Integrated neural network and evolutionary algorithm approach for liver fibrosis staging: Can artificial intelligence reduce patient costs?

Background And Aim: Staging liver fibrosis is important, and liver biopsy is the gold standard diagnostic tool. We aim to design and evaluate an artificial neural network (ANN) method by taking advantage of the Teaching Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm for the prediction of liver fibrosis stage in blood donors and hepatitis C patients.

Methods: We propose a method based on a selection of machine learning classification methods including multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network, Naive Bayesian (NB), decision tree, and deep learning.

Aluminium Nanoparticles as Efficient Adjuvants Compared to Their Microparticle Counterparts: Current Progress and Perspectives.

Aluminium (Al) compounds are used as adjuvants in human and veterinary prophylactic vaccines due to their improved tolerability compared to other adjuvants. These Al-based adjuvants form microparticles (MPs) of heterogeneous sizes ranging from ~0.5 to 10 µm and generally induce type 2 (Th2)-biased immune responses.

Dual role of microRNA-1297 in the suppression and progression of human malignancies.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded and tiny RNAs that modulate several biological functions, more importantly, the pathophysiology of numerous human cancers. They are bound with target mRNAs and thereby regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. MiRNAs can either trigger cancer progression as an oncogene or alleviate it as a tumor suppressor.

Evaluation of local and circulating osteopontin in malignant and benign primary bone tumors.

Purpose: The development of novel and efficient biomarkers for primary bone cancers is of grave importance.

Methods: The expression pattern of osteopontin (OPN) was investigated in the 153 patients with benign (n = 72) and malignant (n = 81) primary bone cancers. Both local and circulating OPN mRNA expression levels and their protein concentration in serum and tumor site were assessed using real-time qRT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively.

MiR-613 Promotes Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by Downregulation of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase and Reduction of NAD.

NAD is mainly biosynthesized by the enzymatic action of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) through the salvage pathway. NAD is indispensable for the proper function and metabolism of all living cells, including cancer cells. Our previous researches revealed that inhibition of by miRNA (miR) could suppress NAD levels and thereby hinder the growth and promotion of breast cancer (BC).

Effects of (L.) Degen & Dorfl seed extract combined with glibenclamide on paraoxonase1 activity, lipid profile and peroxidation, and cardiovascular risk indices in diabetic rats.

Seeds of (L.) Degen & Dorfl are rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids which have potent biological effects. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of seeds (HESS) alone, and in combination with a standard drug, glibenclamide (GB) on paraoxonase1 (PON1) activity, lipid profile and peroxidation, and cardiovascular risk indices in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

MicroRNA-154: A Novel Candidate for Diagnosis and Therapy of Human Cancers.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded, tiny RNAs with 21-23 nucleotides that regulate several biological functions through binding to target mRNAs and modulating gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. Recent studies have described crucial roles for miRNAs in pathophysiology of numerous human cancers. They can act as an oncogene and promote cancer or as a tumor suppressor and alleviate the disease.

Small dense low-density lipoprotein-lowering agents.

Metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, as well as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly atherosclerosis, are still leading causes of death worldwide. Plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are currently being considered as a critical risk factor for the diseases mentioned above, especially atherosclerosis. Because of the heterogeneous nature of LDL, many studies have already been conducted on its subclasses, especially small dense LDL (sdLDL).

Effects of Securigera Securidaca seed extract in combination with glibenclamide on antioxidant capacity, fibroblast growth factor 21 and insulin resistance in hyperglycemic rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Undesired effects of synthetic antidiabetic agents have made researchers to seek for safer and healthier resources. With this aspect, herbal materials have attracted substantial research interest and are being extensively investigated. Considering that herb-drug interactions can be a double-edged sword presenting both risks and benefits, investigation of such interactions is greatly in demand.

Selenium supplementation in the form of selenium nanoparticles and selenite sodium improves mature male mice reproductive performances.

Objectives: The current study was conducted to examine the possible protective and retentive effects of one-week intra-peritoneal (IP) administration of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs), compared to its bulk counterpart, selenite sodium (Ss), after one complete cycle of spermatogenesis in mature male mice.

Materials And Methods: Thirty adult male mice were divided into 3 groups. Control group was administrated phosphate-buffered saline (IP) and the other groups received Ss (0.

Comparative study of radioprotective effects of selenium nanoparticles and sodium selenite in irradiation-induced nephropathy of mice model.

Purpose: The current study was undertaken to evaluate radioprotective effects of selenium (Se) nanoparticles in irradiation-induced nephropathy of mice model compared to sodium selenite.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five mice were divided into three major groups including control, Se nanoparticle, and sodium selenite. Each major group was further subdivided into three more groups receiving various doses of 0, 2, and 8 Gy gamma irradiation.

Comparative study of cardio-protective effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The cardio-protective effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (Zn NPs) against diabetes-induced cardiopathy were evaluated and compared with zinc sulfate (ZnSO). A total of 120 Wistar rats were randomly categorized as healthy and diabetic groups. Then, the 2 groups were classified in 5 subgroups.

Congenital multi-organ malformations in a Holstein calf.

A 5-day-old female Holstein calf was necropsied because of lethargy, recumbency and anorexia. At necropsy, multiple gross defects were evident in several organs, including unclosed sutures of skull bones, asymmetrical orbits, doming of the skull bones, hydrocephalus, hydranencephaly, cleft palate, brachygnathia, ventricular septal defect, mitral valve dysplasia and rudimentary lungs. On microscopic examination, pulmonary hypoplasia was characterized by reduced number of alveoli, replacement of peri-bronchiolar smooth muscles with connective tissue and small masses of undeveloped cartilage around the small airways.

Hydro-alcoholic extract of Raphanus sativus L. var niger attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via decreasing transforming growth factor β1 level.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease of the lungs, which leads to death in human. It has been suggested that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) together with oxidative stress play a central role in the pathogenesis of the ailment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible curative effects of black radish, Raphanus sativus L.

Comparative Study of Antidiabetic Activity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Sulfate in Diabetic Rats.

In the current study, antidiabetic activity and toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) were investigated in diabetic rats compared to zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) with particular emphasis on oxidative stress parameters. One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were divided into two healthy and diabetic groups, randomly. Each major group was further subdivided into five subgroups and then orally supplemented with various doses of ZnO (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) and ZnSO4 (30 mg/kg) for 56 consecutive days.

Early stage of acute coenurosis in Iranian native sheep- case report.

Cerebral coenurosis is the intermediary larval stage of Taenia multiceps, which affects intermediate hosts, particularly sheep and goats. In this report, gross and microscopic features of three scarce natural coenurosis cases, a one-year-old ram and two lambs of 7 month old from a flock are explained. At necropsy, numerous small cysts measuring 5 to 10 mm in diameter were observed on both cerebrum and cerebellum surfaces, likewise multiple deep parts of which.