"LUDO" - Kids playing Distributed Denial of Service

Distributed denial of service attacks pose a serious threat to the availability of the network infrastructures and services. GE̿ANT, the pan-European network with terabit capacities witnesses close to hundreds of DDoS attacks on a daily basis. The reason is that DDoS attacks are getting larger, more sophisticated and frequent. At the same time, it has never been easier to execute DDoS attacks, e.g., Booter services offer paying customers without any technical knowledge the possibility to perform DDoS attacks as a service. Given the increasing size, frequency and complexity of DDoS attacks, there is a need to perform a collaborative mitigation. Therefore, we developed (i) a DDoSDB to share real attack data and allow collaborators to query, compare, and download attacks, (ii) the Security attack experimentation framework to test mitigation and response capabilities and (iii) a collaborative mitigation and response process among trusted partners to disseminate security event information. In addition to these developments, we present and would like to discuss our latest research results with experienced networking operators and bridging the gap between academic research and operational business

Molecular Biomarker Analyses Using Circulating Tumor Cells

Evaluation of cancer biomarkers from blood could significantly enable biomarker assessment by providing a relatively non-invasive source of representative tumor material. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) isolated from blood of metastatic cancer patients hold significant promise in this regard.Using spiked tumor-cells we evaluated CTC capture on different CTC technology platforms, including CellSearch and two biochip platforms, and used the isolated CTCs to develop and optimize assays for molecular characterization of CTCs. We report similar performance for the various platforms tested in capturing CTCs, and find that capture efficiency is dependent on the level of EpCAM expression. We demonstrate that captured CTCs are amenable to biomarker analyses such as HER2 status, qRT-PCR for breast cancer subtype markers, KRAS mutation detection, and EGFR staining by immunofluorescence (IF). We quantify cell surface expression of EGFR in metastatic lung cancer patient samples. In addition, we determined HER2 status by IF and FISH in CTCs from metastatic breast cancer patients. In the majority of patients (89%) we found concordance with HER2 status from patient tumor tissue, though in a subset of patients (11%), HER2 status in CTCs differed from that observed in the primary tumor. Surprisingly, we found CTC counts to be higher in ER+ patients in comparison to HER2+ and triple negative patients, which could be explained by low EpCAM expression and a more mesenchymal phenotype of tumors belonging to the basal-like molecular subtype of breast cancer.Our data suggests that molecular characterization from captured CTCs is possible and can potentially provide real-time information on biomarker status. In this regard, CTCs hold significant promise as a source of tumor material to facilitate clinical biomarker evaluation. However, limitations exist from a purely EpCAM based capture system and addition of antibodies to mesenchymal markers could further improve CTC capture efficiency to enable routine biomarker analysis from CTCs

Hershey Medical Center Technical Workshop Report: Optimizing the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies for assessing neurodevelopmental effects from in utero chemical exposure

