bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple common and rare variants ofABCG2cause gout
Authors: Higashino Toshihide , Takada Tappei , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Toyoda Yu , Stiburkova Blanka , Miyata Hiroshi , Ikebuchi Yuki , Nakashima Hiroshi , Shimizu Seiko , Kawaguchi Makoto , Sakiyama Masayuki , Nakayama Akiyoshi , Akashi Airi , Tanahashi Yuki , Kawamura Yusuke , Nakamura Takahiro , Wakai Kenji , Okada Rieko , Yamamoto Ken , Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Hosoya Tatsuo , Ichida Kimiyoshi , Ooyama Hiroshi , Suzuki Hiroshi , Inoue Ituro , Merriman Tony R , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Matsuo Hirotaka
Published: August 2017

Objective

Previous studies have suggested an association between gout susceptibility and common dysfunctional variants in ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 2/breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2/BCRP), including rs72552713 (Q126X) and rs2231142 (Q141K). However, the association of rareABCG2variants with gout is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of rareABCG2variants on gout susceptibility in this study.

Methods

We sequenced the exons ofABCG2in 480 patients with gout and 480 healthy controls (Japanese males). We also performed functional analyses of non-synonymous variants ofABCG2and analysed the correlation between urate transport function and scores from the protein prediction algorithms (Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant (SIFT) and Polymorphism Phenotyping v2 (PolyPhen-2)). Stratified association analyses and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of rare and commonABCG2variants on gout susceptibility.

Results

We identified 3 common and 19 rare non-synonymous variants ofABCG2. SIFT scores were significantly correlated with the urate transport function, although someABCG2variants showed inconsistent scores. When the effects of common variants were removed by stratified association analysis, the rare variants ofABCG2were associated with a significantly increased risk of gout (OR=3.2, p=6.4×10−3). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the size effect of these rareABCG2variants (OR=2.7, p=3.0×10−3) was similar to that of the common variants, Q126X (OR=3.4, p=3.2×10−6) and Q141K (OR=2.3, p=2.7×10−16).

Conclusions

This study revealed that multiple common and rare variants ofABCG2are independently associated with gout. These results could support both the ‘Common Disease, Common Variant’ and ‘Common Disease, Multiple Rare Variant’ hypotheses for the association betweenABCG2and gout susceptibility.
Relationship between shift work and the onset of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hedström Anna Karin , Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Klareskog Lars , Alfredsson Lars
Published: August 2017

Background

Environmental factors play a prominent role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) aetiology. Shift work has previously been associated with increased RA risk in females. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association, including a dose–response association, between permanent night shift work, rotating shift work and day-oriented shift work and risk of developing anticitrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA)-positive and ACPA-negative RA.

Methods

The present report is based on a population-based, case–control study with incident cases of RA (1951 cases and 2225 controls matched by age, gender and residential area). Using logistic regression, occurrence of RA among subjects who have been exposed to different kinds of shift work was compared with that among those who have never been exposed by calculating the OR with a 95% CI.

Results

Rotating shift work and day-oriented shift work increased the risk of developing ACPA-positive RA (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.7 and OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.6), but not ACPA-negative RA. Permanent night shift work appeared to be a protective factor both against ACPA-positive RA (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9) and ACPA-negative RA (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.0). For both subsets of RA, significant trends showed a lower risk of developing RA with increasing duration of permanent night shift work (p value for trend 0.002 vs 0.04).

Conclusions

Sleep restriction as a consequence of shift work is associated with several biological effects among which changes in melatonin production may be involved. The present epidemiological findings of a complex relationship between sleep patterns and different forms of RA may be of importance for increasing the understanding of the pathophysiology of RA.
Geo-epidemiology of temporal artery biopsy-positive giant cell arteritis in Australia and New Zealand: is there a seasonal influence?
Authors: De Smit Elisabeth , Clarke Linda , Sanfilippo Paul G , Merriman Tony R , Brown Matthew A , Hill Catherine L , Hewitt Alex W
Published: August 2017

Objective

Previous studies, although inconclusive, have suggested possible associations of environmental risk factors with the development of giant cell arteritis (GCA). We aim to investigate seasonal influence on the incidence of GCA across Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

In establishing an international study to investigate the molecular aetiology of GCA, archived temporal artery biopsy (TAB) specimens primarily from Australia and New Zealand were obtained. Demographic details including age, sex and date of TAB were collected from collaborating pathology departments. The season in which GCA was diagnosed was determined and compared with previous reports investigating the association between environmental risk factors and GCA.

Results

Our study comprises data from 2224 TAB-positive patients with GCA; 2099 of which were from patients in Australia and New Zealand. The mean age at time of diagnosis was 76.4 years of age. The female-to-male ratio was 2.2:1. We noted equal distribution of the incidence rate across all four seasons (530–580 cases diagnosed every quarter). Statistical analysis of seasonal variation by Poisson regression and cosinor methods showed no incidence preponderance across seasons. Our results do not support a seasonal component contributing to the onset of disease. Our literature search identifies no consistent environmental risk factor in association with GCA.

