A New Method to Classify Breast Cancer Tumors and Their Fractionation

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179460X19428In this paper, suspicious breast tumors were classified by using the neural network and the growth area method has been used for a fractionation of the benign or malignant areas of the normal tissue. Features extracted from input tissues are including statistical features and characteristics of spatial dependence. The advantage of this method is using of phase adaptive threshold based on entropy which leads to more accurate extraction of tumors and also corresponded with the nature of mammogram images. As a result, this method mimics of the human eye operation to detect abnormal masses. Database used in this paper is the MIAS mammogram database including 238 normal, benign and malignant mammograms. The accuracy obtained with 38 features is equal to 86.66% for detecting abnormal masses and 38.05 % for normal masses.In this paper, suspicious breast tumors were classified by using the neural network and the growth area method has been used for a fractionation of the benign or malignant areas of the normal tissue. Features extracted from input tissues are including statistical features and characteristics of spatial dependence. The advantage of this method is using of phase adaptive threshold based on entropy which leads to more accurate extraction of tumors and also corresponded with the nature of mammogram images. As a result, this method mimics of the human eye operation to detect abnormal masses. Database used in this paper is the MIAS mammogram database including 238 normal, benign and malignant mammograms. The accuracy obtained with 38 features is equal to 86.66% for detecting abnormal masses and 38.05 % for normal masses

Effect of Adverse Weather Conditions on Vehicle Braking Distance of Highways

The effect of adverse weather conditions on the safety of vehicles moving on different types of roads and measuring its margin of safety have always been a major research issue of highways. Determining the exact value of friction coefficient between the wheels of the vehicle and the surface of the pavement (usually Asphalt Concrete) in different weather conditions is assumed as a major factor in design process. An appropriate method is analyzing the dynamic motion of the vehicle and its interactions with geometrical elements of road using dynamic simulation of vehicles. In this paper the effect of changes of friction coefficient caused by the weather conditions on the dynamic responses of three types of vehicles: including Sedan, Bus, and Truck based on the results of Adams/car Simulator are investigated. The studies conducted on this issue for different weather conditions suggest values ranging from 0.04 to 1.25. The results obtained from simulation based on Adams/car represent that the friction coefficient in values of 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6 do not effect on braking distance significantly and it is possible to attribute them all to dry weather condition. However, as it was anticipated the values of 0.5, 0.4, 0.28 and 0.18 have significant differences in braking distance. Hence, the values of 0.5, 0.4, 0.28 and 0.18 can be attributed to wet, rainy, snowy and icy conditions respectively

Simulation and Comparison of Control Methods of Doubly Fed Induction Generator in Energy Conversion System

One of the most applicable methods for utilization of wind energy is the use of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG). This paper presents two various strategies for control of DFIG in wind energy conversion system. Two most common and best control methods are implemented vector control and direct torque control. The studied control methods and their performance have been compared and analyzed based on the results of stimulation. The results indicate the fact that although direct torque control method is a bit slow at the start time; due to less usage of machine parameters, less complexity of control algorithm and improvement of transient response speed of the system, this method presents better performance compared to vector control method

Prognostic investigations of B7-H1 and B7-H4 expression levels as independent predictor markers of renal cell carcinoma.

In order to evaluate the correlation of B7-H4 and B7-H1 with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we analyzed B7-H1 and B7-H4 expressions and their clinical significance by immunohistochemical method. Our result indicated that B7-H4-positive staining was detected in 58.13 % of RCC tissues (25 tissues tumors), and there were 18 tissues of patients without detectable B7-H4. Furthermore, 21 cases (48.83 %) were B7-H1-positive. Positive tumor expressions of B7-H4 and B7-H1 were markedly related to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.001; P = 0.014), high grade (P = 0.001; P = 002), and larger tumor size (P = 0.002; P = 024) in RCC tissues than patients with B7-H4-negative and B7-H1-negative in RCC tissues. The patients with B7-H1 and B7-H4-positive expressions were found to be markedly correlated with the overall survival of the patients (P < 0.05) and tended to have an increased risk of death when compared with negative expression groups. Univariate analysis showed that B7-H4 and B7-H1 expressions, TNM stage, high grade, and tumor size were significantly related to the prognosis of RCC. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that B7-H4 and B7-H1 expressions decreased overall survival. The adjusted HR for B7-H1 was 2.83 (95 % CI 1.210-2.971; P = 0.031) and also was 2.918 (95 % CI 1.243-3.102; P = 0.006) for B7-H4 that showed these markers were independent prognostic factors in RCC patients. The expressions of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in RCC patients indicate that these markers may be as a predictor of tumor development and death risk. Further investigations can be helpful to confirm B7-H1 and B7-H4 roles as an independent predictor of clinical RCC outcome

Factors associated with breakfast consumption based on Social Cognitive Theory in primary school students in Marivan City, 2017

