Using support vector machines in predicting and classifying factors affecting preterm delivery

Various statistical methods have been proposed in terms of predicting the outcomes of facing special factors. In the classical approaches,  making the probability distribution or known probability density functions is ordinarily necessary to predict the desired outcome. However, most of the times enough information about the probability distribution of studied variables is not available to the researcher in practice. In such circumstances, we need that the predictors function well without knowing the probability distribution or probability density. It means that with the minimum assumptions, we obtain predictors with high precision.Support vector machine (SVM) is a good statistical method of prediction. The aim of this study is to compare two statistical methods, SVM and logistic regression. To that end, the data on premature infants born at Tehran Milad Hospital is collected and used

Benzylidene Barbituric Acid Derivatives Shown Anticonvulsant Activity on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures in Mice: Involvement of Nitric Oxide Pathway

ABSTRACT Background: Barbituric acid derivatives have long been used as central nervous system (CNS) suppressants, such as sedatives, hypnotics and anticonvulsants. In addition, previous studies have implicated the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the anticonvulsive effects of barbiturates in CNS. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to figure out the effects of a novel class of barbituric acid derivatives on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in male mice. Methods: Thirteen synthesized barbituric acid derivatives (a-m) and phenobarbital were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 min before induction of seizures by PTZ administration. The mechanisms of PTZ-induced seizures in the mice was evaluated using a non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor, a selective neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor, and NO substrate. Results: Administration of most of the above mentioned derivatives significantly increased the seizures threshold (P<0.001). The most potent derivative (compound a), was chosen in order to investigate the mechanism of action involving in anticonvulsant activity. Administration of a non-selective NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a selective nNOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) reversed anticonvulsant activity of compound a. However, injection of the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine (L-Arg) and a selective iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG), did not change anticonvulsant activity of the mentioned compound. Conclusion: These results indicated that the NO system, specifically nNOS may contribute to the anticonvulsant activity of benzylidene barbituric acid derivative a. Therefore, this compound is a good candidate in order to designing new anticonvulsant medication

A Rare Case Report of Duodenal Adenocarcinoma Accompanied by Cerebellar Medulloblastoma

A case of a 6-year-old female with a diagnosis of Duodenal Adenocarcinoma is presented by the authors, in which 24 months subsequent to undergoing radiation therapy for a Cerebellar Medulloblastomas, the mentioned diagnosis has been confirmed. Although, the chance of a secondary malignancy has been recognized to be elevated in children formerly undergone radiation therapy, the incidence of duodenal adenocarcinoma is a highly infrequent condition. As a consideration, observing manifestations like weight loss, vomiting, and icterus in a pediatric patient who has been administered earlier on with radiation therapy, must alert physicians that the risk of a gastrointestinal malignancy exists

Effect of Lenalidomide on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Clonic Seizure Threshold in Mice: A Role for N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptor/Nitric Oxide Pathway

Background and Purpose: Accumulating evidence suggest that lenalidomide, a structural analog of thalidomide, has neuro-modulatory and neuroprotective properties. In the present study, we investigated effects of acute administration of lenalidomide on clonic seizure threshold in mice induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and possible role of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) and nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Methods: We have utilized a clonic model of seizure in NMRI mice induced by PTZ to evaluate the potential effect of lenalidomide on seizure threshold. Different doses of lenalidomide (5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) were administered 1 hour before PTZ. To evaluate probable role of NMDAR/NO signaling, the non-selective NO synthase inhibitor L-N (G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg, i.p.), neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 30 mg/kg, i.p.), selective inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG; 100 mg/kg, i.p.), selective NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.), and selective NMDAR agonist D-serine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected 15 minutes before lenalidomide. Results: Lenalidomide at 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly elevated the PTZ-induced seizure thresholds. Interestingly, L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p), 7-NI (30 mg/kg, i.p), and AG (100 mg/kg, i.p) reversed the anticonvulsive effect of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg). Moreover, treatment with the NMDAR agonist D-serine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter the anticonvulsive properties of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg, i.p). However, the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p) significantly reversed the anticonvulsive effects of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a role for the NMDAR/NO pathway in the anticonvulsive effects of lenalidomide on the PTZ-induced clonic seizures in mice

