Computational problems in autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models

The choice of the sampling interval and the selection of the order of the model in time series analysis are considered. Band limited (up to 15 Hz) random torque perturbations are applied to the human ankle joint. The applied torque input, the angular rotation output, and the electromyographic activity using surface electrodes from the extensor and flexor muscles of the ankle joint are recorded. Autoregressive moving average models are developed. A parameter constraining technique is applied to develop more reliable models. The asymptotic behavior of the system must be taken into account during parameter optimization to develop predictive models

Systematic discovery of structural elements governing stability of mammalian messenger RNAs.

Decoding post-transcriptional regulatory programs in RNA is a critical step towards the larger goal of developing predictive dynamical models of cellular behaviour. Despite recent efforts, the vast landscape of RNA regulatory elements remains largely uncharacterized. A long-standing obstacle is the contribution of local RNA secondary structure to the definition of interaction partners in a variety of regulatory contexts, including--but not limited to--transcript stability, alternative splicing and localization. There are many documented instances where the presence of a structural regulatory element dictates alternative splicing patterns (for example, human cardiac troponin T) or affects other aspects of RNA biology. Thus, a full characterization of post-transcriptional regulatory programs requires capturing information provided by both local secondary structures and the underlying sequence. Here we present a computational framework based on context-free grammars and mutual information that systematically explores the immense space of small structural elements and reveals motifs that are significantly informative of genome-wide measurements of RNA behaviour. By applying this framework to genome-wide human mRNA stability data, we reveal eight highly significant elements with substantial structural information, for the strongest of which we show a major role in global mRNA regulation. Through biochemistry, mass spectrometry and in vivo binding studies, we identified human HNRPA2B1 (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1, also known as HNRNPA2B1) as the key regulator that binds this element and stabilizes a large number of its target genes. We created a global post-transcriptional regulatory map based on the identity of the discovered linear and structural cis-regulatory elements, their regulatory interactions and their target pathways. This approach could also be used to reveal the structural elements that modulate other aspects of RNA behaviour

The Comparison of vaginal cream of mixing yogurt, honey and clotrimazole on symptoms of vaginal candidiasis

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is known as one of the most common fungal infection among women of reproductive age and considered as an important public health problem. In recent years, due to resistance to common antifungal medication, the use of traditional medicine of anti-fungal and herbal treatment increased. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the effects of vaginal cream, mixture of yogurt and honey and comparing it with clotrimazole vaginal cream on symptoms of Vulvovaginal candidiasis in patients. METHODS: In this randomized, triple blind clinical trial of 70 non-pregnant women infected with Candidal vulvovaginitis were placed in two groups of Vaginal cream mixed of yogurt and honey recipients (N=35) and clotrimazole vaginal cream (N=35). Both groups were treated for 7 days. At the beginning of study, Clinical and laboratory signs and symptoms were registered 7 and 14 days after treatment by questionnaire, observation form and secretions culture results. Data by chi-square test, t test, McNemar tests were analyzed by SPSS version 21. Significance level of 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: The result of present study reveals the significant differences in symptom improvement of ' yogurt and honey, than clotrimazole group (P0.05) CONCLUSION: This study indicated that he therapeutic effects of vaginal cream, yogurt and honey is not only similar with clotrimazole vaginal cream but more effective in relieving some symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. Therefore, the use of this product can be suggested as an herbal remedy for candida infection treatment

Cancer cells exploit an orphan RNA to drive metastatic progression.

Here we performed a systematic search to identify breast-cancer-specific small noncoding RNAs, which we have collectively termed orphan noncoding RNAs (oncRNAs). We subsequently discovered that one of these oncRNAs, which originates from the 3' end of TERC, acts as a regulator of gene expression and is a robust promoter of breast cancer metastasis. This oncRNA, which we have named T3p, exerts its prometastatic effects by acting as an inhibitor of RISC complex activity and increasing the expression of the prometastatic genes NUPR1 and PANX2. Furthermore, we have shown that oncRNAs are present in cancer-cell-derived extracellular vesicles, raising the possibility that these circulating oncRNAs may also have a role in non-cell autonomous disease pathogenesis. Additionally, these circulating oncRNAs present a novel avenue for cancer fingerprinting using liquid biopsies

