Real-time Testing Research Articles

The Effect of Artemisia sieberi (Dermeneh Dashti) Plant Extract on the Expression of Genes Involved in the Apoptosis Signaling Pathway in the HT_29 Cell Line

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in humans. The influence of natural plant compounds is widely acknowledged today. Artemisia sieberi has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The aim of the forthcoming study is to investigate the impact of Artemisia sieberi plant extract on the expression of key genes within the apoptosis signaling pathway of the HT-29 cell line. Methods: In this study, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were conducted subsequent to the culturing and treatment of HT-29 cancer cells with plains herb extract. A real-time PCR test utilizing specific primers for Bax and Bcl-2 was then performed using the Rotor-Gene Q machine. Additionally, an MTT assay was conducted to assess the toxicity of the Artemisia sieberi extract. Results: The test revealed that as the concentration of the studied extract increased, cell viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The calculated IC50 value for the plains herb extract was found to be 0.44 µg/mL. Furthermore, the levels of Bax and Bcl-2 genes in cells treated with the plains herb extract were determined to be 1.48 and 0.45, respectively, indicating an increase in the expression of these two genes. Conclusions: Given the low toxicity of the Artemisia sieberi extract observed in the MTT test and its potential to increase the expression of apoptosis-inducing genes in intestinal cells, it appears that Artemisia sieberi extract could be employed as a therapeutic supplement for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.

Cohort Profile: Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study (GNHS): A Population-based Multi-omics Study.

The Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study (GNHS) aims to assess the determinants of metabolic disease in nutritional aspects, as well as other environmental and genetic factors, and explore possible biomarkers and mechanisms with multi-omics integration. The population-based sample of adults in Guangzhou, China (baseline: 40-83 years old; n = 5,118) was followed up about every 3 years. All are tracked via on-site follow-up and health information systems. We assessed detailed information on lifestyle factors, physical activities, dietary assessments, psychological health, cognitive function, body measurements, and muscle function. Instrument tests included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, carotid artery and liver ultrasonography evaluations, vascular endothelial function evaluation, upper-abdomen and brain magnetic resonance imaging, and 14-day real-time continuous glucose monitoring tests. We also measured multi-omics, including host genome-wide genotyping, serum metabolome and proteome, gut microbiome (16S rRNA sequencing, metagenome, and internal transcribed spacer 2 sequencing), and fecal metabolome and proteome. The baseline surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2015. Now, we have completed 3 waves. The 3rd and 4th follow-ups have started but have yet to end. A total of 5,118 participants aged 40-83 took part in the study. The median age at baseline was approximately 59.0 years and the proportion of female participants was about 69.4%. Among all the participants, 3,628 (71%) completed at least one on-site follow-up, with a median duration of 9.48 years. The cohort will provide data that will be influential in establishing the role of nutrition in metabolic diseases with multi-omics.

Implementation of Lightweight Machine Learning-Based Intrusion Detection System on IoT Devices of Smart Homes

Smart home devices, also known as IoT devices, provide significant convenience; however, they also present opportunities for attackers to jeopardize homeowners’ security and privacy. Securing these IoT devices is a formidable challenge because of their limited computational resources. Machine learning-based intrusion detection systems (IDSs) have been implemented on the edge and the cloud; however, IDSs have not been embedded in IoT devices. To address this, we propose a novel machine learning-based two-layered IDS for smart home IoT devices, enhancing accuracy and computational efficiency. The first layer of the proposed IDS is deployed on a microcontroller-based smart thermostat, which uploads the data to a website hosted on a cloud server. The second layer of the IDS is deployed on the cloud side for classification of attacks. The proposed IDS can detect the threats with an accuracy of 99.50% at cloud level (multiclassification). For real-time testing, we implemented the Raspberry Pi 4-based adversary to generate a dataset for man-in-the-middle (MITM) and denial of service (DoS) attacks on smart thermostats. The results show that the XGBoost-based IDS detects MITM and DoS attacks in 3.51 ms on a smart thermostat with an accuracy of 97.59%.

