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Recognition of the consequence for advanced tools and techniques to secure the network infrastructure from the security risks has prompted the advancement of many machine learning-based intrusion detection strategies. However, it is a big challenge for the researchers to make improvements in an Intrusion Detection System with desired advantages and constraints. This paper has developed a proficient soft computing framework using Grey Wolf Optimization and Entropy-Based Graph (GWO-EBG) to classify intrusion detection datasets to reduce the false rate. In the proposed scheme, initially, the input data is preprocessed by the data transformation and normalization procedure. After the preprocessing, optimal features have been chosen for the dimension reduction from the preprocessed data using the grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm. Then, the Entropy value has estimated from the idyllically selected features. Lastly, an Entropy-Based Graph (EBG) has been constructed to classify data into intrusion or normal data. The experimental results demonstrate that the developed method outperforms other existing methods in various performance measures. The detection rate of the developed GWO-EBG is found to be 94.6%, which is higher than 91.24 % of EBG, 75.60 % K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), 73.36 % of Support Vector Machine (SVM), and 74.88 % of Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) on 5000 connection vectors data obtained from KDD CUP'99 testing dataset. The false-positive rate of developed strategy (GWO-EBG) is 0.35 %%, which is lower than 2.18 % of EBG, 7.32 % KNN, 8.15 % of SVM, and 8.13 % of GRNN with 5000 testing datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet of Things (IoT) system comprises of many interrelated computing devices and smart sensors with limited battery, processing, and storage capabilities. Due to its nature and area of operation, IoT systems always work in a constrained environment, with battery depletion, hardware malfunction and harsh wireless channel conditions. For application processing, Cloud computing provided an absolute solution, but its viability is limited by the exorbitant costs and high transmission delays associated with it. In such a scenario, Fog computing is fast emerging as an attractive solution. It focuses on shifting the data processing activities to the edge of the network. However, fog computing has its own share of challenges that needs to be overcome for efficient and effective designs. The computational resources of fog server are so scarce that it cannot respond quickly to the high computational requirements that can cause an unacceptable queuing delay among the IoT applications. Hence, the optimal solution lies in the convergence of the two technologies. In this paper, the energy efficient and delay-aware task allocation problem in an IoT-fog-cloud system is investigated. We formulate a delay-based task allocation problem which suggests the optimal task allocation among local IoT devices, edge server and the cloud toward the minimum energy consumption and end to end delay. The problem is then solved using Energy-efficient task offloading strategy (EETOS) based on Levy-flight moth flame optimization (LMFO) algorithm. The EETOS reduces energy consumption by 22%, 25% and 29% in comparison to the Online Job Dispatching (OJD), Multi-tier Fog Computing (MFC) and Computation Offloading Game (COG) algorithms, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study was conducted for the evaluation of Interleukin (IL)-1b levels in human gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), intensity of pain, and the amount of tooth movement measured during canine retraction using different magnitudes of continuous orthodontic force. Materials and Method: A statistically significant number of subjects were included for the study (n = 16, 6 male subjects and 10 female subjects). The age ranged from 18 to 24 years and all were diagnosed with Class I bimaxillary protrusion. They underwent first premolar extractions prior to participating in the study. The maxillary cuspids were then retracted using a continuous force of either 50 or 150 g. This was executed using nickel–titanium coil springs on segmented archwires. The opposite counterpart, that is, mandibular cuspid was used as control. GCF was then drawn from the distal aspect of each tooth at defined time intervals. This was followed by the assessment of IL-1b concentrations, pain intensity, using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the amount of tooth movement. ANOVA test, Friedman test, and paired t-tests were used for comparisons of IL-1b in GCF, the plaque and gingival indices, and the efficiency of tooth movement on pain perception, respectively. Results: The 150 g group showed the highest level of IL-1b concentration at 24 h from baseline and at 2 with significant differences compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The mean VAS score of pain intensity from the 150 g force was significantly greater than from the 50 g force at 24 h (P < 0.01). Conclusion: No significant difference in the amount of tooth movement was found between these two different magnitudes of continuous force at 2 months. A 50 g force could effectively induce tooth movement similar to 150 g with less pain and less inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a rare tumorous collection of immature myeloid cells in extramedullary sites. Patients and Methods: We reviewed all treated patients of myeloid malignancies presenting to a tertiary referral Centre for treatment of Malignant disorders in western part of India. Using the database for patients diagnosed between Jan 2010 and Dec 2015, a study was conducted to detect the incidence, clinical features, and outcomes in patient presenting with GS. Results: Our study had 400 patients with myeloid malignancies out of which GS was diagnosed in 07 patients which constituted 1.7% of patients of all myeloid neoplasms. All received standard protocol based treatment. Five patients were in complete remission and one had partial remission after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of a control algorithm in the operation of a Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) relies upon its ability to counter the step back condition accurately. This paper presents an enhanced crow search algorithm for designing a fractional-order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) controller implemented in power control loop of a PHWR under step-back condition. The proposed controller is applied on eight different interval fractional transfer function models of PHWR derived using Edge theorem as well as eight step back conditions of PHWR. Simulation results reveal excellent reference tracking capability of the proposed controller. The effectiveness of the proposed controller has been proved by performing a comparison among different error performance indices with the existing controllers in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increase in life expectancy across the globe has led to rise in geriatric population. Geriatric population is now living longer and healthier. This rise in geriatric population has also led to increase in the geriatric ailments leading to increased number of geriatric patients requiring intensive care including mechanical ventilation. Data on outcomes of geriatric patients requiring mechanical ventilation from India is scarce. Aim: To study the profile and outcome of geriatric patients more than equal to 60 years requiring mechanical ventilation in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: The data of all the geriatric patients, more than 60 years of age, admitted to ICU between January 2008 to August 2014 requiring mechanical ventilation for various reasons were extracted from the hospital records. Various reasons for ventilation, duration of ventilation/hospital stay, mortality and associated comorbidities were recorded and analysed. Results: Total 140 geriatric patients were mechanically ventilated in the study period, out of which 43.5% (61/140) were above 70 years of age and 67.8% (95/140) were above 65 years of age. Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD) was the most common cause for mechanical ventilation constituting 20% of patients followed by severe sepsis (17.8%), cerebrovascular accident (12.8%), post-surgical patients (12.8%) and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in 10%. In our study, 44.28% of the geriatric patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the ICU were successfully weaned off the ventilator. Early tracheostomy helped in weaning off from ventilator as 83.33% (5/6) of patients requiring tracheostomy could be weaned off the ventilator suggesting that tracheostomy may help in improving the outcome. Reintubation carried a very poor prognosis and increased mortality, as 80% (4/5) of the patients who were reintubated in our study could not survive. Conclusion: Our study revealed that in appropriate intensive care setting and with standard protocol based therapy for primary ailments, outcomes with mechanical ventilation in geriatric population can be comparable to outcomes in younger population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lung cancer is the most common malignant disease and is the topmost cause of cancer deaths in the world across all age groups and in both sexes. It is the most common cause of cancer deaths in developed countries and is also rising at an alarming rate in the developing countries.Objective: The present study was undertaken to explore the clinicopathological and molecular profile of bronchogenic carcinoma in northwestern population of India.Materials and Methods: A total of 136 consecutive patients with histologically proven bronchogenic carcinoma, registered between May 2014 and April 2016 at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India, were analyzed.Results: Out of a total of 136 diagnosed cases, 6% were in the third to fourth decade of life, 49% in the fifth to sixth decade, and 45% in the seventh decade and above. Seventy-one percent of patients were male. Smoking was the major risk factor in 65.40% of patients. About 33% of female patients were smokers with a significant overlap in the use of smoking objects. Twenty-one percent of patients had been initially empirically treated with antitubercular therapy. Most common symptoms at presentation were cough, dyspnea, weight loss, and chest pain. Pleural effusion, paraneoplastic phenomenon, clubbing, peripheral lymphadenopathy, and Pancoast syndrome were the major signs at presentation. Twenty-one percent of nonsmokers and 40% of smoker patients presented with ECOG Performance Status 3 or 4. Ninety-three percent of patients presented in stage III or IV. Metastases to skeleton, brain, liver, pleura, adrenals, lung, and distant lymph nodes were present in 30.8%, 16.9%, 15.4%, 15.4%, 14.7%, 13.2%, and 11.8%, respectively. