Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome can affect the host ...tissue cells' mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications. This study aimed to understand the role of intestinal flora in ovarian cells inflammation by regulating mRNA m6A modification particularly the inflammatory state in PCOS. The gut microbiome composition of PCOS and Control groups was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the short chain fatty acids were detected in patients' serum by mass spectrometry methods. The level of butyric acid was found to be decreased in the serum of the obese PCOS group (FAT) compared to other groups, and this was correlated with increased Streptococcaceae and decreased Rikenellaceae based on the Spearman's rank test. Additionally, we identified FOSL2 as a potential METTL3 target using RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq methodologies. Cellular experiments demonstrated that the addition of butyric acid led to a decrease in FOSL2 m6A methylation levels and mRNA expression by suppressing the expression of METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase. Additionally, NLRP3 protein expression and the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were downregulated in KGN cells. Butyric acid supplementation in obese PCOS mice improved ovarian function and decreased the expression of local inflammatory factors in the ovary. Taken together, the correlation between the gut microbiome and PCOS may unveil crucial mechanisms for the role of specific gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Furthermore, butyric acid may present new prospects for future PCOS treatments.
Abstract Background Epidemiological studies have revealed a significant association between impaired kidney function and certain mental disorders, particularly bipolar disorder (BIP) and major ...depressive disorder (MDD). However, the evidence regarding shared genetics and causality is limited due to residual confounding and reverse causation. Methods In this study, we conducted a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait association study to investigate the genetic overlap between 5 kidney function biomarkers (eGFRcrea, eGFRcys, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum urate, and UACR) and 2 mental disorders (MDD, BIP). Summary-level data of European ancestry were extracted from UK Biobank, Chronic Kidney Disease Genetics Consortium, and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Results Using LD score regression, we found moderate but significant genetic correlations between kidney function biomarker traits on BIP and MDD. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified 1 to 19 independent significant loci that were found shared among 10 pairs of 5 kidney function biomarkers traits and 2 mental disorders. Among them, 3 novel genes: SUFU , IBSP , and PTPRJ , were also identified in transcriptome-wide association study analysis (TWAS), most of which were observed in the nervous and digestive systems (FDR < 0.05). Pathway analysis showed the immune system could play a role between kidney function biomarkers and mental disorders. Bidirectional mendelian randomization analysis suggested a potential causal relationship of kidney function biomarkers on BIP and MDD. Conclusions In conclusion, the study demonstrated that both BIP and MDD shared genetic architecture with kidney function biomarkers, providing new insights into their genetic architectures and suggesting that larger GWASs are warranted.
In the era of internet-based data, recommendation systems are crucial for helping users access personalized content and facilitating business promotion and sales. Recommendation systems based on ...social relationships have gained popularity due to their ability to use social influence and enhance the impact and credibility of recommendations. However, building a successful recommendation system faces the challenge of protecting user data privacy, as it requires a significant amount of sensitive user data. For this challenge, we propose a privacy-preserving recommendation system based on social relationships in the dual-cloud model. To achieve the secure computation of this system, we also design and improve some underlying secure protocols such as secure equality protocol and secure comparison protocol. Our underlying protocol has the advantages of high efficiency and provable security. As a result, our recommendation system can provide excellent recommendations while ensuring privacy protection. Experiments show that our system can perform secure recommendation calculations on 128-bit data with semi-honest security in approximately 5.5 s.
Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) has become a widely accepted and effective technique for treating kidney stones. With the development of new laser systems, the fURS approach has evolved significantly. ...This literature review aims to examine the current state of knowledge on fURS treatment of kidney stones, with a particular focus on the impact of the latest laser technologies on clinical outcomes and patient safety.
We conducted a search of the PubMed/PMC, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane Databases for all randomized controlled trial articles on laser lithotripsy in September 2023 without time restriction.
We found a total of 22 relevant pieces of literature. Holmium laser has been used for intracavitary laser lithotripsy for nearly 30 years and has become the golden standard for the treatment of urinary stones. However, the existing holmium laser cannot completely powder the stone, and the retropulsion of the stone after the laser emission and the thermal damage to the tissue have caused many problems for clinicians. The introduction of thulium fiber laser and Moses technology brings highly efficient dusting lithotripsy effect through laser innovation, limiting pulse energy and broadening pulse frequency.
While the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser remains the primary choice for endoscopic laser lithotripsy, recent technological advancements hint at a potential new gold standard. Parameter range, retropulsion effect, laser fiber adaptability, and overall system performance demand comprehensive attention. The ablation efficacy of high-pulse-frequency devices relies on precise targeting, which may pose practical challenges.
This paper presents a comprehensive security analysis on an improved chaos-based image encryption algorithm. The initial algorithm, proposed by Li et al., involves permutation related to the sum of ...plaintext pixel values and diffusion associated with 9 specific pixel values in the permuted image. However, a thorough analysis conducted by Liu et al. reveals two major flaws in it: firstly, the 9 specific pixel values are not involved in the diffusion process; secondly, the permutation method exhibits significant vulnerabilities. In response to these shortcomings, Liu et al. proposed targeted improvements on it, which include incorporating a permutation step for the 9 specific pixels and enhancing the original permutation method. In this study, we analyze the improved algorithm and discover that it still possesses security vulnerabilities, rendering it susceptible to chosen-plaintext attack. By constructing three categories of special plaintexts, one can decipher the equivalent permutation and diffusion. Theoretical analysis and experimental results provide strong evidence for the effectiveness of our analysis in this paper.
Introduction:
Overseas‐born gay and bisexual men (GBM) are overrepresented in HIV diagnoses in Australia. We assessed social and sexual behaviours, and the use of HIV prevention and testing, by ...region of birth and length of residence in Australia. We sought to identify similarities and differences between recently arrived and non‐recently arrived GBM from non‐English‐speaking countries to improve targeting and engagement with HIV testing and prevention.
