Comparative efficacy of machine-learning models in prediction of reducing uncertainties in biosurfactant production.

An accurate and reliable forecast of biosurfactant production with minimum error is useful in any bioprocess engineering. Bacterial isolate FKOD36 capable of producing biosurfactant was isolated in this study and pre-inoculums was prepared from the agar slants in a small test tube and incubated at 30 °C for 24 h at 120 rpm. Due to inherent non-linearity characteristics of the data set in a bioprocess, conventional modeling techniques are not adequate for predicting biosurfactant production in a microbiological process. The main contribution of the study was to compare two soft-computing models, i.e., support vector regression (SVR) and support vector regression coupled with firefly algorithm to evaluate the best performance of the two mentioned models. Based on the results it was noted that support vector regression coupled with firefly algorithm performs better compared to the simple SVR.

Hydrolysis of the amide bond in histidine- and methionine-containing dipeptides promoted by pyrazine and pyridazine palladium(II)-aqua dimers: Comparative study with platinum(II) analogues.

Two dinuclear palladium(II) complexes, [{Pd(en)Cl}2(µ-pz)](NO3)2 and [{Pd(en)Cl}2(µ-pydz)](NO3)2, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental microanalysis and spectroscopic (1H and 13C NMR, IR and UV-vis) techniques (en is ethylenediamine; pz is pyrazine and pydz is pyridazine). The square planar geometry of palladium(II) metal centers in these complexes has been predicted by DFT calculations. The chlorido complexes were converted into the corresponding aqua complexes, [{Pd(en)(H2O)}2(µ-pz)]4+ and [{Pd(en)(H2O)}2(µ-pydz)]4+, and their reactions with N-acetylated l-histidylglycine (Ac-l-His-Gly) and l-methionylglycine (Ac-l-Met-Gly) were studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The palladium(II)-aqua complexes and dipeptides were reacted in 1:1 M ratio, and all reactions performed in the pH range 2.0

Acute hepatitis E in Montenegro: epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with acute viral hepatitis E in Montenegro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 400 patients with acute viral hepatitis from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2007 were enrolled in the study. Serological tests for hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses were performed. Standard laboratory tests for liver function were analyzed. The results are presented as absolute numbers, mean +/- SD, range of values, and percent. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Twenty-four (6%) patients had clinically and/or serologically confirmed acute hepatitis E. The mean age of the patients was 25 +/- 6 years; 62.5% were males. The majority of the patients (66%) belonged to the 20 to 40 yrs age group (P < 0.05). Seven patients were asymptomatic. Foremost symptoms were loss of appetite (100%), fatigue (94%) and vomiting (75%). The most frequent clinical sign was mild to moderate liver enlargement (94%). Jaundice had 12/17 symptomatic patients. Elevation of alanine aminotransferase was found in 19 patients including two patients without symptoms. The enzyme, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase was increased in all patients. CONCLUSION: Acute hepatitis E in Montenegro emerges as an autochthonous infection with a low incidence. Sub-clinical and anicteric infections may occur. Elevation of gamma glutamyltranspeptidase is an important parameter of the biochemical profile of the disease.

Poly[[tetra-aquabis-(µ-hydroxy-acetato-κO,O:O,O)-µ(2)-sulfato-κO:O'-dicadmium(II)] monohydrate].

The title compound, {[Cd(2)(C(2)H(3)O(3))(2)(SO(4))(H(2)O)(4)]·H(2)O}(n), was obtained unintentionally in a transmetallation reaction. The crystal structure contains a two-dimensional metal-organic framework based on Cd(II)-(µ-hydroxy-acetato-κ(4)O(1),O(2):O(1),O(1'))-Cd(II) zigzag chains joined together by bridging SO(4) anions. The resulting layers are shifted with respect to each other and are stacked along the c axis. Their construction is supported by hydrogen bonds between water molecules and between water molecules and carboxylate or sulfate groups. Neighbouring layers are bridged by hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl substituent and a sulfate anion. The sulfate anion and solvent water mol-ecule are located on twofold axes. The results demonstrate that care must be taken when preparing ethyl-enediamine-tetra-acetic acid-type complexes by transmetallation, in order to avoid precipitation of metal complexes with the α-hydroxy-acetate ligand.

