Activity Recognition using Hierarchical Hidden Markov Models on Streaming Sensor Data

Activity recognition from sensor data deals with various challenges, such as overlapping activities, activity labeling, and activity detection. Although each challenge in the field of recognition has great importance, the most important one refers to online activity recognition. The present study tries to use online hierarchical hidden Markov model to detect an activity on the stream of sensor data which can predict the activity in the environment with any sensor event. The activity recognition samples were labeled by the statistical features such as the duration of activity. The results of our proposed method test on two different datasets of smart homes in the real world showed that one dataset has improved 4% and reached (59%) while the results reached 64.6% for the other data by using the best methods

A novel hybrid method of β-turn identification in protein using binary logistic regression and neural network

From both the structural and functional points of view, β-turns play important biological roles in proteins. In the present study, a novel two-stage hybrid procedure has been developed to identify β-turns in proteins. Binary logistic regression was initially used for the first time to select significant sequence parameters in identification of β-turns due to a re-substitution test procedure. Sequence parameters were consisted of 80 amino acid positional occurrences and 20 amino acid percentages in sequence. Among these parameters, the most significant ones which were selected by binary logistic regression model, were percentages of Gly, Ser and the occurrence of Asn in position i+2, respectively, in sequence. These significant parameters have the highest effect on the constitution of a β-turn sequence. A neural network model was then constructed and fed by the parameters selected by binary logistic regression to build a hybrid predictor. The networks have been trained and tested on a non-homologous dataset of 565 protein chains. With applying a nine fold cross-validation test on the dataset, the network reached an overall accuracy (Qtotal) of 74, which is comparable with results of the other β-turn prediction methods. In conclusion, this study proves that the parameter selection ability of binary logistic regression together with the prediction capability of neural networks lead to the development of more precise models for identifying β-turns in proteins

Dietary Regulation of miR-33b and miR-29a in Relationship to Metabolic Biomarkers of Glucose and Lipids in Obese Diabetic Women: A Randomized Clinical Controlled Study

Background: MicroRNAs have recently been introduced as epigenetic regulators of glucose and lipid metabolic pathways, which are impaired in obesity and diabetes. Objectives: We evaluated the effects of calorie-restricted diet therapy on the circulating levels of miR-33b and miR-29a in relationship to glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This randomized clinical controlled trial was performed on 30 eligible obese women with T2DM, randomly divided into two groups (control group, n = 15; diet therapy group, n = 15) for 10 weeks. Ten healthy women with normal weight were enrolled at the baseline of the study as controls. Demographic information, dietary intake, and anthropometric and biochemical indices were obtained before and after the study. Circulating miR-33b and miR-29a were assessed for all subjects using quantitative RT-PCR, and the fold change of each circulating miRNA was compared between groups. Results: The circulating levels of miR-29a and miR-33b in the diabetic women were higher (0.40-fold) and lower (1.43-fold), respectively, than normal levels. Diet therapy significantly increased the circulating level of miR-33b (P = 0.023, 0.97-fold upregulation) to normal levels. This increase was independently correlated with caloric restriction (95%CI: -0.004 to -0.0001, P = 0.022) and 2hPPBS (95%CI: -0.009 to -0.001, P = 0.035). No remarkable change was observed in circulating levels of miR-29a. Conclusions: Our findings introduced a novel therapeutic effect of diet therapy on circulating miRNAs in obese patients with T2DM. MiR-33b is an important therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of T2DM and its complication

Immunopathology of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory disorder of central nervous system (CNS), is the most common cause of neurological disability especially in young adults. The disorder results from interplay between unidentified genetic and environmental factors. In MS, cells of immune system attack myelin, progressive loss of certain body function and physical ability occur. In severe cases, the progression of disease leads to permanent damage. The auto-reactive peripheral CD4+ T cells recognize auto-antigen within CNS parenchyma and polarize toward Th1 phenotype. Activated Th1 cells cause myelin disruption and release of new potential CNS auto- antigen. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-, TNF- and chemokines which is secreted by Th1 cells induce additional unspecific inflammatory cells and specific anti myelin antibody-forming B cells that amplify tissue injury. Finally, the apoptotic death of the T cells or conversion of the T cells toward Th2 phenotype positively modulates the outcome of the lesions in CNS.Clinical manifestation of the disease is classified in three types, primary: direct damage (weakness, tremors, tingling,etc); secondary: result of primary (paralysis lead to bedsores and bladder/urinary incontinence problems); tertiary: social, psychological and vocational complication (depression is very common).The aims of treatment are: reduction of sickness attack (by corticosteroid, interferon beta 1b and 1a, glatriamer acetate, natalizumab, etc) and reduction of the disorder. The prospect of the potential tools to prevent MS is tempting, yet challenging to investigate studies about roll of vitamin D in reduction of development of disease. Intensive research on MS provides a promising prospective of the disease management in the future

Isolation of Small Number of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocyst Using Immunochromatography

Background: Cryptosporidium parvum causes severe gastroenteritis in immunocompromised human and new borne animals. The organism can be transmitted through water. Since small number of C. parvum is infectious, the aim of the present study was to develop a chromatography method for the isolation of C. parvum oocyst in samples with limited number of oocysts. Methods: Antibody was prepared against whole antigen from C. parvum oocysts, the achieved Ab bound to the sepharose 4B and used for the isolation of oocysts. Antibody against P23 bound to the sepharose 4B, used also for the isolation of C. parvum oocyst. In comparison to these both methods, 2 traditional methods (Salt floatation and 55% sucrose floatation) were also performed. Results: Both chromatography methods could bind oocysts with capacity depends on the column size. The isolated oocysts were free of bacteria. Our results showed that the traditional methods are useful for the isolation of oocysts from feces, in its smear stained with ziehl-nelsen, at least 3 oocyts are detectable in each microscopic field under 1000 X magnification. In contrast to the chromatography methods, the bacterial contamination was always observed in oocysts isolated with traditional methods. Conclusion: Immunochromatography could be used for the successful isolation of C. parvum oocysts from the samples containing limited number of oocysts

