorescence intensity of catecholamines in the ovaries, with a 21% increment in plasma concentrations of testosterone. In the adult stage, we observed follicular cysts and a 50% decrease in fluorescence intensity of catecholamines in the ovaries, with changes in the secretion of ovarian hormones, an increase of 20 times in progesterone, and a decrement of a half in estradiol. The demyelination intaieprats affects follicular development and steroidogenesis in the early stages of the animal’s life, and this is maintained until adulthood.
Dietary Intake and Obesity among Filipino Americans in New Jersey
Authors: Vargas Persephone
Published: September 2018

The prevalence of obesity is a public concern and is linked to chronic diseases. Filipino Americans have a high prevalence rate of hypertension and diabetes. This study investigated the dietary intake of first-generation Filipino Americans (n=210). In addition, it provides a comparison of the obesity rates using the International guideline and the WHO Asian recommendation. The dietary intake included caloric, carbohydrate, and fat intake and was determined using the Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire. The anthropometric measurements included actual height, weight, and waist measurements. The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were categorized using the International guideline and the WHO Asian recommendation to determine obesity. The caloric and carbohydrate intake were normal; however, fat intake was increased. The BMI and waist circumference showed substantial difference when using the International and Asian guidelines to determine obesity. The results highlight the increased health risks of Filipino American immigrants including a high dietary fat intake and an increased obesity rate.
Weanling Offspring of Dams Maintained on Serine‐Deficient Diet Are Vulnerable to Oxidative Stress
Authors: He Liuqin , Zhang Haiwen , Zhou Xihong
Published: September 2018

Serine plays an important role in the antioxidant defense system. However, the effects of maternal serine deficiency on the antioxidant ability of weanling offspring have not been reported. In the present study, we investigated the oxidative status of offspring of dams that are maintained on serine‐deficient diet and subjected to diquat challenge. Individual pregnant animals were randomly divided into two dietary groups, namely, the control diet group and the serine‐ and glycine‐deficient diet group. Samples were collected from weanling offspring at the age of 3 weeks after diquat challenge. Our results showed that maternal serine deficiency did not affect the levels of antioxidant enzymes and reactive oxygen species, as well as the expression of cellular and mitochondrial stress markers (Hspd1 and Hspa1a), which indicated that maternal serine deficiency did not affect basal oxidative status in weanling offspring. However, the weanling offspring were found to be vulnerable to oxidative challenges. Furthermore, our results suggested that the dysfunctional antioxidant system in response to oxidative stress in offspring of dams fed with serine‐deficient diet was primarily caused by reduced availability of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Furthermore, impairment of the antioxidant defense system caused by maternal serine deficiency was mediated by the Akt/AMPK/Sirt1 pathway. Our results indicated that maternal serine availability is important for maintaining antioxidant defense against oxidative challenge in weanling offspring.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting with Alveolar Hemorrhage
Authors: Tolaymat Omar , Berianu Florentina
Published: September 2018

Introduction. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a rare presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve outcome. Case Report. An 18-year-old male presented with hemoptysis and respiratory distress requiring orotracheal intubation. Laboratory tests showed positive anti-nuclear antibody and anti-dsDNA and low C3 and C4. Bronchoalveolar lavage became progressively hemorrhagic after each aliquot. He was treated with pulse methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchanges. Discussion. Alveolar hemorrhage is a rare initial presentation of lupus, with mortality rates reported at about 50%. Lupus should be considered in those presenting with alveolar hemorrhage since delay in therapy may cause a rapid deterioration of the patient. The diagnosis of SLE is illusive when DAH is the presenting symptom. Since early diagnosis and appropriate institution of treatment improve outcome, it is important to keep lupus in mind as an etiology of alveolar hemorrhage. Pulse methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis therapy resulted in rapid improvement of respiratory function in our patient.
Bilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy due to Brainstem Infarction: A Rare Presentation of Presumed Pyogenic Meningitis
Authors: Kariyawasam A. G. T. A. , Fonseka C. L. , Singhapura S. D. A. L. , Hewavithana J. S. , Herath H. M. M. , Pathirana K. D.
Published: September 2018

