Maintaining the integrity of XML signatures by using the manifest element

One of the aims of providing 'security of data' in e-commerce transactions is making sure that the receiver receives the same data which the sender sends, that is the data has not been tampered in any way. To achieve this aim digital signatures are used. A digital signature helps in providing integrity, message authentication, and signer authentication for the signed data. An XML signature can contain or point to the data that is being signed. In this paper we discuss a possible solution of avoiding a signature from breaking when there is a change in the location of the document after it has been signed

Soft computing agents for e-health applied to the research and control of unknown diseases

This paper presents an Ontology-based Holonic Diagnostic System (OHDS) that combines the advantages of the holonic paradigm with multi-agent system technology and ontology design, for the organization of unstructured biomedical research into structured disease information. We use ontologies as 'brain' for the holonic diagnostic system to enhance its ability to structure information in a meaningful way and share information fast. To integrate dispersed heterogeneous knowledge available on the web we use a fuzzy mechanism ruled by intelligent agents, which automatically structures the information in the adequate ontology template. Our vision of how this system implementation should be backed by a solid security shield that ensures the privacy and safety of medical information concludes the paper

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a rapidly evolving field as new technologies are implemented for example for the development of wireless sensors, quality data transmission. Using the Internet applications such as counseling, clinical consultation support and home care monitoring and management are more and more realized, which improves access to high level medical care in underserved areas. The 23 chapters of this book present manifold examples of telemedicine treating both theoretical and practical foundations and application scenarios

Trends in Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences I

Podeu consultar el llibre complet a: https://medwinpublishers.com/OAJPR/OAJPR16000eB001.pdfTrends in Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences I is the first issue of an open access E-book devoted to scientific and technical research that covers the entire spectrum of drug and food research, including medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug delivery, microbiology and biochemical studies, as well as relevant developments in nutrition, food safety and analytical innovation. The first chapter, Different techniques to detect G protein coupled receptor heteromers, describes state of the art techniques based in biophysical principles applied to detect oligomeric aggregates formed by G-protein coupled receptors in the cell membrane, and describes how the knowledge generated can be applied to design new compounds for the treatment of neurological and mental diseases. Obesity has become a worldwide problem and it is well known that causes and exacerbates many health problems by promoting profound changes in physiological functions. Chapter 2, Analysis of the role of diet in the appearance of neurodegenerative processes, reviews the consequences of these metabolic alterations while considering their effects in the development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and their role in the appearance of cognitive impairments such as the sporadic forms of Alzheimer’s disease. The development of new cultivars facing climate change is an issue of great interest for the agrochemical industry and can be approached in different ways. Chapter 3, Arabidopsis Thaliana A Model for the Study of Plant Speciation, reviews different aspects of the plant immune system and the different layers of the plant immune response and signaling. The emerging field in plant research that studies how soil microbiota influences plant basic mechanisms is also discussed. Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America, but recently and due to human migrations, it is becoming a global health problem. In chapter 4, Trypanosoma cruzi infection diagnosis: New insights, challenges and perspectives, a group of experts from several institutions describe the different techniques that can be used for the serological diagnosis of the infection and the characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi, discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each method and propose improvements that would entail important savings for health institutions. Chapter 5, Nutrients, Control of Gene Expression and Metabolic Homeostasis, focuses on the molecular mechanisms that control metabolism by means of regulating gene expression in response to dietary inputs, to design new therapeutic strategies based on nutritional interventions against metabolic diseases. In this context, involvement of FGF21 hormone in the regulation of lipid metabolism during amino acid starvation is described, thus reinforcing its important role as an endocrine factor in coordinating energy homeostasis under a variety of nutritional conditions. This raises the possibility of dietary modulation of circulating levels of FGF21 as an alternative approach to its pharmacological administration. Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating neuroprotective drugs have enormous potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer´s disease and glaucoma. Recent advances in the field are described in chapter 6, Polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma, specifically the preparation of engineered polymeric nanoparticles with attached peptides or antibodies to increase their bioavailability, favoring their transport through the blood brain barrier and the blood retinal barrier, avoiding at the same time possible drug adverse and toxic effects. The last chapter, Pentacyclic triterpenes in table olives: Determination of their composition and bioavailability by LC-M, is a review on the pentacyclic triterpenes contained in table olives, natural compounds of enormous interest due to their beneficial effects on human health, including hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antiviral, cardioprotective and antitumor activities. Authors describe a selective and sensitive LC–MS method for the simultaneous determination of the main triterpenic compounds present in Olea europaea L. This opens the possibility to bioavailability studies after consumption of different foods, or administration of plants widely used in traditional medicine, with the aim of studying in depth the beneficial effects of these compounds in human beings. We hope that this new volume will attract the interest of all the scientific community, especially those working in the fields of pharmaceutical, medical, biological, chemical and food sciences

