Showing papers by "Fu Jen Catholic University published in 2012"

Observation of two charged bottomoniumlike resonances in Υ(5S) decays.

Abstract: We report the observation of two narrow structures in the mass spectra of the pi(+/-) Y(nS) (n = 1, 2, 3) and pi(+/-) h(b)(mP) (m = 1, 2) pairs that are produced in association with a single charged pion in Y(5S) decays The measured masses and widths of the two structures averaged over the five final states are M-1 = (10 6072 +/- 20) MeV/c(2), Gamma(1) =(184 +/- 24) MeV, and M-2 = (10 6522 +/- 15) MeV/c(2), Gamma(2) = (115 +/- 22) MeV The results are obtained with a 1214 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector in the vicinity of the Y(5S) resonance at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider

Role of vitamin D in insulin resistance.

Abstract: Vitamin D is characterized as a regulator of homeostasis of bone and mineral metabolism, but it can also provide nonskeletal actions because vitamin D receptors have been found in various tissues including the brain, prostate, breast, colon, pancreas, and immune cells. Bone metabolism, modulation of the immune response, and regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation are all biological functions of vitamin D. Vitamin D may play an important role in modifying the risk of cardiometabolic outcomes, including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The incidence of type 2 DM is increasing worldwide and results from a lack of insulin or inadequate insulin secretion following increases in insulin resistance. Therefore, it has been proposed that vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in insulin resistance resulting in diabetes. The potential role of vitamin D deficiency in insulin resistance has been proposed to be associated with inherited gene polymorphisms including vitamin D-binding protein, vitamin D receptor, and vitamin D 1alpha-hydroxylase gene. Other roles have been proposed to involve immunoregulatory function by activating innate and adaptive immunity and cytokine release, activating inflammation by upregulation of nuclear factor κB and inducing tumor necrosis factor α, and other molecular actions to maintain glucose homeostasis and mediate insulin sensitivity by a low calcium status, obesity, or by elevating serum levels of parathyroid hormone. These effects of vitamin D deficiency, either acting in concert or alone, all serve to increase insulin resistance. Although there is evidence to support a relationship between vitamin D status and insulin resistance, the underlying mechanism requires further exploration. The purpose of this paper was to review the current information available concerning the role of vitamin D in insulin resistance.

Measurement of γγ *→π0 transition form factor at Belle

Abstract: We report a measurement of the process gamma gamma* -> pi(0) with a 759 fb(-1) data sample recorded with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. The pion transition form factor, F(Q(2)), is measured for the kinematical region 4 GeV2 <= Q(2) <= 40 GeV2, where -Q(2) is the invariant-mass squared of a virtual photon. The measured values of Q(2)vertical bar F(Q(2))vertical bar agree well with the previous measurements below Q(2) similar or equal to 9 GeV2 but do not exhibit the rapid growth in the higher Q(2) region seen in another recent measurement, which exceeds the asymptotic QCD expectation by as much as 50%.

Insulin resistance in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome and its components are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) development. Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in the metabolic syndrome and is associated with increased risk for CKD in nondiabetic patients. IR is common in patients with mild-to-moderate stage CKD, even when the glomerular filtration rate is within the normal range. IR, along with oxidative stress and inflammation, also promotes kidney disease. In patients with end stage renal disease, IR is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and is linked to protein energy wasting and malnutrition. Systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, elevated serum adipokines and fetuin-A, metabolic acidosis, vitamin D deficiency, depressed serum erythropoietin, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and suppressors of cytokine signaling all cause IR by suppressing insulin receptor-PI3K-Akt pathways in CKD. In addition to adequate renal replacement therapy and correction of uremia-associated factors, thiazolidinedione, ghrelin, protein restriction, and keto-acid supplementation are therapeutic options. Weight control, reduced daily prednisolone dosage, and the use of cyclosporin decrease the risk of developing new-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation. Improved understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying IR in CKD may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies to reduce uremia-associated morbidity and mortality.

