bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a robust edge detection system in different color spaces using color and depth images
Authors:   Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bu Ali Sina University, Mousavi S.M.H. , Lyashenko V. ,   Department of Informatics (INF), Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, Prasath V.B.S. ,   Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Published: September 2019

Edge detection is very important technique to reveal significant areas in the digital image, which could aids the feature extraction techniques. In fact it is possible to remove un-necessary parts from image, using edge detection. A lot of edge detection techniques has been made already, but we propose a robust evolutionary based system to extract the vital parts of the image. System is based on a lot of pre and post-processing techniques such as filters and morphological operations, and applying modified Ant Colony Optimization edge detection method to the image. The main goal is to test the system on different color spaces, and calculate the system’s performance. Another novel aspect of the research is using depth images along with color ones, which depth data is acquired by Kinect V.2 in validation part, to understand edge detection concept better in depth data. System is going to be tested with 10 benchmark test images for color and 5 images for depth format, and validate using 7 Image Quality Assessment factors such as Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Mean Squared Error, Structural Similarity and more (mostly related to edges) for prove, in different color spaces and compared with other famous edge detection methods in same condition. Also for evaluating the robustness of the system, some types of noises such as Gaussian, Salt and pepper, Poisson and Speckle are added to images, to shows proposed system power in any condition. The goal is reaching to best edges possible and to do this, more computation is needed, which increases run time computation just a bit more. But with today’s systems this time is decreased to minimum, which is worth it to make such a system. Acquired results are so promising and satisfactory in compare with other methods available in validation section of the paper.
Traffic extreme situations detection in video sequences based on integral optical flow
Authors:   Zhejiang Shuren University, Chen H. , Ye S. ,   Zhejiang Shuren University, Nedzvedz A. ,   Belarusian State University,   United Institute of Informatics Problems of National Academy of Sciences, Nedzvedz O. ,   Belarusian State Medical University, Lv H. ,   Zhejiang Shuren University, Ablameyko S. ,   Belarusian State University,   United Institute of Informatics Problems of National Academy of Sciences
Published: September 2019

Road traffic analysis is an important task in many applications and it can be used in video surveillance systems to prevent many undesirable events. In this paper, we propose a new method based on integral optical flow to analyze cars movement in video and detect flow extreme situations in real-world videos. Firstly, integral optical flow is calculated for video sequences based on optical flow, thus random background motion is eliminated; secondly, pixel-level motion maps which describe cars movement from different perspectives are created based on integral optical flow; thirdly, region-level indicators are defined and calculated; finally, threshold segmentation is used to identify different cars movements. We also define and calculate several parameters of moving car flow including direction, speed, density, and intensity without detecting and counting cars. Experimental results show that our method can identify cars directional movement, cars divergence and cars accumulation effectively.
Optimization of the multidimensional signal interpolator in a lower dimensional space
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Gashnikov M.V. ,   IPSI RAS – Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS
Published: September 2019

Adaptive multidimensional signal interpolators are developed. These interpolators take into account the presence and direction of boundaries of flat signal regions in each local neighborhood based on the automatic selection of the interpolating function for each signal sample. The selection of the interpolating function is performed by a parameterized rule, which is optimized in a parametric lower dimensional space. The dimension reduction is performed using rank filtering of local differences in the neighborhood of each signal sample. The interpolating functions of adaptive interpolators are written for the multidimensional, three-dimensional and two-dimensional cases. The use of adaptive interpolators in the problem of compression of multidimensional signals is also considered. Results of an experimental study of adaptive interpolators for real multidimensional signals of various types are presented.
Hyperspectral in vivo analysis of normal skin chromophores and visualization of oncological pathologies
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Sherendak V.P. , Bratchenko I.A. ,   Samara National Research University, Myakinin O.O. ,   Samara National Research University, Volkhin P.N. ,   Samara National Research University, Khristoforova Yu.A. ,   Samara National Research University, Moryatov A.A. ,   Samara State Medical University, Machikhin A.S. ,   Scientific and Technological Center of Unique Instrumentation RAS, Pozhar V.E. ,   Scientific and Technological Center of Unique Instrumentation RAS, Kozlov S.G. ,   Samara State Medical University, Zakharov V.P. ,   Samara National Research University
Published: September 2019

In the paper, we present test results of methods for the noninvasive diagnosis of skin neoplasms, based on the hyperspectral registration of images by using a camera with an acousto-optic tunable filter. For the identification of oncological pathologies, an integral spectral index has been proposed for a set of concentric regions around the source of neoplasm growth for the tissue sample under study. As well as taking account of changes in the spectral properties of the tissue, the introduced index indirectly takes into account classical ABCD dermatoscopic features: asymmetry, border irregularity, color diversity, and the tumor diameter. Results of training set separating are presented and the applicability of the proposed approaches to the clinical practice is shown.
Design features of block algorithms of FDTD-method implemented on a GPU using MATLAB
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Morunov N.D. , Golovashkin D.L. ,   Samara National Research University,   IPSI RAS – Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS
Published: September 2019

The paper is devoted to the investigation of the implementation features of a block algorithm for the FDTD-method on GPU. The block algorithm in general and in the context of the FDTD-method in particular is discussed. The main attention is paid to specifics of determining the shape and volume of blocks, which stem from the use of MATLAB and its Parallel Computing Toolbox. The practical efficiency of the proposed techniques is shown. Possible applications and prospects are discussed.
Multivariate mixed kernel density estimators and their application in machine learning for classification of biological objects based on spectral measurements
Authors:   Voronezh State University, Sirota A.A. , Donskikh A.O. ,   Voronezh State University, Akimov A.V. ,   Voronezh State University, Minakov D.A. ,   Voronezh State University
Published: September 2019

A problem of non-parametric multivariate density estimation for machine learning and data augmentation is considered. A new mixed density estimation method based on calculating the convolution of independently obtained kernel density estimates for unknown distributions of informative features and a known (or independently estimated) density for non-informative interference occurring during measurements is proposed. Properties of the mixed density estimates obtained using this method are analyzed. The method is compared with a conventional Parzen-Rosenblatt window method applied directly to the training data. The equivalence of the mixed kernel density estimator and the data augmentation procedure based on the known (or estimated) statistical model of interference is theoretically and experimentally proven. The applicability of the mixed density estimators for training of machine learning algorithms for the classification of biological objects (elements of grain mixtures) based on spectral measurements in the visible and near-infrared regions is evaluated.
Peculiarities of data processing for optical measurements of disperse parameters of bimodal media
Authors:   Institute for Problems of Chemical and Energetic Technologies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Zhirnov A.A. , Kudrjashova O.B. ,   Institute for Problems of Chemical and Energetic Technologies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: September 2019

This study is focused on enhancing the informativity of optical measurement techniques for particulate matter. The problem is that the description of particulate matter with bimodal and multimodal distributions by an a priori defined analytical function of particle size distribution (for example, a log-normal distribution) is not accurate enough. Here, we explore if experimental data can be approximated by a multivariable function of particle size distribution instead of using the a priori defined log-normal distribution. For the comparison of the approximation results, experiments are conducted on standard samples with granulometric compositions OGS-01LM and OGS-08LM separately and jointly in a mix. The experimental data are recorded by a high-selectivity turbidimetric technique in water suspensions of these samples. The purpose of this study is to present the measurement results as a distribution function that enables one to identify more accurately the particle-size distribution profile and the corresponding disperse characteristics of the aerosol in question when measuring parameters of disperse media by optical techniques. The main objective of this work is to develop, implement and verify a search algorithm for the particle-size distribution function by way of a multi-parameter function. We show that the solution to the problem proposed herein is more universal because it allows slow and fast processes in suspensions and aerosols to be examined with a lower error. The algorithm can be applied to the problems which are based on solving first-kind Fredholm equations.
Tinnitus induction in animals and its impact on auditory system structure
Authors: Rezapour Mitra , Moossavi Abdollah
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim: Tinnitus is a perception of sound in ears or head in the absence of any external stimuli. Despite its high prevalence in various age groups, tinnitus has still no effective treatment because its physiological and patho­logical mechanisms have remained unknown. Since the study of cellular-molecular mechan­isms of tinnitus production and stability in human is not feasible, animal models have been used to shed some light on tinnitus induction and propagation mechanisms. This study revie­wed some of these research studies. The present review article is based on articles published during 1967–2018 in which keywords such as “salicylate,” “noise,” “tinnitus in the animal model,” and “tinnitus mechanism” were used. These articles were searched in databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus.
Recent Findings: Despite differences in the mechanisms of tinnitus induction, the structural changes initiated from the cochlea and conti­nued to cortex reflect the extent of the affected regions in the creation, development, and pre­servation of tinnitus.
Conclusion: Animal models (exposed to noise or ototoxic drugs such as salicylate) are ideal tools for studying tinnitus and understanding the details of its propagation and unknown mecha­nisms.
Dichotic listening processing in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Habibi Mahsa , Farahani Saeid , Rouhbakhsh Nematollah , Zamiri Abdollahi Farzaneh , Jalaie Shohreh
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim: Dichotic listening dis­orders occur secondary to interhemispheric tran­sfer dysfunction. Central processing tests such as staggered spondaic words (SSW) and dich­otic digits test (DDT) are recommended for the evaluation of dichotic listening in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study aim­ed to evaluate dichotic listening in subjects with MS by SSW and DDT.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was con­ducted on 45 patients with MS, including 20 males (mean ± SD age: 35.95 ± 5.73 y) and 25 females (mean ± SD age: 37.40 ± 6.1 y) and their data were collected by the Persian version of SSW (P-SSW) and DDT. The results com­pared to 45 normal subjects age- and gender-matched as the control group.
Results: In patients with MS, P-SSW quanti­tative and qualitative errors (except for Sm2 and reversals), errors were significantly more than the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Right and left ear scores in DDT for the patients with MS were significantly lower, and right ear advantage was significantly higher than that in the control group (p ≤ 0.001). The results also showed a significant correlation between the test of P-SSW and DDT in the left ear.
Conclusion: The present study showed that patients with MS hav