Control of quadrotor robot via optimized nonlinear type-2 fuzzy fractional PID with fractional filter: Theory and experiment

This paper presents a novel approach for controlling quadrotor robots. It introduces an optimized nonlinear fractional order type-2 fuzzy system integrated with a Fractional Order Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller, supplemented by a fractional filter in the derivative section. The input scaling factors, which represent the scaling coefficients associated with the input variables of the fuzzy system, are adjusted using nonlinear gains. The proposed controller combines type-2 fuzzy logic, fractional calculus, and nonlinear gains to enhance the control performance of the system. Its purpose is to provide superior control accuracy, robustness, and disturbance rejection capabilities. In order to enhance the performance of the quadrotor, the Bat Optimization Algorithm is utilized to finely adjust the controller parameters and membership function parameters of the fuzzy system. The fuzzy system incorporates Gaussian membership functions and applies the Mamdani min-max method for inference, utilizing the centroid method for defuzzification. The performance of the controller is evaluated in two scenarios: tracking aerial maneuvers in the presence of wind disturbance, and achieving angular stabilization by tracking a pulse function in the Hardware-In-The-Loop real-time test. The findings demonstrate significant improvements compared to traditional PID controllers. These improvements surpass 34 % without a filter and 53 % with a filter, in all directions and scenarios.

Bidirectional Real-Time Hybrid Test on a Steel Column Virtually Connected to a Reinforced Concrete Substructure

Bidirectional Real-Time Hybrid Test on a Steel Column Virtually Connected to a Reinforced Concrete Substructure

Gastrointestinal Panel Performance for the Diagnosis of Acute Gastroenteritis in Pediatric Patients.

Various methods are used to identify the causative organisms of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. The gastrointestinal (GI) panel has the potential to detect up to 22 pathogens rapidly through the multiplex real-time PCR test. We studied the impact of the GI panel on clinical management in the pediatric population. A retrospective study was conducted to collect data on GI panel results and clinical details of inpatient children presenting with AGE at King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain, over the course of one year. One hundred nine samples were collected. The GI panel was positive in 96 samples (88.1%), with the majority detected in the toddler age group. Forty-one (42.7%) samples were positive for at least one organism. Salmonella was the most frequently encountered bacteria as a single isolate, 10/55 (18.2%), while enteropathogenic Escherichia coli was the most common co-infected organism, 16/41 (39%). Norovirus was the most common virus among the viruses. Bacterial detection peaked from July to October, while viral detection plateaued throughout the year. The GI panel and stool culture were positive for the same organism in 17 samples, versus one sample with a different organism. Sixty-two (56.9%) samples had a positive GI panel but negative stool cultures and stool analysis, and half of those detected viruses. The GI panel was positive in 86.2% of severely ill patients; the majority were bacteria. Bacterial detection was associated with a higher CRP compared to viruses. The GI panel is an informative tool for detecting the causative pathogen of AGE in children. However, it can detect multiple organisms, indicating a possible carrier status, which points toward future studies.

Effect of real-time data-driven physician engagement on appropriate precision oncology testing.

