Bayesian Estimation of the Parameters of Two-Component Mixture of Rayleigh Distribution under Doubly Censoring

Recently, the Bayesian analysis of the two-component mixture of lifetime models under singly type I censored samples was discussed. The Bayes estimation of the parameters of mixture of two Rayleigh distributions (MTRD) is developed under doubly censoring. Different informative priors, under squared error loss function and k-loss function, have been assumed for the posterior estimation. The performance of different estimators has been compared in terms of posterior risks by analyzing the simulated and real life data sets

Simultaneous approximation for the Phillips operators

We study the simultaneous approximation properties of the well-known Phillips operators. We establish the rate of convergence of the Phillips operators in simultaneous approximation by means of the decomposition technique for functions of bounded variation

Induction of calcium sensing receptor in human colon cancer cells by calcium, vitamin D and aquamin: Promotion of a more differentiated, less malignant and indolent phenotype

The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) is a robust promoter of differentiation in colonic epithelial cells and functions as a tumor suppressor. Cancer cells that do not express CaSR (termed CaSR null) are highly malignant while acquisition of CaSR expression in these cells circumvents the malignant phenotype. We hypothesize that chemopreventive agents mediate their action through the induction of CaSR. Here, we compare the effectiveness of Ca2+, vitamin D, and Aquamin (a marine algae product containing Ca2+, magnesium and detectable levels of 72 additional minerals) on the induction of CaSR in the CBS and HCT116 human colon carcinoma cell lines and the corresponding CaSR null cells isolated from these lines. All three agonists induced CaSR mRNA and protein expression and inhibited cellular proliferation in the parental and CaSR null cells. Aquamin was found to be most potent in this regard. Induction of CaSR expression by these agonists resulted in demethylation of the CaSR gene promoter with a concurrent increase in CaSR promoter reporter activity. However, demethylation per se did not induce CaSR transcription. Induction of CaSR expression resulted in a down‐regulated expression of tumor inducers and up‐regulated expression of tumor suppressors. Again, Aquamin was found to be most potent in these biologic effects. This study provides a rationale for the use of a multi‐mineral approach in the chemoprevention of colon cancer and suggests that induction of CaSR may be a measure of the effectiveness of chemopreventive agents. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111913/1/mc22123.pd

Cholangiocarcinoma in a Resected Biliary Cyst: Importance of Follow-up

Biliary cysts are rare cystic dilatations of the biliary tree. Biliary cysts are positively associated with several significant complications, amongst them, cholangiocarcinoma befalls the most dreadful one. The elevated incidence is 20-30% in the unresected cyst and 0.7% in resected cysts. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is applied for the initial diagnostic study but the ultimate diagnosis ordinarily requires the tissue biopsy. Currently, the sole curative option involves the complete surgical resection of the lesion, with standard chemotherapy and active radiation applied as an alternative for the unresectable tumors. Despite the curative surgery the percentage of eternal recurrence of the tumor indefinitely persists, and effective post-surgical surveillance is reasonably demanded. We report a case of 29-year-old female with local recurrence of cholangiocarcinoma in a previously resected biliary cyst type I. The curative resection of the choledochal cyst only minimizes the considerable risk of the possible development of future cholangiocarcinoma but it does not completely prevent it. The appropriate follow-up for potential patients who have been typically treated for a biliary cyst is unclear. The lethal course of cholangiocarcinoma is believed due to its slow asymptomatic growing phase. Therefore, to adequately screen for malignancy, periodic imaging along with annual liver tests represents a reasonable approach to prevent the possible development of this appalling complication.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Possible Consequences

Colonoscopy procedure has been the key screening method to detect colorectal cancer (CRC). As a fatal disease, CRC needs early detection. The COVID-19 pandemic caused screening tests (colonoscopy) to be halted and delayed. As a result, there could be dire consequences such as later-stage or missed diagnosis or greater mortality. This report will analyze scientific literature pertaining to interrupted CRC screenings due to COVID-19 while drawing historical parallels from the 1918 flu pandemic. We conducted literature searches in the PubMed database as well as in Google Scholar. One of the main lessons learned from the 1918 flu pandemic was to employ social distancing to stop the spread of the virus. So, the global response at the start and peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was decreased hospital visits for any non-emergency cases. That led to a halt and delays in cancer (including CRC) screenings. The Medical community predicted this lag will cause more CRC cases and deaths in the future. However, reorganizing and changing screening method strategies were helpful during the ongoing pandemic. In conclusion, COVID-19 greatly affected CRC screening, including how we view the future of CRC screening. We can learn from this prospect to better prepare for future pandemics or other public health crises.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/171056/2/life-11-01297.pdfPublished onlin

MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA) IN WHEAT BASED CROPPING SYSTEM: AN OPTION FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION UNDER RAINFED ECOSYSTEM

Abstract Pakistan has 17 agro-ecological zones and in 11 of these rainfed agriculture prevails. The present paper gives an account of the experimental evidence demonstrating the potential importance of mungbean in the rainfed cropping systems with the goal to develop a sustainable agriculture at a higher level of productivity and profitability. Agro-economic studies of mungbean-wheat and fallow-wheat cropping systems revealed that water requirement for mungbean growth cycle varied depending upon seasons, potential evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop coefficients. Under agro-ecosystem of Islamabad, rainfall is surplus than water requirements of mungbean. The study also showed that the response of wheat growth, development and yield differ significantly when followed after mungbean crop as compared to fallow. Net monetary benefits of Rs.5820 per hectare could be obtained by sowing Mungbean in wheat based cropping system

Mathematical Modeling of Drug Release of Novel Extended-Release Formulations of Tizanidine Hydrochloride

Six extended-release formulations of tizanidine hydrochloride were prepared by direct compression technique using hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and ethylcellulose (EC). The drug release from these tablets was evaluated by analyzing the samples at 227 nm. Both model dependent and independent mathematical approaches were applied to investigate the extended release pattern and mechanism of tizanidine hydrochloride. About 87.8, 74.4, 85.1, 74.8, 70.8, and 56.2 % drug was released from F1 to F6 , respectively, in 12 h. Drug release kinetics indicated that drug release was best explained by Higuchi equation. The values of ‘n’ from Korsmeyer-Peppas model (0.45 to 0.89) supported anomalous or nonFickian diffusion in first five formulations, whereas last formulation (F6 ) with ‘n’ greater than 0.89 presented case-II relaxation or super case transport-II. In model independent approach, the values of first five formulations lies between 50 and 100, because of insignificant differences in their drug release whereas F6 behaved differently. A retarding effect was observed with both of polymers depending upon their quantity. In F3 and F5 less retarding effect was observed than F2 and F5 because HPMC is hydrophilic and EC is hydrophobic polymer. When EC quantity increased, a decrease in release profile of tizanidine hydrochloride was observed.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

An innovative blockchain-based secured logistics management architecture:utilizing an RSA asymmetric encryption method

Purpose: The recent development in logistics due to the dawn of Logistics 4.0 has made global logistics providers more dependent on intelligent technologies. In this era, these technologies assist in data collection and transmission of logistical data and pose many security and privacy threats in logistics management systems. The customer’s private information, which is shared among the logistics stakeholders for optimal operation, faces unauthorized access due to a lack of privacy. This, amongst others, is a critical problem that needs to be addressed with blockchain. Blockchain is a disruptive technology that is transforming different sectors, and it has the potential to provide a solution to the issues mentioned above, with its unique features such as immutability, transparency, and anonymity. Method: This study designed a blockchain-based logistics management architecture on a decentralized peer-2-peer network using Ethereum smart contracts. The proposed system deployed the Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) asymmetric encryption method to protect the logistics system from cyber-attacks and secure customers’ private information from unauthorized access. Findings: Furthermore, the security and privacy of the proposed system are evaluated based on the theorem. The proof shows that the system can provide security to the logistics system and privacy to customers’ private data. The performance evaluation is based on throughput and latency. It shows that the proposed system is better than the baseline system, and the comparatives analysis shows that the proposed system is more secure and efficient than the existing systems. Implication and Limitation: The proposed system offers a better solution to the security/privacy of the logistics management system and provides recommendations to key stakeholders involved in the logistics industry while adopting blockchain technology. Apart from the study’s methodological limitation, it is also limited by a lack of reference materials