Genetic diversity of HIV type 1 in Montenegro.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is characterized by high genetic variability due to its high replication rate and the lack of proofreading activity of the reverse transcriptase enzyme. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis performed on numerous isolates from all over the world, HIV-1 is subdivided into types, subtypes, subsubtypes, circulating recombinant forms, and unique recombinant forms. No data are currently available about the circulation of HIV-1 types in Montenegro. Here, we describe the genetic variability of HIV-1 strains identified in plasma samples of patients from Montenegro. Phylogenetic analysis on 32 HIV-1 sequences was carried out. The prevalent circulating HIV-1 subtype is B. The strains were interspersed within the tree. Two main clades (I and II) may suggest independent introductions of HIV-1 subtype B into Montenegro, although other epidemiological evidence will be needed to assume a small number of introductions. No obvious evidence of clustering by residence, age, or sex was found (data not shown). Nelfinavir resistance was found, though lopinavir is the only PI administered. Continuous monitoring of HIV-1-infected individuals is crucial to a better understand of the epidemiology of the B subtype in Montenegro.

[Comparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics of viral hepatitis A and E in Montenegro].

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis E has many similarities in with hepatitis A concerning clinical picture, route of transmission and nonexistence of chronicity. Comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with hepatitis A and E to estimate characteristics of these diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total of 54 patients divided into two groups was investigated: 27 had hepatitis A, others had hepatitis E. Detailed history past, clinical examination, liver function tests and ultrasonography of the upper abdomen, were done in all patients. Aetiology of viral hepatitis was investigated serologically by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) using commercial kits for following viruses: Hepatitis A-E viruses, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. RESULTS: Asymptomatic infections (29.6%) and clinical forms without jaundice (59.3%) were more frequent in patients with hepatitis E. Splenomegaly was found more frequent in patients with hepatitis A than in hepatitis E (66.7% vs. 33.3%). Patients with hepatitis E had significantly lower activity of aminotransferases than patients with hepatitis A. A significant increase of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase was found in patients with hepatitis E (mean value: 120 IU/L). DISCUSSION: Our results are in concordance with other reports that hepatitis E virus infection is more common asymptomatic disease than hepatitis A. In addition, hepatocyte necrosis in hepatitis E is less extensive than in hepatitis A measured by the activity of aminotransferases. Contrary to that the value of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase is more increased in hepatitis E than in hepatitis A without exact explanation so far: CONCLUSION: Viral hepatitis E and A have differences in some clinical features and laboratory parameters although both diseases principally have resolved without consequences after 6-8 weeks.

Liver enlargement associated with opportunistic infections in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Liver disease is commonly present in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The aim was to determine the frequency of liver enlargement and its association with opportunistic infections in patients with HIV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 400 HIV-infected patients were investigated. Commercial kits (Ortho EIA; BioRad, ELISA) were used for detection of serum specific antibodies to HIV, hepatitis C virus, surface antigen of hepatitis B virus, and cytomegalovirus. Liver tissues were stained for various microorganisms. The electronic data base SPSS for Windows (version 10.0) was used for statistical analysis. A p <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Ultrasonographic screening revealed liver enlargement in 63.75% of HIV patients. In 40.7% the right lobe size varied from 140 mm to 160 mm. Of those with hepatomegaly, 60.7% had AIDS. Hepatitis C and B viruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were detected in 50%, 29% and 18% of patients, respectively. Histological changes were mostly non-specific. Liver pathology depended on the degree of cellular immune deficiency, particularly in patients with HBV co-infection. In a minority of patients (32.5%), the histology revealed granulomatous hepatitis. Liver function tests were abnormal in 46%. CONCLUSION: Liver enlargement is common in HIV-infected patients mostly in association with hepatitis C and B viruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.