Features, Analysis Techniques, and Detection Methods of Cryptojacking Malware: A Survey

Various types of malwares are capable of bringing harm to users. The list of types are root exploits, botnets, trojans, spyware, worms, viruses, ransomware, and cryptojacking. Cryptojacking is a significant proportion of cyberattacks in which exploiters mine cryptocurrencies using the victim’s devices, for instance, smartphones, tablets, servers, or computers. It is also defined as the illegal utilization of victim resources (CPU, RAM, and GPU) to mine cryptocurrencies without detection. The purpose of cryptojacking, along with numerous other forms of cybercrime, is monetary gain. Furthermore, it also intended to stay concealed from the victim's viewpoint. Following this crime, to the author's knowledge, a paper focusing solely on a review of cryptojacking research is still unavailable. This paper presents cryptojacking detection information to address this deficiency, including methods, detection, analysis techniques, and features. As cryptojacking malware is a type that executes its activities using the network, most of the analysis and features fall into dynamic activities. However, static analysis is also included in the security researcher’s option. The codes that are involved are opcode and JavaScript. This demonstrates that these two languages are vital programming languages to focus on to detect cryptojacking. Moreover, the researchers also begin to adopt deep learning in their experiments to detect cryptojacking malware. This paper also examines potential future developments in the detection of cryptojacking

Rapid identification of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica from a brain abscess patient using MALDI-TOF-MS

Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (N. cyriacigeorgica) is most frequently associated with human infections, including chronic bronchitis, pulmonary disease and brain abscesses. In general, N. cyriacigeorgica causes infections in immunocompromised individuals and has been reported in clinical samples worldwide. However, the isolation and speciation of N. cyriacigeorgica in the routine diagnostic microbiology laboratory are complicated and time consuming. Recent mass spectrometry techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) have been successfully integrated into many routine diagnostic microbiology laboratories, allowing for the rapid, accurate and simple identification and speciation of many different microorganisms, including difficult-to-identify bacterial species. Here, we present a case report of a 65-year-old female patient from the neurology ward of Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who was infected with N. cyriacigeorgica. The bacterium was successfully identified by MALDI-TOF-MS, with species identification subsequently confirmed by sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA

Effect of Fibrinolytic Therapy on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Clinical Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the result of transmural ischemia of the myocardium and is associated with a high mortality rate. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the recommended first-line treatment strategy for patients with STEMI. The timely delivery of PPCI became extremely challenging for STEMI patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, leading to a projected steep rise in mortality. These delays were overcome by the shift from first-line therapy and the development of modern fibrinolytic-based reperfusion. It is unclear whether fibrinolytic-based reperfusion therapy is effective in improving STEMI endpoints. AIM: To determine the incidence of fibrinolytic therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on STEMI clinical outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were queried from January 2020 up to February 2022 to identify studies investigating the effect of fibrinolytic therapy on the prognostic outcome of STEMI patients during the pandemic. Primary outcomes were the incidence of fibrinolysis and the risk of all-cause mortality. Data were meta-analyzed using the random effects model to derive odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. Quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Fourteen studies including 50136 STEMI patients (n = 15142 in the pandemic arm; n = 34994 in the pre-pandemic arm) were included. The mean age was 61 years; 79% were male, 27% had type 2 diabetes, and 47% were smokers. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, there was a significantly increased overall incidence of fibrinolysis during the pandemic period [OR: 1.80 (1.18 to 2.75); I2= 78%; P = 0.00; GRADE: Very low]. The incidence of fibrinolysis was not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in any setting. The countries with a low-and middle-income status reported a higher incidence of fibrinolysis [OR: 5.16 (2.18 to 12.22); I2 = 81%; P = 0.00; GRADE: Very low] and an increased risk of all-cause mortality in STEMI patients [OR: 1.16 (1.03 to 1.30); I2 = 0%; P = 0.01; GRADE: Very low]. Meta-regression analysis showed a positive correlation of hyperlipidemia (P = 0.001) and hypertension (P \u3c 0.001) with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: There is an increased incidence of fibrinolysis during the pandemic period, but it has no effect on the risk of all-cause mortality. The low- and middle-income status has a significant impact on the all-cause mortality rate and the incidence of fibrinolysis

