Design and implementation of a VoIP broadcasting service over embedded systems in a heterogeneous network environment.

As the digitization is integrated into daily life, media including video and audio are heavily transferred over the Internet nowadays. Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), the most popular and mature technology, becomes the focus attracting many researches and investments. However, most of the existing studies focused on a one-to-one communication model in a homogeneous network, instead of one-to-many broadcasting model among diverse embedded devices in a heterogeneous network. In this paper, we present the implementation of a VoIP broadcasting service on the open source-Linphone-in a heterogeneous network environment, including WiFi, 3G, and LAN networks. The proposed system featuring VoIP broadcasting over heterogeneous networks can be integrated with heterogeneous agile devices, such as embedded devices or mobile phones. VoIP broadcasting over heterogeneous networks can be integrated into modern smartphones or other embedded devices; thus when users run in a traditional AM/FM signal unreachable area, they still can receive the broadcast voice through the IP network. Also, comprehensive evaluations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed implementation.

Chlorophyll-related compounds inhibit cell adhesion and inflammation in human aortic cells.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of chlorophyll-related compounds (CRCs) and chlorophyll (Chl) a+b on inflammation in human aortic endothelial cells. Adhesion molecule expression and interleukin (IL)-8, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 protein, and NF-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 DNA binding were assessed. The effects of CRCs on inflammatory signaling pathways of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4, respectively induced by IL-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, in human aortic smooth muscle cells cultured in vitro were also investigated. HAECs were pretreated with 10 µM of CRCs, Chl a+b, and aspirin (Asp) for 18 h followed by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (2 ng/mL) for 6 h, and U937 cell adhesion was determined. TNF-α-induced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion was significantly inhibited by CRCs. Moreover, CRCs and Chl a+b significantly attenuated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and IL-8 expressions. Treatments also significantly decreased in NF-κB expression, DNA binding, and AP-1 DNA binding by CRCs and Asp. Thus, CRCs exert anti-inflammatory effects through modulation of NF-κB and AP-1 signaling. Ten micromoles of CRCs and Asp upregulated the expression of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Drosophila) (SMAD4) in the TGF-ß receptor signaling pathway, and SMAD3/4 transcription activity was also increased. Ten micromoles of CRCs were able to potently inhibit STAT3-binding activity by repressing IL-6-induced STAT3 expression. Our results provide a potential mechanism that explains the anti-inflammatory activities of these CRCs.

Inhibitive effect of purple sweet potato leaf extract and its components on cell adhesion and inflammatory response in human aortic endothelial cells.

This study investigated the effects of purple sweet potato leaf extract (PSPLE) and its components, cyanidin and quercetin, on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) during the inflammatory process. HAECs were pretreated with 100 µg/mL PSPLE or 10 µM quercetin, cyanidin or aspirin for 18 h followed by TNF-α (2 ng/mL) for 6 h, and U937 cell adhesion was determined. Adhesion molecule expression and CD40 were evaluated; NFκB p65 protein localization and DNA binding were assessed. PSPLE, aspirin, cyanidin and quercetin significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion (p < 0.05). Cyanidin, quercetin and PSPLE also significantly attenuated VCAM-1, IL-8 and CD40 expression, and quercetin significantly attenuated ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression (p < 0.05). Significant reductions in NFκB expression and DNA binding by aspirin, cyanidin and quercetin were also observed in addition to decreased expression of ERK1, ERK2 and p38 MAPK (p < 0.05). Thus, PSPLE and its components, cyanidin and quercetin, have anti-inflammatory effects through modulation of NFκB and MAPK signaling. Further in vivo studies are necessary to explore the possible therapeutic effects of PSPLE on atherosclerosis.

Outcome of herpes simplex encephalitis in children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) can cause high mortality and morbidity in children. Since local data of HSE in children are rare, we performed a retrospective study to evaluate the prognostic factors and outcome of HSE in Taiwan. METHODS: Children were enrolled into this study if they were diagnosed as having encephalitis and also had positive polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus (HSV) from cerebrospinal fluid, and/or positive immunoglobulin M or at least four-fold elevation of immunoglobulin G against HSV type 1 or type 2 from serum during the period from December 1, 1984 to January 31, 2003. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled in this study. Twenty six patients (65%) had good outcome and 14 (35%) had poor outcome. No mortality or recurrence was found. Three-fifths of the patients were between 1 year and 6 years of age. Fever (75%) was the most common finding at admission, followed by seizures (63%), lethargy (60%), and altered consciousness (48%). Seizure and lethargy at the time of admission were more common in the poor outcome group (71% vs 58% and 64% vs 58%). Abnormal computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging findings were found in 63% of patients in whom the examinations were performed. Abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) findings were noted in 79% of tested patients. Acyclovir was used to treat 29 patients (73%). Abnormal neuroimaging or EEG findings were more prevalent in patients with poor outcome (75% vs 55% and 92% vs 71%), as well as delayed (>/=3 days) initiation of acyclovir therapy (92% vs 71%). There was no significant difference between the poor and good outcome groups in gender, age distribution, and clinical presentation. CONCLUSION: As we cannot predict the outcome of patients with HSE in the early beginning of illness and delay of treatment may cause disaster, early diagnosis and prompt acyclovir initiation are important requirements for successful management.

