Estimating Seasonal Moving Average Model Using Bayesian Approach

This paper utilizes the Gibbs sampling technique to develop a Bayesian inference for Seasonal Moving Average (SMA) model, which includes parameters that distinguish between Multiplicative and Non-multiplicative models (referred to as Augmented Seasonal Moving Average hereafter). The construction of Bayesian inference involves several steps. Firstly, the method of Non-linear least squares (NLS) is used to estimate unknown lagged errors, allowing for the approximation of the complex likelihood function. Secondly, both a semi-conjugate prior distribution and a non- informative prior distribution are applied to the unknown parameters and initial errors. Thirdly, the prior distributions are combined with the approximated likelihood function to obtain the joint posterior distribution. Lastly, the full conditional distributions are derived as part of the Gibbs sampling process. The proposed method is notable for its simplicity in assessing the significance of the parameters that distinguish between Multiplicative and Non-multiplicative models, a task that is challenging to accomplish using classical analysis. The convergence of the method was verified, ensuring that it reached stable and reliable results

Allergen-specific immunotherapy in children

Egypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012;10(2):55-6

Preventing c2c12 muscular cells damage combining magnesium and potassium with vitamin D3 and curcumin

Background and aim: Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles which causes energy consumption; moderate and constant physical activity is known to be beneficial and to slow the muscle loss process associated with aging. The aim of the present study was to test, in an in vitro exercise model, the biological effects of a new formulation composed of magnesium and potassium combined with vitamin D and curcumin created to support muscle activity and to prevent hypercontraction damage. Experimental procedure: C2C12 cells were treated with vitamin D, buffered magnesium bisglycinate, curcumin, and potassium citrate. Cell viability, morpho-functional changes, calcium and magnesium movements, and the main kinases involved in glucose uptake were analyzed. The glycogen level and lactate were also evaluated. Results and conclusion: Important results about a positive effect on mitochondrial activity, ATP production, oxygen consumption and in the physiological differentiation of C2C12 cells were obtained. Further experiments were performed under conditions that mimic the biological aspects of strenuous exercise. The combination of magnesium, vitamin D3, curcumin, and potassium citrate revealed beneficial effects on skeletal muscle cells under physiological conditions as well as while mimicking intense activity. In particular, in an in vitro model, they were able to control the hypercontraction, restoring ion fluxes, reducing inflammation signaling and supporting the main mechanism involved on aerobic activity. Our results have indicated for the first time that this new combination could be considered as a new nutraceutical formulation to improve physical performance and muscle recovery

Effect of Progesterone Therapy versus Diet Modification on Constipation during Pregnancy

Background: Pregnant women may experience constipation for the first time or their existing constipation symptoms increase in severity during pregnancy.Aim: To compare the effect of progesterone versus diet modification in the treatment of constipation during pregnancy.Subjects and Methods: Women aged ≥18 years with functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria from obstetrics outpatients’ clinic and midwife practices included in this study. Participants divided into two groups; control group managed with diet modifications and study group pregnant women with threatened miscarriage and advised to take vaginal progesterone ≥1 week. Participants completed a nonvalidated questionnaire created by the authors during the whole week before intake of progesterone or diet modifications and after treatment phase. Independent Student’s t‑test and Chi‑square (X2) test were used for statistical analysis to compare between two studied groups. Primary outcome measures; change in defecation frequency.Results: Sensation of anorectal obstruction and sensation of incomplete evacuation were significantly less in Group B (progesterone therapy) compared to Group A (diet modification) (54% [154/281] and 62.98% [177/281] vs. 89.76% [614/684] and 91.08% [623/684], respectively) (P = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Straining during defecation and manual maneuvers to facilitate evacuation were significantly less in Group B compared to Group A (63.7% [179/281] and 19.9% [56/281] vs. 94.59% [647/684] and 86.54% [592/684], respectively) (P < 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Episodes of abdominal pain and presence of reflux episodes were also significantly less in Group B compared to Group A (18.5% [52/281] and 17.43% [49/281] vs. 84.11% [589/684] and 75% [513/684], respectively) (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: Estrogen, rather than progesterone, may be a detrimental factor of constipation during pregnancy via decreased bowel movement. Progesterone therapy seems to be effective in the treatment of functional constipation during pregnancy. A randomized placebo controlled trial is required to confirm the data of this study.KEY WORDS: Constipation, diet modification, pregnancy, progesteron

Effect of FK 506 chronic administration on bromosulphthalein hepatic excretion in rats

There are several reports dealing with the hepatic effect of FK 506,1–4 some of which are beneficial while others are adverse. Because the liver is a major target organ that is often the site of drug toxicity, studies directed at determining whether FK 506 affects specific hepatic function and/or its histologic appearance are important. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine bromosulphthalein (BSP) elimination kinetics in rats as a sensitive index of hepatic excretory function under the influence of FK 506 in the rat

31p-NMR spectroscopy of rat liver during simple storage or continuous hypothermic perfusion

The ATP content and intracellular pH (pH(i)) of isolated rat liver before, during, and after cold preservation in either UW-lactobionate (UW, n=10) or Euro-Collins (EC, n=8) solutions were monitored using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P-NMR) spectroscopy. The (31)P-NMR spectra were obtained on a 4.7-Tesla system operating at 81 MHz. Fructose metabolism, liver enzyme release, O(2) consumption, and rat survival after liver transplantation were also evaluated. During simple cold storage (SCS), the ATP level declined to undetectable levels with both preservation solutions while the pH(i) declined to approximately 7.0. In contrast, during continuous hypothermic perfusion (CHP), hepatic ATP levels remained measurable during the 24-hour EC preservation and actually increased significantly (p>0.01) during UW preservation. After reperfusion at 37°C with Krebs-lactate, the SCS livers treated with EC differed significantly from the UW livers in terms of their ATP and pH(i) as well as their response to a fructose challenge. In contrast, livers undergoing CHP demonstrated similar behaviors with both solutions. These results demonstrate an increase in the hepatic ATP content during CHP which occurs with UW but is not seen with EC. On the other hand, only livers that were simply stored with UW achieved significant survival after transplant, while CHP livers were affected by vascular damage as demonstrated by fatal thrombosis after transplant. These data suggest that ATP content is not the only determinant of good liver function although a system of hypothermic perfusion might further improve liver preservation efficacy should injury to vascular endothelium be avoided