Background. Cranial nerve palsies are well-known complications of basal meningitis, especially in patients with tuberculous meningitis. However, a minority of bacterial meningitis gets complicated with cranial nerve palsies. Although cerebral infarctions are known to occur with acute bacterial meningitis, infarctions occurring in the brainstem are infrequently described. Case Presentation. We report a 46-year-old healthy female who presented with dysarthria with fever, headache, and vomiting and was diagnosed to have acute pyogenic meningitis complicated with a brainstem infarction resulting in bilateral hypoglossal palsy. Her MRI revealed an infarction in the lower part of the medulla oblongata, probably involving the bilateral hypoglossal nuclei. Conclusion. Isolated bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy is an extremely rare cranial nerve palsy, secondary to pyogenic meningitis. To our knowledge, this should be the first reported case of isolated bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy due to a brainstem infarct in the background of pyogenic meningitis.
Median Filter Based Compressed Sensing Model with Application to MR Image Reconstruction
Authors: Yang Yunyun , Qin Xuxu , Wu Boying
Published: September 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a helpful technique and developed rapidly in clinical medicine and diagnosis. Magnetic resonance (MR) images can display more clearly soft tissue structures and are important for doctors to diagnose diseases. However, the long acquisition and transformation time of MR images may limit their application in clinical diagnosis. Compressed sensing methods have been widely used in faithfully reconstructing MR images and greatly shorten the scanning and transforming time. In this paper we present a compressed sensing model based on median filter for MR image reconstruction. By combining a total variation term, a median filter term, and a data fitting term together, we first propose a minimization problem for image reconstruction. The median filter term makes our method eliminate additional noise from the reconstruction process and obtain much clearer reconstruction results. One key point of the proposed method lies in the fact that both the total variation term and the median filter term are presented in the L1 norm formulation. We then apply the split Bregman technique for fast minimization and give an efficient algorithm. Finally, we apply our method to numbers of MR images and compare it with a related method. Reconstruction results and comparisons demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model.
Assessment of Quality of Life among Children with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: El Shafei Arwa M. , Soliman Hegazy Ibrahim , Fadel Fatina Ibrahim , Nagy Eman M.
Published: September 2018

Background. Measuring health-related quality of life is considered an important outcome indicator in evaluating health-care interventions and treatments and in understanding the burden of diseases.Objectives. This study aimed at assessing quality of life among children with end-stage renal disease, either undergoing hemodialysis or had renal transplantation therapy and comparing it with healthy controls.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2016 and May 2017 in Abo El-Reesh Pediatric Hospital using parent/child reports of generic module for QoL assessment: PedsQLTMInventory version 4 for both cases and controls. Disease-specific module: PedsQLTMESRD version 3 was used for ESRD cases. 55 ESRD cases and 86 controls were enrolled in the study.Results. Statistically significant difference between ESRD cases and controls regarding all aspects of QoL was found; total QoL mean score was 58.4 ± 15.3 and 86.8 ± 10 among cases and controls, respectively. All individual QoL domains were significantly worse in ESRD cases. Transplantation group had better Spearman’s correlation between child and parents’ scores which showed significant positive moderate correlation.Conclusions. ESRD and its treatment modalities are affecting negatively all aspects of quality of life; incorporating QoL assessment and management is highly recommended.
Concurrent Polycythemia of Undetermined Etiology and Smouldering Plasma Cell Myeloma
Authors: Katerji Roula , Hudson Chad A.
Published: September 2018

The combination of polycythemia and plasma cell myeloma occurring concurrently is very rare and few cases have been reported in the literature. Further, the vast majority of these cases are cases of polycythemia vera and myeloma. Here, we present a case of polycythemia of undetermined etiology and myeloma. The patient is a 48-year-old Caucasian male who was originally diagnosed with polycythemia of undetermined etiology. Twelve years later, when a bone marrow biopsy was performed in an attempt to determine the etiology of the polycythemia, findings diagnostic of plasma cell myeloma were discovered. Subsequent serum studies were also consistent with a plasma cell neoplasm, while evaluation for end-organ damage was negative. A battery of genetic and biochemical tests ruled out various congenital polycythemias, leading to a final diagnosis of polycythemia of undetermined etiology and smouldering plasma cell myeloma. This case highlights that while being unusual, polycythemia and plasma cell myeloma can occur concurrently, and, in this report, we discuss both entities and potential mechanisms of the pathophysiology of the concurrent presentation.
A Subjective Optimal Strategy for Transit Simulation Models
Authors: Nuzzolo Agostino , Comi Antonio
Published: September 2018

