Dynamically stabilized recurrent neural network optimized with Artificial Gorilla Troops espoused Alzheimer's disorder detection using EEG signals.

Alzheimer's disease is an incurable neurological disorder that damages cognitive abilities, but early identification reduces the symptoms significantly. The absence of competent healthcare professionals has made automatic identification of Alzheimer's disease more crucial since it lessens the amount of work for staff members and improves diagnostic outcomes. The major aim of this work is "to develop a computer diagnostic scheme that makes it possible to identify AD using the Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal". Therefore, Dynamically Stabilized Recurrent Neural Network Optimized with Artificial Gorilla Troops espoused Alzheimer's Disorder Detection using EEG signals (DSRNN-AGTO-ADD) is proposed in this paper. Here, Dynamic Context-Sensitive Filter (DCSF) is considered to eliminate the noise, and interference from the EEG signal. Then Adaptive and Concise Empirical Wavelet Transform (ACEWT) is utilized to separate the filtered signals from the frequency bands, and to feature extraction from the EEG signals. Signal's characteristics, like logarithmic bandwidth power, standard deviation, variance, kurtosis, mean energy, mean square, norm are combined to ACEWT method to create feature vectors and enhance diagnostic performance. After that, the extracted features are fed to Dynamically Stabilized Recurrent Neural Network (DSRNN) for task classification. Weight parameter of DSRNN is enhanced using Artificial Gorilla Troops Optimization Algorithm (AGTOA). The proposed DSRNN-AGTOA-ADD algorithm is activated in MATLAB. The metrics including accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision, computation time, ROC are examined for AD diagnosis. The performance of the proposed DSRNN-AGTOA-ADD approach attains 12.98%, 5.98% and 23.45% high specificity; 29.98%, 23.32% and 19.76% lower computation Time and 29.29%, 8.365%, 8.551% and 7.915% higher ROC compared with the existing methods.

Cervical cancer knowledge and attitude among a cohort of female schoolteachers in Salem city - A cross-sectional survey.

The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of female schoolteachers toward cervical cancer. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 Government female schoolteachers aged 22-60 years in Salem city, Tamil Nadu. A self-administered questionnaire which assessed the levels of knowledge (6 items) and attitude (4 items) regarding cervical cancer was employed and responses were recorded on a three-point Likert scale. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Results: Overall adequate knowledge and good attitude regards to cervical cancer was observed among 60% and 66.8% of schoolteachers, respectively. Participants in the age range of 31-45 years (p = 0.007), primary schoolteachers (p = 0.004) and Hindus (p = 0.001) displayed significantly adequate levels of knowledge compared to their respective counterpart. Likewise, based on attitude subjects possessing postgraduation (p = 0.001) and middle schoolteachers (p = 0.009) had significant good attitude scores. Significant linear correlation was observed knowledge with class teacher (r = 0.136, P = 0.03) and religion (r = 0.208, P = 0.001) whereas attitude with qualification (r = 0.165, P = 0.008) and class teacher (r = 0.206, P = 0.001) which are positive predictors. Moreover, knowledge had a significant positive correlation with attitude (r = 1.000, P = 0.000). Conclusion: Primary care physicians partnering network with schoolteachers having adequate knowledge and good attitude acts as a workforce to support cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus vaccination.

Correlation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice with their Oral Health Status among Young Adults of Nursing Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Nursing profession execute an imperative role in health promotion, disease, and injury prevention, providing care and assist in cure of patients with diverse age groups, and backgrounds both in individual and community settings. The study aimed to determine and compare the oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) with oral health status among nursing students in Salem. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on nursing students of Vinayaka Mission's Annapoorna College of Nursing, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. The study included self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details and oral health KAP questions (18-items) followed by oral examination using the World Health Organization survey (2013). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22. Results: Two hundred and sixty-one students were included in the survey (63 males and 198 females). Females reported better mean ± standard deviation (SD) in knowledge (24.08 ± 4.3), attitude (5.43 ± 1.3), and practice (10.82 ± 1.5, P = 0.000) than males. Moreover third-year students had higher mean ± SD scores in knowledge (24.42 ± 4.3) and practice (10.89 ± 1.7) while higher mean ± SD attitude scores (5.61 ± 1.2) was reported among second years. Relationship between attitude-practice indicated a positive significant correlation (r = 0.145, P = 0.05). Conclusions: There are an adequate knowledge, negative attitude, and inadequate practice toward oral health among nursing students. The study introspects the gap between knowledge and actions. As attitude influence on a person's behavior, discriminate knowledge in the right direction to best bring out the outcomes.

Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid and Clofazimine for Treatment of Pre-extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment success rates for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remain low globally. Availability of newer drugs has given scope to develop regimens that can be patient-friendly, less toxic, with improved outcomes. We proposed to determine the effectiveness of an entirely oral, short-course regimen with Bedaquiline and Delamanid in treating MDR-TB with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones (MDR-TBFQ+) or second-line injectable (MDR-TBSLI+). METHODS: We prospectively determined the effectiveness and safety of combining two new drugs with two repurposed drugs - Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid, and Clofazimine for 24-36 weeks in adults with pulmonary MDR-TBFQ+ or/and MDR-TBSLI+. The primary outcome was a favorable response at end of treatment, defined as two consecutive negative cultures taken four weeks apart. The unfavorable outcomes included bacteriologic or clinical failure during treatment period. RESULTS: Of the 165 participants enrolled, 158 had MDR-TBFQ+. At the end of treatment, after excluding 12 patients due to baseline drug susceptibility and culture negatives, 139 of 153 patients (91%) had a favorable outcome. Fourteen patients (9%) had unfavorable outcomes: four deaths, seven treatment changes, two bacteriological failures, and one withdrawal. During treatment, 85 patients (52%) developed myelosuppression, 69 (42%) reported peripheral neuropathy, and none had QTc(F) prolongation >500msec. At 48 weeks of follow-up, 131 patients showed sustained treatment success with the resolution of adverse events in the majority. CONCLUSION: After 24-36 weeks of treatment, this regimen resulted in a satisfactory favorable outcome in pulmonary MDR-TB patients with additional drug resistance. Cardiotoxicity was minimal, and myelosuppression, while common, was detected early and treated successfully.

Correlation of pharmacy students' knowledge, attitude, and practices with their oral health status in Salem city-A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the basic sciences also contributes in health maintenance and promotion for the population. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among pharmacy students in Salem toward oral health. Secondary objectives are to correlate KAP with their oral health status. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using self-administered 16-item pretested and pre-validated questionnaire and oral health status data were collected using the WHO oral health assessment form (1997) targeting pharmacy students Vinayaka Missions College of pharmacy. Six, four, and six questions were used to assess pharmacy students' knowledge, attitude, and practice, respectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 to perform the Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman's correlation, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: 386 participated in the survey (263 males and 123 females). The highest mean for knowledge was among 17-21 years of age group students (18.07 ± 3.07) and this was statistically significant when compared to another age group (P < 0.05). The gender difference was seen with males having a significantly (P < 0.001) more positive mean ± SD oral health KAP compared to their female counterparts. KAP scores upon correlation revealed a positive relationship between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.015), knowledge-practice (r = 0.016), and attitude-practice (r = 0.069). RESULTS: 386 participated in the survey (263 males and 123 females). The highest mean for knowledge was among 17-21 years of age group students (18.07 ± 3.07) and this was statistically significant when compared to another age group (P < 0.05). The gender difference was seen with males having a significantly (P < 0.001) more positive mean ± SD oral health KAP compared to their female counterparts. KAP scores upon correlation revealed a positive relationship between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.015), knowledge-practice (r = 0.016), and attitude-practice (r = 0.069). CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that oral health KAP of students is inadequate and needs to be improved as they play an important role in the patients' counseling toward oral care.

A study on male homosexual behavior.

INTRODUCTION: Male homosexual behavior carries a high risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ignorance regarding the associated high risk, indulgence inspite of no natural homosexual orientation and not using protective barrier methods can affect the sexual health of adolescents and adults. AIM: (1) To assess the proportion of men who have sex with men (MSM) having a natural homosexual orientation compared to those who had acquired the homosexual behavior initially under various circumstances (such as due to certain misconceptions, fear of having heterosexual contact, peer pressure, and influence of alcohol). (2) To assess the level of awareness regarding increased risk of transmission of STIs associated with homosexual behavior and regarding protective barrier methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining consent from the subjects, questionnaire - based interview used for obtaining data for this observational (cross-sectional) study. RESULTS: (1) Of the 50 subjects, only about 25% had interest in homosexual behavior prior to initial episode. (2) About 50% subjects indulged in homosexual behavior due to lack/fear of having heterosexual contact. (3) About 60% subjects believed that homosexual behavior carried relatively lower risk of acquiring STIs and 68% subjects have had unprotected contact. (4) About 70% subjects had only acquired this behavior and nearly 60% subjects were interested in heterosexual marriage and not interested in further homosexual behavior. CONCLUSION: (1) Homosexuality is a natural orientation in some and an acquired behavior in the rest. (2) If homosexual behavior is acquired, due to misconceptions, then imparting sex education and awareness regarding involved risks, and the importance of protective barrier methods will prevent ignorance driven behavior. For those with natural homosexual orientation, the importance of protective barrier methods in homosexual behavior needs emphasis.

Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia: A simple, safe, cost-effective procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a condition that has been studied over decades and whose pathogenesis has still not been well defined. Various open and minimally invasive procedures are in vogue for the treatment of intractable TN. All these procedures have their complications and recurrence rates. Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy (PRGR) is one of the minimally invasive procedures that have been popular for quite a long time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper is a prospective study analyzing the results of 93 patients with refractory TN who were treated with PRGR. RESULTS: There was an immediate pain relief in 96.8% of patients and long-term pain relief in 89.4% of patients, with a mean follow-up duration of 18.8 months. Recurrence of pain was seen in 10.4% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PRGR is a simple, safe, cost-effective procedure without any need for expensive equipment and with a good outcome that is compared to the other relatively more expensive open and minimally invasive procedures.

Development of a new method for diagnosis of Group B Coxsackie genome by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

BACKGROUND: Coxsackie B viruses (genus, Enterovirus; family, Picornaviridae) can cause aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, pleurodynia, and fatal myocarditis, and are implicated in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. The differentiation of the group B Coxsackieviruses into their subtypes has potential clinical and epidemiological implications. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we developed a one-step, single-tube genogroup-specific reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the detection of group B Coxsackie genomes targeting 5' UTR region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amplification can be obtained in less than 1 hour by incubating all the reagents in a single tube with reverse transcriptase and Bst DNA polymerase at 63°C. Detection of gene amplification could be accomplished by agarose gel electrophoresis and the monitoring of gene amplification can also be visualised with the naked eye by using SYBR green I fluorescent dye. RESULTS: A total of 40 samples comprising 31 positive samples and 9 negative samples were used in this study for comparative evaluation. The results were compared with those from Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). None of the RT-PCR-positive samples were missed by RT-LAMP, thereby indicating a higher sensitivity of the RT-LAMP assay. CONCLUSION: Thus, due to easy operation without a requirement of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel, the RT-LAMP assay reported here is extremely rapid, cost-effective, highly sensitive, and specific and has potential usefulness for rapid detection of non-polio enterovirus (NPEV) not only by well-equipped laboratories but also by peripheral diagnostic laboratories with limited financial resources in developing countries.

Identification of gene expression signature in estrogen receptor positive breast carcinoma.

A significant group of patient with estrogen receptor (ER) α positive breast tumors fails to appreciably respond to endocrine therapy. An increased understanding of the molecular basis of estrogen-mediated signal transduction and resultant gene expression may lead to novel strategies for treating breast cancer. In this study, we sought to identify the dysregulated genes in breast tumors related to ERα status. Microarray analyses of 31 tumor samples showed 108 genes differentially expressed in ERα (+) and ERα (-) primary breast tumors. Further analyses of gene lists indicated that a significant number of dysregulated genes were involved in mRNA transcription and cellular differentiation. The majority of these genes were found to have promoter-binding sites for E74-like factor 5 (ELF5; 54.6% genes), E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1; 22.2% genes), and nuclear transcription factor Y alpha (NFYA; 32.4% genes). Six candidate genes (NTN4, SLC7A8, MLPH, ENPP1, LAMB2, and PLAT) with differential expression were selected for further validation studies using RT-qPCR (76 clinical specimen) and immunohistochemistry (48 clinical specimen). Our studies indicate significant over-expression of all the six genes in ERα (+) breast tumors as compared to ERα (-) breast tumors. In vitro studies using T-47D breast cancer cell line confirmed the estrogen dependant expression of four of the above six genes (SLC7A8, ENPP1, LAMB2, and PLAT). Collectively, our study provides further insights into the molecular basis of estrogen-dependent breast cancer and identifies "candidate biomarkers" that could be useful for predicting endocrine responsiveness.

Computer code to predict the heat of explosion of high energy materials.

