Data in cloud has always been a point of attraction for the cyber attackers. Nowadays healthcare data in cloud has become their new interest. Attacks on these healthcare data can result in ...annihilating consequences for the healthcare organizations. Decentralization of these cloud data can minimize the effect of attacks. Storing and running computation on sensitive private healthcare data in cloud are possible by decentralization which is enabled by peer to peer (P2P) network. By leveraging the decentralized or distributed property, blockchain technology ensures the accountability and integrity. Different solutions have been proposed to control the effect of attacks using decentralized approach but these solutions somehow failed to ensure overall privacy of patient centric systems. In this paper, we present a patient centric healthcare data management system using blockchain technology as storage which helps to attain privacy. Cryptographic functions are used to encrypt patient’s data and to ensure pseudonymity. We analyze the data processing procedures and also the cost effectiveness of the smart contracts used in our system.
•User-centric EHR systems giving total control of data to users.•Permissioned Blockchain and other functions restrict intruders from a security breach.•User data are stored in blocks of the permissioned Blockchain.•Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) makes data secure from other party (pseudonimity).
Cross-border data sharing for knowledge generation is a challenging research direction since an application may access personal data stored in countries different from the one where the application ...is accessed from. In this article, we propose a cross-border data sharing platform where a global cloud is built atop multiple security gateways that are set up in different countries. Once an application requests access to data from a particular country or region, the global cloud collects the data stored in local data hubs through that region's security gateway. While transferring the data to the global cloud, the security gateway records this transfer information on a blockchain maintained by the global cloud. When an application reports any misbehavior (e.g., providing wrong data type or incorrect data) against a security gateway, the global cloud verifies the claim by auditing the blockchain and punishes the misbehaving security gateway if the claim is true. In the case of false misbehavior report, the application itself will be punished by the global cloud. Thus, our platform provides an accountable data sharing function using blockchain that relies on a relaxed trust assumption on the data providers. We include five algorithms to handle data access request, data sharing, blockchain transaction, detecting, and punishing misbehaving entities. In the algorithms, we also introduce how the transaction takes place in the platform. Thus, the proposed platform is able to handle misbehaving data sender, data receiver, or any entity participating in the platform. We analyze our platform empirically by showing different graphs, which have been generated by a number of experiments on blockchain environment. We also delineate how the multilayer of signature (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) acts in our platform.
Mpox (monkeypox) infection has become a global concern for healthcare authorities after spreading in multiple non-endemic countries. Following the sudden multi-country outbreak of Mpox, the World ...Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern. We do not have any vaccines approved for the prevention of Mpox infection. Therefore, international healthcare authorities endorsed smallpox vaccines for the prevention of Mpox disease. Here we intended to perform this cross-sectional study among the adult males in Bangladesh to assess the Mpox vaccine perception and vaccination intention.
We conducted this web-based survey among the adult males in Bangladesh from September 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022, using Google Forms. We assessed the Mpox vaccine perception and vaccination intention. We performed a chi-square test to compare vaccine perception and vaccination intention levels. Also, we performed multiple logistic regression analyses to determine the association between the study parameters and the sociodemographic profile of the participants.
According to the present study, the Mpox vaccine perception was high among 60.54% of the respondents. Also, 60.05% of respondents showed medium vaccination intention. Mpox vaccine perception and vaccination intention were strongly associated with the sociodemographic profiles of the participants. Furthermore, we discovered a significant association between the level of education and vaccination intention among the respondents. Also, age and marital status played a role in the Mpox vaccine perception and vaccination intention.
Our findings showed a significant association between sociodemographic characteristics and the Mpox vaccine perception/vaccination intention. Along with the country's long experience in mass immunization, campaigns about Covid-19 vaccines and high vaccination rates might play a role in Mpox vaccine perception and vaccination intention. We recommend more social awareness and educational communications or seminars for the target population to bring more positive changes in their attitude towards Mpox prevention.
