SAFE-SEND

The present disclosure relates to a method of performing a Safe-Send transaction that may allow a sender to recall money transferred to a receiver even after the transaction is completed. According to the method, when the sender sends a transaction request the sender’s bank configures a Safe-Send limit and a Safe-Send time limit for the sender to perform a recall of the transaction. This is based on a concept called “Future-Lien.” So, once the money is transferred to the receiver’s bank account, the money is under Lien and the receiver would not be able to use the money for the Safe-Send time limit. During the Safe-Send time limit, the sender has the option to recall the money. At the end of the Safe-Send time limit, if the money is not recalled the money in the receiver’s account is removed from Lien and is available for use by the receiver

Replication and Meta-analysis of the Association between BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Cognitive Impairment in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) adversely affects cancer patients. We had previously demonstrated that the BDNF Val66Met genetic polymorphism is associated with lower odds of subjective CRCI in the multitasking and verbal ability domains among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. To further assess our previous findings, we evaluated the association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with subjective and objective CRCI in a temporally separate cohort of patients and pooled findings from both the original (n = 145) and current (n = 193) cohorts in a meta-analysis. Subjective CRCI was assessed using FACT-Cog. Objective CRCI was evaluated using computerized neuropsychological tests. Genotyping was carried out using Sanger sequencing. The association of BDNF Val66Met genotypes and CRCI was examined with logistic regression. A fixed-effect meta-analysis was conducted using the inverse variance method. In the meta-analysis (n = 338), significantly lower odds of CRCI were associated with Met allele carriers based on the global FACT-Cog score (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.94). Furthermore, Met allele carriers were at lower odds of developing impairment in the domains of memory (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17-0.70), multitasking (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18-0.59), and verbal ability (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.88). Consistent with the previous study, lower odds of subjective CRCI among patients with the BDNF Met allele was observed after adjusting for potential confounders in the multitasking (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14-0.67) domain. In conclusion, carriers of the BDNF Met allele were protected against global subjective CRCI, particularly in the domains of memory, multitasking, and verbal ability. Our findings further contribute to the understanding of CRCI pathophysiology

TRAPPC4-ERK2 Interaction Activates ERK1/2, Modulates Its Nuclear Localization and Regulates Proliferation and Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

The trafficking protein particle complex 4 (TRAPPC4) is implicated in vesicle-mediated transport, but its association with disease has rarely been reported. We explored its potential interaction with ERK2, part of the ERK1/2 complex in the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase/ Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (ERK-MAPK) pathway, by a yeast two-hybrid screen and confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down. Further investigation found that when TRAPPC4 was depleted, activated ERK1/2 specifically decreased in the nucleus, which was accompanied with cell growth suppression and apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Overexpression of TRAPPC4 promoted cell viability and caused activated ERK1/2 to increase overall, but especially in the nucleus. TRAPPC4 was expressed more highly in the nucleus of CRC cells than in normal colonic epithelium or adenoma which corresponded with nuclear staining of pERK1/2. We demonstrate here that TRAPPC4 may regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC by interaction with ERK2 and subsequently phosphorylating ERK1/2 as well as modulating the subcellular location of pERK1/2 to activate the relevant signaling pathway

3D bioactive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue worldwide, with over four million operations using bone grafts or bone substitute materials annually to treat bone defects. However, significant limitations affect current treatment options and clinical demand for bone grafts continues to rise due to conditions such as trauma, cancer, infection and arthritis. Developing bioactive three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to support bone regeneration has therefore become a key area of focus within bone tissue engineering (BTE). A variety of materials and manufacturing methods including 3D printing have been used to create novel alternatives to traditional bone grafts. However, individual groups of materials including polymers, ceramics and hydrogels have been unable to fully replicate the properties of bone when used alone. Favourable material properties can be combined and bioactivity improved when groups of materials are used together in composite 3D scaffolds. This review will therefore consider the ideal properties of bioactive composite 3D scaffolds and examine recent use of polymers, hydrogels, metals, ceramics and bio-glasses in BTE. Scaffold fabrication methodology, mechanical performance, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and potential clinical translations will be discussed

Measurement of the time-integrated CPCP asymmetry in D0→KS0KS0D^0 \to K^0_S K^0_S decays

The time-integrated $CP$ asymmetry in the decay $D^0 \to K^0_S K^0_S$ is measured using $3 fb^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The flavour of the $D^0$ meson is determined by use of the decay $D^{*+} \to D^0 \pi^+$ and its charge conjugate mode. The result is $${\cal A}_{CP} = -0.029 \pm 0.052 \pm 0.022,$$ where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The result is consistent with Standard Model expectations and improves the uncertainty with respect to the only previous measurement of this quantity by more than a factor of three.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2015-030.htm

