Generalized Neuron Based Secure Media Access Control Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Security plays a pivotal role in most applications of wireless sensor networks. It is common to find inadequately secure networks confined only to controlled environments. The issue of security in wireless sensor networks is a hot research topic for over a decade. This paper presents a compact generalized neuron (GN) based medium access protocol that renders a CSMA/CD network secure against denial-of-service attacks launched by adversaries. The GN enhances the security by constantly monitoring multiple parameters that reflect the possibility that an attack is launched by an adversary. Particle swarm optimization, a popular bio-inspired evolutionary-like optimization algorithm is used for training the GN. The wireless sensor network is simulated using Vanderbilt Prowler, a probabilistic wireless network simulator. Simulation results show that the choice of threshold suspicion parameter impacts on the tradeoff between network effectiveness and lifetime

Covalent–Organic Framework-Based Materials in Theranostic Applications: Insights into Their Advantages and Challenges

Nanomedicine has been essential in bioimaging and cancer therapy in recent years. Nanoscale covalent–organic frameworks (COFs) have been growing as an adequate classification of biomedical nanomaterials with practical application prospects because of their increased porosity, functionality, and biocompatibility. The high sponginess of COFs enables the incorporation of distinct imaging and therapeutic mechanisms with a better loading efficiency. Nevertheless, preliminary biocompatibility limits their possibility for clinical translation. Thus, cutting-edge nanomaterials with high biocompatibility and improved therapeutic efficiency are highly expected to fast-track the clinical translation of nanomedicines. The inherent effects of nanoscale COFs, such as proper size, modular pore geometry and porosity, and specific postsynthetic transformation through simple organic changes, make them particularly appealing for prospective nanomedicines. The organic building blocks of COFs may also be postmodified for particular binding to biomarkers. The exceptional features of COFs cause them to be an encouraging nanocarrier for bioimaging and therapeutic applications. In this review, we have systematically discussed the advances of COFs in the field of theranostics by providing essential features of COFs along with their synthetic methods. Further, the applications of COFs in the field of theranostics (such as drug delivery systems, photothermal, and photodynamic therapy) are discussed in detail with the help of available literature to date. Furthermore, the advantages of COFs over other materials for therapeutics and drug delivery are discussed. Finally, the review concludes with potential future COF applications in the theranostic field

Testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: To study testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus in age group of 30-50 years.Methods: In this cross sectional study of 193 type 2 diabetes men aged between 30-50 years, total and free testosterone levels were calculated along with other relevant clinical variables like hypertension, BMI, dyslipidemia, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy.Results: The study group had study out of 193 patients 34.7% have low total testosterone levels, 29.53% have low free testosterone levels and 23.3% have both low and free testosterone levels. Maximum number of patients with low total testosterone levels were in the age group between 46-50 years (41.0%) and with low free total testosterone levels were in the age group between 36-40 years (41.8%).Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with low levels of total and free testosterone. Obesity and dyslipidemia are also associated with low testosterone levels

New insights into molecular links between microbiota and gastrointestinal cancers:A literature review

Despite decades of exhaustive research on cancer, questions about cancer initiation, development, recurrence, and metastasis have still not been completely answered. One of the reasons is the plethora of factors acting simultaneously in a tumour microenvironment, of which not all have garnered attention. One such factor that has long remained understudied and has only recently received due attention is the host microbiota. Our sheer-sized microbiota exists in a state of symbiosis with the body and exerts significant impact on our body’s physiology, ranging from immune-system development and regulation to neurological and cognitive development. The presence of our microbiota is integral to our development, but a change in its composition (microbiota dysbiosis) can often lead to adverse effects, increasing the propensity of serious diseases like cancers. In the present review, we discuss environmental and genetic factors that cause changes in microbiota composition, disposing of the host towards cancer, and the molecular mechanisms (such as β-catenin signalling) and biochemical pathways (like the generation of oncogenic metabolites like N-nitrosamines and hydrogen sulphide) that the microbiota uses to initiate or accelerate cancers, with emphasis on gastrointestinal cancers. Moreover, we discuss how microbiota can adversely influence the success of colorectal-cancer chemotherapy, and its role in tumour metastasis. We also attempted to resolve conflicting results obtained for the butyrate effect on tumour suppression in the colon, often referred to as the ‘butyrate paradox’. In addition, we suggest the development of microbiota-based biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis, and a few target molecules of which the inhibition can increase the overall chances of cancer cure