Application of AI in Modeling of Real System in Chemistry

In recent years, discharge of synthetic dye waste from different industries leading to aquatic and environmental pollution is a serious global problem of great concern. Hence, the removal of dye prediction plays an important role in wastewater management and conservation of nature. Artificial intelligence methods are popular owing due to its ease of use and high level of accuracy. This chapter proposes a detailed review of artificial intelligence-based removal dye prediction methods particularly multiple linear regression (MLR), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and least squares-support vector machine (LS-SVM). Furthermore, this chapter will focus on ensemble prediction models (EPMs) used for removal dye prediction. EPMs improve the prediction accuracy by integrating several prediction models. The principles, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of these artificial intelligence-based methods are explained in this chapter. Furthermore, future directions of the research on artificial intelligence-based removal dye prediction methods are discussed

Carbapenems, Linezolid, Teicoplanin utilization evaluation in a large teaching based hospital (Shahid Rajaie Heart Center, Tehran): A quality improvement study

The Aim of this study is to access the number of inappropriate usages of post CABG antibiotics such as, Carbapenems, Teicoplanin and Linezolid in Shahid Rajaie Hospital and to apply antibiotic practice guidelines and strategies to reduce inadequate treatment while determining their impact on patient outcomes. This retrospective study was performed at special wards of Shahid Rajaie Hospital. The program was conducted since March to August 2015. All of the patients which were on Imipenem, Meropenem, Linezolide or Teicoplanin as an empiric treatment or based on culture results were considered in the study. The results of this study indicated that among 136 in-patients who had taken at least one of these antibiotics including Imipenem, Meropenem, Linezolide or Teicoplanin, antimicrobial prescription assumed inappropriate for 63 patients (46.32), The most common reason was incorrect dosage (16.39)and the least one was not being drug of choice(2.4).this inappropriateness was occurred mostly in diagnosis of respiratory infection, skin infection and sepsis. The results of this study demonstrates the need for revision in program of prescribing antibiotics in the direction of using antibiotic practice guidelines especially regarding usage of Teicoplanin and Meropenem in specific complication such as respiratory infection and skin infection. � 2016, Oriental Scientific Publishing Company. All rights reserved

CpG island methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gene silencing associated with aberrant methylation of promoter region CpG islands is an acquired epigenetic alteration that serves as an alternative to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor and other genes in human cancers.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>This study describes the methylation status of <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes in cervical cancer. We also examined the prevalence of <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes methylation in cervical cancer tissue and none - neo plastic samples in an effort to correlate with smoking habit and clinicopathological features.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Target DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite, converting all unmethylated, but not methylated, cytosines to uracil, and subsequently amplified by Methylation Specific (MS) PCR with primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA. The PCR product was detected by gel electrophoresis and combined with the clinical records of patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The methylation pattern of the <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes in specimens of cervical cancer and adjacent normal tissues were detected [5/80 (6.2%), 3/80 (3.75%)-2/80 (2.5%), 1/80 (1.2%) respectively]. No statistical differences were seen in the extent of differentiation, invasion, pathological type and smoking habit between the methylated and unmethylated tissues (<it>P </it>> 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study conclude that the frequency of <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes methylation in cervical cancer are rare (< 6%), and have no any critical role in development of cervical cancer.</p

Growth and Characterization of High-Quality GaN Nanowires on PZnO and PGaN by Thermal Evaporation

In the current research, an easy and inexpensive method is used to synthesize highly crystalline gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires (NWs) on two different substrates [i.e., porous zinc oxide (PZnO) and porous gallium nitride (PGaN)] on Si (111) wafer by thermal evaporation without any catalyst. Microstructural studies by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope measurements reveal the role of the substrates in the nucleation and alignment of the GaN NWs. Further structural and optical characterizations were performed using high-resolution X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Results indicate that the NWs have a single-crystal hexagonal GaN structure and growth direction in the (0001) plane. The quality and density of GaN NWs grown on different substrates are highly dependent on the lattice mismatch between the NWs and their substrates. Results indicate that NWs grown on PGaN have better quality and higher density compared to NWs on PZnO