Many studies have predicted major depressive disorder (MDD) as the leading cause of global health by 2030 due to its high prevalence, disability, and illness. However, the actual pathophysiological ...mechanism behind depression is unknown. Scientists consider alterations in cytokines might be tools for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of MDD. Several past studies on several inflammatory cytokine expressions in MDD reveal that an inflammatory process is activated, although the precise causes of that changes in cytokine levels are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate resistin and G-CSF in MDD patients and controls to explore their role in the pathogenesis and development of depression.
We included 220 participants in this study. Among them, 108 MDD patients and 112 age-sex matched healthy control (HCs). We used DSM-5 to evaluate study participants. Also, we applied the Ham-D rating scale to assess the severity of patients. Serum resistin and G-CSF levels were measured using ELISA kits (BosterBio, USA).
The present study observed increased serum resistin levels in MDD patients compared to HCs (13.82 ± 1.24ng/mL and 6.35 ± 0.51ng/mL, p <0.001). However, we did not find such changes for serum G-CSF levels between the groups. Ham-D scores showed a significant correlation with serum resistin levels but not G-CSF levels in the patient group. Furthermore, ROC analysis showed a fairly predictive performance of serum resistin levels in major depression (AUC = 0.746).
The present study findings suggest higher serum resistin levels are associated with the pathophysiology of MDD. This elevated serum resistin level may serve as an early risk assessment indicator for MDD. However, the role of serum G-CSF in the development of MDD is still unclear despite its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.
The COVID-19 pandemic has become the most devastating pandemic of the 21st century since its appearance in December 2019. Like other RNA viruses, continuous mutation is common for coronavirus to ...create several variants and subvariants. The main reason behind this mutation and evolvement of SARS-CoV-2 was its structural spike (S) glycoprotein. Coronavirus has become a threat to global public health due to its high mutation capability and antibody neutralizing capacity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 5 major variants of concern (VOC) are Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529). Recently, different Omicron subvariants have gained worldwide dominance, such as BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5. However, there is a discernible drop in this symptomatic sickness globally due to the success of numerous monoclonal antibodies and vaccinations. Here we also discussed the currently dominant Omicron subvariants and the effectiveness of antiviral agents and vaccines. Based on the available data and our knowledge, we can suggest that the global healthcare organizations can decide on the declaration of the end of the pandemic phase of COVID-19 soon; however, the covid-19 will continue.
Data privacy is one of the intriguing problems in e-commerce site. For personal or business purposes, users have to disclose their private data to these e-commerce sites. Often such businesses use ...these highly sensitive data for computing artificial intelligence-driven analyses like recommendation generation without user consent. In the case of recommendation generation, data need to be analyzed at the business platforms. An automated personalization, based on artificial intelligence, on a list of products with respect to user interest is generated by a recommender system. However, the secure utilization of user data is absent in such systems. This paper proposes Private-Rec , a privacy-preserving platform for a recommendation system through the integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain. In Private-Rec , blockchain gives the user a secure environment through the distributed attribute in which data can be used with the required permission. Under this platform, users receive incentives (i.e., point, discount) from the recommended company for sharing their data to be used for computing recommendations. The Private-Rec platform has been studied empirically.
A smart city ensures quality maintenance in diverse sectors, namely citizen safety, security, healthcare, transportation, and energy. Besides, data privacy and security have become an uprising ...concern for Electronic Health Records (EHR) in smart cities. This is because the EHR platforms are constantly getting cyber threats from cybercriminals. On the other hand, health insurance companies offer certain specific policies that require the association of patients' financial data with EHRs. Thus, additional security concern arises as fraudulent entities can alter these insurance policies. An extra challenge is triggered as patients need to validate their identities separately while communicating with different smart healthcare entities. This is because these healthcare facilities and insurance companies ought to ensure authenticity before offering any service for an individual. Hence, we have implemented a blockchain framework to safeguard patients' personal information and insurance policy. In this paper, we propose a solution for the healthcare system that provides data privacy and transparency. Furthermore, in the proposed system, insurance policies are incorporated in blockchain via the Ethereum platform and data privacy is shielded with cryptographic tools.