The computational approach to the thermochemical changes involved in the process of explosion of a high energy materials (HEMs) vis-à-vis its molecular structure aids a HEMs chemist/engineers to predict the important thermodynamic parameters such as heat of explosion of the HEMs. Such a computer-aided design will be useful in predicting the performance of a given HEM as well as in conceiving futuristic high energy molecules that have significant potential in the field of explosives and propellants. The software code viz., LOTUSES developed by authors predicts various characteristics of HEMs such as explosion products including balanced explosion reactions, density of HEMs, velocity of detonation, CJ pressure, etc. The new computational approach described in this paper allows the prediction of heat of explosion (DeltaH(e)) without any experimental data for different HEMs, which are comparable with experimental results reported in literature. The new algorithm which does not require any complex input parameter is incorporated in LOTUSES (version 1.5) and the results are presented in this paper. The linear regression analysis of all data point yields the correlation coefficient R(2)=0.9721 with a linear equation y=0.9262x+101.45. The correlation coefficient value 0.9721 reveals that the computed values are in good agreement with experimental values and useful for rapid hazard assessment of energetic materials.

A case of intractable nausea and vomiting following posterior fossa craniotomy.

We describe a unique case of prolonged nausea and vomiting following posterior fossa craniotomy for removal of a meningioma. No apparent neurological or gastrointestinal causes were discovered except for a delayed gastric emptying time. The symptoms gradually resolved along with normalization of the gastric emptying time. Possible pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.

Impact of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. extract on ethanol-mediated oxidative damage in rat kidney.

The antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. root (EHI), an indigenous Ayurvedic medicinal plant in India, was studied in rats with ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity. Administering 5 g/kg body weight/day of ethanol for 60 days to male Wistar rats resulted in significantly elevated levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid as well as kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and conjugated dienes (CD) as compared to those of the experimental control rats. Decreased levels of kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E were also observed on alcohol administration as compared with those of the experimental control rats. EHI was administered at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day for the last 30 days of the experiment to rats with ethanol-induced kidney injury, which significantly decreased the levels of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine as well as kidney TBARS, LOOH and CD and significantly elevated the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E in kidney as compared to that of untreated ethanol-administered rats. Histopathological observations also correlated with the biochemical parameters. Thus, the data indicate that treatment with EHI offers protection against free radical-mediated oxidative stress in kidney of animals with ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity.

Comparison of multidetector computed tomographic colonography and conventional colonoscopy for detection of colorectal polyps and cancer.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is a new technique for detecting colonic neoplasms. Data on the utility of this method in the Indian population are limited. METHODS: Forty-two patients with symptoms of colonic disease underwent CTC and conventional colonoscopy (CC) within one week of each other and the findings at these two investigations were compared. RESULTS: The entire colon could be evaluated in 38 patients on CTC and in 23 patients on CC. Of the 19 patients who had incomplete CC, 14 had occlusive colonic lesions. Of the 86 lesions detected on CC, 76 (88.4%) were correctly identified on CTC with regard to location and size. CTC was false negative for 10 lesions and false positive for 5 lesions in 3 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of CTC were 65% and 77%, respectively, for lesions 1-5 mm; 97% and 83% for 6-9 mm-sized lesions; and 100% and 100% for lesions 10 mm or larger. Extracolonic findings were seen in 24 of 42 patients (57%). CONCLUSIONS: CTC is reliable for detecting lesions 6 mm or larger in size. It permits evaluation of the region proximal to an occlusive growth, which is often not possible with CC.

Voltammetric determination of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives contamination in soil.

The contamination of soil by nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives is widespread during the manufacture, testing and disposal of explosives and ammunitions. The analysis for the presence of trace explosive contaminants in soil becomes important in the light of their effect on the growth of different varieties of plants and crops. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (Research Department explosive, RDX) and cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (high melting point explosive, HMX), other related explosive compounds and their by-products must be monitored in soil and surrounding waterways since these are mutagenic, toxic and persistent pollutants that can leach from the contaminated soil to accumulate in the food chain. In this study, a voltammetric method has been developed for the determination of explosive such as RDX, HMX and TNT. The electrochemical redox behavior of RDX, HMX and TNT was studied through cyclic voltammetry and quantitative determination was carried out by using square wave voltammetry technique. Calibration curves were drawn and were linear in the range of 63-129ppm for RDX with a detection limit of 10ppm, 49-182ppm for HMX with a detection limit of 1ppm and 38-139ppm for TNT with a detection limit of 1ppm. This method was applied to determine the contaminations in several soil samples that yielded a relative error of 1% in the concentrations.

