Collaborative Cloud and Edge Mobile Computing in C-RAN Systems with Minimal End-to-End Latency

Mobile cloud and edge computing protocols make it possible to offer computationally heavy applications to mobile devices via computational offloading from devices to nearby edge servers or more powerful, but remote, cloud servers. Previous work assumed that computational tasks can be fractionally offloaded at both cloud processor (CP) and at a local edge node (EN) within a conventional Distributed Radio Access Network (D-RAN) that relies on non-cooperative ENs equipped with one-way uplink fronthaul connection to the cloud. In this paper, we propose to integrate collaborative fractional computing across CP and ENs within a Cloud RAN (C-RAN) architecture with finite-capacity two-way fronthaul links. Accordingly, tasks offloaded by a mobile device can be partially carried out at an EN and the CP, with multiple ENs communicating with a common CP to exchange data and computational outcomes while allowing for centralized precoding and decoding. Unlike prior work, we investigate joint optimization of computing and communication resources, including wireless and fronthaul segments, to minimize the end-to-end latency by accounting for a two-way uplink and downlink transmission. The problem is tackled by using fractional programming (FP) and matrix FP. Extensive numerical results validate the performance gain of the proposed architecture as compared to the previously studied D-RAN solution.Comment: accepted for publication on IEEE Transactions on Signal and Information Processing over Network

Investigation of grain-boundary effect on hydrogen behaviors in single- and poly- crystalline medium-entropy CrCoNi alloy

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Extensive Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Nondiabetic Female Cat - Treatment with Unilateral Nephroureterectomy

Background: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute, severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and surrounding tissues that results in gas formation in the kidney, collecting system, or surroundings. EPN is a rare condition in veterinary medicine and occurs most frequently in dogs with diabetes mellitus. Although the prognosis of medical management in animals is poor, the standardized treatment protocol according to EPN severity is unclear. This report describes the first case of a nondiabetic female cat with extensive EPN and good prognosis following direct nephroureterectomy (NU). Case: A 10-year-old spayed female cat presented with the chief complaint of an acute loss of weight within 1 week, vomiting, and disorientation including stumbling, discoordination, circling, wobbling, head tilting, and difficulties in standing. At presentation, the patient had a body condition score of 1/9 and weighed 2.6 kg. Blood examination revealed leukocytosis, anemia, and hypoproteinemia. Abdominal radiography revealed severely decreased serosal details. A massive gas silhouette observed in the peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavities, was diagnosed as abdominal free gas. Abdominal ultrasound showed an accumulation of moderately anechoic fluid mixed with gas and cyst-like capsules around the left kidney. Left partial ureteral obstruction and dilation were also observed. Computed tomography (CT) was performed without sedatives or anesthetic drugs. The findings showed severe inflammatory changes in the peritoneum and a loss of the normal inner structure in the left kidney. A pyelogram of the left kidney was not observed after injection of the contrast material. Diffuse fat stranding and free gas observed in the mesentery of the entire abdominal cavity and around the left kidney were considered septic peritonitis. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria and hematuria. Numerous neutrophils with rod-type bacteria were observed in the ascites. Following diagnostic examinations, the patient was diagnosed with extensive left EPN, including inflammatory ascites and abdominal free gas. Therefore, emergency NU of the nonfunctional left kidney and ruptured ureter and thorough abdominal lavage were conducted. Diffuse inflammation and a nephrolith were observed in the section of the harvested kidney. The nephrolith was composed of 100% calcium oxalate monohydrate. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was negative. Escherichia coli was detected in the ascites, and antibiotic therapy was administered following the antibiotic sensitivity test. The histological findings from the left kidney and ureter included marked chronic inflammation and fibrosis. The patient was discharged 4 days after surgery. During the 8-month follow-up period, the patient’s condition improved. Discussion: This was a unique case of EPN in a nondiabetic cat and the first reported case of EPN with a ruptured ureter, including abdominal free gas, inflammatory ascites, and peritonitis. This patient had a bacterial urinary tract infection with E. coli, which is the most frequently isolated pathogen in humans. This gas-forming bacteria produced a massive amount of gas and inflammation that were considered to have ruptured the urinary tract, so that the gas was released into the abdomen. This case corresponded to class 3B, with two risk factors according to the human EPN classification system. Direct NU and abdominal lavage were performed as emergency surgeries. The patient stabilized gradually and showed a good prognosis. Immediate surgical intervention is recommended in animal patients showing the extensive EPN stage. Keywords: kidney, nephroureterectomy, emphysematous pyelonephritis, peritonitis, cat, E. coli.

