Differential marker expression by cultures rich in mesenchymal stem cells

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells have properties that make them amenable to therapeutic use. However, the acceptance of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical practice requires standardized techniques for their specific isolation. To date, there are no conclusive marker (s) for the exclusive isolation of mesenchymal stem cells. Our aim was to identify markers differentially expressed between mesenchymal stem cell and non-stem cell mesenchymal cell cultures. We compared and contrasted the phenotype of tissue cultures in which mesenchymal stem cells are rich and rare. By initially assessing mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, we established that bone marrow and breast adipose cultures are rich in mesenchymal stem cells while, in our hands, foreskin fibroblast and olfactory tissue cultures contain rare mesenchymal stem cells. In particular, olfactory tissue cells represent non-stem cell mesenchymal cells. Subsequently, the phenotype of the tissue cultures were thoroughly assessed using immuno-fluorescence, flow-cytometry, proteomics, antibody arrays and qPCR. Results: Our analysis revealed that all tissue cultures, regardless of differentiation potential, demonstrated remarkably similar phenotypes. Importantly, it was also observed that common mesenchymal stem cell markers, and fibroblast-associated markers, do not discriminate between mesenchymal stem cell and non-stem cell mesenchymal cell cultures. Examination and comparison of the phenotypes of mesenchymal stem cell and non-stem cell mesenchymal cell cultures revealed three differentially expressed markers – CD24, CD108 and CD40. Conclusion: We indicate the importance of establishing differential marker expression between mesenchymal stem cells and non-stem cell mesenchymal cells in order to determine stem cell specific markers

Improvement of alzheimer disease diagnosis accuracy using ensemble methods

Nowadays, there is a significant increase in the medical data that we should take advantage of that. The application of the machine learning via the data mining processes, such as data classification depends on using a single classification algorithm or those complained as ensemble models. The objective of this work is to improve the classification accuracy of previous results for Alzheimer disease diagnosing. The Decision Tree algorithm with three types of ensemble methods combined, which are Boosting, Bagging and Stacking. The clinical dataset from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS) was used in the experiments. The experimental results of the proposed approach were better than the previous work results. Where the Random Forest (Bagging) achieved the highest accuracy among all algorithms with 90.69%, while the lowest one was Stacking with 79.07%. All these results generated in this paper are higher in accuracy than that done before

Evaluation of Novel Biomarker of Early Atherosclerosis in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in Wasit Governorate

The aim of the study was to evaluate some Biomarkers in patients with athreoscelerosis in Wasit Province. Atherosclerosis is a chronic arterial disease and a major cause of vascular death. Fatty streaks in arterial walls gradually develop into atheroma and characteristic plaques. The acute rupture of these atheromatous plaques causes local thrombosis, leading to partial or total occlusion of the affected artery. The clinical consequences of these plaques depend on their site and the degree and speed of vessel occlusion . Its major clinical manifestations include ischemic heart disease (IHD), ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. The study took place in the a hemodialysis unit Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital in Wasit Governorate during the period from November 2023 to April 2024. This study aimed to examine risk factors (age, gender, high blood pressure, smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity) for atherosclerosis in the general population and patients with chronic kidney disease. Also studying the effect of some novel biomarkers (Homocysteine, Fibrinogen, myeloperoxidase, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, pentraxin 3). The study include (90) samples: (60) patients suffering from early atherosclerosis and chronic kidney disease (dialysis stage) and 30 samples of healthy people (control group), their ages ranged from (40 to 70 years). The samples were divided into two age groups, where the first group had an average age of 40-55 years and the second group was 56-70 years old , the categories were divided equally into males and females Samples were collected based on the incidence of kidney disease first, and then the main risk factors of early atherosclerosis were relied upon, which are (smoking, age, sex, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, left ventricle valve, physical inactivity).  The results of our study regarding diagnostic markers of atherosclerosis showed a significant increase in biomarkers (MPO, PTX3, HCy, FG and LpPLA2)of  infected people at p ≥ 0.5. In patients with atherosclerosis the level of new biomarkers showed a significant increase in serum of infected people compared to healthy people at p<0.5. This is an important indication of the importance of these biomarkers in detecting the disease

