HiSE: Hierarchical (Threshold) Symmetric-key Encryption

Threshold symmetric encryption (TSE), introduced by Agrawal et al. [DiSE, CCS 2018], provides scalable and decentralized solution for symmetric encryption by ensuring that the secret-key stays distributed at all times. They avoid having a single point of attack or failure, while achieving the necessary security requirements. TSE was further improved by Christodorescu et al. [ATSE, CCS 2021] to support an amortization feature which enables a “more privileged” client to encrypt records in bulk by interacting only once with the key servers, while decryption must be performed individually for each record, potentially by a “less privileged” client. However, typical enterprises collect or generate data once and query it several times over its lifecycle in various data processing pipelines; i.e., enterprise workloads are often decryption heavy! ATSE does not meet the bar for this setting because of linear interaction / computation (in the number of records to be decrypted) – our experiments show that ATSE provides a sub-par throughput of a few hundred records / sec. We observe that a large class of queries read a subsequence of records (e.g. a time window) from the database. With this access structure in mind, we build a new TSE scheme which allows for both encryption and decryption with flexible granularity, in that a client’s interactions with the key servers is at most logarithmic in the number of records. Our idea is to employ a binary-tree access structure over the data, where only one interaction is needed to decrypt all ciphertexts within a sub-tree, and thus only log-many for any arbitrary size sub-sequence. Our scheme incorporates ideas from binary-tree encryption by Canetti et al. [Eurocrypt 2003] and its variants, and carefully merges that with Merkle-tree commitments to fit into the TSE setting. We formalize this notion as hierarchical threshold symmetric-key encryption (HiSE), and argue that our construction satisfies all essential TSE properties, such as correctness, privacy and authenticity with respect to our definition. Our analysis relies on a well-known XDH assumption and a new assumption, that we call $\ell$-masked BDDH, over asymmetric bilinear pairing in the programmable random oracle model. We also show that our new assumption does hold in generic group model. We provide an open-source implementation of HiSE. For practical parameters, we see 65$\times$ improvement in latency and throughput over ATSE. HiSE can decrypt over 6K records / sec on server-grade hardware, but the logarithmic overhead in HiSE’s encryption (not decryption) only lets us encrypt up to 3K records / sec (about 3-4.5$\times$ slowdown) and incurs roughly 500 bytes of ciphertext expansion per record – while reducing this penalty is an important future work, we believe HiSE can offer an acceptable tradeoff in practice

Análise comparativa das atividades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias dos chás vermelho, azul e preto para benefícios à saúde