Trifluoperazine, an Antipsychotic Agent, Inhibits Cancer Stem Cell Growth and Overcomes Drug Resistance of Lung Cancer

Abstract: Rationale: Cancer stem cell (CSC) theory has drawn much attention, with evidence supporting the contribution of stem cells to tumor initiation, relapse, and therapy resistance.Objectives: To screen drugs that target CSCs to improve the current treatment outcome and overcome drug resistance in patients with lung cancer.Methods: We used publicly available embryonic stem cell and CSC-associated gene signatures to query the Connectivity Map for potential drugs that can, at least in part, reverse the gene expression profile of CSCs. High scores were noted for several phenothiazine-like antipsychotic drugs, including trifluoperazine. We then treated lung CSCs with different EGFR mutation status with trifluoperazine to examine its anti-CSC properties. Lung CSCs resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitor or cisplatin were treated with trifluoperazine plus gefitinib or trifluoperazine plus cisplatin. Animal models were used for in vivo validation of the anti-CSC effect and synergistic ...

Psychometrics of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and its subscales: validation of the Taiwanese version of the MoCA and an item response theory analysis.

Abstract: Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is an instrument for screening mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study examined the psychometric properties and the validity of the Taiwan version of the MoCA (MoCA-T) in an elderly outpatient population.Methods: Participants completed the MoCA-T, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Chinese Version Verbal Learning Test. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was made based on the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, and MCI was diagnosed through the criteria proposed by Petersen et al. (2001).Results: Data were collected from 207 participants (115 males/92 females, mean age: 77.3 ± 7.5 years). Ninety-eight participants were diagnosed with AD, 71 with MCI, and 38 were normal controls. The area under the receiver operator curves (AUC) for predicting AD was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.97–1.00) for the MMSE, and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.98–1.00) for the MoCA-T. The AUC for predicting MCI was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.72–0.89) using the MMSE and 0.91 (95% CI = 0.86–1.00) using the MoCA-T. Using an optimal cut-off score of 23/24, the MoCA-T had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 78% for MCI. Item response theory analysis indicated that the level of information provided by each subtest of the MoCA-T was consistent. The frontal and language subscales provided higher discriminating power than the other subscales in the detection of MCI.Conclusion: Compared to the MMSE, the MoCA-T provides better psychometric properties in the detection of MCI. The utility of the MoCA-T is optimal in mild to moderate cognitive dysfunction.

Socialisation of new graduate nurses to practising nurses

Abstract: Aims. The aim of this study was to explore the socialisation experiences of new graduate baccalaureate nurses to practising nurses. Background. How nurses contend with the stress of their professional role has been of interest to both researchers and healthcare administrators over the past 30 years. Work stress of clinical nurses comes mainly from organisational and professional factors. However, few studies have explored the professional and organisational socialisation experiences of new graduate nurses. Design. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. Methods. Participants were graduates of a baccalaureate nursing programme and employed full time at four medical centres in Taiwan, their first full-time work experience. Data were collected through semi-structured, open-ended, in-depth interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed by content analysis. Three themes were identified: overwhelming chaos, learning by doing and being an insider. Results. Although the professional socialisation process was hard for the new graduate nurses, they needed much time to increase their knowledge and clinical skills to fulfil clinical needs. However, the hardest work was the organisational socialisation process, which involved fitting into the bureaucratic system, such as maintaining interpersonal relationships with colleagues and familiarising themselves with the ward rules and culture. Neophyte nurse participants were also frustrated by the conflict between professional and organisational values. Conclusions. The study findings show that the transition from new graduate nurse to practising nurse was stressful for these participants, particularly due to the clash between the professional value of patient-oriented nursing care and the organisational value of task-oriented nursing. Relevance to clinical practice. Senior clinical nurses can consider this study’s descriptions of new graduate nurses’ experiences to help them become insiders and provide quality care.

Coping with racial discrimination: the role of substance use.

Abstract: Three studies tested the hypothesis that the relation between perceived racial discrimination and substance use reported in previous research is moderated by use of substances as a coping mechanism. Studies 1 and 2 were experimental studies of African American adolescents' and young adults' reactions to a discrimination experience. Results revealed that those who endorsed substance use-as-coping reported more willingness to use substances after experiencing discrimination. Study 3 was a prospective study of the relation between perceived discrimination and substance use over an 8-year period in African American adolescents. Results demonstrated that discrimination is associated with increases in substance use, but only among adolescents who endorse substance use-as-coping. Together, these three studies provide evidence that experiencing discrimination has both short- and long-term detrimental effects on African Americans' substance use, but significantly more so for those who adopt a pattern of using substances as a coping mechanism.

