Validation of a novel scoring system for changes in skeletal manifestations of hypophosphatasia in newborns, infants, and children: The Radiographic Global Impression of Change scale

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is the heritable metabolic disease characterized by impaired skeletal mineralization due to low activity of the tissue-nonspecific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase. Although HPP during growth often manifests with distinctive radiographic skeletal features, no validated method was available to quantify them, including changes over time. We created the Radiographic Global Impression of Change (RGI-C) scale to assess changes in the skeletal burden of pediatric HPP. Site-specific pairs of radiographs of newborns, infants, and children with HPP from three clinical studies of asfotase alfa, an enzyme replacement therapy for HPP, were obtained at baseline and during treatment. Each pair was scored by three pediatric radiologists ( raters ), with nine raters across the three studies. Intrarater and interrater agreement was determined by weighted Kappa coefficients. Interrater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and by two-way random effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA. Pearson correlation coefficients evaluated relationships of the RGI-C to the Rickets Severity Scale (RSS), Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument Global Function Parent Normative Score, Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, 6-Minute Walk Test percent predicted, and Z-score for height in patients aged 6 to 12 years at baseline. Eighty-nine percent (8/9) of raters showed substantial or almost perfect intrarater agreement of sequential RGI-C scores (weighted Kappa coefficients, 0.72 to 0.93) and moderate or substantial interrater agreement (weighted Kappa coefficients, 0.53 to 0.71) in patients aged 0 to 12 years at baseline. Moderate-to-good interrater reliability was observed (ICC, 0.57 to 0.65). RGI-C scores were significantly (p ≤ 0.0065) correlated with the RSS and with measures of global function, disability, endurance, and growth in the patients aged 6 to 12 years at baseline. Thus, the RGI-C is valid and reliable for detecting clinically important changes in skeletal manifestations of severe HPP in newborns, infants, and children, including during asfotase alfa treatment. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc

Choosing Parameter Sets for NTRUEncrypt with NAEP and SVES-3

We present, for the first time, an algorithm to choose parameter sets for NTRUEncrypt that give a desired level of security. Note: This is an expanded version of a paper presented at CT-RSA 2005

A signature scheme from the finite field isomorphism problem

In a recent paper the authors and their collaborators proposed a new hard problem, called the finite field isomorphism problem, and they used it to construct a fully homomorphic encryption scheme. In this paper, we investigate how one might build a digital signature scheme from this new problem. Intuitively, the hidden field isomorphism allows us to convert short vectors in the underlying lattice of one field into generic looking vectors in an isomorphic field

Modified Parameter Attacks: Practical Attacks against CCA2 Secure Cryptosystems and Countermeasures

We introduce the concept of Modified Parameter Attacks, a natural extension of the idea of Adapative Chosen Ciphertext Attacks (CCA2) under which some CCA2 secure systems can be shown to be insecure. These insecurities can be addressed at the application level, but can also be addressed when cryptographic schemes are being designed. We survey some existing CCA2 secure systems which are vulnerable to this attack and suggest practical countermeasures

Analysis of continuous glucose tracking data in people with type 1 diabetes after COVID-19 vaccination reveals unexpected link between immune and metabolic response, augmented by adjunctive oral medication

Introduction: The COVID-19 vaccination programme is under way worldwide. Anecdotal evidence is increasing that some people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) experience temporary instability of blood glucose (BG) levels post-vaccination which normally settles within 2-3 days. We report an analysis of BG profiles of 20 individuals before/after vaccination. Methods: We examined the BG profile of 20 consecutive adults (18 years of age or more) with T1DM using the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor in the period immediately before and after COVID-19 vaccination. The primary outcome measure was percentage (%) BG readings in the designated target range 3.9-10 mmmol/L as reported on the LibreView portal for 7 days prior to the vaccination (week −1) and the 7 days after the vaccination (week +1). Results: There was a significant decrease in the %BG on target following the COVID-vaccination for the 7 days following vaccination (mean 45.2% ± SE 4.2%) vs pre-COVID-19 vaccination (mean 52.6% ± SE 4.5%). This was mirrored by an increase in the proportion of readings in other BG categories 10.1%-13.9%/≥14%. There was no significant change in BG variability in the 7days post-COVID-19 vaccination. This change in BG proportion on target in the week following vaccination was most pronounced for people taking Metformin/Dapagliflozin+basal-bolus insulin (−23%) vs no oral hypoglycaemic agents (−4%), and median age <53 vs ≥53 years (greater reduction in %BG in target for older individuals (−18% vs −9%)). Conclusion: In T1DM, we have shown that COVID-19 vaccination can cause temporary perturbation of BG, with this effect more pronounced in patients talking oral hypoglycaemic medication plus insulin, and in older individuals. This may also have consequences for patients with T2DM who are currently not supported by flash glucose monitoring

3. Launching the New Enterprise

As the academic year of 1945-46 approached, the intensity of activity in preparation for actually opening the school in the fall term became overwhelming. Incredible though it may seem, Ives and Day were able in a period of a few weeks to assemble the nucleus of a faculty, several of whom formed a continuing source of counsel and advice both during the school’s formative years and thereafter. Includes: The First Dean and the School’s Dedication; A Participant’s View of the Early Years; Ives Moves On; Several Views of Martin P. Catherwood; The Founders

Transcript secure signatures based on modular lattices

We introduce a class of lattice-based digital signature schemes based on modular properties of the coordinates of lattice vectors. We also suggest a method of making such schemes transcript secure via a rejection sampling technique of Lyubashevsky (2009). A particular instantiation of this approach is given, using NTRU lattices. Although the scheme is not supported by a formal security reduction, we present arguments for its security and derive concrete parameters (first version) based on the performance of state-of-the-art lattice reduction and enumeration tech- niques. In the revision, we re-evaluate the security of first version of the parameter sets, under the hybrid approach of lattice reduction attack the meet-in-the-middle attack. We present new sets of parameters that are robust against this attack, as well as all previous known attacks