Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Educ Eval Health Prof 2018 12;15:28. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, and Department of Educational Development and Research, and Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Purpose: It is assumed that case-based questions require higher order cognitive processing, whereas questions that are not case-based require lower order cognitive processing. In this study, we investigated to what extent case-based questions and questions that are not case-based, relate to Bloom's taxonomy.

Methods: In this article, 4800 questions of the Progress Test were classified whether it was a case-based question and the level of Bloom's taxonomy. Read More

Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Group of Research in Nutrition and Chronic Diseases, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.

Objective:  To assess the association between dietary glycemic index (GI) and excess weight in pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Methods:  A cross-sectional study in a sample of 217 pregnant women was conducted at the maternal-fetal outpatient clinic of the Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil, for routine ultrasound examinations in the period between 11 and 13 weeks + 6 days of gestation. Weight and height were measured and the gestational body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Read More

Jpn J Clin Oncol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Epidemiology and Prevention, Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography for the general population, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of screening for participants among Hitachi residents.

Materials And Methods: Citizens aged 50-74 who underwent low-dose computed tomography screening at least once during 1998-2006 were defined as the computed tomography group, and those who underwent X-ray screening at least once during the same period, but did not receive low-dose computed tomography screening throughout the follow-up period, were defined as the XP group. We investigated the lung cancer incidence rate, mortality rate and all-cause mortality rate for both groups from the first lung cancer screening to the end of 2012. Read More

Nucleic Acids Res 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.

The tissue specificity of mitochondrial tRNA mutations remains largely elusive. In this study, we demonstrated the deleterious effects of tRNAThr 15927G>A mutation that contributed to pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. The m. Read More

Sleep 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Study Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the extent to which sleep quality impacts amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI)-related brain regions in a cognitively normal cohort of individuals.

Methods: Seventy four participants were rigorously evaluated using a battery of cognitive tests and a detailed clinical assessment to verify normal cognitive status. We then screened for sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Read More

Nephrol Dial Transplant 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Health Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Background: The longitudinal association between low education and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its underlying mechanisms is poorly characterized. We therefore examined the association of low education with incident CKD and change in kidney function, and explored potential mediators of this association.

Methods: We analysed data on 6078 participants from the community-based Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease study. Read More

Am J Clin Nutr 2018 Dec;108(6):1209-1219

Departments of Clinical Nutrition.

Background: A diet in which fat is mainly eaten in the morning and carbohydrates mainly in the evening (compared with the reverse order) was recently shown to worsen glycemic control in people with prediabetes.

Objective: We investigated the effects of these dietary patterns on energy metabolism, and on the daily profiles of circulating lipids, adipokines, and inflammatory markers.

Design: In a randomized controlled crossover trial, 29 nonobese men (with normal glucose tolerance, n = 18; or impaired fasting glucose/glucose tolerance, n = 11) underwent 2 isocaloric 4-wk diets: 1) carbohydrate-rich meals until 1330 and fat-rich meals between 1630 and 2200 (HC/HF); or 2) the inverse sequence of meals (HF/HC). Read More

Am J Clin Nutr 2018 Dec;108(6):1264-1274

Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Background: Whole-grain wheat (WGW) is described as nutritionally superior to refined wheat (RW) and thus advocated as the healthy choice, although evidence from intervention studies is often inconsistent. The liver, as the central organ in energy metabolism, might be an important target organ for WGW interventions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of WGW consumption compared with RW consumption on liver health and associated parameters. Read More

ILAR J 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Radiology, Miller Research Building Molecular Imaging Service Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Preclinical noninvasive imaging can be an indispensable tool for studying animal models of disease. In vivo imaging to assess anatomical, functional, and molecular features requires verification by a comparison to the macroscopic and microscopic morphological features, since all noninvasive in vivo imaging methods have much lower resolution than standard histopathology. Comprehensive pathological evaluation of the animal model is underutilized; yet, many institutions have veterinary or human pathologists with necessary comparative pathology expertise. Read More

Ann Bot 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

University of Vienna, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Rennweg, Vienna, Austria.

