Assessing the effects of data selection and representation on the development of reliable E. coli sigma 70 promoter region predictors

As the number of sequenced bacterial genomes increases, the need for rapid and reliable tools for the annotation of functional elements (e.g., transcriptional regulatory elements) becomes more desirable. Promoters are the key regulatory elements, which recruit the transcriptional machinery through binding to a variety of regulatory proteins (known as sigma factors). The identification of the promoter regions is very challenging because these regions do not adhere to specific sequence patterns or motifs and are difficult to determine experimentally. Machine learning represents a promising and cost-effective approach for computational identification of prokaryotic promoter regions. However, the quality of the predictors depends on several factors including: i) training data; ii) data representation; iii) classification algorithms; iv) evaluation procedures. In this work, we create several variants of E. coli promoter data sets and utilize them to experimentally examine the effect of these factors on the predictive performance of E. coli σ70 promoter models. Our results suggest that under some combinations of the first three criteria, a prediction model might perform very well on cross-validation experiments while its performance on independent test data is drastically very poor. This emphasizes the importance of evaluating promoter region predictors using independent test data, which corrects for the over-optimistic performance that might be estimated using the cross-validation procedure. Our analysis of the tested models shows that good prediction models often perform well despite how the non-promoter data was obtained. On the other hand, poor prediction models seems to be more sensitive to the choice of non-promoter sequences. Interestingly, the best performing sequence-based classifiers outperform the best performing structure-based classifiers on both cross-validation and independent test performance evaluation experiments. Finally, we propose a meta-predictor method combining two top performing sequence-based and structure-based classifiers and compare its performance with some of the state-of-the-art E. coli σ70 promoter prediction methods.NPRP grant No. 4-1454-1-233 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation).Scopu

Interleaved High Step-up DC-DC Converter with Diode-Capacitor Multiplier Cell and Ripple-Free Input Current

In this paper interleaving and switched-capacitor techniques are used to introduce a high step-up DC-DC converter for renewable energy systems application. The proposed converter delivers high voltage gain without utilizing transformer or excessive duty cycle and features ripple-free input current which results in lower conduction losses and decreased electromagnetic interference (EMI). Lower output capacitance is another advantage of proposed converter, leading to smaller size and lower cost. Furthermore lower voltage stress on switches allows the utilization of switches with low resistance. Simulation results verify the performance of suggested converter

Dexamethasone for the prevention of neonatal respiratory morbidity before elective cesarean section at term

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the principal cause of early neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: The current study aims to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone administration 48 hours before elective cesarean section (CS) at term on neonatal respiratory morbidity. Methods: The current study was a case-control study conducted between June 2015 and November 2015. Women who attended the labor ward in Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, after 37 weeks of gestation for elective CS were approached for participation. The patients received 2 intramuscular doses of 12 mg dexamethasone 12 hours apart in the 48 hours before CS (N=246). The control group included women who did not receive dexamethasone before CS during the same period of the study (N=275). Results: No significant differences were detected between the study and control groups with regard to age, parity or gestational age at delivery. There was a significantly higher number of neonates with RDS and transient tachypnea in the control group compared to the study group (p=0.001). The rate of neonatal admission to the neonatal care unit (NICU) was significantly lower in the study group (p=0.001). Conclusions: Prophylactic dexamethasone administration before elective CS at term significantly reduces neonatal respiratory morbidity and admission to NICU

Dexamethasone for the prevention of neonatal respiratory morbidity before elective cesarean section at term

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the principal cause of early neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: The current study aims to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone administration 48 hours before elective cesarean section (CS) at term on neonatal respiratory morbidity. Methods: The current study was a case-control study conducted between June 2015 and November 2015. Women who attended the labor ward in Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, after 37 weeks of gestation for elective CS were approached for participation. The patients received 2 intramuscular doses of 12 mg dexamethasone 12 hours apart in the 48 hours before CS (N=246). The control group included women who did not receive dexamethasone before CS during the same period of the study (N=275). Results: No significant differences were detected between the study and control groups with regard to age, parity or gestational age at delivery. There was a significantly higher number of neonates with RDS and transient tachypnea in the control group compared to the study group (p=0.001). The rate of neonatal admission to the neonatal care unit (NICU) was significantly lower in the study group (p=0.001). Conclusions: Prophylactic dexamethasone administration before elective CS at term significantly reduces neonatal respiratory morbidity and admission to NICU