Conclusion

This is the largest GCA data set reported outside of Europe. Our results demonstrate equal distribution of the incidence rate across all four seasons. In contrast to some earlier reports, we did not identify evidence of a seasonal component contributing to the onset of disease.
Metal worker’s lung: spatial association with Mycobacterium avium
Authors: James Phillip L , Cannon Julie , Barber Christopher M , Crawford Laura , Hughes Heather , Jones Meinir , Szram Joanna , Cowman Steven , Cookson William O C , Moffatt Miriam F , Cullinan Paul
Published: August 2017

Background

Outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) are not uncommon in workplaces where metal working fluid (MWF) is used to facilitate metal turning. Inhalation of microbe-contaminated MWF has been assumed to be the cause, but previous investigations have failed to establish a spatial relationship between a contaminated source and an outbreak.

Objectives

After an outbreak of five cases of HP in a UK factory, we carried out blinded, molecular-based microbiological investigation of MWF samples in order to identify potential links between specific microbial taxa and machines in the outbreak zone.

Methods

Custom-quantitative PCR assays, microscopy and phylogenetic analyses were performed on blinded MWF samples to quantify microbial burden and identify potential aetiological agents of HP in metal workers.

Measurements and main results

MWF from machines fed by a central sump, but not those with an isolated supply, was contaminated by mycobacteria. The factory sump and a single linked machine at the centre of the outbreak zone, known to be the workstation of the index cases, had very high levels of detectable organisms. Phylogenetic placement of mycobacterial taxonomic marker genes generated from these samples indicated that the contaminating organisms were closely related to Mycobacterium avium.

Conclusions

We describe, for the first time, a close spatial relationship between the abundance of a mycobacterium-like organism, most probably M. avium, and a localised outbreak of MWF-associated HP. The further development of sequence-based analytic techniques should assist in the prevention of this important occupational disease.
Successful medical management of cutaneousNocardiaspecies infection in a dog receiving ciclosporin (Atopica)
Authors: Ho Karen , Kennis Bob , Sandey Maninder , White Amelia
Published: August 2017

A two‐year‐old male castrated Shiba Inu with atopic dermatitis presented to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital with a one‐month history of swelling, lameness and crusting on the plantar aspect of the paw of the left hindlimb. At presentation, he was receiving subcutaneous injections of allergen‐specific immunotherapy and oral ciclosporin at 4.3 mg/kg daily for the past 8 and 19 months, respectively. Tissue aerobic culture and susceptibility revealedNocardiaspecies susceptible to multiple antimicrobials. This dog was treated with topical antiseptic and sulphadimethoxine/ormetoprim (Primor). The swelling improved after one week and the dermatological lesions resolved after three months. Fifteen months after resolution of the nocardiosis infection the dog remains in remission. This is a case report describing the successful medical management of cutaneous nocardiosis in a dog with atopic dermatitis receiving daily oral ciclosporin therapy.
A survey of current practices and influences on the choice of suture material, pattern and size used in commonly performed procedures in UK small animal veterinary practice
Authors: Field Elinor Jo , Hebert Suzanna , Friend Ed J , Parsons Kevin J
Published: August 2017

Objectives

A survey of UK veterinarians was conducted to determine factors influencing suture choice and current suture practice for common surgical procedures.

Methods

An online survey was designed and the survey was sent to central practice emails obtained from the 2011 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) practice database.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐nine surveys were completed (203 with no additional postgraduate qualifications (NAQ), 16 with RCVS certificates and 19 with diplomas). Forty‐seven per cent of veterinary surgeons reported they would benefit from Continued Professional Development (CPD) pertaining to suture material selection and techniques. The NAQ group ranked practice policy, colleague influence, cost of suture material and undergraduate teaching significantly greater than diploma and certificate holders. The widest differences between suture material selection, pattern and size were identified when comparing diploma holders and the NAQ group. Diploma holders tended to choose smaller sized suture material when compared with the NAQ group.

Clinical significance

In conclusion, postgraduate qualifications have a significant effect on the choice, pattern and size of suture material used for many routine surgical procedures. Findings suggest that further postgraduate training pertaining to the selection and use of suture material is worthwhile and improved guidance of choice of suture material for commonly performed surgical procedures may be beneficial.
Determination of permeability of overconsolidated clay from pressuremeter pressure hold tests
Authors: Liu Lang , Elwood David , Martin Derek , Chalaturnyk Rick
Published: August 2017

