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Diabetes is an illness that is widespread throughout the world and is considered a health concern, which requires work to explore advanced predictive techniques for early diagnosis of the illness. This paper discusses diabetes prediction by using the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) classifier, which is a widely used algorithm in machine learning. Most studies only dealt with investigating the optimal value of k in the KNN algorithm and did not address the best method to measure distance alone or together with the optimal value of k to improve the efficiency of diabetes prediction. This study simultaneously investigates both the optimal value of k and the optimal method for measuring distance to improve the performance of the KNN technique in predicting diabetes. By using and analyzing the Indian Diabetes PIMA dataset, this study seeks to discover the extent to which different parameters, especially the optimal value of K and distance metrics, affect the performance of the classifier. Through experiments that included applying different values for the K factor and using various distance measures, the study reached insights into maximizing the classifier's accuracy. The study shows that choosing the distance measure greatly affects the accuracy of classification and selecting the optimal K value helps eliminate problems of overfitting and underfitting, which is a feature of robust models for diabetes prediction. The research results showed that the best performance achieved was 80.5% when k=35 and the Euclidean distance measure was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatocyte cells regulate the wide range of liver function by moderating cellular activities such as lipid, protein metabolism, carbohydrate, and interact with other cells for proliferation and maintenance. In hepatocyte cells, the concentration of calcium uptake is quite extensive from various agonists such as active Gα${G_\alpha}$ subunit, active phospholipase C, free calcium in the cytosol, and endoplasmic reticulum. The overproduction and degradation of calcium signals can cause homeostasis, liver inflammation, and liver diseases. The spatiotemporal behavior of calcium oscillation reveals the physiological role of these cellular entities in understanding the process of production and degradation. No computational attempt has been registered to date on the compound calcium regulation of these cellular entities including the memory of cells. Hence, the authors proposed a fractional order compartmental model that systematically simulates the exchange of calcium intake in cellular entities. The nonlinear equations of the rate of changes in the active Gα${G_\alpha}$ subunit, active phospholipase C, free calcium in the cytosol, and endoplasmic reticulum are coupled to form a nonlinear fractional order initial value problem. The existence and uniqueness, stability analysis of the model is performed that validate the theoretical results and explore the dynamic behaviour of calcium oscillation in each compartment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium signaling in nerve cells is a crucial activity for the human brain to execute a diversity of its functions. An alteration in the signaling process leads to cell death. To date, several attempts registered to study the calcium distribution in nerve cells like neurons, astrocytes, etc. in the form of the integer-order model. In this paper, a fractional-order mathematical model to study the spatiotemporal profile of calcium in nerve cells is assembled and analyzed. The proposed model is solved by the finite element method for space derivative and finite difference method for time derivative. The classical case of the calcium dynamics model is recovered by setting the fractional parameter and that validates the model for classical sense. The numerical computations have systematically presented the impact of a fractional parameter on nerve cells. It is observed that calbindin-D28k provides a significant effect on the spatiotemporal variation of calcium profile due to the amalgamation of the memory of nerve cells. The presence of excess amounts of calbindin-D28k controls the intracellular calcium level and prevents the nerve cell from toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of free calcium in the cytoplasm is requisite for cell integrity and the regime of the multi-cellular process. Overproduction and degradation to manage this cellular entity produce offensive changes in tissue performance and as a result, commence fibrotic diseases. Thus, there is a necessity to know the cellular process for the inclusion and extrusion of free calcium. Here, a mathematical model is framed to investigate the role of buffer and calcium concentration on fibroblast cells. In this context, the Caputo-Fabrizio advection reaction-diffusion model along with apposite biophysical initial and boundary conditions is considered. The analytical solution is obtained and used to analyze the diverse mechanisms of calcium on fibroblast cells. The obtained results reveal that when the fractional order goes to one, the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative provides a concise calcium profile and well-managed cellular entity due to the exponential kernel law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium ion plays a pivotal role in regulating the astrocyte calcium signaling phenomena. Astrocyte is a part of the glial cells that perform various functions in the human brain in a calciumdependent manner. A free cytosolic calcium concentration provides a better insight to understand besides physiological process. Thus modelling of astrocytes calcium activity is necessary to study the role of aberrant calcium and leads to neurodegenerative disease. In view of this. a mathematical model is framed in the form of an advection-diffusion equation to study the cytosolic calcium concentration. The apposite boundary and initial condition are framed and found the solution of the model by using the Laplace transform technique. The obtained results are interpreted with the neurodegenerative disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric turbulence is considered as major threat to Free Space Optical (FSO) communication as it causes irradiance and phase fluctuations of the transmitted signal which degrade the performance of FSO system. Wavelength diversity is one of the techniques to mitigate these effects. In this paper, the wavelength diversity technique is applied to FSO system to improve the performance under different turbulence conditions which are modeled using Exponentiated Weibull (EW) channel. In this technique, the data was communicated through 1.55 µm, 1.31 µm, and 0.85 µm carrier wavelengths. Optimal Combining (OC) scheme has been considered to receive the signals at receiver. Mathematical equation for average BER is derived for wavelength diversity based FSO system. Results are obtained for the different link length under different turbulence conditions. The obtained average BER results for different turbulence conditions characterized by EW channel is compared with the published result of average BER for different turbulence which is presented by classical channel model. A comparative BER analysis shows that maximum advantage of wavelength diversity technique is obtained when different turbulence conditions are modeled by EW channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiazolidinedione (TZD), being a privileged scaffold, has been known as a significant structural moiety of antidiabetic drugs. TZD has been known to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by increasing insulin sensitivity in the body. A novel series of 5-benzylidene 2,4-thiazolidinedione derivatives were designed, synthesized (V1-V28), and structurally confirmed by different spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and Mass spectrometry. Upon the safety assessment of the synthesized molecules in non-transformed hepatocytes by MTT reduction assay, these were found non-toxic. These derivatives were then further evaluated for their antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties in a high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Altogether, seven biochemical parameters were analyzed, namely blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, HDL-cholesterol, and glycosylated hemoglobin in serum by standard methods. Four synthetic molecules (V2, V4, V5, and V20) possessed significant hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activity as compared to the positive control pioglitazone. Moreover, the histopathological studies of the heart and liver revealed no significant toxicity. Two representative compounds V2 and V4, were evaluated for their PPARγ activation potential, demonstrating that they were partial PPARγ agonists, thus confirming our designing hypothesis. Based on the results obtained, we assume that these compounds have the potential to be developed as future antidiabetic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuron is a fundamental unit of the brain, which is specialized to transmit information throughout the body through electrical and chemical signals. Calcium ( Ca 2 + ) ions are known as second messengers which play important roles in the movement of the neurotransmitter. Calbindin- D 2 8 k is a Ca 2 + binding protein which is involved in regulation of intracellular Ca 2 + ions and maintains Ca 2 + homeostasis level, it also alters the cytosolic calcium concentration ([ Ca 2 + ]) in nerve cells to keep the cell alive. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder of the nervous system. Several regions of the brain indicate the hallmark of the PD. The symptoms of PD are plainly linked with the degeneration and death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta located in midbrain which is accompanied by depletion in calbindin- D 2 8 k . In the present paper, the neuroprotective role of calbindin- D 2 8 k in the cytoplasmic [ Ca 2 + ] distribution is studied. The elicitation in [ Ca 2 + ] is due to the presence of low amount of calbindin- D 2 8 k which can be portrayed and is a hallmark of PD. A one-dimensional space time fractional reaction diffusion equation is designed by keeping in mind the physiological condition taking place inside Parkinson's brain. Computational results are performed in MATLAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The platinum(II) complexes with N, S-donor ligand have been synthesised and characterised by physiological techniques like elemental, electronic, Fourier transform infrared, hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry spectra. The synthesised complexes have been checked for their DNA binding ability by absorption titration and viscosity measurement, and the results show that the complexes binds to herring sperm DNA (HS DNA) via covalent mode of binding. The DNA cleavage activity of synthesised complexes has been carried out by gel electrophoresis experiment using supercoiled form of pUC19 DNA, showing the unwinding of the negatively charged supercoiled DNA. Brine shrimp ( Artemia cysts) lethality bioassay technique has been applied for the determination of toxic property of synthesised complexes in terms of micromolars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(SPF)(L n)Cl] (where SPF is sparfloxacin and L n = substituted terpyridines) were synthesized and found to have a distorted octahedral geometry. Superoxide dismutase-like activity of the complexes was measured using a nitroblue tetrazolium/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/phenazine methosulfate system and expressed in terms of the concentration of complex which terminates the formation of formazan by 50% (IC50 value), which was found to range from 0.572 to 1.522 µ m. Interactions of the complexes with herring sperm DNA were studied by absorption titration, viscosity measurement and gel electrophoresis under physiological conditions. The antimicrobial efficiency of the complexes was tested against five different microorganisms and showed good biological activity. All the complexes showed good cytotoxic activity, with LC50 values ranging from 4.01 to 9.64 µg ml−1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copper(II) complexes with NS donor ligand and ciprofloxacin were synthesized. The synthesized complexes were characterized by physicochemical parameters like elemental and thermal analysis, electronic, FT-IR, and LC-MS spectroscopy. The complexes were tested for their antibacterial activity against two Gram(+ve) i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and three Gram(-ve) i.e., Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli bacteria in terms of MIC (μM) and the results were compared with the parent drug. Viscosity measurement and absorption titration were employed to determine the mode of binding of complexes with DNA. DNA cleavage activity was carried out by gel electrophoresis experiment using supercoiled form of pUC19 DNA. The complexes were screened for their SOD mimic activity in terms of IC50 value. The complexes were also checked for their cytotoxicity using brine shrimp assay method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZD) is one of the most frequently encountered heterocyclic rings which has been implicated in design and synthesis of entities for various pathogenic conditions including cancer. Since its discovery various substitutions at 5th position have been carried out and reviewed. Various substitutions at 5th position have led to generation of glitazones, whose target peroxisome proliferating activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was found decade after their discovery. Acidic hydrogen (-NH) of TZD is a prime pharmacophoric requirement for the activation of PPARγ. However, advanced in-silico techniques have helped to design compounds bearing substitutions at both methylene and -NH group of TZD, targeting range of enzymes involved in various pathological conditions viz., diabetes, hyperlipidemia, infectious disease, inflammation and cancer. The promising activities shown by methylene and N-substituted TZDs in above mentioned therapeutic areas, prompted us to collate the information which would help researchers to alter the structure of existing ligands and to design new TZD derivatives with better safety and efficacy profiles., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that regulates the expression of many genes relevant to carcinogenesis. By analogy to selective estrogen receptor modulator for treatment of cancer, selective or partial PPARγ agonists are considered clinically important for chemotherapy of cancer., Objective: In this study we have rationally modified the structure of existing p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, which would selectively activate PPARγ and exert their anti-proliferative effect at lower dose as compared to natural phytoconstituents., Method: A series of p-coumaric (3a-3y) and ferulic acid (4a-4y) derivatives were designed as docked and virtually studied for their molecular properties using suitable software. Synthesized derivatives were assessed to check their effect on non-transformed hepatocytes using MTT assay. The final products, 3a-3y and 4a-4y, substituted 4- hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and ferulic acid derivatives respectively were synthesized by stirring compound 1a or 1b with compounds 2a-2y (molar ratio- 1:2) for 24 hours, in presence of K2CO3, using dimethyl formamide (DMF) as the solvent. Synthesized molecules were characterized by 1HNMR, 13C