On Greedy Routing in Dynamic UAV Networks

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are becoming increasingly popular for various applications. Freely flying drones create highly dynamic environments, where conventional routing algorithms which rely on stationary network contact graphs fail to perform efficiently. Also, link establishment through exploring optimal paths using hello messages (as is used in AODV algorithm) deems extremely inefficient and costly for rapidly changing network topologies. In this paper, we present a distance-based greedy routing algorithm for UAV networks solely based on UAVs' local observations of their surrounding subnetwork. Thereby, neither a central decision maker nor a time-consuming route setup and maintenance mechanism are required. To evaluate the proposed method, we derive an analytical bound for the expected number of hops that a packet traverses. Also, we find the expected end-to-end distance traveled by each packet as well as the probability of successful delivery. The simulation results verify the accuracy of the developed analytical expressions and show considerable improvement compared to centralized shortest path routing algorithms.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, accepted in IEEE International Conference on Sensing, Communication and Networking (SECON), Workshop on Communications, Data Processing and Control for Unmanned Autonomous Systems (CPC-UAV

A case-control study to evaluate urinary tract complications in radical hysterectomy

BACKGROUND: This study has evaluated urinary tract injuries and dysfunction after Radical Hysterectomy (RH) performed in patients with cervical cancer and has compared the cystometric parameters and urinary complications occurring in these patients with those occurring in patients who had undergone Simple Hysterectomy (SH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective case-control study was conducted to evaluate urinary tract injuries (intra-operative and post-operative) and dysfunction in 50 patients undergoing RH for cervical cancer and to compare them with the same parameters in 50 patients who underwent SH for benign disease. RESULTS: Mean age in the RH group was 46.3 years and in the SH group was 50.1 (p = 0.63). There were no bladder and urethral injuries in either group of patients. There was one intra-operative ureteral injury in the RH patients but none in those who underwent SH. (p < 0.05). In the two weeks after surgery, 15% of RH patients and 11% of SH patients had experienced a urinary tract infection urinary tract infection (p = 0.61). Two week after surgery 62% of RH patients had no urinary symptoms, compared to 84% in the SH group who did (p < 0.02). Urinary residual volume, first urinary sensation and maximal bladder capacity were higher in the RH group, but this was not statistically significant. The only case of a urinary fistula appeared in a patient who received 5000 cGy radiation therapy pre-operatively, but this spontaneously healed after 3 weeks of catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-operative and post-operative urinary tract complications are comparable in patients undergoing RH and SH and an expert gynaecological oncologist might be able to further decrease complications. However, radiation therapy before surgery may increase the risk of complications

Phytochemical Properties and Antibacterial Effects of Salvia multicaulis Vahl., Euphorbia microsciadia Boiss., and Reseda lutea on Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumanii

Background: Plantshave long served as a rich source of drugs. Givensomemicroorganisms' acquisition of resistance to the current antibiotics, there is a need for discovering new drugs. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical properties and antibacterial effects of Salvia multicaulis Vahl., Euphorbia microsciadia Boiss., and Reseda lutea against Acinetobacter baumanii and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: In this experimental study, hydroalcoholic (ethanol 70%) plant extracts were prepared by maceration. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined by CLSI broth microdilution and Muller-Hinton agar assay for each sample, respectively. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay and expressed in terms of gallic acid equivalent and total flavonoid content by aluminum chloride colorimetric method and in terms of rutin equivalent. Results: Findings showed that 1, 4, and 1 mg/mL were derived as MICs and 4, 16, and 8 mg/mL as MBCs for S. multicaulis Vahl., E. microsciadia Boiss., and R. lutea, respectively, against S. aureus; 2, 8, and 2 mg/mL were derived as MICs and 16, 32, and 16 mg/mL as MBCs for S. multicaulis Vahl. R. lutea, and E. microsciadia Boiss., respectively, against A. baumanii. In addition, E. microsciadia Boiss. and S. multicaulis Vahl. were found to contain the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, respectively. Conclusions: The studied plants that were collected from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province can be used to produce antibiotics due to their phenols and flavonoids and exert antibacterial effects on the studied bacteria. Keywords Author Keywords:Medicinal Plants; Drug Resistance; Minimum Inhibitory Concentration; Minimum Bactericidal Concentration; Phytochemistr

Prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Failure of Treatment, and its Related Factors in Kashan During 2004-2017

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis affects the lungs in 85% of all cases and the remaining 15% through extra pulmonary affecting other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, pleura, and the genitourinary system. This study aimed to investigate extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) associated factors, failure of treatment, and trends between 2004-2017 in Kashan, Iran.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during 2004-2017 on newly registered extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients referred to TB Referral Center in Isfahan province, Kashan city, Iran. Information (demographic characteristics, related factors of the disease, and treatment status) of 197 extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients was extracted from Medical case records.Results: In total, 527 cases of Tuberculosis were reported, of which, 159 (30.17%) were confirmedextrapulmonary TB. Eighty-five (53.5%) and 74 (46.5%) were male and female, respectively. Also, 74(46.5%), and 84 (53.5%) of EPTB were from Iran, and Afghanistan immigrants, respectively. The average age of patients was 41.9±2.18. Among underlying diseases in extrapulmonary TB positive, diabetes mellitus (DM) was predominant with a prevalence of 31 (19.5%), while, 128 (80.5%) cases did not show any underlying disease. Most of the patients were in the age group (21-40 years) with a frequency of 60 (37.7%), and the lowest of patients belonged to the age group (&gt;80 years) with a frequency of 9 (5.7%). No correlation was found between related factors and infection with EPTB (p&gt; 0.05).Conclusion: Our findings showed that the prevalence of EPTB in Kashan was relatively high, but, a relative decrease was shown during 2004-2017, which with preventative measures can be reduced the prevalence