* Corresponding author: Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Piche-Shemiran, Enghelab Ave., Tehran, 1148965141, Iran. Tel: 009821-77530636, E-mail: s_farahani@tums.ac.ir

e lower performance in dichotic listening and binaural processing than normal peers. Identification of binaural proce­ssing deficit in patients with MS may lead to early rehabilitation and improving their function by facilitating auditory processing.
Evaluating plasma oxidative stress markers in prelingual profound sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Çelik Mustafa , Gönel Ataman
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim: The etiopathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is an ess­ential contributing factor to its morbidity, which cannot be explained entirely so far. The current study aimed to determine the oxidative stress (OS) status by comparing the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values in patients with pediatric prelingual profound SNHL. We also evaluated the correlation between OS parameters and audiological test results.
Methods: The study included 25 participants (9 females; age range: 6‒34 months) diagnosed with pediatric prelingual profound SNHL and 25 healthy subjects (10 females; age range: 9‒28 months). Their TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were measured in the plasma of both groups. We evaluated the correlation between OS para­meters and audiological test results in the pati­ent group.
Results: We found significantly higher serum TOS levels and OSI values in the patient group (mean ± SD of TOS: 16.08 ± 1.88 μmol H2O2 eq/L, p < 0.001; mean ± SD of OSI: 1.71 ± 0.48 arbitrary units, p < 0.001), compared to the
controls. Moreover, we found lower serum TAS levels in the patient group (mean ± SD of TAS: 0.99 ± 0.20 mmol Trolox eq/L), compared to the controls. There was a strong correlation between OS parameters and audiological test results of the patient group.
Conclusion: We detected significantly higher TOS, OSI, and lower TAS levels in pediatric patients with SNHL, compared to the healthy subjects. The obtained data indicated that pediatric SNHL is under OS influence.
The Persian version of infant-toddler meaningful auditory integration scale
Authors: Mehrkian Saeideh , Geravand Reza , Hassanzadeh Saeid , Bakhshi Enayatollah
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim: The current study aim­ed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Infant-Toddler Mean­ingful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) questionnaire. Because cochlear implantation is done today at younger ages, the use of a suitable questionnaire is necessary to evaluate auditory skills and follow up the rehabilitation progress.
Methods: IT-MAIS was translated according to the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) translation protocol. The content vali­dity was performed using Lawshe method with the participation of 10 expert professionals. The questionnaire was completed for 34 parents of cochlear-implanted children before initial prog­ramming of the device, two weeks after the reh­abilitation program, and finally three months later. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for test-retest reliability for each IT-MAIS subscale. The internal consistency reli­ability was analyzed using the Cronbach α coe­fficient.
Results: The content validity ratio for all items was above 0.79, and the content validity index
Background and Aim: The current study aim­ed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Infant-Toddler Mean­ingful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) questionnaire. Because cochlear implantation is done today at younger ages, the use of a suitable questionnaire is necessary to evaluate auditory skills and follow up the rehabilitation progress.
Methods: IT-MAIS was translated according to the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) translation protocol. The content vali­dity was performed using Lawshe method with the participation of 10 expert professionals. The questionnaire was completed for 34 parents of cochlear-implanted children before initial prog­ramming of the device, two weeks after the reh­abilitation program, and finally three months later. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for test-retest reliability for each IT-MAIS subscale. The internal consistency reli­ability was analyzed using the Cronbach α coe­fficient.
Results: The content validity ratio for all items was above 0.79, and the content validity index was obtained to be higher than 0.96. The Cronbach α for the entire questionnaire was 0.74, and for different sections of it was obtai­ned as 0.63‒0.67. A significant difference was observed between the total score of the ques­tionnaire before and after the rehabilitation pro­gram and its sub-items (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The Persian version of the ques­tionnaire of IT-MAIS is a valid instrument in terms of translation quality as well as reliability and validity for assessing cochlear implant user children who are younger than three years.
Cutaneous candidiasis in Tehran-Iran: from epidemiology to multilocus sequence types, virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility of etiologic Candida species
Authors: Sadeghi Golnar , Ebrahimi-Rad Mina , Shams-Ghahfarokhi Masoomeh , Jahanshiri Zahra , Mirabzadeh Ardakani Esmat , Eslamifar Ali , Mousavi Seyed Fazlollah , Razzaghi-Abyaneh Mehdi
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Cutaneous candidiasis is a multipicture fungal infection caused by members of the genus Candida which is considered as a public health problem all over the world with urgency of effective treatment and control. This study was performed to analyze the clinical epidemiology and molecular aspects of cutaneous candidiasis in Tehran-Iran in relation to antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of etiologic Candida species.
Materials and Methods: Candida species were isolated from skin (27.3%) and nail scrapings (72.7%) of suspected patients and identified by ITS sequencing. Phylogeny of the isolates was evaluated using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of the isolates were determined in relation to clinical presentation.
Results: Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (39.8%), followed by C. parapsilosis (32.9%), C. orthopsilosis (10.4%), C. tropicalis (7.9%), C. glabrata and C. guilliermondii, each (4.5%). Molecular typing of 35 C. albicans isolates by MLST revealed 28 novel sequence types with 11 singletons with 80.0% new diploid sequence types (DSTs). Majority of the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B (91.5%), followed by posaconazole (90.3%), fluconazole (84.3%), itraconazole (74.1%), caspofungin (53.6%), and voriconazole (26.8%). Biofilm formation, yeast-to-hyphae transformation and phospho- lipase activity were reported species-dependent.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated clinical epidemiology of various Candida species from cutaneous candidiasis dis- tributed in new molecular types with increasing importance of drug resistant of non-albicans Candida species. Our results showed that drug susceptibility and genetic variability of Candida species may be attributed to their clinical features and source of isolation.
Detection of bla and bla OXA-48 genes in Gram-negative isolates from neonatal sepsis in central of Iran
Authors: Shakiba Taiebeh , Sadeghnia Alireza , Karbasizade Vajihe
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neonatal sepsis with a focus on antibiotic resistance and the frequency of the bla  CTX-M-15  OXA-48 genes in Gram-negative isolates.