Background And Aims: Phylogenetic relationships within tribe Shoreeae, containing the main elements of tropical forests in Southeast Asia, present a long-standing problem in the systematics of Dipterocarpaceae. Sequencing whole plastomes using next-generation sequencing- (NGS) based genome skimming is increasingly employed for investigating phylogenetic relationships of plants. Here, the usefulness of complete plastid genome sequences in resolving phylogenetic relationships within Shoreeae is evaluated. Read More

Hum Mol Genet 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

KU Leuven - Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Neuroimmunology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.

The role of somatic variants in diseases beyond cancer is increasingly being recognized, with potential roles in autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, as mutation rates and allele fractions are lower, studies in these diseases are substantially less tolerant of false positives and bio-informatics algorithms require high replication rates. We developed a pipeline combining two variant callers, MuTect2 and VarScan2, with technical filtering and prioritization. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Background: Spontaneous splenic rupture is an increasingly reported complication of babesiosis and has been described as a severe complication.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review in a high prevalence area to identify seven cases of babesiosis-related splenic rupture between 2014 - 2016.

Results: Splenic rupture occurred in approximately 1% of babesiosis cases. Read More

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2018 Dec 12;71(1):42-55. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background/aims: Specific language impairment (SLI) is characterized by deficits in language ability. However, studies have also reported motor impairments in SLI. It has been proposed that the language and motor impairments in SLI share common origins. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 12;51(3):1193-1206. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen,

Background/aims: Periosteal tissue is a valuable source of multipotent stem cells for bone tissue engineering. To characterize these cells in detail, we generated an immortalized human cranial periosteal cell line and observed an increased MSCA-1 and CD146 expression, as well as an earlier and stronger mineralization compared to the parental cells. Further, we detected a higher osteogenic potential of MSCA-1high compared to MSCA-1low cranial periosteal cell (CPC) fractions. Read More

Ann Nutr Metab 2018 Dec 12;74(1):44-52. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou,

Background/aims: Some adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin, have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while the association of adipsin and visfatin with NAFLD still remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association of circulating adipsin, visfatin, and adiponectin with NAFLD in Chinese adults.

Methods: We recruited a total of 211 eligible subjects, including 100 NAFLD cases and 111 age and sex frequency-matched controls. Read More

Audiol Neurootol 2018 Dec 12;23(5):298-308. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in balance control for stance and gait tasks in patients 2 years before and after vestibular neurectomy (VN) performed to alleviate intractable Meniere's disease. Amplitudes of trunk sway in roll and pitch directions were measured for stance and gait tasks in 19 patients using gyroscopes mounted at the lower-back. Measurements before VN and 2 years later were compared to those of healthy age-matched controls (HC). Read More

Nanotechnology 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

DRDO Solid State Physics Laboratory, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, Delhi, 110054, INDIA.

In this report, the precise alignment of catalyst free InAs nanowires (NWs) on pre-patterned Au microelectrodes by dielectrophoresis (DEP) technique for gas sensing applications is presented. The catalyst free InAs NWs have been grown on Si (111) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique. The effect of dispersing solvents, electrode geometries and gaps, magnitude, frequency and duration of applied voltage etc. Read More

J Crit Care 2018 Nov 30;50:144-154. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Meridian HealthComms, Plumley Moor Road, Plumley, UK. Electronic address:

Purpose: Guidelines recommend crystalloids for fluid resuscitation in sepsis/shock and switching to albumin in cases where crystalloids are insufficient. We evaluated hemodynamic response to crystalloids/colloids in critically ill adults.

