Discovering varying patterns of Normal and interleaved ADLs in smart homes

People may do the same activity in many different ways hence, modeling and recognizing that activity based on data gathered through simple sensors like motion sensor is a complex task. In this paper, we propose an approach for activity mining and activity tracking which identifies frequent normal and interleaved activities that individuals perform. With this capability, we can track the occurrence of regular activities to monitor users and detect changes in an individual\u2019s behavioral pattern and lifestyle. We have tested the proposed method using the datasets of Washington State University CASAS and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) smart home projects. The obtained results show considerable improvements compared with existing methods

IgG immune responses to different proteins of Helicobacter Pylori as defined by immunoblot assay

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is an etiologic factor for chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. Serological testing of H.pylori infection is common in Iran, as other parts of the world. There are geographical variations in the humoral immune response to various H. pylori strains in different parts of the worl. We studied the immunogenic proteins of H.pylori by means of an Immunoblot assay with antigens of H.pylori strains isolated in Iran. Sera of 64 patients suffering from dyspepsia were analyzed to determine antibodlies which were good marker of infection and the antibody patterns associated with peptic ulcer.54 out of 64 dyspeptic patients were infected by H. pylori based on positive culture or positive results of both rapid urease test and direct examination. 14 out of fity-four had peptic ulcers and the rest were catagoriied as patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Some of them had multiple erosions in the gut or deodenum. Tweny –two major bands were identified by immunoblot. Of these, IgG antibodies against 10 protients, and they produced immunoreative bands at 14, 16, 22, 26, 32 , 32, 44, 87, 92, 120 Kda. Antibody patterns were not identical in the patients. The presence of at least one band at 14, 16, 22, 26, 32, 35Kda was the best marker of infection(sensitivity, 90% and specificity, 80%) Major serological cross reactions were found at moderate molecular weight bands (50, 52, 54, 60, 66 KDa). The presence of at least one band at 14, 16, 22, 26, 32, 35Kda was the best marker of infection (sensitivity, 90% and specificity, 80%). Major serological crossreactions were found at moderate molerate molecular weight bands (50, 52, 54, 60, 66 KDa). The presence of antibodies to 120 Kda protein (Cag A and 87 Kda Protein (Vac A) were not associated with the presence of peptic ulcers. These were in contradiction to results obtained across Europe and U.S but in agreement with Asian studies. However the presence of at least one band at either 32 or 35 Kda was more frequent in the sera of peptic ulcer patients and non-ulcer dyspeptic patients with erosions (P<0.05). These results could be applicable to design new serological kits. In Iran and could also be used to identify new putative virulence factors for H. pylor

Efficacy of Herbal Based Syrup on male sexual experiences: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background and aim: An Aphrodisiac includes any drug and food that arouses sexual instinct, induces venereal desire, and increases pleasure and performance. The present study was designed to clinically evaluate efficacy and safety of Herbal Based Syrup (HBS) composed of Tribulus terrestris L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer., Zingiber officinale Rosc, Ceratonia siliqua L., Papaver rhoeas L., and Palm tree pollen on sexual experience of men. Experimental procedure: The study was designed as a double-blind randomized clinical trial. The main outcome measures were the responses obtained from using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). The ASEX was completed by 100 married and seemingly healthy men before and after taking one dose of HBS or placebo and at least one sexual intercourse. In addition, possible side effects were observed. A split-plot ANOVA (SPANOVA) design was used for statistical analysis. Results: Results of analysis of data for each variable of the ASEX showed significantly lower scores in HBS-treated group compared to the placebo (control) group in items of desire, arousal, erection, orgasm and satisfaction (p < 0.05). No drug-related serious adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Results of this study indicated a significant improvement in sexual experience of men following consumption of HBS. Due to various complications reported about the use of chemical sexual drive enhancers, HBS can be introduced as an alternative with fewer side effects. © 2020 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan Universit

Investigation of 2-nitrophenol solar degradation in the simultaneous presence of K2S2O8 and H2O2: Using experimental design and artificial neural network

In this study, the interaction effect of K2S2O8 (PDS) and H2O2 (as two powerful oxidants) was investigated on the solar degradation of 2-nitrophenol (2-NF) in the two systems, i.e. absence and presence of Ag/S/TiO2 photocatalyst. Experiments were designed based on the central composite design, and two methods of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were developed for modeling of the systems. Concentrations of PDS and H2O2 were considered as independent variables and 2-NF degradation efficiency was selected as the response. It was revealed that the predictive capacity of ANN model is more than RSM model according to their corresponding R2, R2adj, RMS, MAE, and AAD values. Therefore, ANN model was utilized to analyze the effects of the independent variables. Moreover, it was found that, by increasing the amount of either PDS or H2O2, less amount of the other oxidant was required to reach the highest degradation efficiency which shows the contributive effect of the oxidants on each other. By adding Ag/S/TiO2 visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst to the solution containing PDS and H2O2, a significant enhancement in the 2-NF degradation efficiency was observed. Using an ANN-genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) approach, the values of 172.1 mg/l and 80.9 mg/l were respectively obtained as optimum concentrations for PDS and H2O2 (in the presence of the photocatalyst). Under this condition, 2-NF degradation efficiency was predicted to be 96% after only 45 min of solar light irradiation that is in a good agreement with the actual degradation efficiency of 97.1% obtained at the optimum concentrations. In addition, the relative importance of the independent variables was studied using Garson method and it was found that PDS had more impact on the response in comparison with H2O2