Sumatriptan effects on morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance and physical dependence: The role of nitric oxide

Sumatriptan, a 5HT (5-hydroxytryptamine)1B/1D receptor agonist, showed neuroprotection in different studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sumatriptan on morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance and physical dependence. We also investigated the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) on sumatriptan effects. Tolerance was induced by morphine injection (50, 50, 75 mg/kg) three times daily for five days. Antinociceptive latency after acute and chronic treatment with sumatriptan (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) was measured by hot plate test in morphine-dependent animals. To investigate the possible involvement of NO, different isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors including L-NAME, aminoguanidine and 7-nitroindazole were co-administered with sumatriptan. Nitrite level in mice hippocampus was quantified by Griess method. To examine the role of sumatriptan on physical dependence, three parameters of withdrawal signs were recorded after injection of naloxone (4 mg/kg). Acute treatment with sumatriptan (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) attenuated the antinociceptive tolerance (P < 0.001). Chronic injection of sumatriptan (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg), as well, decreased the antinociceptive tolerance (P < 0.001). Moreover, co-administration of NOS inhibitors prevented the effects of sumatriptan. Sumatriptan significantly increased the level of nitrite only after chronic administration. Sumatriptan administration showed no alteration in naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs. Acute and chronic administration of sumatriptan attenuated morphine antinociceptive tolerance; at least in chronic phase via nitrergic pathway. Our data did not support beneficial effects of sumatriptan on morphineinduced physical dependence in mice

Comparing Perinatal Outcome in Twin and Singleton Pregnancies Regarding Doppler Evaluation of Uterine Artery Indices in the Second Trimester

Background: Prediction of adverse perinatal and postnatal outcomes could be possible by using ultrasound Doppler evaluation, however there are some controversies regarding this issue in the literature. The goal of present study was to evaluate predictive value of Doppler indices in single and twin pregnancies during second trimester. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Yas Hospital, Tehran, between February 2015 and January 2016. The number of 71 singleton pregnancies and 59 twin pregnancies enrolled in this study. A single expert perinatalogist / sonographer did all Doppler ultrasound exams and followed up cases until the end of pregnancy. To compare Doppler indices and pre-postnatal outcomes between singleton and twin groups, the Student’s t-test, Pearson χ2 test and Fisher’s exact test were used for continue and categorical variables, respectively. Results: Rates of preterm delivery and SGA were significantly higher in twin pregnancies compared with singletons (

Methadone’s Effect on Hypothermia-Induced Shivering in Post Anesthetic Rat: Role of Nitric Oxide

Post anesthesia shivering which happens in some patients during recovery time after general anesthesia is followed by central hypothermia and peripheral vasoconstriction. In this study, the effect of opioidergic/nitrergic systems were determined on post anesthesia shivering in rat. Animals were cooled gently on a cold surface with indirect contact with a mixture of ice and water. Animals were treated with saline; methadone (a full opioid agonist, 10 mg/kg); naltrexone (an opioid receptor antagonist, 10 mg/kg); L-NAME (a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 10 mg/kg). The core body temperature and the frequency of basal state- and post anesthetic-shivering were recorded using a stainless steel rectal probe (MLT-1403, AD Instruments®) and electromyography (EMG) electrodes connected to Animal Bio Amp (FE136, AD Instruments®) signal conditioner, respectively. Methadone administration reduced the frequency of shivering after anesthesia, while injection of naltrexone and L-NAME increased post anesthetic shivering compared to vehicle group. Co-administration of L-NAME and methadone showed a significant decrease the frequency of post anesthetic shivering. Furthermore, the temperature of shivering onset was reduced following methadone administration, which was blocked by injection of both naltrexone and/or L-NAME. To conclude, the findings of this study revealed the protective impact of methadone on post anesthesia shivering-induced with hypothermia dominated to nitrergic pathway effects in rat

