A Prediction Rule to Identify Severe Cases among Adult Patients Hospitalized with Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009

The purpose of this study was to establish a prediction rule for severe illness in adult patients hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009. At the time of initial presentation, the baseline characteristics of those with severe illness (i.e., admission to intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, or death) were compared to those of patients with non-severe illnesses. A total of 709 adults hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 were included: 75 severe and 634 non-severe cases. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that altered mental status, hypoxia (PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 250), bilateral lung infiltration, and old age (≥ 65 yr) were independent risk factors for severe cases (all P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (0.834 [95% CI, 0.778-0.890]) of the number of risk factors were not significantly different with that of APACHE II score (0.840 [95% CI, 0.790-0.891]) (P = 0.496). The presence of ≥ 2 risk factors had a higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value than an APACHE II score of ≥ 13. As a prediction rule, the presence of ≥ 2 these risk factors is a powerful and easy-to-use predictor of the severity in adult patients hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

Highly Selective Electrochemiluminescence Chemosensor for Sulfide Enabled by Hierarchical Reactivity

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a well-known toxic gas with the odor of rotten eggs. Several reaction-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) chemosensors for H2S have been developed; however, no homogeneous ECL probe with high selectivity toward H2Sinaqueous media has been reported. Herein, we report an iridium(III) complex-based ECLchemodosimetric probe employing two 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) groups known as a photo-induced electron transfer quencher and a reaction site for the selective detection of H2S; the detection mechanism involves H2S being clearly distinguished frombiothiols based on the different cleavage rates of the two NBD groups and extremely weakECL interferences caused by reaction by-products. The probe was rationally designed toimprove selectivity toward H2S within the ECL analysis platform by enabling the removal of nonspecific background signals observedvia fluorescence analysis. This analytical system exhibited remarkable selectivity toward H2S, a rapid reaction rate, and high sensitivity (LOD= 57 nM) compared to conventional fluorescence methods. Furthermore, the probe could successfully quantify H2S in tap water samples and commercial ammonium sulfide solutions ,which demonstrates the effectiveness of this probe infield monitoring.N

Network Security Node-Edge Scoring System Using Attack Graph Based on Vulnerability Correlation

As network technology has advanced, and as larger and larger quantities of data are being collected, networks are becoming increasingly complex. Various vulnerabilities are being identified in such networks, and related attacks are continuously occurring. To solve these problems and improve the overall quality of network security, a network risk scoring technique using attack graphs and vulnerability information must be used. This technology calculates the degree of risk by collecting information and related vulnerabilities in the nodes and the edges existing in the network-based attack graph, and then determining the degree of risk in a specific network location or the degree of risk occurring when a specific route is passed within the network. However, in most previous research, the risk of the entire route has been calculated and evaluated based on node information, rather than edge information. Since these methods do not include correlations between nodes, it is relatively difficult to evaluate the risk. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a vulnerability Correlation and Attack Graph-based node-edge Scoring System (VCAG-SS) that can accurately measure the risk of a specific route. The proposed method uses the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) along with node and edge information. Performing the previously proposed arithmetic evaluation of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) and analyzing the correlation of vulnerabilities between each node make it possible to calculate the attack priority. In the experiment, the risk scores of nodes and edges and the risk of each attack route were calculated. Moreover, the most threatening attack route was found by comparing the attack route risk. This confirmed that the proposed method calculated the risk of the network attack route and was able to effectively select the network route by providing the network route priority according to the risk score

Network Security Node-Edge Scoring System Using Attack Graph Based on Vulnerability Correlation

As network technology has advanced, and as larger and larger quantities of data are being collected, networks are becoming increasingly complex. Various vulnerabilities are being identified in such networks, and related attacks are continuously occurring. To solve these problems and improve the overall quality of network security, a network risk scoring technique using attack graphs and vulnerability information must be used. This technology calculates the degree of risk by collecting information and related vulnerabilities in the nodes and the edges existing in the network-based attack graph, and then determining the degree of risk in a specific network location or the degree of risk occurring when a specific route is passed within the network. However, in most previous research, the risk of the entire route has been calculated and evaluated based on node information, rather than edge information. Since these methods do not include correlations between nodes, it is relatively difficult to evaluate the risk. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a vulnerability Correlation and Attack Graph-based node-edge Scoring System (VCAG-SS) that can accurately measure the risk of a specific route. The proposed method uses the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) along with node and edge information. Performing the previously proposed arithmetic evaluation of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) and analyzing the correlation of vulnerabilities between each node make it possible to calculate the attack priority. In the experiment, the risk scores of nodes and edges and the risk of each attack route were calculated. Moreover, the most threatening attack route was found by comparing the attack route risk. This confirmed that the proposed method calculated the risk of the network attack route and was able to effectively select the network route by providing the network route priority according to the risk score

