Universal Location Referencing and Homomorphic Evaluation of Geospatial Query

Location data is an important piece of contextual information in location-driven features for geosocial and pervasive computing applications. In this paper, we propose to geo-hash locations using space-filling curves, which are dimension reduction techniques that preserve locality. The proposed location referencing method is agnostic to specific maps or precoded location models and can effectively preserve users’ location privacy based on user preferences. We employ post-quantum-secure encryption on location data and privacy preferences to minimize the risk of data leakage. We also design three algorithms to homomorphically compute geospatial queries on the encrypted location data without revealing either user locations or user preferences. One of the three proposed algorithms reduces the multiplicative depth by more than half; thus, significantly speeding up homomorphic computations. We then present a prototype of the proposed system and algorithms using a somewhat homomorphic encryption scheme and our optimization techniques. A systematic evaluation of the prototype demonstrates its utility in spatial cloaking

Blindfolded Evaluation of Random Forests with Multi-Key Homomorphic Encryption

Decision tree and its generalization of random forests are a simple yet powerful machine learning model for many classification and regression problems. Recent works propose how to privately evaluate a decision tree in a two-party setting where the feature vector of the client or the decision tree model (such as the threshold values of its nodes) is kept a secret from another party. However, these works cannot be extended trivially to support the outsourcing setting where a third-party who should not have access to the model or the query. Furthermore, their use of an interactive comparison protocol does not support branching program, hence requires interactions with the client to determine the comparison result before resuming the evaluation task. In this paper, we propose the first secure protocol for collaborative evaluation of random forests contributed by multiple owners. They outsource evaluation tasks to a third-party evaluator. Upon receiving the client’s encrypted inputs, the cloud evaluates obliviously on individually encrypted random forest models and calculates the aggregated result. The system is based on our new secure comparison protocol, secure counting protocol, and a multi-key somewhat homomorphic encryption on top of symmetric-key encryption. This allows us to reduce communication overheads while achieving round complexity lower than existing work

Insights into seeds priming effects using a magnetic field and algal treatments on growth and productivity of faba bean under salinity stress conditions

Soil fertility and crop productivity in the Nile Delta are severely threatened by soil salinization. Hence, the development of reliable techniques to enhance the salinity tolerance of plants is an essential prerequisite for the desirable sustainable agricultural development in Egypt. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of seeds priming using a magnetic field (MF) at different exposure times (0, 15, 30, and 45 min), either alone or combined with seeds pre-soaking or foliar spraying with seaweed extracts of Hydroclathrus clathratus and Acanthophora spicifera. The effects on soil properties, growth, yield, and seed quality of Vicia faba grown in saline soil were assessed. Results indicated that MF-treated seeds (MFTS), either alone or coupled with seaweed treatments, distinctly improved soil characterization by decreasing EC and pH niches, and also increased the availability of soil macro- and micronutrient elements, particularly at MF long exposure time (≥30 min). MFTS and/or MFTS with seaweed treatments at 30 min improved soil fertility indices (CO2 evolution and nitrogenase activity) and induced the highest increases of macro- and micro-nutrient contents in seeds, plant growth and seed quality. Additionally, enhancement of chlorophyll a and b, carbohydrates and amino acids, and decreasing proline levels were the bases of salinity stress alleviation. Conclusively, seed priming in the MF coupled with foliar spraying of seaweed extracts could be a sustainable and affordable approach for cultivating V. faba plants under salinity stress conditions

Structure-Based Virtual Screening of Antiviral Compounds Targeting the Norovirus RdRp Protein

Background: Human noroviruses (NV) are the primary etiological organisms causing acute gastroenteritis around the world, causing severe morbidity and imposing a significant economic burden. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is essential for viral replication and could be a promising target for anti-NV therapeutics. Despite the discovery of a few NV RdRp inhibitors, the majority of these pharmaceuticals have demonstrated limited efficacy in inhibiting viral replication in cellular models.Methods: In this study, computational screening of antiviral compounds was conducted targeting the NV RdRp protein. The assessment was based on binding poses and the key residues of RdRp involved in interactions with compounds.Results: The compounds namely, Ribavirin, BMS806, Dihydromyricetin, R7935788, and LY2784544 were found to bind the RdRp protein with high affinity. Notably, these compounds displayed significantly lower binding affinities compared to the positive control, PPNDS. In addition, these compounds exhibited many RdRp protein binding residues that were also present in the PPNDS.Conclusion: The results presented here suggest that these compounds have the potential to be used as inhibitors of NV RdRp in the development of antiviral medications. Nevertheless, due to the computational nature of this study, it is imperative to do experimental validation.Keywords: Noroviruses; RdRp; Virtual screening; Antiviral Compounds 

