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PeerJ. Computer Science 2023The aim of this article is to identify a range of changes and challenges that present-day technologies often present to contemporary societies, particularly in the...
The aim of this article is to identify a range of changes and challenges that present-day technologies often present to contemporary societies, particularly in the context of smart city logistics, especially during crises. For example, the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as life losses, economic damages, and privacy and security violations, demonstrate the extent to which the existing designs and deployments of technological means are inadequate. The article proposes a privacy-preserving, decentralized, secure protocol to safeguard individual boundaries and supply governments and public health organizations with cost-effective information, particularly regarding vaccination. The contribution of this article is threefold: (i) conducting a systematic review of most of the privacy-preserving apps and their protocols created during pandemics, and we found that most apps pose security and privacy violations. (ii) Proposing an agent-based, decentralized private set intersection (PSI) protocol for securely sharing individual digital personal and health passport information. The proposed scheme is called secure mobile digital passport agent (SMDPA). (iii) Providing a simulation measurement of the proposed protocol to assess performance. The performance result proves that SMDPA is a practical solution and better than the proposed active data bundles using secure multi-party computation (ADB-SMC), as the average CPU load for SMDPA is approximately 775 milliseconds (ms) compared to about 900 ms for ADB-SMC.
PubMed: 37547404
DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.1458 -
Nature Protocols Aug 2021The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay uses agar or broth dilution methods to measure, under defined test conditions, the lowest effective concentration of an... (Review)
Review
The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay uses agar or broth dilution methods to measure, under defined test conditions, the lowest effective concentration of an antimicrobial agent that inhibits visible growth of a bacterium of interest. This assay is used to test the susceptibilities of bacterial isolates and of novel antimicrobial drugs, and is typically done in nutrient-rich laboratory media that have little relevance to in vivo conditions. As an extension to our original protocol on MIC assays (also published in Nature Protocols), here we describe the application of the MIC broth microdilution assay to test antimicrobial susceptibility in conditions that are more physiologically relevant to infections observed in the clinic. Specifically, we describe a platform that can be applied to the preparation of medium that mimics lung and wound exudate or blood conditions for the growth and susceptibility testing of bacteria, including ESKAPE pathogens. This protocol can also be applied to most physiologically relevant liquid medium and aerobic pathogens, and takes 3-4 d to complete.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Culture Media; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Spectrophotometry; Time Factors
PubMed: 34215865
DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00572-8 -
Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Dec 2023Anthracyclines and cytarabine have comprised standard induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for decades. Low overall survival of AML is due to non-remission...
OBJECTIVE
Anthracyclines and cytarabine have comprised standard induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for decades. Low overall survival of AML is due to non-remission or relapse after remission. Hypomethylating agent (HMA) decitabine combined with low-dose chemotherapy or other targeted agents has shown promising effect for AML in clinical trials, especially in (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia. We previously investigated histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) chidamide could regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in leukemia cell lines.
METHODS
Adult patients with or relapsed/refractory AML who were treated with chidamide and decitabine in combination with chemotherapy (chidamide group, = 23) or only decitabine combination with chemotherapy (decitabine group, = 17) were analyzed.
RESULTS
Chidamide group represented higher complete response rate (82.6% and 52.9%, 0.0430, decitabine group), progression-free survival and overall survival rates (= 0.0088 and = 0.0139, respectively), especially for patients with AML. Hematological toxicity and infections were the most common adverse events (AEs) in both groups, and they were manageable by supportive treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
This HDACi- and HMA-based protocol is an effective and tolerable therapy for patients with AML. The comprehensive mechanism and effects of chidamide in combination with decitabine are worth to be further explored in AML.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Azacitidine; Cytarabine; Decitabine; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Retrospective Studies; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
PubMed: 37278601
DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2023.2219930 -
Compendium of Continuing Education in... 2023The clinical quality and longevity of increasingly popular resin-bonded CAD/CAM ceramic restorations depends greatly on the strength and durability of the resin-ceramic...
The clinical quality and longevity of increasingly popular resin-bonded CAD/CAM ceramic restorations depends greatly on the strength and durability of the resin-ceramic bond. With a diverse array of ceramic materials available, the choice of ceramic bonding protocol is highly influenced by the specific ceramic's type and composition. Typically, this protocol encompasses a surface pretreatment step followed by the application of a priming agent. This article provides a comprehensive update on current resin-bonding protocols for the most commonly used CAD/CAM ceramics.