Background and Aims: Social cognitive theory is one of the most effective theories used to predict the behavior of breakfast consumption and the teaching of nutritional behaviors. Considering the importance of breakfast consumption in the physical, psychological and social health of students, this study was conducted to determine the factors associated with breakfast consumption based on social cognitive theory in students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, 299 male and female elementary students in Marivan city were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Data gathering tools included demographic and background questionnaire, as well as a valid and reliable questionnaire based on social cognitive theory about breakfast consumption. Data were analysed by SPSS software version 16 exploiting Chi-square and t-test.  All stages of the study were conducted according to moral standards.Results: Overall, 81.6% (n=244) of students showed a good pattern of breakfast consumption. The results of t-test revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between expected outcome, outcome evaluation, self-efficacy and self-regulation constructs among students with appropriate and inappropriate breakfast consumption pattern (P&lt;0.001).Conclusion: Considering the existence of a significant relationship between the constructs of social cognitive theory and breakfast consumption in studied students, the constructs of this theory can be used to predict the factors influencing breakfast consumption in students and will be effective in promoting supportive breakfast consumption programs.Keywords: Breakfast consumption, Social Cognitive Theory, Students, Mariva

The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: This research was conducted to assess the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) intake on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 40 subjects diagnosed with PCOS. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 100mg CoQ10 (n¼20) or placebo (n¼20) per day for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation were quantified in blood samples of PCOS women with RT-PCR method. Results: Results of RT-PCR shown that compared with the placebo, CoQ10 intake downregulated gene expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LDLR) (p<0.001) and upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-c) (p¼0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. In addition, compared to the placebo group, CoQ10 supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (p¼0.03), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p¼0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) (p<0.001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. Conclusions: Overall, CoQ10 intake for 12 weeks in PCOS women significantly improved gene expression of LDLR, PPAR-c, IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-a

Evaluating the Reliability of Anatomic Landmarks in Safe Lumbar Puncture Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Does Sex Matter?

Aim. To determine the level of the conus medullaris-Tuffier's line, and conus medullaris-Tuffier's line distance using imaging and evaluate their relation to age and gender. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study of 189 adult participants, who underwent MR imaging of lumbosacral spine. Each vertebra was divided into 3 equal segments (upper, middle, and lower), and intervertebral disc space was also assumed as one segment. All segments from T12 upper segment to L5S1 intervertebral disc were numbered consecutively. The position of conus medullaris and Tuffier's line was determined by the vertebral segment or intervertebral disc space at the same level. The patients were stratified into high/low conus medullaris position (cutpoint: L1 middle segment) and short/long conus-Tuffier's distance (cutpoint: 14 segments). Results. Women with low conus were significantly more than men, in patients older than 50 years old (72.7% in females versus 55.3% in males; P < .05), whereas there was not such a sexual dimorphism in patients younger than 50 years old. Similarly, short conus-Tuffier's distance was more frequent among women than men in patients older than 50 years old (59.7% in females versus 39.5% in males; P < .05), whereas there was not any gender difference in patients younger than 50 years old. Conus-Tuffier's distance was negatively correlated with age (r = −0.32, P < .001) in all studied population. Conclusion. Anatomical landmarks vary according to age and gender, with a lower end of conus medullaris in women, so clinicians should use more caution on the identification of the appropriate site for lumbar puncture, particularly in elderly women

Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a systematic review

Amongst sexually transmitted infections in the world, Trichomonas vaginalis is of the most common. Most of the infections are asymptomatic. It can infect women more than men because of genital tracts condition. The mother’s birth canal and perineum are common sources of infants’ eye infection. Some studies noted the possibility of T. vaginalis transmission through the birth canal to infants. Such an event can lead to neonatal conjunctivitis. By following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review conducted to assess the possibility of neonatal conjunctivitis caused by T. vaginalis. Several factors can play a role in T. vaginalis transmission, such as low sanitary level, physical contact by contaminated biological fluids and infant’s opened eyes during the delivery. Through the review of different studies, it is inferred, although the probability of neonatal conjunctivitis caused by T. vaginalis is low, but it is possible. Finally, metronidazole is an approved drug for treatment of trichomoniasis and needs to consider in neonatal conjunctivitis caused by T. vaginalis

Factors affecting false calls to prehospital Emergency medical services and analyzing The recorded false calls in the dispatch center

INTRODUCTION: False calls to the prehospital emergency medical service (EMS) can divert EMS concentration from people with life-threatening conditions to a false situation and also affect the lives of the at-risk people.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study, was conducted in 2019. The population consisted of 28 Dispatchers personnel and 130 emergency medical technicians located in 24 urban bases, and the recorded messages of 450 false calls to the prehospital EMS were also analyzed. Both personnel perspectives on the false calls questionnaire and false call content evaluation checklist were used to collect data.RESULTS: The most influential factors in the incidence of false calls were the dimensions of public education (4.38 ± 0.5) and instructions and guidelines (4.28 ± 0.51), respectively. “Insufficient knowledge of people about the sensitivity of EMS work” from the public education dimension (4.60 ± 0.54) and “Lack of codified rules for dealing with false calls to the EMS” from the instructions and guidelines dimension (4.48 ± 0.71) were the most important factors. type of requests from EMS were mostly unnecessary conversations (52.4%) and dispatching an ambulance (21.3%).CONCLUSIONS: Given the importance of emergency, it is required to promote the general public knowledge and culture, as well as stricter rules and training programs for all ages, should be considered to reduce false calls. On the other hand, prehospital emergency medical dispatcher personnel should be trained on how to deal with false calls