Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Report

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder in which lymphocytes infiltrate the exocrine glands, resulting in the development of sicca symptoms. Lymphocytes may also invade various other organs and cause diverse symptoms. Interstitial pneumonia has been observed frequently in SS patients. Typically, the pneumonia responds well to systemic steroids, and fatal cases are rare. We experienced a case of lymphocytic pneumonia accompanied by SS and treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, and we present details of the case herein

Multi-sensor Fault Detection and Isolation for EMB System Based on Unknown Input Observer

Electro-mechanical brake (EMB) systems generate the braking force with electric motors and use several sensors for feedback control. This paper presents a model-based sensor fault diagnostic approach that employs an Unknown Input Observer (UIO) technique to classify sensors as being healthy or unhealthy and even simultaneously occurred faults in two different sensors. The proposed scheme is organized by UIO logic and a decision-making unit. UIO logic estimates sensor values using the inputs and outputs of EMB system and a decision-making unit identifies the faulty sensor based on a deterministic rule and the estimated ones from UIO logic. Unlike other model-based fault detection and isolation schemes, the proposed one needs only one UIO instead of a bank of observers and UIOI is sufficient for detecting and isolating faults simultaneously occurred. Simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of this proposed diagnostic approach.1

Design and Implementation for the Electronic Parking Brake System Based on Operating System

Electronic Parking Brake(EPB) system is operated by Electronic Control unit(ECU). EPB system has been by replaced a traditional parking brake system, which is a mechanical device to be driven by a parking brake lever or foot pedal. EPB system is more convenient for the women and elderly. Interior design as well as space utilization has also been important recently. By using EPB system, it is possible to ensure more space in a vehicle. Also, EPB system provides better convenience and safety than the traditional system through the cooperative control of Electric Stability Program(ESP) or alone. In this paper, we propose methodology of software architecture design and function development for the EPB system based on software tools.1

Model-based automated validation techniques for automotive embedded systems

Model-based approaches can improve quality and reduce cycle time by simulating the models to perform early validation of requirements. These approaches can provide automated validation techniques by generating test cases from the model. This paper describes model-based automated test techniques in all phases of the product life cycle to maximize the early validation capabilities of model-based development processes. The paper proposes a model-based test process framework for all modeling phases including system modeling, architectural modeling and auto-generated software. The test automation technique consists of automatic test generation, execution and analysis. A Test Management System, which enables the automatic generation of requirement-based test cases, analysis of the test results and test database management, is developed through this study. In addition, an automatic target execution system, which comprises target hardware, simulation command transmission and target monitoring software, was developed to test the auto-generated ECU code on the real target system in the early stage. Copyright © 2007 SAE International.

Plasma leptin concentrations are greater in type II diabetic patients and stimulate monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 synthesis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

Background: Leptin is an adipokine that is recently reported to be a biomarker of systemic inflammation. Although atherosclerosis causes cardiovascular diseases, it is not clear whether leptin contributes to the acceleration of this process. In this study, we investigated whether alterations of plasma leptin levels were related to diabetic nephropathy and systemic inflammation. In addition, we examined the physiologic action of leptin in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods: A total of 126 type 2 diabetic participants and 37 healthy controls were studied. The diabetic participants were divided into three groups according to stage of nephropathy. We investigated whether leptin induced monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1) synthesis through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway using cultured VSMCs. Results: Plasma leptin concentrations were significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the controls. Plasma leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass index, fasting and postprandial blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, urinary albumin excretion, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and MCP-1 plasma levels, and negatively correlated with creatinine clearance values. In cultured VSMCs, leptin increased MCP-1 production in a dose-dependent manner, and this stimulating effect of leptin on MCP-1 expression was reversed by the MAPK (MEK) inhibitor PD98059. In addition, leptin stimulated the phosphorylation of MEK, extracellular signal–regulated kinase, and E26-like transcription factor, which are components of the MAPK pathway. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that activation of leptin synthesis may promote MCP-1 activation in a diabetic environment via the MAPK pathway in VSMCs and that it possibly contributes to the acceleration of atherosclerosis