Privacy Preserving Internet Browsers: Forensic Analysis of Browzar

With the advance of technology, Criminal Justice agencies are being confronted with an increased need to investigate crimes perpetuated partially or entirely over the Internet. These types of crime are known as cybercrimes. In order to conceal illegal online activity, criminals often use private browsing features or browsers designed to provide total browsing privacy. The use of private browsing is a common challenge faced in for example child exploitation investigations, which usually originate on the Internet. Although private browsing features are not designed specifically for criminal activity, they have become a valuable tool for criminals looking to conceal their online activity. As such, Technological Crime units often focus their forensic analysis on thoroughly examining the web history on a computer. Private browsing features and browsers often require a more in-depth, post mortem analysis. This often requires the use of multiple tools, as well as different forensic approaches to uncover incriminating evidence. This evidence may be required in a court of law, where analysts are often challenged both on their findings and on the tools and approaches used to recover evidence. However, there are very few research on evaluating of private browsing in terms of privacy preserving as well as forensic acquisition and analysis of privacy preserving internet browsers. Therefore in this chapter, we firstly review the private mode of popular internet browsers. Next, we describe the forensic acquisition and analysis of Browzar, a privacy preserving internet browser and compare it with other popular internet browser

Patterns of Play in the Counterattack of Elite Football Teams - A Mixed Method Approach

This study aimed to detect and analyse regular patterns of play in football teams during their offensive phase, through the combination of the sequential analysis technique and semi-structured interviews of experienced first League Portuguese coaches. The sample included 36 games (12 per team) of the F.C. Barcelona, Internazionalle Milano, and Manchester United teams that were analysed through sequential analysis with the software SDIS-GSEQ. Based on the detected patterns, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 8 expert high-performance football coaches. Data were analysed through the content analysis technique using the software Nvivo 9. The detected patterns of play revealed specific characteristics of different philosophies of play. Through the performed content analysis we could observe that coaches interpreting play patterns mainly based their opinions on tactical-strategic and tactical-technical aspects, and on the characteristics of the players on their team. On the other hand, consideration was given to three of the main evolutionary trends of play/soccer practice, which focus on the development of exercises that cover: i) the connection between the four play moments (offensive/defensive organization and transitions); ii) the pre-programmed ball possession recovery; iii) the execution of set pieces

Epithelial Keratins Modulate cMet Expression and Signaling and Promote InlB-Mediated Listeria monocytogenes Infection of HeLa Cells

The host cytoskeleton is a major target for bacterial pathogens during infection. In particular, pathogens usurp the actin cytoskeleton function to strongly adhere to the host cell surface, to induce plasma membrane remodeling allowing invasion and to spread from cell to cell and disseminate to the whole organism. Keratins are cytoskeletal proteins that are the major components of intermediate filaments in epithelial cells however, their role in bacterial infection has been disregarded. Here we investigate the role of the major epithelial keratins, keratins 8 and 18 (K8 and K18), in the cellular infection by Listeria monocytogenes. We found that K8 and K18 are required for successful InlB/cMet-dependent L. monocytogenes infection, but are dispensable for InlA/E-cadherin-mediated invasion. Both K8 and K18 accumulate at InlB-mediated internalization sites following actin recruitment and modulate actin dynamics at those sites. We also reveal the key role of K8 and K18 in HGF-induced signaling which occurs downstream the activation of cMet. Strikingly, we show here that K18, and at a less extent K8, controls the expression of cMet and other surface receptors such TfR and integrin β1, by promoting the stability of their corresponding transcripts. Together, our results reveal novel functions for major epithelial keratins in the modulation of actin dynamics at the bacterial entry sites and in the control of surface receptors mRNA stability and expression.This work received funding from Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000012 - Structured program on bioengineered therapies for infectious diseases and tissue regeneration, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Publication Fees were supported by ICBAS, University of Porto. RC received an FCT Doctoral Fellowship (SFRH/BD/90607/2012) and IP-C a FCT Post-Doctoral Fellowship (SFRH/BPD/107901/2015) through FCT/MEC co-funded by QREN and POPH (Programa Operacional Potencial Humano). SS was supported by FCT Investigator program (COMPETE, POPH, and FCT). We thank IBMC facilities for technical assistance

Cdc7 is a potent anti-cancer target in pancreatic cancer due to abrogation of the DNA origin activation checkpoint.