TOPK/PBK promotes cell migration via modulation of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT pathway and is associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer.

Abstract: We integrated four gene expression profile data sets, namely two different pair-matched stage I lung adenocarcinoma data sets, secondary metastatic tumors vs benign tumors and lung tumor metastasizes to the brain, and we identified one kinase, T-LAK Cell-Originated Protein Kinase (TOPK), as a putative gene that promotes metastasis. To delineate the role of TOPK in lung cancer, we showed that overexpression of TOPK, but not a catalytically inactive form of TOPK, can enhance the migration and invasion of lung fibroblasts or cells with low TOPK expression. In addition, TOPK-induced cell migration was shown to be a PI3K/AKT-dependent event. TOPK concurrently promoted AKT phosphorylation at Ser(473) and decreased the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) levels, whereas TOPK knockdown had the reverse effects. LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, did not inhibit the TOPK-induced decrease in PTEN, and co-expression of PTEN significantly reduced TOPK-induced AKT phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner; these results indicate that the TOPK-mediated PTEN decrease has an upstream role in regulating PI3K/AKT-stimulated migration. Using immunohistochemical analysis of lung cancer tissue samples, we showed that a high TOPK expression level correlates strongly with reduced overall and disease-free survivals. Moreover, an inverse correlation between TOPK and PTEN expression was present and is consistent with the biochemical findings. Finally, a combination of high TOPK and low PTEN expression was inversely correlated with overall and disease-free survivals, independent of other pathologic staging factors. Our results suggest that TOPK is a potential therapeutic target in lung cancer that promotes cell migration by modulating a PI3K/PTEN/AKT-dependent signaling pathway; they also suggest that high TOPK expression, either alone or in combination with a low level of PTEN, may serve as a prognostic marker for lung cancer.

Rutin inhibits human leukemia tumor growth in a murine xenograft model in vivo.

Abstract: Numerous studies have shown that rutin has anticancer effects. We have previously reported that rutin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro and in vivo. However, there are no data showing that rutin inhibits human leukemia HL-60 cells in vivo in a murine xenograft animal model. Human leukemia HL-60 cells were implanted into mice and treated with vehicle (1% DMSO), rutin (120 mg/kg of body weight) or vinblastine (120 μg/kg of body weight). Compounds and agents were injected once every four days intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 36 days. Treatment with 120 mg/kg of rutin or with 120 μg/kg of vinblastine resulted in a reduction of tumor weight and volume when compared with the control groups. Tumor size in xenograft mice treated with 120 mg/kg of rutin was significantly smaller than that in the untreated-control group. These novel findings indicate that rutin inhibits tumor growth in a xenograft animal model. Rutin may be useful in treating leukemia but certainly much more research is needed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2012.

Five Different Piscidins from Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: Analysis of Their Expressions and Biological Functions

Abstract: Piscidins are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that play important roles in helping fish resist pathogenic infections. Through comparisons of tilapia EST clones, the coding sequences of five piscidin-like AMPs (named TP1∼5) of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, were determined. The complete piscidin coding sequences of TP1, -2, -3, -4, and -5 were respectively composed of 207, 234, 231, 270, and 195 bases, and each contained a translated region of 68, 77, 76, 89, and 64 amino acids. The tissue-specific, Vibrio vulnificus stimulation-specific, and Streptococcus agalactiae stimulation-specific expressions of TP2, -3, and -4 mRNA were determined by a comparative RT-PCR. Results of the tissue distribution analysis revealed high expression levels of TP2 mRNA in the skin, head kidneys, liver, and spleen. To study bacterial stimulation, S. agalactiae (SA47) was injected, and the TP4 transcript was upregulated by >13-fold (compared to the wild-type (WT) control, without injection) and was 60-fold upregulated (compared to the WT control, without injection) 24 h after the S. agalactiae (SA47) injection in the spleen and gills. Synthesized TP3 and TP4 peptides showed antimicrobial activities against several bacteria in this study, while the synthesized TP1, -2, and -5 peptides did not. The synthesized TP2, -3, and -4 peptides showed hemolytic activities and synthesized TP3 and TP4 peptides inhibited tilapia ovary cell proliferation with a dose-dependent effect. In summary, the amphiphilic α-helical cationic peptides of TP3 and TP4 may represent novel and potential antimicrobial agents for further peptide drug development.