A Review on Epigenetic Effects of Environmental Factors Causing and Inhibiting Cancer

Epigenetic modifications refer to reversible changes in gene expression. Epigenetic changes include DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs that are collectively called epigenome. Various epigenetic effects account for the main impacts of environment and lifestyle on multifactorial diseases, such as cancers. The environmental impacts on cancers act as double-edged swords. While some of them are involved in cancer development, some others contribute to preventing it. In this review article, the keywords "cancer", "epigenetic", "lifestyle", "carcinogen", " cancer inhibitors� and related words were searched to finding a link between environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms influencing cancer in ISI, PUBMED, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases. Based on the literature, environmental factors that are effective in cancer development or cancer prevention will be divided into physical, chemical, biological, and lifestyle types in this review. Different types of epigenetic mechanisms known for each of these agents will be addressed. Unregulated changes in epigenome play roles in tumorigenicity and cancer development. The action mechanism and genes targeted which are related to the signaling pathway for epigenetic alterations determine whether environmental agents are carcinogenic or prevent cancer. Having knowledge about the effective factors and related mechanisms such as epigenetic on cancer can help to prevent and improve cancer treatment

Phytochemical evaluation and antibacterial effects of Medicago sativa, Onosma sericeum, Parietaria judaica L., Phlomis persica and Echinophora platyloba DC. on Enterococcus faecalis

Background: Since drug resistance has become one of the predominant problems of health worldwide, it is necessary to use new methods to combat drug-resistant bacteria. In this regard, medicinal plants are considered one of the richest sources to produce antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents of a number of medicinal plants collected from the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces of India, in order to investigate their potential use for the production of new antibiotics. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the maceration method was used to prepare hydroalcoholic extract of Medicago sativa, Onosma sericeum, Parietaria judaica L., Phlomis persica and Echinophora platyloba DC. The effect of these plants on Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) was investigated. To determine the antibacterial effect of the extracts, broth microdilution in sterile 96-well plate was used according to the McFarland standard (105 CFU/ml). The total phenolic content was assayed by using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and expressed in terms of gallic acid equivalent. The total flavonoid content was assayed by aluminum chloride colorimetric method and expressed in terms of rutin equivalent. Results: Based on the results of this study, the 512, 256, 128, 32 and 32 mu g/ml doses were determined to be the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and the 1024, 1024, 512, 128 and 128 mu g/ml doses were derived as the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBCs) of M. sativa, O. Sericeum, P. judaica, P. persica and E. platyloba, respectively. E. faecalis and P. judaica contained the highest total phenolic content and flavonoid content, respectively. Conclusion: Given the comparatively higher antibacterial effect of P. persica and E. platyloba, as well as the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in these plants, it is recommended that these plants be further investigated in feasibility studies for the production of new antibiotics

Evaluation of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in infertile women compared to pregnant women

Infertility is one of the major health problems of patients suffering from bacterial infections. Given the high percentage of infertility, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Ureaplasma urealyticum in fertile and infertile women. In the prospective study, 65 infertile patients and 54 pregnant women referred to Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran were included. After transferring of vaginal swabs to the laboratory, DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed using specific primers. Of the 65 vaginal swab specimens, the prevalence of U. urealyticum, M. genitalium, C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were as 15 (23.1%), 11 (16.9%), 9 (13.8%) and 4 (6.2%), respectively; However, these rate in fertile group was as 6 (11.1%), 3 (5.5%), 5 (9.2%) and 1 (1.8%), respectively. Bacterial infections were higher in infertile group; therefore, these bacterial agents may be associated with female infertility. Timely control and treatment of infections caused by these organisms, together with other factors, can be important in prevention and treatment of the women's infertility and thereby community health. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Infertility is one of the most common reproductive health issues in Iran. Female reproductive system is a suitable environment for the growth of many pathogens, which may disrupt any stage of foetal formation, implantation or growth. Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum are the most important microorganisms that have been considered in the infertility. What do the results of this study add? The prevalence of C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, N. gonorrhoeae, M. genitalium and U. urealyticum were higher in infertile women, but there was no statistically significant compared to pregnant women. These results suggest that timely control and treatment of infections caused by these organisms, along with other factors, can be used to prevent and treat women infertility and community health. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Based on the results, designing and implementing national control programs to prevent subsequent complications is thought to be necessary. Comprehensive analyses of the overall prevalence of these bacteria, particularly in developing countries (including Iran), may help to carry out such a strategy

Immunological processes of enhancers and suppressors of long non-coding RNAs associated with brain tumors and inflammation

Immunological processes, such as inflammation, can both cause tumor suppression and cancer progression. Moreover, deregulated levels of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in the brain may cause inflammation and lead to the growth of tumors. Like other biological processes, the immune system’s role in cancer is complicated, varies, and can help or hurt the cancer’s maintenance. According to research, inflammation and brain cancer are correlated via several signaling pathways. A variety of lncRNAs have recently been revealed to influence cancer by modulating inflammatory pathways. As a result, lncRNAs have the potential to influence carcinogenesis, tumor formation, or tumor suppression via an increase or decrease in inflammation functions. Although the study and targeting of lncRNAs have made great progress in the treatment of cancer, there are definitely limitations and challenges. Using new technologies like nanocarriers and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to target treatments without hurting healthy body tissues has shown to be very effective. In this review article, we have collected significantly related lncRNAs and their inhibitory or stimulating roles in inflammation and brain cancer for the first time. However, there are limitations, such as side effects and damage to normal tissues. With the advancement of new targeting technologies, these lncRNAs may be candidates for the specific targeting therapy of brain cancers by limiting inflammation or stimulating the immune system against them in the future