This research focuses on the home health care optimization problem that involves staff routing and scheduling problems.The considered problem is an extension of multiple travelling salesman problem.It consists of find...This research focuses on the home health care optimization problem that involves staff routing and scheduling problems.The considered problem is an extension of multiple travelling salesman problem.It consists of finding the shortest path for a set of caregivers visiting a set of patients at their homes in order to perform various tasks during a given horizon.Thus,a mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed to minimize the overall service time performed by all caregivers while respecting the workload balancing constraint.Nevertheless,when the time horizon become large,practical-sized instances become very difficult to solve in a reasonable computational time.Therefore,a new Learning Genetic Algorithm for mTSP(LGA-mTSP)is proposed to solve the problem.LGA-mTSP is composed of a new genetic algorithm for mTSP,combined with a learning approach,called learning curves.Learning refers to that caregivers’productivity increases as they gain more experience.Learning curves approach is considered as a way to save time and costs.Simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed approach and the impact of learning curve strategy to reduce service times.展开更多
Objective Age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, are associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of cholesterol auto-oxidation products such as 7β-hydroxychol...Objective Age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, are associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of cholesterol auto-oxidation products such as 7β-hydroxycholesterol(7β-OHC). Thus, it is imperative to identify agents that can prevent 7β-OHC-induced side-effects. Methods We evaluated the potential protective effects of Carpobrotus edulis ethanol-water extract(EWe) on murine oligodendrocytes(158 N) cultured in the absence or presence of 7β-OHC(20 μg/mL, 24 h). The cells were incubated with EWe(20-200 μg/mL) 2 h before 7β-OHC treatment. Mitochondrial activity and cell growth were evaluated with the MTT assay. Photometric methods were used to analyze antioxidant enzyme [catalase(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx)] activities and the generation of lipid and protein oxidation products [malondialdehyde(MDA), conjugated diene(CD), and carbonylated proteins(CPs)]. Results Treatment with 7β-OHC induced cell death and oxidative stress(reflected by alteration in CAT and SOD activities). Overproduction of lipid peroxidation products(MDA and CDs) and CPs was also reported. The cytotoxic effects associated with 7β-OHC were attenuated by 160 μg/mL of EWe of C. edulis. Cell death induced by 7β-OHC treatment was ameliorated, GPx and CAT activities were restored to normal, and MDA, CD, and CP levels were reduced following C. edulis extract treatment. Conclusion These data demonstrate the protective activities of C. edulis EWe against 7β-OHC-induced disequilibrium in the redox status of 158 N cells, indicative of the potential role of this plant extract in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a great challenge to scientific, biological and medical research as well as to economic and social sciences. Hence, the objective of infectious disease modeling-based data analysis is ...The COVID-19 pandemic has become a great challenge to scientific, biological and medical research as well as to economic and social sciences. Hence, the objective of infectious disease modeling-based data analysis is to recover these dynamics of infectious disease spread and to estimate parameters that govern these dynamics. The random aspect of epidemics leads to the development of stochastic epidemiological models. We establish a stochastic combined model using numerical scheme Euler, Markov chain and Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovery (SEIR) model. The combined SEIR model was used to predict how epidemics will develop and then to act accordingly. These COVID-19 data were analyzed from several countries such as Italy, Russia, USA and Iran.展开更多
Objective The present study investigated the protective role of Hyparrhenia hirta （H. hirta） against sodium nitrate （NaNO3）-induced hepatoxicity. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： ...Objective The present study investigated the protective role of Hyparrhenia hirta （H. hirta） against sodium nitrate （NaNO3）-induced hepatoxicity. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： a control group and two treated groups during 50 d with NaNO3 administered either alone in drinking water or co-administered with H. hit＇to. Results NaNO3 treatment induced a significant increase in serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride while serum total protein level decreased significantly. Transaminases and lactate deshydrogenase activities in serum were elevated indicating hepatic cells＇ damage after treatment with NaNO3. The hyperbilirubinemia and the increased serum gamma glutamyl transferase activities suggested the presence of cholestasis in NaNO3 exposed rats. In parallel, a significant increase in malondialdehyde level along with a concomitant decrease in total glutathione content and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed in the liver after NaNO3 treatment. Furthermore, nitrate caused a significant induction of DNA fragmentation. These modifications in NaNO3-treated rats corresponded histologically with hepatoceltular necrosis and mononuclear cells infiltration. H. hirta supplementation showed a remarkable amelioration of the abnormalities cited above. Conclusion The results concluded that the treatment with H. hirta had a significant role in protecting the animals from nitrate-induced liver dysfunction.展开更多
The coupling reaction of aryl bromide and aryl boronic acid in water/DMF as solvent was studied using a palladium-complex as a catalyst in the presence of ultrasound at room temperature. The effect on the reaction of ...The coupling reaction of aryl bromide and aryl boronic acid in water/DMF as solvent was studied using a palladium-complex as a catalyst in the presence of ultrasound at room temperature. The effect on the reaction of a base and a solvent was also studied with and without ultrasound and was found to increase the speed of the reaction. In this regard, we propose reaction mechanisms that could explain the results obtained.展开更多