A method was developed to interpret the horizontal permeability (kh) from pressuremeter pressure hold tests (PHTs) of approximately 3 min duration. The method relies on a regression analysis of the numerical analysis simulating the consolidation of clay under a constant pressure boundary during undrained expansion. The method was applied to a series of PHTs performed in deep clay formations in the Seattle area. The interpreted permeabilities are thought to be more representative of in situ conditions than those determined by laboratory testing by virtue of reduced disturbance during sample recovery and preparation. Results could be improved with a further exclusion of the creep effect on PHTs.
Phenomenological modification of horizon temperature
Authors: Khurshudyan M. , Khurshudyan As.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a study of the accelerated expansion problem of the large scale universe is presented. To derive Friedmann like equations, describing the background dynamics of the recent universe, we take into account, that it is possible to interpret the spacetime dynamics as an emergent phenomenon. It is a consequence of the deep study of connection between gravitation and thermodynamics. The models considered are based on phenomenological modifications of the horizon temperature. In general, there are various reasons to modify the horizon temperature, one of which is related to the feedback from the spacetime on the horizon, generating additional heat. In order to constrain the parameters of the models, we use Om analysis and the constraints on this parameter at z = 0.0, z = 0.57 and z = 2.34.
Understanding Alliance Portfolios Using Visual Analytics
Authors: Basole Rahul C. , Major Timothy , Srinivasan Arjun
Published: August 2017

In an increasingly global and competitive business landscape, firms must collaborate and partner with others to ensure survival, growth, and innovation. Understanding the evolutionary composition of a firm’s relationship portfolio and the underlying formation strategy is a difficult task given the multidimensional, temporal, and geospatial nature of the data. In collaboration with senior executives, we iteratively determine core design requirements and then design and implement an interactive visualization system that enables decision makers to gain both systemic (macro) and detailed (micro) insights into a firm’s alliance activities and discover patterns of multidimensional relationship formation. Our system provides both sequential and temporal representation modes, a rich set of additive cross-linked filters, the ability to stack multiple alliance portfolios, and a dynamically updated activity state model visualization to inform decision makers of past and likely future relationship moves. We illustrate our tool with examples of alliance activities of firms listed on the S8P 500. A controlled experiment and real-world evaluation with practitioners and researchers reveals significant evidence of the value of our visual analytic tool. Our design study contributes to design science by addressing a known problem (i.e., alliance portfolio analysis) with a novel solution (interactive, pixel-based multivariate visualization) and to the rapidly emerging area of data-driven visual decision support in corporate strategy contexts. We conclude with implications and future research opportunities.
Efficient Generation of Compact Execution Traces for Multicore Architectural Simulations
Authors: Hroub Ayman , Elrabaa M. E. S. , Mudawar M. F. , Khayyat A.
Published: August 2017

Requiring no functional simulation, trace-driven simulation has the potential of achieving faster simulation speeds than execution-driven simulation of multicore architectures. An efficient, on-the-fly, high-fidelity trace generation method for multithreaded applications is reported. The generated trace is encoded in an instruction-like binary format that can be directly “interpreted” by a timing simulator to simulate a general load/store or x8-like architecture. A complete tool suite that has been developed and used for evaluation of the proposed method showed that it produces smaller traces over existing trace compression methods while retaining good fidelity including all threading- and synchronization-related events.
Hybridizing and Relaxing Dependence Tracking for Efficient Parallel Runtime Support
Authors: Cao Man , Zhang Minjia , Sengupta Aritra , Biswas Swarnendu , Bond Michael D.
Published: August 2017

It is notoriously challenging to develop parallel software systems that are both scalable and correct. Runtime support for parallelism—such as multithreaded record and replay, data race detectors, transactional memory, and enforcement of stronger memory models—helps achieve these goals, but existing commodity solutions slow programs substantially to track (i.e., detect or control) an execution’s cross-thread dependencies accurately. Prior work tracks cross-thread dependencies either “pessimistically,” slowing every program access, or “optimistically,” allowing for lightweight instrumentation of most accesses but dramatically slowing accesses that are
conflicting
(i.e., involved in cross-thread dependencies).

This article presents two novel approaches that seek to improve the performance of dependence tracking.
Hybrid tracking
(HT) hybridizes pessimistic and optimistic tracking by overcoming a fundamental mismatch between these two kinds of tracking. HT uses an adaptive, profile-based policy to make runtime decisions about switching between pessimistic and optimistic tracking.
Relaxed tracking
(RT) attempts to reduce optimistic tracking’s overhead on conflicting accesses by tracking dependencies in a “relaxed” way—meaning that not all dependencies are tracked accurately—while still preserving both program semantics and runtime support’s correctness. To demonstrate the usefulness and potential of HT and RT, we build runtime support based on the two approaches. Our evaluation shows that both approaches offer performance advantages over existing approaches, but there exist challenges and opportunities for further improvement.

