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Introduction. Bacterial infections are common complications and the cause of death in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. There is no standard method for a rapid and low-cost diagnosis, and its prognosis is poor. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the etiology and frequency of bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis of different etiology, and the influence of bacterial infections on the prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. Methods. Sixty-four patients with cirrhosis and ascites were included in the study. The diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was established based on the diagnostic abdominal paracentesis and the results of biochemical, cytological and microbiologic analysis of ascitic fluid. The diagnosis of urinary infection and pneumonia were made according to the standard criteria. Results. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was diagnosed in 23 (35.9%) patients, urinary infections in 16 (25%) and pneumonia in 11 (17.2%). Gram positive and gram negative bacteria in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were etiologically almost equally represented (52%; 48%). The most frequent causes were Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In 81% of patients urinary infections were caused by gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli in 44%). The most frequent cause of pneumonia was Streptococcus pneumoniae (46%). Conclusion. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary infections and bronchopneumonia are the most frequent bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. A timely recognition of bacterial infections and the initiation of treatment have a positive effect on the prognosis of such patients.

Nowadays, the sovereign credit rating is not only an index of a country's economic performance and political stability but also an overall indicator of development and growth, as well as the trust factor that is associated with the country. Due to its importance, the vast amount of available information, and the lack of a closed-form solution, prediction models based on machine learning (ML) and computation intelligence (CI) techniques are being increasingly used to complement traditional financial approaches. In this paper, we aim to introduce a novel ML-CI approach for sovereign credit rating prediction based on a differential evolution (DE) algorithm and interpolative Boolean algebra (IBA). In fact, the proposed approach is based on a pseudo-logical function in the IBA framework derived from the historical data of publicly available indicators using the DE algorithm. Such functions are easily interpreted and enable a subtle gradation among countries. It is shown that the IBA-DE approach outperforms back-propagation neural networks on the observed problem while also providing a deeper insight into each of the indicators used for prediction and its respective influence on the prediction rating on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present logic-based aggregation models used for ranking student applicants and we compare them with a number of existing aggregation methods, each more complex than the previous one. The proposed models aim to include depen- dencies in the data using Logical aggregation (LA). LA is a aggregation method based on interpolative Boolean algebra (IBA), a consistent multi-valued realization of Boolean algebra. This technique is used for a Boolean consistent aggregation of attributes that are logically dependent. The comparison is performed in the case of student applicants for master programs at the University of Belgrade. We have shown that LA has some advantages over other presented aggregation methods. The software realization of all applied aggregation methods is also provided. This paper may be of interest not only for student ranking, but also for similar problems of ranking people e.g. employees, team members, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a decision support system for enhancing scrum methodology based on fuzzy logic. Scrum is a very popular agile methodology within the software and product development. In the basic scrum, requirements that describe a certain task do not have a clear interpretation. Also, the traditional model does not take into account the experience of the developers nor the logical dependencies of input variables. Fuzzy inference is particularly useful for this purpose, because it incorporates logic in inference process and inputs are presented using linguistic quantifiers. The proposed system consists of three main components: a fuzzy inference system, an aggregation operator and a feedback function. The aggregation function is used to aggregate task predictions in a single value that uniquely represent a specific task, while a feedback is employed to adjust an input variable to improve system performance. Furthermore, the proposed system is simulated with randomly generated inputs in order to analyse its behaviour. The predictions of the system are more accurate and with smaller deviation in the final iterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis is the property of Nis University, Faculty of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since the ancient times, it has been assumed that categorization has the basic form of classical sets. This implies that the categorization process rests on the Boolean laws. In the second half of the twentieth century, the classical theory has been challenged in cognitive science. According to the prototype theory, objects belong to categories with intensities, while humans categorize objects by comparing them to prototypes of relevant categories. Such categorization process is governed by the principles of perceived world structure and cognitive economy. Approaching the prototype theory by using truth-functional fuzzy logic has been harshly criticized due to not satisfying the complementation laws. In this paper, the prototype theory is approached by using structure-functional fuzzy logic, the interpolative Boolean algebra. The proposed formalism is within the Boolean frame. Categories are represented as fuzzy sets of objects, while comparisons between objects and prototypes are formalized by using Boolean consistent fuzzy relations. Such relations are directly constructed from a Boolean consistent fuzzy partial order relation, which is treated by Boolean implication. The introduced formalism secures the principles of categorization showing that Boolean laws are fundamental in the categorization process. For illustration purposes, the artificial cognitive system which mimics human categorization activity is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There are two metaheuristics that deserve considerable attention in the past years by both academics and practitioners. VNS (Variable Neighborhood Search) is a unique and effective concept of combinatorial and global metaheuristic, based on the principles of systematic changes in the environment in conjunction with local searches. On the other side, Differential Evolution (DE), which presents a simple concept of the global search space based on evolutionary algorithm that is used in many practical applications. In this paper we use VNS idea to estimate crossover parameter, the important parameter of DE heuristic. For that purpose we propose a family of distributions for controlling distances in the search space. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Precancerous conditions in the gallbladder are still a matter of interest of numerous investigators, but reliable and definite attitude is not jet available. Particularly, many regenerative/reparative changes during inflammation and cholelithiasis in the gallbladder cannot be classified with certainty as lesions which precede malignant alteration. However, it is considered that metaplastic-dysplastic changes, which appear in mucosa and can lead to malignant neoplasia, are one of the ways of cancer morphogenesis. This way is considered as non-neoplastic way of gallbladder carcinoma development. The other way of cancer genesis goes through precancerous neoplasia, i.e. adenoma. The aim of this article was to, upon a polyp found in the gallbladder after cholecystectomy in a 70-year-old patient, determine one of the ways of gallbladder carcinoma morphogenesis. Cholecystectomy was done after ultrasound finding of the gallbladder polyp. Macroscopically and microscopically, it was the intestinal type of villous adenoma with the third degree epithelial dysplasia, which designates that this adenoma has reliable signs for precancerous lesion, and confirms the adenoma-carcinoma sequence theory, already characteristic for large intestine, the opinion the authors agree with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis is the property of Nis University, Faculty of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

