Implementation of secure email server in cloud environment

In the recent virtual communication world, the email services play a vital role as a basic content of heterogeneous networking infrastructure. Whereby, multiple platforms are connecting each other. Mail Server refers to computer performing Mail Transfer Agent functions. MTA is software that delivers electronic mail messages from one computer to another, by using client-server application architecture. MTA implements both sender and receiver portions of SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). Postfix is a free and open-source MTA which is fast, easy-to-administrator and provide secure communication over Internet. In this paper we focus on the problem of email contents disclosure, and establish a secure mail server by using Postfix in Linux platform and then implement it into a cloud service provider as IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Security is provided by tuning a Transport Layer Security (TLS), and SMTP-AUTH which use Simple Authentication and Security Layer (SASL) as a security mechanism and platform

Effect of initiation time of oral hydration on the return of bowel function and woman's satisfaction after elective caesarean section in primiparous women

Background and Objective: Abdominal operations as gynaecological procedures result in gastrointestinal dysmotility. Early feeding and ambulation are nonpharmacologic interventions which can be useful in re-initiation of bowel function. This study was done to evaluate the effect of early oral hydration on the return of bowel function and woman's satisfaction after elective caesarean section in primiparous women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 120 primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section were assigned to control and intervention groups in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran during 2007. In the interventional group, oral hydration with liquids was started 4 hours after surgery regardless of presence of bowel sounds and solid food was started after bowel sounds appeared. The control group recieved liquid diet 12 hours after the operation if it was tolerated, they were given soft diet and regular food at the next meal. The return of bowel activity, time of ambulating, satisfaction, discharge from the hospital and complications were compared in two groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS-15, Chi-Square, T and one way ANOVA tests. Results: The mean postoperative time interval to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds in interventional versus control groups were (9.5±1.38 and 12.5±2.5 hours) the first passage of flatus (15.7±3.61 vs.22.4±4.1 hours), time to first sensation of bowel movement (10.8±1.99 versus 15.7±3.4 hours) and defecation (18.9±3.65 versus 23.4±4.85 hours). These differences were significant (P<0.05). Also discharge from the hospital (0.96±0.18 versus 1.1±34 days) were significantly shorter in interventional group (P<0.05). The women in the early feeding group got out of bed (patient mobilisation) earlier than their interventional group (14.1 hours versus 18.8 hours (P<0.05). Maternal satisfaction was significantly higher among the early fed women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Early oral hydration after elective cesarean section associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and increased woman’s satisfaction

A Dynamical System Approach for Catching Softly a Flying Object: Theory and Experiment

Mirrazavi Salehian SS, Khoramshahi M, Billard A. A Dynamical System Approach for Catching Softly a Flying Object: Theory and Experiment. IEEE Transaction on Robotics. Accepted

DM2 platform II : AI-assisted optimization of oral solid dosage form development

Digital Medicines Manufacturing (DM2) platform II aims to leverage AI to develop an autonomous workflow for drug product manufacturing and testing system by identifying optimal formulation and process parameters that deliver desired critical quality attributes (CQAs). This approach aims to de-risk and accelerate drug product development by reducing experiments, development time, and materials use by 60%. The initial objective is to develop a database of hundreds of historical data and new experiments. This database is then used to develop a hybrid machine for predicting product (tablets and capsules) attributes by utilizing domain knowledge (empirical/mechanistic models) and AI-powered models (where domain knowledge is not available/reliable). The hybrid machine is then integrated into an iterative, model-informed optimization framework, to smartly plan experiments that drive the automated manufacturing and testing system, which will be used to collect multi-scale and –point data and update the model(s) to learn from the experiments. Fit-for-purpose optimization algorithms will be employed to execute this loop based on the objective of experiments (i.e. exploration of the knowledge space or exploitation of the model-based optimization) and it continues until the targets are achieved. The proposed smart experimental planning method has been tested using the Gurnham (empirical) model as a predictor of porosity based on peak compression pressure. The initial analysis of the uncertainty of fit demonstrates that adding only 1 data point results in a 20-fold improvement in the accuracy of prediction while adding 8 more data points leads to a minimal improvement, highlighting the significance of the here-developed smart experimental planning procedure in achieving acceptable prediction accuracy at a minimal experimentation cost