Evaluation and development models for business processes

Most organisations are working hard to improve their performance and to achieve competitive advantage over their rivals. They may accomplish these ambitions through carrying out their business processes more effectively. Hence it is important to consider such processes and look for ways in which they can be improved. Any organisational business process encompasses several elements that interact and collaborate with each other to achieve the required objectives. These elements can be classified into hard aspects, which deal with tangible issues related to the software system or the technology in general, and soft aspects, which deal with issues related to the human part of the business process. If the business process needs to be analysed and redesigned to improve its performance, it is important to use a suitable approach or intervention that takes into account all of these elements. This thesis proposes an approach to investigate organisational business processes by considering both soft and hard aspects. The approach, Soft Workflow Modelling (SWfM), is developed as a result of reviewing several workflow products and models using a developed workflow perspectives framework which involves several perspectives covering the soft and hard aspects of the workflow system. The SWfM approach models the organisational business process as a workflow system by handling the various perspectives of the workflow perspectives framework. This approach combines the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) with the Unified Modelling Language (UML), as a standard modelling language of the object-oriented paradigm. The basic framework adopted is that of SSM with the inclusion of UML diagrams and techniques to deal with the aspects that SSM cannot handle. The approach also supports SSM by providing a developed tool to assist in constructing a conceptual model which is considered as the basis to model the workflow system. A case study is developed for illustrative purposes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

التضعيف النسبي لرواية جعفر بن بُرقان عن الزهري: دراسة نقدية تطبيقية

يهدف البحث الى تنبيه المشتغلين بالبحث في أحوال الرواة بأن التضعيف النسبي للراوي ليس على إطلاقه، فالقاعدة العامة في حكم مرويات الرواة: قبول رواية الثقة ورد رواية الضعيف، ولكن قد تُرد رواية الثقة في أحوال، من خلال التعريف براوٍ من رواة الحديث هو (جعفر بن برقان)، وبما رواه عن الزهري، وبيان حاله ومنزلته بين المحدثين، وقد استخدم البحث المنهج الاستقرائي، والمنهج التحليلي، واقتضت طبيعة البحث أن يكون في مقدمة ومبحثين، خصص الأول للدراسة النظرية، في حين كرس المبحث الثاني للدراسة التطبيقية، وتوصل البحث إلى عدد من النتائج من أهمها، أن تضعيف الراوي في حال أو شيخ أو زمان ونحو ذلك لا تسقط به الثقة بالراوي؛ ولا يلزم من هذا التضعيف النسبي الضعف المطلق، كما أن حديث جعفر عن الزهري ليس مردودا كله، فكثير من رواياته عن الزهري وافق فيها الثقات من أصحاب الزهري، وإنما يرد ما نفرد به أو خالف رواية الثقات

Sequencing the ‘Dairy Mind’ Using Mind Genomics to Create an “MRI of Consumer Decisions”

We present the research methodology that generates an integrated database of the mind of a dairy consumer, regarding nine different dairy products. The set of studies deals with a variety of end products, presenting alternative messages about each product. Respondents rate combinations of messages, that is, vignettes, which are created using an advanced form of conjoint analysis. OLS (ordinary least-squares) regression is used to deconstruct the ratings at the level of the individual respondents, producing a coefficient value for each message that was tested. Cluster analyses revealed three distinct mind-sets around dairy products: a strong focus on flavor, a strong focus on health, and a strong focus on price. This chapter demonstrates how the science of Mind Genomics is further applied through a typing tool, known as PVI (personal viewpoint identifier). The PVI is able to identify the mind-set of any individual that provides a binary response to six short questions. The chapter concludes with a vision for the future of the Mind Genomics research methodology in the fields of science and business