Gastroesophageal Reflux and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) commonly co-exist. Pathophysiological mechanisms causing IPF are still not well understood, and GERD has been implicated in both as a probable causative and disease-promoting entity. Although not conclusively proven, this relationship has been the subject of several studies, including therapeutic interventions aimed at treating GERD and its resultant effect on IPF and related outcomes. Our review aims to present the current concepts and understanding of these two disease processes, which are multifaceted. Their complex interaction includes epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, review of research studies conducted to date, and future directions for research

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Renal Hemodialysis (HD) Patients from Saudi Arabia

Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is the most commonly isolated pathogen in hospitals worldwide. The aim of present study was molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from renal hemodialysis (HD) patients from Ha’il region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 392 samples were screened from 204 HD patients for colonization of S. aureus. The isolated bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using Microscan. Among these isolates, 72 S. aureus (43% MRSA and 57% MSSA) were identified.The isolates were considerably resistant with varied profile to the antibiotics tested except being 100% susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin. Of the isolates, 22.2% were positive for biofilm assay. Four representative MRSA isolates were selected and whole genome sequence analysis was performed using MiSeq. Two out of the 4 MRSA were found to be ST-1 and 2 were found to be ST-32. Among MRSA isolates, 25.8% were negative for mecA and all of them were negative for mecC gene. A high prevalence of MRSA in HD patients as well as high percentage of biofilm production in MRSA isolates highlights the vital role for standardized surveillance along with validated molecular typing methods to evaluate the incidence of MRSA and accordingly to control its spread

Medical thoracoscopy for exudative pleural effusion: an eight-year experience from a country with a young population

Abstract Background With the exception of areas with high prevalence of tuberculosis, medical thoracoscopy is becoming the diagnostic modality of choice for exudative pleural effusions. The aims of this study were to determine the diagnostic yield and safety of medical thoracoscopy for exudative pleural effusions and ascertain the etiology of such effusions in Qatar. Methods This is a retrospective-descriptive study of 407 patients who underwent diagnostic medical thoracoscopy for exudative pleural effusions from January, 2008 till December, 2015 at the only tertiary referral center performing this procedure in Qatar. Results Tuberculosis was the most common etiology of exudative pleural effusions in Qatar accounting for 84.5% of all causes. Around 85% of patients were young males (mean age of 33 ± 12.1 years). The diagnostic yield of medical thoracoscopy for tuberculous pleural effusion was 91.4%. Malignant pleural effusions accounted for 5.2% of cases. Minor bleeding occurred in 1.2% of cases with no procedure-related mortality observed. Conclusion Medical thoracoscopy is a very safe procedure. Tuberculous pleuritis is by far the most common etiology of exudative pleural effusions in Qatar. Closed needle biopsy is a worth consideration as an initial safe, easy and low-cost diagnostic modality for exudative pleural effusions in this country

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage in the subset of patients with negative sputum/smear and mycobacterial culture and a suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: The diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with negative sputum/smear for tuberculous bacilli has been well studied. However, its value in the subset of patients with both negative sputum/smear and culture is seldom reported. Methods: A retrospective study of patients referred for diagnostic bronchoscopy for the suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis during the period from April 1st, 2015 to March 30th, 2016, and who had negative sputum/smear and culture for tuberculous bacilli. Results: One hundred and ninety patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Bronchoalveolar lavage detected further 61/190 (32.1%) pulmonary tuberculosis cases. Bronchoalveolar lavage mycobacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction (positive in 60/190 (31.6%) and 58/190 (30.5%) of patients respectively) provided the highest diagnostic yield, whereas direct smear provided the lowest yield. Bronchoalveolar lavage had a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 94.6%, and a test accuracy of 96.3% in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis cases with negative sputum/smear and culture. Positive bronchoalveolar lavage yield for tuberculosis was significantly associated with a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test, positive purified protein derivative skin test, radiological evidence of upper zone abnormality and patient’s origin being from the Indian subcontinent. Conclusion: Bronchoalveolar lavage should be pursued as a useful diagnostic tool for suspected pulmonary tuberculosis cases when sputum/smear and culture are negative. Its value is higher in the subset of patients with positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test, positive purified protein derivative skin test, upper zone abnormality on radiograph or being from the Indian subcontinent. Keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Smear negative, Culture negativ