Emilova R, Dimitrova D, Mladenov M
… +3 more, Daneva T, Schubert R, Gagov H
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019628
·
Full text
The aim of this study is to reveal the regulatory role of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), the main source of hydrogen sulphide (HS) in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male r...The aim of this study is to reveal the regulatory role of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), the main source of hydrogen sulphide (HS) in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Animals with glucose levels above 20 mmol/L were determined as diabetic. The rat gracilis arteries (a. gracilis) were dissected with or without PVAT. In all experiments endothelium-denuded preparations were used for isometric contraction measurements. Increasing concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from 10 to 10 mol/L were applied to induce gradual increase in force of contractions of circular artery segments. The relaxing effect of CSE was inhibited by DL-propargyl glycine (PGG). The presence of PVAT decreases the contractile response to 5-HT of a. gracilis from control rats. This response is reversed in contraction studies in the same rat artery from diabetic rats. DL-PPG (1 mmol/L) induced significant increase of the force of contraction in artery preparations with PVAT from control rats in the whole range of 5-HT. In contrast, PGG had a relaxing effect in high concentrations of 5-HT (10 and 10 mol/L) in diabetic rat arteries with PVAT. It is concluded that in skeletal muscle artery from diabetic rats, a mediator related to HS is released from PVAT. This paracrine mediator increases the maximal force of contraction of endothelium-denuded preparations at higher concentrations of 5-HT.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019627
·
Full text
The aim of this study was to investigate whether Hook F (TwHF) and irbesartan could synergistically affect the urinary excretion of podocytes and proteins in type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients and the underly...The aim of this study was to investigate whether Hook F (TwHF) and irbesartan could synergistically affect the urinary excretion of podocytes and proteins in type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients and the underlying mechanisms. Forty DKD patients were divided into a DI group (DKD patients treated with irbesartan alone) and a DTI group (DKD patients treated with Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F and irbesartan). Urinary podocytes were observed by immunofluorescence. Urinary levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence indicated that shed podocytes were not detected in urine samples of normal controls, whereas the detection rate of urinary podocytes was 82.5% in DKD patients. Urinary CTGF and TGF-β levels were significantly higher in urinary podocyte-positive DKD patients than in urinary podocyte-negative patients. Furthermore, urinary podocyte excretion was closely correlated with urinary protein excretion and urinary CTGF/TGF-β levels. Treatments with TwHF and irbesartan significantly reduced the urinary excretion of proteins and podocytes, and decreased the urinary levels of CTGF and TGF-β. Our results suggest that urinary podocyte excretion might serve as a predictor for DKD progression. TwHF/irbesartan combination could reduce the urinary excretion of proteins and podocytes synergistically in DKD patients, which might result from the synergistic inhibition of CTGF and TGF-β in urine.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019626
·
Full text
is a precious herbal medicine in China, which exhibits a variety of restorative and therapeutic effects. This study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effects of a polysaccharide (DHP1A) isolated from via water...is a precious herbal medicine in China, which exhibits a variety of restorative and therapeutic effects. This study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effects of a polysaccharide (DHP1A) isolated from via water extraction, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The animal experiment indicated that the oral administration of DHP1A obviously reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in the serum of mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl), suggesting the hepatoprotective potential of this polysaccharide. Moreover, DHP1A decreased the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, CD68 and phosphorylated IBα (p-IBα) in the CCl-treated mice. These results revealed that the hepatoprotective effect of DHP1A was partly attributed to its anti-inflammatory action.