Materials And Methods: The primary research question was: "Are crystalloids sufficient for volume replacement in severe indications (intensive care unit [ICU]/critical illness)?" Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were identified using PubMed and EMBASE, and screened against predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Read More

Cell Rep 2018 Dec;25(11):3036-3046.e6

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA. Electronic address:

IL-10 functions as a suppressor of colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer, but it is also a risk locus associated with ulcerative colitis. The mechanism underlying the contrasting roles of IL-10 in inflammation and colon cancer is unknown. We report here that inflammation induces the accumulation of CD11bGr1 myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that express high levels of IL-10 in colon tissue. Read More

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

University of Tokushima Graduate School, Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Tokushima, Japan ;

The signaling pathways of growth factors including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) can be considered specific targets for overcoming the poor prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Nintedanib, the recently approved multiple kinase inhibitor, has shown promising anti-fibrotic effects in IPF patients; however, its efficacy is still limited, and in some cases, treatment discontinuation is necessary due to toxicities such as gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, more effective agents with less toxicity are still needed. Read More

Orthopedics 2018 Dec 11:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) is used for various hand surgeries, but there are no reports of its use for distal radius fractures. The authors compared perioperative variables and clinical outcomes for volar plating for distal radius fractures with WALANT vs general anesthesia with tourniquet. This retrospective study included 47 patients who presented with distal radius fractures between January 2015 and February 2017. Read More

Orthopedics 2018 Dec 11:1-3. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Femoral nerve palsy with concomitant patellar dislocation is a rare clinical entity that has not previously been well documented. The authors present the case of a 16-year-old female ballet dancer who sustained a patellar dislocation with concomitant femoral nerve palsy. She experienced muscle weakness after the initial injury and developed neuropathic symptoms through the anterior left thigh. Read More

Orthopedics 2018 Dec 11:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Metatarsalgia can be viewed as more of a symptom rather than a distinct diagnosis. Timing of forefoot pain during the gait cycle and evaluation of whether the pain is from anatomic abnormalities, indirect overloading, or iatrogenic causes can suggest a specific metatarsalgia etiology. A thorough physical examination of the lower extremity, especially evaluation of the plantar foot, and weight-bearing radiographs are critical for diagnosis and treatment. Read More

Magy Onkol 2018 Dec 31;62(4):242-248. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Onkológiai Tanszék, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Budapest, Hungary.

Our aim was the dosimetric evaluation of intracavitary-interstitial high-dose-rate image-guided adaptive cervix brachytherapy, implemented in Hungary. Between 2016 and 2018, 21 patients with cervical cancer were treated with overall 72 fractions. Graphical optimized treatment plans were compared to inverse optimized plans, 3D optimized plans (without needles) and conventional intracavitary 2D plans. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0209081. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Food and Dietetics, Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen Two-Year College, 3-5-1 Nagatsukanishi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan.

Background: Many studies have identified the risk of polypharmacy, but physiological evidence and methods of evaluation in these studies were poor. The relationship between polypharmacy and heart rate variability in older adults remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between polypharmacy in older adults, including atomic bomb survivors, and heart rate variability. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208914. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy.

Background And Aims: Patients who leave Emergency Department before physician's visit (LWBS) or during treatment (LDT) represent a useful indicator of the emergency care's quality. The profile of patients LWBS was described: they are generally males, young, with lower urgency triage allocation and longer waiting time. They have a greater risk of ED re-admission compared to discharged patients, but effect on hospitalization and mortality are more controversial. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208806. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Research, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Aims: Recently, the clinical importance of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and its protective role against several chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and several types of cancers has been reported. However, its association with cardio-metabolic risk factors among patients candidate for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) has not been evaluated yet. CABG is associated with increased oxidative stress and free radicals; so, the current study was aimed to evaluate the potential association of TAC with cardiovascular risk factors among patients candidate for CABG. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208397. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.

Heterogeneous mobile authentication is a crucial technique to securely retrieve the resource of e-healthcare cloud servers which are commonly implemented in a public key Infrastructure (PKI). Conventionally, a mobile data user can utilize a self-chosen password along with a portable device to request the access privilege of clouds. However, to validate the membership of users, a cloud server usually has to make use of a password table, which not only increases the burden of management, but also raises the possibility of information leakage. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208845. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America.