The effects of aqueous extract of onion on performance and some blood biochemical parameters of the Cobb and Ross broilers

Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of onion extract on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood metabolites in Ross and Cobb broiler chickens. One hundred sixty, 1-d-old broiler chickens (mean initial weight: 36.5 ± 1 g) of male sex (Ross-308 and Cobb) were randomly conducted as randomized complete design with 4 treatment and 4 replication. The experimental groups included two treatments for Ross strain -control (RC) and the group receiving basal diet + onion extract as 1 % in drink water M. Farahani et al. / International journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research (2015) 3(4) 370-377 371 (RO) -and two treatments for Cobb strain -control (CC) and the group receiving basal diet + onion extract as 1 % in drink water (CO). The chickens received food and water freely for 6 weeks. The performance parameters were measured during the experimental period. Blood samplings were performed for determine of blood parameters on 42 days of age. The results showed that use of onion extract lead to significant increase (p<0.05) of yield traits in both strain. Maximum daily weight gain (49.97 g), body weight (2135.94 g), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.82) were related to RO group. The using of onion extract resulted in decreasing of triglyceride and glucose and increasing of HDL of blood serum in both strain. In general, the results of this experiment showed that onion extract at the level of 1% in drink water can improve the functional and some blood parameters in Ross and Cobb broiler chickens

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with hydatid cysts in Khorasan Razavi Province, from 2011 to 2014

Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients with hydatid cyst during 2011 to 2014. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Khorasan Razavi Prov-ince, the Northeast of Iran, from 2011 to 2014. The study population was all cases with hydatid cyst who diagnosed in governmental and private laboratories, hospitals and health centers (HC) in Khorasan Razavi Province during 2011-14. Results: The prevalence rate of hydatidosis was 1.44 per 100000 individuals. Of 357 cases, 54.9 were women, 40.3 rural, 45.8 housewives, and 3.4 were Afghan. The mean age of women was higher than that of men (39.13�18.9 compared to 34.7�17.9 yr, respectively, P-value=0.025). The highest proportion of cases (39.2) was in the age group of 21-40 yr old. Abdominal pain was re-ported in 42.3 of cases. Liver involvement was the most common localization of hydatid cyst reported in 59.4 of patients, and 8.4 had multiple organ in-volvement. The common diagnosis methods of the disease were radiology (42.3) followed by CT scan (37.8). 45.9 of patients had domestic dog and hygiene principles of washing the vegetables was adhered by 6.7 of patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of human hydatidosis, as a most important neglected disease, should be considered by health policy-makers in public health domain. In addition, educational programs to better recognition of the disease symptoms, and to identify the infection sources are needed in high risk group of population. � 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

Fracture Propagation Driven by Fluid Outflow from a Low-permeability Aquifer

Deep saline aquifers are promising geological reservoirs for CO2 sequestration if they do not leak. The absence of leakage is provided by the caprock integrity. However, CO2 injection operations may change the geomechanical stresses and cause fracturing of the caprock. We present a model for the propagation of a fracture in the caprock driven by the outflow of fluid from a low-permeability aquifer. We show that to describe the fracture propagation, it is necessary to solve the pressure diffusion problem in the aquifer. We solve the problem numerically for the two-dimensional domain and show that, after a relatively short time, the solution is close to that of one-dimensional problem, which can be solved analytically. We use the relations derived in the hydraulic fracture literature to relate the the width of the fracture to its length and the flux into it, which allows us to obtain an analytical expression for the fracture length as a function of time. Using these results we predict the propagation of a hypothetical fracture at the In Salah CO2 injection site to be as fast as a typical hydraulic fracture. We also show that the hydrostatic and geostatic effects cause the increase of the driving force for the fracture propagation and, therefore, our solution serves as an estimate from below. Numerical estimates show that if a fracture appears, it is likely that it will become a pathway for CO2 leakage.Comment: 21 page