11168 Background: Precision medicine is a paradigm shift in healthcare: 24% of all FDA approvals are precision medicines, with 67% of new approvals relying on companion or complementary testing or on diagnostics prior to clinical use. Yet a recent publication indicates that approximately 64% of potentially eligible patients could be lost due to various clinical practice gaps along patient journey (Sadik et al JCO 2022). Low prevalence biomarker testing is proven to be one of the critical determinants of missed therapy, potentially due to poor physician awareness. The increasingly advanced machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP)-based ability to label, analyze, and segment data can be utilized to monitor and influence testing behavior in real-time. We hypothesize that a real-time data-driven physician-targeted digital engagement can increase biomarker testing rate and in turn enhance patient identification for precision therapies. Methods: Unstructured real-world, real-time biomarker testing reports were collected from 494 laboratories across the US. These testing reports were first curated, labeled and extracted via ML and NLP-based technologies to allow data analysis and reveal testing behavior. Suboptimal testing behavior was defined as no requisition of the selected novel biomarker as part of the diagnostic workups. Physicians who identified as having suboptimal testing behavior were selected as candidates to receive a personalized digital engagement over a 4-week period. The digital engagement's purpose was to raise clinical awareness towards the novel biomarker testing. The follow-up testing behavior was analyzed again over laboratory reports collected from 26-weeks’ time after the initial engagement. Results: 822 physicians were identified with suboptimal testing behavior and selected to receive 4 weeks' follow-up digital engagement. 271 out of 822 (33%) recipients were successfully engaged shown as open and read the digital communication. 42 (~15%) physicians reacted to the communications and ordered the new test at least once during this period. The initial 4 weeks' engagement was observed to be the most impactful, when 23 out of the 42 (~55%) physicians ordered the novel biomarker test for the first time.71 new therapy-eligible patients were identified via data-driven targeted physician digital engagement during the 26 weeks’ follow-up period. Conclusions: This study illustrates the value of data in influencing or reinforcing testing behaviors and emphasizes the value of data-driven physician-targeted digital engagement in addressing clinical practice gaps which in turn, drive patient identification to match potential eligible precision therapies.

Prevalence of somatic PIK3CA mutations in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer: The Indian experience.

e13047 Background: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors have been found to improve survival outcomes in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and are FDA-approved in this setting after progression on hormonal therapy. However, real-world data from India on the prevalence of PIK3CA mutations is scarce. Methods: This is a retrospective study including patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer registered at our center between January 2017- and December 2023 who developed metastatic disease on follow-up after getting appropriate treatment (adjuvant /neoadjuvant) as per institutional protocol. The PIK3CA mutation testing was done on the biopsy specimen. FDA-approved therascreen PIL3CA RGQ PCR kit from Qiagen was used and the assay is a real-time qualitative PCR test for the detection of 11 mutations phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene (Exon 7: C420R; Exon 9: E542K, E545A, E545D [1635G>T only], E545G, E545K, Q546E, Q546R; and Exon 20: H1047L, H1047R, H1047Y) using genomic DNA (gDNA) extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast tumor tissue. The clinical demographics of patients with PIK3CA mutations were extracted from the hospital database and represented descriptively. Results: A total of 80 consecutive patients with hormone-positive breast cancer at relapse were screened and 26 were found to have PIK3CA mutations (32.5%) of which 24 were female (92.3%). The median age of patients with mutated PIK3CA cases was 50 years (range: 31 to 72 years). The clinical stage of disease at presentation was: stage II in 11.5%, IIIA in 23.1%, and IIIB in 65.4% of cases. The median time of relapse was 21 months from diagnosis (range: 10 to 42 months). The disease sites at relapse were multiple in 23 patients (88.46%) [including central nervous system (CNS) relapse in 3 patients) and CNS (brain) only in 3 patients (11.54%). The mutations detected included H1047R (3140A>G at exon 20) in 8 cases, E545K (1633 G>A at exon 9) in 5 cases, Q546R (1637 A>G at exon 9) in 4 cases, E542K (1624 G>A at exon7) in 3 cases and synchronous mutations (E542K/E545K at Exon 7) in 3 cases and (H1047R/H1047L at exon 20 ) in 3 cases. Only eight patients received alpelisib with fulvestrant due to financial constraints. Conclusions: This is the first Indian study that describes the prevalence of PIK3CA mutations in hormone-positive breast cancer at relapse. Around one-third of patients harbor this mutation and 23.1% of cases have CNS involvement at relapse. The most common PIK3CA mutation detected was H1047R (exon 20) followed by E545K (exon 9).

Cq values as an indicator for COVID-19 outcomes: A study of the correlation between laboratory parameters.