Materials and Methods: A total of 108 Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) and 153 peripheral blood samples were cultured via BACTEC from May 2017 to June 2018. The bacterial isolates were identified using phenotypic and genotypic analyses. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by disk diffusion. PCR was used to determine the frequency of β-lactamase genes.
Results: Among the 153 infants, 21 (13.7%) proved positive for sepsis. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent isolates in the peripheral blood cultures. E. coli and Stenotrophomonas malto- philia were isolated from two UCB cultures. The highest resistance among the Gram-positive strains was to cefixime, ceftri- axone, cefotaxime and clindamycin. In the Gram-negative bacteria the highest rates of resistance were to ampicillin (91.7%). The frequency of bla CTX-M-15 genes was 25% and 50%, respectively. Conclusion: The high antibiotic resistance among the isolates reveals the importance of monitoring antibiotic consumption and improving control standards in the health care system, especially in neonatal wards.
The role of the bla KPC gene in antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Ghasemnejad Atossa , Doudi Monir , Amirmozafari Nour
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates that produce K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) have be- come a grave concern for the treatment of infections. KPC-producing strains are not only able to hydrolyze carbapenems but are also resistant to a variety of β-lactam and non-β-lactam antibiotics. The present study evaluated the prevalence of bla in K. pneumoniae infections and determined the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Materials and Methods: The K. pneumoniae isolates were identified by biochemical tests and confirmed by genotyping. The modified Hodge test (MHT) was performed to detect carbapenemases, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined for all isolates by the disc diffusion method. Also, for MHT-positive isolates, supposed to carbapenemases isolates, broth microdilution method was used to measure the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of meropenem and colistin. Results: The bla KPC genotypic evaluation revealed that only 5 of 96 isolates carried bla genes. Antimicrobial pattern showed that isolates carrying bla were resistant to cefepime, ticarcillin/tazobactam, and aztreonam discs. Also, results of broth microdilution method showed that KPC-producing K. pneumoniae was resistant to meropenem and colistin, according to the CLSI and EUCAST. Conclusion: In this study nearly half the isolates showed carbapenemase activity as shown by MHT results, but only few of them were carrying bla . Thus bla gene is not the main cause of resistance spread to carbapenems in Isfahan, Iran.
Differences in systemic humoral immune response among Balb/c mice administered with probiotic, LPS Escherichia coli, and probiotic-LPS E. coli
Authors: Taufiq Kadafi Kurniawan , Wibowo Satrio
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the systemic humoral immune responses, including IgE, IgA, IgG and IgM levels in Balb/c mice administered a probiotic, LPS derived from Escherichia coli (E.coli), and probiot- ic-LPS derived from E. coli.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Balb/c mice, 10-12 weeks of age with body weight ranging from 30-40 g were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=8). The treatment regimens were as follows: Group 1, mice did not receive LPS or probiotic (control group); Group 2, mice received only LPS on the first day; Group 3, mice received probi- otic for 7 days; Group 4, mice received LPS on the first day, and then continued, with probiotic for 7 days. The mice were observed for 8 days, and then, euthanized the next day (day 9). The serum was collected, and the levels of IgE, IgA, IgG and IgM were measured using ELISA.
Results: The humoral immune response was higher in the presence of a probiotic compared to that in the control; IgE (9.02
± 0.58 units/ml, p=0.000), IgA (3.26 ± 0.99 units/ml, p=0.316), IgG (7.29 ± 0.24 units/ml, p=0.000), and IgM (4.01 ± 2.98 units/ml, p=0.505). When administered with LPS E. coli along with probiotic, the humoral immune response was the highest; IgE (10.68 ± 1.63 units/ml, p=0.000), IgA (8.34 ± 1.47 units/ml, p=0.000), IgG (9.96 ± 0.98 units/ml, p=0.000), and IgM (4.31 ± 1.05 units/ml, p=0.319) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Probiotic-LPS derived from E. coli treatment induced a higher humoral immune response (highest IgE, IgA, IgG and IgM levels) compared to treatment with probiotic only.
Effects of a multispecies synbiotic on intestinal mucosa immune responses
Authors: Fardah Athiyyah Alpha , Aisiyah Widjaja Nur , Fitri Pramira , Setiowati Ariani , Darma Andy , Ranuh Reza , Marto Sudarmo Subijanto
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Probiotics and prebiotics are known to regulate immune responses. A synbiotic is a product that combines probiotics and prebiotics in a single dosage form. In this study, we attempt to present the effects of a multispe- cies synbiotic on intestinal mucosa immune responses after exposure to Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Materials and Methods: Totally 21 male Balb/c mice were randomly classified into two groups. The K-I group received LPS and a synbiotic, and the K-II group received LPS alone. The synbiotic was administered for 21 consecutive days, where- as LPS was administered once on the 15th day. Specifically, a synbiotic containing 1 × 109 colony forming units (CFUs) of the probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35, L. casei subsp. casei PXN 37, L. rhamnosus PXN 54, L. bul- garicus PXN 39, Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25, B. infantis PXN 27 and Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 and the prebi- otic fructo-oligosaccharide was administered through an orogastric tube. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels for humoral immune responses and CD4+ and CD8+ levels for cellular immune responses. Results: An independent-samples t-test revealed significant increases of the numbers of IgA- (p = 0.027) and CD4-express- ing cells (p = 0.009) but not the number of CD8-expressing cells in the K-I group compared with those in the K-II group. Conclusion: The multispecies synbiotic had immunoregulatory effects on IgA and CD4 expression in LPS-exposed mice.
The effect of Bacillus coagulans on cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by Salmonella Typhimurium in HT-29 cell culture
Authors: Kawarizadeh Amin , Nojoomi Farshad , Tabatabaei Mohammad , Hosseinzadeh Saeid , Farzaneh Mina
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Human epithelial cells have been widely used to study the interaction between intestinal cells and pathogens, in vitro. In this study, the effect of probiotic bacteria Bacillus coagulans and its supernatant on the growth inhibition, cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis caused by Salmonella Typhimurium and its adhesion to HT-29 cells were investigated.
Materials and Methods: B. coagulans supernatant was used to obtain the minimum inhibitory concentration. To evaluate the cytotoxicity and percent of apoptotic cells, B. coagulans and its supernatant (2, 4, 6 and 8% concentrations) with S. Ty- phimurium was added to HT-29 cells. The MTT assay was used in order to evaluate the cytotoxicity. Percent of apoptotic cells was reported using a fluorescence staining method. Additionally, the adhesion of S. Typhimurium to HT-29 cells was investigated. The effect of B. coagulans on the level of adhesion was also studied.
Results: The most inhibitory effect was shown at the concentration of 80000 µg/ml supernatant of B. coagulans (54.77%