24-Epibrasinolide modulates the vase life of Lisianthus cut flowers by modulating ACC oxidase enzyme activity and physiological responses

Ethylene is the most important factor playing roles in senescence and deterioration of harvested crops including cut flowers. Brassinosteroids (BRs), as natural phytohormones, have been reported to differently modulate ethylene production and related senescence processes in different crops. This study was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on ACC oxidase enzyme activity, the final enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis pathway, vase life, and senescence rate in lisianthus cut flowers. Harvested flowers were treated with EBL (at 0, 3, 6, and 9 µmol/L) and kept at 25 °C for 15 days. The ACC oxidase activity, water absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) production and vase solution absorption rates, chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents, and the vase life of the flowers were evaluated during and at the end of storage. EBL at 3 µmol/L significantly (p ≤ 0.01) enhanced the flower vase life by decreasing the ACC oxidase activity, MDA production and senescence rates, and enhancing chlorophyll and anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation, relative water content, and vase solution absorption rates. By increasing the concentration, EBL negatively affected the flower vase life and postharvest quality probably via enhancing the ACC oxidase enzyme activity and subsequent ethylene production. EBL at 6 and 9 µmol/L and in a concentration dependent manner, enhanced the ACC oxidase activity and MDA production rate and decreased chlorophyll and anthocyanin accumulation and water absorption rate. The results indicate that the effects of brassinosteroids on ethylene production and physiology of lisianthus cut flowers is highly dose dependent

Early detection of Toxoplasma gondii by real-time polymerase chain reaction methods in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions

Introduction: One of the causes of recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) is an infection by the toxoplasmosis Protozoa. In comparison, we present detailed results using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods of detection. In this study, it was tried to detect Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) by real-time PCR methods in patients with RSA. Methods: Amniotic fluid sampling was performed in the 16-20th weeks of gestation in 50 pregnant women with a history of RSA. The extracted deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: In all the cases, the detection of T. gondii was negative in the peripheral blood, and amniotic fluid samples by using the molecular methods (real-time PCR). Using the serological detection methods, 6% of patients were diagnosed as positive for the immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody. In addition, the IgG antibody was positive in 46% of the patients. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the serological methods lack specificity

Staphylococcus aureus: resistance pattern and risk factors

Introduction: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a nosocomial pathogen of major worldwide importance and is an increasingly frequent cause of community-acquired infections. In this study, different risk factors and MRSA resistance pattern were investigated. Methods: In a 24 months period, all of the patients who were confined to bed in the surgery ward were included in the study. Then they were assessed to find out as if they had MRSA infection when hospitalized and once when they were discharged. Almost 48 h after admission, when patients were discharged, social and medical histories were acquired. Acquired samples were examined. Results: During the present study of 475 patients, 108 patients (22.8%) had S. aureus. About frequency of antibiotic resistance among collected S. aureus colonies, erythromycin resistance, was the most frequent antibiotic resistance, also resistance to vancomycin was 0.4% that was the least. Only hospitalization duration had statistically significant correlation with antibiotic resistance, also resistance to erythromycin had statistically significant relation with history of surgery and alcohol consumption. Of all 34 MRSA species, 22 (64.7%) samples were resistant to erythromycin, 17 (50.0%) resistant to cefoxitin, 5 (14.7%) resistant to mupirocin, 1 (2.9%) resistant to vancomycin and 1 (2.9%) resistant to linezolid. Conclusion: The results of the current study show that among hospitalized patients, there is resistance against methicillin. Since based on results of the study there is resistance against oxacillin and erythromycin in most cases, administering appropriate antibiotics have an important role in minimizing the resistance burden among bacterial species

Inhibitory-based method for detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from burn patients

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) is one of the carbapenemases that can cause multi-antibiotics resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. A simple phenotypic rapid and accurate test for the detection of A. baumannii - KPC-producer can be useful in treating related infections. The aim of this study was to determine the synergism effect of boronic acid (BA), as an inhibitor, and meropenem to confirm modified Hodge test (MHT) positive strains for KPC-production. Materials and Methods: Totally, 126 A. baumannii isolates were used as clinical strains. Imipenem resistant isolates were identified by disk diffusion method according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. Presence of KPC in imipenem resistant isolates was determined using the MHT. In addition, we used BA as a KPC inhibitor for final confirmation of the species of interest. Additionally, we employed the use of synergism effect of meropenem and cloxacillin to detect false positive cases. Results: Of 126 strains, 108 were resistant to imipenem, for which 93 strains were MHT positive. Totally, 68 out of 93 MHT positive isolates had at least 5 mm enlargement of the diameter of the zone of growth inhibition between the meropenem alone and meropenem combined with BA. Of these 68 isolates, 8 had at least 5 mm enlargement of the diameter of the zone of growth inhibition with BA alone and in 60 strains it was observed by cloxacillin. Conclusion: Our study suggests that MHT alone cannot confirm KPC-producer microorganisms and that it requires other complementary tests such as the usage of inhibitors