A study of the evolution of interdisciplinarity in library and information science: using three bibliometric methods

Abstract: This study uses three bibliometric methods: direct citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-authorship analysis, to investigate interdisciplinary changes in library and information science (LIS) from 1978 to 2007. The results reveal that LIS researchers most frequently cite publications in their own discipline. In addition, half of all co-authors of LIS articles are affiliated with LIS-related institutes. The results confirm that the degree of interdisciplinarity within LIS has increased, particularly coauthorship. However, the study found sources of direct citations in LIS articles are widely distributed across 30 disciplines, but co-authors of LIS articles are distributed across only 25 disciplines. The degree of interdisciplinarity was found ranging from 0.61 to 0.82 with citation to references in all articles being the highest and that of coauthorship being the lowest. Percentages of contribution attributable to LIS show a decreasing tendency based on the results of direct citation and co-authorship analysis, but an increasing tendency based on those of bibliographic coupling analysis. Such differences indicate each of the three bibliometric methods has its strength and provides insights respectively for viewing various aspects of interdisciplinarity, suggesting the use of no single bibliometric method can reveal all aspects of interdisciplinarity due to its multifaceted nature.

Prevalence of Metabolically Healthy Obesity and Its Impacts on Incidences of Hypertension, Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwan

Abstract: Obesity is an epidemic health problem related to morbidity and mortality of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known regarding the development of cardiometabolic diseases in an obese subgroup with a healthy metabolic risk profile. This study examined the prevalence of baseline metabolically healthy obese subjects and its impacts on the incidences of cardiometabolic diseases using a nation-wide population cohort. Metabolically healthy obese were prevalent in 8.2% of the baseline population and 28.5% of the obese subjects. Subjects included were 1,547 men and women (age range, 18-59 years), who were free of components of the metabolic syndrome except waist criteria. During an average 5.4-year follow-up, the cumulative incidences of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome were 7.8%, 1.2% and 5.6%, respectively. The hazard ratios (95% CIs) for the metabolic syndrome incidence were significantly higher at BMI levels of >=23.0 kg/m² [4.68 (2.22-9.86)] for BMI of 23-24.9 kg/m²; 8.82 (4.01-19.4) for BMI of 25-26.9 kg/m²; and 24.43 (12.33-48.41) for BMI of >=27 kg/m²). The hazard ratios for diabetes or hypertension incidence were significantly higher at BMI levels of >=25.0 kg/m2. Each kg/m² of BMI gained was associated with an 18% increase in the risk of developing hypertension and a 26% increase in risk for the metabolic syndrome. We conclude that metabolically healthy obese individuals are at higher risk to develop hypertension, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome than their non-obese counterparts. Our data provide further evidence that opposes the notion of metabolically healthy obese as harmless conditions.

Aluminum overload increases oxidative stress in four functional brain areas of neonatal rats

Abstract: Higher aluminum (Al) content in infant formula and its effects on neonatal brain development are a cause for concern. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and concentration of Al in neonatal rat brain following Al treatment, and oxidative stress in brain tissues induced by Al overload. Postnatal day 3 (PND 3) rat pups (n =46) received intraperitoneal injection of aluminum chloride (AlCl3), at dosages of 0, 7, and 35 mg/kg body wt (control, low Al (LA), and high Al (HA), respectively), over 14 d. Aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in the hippocampus (751.0 ± 225.8 ng/g v.s. 294.9 ± 180.8 ng/g; p < 0.05), diencephalon (79.6 ± 20.7 ng/g v.s. 20.4 ± 9.6 ng/g; p < 0.05), and cerebellum (144.8 ± 36.2 ng/g v.s. 83.1 ± 15.2 ng/g; p < 0.05) in the HA group compared to the control. The hippocampus, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brain stem of HA animals displayed significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidative products (TBARS) than the same regions in the controls. However, the average superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brain stem were lower in the HA group compared to the control. The HA animals demonstrated increased catalase activity in the diencephalon, and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brain stem, compared to controls. Aluminum overload increases oxidative stress (H2O2) in the hippocampus, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brain stem in neonatal rats.

