Fully Constant-Size CP-ABE with Privacy-Preserving Outsourced Decryption for Lightweight Devices in Cloud-Assisted IoT

In recent years, ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (CP-ABE) has been recognized as a solution to the challenge of the information privacy and data confidentiality in cloud-assisted Internet-of-Things (IoT). Since the devices in cloud-assisted IoT are generally resource-constrained, the lightweight CP-ABE is more suitable for the cloud-assisted IoT. So how to construct the lightweight CP-ABE for the cloud-assisted IoT to achieve the fine-grained access control and ensure the privacy and confidentiality simultaneously is a prominent challenge. Thus, in this paper, we propose a constant-size CP-ABE scheme with outsourced decryption for the cloud-assisted IoT. In our scheme, the ciphertexts and the attribute-based private keys for users are both of constant size, which can alleviate the transmission overhead and reduce the occupied storage space. Our outsourced decryption algorithm is privacy-protective, which means the proxy server cannot know anything about the access policy of the ciphertext and the attributes set of the user during performing the online partial decryption algorithm. This will prevent the privacy from leaking out to the proxy server. And we rigorously prove that our scheme is selectively indistinguishably secure under the chosen ciphertext attacks (IND-CCA) in the random oracle model (ROM). Finally, by evaluating and implementing our scheme as well as other CP-ABE schemes, we can observe that our scheme is more suitable and applicable for cloud-assisted IoT

Isolation of Pure Species of Wild Boletaceae and Optimization of Inducer for Triterpenoid Synthesis in Liquid Culture

Objective: To obtain artificial pure strain of porcini and improve the ability of liquid culture mycelium and production of triterpenoid. Methods: The fresh wild Boletaceae fruit bodies from Yunnan were used for the study, and the parent pure strain was isolated and identified by tissue isolation method; Ca2+, linoleic acid, and mushroom aqueous extract were used as inducing agents to study their effects on the content of triterpenoids in liquid mycelium. Results: A pure strain of NG-3 was obtained by multiple purifications and identified by rDNA-ITS molecular biology as Phlebopus portentosus; the mycelium of NG-3 was observed by SEM, and the lock-like joint morphology mycelium with the ability of fruiting appeared at 8-16 d of cultivation. Three inducers were optimized by response surface methodology. The results showed that the concentration of Ca2+ was 12 mmol/L, the amount of linoleic acid was 4%, and the concentration of mushroom aqueous extract was 155 mg/100 mL, at which time the triterpene content was 6.77 mg/g, which was 76% higher than the triterpene content without inducer. Conclusion: The combination of three inducers can promote the synthesis of triterpenoids and increase their content, which can provide technical parameters to solve the shortage of wild resources and realize the industrialization of functional products of Boletaceae

Preparation of Biochar with Developed Mesoporous Structure from Poplar Leaf Activated by KHCO₃ and Its Efficient Adsorption of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride

The effective removal of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) from the water environment is of great importance. Adsorption as a simple, stable, and cost-effective technology is regarded as an important method for removing OTC. Herein, a low-cost biochar with a developed mesoporous structure was synthesized via pyrolysis of poplar leaf with potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) as the activator. KHCO3 can endow biochar with abundant mesopores, but excessive KHCO3 cannot continuously promote the formation of mesoporous structures. In comparison with all of the prepared biochars, PKC-4 (biochar with a poplar leaf to KHCO3 mass ratio of 5:4) shows the highest adsorption performance for OTC as it has the largest surface area and richest mesoporous structure. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich equilibrium model are more consistent with the experimental data, which implies that the adsorption process is multi-mechanism and multi-layered. In addition, the maximum adsorption capacities of biochar are slightly affected by pH changes, different metal ions, and different water matrices. Moreover, the biochar can be regenerated by pyrolysis, and its adsorption capacity only decreases by approximately 6% after four cycles. The adsorption of biochar for OTC is mainly controlled by pore filling, though electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interaction are also involved. This study realizes biomass waste recycling and highlights the potential of poplar leaf-based biochar for the adsorption of antibiotics

Aging of cerebral white matter

White matter (WM) occupies a large volume of the human cerebrum and is mainly composed of myelinated axons and myelin-producing glial cells. The myelinated axons within WM are the structural foundation for efficient neurotransmission between cortical and subcortical areas. Similar to neuron-enriched gray matter areas, WM undergoes a series of changes during the process of aging. WM malfunction can induce serious neurobehavioral and cognitive impairments. Thus, age-related changes in WM may contribute to the functional decline observed in the elderly. In addition, aged WM becomes more susceptible to neurological disorders, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize the structural and functional alterations of WM in natural aging and speculate on the underlying mechanisms. We also discuss how age-related WM changes influence the progression of various brain disorders, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, TBI, Alzheimer\u27s disease, and Parkinson\u27s disease. Although the physiology of WM is still poorly understood relative to gray matter, WM is a rational therapeutic target for a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions

Power Drill Craniostomy for Bedside Intracranial Access in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.

Invasive neuromonitoring is a bedrock procedure in neurosurgery and neurocritical care. Intracranial hypertension is a recognized emergency that can potentially lead to herniation, ischemia, and neurological decline. Over 50,000 external ventricular drains (EVDs) are performed in the United States annually for traumatic brain injuries (TBI), tumors, cerebrovascular hemorrhaging, and other causes. The technical challenge of a bedside ventriculostomy and/or parenchymal monitor placement may be increased by complex craniofacial trauma or brain swelling, which will decrease the tolerance of brain parenchyma to applied procedural force during a craniostomy. Herein, we report on the implementation and safety of a disposable power drill for bedside neurosurgical practices compared with the manual twist drill that is the current gold standard. Mechanical testing of the drills stop extension (n = 8) was conducted through a calibrated tensile tester, simulating an axial plunging of 22.68 kilogram (kg) or 50 pounds of force (lbf) and measuring the strength-responsive displacement. The mean displacement following compression was 0.18 ± 0.11 mm (range of 0.03 mm to 0.34 mm). An overall cost analysis was calculated based on the annual institutional pricing, with an estimated $64.90 per unit increase in the cost of the disposable electric drill. Power drill craniostomies were utilized in a total of 34 adult patients, with a median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of six. Twenty-seven patients were male, with a mean age of 50.7 years old. The two most common injury mechanisms were falls and motor vehicle/motorcycle accidents. EVDs were placed in all subjects, and additional quad-lumen neuromonitoring was applied to 23 patients, with no incidents of plunging events or malfunctions. One patient developed an intracranial infection and another had intraparenchymal tract hemorrhaging. Two illustrative TBI cases with concomitant craniofacial trauma were provided. The disposable power drill was successfully implemented as an option for bedside ventriculostomies and had an acceptable safety profile

Hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluation of a Prospective Cohort.

The development of hydrocephalus after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an under-recognized healthcare phenomenon and can increase morbidity. The current study aims to characterize post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) in a large cohort. Patients were prospectively enrolled age 16-80 years old with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8. Demographics, GCS, Injury Severity Score (ISS), surgery, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed. Outcomes were shunt failure and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 and 12-months. Statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05. In 402 patients, mean age was 38.0 ± 16.7 years and 315 (78.4%) were male. Forty (10.0%) patients developed PTH, with predominant injuries being subdural hemorrhage (36.4%) and diffuse axonal injury (36.4%). Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) was associated with hydrocephalus (OR 3.62, 95% CI (1.62-8.07), p < 0.01). Eighteen (4.5%) patients had shunt failure and proximal obstruction was most common. Differences in baseline CSF cell count were associated with increased shunt failure. PTH was not associated with worse outcomes at 6 (p = 0.55) or 12 (p = 0.47) months. Hydrocephalus is a frequent sequela in 10.0% of patients, particularly after DHC. Shunt placement and revision procedures are common after severe TBI, within the first 4 months of injury and necessitates early recognition by the clinician

Hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluation of a Prospective Cohort

The development of hydrocephalus after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an under-recognized healthcare phenomenon and can increase morbidity. The current study aims to characterize post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) in a large cohort. Patients were prospectively enrolled age 16–80 years old with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8. Demographics, GCS, Injury Severity Score (ISS), surgery, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed. Outcomes were shunt failure and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 and 12-months. Statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05. In 402 patients, mean age was 38.0 ± 16.7 years and 315 (78.4%) were male. Forty (10.0%) patients developed PTH, with predominant injuries being subdural hemorrhage (36.4%) and diffuse axonal injury (36.4%). Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) was associated with hydrocephalus (OR 3.62, 95% CI (1.62–8.07), p < 0.01). Eighteen (4.5%) patients had shunt failure and proximal obstruction was most common. Differences in baseline CSF cell count were associated with increased shunt failure. PTH was not associated with worse outcomes at 6 (p = 0.55) or 12 (p = 0.47) months. Hydrocephalus is a frequent sequela in 10.0% of patients, particularly after DHC. Shunt placement and revision procedures are common after severe TBI, within the first 4 months of injury and necessitates early recognition by the clinician

Protease-independent action of tissue plasminogen activator in brain plasticity and neurological recovery after ischemic stroke

Emerging evidence suggests that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), currently the only FDA-approved medication for ischemic stroke, exerts important biological actions on the CNS besides its well-known thrombolytic effect. In this study, we investigated the role of tPA on primary neurons in culture and on brain recovery and plasticity after ischemic stroke in mice. Treatment with recombinant tPA stimulated axonal growth in culture, an effect independent of its protease activity and achieved through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. After permanent focal cerebral ischemia, tPA knockout mice developed more severe sensorimotor and cognitive deficits and greater axonal and myelin injury than wild-type mice, suggesting that endogenously expressed tPA promotes long-term neurological recovery after stroke. In tPA knockout mice, intranasal administration of recombinant tPA protein 6 hours poststroke and 7 more times at 2 d intervals mitigated white matter injury, improved axonal conduction, and enhanced neurological recovery. Consistent with the proaxonal growth effects observed in vitro, exogenous tPA delivery increased poststroke axonal sprouting of corticobulbar and corticospinal tracts, which might have contributed to restoration of neurological functions. Notably, recombinant mutant tPA-S478A lacking protease activity (but retaining the EGF-like domain) was as effective as wild-type tPA in rescuing neurological functions in tPA knockout stroke mice. These findings demonstrate that tPA improves long-term functional outcomes in a clinically relevant stroke model, likely by promoting brain plasticity through EGFR signaling. Therefore, treatment with the protease-dead recombinant tPA-S478A holds particular promise as a neurorestorative therapy, as the risk for triggering intracranial hemorrhage is eliminated and tPA-S478A can be delivered intranasally hours after stroke