ExtHT: A hybrid tracing method for cyber-attacks in power industrial control systems.

Tracing the sources of cyber-attacks in Power Industrial Control Systems (PICS) can help the defense systems to block the attacks, and support the decision of the grid control policies. However, there has been no work on the cyber-attack source traceback for PICS, and the methods for the Internet are not suitable for PICS in terms of fineness, real-time performance, and supporting communication protocols. Therefore, a method for tracing cyber-attacks in PICS is proposed. First, the communication network architecture of PICS and the cyber security threats to PICS are analyzed. Then, an extended hybrid tracing method (ExtHT) based on packet marking and packet logging is proposed. This method involves all the devices working at the data link layer and upper layers to achieve more fine-grained attack tracing. At the same time, taking the costs of attack tracing into consideration, a coarse-grained tracing mode is presented to improve the tracing speed. In addition, a log database optimization scheme is provided to reduce storage costs. To facilitate the application of this method in practice, a cyber-attack source tracing system and its deployment architecture are designed for PICS. Further, the applicability and limitations of ExtHT are analyzed, theory ratiocinations are given to justify our ExtHT, and the performance of our ExtHT is compared with that of existing mainstream methods. Finally, two cyber-attack scenarios against PICS are constructed and the feasibility of ExtHT is verified on them.

Dexmedetomidine Inhibits Inflammation to Alleviate Early Neuronal Injury via TLR4/NF-κB Pathway in Rats with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Purpose - This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of dexmedetomidine in terms of inhibiting inflammation to alleviate early neuronal injury via TLR4/NF-κB pathway in rats with traumatic brain injury. Methods - The model of brain injury was established in rats. After the model was established, the rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, Sham + DEX, TBI, TBI + vehicle, and TBI + DEX. Each group included 10 rats. The water content in the brain tissue was measured. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed on histopathological tissue sections to evaluate neuronal apoptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and PCR were applied to detect the levels of the inflammatory factors, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and NF-κB. Results - TBI-challenged rats exhibited significant neuronal apoptosis, which was characterized via the wet-to-dry weight ratio, neurobehavioral functions, TUNEL assay results, and the levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax upregulation, and Bcl-2, which were attenuated by DEX. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and PCR results revealed that DEX promoted TLR4 expression and upregulated expression of the TLR4 downstream factors, HO-1 and NQO-1. Furthermore, DEX treatment markedly prevented the downregulation of inflammatory response factors, TNF-α, IL-1ß and NF-κB, and IL-6. Conclusion - Dexmedetomidine is able to inhibit inflammation and attenuate early neuronal injury in rats with acute brain injury, which may act on TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of "Mingmen" (GV 4) on bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression in osteoporosis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Mingmen" (GV 4) on the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) content and biomechanics in osteoporosis rats so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of osteoporosis. METHODS: Fifty female SD rats were randomized into sham operation (sham), model, EA-GV 4, EA-non-acupoint (non-acupoint) and estrogen (medication) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Postmenopausal osteoporosis model was established by removing the rats' bilateral ovaries under anesthesia. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1.0 mA) was applied to "Mingmen" (GV 4) or non-acupoint for 20 min, once daily for 30 times, with one day's interval between every two 10 times. Rats of the medication group were lavaged with Pentanoic Acid Estradiol (25 microg/mL, 2 mL/500 g), once every day (the dosage of estradiol was adjusted according to their body weight) continuously for 1 month. Rats of the model and sham groups experienced the fixing and fastening procedures as the other rats in the EA and medication groups. After intervention, the BMP-2 expression level of the femoral bone tissue, and bone biomechanical values were determined by immunohistochemistry and three-point bending tests, respectively. RESULTS: (1) In comparison with the sham operation group, the femoral biochemical maximum load and fracture load values were significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). While compared with the model group, the biochemical maximum load and fracture load values were obviously increased in the EA-GV 4 and medication groups (P < 0.05), but not in the non-acupoint group (P > 0.05). (2) Compared with the sham group, the femoral BMP-2 expression of model group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), compared with the model group, the expression of BMP-2 of GV 4 and medication groups significantly increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA-GV 4 intervention can improve bone biomechanical changes in osteoporosis rats.