HT and RT are distinct solutions to the same problem. It is easier to build runtime support based on HT than on RT, although RT does not incur the overhead of online profiling. This article presents the two approaches together to inform and inspire future designs for efficient parallel runtime support.
Regeneration Genetics
Authors: Chen Chen-Hui , Poss Kenneth D.
Published: August 2017

Understanding how and why animals regenerate complex tissues has the potential to transform regenerative medicine. Here we present an overview of genetic approaches that have recently been applied to dissect mechanisms of regeneration. We describe new advances that relate to central objectives of regeneration biologists researching different tissues and species, focusing mainly on vertebrates. These objectives include defining the cellular sources and key cell behaviors in regenerating tissue, elucidating molecular triggers and brakes for regeneration, and defining the earliest events that control the presence of these molecular factors.
A Cyberphysical System Based Mass-Customization Approach with Integration of Industry 4.0 and Smart City
Authors: Karaköse Mehmet , Yetiş Hasan
Published: August 2017

Smart city is a city which is designed to meet the people’s demands. In addition to use of sources efficiently, trends of people are also a need that smart city should meet. Buying personalized products in a cheap and fast way is a demand of people of today. Mass customization, which is defined as the personalization of products, achieves making the tailor-made products cheaper. In this study, we propose a new approach for mass customization with the integration of smart retail and smart production. With removing the operators and actualizing the progress autonomously, it is aimed to reduce the waiting time of customers. Because less waiting time means that there are more mass-customization customers, and this is expected to increase the popularity of mass customization. Thus, reducing wastes and increasing productivity are aimed. This study also constitutes the infrastructure that enables a production system to autonomously perform all stages from order to delivery. With the given scenarios, challenges and advantages of desired approach are discussed.
A Simple Blood Test, Such as Complete Blood Count, Can Predict Calcification Grade of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Vezzoli Marika , Bonardelli Stefano , Peroni Michele , Ravanelli Marco , Garrafa Emirena
Published: August 2017

Objective. The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is complex and different factors, including calcification, are linked to increased complications. This study was conducted in order to verify if classical risk factors for AAA and cell blood count parameter could help in the identification of calcification progression of the aneurysm. Design. Risk factors were collected and cell blood count was performed in patients with AAA and patients were analyzed for the presence of aorta calcification using CT angiography. Results. We found no association of calcification grade with risk factors for AAA but we found a strong association between MCV, MCH, and calcification grade. Instead, no association was found with the other parameter that we analyzed. Conclusions. In this study, we demonstrate that biomarkers such as MCV and MCH could have potential important information about AAA calcification progression and could be useful to discriminate between those patients that should undergo a rapid imaging, thus allowing prompt initiation of treatment of suspicious patients that do not need imaging repetition.
Optimization for the Locations of Ambulances under Two‐Stage Life Rescue in the Emergency Medical Service: A Case Study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Ming , Yang Dapeng , Hao Fengxia
Published: August 2017

With the development of society, public resources for healthcare are increasingly inadequate to meet the demands for the services. Therefore, it is extremely important for policymakers to provide citizens with the most effective healthcare services within the limited available resources. In order to achieve positive effect rescue operations in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, the problems including where to locate the ambulance facilities and how many ambulance vehicles should be allocated to the stations have become the focus of attention. In this paper, we study the problem based on the demand for EMS in Songjiang District, Shanghai, China, followed by the joint planning of Emergency Medical Services management, which typically consists of ambulance facility locations planning and patient’s assignment to hospitals. We proposed a modified Double Standard Model (DSM) to maximize the demand points covered at least two times within the minimum coverage criteria. The problem is solved by integer linear programming technique with the CPLEX software and we make a comparison between the solutions and the locations which exist in the emergency system used by the Songjiang emergency center. Our results show that the demand coverage rate and response time can be efficiently improved through relocating the current facilities without additional vehicle resources.
Traffic Flow Forecasting for Road Tunnel Using PSO‐GPR Algorithm with Combined Kernel Function
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Chen Fan , Xu Chong
Published: August 2017

With the rapid development of long or extra‐long highway tunnel, accurate and reliable methods and techniques to forecast traffic flow for road tunnel are urgently needed to improve the ventilation efficiency and saving energy. This paper presents a new hybrid Gaussian process regression (GPR) optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO) for coping with the forecasting of the uncertain, nonlinear, and complex traffic flow for road tunnel. In this proposed coupling approach, the PSO algorithm is employed to overcome the disadvantages of too strong dependence of optimization effect on initial value and easy falling into local optimum of the traditional conjugate gradient algorithm and accurately search the optimal hyperparameters of the GPR method, and the GPR model simulates the internal uncertainties and dynamic feature of tunnel traffic flow. The predicted results indicate that the proposed PSO‐GPR algorithm with different kernel function is able to predict traffic flow for road tunnel with a higher degree of accuracy. The PSO‐GPR‐CK is effective in boosting the forecasting accuracy in comparison with the single kernel function and is worth promoting in the field of traffic flow forecasting for road tunnel to improve the ventilation efficiency.
Thoracoscopic Surgery in a Patient with Multiple Esophageal Carcinomas after Surgery for Esophageal Achalasia
Authors: Yamasaki Yuki , Tsukada Tomoya , Aoki Tatsuya , Haba Yusuke , Hirano Katsuhisa , Watanabe Toshifumi , Kaji Masahide , Shimizu Koichi
Published: August 2017