PURPOSE: Cdc7 is a serine/threonine kinase which is responsible for the 'firing' of replication origins leading to initiation of DNA replication. Inhibition or depletion of Cdc7 in normal cells triggers a DNA origin activation checkpoint causing a reversible G1 arrest. Here we investigate Cdc7 as a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Cdc7 target validation was performed by immunoexpression profiling in a cohort of 73 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma including 24 controls. Secondly Cdc7 kinase was targeted in Capan-1 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell line models using either an siRNA against Cdc7 or alternatively a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of Cdc7 (PHA-767491). RESULTS: Cdc7 was significantly overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma compared to benign pancreatic tissue (median LI 34.3% vs. 1.3%; P<0.0001). Cdc7 knockdown using siRNA in Capan-1 and PANC-1 cells resulted in marked apoptotic cell death when compared with control cells. A prominent sub-G1 peak was seen on flow cytometry (sub-G1 51% vs. 3% and 45% vs. 0.7% in Capan-1 and PANC-1 cells, respectively). Annexin V labelling confirmed apoptosis in 64% vs. 11% and 75% vs. 8%, respectively. Western blotting showed cleavage of PARP-1 and caspase-3 and presence of γH2A.X. TUNEL assay showed strong staining in treated cells. These results were mirrored following Cdc7 kinase inhibition with PHA-767491. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that Cdc7 is a potent anti-cancer target in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and that Cdc7 immunoexpression levels might be used as a companion diagnostic to predict response to therapeutic siRNAs or SMIs directed against this kinase

Diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancy by detection of minichromosome maintenance protein 5 in biliary brush cytology

Background: Biliary brush cytology is the standard method of evaluating biliary strictures, but is insensitive at detecting malignancy. In pancreaticobiliary cancer minichromosome maintenance replication proteins (MCM 2–7) are dysregulated in the biliary epithelium and MCM5 levels are elevated in bile samples. This study aimed to validate an immunocolorimetric ELISA assay for MCM5 as a pancreaticobiliary cancer biomarker in biliary brush samples. methods: Biliary brush specimens were collected prospectively at ERCP from patients with a biliary stricture. Collected samples were frozen at −80 °C. The supernatant was washed and lysed cells incubated with HRP-labelled anti-MCM5 mouse monoclonal antibody. Test positivity was determined by optical density absorbance. Patients underwent biliary brush cytology or additional investigations as per clinical routine. results: Ninety-seven patients were included in the study; 50 had malignant strictures. Median age was 65 years (range 21–94) and 51 were male. Compared with final diagnosis the MCM5 assay had a sensitivity for malignancy of 65.4% compared with 25.0% for cytology. In the 72 patients with paired MCM5 assay and biliary brush cytology, MCM5 demonstrated an improved sensitivity (55.6% vs 25.0%; P=0.0002) for the detection of malignancy. conclusions: Minichromosome maintenance replication protein5 is a more sensitive indicator of pancreaticobiliary malignancy than standard biliary brush cytology

Inflammation in Bipolar Disorder: Identification of New Therapeutic Targets

Introdução: A doença bipolar é um distúrbio mental com origem no conceito “mania”. Trata-se de uma patologia crónica, de natureza cíclica, caracterizada pelo aparecimento de episódios alternados de mania/hipomania com episódios de eutimia/depressão. Com este artigo pretendemos identificar novas abordagens terapêuticas para o tratamento da doença bipolar, tendo em consideração o envolvimento da inflamação na sua fisiopatologia. Métodos: Revisão da literatura que relaciona a doença bipolar com a inflamação e possíveis alvos terapêuticos, baseada em artigos de revisão. Pesquisa de ensaios clínicos que permitam avaliar as novas intervenções terapêuticas. Resultados: O tratamento farmacológico da doença bipolar é complexo, sendo periodicamente adaptado à fase de doença. Para a compreensão da fisiopatologia da doença bipolar são propostas várias hipóteses relacionadas com o processo inflamatório subjacente, como a ativação patológica da microglia, desvendando um vasto leque de alvos terapêuticos. Atualmente estão a decorrer alguns ensaios clínicos que avaliam a eficácia das novas estratégias terapêuticas. Conclusão: Distúrbios mentais como a doença bipolar têm suscitado preocupação na comunidade científica e médica devido ao seu impacto ao nível social e económico. Tendo em conta o envolvimento da inflamação na fisiopatologia da doença bipolar, o sistema imunitário constitui um novo alvo terapêutico. Assim, surgem novas opções de tratamento que incluem fármacos anti-inflamatórios não esteroides e antagonistas do glutamato. Estas novas abordagens requerem mais estudos, nomeadamente a realização de ensaios clínicos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hospital-Acquired Infection in a Paediatric Hospital. Results of Point Prevalence Surveys