Neurodevelopmental disabilities affect 3-8% of the 4 million babies born each year in the U.S. alone, with known etiology for less than 25% of those disabilities. Numerous investigations have sought to determine the role of environmental exposures in the etiology of a variety of human neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities) that are manifested in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. A comprehensive critical examination and discussion of the various methodologies commonly used in investigations is needed. The Hershey Medical Center Technical Workshop: Optimizing the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies for assessing neurodevelopmental effects from in utero chemical exposure provided such a forum for examining these methodologies. The objective of the Workshop was to develop scientific consensus on the key principles and considerations for optimizing the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies of in utero exposure to environmental chemicals and subsequent neurodevelopmental effects. (The Panel recognized that the nervous system develops post-natally and that critical periods of exposure can span several developmental life stages.) Discussions from the Workshop Panel generated 17 summary points representing key tenets of work in this field. These points stressed the importance of: a well-defined, biologically plausible hypothesis as the foundation of in utero studies for assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes; understanding of the exposure to the environmental chemical(s) of interest, underlying mechanisms of toxicity, and anticipated outcomes; the use of a prospective, longitudinal cohort design that, when possible, runs for periods of 2-5 years, and possibly even longer, in an effort to assess functions at key developmental epochs; measuring potentially confounding variables at regular, fixed time intervals; including measures of specific cognitive and social-emotional domains along with non-cognitive competence in young children, as well as comprehensive measures of health; consistency of research design protocols across studies (i.e., tests, covariates, and analysis styles) in an effort to improve interstudy comparisons; emphasis on design features that minimize introduction of systematic error at all stages of investigation: participant selection, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of results; these would include (but not be limited to) reducing selection bias, using double-blind designs, and avoiding post hoc formulation of hypotheses; a priori data analysis strategies tied to hypotheses and the overall research design, particularly for methods used to characterize and address confounders in any neurodevelopmental study; actual quantitative measurements of exposure, even if indirect, rather than methods based on subject recall; careful examination of standard test batteries to ensure that the battery is tailored to the age group as well as what is known about the specific neurotoxic effects on the developing nervous system; establishment of a system for neurodevelopmental surveillance for tracking the outcomes from in utero exposure across early developmental time periods to determine whether central nervous system injuries may be lying silent until developmentally challenged; ongoing exploration of computerized measures that are culturally and linguistically sensitive, and span the age range from birth into the adolescent years; routine incorporation of narrative in manuscripts concerning the possibility of spurious (i.e., false positive and false negative) test results in all research reportage (this can be facilitated by detailed, transparent reporting of design, covariates, and analyses so that others can attempt to replicate the study); forthright, disciplined, and intellectually honest treatment of the extent to which results of any study are conclusive--that is, how generalizable the results of the study are in terms of the implications for the individual study participants, the community studied, and human health overall; confinement of reporting to the actual research questions, how they were tested, and what the study found, and avoiding, or at least keeping to a minimum, any opinions or speculation concerning public health implications; education of clinicians and policymakers to critically read scientific reports, and to interpret study findings and conclusions appropriately; and recognition by investigators of their ethical duty to report negative as well as positive findings, and the importance of neither minimizing nor exaggerating these findings

LNCaP Atlas: Gene expression associated with in vivo progression to castration-recurrent prostate cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is no cure for castration-recurrent prostate cancer (CRPC) and the mechanisms underlying this stage of the disease are unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed the transcriptome of human LNCaP prostate cancer cells as they progress to CRPC <it>in vivo </it>using replicate LongSAGE libraries. We refer to these libraries as the LNCaP atlas and compared these gene expression profiles with current suggested models of CRPC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three million tags were sequenced using <it>in vivo </it>samples at various stages of hormonal progression to reveal 96 novel genes differentially expressed in CRPC. Thirty-one genes encode proteins that are either secreted or are located at the plasma membrane, 21 genes changed levels of expression in response to androgen, and 8 genes have enriched expression in the prostate. Expression of 26, 6, 12, and 15 genes have previously been linked to prostate cancer, Gleason grade, progression, and metastasis, respectively. Expression profiles of genes in CRPC support a role for the transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor (<it>CCNH, CUEDC2, FLNA, PSMA7</it>), steroid synthesis and metabolism (<it>DHCR24, DHRS7</it>, <it>ELOVL5, HSD17B4</it>, <it>OPRK1</it>), neuroendocrine (<it>ENO2, MAOA, OPRK1, S100A10, TRPM8</it>), and proliferation (<it>GAS5</it>, <it>GNB2L1</it>, <it>MT-ND3</it>, <it>NKX3-1</it>, <it>PCGEM1</it>, <it>PTGFR</it>, <it>STEAP1</it>, <it>TMEM30A</it>), but neither supported nor discounted a role for cell survival genes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The <it>in vivo </it>gene expression atlas for LNCaP was sequenced and support a role for the androgen receptor in CRPC.</p