Effect of acidizing rate on enhanced oil recovery for Eocene Thebes limestone, Eastern of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt

38-42Thebes Limestone of Eocene age contributes to oil producing reservoir of Abu Rudeis Field. Acidizing process has been applied successfully for many years to increase the productivity of petroleum wells in carbonate formations, consequently demands of application acidizing techniques are increasing. Carbonate acidizing differs than that occurs in sandstone because the reactive nature of a carbonate rock, as a result of this, carbonate acidizing causes formation of large flow channels in some portions of the rock comparing with the original pore size distrubution, in addition enlarging of some aspects as diameters, areas and volumes of original pores. This study investigated that the presence of oil slows reaction rate of HCL acid with a carbonate reservoir rock, where the treatment of carbonate reservoir rock with high concentrated HCL acid speeds up the acidizing rate, decreases the effect of oil within the rock and creates much new channels that facilitate injectivity and productivity of oil wells. The effects of acidizing on carbonate rocks at various conditions were different and obvious, consequently help us to improve the oil recovery from reservoir rocks

Analytic Investigation and Numeric Prediction for Biodynamic Response of the Seated Human Body

Abstract: The biodynamic response behaviors of seated human body subject to whole-body vibration have been widely investigated. The biodynamic response characteristics of seated human subjects have been extensively reported in terms of apparent mass and driving-point mechanical impedance while seat-to-head vibration transmissibility has been widely used to characterize response behavior of the seated subjects exposed to vibration. These functions (apparent mass, driving-point mechanical impedance) describe "to-the-body" force-motion relationship at the human-seat interface, while the transmissibility function describes "through-the-body" vibration transmission properties. The current study proposed a 4-DOF analytic biomechanical model of the human body in a sitting posture without backrest in vertical vibration direction to investigate the biodynamic responses of different masses and stiffness. Following the analytical approach, numerical technique developed in the present paper to facilitate and rapid the analysis. The numerical analysis used here applies one of the artificial intelligence technique to simulate and predict the response behaviors of seated human body for different masses and stiffness without the need to go through the analytic solution every time. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique is introduced in the current study to predict the response behaviors for different masses and stiffness rather than those used in the analytic solution. The results of the numerical study showed that the ANN method with less effort was very efficiently capable of simulating and predicting the response behaviors of seated human body subject to whole-body vibration

The spectrum of MEFV gene mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in Egyptian patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease mainly affecting subjects of the Mediterranean origin. It is an auto-inflammatory periodic disorder that is caused by mutations in the Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) located on chromosome 16.Methods: The current study was designed to assess the prevalence and frequency of different MEFV gene mutations among 104 FMF clinically diagnosed Egyptian patients and to evaluate the change extent in the values of some biochemical markers (ESR, CRP, Fibrinogen-C, SAA and IL1) in different participants with different FMF severity scores.Results: According to allele status 28 patients (27%) were homozygous mutation carriers, 38 (36.5%) were with compound heterozygous mutations and 38 (36.5%) were identified as heterozygous for one of the studied mutations. Of the studied mutations, M694I, E148Q, V726A, M680I, and M694V accounted for 28.1%, 26.8%, 16.9%, and 11.3% of mutations respectively. The R761H and P369S mutations were rarely encountered mutations (1.4%). The clinical features with M694I were associated with more severe clinical course. There is a drastic elevation in the levels of estimated parameters as their levels were increased as long as the severity of the disease increased.Conclusions: The diagnosis of FMF cannot be performed on the basis of genetic testing or clinical criteria alone. So, we recommended the combination between clinical and molecular profiling for FMF diagnosis and scoring