Preoperative 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and concomitant nodular goiter: Comparison of SPECT-CT, SPECT, and planar imaging

Background: Investigations using a hybrid single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT-CT) scanning technique have been carried out in limited studies and have shown mixed results. However, the assessment of this technique for the detection of parathyroid adenoma in patients with a nodular goiter was performed in only one study with a small sample size. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the role of Tc-sestamibi parathyroid SPECT-CT scans for localization of parathyroid adenomas with a concomitant nodular goiter using Tc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy and to compare it with SPECT and planar imaging. Methods: This study was conducted on 48 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and nodular goiter, who were candidates for parathyroid surgery and had been referred for parathyroid scintigraphy. The patients underwent an early set of planar Tc-MIBI scanning procedures first, followed by SPECT and CT scannings, and finally a delayed set of planar Tc-MIBI scannings. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, and accuracy were determined on a per-parathyroid-gland basis for each scanning method, as defined by histology and follow-up. Results: The surgery was successful in 48 out of 50 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism concomitant with thyroid nodularity, and data were completed for 80 sites in 48 patients. The accuracy of SPECT-CT in correctly identifying a parathyroid adenoma was 85.00, versus 75.00% for SPECT (P=0.01, significant). The sensitivity and specificity for SPECT-CT were 77.55 and 96.77%, respectively, versus 67.34 and 87.09%, respectively, for SPECT (P=0.12 and 0.12, not significant). There were nine sites that showed better localization on SPECT-CT scans relative to SPECT images, of which five sites were located in the ectopic regions. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that SPECT-CT is more accurate than sestamibi planar imaging and SPECT for the preoperative identification of parathyroid lesions in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism concomitant with thyroid nodularity. Also, we would recommend the use of SPECT-CT for a workup of all patients with ectopic glands who are scheduled for minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Pharmacokinetics of calycopterin and xanthmicrol, two polymethoxylated hydroxyflavones with anti-angiogenic activities from Dracocephalum kotschyi Bioss

Background: Recently flavonoids have attracted the attention of researchers in the fight against cancer. Calycopterin and xanthomicrol, are two polymethoxylated flavonoids found in the aerial parts of Dracocephalum kotschyi Bioss.. We have recently shown that these compounds possess antiangiogenic activity and may be of value as potential anticancer agents. In order to demonstrate putative in vivo antitumor effect of these compounds we needed preliminary information on both pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of these two agents. Method: A new online SPE HPLC method for measurement of calycopterin and xanthomicrol in rat plasma was developed. Pharmacokinetic parameters of calycopterin and xanthomicrol, after i.v. administration in rats, were determined. Results: The plasma half-life for both agents was around 4 h, however, the volume of distribution of calycopterin appeared to be about 8 times greater than xanthomicrol. This was probably due the greater hydrophobicity of the former which had other consequences such as much smaller maximum plasma concentration of calycopterin compared to its less methoxylated congener. Preliminary toxicological study of xanthomicrol failed to show any behavioral, histological and biochemical adverse effects after repeated administrations of high doses. Graphical Abstract: Pharmacokinetics of xanthomicrol in rats. © 2016 The Author(s)

Oesophageal cancer among the Turkomans of northeast Iran

A Caspian Littoral Cancer Registry survey in the early 1970s established northern Iran as one of the highest oesophageal cancer incidence regions of the world. To verify this, an oesophageal cancer survey was carried out between 1995 and 1997 in the Turkoman Plain at the southeastern corner of the Caspian Sea. Oesophageal balloon cytology screening was carried out on 4192 asymptomatic adults above age 30 years in one town and three adjoining villages with a total population of 20 392 people at risk. Oesophagoscopy was performed on 183 patients with abnormal cytological findings. The discovery of two asymptomatic small squamous cell cancers and one ‘carcinoma- suspect’ implied a prevalence ranging from 47.7 per 100 000 to 71.5 per 100 000. During a 1-year active surveillance, 14 patients were found with clinically advanced oesophageal squamous cell cancer, yielding age-standardized incidence rates of 144.09 per 100 000 for men and 48.82 per 100 000 for women. The very high frequency of oesophageal cancer reported for northern Iran 25 years ago stands confirmed. Differences in incidence rates, then and now, can be attributed to survey methods used and diagnostic criteria applied, but not to socioeconomic factors, which have remained relatively stable. Oesophageal balloon cytology is a practical method of mass screening for oesophageal cancer in Iran. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in adults after a Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries

Aims To examine the prevalence of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and sudden death (SD) in adults with atrial repair of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and to determine associated risk factors. Methods and results In a single-centre review, we studied the outcome of 149 adults (mean age 28 ± 7 years) who had undergone a Mustard operation for TGA. During a mean follow-up of 9 ± 6 years, sustained VT and/or SD occurred in 9% (13/149) of the cohort. Sustained VT/SD was more likely to occur in patients with associated anatomic lesions [hazard ratio (HR) 4.9, 95% CI 1.5-16.0], with NYHA class ≥III (HR 9.8, 95% CI 3.0-31.6) and with an impaired subaortic right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.0 per 10% decrease in EF). There was an inverse correlation between the RV-EF and both age and QRS duration. Patients with a QRS duration ≥140 ms were at highest risk of sustained VT/SD (HR 13.6, 95% CI 2.9-63.4). Atrial tachyarrhythmia was detected in 66 (44%) patients, but was not a statistically significant predictor of sustained VT/SD in our adult population (HR 2.7, 95% CI 0.6-13.0). Conclusion Sustained VT/SD in adults after a Mustard operation for TGA are more common than previously described. Age, systemic ventricular function, and QRS duration are interrelated and are associated with VT/SD. A QRS duration ≥140 ms helps to identify the high risk patien

DM2 platform II : development of an automated microscale manufacturing system for oral solid dosage forms

This platform aims to create a unique autonomous microscale drug product manufacturing and testing system to select formulation and process parameters that result in a stable product with desired critical quality attributes. The number of experiments increases drastically with the number of excipients, drug loadings and process conditions that need to be explored to find the optimal formulation and process settings. Integrating industrial digital technologies (IDTs) with innovative pharmaceutical process technologies will de-risk and accelerate drug product manufacture, reducing experiments and dramatically reducing development time and raw material/solvents use by 60%, whilst achieving CQA objectives by self-optimized formulation and process conditions. The platform is codeveloped and co-delivered with industry partners focusing on 1) tablets (via direct compression) and 2) capsules (via powder fill) . The initial aim of this platform is to deliver an automated microscale batch manufacturing system that ca n eliminate waste while preparing tablet batches of < 10 g per batch and < 50 tablets per batch

The function of CozE proteins is linked to lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus.

Coordinated membrane and cell wall synthesis is vital for maintaining cell integrity and facilitating cell division in bacteria. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin such coordination are poorly understood. Here we uncover the pivotal roles of the staphylococcal proteins CozEa and CozEb, members of a conserved family of membrane proteins previously implicated in bacterial cell division, in the biosynthesis of lipoteichoic acids (LTA) and maintenance of membrane homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus. We establish that there is a synthetic lethal relationship between CozE and UgtP, the enzyme synthesizing the LTA glycolipid anchor Glc &lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; DAG. By contrast, in cells lacking LtaA, the flippase of Glc &lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; DAG, the essentiality of CozE proteins was alleviated, suggesting that the function of CozE proteins is linked to the synthesis and flipping of the glycolipid anchor. CozE proteins were indeed found to modulate the flipping activity of LtaA in vitro. Furthermore, CozEb was shown to control LTA polymer length and stability. Together, these findings establish CozE proteins as novel players in membrane homeostasis and LTA biosynthesis in S. aureus.IMPORTANCELipoteichoic acids are major constituents of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. These anionic polymers are important virulence factors and modulators of antibiotic susceptibility in the important pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. They are also critical for maintaining cell integrity and facilitating proper cell division. In this work, we discover that a family of membrane proteins named CozE is involved in the biosynthesis of lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) in S. aureus. CozE proteins have previously been shown to affect bacterial cell division, but we here show that these proteins affect LTA length and stability, as well as the flipping of glycolipids between membrane leaflets. This new mechanism of LTA control may thus have implications for the virulence and antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus