An Observation about Variations of the Diffie-Hellman Assumption

We generalize the Strong Boneh-Boyen (SBB) signature scheme to sign vectors; we call this scheme GSBB. We show that if a particular (but most natural) average case reduction from SBB to GSBB exists, then the Strong Diffie-Hellman (SDH) and the Computational Diffie-Hellman (CDH) have the same worst-case complexity

Progression from new methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonisation to infection: An observational study in a hospital cohort

10.1186/1471-2334-13-491BMC Infectious Diseases131-BIDM

An environmental characterization study of a proof-of-concept municipal solid waste digestion plant: Pompano Beach, Florida

An environmental investigation on a 100 ton/day anaerobic digestion plant has been conducted. All input and output streams were analyzed for physical, chemical and microbiological impact. Some mutagenic studies were also conducted. Numerous samples were analyzed over a period of three years for variables of regulatory concern. A few samples were intensively analyzed for trace and ultratrace compounds in the USEPA priority pollutant list. Some batch leaching tests were conducted to estimate the impact of liquid effluents on local soils

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) gain-of-function mutations and disseminated coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis

Background: Impaired signaling in the IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway causes susceptibility to severe disseminated infections with mycobacteria and dimorphic yeasts. Dominant gain-of-function mutations in signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) have been associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Objective: We sought to identify the molecular defect in patients with disseminated dimorphic yeast infections. Methods: PBMCs, EBV-transformed B cells, and transfected U3A cell lines were studied for IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway function. STAT1 was sequenced in probands and available relatives. Interferon-induced STAT1 phosphorylation, transcriptional responses, protein-protein interactions, target gene activation, and function were investigated. Results: We identified 5 patients with disseminated Coccidioides immitis or Histoplasma capsulatum with heterozygous missense mutations in the STAT1 coiled-coil or DNA-binding domains. These are dominant gain-of-function mutations causing enhanced STAT1 phosphorylation, delayed dephosphorylation, enhanced DNA binding and transactivation, and enhanced interaction with protein inhibitor of activated STAT1. The mutations caused enhanced IFN-gamma-induced gene expression, but we found impaired respo Conclusion: Gain-of-function mutations in STAT1 predispose to invasive, severe, disseminated dimorphic yeast infections, likely through aberrant regulation of IFN-gamma-mediated inflammation

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Not AvailableSoft tissue from cultured farm fresh oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis) was subjected to two standard enzymatic peptide extraction procedures using pepsin and papain. The crude extracts obtained were partially purified by column chromatography and were freeze-dried. The hydrolysates obtained were compared with respect to their degree of hydrolysis (DH), antioxidant potential (AP) and total phenolic content (TPC). The hydrolysate showing better antioxidant property was further subjected to purification by high performance liquid chromatography and characterized by LC-MS/MS. Papain-digested oyster protein (OPHpap) hydrolysate showed higher DH, AP and TPC. OPHpap was further subjected to ultrafiltration and fractionated into 3 sizes namely, above 10, 3–10 and 1–3 kDa according to the molecular size. Antioxidant capacity of\3 kDa fraction OPHpap-3 evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, metal chelating activity, linoleic acid autoxidation assay showed maximum effectiveness. Of the seven fractions collected by purification of OPH-pap-3 on semi-preparative RP-HPLC, fraction 7 that showed the highest antioxidant activity was further characterized by LC-ESI-MS/MS and its sequence determined. An antioxidant peptide molecule with thirteen amino acids was identified in oyster protein hydrolysate obtained by papain digestion that may find application as a nutraceutical or may be utilized in food industry for prevention of rancidity in foods.Not Availabl