Comorbidities of dry eye disease: a nationwide population-based study.

Abstract: . Purpose: To investigate the comorbidities of dry eye disease in a nationwide population-based data in Taiwan. Methods: This study features a study group and a comparison group. The study group comprised 12 007 patients who sought ambulatory care for treatment of dry eye in 2005 and 2006. In total, 36 021 randomly selected patients were in the comparison group. Conditional logistic regression analyses conditioned on gender, age, monthly income and level of urbanization of the community in which the patient resided were conducted to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for each of 33 comorbidities among patients with and without dry eye disease. Results: The regression analyses revealed that compared to patients without dry eye disease, patients with dry eye disease were more likely to have comorbidities of ischaemic heart disease (OR = 1.36), hyperlipidaemia (OR = 1.68), cardiac arrhythmias (OR = 1.55), peripheral vascular disorders (OR = 1.57), stroke (OR = 1.31), migraines (OR = 1.76), myasthenia gravis (OR = 2.85), RA (OR = 2.86), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 3.98), asthma (OR = 1.25), pulmonary circulation disorders (OR = 1.37), diabetes with complications (OR = 1.31), hypothyroidism (OR = 1.94), liver diseases (OR = 1.71), peptic ulcers (OR = 1.76), hepatitis B (OR = 1.64), deficiency anaemias (OR = 1.31), depression (OR = 2.11), psychoses (OR = 1.87) and solid tumours without metastasis (OR = 1.41). Conclusions: This study demonstrates significantly higher prevalence of medical comorbidities in patients with dry eye disease in Taiwan.

SEPT12 mutations cause male infertility with defective sperm annulus

Abstract: Septins are members of the GTPase superfamily, which has been implicated in diverse cellular functions including cytokinesis and morphogenesis. Septin 12 (SEPT12) is a testis-specific gene critical for the terminal differentiation of male germ cells. We report the identification of two missense SEPT12 mutations, c.266C>T/p.Thr89Met and c.589G>A/p.Asp197Asn, in infertile men. Both mutations are located inside the GTPase domain and may alter the protein structure as suggested by in silico modeling. The p.Thr89Met mutation significantly reduced guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) hydrolytic activity, and the p.Asp197Asn mutation (SEPT12(D197N)) interfered with GTP binding. Both mutant SEPT12 proteins restricted the filament formation of the wild-type SEPT12 in a dose-dependent manner. The patient carrying SEPT12(D197N) presented with oligoasthenozoospermia, whereas the SEPT12(T89M) patient had asthenoteratozoospermia. The characteristic sperm pathology of the SEPT12(D197N) patient included defective annulus with bent tail and loss of SEPT12 from the annulus of abnormal sperm. Our finding suggests loss-of-function mutations in SEPT12 disrupted sperm structural integrity by perturbing septin filament formation.

From racial discrimination to risky sex: prospective relations involving peers and parents.