Green Synthesized of Thymus vulgaris Chitosan Nanoparticles Induce Relative WRKY-Genes Expression in Solanum lycopersicum against Fusarium solani, the Causal Agent of Root Rot Disease

: Fusarium solani is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes tomato root rot disease and yield losses in tomato production. The current study's main goal is testing the antibacterial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Thyme vulgaris essential oil (ThE-CsNPs) against F. solani in vitro and in vivo. GC-MS analysis was used to determine the chemical constituents of thyme EO. ThE-CsNPs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy before being physicochemically characterized using FT-IR. ThE-CsNPs were tested for antifungal activity against F. solani mycelial growth in vitro. A pot trial was conducted to determine the most effective dose of ThE-CsNPs on the morph/physiological characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum, as well as the severity of fusarium root rot. The relative gene expression of WRKY transcript factors and defense-associated genes were quantified in root tissues under all treatment conditions. In vitro results revealed that ThE-CsNPs (1%) had potent antifungal efficacy against F. solani radial mycelium growth. The expression of three WRKY transcription factors and three tomato defense-related genes was upregulated. Total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were all increased. The outfindings of this study strongly suggested the use of ThE-CsNPs in controlling fusarium root rot on tomatoes; however, other experiments remain necessary before they are recommended

Antifungal activity of Carica papaya fruit extract against Microsporum canis: in vitro and in vivo study

BackgroundTinea capitis (T. capitis), commonly known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection affecting the scalp and hair. Among the causative agents, Microsporum canis (M. canis) stands out, often transmitted from cats to humans (zoonotic disease). In this study, we investigated the efficacy of Carica papaya (C. papaya), fruit extract against dermatophytes, particularly M. canis, both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we aimed to identify the active compounds responsible for suppressing fungal growth and assess the toxicity of C. papaya on human cells.MethodologyIt conducted in two parts. First, In Vitro Study include the preparation of C. papaya fruit extract using methanol as the solvent, Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract including Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted, Cytotoxicity assays were performed using HUH-7 cells, employing the MTT assay (1-(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), Antimicrobial activity against M. canis was evaluated, including: Zone of inhibition (ZI), Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), M. canis cell alterations were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Second, In Vivo, Albino Wistar male rats were included.ResultsThe phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract from papaya revealed several functional groups, including hydroxyl, ammonia, alkane, carbonate, and alcohol. Additionally, the GC–MS analysis identified 15 compounds, with xanthosine and decanoic acid being the predominant components. The methanolic extract of papaya fruits demonstrated potent antifungal activity: ZI = 37 mm, MIC = 1,000 μg/mL, MFC = 1900 μg/mL, MTT results indicated lower cytotoxicity of the fruit extract at concentrations of 20 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 150 μg/mL, and 200 μg/mL, The IC50 revealed a significant decrease in cell viability with increasing extract concentration. Notably, papaya extract induced considerable alterations in the morphology of M. canis hyphae and spores. In animal tissue, improvements were observed among the group of rats which treated with Papaya extract. This study highlights the potential of C. papaya fruits as a natural antifungal agent, warranting further exploration for clinical applications

Systematic review and meta-analysis of intratympanic steroid injection in sudden sensory neural hearing loss as initial, combined, or salvage treatment compared to systemic steroids alone

