Performance analysis of wireless communication system in general fading environment subjected to shadowing and interference

In this paper, performance analysis of wireless communication over α−η−μ fading channels has been investigated. First, analysis has been carried out for the case when communication is subjected to the influence of co-channel interference. Closed-form expressions have been derived for the probability density function and cumulative distribution function of the received signal-to-interference ratio. Outage probability has been obtained for this case, in the function of various values of system parameters, and also for the case when selection diversity has been presented at the reception. Further, simultaneous multipath fading and shadowing occurrence has been analyzed, through deriving novel composite Gamma long-time faded α−η−μ fading distribution. First-order statistical parameters have been obtained in closed form, for this novel composite distribution, and capitalizing on them, standard performance measures have been efficiently evaluated, graphically presented and discussed in the function of system parameters

Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of selected polyphenolic compounds: An in vitro study on Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen that causes serious infections with high mortality rates. The antimicrobial activities of eight phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, morin, quercetin, isoquercitrin, rutin and hesperidin) were evaluated against planktonic and biofilm forming Staphylococcus aureus cells. Their ability to prevent biofilm formation via interference with bacterial cell adhesion and to reduce biomass of 24 h old biofilms has been addressed in this study. The antibacterial activities (MIC/MBC) were demonstrated using the microdilution method and the investigated compounds showed good activity against S. aureus isolates, with MICs in the range 0.05-0.4 mg/mL. Also, they exhibited promising antibiofilm potential in dose depended manner. Among all tested compounds, morin and quercetrin showed the best antibiofilm activity at MIC values. The observed antimicrobial potential of the studied natural products can serve as a starting point towards development of novel plant-based therapeutics for the treatment of common infections such as the ones caused by S. aureus

The Amount of Weight Loss Six Months after Bariatric Surgery: It Makes a Difference

Background: Bariatric surgery, especially Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), has become the most frequently used therapy for morbid obesity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of surgically induced weight loss on cardiopulmonary function 6 months after the procedure, as well as the effect of such an intervention on well-known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 66 morbidly obese patients (BMI ≥40 or ≥35 kg/m2 with present comorbidities), comparing their cardiopulmonary function prior to and 6 months after RYGB surgery. Results: The substantial amount of weight loss (29.80 ± 13.27 kg) after RYGB surgery was associated with significant reduction of comorbidities, especially diabetes and sedentary lifestyle (p = 0.005 and p = 0.002, respectively). Regarding functional capacity, there was significant increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak, p = 0.003), duration of exercise testing, metabolic equivalents (exercise time and METs, p < 0.001), and in peak O2 pulse. These findings were particularly pronounced in a group of patients who had lost more than 18% of initial weight. Conclusions: Reduction of body weight after RYGB surgery is associated with significantly improved cardiorespiratory function 6 months after surgery, especially in patients who lost more than 18% of their initial body weight. In addition, substantial decreases in body weight were also associated with a reduction of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, hypertriglyceridemia, and sedentary lifestyle

Antifungal activity of the essential oil from Artemisia santonicum and its constituent isogeranic acid

This study represents a continuation of exploring of the biological activities of the Artemisia santonicum essential oil. The previous investigation was focused on the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiquorum activities of A. santonicum essential oil and isogeranic acid as the main antibacterial constituent. The present study describes their antifungal activity. The antifungal activity of the A. santonicum essential oil was tested against eight fungi isolates, whereas antifungal effects of isogeranic acid were studied using four fungi species, because of the limited quantities of the isolated compound. The results were compared to the commercial antimycotics, bifonazole and ketoconazole. Antifungal activity of isogeranic acid against all tested fungi was significantly higher in comparison to the essential oil and the both controls

Recycling and Reinforcing Intimomedial Flap of the infrarenal Aorta using Anterior Longitudinal Ligament in Patients with acute Trauma with Bowel Injuries

We present a patient with blunt abdominal trauma with severe acute right limb ischemia and clinical signs of diffuse peritonitis. Computed tomography angiography showed circumferential dissection of the infrarenal aorta with occlusion of the right common iliac artery. We opted for simultaneous abdomen exploration and open repair of injured aorta. Critical weakening of the aortic wall with imminent rupture was identified intraoperatively. Aortotomy cranially from bifurcation showed circumferential intimomedial dissection. The fixation of fragile intimomedial flap of aortic dissection was achieved with reinforcement using an anterior longitudinal ligament. The long aortoiliac arteriotomy was repaired using a great saphenous vein patch. Patient had uneventful postoperative course and was discharged after 7 days. In patients with abdominal polytrauma with peritonitis, and no available endovascular tools, open surgery for circumferential aortic dissection is possible and successful. Described reinforcement of the posterior aortic wall to the anterior longitudinal ligament should be added to the armamentarium of aortic injury treatment

Questionnaire For Evaluating Information, Knowledge, And Attitudes On Donation, Storage, And Application Of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Raščanin S., M.Jovanović, D. Stevanović, N. Rančić (2021). Questionnaire for evaluating information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of induced pluripotent stem cells.- Genetika, Vol 53, No.2, 813-823. The discovery of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) opened the possibilities for reprogramming adult somatic cells back to a pluripotent state in vitro by inducing a forced expression of specific transcription factors. Thus, iPSCs might have potential application in regenerative medicine, transplantation, avoidance of tissue rejection, disease modeling, and drug testing. Because of apparent ethical issues connected with donation and derivation of biomaterials, iPSCs are considered as a research alternative to ethically highly disputed Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). Objective: The aim of this paper was to describe the development of a questionnaire for evaluating information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of iPSCs (i.e., the QIPSC). We performed a prospective qualitative study based on the development, validation and reliability testing of the QIPSC. The study included 122 respondents and the final version of the QIPSC with 34 items. The reliability analysis for part of information and knowledge of respondents according to iPSCs was then performed with the questions included in this two-component model and obtained a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.783 and 0.870, respectively. It has been shown that the range of correct answers to questions in part of knowledge of respondents according to iPSCs was from 17.2-63.1%. The results of our study show that the QIPSC was a unique, reliable, and valid questionnaire for assessing the level of information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of iPSCs

Synthesis and Structure of New 5-(Arylidene)-3-(4-methylbenzoyl)thiazolidine-2,4-diones

The derivatives of 5-substituted-2,4-thiazolidinedione have a broad spectrum of biological activities. In this article, new 5-(arylidene)-3-(4-methylbenzoyl)thiayolidine-2,4-diones 3a-k, with arylidene groups such as 4-phenylbenzylidene 3a, 3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene 3b, 2-hydroxybenzylidene 3c, 4-ethoxybenzylidene 3d, 5-methyl-2-furfurylidene 3e, 4-dimethylaminobenzylidene 3f, 1-naphthylidene 3g, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzylidene 3h, 4-benzyloxybenzylidene 3i, benzylidene 3j, and 4-methoxybenzylidene 3k, were synthesized by direct acylation of alkali metal salts of 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones with 4-methylbenzoylchloride. Their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, (1)H NMR and MS spectroscopy. In addition, crystal structure of the compound 3d was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data

Synthesis and biological activity evaluation of new functionally substituted 5-arylidene-2,4-dioxotetrahydro-1,3-thiazoles

New functionally substituted 5-arylidene-2,4-dioxotetrahydro-1,3-thiazole-3-carboxylic acid cholesteryl esters were synthesized from 2,4-dioxotetrahydro-1,3-thiazole and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines and one normal lung fibroblast cell line