On providing a Dynamic QoS Management system for IP networks

This paper discusses the design of a network management system that supports QoS in IP networks. The proposed architecture, namely QMTool, uses the evolving Differentiated Services paradigm and provides end-to-end QoS for IP based applications. The novel aspects of the proposed approach rely on the integration of a collection of mechanisms including QoS provisioning for different types of traffic, flow level admission control and resource management mechanisms that interact with the routers of a network. We focus our attention on the dynamic aspects of QoS management, which is achieved by introducing a set of new technologies. The concept of the proposed management system is described in detail followed by notes of implementation issues

Acupuncture-induced haemothorax: a rare iatrogenic complication of acupuncture

This paper reports a rare iatrogenic complication of acupuncture-induced haemothorax and comments on the importance and need for special education of physicians and physiotherapists in order to apply safe and effective acupuncture treatment. A 37-year-old healthy woman had a session of acupuncture treatments for neck and right upper thoracic non-specific musculoskeletal pain, after which she gradually developed dyspnoea and chest discomfort. After some delay while trying other treatment, she was eventually transferred to the emergency department where a chest X-ray revealed a right pneumothorax and fluid collection. She was admitted to hospital and a chest tube inserted into the right hemithorax (under ultrasound guidance) drained 800mL of bloody fluid (haematocrit (Hct) 17.8%) in 24h and 1200mL over the following 3days. Her blood Hct fell from 39.0% to 30.8% and haemoglobin from 12.7 to 10.3g/dL. The patient recovered completely and was discharged after 9days of hospitalisation. When dyspnoea, chest pain and discomfort occur during or after an acupuncture treatment, the possibility of secondary (traumatic) pneumo- or haemopneumothorax should be considered and the patient should remain under careful observation (watchful waiting) for at least 48h. To maximise the safety of acupuncture, specific training should be given for the safe use of acupuncture points of the anterior and posterior thoracic wall using dry needling, trigger point acupuncture or other advanced acupuncture techniques

MgcRacGAP interacts with HIF-1 alpha and regulates its transcriptional activity

HIF-1 alpha is the inducible subunit of the dimeric transcription factor HIF-1 (Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1). It is induced by hypoxia and hypoxia-mimetics in most cell types, as well as non-hypoxic signals such as growth factors, cytokines and oncogenes, often in a cell specific manner. HIF-1 is present in virtually all cells of higher eukaryotes and its function is of great biomedical relevance since it is highly involved in development, tumor progression and tissue ischemia. Intracellular signaling to HIF-1 alpha, as well as its further action, involves its participation in numerous protein complexes. Using the yeast two-hybrid system we have identified MgcRacGAP (male germ cell Rac GTPase Activating Protein) as a HIF-1 alpha interacting protein. The MgcRacGAP protein is a regulator of Rho proteins, which are principally involved in cytoskeletal organization. We have verified specific binding of HIF-1 alpha and MgcRacGAP in vitro and in vivo in mammalian cells. We have additionally shown that MgcRacGAP overexpression inhibits HIF-1 alpha transcriptional activity, without lowering HIF-1 alpha protein levels, or altering its subcellular localization. Moreover, this inhibition is dependent on the MgcRacGAP domain that interacts with HIF-1 alpha. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that HIF-1 alpha function is negatively affected by its interaction with MgcRacGAP. Copyright (C) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel