A New Approximation for the Null Distribution of the Likelihood Ratio Test Statistics for k Upper Outliers in a Normal Sample

In this paper, we introduce a new approximation for the null distribution of the likelihood ratio test for the general case. We compare the the critical values obtained by the new approximation to the values which are obtained by the exact distribution for the cases k=1, 2 to test the accuracy of the new approximation. Also, we compare the results to another approximation method (which is known by Barnett and Lewis (1994)) for the cases k=3,4.Likelihood Ratio Test, Outlier, Approximation, Normal Sample

On the Number of Nonnegative Solutions to the Inequality a1 +....ar < n

In this paper, we present a simple and fast method for counting the number of nonnegative integer solutions to the equality a1x1+a2x2+: : :+arxr = n where a1; a2; :::; ar and n are positive integers. As an application, we use the method for finding the number of solutions of a Diophantine inequality

Phytochemical properties of some Iranian medicinal plants

There is renewal efforts toward the use of herbal medicines and preparation of natural new drugs. Phanolic compounds are a group of secondary plant compounds with significant antioxidant activity. Herbal based drugs with antioxidant activity are used against radical induced disorders like atherosclerosis. In the present study, antioxidant properties and the contents of phenolics and flavonoid components of hydro-Alcoholic extract of eight medicinal plants (Allium hirtifolium, Stachys lavandulifolia, Nigella sativa, Zataria multiflora, Tripleurospermum disciforme, Punica granatum, Echinophora platyloba and Portulaca oleracea) were measured. The correlation between antioxidant activities and phenolic or flavonoid components were also evaluated. The results showed that there was a correlation between the amounts of total phenolics in hydro-Alcoholic extract and antioxidant activities (R2=0.640). Furthermore, the results revealed that there was not a linear correlation between antioxidant properties and flavonoids or flavonol contents of the examined plants. The antioxidant properties of the examined plants may show the potential property of these plants in prevention or treatment of free radical related disorders. The lack of a linear correlation between antioxidant properties and flavonoids or flavonol contents of the examined plants might result from existence of other compounds with antioxidant properties in these plants

Efficacy of Myrtus communis L. to inactivate the hydatid cyst protoscoleces

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the scolicidal effects of Myrtus communis L. essential oil against protoscoleces of hydatid cysts and also its toxicity in mice model. Materials and Methods: Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (12.5–100 μl/ml) were used for 5–30 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed using eosin exclusion test (0.1% eosin staining). Moreover, 48 male NMRI mice were used to determine the acute and sub-acute toxicity of M. communis essential oil. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test was used to assess differences between experimental groups. Results: Findings of the present study demonstrated that the M. communis essential oil at the concentration of 100 μl/ml after 5 min of exposure killed 100% protoscoleces. Similarly, the mean mortality rate of protoscoleces after 10 min of exposure to concentration of 50 μl/ml was 100%. However, lower concentrations (12.5 and 25 μl/ml) of M. communis essential oil provoked a delayed protoscolicidal effects. The LD50 values of intraperitoneal injection of the M. communis essential oil was 2.23 mL/kg body wt. No significant difference (p > .05) was observed in the clinical chemistry and hematological parameters following oral administrations of M. communis essential oil at the doses 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mL/kg for 14 days. Conclusion: The results showed potent scolicidal activity of M. communis with no significant toxicity, which might be used as a natural scolicidal agent in hydatid cyst surgery

A New Approximation for the Null Distribution of the Likelihood Ratio Test Statistics for k Upper Outliers in a Normal Sample

In this paper, we introduce a new approximation for the null distribution of the likelihood ratio test for the general case. We compare the the critical values obtained by the new approximation to the values which are obtained by the exact distribution for the cases k=1, 2 to test the accuracy of the new approximation. Also, we compare the results to another approximation method (which is known by Barnett and Lewis (1994)) for the cases k=3,4

The role of Curcuma longa essential oil in controlling acute toxoplasmosis by improving the immune system and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress

BackgroundChemotherapy with synthetic drugs is the principal approach for toxoplasmosis treatment; however, recent studies reported the limitations and adverse side effects of these chemical drugs.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the in vitro and in vivo effects of Curcuma longa essential oil (CLE) against the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain.MethodsThe in vitro effect of different concentrations of CLE on T. gondii tachyzoites was assessed by cell viability assay. Flow cytometry and apoptosis analysis were performed, and nitric oxide production by CLE was also evaluated in tachyzoites. BALB/c mice were orally treated with various doses (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg·kg−1·day−1) of CLE for 2 weeks. After the induction of acute toxoplasmosis in the mice, their survival rate and the mean number of peritoneal parasites were checked. The hepatic level of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers was evaluated by commercial kits. The mRNA expression level of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR.ResultsCLE, especially at 50 µg/ml, showed potent inhibitory effects on T. gondii tachyzoites. It increased the survival rate (ninth day) and reduced the mean number of peritoneal tachyzoites in the infected mice. CLE dependently increased (p &lt; 0.01) the number of necrotic and apoptotic cells as well as NO production. CLE significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reduced the hepatic level of oxidative stress markers but increased (p &lt; 0.001) the antioxidant enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines in the infected mice, with no important toxicity for vital organs.ConclusionThe findings of this survey revealed the significant in vitro inhibitory effects of CLE on T. gondii tachyzoites. The results also exhibited promising in vivo effects of CLE. CLE improved the survival rate of infected mice and reduced the parasite number in them. Although the mechanisms of action of CLE are not clear, our study demonstrated its beneficial effects on acute toxoplasmosis by strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Still, more studies are required to confirm these results

IS THE SAMPLE COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION A GOOD ESTIMATOR FOR THE POPULATION COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION?

In this paper, we obtain bounds for the population coefficient of variation (CV) in Bernoulli, Discrete Uniform, Normal and Exponential distributions. We also show that the sample coefficient of variation (cv) is not an accurate estimator of the population CV in the above indicated distributions. Finally we provide some suggestions based on the Maximum Likelihood Estimation to improve the population CV estimate

In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial effects of Pistacia khinjuk against Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major

The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activities of Pistacia khinjuk Stocks (Anacardiaceae) alcoholic extract and to compare its efficacy with a reference drug, meglumine antimoniate (MA, Glucantime), against Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major. This extract (0–10