We present a case in which we used a thoracoscopic approach for resection of multiple esophageal carcinomas diagnosed 33 years after surgery for esophageal achalasia. A 68-year-old Japanese man had been diagnosed with esophageal achalasia and underwent surgical treatment 33 years earlier. He was examined at our hospital for annual routine checkup in which upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a “0-IIb+IIa” lesion in the middle esophagus. Iodine staining revealed multiple irregularly shaped iodine-unstained areas, the diagnosis of which was esophageal carcinoma. Thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy was performed. Esophageal carcinoma may occur many years after surgery for esophageal achalasia, even if the passage symptoms have improved. So, long-term periodic follow-up is necessary for detection of carcinoma at an earlier stage.
Lone Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Isolated Chest Wall Malignancy
Authors: Allencherril Joseph , Bruera Sebastian , Allencherril Ronan , Hamill Richard J.
Published: August 2017

Herein we describe the case of an elderly diabetic gentleman presenting with a two-week history of dyspnea and nonproductive cough, found to have a large left anterolateral chest wall mass. Further characterization through computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed a soft tissue mass in the left anterior lower hemithorax found to be hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The liver, spleen, and pancreas were unremarkable. Diagnostic labs were unremarkable. The patient had no history of hepatitis, alcohol abuse, or illicit substance use. Pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of the chest mass biopsy were consistent with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient opted to pursue no further medical intervention and expired two weeks later. To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of very few descriptions of isolated hepatocellular carcinoma found in the absence of a primary liver lesion and classical risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis. This case highlights that HCC may present independently of liver lesions seen on imaging in a patient without clear signs or symptoms of liver. HCC should be considered in cases of isolated tumors with unclear primaries as ectopic carcinogenesis and occult primary malignancy are possibilities.
Geometrical/Physical Interpretation of the Conserved Quantities Corresponding to Noether Symmetries of Plane Symmetric Space-Times
Authors: Jamil Bismah , Feroze Tooba , Vargas Andrés
Published: August 2017

The aim of this paper is to give the geometrical/physical interpretation of the conserved quantities corresponding to each Noether symmetry of the geodetic Lagrangian of plane symmetric space-times. For this purpose, we present a complete list of plane symmetric nonstatic space-times along with the generators of all Noether symmetries of the geodetic Lagrangian. Additionally, the structure constants of the associated Lie algebras, the Riemann curvature tensors, and the energy-momentum tensors are obtained for each case. It is worth mentioning that the list contains all classes of solutions that have been obtained earlier during the classification of plane symmetric space-times by isometries and homotheties.
Intestinal Dysbiosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Link between Gut Microbiota and the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Horta-Baas Gabriel , Romero-Figueroa María del Socorro , Montiel-Jarquín Alvaro José , Pizano-Zárate María Luisa , García-Mena Jaime , Ramírez-Durán Ninfa
Published: August 2017

Characterization and understanding of gut microbiota has recently increased representing a wide research field, especially in autoimmune diseases. Gut microbiota is the major source of microbes which might exert beneficial as well as pathogenic effects on human health. Intestinal microbiome’s role as mediator of inflammation has only recently emerged. Microbiota has been observed to differ in subjects with early rheumatoid arthritis compared to controls, and this finding has commanded this study as a possible autoimmune process. Studies with intestinal microbiota have shown that rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by an expansion and/or decrease of bacterial groups as compared to controls. In this review, we present evidence linking intestinal dysbiosis with the autoimmune mechanisms involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Robust Nearfield Wideband Beamforming Design Based on Adaptive‐Weighted Convex Optimization
Authors: Ye-Cai Guo , Chao Wang , Ning Zhang
Published: August 2017

Nearfield wideband beamformers for microphone arrays have wide applications in multichannel speech enhancement. The nearfield wideband beamformer design based on convex optimization is one of the typical representatives of robust approaches. However, in this approach, the coefficient of convex optimization is a constant, which has not used all the freedom provided by the weighting coefficient efficiently. Therefore, it is still necessary to further improve the performance. To solve this problem, we developed a robust nearfield wideband beamformer design approach based on adaptive‐weighted convex optimization. The proposed approach defines an adaptive‐weighted function by the adaptive array signal processing theory and adjusts its value flexibly, which has improved the beamforming performance. During each process of the adaptive updating of the weighting function, the convex optimization problem can be formulated as a SOCP (Second‐Order Cone Program) problem, which could be solved efficiently using the well‐established interior‐point methods. This method is suitable for the case where the sound source is in the nearfield range, can work well in the presence of microphone mismatches, and is applicable to arbitrary array geometries. Several design examples are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the correctness of the theoretical analysis.
Volar Distal Radioulnar Joint Dislocation Associated with Acute Median Nerve Neuropathy and a Distal Radius Fracture
Authors: Alnusif Naser , Aldebeyan Sultan , Reindl Rudolf
Published: August 2017

Volar distal radioulnar (DRUJ) dislocations are uncommon and can easily be missed. We present a rare case of an irreducible volar DRUJ dislocation associated with a distal radius fracture and acute median nerve neuropathy at the wrist. An attempt to reduce the DRUJ dislocation in the emergency department had failed. The patient was then taken to the operating room requiring a carpal tunnel release, as well as an open reduction and internal fixation of the distal radius fracture and repair of the volar distal radioulnar ligament. We also review some of the volar DRUJ case reports in the literature.
Selecting PCR for the Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasitosis: Choice of Targets, Evaluation of In-House Assays, and Comparison with Commercial Kits
Authors: Hartmeyer G. N. , Hoegh S. V. , Skov M. N. , Dessau R. B. , Kemp M.
Published: August 2017