Introdução: As infeções hospitalares são eventos adversos que devem ser monitorizados com o objetivo de diminuir a sua frequência e minorar as eventuais complicações. Os inquéritos de prevalência são instrumentos muito úteis para conhecer a epidemiologia daquelas infeções. Há poucas publicações com resultados destes inquéritos em hospitais pediátricos. O objetivo deste estudo é divulgar resultados dos inquéritos de prevalência realizados num hospital pediátrico. Métodos: Foram envolvidos 126 e 117 doentes em 2010 e 2012, respetivamente. Foram usadas as definições, protocolos, formulários e critérios de inclusão referidos no protocolo dos inquéritos de prevalência dos anos respetivos. Resultados: A prevalência de infeção hospitalar foi 4,8% em 2012 e 5,1% em 2012. Os principais riscos foram prematuridade, muito baixo peso, intervenção cirúrgica, acesso venoso periférico e cateteres venosos centrais. A infeção da corrente sanguínea foi a mais frequente e o Staphylococcus aureus a bactéria mais frequentemente isolada. Estavam sob antibioterapia 50% e 42,7% dos doentes, sendo a gentamicina, amoxicilina com ácido clavulânico, ampicilina, flucloxacilina e cefuroxime os antibióticos mais utilizados. Discussão: Os inquéritos de prevalência dão informação imediata com pouco consumo de recursos. Os hospitais pediátricos têm características epidemiológicas específicas que os distinguem dos hospitais de adultos. Comparando os resultados encontrados com os de outros estudos conclui-se que poderá haver lugar para melhoria do consumo de antibióticos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The influence of time and irrigant refreshment on biofilm removal from lateral morphological features of simulated root canals

Aim: To evaluate the effect of irrigant refreshment and exposure time of a 2% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl) on biofilm removal from simulated lateral root canal spaces using two different flow rates. Methodology: A dual-species biofilm was formed by a Constant Depth Film Fermenter (CDFF) for 96 h in plug inserts with anatomical features resembling an isthmus or lateral canal-like structures. The inserts were placed in a root canal model facing the main canal. NaOCl 2% and demineralized water (control group) were used as irrigant solutions. Both substances were applied at a flow rate of 0.05 and 0.1 mL s−1. The samples were divided into three groups with zero, one or two refreshments in a total exposure time of 15 min. A three-way analysis of variance (anova) was performed to investigate the interaction amongst the independent variables and the effect of consecutive irrigant refreshment on percentage of biofilm removal. A Tukey post hoc test was used to evaluate the effect of each independent variable on percentage biofilm removal in the absence of statistically significant interactions. Results: For the lateral canal, NaOCl removed significantly more biofilm irrespective of the number of refreshments and exposure time (P = 0.005). There was no significant effect in biofilm removal between the consecutive irrigant refreshments measured in the same biofilm. For the isthmus, NaOCl removed significantly more biofilm irrespective of the number of refreshments and exposure time; both NaOCl and a high flow rate removed significantly more biofilm when the exposure time was analysed (P = 0.018 and P = 0.029, respectively). Evaluating the effect of consecutive irrigant refreshment on the same biofilm, 2% NaOCl, 0.1 mL s−1 flow rate and one or two refreshments removed significant more biofilm (P = 0.04, 0.034 and 0.003, <0.001, respectively). Conclusions: In this model, refreshment did not improve biofilm removal from simulated lateral root canal spaces. NaOCl removed more biofilm from the lateral canal- and isthmus-like structure. A higher flow rate removed significantly more biofilm from the isthmus-like structure. There was always remaining biofilm left after the irrigation procedures

Clinical decision support using Open Data

First Online: 18 May 2020.The growth of Electronical Health Records (EHR) in healthcare has been gradual. However, a simple EHR system has become inefficient in supporting health professionals on decision making. In this sense, the need to acquire knowledge from storing data using open models and techniques has emerged, for the sake of improving the quality of service provided and to support the decision-making process. The usage of open models promotes interoperability between systems, communicating more efficiently. In this sense, the OpenEHR open data approach is applied, modelling data in two levels to distinguish knowledge from information. The application of clinical terminologies was fundamental in this study, in order to control data semantics based on coded clinical terms. This article culminated from the conceptualization of the knowledge acquisition process to represent Clinical Decision Support, using open data models.The work has been supported by FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e Tec-nologia within the Project Scope UID/CEC/00319/2019 and DSAIPA/DS/0084/2018

A review of ureteral injuries after external trauma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Ureteral trauma is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all urologic traumas. However, a missed ureteral injury can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this article is to review the literature since 1961 with the primary objective to present the largest medical literature review, to date, regarding ureteral trauma. Several anatomic and physiologic considerations are paramount regarding ureteral injuries management.</p> <p>Literature review</p> <p>Eighty-one articles pertaining to traumatic ureteral injuries were reviewed. Data from these studies were compiled and analyzed. The majority of the study population was young males. The proximal ureter was the most frequently injured portion. Associated injuries were present in 90.4% of patients. Admission urinalysis demonstrated hematuria in only 44.4% patients. Intravenous ureterogram (IVU) failed to diagnose ureteral injuries either upon admission or in the operating room in 42.8% of cases. Ureteroureterostomy, with or without indwelling stent, was the surgical procedure of choice for both trauma surgeons and urologists (59%). Complications occurred in 36.2% of cases. The mortality rate was 17%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The mechanism for ureteral injuries in adults is more commonly penetrating than blunt. The upper third of the ureter is more often injured than the middle and lower thirds. Associated injuries are frequently present. CT scan and retrograde pyelography accurately identify ureteral injuries when performed together. Ureteroureterostomy, with or without indwelling stent, is the surgical procedure of choice of both trauma surgeons and urologists alike. Delay in diagnosis is correlated with a poor prognosis.</p