Consistency check of charged hadron multiplicities and fragmentation functions in SIDIS

We derived the conditions on certain combinations of integrals of the fragmentation functions of pion using HERMES data of the sum for the charged pion multiplicities from semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS) off the deuteron target. In our derivation the nucleon parton distribution functions (PDFs) are assumed to be isospin SU(2) symmetric. Similar conditions have also been obtained for the fragmentation functions (FFs) of kaon by the sum of charged kaon multiplicities as well. We have chosen several FFs to study the impact of those conditions we have derived. Among those FFs, only that produced in the nonlocal chiral-quark model (NL$\chi$QM) constantly satisfy the conditions. Furthermore, the ratios of the strange PDFs $S(x)$ and the nonstrange PDFs $Q(x,Q^2)$ extracted from the charged pion and kaon multiplicities differ from each other significantly. Finally, we demonstrate that the HERMES pion multiplicity data is unlikely to be compatible with the two widely-used PDFs, namely CTEQ6M and NNPDF3.0.Comment: 11 pages, 5 fig

Applying Hierarchical Bayesian Neural Network in Failure Time Prediction

With the rapid technology development and improvement, the product failure time prediction becomes an even harder task because only few failures in the product life tests are recorded. The classical statistical model relies on the asymptotic theory and cannot guarantee that the estimator has the finite sample property. To solve this problem, we apply the hierarchical Bayesian neural network (HBNN) approach to predict the failure time and utilize the Gibbs sampler of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to estimate model parameters. In this proposed method, the hierarchical structure is specified to study the heterogeneity among products. Engineers can use the heterogeneity estimates to identify the causes of the quality differences and further enhance the product quality. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical Bayesian neural network model, the prediction performance of the proposed model is evaluated using multiple performance measurement criteria. Sensitivity analysis of the proposed model is also conducted using different number of hidden nodes and training sample sizes. The result shows that HBNN can provide not only the predictive distribution but also the heterogeneous parameter estimates for each path

Microstructural differences in white matter tracts across middle to late adulthood : a diffusion MRI study on 7167 UK Biobank participants

Acknowledgements This research was approved by the UK Biobank (application number: 24089) and was supported by the Roland Sutton Academic Trust (grant number: 0039/R/16) and Taiwan National Health Research Institute (NHRI-EX109-10928NI). We acknowledge the valuable contributions of members of the UK Biobank Imaging Working Group and the UK Biobank coordinating center. The UK Biobank (including the imaging enhancement) was supported by the UK Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. The authors are grateful for the provision of simultaneous multislice (multiband) pulse sequence and reconstruction algorithms by the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota. Finally, the authors are extremely grateful to all UK Biobank study participants, who have generously donated their time to make this resource possible. This article was edited by Wallace Academic Editing.Peer reviewedPostprin

Shortâ term and longâ term impacts of Helicobacter pylori eradication with reverse hybrid therapy on the gut microbiota

Background and AimsAntiâ Helicobacter pylori therapy may lead to the growth of pathogenic or antibioticâ resistant bacteria in the gut. The study aimed to investigate the shortâ term and longâ term impacts of H. pylori eradication with reverse hybrid therapy on the components and macrolide resistance of the gut microbiota.MethodsHelicobacter pyloriâ related gastritis patients were administered a 14â day reverse hybrid therapy. Fecal samples were collected before treatment and at the end of week 2, week 8, and week 48. The V3â V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene in fecal specimens was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced on Illumina MiSeq platform. Additionally, amplification of erm(B) gene (encoding erythromycin resistance methylase) was performed.ResultsReverse hybrid therapy resulted in decreased relative abundances of Firmicutes (from 62.0% to 30.7%; P < 0.001) and Actinobacteria (from 3.4% to 0.6%; 0.032) at the end of therapy. In contrast, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased from 10.2% to 49.1% (0.002). These microbiota alterations did not persist but returned to the initial levels at week 8 and week 48. The amount of erm(B) gene in fecal specimens was comparable with the pretreatment level at week 2 but increased at week 8 (0.025) and then returned to the pretreatment level by week 48.ConclusionsHelicobacter pylori eradication with reverse hybrid therapy can lead to shortâ term gut dysbiosis. The amount of erm(B) gene in the stool increased transiently after treatment and returned to the pretreatment level at 1â year postâ treatment.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152555/1/jgh14736_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152555/2/jgh14736.pd