Microscopy of stool samples is a labour-intensive and inaccurate technique for detection of intestinal parasites causing diarrhoea and replacement by PCR is attractive. Almost all cases of diarrhoea induced by parasites over a nine-year period in our laboratory were due toGiardia lamblia,Cryptosporidiumspecies, orEntamoeba histolyticadetected by microscopy. We evaluated and selected in-house singleplex real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays for these pathogens in 99 stool samples from patients suspected of having intestinal parasitosis tested by microscopy. The strategy included a genus-specific PCR assay forC. parvumandC. hominis, with subsequent identification by a PCR that distinguishes between the two species.G. lambliawas detected in five andC. parvumin one out of 68 microscopy-negative samples. The performance of the in-house RT-PCR assays was compared to three commercially available multiplex test (MT-PCR) kit systems in 81 stool samples, collected in 28 microscopy-positive and 27 microscopy-negative samples from individuals suspected of intestinal parasitosis and in 26 samples from individuals without suspicion of parasitic infection. The in-house assays detected parasites in more samples from patients suspected of having parasitosis than did any of the kits. We conclude that commercial kits are targeting relevant parasites, but their performance may vary.
Safety and Efficacy of Exclusive Enteral Nutrition for Percutaneously Undrainable Abdominal Abscesses in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Zhu Yibin , Xu Liang , Liu Wei , Qi Weilin , Cao Qian , Zhou Wei
Published: August 2017

Background. The percutaneously undrainable abdominal abscesses in Crohn’s disease (CD) are not uncommon. The treatment protocol is still under debate. This study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) for percutaneously undrainable abscesses in CD. Methods. A consecutive cohort of 83 CD patients with percutaneously undrainable abdominal abscesses between January 2011 and June 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the EEN group and the non-EEN group. Results. The cumulative surgical rate was significantly lower in the EEN group than in the non-EEN group (P=0.001). Fifteen percent patients treated with EEN avoided surgery. EEN (P=0.002) was associated with a decreased need for surgery. Previous abdominal surgery (P=0.009) and abscess diameter > 3 cm (P=0.022) were associated with an increased need for operation. EEN increased the albumin level, while decreased ESR and CRP significantly for patients requiring surgery. The risk of postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications (P=0.036) was significantly lower in the EEN group compared with the non-EEN group. Conclusions. EEN is feasible in CD patients presenting with percutaneously undrainable abdominal abscesses. It is associated with a reduction in surgical rate, optimized preoperative condition, and improved postoperative outcomes in these specific groups of patients.
Modified Ciphertext‐Policy Attribute‐Based Encryption Scheme with Efficient Revocation for PHR System
Authors: Zheng Hongying , Wu Jieming , Wang Bo , Chen Jianyong
Published: August 2017

Attribute‐based encryption (ABE) is considered a promising technique for cloud storage where multiple accessors may read the same file. For storage system with specific personal health record (PHR), we propose a modified ciphertext‐policy attribute‐based encryption scheme with expressive and flexible access policy for public domains. Our scheme supports multiauthority scenario, in which the authorities work independently without an authentication center. For attribute revocation, it can generate different update parameters for different accessors to effectively resist both accessor collusion and authority collusion. Moreover, a blacklist mechanism is designed to resist role‐based collusion. Simulations show that the proposed scheme can achieve better performance with less storage occupation, computation assumption, and revocation cost compared with other schemes.
Applications of Group Theoretical Methods to Non‐Newtonian Fluid Flow Models: Survey of Results
Authors: Aziz Taha , Mahomed F. M.
Published: August 2017

The present review is intended to encompass the applications of symmetry based approaches for solving non‐Newtonian fluid flow problems in various physical situations. Works which deal with the fundamental science of non‐Newtonian fluids that are analyzed using the Lie group method and conditional symmetries are reviewed. We provide the mathematical modelling, the symmetries deduced, and the solutions obtained for all the models considered. This survey includes, as far as possible, all the articles published until 2015. Only papers published by a process of peer review in archival journals are reviewed and are grouped together according to the specific non‐Newtonian models under investigation.
Quantitative Analysis on Force Chain of Asphalt Mixture under Haversine Loading
Authors: Chang Mingfeng , Huang Pingming , Pei Jianzhong , Zhang Jiupeng , Zheng Binhui
Published: August 2017

AC-13 asphalt mixture was taken as the research object to investigate the evolution and distribution laws of force chains. A digital specimen of AC-13 asphalt mixture was reconstructed using the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the simple performance test (SPT). Next, the force chain information among aggregate particles was extracted to analyze the evolution, probability distribution, and angle distribution of force chains. The results indicate that the AC-13 mesoscopic model reconstructed using the DEM is feasible to simulate the mesoscopic mechanical properties of asphalt mixture by comparing the predicted results and laboratory test results. The spatial distributions of force chains are anisotropic. The probability distributions of normal force chains varying with the loading times are consistent. Furthermore, the probability distribution has the maximum value at the minimumf(the ratio of contact force to mean contact force); the peak value appears again atf= 1.75 and then gradually decreases and tends to be stable. In addition, the angle distributions of force chains mainly locate near 90° and 270°, and the proportions of strong force chains are slightly greater than 50%, but the maximum proportion is only 51.12%.
Experimental Simulation-Based Performance Evaluation of an SMS-Based Emergency Geolocation Notification System
Authors: Osebor Isibor , Misra Sanjay , Omoregbe Nicholas , Adewumi Adewole , Fernandez-Sanz Luis
Published: August 2017

In an emergency, a prompt response can save the lives of victims. This statement generates an imperative issue in emergency medical services (EMS). Designing a system that brings simplicity in locating emergency scenes is a step towards improving response time. This paper therefore implemented and evaluated the performance of an SMS-based emergency geolocation notification system with emphasis on its SMS delivery time and the system’s geolocation and dispatch time. Using the RAS metrics recommended by IEEE for evaluation, the designed system was found to be efficient and effective as its reliability stood within 62.7% to 70.0% while its availability stood at 99% with a downtime of 3.65 days/year.
A Novel Design of Membership Authentication and Group Key Establishment Protocol
Authors: Harn Lein , Hsu Ching-Fang
Published: August 2017

A new type of authentication, called group authentication, has been proposed recently which can authenticate all users belonging to the same group at once in a group communication. However, the group authentication can only detect the existence of nonmembers but cannot identify who are the nonmembers. Furthermore, in a group communication, it needs not only to authenticate memberships but also to establish a group key among all members. In this paper, we propose a novel design to provide both membership authentication and group key establishment. Our proposed membership authentication can not only detect nonmembers but also identify who are the nonmembers. We first propose a basic membership authentication and key establishment protocol which can only support one-time group communication. Then, we extend the basic protocol to support multiple group communications. Our design is unique since tokens of users issued by a group manager (GM) during registration are used for both membership authentication and group key establishment.
Safety and Performance Characteristics of Outpatient Medical Thoracoscopy and Indwelling Pleural Catheter Insertion for Evaluation and Diagnosis of Pleural Disease at a Tertiary Center in Canada
Authors: Kyskan Robert , Li Pen , Mulpuru Sunita , Souza Carolina , Amjadi Kayvan
Published: August 2017

Background. Many centers performing medical thoracoscopy (MT) to diagnose pleural disease will insert a chest tube and admit patients to hospital after the procedure, which is inconvenient for patients and contributes to healthcare costs. We report the data on the safety, outcomes, and performance characteristics of outpatient MT with indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) insertion in a large Canadian cohort. Methods. This retrospective cohort study reviewed patients who underwent outpatient MT and IPC insertion under conscious sedation. Patients without complications were discharged the same day. We report the data on safety, outcomes, and performance characteristics of our program. Results. Outpatient MT and IPC insertion was performed on 218 patients. 99.1% of patients were safely discharged the same day. There was no procedure associated mortality. Pleural malignancy (59.6%) and nonspecific pleuritis (29.4%) were the most common pathologies. Pleural nodularity detected endoscopically was excellent at predicting malignancy with a positive predictive value of 92.5% and is more frequently detected endoscopically when compared to CT scan (p<0.001). Conclusions. In the setting of a comprehensive pleural disease program, outpatient MT can be safely performed and is an alternative to an inpatient surgical approach for undiagnosed pleural effusions.
UPLC‐MS/MS Profile of Alkaloids with Cytotoxic Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants of the Berberidaceae and Papaveraceae Families
Authors: Och Anna , Szewczyk Katarzyna , Pecio Łukasz , Stochmal Anna , Załuski Daniel , Bogucka-Kocka Anna
Published: August 2017

Cancer is one of the most occurring diseases in developed and developing countries. Plant‐based compounds are still researched for their anticancer activity and for their quantity in plants. Therefore, the modern chromatographic methods are applied to quantify them in plants, for example, UPLC‐MS/MS (ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the content of sanguinarine, berberine, protopine, and chelidonine in Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem., Fumaria officinalis L., Glaucium flavum Crantz, Corydalis cava L., Berberis thunbergii DC., Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig., Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt., Macleaya cordata Willd., and Chelidonium majus L. For the first time, N,N‐dimethyl‐hernovine was identified in M. cambrica, B. thunbergii, M. aquifolium, C. cava, G. flavum, and C. majus; methyl‐hernovine was identified in G. flavum; columbamine was identified in B. thunbergii; and methyl‐corypalmine, chelidonine, and sanguinarine were identified in F. officinalis L. The richest source of protopine among all the examined species was M. cordata (5463.64 ± 26.3 μg/g). The highest amounts of chelidonine and sanguinarine were found in C. majus (51,040.0 ± 1.8 μg/g and 7925.8 ± 3.3 μg/g, resp.), while B. thunbergi contained the highest amount of berberine (6358.4 ± 4.2 μg/g).
IndustrialTransFatty Acid and Serum Cholesterol: The Allowable Dietary Level
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroyuki , Sugano Michihiro
Published: August 2017