Abstract: Compared with other racial groups in the United States, African Americans suffer higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009a, 2009b). These race-based differences in STIs are often substantial. For instance, although African Americans comprise only 13% of the total U.S. population, they account for 51% of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009a). Controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) attenuates, but does not eliminate, these differences, which suggests that other, more psychosocial factors are involved in promoting risky sexual behavior (Dressler, Oths, & Gravlee, 2005; Myers, 2009). One such psychosocial factor suggested by previous research is the early experience of racial discrimination. Racial discrimination that is perceived during childhood has been associated (cross-sectionally and prospectively) with an array of negative developmental consequences, including increased substance use (Gibbons et al. 2007; Gibbons et al., in press; Guthrie, Young, Williams, Boyd, & Kintner, 2002), delinquency (Prelow, DanoffBurg, Swenson, & Pulgiano, 2004; Simons, Chen, Stewart, & Brody, 2003,), diminished academic achievement (Eccles, Wong, & Peck, 2006; O’Hara, Gibbons, Weng, Gerrard, & Simons, 2011), and poor mental health (Cooper, McLoyd, Wood, & Hardaway, 2008; Greene, Way, & Pahl, 2006). The general theoretical explanation for these relations is that discriminatory experiences are very stressful events for African Americans (Clark, Anderson, Clark, & Williams, 1999; Sanders-Phillips, Settles-Reaves, Walker, & Brownlow, 2009), and the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to this stress promote maladaptive behaviors (Pascoe & Richman, 2009; Williams & Mohammed, 2009). Discrimination is believed to have a particularly strong impact in early adolescence (Gibbons et al., 2007; Simons et al., 2002), since during this period, important transitions in the development of the self-concept and ethnic identity (French, Seidman, Allen, & Aber, 2006; Harter, 1999) are happening in concurrence with an increasing awareness of discrimination (Quintana, 1998). Given that risky sexual behavior is frequently associated with substance use and other problematic behaviors (Feldstein & Miller, 2006; Shrier, Emans, Woods, & DuRant, 1997) it is reasonable to expect that the negative influence of discrimination extends to risky sexual behavior. Indeed, one cross-sectional study (Stevens-Watkins, Brown-Wright, & Tyler, 2010) found that after controlling for SES and age at first intercourse, African American high school students who reported more discrimination also reported a greater number of sexual partners. However, research on early-experienced discrimination has not yet investigated the impact of such discrimination on risky sexual behavior prospectively. Furthermore, the mechanisms of this relation remain unclear: If the sexual behaviors that put young African Americans at risk for STIs are in part influenced by prior experience with discrimination, then it is important to understand both how this effect occurs, and how it can be attenuated. The present study was therefore designed to explore the potential factors involved in an anticipated prospective relation between early perceived racial discrimination and subsequent risky sexual behavior among a diverse sample of African American youths.1

Related-party transactions and corporate governance: The evidence from the Taiwan stock market

Abstract: In this study we explore how corporate governance affects the level of related-party transactions (RPTs) and how it moderates the motives of using RPTs in Taiwan, an ownership-concentrated economy. The empirical results show that good corporate governance is effective in constraining RPTs with the negative relation being sustainable across different measures of RPTs (raw, residual and industry-adjusted RPTs) and across different types of RPTs (related sales, lending and guarantee, and related borrowings). The propping-up hypothesis indicates that the level of related sales is positively correlated with the condition that firms plan to issue seasoned equity next period and the condition of a decrease in the reported earnings. The internal capital market hypothesis indicates that the level of related lending and guarantee (related borrowing) is negatively (positively) correlated with the condition of an increase in capital expenditure and an increase in net working capital. The empirical results lend partial support to the two hypotheses. More importantly, we find that corporate governance moderates the relation between the motives and the level of RPTs.

Impact of subjective sleep quality on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Results. After adjusting for age, gender and body mass index, the total PSQI score and sleep efficiency (P < 0.05) were significantly correlated with the level of HbA1C. Logistic regression analysis showed the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of sleep efficiency for HbA1C level was 6.83 [OR = 6.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.04–22.8, P = 0.002]. The adjusted ORs of worse glycaemic control for the poor sleep quality group was 6.94 with regard to the group of good sleep quality (OR = 6.94, 95% CI: 1.02–47.16, P < 0.05). Conclusions. This study demonstrated that both poor sleep quality and less-efficient sleep are significantly correlated with worse glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings are expected to contribute to the prevention and risk reduction of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

An extended chaotic maps-based key agreement protocol with user anonymity

Abstract: A key agreement protocol is used to derive a shared secure session key by two or more parties, but no party can predetermine the resulting value. Users can securely exchange information over an open network by using the shared session key to encrypt/decrypt secure information. Recently, several key agreement protocols based on chaotic maps are proposed. Xiao et al. proposed a novel key agreement protocol based on chaotic maps and claimed their protocol can resist the known attack which is proposed by Bergamo et al. However, Han et al. and Xiang et al. pointed out that the Xiao et al. protocol is still insecure. To overcome these attacks, we shall propose an extended chaotic maps-based key agreement protocol. The proposed protocol not only can resist these attacks, but also provide mutual authentication and user anonymity.