Li J, Dong N, Cheng S
… +3 more, Li X, Wang W, Xiang Y
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019625
·
Full text
To study the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells-T6 (HSC-T6), and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and Smad2/3 in these cells, HSC-T6 cells were cul...To study the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells-T6 (HSC-T6), and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and Smad2/3 in these cells, HSC-T6 cells were cultured with TMP at different concentrations after transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulation. MTT assay was used to assess the cell proliferation. Cells were divided into the control group, TGF-β1-treated group and TMP-treated groups, which were treated with different concentrations of TMP. Immunocytochemistry and western blot were performed to detect the expression levels of CTGF and Smad2/3 in HSC-T6 cells. MTT analysis indicated that TMP significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells, in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. Immunocytochemistry detection and western blot showed that TMP could diminish TGF-β1-induced CTGF over-expression in HSC-T6 cells. Similarly, the enhancing effects of TGF-β1 on Smad2/3 expressions in HSC-T6 cells could also be counteracted by TMP treatment. Nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 was blocked by TMP treatment. Correlation analysis suggested a positive correlation between CTGF and Smad2/3 expression levels in HSC-T6 cells. TMP exerts anti-hepatic fibrosis effect through decreasing the expression of CTGF and Smad2/3, as well as inhibiting the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells. Our study provides cellular and molecular bases for further application of TMP in the clinical treatment for hepatic fibrosis.
Guan Q, Gu J, Zhang H
… +3 more, Ren W, Ji W, Fan Y
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019624
·
Full text
This study is aimed to investigate the effect of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels on prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The 110 HCC patient...This study is aimed to investigate the effect of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels on prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The 110 HCC patients who received computed tomography (CT) guided RFA were enrolled in this study. The levels of serum VEGF were determined before and after RFA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to the ELISA results, the patients were divided into the negative group and the positive group. The patient's progression-free survival time was determined. It was demonstrated that the serum VEGF had no significant correlation with ages, sex and tumour size. There were no significant peripheral blood supplies around tumour necrosis. The results showed that higher levels of serum VEGF had a worse prognosis when compared to the patients with lower levels of serum VEGF. The difference between the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and those when area under curves equalled 0.5 was statistically significant ( < 0.05). The serum VEGF level in liver cancer patients can be used as a prognostic indicator for evaluating the efficacy of RFA treatments.
Al Zeyadi M, Dimova I, Ranchich V
… +6 more, Rukova B, Nesheva D, Hamude Z, Georgiev S, Petrov D, Toncheva D
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019623
·
Full text
Lung cancer is a serious health problem, since it is one of the leading causes for death worldwide. Molecular-cytogenetic studies could provide reliable data about genetic alterations which could be related to disease pa...Lung cancer is a serious health problem, since it is one of the leading causes for death worldwide. Molecular-cytogenetic studies could provide reliable data about genetic alterations which could be related to disease pathogenesis and be used for better prognosis and treatment strategies. We performed whole genome oligonucleotide microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization in 10 samples of non-small cell lung cancer. Trisomies were discovered for chromosomes 1, 13, 18 and 20. Chromosome arms 5p, 7p, 11q, 20q and Хq were affected by genetic gains, and 1p, 5q, 10q and 15q, by genetic losses. Microstructural (<5 Mbp) genomic aberrations were revealed: gains in regions 7p (containing the epidermal growth factor receptor gene) and 12p (containing ) and losses in 3p26 and 4q34. Based on high amplitude of alterations and small overlapping regions, new potential oncogenes may be suggested: (1p13.3); , and (7p21.3-7p21.1); and (12p12.1-12p11.22); (13q32.1). Significant genetic losses were assumed to contain potential tumour-suppressor genes: (1p21.3); , , , , (4q34.2-q35.1); (8p23.1). Our results complement the picture of genomic characterization of non-small cell lung cancer.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019622
·
Full text
Bestrophin-1 (Best1) is a transmembrane protein, found in the basolateral plasma membrane of retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The exact structure and functions of Best1 protein are still unclear. The protein is though...Bestrophin-1 (Best1) is a transmembrane protein, found in the basolateral plasma membrane of retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The exact structure and functions of Best1 protein are still unclear. The protein is thought to be a regulator of ion channels, or an ion channel itself: it was shown to be permeable for chloride, thiocyanate, bicarbonate, glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Mutations in the gene for Best1 are leading to best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) and are found in several other types of maculopathy. In order to obtain additional information about Best1 protein, we determined cell polarization of a stably transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line II (MDCK II) cell line, expressing human Best1. We measured the transepithelial resistance of transfected and non-transfected MDCK cells by voltmeter EVOM, over 10 days at 24 hour intervals. The first few days (first-fourth day) both cell lines showed the same or similar values of transmembrane resistance. As expected, on the fifth day the non-transfected cells showed maximum value of epithelial resistance, corresponding to the forming of monolayer. The transfected cells showed maximum value of transepithelial resistance on the ninth day of their cultivation. Phalloidin staining of actin demonstrated the difference in actin arrangements between transfected and non-transfected cells due to Best1. As a consequence of actin rearrangement, Best1 strongly affects the transepithelial resistance of polarizing stably transfected MDCK cells. Our results suggest that Best1 protein has an effect on transepithelial resistance and actin rearrangements of polarized stably transfected MDCK cells.