The current COVID-19 predicament necessitates a greater emphasis on developing immunity. Herbal teas are abundant in antioxidants which are important for strengthening the immune system. Hot water decoction of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers (red tea), Clitoria ternatea flowers (blue tea) and commercially available black tea were evaluated by comparing for in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanin pigment in red, blue, and black tea demonstrated Rf values of 0.52, 0.86 and 0.78 respectively. Blue and black teas exhibited dominance of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins as compared to red tea. The highest total phenolic (12.25 ± 0.245 mg GAE/gm extract-1) and flavonoid (15.84 ± 0.268mg QE/gm extract-1) content were observed with black and blue tea respectively. Blue tea, and black tea extracts exhibited FRPA values of 1.81 ± 0.413 mg and 1.93 ± 0.178 mg AAE per gram extract-1 respectively. Black tea exhibits the highest antioxidant capacity in reducing molybdate ions (1.94 ± 0.354 mg AAE per gram extract-1) followed by blue tea (1.56 ± 0.199 mg AAE per gram extract-1). Blue tea extract at a very low concentration showed highest percentage hemolytic inhibition (57.14 ± 0.567%). According to the study, blue tea is a rich source of antioxidants with significant anti-inflammatory properties. The research may offer a valuable supplementary strategyfor its therapeutic applications.La situación actual de COVID-19 requiere un mayor énfasis en desarrollar inmunidad. Los tés de hierbas son ricos en antioxidantes, que son importantes para fortalecer el sistema inmunológico. Se evaluó la decocción en agua caliente de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis (té rojo), flores de Clitoria ternatea (té azul) y té negro comercialmente disponible para determinar sus propiedades antioxidantes y antiinflamatorias in vitro. El pigmento de antocianina en el té rojo, azul y negro demostró valores de Rf de 0,52, 0,86 y 0,78, respectivamente. Los tés azul y negro exhibieron un predominio de polifenoles, flavonoides, taninos, glucósidos, terpenoides y saponinas en comparación con el té rojo. Los niveles más altos de fenoles totales (12,25 ± 0,245 mg EAG/g de extracto-1) y flavonoides (15,84 ± 0,268 mg QE/g de extracto-1) se observaron en los tés negro y azul, respectivamente. Los extractos de té azul y té negro exhibieron valores de FRPA de 1,81 ± 0,413 mg y 1,93 ± 0,178 mg de AAE por gramo de extracto-1, respectivamente. El té negro tiene la mayor capacidad antioxidante en la reducción de iones molibdato (1,94 ± 0,354 mg AAE por gramo de extracto-1), seguido del té azul (1,56 ± 0,199 mg AAE por gramo de extracto-1). El extracto de té azul a muy baja concentración presentó el mayor porcentaje de inhibición hemolítica (57,14 ± 0,567%). Según el estudio, el té azul es una rica fuente de antioxidantes con importantes propiedades antiinflamatorias. La investigación puede ofrecer una valiosa estrategia complementaria para sus aplicaciones terapéuticas.A situação atual do COVID-19 exige uma maior ênfase no desenvolvimento da imunidade. Os chás de ervas são abundantes em antioxidantes, importantes para fortalecer o sistema imunológico. A decocção de água quente de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis (chá vermelho), flores de Clitoria ternatea (chá azul) e chá preto comercialmente disponível, foi avaliada comparando as propriedades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias in vitro. O pigmento antocianina no chá vermelho, azul e preto, demonstrou valores de Rf de 0,52, 0,86 e 0,78, respectivamente. Os chás azul e preto, exibiram predominância de polifenóis, flavonoides, taninos, glicosídeos, terpenoides e saponinas em comparação com o chá vermelho. Os maiores teores de fenólicos totais (12,25 ± 0,245 mg EAG/gm extrato-1) e flavonoides (15,84 ± 0,268 mg QE/gm extrato-1) foram observados nos chás preto e azul, respectivamente. Os extratos de chá azul e chá preto exibiram valores de FRPA de 1,81 ± 0,413 mg e 1,93 ± 0,178 mg de AAE por grama de extrato-1, respectivamente. O chá preto apresenta a maior capacidade antioxidante na redução de íons molibdato (1,94 ± 0,354 mg AAE por grama de extrato-1), seguido pelo chá azul (1,56 ± 0,199 mg AAE por grama de extrato-1). O extrato de chá azul em concentração muito baixa, apresentou a maior porcentagem de inibição hemolítica (57,14 ± 0,567%). De acordo com o estudo, o chá azul é uma rica fonte de antioxidantes com propriedades anti-inflamatórias significativas. A pesquisa pode oferecer uma valiosa estratégia complementar para suas aplicações terapêuticas

Cellular landscaping of COVID-19 and gynaecological cancers: An infrequent correlation

COVID-19 resulted in a mortality rate of 3-6% caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its variant leading to unprecedented consequences of acute respiratory distress septic shock and multiorgan failure. In such a situation, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and care for cancer patients are difficult tasks faced by medical staff. Moreover, patients with gynaecological cancer appear to be more prone to severe infection and mortality from COVID-19 due to immunosuppression by chemotherapy and coexisting medical disorders. To deal with such a circumtances oncologists have been obliged to reconsider the entire diagnostic, treatment, and management approach. This review will provide and discuss the molecular link with gynaecological cancer under COVID-19 infection, providing a novel bilateral relationship between the two infections. Moreover, the authors have provided insights to discuss the pathobiology of COVID-19 in gynaecological cancer and their risks associated with such comorbidity. Furthermore, we have depicted the overall impact of host immunity along with guidelines for the treatment of patients with gynaecological cancer under COVID-19 infection. We have also discussed the feasible scope for the management of COVID-19 and gynaecological cancer