The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: So far, no study has summarized the findings on the effects of berberine intake on anthropometric parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes. This systematic review and meta-analysis were done based upon randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to analyze the effects of berberine on anthropometric parameters, CRP and liver enzymes. Method: Following databases were searched for eligible studies published from inception to 30 July 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and Google scholar. Necessary data were extracted. Data were pooled by the inverse variance method and expressed as mean difference with 95 Confidence Intervals (95 CI). Result: 12 studies were included. Berberine treatment moderately but significantly decreased body weight (WMD = �2.07 kg, 95 CI -3.09, �1.05, P &lt; 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (WMD = �0.47 kg/m2, 95 CI -0.70, �0.23, P &lt; 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (WMD = �1.08 cm, 95 CI -1.97, �0.19, P = 0.018) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (WMD = �0.42 mg/L, 95 CI -0.82, �0.03, P = 0.034). However, berberine intake did not affect liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (WMD = �1.66 I/U, 95 CI -3.98, 0.65, P = 0.160) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD = �0.87 I/U, 95 CI -2.56, 0.82, P = 0.311). Conclusion: This meta-analysis found a significant reduction of body weight, BMI, WC and CRP levels associated with berberine intake which may have played an indirect role in improved clinical symptoms in diseases with metabolic disorders. Berberine administration had no significant effect on ALT and AST levels. © 2020 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolis

Feeding strategy analysis of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus, Linnaeus, 1758) using Castello's graphical model in Khuzestan coastal water

Feeding strategy of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) was investigated monthly in Khuzestan province water from April-2016 to march-2017. Samples were catch by trawl net. The content of P. pelagicus stomachs, percentage of occurrence frequency and Frequency percentage of feeding items was checked. In crab stomachs different feeding items group such as crustacean, mollusks, sponges, phytoplanktons, corals, fish, sand particles and etc. Was observed. The highest frequency of occurrence belonging to sponges, crustaceans and mollusks, respectively. Furthermore, Frequency percentage of sponges (38.65%) was higher than other preys. Costello's graphical model analysis Results analysis of P. pelagicus stomach content by Costello's model showed that this crab is a predator with specific feeding nich and feeding specific prey include sponges, crustacean and mollusks during a year. Though, it's feeding pattern show few seasonally fluctuations. In this model, phytoplanktons, fish, polycheats, corals, nematode, protista, ctenophore, nematodes, cestod, sea insects and sand identified as accidental or rare prey. Probably, ingest by crab while feeding from specific prey

SESQUITERPENE RICH VOLATILE SEED OIL OF TAGETES PATULA L. FROM NORTHWEST IRAN

Hydrodistilled volatile seed oil composition of commonly growing ornamental Tagetes patula L. was analyzed for its constituents by GC/MS. Forty constituents were identified, comprising 94% of the total oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (52.7%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (15.8%) were the main subclasses of volatile oil components followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (12.6%). The principle constituents of the volatile oil were (E)-caryophyllene (44.6%) caryophyllene oxide (14.8%), germacrene D (3.8%), (Z)-β-ocimene (3.8%) and limonene (3.7%). From chemical point of view, oxides (15.7%) were the predominant group of components with caryophyllene oxide as their main representative. α-terthienyl (3.8%) comprised partially large amount in the volatile oil content despite of its polar and less-volatile nature. Taking into account the volatile oil profile, the chemical composition of the volatile seed oil of commonly growing ornamental T. patula L. was characterized as sesquiterpene and α-terthienyl rich one probably with appreciable biocidal (Insecticidal and nematicidal) and pharmacological potential

Harmonization of brain PET images in multi-center PET studies using Hoffman phantom scan