A behavioural modelling framework with a dynamic travel strategy path choice approach is presented for unreliable multiservice transit networks. The modelling framework is especially suitable for dynamic run-oriented simulation models that use subjective strategy-based path choice models. After an analysis of the travel strategy approach in unreliable transit networks with the related hyperpaths, the search for the optimal strategy as a Markov decision problem solution is considered. The new modelling framework is then presented and applied to a real network. The paper concludes with an overview of the benefits of the new behavioural framework and outlines scope for further research.
Mediating Effect of Mutuality on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Karlstedt Michaela , Fereshtehnejad Seyed-Mohammad , Aarsland Dag , Lökk Johan
Published: September 2018

The relationship quality, mutuality, has been identified as a protective factor in family care situations, but its role in mediating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients having Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not known. Data on patients’ and partners’ mutuality (MS), motor signs (UPDRS III), non-motor symptoms (NMSQuest), impaired cognition (IQCODE), dependency in activities of daily life (ADL), and HRQoL (PDQ8) were collected from 51 dyads. Structural equation model with manifest variables was applied to explore if the MS score mediated the effect of UPDRS III, NMSQuest, IQCODE, and dependency in ADL on PDQ8. The results suggest that increasing severity of motor and non-motor symptoms decreases patients’ mutuality which leads to worse HRQoL. Partners’ mutuality mediated the effect of impaired cognition which in turn decreased patients’ mutuality. The findings enhance our understanding of how various symptoms may influence PD patients’ HRQoL. This may help clinicians to personalize interventions to provide more effective interventions to improve the lives of patients with PD.
Vision-Based Lane Departure Detection Using a Stacked Sparse Autoencoder
Authors: Wang Zengcai , Wang Xiaojin , Zhao Lei , Zhang Guoxin
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a lane departure detection approach that utilizes a stacked sparse autoencoder (SSAE) for vehicles driving on motorways or similar roads. Image preprocessing techniques are successfully executed in the initialization procedure to obtain robust region-of-interest extraction parts. Lane detection operations based on Hough transform with a polar angle constraint and a matching algorithm are then implemented for two-lane boundary extraction. The slopes and intercepts of lines are obtained by converting the two lanes from polar to Cartesian space. Lateral offsets are also computed as an important step of feature extraction in the image pixel coordinate without any intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameter. Subsequently, a softmax classifier is designed with the proposed SSAE. The slopes and intercepts of lines and lateral offsets are the feature inputs. A greedy, layer-wise method is employed based on the inputs to pretrain the weights of the entire deep network. Fine-tuning is conducted to determine the global optimal parameters by simultaneously altering all layer parameters. The outputs are three detection labels. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach can detect lane departure robustly with a high detection rate. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated on several real images.
Optimal Prescriptions of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Neonates with Hyperammonemia
Authors: Kim Jeong Yeon , Lee Yeonhee , Cho Heeyeon
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ outcomes, determine the prescriptions of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) that effectively reduce serum ammonia levels, and analyze the prognostic factors in neonates with hyperammonemia. Methods: The medical records of 12 Korean neonates with inborn error of metabolism (IEM) who underwent CRRT for hyperammonemia were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All patients received continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. The median ultrafiltration rate (UFR) at the initiation of CRRT was 2,288.4 mL/h/1.73 m2. The median ammonia level at CRRT initiation was 1,320 µmol/L, and the median time to reduce the initial ammonia level by at least 50% was 12.8 h. The survival rate during hospitalization was 83.3%. There were significant differences between patients with neurologic sequelae and those without poor outcomes in peak serum ammonia level before CRRT and serum ammonia level at CRRT initiation. Conclusion: This study suggested that CRRT could be a therapeutic option for neonates with IEM. However, it is necessary to raise the UFR above 4,000 mL/h/1.73 m2 in patients with high initial ammonia level.
Breast Cancer in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Maxwell Cynthia V. , Al-Sehli Hanan , Parrish Jacqueline , D’Souza Rohan
Published: September 2018

