Achieving Online Regression Performance of LSTMs With Simple RNNs.

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are widely used for online regression due to their ability to generalize nonlinear temporal dependencies. As an RNN model, long short-term memory networks (LSTMs) are commonly preferred in practice, as these networks are capable of learning long-term dependencies while avoiding the vanishing gradient problem. However, due to their large number of parameters, training LSTMs requires considerably longer training time compared to simple RNNs (SRNNs). In this article, we achieve the online regression performance of LSTMs with SRNNs efficiently. To this end, we introduce a first-order training algorithm with a linear time complexity in the number of parameters. We show that when SRNNs are trained with our algorithm, they provide very similar regression performance with the LSTMs in two to three times shorter training time. We provide strong theoretical analysis to support our experimental results by providing regret bounds on the convergence rate of our algorithm. Through an extensive set of experiments, we verify our theoretical work and demonstrate significant performance improvements of our algorithm with respect to LSTMs and the other state-of-the-art learning models.

Evaluation of residual monomer elimination methods in three different fissure sealants in vitro.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of residual monomers and to evaluate the effectiveness of elimination methods of residual monomers in three different fissure sealant materials (Helioseal F, Filtek Flow and EXM-510). The sealant materials were divided into four subgroups because of the treatment methods used; one control group and three experimental groups (cotton roll, rubber cup and prophylaxis paste in cup). High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentrations of residual monomers. Results of the study showed that residual Bis-glycidyl dimethacrylate elution was the highest in Helioseal F and the lowest in Filtek Flow with the three methods tested. For triethleneglycol dimethacrylate, EXM-510 eluted the highest residual monomer. It was also found that although the three tested methods were insufficient for removing all of the residual monomers and rubbing with cotton rolls was more effective than other two methods.

Correlation between lead exposure indicators and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies in lymphocytes from inorganic lead exposed workers.

Inorganic lead exposure was studied in 31 volunteers employed in storage battery plant. The genotoxicity of lead was measured in terms of sister chromatid exchange (SCE). Erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydrogenase (ALAD) activity, urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (U-ALA), and blood lead levels (PbBs) were also determined to evaluate some possible relations between these lead exposure indicators and the observed SCE frequencies. Blood lead concentration of 36.31 microg/dl was determined as an average level in the workers. Consequently decreased ALAD activity in erythrocytes and increased U-ALA excretion was observed in statistically higher PbBs when compared with the control group. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the PbBs and SCE frequencies (p < 0.05). Moreover, the correlation between U-ALA excretion and SCE frequencies (p < 0.01) was relatively higher than the correlation between PbBs and SCE frequencies. These results might indicate a possible mechanism of ALA mediation in the genotoxic effects of lead.

Biogenic amines produced by Enterobacteriaceae isolated from meat products.

Biogenic amines in ground meat and processed meat products are one of the indicators to determine the poor quality raw material. Major histamine forming bacterium was Escherichia coli (strain EC04 with 65.88 mg/100 ml in Brain Heart Infusion medium), followed by the microorganisms Morganella morganii (strain MM4 with 8.40 mg/100 ml and strain MM7 with 8.28 mg/100 ml) and Proteus mirabilis (strain PM02 with 8.76 mg/100 ml), respectively. The highest putrescine production level was found in Citrobacter freundii and Enterobacter spp. strains, followed by Serratia grimesii, Proteus alcalifaciens, E. coli, Escherichia fergusonii, Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus penneri and Hafnia alvei, respectively. The most important cadaverine producer was E. coli EC03 with a production level of 45.48 mg/100 ml, and of the strains Escherichia vulnaris EV01, Escherichia fergusonii EF06 produced 37.92 mg/100ml and 35.40 mg/100 ml, respectively. On the basis of our results, it can be concluded that the major biogenic amines produced by Enterobacteriaceae are putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine and histamine, both in culture medium and meat products.

Urinary excretion of lead and delta-aminolevulinic acid in workers occupationally exposed to tetraethyl lead.

Forty-nine refinery workers and 50 motor mechanics were selected and examined for total lead (PbT), inorganic lead (PbI), and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in urine. The worker groups were exposed to tetraethyl lead (TEL) mainly by inhalation, but motor mechanics received additional exposure by skin because of hand cleansing with gasoline. The levels of urinary ALA (ALA-U) and urinary PbT (PbT-U) in refinery workers and motor mechanics were found to be significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). The correlation between the ALA-U and PbT-U was found significant in both worker groups (p<0.001); however, relatively higher positive correlation was found between ALA-U and urinary inorganic lead (PbI-U) in TEL-exposed workers.