Background: Image harmonization has been proposed to minimize heterogeneity in brain PET scans acquired in multi-center studies. However, standard validated methods and software tools are lacking. Here, we assessed the performance of a framework for the harmonization of brain PET scans in a multi-center European clinical trial. / Method: Hoffman 3D brain phantoms were acquired in 28 PET systems and reconstructed using site-specific settings. Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of the Effective Image Resolution (EIR) and harmonization kernels were estimated for each scan. The target EIR was selected as the coarsest EIR in the imaging network. Using “Hoffman 3D brain Analysis tool,” indicators of image quality were calculated before and after the harmonization: The Coefficient of Variance (COV%), Gray Matter Recovery Coefficient (GMRC), Contrast, Cold-Spot RC, and left-to-right GMRC ratio. A COV% ≤ 15% and Contrast ≥ 2.2 were set as acceptance criteria. The procedure was repeated to achieve a 6-mm target EIR in a subset of scans. The method’s robustness against typical dose-calibrator-based errors was assessed. / Results: The EIR across systems ranged from 3.3 to 8.1 mm, and an EIR of 8 mm was selected as the target resolution. After harmonization, all scans met acceptable image quality criteria, while only 13 (39.4%) did before. The harmonization procedure resulted in lower inter-system variability indicators: Mean ± SD COV% (from 16.97 ± 6.03 to 7.86 ± 1.47%), GMRC Inter-Quartile Range (0.040–0.012), and Contrast SD (0.14–0.05). Similar results were obtained with a 6-mm FWHM target EIR. Errors of ± 10% in the DRO activity resulted in differences below 1 mm in the estimated EIR. / Conclusion: Harmonizing the EIR of brain PET scans significantly reduced image quality variability while minimally affecting quantitative accuracy. This method can be used prospectively for harmonizing scans to target sharper resolutions and is robust against dose-calibrator errors. Comparable image quality is attainable in brain PET multi-center studies while maintaining quantitative accuracy

Cerebral amyloid‐β load is associated with neurodegeneration and gliosis: Mediation by p‐tau and interactions with risk factors early in the Alzheimer's continuum

Introduction: The association between cerebral amyloid‐β accumulation and downstream CSF biomarkers is not fully understood, particularly in asymptomatic stages. / Methods: In 318 cognitively unimpaired participants, we assessed the association between amyloid‐β PET (Centiloid), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of several pathophysiological pathways. Interactions by Alzheimer's disease risk factors (age, sex and APOE‐ε4), and the mediation effect of tau and neurodegeneration were also investigated. / Results: Centiloids were positively associated with CSF biomarkers of tau pathology (p‐tau), neurodegeneration (t‐tau, NfL), synaptic dysfunction (neurogranin) and neuroinflammation (YKL‐40, GFAP, sTREM2), presenting interactions with age (p‐tau, t‐tau, neurogranin) and sex (sTREM2, NfL). Most of these associations were mediated by p‐tau, except for NfL. The interaction between sex and amyloid‐β on sTREM2 and NfL was also tau‐independent. / Discussion: Early amyloid‐β accumulation has a tau‐independent effect on neurodegeneration and a tau‐dependent effect on neuroinflammation. Besides, sex has a modifier effect on these associations independent of tau

Comparative Analysis of Different Definitions of Amyloid-beta Positivity to Detect Early Downstream Pathophysiological Alterations in Preclinical Alzheimer

Amyloid-β (Aβ) positivity is defined using different biomarkers and different criteria. Criteria used in symptomatic patients may conceal meaningful early Aβ pathology in preclinical Alzheimer. Therefore, the description of sensitive cutoffs to study the pathophysiological changes in early stages of the Alzheimer’s continuum is critical. Here, we compare different Aβ classification approaches and we show their performance in detecting pathophysiological changes downstream Aβ pathology. We studied 368 cognitively unimpaired individuals of the ALFA+ study, many of whom in the preclinical stage of the Alzheimer’s continuum. Participants underwent Aβ PET and CSF biomarkers assessment. We classified participants as Aβ -positive using five approaches: (1) CSF Aβ42 12; (4) Aβ PET Centiloid > 30 or (5) Aβ PET Positive visual read. We assessed the correlations between Aβ biomarkers and compared the prevalence of Aβ positivity. We determined which approach significantly detected associations between Aβ pathology and tau/neurodegeneration CSF biomarkers. We found that CSF-based approaches result in a higher Aβ-positive prevalence than PET-based ones. There was a higher number of discordant participants classified as CSF Aβ-positive but PET Aβ-negative than CSF Aβ-negative but PET Aβ-positive. The CSF Aβ 42/40 approach allowed optimal detection of significant associations with CSF p-tau and t-tau in the Aβ-positive group. Altogether, we highlight the need for sensitive Aβ -classifications to study the preclinical Alzheimer’s continuum. Approaches that define Aβ positivity based on optimal discrimination of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease patients may be suboptimal for the detection of early pathophysiological alterations in preclinical Alzheimer