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was found to be the most efficient diagnostic procedure as compared to transthoracic and thoracoscopic methods. Histologically, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell carcinoma and its variants were seen in 35.30%, 44.9%, and 15.40% cases, respectively. Nearly 4.4% of patients were diagnosed as poorly differentiated carcinoma. Driver mutations (epidermal growth factor receptor or anaplastic lymphoma kinase) were detected in 48% (25 of 52 tested) of adenocarcinomas and 55.55% (5 of 9 tested) of young, nonsmoker, female squamous cell carcinoma patients.Conclusion: This study highlights that the adenocarcinoma incidence is surpassing squamous cell carcinoma in Indian lung cancer patients also, as observed in Western population. Mean age at diagnosis is about one decade earlier than in the Western population. Driver mutations are more common in India than in the West as also reported in other Asian studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontal disease comprises a heterogeneous group of infectious disease that lead to pathologic destruction of the periodontium. This disease affects the gingiva and cause gingival inflammation and with involving the supporting fibers and bone, the tooth becomes loose and finally the tooth is lost. Periodontitis, being one of the most prevalent diseases in the oral cavity can be supposed to be influenced by the blood grouping pattern among patients. Aim: The aim of present study was to determine association between periodontal disease status and the ABO blood groups. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study 60 patients aged between 18-55 years of both sexes with an equal percentage of males and females were selected at random in ACHS, Mekelle, Ethiopia. This study was assessed based on blood group, complete medical and dental history and periodontal examination, consisting of PBI, PPD, and CAL, the study population was divided in to three groups as those with; Group I (patient with healthy gingiva), Group II (patients with gingivitis), and Group III (patients with periodontitis). The effects of blood subgroups on periodontal health, gingivitis and periodontitis were investigated separately. Result: A relatively higher percentage 35% of "A" blood group patients were found in gingivitis group, and 55% of "O"group patients were found in periodontitis group. "B" blood group patients 40% were found in relatively higher percentage in healthy gingiva. A significant relationship was also found between Rh factor and periodontitis. Conclusion: These data are suggestive of broad correlation between periodontal diseases and blood groups which may act as risk predictors for periodontal diseases. This will make it possible to better understand the risk factors of periodontal diseases and to predict the effective methods of prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long term treatment of common chronic cardiac conditions such as hypertension with Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) has been associated with gingival hyperplasia. This oral side effect may affect esthetics and function, yet often overlooked and therefore underreported among hypertensive patients visiting in Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. Aim: this study aims to determine the association of CCBs with gingival overgrowth in hypertensive patients. Methods and Materials: this is hospital based cross sectional study conducted among 50 hypertensive patients (25 CCBs and 25 non-CCBs age matched controls) attending the medical outpatient clinic of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized hospital. Data collection tools included interviewer administered questionnaires and periodontal examination. Socio-demographic details, medical history and periodontal indices (plaque index, papillary bleeding index, grade of GO according to DIGO clinical index) were recorded. Results: the mean plaque index and mean papillary bleeding index for CCB users were 0.9±0.8 and 0.3±0.5 respectively, while mean plaque index and mean papillary bleeding index for non-CCB users were 1.4±0.8 and 0.8±1.3 mm respectively. Also, more females (44%) presented with DIGO compared to males (26%) in both the groups.Participants on CCBs had significantly increased probing depths than that of the non-CCB users (p= 0.001). Discussion: The higher prevalence of DIGO among CCB users compared with non-CCB users has been reported. Furthermore, there was an increased risk of GO nearly 3 folds in CCB users compared with non-CCB users.The slightly higher finding of DIGO among Nifedipine users in the current study may be related to the fact that more patients were placed on Nifedipine. . The significant association between increased probing depth and DIGO in our study was not unexpected owing to the formation of false pocketing in relation to GO. Conclusion: The study reveals that the risk of GO is nearly three times higher in CCB than non-CCB users and 2 folds in nifedipine than amlodipine users in Mekelle. Further studies intend to conduct multicenter studies with larger sample sizes to further elucidate