Two Cases of Primary Nasopharyngeal Tuberculosis

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis can arise from both a primary infection and a secondary spread via the lymphatic or hematogenous system from a primary pulmonary lesion. Primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is rare and difficult to detect earlier because of the nonspecific presentations of the disease. As upper airway tuberculosis can be contagious, early initial diagnosis and suspicion of the physicians are needed in clinical practice. Recently, we successfully diagnosed and treated the disease by antitubercular medications of two cases of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis. Herein, we report our experience with a literature review

Acute Kidney Injury due to Sodium Bromate Intoxication: A Report of Two Cases

Sodium bromate is a strong oxidant used as a neutralizing solution in hair permanents, as well as an auxiliary agent in printing and dyeing. Accidental or deliberate ingestion of bromate solution has rarely been reported in Korea. The clinical manifestations of bromate intoxication are vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system symptoms, oliguric or non-oliguric acute kidney injury, hemolytic anemia, and deafness; most of these manifestations are reversible, with the exception of renal failure and deafness. Here, we report on two patients who demonstrated distinct clinical progressions. In the first case, a 16-year-old woman was successfully treated with hemodialysis and recovered renal function without hearing loss. However, in the second case, delayed hemodialysis resulted in persistent renal failure and hearing loss in a 77-year-old woman. This suggests that emergency therapeutic measures, including hemodialysis, should be taken as soon as possible, as the rapid removal of bromate may be essential to preventing severe intoxication and its sequelae

Safety and efficacy of Xiaoyao-san for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: Although Xiaoyao-san (XYS) is a popular herbal remedy for indigestion, there is insufficient evidence to recommend it as a treatment option for functional dyspepsia (FD). This review aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of XYS in patients with FD, compared to conventional Western medicine (WM).Methods: Two independent reviewers searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using 11 electronic databases, including Medline and Embase, to evaluate therapeutic effects of XYS on FD up to 31 January 2023. The primary outcome was the total clinical efficacy rate (TCE), and secondary outcomes included scores of dyspepsia-related symptoms (DSS) and incidence of adverse events (AEs). The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane collaboration tool, and data synthesis and subgroup analyses were performed using the Review Manager program.Results: Six studies involving 707 participants were included in the meta-analysis. XYS significantly improved TCE compared to WM (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.26, p = 0.002) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 59%, p = 0.06). Combination therapy also showed higher TCE than WM alone (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.41, p = 0.008), and the heterogeneity was low (I2 = 0%, p = 0.86). The results showed a greater reduction in DSS in the XYS and combination therapy groups than in the WM alone group (SMD = −0.72, 95% CI: −0.90, −0.53, p < 0.00001) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 44%, p = 0.15), especially for abdominal distension and upper abdominal pain. AEs occurred less frequently in the XYS and combination therapy groups than in the WM alone group (RR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.63, p = 0.006), and the heterogeneity was low (I2 = 45%, p = 0.18). The certainty of the evidence for each outcome was rated from “very low” to “high.”Conclusion: This review suggests that XYS is effective and safe for reducing complaints in patients with FD. However, high-quality RCTs should be conducted to establish more convincing therapeutic evidence of XYS for the treatment of FD.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, CRD4202017884

Immunomodulatory effects of canine mesenchymal stem cells in an experimental atopic dermatitis model

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to differentiate into multi-lineage cells, suggesting their future applicability in regenerative medicine and biotechnology. The immunomodulatory properties of MSCs make them a promising replacement therapy in various fields of animal research including in canine atopic dermatitis (AD), a skin disease with 10–15% prevalence. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs in an experimental canine AD model induced by Dermatophagoides farinae extract ointment. Canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (cAT-MSCs) were differentiated into mesodermal cell lineages at the third passage. Alterations in immunomodulatory factors in control, AD, and MSC-treated AD groups were evaluated using flow cytometric analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR. In the MSC-treated AD group, the number of eosinophils decreased, and the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) increased compared to those in the AD group. In addition, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) and prostaglandin E2 levels were reduced in the MSC-treated AD group compared to those in the AD group. Furthermore, the filaggrin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and interleukin-5 gene expression levels were relatively higher in the MSC-treated AD group than in the AD group, however, not significantly. cAT-MSCs exerted immunomodulatory effects in an AD canine model via a rebalancing of type-1 and -2 T helper cells that correlated with increased levels of Tregs, IgE, and various cytokines