A new efficient block matching data hiding method based on scanning order selection in medical images

Digital technology and the widespread use of the Internet has increased the speeds at which digital data can be obtained and shared in daily life. In parallel to this, there are important concerns regarding the confidentiality of private data during data transmissions and the possibility that data might fall into the hands of third parties. Issues relating to data safety can also affect patients' medical images and other information relating to these images. In this study, we propose a new method based on block matching that can be used to hide the patient information in medical images. In this method, 8 scanning orders (6 of which are newly designed) are developed to provide high image quality. By diversifying the number of scanning orders, we aim to achieve the lowest number of bit changes. The performance of the developed method is measured using the number of bits subject to change, the peak signal-to-noise ratio and the mean structural similarity index measure image quality assessment metrics, and steganalysis attacks. The method we developed was found to be more effective in hiding data compared to the classical least significant bit method.https://doi.org/10.3906/elk-1506-18

Evaluating unspecific oxidative stress parameters in the sera of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common global condition characterized by abdominal pain and alterations in bowel habits not caused by other organic diseases and its etiopathogenesis has not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress parameters in patients with IBS. Materials and methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with IBS using the Rome III criteria and a control group of 50 healthy subjects were included in the study. Oxidative stress parameters including total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were analyzed from all study subjects. Results: Compared to the controls; the TOS and OSI values were significantly higher, and the TAS value was significantly lower in IBS patients (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: In present study we demonstrated that oxidative stress increased and antioxidant capacity decreased in IBS, and antioxidants might be beneficial in the supportive treatment for IBS

Associations of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products -374 T/A and Gly82 Ser and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Pro12Ala Polymorphisms in Turkish Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) -374T/A, RAGE Gly82Ser, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) Pro12Ala polymorphisms on the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 87 patients with CAD and 52 CAD-free healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used to determine RAGE -374T/A, RAGE Gly82 Ser, and PPAR-gamma Pro12 Ala. Results: Individual allele and genotype frequencies of RAGE -374T/A, RAGE Gly82Ser, and PPAR-gamma Pro12Ala polymorphisms were not significantly different between study groups. However, compared with the control group, wild-type T allele frequency was found to be higher in patients with diabetes (p = 0.009). To investigate the combined effects of RAGE and PPAR polymorphisms, haplotype analysis was elevated and there was no statistical difference between the haplotypes of RAGE Gly82Ser with RAGE-374T/A or PPAR Pro12Ala. However, the frequency of RAGE-374T/PPAR12Ala haplotype was found to be higher in both the patient group (p = 0.024) and in patients without diabetes (p = 0.037). Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that possessing the A allele of RAGE -374T/A polymorphism by diabetic CAD patients and possessing the-374T/A1a12 haplotype of RAGE -3741/A and PPAR-gamma Pro12 Ala polymorphisms by the patients group were the most important risk factors for CAD

Associations of Lipoprotein Lipase S447X and Apolipoprotein E Genotypes with Low-density Lipoprotein Subfractions in Turkish Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Background: This study investigated associations of specific lipoprotein lipase (LPL) S447X and apolipoprotein (Apo)E allelic patterns with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size and subfraction profiles in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and health), individuals. Patients and Methods: Forty-one cases with CAD and 23 controls were compared regarding the occurrence of the Ser -> Stop codon of the LPL and ApoE polymorphism. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques were utilized to perform genotyping, and LDL size and subfractions were assessed by a high-resolution, nongradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Results: The lowest small dense (sd) LDL level was observed for the homozygous LPLX447 genotype (6.00 +/- 4.00 mg/dl) while the highest sdLDL level was observed for LPLX447(+)/ApoE4(+) carriers (14.33 +/- 20.55 mg/dl) in the patient group. No protective effect of LPLX447 allele on the atherogenic LDL profile was observed when it was together with the ApoE4 allele. Furthermore, the detrimental effect of LPLS447 on the atherogenic LDL profile increased when it was present together with the ApoE4 allele. Conclusion: The X447 allele of the LPL gene may protect from atherogenic LDL subfraction, although this effect is small. We suggest that the S447X polymorphism of the LPL gene may modify the risk of atherogenic sdLDL fraction in at? ApoE-dependent fashion

Is there any association between GLY82 ser polymorphism of rage gene and Turkish diabetic and non diabetic patients with coronary artery disease?

This study was carried out in 52 non-diabetic, 62 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 55 controls. A Gly to Ser change RAGE gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP techniques. GlyGly genotype frequency is higher in non-diabetics versus controls (P Controls > non-diabetics. These results reveals none association between Gly82Ser and the development of disease in non-diabetic patients. In diabetics with Ser allele, higher prevalence of left-ventricule-hypertrophy was observed, but the significant difference between Gly82Ser and left-ventricule-hypertrophy only found in the whole patient group. As a result Ser allele has much more importance in the development of left-ventricule-hypertrophy than other cardiovascular risk factors. In this study we found the presence of Gly allele contributes to the CAD in non-diabetics and Ser allele may contribute to disease in diabetics