Advancing health equity, eliminating health disparities, and improving population health

Publication date from document properties.Health-Disparities-Collection_508.pdf01. Advancing Health Equity, Eliminating Health Disparities, and Improving Population Health Jack L Jr. Advancing Health Equity, Eliminating Health Disparities, and Improving Population Health. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:210264. / 02. PCD\u2019s Commitment to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Its Scientific Leadership, Peer-Review Process, Research Focus, Training, and Continuing Education / Jack L Jr. PCD\u2019s Commitment to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Its Scientific Leadership, Peer-Review Process, Research Focus, Training, and Continuing Education. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:210269. -- 03. Engaging With Communities \u2014 Lessons (Re)Learned From COVID-19 / Michener L, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Alberti PM, Castaneda MJ, Castrucci BC, Harrison LM, et al. Engaging With Communities \u2014 Lessons (Re)Learned From COVID-19. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200250. -- 04. Culture Matters in Communicating the Global Response to COVID-19 / Airhihenbuwa C, Iwelunmor J, Munodawafa D, Ford C, Oni T, Agyemang C, et al. Culture Matters in Communicating the Global Response to COVID-19. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200245. -- 05. Reaching the Hispanic Community About COVID-19 Through Existing Chronic Disease Prevention Programs / Calo WA, Murray A, Francis E, Bermudez M, Kraschnewski J. Reaching the Hispanic Community About COVID-19 Through Existing Chronic Disease Prevention Programs. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200165. -- 06. Community Engagement of African Americans in the Era of COVID-19: Considerations, Challenges, Implications, and Recommendations for Public Health / Henry Akintobi T, Jacobs T, Sabbs D, Holden K, Braithwaite R, Johnson LN, et al. Community Engagement of African Americans in the Era of COVID-19: Considerations, Challenges, Implications, and Recommendations for Public Health. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200255. -- 07. Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Among School-Aged Children: Are We Doing Enough? -- White A, Liburd LC, Coronado F. Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Among School-Aged Children: Are We Doing Enough? Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:210084. -- 08. A Framework for Mobilizing Health Care to Respond to the Community Within the COVID-19 Pandemic / Epps F, Wiley Z, Teunis LJ, Johnson TM II, Patzer RE, Ofotokun I, et al. A Framework for Mobilizing Health Care to Respond to the Community Within the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:200572. -- 09. Addressing Emotional Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: the Role of Promotores in Delivering Integrated Mental Health Care and Social Services / Moon KJ, Montiel GI, Cantero PJ, Nawaz S. Addressing Emotional Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: the Role of Promotores in Delivering Integrated Mental Health Care and Social Services. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:200656. -- 10. COVID-19 and Chronic Disease: The Impact Now and in the Future / Hacker KA, Briss PA, Richardson L, Wright J, Petersen R. COVID-19 and Chronic Disease: The Impact Now and in the Future. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:210086. -- 11. Screening and Referral Care Delivery Services and Unmet Health-Related Social Needs: A Systematic Review / Ruiz Escobar E, Pathak S, Blanchard CM. Screening and Referral Care Delivery Services and Unmet Health-Related Social Needs: A Systematic Review. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:200569. -- 12. Community and Research Perspectives on Cancer Disparities in Wisconsin -- Olson J, Cawthra T, Beyer K, Frazer D, Ignace L, Maurana C, et al. Community and Research Perspectives on Cancer Disparities in Wisconsin. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200183. -- 13. Urban\u2013Rural Disparities in Access to Low-Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening in Missouri and Illinois / Rohatgi KW, Marx CM, Lewis-Thames MW, Liu J, Colditz GA, James AS. Urban\u2013Rural Disparities in Access to Low-Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening in Missouri and Illinois. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200202. -- 14. Quantification of Potential Inequities in Breast Cancer Incidence in New Mexico Through Bayesian Disease Mapping / Zahrieh D, Golafshar MA, Patel SH, DeWees TA. Quantification of Potential Inequities in Breast Cancer Incidence in New Mexico Through Bayesian Disease Mapping. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:200468. -- 15. HbA1c Performance in African Descent Populations in the United States With Normal Glucose Tolerance, Prediabetes, or Diabetes: A Scoping Review / Khosla L, Bhat S, Fullington LA, Horlyck-Romanovsky MF. HbA1c Performance in African Descent Populations in the United States With Normal Glucose Tolerance, Prediabetes, or Diabetes: A Scoping Review. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:200365. -- 16. Reducing Tobacco Use in Oregon Through Multisector Collaboration: Aligning Medicaid and Public Health Programs / Livingston CJ, Bartelmann SE, Goff NM, Aird KG. Reducing Tobacco Use in Oregon Through Multisector Collaboration: Aligning Medicaid and Public Health Programs. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200220. -- 17. \u201cWe\u2019re, Like, the Most Unhealthy People in the Country\u201c: Using an Equity Lens to Reduce Barriers to Healthy Food Access in Rural Appalachia / Cardarelli K, DeWitt E, Gillespie R, Norman-Burgdolf H, Jones N, Mullins JT. \u201cWe\u2019re, Like, the Most Unhealthy People in the Country\u201d: Using an Equity Lens to Reduce Barriers to Healthy Food Access in Rural Appalachia. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200340. -- 18. Oral Health Behaviors in Very Young Children in Low-Income Urban Areas in Chicago, Illinois, 2018\u20132019 / Martin M, Pugach O, Avenetti D, Lee H, Salazar S, Rosales G, et al. Oral Health Behaviors in -- Very Young Children in Low-Income Urban Areas in Chicago, Illinois, 2018\u20132019. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200213. -- 19. A Randomized Trial to Improve Adherence to Follow-up Eye Examinations Among People With Glaucoma / Leiby BE, Hegarty SE, Zhan T, Myers JS, Katz LJ, Haller JA, et al. A Randomized Trial to Improve Adherence to Follow-up Eye Examinations Among People With Glaucoma. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:200567.20211055

