Electrophysiological Investigation of Episodic Encoding in Schizophrenia

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Securing Mobile Access of Confidential Documents by Integrating Trusted Computing Platforms with Digital Rights Managements

The mature mobile network today empowers mobile employees to access Intranet documents via mobile devices and increases the productivity of company workers. Internal documents transmitted without encryption through the open mobile networks undoubtedly creates security holes for eavesdroppers. A common way to provide preliminary protections for an important document to be accessed outside the Intranet is to transmit the document after encryption. Such mechanisms, however, cannot assure the security of documents because the documents can be decrypted and then forwarded without protections once the ciphering keys were known. Therefore, we propose an approach to enhance the security of transmitted mobile documents, using the idea from digital rights managements. A confidential document is encrypted so that, except the targeted mobile user, none can read the confidential document without proper rights. The proposed approach utilizes the trusted computing platforms (TPM) technology to protect the rights object of a confidential document. A rights object can be as simple as a ciphering key of the document or as complicated as the usage-rules of the document. We use the public key in TPM to encrypt the rights object so that only the dedicated mobile device, i.e. the mobile user, may decrypt the rights object using the private key of the device. A malicious user can never decrypt the rights to access the transmitted document, which is encrypted. Moreover, the usage-rules in the rights object may specify whether the document can be further forwarded or be read more than once, and so on. Therefore, the proposed scheme provides maximum flexibilities for mobile employees to access confidential documents without compromising the security, in addition to the mobility and timeliness of mobile environments

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum supplement reduces high-fat diet increased blood lipids and oxidative stress and ameliorates FeCl3-induced acute arterial injury in hamsters

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hyperlipidemia can promote arterial thrombus. We evaluated the potential of a partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) as dietary fiber on lipid profiles and FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis in the high fat-diet fed hamsters. Our in vitro results found that PHGG is efficient to scavenge O2-•, H2O2, and HOCl. High fat-diet increased plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, methylguanidine and dityrosine level and accelerated FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis formation (from 463 ± 51 to 303 ± 45 sec). Low dose PHGG supplement significantly decreased the total cholesterol, LDL, methylguanidine and dityrosine level and delayed the time for arterial thrombosis formation (528 ± 75 sec). High dose PHGG supplement decreased the level in triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL and further delayed the time for arterial thrombus (671 ± 36 sec). The increased Bax protein and decreased Bcl-2 and HSP-70 protein expression was found in the carotid and femoral arteries of high fat-diet hamsters. Low and high dose of PHGG supplement decreased Bax expression and increased Bcl-2 and HSP-70 protein expression. We found that FeCl3 significantly enhanced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and 4-hydroxynonenal expression in the endothelial site of damaged artery after 150-sec FeCl3 stimulation. PHGG supplement decreased the endothelial ICAM-1 and 4-hydroxynonenal expression after 150-sec FeCl3 stimulation. Based on these results, we conclude that PHGG supplement can increase antioxidant protein expression and thus decrease oxidative stress induced arterial injury

Safety and Efficacy of Tien-Hsien Liquid Practical in Patients with Refractory Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Phase IIa Trial

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tien-Hsien Liquid Practical (THL-P), a Chinese herbal mixture, in patients with refractory metastatic breast cancer, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase IIa pilot trial. Patients were randomly assigned to either receive THL-P or matching placebo and followed up every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was changes in the global health status/quality of life (GHS/QOL) scale. The secondary endpoints were changes in functional and symptom scales, immunomodulating effects, and adverse events. Sixty-three patients were enrolled between June 2009 and June 2011. The intent-to-treat population included 28 patients in the THL-P group and 11 patients in the placebo group. Compared to the placebo group, the THL-P group had significant improvement from baseline to last visit in GHS/QOL (41.7 versus −33.3; P < 0.05), CD3, CD4/CD8, CD19, CD16+56 positive cells (P < 0.05), and higher levels of physical, role, emotional, and cognitive functioning, as well as decreased fatigue and systemic side effects. Treatment-related adverse events were mild constipation and localized itching, and no serious adverse events were reported. THL-P appears to be a safe alternative adjuvant treatment for patients with refractory metastatic breast cancer, as it effectively improves QOL and palliates cancer-related symptoms

Whole exome sequencing identifies genetic markers of enterovirus susceptibility in East Asians.

INTRODUCTION: Following acute enterovirus (EV) infection, outcomes vary based on factors like the immune response, viral cell entry receptor expression levels, tissue tropism, and genetic factors of both the host and virus. While most individuals exhibit mild, self-limited symptoms, others may suffer severe complications or prolonged infections that can lead to autoimmune disorders. METHODS: To elucidate host responses to EV infection, we performed whole exome sequencing on blood samples from both infected and uninfected individuals. Our initial focus was on genes encoding EV entry receptors-PSGL-1, SCARB2, and ANAXA2 for EV-A71, and CD155 for poliovirus-and on host genes ACBD3 and PI4KΒ, crucial for EV replication. RESULTS: Although no specific genetic variants directly associated with EV infection were identified, we discovered 118 variants across 116 genes enriched in East Asian populations through multi-layered variant filtering. These variants were further analyzed for their potential impacts on organs, biological processes, and molecular pathways. Phenome-wide association studies were conducted to refine our understanding of their contributions to EV infection susceptibility. DISCUSSION: Our findings aim to develop a predictive panel based on these 118 variants, which could help susceptible individuals during EV outbreaks, guiding targeted clinical interventions and preventative strategies

Formulation and Characterization of Hydroquinone Nanostructured Lipid Carriers by Homogenization Emulsification Method

Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was prepared by homogenization emulsification method and improved with modified surfactants. The properties of nanoparticles were investigated using the NLC system for hydroquinone (HQ) as a model drug and by increasing the light stability of hydroquinone. The optimized condition of NLC in stirring was 1200 rpm, the homogenized speed was 8000 rpm, solid oil to liquid oil ratio was 3 : 7, and lecithin to surfactant ratio was 3 : 1. The particle size was 393.30±28.23 nm and the encapsulation efficiency was 22.13±2.66%. The zeta-potential of HQ-NLC was better than −30 mV. In the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies, adding of PLANTACARE 2000 UP for HQ-NLC has better heat resisting property than the HQ-NLC only. The addition of PLANTACARE 2000 UP to NLC shows better permeability (125.10%) than that of Blank. In the stability studies, the HQ-NLC after UVA/UVB irradiation has better inhibition rate (34.25%) than that of the Blank. In the present study, NLC system has successfully improved the light stability and the skin permeability of active compound. Therefore, the NLC might be a potential delivery vehicle for transdermal products in the future

The effects of postintubation hypertension in severe traumatic brain injury

Introduction. The effect of post-intubation hypertension in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients remains uncertain. We aimed to determine the relationship between post-intubation hypertension (mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 110mmHg) and outcomes in severe TBI. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, adults who presented with isolated TBI and a MAP 70mmHg were assessed. Data were retrieved from our institutional trauma registry and the admission list of our neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU). Results. We enrolled 126 patients, 81 of whom had a MAP 110 mmHg after intubation and were assigned to group 1; 45 patients who had a MAP > 110 mmHg were assigned to group 2. Only age (P = 0.008), heart rate (HR; P = 0.036), and MAP before intubation (P 110 mmHg, P < 0.034, OR 3.119, 95% CI 1.087–8.953). Conclusion. Post-intubation hypertension was associated with longer ventilator-dependent and ICU stays in patients with severe TBI