Defective maturation of dendritic cells in common variable immunodeficiency

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MdDCs) from many patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) have been shown recently to have reduced expression of surface molecules associated with maturity. Using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we now show that this is due to a partial failure to fix Class II DR molecules on the surface during procedures that induce full maturation in vitro in cells from normal subjects. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, CD86 and CD83 expression were expressed normally, but CD40 was reduced. These abnormalities are unlikely to be due to prior in vivo exposure of monocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as addition of LPS to monocytes from normal subjects in vitro caused a different pattern of changes. CVID MdDCs retained Class II DR in the cytoplasm during maturation, showed increased internalization of cross-linked Class II DR surface molecules and were unable to polarize DR within a lipid raft at contact sites with autologous lymphocytes. These cells retained some features of monocytes, such as the ability to phagocytose large numbers of fixed yeast and fluorescent carboxylated microspheres and expression of surface CD14. These abnormalities, if reflected in vivo, could compromise antigen presentation and may be a fundamental defect in the mechanism of the antibody deficiency in a substantial subset of CVID patients

Development, physicochemical characterization, and antimicrobial evaluation of niosomal myrtle essential oil

Myrtus communis (myrtle) is well known for its therapeutic effects pertaining to the major secondary metabolites including essential oils (EOs). EOs are composed of volatile compounds and simply evaporate or decompose leading to their instability. Preparation of EOs niosomal formulation may be a promising approach to deal with these obstacles. Niosomal formulations of myrtle essential oil (nMEO) were provided using non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol (Chol). In the next steps, vesicle size, zeta potential, percentage of entrapment efficiency (EE%) and physical stability of nMEO were investigated. Finally, the effect of myrtle essential oil (MEO) and nMEO on microbial growth inhibition were assessed. Values for nMEO size and zeta potential ranged from 6.17 ± 0.32 to 7.24 ± 0.61 (μm) and -20.41 ± 0.17 to -31.75 ± 0.45 (mV), respectively. Higher degrees of EE% were obtained by F6 formulation (Span/Tween 60:Chol (50:50 molar ratio)). Moreover, niosomes have been reported to be stable at 4 °C during a three-month time period. It was revealed that nMEO F6 formulation inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, and Bacillus subtilis at concentrations lower than that of MEO. Overall, it was found that stable multilamellar vesicles were formed in the presence of 0.5% MEO and F6 formulation. This formulation also exhibited better antibacterial activity than MEO

Effects of a Plantago ovata-based herbal compound in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common complications of mucotoxic cancer therapy. Mucositis induces clinically significant pain, increases the risk of infections and affects the patients� quality of life. Objective: This study investigated the effects of an herbal preparation from Plantago ovata hydrocolloid in the prevention and treatment of OM, in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a regimen including adriamycin. Design, setting, participants, and interventions: This research was a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial. The herbal compound consisted of a mixture of 500 mg of P. ovate husk in 30 mL water plus three drops of vinegar per dose, which was used as a mouthwash. Phytochemical and physicochemical tests of the compound were also performed. Twenty-eight patients who developed mucositis during the chemotherapy screening cycle were randomized to the herbal compound (n = 14) and placebo (n = 14) groups. They received herbal compound or placebo three times per day during their next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 1 of treatment). Patients were crossed over during cycle 2 of treatment and received the alternative therapy. An oral care protocol was prescribed to all patients in cycles 1 and 2 of the treatment. Main outcome measures: The patients were visited at baseline, the end of the first and second weeks of the screening cycle, and the end of the first and second weeks of each of two treatment cycles. The degree of mucositis was used as the main treatment outcome. Other indexes, such as the severity of pain, xerostomia grade and the quality of life were also measured. Results: Compared with the placebo, the herbal compound significantly reduced the degree of mucositis, the severity of pain and the xerostomia grade; it also improved the patients� quality of life (P < 0.05). Comparison between the screening cycle and placebo treatment group showed that the oral care protocol had a significant effect in the reduction of OM (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The oral care protocol and the herbal compound based on P. ovata are effective ways for preventing and treating OM in patients undergoing mucotoxic cancer therapy. Trial registration: Iranian registry of clinical trials IRCT20180923041093N1. © 2020 Shanghai Changhai Hospita

The efficacy of a traditional medicine preparation on second-degree burn wounds in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lime Salve (L.S) has been well documented from the 9th to the 19th century AD by Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) as an effective remedy for burn healing. Aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the healing effect and related underlying mechanisms of Lime Salve in a model of deep second-degree thermal burn in male Wistar rats. Materials and method: L.S was made up of a combination of refined calcium hydroxide powder, beeswax and sesame oil and its quality control was assessed. A deep second-degree burn was created by a hot plate in 48 male Wistar rats. Afterwards, they were randomly divided in four groups including normal saline (C group), L.S (T group), basement of formulation composed of beeswax and sesame oil (B group) and silver sulfadiazine (S group). On days 5, 10, 17 and 24, the wounds were digitally photographed by a camera and after sacrifice of the rats, skin samples were obtained for performing qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining and histological examination. Results: L.S prominently augmented the wound closure rate, neovascularization on day 10 and collagen formation on day 17 and 24 in comparison with the C group. Furthermore, the Salve-exposed specimens showed a significant higher epithelialization during the experiment with a peak on day 24. qRT-PCR also showed that on day 10, VEGF and TGF-β1 genes were significantly higher in the T group as compared with the C group. Also, MMP-9 and MMP-2 genes had a significant peak of expression on day 17 and rapid reduction of expression on day 24. Expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α genes peaked on day 10 in the T group, followed by a progressive reduction until the end of the examination. Conclusion: L.S could effectively accelerate the healing process of deep second-degree burn wounds and therefore, it may be recommended as a promising topical medication for treating burn wounds in the future clinical trials. © 2020 Elsevier B.V