We describe an Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm, ANT-MPE, for the most probable explanation problem in Bayesian network inference. After tuning its parameters settings, we compare ANTMPE with four other sampling and local search-based approximate algorithms: Gibbs Sampling, Forward Sampling, Multistart Hillclimbing, and Tabu Search. Experimental results on both artificial and real networ...

AIMS To evaluate the suitability of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and plasma as surrogate samples for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation detection, and compare three different detection methods. METHODS Matched tissue and plasma samples were collected from patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (stage IIIB/IV adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma), with ma...

BACKGROUND Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is regarded as a premalignant lesion. However, endoscopic diagnosis of IM has been considered difficult. Using endoscopy, we found a unique pattern of erythema, "Mottled Patchy Erythema (MPE)," which includes severe IM. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection itself can cause erythema, which reflects histologic changes in the gastric mucosa. Therefore we enrolle...

conclusions the combination of intravenous paracetamol 1 gr and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg resulted in an overall reduction in pain scores, decreased postoperative analgesic requirements, and lower agitation score compared with intravenous paracetamol 1 gr and tramadol 0.7 mg/kg for patients undergoing renal surgery. results postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the pk group than in the...

Using genetic interventions, we previously determined that C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) promotes malignant pleural effusion (MPE) formation in mice. Here we conducted preclinical studies aimed at assessing the specific therapeutic potential of antibody-mediated CCL2 blockade against MPE. For this, murine MPEs or skin tumors were generated in C57BL/6 mice by intrapleural or subcutaneous d...

AIMS Angiogenesis is important in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) formation and it is regulated by a number of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin in lung cancer patients with MPE, and investigate the relationship between these two ...

OBJECTIVE To determine if injury rates differ among high school field hockey players in states that mandated protective eyewear (MPE) versus states with no protective eyewear mandate (no MPE). METHODS We analyzed field hockey exposure and injury data collected over the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 scholastic seasons from national and regional databases. RESULTS Incidence of all head and face inj...

To assess the usefulness of the population pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin (VCM) based on a two-compartment model in Japanese adult patients, predictability by a Bayesian method was evaluated using a concentration time course after single dosing to 22 patients with various degrees of renal function. Using one or two points from the observed data for each patient, the concentrations pre...