Secure Code-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism with Short Ciphertext and Secret Key

Code-based public key cryptosystems are one of the main techniques available in the area of Post-Quantum Cryptography. This work aims to propose a key encapsulation mechanism (KEM) with short ciphertext and secret key. Our goal is achieved in two steps. We first present a public key encryption (PKE) scheme, basicPKE, using a parity check matrix of Maximum Distance Separable (MDS) code as the public key matrix. In our construction, we exploit the structure of a companion matrix to obtain an MDS code which significantly reduces the storage of the secret key. The scheme basicPKE provides security against Indistinguishability under Chosen Plaintext Attacks (IND-CPA). Secondly, following the design framework of basicPKE, we construct another PKE scheme, fullPKE, that leads us to design our KEM scheme, fullKEM. We have shown that the scheme fullPKE is secure against One-Wayness under Plaintext and Validity Checking Attacks (OW-PCVA) and the scheme fullKEM achieves security against Indistinguishability under Chosen Ciphertext Attacks (IND-CCA) in the random oracle model. Moreover, our KEM can be shown to accomplish post-quantum security in the quantum random oracle model

A study on adverse drug reactions of oral anti-diabetic agents in patients with type II diabetes mellitus in Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an emerging non communicable, life style disease & the use of anti-diabetics has been increasing. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are well known to occur with any class of drugs when used in normal doses for the management of diseases. Anti-diabetic agents are no exception to this. The study of ADRs is the concern of the field known as pharmacovigilance. The objective of the present study was to analyze and describe the patterns of adverse events associated with the use of oral Anti-diabetic agentsMethods: A hospital based prospective observational study at Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. Convenience samples of 266 adult patients, prescribed with oral anti-diabetic agents from October 2016 to November 2018 were selected, out of which 74 patients developed ADRs. Data collected from available prescriptions. The severity assessment is done using the Hartwig and Siegal scale and preventability assessment using modified Schumock and Thornton is done.Results: Study suggests that female predominance in 41 (55.40%) patients with maximum cases of 43.24% in age group of 61-70 years age group. Maximum ADRs reported related to endocrine system seen in 36 (48.67%) patient population. Sulfonylureas 38 (51.35%) shows the largest numbers of ADR. The maximum ADRs reported were probable (56.73%). The severity assessment using the Hartwig and Siegal scale indicated that the majority of the ADRs were 63 (81.63%) as mild cases respectively.Conclusions: This study has provided evidence of monitoring and detecting ADRs and their management through therapeutic interventions which is beneficial in the better patient outcome

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Water soluble bioactives of nacre mediate antioxidant activity and osteoblast differentiation.

The water soluble matrix of nacre is a proven osteoinductive material. In spite of the differences in the biomolecular compositions of nacre obtained from multiple species of oysters, the common biochemical properties of those principles substantiate their biological activity. However, the mechanism by which nacre stimulates bone differentiation remains largely unknown. Since the positive impact of antioxidants on bone metabolism is well acknowledged, in this study we investigated the antioxidant potential of a water soluble matrix (WSM) obtained from the nacre of the marine oyster Pinctada fucata, which could regulate its osteoblast differentiation activity. Enhanced levels of ALP activity observed in pre-osteoblast cells upon treatment with WSM, suggested the induction of bone differentiation events. Furthermore, bone nodule formation and up-regulation of bone differentiation marker transcripts, i.e. collagen type-1 and osteocalcin by WSM confirmed its ability to induce differentiation of the pre-osteoblasts into mature osteoblasts. Remarkably, same WSM fraction upon pre-treatment lowered the H2O2 and UV-B induced oxidative damages in keratinocytes, thus indicating the antioxidant potential of WSM. This was further confirmed from the in vitro scavenging of ABTS and DPPH free radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by WSM. Together, these results indicate that WSM poses both antioxidant potential and osteoblast differentiation property. Thus, bioactivities associated with nacre holds potential in the development of therapeutics for bone regeneration and against oxidative stress induced damages in cells

WSM reduces H₂O₂ and UV-B induced oxidative damage in HaCaT cells.