Equivalent efficacies of reverse hybrid and concomitant therapies in first- line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Background and AimConcomitant therapy is a recommended first- line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in most national or international consensuses. Reverse hybrid therapy is a modified 14- day concomitant therapy without clarithromycin and metronidazole in the final 7 days. This study aims to test whether 14- day reverse hybrid therapy is non- inferior to 14- day concomitant therapy in the first- line treatment of H. pylori infection.MethodsHelicobacter pylori- infected adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either reverse hybrid therapy (dexlansoprazole 60 mg o.d. plus amoxicillin 1 g b.d. for 14 days, and clarithromycin 500 mg plus metronidazole 500 mg b.d. for initial 7 days) or concomitant therapy (dexlansoprazole 60 mg once o.d. plus amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg b.d. for 14 days). H. pylori status was assessed 6 weeks after the end of treatment.ResultsHelicobacter pylori- infected participants (n = 248) were randomized to receive either 14- day reverse hybrid therapy (n = 124) or 14- day concomitant therapy (n = 124). Intention- to- treat analysis demonstrated that the two therapies had comparable eradication rate (95.2% vs 93.5%; 95% confidence interval, - 4.0% to 7.4%; P = 0.582). However, reverse hybrid therapy had a much lower frequency of adverse events than concomitant therapy (20.2% vs 38.7%, P = 0.001). The two therapies exhibited comparable drug adherence (93.5% vs 87.9%, P = 0.125).ConclusionsFourteen- day reverse hybrid therapy and 14- day concomitant therapy are equivalent in efficacy for the first- line treatment of H. pylori infection. However, reverse hybrid therapy has fewer adverse events compared with concomitant therapy.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163472/2/jgh15034_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163472/1/jgh15034.pd

Insulin resistance and chronic kidney disease progression, cardiovascular events, and death: findings from the chronic renal insufficiency cohort study

Abstract Background Insulin resistance contributes to the metabolic syndrome, which is associated with the development of kidney disease. However, it is unclear if insulin resistance independently contributes to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression or CKD complications. Additionally, predisposing factors responsible for insulin resistance in the absence of diabetes in CKD are not well described. This study aimed to describe factors associated with insulin resistance and characterize the relationship of insulin resistance to CKD progression, cardiovascular events and death among a cohort of non-diabetics with CKD. Methods Data was utilized from Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study participants without diabetes (N = 1883). Linear regression was used to assess associations with insulin resistance, defined using the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The relationship of HOMA-IR, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and C-peptide with CKD progression, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality was examined with Cox proportional hazards models. Results Novel positive associations with HOMA-IR included serum albumin, uric acid, and hemoglobin A1c. After adjustment, HOMA-IR was not associated with CKD progression, cardiovascular events, or all-cause mortality. There was a notable positive association of one standard deviation increase in HbA1c with the cardiovascular endpoint (HR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00–1.34). Conclusion We describe potential determinants of HOMA-IR among a cohort of non-diabetics with mild-moderate CKD. HOMA-IR was not associated with renal or cardiovascular events, or all-cause mortality, which adds to the growing literature describing an inconsistent relationship of insulin resistance with CKD-related outcomes.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148132/1/12882_2019_Article_1220.pd

Anti-Arthritic Effects of Magnolol in Human Interleukin 1β-Stimulated Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes and in a Rat Arthritis Model

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play an important role in the pathologic processes of destructive arthritis by producing a number of catabolic cytokines and metalloproteinases (MMPs). The expression of these mediators is controlled at the transcriptional level. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of magnolol (5,5′-Diallyl-biphenyl-2,2′-diol), the major bioactive component of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, by examining its inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediator secretion and the NF-κB and AP-1 activation pathways and to investigate its therapeutic effects on the development of arthritis in a rat model. The in vitro anti-arthritic activity of magnolol was tested on interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated FLS by measuring levels of IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by ELISA and RT-PCR. Further studies on how magnolol inhibits IL-1β-stimulated cytokine expression were performed using Western blots, reporter gene assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and confocal microscope analysis. The in vivo anti-arthritic effects of magnolol were evaluated in a Mycobacterium butyricum-induced arthritis model in rats. Magnolol markedly inhibited IL-1β (10 ng/mL)-induced cytokine expression in a concentration-dependent manner (2.5–25 µg/mL). In clarifying the mechanisms involved, magnolol was found to inhibit the IL-1β-induced activation of the IKK/IκB/NF-κB and MAPKs pathways by suppressing the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of both transcription factors. In the animal model, magnolol (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited paw swelling and reduced serum cytokine levels. Our results demonstrate that magnolol inhibits the development of arthritis, suggesting that it might provide a new therapeutic approach to inflammatory arthritis diseases

The efficacy of four-slice helical CT in evaluating pancreatic trauma: a single institution experience

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Study objective</p> <p>To assess the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) in evaluating patients with pancreatic trauma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We undertook a retrospective review of all blunt trauma patients admitted to the Chi-Mei Medical Center from January 2004 to June 2006. Every patients underwent abdominal CT scan in emergency department and the CT scans were obtained with a four-slice helical CT. Diagnosis of a pancreatic injury in these patients was by surgical observation or by CT findings. Radiographic pancreatic injuries were classified as deep or superficial lesions. Deep lesions were defined as the hematomas or lacerations >50% thickness of the pancreas. Superficial lesions were described as the hematomas or lacerations <50% thickness of the pancreas; pancreatic edema; and focal fluid accumulation around the pancreas</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nineteen patients with pancreatic trauma, fourteen males and five females, average age 40.6 ± 21.4 years, were included. Most patients (73.7%) with pancreatic trauma had associated organ injuries. CT was performed in all patients and laparotomy in 14 patients. CT was 78.9% sensitive in detecting pancreatic trauma. All deep pancreatic lesions revealed on CT required surgical treatment, and complication was discovered in two patients undergoing delayed surgery. Superficial lesions were managed conservatively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Four-slice helical CT can detect most pancreatic trauma and provide practical therapeutic guidance. Delayed operation might result in complications and is associated with prolonged hospital stays.</p