Accessibility Service Utilization Rates in Android Applications Shared on Twitter

The number of malware detected has been increasing annually, and 4.12% of malware reported in 2018 attacked Android phones. Therefore, preventing attacks by Android malware is critically important. Several previous studies have investigated the percentage of apps that utilize accessibility services and are distributed from Google Play, that have been reportedly used by Android malware. However, the Social Networking Services (SNSs) that are used to spread malware have distributed apps not only from Google Play but also from other sources. Therefore, apps distributed from within and outside of Google Play must be investigated to capture malware trends. In this study, we collected apps shared on Twitter in 2018, which is a representative SNS, and created a Twitter shared apps dataset. The dataset consists of 32,068 apps downloaded from the websites of URLs collected on Twitter. We clarified the proportion of apps that contained malware and proportion of apps utilizing accessibility services. We found that both, the percentage of malware and percentage of total apps using accessibility services have been increasing. Notably, the percentages of malware and un-suspicious apps using accessibility services were quite similar. Therefore, this problem cannot be solved by automatically blocking all apps that use accessibility services. Hence, specific countermeasures against malware using accessibility services will be increasingly important for online security in the future

Granting specificity for breast cancer cells using a hepatitis B core particle with a HER2-targeted affibody molecule

Capsid-like particles consisting of a hepatitis B core (HBc) protein have been studied for their potential as carriers for drug delivery systems (DDS). The hollow HBc particle, which is formed by the self-assembly of core proteins comprising 183 aa residues, has the ability to bind to various cells non-specifically via the action of an arginine-rich domain. In this study, we developed an engineered HBc particle that specifically recognises and targets human epidermal growth factor receptor-related 2 (HER2)-expressing breast cancer cells. To despoil the non-specific binding property of an HBc particle, we genetically deleted the C-terminal 150–183 aa part of the core protein that encodes the arginine-rich domain (ΔHBc). Then, we genetically inserted a ZHER2 affibody molecule into the 78–81 aa position of the core protein to confer the ability of target-cell-specific recognition. The constructed ZHER2-displaying HBc (ZHER2-ΔHBc) particle specifically recognised HER2-expressing SKBR3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In addition, the ZHER2-ΔHBc particle exhibited different binding amounts in accordance with the HER2 expression levels of cancer cells. These results show that the display of other types of Affibody molecules on HBc particles would be an expandable strategy for targeting several kinds of cancer cells that would help enable a pinpoint DDS

Infusion of Hypertonic Saline into the Lung Parenchyma during Radiofrequency Ablation of the Lungs with Multitined Expandable Electrodes:Results Using a Porcine Model

The present study was performed to clarify the effect of hypertonic saline infusion into the lung parenchyma on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lungs. A total of 20 ablation zones were created in 3 pigs. The ablation zones were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n6) consisted of ablation zones created by applying smaller radiofrequency (RF) power without saline infusion;group 2 (n5) zones were created by applying greater RF power without saline infusion;and group 3 (n9) zones were created by applying greater RF power with saline infusion. The techniques of saline infusion included administration of hypertonic saline 1ml before RFA, followed by continuous administration at a rate of 1ml/min during the first 2min after the initiation of RFA. The ablation parameters and coagulation necrosis volumes were compared among the groups. Group 3 had a tendency toward smaller mean impedance than group 1 (p0.059) and group 2 (p0.053). Group 3 showed significantly longer RF application time than group 2 (p0.004) and significantly greater maximum RF power than group 1 (p0.001) and group 2 (p0.004). Group 3 showed significantly larger coagulation necrosis volume (mean, 1,421mm3) than group 2 (mean, 858mm3, p0.039) and had a tendency toward larger necrosis volume than group 1 (mean, 878mm3, p0.077). Although this small study had limited statistical power, hypertonic saline infusion during RFA appeared to enlarge coagulation necrosis of the lung parenchyma.</p

Ocular allergy in the Asia Pacific region

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) represents a spectrum of disorders, comprising seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Of these ocular allergy types, SAC and PAC are the most common.The most striking difference within this group of ocular diseases is that SAC and PAC remain self-limited without ocular surface damage, while AKC and VKC can compromise the cornea, causing ulcers and scarring and can ultimately lead to vision loss. Data on AC in the Asia Pacific is scarce however some understanding of prevalence of the condition has been obtained from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) studies and more recently from the Allergies in Asia Pacific study as well as some information from individual country surveys. Unfortunately none of this data has been collected using validated survey instruments specifically designed for AC. Surveys such as ISAAC have been predominantly concerned with respiratory allergic symptoms with questions added that incorporate some ocular symptoms. These questionnaires do not detect individuals who may have AC in the absence of allergic rhinitis. Using hospital ophthalmology outpatient populations for prevalence studies of ocular allergy immediately introduces a bias towards the more severe, complex forms of the condition as patients with the milder forms of SAR and PAR will rarely present to a hospital outpatient clinic. There is a real need for the development of validated questionnaires specifically addressing ocular allergy. There are no widely accessible studies examining prevalence of the complex forms of ocular allergy (AKC, VKC) in Asia Pacific region. This review will provide an overview of ocular allergy, its classification, clinical presentation and differential diagnosis, and will also discuss what is known about the epidemiology of ocular allergy in the Asian Pacific region

Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Cancer at Okayama University Hospital: A Review of 10 Years of Experience

The application of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer by our group at Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences began in June 2001, and in the present report, we review our 10-year experience with this treatment modality at Okayama University Hospital. The local efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer depends on tumor size and the type of electrode used, but not on tumor type. An important factor for the prevention of local failure may be the acquisition of an adequate ablative margin. The combination of embolization and radiation therapy enhances the local efficacy. Local failure may be salvaged by repeating the radiofrequency ablation, particularly in small tumors. Survival rates after radiofrequency ablation are quite promising for patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer and pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma. The complications caused by radiofrequency ablation can be treated conservatively in the majority of cases. However, attention should be paid to rare but serious complications. This review shows that radiofrequency ablation is a promising treatment for patients with lung cancer

Results of x-ray mirror round-robin metrology measurements at the APS, ESRF, and SPring-8 optical metrology laboratories

This paper presents the first series of round-robin metrology measurements of x-ray mirrors organized at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) in the USA, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, and the Super Photon Ring (SPring-8) (in a collaboration with Osaka University,) in Japan. This work is part of the three institutions' three-way agreement to promote a direct exchange of research information and experience amongst their specialists. The purpose of the metrology round robin is to compare the performance and limitations of the instrumentation used at the optical metrology laboratories of these facilities and to set the basis for establishing guidelines and procedures to accurately perform the measurements. The optics used in the measurements were selected to reflect typical, as well as state of the art, in mirror fabrication. The first series of the round robin measurements focuses on flat and cylindrical mirrors with varying sizes and quality. Three mirrors (two flats and one cylinder) were successively measured using long trace profilers. Although the three facilities' LTPs are of different design, the measurements were found to be in excellent agreement. The maximum discrepancy of the rms slope error values is 0.1 μrad, that of the rms shape error was 3 nm, and they all relate to the measurement of the cylindrical mirror. The next round-robin measurements will deal with elliptical and spherical optics.Lahsen Assoufid, Amparo Rommeveaux, Haruhiko Ohashi, Kazuto Yamauchi, Hidekazu Mimura, Jun Qian, Olivier Hignette, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Christian Morawe, Albert Macrander, Ali Khounsary, and Shunji Goto "Results of x-ray mirror round-robin metrology measurements at the APS, ESRF, and SPring-8 optical metrology laboratories", Proc. SPIE 5921, Advances in Metrology for X-Ray and EUV Optics, 59210J (16 September 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.623209.Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United State

Radiofrequency ablation followed by radiation therapy for large primary lung tumors

We report the clinical experience of radiofrequency ablation followed by radiation therapy for large primary lung tumors. Two patients with large primary lung tumors were treated with combined radiofrequency ablation and radiation therapy, and good local control was observed. Combined radiofrequency ablation and radiation therapy that involves minimally invasive techniques appears to be promising for the treatment of large lung tumors

最近5年間の本学における臨床検査技師国家試験合格率に影響する因子の解析(平成14年度テーマ別研究抄録)

前回、本学衛生技術科24～28期生の臨床検査技師国家試験合格率に影響する因子について報告してから早くも5年の月日が経過しました。臨床検査技師を取り巻く環境は、この数年で激変し検査技師の量から質の向上が求められています。国家試験の内容も、それに応じて難易度が増しつつある。そんな状況下で本年度33期生の国家試験合格率が近年に無く低水準に終わった。この低水準であった原因を考えることは今後の本学教育の向上に役立つものと考え、今回分析し考察しました

In Vitro Assessment of Factors Affecting the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of Jurkat Cells Using Bio-phantoms

It is well known that many tumor tissues show lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and that several factors are involved in the reduction of ADC values. The aim of this study was to clarify how much each factor contributes to decreases in ADC values. We investigate the roles of cell density, extracellular space, intracellular factors, apoptosis and necrosis in ADC values using bio-phantoms. The ADC values of bio-phantoms, in which Jurkat cells were encapsulated by gellan gum, were measured by a 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging device with constant diffusion time of 30sec. Heating at 42℃ was used to induce apoptosis while heating at 48℃ was used to induce necrosis. Cell death after heating was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis and electron microscopy. The ADC values of bio-phantoms including non-heated cells decreased linearly with increases in cell density, and showed a steep decline when the distance between cells became less than 3μm. The analysis of ADC values of cells after destruction of cellular structures by sonication suggested that approximately two-thirds of the ADC values of cells originate from their cellular structures. The ADC values of bio-phantoms including necrotic cells increased while those including apoptotic cells decreased. This study quantitatively clarified the role of the cellular factors and the extracellular space in determining the ADC values produced by tumor cells. The intermediate diffusion time of 30msec might be optimal to distinguish between apoptosis and necrosis