The ongoing outbreak of the respiratory disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently presenting a major global health threat. This pandemic is unprecedented in recent human history. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cycle quantitation (Cq) and laboratory parameters in COVID-19 patients, aiming to determine if Cq levels can provide valuable insights into the COVID-19 disease. This study involved 234 participants who were divided into case and control groups. Real-time PCR tests were used to diagnose COVID-19 cases in the study participants. Blood tests, including complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, IgG, and IgM, were also conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22 software. The findings showed that COVID-19-positive cases had significantly higher levels of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), D-dimer, ESR, CRP, and LDH compared to normal cases. Additionally, the case group had significantly lower lymphocyte and platelet counts. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between Cq levels and lymphocyte count (r = .124, p = .014). Conversely, there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between Cq levels and NLR (r = -.208, p = .017). Furthermore, the evaluation of hematological, inflammatory, and biochemical indexes in COVID-19 patients using the receiver-operating characteristics curve demonstrated statistically appropriate sensitivity and specificity. Our outcomes indicated a significant association between Cq levels and PLR, NLR, D-dimer, CRP, and ESR in COVID-19 patients. Consequently, including the report of laboratory parameters alongside Cq values offers a promising prognosis.

Efficient Real time Zynq 7000 FPGA deployment of optimized YOLOv2 deep leaning model for target detection, based on HDL Coder Methodology

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have garnered significant attention in the development and enhancement of target identification algorithms that employ YOLOv2 models and FPGAs, owing to their adaptability and user-friendliness. The Simulink HDL compiler was utilized to design, simulate, and implement our proposed design. In an effort to rectify this, this paper presents a comprehensive programming and design proposal. The implementation of the YOLOv2 algorithm for real-time vehicle detection on the Xilinx® Zynq-7000 System-on-a-chip is proposed in this work. Real-time testing of the synthesised hardware revealed that it can process Full HD video at a rate of 16 frames per second. On the Xilinx Zynq-7000 SOC, the estimated dynamic power consumption is less than 90 mW. When comparing the results of the proposed work to those of other simulations, it is observed that resource utilization is enhanced by around 204 k (75%) LUT, 305 (12%) DSP, and 224 k (41%) flip-flops at 200 MHz.

STRESS DETECTION IN IT PROFESSIONALS

The goal of this project is to use image processing and machine learning to recognize stress in IT professionals. The aim is to monitor the mental health of people working in front of computers for long periods of time, control and reduce stress, and provide a better working environment for IT workers. This approach focuses on managing stress and creating a healthy work environment so employees can get the best out of themselves at work. The overall aim of the research is to propose a reliable, simple and accurate search. The main purpose of this study is to analyze and provide information about the stress of employees by estimating the stress of the individual according to the symptoms determined by the care. The main goal of our study is to use effective machine learning and imaging techniques to diagnose stress in IT professionals. Our system is an updated version of the original stress testing method that does not include real-time testing and in-person interviews, but does include real-time measurement and regular employee reviews and controls over time. Keep track of information/stress on body and mind by giving regular questions to check stress treatment. Our system mainly focuses on managing stress and creating a healthy working environment so that employees can make the most of stress during work. Key Words: Face Detection, Facial Emotions, Morphological Processing, Convolutional Neural Network.

Molecular and serological diagnosis of multiple bacterial zoonoses in febrile outpatients in Garissa County, north-eastern Kenya

Bacterial zoonoses are diseases caused by bacterial pathogens that can be naturally transmitted between humans and vertebrate animals. They are important causes of non-malarial fevers in Kenya, yet their epidemiology remains unclear. We investigated brucellosis, Q-fever and leptospirosis in the venous blood of 216 malaria-negative febrile patients recruited in two health centres (98 from Ijara and 118 from Sangailu health centres) in Garissa County in north-eastern Kenya. We determined exposure to the three zoonoses using serological (Rose Bengal test for Brucella spp., ELISA for C. burnetti and microscopic agglutination test for Leptospira spp.) and real-time PCR testing and identified risk factors for exposure. We also used non-targeted metagenomic sequencing on nine selected patients to assess the presence of other possible bacterial causes of non-malarial fevers. Considerable PCR positivity was found for Brucella (19.4%, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 14.2–25.5) and Leptospira spp. (1.7%, 95% CI 0.4–4.9), and high endpoint titres were observed against leptospiral serovar Grippotyphosa from the serological testing. Patients aged 5–17 years old had 4.02 (95% CI 1.18–13.70, p-value = 0.03) and 2.42 (95% CI 1.09–5.34, p-value = 0.03) times higher odds of infection with Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetii than those of ages 35–80. Additionally, patients who sourced water from dams/springs, and other sources (protected wells, boreholes, bottled water, and water pans) had 2.39 (95% CI 1.22–4.68, p-value = 0.01) and 2.24 (1.15–4.35, p-value = 0.02) times higher odds of exposure to C. burnetii than those who used unprotected wells. Streptococcus and Moraxella spp. were determined using metagenomic sequencing. Brucellosis, leptospirosis, Streptococcus and Moraxella infections are potentially important causes of non-malarial fevers in Garissa. This knowledge can guide routine diagnosis, thus helping lower the disease burden and ensure better health outcomes, especially in younger populations.

