438 research outputs found
Enhanced Privacy Preserving Accesscontrol in Incremental Datausing Microaggregation
In microdata releases, main task is to protect the privacy of data subjects. Microaggregation technique use to disclose the limitation at protecting the privacy of microdata. This technique is an alternative to generalization and suppression, which use to generate k-anonymous data sets. In this dataset, identity of each subject is hidden within a group of k subjects. Microaggregation perturbs the data and additional masking allows refining data utility in many ways, like increasing data granularity, to avoid discretization of numerical data, to reduce the impact of outliers. If the variability of the private data values in a group of k subjects is too small, k-anonymity does not provide protection against attribute disclosure. In this work Role based access control is assumed. The access control policies define selection predicates to roles. Then use the concept of imprecision bound for each permission to define a threshold on the amount of imprecision that can be tolerated. So the proposed approach reduces the imprecision for each selection predicate. Anonymization is carried out only for the static relational table in the existing papers. Privacy preserving access control mechanism is applied to the incremental data
32131 Updating the relative risk of ultraviolet exposure and melanoma in fair skin types: A systematic review
In 2005, a meta-analysis found that varying types of UV exposure contributed to an increased relative risk of melanoma. Recently, a 2021 review failed to establish a similar link in individuals with skin of color. Within the last 2 decades, no studies have comprehensively reviewed the risk of varying types of UV exposure on melanoma in fair skin. Thus, we performed a systematic review from 2002-2021 analyzing UV exposure and melanoma risk in Fitzpatrick type I-IV individuals. Out of 12,263 studies, 26 met inclusion criteria. A majority showed an association with UV index (6/9), left-sided laterality (1/1), sunburn history (11/13), and outdoor leisure activity (3/3). UV index studies were all ecological and presented primarily positive correlations. For sunburn history, studies encompassed 2309 melanomas, and significant odds ratios (OR) ranged from 1.69 (1.00-2.98) to 8.48 (4.35-16.54) with higher odds ratios for increasing numbers of sunburns. For outdoor leisure correlating with prior definitions of intermittent sun exposure, studies encompassed 514 melanomas, and ORs ranged from 2.70 (1.04-6.80) to 4.18 (1.83-9.93). A positive association was found in 2 (n = 2/6) studies for cumulative or annual sun exposure, 2 (n = 2/5) studies with occupational sun exposure, 2 (n = 2/4) studies with sun vacations, and 0 (n = 0/2) studies with latitude. This study highlights the significant relationships between specific types of UV exposure and melanoma at higher rates than previously summarized due to an emphasis on fair skin types. Critically, there remains high heterogeneity in how UV exposure is captured that may contribute to mixed results
Preparation and Evaluation of Sulfacetamide Sodium Ocusert for Controlled Drug Delivery
The intent of this research was to formulate and evaluate controlled release ocusert of sulfacetamide sodium for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Ocusert is a sterile preparation having drug as dispersion or as solution in the polymeric base. Prepared Ocuserts were formulated using hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose K-15 and Ethyl cellulose as polymers at various concentrations and combinations. Polymeric Films were prepared by mercury casting method using different ratios of polymers. Selected physiochemical properties such as thickness, weight, percentage moisture absorption, and in-vitro release and sterility studies of sulfacetamide sodium ocusert were studied and reported that prepared ocusert resolved the problems of poor bioavailability, frequent dosing and wastage of active ingredient.
Keywords: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K-15, ocusert, sulfacetamide sodiu
Transarterial chemoembolization is ineffective for neuroendocrine tumors metastatic to the caudate lobe: a single institution review.
BACKGROUND: Caudate lobe liver metastases occur commonly in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. It is unknown, however, how these lesions respond to regional therapy and how their presence impacts outcomes. We reviewed our experience treating these lesions using transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).
METHODS: We reviewed radiographic response to TACE in 86 patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the liver. We determined the impact of caudate lesions on outcomes in comparison to the cohort of patients without caudate lesions, as well as response of caudate lesions to TACE versus lesions elsewhere in the liver.
RESULTS: Caudate lesions were identified in 45 (52%) patients. All patients had disease in other liver segments. Only seven caudate lesions (12.3%) had a radiographic response to TACE, whereas 82% of lesions elsewhere in the liver demonstrated a response. The presence or absence of a caudate lesion did not impact the overall radiographic (82.2% vs. 82.9%), symptomatic (64.4% vs. 56.1%), or biochemical (97.6% vs. 88.9%) response to TACE (Pβ\u3eβ0.1 for all). However, median overall survival was reduced in those presenting with caudate lesions (87.1 vs. 45.6 months, Pβ=β0.031).
CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the caudate lobe respond poorly to TACE. Symptomatic or threatening caudate lobe lesions should be considered for palliative resection in spite of additional inoperable liver metastases
Detection of a glitch in the pulsar J1709-4429
We report the detection of a glitch event in the pulsar J17094429 (also
known as B170644) during regular monitoring observations with the Molonglo
Observatory Synthesis Telescope (UTMOST). The glitch was found during timing
operations, in which we regularly observe over 400 pulsars with up to daily
cadence, while commensally searching for Rotating Radio Transients, pulsars,
and FRBs. With a fractional size of ,
the glitch reported here is by far the smallest known for this pulsar,
attesting to the efficacy of glitch searches with high cadence using UTMOST.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figur
Shock Cooling and Possible Precursor Emission in the Early Light Curve of the Type II SN 2023ixf
We present the densely sampled early light curve of the Type II supernova
(SN) 2023ixf, first observed within hours of explosion in the nearby Pinwheel
Galaxy (Messier 101; 6.7 Mpc). Comparing these data to recently updated models
of shock cooling emission, we find that the progenitor likely had a radius of
(statistical uncertainty only), consistent with a red
supergiant. These models provide a good fit to the data starting about 1 day
after the explosion, despite the fact that the classification spectrum shows
signatures of circumstellar material around SN 2023ixf during that time.
Photometry during the first day after the explosion, provided almost entirely
by amateur astronomers, does not agree with the shock cooling models or a
simple power-law rise fit to data after 1 day. We consider the possible causes
of this discrepancy, including precursor activity from the progenitor star,
circumstellar interaction, and emission from the shock before or after it
breaks out of the stellar surface. The very low luminosity () and short duration of the initial excess leads us to
prefer a scenario related to prolonged emission from the SN shock traveling
through the progenitor system.Comment: submitted to ApJ
Discovery of Novel Biomarker Candidates for Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis C Patients: A Preliminary Study
Background: Liver biopsy is the reference standard for assessing liver fibrosis and no reliable non-invasive diagnostic approach is available to discriminate between the intermediate stages of fibrosis. Therefore suitable serological biomarkers of liver fibrosis are urgently needed. We used proteomics to identify novel fibrosis biomarkers in hepatitis C patients with different degrees of liver fibrosis.Methodology/Principal Findings: Proteins in plasma samples from healthy control individuals and patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced cirrhosis were analysed using a proteomics technique: two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). This technique separated the proteins in plasma samples of control and cirrhotic patients and by visualizing the separated proteins we were able to identify proteins which were increasing or decreasing in hepatic cirrhosis. Identified markers were validated across all Ishak fibrosis stages and compared to the markers used in FibroTest, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test, Hepascore and FIBROSpect by Western blotting. Forty four candidate biomarkers for hepatic fibrosis were identified of which 20 were novel biomarkers of liver fibrosis. Western blot validation of all candidate markers using plasma samples from patients across all Ishak fibrosis scores showed that the markers which changed with increasing fibrosis most consistently included lipid transfer inhibitor protein, complement C3d, corticosteroid-binding globulin, apolipoprotein J and apolipoprotein L1. These five novel fibrosis markers which are secreted in blood showed a promising consistent change with increasing fibrosis stage when compared to the markers used for the FibroTest, ELF test, Hepascore and FIBROSpect. These markers will be further validated using a large clinical cohort.Conclusions/Significance: This study identifies 20 novel fibrosis biomarker candidates. The proteins identified may help to assess hepatic fibrosis and eliminate the need for invasive liver biopsies.</br
Benign Ancient Schwannoma of the abdominal wall: An unwanted birthday present
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There has been a recent growth in the use of whole body Computerised Tomography (CT) scans in the private sector as a screening test for asymptomatic disease. This is despite scant evidence to show any positive effect on morbidity or mortality. There has been concern raised over the possible harms of the test in terms of radiation exposure as well as the risk and anxiety of further investigation and treatment for the large numbers of benign lesions identified.