Gender dependent effects of cigarette smoke on hepatic and pulmonary xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in rats.

The adult male and female rats were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) 5 times a day, with 1 h intervals, for 3 days in a chamber where smoke and fresh air lead alternatively and were killed 16 h after the last treatments and hepatic and pulmonary monooxygenase (MO) activities (aniline-4-hydroxylase, AH; aminopyrine-N-demethylase, AMND; 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, EROD; p-nitroanisole-O-demethylase, p-NAOD), lipid peroxidation (LP) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) activities toward several substrates (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, CDNB; 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, DCNB; ethacrynic acid, EAA; 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)-propane, ENPP) were determined. CS significantly increased hepatic AMND, EROD and p-NAOD activities whereas it unaltered AH activity in both genders as compared with controls. In the lung, EROD and p-NAOD activities were also significantly increased by CS in both genders. Pulmonary AH activity, however, significantly increased in males but remained unchanged in females. Pulmonary AMND activity significantly increased in females but remained unaltered in males. A significant decrease was noted in the LP level of males, while that of females was unaltered by CS in the liver. Pulmonary GSH and LP, and hepatic GSH levels were significantly increased by CS in both genders. In males, GST activities toward CDNB and DCNB did not alter, whereas GST activities toward EAA and ENPP significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in the liver. In females, CS significantly increased hepatic GST activity toward DCNB but it was ineffective on the other hepatic GST activities. All pulmonary GST activities of males were significantly depressed by CS. In females, however, CS significantly increased pulmonary GST activities toward CDNB and DCNB but was ineffective on GST activities toward EAA and ENPP. These results suggest that gender related differences exist in the modulations of hepatic GST, and pulmonary MO and GST activities but not in those of hepatic MO activities, by CS in rats.

Age dependent differential effects of cigarette smoke on hepatic and pulmonary xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in rats.

The effects of cigarette smoke (CS) on hepatic and pulmonary monooxygenase (MO) activities (aniline 4-hydroxylase, AH; aminopyrine N-demethylase, AMND; 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, EROD; p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, p-NAOD), lipid peroxidation (LP), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities toward several substrates (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, CDNB; 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, DCNB; ethacrynic acid, EAA; 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)-propane, ENPP) were determined in 20-, 90- and 360-day-old male rats. The animals were exposed to CS five times a day, with 1 h intervals, for 3 days in a chamber supplied alternatively with smoke and fresh air, and were killed 16 h after the last treatments. The hepatic AH activity increased significantly in 20-day-old rats and remained unaltered in older age groups. The hepatic AMND activity unaltered, significantly increased and decreased in 20-, 90- and 360-day-old rats, respectively. The pulmonary AH activity increased significantly in 20- and 90-day-old rats whereas no alteration was noted in 360-day-old rats. CS was ineffective on pulmonary AMND activity at all ages. CS increased hepatic and pulmonary EROD and p-NAOD activities significantly in all age groups compared to controls. In liver, LP level was significantly increased, decreased, and unaltered in 20-, 90- and 360-day-old rats, respectively. CS increased hepatic GSH level significantly in 90-day-old rats but was not effective in the other age groups. In lung, LP level was increased in 90- and 360-day-old rats and unaltered in 20-day-old rats. CS increased pulmonary GSH level significantly in 90-day-old rats and did not have any effect in the other age groups. The hepatic GST activities toward CDNB and DCNB decreased significantly in 360-day-old rats and were unaltered in the younger age groups. The hepatic GST activity toward EAA was unaltered, significantly increased and decreased in 20-, 90- and 360-day-old rats, respectively. The hepatic GST activity toward ENPP decreased significantly in 20- and 90-day-old rats but was unaltered in the oldest group of rats. In 20-day-old rats, the pulmonary GST activity toward ENPP increased significantly whereas the other GST activities did not alter. In 90-day-old rats, however, CS significantly decreased all the pulmonary GST activities studied. Unaltered DCNB GST, significant increase in EAA GST and decrease in CDNB and ENPP GST activities of lung were noted in 360-day-old rats. These results reveal that the regulation in rats of hepatic and pulmonary MO and GST activities are differentially influenced by CS as a function of age.