Different Fracture Liquids under the Action of Enclosure of Dense Sandstone Reservoir Micro-Damage Characteristics Study

The sandstone reservoir in the Lule River group of Mahai East District is strong, densely dense, and the expansion of clay material is very easy to block the pores. Therefore, the new pressure cracks and cationic cluster stabilizers with double-season ammonium salt clay stabilizers are used. Experimental analysis is performed under the circumstances of the perimeter. Use nuclear magnetic real-time testing different fracture liquids to drive the pore structure structure changes before and after the sandstone, combined with differential theory to calculate the fractal dimensions of sandstone. As a result, under the condition of water full, as the perimeter pressure increases, the rocks are increased, and the rocks are increased, and the rocks are increased. The matrix occurs under the common action of the fence and the fracture fluid to prevent the inflation of clay minerals under the combined action of the fence and the fracture fluid, which causes a significant reduction in large holes and increased micropores and medium holes. Exploring different fracture liquids to reservoirs is of great significance to the development of dense sandstone reservoirs.

#3132 The effect of the number of transfusions received and hemodialysis centers attended on the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background and Aims Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viral infections significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis patients, posing substantial challenges in the management of these individuals. These infections present a critical global public health concern. This study aims to describe the serological profile of hepatitis B and C among hemodialysis patients at the Military Hospital of Instruction Mohamed V in Rabat. Additionally, the research aims to investigate the associated risk factors, including the potential influence of blood transfusion and frequenting multiple hemodialysis centers as risk factors. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 38 hemodialysis patients during the period from January 2022 to September 2022. Hepatitis B and C serological markers were analyzed using a chemiluminescent assay, while genome detection was carried out using a quantitative real-time PCR test. Results A total of 36 hemodialysis patients participated in the study, with 44.7% being male and 55.3% female. The age range varied from 26 to 82 years, with a median hemodialysis duration of 102 months. On average, patients attended 1.89 +/- 1.24 dialysis centers (minimum: 1, maximum: 5). Of the participants, 39.5% had a history of blood transfusion, and 13.2% were immunodeficients. Approximately 63.2% of the patients tested positive for Hbs antibodies; however, only 42.1% demonstrated immunity to hepatitis B with antibody levels exceeding 100 UI/L. Among these patients, 31.6% had a history of vaccination, while 31.6% had previously contracted the disease. Notably, PCR results for HBV were negative in all patients. HCV antibodies were positive in 5.3% of the participants, with no viral RNA detected. Our study did not find any statistically significant risk factors. We found no association between the prevalence of hepatitis B or C and a history of transfusion or the number of hemodialysis centers attended. Conclusion Our results affirm the decreasing prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among Moroccan hemodialysis patients, attributable to the implementation of anti-HBV vaccination and other protective measures. However, the limited number of patients in our study renders the sample non-representative.