Background and aims
There is a sought for vaccines and antiviral agents as countermeasures for the recent monkeypox outbreak. Here, we aimed to review and discuss the repurposing potentials of ...smallpox vaccines and drugs in monkeypox outbreaks based on their comparative benefits and risks. Therefore, we conducted this rapid review and discussed the repurposing potentials of smallpox vaccines and drugs in monkeypox infection.
Methods
Here, we searched Google Scholar and PubMed for relevant information and data. We found many articles that have suggested the use of smallpox vaccines and antiviral drugs in monkeypox outbreaks according to the study findings. We read the relevant articles to extract information.
Results
According to the available documents, we found two replication‐competent and one replication‐deficient vaccinia vaccines were effective against Orthopoxvirus. However, the healthcare authorities have authorized second‐generation live vaccina virus vaccines against Orthopoxvirus in many countries. Smallpox vaccine is almost 85% effective in preventing monkeypox infection as monkeypox virus, variola virus, and vaccinia virus are similar. The United States and Canada have approved a replication‐deficient third‐generation smallpox vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox infection. However, the widely used second‐generation smallpox vaccines contain a live virus and replicate it into the human cell. Therefore, there is a chance to cause virus‐induced complications among the vaccinated subjects. In those circumstances, the available Orthopoxvirus inhibitors might be a good choice for treating monkeypox infections as they showed similar efficacy in monkeypox infection in different animal model clinical trials. Also, the combined use of antiviral drugs and vaccinia immune globulin can enhance significant effectiveness in immunocompromised subjects.
Conclusion
Repurposing of these smallpox vaccines and antiviral agents might be weapons to fight monkeypox infection. Also, we recommend further investigations of smallpox vaccines and Orthopoxvirus inhibitors in a human model study to explore their exact role in human monkeypox infections.
Objective
Although the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, appropriate diagnosis and prevention strategies are still lacking. This case–control study was designed to explore ...the association between ASD and the rs1867503 and rs9951150 polymorphisms of the TF and TCF4 genes, respectively.
Methods
Ninety-six children with ASD and 118 healthy children were recruited and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was applied for genotyping.
Results
The frequencies of the mutant allele G were 48% and 44% for the rs1867503 and rs9951150 polymorphisms, respectively. In our analysis, both TF and TCF4 polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of developing ASD. AG heterozygotes (OR = 3.18), GG mutant homozygotes (OR = 2.62), AG + GG combined genotypes (OR = 2.98), and G mutant alleles of TF rs1867503 (OR = 1.94) were associated with a significantly elevated risk of ASD. Likewise, AG heterozygotes (OR = 2.92), GG mutant homozygotes (OR = 2.36), AG + GG combined genotypes (OR = 2.72), and G minor alleles of TCF4 rs9951150 (OR = 1.92) were associated with a significantly elevated risk of ASD.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that TF rs1867503 and TCF4 rs9951150 polymorphisms may be strongly associated with the development of ASD in Bangladeshi children.
Salt enhances the taste as well as the nutritional value of food. Besides, several reports are available on the incidence and epidemiology of various illnesses in relation to salt intake. Excessive ...salt consumption has been found to be linked with high blood pressure, renal disease, and other cardiovascular disorders due to the result of vascular inflammation. Nevertheless, studies aimed at elucidating the molecular processes that produce vascular inflammation have yet to reach their conclusions. This article emphasizes the significance of investigating the mechanisms underlying both acute and chronic vascular inflammation induced by salt. It also explores the logical inferences behind cellular oxidative stress and the role of endothelial dysfunction as the potential initiator of the inflammatory segments that remain poorly understood. It is therefore hypothesized that salt is one of the causes of chronic vascular inflammation such as atherosclerosis. The hypothesis's secrets, when revealed, can help assure cardiovascular health by proactive efforts and the development of appropriate preventative measures, in combination with medication, dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
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