Using deep learning to detect digitally encoded DNA trigger for Trojan malware in Bio-Cyber attacks.

This article uses Deep Learning technologies to safeguard DNA sequencing against Bio-Cyber attacks. We consider a hybrid attack scenario where the payload is encoded into a DNA sequence to activate a Trojan malware implanted in a software tool used in the sequencing pipeline in order to allow the perpetrators to gain control over the resources used in that pipeline during sequence analysis. The scenario considered in the paper is based on perpetrators submitting synthetically engineered DNA samples that contain digitally encoded IP address and port number of the perpetrator's machine in the DNA. Genetic analysis of the sample's DNA will decode the address that is used by the software Trojan malware to activate and trigger a remote connection. This approach can open up to multiple perpetrators to create connections to hijack the DNA sequencing pipeline. As a way of hiding the data, the perpetrators can avoid detection by encoding the address to maximise similarity with genuine DNAs, which we showed previously. However, in this paper we show how Deep Learning can be used to successfully detect and identify the trigger encoded data, in order to protect a DNA sequencing pipeline from Trojan attacks. The result shows nearly up to 100% accuracy in detection in such a novel Trojan attack scenario even after applying fragmentation encryption and steganography on the encoded trigger data. In addition, feasibility of designing and synthesizing encoded DNA for such Trojan payloads is validated by a wet lab experiment.

Creating synergies for health systems strengthening through partnerships in Pakistan--a case study of the national eye health programme.

Blindness and visual impairment are major causes of noncomrnunicable diseases in Pakistan. Two national population-based blindness surveys conducted in 1988 and 2002-04 demonstrated a reduction in prevalence of blindness from 1.78% to 0.9% with a significant drop in cataract blindness as a result of accelerated nationwide interventions and eye care integration in primary health care. In addition, between 2006 and 2008, 88 facilities were upgraded as a result of the national eye health programme. These measures resulted in a 279% increase in eye outpatient attendances and a 375% increase in eye surgeries performed. Investment in human resources development and policy change contributed significantly to the sustainability of the programme. Key challenges facing the programme include aligning national eye health strategies with health system strengthening informed through health systems research. This paper attempts to document this extraordinary success.

Creating synergies for health systems strengthening through partnerships in Pakistan - a case study of the national eye health programme

Blindness and visual impairment are major causes of noncommunicable diseases in Pakistan. Two national population-based blindness surveys conducted in 1988 and 2002-04 demonstrated a reduction in prevalence of blindness from 1.78% to 0.9% with a significant drop in cataract blindness as a result of accelerated nationwide interventions and eye care integration in primary health care. In addition, between 2006 and 2008r 88 facilities were upgraded as a result of the national eye health programme. These measures resulted in a 279% increase in eye outpatient attendances and a 375% increase in eye surgeries performed. Investment in human resources development and policy change contributed significantly to the sustainability of the programme. Key challenges facing the programme include aligning national eye health strategies with health system strengthening informed through health systems research. This gaper attempts to document this extraordinary success

Prevalence of visual impairment and eye diseases in Afghan refugees in Pakistan

The prevalence and etiology of visual loss and eye diseases were determined in a resident Afghan refugee community in northern Pakistan. The survey included 1156 people and revealed that 2.1% of the population were blind and 6.9% were visually impaired according to WHO criteria. The leading causes of blindness included cataract [62.5%], uncorrected refractive errors [16.6%], retinal degeneration/dystrophy [12.5%], glaucoma [4.2%] and microphthalmos [4.2%]. The causes of visual loss were uncorrected refractive errors [46.2%], cataract [32.7%] and corneal opacities [4.8%]. These conditions were also important causes of unilateral lost vision. Active trachoma was found in 3.7% of all children under 10 years of age

Conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A patient with confirmed acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma was seen in the Eye Clinic, Kenyatta National Hospital, and was found to have involvement of the conjunctiva and lids, confirmed by biopsy. He also had retinal haemorrhages and cotton-wool spots. Kaposi's sarcoma of the conjunctiva may be confused with a subconjunctival haemorrhage.

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in a child with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A case is described of an 8 year old child who presented with Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus involving the left eye. He had a positive history of pulmonary tuberculosis, repeated hospital admissions and blood transfusion. He was confirmed to have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. During the course of his followup, he developed cotton-wool spots and perivasculitis in the right eye. The mother was found to be seropositive while the father was seronegative.