Methods:
Data were collected in national repeated, behavioural surveillance surveys conducted across Australia during 2019–2021. Logistic regression was used to identify factors that differentiated between recently arrived (<2 years) and non‐recently arrived (≥2 years in Australia) GBM from non‐English‐speaking countries.
Results
Among 24,707 participants in 2019–21, 2811 (11.4%) were from high‐income English‐speaking countries, 714 (2.9%) were recently arrived overseas‐born GBM and 3833 (15.5%) were non‐recently arrived migrants. Recently arrived GBM were most likely to be born in Asia (36.1%) and Europe (21.1%). Compared with non‐recently arrived GBM, recently arrived GBM from non‐English‐speaking countries were younger (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.94–0.96, p<0.001), more likely to be students (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.11–1.85, p = 0.005), less likely to be in full‐time employment (aOR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.46–0.69, p <0.001), more likely to report consistent condom use (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.01–1.66, p = 0.039), but had lower awareness (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.48–0.80, p<0.001) and use of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (22.8%, vs. 32.3%, χ2(1, 4185) = 23.78, p<0.001), and similar levels of casual sex with a risk of HIV acquisition or transmission (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.98–1.69, p = 0.066). Recently arrived GBM reported similar levels of lifetime HIV testing (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.54–1.74, p = 0.915) and recent HIV testing (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.86–1.22, p = 0.779), but were much less likely to have tested at general practitioners (aOR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.41–0.68, p<0.001) and more likely to report testing at hospitals (aOR = 3.35, 95% CI = 2.53–4.43, p<0.001), at home (aOR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.63–4.99, p<0.001), or community‐based services (aOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.01–1.84, p = 0.043).
Conclusions
Recently arrived GBM from non‐English‐speaking countries reported similar levels of risk of HIV acquisition to longer‐term residents in Australia, but lower levels of PrEP awareness and use, and more reliance on HIV testing services which are free or low cost. It is necessary to enhance access to HIV testing and prevention among recently arrived GBM in Australia.
The typical categories of chaotic ciphers are mainly divided into plaintext-independent type and plaintext-related type. Due to the existence of equivalent key in the plaintext-independent type, it ...can usually be deciphered by simply using chosen-plaintext attacks. Recently, some plaintext-related chaotic ciphers have been proposed for improving the security performance. However, it is found that under the premise of predictability and reconfiguration of plaintext-related quantities, chosen-plaintext/ciphertext attacks can still remain valid. But if the above-mentioned conditions do not hold true, it is not possible for chosen-plaintext/ciphertext attacks to decipher the generalized plaintext-related chaotic ciphers. Therefore, it is necessary for cryptanalysts to discover some new analytical approaches. To further explore the problem, this paper proposes initially the divide-and-conquer attack on this type of plaintext-related chaotic ciphers,and takes the cryptanalysis on the latest similar scheme as an example to illustrate the main idea. Armed with the divide-and-conquer strategy, the related pixels are deciphered firstly. Then, the remainder pixels can also be deciphered followed by the chosen-plaintext attack, difference method, S-box strategy, and removing diffusion effect. Meanwhile, an improved scheme is also given to eliminate potential flaw, which have no need of additional plaintext information for decryption, but also can resist against divide-and-conquer attack. Theoretical analysis and numerical experiments have confirmed the feasibility of the method.
A new memristor-based hyperchaotic system is described in this paper. After studying on its basic dynamic characteristics, it is found that the hidden attractors can be obtained by adding a nonzero ...parameter (which named optimized factor in this paper) to the system. Moreover, when the optimized factor is varying, the corresponding hidden attractors of the system is symmetrical and can convert between double scrolls and a single scroll. Further, the optimized memristor-based hyperchaotic system is implemented by analog circuits. Corresponding experimental results are completely consistent with the theoretical analysis.
A noticeable increase in HIV-positive cases among women, particularly those of middle and old age, has been observed worldwide. This study aims to describe women's perceived HIV risk, HIV/Acquired ...Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, attitude, and sexual behaviors to determine factors associated with condom use among these women in Hunan, China.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to August 2020 among 958 women aged 40 and older in four regions of Hunan, China. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, perceived HIV risk, HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude, condom use, and sexual behaviors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify factors related to condom use.
Out of 958 participants, 60.6% perceived no risk of HIV infection, and 46.8% reported they had never used a condom during their past sexual life. Those who were older, had lower monthly household income for family, had not received HIV education in the past year, were not willing to use condoms, could not determine their condom use during sex, and had lower attitude towards HIV/AIDS were less likely to use condoms in their past sexual behaviors.
In Hunan Province, most women aged 40 and older perceived themselves as having a low or no risk of HIV infection; their rate of condom use was low, and six factors were associated with condom use. It is imperative to strengthen HIV prevention and control programs among women aged 40 and above, particularly focusing on those who may use condoms infrequently or not at all.
In this paper, we study an HP TiO 2 memristor model with a parasitic memcapacitor, and it is shown that the parasitic element has significant effects on the volt-ampere characteristics and the ...dynamics of the memristor circuits. Further, the study shows that the pinched point on the hysteresis loop of the HP TiO 2 memristor may deviate from the origin. We also show that the memristor with a parasitic memcapacitor will eventually lose its stored flux when its power is switched off. Furthermore, in order to study the parasitic effects in circuits, we derive a simple three-element series circuit that contains an inductor, a negative resistor, and an HP TiO 2 memristor. If the parasitic memcapacitor of the memristor is considered, we observe a parasitic periodic oscillation occurred in the circuit.
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