Topics: Dental Bonding; Resin Cements; Surface Properties; Materials Testing; Ceramics; Computer-Aided Design; Shear Strength; Dental Porcelain
PubMed: 38133889
DOI: No ID Found -
Academic Radiology Nov 2017This study aimed to investigate whether a simplified breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol consisting of a localizer, one precontrast sequence, and three... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate whether a simplified breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol consisting of a localizer, one precontrast sequence, and three time-point postcontrast sequences (at 28 seconds, 84 seconds and 252 seconds after the contrast agent administration) is suitable for the characterization of breast lesions as compared to a full diagnostic protocol (FDP). This study also aimed to review the current literature concerning abbreviated breast MRI protocols and offer an alternative protocol.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Breast magnetic resonance (MR) examinations with detected breast lesions of 98 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Two expert radiologists in consensus reviewed the simplified breast protocol (SBP) first and only thereafter the regular FDP, recording a diagnosis for each detected lesion for both protocols. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic performance of the SBP compared to the standard FDP. A revision of the previously reported abbreviated breast magnetic resonance protocols was also carried out.
RESULTS
A total of 180 lesions were identified; of these, 110 (61%) were malignant and 70 (39%) were benign. Of the 110 malignant lesions, 86 (78%) were invasive ductal carcinoma, 18 (16%) were invasive lobular carcinoma, and 6 (6%) were ductal carcinoma in situ. Areas under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curves for the SBP vs the FDP were equivalent (0.98 vs 0.99, respectively; P = 0.76). The SBP could be performed in approximately 6 minutes and 58 seconds, compared to 14 minutes and 48 seconds for the FDP.
CONCLUSIONS
An SBP protocol including a late postcontrast time point is accurate for the characterization of breast lesions and was comparable to the standard FDP protocol, allowing a potential reduction of the total acquisition and interpretation times.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Carcinoma, Lobular; Clinical Protocols; Contrast Media; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; ROC Curve; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors
PubMed: 28579267
DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2017.04.011 -
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Nov 2017Poor ovarian responders (POR) pose a challenge to a physicians' ability to choose a stimulation protocol that maximizes the number of oocytes harvested and their chances... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Poor ovarian responders (POR) pose a challenge to a physicians' ability to choose a stimulation protocol that maximizes the number of oocytes harvested and their chances of conception with multiple protocols aimed at improving pregnancy rates in this poor prognosis population. The Bologna criteria standardized the diagnosis of POR and allows for a more homogenous patient population in clinical trials.
METHODS
A structured review of the literature, which encompasses research on Bologna-defined POR, identified several proposed protocols to optimize pregnancy rates in poor responders. In addition, we reviewed the utility of utilizing oocyte quality enhancers such as luteal pre-treatment, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and growth hormone (GH).
CONCLUSION
Controlled ovarian stimulation strategies with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and clomiphene citrate have shown similar pregnancy outcomes to higher dose gonadotropin in GnRH antagonist protocols. While the standardization of Bologna defined POR has allowed for more comparable patient populations to study the effectiveness of different protocols for ovarian stimulation, there is currently no convincing data that has determined the ideal protocol for controlled ovarian stimulation in this patient population. Further research is needed to identify optimal treatment strategies.
Topics: Adult; Clomiphene; Female; Fertility Agents, Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Oocytes; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Rate
PubMed: 28969562
DOI: 10.2174/1389201018666171002132853 -
Proteomes Mar 2023Integrative top-down proteomics is an analytical approach that fully addresses the breadth and complexity needed for effective and routine assessment of proteomes....
Integrative top-down proteomics is an analytical approach that fully addresses the breadth and complexity needed for effective and routine assessment of proteomes. Nonetheless, any such assessments also require a rigorous review of methodology to ensure the deepest possible quantitative proteome analyses. Here, we establish an optimized general protocol for proteome extracts to improve the reduction of proteoforms and, thus, resolution in 2DE. Dithiothreitol (DTT), tributylphosphine (TBP), and 2-hydroxyethyldisulfide (HED), combined and alone, were tested in one-dimensional SDS-PAGE (1DE), prior to implementation into a full 2DE protocol. Prior to sample rehydration, reduction with 100 mM DTT + 5 mM TBP yielded increased spot counts, total signal, and spot circularity (i.e., decreased streaking) compared to other conditions and reduction protocols reported in the literature. The data indicate that many widely implemented reduction protocols are significantly 'under-powered' in terms of proteoform reduction and thus, limit the quality and depth of routine top-down proteomic analyses.
PubMed: 36976889
DOI: 10.3390/proteomes11010010 -
Current Opinion in Critical Care Dec 2014Sepsis has a high morbidity, with a mortality rate of over 50% in the septic shock patient. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest Surviving Sepsis... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Sepsis has a high morbidity, with a mortality rate of over 50% in the septic shock patient. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign and the recent evidence since its publication. The guidelines reflect literature from the past 5 years to optimize outcomes in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
RECENT FINDINGS
The most relevant changes in the latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign include the use of a protocolized resuscitation with specific physiologic targets, preference of crystalloids for volume resuscitation, preferential use of norepinephrine as the initial vasopressor, addition of lactate and its clearance as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion, reduced emphasis on corticosteroids, and removal of activated protein C therapy. Since these latest guidelines, there have been many trials published to address the various measures that are advocated. We review the recent data on fluid resuscitation, targets of resuscitation, vasopressors, and trials of protocolized care versus usual care.