± 1.43). The simultaneous culture of S. Typhimurium with B. coagulans had the lowest amount of cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis among the all co-culture groups of S. Typhimurium with B. coagulans or its supernatant. The determined cytotox- icity and induced apoptosis were 26.06 % ± 3.79 and 17.63 % ± 2.14 respectively. In the adhesion test, it was observed that B. coagulans can significantly prevent adhesion of S. Typhimurium to HT-29 cell.
Conclusion: B. coagulans can reduce the adhesion, cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis caused by S. Typhimurium in
HT-29 cells in vitro.
Antibacterial activity of self-adhesive resin cements against Streptococcus mutans at different time intervals
Authors: Ajami Amir-Ahmad , Rikhtegaran Sahand , Bahari Mahmoud , Hamadanchi Sayeh
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Self-adhesive resin cements release fluoride and have cytotoxic and preventive monomers against the bacteria in their composition. They have acidic property before their complete setting too. The antibacterial ac- tivity of three different self-adhesive resin cements against Streptococcus mutans at different time intervals was investigated in this study.
Materials and Methods: The modified direct contact test was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Max-Cem, G-Cem and Bis-Cem on S. mutans after aging the samples in phosphate-buffered saline solution for one hour, 24 hours and 1 week. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, repeated measurement ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (P<0.05).
Results: The differences in the mean bacterial counts between all the study groups and between the study groups and the corresponding control groups were significant at 1-hour and 24-hour intervals (P<0.001). At 1-week, only the differenc- es between Bis-Cem and G-Cem, between Max-Cem and Bis-Cem, and between Bis-Cem and the corresponding control group were significant (P<0.001). There were significant differences between G-Cem and Max-Cem at all the time intervals (P<0.001). In addition, with the use of Bis-Cem there were significant differences between 1-hour and 1-week (P=0.01) and
24-hour and 1-week (P<0.001).
Conclusion: All the cements exhibited antibacterial activity after 1 hour and 24 hours. However, after 1 week, only Bis-Cem retained its antibacterial activity.
Purification and study of anti-cancer effects of Serratia marcescens serralysin
Authors: Araghi Almas , Hashemi Saba , Akhavan Sepahi Abbas , Faramarzi Mohammad Ali , Amin Mohsen
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Serralysin is an extracellular metalloprotease from Serratia marcescens which has been the subject of extensive biological investigations. The goal of this study was to extract and purify serralysin from S. marcescens and to investigate its cytotoxic activity on the colorectal cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: The presence of the serralysin gene was confirmed using PCR. The supernatant of bacterial culture was collected and precipitated using ammonium sulfate. The precipitated protein was dialyzed and subjected to ion exchange chromatography for further purification. Casein assay and skim milk assay was used to confirm the enzymatic activity. SDSPAGE was used to visualize the presence of serralysin. Metalloprotease inhibition activity was performed using 50 mM EDTA. Cytotoxic activity of serralysin was assessed on MTT assay. Results: The PCR product corresponding to serralysin was estimated to be approximately 1500 bp. A transparent zone around the bacterial colonies on skim milk agar and casein digestion confirmed the proteolytic activity of serralysin. A 52 kDa band in SDS-PAGE corresponding to serralysin was observed before and after purification processes. MTT assay showed IC50 values 24.78 μg/ml and 19.16 μg/ml after 24 h and 48 h exposure of Caco-2 cells to serralysin, respectively. Conclusion: Our results showed that native serralysin has anticancer potential and may be a candidate for further pharmaceutical research and development. Further in vivo and in vitro mechanistic studies are suggested to confirm the biological activities.
Fibrinolysin production by Alcaligenes faecalis strain 26 isolated from environment
Authors: Nikkhoy Zahra , Motamedi Hossein
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Fibrinolytic drugs are commonly used for fibrin clot lysis but due to their inappropriate side effects, as well as their high costs, using fibrinolytic enzymes has been paid attention. Bacterial sources of this enzyme are a good alternative for this purpose. The aim was fibrinolysin production through screening of fibrinolysin producing bacteria from environmental samples. Materials and Methods: Bacterial isolation was performed from different environmental samples and was screened based on sheep blood clot digestion and culture on plasma plate. The most potent isolate was optimized for different growth param- eters including temperature, pH and fibrinolysin production at optimum growth conditions. The stability of produced enzyme at various temperatures and pH and treatment with MgSO , NiSO , SDS and EDTA was then investigated. Finally this isolate 4 4 was identified based on the 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: As a result, from 79 different isolates, the most potent fibrinolysin producer was identified as Alcaligenes faecalis strain 26. This isolate produced 12 mm halo zone on plasma plate. Its optimum growth temperature and pH was 43°C and 7, respectively. The produced enzyme had the best stability at pH 7 and was also active up to 60°C. The fibrinolytic activity of this isolate was reduced following treatment with MgSO , NiSO and also with protease inhibitors, such as SDS and EDTA. 4 4 Conclusion: Based on the obtained results it can be suggested that Alcaligenes faecalis strain 26 has appropriate efficiency for fibrinolysin production that can be used in food industry and medicine.
Rheumatoid arthritis mediator CD18 expression by Staphylococcus aureus superantigen C in rats
Authors: Banaei Mahsa , Alishiri Gholam Hosein , Ataee Ramezan Ali , Hesampoor Mahalati Ardeshir
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Microbial superantigens have been reported in the blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients, raising the question of whether the presence of these superantigens could provoke the induction of inflam- matory biomarkers expression or not. The purpose of this study was to examine the Staphylococcus aureus superantigen C on CD18 expression.
Materials and Methods: The superantigen C was purified by ultrafiltration. Immunoblotting was performed using a specific antibody. Also, 50 micrograms of superantigens (toxin) were injected intraperitoneally and intra-articularly into separate rat groups. Blood was collected and RNA extracted. Then, the cDNA was synthesized. The expression of CD18 marker was evaluated using RT-real-time PCR, and the results were descriptively analyzed.
Results: The results of this study revealed that 50 μg of toxin, injected intra-articularly and intraperitoneally, showed the surplus expression of the marker CD18 in the blood of rats after 20 days. By this method, the expression of the marker CD18 was significantly different between rats that received the superantigen intra-articularly and intraperitoneally (2.10; 2.3 and
3.3 folds) and the controls (P≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicated that the presence of Staphylococcal of superantigen C in the body of rats has enhanced the expression of the CD18 inflammatory marker more than 3 times. This valuable finding is an introduction to further research and could provide new methods to prevent and control inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Maxillary sinus aspergillosis: A case report of the timely failure to treatment
Authors: Beyki Asma , Zardast Mahmud , Nasrollahi Zahra
Published: September 2019