One of the main issues in IFS theory are generalizations of intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) definition as well as IFS operations. In this paper, we present the LBIFS-IBA approach by applying operations based on interpolative Boolean algebra (IBA) on generalized IFS. Namely, LBIFS are defined as a special case of Liu's generalized IFS with the maximal interpretational surface. By extending the interpretational surface, the descriptive power of the approach is enhanced, and therefore the problematic situations when μ A + ν A > 1 can be modeled. In addition, IBA-based algebra secures Boolean properties of the proposed approach. Considerable attention is given to comprehension of uncertainty within LBIFS-IBA, i.e., we propose a novel manner of uncertainty interpretation by treating values from [−1,1] interval. In order to prove its importance, we compare LBIFS-IBA with several well-known IFS generalizations, showing that only our approach offers meaningful uncertainty interpretation is all selected cases. Additionally, we illustrate the practical benefits of LBIFS-IBA by applying it to an example of modeling Japanese candlesticks for price charting and paying special attention to uncertainty interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of adenomyosis is estimated on 20% in all of extracted uteruses. Clinically, it usually exists asymptomatically, but could be followed with dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and pelvic pain. One third of patients with adenomyosis are sterile, however in other two thirds, conception and pregnancy could have normal development, with delivery without complications. One of possible complications related to adenomyosis is rupture of uterus during delivery. CASE REPORT: A pregnant woman at the end of the 10th lunar month of pregnancy, showed minimal labour contractions, following amnion rupture and the delivery was terminated by section ceasar. Subtotal hysterectomy was performed because of concominant profuse bleeding. Myometrium was occupied with decidual cells in trabecular arrangement, among which elongated endometrial glands were placed. Surrounding muscle fascicles showed atrophic, apoptic, and occasionally necrotic changes. Myometrial stroma was edematous, and infiltrated with mesenchymal cells, as well as with adipose cells, which were extending toward serosa. DISCUSSION: The patient had been receiving treatment, for a long period, because of sterility without clear etiological factor. A small number of similar cases ends with complications. Here, it is evident that abundant decidual transformation of stromal cells in adenomiosis leads to atrophy and necrosis of muscle cells. The reduction of uterine muscle mass causes atony and threating rupture, through separation of muscle cells, and therefore the absence of their synchronized contractions. CONCLUSION: Atony of uterine muscle could be caused by decidual transformation in adenomyosal fields, atrophy of muscle fascicles, edema of the stroma, mesenchymal transformation, and fibrosis. This leads to a decrease in myometrial contractions, and prolonged postpartal bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction As a diffuse chronic inflammation, myometritis is very rere and usually follows after postpartal placenta remains or postabortion infections, but it can be also associated with endometrial or ascendent infection. Chronic myometritis is often followed by profuse bleeding, though in most cases it cannot be recognized as it is asymptomatic. Histologically, that chronic process is characterized by the presence of fibriosis within the muscles and mononuclear cells (lymphoplasmocytic and histiocytic) infiltration. Case report A 24 old woman's second child was delivered per vias naturalis but the next day the profuse bleeding occurred which would not stop even after repeated curretages and suspecting a case of placenta accreta and uterus atony, subtotal hysterectomy was performed. Histologically, the disappearance of the regular arrangement of the smooth muscles and stroma could be seen with the devastation of myometrium due to the diffuse reduction of its smooth muscle bundles and cells, as well as their atrophy, necrobiosis and apoptosis with the minimal preservation of the muscle bundles and little cell groups of the myometrium, an abundant presence of the fibrocollagene and myxoid transformed connective tissue, group cells similar to the mesenchymal tissue and adipocytes. Discussion It was not possible to find this variant of the changes on the myometrium in the available literature. The present case is about the clinically unknown asymptomatic myometritis, possibly developed in the postpartal period of the previous pregnancy. It is our opinion that it is most probably an autoagressive process directed towards the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium, as shown by their reduction and inflammatory cells composition, which plays an important role in the immune reactions (lymphocytes, plasma cells, eosinophilis, histocytes). Conclusion A subtotal hysterectomy was performed on a woman, 24 years old, who gave birth to her second child and had profuse postpartal bleeding in sprite of repeated curettages. On the basis of this uterus atony, there is the clinically non-manifested chronic myometritis. The chronic inflammation resulted in a subtotal reduction of myometrium muscle mass, its replacement sclerosis, the multiplication of adipocytes, mesenchymal cells, histolcytes lymphomonocytes and dissection of muscle fascicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuzzy inference systems (FIS) enable automated assessment and reasoning in a logically consistent manner akin to the way in which humans reason. However, since no conventional fuzzy set theory is in the Boolean frame, it is proposed that Boolean consistent fuzzy logic should be used in the evaluation of rules. The main distinction of this approach is that it requires the execution of a set of structural transformations before the actual values can be introduced, which can, in certain cases, lead to different results. While a Boolean consistent FIS could be used for establishing the diagnostic criteria for any given disease, in this paper it is applied for determining the likelihood of peritonitis, as the leading complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Given that patients could be located far away from healthcare institutions (as peritoneal dialysis is a form of home dialysis) the proposed Boolean consistent FIS would enable patients to easily estimate the likelihood of them having peritonitis (where a high likelihood would suggest that prompt treatment is indicated), when medical experts are not close at hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]