Combined effects of ethanol and cigarette smoke on hepatic and pulmonary xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in rats.

The combined effects of ethanol (EtOH) and cigarette smoke (CS) on hepatic and pulmonary monooxygenase (MO) activities (aniline 4-hydroxylase (AH), aminopyrine N-demethylase (AMND), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), p-nitroanisole O-demethylase (p-NAOD)), lipid peroxidation (LP) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities toward several substrates (l-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), ethacrynic acid (EAA), 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)-propane (ENPP)) were determined and compared with those of EtOH or CS alone in rats. When the male adult rats (225-275 g) were treated with 10% EtOH (v/v) in their drinking for 21 days AH, AMND and EROD activities and LP and GSH levels increased significantly whereas GST activity for EAA decreased significantly in liver as compared to controls. EtOH did not change the hepatic p-NAOD and GST activities toward CDNB, DCNB and ENPP. In lung, EtOH increased GST activities toward CDNB and ENPP and LP level but decreased GST activity toward DCNB, significantly. No alterations were noted in pulmonary MO activities and GST activity toward EAA and GSH level by EtOH treatment. When the animals were exposed to CS five times a day, with 1 h intervals, for 3 days in a chamber where smoke and fresh air lead alternatively, AMND, EROD and p-NAOD activities, GST activity toward EAA and GSH level increased but LP level and GST activity for ENPP decreased significantly in liver. CS did not alter the hepatic AH and GST activities toward CDNB and DCNB. In lung, CS increased AH, EROD and p-NAOD activities and LP and GSH levels and decreased all the GST activities studied significantly. CS had no influence on pulmonary AMND activity. For the combined treatment, the animals were treated with 10% EtOH (v/v) in their drinking water for 21 days and during the last 3 days they were exposed to CS five times a day, with 1 h intervals, in a chamber where smoke and fresh air lead alternatively. In these animals, augmentation of elevations were noted in AH and p-NAOD activities and LP and GSH levels but not in EROD and AMND activities in liver. Combined treatment significantly decreased GST activity toward CDNB, ameliorated the alteration caused by either EtOH or CS treatment alone on GST activity toward EAA and potentiated the depression of GST activity toward ENPP to a greater degree. No change was observed in GST activity toward DCNB. In lung, combined treatment potentiated the elevations of AMND and p-NAOD activities and LP level and not those of AH and EROD activities. GST activities toward CDNB, DCNB and ENPP were highly elevated by the combined treatment. No changes were observed in pulmonary GSH level and GST activity for EAA by the combined treatment. These results reveal that the regulations of the hepatic and pulmonary MO and GST are differentially influenced by EtOH, CS and the combined treatment.

Biological monitoring of lead in workers exposed to tetraethyllead.

The excretion of inorganic, and total lead was investigated in the urine of workers who were exposed to tetraethyllead (TEL) at gasoline stations. Concentrations of total and inorganic lead after chelation-extraction were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) in combination with a slotted quartz tube. The limit of detection was 5.2 x 10(-3) micrograms Pb/ml; average total lead and inorganic lead concentrations in the urine of workers were 79.0 (range 22.6-158.9 micrograms Pb/g creatinine) and 37.3 micrograms Pb/g creatinine (range 5.1-121.0), respectively. In the control group, the mean of the urinary total lead and inorganic lead levels were 5.5 and 3.9 micrograms Pb/g creatinine, respectively. The difference between total and inorganic lead concentrations could be due to organic lead present in the urine.

Chronic effects of cadmium on kidney, liver, testis, and fertility of male rats.

Male Wistar rats (n:20), at 5 wk of age, were given cadmium in drinking water (10 mg/L water) for 52 wk; 8 males and 20 female rats, as controls, were given tap water. At the end of 28 and 40 wk, some of the cadmium-treated males and control group male rats were sacrificed for the histopathological examination of testis, kidney, and liver. At the end of 56 wk, histopathological examinations were performed in the same way. Liver, kidney, and testis cadmium levels were also determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All the cadmium-treated male rats showed pathological testicular alterations, and liver and kidney damage after chronic exposure. Cadmium levels were found to be highest in the kidney (1.009 +/- 0.034 microgram/g wet tissue in the infertile group). At the end of the 52-wk period, reproductive capacity of the cadmium-treated rats was investigated and was found to be lost in 39.89% of the animals.

Analysis of the serum paraoxonase/arylesterase polymorphism in a Turkish population.