Prediction of preterm birth by evaluating the fetal adrenal gland volume and blood flow: a pilot study

Background: The aim of the current study was to estimate the risk of preterm birth (delivery < 37 weeks of gestation) by evaluating the fetal adrenal gland volume and blood flow at Women’s Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt.Methods: A pilot prospective cohort study included pregnant women presented to our hospital with threatened preterm labor between December 2016 and May 2018. All women were recruited consecutively at the emergency unit of Women’s Health Hospital at Assiut University. The fetal adrenal gland volume was assessed using 3-dimensional images of the fetal adrenal with the aid of Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis (VOCAL) software. Doppler evaluation of the fetal adrenal blood vessels was carried out. The RI, PI and S/D ratio was calculated for every case. The neonatal outcomes at delivery were assessed and compared with respect to the duration of actual delivery from the time of evaluation. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22.0) and p<0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: The study included 30 pregnant women at the final analysis. Women were classified according to the time of actual delivery into two groups. Group (I, n=13) those who delivered within 7 days and group (II, n=17) those who delivered 7 days or more. No difference between both groups regarding the baseline characteristics. No difference regarding the mode of delivery (p=0.708). All Doppler indices were statistically in-different between both groups. The fetal adrenal gland volume was significantly lower in group II than group I (p=0.001). On ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for prediction of preterm birth based on the fetal adrenal gland volume was (AUC= 0.873). The ROC curve shows that the best cut off value using the volume was ≥0.461 with 76.92% sensitivity and 88.24% specificity for prediction of preterm birth with an overall accuracy of 83.3%.Conclusions: Fetal adrenal gland volume was identified as a significant predictor of delivery in pregnant women who had spontaneous preterm births with intact membranes

Sexual behaviour of pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Egypt

Background: The aim of the current study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behavior of pregnant women regarding sexuality during pregnancy. Study was carried out at Women’s Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt.Methods: A cross-sectional study included pregnant women at different gestational ages between December 2016 and Jun 2017 recruited consecutively at the antenatal outpatient clinic of women’s Health Hospital at Assiut University. We used the Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (Ar-FSFI) in the interview to evaluate the sexual functions or problems during the last month. The cut-off score used to indicate sexual dysfunction was 28.1. The obtained data were analyzed by means of SPSS software (version 22.0) and p<0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: The study included 140 pregnant women at different ages and trimesters and also at different socio-economic states. Concerning the level of knowledge, the classification in recorded a mean score =11.91±4.05 which revealed a level of knowledge below average. Regarding the extent of beliefs in relation to sexuality during pregnancy, the mean score=2.72 of the respondents’ beliefs means that the impact of the beliefs regarding sexuality during pregnancy was weak among respondents. On assessing their perceptions about sexual intercourse during pregnancy, majority of them [130 (93.1%)] felt that sex have no negative impacts on pregnancy while 10 (6.9%) opined that sex during pregnancy had negative effects. Perceived negative effects of sex during pregnancy included vaginal bleeding and miscarriage.Conclusions: The low rate of sexual activity in our study, regardless question about the taboo of sexual intercourse during pregnancy, could be related to a cultural background in which women avoid speaking about their desires and sexual needs

First-trimester rupture of a scarred uterus after use of sublingual misoprostol: a case report

Uterine rupture is a disastrous obstetric complication, occurring mostly in the second and third trimesters. The risk of uterine rupture markedly increases with previous uterine surgeries. Termination of early pregnancy failure using misoprostol is common. However, its use in women with a scarred uterus is speculative and usually puts the obstetricians in a stressful situation. Here we present a case of rupture of a scarred uterus in the first trimester after sublingual misoprostol. A 35 years old multiparous woman presented with uterine rupture after administration of small doses of sublingual misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy failure. Immediate laparotomy was done and the defect was repaired. Termination of early pregnancy failure, in women with a scarred uterus, using sublingual misoprostol can lead to uterine rupture. Sublingual misoprostol should be used cautiously under close supervision or other routes (vaginal or oral) should be used instead