Grzybiczy tętniak rzekomy tętnicy płucnej u pacjentki z historią ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej. Opis przypadku i przegląd piśmiennictwa

Tętniaki są rzadko zlokalizowane w tętnicy płucnej. Częstszą jest lokalizacja wewnątrzczaszkowa, aorta lub inne naczynia krwionośne. Tętniak tętnicy płucnej może być spowodowany zakażeniem takimi bakteriami, jak Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Mycobacteria, Treponema pallidum, rzadziej grzybami. W pracy przedstawiono opis przypadku 7-letniej pacjentki, u której wystąpiły dwa prawostronne, przywnękowe tętniaki rzekome pochodzenia grzybiczego. Pacjentka była wcześniej leczona z powodu ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej. Grzybicze tętniaki rzekome tętnicy płucnej występują rzadko, a ich diagnostyka jest trudna. Jeśli u chorego przez dłuższy czas utrzymują się gorączka i kaszel, a zagęszczenie w obrębie miąższu płuc nie odpowiada na antybiotykoterapię, zaleca się wykonanie tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej z kontrastem. Można podejrzewać, że „krucha masa przyczepiona do łaty ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej” była punktem wyjścia dla rozwoju infekcyjnego zapalenia wsierdzia oraz powstania grzybiczego materiału zatorowego w tętnicach płucnych. Leczony wcześniej ubytek przegrody międzykomorowej mógł się w ten sposób przyczynić do rozwoju grzybiczego zapalenia wsierdzia.Tętniaki są rzadko zlokalizowane w tętnicy płucnej. Częstszą jest lokalizacja wewnątrzczaszkowa, aorta lub inne naczynia krwionośne. Tętniak tętnicy płucnej może być spowodowany zakażeniem takimi bakteriami, jak Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Mycobacteria, Treponema pallidum, rzadziej grzybami. W pracy przedstawiono opis przypadku 7-letniej pacjentki, u której wystąpiły dwa prawostronne, przywnękowe tętniaki rzekome pochodzenia grzybiczego. Pacjentka była wcześniej leczona z powodu ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej. Grzybicze tętniaki rzekome tętnicy płucnej występują rzadko, a ich diagnostyka jest trudna. Jeśli u chorego przez dłuższy czas utrzymują się gorączka i kaszel, a zagęszczenie w obrębie miąższu płuc nie odpowiada na antybiotykoterapię, zaleca się wykonanie tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej z kontrastem. Można podejrzewać, że „krucha masa przyczepiona do łaty ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej” była punktem wyjścia dla rozwoju infekcyjnego zapalenia wsierdzia oraz powstania grzybiczego materiału zatorowego w tętnicach płucnych. Leczony wcześniej ubytek przegrody międzykomorowej mógł się w ten sposób przyczynić do rozwoju grzybiczego zapalenia wsierdzia

COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Delayed Adverse Events among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