Tsakova A, Surcheva S, Simeonova K
… +4 more, Altankova I, Marinova T, Usunoff K, Vlaskovska M
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019621
·
Full text
Opioid and non-opioid effects of acute and chronic morphine administration on behaviour, cardiovascular responses, cell proliferation and apoptosis and nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity were studied in rats. A novel s...Opioid and non-opioid effects of acute and chronic morphine administration on behaviour, cardiovascular responses, cell proliferation and apoptosis and nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity were studied in rats. A novel score-point scale was introduced to quantify the signs of opioid withdrawal syndrome. NOS inhibitor L-NAME (N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) was applied to reveal the role of NOS/NO pathway in the modulation of morphine-induced and responses. The obtained data showed that chronic co-administration of L-NAME drastically attenuated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome and prevented the development of morphine tolerance to cardiovascular action of morphine. The apoptotic process was very much restricted by L-NAME supplementation of chronic morphine treatment, which resulted in few apoptotic cells, less low molecular weight genomic DNA and preservation of high molecular weight non-fragmented genomic DNA. The study provides new data for nitroxidergic modulation of opioid tolerance and dependence.
Georgieva R, Yocheva L, Tserovska L
… +8 more, Zhelezova G, Stefanova N, Atanasova A, Danguleva A, Ivanova G, Karapetkov N, Rumyan N, Karaivanova E
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019620
·
Full text
Antimicrobial activity and antibiotic susceptibility were tested for 23 and three strains isolated from different ecological niches. Agar-well diffusion method was used to test the antagonistic effect (against , , and...Antimicrobial activity and antibiotic susceptibility were tested for 23 and three strains isolated from different ecological niches. Agar-well diffusion method was used to test the antagonistic effect (against , , and ) of acid and neutralized (pH 5.5) lyophilized concentrated supernatants (cell-free supernatant; CFS) and whey (cell-free whey fractions; CFW) from de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe/trypticase-phytone-yeast broth and skim milk. Acid CFS and CFW showed high acidification rate-dependent bacterial inhibition; five strains were active against Neutralized CFS/CFW assays showed six strains active against ( L-1, 1, 1, subsp L-3), ( 6) or ( 24-4В). Inhibition of two pathogens with neutralized CFS ( 6, 3, 24-2L, 1)/CFW ( 24-5D, 24-4В) was detected. Some strains maintained activity after pH neutralization, indicating presence of active substances. The antibiotics minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the Epsilometer test method. All strains were susceptible to ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Four lactobacilli were resistant to one antibiotic ( Lio 1 to streptomycin) or two antibiotics ( L-1 and 1 to kanamycin and clindamycin; L-4 to clindamycin and chloramphenicol). Vancomycin MICs > 256 μg/mL indicated intrinsic resistance for all heterofermentative lactobacilli. The antimicrobially active strains do not cause concerns about antibiotic resistance transfer and could be used as natural biopreservatives in food and therapeutic formulations.