the effect of the dose and duration of CCB on DIGO and also consider genetic studies for DIGO among Mekelle patients on CCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral health is an integral component of general health and well-being of an individual. A chronic bacterial oral disease such as periodontitis has been considered as a separate risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and peripheral arterial disease. The possible pathways linking oral infections to systemic diseases are metastatic infections, bacterial endotoxins, and systemic vascular injury. Objective: the aim of this present study was to evaluate an association between clinical parameters of periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases in adult patients visiting Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. Method and Materials: a total 50 patients, 26 males and 24 females aged 40 to 79 years were selected for the study. Information concerning with various cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart attack and cardiac arrhythmia were collected. Clinical parameters of periodontal disease were recorded like gingival index(GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment at six sites on each tooth (facial, lingual, distolingual, mesiolingual, distofacial and mesiofacial). The severity of gingivitis was also measured. Result: A significant association between gingival inflammation (RR =11.25), CAL (RR=14.67), BOP (RR=14.67), PPD (RR=11.25) and ACVD was found, whereas no association was found between periodontal disease indices and HA. Conclusion: Serological differences in subjects with periodontitis, some of which involve established risk factors for atherosclerosis, might provide insight into the reported epidemiological association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the event of any mass fatality incident, DNA analysis plays a vital role in disaster victim identification. Teeth are one of the most resistant structures in the human body that resist decomposition hence making them prime choice for extracting DNA for identification of individuals. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis that target regions of Amelogenin gene have become the method of choice for sex determination of biological samples. Aim: Determining the sex of a given DNA sample from either dental pulp or dentin of tooth and help in identification of missing persons and disaster victims. Materials and Methods: In our study 50 teeth samples were studied and they were subjected to various environmental conditions along with freshly extracted teeth taken as control for duration of one month and three months. Pulpal tissue was retrieved from the teeth specimens by access opening of root canals and for incinerated samples, the specimens were crushed. From the DNA that was extracted from the dental pulp sample Amelogenin gene locus was used for sex determination by amplifying a segment of X-Y homologous gene locus through PCR analysis. Results: ANOVA test and t-test proved to be statistically significant and 100% retrieval rate was observed in samples. Conclusion: Pulpal tissue along with degenerating odontoblastic processes yield sufficient amount of DNA for gender determination when subjected to various forensic conditions with maximum accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exacerbated chronic periodontitis is part of the spectrum of periodontal diseases that has been described in association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Few studies have been carried out in developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the periodontal status of HIV seropositive patients and to find out if any correlation exists between the severity of periodontal disease and the CD4 cell count in HIV patients. Methods: This was a comparative study of the periodontal status of 64 HIV-positive subjects. They were grouped according to their CD4 T cell count as Group A- Subjects with CD4 cell count between 200-500µL and Group B- Subjects with CD4 cell count < 200 µL. Patients oral hygiene status were recorded using oral hygiene simplified index. Severity of periodontal disease in both the groups of HIV seropositive patients were clinically determined using probing pocket depth (PPD). Results: It was found that most of the patients in each group were having score "3" as their highest score. A statistically significant association was found between immune status as depicted by CD4 cell count and periodontal status as shown by highest PPD and CAL scores in the present study. Conclusions: The present study confirms the effect of immunosuppression on periodontal diseases in HIV infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and flexible synthetic route is described for the synthesis of 5,6,8-alkyl-7-methoxy-2-aminoquinazolines using dihydrobenzenes as key intermediates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of novel 6-(aminomethylphenoxy)benzoxaborole analogs was synthesized for the investigation of the structure–activity relationship of the inhibition of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6, from lipopolysaccharide stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Compounds 9d and 9e showed potent activity against all three cytokines with IC50 values between 33 and 83nM. Chloro substituted analog 9e (AN3485) is considered to be a promising lead for novel anti-inflammatory agent with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have used boron-based molecules to create novel, competitive, reversible inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). The co-crystal structure reveals a binding configuration which is unique compared to classical catechol PDE4 inhibitors, with boron binding to the activated water in the bimetal center. These phenoxybenzoxaboroles can be optimized to generate submicromolar potency enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-10 activities in vitro and show safety and efficacy for topical treatment of human psoriasis. They provide a valuable new route for creating novel potent anti-PDE4 inhibitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

γ-Secretase-mediated cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) results in the production of Alzheimer disease-related amyloid-β (β) peptides. Theβ42 peptide in particular plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis and represents a major drug target. Several_-secretase modulators (GSMs), such as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (R)-flurbiprofen and sulindac sulfide, have been suggested to modulate the Alzheimer-related β production by targeting the APP. Here, we describe novel GSMs that are selective for β modulation and do not impair processing of Notch, EphB2, or EphA4. The GSMs modulate β both in cell and cell-free systems as well as lower amyloidogenic β42 levels in the mouse brain. Both radioligand binding and cellular cross-competition experiments reveal a competitive relationship between the Astra-Zeneca (AZ) GSMs and the established second generation GSM, E2012, but a noncompetitive interaction between AZ GSMs and the first generation GSMs (R)-flurbiprofen and sulindac sulfide. The binding of a 3H-labeledAZGSManalog does not co-localize with APP but overlaps anatomically with β-secretase targeting inhibitor in rodent brains. Combined, these data provide compelling evidence of a growing class of in vivo active GSMs, which are selective forβ modulation and have a different mechanism of action compared with the original class of GSMs described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel series of bacterial topoisomerase (3-aminoquinazolinediones) inhibitors are described. The side-chain SAR against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms as well as DNA gyrase activity is reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Further structure–activity relationships of a novel series of fungal efflux pump inhibitors with respect to potentiation of the activity of fluconazole against strains of C. albicans and C. glabrata over-expressing ABC-type efflux pumps are systematically explored. Rat protein binding and pharmacokinetics of selected analogues are reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of 3-aminoquinazolinediones was synthesized and evaluated for its antibacterial and DNA gyrase activity. The SAR around the quinazolinedione core was explored and the optimal substitutions were combined to give two compounds, 2r and 2s, with exceptional enzyme potency (IC50 = 0.2μM) and activity against Gram-positive organisms (MIC’s = 0.015–0.06μ g/mL). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of borinic acid picolinate esters were synthesized and screened for their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Our lead compounds were then screened for anti-inflammatory activity. From these studies, we identified 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)borane (2g, AN0128) as having the best combination of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This compound is now in clinical development for dermatological conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) causes cell cycle arrest and restores a checkpoint that is absent in the majority of tumor cells. Compounds that inhibit Cdk4 selectively are targeted for treating cancer. Appropriate substitution of 2-aminoquinazolines is demonstrated to produce high levels of selectivity for Cdk4 versus closely related serine-threonine kinases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new class of inhibitors for cysteine proteases cathepsin B, L, K and S is described. These inhibitors are based on the β-lactam ring designed to interact with the nucleophilic thiol of the cysteine in the active site of cysteine proteases. Some 3-acylamino-azetidin-2-one derivatives showed very potent inhibition activities for cathepsins L, K and S at the nanomolar or subnanomolar IC50 values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The synthesis of a new series of 6-acylamino penam derivatives and their inhibition of cysteine proteases cathepsins B, L, K, and S is described. The 6-acylamino-penam sulfone compounds showed excellent cathepsin L, K, and S inhibition activity with IC50 values in the nanomolar and subnanomolar range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of 6-substituted amino-4-oxa-1-azabicyclo[3,2,0]heptan-7-one compounds was designed and synthesized as a new class of inhibitors for cysteine proteases cathepsins B, L, K, and S. One compound (5S,6S)-6-(N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl) amino-4-oxa-1-azabicyclo[3,2,0]heptan-7-one showed excellent cathepsin L and K inhibition activity with IC50 at a low nanomolar range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]