Decomposing vertebrates, including humans, result in pronounced changes in surrounding soil biogeochemistry, particularly nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) availability, and alter soil micro- and macrofauna. However, the impacts of subsurface human decomposition, where oxygen becomes limited and microbial biomass is generally lower, are far less understood. The goals of this study were to evaluate the impact of human decomposition in a multi-individual, shallow (~70 cm depth) grave on soil biogeochemistry and soil microbial and nematode communities. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208539. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

The Department of Family Medicine, The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, University of Tel Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Objectives: Disease registry for diabetes care encourages transparency and benchmarking of quality of care (QoC) measurements for all service providers and seems to improve diabetes care. This study evaluate changes over time in QoC measurement performance in a large diabetes registry among newly diagnosed diabetics and it association with mortality.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients in a large health maintenance organization diabetes registry from years 2000 to 2013. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0209022. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

It has been hypothesized that the energy balance closure problem of single-tower eddy-covariance measurements is linked to large-scale turbulent transport. In order to shed light on this problem, we investigate the functional dependence of the normalized residual for the potential temperature and humidity conservation equations, i.e. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208572. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Anastomotic leakage can be classified by free and contained leakage according to clinical manifestations. The risk factors and their comparison between these leakage subtypes are uncertain. This study aims to evaluate anastomotic leakage patterns and to compare clinical features between free and contained leakages after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208950. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Social denormalisation of smoking can provide an environment that helps smokers to quit. This study examined which of three measures of anti-smoking social norms have the greatest influence on quitting-related cognitions and behaviours, and if this influence differs according to socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods: The Victorian Tracking Survey measured social norms among 1,348 (n(weighted) = 1,373) Australian adult smokers (aged 18-59) between 2012 and 2014, who were followed-up one week later. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0209026. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States of America.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-shortening genetic disease and is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Several current therapies aim at improving availability and/or function of the mutant CFTR proteins. The combination therapeutic lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi, luma/iva) partially corrects folding and potentiates CFTR function impaired by the F508del mutation. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208252. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Rennes 1,Rennes, France.

Introduction: Most infants born before 30 weeks gestational age (GA) develop respiratory distress syndrome soon after birth. Methods of surfactant administration that avoid ventilation have been recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a new procedure of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) and determine whether it is associated with an improvement in respiratory outcome. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207625. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany.

Triclabendazole is a poorly-water soluble (0.24 μg/mL) compound classified into the Class II/IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. It is the drug of choice to treat fascioliasis, a neglected parasitic disease worldwide disseminated. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208328. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Background: Heterologous prime boost immunization with chimpanzee adenovirus 63 (ChAd63) and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) vectored vaccines is a strategy previously shown to provide substantial protective efficacy against P. falciparum infection in United Kingdom adult Phase IIa sporozoite challenge studies (approximately 20-25% sterile protection with similar numbers showing clear delay in time to patency), and greater point efficacy in a trial in Kenyan adults.

Methodology: We conducted the first Phase IIb clinical trial assessing the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of ChAd63 MVA ME-TRAP in 700 healthy malaria exposed children aged 5-17 months in a highly endemic malaria transmission area of Burkina Faso. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208059. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Altered production of adipokines is suggested to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRPs) play diverse roles in regulation of metabolism in physiologic and pathologic conditions. In the present study, we assessed serum concentrations of adiponectin, CTRP12, and CTRP13 in individuals with PCOS and those without PCOS. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207871. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany.

Background: Exposure to horses can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. The breed, American Bashkir Curly Horse is categorized as hypoallergenic, primarily due to reports of allergic patients experiencing fewer symptoms while handling this special breed. The possible reasons for this phenomenon could be lower allergen production and/or reduced allergen release into the air because of increased sebum content in their skin and hair compared to other breeds. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0208272. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

The study of leaf litter as a resource for shredders has emerged as a key topic in trophic links in ecology. However, thus far, most studies have emphasized the leaf quality as one of the main determinants of shredder behaviour and growth without simultaneously considering the leaf quantity availability. Nevertheless, the combined effects of leaf quantity and quality on shredder behaviour and growth is particularly crucial to further understand how ecosystem functioning may respond to the increasing flow intermittency due to climate change. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207678. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

The Nature Conservancy, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America.

