A dataset of barometric readings for enhancing security and privacy of IoT.

The security and privacy of wireless channels is typically enforced by leveraging cryptographic tools. However, there are scenarios where these methods are unfit, such as in resource-constrained environments, i.e., Internet of Things (IoT), or when an extra layer of security is needed. A promising solution involves correlating air pressure (barometric) readings to securely pair IoT devices while requiring zero-interaction. This paper presents an experimental dataset of real-world barometric measurements collected in open areas under different weather conditions. Specifically, our dataset includes readings recorded using the reference hardware platform BMP280. The experiments involve a reference scenario constituted by three Adafruit BMP280 barometric sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B board to collect barometric measurements. The three sensors represent two communicating parties (Alice and Bob) and an adversary (Eve), respectively. The dataset is constituted by three experiments characterized by different relative distances among Alice, Bob, and Eve. We considered 5cm and 2m between Alice and Bob while placing Eve at 2m and 8 meters, respectively. The second configuration, i.e., (Alice-Bob at 2m and Eve at 8m) has been replicated in a different scenario characterized by less air pressure fluctuations. The sampling frequency has been set to 70Hz while the measurements last for 50, 24 and 41 hours, respectively. Researchers can use this dataset in several ways, including: (i) Study the air pressure variation and correlation between devices separated by different distances, (ii) Develop a co-location verification extension for the Diffie-Hellman (DH) key agreement method that utilizes air pressure data streams, (iii) Study possible attacks against proximity-based authentication techniques that depend on pressure correlated variations.

Hospital and laboratory outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who received vitamin D supplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a wide-ranging spectrum of clinical symptoms, from asymptomatic/mild to severe. Recent research indicates that, among several factors, a low vitamin D level is a modifiable risk factor for COVID-19 patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on hospital and laboratory outcomes of patients with COVID-19.Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) and clinicaltrials.gov were searched until July 2022, using relevant keywords/Mesh terms. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that addressed the topic were included. The Cochrane tool was used to assess the studies' risk of bias, and the data were analyzed using the review manager (RevMan 5.4).We included nine RCTs with 1586 confirmed COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D group showed a significant reduction of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (risk ratio = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.41, 0.84], P = 0.003), and higher change in vitamin D level (standardized mean difference = 2.27, 95% CI [2.08, 2.47], P < 0.00001) compared to the control group. Other studied hospital and laboratory outcomes showed non-significant difference between vitamin D and the control group (P ≥ 0.05).In conclusion, vitamin D reduced the risk of ICU admission and showed superiority in changing vitamin D level compared to the control group. However, other outcomes showed no difference between the two groups. More RCTs are needed to confirm these results.

Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy versus open retropubic radical prostatectomy: a prospective comparative study with 19-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the surgical outcomes of retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (ORP). METHODS: We included patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent RS-RARP or ORP and met our inclusion criteria. We compared the perioperative, oncological, and continence outcomes between both surgical approaches. Continence function was assessed using the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form. Continence was defined as using 0-1 safety pad per day. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was defined as two consecutive rises in serum PSA more than 0.2 ng/mL. Events of local recurrence, distant metastasis, and cancer death were reported and compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: Between 1 June 2013 and 1 October 1 2016, 184 men were enrolled, of whom 125 underwent RS-RARP and 59 underwent ORP. Baseline demographic and pathological characteristics were similar between both groups (P>0.05). Patients in RS-RARP group had significantly lower blood loss, fewer transfusion rates, lower VAS score, and shorter hospital stay than patients in ORP group (P<0.05). Major complications (≥grade 3b) did not differ between both groups (P=0.121). Positive surgical margins were 28.8% and 24.8% in ORP and RS-RARP, respectively (P=0.494). The BCR free-survival rates in ORP and RS-RARP at 1-year was 87.3% and 92.3%, respectively (Log-rank, P=0.740). At 1-, 6-, and 12-month after surgery, 42.4%, 79.7%, and 84.7% of men undergoing ORP were continent, compared with 72.8%, 90.4%, and 92% undergoing RS-RARP, respectively. Men in RS-RARP group achieved faster recovery of urinary continence compared to men in ORP group (Log-rank, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RS-RARP had better perioperative outcomes and faster recovery of urinary continence compared with ORP. Short-term oncological outcomes were comparable between both surgical approaches.

Curcumin improves the metabolic syndrome in high-fructose-diet-fed rats: role of TNF-α, NF-κB, and oxidative stress.

This study aimed to investigate effects of curcumin on high fructose diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rats and the possible mechanisms involved. MetS was induced in male albino rats (n = 20), over 8 weeks, by 65% HFD. For 8-week experiment period, rats were assigned to 2 equal groups: curcumin-treated rats received curcumin (200 mg/kg, p.o, once daily) along with HFD, and untreated rats were fed with HFD only. We evaluated body mass (BM), systolic blood pressure (SBP), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA; lipid peroxidation product), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; inflammatory cytokine), and serum catalase (endogenous antioxidant) activity and immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB; inflammation-related transcription factor) in hepatocytes. HFD produced increases in BM, SBP, HOMA-IR, and serum levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, TC, TGs, uric acid, MDA, and TNF-α, a decrease in catalase activity, and strong positive expression of NF-κB in hepatocytes. Curcumin, in presence of HFD, produced significant improvements in all glucose and fat metabolism parameters, and in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers. Curcumin may potentially be useful in the treatment of MetS through its ability to modulate oxidation stress status and inflammation cascades.

Combination of Sitagliptin and Insulin against Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Neuropathy in Rats: Neuroprotection and Role of Oxidative and Inflammation Stress.

AIMS: The present study evaluated the effects of sitagliptin-insulin against type 2 diabetes mellitus with neuropathy in rats and possible neuroprotective mechanisms. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in 32 adult male albino rats by 6-week high-fat high-sugar diet followed by streptozotocin 30 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection. For 4 weeks thereafter, diabetic rats were divided into 4 groups, each group receiving one of the following daily: vehicle (untreated diabetic), insulin 10 IU/kg SC, sitagliptin 30 mg/kg PO or sitagliptin-insulin. We assessed systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood glucose, serum insulin and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), thermal hyperalgesia and sciatic nerve tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and sciatic histopathology. RESULTS: Compared to untreated and insulin-treated groups, sitagliptin decreased SBP, serum AGEs and sciatic MDA and TNF-α, and increased serum insulin and sciatic SOD, but insulin decreased blood glucose more. Sitagliptin-insulin (greater than sitagliptin or insulin alone) superiorly decreased and increased the above respective parameters, and ameliorated hyperalgesia and sciatic histopathological changes, but was similar to insulin in decreasing blood glucose, and similar to sitagliptin in rising serum insulin. CONCLUSIONS: Sitagliptin-insulin combination produced hypoglycemic and neuroprotective effect and ameliorated hyperalgesia, oxidative stress and inflammation more than either drug alone. This combination might have clinical efficacy in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes with neuropathy.

A comparison of Stone Cone versus lidocaine jelly in the prevention of ureteral stone migration during ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND: Intracorporeal lithotripsy modalities and stone removal devices have been created to facilitate endoscopic management of ureteral stones. These devices, along with improved techniques, have resulted in stone-free rates greater than 95% with low morbidity. However, problems remain that preclude consistent 100% stone-free rates with endoscopic treatment of ureteral calculi. Retrograde migration during ureteroscopic procedures remains a significant problem. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the Stone Cone device and instillation of lubricating lidocaine jelly as two methods to prevent retrograde stone migration during ureteroscopic lithotripsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included patients suffering from ureteral stones that were treated with intracorporeal lithotripsy using the pneumatic Lithoclast. These patients were divided into two groups. In group I, the Stone Cone device was used, while in group II, lidocaine jelly 2% concentration was used. RESULTS: This study included 40 patients with a mean age of 38.6 ± 9.3 years (20 patients in each group). There was no significant difference between the groups with regards to stone site, size or state of the upper urinary tract by excretory urography. The pneumatic Lithoclast allowed successful fragmentation of all calculi into small fragments. Upward stone migration did not occur in patients in the Stone Cone group, while in the lidocaine jelly group it occurred in three patients (15%). The operative time in the Stone Cone group ranged between 30 and 55 minutes (mean, 41.8 ± 5.3), while in the lidocaine jelly group it ranged between 40 and 71 minutes (mean, 51.4 ± 3.4), and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Stone Cone is safe and efficient in preventing proximal stone migration during ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy. It maintained continuous ureteral access and demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over the lidocaine jelly in terms of proximal stone migration, operative time, and the need for auxiliary procedures.

Adverse response of non-indigenous cattle of European breeds to live attenuated Smithburn Rift Valley fever vaccine.

Three hundred eighteen European cows and 115 buffaloes were vaccinated with locally prepared Smithburn vaccine, of which, 100 cows and 20 buffaloes were pregnant. Twenty-eight cows aborted within 72 days post-vaccination, buffaloes did not abort. Blood samples collected 77 days post-vaccination from aborted cows, 17 pregnant cows, 5 pregnant buffaloes, and 32 non-pregnant cows. Sera were tested by ELISA for anti-RVF IgM and IgG. All aborted cows were strongly positive for IgG. Five of 17 cows and two of five buffaloes that did not abort were IgG positive. The percentage of IgM positives in aborted cows was 25% and 0% in non-aborted cows. The percentage of IgG positives in pregnant non-aborted cows was lower than in non-pregnant cows. The percentage of IgG positives of non-pregnant cows was lower than pregnant aborted cows. Virus was isolated from one aborted fetus. The nucleotide sequence of fetus virus was compared to Smithburn of Onderstepoort, local Smithburn and virus isolates from 1993 to 1994 and 1977 RVF outbreaks. The nucleotide sequences of Onderstepoort and Egyptian Smithburn vaccines were almost identical. The sequences of 1993-1994 isolates were identical to 1977 outbreak virus. Virus from the fetus had two mutations; it is apparently a variant that is genetically distant from local Smithburn and Onderstepoort vaccines. Fetus virus was genetically distant from virus of 1993/1994 and 1977 outbreaks. In conclusion, antibody response to vaccination with local Smithburn had occurred in some, but not all the cows and buffaloes. Virus isolation from the fetus suggests in utero transmission of used vaccine virus, which resulted in high abortions in European cows.