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Information steganography has received more and more attention from scholars nowadays, especially in the area of image steganography, which uses image content to transmit information and makes the existence of secret information undetectable. To enhance concealment and security, the Steganography without Embedding (SWE) method has proven effective in avoiding image distortion resulting from cover modification. In this paper, a novel encrypted communication scheme for image SWE is proposed. It reconstructs the image into a multi-linked list structure consisting of numerous nodes, where each pixel is transformed into a single node with data and pointer domains. By employing a special addressing algorithm, the optimal linked list corresponding to the secret information can be identified. The receiver can restore the secret message from the received image using only the list header position information. The scheme is based on the concept of coverless steganography, eliminating the need for any modifications to the cover image. It boasts high concealment and security, along with a complete message restoration rate, making it resistant to steganalysis. Furthermore, this paper proposes linked-list construction schemes within the proposed framework, which can effectively resist a variety of attacks, including noise attacks and image compression, demonstrating a certain degree of robustness. To validate the proposed framework, practical tests and comparisons are conducted using multiple datasets. The results affirm the framework's commendable performance in terms of message reduction rate, hidden writing capacity, and robustness against diverse attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) frequently occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and presents a therapeutic challenge to physicians owing to the diversity of its pathogenesis. Herein, we developed and validated a nomogram model for individualized risk estimation of CKD-aP and investigated the possible causes of CKD-aP in PD patients. Methods: We retrospectively screened patients with CKD-aP who underwent PD between 2021 and 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University Peritoneal Dialysis Center. Nomograms for each outcome were computed from multivariate logistic regression models with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and univariate logistic regression for variable selection. The discriminative ability was estimated by Harrell's C-index, and the accuracy was assessed graphically with a calibration curve plot. Models were validated internally using bootstrapping and externally by calculating their performance on a validation cohort. Decision curve analysis was used to assess the model's clinical usefulness. Results: In all, a total of 487 patients were entered in the analysis, including 325 in the development cohort and 162 in the validation cohort. The final nomogram incorporated five variables: age, interleukin-6, hemoglobin, residual urine volume, and renal Kt/V. The C-index of the model was 0.733 (95% CI: 0.679–0.787), and the calibration curve was a straight line with a slope close to 1. Both internal and external validations confirmed the model's good performance, with C-index of 0.725 (95% CI: 0.662–0.774) and 0.706 (95% CI: 0.623–0.789), respectively. Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram had good clinical benefits. Conclusion: Our study proposes a nomogram model for CKD-aP risk assessment in ESRD patients with PD. This nomogram might help in clinical decision-making and evidence-based selection of therapy. Plain Language Summary: We conducted a study to better understand and predict the risk of CKD-associated pruritus, a common itching condition in patients with severe kidney disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Our research included an analysis of the risk factors associated with this condition. Using information from uremic pruritus patients, we developed a special tool that takes into account factors such as a patient's age, certain blood markers, hemoglobin levels, residual urine volume, and renal Kt/V. This tool is designed to help doctors estimate a patient's likelihood of developing CKD-associated pruritus. Our results show that this tool is not only accurate but also practical for use in medical settings, aiding doctors in making informed treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and development of nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme‐like activities (nanozymes) have attracted huge interest during the past several decades. Herein, by incorporating the concept of nanozyme‐involved biomimetic catalysis into the molecular assembly, we introduce an exciting example of utilizing the gold nanozyme system to expedite the sol‐gel transition of silk fibroin. In this system, silica‐encapsulated gold nanoparticles (MSN‐AuNPs) possess an intrinsic glucose oxidase‐like activity, and the activity of AuNPs has been studied by using first‐principles calculations. The catalytic oxidization of glucose into gluconic acid by MSN‐AuNPs leads to a significant decrease in the pH value of silk fibroin solution, rapidly accelerating the self‐assembly of silk fibroin solution into physical hydrogel. Since nanozymes can be further remotely controlled via different stimuli, this simple, rational control and accelerated method is a significant breakthrough, will lead to a large pool of opportunities for further exploration of nanozymes in the field of molecular assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]