Invasive aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses is a rare and often misdiagnosed disease. This study reported a case of max- illary aspergillosis with a complete  headache and eye pain after tooth extraction with a large abscess in the relative jaw. Tenderness in the right temporal, lower jaw numbness and right eye proptosis was found. Histopathological examination was the suggestion of maxillary sinusitis with a fungal ball of aspergillus.
Optimasi Metode Analisis Minyak Atsiri Sereh Wangi Secara Kromatografi Gas
Authors: Ruwindya Yorfan
Published: September 2019

Minyak sereh wangi adalah minyak yang dihasilkan dari penyulingan tanaman sereh wangi. Standarisasi kualitas dari minyak sereh wangi dapat dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode kromatografi gas. Penggunaan metode ini tidak langsung memberikan hasil yang baik. Hal ini dikarenakan adanya beberapa faktor yang mempengaruhi antara lain faktor lingkungan, faktor alat, dan faktor pembuatan minyak, sehingga perlu dilakukan optimasi untuk mendapatkan metode yang sesuai dan memberikan hasil yang baik. Sampel di analisis menggunakan kromatografi gas yang metodenya di adaptasi dari metode yang digunakan pada analisis GC-MS. Hasil kromatogram yang dihasilkan menunjukkan 20 puncak yang teridentifikasi dengan tiga puncak yang paling dominan. Jumlah puncak yang dihasilkan ini sesuai dengan jumlah puncak yang dihasilkan  dari hasil analisis kromatografi gas-spektroskopi massa (GC-MS). Hasil perhitungan nilai resolusi pada variasi split hanya nilai resolusi antara puncak 5 (puncak utama) dan puncak 6 yang nilai resolusinya dibawah 1,5, sedangkan untuk puncak utama yang lain nilai resolusi sudah diatas 1,5. Nilai resolusi pada variasi kenaikan suhu oven menunjukkan nilai resolusi puncak 5 dan puncak 6 pada variasi kenaikan suhu 5°C, 8°C, 10°C, dan 15°C masih di bawah 1,5 sedangkan pada variasi kenaikan suhu 2°C nilai resolusi diatas 1,5.
Pengaruh Penambahan Tepung Tapioka Pada Pati Ubi Kayu (Manihot esculenta) Terhadap Pembuatan Plastik Biodegradable dan Karakterisasinya
Authors: Rahim Abdul , Musta Rustam
Published: September 2019