Various 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones can be prepared via Biginelli reaction in aqueous media by using quaternary ammonium salts of different alkyl groups (C4 and C8) and anions (Cl-?and Br-) as catalysts. The use of quate...Various 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones can be prepared via Biginelli reaction in aqueous media by using quaternary ammonium salts of different alkyl groups (C4 and C8) and anions (Cl-?and Br-) as catalysts. The use of quaternary ammonium salts along with longer alkyl chains increases the yield of the Biginelli reaction;however, bromide ammonium salts are less active than the chloride ones.展开更多
BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of direct oral anticoagulants(DOACs)included a low proportion of atrial fibrillation(AF)patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD),and suggested that DOACs are safe and effe...BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of direct oral anticoagulants(DOACs)included a low proportion of atrial fibrillation(AF)patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD),and suggested that DOACs are safe and effective in patients with mild-to-moderate CKD.In a metanalysis of RCTs and observational studies,DOACs were associated with better efficacy(vs warfarin)in early CKD and had similar efficacy and safety profiles in patients with stages IV-V CKD.But few studies have provided data on the safety and effectiveness of each DOAC vs warfarin in patients with stage III CKD.The effectiveness and safety of DOACs in those patients are still subject to debate.AIM To assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of apixaban and rivaroxaban vs warfarin in this patient population.METHODS A cohort of patients with an inpatient or outpatient code for AF and stage III CKD who were newly prescribed apixaban and rivaroxaban was created using the administrative databases from the Quebec province of Canada between 2013 and 2017.The primary effectiveness outcome was a composite of ischemic stroke,systemic embolism,and death,whereas the primary safety outcome was a composite of major bleeding within a year of DOAC vs warfarin initiation.Treatment groups were compared in an under-treatment analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting and Cox proportional hazards.RESULTS A total of 8899 included patients filled out a new oral anticoagulation therapy claim;3335 for warfarin and 5564 for DOACs.Compared with warfarin,15 mg and 20 mg rivaroxaban presented a similar effectiveness and safety composite risk.Apixaban 5.0 mg was associated with a lower effectiveness composite risk[Hazard ratio(HR)0.76;95%confidence interval(CI):0.65-0.88]and a similar safety risk(HR 0.94;95%CI:0.66-1.35).Apixaban 2.5 mg was associated with a similar effectiveness composite(HR 1.00;95%CI:0.79-1.26)and a lower safety risk(HR 0.65;95%CI:0.43-0.99.Although,apixaban 5.0 mg was associated with a better effectiveness(HR 0.76;95%CI:0.65-0.88),but a similar safety risk profile(HR 0.94;95%CI:0.66-1.35).The observed improvement in the effectiveness composite for apixaban 5.0 mg was driven by a reduction in mortality(HR 0.61;95%CI:0.43-0.88).CONCLUSION In comparison with warfarin,rivaroxaban and apixaban appear to be effective and safe in AF patients with stage III CKD.展开更多
文摘This research focuses on the home health care optimization problem that involves staff routing and scheduling problems.The considered problem is an extension of multiple travelling salesman problem.It consists of finding the shortest path for a set of caregivers visiting a set of patients at their homes in order to perform various tasks during a given horizon.Thus,a mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed to minimize the overall service time performed by all caregivers while respecting the workload balancing constraint.Nevertheless,when the time horizon become large,practical-sized instances become very difficult to solve in a reasonable computational time.Therefore,a new Learning Genetic Algorithm for mTSP(LGA-mTSP)is proposed to solve the problem.LGA-mTSP is composed of a new genetic algorithm for mTSP,combined with a learning approach,called learning curves.Learning refers to that caregivers’productivity increases as they gain more experience.Learning curves approach is considered as a way to save time and costs.Simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed approach and the impact of learning curve strategy to reduce service times.
文摘Objective Age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, are associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of cholesterol auto-oxidation products such as 7β-hydroxycholesterol(7β-OHC). Thus, it is imperative to identify agents that can prevent 7β-OHC-induced side-effects. Methods We evaluated the potential protective effects of Carpobrotus edulis ethanol-water extract(EWe) on murine oligodendrocytes(158 N) cultured in the absence or presence of 7β-OHC(20 μg/mL, 24 h). The cells were incubated with EWe(20-200 μg/mL) 2 h before 7β-OHC treatment. Mitochondrial activity and cell growth were evaluated with the MTT assay. Photometric methods were used to analyze antioxidant enzyme [catalase(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx)] activities and the generation of lipid and protein oxidation products [malondialdehyde(MDA), conjugated diene(CD), and carbonylated proteins(CPs)]. Results Treatment with 7β-OHC induced cell death and oxidative stress(reflected by alteration in CAT and SOD activities). Overproduction of lipid peroxidation products(MDA and CDs) and CPs was also reported. The cytotoxic effects associated with 7β-OHC were attenuated by 160 μg/mL of EWe of C. edulis. Cell death induced by 7β-OHC treatment was ameliorated, GPx and CAT activities were restored to normal, and MDA, CD, and CP levels were reduced following C. edulis extract treatment. Conclusion These data demonstrate the protective activities of C. edulis EWe against 7β-OHC-induced disequilibrium in the redox status of 158 N cells, indicative of the potential role of this plant extract in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
文摘The COVID-19 pandemic has become a great challenge to scientific, biological and medical research as well as to economic and social sciences. Hence, the objective of infectious disease modeling-based data analysis is to recover these dynamics of infectious disease spread and to estimate parameters that govern these dynamics. The random aspect of epidemics leads to the development of stochastic epidemiological models. We establish a stochastic combined model using numerical scheme Euler, Markov chain and Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovery (SEIR) model. The combined SEIR model was used to predict how epidemics will develop and then to act accordingly. These COVID-19 data were analyzed from several countries such as Italy, Russia, USA and Iran.
