Constraint-based Sequential Pattern Mining with Decision Diagrams

Constrained sequential pattern mining aims at identifying frequent patterns on a sequential database of items while observing constraints defined over the item attributes. We introduce novel techniques for constraint-based sequential pattern mining that rely on a multi-valued decision diagram representation of the database. Specifically, our representation can accommodate multiple item attributes and various constraint types, including a number of non-monotone constraints. To evaluate the applicability of our approach, we develop an MDD-based prefix-projection algorithm and compare its performance against a typical generate-and-check variant, as well as a state-of-the-art constraint-based sequential pattern mining algorithm. Results show that our approach is competitive with or superior to these other methods in terms of scalability and efficiency.Comment: AAAI201

Immunity against Influenza Type A among 4-14-Years-Old Children in Kerman, Iran

Abstract: Background & Aims: Influenza viruses are important causes of mortality and morbidity in children. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of antibodies (IgG) against Influenza A in children in Kerman, Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 200 children aged 4-14 years referred to Besaat Clinic and Afzalipour hospital for diseases other than influenza were enrolled. Sera were tested for anti influenza A IgG with NovaLisa ELISA kits (NOVATEC, Germany). Results: Anti-Influenza virus A IgG was detected in 12% (24/200) of the sera. This group had the highest mean age [9.62 (7-12) years]. Among studied variables, only age was related to seropositivness for anti-Influenza A serotypes. Conclusion: The majority of children aged 4-14 years in Kerman had no immunity to Influenza A. So, they are at risk for influenza and its morbidity during possible epidemics of this infection. Keywords: Influenza A, Immunity, Childre

A Case Report of the Rare Disease of Pseudoainhum at Kerman Afzalipour Hospital, Iran

Abstract: Background & Aims: Pseudoainhum is a rare acquired or congenital disorder characterized by progressive development of a fibrotic band on a finger or toe until spontaneous autoamputation occurs. The various etiological hypotheses given for this disease include infectious (mycosis, mycobacteria), traumatic (plants), vascular (andysplasia), neurological (polyneuritis), and genetic (keratodermia) mechanisms. Ainhum predominantly affects black people living in west Africa, south America, and India. Case presentation: A 12 year old girl from Chahrigan Harirabad, a village near Kahnooj, Iran, with low socioeconomic status whose parents were not related, presented with autoamputated right foot toes. According to her mother she was in her usual state of good health until 1 year of age, when she developed a deep painless wound in the base of the fifth toe of the right foot. The depth of the wound progressed over time until it autoamputed. The same process happened to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes of the same foot. On physical examination the pulse of the posterior tibialis artery was too weak and there was no detectable pulse of the dorsalis pedis artery. All examinations of toes of the left foot were normal. There was also a kyphoscoliosis toward the left side. The laboratory tests were normal; however, triphasic Doppler sonography showed a decreased velocity of blood flow in the distal part of the anterior tibialis artery. Conclusion: Due to the rarity of the disease and genetics being the most important contributing factor, we suggest a genetic study of this patient and her family members, regular follow up, and physical examination of the patient. We also suggest that with promotion of the level of hygiene and adequate education we can prevent further damage in this patient, as trauma and subsequent infection are the likely predisposing factors. Keywords: Pseudoainhum, Autoamputation, Dorsalis pedis artery, Anterior tibialis artery » XM

Successful Desensitization ofEfavirenz in an 8 -year-Old HIV-Positive Child

Abstract: Background & Aims: Allergic reaction is a common side effect of Efavirenz and drug replacement may not be an option to physicians. Here, a successful drug desensitization experiment on an 8-year-old female child over a period of 9 days is reported. Case presentation: The patient was an 8-year old female child with HIV in Kerman, Iran who had been received oral efavirenz together with lamivudine and zidovudine. The patient had showed allergic reaction in the form of skin rashes and itchy skin right one hour after the use of the medication. Since replacing efavirenz with other medications was not an option, in this case, we developed a 9- day drug desensitization strategy in which on the first day, 300 mg of efavirenz was dissolved in 10 ml water and was given to the patient. The medication was doubled every day since after. After 9 days of drug administration, the patient was successfully desensitized toward the medication. The patient was monitored for 3 months and had no problem while using efavirenz together with lamivudine and zidovudine. Conclusion: This drug desensitization protocol for efavirenz can be recommended to physicians when medication replacement may not be an option due to the lack of drug availability. Keywords: Efavirenz, Desensitization, Drug hypersensitivit

Multi-period Project Portfolio Selection under Risk considerations and Stochastic Income

This paper deals with multi-period project portfolio selection problem. In this problem, the available budget is invested on the best portfolio of projects in each period such that the net profit is maximized. We also consider more realistic assumptions to cover wider range of applications than those reported in previous studies. A novel mathematical model is presented to solve the problem, considering risks, stochastic incomes, and possibility of investing extra budget in each time period. Due to the complexity of the problem, an effective meta-heuristic method hybridized with a local search procedure is presented to solve the problem. The algorithm is based on genetic algorithm (GA), which is a prominent method to solve this type of problems. The GA is enhanced by a new solution representation and well selected operators. It also is hybridized with a local search mechanism to gain better solution in shorter time. The performance of the proposed algorithm is then compared with well-known algorithms, like basic genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and electromagnetism-like algorithm (EM-like) by means of some prominent indicators. The computation results show the superiority of the proposed algorithm in terms of accuracy, robustness and computation time. At last, the proposed algorithm is wisely combined with PSO to improve the computing time considerably

Seroepidemiology of Varicella and value of self-reported history of Varicella infection in Iranian medical students

Objectives: We conducted this study to assess the seroprevalence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in a group of Iranian medical sciences students that were at risk of Varicella and the value of self-reported history as a predictor of immunity. Material and Methods: 255 medical, nursing and obstetrics students who had not entered as a student or worked in a hospital from 3 different schools were enrolled in the study in 2012 (Qazvin province, Iran). Demographics and other information as well as the history of Varicella were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine the Varicella IgG levels via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A statistical analysis was performed by calculating prevalences and their 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Cohen's kappa and positive and negative likelihood ratios of recalled history were determined. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 21.3±4.3 years. Seropositivity rate was 74.5%. The relationships between marital status, number of family members, and acquired VZV history with immunity against the virus were statistically significant. The overall rate of reported history was 57%. The positive and negative predictive values of self-reported history of Varicella were 91% and 47.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Immunization of students of Iranian medical sciences seems logical in the near future. Also, they should be tested for Varicella immunity regardless of the history of previous infection

Evaluation of Serum Agglutination Test in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Brucellosis

Abstract: Background & Aims: Brucellosis is a public health problem in many developing countries, including Iran. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical manifestations and positive serum agglutination test (SAT) or Wright test. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of SAT in pediatric Brucellosis. Methods: In this prospective study, during 2 years, 52 patients with clinical features of Brucellosis were studied. Sera were obtained from all patients. Assuming that patients with active Brucellosis in our area have SAT ≥1:80, all blood samples were tested by SAT and blood culture with BACTEC system. Results: Of 52 patients with clinical presentation of brucellosis, in 26 patients, the diagnosis was confirmed according to positive blood culture and/or SAT (≥1:80). Brucella spp were isolated in 10 patients (38.4%). SAT was found positive in 25 samples (96.1%). Blood culture and SAT both were negative in 26 cases and the final diagnosis of this group was a disease other than brucellosis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the test were 90%, 62%, 36% and 96.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Wright test can be used as a reliable, convenient and cost – effective test in the diagnosis of pediatric brucellosis in our population. Keywords: Brucellosis, Pediatrics, Agglutination tes

Immunity to Hepatitis B Vaccine in Thalassaemic Patients based on the Time Passed from Vaccination

Abstract: Background & Aims: Hepatitis B virus is one of the causes of acute and chronic hepatitis. Due to multiple hospitalization and blood transfusion, thalassaemic patients are at higher risk of this infection. Duration of the immunity after vaccination in this high-risk group and the need for booster vaccination is uncertain. The aim of this study was to find antibody titration and immunity to Hepatitis B vaccine in thalassaemic patients at different time intervals after vaccination. Methods: A total of 454 thalassaemic patients in Kerman were evaluated in this study. All patients had been vaccinated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine according to the national vaccination program. On the base of the time interval after vaccination, patients were divided into the 6 groups of 1 year, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and ≥5 years. According to their anti-HBs antibody titer, patients were classified as non-immune (100 IU/L). Results: The rates of non-immune cases in the 6 considered groups were respectively 3.28%, 3.3%, 5.7%, 19%, 33.3% and 58.2%. Conclusion: Three years after Hepatitis B vaccination in thalassaemic patients anti-HBs antibody levels decreases significantly. Therefore, evaluation of hepatitis B immunity level and performing booster vaccination after this period should be considered. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Thalassaemia, Antibodies, Immunit

Nasal Colonization Rate of Community and Hospital Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Hospitalized Children

Background & Aims: Prevalence of community and hospital acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is increasing. The primary reservoir is the anterior nares; and nasal carriage is a risk factor for infection in a variety of populations. Infection due to hospital-acquired colonization is different from community acquired in clinical manifestations and antibiotics susceptibility. In this study, we investigated nasal colonization rate and antimicrobial susceptibility of community and hospital acquired staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization at childhood. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in children admitted at Kerman Afzalipour hospital, Iran, during June to November 2011. Sample was taken from nostrils of 180 patients in the beginning and after 48 hours of admission for staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization and antibiotics susceptibility test. Results: Of 180 samples at the beginning of hospitalization, 22 (12.2%) had staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization; from these, 18.1% were methicillin-resistant (2.2% of total population). Methicillih-resistant staphylococcus aurous colonized children had significantly greater mean age than non-colonized (P < 0.001). After 48 hours, 22 (12.2%) were colonized with staphylococcus aurous; from these, 11 (50%) were hospital acquired methicillih-resistant. All methicillih-resistant staphylococcus aurous isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. The rate of resistance to the other current in-use antibiotics was more common in hospital acquired staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: Community acquired methicillih-resistant staphylococcus aurous is sensitive to many anti- staphylococcus agents in our region. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in admitted patients can occur. Empirical antibiotics recommendation in nosocomial infection should be on the base of periodic culture and antibiotics susceptibility test. Keywords: Nasal colonization, Community acquired, Methicillih-resistant staphylococcus aurous, Hospital acquired, Childre