Test Power Reduction through Reordering Algorithm Implementation and Advancements in BIST Architecture

Due to the reduction in transistor size, test engineers face a severe issue in power minimization. VLSI circuit's power dissipation has become a vital concern due to the switching activity of the Circuit Under Test (CUT). Switching activity is a significant factor in determining power consumption for CMOS VLSI circuits. In this paper, we formulate a distance estimation technique and reordering using the Tversky index. Here, the distance between the test vectors is calculated using the Tversky index with the formation of an adjacency matrix, and reordering is performed. The experimental results of the proposed method have been compared to different distance measures and existing techniques. It shows that the switching activity is reduced from 52.5% to 21.5%, and the average power reduction is from 42% to 14.6% when the distance is estimated on reordering using the Tversky index measure. Thus, the Tversky index distance measure performs better than the Hamming, gray, and Linear feedback shift register (LFSR) methods. Switching activity estimation for complex ISCAS circuits has been performed and compared with existing methods for superior performance. We have also developed a Built in Self-Test (BIST) for the C17 benchmark circuit, which uses the Tversky counter as a test pattern generator using the TANNER EDA tool. Thus, an efficient deterministic BIST for the C17 benchmark circuit was designed to detect all the stuck-at faults, and the same procedure can be used to create BIST for all CUT and precomputed test sets for real-time field testing.

Molecular Methods for the Simultaneous Detection of Tomato Fruit Blotch Virus and Identification of Tomato Russet Mite, a New Potential Virus–Vector System Threatening Solanaceous Crops Worldwide

Tomato fruit blotch virus (ToFBV) (Blunervirus solani, family Kitaviridae) was firstly identified in Italy in 2018 in tomato plants that showed the uneven, blotchy ripening and dimpling of fruits. Subsequent High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) analysis allowed ToFBV to be identified in samples collected in Australia, Brazil, and several European countries, and its presence in tomato crops was dated back to 2012. In 2023, the virus was found to be associated with two outbreaks in Italy and Belgium, and it was included in the EPPO Alert list as a potential new threat for tomato fruit production. Many epidemiologic features of ToFBV need to be still clarified, including transmission. Aculops lycopersici Massee (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea), the tomato russet mite (TRM), is a likely candidate vector, since high population densities were found in most of the ToFBV-infected tomato cultivations worldwide. Real-time RT-PCR tests for ToFBV detection and TRM identification were developed, also as a duplex assay. The optimized tests were then transferred to an RT-ddPCR assay and validated according to the EPPO Standard PM 7/98 (5). Such sensitive, reliable, and validated tests provide an important diagnostic tool in view of the probable threat posed by this virus–vector system to solanaceous crops worldwide and can contribute to epidemiological studies by simplifying the efficiency of research. To our knowledge, these are the first molecular methods developed for the simultaneous detection and identification of ToFBV and TRM.

Getting Ready for Multi-Vendor and Multi-Terminal HVDC Technology

Interoperable multi-vendor High-Voltage Direct-Current (HVDC) grids are a key enabler for the integration of renewable energy (in particular offshore wind) and its transmission over longer distances to consumers. However, most HVDC systems today are single-vendor and point-to-point. Various technical and non-technical aspects need to be considered, for example, (real-time) testing, legal aspects (intellectual property and regulation), and the multi-vendor interoperability process. This paper presents findings from the READY4DC project, which is a larger and open European effort involving diverse stakeholders, including HVDC manufacturers, transmission system operators, wind developers, academia, and research institutes. It summarizes key technical recommendations, emphasizing comprehensive interaction studies and the development of a structured legal framework to facilitate the development and operation of a multi-vendor, multi-terminal HVDC grid. The READY4DC project highlights the need for increased harmonization, transparent communication among stakeholders, and future-oriented research to ensure the robustness and interoperability of interconnected grids. Collaborative efforts are key for addressing technical complexities and advancing the deployment of multi-vendor multi-terminal HVDC technology.