Lithium attenuates the proconvulsant effect of adolescent social isolation stress via involvement of the nitrergic system

In this study, we tested whether acute administration of lithium mitigates the deleterious effect of adolescent social isolation stress (SIS) on seizure susceptibility. In comparison with socially conditioned (SC) mice, isolated conditioned (IC) mice exhibited an increase in seizure susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole. Acute administration of lithium (10 mg/kg) reversed the proconvulsant effect of SIS in IC mice, but this effect was not observed in SC mice. Coadministration of subthreshold doses of lithium (3 mg/kg) with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors reversed the effect of SIS on seizure susceptibility and decreased hippocampal nitrite levels in IC animals. In addition, a subthreshold dose of a nitric oxide precursor reduced the protective effect of lithium on seizure susceptibility and increased nitrite levels in the hippocampus of IC mice. These results suggest that lithium exerts a protective influence against the proconvulsant effect of adolescent SIS via a nitrergic system that includes activation of neuronal NOS in the hippocampus

Attenuation of oxidative and nitrosative stress in cortical area associates with antidepressant-like effects of tropisetron in male mice following social isolation stress.

Tropisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist widely used as an antiemetic, has been reported to have positive effects on mood disorders. Adolescence is a critical period during the development of brain, where exposure to chronic stress during this time is highly associated with the development of depression. In this study, we showed that 4 weeks of juvenile social isolation stress (SIS) provoked depressive-like behaviors in male mice, which was associated with disruption of mitochondrial function and nitric oxide overproduction in the cortical areas. In this study, tropisetron (5 mg/kg) reversed the negative behavioral effects of SIS in male mice. We found that the effects of tropisetron were mediated through mitigating the negative activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on mitochondrial activity. Administration of aminoguanidine (specific iNOS inhibitor, 20 mg/kg) augmented the protective effects of tropisetron (1 mg/kg) on SIS. Furthermore, l-arginine (nitric oxide precursor, 100 mg/kg) abolished the positive effects of tropisetron. These results have increased our knowledge on the pivotal role of mitochondrial function in the pathophysiology of depression, and highlighted the role of 5-HT3 receptors in psychosocial stress response during adolescence. Finally, we observed that tropisetron alleviated the mitochondrial dysfunction through decreased nitrergic system activity in the cerebral corte

The Expression and Function of Nitric Oxide Synthase Enzyme in Atorvastatin Effects on Morphine-Induced Dependence in Mice

Background: Atorvastatin exerts neuroprotective effects on the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Morphine analgesic tolerance and dependence remain as major concerns in medicine. Nitric oxide (NO) pathway mediates the development of opioid analgesic tolerance and dependence, as well as atorvastatin neuroprotection. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the possible involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway in the process of the effects of atorvastatin on morphine physical dependence. Methods: Dependence was induced by repetitive injection of morphine sulfate. Naloxone was injected at the dose of 4 mg/kg on the last day of the experiment to assess withdrawal signs. Animals received atorvastatin (1, 5,10, and 20 mg/kg, orally). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors and ODQ were injected before protective dose of atorvastatin. The gene expression of NOS isoforms was evaluated by real-time PCR. Thereafter, the hippocampal levels of cGMP and nitrite were measured. Results: Treatment with atorvastatin 10 mg/kg significantly attenuated naloxone-induced withdrawal behaviours. The administration of L-NAME, aminoguanidine, and ODQ before atorvastatin enhanced its effects. The treatment with atorvastatin significantly decreased the nitrite and cGMP levels as well as NOS gene expression in the hippocampus of dependent animals. Conclusions: It can be concluded that atorvastatin, possibly, through inducible NOS, could alleviate morphine dependence and withdrawal signs