The Montgomery and Joye Powering Ladders are Dual

Hitherto the duality between left-to-right and right-to-left exponentiation algorithms has been a loosely defined concept. Recently, the author made the definition precise by adding requirements on space usage and operation types. Here it is shown that the Montgomery and Joye powering ladders are dual in this sense. Several versions of these algorithms are derived naturally with a cost-free, natural, built-in blinding mechanism as a side channel counter-measure

Hardware Aspects of Montgomery Modular Multiplication

This chapter compares Peter Montgomery\u27s modular multiplication method with traditional techniques for suitability on hardware platforms. It also covers systolic array implementations and side channel leakage

Missed opportunities for diagnosing brain tumours in primary care: a qualitative study of patient experiences.

BACKGROUND: Brain tumours are uncommon, and have extremely poor outcomes. Patients and GPs may find it difficult to recognise early symptoms because they are often non-specific and more likely due to other conditions. AIM: To explore patients' experiences of symptom appraisal, help seeking, and routes to diagnosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative study set in the East and North West of England. METHOD: In-depth interviews with adult patients recently diagnosed with a primary brain tumour and their family members were analysed thematically, using the Model of Pathways to Treatment as a conceptual framework. RESULTS: Interviews were carried out with 39 patients. Few participants (n = 7; 18%) presented as an emergency without having had a previous GP consultation; most had had one (n = 15; 38%), two (n = 9; 23%), or more (n = 8; 21%) GP consultations. Participants experienced multiple subtle 'changes' rather than 'symptoms', often noticed by others rather than the patient, which frequently led to loss of interest or less ability to engage with daily living activities. The most common changes were in cognition (speaking, writing, comprehension, memory, concentration, and multitasking), sleep, and other 'head feelings' such as dizziness. Not all patients experienced a seizure, and few seizures were experienced 'out of the blue'. Quality of communication in GP consultations played a key role in patients' subsequent symptom appraisal and the timing of their decision to re-consult. CONCLUSION: Multiple subtle changes and frequent GP visits often precede brain tumour diagnosis, giving possible diagnostic opportunities for GPs. Refined community symptom awareness and GP guidance could enable more direct pathways to diagnosis, and potentially improve patient experiences and outcomes

Long-term survival analysis of masitinib in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background: A randomized, placebo-controlled phase III study (AB10015) previously demonstrated that orally administered masitinib (4.5 mg/kg/day) slowed rate of functional decline, with acceptable safety, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients having an ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) progression rate from disease onset to baseline of <1.1 points/month. Here we assess long-term overall survival (OS) data of all participants from study AB10015 and test whether a signal in OS is evident in an enriched patient population similar to that prospectively defined for confirmatory study AB19001. Methods: Survival status of all patients originally randomized in AB10015 was collected from participating investigational sites. Survival analysis (using the multivariate log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model, with stratification factors as covariates) was performed on the intention-to-treat population and enriched subgroups, which were defined according to initial randomization, baseline ALSFRS-R progression rate and baseline disease severity. Results: A significant survival benefit of 25 months (p = 0.037) and 47% reduced risk of death (p = 0.025) was observed for patients receiving 4.5 mg/kg/day masitinib (n = 45) versus placebo (n = 62) in an enriched cohort with ⩾2 on each baseline ALSFRS-R individual component score (i.e. prior to any complete loss or severe impairment of functionality) and post-onset ALSFRS-R progression rate <1.1 (i.e. exclusion of very fast progressors) [median OS of 69 versus 44 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.53 [95% CI (0.31–0.92)]]. This corresponds to the population enrolled in confirmatory phase III study, AB19001. Conclusions: Analysis of long-term OS (75 months average follow-up from diagnosis) indicates that oral masitinib (4.5 mg/kg/day) could prolong survival by over 2 years as compared with placebo, provided that treatment starts prior to severe impairment of functionality.Fil: Mora, Jesus S.. No especifíca;Fil: Bradley, Walter G.. University of Miami; Estados UnidosFil: Chaverri, Delia. No especifíca;Fil: Hernández Barral, María. No especifíca;Fil: Mascias, Javier. No especifíca;Fil: Gamez, Josep. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Gargiulo Monachelli, Gisella Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Moussy, Alain. No especifíca;Fil: Mansfield, Colin D.. No especifíca;Fil: Hermine, Olivier. No especifíca;Fil: Ludolph, Albert C.. Universitat Ulm; Alemani

Efficacy of MSC for steroid-refractory acute GVHD associates with MSC donor age and a defined molecular profile

Contains fulltext : 229413.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access

Tailored biological retention and efficient clearance of pegylated ultra-small MnO nanoparticles as positive MRI contrast agents for molecular imaging

A majority of MRI procedures requiring intravascular injections of contrast agents are performed with paramagnetic chelates. Such products induce vascular signal enhancement and they are rapidly excreted by the kidneys. Unfortunately, each chelate is made of only one paramagnetic ion, which, taken individually, has a limited impact on the MRI signal. In fact, the detection of molecular events in the nanomolar range using T-1-weighted MRI sequences requires the design of ultra-small particles containing hundreds of paramagnetic ions per contrast agent unit. Ultra-small nanoparticles of manganese oxide (MnO, 6-8 nm diameter) have been developed and proposed as an efficient and at least 1000 x more sensitive “positive” MRI contrast agent. However no evidence has been found until now that an adequate surface treatment of these particles could maintain their strong blood signal enhancement, while allowing their rapid and efficient excretion by the kidneys or by the hepatobiliairy pathway. Indeed, the sequestration of MnO particles by the reticuloendothelial system followed by strong uptake in the liver and in the spleen could potentially lead to Mn2+-induced toxicity effects. For ultra-small MnO particles to be applied in the clinics, it is necessary to develop coatings that also enable their efficient excretion within hours. This study demonstrates for the first time the possibility to use MnO particles as T-1 vascular contrast agents, while enabling the excretion of > 70% of all the Mn injected doses after 48 h. For this, small, biocompatible and highly hydrophilic pegylated bis-phosphonate dendrons (PDns) were grafted on MnO particles to confer colloidal stability, relaxometric performance, and fast excretion capacity. The chemical and colloidal stability of MnO@PDn particles were confirmed by XPS, FTIR and DLS. The relaxometric performance of MnO@PDns as “positive” MRI contrast agents was assessed (r(1) = 4.4 mM(-1) s(-1), r(2)/r(1) = 8.6; 1.41 T and 37 degrees C). Mice were injected with 1.21 mu g Mn per kg (22 mu mol Mn per kg), and scanned in MRI up to 48 h. The concentration of Mn in key organs was precisely measured by neutron activation analysis and confirmed, with MRI, the possibility to avoid RES nanoparticle sequestration through the use of phosphonate dendrons. Due to the fast kidney and hepatobiliairy clearance of MnO particles conferred by PDns, MnO nanoparticles can now be considered for promising applications in T1-weighted MRI applications requiring less toxic although highly sensitive “positive” molecular contrast agents

Efficient synthesis of small-sized phosphonated dendrons: potential organic coatings of iron oxide nanoparticles:

We report herein the synthesis of biocompatible small-sized phosphonated monomers and dendrons used as functional coatings of metal oxide nanoparticles, more specifically superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and therapy through hyperthermia. The molecules were engineered to modulate their size, their hydrophilic and/or biocompatible character (poly(amido) amine versus oligoethyleneglycol), the number of anchoring phosphonate groups (monophosphonate versus phosphonic tweezers) and the number of peripheral functional groups for further grafting of dyes or specific vectors. Such a library of hydrophilic phosphonic acids opens new possibilities for the investigation of dendronized nanohybrids as theranostics