Cryptanalysis of CIKS-128 and CIKS-128H Suitable for Intelligent Multimedia and Ubiquitous Computing Systems

Recently, data-dependent permutations (DDP) that are very suitable for intelligent multimedia and ubiquitous computing systems have been introduced as a new cryptographic primitive for the design of fast encryption systems. The CIKS-128 and CIKS-128H block ciphers are the typical examples of DDP-based encryption algorithms. In this paper, we show that CIKS-128 and CIKS-128H are vulnerable to related-key differential attacks. We first describe how to construct their full-round related-key differential characteristics with high probabilities and then we exploit them to break the full-round CIKS-128 and CIKS-128H with 2^44, and 2^48 data/time complexities, respectively

Conditions for the differentiation of melanocyte-precursor cells from human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The loss of skin pigmentation can induce compromised cutaneous immunity, which can result in conditions such as vitiligo. In this study, we evaluated various agents that are able to induce the differentiation of stem cells into melanocytes. We found that a mixture of forskolin (FK), stem cell factor (SCF) and endothelin-3 (EDN-3) induced melanocyte-like morphology in human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CB-MSCs). In addition, significant expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-M and tyrosinase-related protein-1 genes was observed. These results suggest that a mixture of FK, SCF and EDN-3 induces the differentiation of melanocyte-precursor cells (MPCs) from CB-MSCs.Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, melanocyte-precursor cells, forskolin, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-M, tyrosinase-related protein-1African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5975-5977, 6 September, 201

Exact Algorithm for the Capacitated Team Orienteering Problem with Time Windows

The capacitated team orienteering problem with time windows (CTOPTW) is a problem to determine players' paths that have the maximum rewards while satisfying the constraints. In this paper, we present the exact solution approach for the CTOPTW which has not been done in previous literature. We show that the branch-and-price (B&P) scheme which was originally developed for the team orienteering problem can be applied to the CTOPTW. To solve pricing problems, we used implicit enumeration acceleration techniques, heuristic algorithms, and ng-route relaxations

Spermidine-induced recovery of human dermal structure and barrier function by skin microbiome.

An unbalanced microbial ecosystem on the human skin is closely related to skin diseases and has been associated with inflammation and immune responses. However, little is known about the role of the skin microbiome on skin aging. Here, we report that the Streptococcus species improved the skin structure and barrier function, thereby contributing to anti-aging. Metagenomic analyses showed the abundance of Streptococcus in younger individuals or those having more elastic skin. Particularly, we isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus from face of young individuals. Treatment with secretions of S. pneumoniae and S. infantis induced the expression of genes associated with the formation of skin structure and the skin barrier function in human skin cells. The application of culture supernatant including Streptococcal secretions on human skin showed marked improvements on skin phenotypes such as elasticity, hydration, and desquamation. Gene Ontology analysis revealed overlaps in spermidine biosynthetic and glycogen biosynthetic processes. Streptococcus-secreted spermidine contributed to the recovery of skin structure and barrier function through the upregulation of collagen and lipid synthesis in aged cells. Overall, our data suggest the role of skin microbiome into anti-aging and clinical applications

Intracoronary versus intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Intracoronary (IC) administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) has been studied as an adjunctive therapy to improve outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IC administration of GPIs compared with those of intravenous (IV) administration in patients with STEMI. Methods We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for relevant studies published before September 21, 2022. In total, 22 randomized controlled trials involving 7,699 patients were included. Results The proportions of patients achieving thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow, myocardial blush grade 2/3, and complete ST-segment resolution were significantly higher in the IC group than in the IV group. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (RR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37–0.80) and heart failure (RR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25–0.91) within 1 month were significantly lower in the IC group than in the IV group; however, after 6 months, no difference was observed in MACE risk. Additionally, the risks of death and bleeding did not differ between the two routes of administration. Conclusions When considering adjunctive GPI administration for patients with STEMI, the IC route may offer greater benefits than the IV route in terms of myocardial reperfusion and reduced occurrence of MACE and heart failure within 1 month. Nonetheless, when making decisions for IC administration of GPIs, the absence of a benefit for bleeding risk and difficulty accessing the administration route should be considere

Population pharmacokinetics of everolimus in patients with seizures associated with focal cortical dysplasia

Background: Everolimus is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. As mutations in TSC1 and TSC2, which cause partial-onset seizures associated with TSC, were found in focal cortical dysplasia type Ⅱ (FCD Ⅱ) patients, a clinical trial has been performed to explore the efficacy and safety of everolimus in FCD patients. However, no dosage regimen was determined to treat FCD II. To recommend an optimal dose regimen for FCD patients, a population pharmacokinetic model of everolimus in FCD patients was developed.Methods: The data of everolimus were collected from September 2017 to May 2020 in a tertiary-level hospital in Korea. The model was developed using NONMEM® software version 7.4.1 (Icon Development Solutions, Ellicott City, MD, United States).Results: The population pharmacokinetics of everolimus was described as the one-compartment model with first-order absorption, with the effect of BSA on clearance. The final model was built as follows: TVCL = 12.5 + 9.71 × (BSA/1.5), TVV = 293, and TVKA = 0.585. As a result of simulation, a dose higher than 7 mg/m2 is needed in patients with BSA 0.5 m2, and a dose higher than 6 mg/m2 is needed in patients with BSA 0.7 m2. A dose of 4.5 mg/m2 is enough in the population with BSA higher than 1.5 m2 to meet the target trough range of 5–15 ng/mL.Conclusion: Based on the developed pharmacokinetics model, the optimal dose of everolimus in practice was recommended by considering the available strengths of Afinitor disperz®, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 5 mg

Roadmap on energy harvesting materials

Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere