Ligand-Based Virtual Screening Using Bayesian Inference Network and Reweighted Fragments

Many of the similarity-based virtual screening approaches assume that molecular fragments that are not related to the biological activity carry the same weight as the important ones. This was the reason that led to the use of Bayesian networks as an alternative to existing tools for similarity-based virtual screening. In our recent work, the retrieval performance of the Bayesian inference network (BIN) was observed to improve significantly when molecular fragments were reweighted using the relevance feedback information. In this paper, a set of active reference structures were used to reweight the fragments in the reference structure. In this approach, higher weights were assigned to those fragments that occur more frequently in the set of active reference structures while others were penalized. Simulated virtual screening experiments with MDL Drug Data Report datasets showed that the proposed approach significantly improved the retrieval effectiveness of ligand-based virtual screening, especially when the active molecules being sought had a high degree of structural heterogeneity

Using Particle Swarm Optimization to Determine the Optimal Strata Boundaries

Stratified random sampling is a commonly used sampling methodology especially for heterogeneous populations with outliers. Stratified sampling is preferably employed due to its capability of improving statistical precision by yielding a smaller variance of the estimator, compared with simple random sampling. In order to reduce the variance of the estimator in stratified sampling, the problems of stratum boundary determination and sample allocation must be resolved initially. This paper proposes a PSO algorithm to solving the problem of stratum boundary determination in heterogeneous populations while distributing the sample size according to Neyman allocation method. The PSO algorithm is tested on two groups of populations and a comparative study with Kozak, GA and Delanius and Hodges methods have been implemented. The numerical results show the ability of the proposed algorithm to find the optimal stratified boundaries for a set of standard populations and various standard test functions compared with other algorithms

Gender differences in the factors influencing the choice of future career among the final stage Turkish medical students

Background: Turkey has a marked increase in the proportion of female medical students and graduates doctors compared to males. However, females are still underrepresented in some disciplines and grouped in other branches of medicine. It is essential to regularly assess the medical students' trends toward the specialty and avoid the shortage and maldistribution in some critical specialties. This study aims to investigate the gender differences in Turkish medical students’ specialty preferences and influencing factors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among final year students at the Bezmialem Vakif University (BVU), Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey. Data collected from March to April 2018 using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics of the population, first choices for specialization, and the factors influencing those choices. An independent sample t-test performed to test the gender differences in different influencing factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results:  A total of seventy (70) students (response rate of 69.5 %) included in the data analysis. The mean age of total respondents was 24.9 ± 0.96 (ranged 23-27), and the male to female ratio of students was approximately 1:1.4. Out of nineteen (19) factors, statistically significant gender differences noted in the mean scores of six factors. Male students were more influenced by family expectations (2.76 ± 0.87, p=0.008), geographical consideration (2.97 ± 0.91, p=0.053), and high income expectations (2.90 ± 0.90, p=0.024) compared to female students. However, female students were more influenced by personal interests (3.61 ± 0.49, p=0.041), personality characteristics (3.59 ± 0.55, p=0.010) and malpractice (2.73 ± 1.03, p=0.015) compared to male students. Conclusion: There is a significant difference between the sexes in terms of priorities; family, income, and geographical distribution significantly impacted on men, while women were more concerned with lifestyle, well-being and avoiding responsibility

A survey on mobile payment applications and adopted theoretical models

Looking at the evolution of mobile phones, communications technology, and the Internet, one can see a clear shift in their usage in the past decade as mobile payment has become an important research area in the field of information technology. However, many financial institutions have adopted mobile payments. Except that only a limited number of clients are used. Several information systems theories/models have been proposed to examine the factors that could influence user adoption. However, the literature on the field is still in its infancy.  This paper, reviews and systematically analyzes the existing mobile payment acceptance and adoption literature that include UTAUT/TAM as a theoretical model to reveal mobile payment adoption research's current situation. The current study also provides a basis for future researchers in the mobile payment adoption study, as it provides a summary of related literature in the field, the models used, and the factors that have an impact on customer intent. Accordingly, the UTAUT, TAM models, with their extensions, are one of the models most used in examining and understanding the necessary factors that could influence mobile payment applications' adoption. The research revealed that 37 factors most commonly than a literature review on factors of adoption mobile payment applications since 2015. It was found that the factors of perceived trust and perceived risks are among the most critical factors in which the models are expanded, as they have an impact on the customer's acceptance of any new technology innovation. Therefore, emphasis must be placed on the factors of perceived trust and perceived risks to increase the applicability of UTAUT, TAM models to the mobile payment context

Callus induction, direct and indirect organogenesis of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc)

The present study aimed to induce callus, direct and indirect organogenesis of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) by using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators. Shoot tip, in vitro leaf and root segments were used as explants to induce callus by MS medium containing (0.00 as control, 0.5, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 mg/L) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Callus induced was subcultured on MS+2,4-D at different concentrations (0.5, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 mg/L) and one concentration 0.5 mg/L of 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) was used. The sprouting buds (about 1 to 1.5 cm) were used as explants for direct shoots and roots induction by MS medium + 2.00, 3.00 and 4.5 mg/L of BAP. Callus induced by 1.00 mg/L 2,4-D was regenerated on MS + 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D to obtain a green callus, this callus was transferred to MS medium with combinations of 0.5 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with different concentrations of BAP (1.00, 2.00,3.00 and 4.00 mg/L) for indirect organogenesis. The results reveals that, for callus induction, callus was only induced from shoot tip explant in all concentrations of 2,4-D. The highest callus fresh weight was obtained by 1.00 mg/L of 2,4-D (1.302 ± 0.09) g than that induced by other treatment (p < 0.05). In the case of callus induced by subculture, the highest callus fresh weight initiated was 1.509 ± 0.00 g by 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D. For direct organogenesis, 4.5 mg/L BAP showed the highest number of in vitro shoots and roots, 4 ± 0.35 shoots and 15 ± 0.46 roots per explants. For indirect organogenesis, the best shoots and roots initiated were 2 ± 0.21 shoots and 22 ± 0.33 roots by combination of 1.00 mg/L BAP+0.5 mg/L NAA.Keywords: Callus induction, growth regulators, Zingiber officinale Rosc, organogenesi

Clinical insights on Tolosa Hunt syndrome: a multidisciplinary approach on neurological-related symptomatology in maxillofacial region

Background Tolosa–Hunt syndrome (THS) related neurological symptoms are described in literature as “unilateral”, “recurrent”, “episodic”, “intense”, “severe”, “lancinating” or “stabbing” pain on the upper face and forehead and may be misdiagnosed due to the similarity of few symptoms and a significant number of common characteristics between both conditions. Aims The aim of this brief report is to indicate some important clinical insights related to Tolosa Hunt syndrome, and to give a frank account on the multidisciplinary approach on neurological-related symptomatology in maxillofacial region. Methods We analysed a selection of patients with such clinical picture. To better describe the proper management of clinical cases, we report a 50-year-old female reporting an history of two years of recurrent, severe stabbing pain around the right eye, prominence of her cheek and forehead. Her general dentist first mistakenly diagnosed toothache and, thus, it was subsequently misdiagnosed the trigeminal neuropathy (TN). Results Reported exemplificative case presented a mild ptosis, diplopia of the right eye, corneal reflex loss, paresthesia and hyperesthesia of upper part of left side of face. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were suggestive of THS. Complete resolution of symptoms was achieved with oral Prednisolone and constant monitoring of symptoms. Conclusion THS may be added to the long list of differential diagnosis of TN and general dentist and oral surgeons should be informed about such rare causes of facial pain through continued medical education programs

Left atrial diameter in estimating success rates of radio-frequency ablation treating atrial fibrillation.

Background: Ablation devices are being utilized in surgical procedures treating atrial fibrillation. Few studies seek to define a cut-off value for left atrial diameter size beyond which risks of procedure outweigh chance of sinus recovery. This study aims to identify a cut-off value for pre-operative left atrial diameter to assess the efficacy of surgical radio-frequency ablation for treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Methods: A prospective 6-month follow-up cohort study was done, in which 40 patients were recruited during the period from May 2016 till April 2018. All patients had rheumatic mitral valve disease and permanent atrial fibrillation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate the area under the curve and cut-off value for left atrial diameter. The efficacy of the overall survival time was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Results: Pre-operatively left atrial diameter of 59 mm was significantly associated with decrease in the possibility of reverting to sinus rhythm after surgery (OR 0.292, p-value = 0.001). The cut-off value for left atrial diameter was 59mm (sensitivity = 93.3%, specificity = 96.1%). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 175.07 days (156.3 - 193.9) for patients with left atrial diameter < 59mm and 62.64 days (26.6-98.7) for patients with left atrial diameter > 59mm. Conclusion: In patients undergoing mitral valve, higher degrees of success are associated with smaller left atrial diameter in terms of conservation of the sinus rhythm post operatively

Implication of the B→(ρ,ω)γB \to (\rho, \omega) \gamma Branching Ratios for the CKM Phenomenology

We study the implication of the recent measurement by the BELLE collaboration of the averaged branching fraction $\bar B_{exp} [B \to (\rho, \omega) \gamma] = (1.8^{+0.6}_{-0.5} \pm 0.1) \times 10^{-6}$ for the CKM phenomenology. Combined with the averaged branching fraction $\bar B_{exp} (B \to K^* \gamma) = (4.06 \pm 0.26) \times 10^{-5}$ measured earlier, this yields $\bar R_{exp} [(\rho, \omega) \gamma/K^* \gamma] = (4.2 \pm 1.3)$ for the ratio of the two branching fractions. Updating earlier theoretical analysis of these decays based on the QCD factorization framework, and constraining the CKM-Wolfenstein parameters from the unitarity fits, our results yield $\bar B_{th} [B \to (\rho, \omega) \gamma] = (1.38 \pm 0.42) \times 10^{-6}$ and $\bar R_{th} [(\rho, \omega) \gamma/K^* \gamma] = (3.3 \pm 1.0)$, in agreement with the BELLE data. Leaving instead the CKM-Wolfenstein parameters free, our analysis gives (at 68% C.L.) $0.16\leq |V_{td}/V_{ts}| \leq 0.29$, which is in agreement with but less precise than the indirect CKM-unitarity fit of the same, $0.18 \leq |V_{td}/V_{ts}| \leq 0.22$. The isospin-violating ratio in the $B \to \rho \gamma$ decays and the SU(3)-violating ratio in the $B_d^0 \to (\rho^0, \omega) \gamma$ decays are presented together with estimates of the direct and mixing-induced CP-asymmetries in the $B \to (\rho,\omega) \gamma$ decays within the SM. Their measurements will overconstrain the angle $\alpha$ of the CKM-unitarity triangle.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures. Included a discussion of model-dependent estimates of the long-distance/rescattering contributions in radiative B-decays; added a reference. Version accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Qur’ānic exegesis in Malaysia: general overview with special reference to the recent development

This paper discusses the general historical development of Qur’ānic exegesis in Malaysia since its independence until today via two perspectives, namely the historical development of Qur’ānic exegesis and recent improvements of Qur’ānic exegesis. It applies two methodologies, historical to collect relevant data and analysis to scrutinize the collected data. The paper concludes that the Qur’ānic exegesis in Malaysia owes its birth and development from earlier Muslim exegesis, particularly those written in Arabic. The contributions of Indonesian scholars has continued until today through writings and public lectures. Although most of the work is primarily translations which developed from prior exegetical pioneers, they offered innovative additions especially through tafsīrs that apply a more wholesome societal approach

Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Tamsulosin, Solifenacin, and Combination of Both in Treatment of Double-J Stent-Related Lower Urinary Symptoms

Purpose. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of tamsulosin, solifenacin, and combination of both in reducing double-J stent-related lower urinary symptoms. Materials and Methods. A total of 338 patients with double-J ureteral stenting were randomly divided, postoperatively, into 4 groups. In group I (), no treatment was given (control group), group II () received tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily, group III () received solifenacin 10 mg daily, and group IV () received a combination of both medications. Before insertion and 2 weeks after, all patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life component of the IPSS (IPSS/Qol), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), and Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS) questionnaire. Results. The demographics and preoperative questionnaires scores of all groups were comparable. There were statistically significant differences in all scores in favour of groups II, III, and IV as compared to control group ( value < 0.005). Group IV showed statistically significant differences in total IPSS, QoL score, and OAB-q score as compared to groups II and III ( value < 0.001). Conclusions. Combined therapy of tamsulosin and solifenacin significantly alleviated lower urinary symptoms associated with double-J stents as compared to either medication alone