Dimitrov Z, Chorbadjiyska E, Gotova I
… +2 more, Pashova K, Ilieva S
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019619
·
Full text
Some lactic acid bacteria strains in milk media are capable of releasing bioactive peptides. In this study, we evaluated the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitory activity of 180 lactic acid bacteria and selected...Some lactic acid bacteria strains in milk media are capable of releasing bioactive peptides. In this study, we evaluated the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitory activity of 180 lactic acid bacteria and selected several , subsp and strains that demonstrated strong ACE-inhibitory activity. The aim was to carry out a molecular study on the bioactive peptides released by the strains with the best ACE-inhibitory properties and by the strains demonstrating a calcium-binding effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of bioactive peptides in Bulgarian white cheese. Peptides with the strongest ACE-inhibitory activity were purified and sequenced. The strains were assessed for production of peptides with calcium-binding properties. These peptides were isolated, purified and sequenced. Two strains releasing bioactive peptides with the strongest ACE-inhibitory and calcium-binding activities were selected for development of cheese starters. The strain with the best ACE-inhibitory activity was A1, which releases the peptide Ala-Leu-Pro-Met as a main contributor to the ACE inhibition. The strain with the best calcium-binding activity was C3 releasing the peptide SpLSpSpSpE (fraction 15-20 of ß-casein) as a main contributor to calcium binding. After pilot production of cheeses with the developed starters, the ACE-inhibitory and calcium-binding effects were confirmed during the cheese ripening. The addition of the two selected adjunct cultures led to increased production of bioactive peptides in the cheese. In this way, it is possible to increase the functional properties of Bulgarian white brined cheese.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019618
·
Full text
Biotransformation processes accompanied by whole yeast cells as biocatalyst are a promising area of food industry. Among the chemical sanitizers currently used in food technology, hydrogen peroxide is a very effective mi...Biotransformation processes accompanied by whole yeast cells as biocatalyst are a promising area of food industry. Among the chemical sanitizers currently used in food technology, hydrogen peroxide is a very effective microbicidal and bleaching agent. In this paper, permeabilization has been applied to yeast cells aiming at increased intracellular catalase activity for decomposed HO. Ethanol, which is non-toxic, biodegradable and easily available, has been used as permeabilization factor. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been applied in determining the influence of different parameters on permeabilization process. The aim of the study was to find such values of the process parameters that would yield maximum activity of catalase during decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The optimum operating conditions for permeabilization process obtained by RSM were as follows: 53% (v/v) of ethanol concentration, temperature of 14.8 °C and treatment time of 40 min. After permeabilization, the activity of catalase increased ca. 40 times and its maximum value equalled to 4711 U/g.
Sun Y, Zhang X, Xi D
… +7 more, Li G, Wang L, Zheng H, Du M, Gu Z, Yang Y, Yang Y
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019617
·
Full text
The mammalian major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays important roles in pathogen recognition and disease resistance. In the present study, the coding sequence and the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of MHC class II...The mammalian major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays important roles in pathogen recognition and disease resistance. In the present study, the coding sequence and the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of MHC class II DR alpha chain (the DRA gene) from rare gayal and gaytle were cloned and analyzed to dissect structural and functional variations. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for the genes in gayal () and gaytle ( × ) were almost identical to those for cattle and yak (99%). Compared to yak, two amino acids substitutions in the signal peptide (SP) domain for gayal were found within all animals. Except for only one replacement in the amino acid within the α2 domain of the DRA protein in gayal, the additional residues were highly conserved across the species investigated. The 20 peptide-binding sites (PBS) of and × were essentially reserved in the α1 domain among all species investigated. The lesser degree of substitution in is concordant with the concept that the gene is highly conserved among all mammals. The very high degree of conservativity of the gene among ruminants, including gayal, suggests its recent evolutionary separation.