Transfatty acid (TFA) from partially hydrogenated oil is regarded as the worst dietary fatty acid per gram due to its role in coronary heart disease. TFA consumption is decreasing worldwide, but some but not all observational studies indicate that TFA intake has little relevance to serum cholesterol levels in populations with low TFA intake (<1%E[percentage of total energy intake], <approximately 2 g/day). Few intervention trials examined the effect of TFAs on blood cholesterol at relatively low levels (<2%E); no definite evidence is available on the tolerable upper level of the intake. A series of our intervention studies in Japanese suggested that an industrial TFA intake at <1%Edoes not influence the serum cholesterol level. To establish allowable level, we must consider not only the dietary level of TFAs, but also the composition of dietary fats simultaneously consumed, that is, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids strengthen or counteract the adverse effect of TFAs on serum cholesterol levels. In this review we describe the complex situation of the cardiovascular effects of industrial TFAs. The relationship between dietary industrial TFAs and concentration of plasma cholesterol should be evaluated from the viewpoint of dietary patterns rather than TFAs alone.
Macrophages Facilitate Resistance to Anti-VEGF Therapy by Altered VEGFR Expression
Authors: Dalton Heather J. , Pradeep Sunila , McGuire Michael , Hailemichael Yared , MA Shaolin , Lyons Yasmin , Armaiz-Pena Guillermo N. , Previs Rebecca A. , Hansen Jean Marie , Rupaimoole Rajesha , Gonzalez-Villasana Vianey , Cho Min Soon , Wu Sherry Y. , Mangala Lingegowda S. , Jennings Nicholas B. , Hu Wei , Langley Robert , Mu Hong , Andreeff Michael , Bar-Eli Menashe , Overwijk Willem , Ram Prahlad , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Coleman Robert L. , Sood Anil K.
Published: August 2017

Purpose: VEGF-targeted therapies have modest efficacy in cancer patients, but acquired resistance is common. The mechanisms underlying such resistance are poorly understood.

Experimental Design: To evaluate the potential role of immune cells in the development of resistance to VEGF blockade, we first established a preclinical model of adaptive resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out to characterize the role of macrophages in such resistance.

Results: Using murine cancer models of adaptive resistance to anti-VEGF antibody (AVA), we found a previously unrecognized role of macrophages in such resistance. Macrophages were actively recruited to the tumor microenvironment and were responsible for the emergence of AVA resistance. Depletion of macrophages following emergence of resistance halted tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. In a macrophage-deficient mouse model, resistance to AVA failed to develop, but could be induced by injection of macrophages. Downregulation of macrophage VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3 expression accompanied upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways, facilitating escape from anti-VEGF therapy.

Conclusions: These findings provide a new understanding of the mechanisms underlying the modest efficacy of current antiangiogenesis therapies and identify new opportunities for combination approaches for ovarian and other cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 7034–46. ©2017 AACR.
The Antitumor Effects of Vaccine-Activated CD8+ T Cells Associate with Weak TCR Signaling and Induction of Stem-Like Memory T Cells
Authors: Wu Sha , Zhu Wei , Peng Yibing , Wang Lan , Hong Yuan , Huang Lei , Dong Dayong , Xie Junping , Merchen Todd , Kruse Edward , Guo Zong Sheng , Bartlett David , Fu Ning , He Yukai
Published: August 2017

To understand why vaccine-activated tumor-specific T cells often fail to generate antitumor effects, we studied two α-fetoprotein–specific CD8+ T cells (Tet499 and Tet212) that had different antitumor effects. We found that Tet499 required high antigen doses for reactivation, but could survive persistent antigen stimulation and maintain their effector functions. In contrast, Tet212 had a low threshold of reactivation, but underwent exhaustion and apoptosis in the presence of persistent antigen. In vivo, Tet499 cells expanded more than Tet212 upon reencountering antigen and generated stronger antitumor effects. The different antigen responsiveness and antitumor effects of Tet212 and Tet499 cells correlated with their activation and differentiation states. Compared with Tet212, the population of Tet499 cells was less activated and contained more stem-like memory T cells (Tscm) that could undergo expansion in vivo. The TCR signaling strength on Tet499 was weaker than Tet212, correlating with more severe Tet499 TCR downregulation. Weak TCR signaling may halt T-cell differentiation at the Tscm stage during immune priming and also explains why Tet499 reactivation requires a high antigen dose. Weak TCR signaling of Tet499 cells in the effector stage will also protect them from exhaustion and apoptosis when they reencounter persistent antigen in tumor lesion, which generates antitumor effects. Further investigation of TCR downregulation and manipulation of TCR signaling strength may help design cancer vaccines to elicit a mix of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, including Tscm, capable of surviving antigen restimulation to generate antitumor effects. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(10); 908–19. ©2017 AACR.