Human serum paraoxonase is a polymorphic enzyme that is capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of paraoxon and other organophosphates, some carbamates and certain aromatic carboxylic acid esters. This enzyme is specified by two allelic genes at one autosomal locus (isozymes 'A' and 'B'). The purpose of this study was to examine the paraoxonase activity of 105 Turkish subjects. Paraoxonase activities ranged from 39.6 to 278.2 nmol p-nitrophenol formed per ml of serum per min. Paraoxonase phenotypes could be clearly identified by salt and paraoxonase:arylesterase activity ratio characteristics. The gene frequencies were 0.632 for the low activity allele (A) and 0.368 for the high activity allele (B).

Blood lead level distribution by age group in inhabitants of Ankara.

Blood lead levels of 619 healthy and nonoccupationally exposed inhabitants of central and rural parts of Ankara, (297 females and 322 males) ages 2-80, were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Lead also was determined in the whole blood samples from 66 (all male) occupationally exposed adults. The blood lead levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) among children (16.95 micrograms/100 mL as a geometric mean) than the subdivided age groups of adults (geometric means by decades of age group were ranged from 8.39 micrograms/100 mL to 14.34 micrograms/100mL). The levels were lower among young adults and gradually to reach a plateau at the 50-59 age group. Although females had lower lead blood levels than males, sex difference was insignificant (p greater than 0.05). The geometric mean of blood lead levels of people living in central Ankara was also found significantly higher than the geometric mean of people living in rural parts of Ankara (N:60, 8.65 micrograms/100 mL) but significantly lower than the occupationally exposed group (N:66, 49.81 micrograms/100 mL). High absorption of lead in children and adults living in Ankara as compared with other countries is probably attributable to heavy traffic concentration and exposure to dust-borne lead.

Acute poisoning admissions in one of the hospitals in Ankara.

Emergency service admissions at the Numune Hospital, Ankara, have been investigated for one year. Of the emergency admissions 5% were cases of poisoning; of these, 63.6% were due to drugs.

Biological activities of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) extracts cultivated in South Anatolia in favism sensitive subjects.

Aqueous extracts of a different variety of fresh broad bean seeds obtained from a favism endemic area in Turkey, were incubated with blood from sensitive and non-sensitive (control) subjects. Red blood cells were characterized by a whole blood glutathione (GSH) and a deficiency of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity. As the decrease in GSH percent is taken as an index of haemolytic activity, the test results were as following: Sakiz , Milas -Region, French broad bean extracts reduced the blood GSH levels 48%, 70%, 46% and 53%, respectively, in favism sensitive subjects. Active principles which are responsible for the haemolysis ( Vicine and Convicine ) were isolated from broad beans and their effects on GSH levels of blood were 99% and 81%, respectively, in favism sensitive subjects and 33.3% and 19% in normal subjects.

In vivo effects of 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital, pyrethrum and 2,4,5-T isooctylester on liver, lung and kidney microsomal mixed-function oxidase system of guinea-pig: a comparative study.

The optimum conditions (pH, microsomal protein amount and substrate concentration) of guinea-pig liver, lung and kidney microsomal aniline 4-hydroxylase, ethylmorphine N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities were determined. Male guinea-pigs weighing 500-700 g were administered 3-methylcholanthrene (25 mg/kg, i.p. 3 days), phenobarbital (75 mg/kg, i.p. 3 days), pyrethrum (120 mg/kg, i.p. 2 days) and 2,4,5-T isooctylester (200 mg/kg, i.p. 3 days). 3-Methylcholanthrene treatment caused significant increases in liver microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase and kidney microsomal aniline 4-hydroxylase activities. However, with phenobarbital treatment the only significant increase was observed in liver microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity. Pyrethrum treatment decreased kidney microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity significantly. 2,4,5-T isooctylester treatment increased liver microsomal aniline 4-hydroxylase and lung microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities significantly. Liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was increased significantly by phenobarbital and pyrethrum treatment. The other treatments did not cause any significant changes in microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activities of liver, lung and kidney. Cytochrome P-450 content of guinea-pig liver microsomes were increased significantly about 2.5-fold and 2-fold by treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital, respectively. 3-Methylcholanthrene also caused 1 nm spectral shift in the absorption maxima of CO difference spectrum of the dithionite-reduced liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, forming P-449.