Impact of Advanced Health Information Systems on Medical Records Management and Archiving Quality

Current estimates suggest that 7-8% of medical records worldwide are either misplaced or incomplete, and in pediatric outpatient visits, more than 20% of medical records are unattainable when needed. This poses a significant hazard in medical record-keeping, with missing or damaged records potentially putting patients at risk. As healthcare facilities grapple with ever-increasing complexity and functionality demands, the advancement and adoption of sophisticated health information systems for managing medical records offer a glimmer of hope. These systems emphasize the handling and transformation of data and once developed, facilitate bringing computers and information directly to the patient\u27s bedside to assist healthcare providers. However, the complexity of these systems necessitates continuous upkeep to ensure effective information management for patient care. Despite case studies indicating that such systems contribute to higher healthcare quality and the reduction of clinical errors, the direct effects on medical record integrity demand further exploration, acknowledging both the benefits and pitfalls. A medical record, the healthcare provider\u27s comprehensive log detailing a patient\u27s medical history and conditions, serves as a cornerstone for ongoing and evaluative care, aiming to enhance patient health outcomes. For healthcare providers, it acts as a shield in uncertain situations, offers proof of continuous care, and ensures persistent monitoring of patient health. The caliber of a medical record reflects adherence to set standards and can be seen as emblematic of desired attributes. It is a collection of factual representations and professional assessments maintained by healthcare practitioners. Health information management is constantly confronted with an array of challenges, with essential medical data continually endangered. The swiftness of technological advancement, shifting government priorities, and societal expectations have put medical record service quality in a predicament. There is also an increasing call for improved accessibility and transferability of medical records. While cutting-edge health information systems hold the promise of enhancing the caliber of medical records, they could also pose a threat to service quality if not used, understood, and governed adeptly. These sophisticated IT systems enable organizations to handle, manipulate, and relay information efficiently. They are designed in a myriad of forms and serve a vital role in clinical decision-making and patient-to-patient service provision. For patients, these systems offer support through healthcare navigation, finding suitable practitioners, communication with providers, and managing health information transactions

Biological versus chronological ovarian age:implications for assisted reproductive technology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Women have been able to delay childbearing since effective contraception became available in the 1960s. However, fertility decreases with increasing maternal age. A slow but steady decrease in fertility is observed in women aged between 30 and 35 years, which is followed by an accelerated decline among women aged over 35 years. A combination of delayed childbearing and reduced fecundity with increasing age has resulted in an increased number and proportion of women of greater than or equal to 35 years of age seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Literature searches supplemented with the authors' knowledge.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Despite major advances in medical technology, there is currently no ART treatment strategy that can fully compensate for the natural decline in fertility with increasing female age. Although chronological age is the most important predictor of ovarian response to follicle-stimulating hormone, the rate of reproductive ageing and ovarian sensitivity to gonadotrophins varies considerably among individuals. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to depletion of the ovarian oocyte pool and reduction in oocyte quality. Thus, biological and chronological ovarian age are not always equivalent. Furthermore, biological age is more important than chronological age in predicting the outcome of ART. As older patients present increasingly for ART treatment, it will become more important to critically assess prognosis, counsel appropriately and optimize treatment strategies. Several genetic markers and biomarkers (such as anti-Müllerian hormone and the antral follicle count) are emerging that can identify women with accelerated biological ovarian ageing. Potential strategies for improving ovarian response include the use of luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH). When endogenous LH levels are heavily suppressed by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues, LH supplementation may help to optimize treatment outcomes for women with biologically older ovaries. Exogenous GH may improve oocyte development and counteract the age-related decline of oocyte quality. The effects of GH may be mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I, which works synergistically with follicle-stimulating hormone on granulosa and theca cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with biologically older ovaries may benefit from a tailored approach based on individual patient characteristics. Among the most promising adjuvant therapies for improving ART outcomes in women of advanced reproductive age are the administration of exogenous LH or GH.</p