The High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio Predicts Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes after Curative Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while albumin is known to be a disease severity index of the malnutrition status in HCC patients. The present study investigated the association between postoperative hsCRP/albumin ratio and both overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) following HCC surgery. This retrospective observational study examined the medical records of 389 patients who underwent resection for HCC between 2004 and 2013. Postoperative day 0&ndash;1 hsCRP/albumin ratio was collected, and the optimal postoperative mortality cut-off point was derived using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. A postoperative hsCRP/albumin ratio increase of 1.0 was associated with a 1.171-fold increase in mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 1.171, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.072&ndash;1.278, p &lt; 0.001) and a 1.19-fold increase in recurrence (HR: 1.190, 95% CI: 1.108&ndash;1.278, p &lt; 0.001). The hsCRP/albumin ratio cut-off point was found to be 0.625 and 0.500. When patients were grouped by this cut-off point, the &gt;0.625 group showed a 2.257-fold increase in mortality (HR: 2.257, 95% CI: 1.470&ndash;3.466, p &lt; 0.001), and the &gt;0.500 group showed a 1.518-fold increase in recurrence (HR: 1.518, 95% CI: 1.125&ndash;2.050, p = 0.006)

A Novel Multi-Component Formulation Reduces Inflammation In Vitro and Clinically Lessens the Symptoms of Chronic Eczematous Skin

Long-term treatments for inflammatory skin diseases like atopic dermatitis or eczema can cause adverse effects. Super Protein Multifunction (SPM) was investigated as a potential treatment for managing skin inflammation by monitoring the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced using LPS and poly(I:C)/TNFα in HaCaT keratinocytes and Hs27 fibroblasts as measured via RT-PCR. SPM solution was also assessed for its effect on cytokine release, measured using ELISA, in a UVB-irradiated 3D human skin model. To evaluate the efficiency of SPM, 20 patients with mild eczematous skin were randomized to receive SPM or vehicle twice a day for three weeks in a double-blind controlled trial. In vitro studies showed SPM inhibited inflammation-induced IL-1β, IL-6, IL-33, IL-1α, TSLP, and TNFα expression or release. In the clinical study, the SPM group showed significant improvements in the IGA, PA, and DLQI scores compared to the vehicle group. Neither group showed significant differences in VAS (pruritus). Histological analysis showed reduced stratum corneum thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration. The results suggest that SPM may reduce inflammation in individuals with chronic eczematous skin

A fabric-based wearable sensor for continuous monitoring of decubitus ulcer of subjects lying on a bed.

For multifunctional wearable sensing systems, problems related to wireless and continuous communication and soft, noninvasive, and disposable functionality issues should be solved for precise physiological signal detection. To measure the critical transitions of pressure, temperature, and skin impedance when continuous pressure is applied on skin and tissue, we developed a sensor for decubitus ulcers using conventional analog circuitry for wireless and continuous communication in a disposable, breathable fabric-based multifunctional sensing system capable of conformal contact. By integrating the designed wireless communication module into a multifunctional sensor, we obtained sensing data that were sent sequentially and continuously to a customized mobile phone app. With a small-sized and lightweight module, our sensing system operated over 24&nbsp;h with a coin-cell battery consuming minimum energy for intermittent sensing and transmission. We conducted a pilot test on healthy subjects to evaluate the adequate wireless operation of the multifunctional sensing system when applied to the body. By solving the aforementioned practical problems, including those related to wireless and continuous communication and soft, noninvasive, and disposable functionality issues, our fabric-based multifunctional decubitus ulcer sensor successfully measured applied pressure, skin temperature, and electrical skin impedance

Improved transfection efficiency and metabolic activity in human embryonic stem cell using non-enzymatic method

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells widely used in conventional and regenerative medicine due to their ability to self-renew, proliferate and differentiate. Recently, genetic modification of stem cells using genome editing is the most advanced technique for treating hereditary diseases. Nevertheless, the low transfection efficiency of hESCs using enzymatic methods is still limited in in vitro preclinical research. To overcome these limitations, we have developed transfection methods using non-enzymatic treatments on hESCs. In this study, hESCs were transfected following enzymatic (TrypLE and trypsin) and non-enzymatic treatment ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to increase transfection efficiency. Flow cytometrie analysis using an enhanced green fluorescent protein vector showed significantly increased transfection efficiency of EDTA method compared to standard enzyme method. In addition, he EDTA approach maintained stable cell viability and recovery rate of hESCs after transfection. Also, metabolic activity by using Extracellular Flux Analyzer revealed that EDTA method maintained as similar levels of cell functionility as normal group comparing with enzymatic groups. These results suggest that transfection using EDTA is a more efficient and safe substitute for transfection than the use of standard enzymatic methods.Y