Prediction of unfavorable outcome in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and assessment of the long-term outcomes in JIA-associated uveitis – A prospective Nordic multicenter study of JIA from childhood to adulthood

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic childhood disease with joint inflammation as the main feature. The course and outcomes are heterogeneous with a large span in disease severity. There is increasing evidence that early aggressive treatment may modify the disease course in JIA. Precise determination of disease prognosis is therefore sought to guide early decisions on which children need disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. We aimed to develop and validate clinically applicable models for the prediction of unfavorable outcomes in JIA. The goal was to improve JIA outcomes by providing a practical application to support clinicians in treatment decisions. We collaborated with Canadian researchers who separately had developed a model for predicting severe disease course. We developed a multivariable logistic regression model with eight clinical variables in the Nordic JIA cohort. The model performed well in predicting non-achievement of remission (the Nordic outcome), both in internal validation and in external validation in the Canadian cohort. We externally validated the Canadian model in the Nordic cohort yielding an excellent predictive ability. The Nordic model performed almost equally as well without blood tests and also performed well in predicting severe disease course (the Canadian outcome). The Canadian model did not attain an acceptable prediction of the Nordic outcome. Uveitis is the most common extraarticular manifestation of JIA and may lead to severe sight-threatening complications. We found a high cumulative incidence of uveitis in 96 of 434 children (22%) in the Nordic cohort. Ocular complications, mainly cataract and glaucoma, were present in 39% of the young adults with uveitis at follow-up 18 years after onset of JIA. Predictors associated with development of ocular complications were uveitis before JIA, short interval between JIA and uveitis, and ANA positivity. Our results strongly suggest early and tight eye screening programs and close collaboration between ophthalmologists and pediatric rheumatologists for optimal treatment to minimize long-term complications