A Bidirectional Generalized Synchronization Theorem -Based Chaotic Pseudorandom Number Generator

In order to design good pseudorandom number generator, using a bidirectional generalized synchronization theorem for discrete chaos system, this paper introduces a new 5-dimensional bidirectional generalized chaos synchronization system (BGCSDS), whose prototype is a novel chaotic system. Numerical simulation showed that two pair variables of the BGCSDS achieve generalized chaos synchronization via a transform H. A chaos-based pseudorandom number generator (CPNG) was designed by the new BGCSDS. Using the FIPS-140-2 tests issued by the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) verified the randomness of the 1000 binary number sequences generated via the CPNG and the RC4 algorithm respectively. The results showed all the tested sequences passed the FIPS-140-2 tests. The confidence interval analysis showed the statistical properties of the randomness of the sequences generated via the CPNG and the RC4 algorithm do not have significant differences. So, the CPNG is suitable to be used in the information security filed

Use of Antihypertensive Drugs and Risk of Malignant Melanoma: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Introduction Several antihypertensive drugs are photosensitizing and may promote the development of malignant melanoma (MM), but evidence remains inconsistent. We sought to quantify the association between use of antihypertensive drugs and MM risk. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception to August 17, 2017 to identify observational studies that reported the MM risk associated with the use of antihypertensive drugs. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Overall, we included eight observational studies (two cohort studies and six case–control studies). Compared with non-use, use of diuretics (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.03–1.17) or β-adrenergic blocking agents (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.04–1.37) was significantly associated with increased risk of MM. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.95–1.23), angiotensin II receptor blockers (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.95–1.31), and calcium channel blockers (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.72–1.74) was not significantly associated with increased risk of MM. Conclusions Current evidence from observational studies suggests that use of diuretics or β-adrenergic blocking agents may be associated with increased risk of MM. Further large well-conducted prospective studies are required to confirm our findings

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and risk of melanoma: A meta-analysis

Background The association between phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and melanoma risk is controversial. Objective We quantify the association between use of PDE5 inhibitors and melanoma. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies that were conducted up to July 13, 2016, and evaluated the association between PDE5 inhibitors and skin cancer. Random effects meta-analyses were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Five observational studies were included. Compared with PDE5 inhibitor nonuse, PDE5 inhibitor use was slightly but significantly associated with an increased risk for development of melanoma (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21) and basal cell carcinoma (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.09-1.19) but not squamous cell carcinoma. For melanoma risk, none of the prespecified factors (dose of PDE5 inhibitor, study design, and study region) significantly affected the results (P > .05). Our sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results. Limitations We included only observational studies, which had some heterogeneities and inconsistent controlling for potential confounders. Conclusions Use of PDE5 inhibitors may be associated with a slightly increased risk for development of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma but not squamous cell carcinoma. However, further large well-conducted prospective studies with adequate adjustment for potential confounders are required for confirmation

Use of antihypertensive drugs and risk of keratinocyte carcinoma: A meta‐analysis of observational studies

Purpose Current epidemiologic evidence on the association between antihypertensive drugs and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) risk is inconsistent. We sought to quantify this association by meta‐analysis of observational studies. Methods We systematically reviewed observational studies published through August 2016 and reported the KC risk (basal cell carcinoma [BCC] and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]) associated with antihypertensive drugs, including diuretics, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta‐adrenergic blocking agents (β‐blockers), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Ten eligible studies were included. Compared with nonuse, diuretic use was significantly associated with increased risk of both BCC (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.20) and SCC (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.19‐1.66). Use of β‐blockers or CCBs was associated with increased risk of BCC (but not SCC); the OR with β‐blockers was 1.09 (95% CI, 1.04‐1.15) and with CCBs was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.09‐1.21). Use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs was associated with decreased risk of both BCC (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.39‐0.71) and SCC (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42‐0.80) in high‐risk individuals. Conclusions Current evidence indicates that use of diuretics might be associated with increased risk of KC, while ACE inhibitors or ARBs might be associated with decreased risk in high‐risk individuals. β‐blockers or CCBs might be positively associated with BCC risk. Further postmarketing surveillance studies and investigations to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms are warranted

Pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Current evidence about the association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk remains conflict. We aimed to assess the risk of bladder cancer associated with the use of pioglitazone and identify modifiers that affect the results. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 25 August 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that evaluated the association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk. Conventional and cumulative meta-analyses were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A restricted spline regression analysis was used to examine the dose-response relationship with a generalized least-squares trend test. We included two RCTs involving 9114 patients and 20 observational studies (n = 4,846,088 individuals). An increased risk of bladder cancer in patients treated with pioglitazone versus placebo was noted from RCTs (OR, 1.84; 95%CI, 0.99 to 3.42). In observational studies, the increased risk of bladder cancer was slight but significant among ever-users of pioglitazone versus never-users (OR, 1.13; 95%CI, 1.03 to 1.25), which appeared to be both time- (P = 0.003) and dose-dependent (P = 0.05). In addition, we observed the association differed by region of studies (Europe, United States, or Asia) or source of funding (sponsored by industry or not). Current evidence suggests that pioglitazone may increase the risk of bladder cancer, possibly in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Patients with long-term and high-dose exposure to pioglitazone should be monitored regularly for signs of bladder cancer

From Software-Defined Vehicles to Self-Driving Vehicles: A Report on CPSS-Based Parallel Driving