基金supported by the ministry of higher education and scientific research in Tunisia(UR/11 ES70)
文摘Objective The present study investigated the protective role of Hyparrhenia hirta （H. hirta） against sodium nitrate （NaNO3）-induced hepatoxicity. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： a control group and two treated groups during 50 d with NaNO3 administered either alone in drinking water or co-administered with H. hit＇to. Results NaNO3 treatment induced a significant increase in serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride while serum total protein level decreased significantly. Transaminases and lactate deshydrogenase activities in serum were elevated indicating hepatic cells＇ damage after treatment with NaNO3. The hyperbilirubinemia and the increased serum gamma glutamyl transferase activities suggested the presence of cholestasis in NaNO3 exposed rats. In parallel, a significant increase in malondialdehyde level along with a concomitant decrease in total glutathione content and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed in the liver after NaNO3 treatment. Furthermore, nitrate caused a significant induction of DNA fragmentation. These modifications in NaNO3-treated rats corresponded histologically with hepatoceltular necrosis and mononuclear cells infiltration. H. hirta supplementation showed a remarkable amelioration of the abnormalities cited above. Conclusion The results concluded that the treatment with H. hirta had a significant role in protecting the animals from nitrate-induced liver dysfunction.
文摘The coupling reaction of aryl bromide and aryl boronic acid in water/DMF as solvent was studied using a palladium-complex as a catalyst in the presence of ultrasound at room temperature. The effect on the reaction of a base and a solvent was also studied with and without ultrasound and was found to increase the speed of the reaction. In this regard, we propose reaction mechanisms that could explain the results obtained.
基金financial support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia.
文摘Various 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones can be prepared via Biginelli reaction in aqueous media by using quaternary ammonium salts of different alkyl groups (C4 and C8) and anions (Cl-?and Br-) as catalysts. The use of quaternary ammonium salts along with longer alkyl chains increases the yield of the Biginelli reaction;however, bromide ammonium salts are less active than the chloride ones.
文摘BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of direct oral anticoagulants(DOACs)included a low proportion of atrial fibrillation(AF)patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD),and suggested that DOACs are safe and effective in patients with mild-to-moderate CKD.In a metanalysis of RCTs and observational studies,DOACs were associated with better efficacy(vs warfarin)in early CKD and had similar efficacy and safety profiles in patients with stages IV-V CKD.But few studies have provided data on the safety and effectiveness of each DOAC vs warfarin in patients with stage III CKD.The effectiveness and safety of DOACs in those patients are still subject to debate.AIM To assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of apixaban and rivaroxaban vs warfarin in this patient population.METHODS A cohort of patients with an inpatient or outpatient code for AF and stage III CKD who were newly prescribed apixaban and rivaroxaban was created using the administrative databases from the Quebec province of Canada between 2013 and 2017.The primary effectiveness outcome was a composite of ischemic stroke,systemic embolism,and death,whereas the primary safety outcome was a composite of major bleeding within a year of DOAC vs warfarin initiation.Treatment groups were compared in an under-treatment analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting and Cox proportional hazards.RESULTS A total of 8899 included patients filled out a new oral anticoagulation therapy claim;3335 for warfarin and 5564 for DOACs.Compared with warfarin,15 mg and 20 mg rivaroxaban presented a similar effectiveness and safety composite risk.Apixaban 5.0 mg was associated with a lower effectiveness composite risk[Hazard ratio(HR)0.76;95%confidence interval(CI):0.65-0.88]and a similar safety risk(HR 0.94;95%CI:0.66-1.35).Apixaban 2.5 mg was associated with a similar effectiveness composite(HR 1.00;95%CI:0.79-1.26)and a lower safety risk(HR 0.65;95%CI:0.43-0.99.Although,apixaban 5.0 mg was associated with a better effectiveness(HR 0.76;95%CI:0.65-0.88),but a similar safety risk profile(HR 0.94;95%CI:0.66-1.35).The observed improvement in the effectiveness composite for apixaban 5.0 mg was driven by a reduction in mortality(HR 0.61;95%CI:0.43-0.88).CONCLUSION In comparison with warfarin,rivaroxaban and apixaban appear to be effective and safe in AF patients with stage III CKD.