BACKGROUND: The safety profile of COVID-19 vaccination is well documented, but hesitancy among people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, often immunocompromised, remains high, partially due to a scarcity of data on safety over a longer term. We herein aimed to assess delayed adverse events (DAEs) occurring &gt;7 days after COVID-19 vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) versus other rheumatic autoimmune diseases (rAIDs), non-rheumatic AIDs (nrAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs).METHODS: Self-reported data were captured within the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD)-2 online survey, which comprised &gt;150 centres and responses from 106 countries, between February and June 2022. Logistic regression analysis adjusting for important confounders (age, sex, ethnicity) was used to compare groups.RESULTS: Of 7203 eligible individuals, 882 (12.2%) patients had SLE, 3161 (43.9%) patients had rAIDs, 426 (5.9%) patients had nrAIDs, and 2734 (38.0%) were HCs. SLE patients had a median age of 39 years (IQR: 31-50); 93.7% were women. SLE patients reported, more frequently, major DAEs (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.0; p = 0.001) and hospitalisation (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4-3.4; p &lt; 0.001) compared to HCs, severe rashes (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3-4.2; p = 0.004) compared to people with rAIDS, and hospitalisation (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.9; p = 0.029) as well as several minor DAEs compared to people with nrAIDs. Differences were observed between vaccines in terms of frequency of major DAEs and hospitalisations, with the latter seen more frequently in patients receiving the Moderna vaccine. People with SLE with no autoimmune multimorbidity less frequently reported overall minor DAEs compared to SLE patients with comorbid nrAIDs (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-1.0; p = 0.036).CONCLUSION: Hospitalisations post-vaccination were more frequent in SLE patients than in HCs. Monitoring of SLE patients following COVID-19 vaccination can help in identifying DAEs early, informing patients about expected DAEs, and supporting patients, especially those with autoimmune multimorbidity.</p

Hypothermia for encephalopathy in low and middle-income countries (HELIX): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia reduces death and disability after moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy in high-income countries and is used as standard therapy in these settings. However, the safety and efficacy of cooling therapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 99% of the disease burden occurs, remains unclear. We will examine whether whole body cooling reduces death or neurodisability at 18-22 months after neonatal encephalopathy, in LMICs. METHODS: We will randomly allocate 408 term or near-term babies (aged ≤ 6 h) with moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy admitted to public sector neonatal units in LMIC countries (India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka), to either usual care alone or whole-body cooling with usual care. Babies allocated to the cooling arm will have core body temperature maintained at 33.5 °C using a servo-controlled cooling device for 72 h, followed by re-warming at 0.5 °C per hour. All babies will have detailed infection screening at the time of recruitment and 3 Telsa cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy at 1-2 weeks after birth. Our primary endpoint is death or moderate or severe disability at the age of 18 months. DISCUSSION: Upon completion, HELIX will be the largest cooling trial in neonatal encephalopathy and will provide a definitive answer regarding the safety and efficacy of cooling therapy for neonatal encephalopathy in LMICs. The trial will also provide important data about the influence of co-existent perinatal infection on the efficacy of hypothermic neuroprotection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02387385. Registered on 27 February 2015

Impaired health-related quality of life in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies : a cross-sectional analysis from the COVAD-2 e-survey

OBJECTIVES To investigate health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and without autoimmune diseases (controls) using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instrument data obtained from the second COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD-2) e-survey database. METHODS Demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, disease activity, treatments and PROMIS instrument data were analysed. Primary outcomes were PROMIS Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores. Factors affecting GPH and GMH scores in IIMs were identified using multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS We analysed responses from 1582 IIM, 4700 non-IIM AIRD and 545 nrAID patients and 3675 controls gathered through 23 May 2022. The median GPH scores were the lowest in IIM and non-IIM AIRD patients {13 [interquartile range (IQR) 10-15] IIMs vs 13 [11-15] non-IIM AIRDs vs 15 [13-17] nrAIDs vs 17 [15-18] controls, P < 0.001}. The median GMH scores in IIM patients were also significantly lower compared with those without autoimmune diseases [13 (IQR 10-15) IIMs vs 15 (13-17) controls, P < 0.001]. Inclusion body myositis, comorbidities, active disease and glucocorticoid use were the determinants of lower GPH scores, whereas overlap myositis, interstitial lung disease, depression, active disease, lower PROMIS Physical Function 10a and higher PROMIS Fatigue 4a scores were associated with lower GMH scores in IIM patients. CONCLUSION Both physical and mental health are significantly impaired in IIM patients, particularly in those with comorbidities and increased fatigue, emphasizing the importance of patient-reported experiences and optimized multidisciplinary care to enhance well-being in people with IIMs