Ivanova T, Dimitrova D, Gussev C
… +2 more, Bosseva Y, Stoeva T
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019616
·
Full text
L. is a perennial semi-shrub with distinctive leaf-like branches (cladodes). Rhizomes and roots contain steroidal saponins (ruscogenins) that are used in medicine and cosmetics for their anti-inflammatory, venotonic and...L. is a perennial semi-shrub with distinctive leaf-like branches (cladodes). Rhizomes and roots contain steroidal saponins (ruscogenins) that are used in medicine and cosmetics for their anti-inflammatory, venotonic and antihaemorroidal activity. Problematic cultivation of the species causes in many countries unsustainable over-collection from the wild. Tissue culture propagation of was carried out for conservation and propagation purposes. The impact of the clonal origin (genotype) on the ruscogenin biosynthesis, genome-size stability and propagation traits and morpho-physiological response to long-term cultivation was studied. Production of ruscogenins in fully developed regenerants was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Genome-size stability of the clones was assessed by flow cytometry. Slow growth and prolonged lag-phase were characteristic for the whole propagation cycle. Produced plantlets with well-defined organs were suitable for direct planting. Genome DNA content of all clones was stable and comparable to native plants. Ruscogenin biosynthesis was clone-specific, presenting distinctive profiles of the cultures. Our results imply that clone origin and culture type might influence saponin biosynthesis in These traits should be considered in the conservation of the genetic diversity of this species and by production of planting material as well.
Petrov N, Stoyanova M, Andonova R
… +1 more, Teneva A
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019615
·
Full text
Potato viruses cause enormous economic loss in agriculture production. Potatoes can be infected by a number of different viruses that affect negatively the harvest and the tuber quality. Direct and effective drugs agains...Potato viruses cause enormous economic loss in agriculture production. Potatoes can be infected by a number of different viruses that affect negatively the harvest and the tuber quality. Direct and effective drugs against plant virus diseases are still not available and control is only applied as agricultural measures and pesticides against virus vectors. Potato virus Y (PVY) is transmitted by aphids in non-persistent manner and on that account using insecticides to prevent spread of the infection is useless. Breeding of resistant plant cultivars proved to be not always a solution of the problem because of the fast evolution of the virus strains and the constantly growing group of recombinants. In this study, we have proposed a new way of controlling the virus by blocking replication and transmission through the plant by RNAi-based vaccination of potato seedlings with specific to viral HC-Pro gene siRNAs. Thus, PVY replication is decreased without altering the valuable qualities of the sensitive to the virus potato cultivars like Agria.
Fan X, Jiang J, Zhang Y
… +3 more, Sun H, Jiao J, Liu C
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019614
·
Full text
Eighteen sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primer combinations were used to assess the genetic diversity of 126 individuals from five different geographical populations of Bge. The numbers of bands scored p...Eighteen sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primer combinations were used to assess the genetic diversity of 126 individuals from five different geographical populations of Bge. The numbers of bands scored per primer combination ranged from 8 to 27, with an average of 18.6 bands. At the population level, the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB), Nei's gene diversity index () and Shannon's information index () were the highest in the Shihe (Xinyang) population (77.31%, 0.1987, 0.2805) and the lowest in the Linzhou (Anyang) population (55.82%, 0.1112, 0.1727). At the species level, PPB, and were 80.56%, 0.2129 and 0.3075, respectively. The genetic differentiation coefficient () was 0.2055 and the gene flow ( ) was 1.9328, indicating strong intra-population genetic differentiation. Based on the unweighted pair group method based arithmetic average clustering diagram, the five studied populations may be divided into three groups. The clustering results were almost in accordance with the populations' geographical distribution.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019613
·
Full text
In order to study the survival mechanisms to drought stress for fruit body of , soluble carbohydrates and respiratory enzymes were investigated. Fruit bodies were exposed to sunlight and were naturally dehydrated. Sample...In order to study the survival mechanisms to drought stress for fruit body of , soluble carbohydrates and respiratory enzymes were investigated. Fruit bodies were exposed to sunlight and were naturally dehydrated. Samples were taken at different levels of water loss (0%, 10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) to measure the content of soluble sugars and polysaccharides. The activities of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), combined glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), were also determined. The results showed that with the increase in water loss, soluble sugars and MDH activity declined, whereas the activities of G-6-PDH and 6-PGDH increased. Soluble polysaccharides content and PGI activity decreased with water loss up to 30% and increased afterwards. These results suggested that the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), as demonstrated by activities of G-6-PDH and 6-PGDH, could be one of the mechanisms for survival during drought stress in the fruit body of . Moreover, soluble polysaccharides may play a part in protecting the fruit body in further drought stress.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2015 Jan · PMID 26019612