[Our considerations about non-acupoint selection for experimental studies in rats].

Researches on the specificity of acupoints need a contrast of non-acupoint. However, there have been no uniform standards for locating the non-acupoint in both human body and animals. In the present paper, the authors make a review about the methods for locating the non-acupoint in rats during acupuncture experiments in recent decade. Till now, four methods were frequently used, i.e., 1) selecting a spot beside the known acupoint at the same level, 2) selecting the mid point between two meridian running courses, 3) choosing a spot at the tail, and 4) choosing a spot below the costal region. The authors hold that of the 4 methods, the last one, i.e., taking the spot below the costal region as the non-acupoint is probably the most reasonable approach, if it is far from the observed acupoint, and on the same or the adjacent spinal nerve segment.

[Discussion on method for locating acupoint "Mingmen" (GV 4) in adult rats].

"Mingmen" (GV 4) is one of the most frequently used acupoints in acupuncture clinic. In recent years, more and more experimental researches have been focusing on GV 4 or acupoint recipe containing GV 4 in rats. Accurate location of GV 4 is probably not only related to fully display its therapeutic effect, but also to help study its underlying mechanisms. However, there has been no unified standard about the accurate location of GV 4 in the adult rat at present. In the present paper, the authors review related literature about GV 4 location in experimental studies in recent 10 years, and put forward a practical method for locating GV 4 in the rat by combining their own experience. That is, GV 4 is taken according to the relative relationship of ilium and spinous process of the lumbar vertebra. In addition, the authors also recommend some matters needing attention in locating GV 4 in rats.

[Sero-epidemiologic study on the relationship between Chlamydia pneumonia infection and hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Chlamydia pneumonia (CP) infection and hypertension as well as the interaction of traditional risk factors and CP infections on hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population. METHODS: 1430 inhabitants living in Tongliao city, Inner Mongolia were selected as research subjects, including 488 hypertensives and 942 normotensives. Enzyme-linked immunoassay technique was used to test CP IgG antibody in the blood serum and SPSS 13.0 Microsoft was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of hypertension were significantly different between CP IgG positive and negative groups, However, the trend was attenuated after adjusting age, sex, drinking, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia. The CP infection rate was significant different in diastolic blood pressure groups, which was significantly higher in 80-84 mm Hg than that in the lowest DBP group. The interaction of chronic CP infection and other traditional risk factors were associated with hypertension in Chinese Mongolian ethnic groups. The ranking with significant sequence from high to low were BMI, dyslipidemia, alcohol intake, sex and age. CONCLUSION: CP infection was not related to hypertension in Chinese Mongolian ethnic groups but the interaction with other traditional risk factors would increase the risk of developing hypertension.

Interaction and relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme gene and environmental factors predisposing to essential hypertension in Mongolian population of China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of specific functional gene ACE (I/D) variants of the renin-angiotensin system with essential hypertension (EH) and interaction between ACE (I/D) gene and risk factors for EH in a genetically homogenous Mongolia rural population of China. METHODS: Individuals (n=1099) were recruited from general population of Kezuohouqi Banner in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. RESULTS: The association was found between ACE genotype DD plus ID and EH, with an interaction between ACE genotype DD plus ID and cigarette smoking in an additive model. Cigarette smoking index and ACE gene showed a low exposure-gene (LEG) effect on EH, with interaction indices from 7.10 to 1.16. Interaction between ACE genotype DD plus ID and alcohol drinking on EH appeared an additive model. Alcohol drinking index and ACE gene showed a low exposure-gene (LEG) effect on EH, with interaction indices from 1.66 to 1.09. BMI and ACE gene showed a low exposure-gene (LEG) effect on EH, with interaction indices from 6.15 to 2.49. Interactions between ACE genotype and WHR on EH showed a multiplicative model. In a short,there was an interaction between ACE gene and cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and BMI on EH, especially in a low dose-exposure effect CONCLUSION: It is important for individuals who carry ACE D allele gene to prevent EH, and furthermore, to prevent and control coronary heart disease, in a view of population-based prevention.