Internet routing paths stability model and relation to forwarding paths

Analysis of real datasets to characterize the local stability properties of the Internet routing paths suggests that extending the route selection criteria to account for such property would not increase the routing path length. Nevertheless, even if selecting a more stable routing path could be considered as valuable from a routing perspective, it does not necessarily imply that the associated forwarding path would be more stable. Hence, if the dynamics of the Internet routing and forwarding system show different properties, then one can not straightforwardly derive the one from the other. If this assumption is verified, then the relationship between the stability of the forwarding path (followed by the traffic) and the corresponding routing path as selected by the path-vector routing algorithm requires further characterization. For this purpose, we locally relate, i.e., at the router level, the stability properties of routing path with the corresponding forwarding path. The proposed stability model and measurement results verify this assumption and show that, although the main cause of instability results from the forwarding plane, a second order effect relates forwarding and routing path instability events. This observation provides the first indication that differential stability can safely be taken into account as part of the route selection process

Anastrozole monotherapy further improves near-adult height after the initial combined treatment with leuprorelin and anastrozole in early-maturing girls with compromised growth prediction: results from the second phase of the GAIL study

BackgroundThe first phase of the GAIL study (“Girls treated with an Aromatase Inhibitor and Leuprorelin,” ISRCTN11469487) has shown that the combination of anastrozole and leuprorelin for 24 months is safe and effective in improving the predicted adult height (PAH) in girls with early puberty and compromised growth prediction by +1.21 standard deviation score (SDS; +7.51 cm) compared to inhibition of puberty alone, +0.31 SDS (+1.92 cm).Objectives and hypothesesIn the second phase of the GAIL study, we assessed the adult height (AH)/near-adult height (NAH) at the end of the first phase and, in addition, the efficacy of anastrozole monotherapy thereafter in further improving NAH.MethodsWe measured the AH (age 16.5 years)/NAH [bone age (BA), 15 years] of the 40 girls included, divided into two matched groups: group A (20 girls on anastrozole + leuprorelin) and group B (20 girls on leuprorelin alone). Group A was further randomized into two subgroups: A1 and A2. Group A1 (n = 10), after completion of the combined therapy, received anastrozole 1 mg/day as monotherapy until BA 14 years, with a 6-month follow-up. Group A2 (n = 10) and group B (n = 20), who received only the combined treatment and leuprorelin alone, respectively, were recalled for evaluation of AH/NAH.ResultsAH or NAH exceeded the PAH at the completion of the 2-year initial phase of the GAIL study in all groups, but the results were statistically significant only in group A1: NAH–PAH group A1, +3.85 cm (+0.62 SDS, p = 0.01); group A2, +1.6 cm (+0.26 SDS, p = 0.26); and group B, +1.7 cm (+0.3 SDS, p = 0.08). The gain in group A1 was significantly greater than that in group A2 (p = 0.04) and in group B (p = 0.03). Anastrozole was determined to be safe even as monotherapy in Group A1.ConclusionsIn early-maturing girls with compromised growth potential, the combined treatment with leuprorelin and anastrozole for 2 years or until the age of 11 years resulted in a total gain in height of +9.7 cm when continuing anastrozole monotherapy until the attainment of NAH, as opposed to +7.4 cm if they do not continue with the anastrozole monotherapy and +3.6 cm when treated with leuprorelin alone. Thus, the combined intervention ends at the shortest distance from the target height if continued with anastrozole monotherapy until BA 14 years

A novel detrimental homozygous mutation in the WFS1 gene in two sisters from nonconsanguineous parents with untreated diabetes insipidus

Given the limited lifespan and with the recent progress in experimental treatments for WS, timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment for DI/DM, hydronephrosis, and visual/psychiatric status-maintaining quality of life-are of crucial importance

Periradicular Tissue Responses to Biologically Active Molecules or MTA When Applied in Furcal Perforation of Dogs' Teeth

The aim of this study was the comparative evaluation of inflammatory reactions and tissue responses to four growth factors, or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), or a zinc-oxide-eugenol-based cement (IRM) as controls, when used for the repair of furcal perforations in dogs' teeth. Results showed significantly higher inflammatory cell response in the transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1) and zinc-oxide-eugenol-based cement (IRM) groups and higher rates of epithelial proliferation in the TGFβ1, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) groups compared to the MTA. Significantly higher rates of bone formation were found in the control groups compared to the osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1). Significantly higher rates of cementum formation were observed in the IGF-I and bFGF groups compared to the IRM. None of the biologically active molecules can be suggested for repairing furcal perforations, despite the fact that growth factors exerted a clear stimulatory effect on cementum formation and inhibited collagen capsule formation. MTA exhibited better results than the growth factors

Treatment of alopecia totalis/universalis/focalis with vitamin D and analogs: Three case reports and a literature review

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an inflammatory disease with autoimmune, environmental, and inherited components directed at the hair follicle, either limited to patchy hair loss over the scalp (Focalis, AF), total loss of scalp hair (Totalis, AT), or total loss of both scalp and body hair (Universalis, AU). Despite multiple treatment modalities, no therapy exists. Vitamin D deficiency in patients with AA/AT/AF influences disease severity and duration, inversely correlating with inflammation histologically. CASE SUMMARY: Three girls presented with AT (P1), AU (P2), and AF (P3) at the ages of 1, 5, and 5 years, respectively. For P1-P2, all available treatments implemented for 2 years had failed. We started an initial 6-mo repletion with oral cholecalciferol 2000/4000 IU/d, with no apparent effect. Then we attempted immunomodulation using oral calcitriol and its analog paricalcitol. On calcitriol, 0.5 mcg/d P1 regrew hair within 6 mo. After 4 years, a relapse with loss of eyebrow hair was resolved after doubling the calcitriol dose to 0.5 mcg × 2/d; the results have been maintained for 6 years to date. On calcitriol, 0.25 mcg × 3/d P2 led to the development of asymptomatic hypercalcemia-hypercalciuria, which was immediately resolved by switching to paricalcitol 2 mcg × 3/d; mild tolerable hypercalciuria was maintained. Hair regrowth was observed at 6 mo, stabilizing only as fur at 12 mo. AF in P3 was resolved completely within 3 mo on a daily high dose (8000 IU) of cholecalciferol. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D may have immunomodulating therapeutic impact on AT/AU/AF, which needs to be explored with further pilot clinical trials

FL learning could contribute to the enhancement of cognitive functions in MCI older adults

The purpose of the current research endeavour was to evaluate if the learning of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) could constitute an effective non-pharmacological intervention for older adults diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Specifically, the focus was on the assessment of the impact of EFL learning on a variety of cognitive and psychological functions. To this aim, a total sample of 241 Greek older adults was recruited from the day care units for patients with dementia of the Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, in Thessaloniki, Greece. An experimental research design was adopted and two groups were formulated. The intervention group comprised 98 individuals who attended an18-month EFL course and either had no prior knowledge of English or had attended some lessons decades before. The control group included 143 individuals who did not attend any cognitive stimulation programme within the premises of the day care units. A battery of neuropsychological tests, assessing general cognitive functioning, attention, verbal learning, memory, visuo-perceptual ability, executive function, and depression, was administered by the psychologists of the day care units to all of the participants. Neuropsychological data for the intervention group were collected at three time-points (i.e. pre-, mid-, and post-intervention), while neuropsychological data for the control group were collected at two time-points (i.e. pre- and post-research). Hypothesis testing revealed statistically significant differences both within the intervention group and between the intervention and control group across the evaluation time-points