Background Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a rapid condition of hearing impairment, typically occurring over 72 hours and affecting the inner ear or auditory nerve pathways. The etiology of SSNHL remains largely idiopathic, with potential causes including viral infections, vascular occlusions, and autoimmune disorders. Traditional treatment primarily involves systemic corticosteroids, but their efficacy is inconsistent, leading to exploring alternative and adjunctive therapies such as intratympanic steroid (ITS) injections. Objective This Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis intends to determine the effectiveness of ITS injections as an initial treatment, combined therapy, or salvage treatment for SSNHL compared to systemic steroids alone. Methods An inclusive study was performed through the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, encompassing publications published from 2015 to 2024. Case-control studies, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and systematic reviews were included. Two separate reviewers read the studies and extracted data on steroid administration methods, study outcomes, and risk of bias (ROB) using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool and RevMan 5.4. Results The review included 12 studies with varied designs, including prospective RCTs, systematic reviews, and retrospective analyses. Combined ITS and systemic steroid therapy showed superior hearing recovery compared to systemic steroids alone in several studies. ITS alone demonstrated variable efficacy, with some studies indicating benefits, particularly as a salvage therapy. ROB assessment revealed variability in methodological rigor, with studies like those of Li & Ding et al. (2020) and Devantier et al. (2022) showing low risk, while others exhibited higher risks, particularly in random sequence generation and allocation concealment. Conclusion The findings suggest that ITS injections, particularly when combined with systemic steroids, can enhance hearing recovery in SSNHL patients. However, variability in study outcomes and methodological quality underscores the need for standardized protocols and further high-quality RCTs. This analysis underscores the prospective advantages of ITS therapy while stressing the need for stringent study designs to enhance SSNHL treatment methodologies

Tourette syndrome and brain stimulation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidence

BackgroundTourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by tics, often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Severe cases may require interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).MethodsA thorough search was performed across PubMed/Medline, Embase, (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar. Studies comparing DBS and rTMS efficacy for TS were included if they reported YGTSS before and after treatment. Two independent reviewers screened the search results, extracted data, and assessed study quality using standardized tools.Results22 studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 222 participants. Analysis of RCTs investigating post-intervention rTMS vs baseline showed a statistically insignificant decrease in YGTSS (MD = -5.01, 95% CI: [-10.8, 0.79], P= 0.090) but a statistically significant decrease in YBOCS (MD = -6.6; 95% CI: [-11.64, -1.55], P= 0.010). However, post-intervention rTMS in RCT and non-randomized trials vs baseline showed a significant decrease in YGTSS (MD = -11.6; 95% CI: [-18.25, -4.94], P < 0.001) and YBOCS (MD = -7.5; 95% CI: [-11.85, -3.15], P < 0.001). Post-intervention DBS in RCT and non-RCTs vs baseline showed a significant decrease in YGTSS (MD = -18.29; 95% CI: [-24.93, -11.64], P < 0.001) and YBOCS (MD = -4.76; 95% CI: [-7.30, -2.21], P < 0.001). Analysis of RCTs investigating Post-intervention DBS vs baseline showed a significant decrease in YGTSS (MD = -14.71; 95% CI: [-19.78, -9.63], P <0.001) and YBOCS (MD = -5.04; 95% CI: [-8.28, -1.80], P = 0.002).ConclusionOur analysis revealed both DBS and rTMS improved TS and OCD symptoms, however the effect of rTMS on TS in RCTs was insignificant, suggesting DBS stimulation is more effective. Despite this, clinicians may still opt for rTMS before DBS due to its less invasive nature, the limited number of high-quality RCTs, and the lack of studies directly comparing rTMS and DBS.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023386856, identifier CRD42023386856

Free sugar intake is associated with reduced proportion of circulating invariant natural killer T cells among women experiencing overweight and obesity

BackgroundHigher prevalence of obesity has been observed among women compared to men, which can be explained partly by the higher consumption of sweets and physical inactivity. Obesity can alter immune cell infiltration, and therefore increase the susceptibility to develop chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between free sugar intake and other unhealthy lifestyle habits in relation to the proportion of circulating iNKT cells among women with healthy weight and women experiencing overweight and obesity.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 Saudi women > 18 years, wherein their daily free sugar intake was assessed using the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data on smoking status, physical activity, and supplement use were also collected. Anthropometric data including height, weight, waist circumference were objectively measured from each participants. The proportion of circulating iNKT cells was determined using flow cytometry.ResultsSmoking, physical activity, supplement use, and weight status were not associated with proportion of circulating iNKT cells. Significant association was found between proportion of circulating iNKT cells and total free sugar intake and free sugar intake coming from solid food sources only among women experiencing overweight and obesity (Beta: -0.10: Standard Error: 0.04 [95% Confidence Interval: -0.18 to -0.01], p= 0.034) and (Beta: -0.15: Standard Error: 0.05 [95% Confidence Interval: -0.25 to -0.05], p= 0.005), respectively.ConclusionExcessive free sugar consumption may alter iNKT cells and consequently increase the risk for chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders