Improved feature selection using a hybrid side-blotched lizard algorithm and genetic algorithm approach

Feature selection entails choosing the significant features among a wide collection of original features that are essential for predicting test data using a classifier. Feature selection is commonly used in various applications, such as bioinformatics, data mining, and the analysis of written texts, where the dataset contains tens or hundreds of thousands of features, making it difficult to analyze such a large feature set. Removing irrelevant features improves the predictor performance, making it more accurate and cost-effective. In this research, a novel hybrid technique is presented for feature selection that aims to enhance classification accuracy. A hybrid binary version of side-blotched lizard algorithm (SBLA) with genetic algorithm (GA), namely SBLAGA, which combines the strengths of both algorithms is proposed. We use a sigmoid function to adapt the continuous variables values into a binary one, and evaluate our proposed algorithm on twenty-three standard benchmark datasets. Average classification accuracy, average number of selected features and average fitness value were the evaluation criteria. According to the experimental results, SBLAGA demonstrated superior performance compared to SBLA and GA with regards to these criteria. We further compare SBLAGA with four wrapper feature selection methods that are widely used in the literature, and find it to be more efficient

Association of ghrelin and leptin with reproductive hormones in constitutional delay of growth and puberty

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is a variation of the onset and timing of pubertal development without a defined endocrine abnormality. Recently published studies indicate that leptin and ghrelin play a role in puberty initiation and progress. They have been implicated in regulation of GnRH secretion, with ghrelin having inhibitory and leptin, facilitatory effects. We hypothesized that elevated ghrelin and reduced leptin concentrations could be implicated in altering the tempo of puberty in adolescents with CDGP. So in the current study we evaluate variations in leptin and ghrelin levels in adolescent boys with CDGP, the relationships between both hormones and reproductive hormones including LH, FSH and testosterone were also evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study enrolled 23 adolescent boys with CDGP and 20 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Weight, height, BMI, testicular volume, bone age, bone age delay, serum FSH, LH, testosterone, leptin and ghrelin were assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Adolescent boys with CDGP had significantly lower leptin and higher ghrelin than normal controls. Leptin was positively correlated with BMI, bone age, testicular volume, FSH, LH and testosterone and negatively correlated with delayed bone age and ghrelin. Ghrelin was negatively correlated with BMI, bone age, testicular volume, FSH, LH and testosterone. With multiple regression analysis BMI, FSH, LH, testosterone and ghrelin remained independently correlated with leptin while BMI, LH and testosterone remained independently correlated with ghrelin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Elevated serum ghrelin and decreased leptin concentrations and their associations with reproductive hormones may explain the sexual immaturity in adolescent boys with CDGP.</p

Effect of intraoperative wound irrigation with topical phenytoin on postoperative seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy

Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM), as a surgical treatment in breast cancer patients, may lead to important complications with significant morbidities including seroma formation. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of wound irrigation with topical phenytoin on postoperative seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy.Patients and methods: This is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial study, which was carried out in Zagazig University Hospital during a period of 6 months. It included 60 patients who were candidates for modified radical mastectomy (MRM). All patients were subjected to demographic data taking, clinical and chemical examination, clinical evaluation, radiological evaluation, Lab. Investigations.Results: Average daily breast drainage (in milliliters) of drains according to their location and day of evaluation: Group A (Phenytoin) in day 5 drained a mean of 24.62 with SD of 32.79, in day 7 mean of drainage was 28.89 and SD was 18.33, in days 8 to 10 mean of drainage was 32 and SD was 10.95, and in days 11 to 13 mean of drainage was 15 and SD was 7.07. Group B (Control): day 5 group drained a mean of 35.88 with SD of 12.93, in day 7 mean of drainage was 28.18 and SD was 12.68, in days 8 to 10 mean of drainage was 21.43 and SD was 11.07, in days 11 to 13 only one patient in control group had breast drain after 11th postoperative day drainage was 50 and in days 14 to 16 drainage was 20. Conclusion: Topical irrigation of the surgery site with phenytoin was effective in reducing axillary surgical wound drainage

Soluble CD40 ligand, interleukin (IL)-6, and hemostatic parameters in metabolic syndrome patients with and without overt ischemic heart disease

AbstractBackground and aimSoluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L, also known as CD154) is a marker for platelet activation which could increase coagulation and inflammation. In this case-control study, we aimed to assess the levels of plasma sCD40L, IL-6, and some hemostatic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) whether or not associated with overt ischemic heart disease (IHD).Subjects and methodsWe measured plasma sCD40L (an index of platelet activation), interleukin (IL)-6 (a proinflammatory cytokine), and some hemostatic parameters (tissue factor [TF], thrombin–antithrombin [TAT] and D-dimer) in 47 patients with metabolic syndrome (21 with and 26 without overt IHD) versus 25 comparable healthy control subjects.ResultsSignificantly higher levels of sCD40L, IL-6, and thrombotic markers (TF, D-dimer and TAT) were found in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to healthy controls. The levels of IL-6 and sCD40 were highest in patients with overt IHD. Strong positive correlations existed between sCD40L and IL-6 (r=0.67, p=0.003), TF (r=0.59, p=0.008), and platelets count (r=0.64, p=0.005).ConclusionHigher levels of sCD40L, IL-6, and thrombotic markers exist in MetS patients, particularly those with IHD. The strong positive correlations between sCD40L and IL-6, TF, and platelets count support a link between the CD40–CD40L system and the underlying inflammatory and hypercoagulable state in MetS patients

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus among Blood Donors at Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Omdurman, Sudan

Abstract: Backgroun

ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTINASE PRODUCING BACTERIAL ISOLATE Klebsiella oxytoca

Twenty two bacteria were isolated from soil samples local. were assayed for pectinolytic activity after optimization condition for pectinase production. isolate No. 22 showed high pectinase specific activity (91.4U/ml)  on glucose supplemented medium. the identification of the isolate revealed that it belongs to the Genus klebseilla bassed on morphological, biochemical characteristic, growth and molecular level 16s rRNA indicated that isolate was 99% similarity with Klebsiella oxytoca JKo3. Therefore, it was named Klebsiella oxytoca N22

Persistence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations after successful embolotherapy with Amplatzer vascular plug: long-term results

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the frequency of persistence and complication rates of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) treated with Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) or Amplatzer vascular plug type 2 (AVP2).METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed a total of 22 patients with 54 PAVMs between June 2004 and June 2014. We included 12 patients with 35 PAVMs who received percutaneous embolization using AVP or AVP2 only without the use of any other embolic devices. The mean follow-up was 54±24.3 months (range, 31–97 months). The primary end-points of the study were the efficacy of embolotherapy, the increase in oxygen saturation, and the persistence of PAVM on follow-up. Secondary end point was the incidence of complications.RESULTS:The study included 10 female and two male patients with a mean age of 50.2±13.7 years (range, 21–66 years). All PAVMs had a simple angioarchitecture. The technical success of the procedure for PAVM occlusion was 100%. There was a significant increase in the oxygen saturation following embolotherapy (P < 0.0001). Follow-up computed tomography angiography revealed successful treatment in 34 PAVMs (97%) and failed treatment in one PAVM (3%). Twenty-three aneurysmal sacs (67%) showed complete disappearance. The failed treatment was due to persistence of PAVM caused by subsequent development of systemic reperfusion, which did not require further intervention. There were two minor complications but no major complications were encountered.CONCLUSION:Embolotherapy of PAVMs using AVP or AVP2 devices is safe and effective, with high technical success rate, low persistence and complication rates, and with excellent long-term results

Evaluation of Artesunate and Praziquantel Combination Therapy in Murine Schistosomiasis mansoni

Background: Despite the global efforts to control schistosomiasis, still prevalence in endemic regions unchanged. The present study was conducted to investigate the possible role of artesunate (AS) and praziquantel (PZQ) combination in enhancing cure in pre-patent and patent Schistosoma mansoni infection, and study the role of apoptosis in evaluation of the drugs efficacy. Methods: Eighty laboratory-bred Swiss albino male mice were classified into four groups (20 mice each); control, PZQ treated (500 mg/kg), AS treated (400 mg/kg) and combined AS (400 mg/kg) + PZQ (500 mg/g) groups. Efficacy of the drugs was assessed by parasitological (egg count/gram stool, worm burden, tissue egg load, oogram pattern), histopathological (haematoxylin and eosin –for detection of type of hepatic granulomas, number & diameter) and immunohistochemical studies (P53 and Bcl-2 markers for determination of inflammatory cells and the degree of apoptosis). Results: Significant reduction was recorded in stool egg count, tissue egg count (liver and intestine), worm burden, granuloma number and size and changed oogram patterns in artesunate -praziquantel combined group followed by artesunate monotherapy group. There was a significant increase in the apoptotic proteins P53 and slight increase in anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 in the infected group compared to the control healthy group. A significant decrease and increase in P53 & Bcl-2 expressions respectively were observed in artesunate – praziquantel combined group compared to control infected group. Conclusion: artesunate-praziquantel combination is a potential upcoming chemotherapy for schistosomiasis mansoni. Both Bcl-2 and P53 are good markers assessing S. mansoni apoptosis, morbidity and chemotherapy efficacy

DNA Cytometry and Nuclear Morphometry in Ovarian Benign, Borderline and Malignant Tumors

BACKDROUND: Ovarian carcinoma is a leading cause of death in gynecological malignancy. Ovarian surface epithelial serous and mucinous tumours are classified as benign, borderline, and malignant. The identification of borderline tumours most likely to act aggressively remains an important clinical issue.AIM: This work aimed to study DNA ploidy and nuclear area in ovarian serous and mucinous; benign, borderline and malignant tumours.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included forty ovarian (23 serous and 17 mucinous) tumours. Paraffin blocks were sectioned; stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic and morphometric studies and with blue feulgen for DNA analysis.RESULTS: All four serous and six out of nine mucinous benign tumours were diploid. All eight serous and five mucinous malignant tumours were aneuploid. Nine of eleven (81.8%) serous and all three mucinous borderline tumours were aneuploid. There were highly significant differences in mean aneuploid cells percentage between serous benign (1.5%), borderline (45.6%) and malignant (74.5%) (p = 0.0001) and between mucinous benign (13.2%) and both borderline (63.7%) and malignant (68.4%) groups (p = 0.0001).There were significant differences in nuclear area between serous benign (26.191%), borderline (45.619%) and malignant (67.634 %) and a significant positive correlation between mean percentage aneuploid value and mean nuclear area in all serous and mucinous groups.CONCLUSION: We suggest that DNA ploidy and nuclear area combined, may be adjuncts to histopathology; in ovarian serous and mucinous benign, borderline and malignant neoplasms; identifying the aggressive borderline tumours