SUMMARY
Severe sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The International Surviving Sepsis Guidelines provide a framework for early recognition and treatment of this condition, with the goal of an improved outcome and mortality in severe sepsis. The recent evidence suggests that early identification, adequate volume resuscitation, and assessment of adequate circulation may be the key elements to decrease morbidity from severe sepsis and septic shock.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Evidence-Based Medicine; Fluid Therapy; Guidelines as Topic; Hospitalization; Humans; Quality Improvement; Sepsis; Vasoconstrictor Agents
PubMed: 25340379
DOI: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000154 -
Physics in Medicine and Biology Jun 2023To characterize for the first timea novel bismuth-based nanoparticular contrast agent developed for preclinical applications. Then, to design and testa multi-contrast...
To characterize for the first timea novel bismuth-based nanoparticular contrast agent developed for preclinical applications. Then, to design and testa multi-contrast protocol for functional cardiac imaging using the new bismuth nanoparticles and a well-established iodine-based contrast agent.A micro-computed tomography scanner was assembled and equipped with a photon-counting detector. Five mice were administered with the bismuth-based contrast agent and systematically scanned over 5 h to quantify the contrast enhancement in relevant organs of interest. Subsequently, the multi-contrast agent protocol was tested on three mice. Material decomposition was performed on the acquired spectral data to quantify the concentration of bismuth and iodine in multiple structures, e.g. the myocardium and vasculature.In the vasculature, the bismuth agent provides a peak enhancement of 1100 HU and a half-life of about 260 min. After the injection, it accumulates in the liver, spleen and intestinal wall reaching a CT value of 440 HU about 5 h post injection. Phantom measurements showed that the bismuth provides more contrast enhancement than iodine for a variety of tube voltages. The multi-contrast protocol for cardiac imaging successfully allowed the simultaneous decomposition of the vasculature, the brown adipose tissue and the myocardium.The new bismuth-based contrast agent was proven to have a long circulation time suitable for preclinical applications and to provide more contrast than iodine agents. The proposed multi-contrast protocol resulted in a new tool for cardiac functional imaging. Furthermore, thanks to the contrast enhancement provided in the intestinal wall, the novel contrast agent may be used to develop further multi contrast agent protocols for abdominal and oncological imaging.
Topics: Mice; Animals; X-Ray Microtomography; Iodine; Contrast Media; Bismuth; Abdomen; Phantoms, Imaging; Photons
PubMed: 37267991
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/acdb42 -
Contemporary Clinical Trials Aug 2023Oxaliplatin is a key chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of local and metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Dose density and treatment adherence can be...
Use of acupuncture with acupressure in addition to standard-of-care cryotherapy to decrease chemotherapy-associated neuropathy in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy: Study protocol for a randomized, controlled pilot and feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
Oxaliplatin is a key chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of local and metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Dose density and treatment adherence can be limited by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Early research suggests CIPN incidence and severity may be mitigated by acupuncture, but rigorous data in GI oncology patients is limited. Here, we describe the protocol of a randomized, waitlist-controlled pilot study testing the use of preemptive of acupuncture plus acupressure to decrease CIPN and chemotherapy-related toxicities.
METHODS
Patients with a GI malignancy (n = 56) with planned 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin IV (FOLFOX, FOLFIRINOX) every 2 weeks are being recruited. Additional concurrent anti-neoplastic agents may be used. Enrolled patients are randomized 1:1 to a 3-month intervention of Arm A: acupuncture with acupressure and standard-of-care treatment, or Arm B: standard-of-care alone. In Arm A, on days 1 and 3 of each chemotherapy cycle a standardized acupuncture protocol is administered and patients are taught self-acupressure to perform daily between chemotherapy treatments. Patients in both arms are given standard-of-care oral and peripheral (hands/feet) ice chip cryotherapy during oxaliplatin administration. CIPN and other symptoms are assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months from registration. The primary endpoint is CIPN severity at 3 months (EORTC-CIPN 20). Additional endpoints evaluate CIPN incidence (CTCAE, Neuropen, tuning fork); incidence of pain, fatigue, nausea, oral dysesthesia, and anxiety; and feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability). If warranted, trial results will inform the design of a multi-center trial to expand testing of the intervention to a larger patient cohort.
Topics: Humans; Oxaliplatin; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Feasibility Studies; Acupressure; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Acupuncture Therapy; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Cryotherapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37380021
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107273