Research on Biodegradable Plastic Characterization of Cassava Wastes (manihot esculenta) Substitution of Tapioca Flour. As Biodegradable Plastics Base Material. This study aims to determine the ratio of cassava starch to tapioca starch which produces the best biodegradable plastic which is then used for testing the physical and mechanical properties of biodegradable plastic film using 5% acetic acid. Comparison of cassava starch with tapioca flour used is 1 : 1; 1 : 1,5; 1 : 2; 1 : 2,5; 1 : 3. The best plastics are obtained by comparison of cassava starch with tapioca flour is 1 : 3. The characteristics of biodegradable plastics include physical characteristics consisting of thickness with value 0,273 mm, 0,286 mm, 0,413 mm, 0,280 mm, dan 0,510 mm. While the mechanical characteristics consist of tensile strength with value 0,22138 MPa, 2,10724 MPa, 0,78896 MPa, 3,25933 Mpa, dan 0,508 Mpa. Percent lengthening with value 42%, 32,8%, 55,6%, 20%, dan 31,6%. Based on the result of research, it can be concluded that the value of thickness, percent elongation, and tensile strength are influenced by the comparative formula used.Keywords:  Biodegradable plastic, physical properties, mechanics, cassava starch, tapioca flour
New record of three species of Leeches (Annelida:Hirudinea) in Al-Hindyia River / Babil Province / Iraq
Authors: Et al. AL-Ameen
Published: September 2019

In this study, a total of 209 individuals of leeches were collected from Al-Hindyia River / Babil Province. 116 individuals were identified as Erpobdella octaculata (Linnaeus, 1758), 50 individuals as Erpobdella punctata (Leidy,1870) and  43 individuals as Hemiclepsis marginata (Müller, 1774).  Four samples were collected monthly during a period from February to June 2018. Some physical and chemical water properties were also examined, including air and water temperature, potential of hydrogen pH, Electrical Conductivity EC, Total Dissolved Solid TDS, Dissolved Oxygen DO, and the Biological Oxygen Demand BOD₅.  Air and water temperature were ranged 19.5-29, & 14.6-23.2 °C respectively. The values of pH ranged 6.2-7.6. EC ranged 1104-1581 μs/cm². The TDS recorded 669- 767 mg/l, while the DO reached 1.3- 8.5 mg / l, the BOD₅ ranged 3.5- 5.7 mg/l.
Detection of CTX-M-type ESBLs from Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates from a Tertiary Hospital, Malaysia
Authors: Et al. MKK
Published: September 2019