S-methyldithiocarbazate and its Schiff bases: evaluation of bondings and biological properties.

Eight selective nitrogen-sulfur donor ligands have been synthesized from the condensation of S-methyldithiocarbazate (SMDTC) with aldehydes and ketones with a view to evaluating their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, and also to correlate the biological properties with the structure of the ligands. The compounds were all characterized by elemental analyses and other physicochemical techniques. SMDTC and the Schiff bases were screened for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. SMDTC showed very large inhibition zones (24-44 mm) against bacteria and fungi with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 390-25,000 and 1562-6250 microg ml(-1), against different bacteria and fungi, respectively. Streptomycin and nystatin were used as the internal standards against bacteria and fungi, respectively. SMDTC along with its Schiff bases with pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde, acetylacetone and 2,3-butanedione were strongly antifungal and the MIC values were comparable to nystatin. Most of the Schiff bases were strongly cytotoxic. In particular, those with pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and 2,3-butanedione have CD(50) values of 5.5, 1.9-2.0 microg ml(-1), respectively, against leukemic cells, while against colon cancer cells, the values were 3.7 and 2.0 microg ml(-1), respectively. The glyoxal Schiff base was strongly active only against leukemic cell with CD(50) value of 4.0 microg ml(-1). The present findings have been compared with standard drugs.

Effect of L-cysteine on some urinary risk factors in experimental hyperoxaluric rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of L-cysteine on urinary risk factors in hyperoxaluric urolithiasis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups of six rats each; those in Group I served as controls, those in Group II had hyperoxaluria induced using sodium glycollate, those in Group III were given cysteine alone and those in Group IV were given sodium glycollate and cysteine. Samples of 24 h urine were collected and analysed to determine the content of calcium, oxalate, phosphorus and magnesium, and the organic acids, glycollic, glyoxylic and citric acid. RESULTS: Hyperoxaluric rats treated with cysteine had significantly lower excretion rates of calcium, oxalate, phosphorus, glycollic and glyoxylic acid than the glycollate fed rats. When cysteine was given, the excretion of urinary citric acid and magnesium were also increased. CONCLUSION: Cysteine may be a useful agent in preventing oxalate urolithiasis.

Influence of sodium pentosan polysulphate and certain inhibitors on calcium oxalate crystal growth.

Calcium oxalate crystal growth and aggregation leads to the formation of renal calculi. It is known to be inhibited by several compounds both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The present study highlights the inhibitory potential of sodium pentosan polysulphate (SPP), a semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycan (GAG) on calcium oxalate crystal growth in vitro. Its efficacy was compared with those of known inhibitors like pyrophosphate, heparin and chondroitin-4-sulphate. Of the above compounds pyrophosphate was found to be the most potent inhibitor. Among the GAGs, SPP exhibited 80% inhibitory activity as compared to heparin. A lesser degree of inhibition was observed with chondroitin-4-sulphate.

Effect of L-cysteine on lipid peroxidation in experimental urolithiatic rats.

Oxalate, the major stone-forming constituent induces lipid peroxidation during lithogenesis. In experimental condition oxalate formation was induced by the administration of its precursor glycollate. Glycollate-fed rats showed increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in the presence of promoters. In addition, antioxidant enzymes-catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase also showed decreased activity. Reduced glutathione, total thiols and ascorbic acid were also significantly decreased. On the other hand, an increased xanthine oxidase and decreased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was also observed upon glycollate administration. Cysteine, a sulphydryl compound, is known to inhibit free radical toxicity in various pathologies. Cysteine administration to glycollate-fed rats brought about a significant decrease in the peroxidative level, with an increase in the antioxidant status.

A comparison of methods for self-adaptation in evolutionary algorithms.

Evolutionary algorithms, including evolutionary programming and evolution strategies, have often been applied to real-valued function optimization problems. These algorithms generally operate directly on the real values to be optimized, in contrast with genetic algorithms which usually operate on a separately coded transformation of the objective variables. Evolutionary algorithms often rely on a second-level optimization of strategy parameters, tunable variables that in part determine how each parent will generate offspring. Two alternative methods for performing this second-level optimization have been proposed and are compared across a series of function optimization tasks. The results appear to favor the approach offered originally in evolution strategies, although the applicability of the findings may be limited to the case where each parameter of a parent solution is perturbed independently of all others.