Gestational breast cancer (GBC) is the second most commonly occurring malignancy affecting pregnant women. Management is complex due to potential foetal risks in the setting of maternal treatment. We report on the maternal, foetal, short-term neonatal and placental histopathologic findings of a retrospective cohort of pregnant women with either pre-gestational (group 1) or GBC (group 2) from a tertiary-level maternity care centre. Of the 69 women identified over 12 years, there were 47 in group 1 and 22 in group 2. Demographics, stage of breast cancer at diagnosis were similar in the 2 groups. Women with GBC (group 2) were more likely to receive surgery and chemotherapy or surgery alone as compared to those in group 1. No women with GBC received radiation during pregnancy, but 2 received this treatment postpartum. With regard to pregnancy outcomes, induction of labour was more common in women with GBC, as was preterm birth. Most preterm birth in women with GBC was late preterm, iatrogenic in nature to facilitate postpartum treatment. We conclude comparable pregnancy outcomes for women with GBC as compared to those with pregestational breast cancer.
Physical Activity and Cognitive Function among Older Adults with an Elevated Gamma Gap
Authors: Frith Emily , Loprinzi Paul D.
Published: September 2018

Objective: An elevated gamma gap is indicative of high serum concentrations of globulin proteins, some of which elicit acute inflammatory responses. An impaired cognitive function has been linked to central and peripheral inflammation, while exercise is associated with protective, anti-inflammatory benefits. In this study, we evaluated whether the gamma gap is associated with cognitive function among older adults and whether physical activity is favorably associated with cognitive function among those with an elevated gamma gap. Materials and Methods: Data from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to identify 2,352 older adults aged between 60 and 85 years. The gamma gap was evaluated by subtracting albumin from total protein, i.e., gamma gap = total protein (g/dL) – albumin (g/dL). Those at or above 3.1 g/dL (31.0 g/L) were considered to have an elevated gamma gap. The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess cognitive function tasks of pairing and free recall among participants. Participants were asked open-ended questions about participation in leisure-time physical activity over the previous 30 days. Results: Those with an elevated gamma gap (DSST, 44.8) had a lower cognitive function score when compared to those without an elevated gamma gap (DSST, 50.1) (p < 0.001). After adjustments, and among those with an elevated gamma gap, those meeting the moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) guidelines (vs. not meeting them) had a DSST score of 6.42 units higher (β = 6.42, 95% CI 3.85–8.99, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this national sample of older adults, the gamma gap was associated with cognitive function, and among those with an elevated gamma gap, meeting the physical activity guidelines was associated with a higher cognitive function. Relevant clinical implications are discussed, as the gamma gap may be predictive of the risk for early mortality and reduced quality of life. Experimental work is needed to investigate whether physical activity training programs are effective in reducing an elevated gamma gap and preserving optimal cognitive functioning among at-risk individuals.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Remodeling in Conductive and Resistance Arteries in Hypertension
Authors: Brown Isola A.M. , Diederich Lukas , Good Miranda E. , DeLalio Leon J. , Murphy Sara A. , Cortese-Krott Miriam M. , Hall Jennifer L. , Le Thu H. , Isakson Brant E.
Published: September 2018

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounts for >17.3 million deaths per year, with an estimated increase in incidence to 23.6 million by 2030.

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Cardiovascular death represents 31% of all global deaths

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—with stroke, heart attack, and ruptured aneurysms predominantly contributing to these high mortality rates. A key risk factor for cardiovascular disease is hypertension. Although treatment or reduction in hypertension can prevent the onset of cardiovascular events, existing therapies are only partially effective. A key pathological hallmark of hypertension is increased peripheral vascular resistance because of structural and functional changes in large (conductive) and small (resistance) arteries. In this review, we discuss the clinical implications of vascular remodeling, compare the differences between vascular smooth muscle cell remodeling in conductive and resistance arteries, discuss the genetic factors associated with vascular smooth muscle cell function in hypertensive patients, and provide a prospective assessment of current and future research and pharmacological targets for the treatment of hypertension.