The Coronavirus: What we know, what we don\u27t know, and what you need to know

Program WELCOME Alan Kadish, M.D., President, Touro College and University System; Cardiologist NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-NCOV), UNITED STATES, 2020 Robert W. Amler, M.D., M.B.A., Dean, School of Health Sciences and Practice at NYMC; former Regional Health Administrator at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and former medical epidemiologist at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BASIC SCIENCE OF CORONAVIRUSES Chandra Shekhar Bakshi, D.V.M., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, NYMC WHAT WE KNOW, WHAT WE DON’T KNOW, AND WHAT WE WILL NEED TO KNOW FOR THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFECTION Marisa A. Montecalvo, M.D., Professor of Medicine, NYMC; Infectious disease specialist WHAT CAN MEDICAL HISTORY TEACH US ABOUT THE PRESENT PROBLEM? Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, NYMC NOVEL CORONAVIRUS: PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE AND PREVENTION GUIDELINES Sherlita Amler M.D., M.S., Commissioner of Health, Westchester County N

Nineteenth Symposium on COVID-19: COVID-19 as of May 18, 2022: What Have We Learned? How Can We Use What We Have Learned?

OPENING REMARKS AND MODERATOR: by Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A. Chancellor and CEO, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Pediatrics and History, New York Medical College | Provost for Biomedical Affairs, Touro University AFTER WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST 2½ YEARS, IF A YOUNG PERSON ASKED ME IF I WOULD RECOMMEND A CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH, WHAT WOULD I TELL THEM? by Sherlita Amler, M.D. Commissioner of Health, Westchester County OUR APPROACH TO DISPARITIES IN VACCINE RATES, ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL by Daniel Regenye, MHA Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer A-591, Ocean County Health Department ALL OF THIS CONFLICTING DATA IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. DEAR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR, DO I OR DON\u27T I NEED A FOURTH VACCINATION AND, IF SO, WHEN? by Lori Solomon, M.D., M.P.H. Chair and Clinical Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, New York Medical College I GOT COVID-19, THEY RECOMMENDED A TREATMENT, BUT THEN THEY SAID THEY COULDN\u27T GET ANY: WHAT HAS THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT US ABOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR DRUGS AND HOW CAN WE IMPROVE IT? by Michael Liu, Pharm.D., MBA, BCCCP, BCNSP, BCPS Assistant Dean of Clinical and Professional Affairs, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Interim Chair, Pharmacy Practice, Touro College of Pharmacy SHOULD I ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO GO TO SUMMER CAMP AND SHOULD WE BOOK THE FAMILY ON A CRUISE OR A TRIP TO A THEME PARK? by Robert Amler, M.D., MBA Dean, School of Health Sciences and Practice, Vice President for Government Affairs, New York Medical College | Former Regional Health Administrator, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Former Medical Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Q&A: Hosted by Alan Kadish, M.D. Cardiologist | President, Touro University | President, New York Medical Colleg

COVID-19 as of March 30, 2020: What do we know? What don\u27t we know? What do we need to know?

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME by Alan Kadish MDCardiologist | President, Touro College and University System THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF COVID-19: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR AND WHAT WE ARE LIKELY TO LEARN by Robert Amler, MD, MPHDean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice, New York Medical College | Former Regional Health Administrator at US Department of Health and Human Services | Former Medical Epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) LEGAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC: WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT IS YET-TO-BE-DETERMINED? Rodger D. CitronAssociate Dean for Research and Scholarship & Professor of Law, Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF SUSPECTED AND CONFIRMED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN THE LAST MONTH by Marisa Montecalvo, MDInfectious Disease Specialist, Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College “THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE”, OR MAYBE NOT: A MEDICAL HISTORIAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON BIGOTRY AND XENOPHOBIA DURING A PANDEMIC by Edward C. Halperin, MD, MAChancellor/CEO, New York Medical College WHAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER KNOWS AND WHAT SHE WISHED SHE KNEW IN RESPONDING TO COVID-19 by Sherlita Amler, MD, MSCommissioner of Health, Westchester County NY “I’M GOING CRAZY AND MY KIDS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY.”: PRACTICAL MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE WHILE SHELTERING-IN-PLACE by Jeffrey Lichtman, Touro College Graduate School of Education, Lucille Weidman Program Chair, Jewish Childhood Education & Special Education; Assistant Professor, Jewish Childhood Education & Special Educatio