Shaking Tables Test on Seismic Responses of a Long-Span Rigid-Framed Bridge Considering Traveling Wave Effect and Soil–Structure Interaction

The traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction have significant influence on the seismic response of large-span bridges with complex site conditions. In this paper, a 1/10 scaled-down large-span rigid-framed bridge model was designed and fabricated, and a shaking tables test considering the traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction was carried out on a large-scale continuous rigid bridge model by a real-time substructure hybrid test technique. Influences of the traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction on the seismic responses of the rigid-framed bridge specimen were systematically analyzed with experimental data. The test results showed that when the apparent wave speed was small, the traveling wave effect increased the seismic responses of the rigid-framed bridge. With the increase in apparent wave speed, the structural response under traveling wave excitation and uniform excitation was basically the same. The SSI effect lead to a great change in the seismic input peaks and spectral characters at the bottom of the pier, and increased the seismic responses of the rigid-framed bridge. When both traveling wave and the SSI effect were considered, there was a phase difference in the seismic excitation. The dynamic responses of a continuous rigid-framed bridge could not be simply obtained by superposition of the separate traveling wave effect or SSI effect. Meanwhile, the real-time substructure test method in this paper solved the problems that the traditional soil box experiment cannot be applied to the test of a large-scale model, the soil and bridge structure find it difficult to meet the unified similarity ratio, and the boundary conditions are difficult to simulate accurately.

Molecular epidemiology and histopathology study of molluscum contagious virus in patients with clinical lesions in Al-Qadisiyah province, Iraq

BackgroundMolluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a viral cutaneous infection that occasionally affects the mucous membrane and skin, mainly among children and young adults, occurring worldwide. MCV is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the poxvirus family. The prevalence of MCV in Iraq and its frequency are mostly unknown, despite the virus being transmissible directly from person to person, with several significant outbreaks reported in recent years. This study represents the first investigation of MCV in the province of Al-Qadisiyah. Utilizing real-time PCR and histopathological examination, the research aimed to validate the clinical diagnosis of MCV. The study involved the histological examination of Molluscum contagiosum and compared it with real-time PCR analysis of MCV. MethodsThe study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Lesion samples were taken from 80 patients initially. The disease had spread widely and quickly in the city, affecting individuals aged between 1 and 2 years who had been diagnosed with clinical lesions of MCV on various body areas. Non-random (purposive) samples were collected for the study. ResultsFollowing real-time PCR testing and histological examination (90 %), patients yielded positive results for Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), aligning with clinical diagnosis. Histopathological analysis revealed distinctive cytopathic effects and localized hyperplasia in epidermal keratinocytes indicative of Molluscum contagiosum. No significant disparity was observed between MCV infection and sex or age. Additionally, histological examination identified 8 (10 %) patients infected with human papillomaviruses. ConclusionThe present comprehension regarding the epidemiology and prevalence of MCV in Iraq remains limited. The findings highlight a significant rise in MCV infections compared to other infectious skin diseases, underscoring the urgency for further investigation to mitigate the risk of a potential global epidemic.

Dimeric Bis-Benzimidazole-Pyrroles DB2Py(n) - AT-Site-Specific Ligands: Synthesis, Physicochemical Analysis, and Biological Activity.

Its broad spectrum of biological activity makes benzimidazole a fundamental pharmacophore in pharmaceutics. The paper describes newly synthesized AT-specific fluorescent bis-benzimidazole molecules DB2Py(n) that contain a pyrrolcarboxamide fragment of the antibiotic drug netropsin. Physico-chemical methods using absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectra have shown the ability of bis-benzimidazole- pyrroles to form complexes with DNA. The new DB2Py(n) series have turned out to be more toxic to human tumor lines and less vulnerable to non-tumor cell lines. Bis-benzimidazole-pyrroles penetrated the cell nucleus, affected the cell-cycle synthesis (S) phase, and inhibited eukaryotic topoisomerase I in a cellfree model at low concentrations. A real-time tumor cell proliferation test confirmed the molecule's enhanced toxic properties upon dimerization. Preliminary cytotoxicity data for the bis-benzimidazole-pyrroles tested in a cell model with a MDR phenotype showed that monomeric compounds can overcome MDR, while dimerization weakens this ability to its intermediate values as compared to doxorubicin. In this respect, the newly synthesized cytotoxic structures seem promising for further, in-depth study of their properties and action mechanism in relation to human tumor cells, as well as for designing new AT-specific ligands.