The present study aims to detect CTX-M-type ESBL from Escherichia coli clinical isolates and to analyze their antibotic susceptibility patterns. One hundred of E. coli isolates were collected from different clinical samples from a tertiary hospital. ESBL positivity was determined by the disk diffusion method. PCR used for amplification of CTX-M-type ESBL produced by E. coli. Out of 100 E. coli isolates, twenty-four isolates (24%) were ESBL-producers. E. coli isolated from pus was the most frequent clinical specimen that produced ESBL (41.66%) followed by urine (34.21%), respiratory (22.23%), and blood (19.05%).  After PCR amplification of these 24 isolates, 10 (41.66%) isolates were found to possess CTX-M genes. The CTX-M type ESBL producing E. coli against antibiotics belonging to different families showed the highest resistance rates to Ampicillin (100%), Cefotaxime (97%), Cefuroxime (95%), and Ciprofoxacin (86%). Carbapenem groups of antibiotics, Meropenem (89%) and Imipenem (85%) have the highest susceptibility rate among all antibiotics used in this study. The outcome of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of significant CTX-M- type ESBL producing E. coli could be useful to avoid failure or prolong treatments.
Comparative Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Corynebacterium glutamicum and Plant Extracts
Authors: Et al. Mohammad
Published: September 2019

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles has received considerable attention due to the growing need to develop environmentally benign nanoparticle synthesis processes that do not use toxic chemicals. Therefore, biosynthetic methods employing both biological agents such as bacteria and fungus or plant extracts have emerged as a simple and a viable alternative to chemical synthetic and physical method .It is well known that many microbes produce an organic material either intracellular or extracellular which is playing important role in the remediation of toxic metals through reduction of metal ions and acting as interesting Nano factories. As a result, in the present study Ag NPs were synthesized by two methods biosynthetic technique using supernatant of Corynebacterium glutamicum that isolated from soil and green synthesis method by using plant extracts of fresh green plants.Ag NPs which synthesized by two methods were investigated visually by monitoring the color shift of reaction mixture from pale yellow to brown color, UV-Visible spectrophotometer was used to measure maximum absorbance of synthesized Ag NPs. The nanoparticles synthesized from Corynebacterium glutamicum exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity against selected pathogenic and environmental strains more than Ag NPs synthesized by green synthesis method from Spinacia oleracea, Malva parviflora and Eruca sativa. plant extracts
Studying the Role of IFN-γ, Vitamin C, SOD, LH, FSH, APA and ACA in Toxoplasma gondii Infected Miscarriage Women
Authors: Et al. Ismael
Published: September 2019

This study is designed to detect the level of cytokine IFN-γ concentration, and some antioxidants, including super oxide dismutase (SOD) and Vitamin C, and to estimate the level of sex hormones (FSH and LH), and to determine auto-antibodies (antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) IgG\IgM, and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) IgG\IgM) and to estimate the blood parameters in 51 miscarriage women infected with T.gondii distributed depending on the type of antibodies. Additionally, 39 volunteers non-infected with T.gondii included (19 miscarriage women, 10 pregnant women and 10 non-pregnant women). ELISA and spectrophotometer method were used in this study. The results of IFN-γ showed a significant increase)p<0.05) in the level of IFN-γ  in women infected with T.gondii compared with volunteer groups. The current study shows a significant difference in the level of hormones, where the concentration of LH hormone increased in married non-pregnant women compared with other groups, while the concentration of FSH hormone increased in toxoplasmosis women compared with volunteer groups. The results of antioxidants showed no significant difference in Vitamin C activity in infected women compared with volunteer groups, while super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in infected women compared with volunteer groups. The results of autoantibodies showed a significant difference in anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) IgM level, the highest level was in aborted women infected with acute infection (IgM Ab), while the anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) IgG level recorded the highest level in aborted women infected with both acute and chronic infection (IgG&IgM)). The results showed no significant difference in antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) IgM level in infected women when compared to the volunteer groups, while the results showed significant difference in antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) IgG level, where the highest concentration was in the volunteer groups (pregnant and non-pregnant married women). The results of blood parameters showed significant differences in differential leucocytes except for Basophils and Monocytes, and the results showed significant differences in differential erythrocytes, HB, PLT, and PCV.
The Antibacterial, Antiheamolytic, and Antioxidant Activities of Laurus nobilis and Alhagi maurorum Native to Iraq.
Authors: Et al. Hussein
Published: September 2019

Ethanolic crude extracts of leaves from Laurus nobilis and Alhagi maurorumfor were screened for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, and glucosides contents. Biochemical activities, including antibacterial activity, antioxidant, and antihemolytic activity, were investigated. Antibacterial activity against Three types of pathogenic bacteria was detected by disc diffusion analysis and characterized by zone of inhibition (ZOI). Antioxidant properties were determined by a diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results revealed that the inhibitory activity of the plants against G+ve and G-ve bacteria were different, where the greatest ZOI  of  Alhagi maurorum against Staphylococcus  aureus  was 12.66 mm, while its effect  against Pseudomonas  aeruginosa generated an  8.33 mm ZOI, with no did not effects on Escherichia coli. Extract of Laurus nobilis against Escherichia coli with a ZOI reached to 10.33 mm, but did not significantly influence the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When the plant extracts were mixed in equal quantities, the percentage of  the effect were  increased, where the greatest effect of the mixed observed in E. coli was a 16.66mm ZOI, and in Staphylococcus aureus to 15.66mm. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa the ZOI reached to a 12.33 mm. This is referred to as synergistic effect between these plants against pathogenic bacteria. The extracts did not have any toxic effects on human red blood cells.