<p><b>A</b>: Effect of WSM on cell viability percentage as measured by MTT assay indicating non-toxic nature of WSM for HaCaT cells. <b>B</b>: Effect of WSM on proliferation of HaCaT cells exposed to H₂O₂ (0.25 and 0.5 mM) for 1 h. <b>C</b>: Effect of WSM on proliferation of HaCaT cells exposed to UV-B (30 and 40 mJ/ cm²). <b>D</b>: Effect of WSM on morphogenetic changes in HaCaT cells induced by H₂O₂ and UV-B and observed by phase contrast microscopy (200 X). Results are expressed as mean -SEM (n= 6). *p ≤ 0.05 (<i>vs. control</i>).</p

The role of long-term doxycycline in patients of idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis: The results of an open prospective trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long term use of doxycycline in IPF patients. Materials and Methods: Patients of IPF, selected randomly from out patient services and diagnosed on the basis of HRCT chest, were put on doxycycline in an open prospective trial. They were followed up with monitoring of subjective well being along with measurement of pulse rate and arterial oxygen saturation at rest and after a fixed and certain exercise, forced vital capacity, six minutes walk test, St Georges Respiratory questionnaire, and serial chest X-rays. Results: Out of seven patients put on doxycycline, six of them continued the drug for a mean period of 531.43 (&#x00B1; 328.88 days). All the patients tolerated the drug well and had shown uniform subjective and overall objective improvement in all the parameters concerned; the change in the radiological parameter being statistically significant. Conclusion: Doxycycline merits an appropriate clinical trial in the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This widely used and relatively safe drug can add a new dimension to the therapeutic regimen. However, further in-depth studies will be required to evaluate its role in the management of IPF

The role of long-term doxycycline in patients of idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis: The results of an open prospective trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of long term use of doxycycline in IPF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients of IPF, selected randomly from out patient services and diagnosed on the basis of HRCT chest, were put on doxycycline in an open prospective trial. They were followed up with monitoring of subjective well being along with measurement of pulse rate and arterial oxygen saturation at rest and after a fixed and certain exercise, forced vital capacity, six minutes walk test, St Georges Respiratory questionnaire, and serial chest X-rays. RESULTS: Out of seven patients put on doxycycline, six of them continued the drug for a mean period of 531.43 (± 328.88 days). All the patients tolerated the drug well and had shown uniform subjective and overall objective improvement in all the parameters concerned; the change in the radiological parameter being statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Doxycycline merits an appropriate clinical trial in the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This widely used and relatively safe drug can add a new dimension to the therapeutic regimen. However, further in-depth studies will be required to evaluate its role in the management of IPF

WSM enhances alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in MC3T3-E1 cells.

<p><b>A</b>: Effect of WSM on cell viability percentage as measured by MTT assay indicating non-toxic nature of WSM for MC3T3-A1 cells. <b>B</b>: ALP activity measured by ALP assay kit, shows increases in ALP activity after WSM treatment. Data represent mean -SD. *<i>p</i> ≤ 0.001 (vs. control) where n= 6. <b>C</b>: Histochemical staining of MC3T3-A1 cells for ALP activity as observed under phase contrast microscope confirms that WSM increases ALP activity. <b>D</b>: One of the plates (out of triplicate) after ALP staining. Results are expressed as mean -SEM (n= 3). *<i>p ≤ 0.05 (vs. control)</i>.</p

WSM scavenges the ABTS and DPPH free radicals and inhibits lipid peroxidation

<p>Percentage inhibition for scavenging capacity of WSM, assayed with three different methods. i.e. ABTS cation decolorization (at 734 nm), DPPH free radical decolorization (at 517 nm) and lipid peroxidation inhibition by measuring the TBARS production (at 532 nm). Results are expressed as mean -SEM (n= 6). *<i>p ≤ 0.05 (vs. control)</i>.</p

WSM up-regulates osteoblast differentiation markers <i>OCN</i> and <i>COL-1-A2</i> and accelerates bone nodule formation in MC3T3-A1 cells.

<p><b>A (a-b)</b>: Detection of transcriptional levels of osteoblast differentiation marker genes <i>viz</i>. osteocalcin (<i>OCN</i>) and pro-alpha 2(I) collagen (<i>COL-1A2</i>) in RT-PCR of MC3T3-A1 cells, with and without WSM (0.025% w/v) treatment for 24 h. The expression of <i>GAPDH</i>, as housekeeping gene was qualitatively (a) detected by the presence of bands in all experiments. Significant increase in transcript (b) of both the marker genes was observed after WSM treatment. <b>B (a-c)</b>: Alizarin red S staining of WSM treated (b) and control (a) MC3T3-E1 cells indicating WSM (0.025%, w/v) accelerates calcium deposition and enhances nodule formation. Black arrows indicate the mineral nodules. Quantification (c) of staining intensities were consistent with the visual observation. <b>C (a-c)</b>: von Kossa-von Giesen staining of WSM treated (b) and control (a) MC3T3-E1 cells indicating WSM (0.025% w/v) enhances nodule formation. Black arrows indicate the mineral nodules deposition. Quantification (c) of staining intensities were consistent with the visual observation. Results are expressed as mean -SEM (n= 3). *<i>p ≤ 0.05 (vs. control)</i>.</p