On June 11th, 2017, the 28th IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV'2017) was held in Redondo Beach, California, USA. As one of the 8 workshops at IV'2017, the cyber-physical-social systems (CPSS)-based parallel driving (WS'08), organized by the State Key Laboratory for Management and Control of Complex Systems (SKL-MCCS), Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, Tsinghua University, China, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, USA, and Cranfield University, U.K, has attracted both researchers and practitioners in intelligent vehicles. About 60-70 participants from various countries had extensive and deep discussions on definition, challenges and alternative solutions for CPSS-based parallel driving, and widely agreed that it is a novel paradigm of cloud-based automated driving technologies. Six speakers shared their ideas, studies, field applications, and vision for future along these emerging directions from software-defined vehicles to self-driving vehicles

Epithelial Neoplasia Coincides with Exacerbated Injury and Fibrotic Response in the Lungs of \u3cem\u3eGprc5a\u3c/em\u3e-Knockout Mice Following Silica Exposure

Exposure to crystalline silica is suggested to increase the risk for a variety of lung diseases, including fibrosis and lung cancer. However, epidemiological evidences for the exposure-risk relationship are ambiguous and conflicting, and experimental study from a reliable animal model to explore the relationship is lacking. We reasoned that a mouse model that is sensitive to both lung injury and tumorigenesis would be appropriate to evaluate the exposure-risk relationship. Previously, we showed that, Gprc5a-/- mice are susceptible to both lung tumorigenesis and endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. In this study, we investigated the biological consequences in Gprc5a-/- mouse model following silica exposure. Intra-tracheal administration of fine silica particles in Gprc5a-/- mice resulted in more severe lung injury and pulmonary inflammation than in wild-type mice. Moreover, an enhanced fibrogenic response, including EMT-like characteristics, was induced in the lungs of Gprc5a-/- mice compared to those from wild-type ones. Importantly, increased hyperplasia or neoplasia coincided with silica-induced tissue injury and fibrogenic response in lungs from Gprc5a-/- mice. Consistently, expression of MMP9, TGFβ1 and EGFR was significantly increased in lungs from silica-treated Gprc5a-/- mice compared to those untreated or wild-type ones. These results suggest that, the process of tissue repair coincides with tissue damages; whereas persistent tissue damages leads to abnormal repair or neoplasia. Thus, silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury contribute to increased neoplasia development in lungs from Gprc5a-/- mouse model

Legume Lectin FRIL Preserves Neural Progenitor Cells in Suspension Culture In Vitro

In vitro maintenance of stem cells is crucial for many clinical applications. Stem cell preservation factor FRIL (Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin) is a plant lectin extracted from Dolichos Lablab and has been found preserve hematopoietic stem cells in vitro for a month in our previous studies. To investigate whether FRIL can preserve neural progenitor cells (NPCs), it was supplemented into serum-free suspension culture media. FRIL made NPC grow slowly, induced cell adhesion, and delayed neurospheres formation. However, FRIL did not initiate NPC differentiation according to immunofluorescence and semiquantitive RT-PCR results. In conclusion, FRIL could also preserve neural progenitor cells in vitro by inhibiting both cell proliferation and differentiation

Causal associations between gut microbiota and Cholestatic liver diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundThe etiological factors of Cholestatic Liver Diseases especially primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are not fully illustrated. It has been reported in previous observational studies that gut microbiota are associated with cholestatic liver diseases. However, there is uncertainty regarding the causality of this association. By using Mendelian randomization, this study aimed to examine the causal impact of gut microbiota on cholestatic liver diseases.MethodsFrom large-scale genome-wide association studies, genetic instruments for each gut microbiota taxa as well as primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis were developed. Subsequently, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, supplemented by multiple post hoc sensitivity analyses. Additionally, we performed reverse MR analyses to investigate the possibility of the reverse causal association.ResultThis two-sample MR study indicated that the order Bacillales, family Peptostreptococcaceae, family Ruminococcaceae, genus Anaerotruncu was associated with a decreased risk of developing PBC, and that order Selenomonadales, family Bifidobacteriaceae may be factors that increase the risk of PBC. On the other hand, we also identified order Selenomonadales, family Rhodospirillaceae, and genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 were positively associated with PSC. The order Actinomycetales, family Actinomycetaceae, genus Actinomyces, genus Alloprevotella, genus Barnesiella, and genus Peptococcus were found negative associations with the risk of PSC. The reverse MR analysis demonstrated no statistically significant relationship between PBC, PSC and these specific gut microbial taxa.ConclusionOur findings offered novel evidence that the abundance of particular bacteria contributes to the risk of PBC and PSC, which may contribute to more effective approaches to PBC and PSC therapy and prevention

Interrelation between the lipid accumulation product index and diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the relation between the lipid accumulation product index (LAPI) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsHerein, 931 patients were enrolled and their data were collected. Then the interrelation between LAPI and DKD was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses (LRAs) and by a restricted cubic spline (RCS).ResultsIn total, 931 participants (352 females and 579 males) aged 55 years on average were included in the study. After adjusting for several confounders, the odds ratio for DKD was increased evidently in the third LAPI tertile compared with that in the first LAPI tertile. In addition, the RCS revealed a positive interrelation between LAPI and DKD. In the subgroup analyses, age, sex, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and HbA1c did not significantly interact with LAPI.ConclusionsLAPI was higher in the DKD group than in the no-DKD group, and LAPI is positively linked with DKD, which may have potential value to diagnose DKD in clinical practice