In 2010, The Nature Conservancy completed the Mojave Desert Ecoregional Assessment, which characterizes conservation values across nearly 130,000 km2 of the desert Southwest. Since this assessment was completed, several renewable energy facilities have been built in the Mojave Desert, thereby changing the conservation value of these lands. We have completed a new analysis of land use to reassess the conservation value of lands in two locations in the Mojave Desert where renewable energy development has been most intense: Ivanpah Valley, and the Western Mojave. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207904. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Centre of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India.

We examined the effect of language proficiency on the status and dynamics of proactive inhibitory control in an occulo-motor cued go-no-go task. The first experiment was designed to demonstrate the effect of second language proficiency on proactive inhibitory cost and adjustments in control by evaluating previous trial effects. This was achieved by introducing uncertainty about the upcoming event (go or no-go stimulus). Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207408. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.

Interest in the individual differences underlying end user computer security behavior has led to the development of a multidisciplinary field of research known as behavioral information security. An important gap in knowledge and the motivation for this research is the development of ways to measure secure and insecure cyber behavior for research and eventually practice. Here we report a study designed to develop a technique for assessing secure and insecure cyber behavior for broad research use. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0205453. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

College of Computer Science and Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.

Certificateless aggregate signature (CLAS) is a crucial cryptosystem. It can not only compress multiple signatures into a short signature, but also ensure the validity of each signature participating in the aggregation by verifying the validity of an resulting aggregate signature. Therefore, a secure and efficient CLAS scheme is very useful for resource-constrained environments because it greatly reduces the overall length of the signature and the verifier's computational overhead. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Study Design: Retrospective study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objectives: The authors examine the influence of preoperative mental health on outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and determine the impact of ACDF on postoperative mental health.

Summary Of Background Data: While studies have reported a negative correlation between preoperative mental health and outcomes following lumbar spine surgery, the influence on outcomes following cervical spine surgery remains relatively understudied. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202.

Study Design: A prospective randomized trial of patients enrolled at a university affiliated tertiary medical center between February and December 2017.

Objective: To compare perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing elective posterior thoracolumbar fusion who were treated with IV versus PO TXA.

Summary Of Background Data: The use of antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic acid (TXA) to decrease operative blood loss and allogenic blood transfusions is well documented in the literature. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), Valencia, Spain.

Background And Objectives: Breast milk contains several bioactive factors including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and microbes that shape the infant gut microbiota. HMO profile is determined by secretor status; however, their influence on milk microbiota is still uncovered. This study is aimed to determine the impact of the FUT2 genotype on the milk microbiota during the first month of lactation and the association with HMO. Read More

Otol Neurotol 2019 Jan;40(1):16-21

World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw/Kajetany.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between psychoacoustic matches of tinnitus loudness and tinnitus loudness measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS) in patients with normal hearing and patients with hearing loss.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients: A clinical group of 140 adult patients (46. Read More

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Neurosurgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China.

Our aim was to explore the efficacy of minimally invasive intervention in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). Seventy patients with ACI were randomized into either an experimental group or a control group. In addition to the regular treatment, patients in the control group also received intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase, while patients in the other group underwent percutaneous transluminal cerebral angioplasty and stenting. Read More

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Hypertension & Vascular Research, Cardiovascular Sciences Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.

Hypertensive transgenic (mRen2)27 rats exhibit impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for control of heart rate (HR). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of Ang-(1-7) improves indices of vagal BRS independent of lowering mean arterial pressure (MAP), while AT1 receptor blockade normalizes MAP and indices of sympathetic tone without correcting the vagal BRS. Scavenging cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with tempol in brain fails to correct either hypertension or sympathovagal balance in these animals, despite reports that mitochondrial ROS contributes to Ang II-infusion hypertension. Read More