·
Full text
The recent rapid developments in biotechnology have made great contributions to the study of plant gene pools. The application of methods in freeze storage and DNA protection techniques in fast production studies has ma...The recent rapid developments in biotechnology have made great contributions to the study of plant gene pools. The application of methods in freeze storage and DNA protection techniques in fast production studies has made major advances. From that aspect, biotechnology is an indispensable means for the protection of plant gene pools, which includes the insurance of sustainable agriculture and development of species. Besides all the positive developments, one of the primary risks posed by the uncontrolled spreading of genetically modified organisms is the possibility for other non-target organisms to be negatively affected. Genes of plant origin should be given priority in this type of studies by taking into consideration such negative effects that may result in disruption of ecological balance and damage to plant genetic pools. Turkey, due to its ecological conditions and history, has a very important position in terms of plant gene pools. This richness ought to be protected without corrupting its natural quality and natural evolution process in order to provide the sources of species that will be required for future sustainable agricultural applications. Thus, attention should be paid to the use of biotechnological methods, which play an important role especially in the protection and use of local and original plant gene pools.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2014 Nov · PMID 26019611
·
Full text
In modern society many people are afflicted with muscle pain in the neck and shoulders mainly caused by incorrect posture. The number of patients having neck pain is increasing as usage of digital devices becomes more fr...In modern society many people are afflicted with muscle pain in the neck and shoulders mainly caused by incorrect posture. The number of patients having neck pain is increasing as usage of digital devices becomes more frequent. If patients could be notified how inappropriate their postures are in real time, the number of patients could be lower. Unfortunately, there is no digitized standard way of diagnosis for forward head posture. This study applies a concept based on a vector related to two angles which are acquired from the neck and the head, so that a device can diagnose the posture by measuring and analysing the angles. To obtain the vector, integral calculations of displacement of the head are needed. As a result, with this device, patients' faulty posture can be easily detected.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2014 Nov · PMID 26019610
·
Full text
Clustering is an important means of data mining based on separating data categories by similar features. Unlike the classification algorithm, clustering belongs to the unsupervised type of algorithms. Two representatives...Clustering is an important means of data mining based on separating data categories by similar features. Unlike the classification algorithm, clustering belongs to the unsupervised type of algorithms. Two representatives of the clustering algorithms are the -means and the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. Linear regression analysis was extended to the category-type dependent variable, while logistic regression was achieved using a linear combination of independent variables. To predict the possibility of occurrence of an event, a statistical approach is used. However, the classification of all data by means of logistic regression analysis cannot guarantee the accuracy of the results. In this paper, the logistic regression analysis is applied to EM clusters and the -means clustering method for quality assessment of red wine, and a method is proposed for ensuring the accuracy of the classification results.
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip
· 2014 Nov · PMID 26019609
·
Full text
A new method for spot matching in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis images using a cumulative frequency matrix is proposed. The method improves on the weak points of the previous method called 'spot matching by topolog...A new method for spot matching in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis images using a cumulative frequency matrix is proposed. The method improves on the weak points of the previous method called 'spot matching by topological patterns of neighbour spots'. It accumulates the frequencies of neighbour spot pairs produced through the entire matching process and determines spot pairs one by one in order of higher frequency. Spot matching by frequencies of neighbour spot pairs shows a fairly better performance. However, it can give researchers a hint for whether the matching results can be trustworthy or not, which can save researchers a lot of effort for verification of the results.