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic diterpenes from formosan Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula.

A new clerodane diterpenoid 16-hydroxycleroda-13-ene-15,16-olide-3-one (1) was isolated from the bark of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula, along with 23 known compounds and phytosteroids. Among these compounds, 5 - 7, 10, and 24 were obtained for the first time from the family Annonaceae . The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by mass and spectroscopic analysis. The clerodane diterpenoids, 2 - 4, showed significant cytotoxicity towards Hep G2 and Hep 3B hepatoma cell lines. Furthermore, compound 5 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity towards formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced superoxide generation by neutrophils with IC50 = 0.60 +/- 0.09 microg/mL.

Occupational blood and infectious body fluid exposures in a teaching hospital: a three-year review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Blood and infectious body fluid (BBF) exposures are common safety problems for health care workers (HCWs). We analyzed reported BBF exposures during a 3-year period at a teaching hospital. METHODS: We collected reports of BBF exposures among HCWs occurring from January 2001 to December 2003 at a 2000-bed tertiary care medical center in northern Taiwan. HCWs were requested to report BBF exposures immediately after each exposure, which required completing a report sheet of questions concerning the exposure. The HCW was also required to visit an infectious diseases specialist who would decide on the appropriate management in each case. RESULTS: Needlestick injuries were the most commonly reported BBF exposure, accounting for 80% of reported cases. The total incidence density of BBF exposures was 1.96 per 100 person-years. BBF exposures were most common in December and least common in September. Nurses had the highest percentage (60.6%) of BBF exposures and other job categories including physicians, technicians, cleaning staff, and interns accounted for around 10% each. Injuries occurred most commonly during the daytime (57.0%). Three-quarters (74.9%) of the injured HCWs had appropriate immediate care. Interns had the highest incidence density (4.48 per 100 person-years) of BBF exposures and technicians the lowest (0.50 per 100 person-years). Among the exposed HCWs, 1 received hepatitis B vaccine, 1 received both hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin, 1 received zidovudine/lamivudine due to a needlestick injury when treating an HIV-positive patient, and 4 received penicillin due to exposure to syphilis. No HCW developed infections after BBF exposure during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Measures which may be effective in reducing BBF exposures include education of HCW, increased use of standard precautions, improved administrative support, and enhanced reporting of BBF exposures.

Poland syndrome in a neonate: report of one case.

Poland syndrome is an infrequent disease that presents in newborn infants and features an incidence of about one in 7,000 to one in 100,000 live births. The clinical features include an absence of the costosternal portion of the pectoralis major muscle, hypoplasia and/or aplasia of the ipsilateral breast or nipple, hypoplasia of subcutaneous tissue, abnormalities of the rib cage and upper extremity anomalies. We present a male newborn suffering Poland syndrome who featured a depressed left chest wall with respiratory distress. Ultrasonography of the chest revealed the absence of a section of pectoralis major muscle over the left chest wall, although no abnormality was found over the ipsilateral upper extremity. The patient was regularly followed up and showed no limitation to the range of motion of the left upper extremity at the age of four months.

Candidal arthritis after complete treatment of systemic candidiasis.

Over the last few decades, the incidence of invasive candidal infections in neonatal intensive care units has increased dramatically. Various complications, such as arthritis, endocarditis, meningitis, and endophthalmitis, have been reviewed. We present the case of a premature infant with systemic candidemia. Arthritis was discovered 6 months after completion of amphotericin B therapy, and was successfully treated with oral fluconazole for 6 weeks. We conclude that long-term follow-up is particularly important in patients with treated candidemia. To prevent complications, prolonged treatment with high-dose amphotericin B is suggested for systemic fungal infection, and oral fluconazole is an effective alternative for candidal arthritis.