NMR, Mass and elemental analysis. Synthesized molecules were studied for their antiproliferative activity by SRB assay. Compounds were screened further evaluated for PPARγ activating assay, cell cycle analysis (propidium iodide) and westernblot analysis., Results: Molecules 3c, 3m, 4c and 4m were found to have GI50 value less than 50μM. These molecules were found to block G0/G1 phase of cell cycle in dose dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that these molecules inhibit proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 expression., Conclusion: Collectively, these results suggest that these molecules could play a role as a novel therapeutic strategy for chronic myeloid leukemia., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Introduction: The thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of PPAR-γ ligands is predominantly known for its insulin sensitization activity. Unfortunately, these drugs have discernible side effects at diabetic dose. However, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are still in the market with controversies. Past few years have noted the use of these drugs for the treatment of various other ailments., Areas Covered: In this review, the authors present the anticancer mechanisms of established TZDs and highlight some of the new-fangled agents discovered. Remarkable preclinical and clinical activity of the known and newly developed agents, alone or in combination with the known cytotoxic agents, offer a new perspective for clinical studies carving a niche in cancer chemotherapy., Expert Opinion: Various preclinical and clinical studies strongly suggest a role for TZDs both alone and in combination with existing chemotherapeutic agents, for the treatment of cancer. The exploration of newer TZDs at different doses, as well as developing partial agonists, can potentially help in unveiling the underlying mechanisms of these therapeutics, and consequently, treat this dreadful group of diseases.

Recent era aims at developing safer partial Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR- γ) agonists in order to dodge the toxicity issues related to full agonists. With a view to develop non-thiazolidinediones as partial PPAR-γ agonists, novel analogues of oxazol-5-ones (3a-3q) were designed and virtually analyzed for their molecular and drug like properties. The newly synthesized compounds were further evaluated for their preliminary cytotoxicity in a panel of eight cancer cell lines using four concentrations at 10- fold dilutions. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) protein assay was used to estimate cell stability or growth. All the compounds demonstrated distinct effect in the extent of cytotoxicity in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 with 3g specifically exhibiting partial PPAR-γ agonist activity and adipogenesis stimulating ability.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare internal anatomy between first and second mandibular premolars and to study different percentage variations of root canal morphology of mandibular premolars in Gujarat population based on Vertucci's classification by clearing technique., Methodology: A total of 80 extracted intact permanent mandibular premolars (40 each mandibular first premolar and mandibular second premolar) with fully formed apices were collected. Access cavity was prepared with endo access kit, all samples were placed in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 48 hours, after that all samples were washed in running water for 2 hours. After washing, all samples were transferred to 5% nitric acid, for decalcification, for 72 hours, with the acid being changed every 24 hours and stirred once every 8 hours. All samples were washed in running water and dehydrated using ascending grades (70%, 80%, 90% and 100%) of isopropyl alcohol for 2 days. Finally, they were rendered transparent by immersion in methyl salicylate for 15 minutes and then India ink dye was injected into the access cavity. The anatomy of the root canal was observed and classified based on the Vertucci's classification., Statistical Analysis: Parametric Z-test was used to compare the variation between mandibular first and second premolars., Results: In mandibular first premolar, type 1 was found in 20%, type 2 was 5%, type 3 was 5%, type 4 was 25%, type 5 was 12.5% and type 6 was 2.5% of total samples. Whereas, in mandibular second premolar, type 1 was found in 80% out of all samples, type 4 was 2.5%, type 5 was 17.5%. Type 2, type 3, type 6, type 7 and type 8 were not found in this study., Conclusion: Mandibular first premolar showed higher variation (75%) compared to mandibular second premolar (37.5%)., Clinical Significance: The knowledge of variations in the root canal morphology of the mandibular premolars can enhance the level of endodontic treatment of mandibular premolars., Keywords: Root canal morphology, Vertucci's classification, Clearing technique. How to cite this article: Parekh V, Shah N, Joshi H. Root Canal Morphology and Variations of Mandibular Premolars by Clearing Technique: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(4):318-321. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None declared.