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>A healthy 64 year old lady received a privately funded whole body CT scan for her birthday which revealed an incidental mass in the right iliac fossa. This was investigated with further imaging and colonoscopy and as confident diagnosis could not be made, eventually excised. Histology demonstrated this to be a benign ancient schwannoma and we believe this to be the first reported case of an abdominal wall schwannoma in the English literature</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Ancient schwannomas are rare tumours of the peripheral nerve sheaths more usually found in the head, neck and flexor surfaces of extremities. They are a subtype of classical schwannomas with a predominance of degenerative changes. Our case highlights the pitfalls of such screening tests in demonstrating benign disease and subjecting patients to what turns out to be unnecessary invasive investigation and treatment. It provides evidence as to the consequences of the large number of false positive results that are created by blind CT scanning of asymptomatic patients i.e. its tendency to detect pseudodiesease rather than affect survival rates. Should the number of scans increase there may be an unnecessary burden on NHS resources due to the large numbers of benign lesions picked up, that are then referred for further investigation.</p
Early Spectroscopy and Dense Circumstellar Medium Interaction in SN~2023ixf
We present the optical spectroscopic evolution of SN~2023ixf seen in
sub-night cadence spectra from 1.18 to 14 days after explosion. We identify
high-ionization emission features, signatures of interaction with material
surrounding the progenitor star, that fade over the first 7 days, with rapid
evolution between spectra observed within the same night. We compare the
emission lines present and their relative strength to those of other supernovae
with early interaction, finding a close match to SN~2020pni and SN~2017ahn in
the first spectrum and SN~2014G at later epochs. To physically interpret our
observations we compare them to CMFGEN models with confined, dense
circumstellar material around a red supergiant progenitor from the literature.
We find that very few models reproduce the blended \NC{} emission lines
observed in the first few spectra and their rapid disappearance thereafter,
making this a unique diagnostic. From the best models, we find a mass-loss rate
of \mlunit{}, which far exceeds the mass-loss rate for any
steady wind, especially for a red supergiant in the initial mass range of the
detected progenitor. These mass-loss rates are, however, similar to rates
inferred for other supernovae with early circumstellar interaction. Using the
phase when the narrow emission features disappear, we calculate an outer dense
radius of circumstellar material and a mean circumstellar material density
of . This is consistent with the
lower limit on the outer radius of the circumstellar material we calculate from
the peak \Halpha{} emission flux, .Comment: Submitted to ApJ
Quantifying risks and interventions that have affected the burden of diarrhoea among children younger than 5 years : an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Background Many countries have shown marked declines in diarrhoea! disease mortality among children younger than 5 years. With this analysis, we provide updated results on diarrhoeal disease mortality among children younger than 5 years from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017) and use the study's comparative risk assessment to quantify trends and effects of risk factors, interventions, and broader sociodemographic development on mortality changes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017.
Methods This analysis for GBD 2017 had three main components. Diarrhoea mortality was modelled using vital registration data, demographic surveillance data, and verbal autopsy data in a predictive, Bayesian, ensemble modelling tool; and the attribution of risk factors and interventions for diarrhoea were modelled in a counterfactual framework that combines modelled population-level prevalence of the exposure to each risk or intervention with the relative risk of diarrhoea given exposure to that factor. We assessed the relative and absolute change in diarrhoea mortality rate between 1990 and 2017, and used the change in risk factor exposure and sociodemographic status to explain differences in the trends of diarrhoea mortality among children younger than 5 years.
Findings Diarrhoea was responsible for an estimated 533 768 deaths (95% uncertainty interval 477 162-593 145) among children younger than 5 years globally in 2017, a rate of 78.4 deaths (70.1-87.1) per 100 000 children. The diarrhoea mortality rate ranged between countries by over 685 deaths per 100 000 children. Diarrhoea mortality per 100 000 globally decreased by 69.6% (63.1-74.6) between 1990 and 2017. Among the risk factors considered in this study, those responsible for the largest declines in the diarrhoea mortality rate were reduction in exposure to unsafe sanitation (13.3% decrease, 11.2-15.5), childhood wasting (9.9% decrease, 9.6-10.2), and low use of oral rehydration solution (6.9% decrease, 4-8-8-4).
Interpretation Diarrhoea mortality has declined substantially since 1990, although there are variations by country. Improvements in sociodemographic indicators might explain some of these trends, but changes in exposure to risk factors-particularly unsafe sanitation, childhood growth failure, and low use of oral rehydration solution-appear to be related to the relative and absolute rates of decline in diarrhoea mortality. Although the most effective interventions might vary by country or region, identifying and scaling up the interventions aimed at preventing and protecting against diarrhoea that have already reduced diarrhoea mortality could further avert many thousands of deaths due to this illness
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