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Moris Mai : to be born

Moris Mai, meaning “to be born” in Tetum, the indigenous language of Timor-Leste, is a 20-minute documentary on the pressing child and maternity issue in the young nation, its root causes, practical implications and the hopes of the locals towards an improved healthcare system. The documentary is produced by a group of final year students, specializing in Broadcast and Cinema Studies, from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. Production of the documentary took place from July 2011 to March 2012, spanning across different districts in Timor-Leste, from the capital, Dili to Oecussi, a coastal enclave separated from Timor-Leste by West Timor. This serves to provide a more accurate portrayal of the maternal healthcare situation across the country, both in its capital and remote regions. Commonly known as East Timor, Timor-Leste achieved its independence in 2002, making it the youngest nation in Southeast Asia. Centuries of civil war hindered its social and economical development, with one of the imperative concerns being the high Child and Maternal Mortality Rates. Persistent traditional beliefs and practices, lack of adequate medical facilities and skilled birth attendants, poor basic infrastructure and low educational level are contributing factors towards the stark mortality rates. The documentary highlights the main causes of the high death rates from childbirth through the voices of our interviewees, which include a Timorese man who had to deal with the painful decision of sending his wife to the hospital, despite resistance from his family, as the traditional birth attendants were unable to handle the emergency situation. Thereafter, his wife and the baby died on the operation table. Views from the authorities such as Non Governmental Organizations, foreign doctors in the country, and even the President of Timor-Leste are similarly included for their expert opinions and to provide a different perspective on this solemn topic. While the state of healthcare system in Timor-Leste requires much attention by the international community, Moris Mai – To Be Born is the first documentary to be made on the maternal healthcare issues in the nation. Through the documentary, we hope to break new grounds and bring about emphasis and awareness on its current child and maternal situation. Overall, the production team overcame tremendous obstacles in terms of language barriers, lack of basic infrastructure such as availability of electricity, clean water and transportation, and most importantly, the sensitivity of this topic itself, with regards to women and children‟s death. As such, this report serves to detail the objectives and treatment of our documentary, pre-production, production and post-production process, the challenges we have faced and our team‟s learning journey.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Meet me at the void deck : the elderly and the lived space.

The void deck has been interpreted by numerous agencies in various discourses, yet there is little expression from the void deck’s users about how and why they create meaning within, and from, this space. Importantly, the void deck is crucial to the everyday life of certain elderly. Using various dialogic approaches, we sought to trace and represent, to particular organizations, the articulated memories of these individuals from the void deck. The elderly’ narrativization of their lives through their memories has filled the void deck as a lived space of experience, identities and emotions. This critical inquiry thus tracks the process and significance of negotiations with these agencies, based on the richly-textured histories of human relations and quotidian living we discovered.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Risk of thyroid cancer among patients with vitiligo: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Whether patients with vitiligo have an increased risk of thyroid cancer remained controversial. Objectives: To study the risk of developing thyroid cancer among vitiligo patients using meta-analysis. Methods: This meta-analysis was performed via a literature review of four databases (Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) from their respective inception till February 17, 2023. Relevant reviews and the bibliographies of eligible studies were also scrutinized. During searching in databases, no filter was placed regarding the language or geography of the study. Only observational studies presenting with adjusted risk estimates were eligible for meta-analysis. The random-effects model was employed for performing this meta-analysis. Results: Four studies with 200,629 vitiligo patients and 404,124 nonvitiligo controls were included in this meta-analysis, and patients with vitiligo were found to have an elevated risk of thyroid cancer (pooled relative risk, 1.341; 95% confidence interval, 1.083–1.661). Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found that vitiligo patients are at a slightly elevated risk of thyroid cancer, although the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Even though the evidence is limited, clinicians should not ignore the possible susceptibility of developing thyroid malignancy among vitiligo patients

Photoinitiated stereoselective direct C(sp²)–H perfluoroalkylation and difluoroacetylation of enamides

A photoinitiated perfluoroalkylative coupling of enamides with perfluoroalkyl iodides and a visible-light-induced difluoroacetylation of enamides with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate have been developed, respectively. These transformations allow the efficacious and straightforward incorporation of biologically and physiologically privileged fluoro-containing moieties into synthetically eminent enamide scaffolds with excellent regio- and stereoselectivities under mild and environmentally friendly conditions.We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21801129), the Natural Science Research Projects in Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (18KJB150018), the National Students’ Platform for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program (201910291012Z), Nanjing Tech University (Start-up Grant No. 39837137, 39837101 and 3827401739) and Soochow University (KJS1945)