Inscribing or Circumscribing a Histogon to a Convex Polygon

We consider two optimization problems of approximating a convex polygon, one by a largest inscribed histogon and the other by a smallest circumscribed histogon. An axis-aligned histogon is an axis-aligned rectilinear polygon such that every horizontal edge has an integer length. A histogon of orientation ? is a copy of an axis-aligned histogon rotated by ? in counterclockwise direction. The goal is to find a largest inscribed histogon and a smallest circumscribed histogon over all orientations in [0,?). Depending on whether the horizontal width of a histogon is predetermined or not, we consider several different versions of the problem and present exact algorithms. These optimization problems belong to shape analysis, classification, and simplification, and they have applications in various cost-optimization problems

ArrayXPath II: mapping and visualizing microarray gene-expression data with biomedical ontologies and integrated biological pathway resources using Scalable Vector Graphics

Summary: ArrayXPath () is a web-based service for mapping and visualizing microarray gene-expression data with integrated biological pathway resources using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). Deciphering the crosstalk among pathways and integrating biomedical ontologies and knowledge bases may help biological interpretation of microarray data. ArrayXPath is empowered by integrating gene-pathway, disease-pathway, drug-pathway and pathway–pathway correlations with integrated Gene Ontology, Medical Subject Headings and OMIM Morbid Map-based annotations. We applied Fisher's exact test and relative risk to evaluate the statistical significance of the correlations. ArrayXPath produces Javascript-enabled SVGs for web-enabled interactive visualization of gene-expression profiles integrated with gene-pathway-disease interactions enriched by biomedical ontologies

Short-Term Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Peripapillary Retinal Blood Flow in Normal Tension Glaucoma

PURPOSE: Based on the vascular theory of glaucoma pathogenesis, we wanted to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on peripapillary blood flow in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: Thirty patients with NTG were randomly placed in the GBE-treated or control groups. The GBE-treated group received 80 mg GBE orally, twice a day for four weeks, and the control group received a placebo twice a day for four weeks. Complete ocular examinations including visual field, Heidelberg retina flowmeter, and systemic examinations were performed on the first study day and on the day treatment was completed. RESULTS: After GBE treatment, the mean blood flow, volume, and velocity increased at almost all points, and there was a statistically significant increase in blood flow at almost all points, in comparison to the placebo. Blood volume significantly increased only in the superior nasal and superior temporal neuroretinal rim areas. GBE also significantly increased blood velocity in areas of the inferior temporal neuroretinal rim and superior temporal peripapillary area. CONCLUSIONS: GBE administration appears to have desirable effect on ocular blood flow in NTG patients.ope

Proteomic and biochemical analyses reveal the activation of unfolded protein response, ERK-1/2 and ribosomal protein S6 signaling in experimental autoimmune myocarditis rat model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To investigate the molecular and cellular pathogenesis underlying myocarditis, we used an experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM)-induced heart failure rat model that represents T cell mediated postinflammatory heart disorders.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By performing unbiased 2-dimensional electrophoresis of protein extracts from control rat heart tissues and EAM rat heart tissues, followed by nano-HPLC-ESI-QIT-MS, 67 proteins were identified from 71 spots that exhibited significantly altered expression levels. The majority of up-regulated proteins were confidently associated with unfolded protein responses (UPR), while the majority of down-regulated proteins were involved with the generation of precursor metabolites and energy metabolism in mitochondria. Although there was no difference in AKT signaling between EAM rat heart tissues and control rat heart tissues, the amounts and activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 and ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) were significantly increased. By comparing our data with the previously reported myocardial proteome of the Coxsackie viruses of group B (CVB)-mediated myocarditis model, we found that UPR-related proteins were commonly up-regulated in two murine myocarditis models. Even though only two out of 29 down-regulated proteins in EAM rat heart tissues were also dysregulated in CVB-infected rat heart tissues, other proteins known to be involved with the generation of precursor metabolites and energy metabolism in mitochondria were also dysregulated in CVB-mediated myocarditis rat heart tissues, suggesting that impairment of mitochondrial functions may be a common underlying mechanism of the two murine myocarditis models.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>UPR, ERK-1/2 and S6RP signaling were activated in both EAM- and CVB-induced myocarditis murine models. Thus, the conserved components of signaling pathways in two murine models of acute myocarditis could be targets for developing new therapeutic drugs or methods aimed at treating enigmatic myocarditis.</p

Disposable Solid-State pH Sensor Using Nanoporous Platinum and Copolyelectrolytic Junction

A disposable solid-state pH sensor was realized by utilizing two nanoporous Pt (npPt) electrodes and a copolyelectrolytic junction One nanoporous Pt electrode was to measure the pH as an indicating electrode (pH-IE) and the other assembled with copolyelectrolytic junction was to maintain constant open circuit potential (E(oc)) as a solid-state reference electrode (SSRE) The copolyelectrolytic Junction was composed of cationic and anionic polymers immobilized by photo-polymerization of N,N`-methylenebisacrylamide, making buffered electrolytic environment on the SSRE It was expected to make The nanoporous Pt surrounded by a constant pH excellently worked as a solid state reference electrode so as to stabilize the system within 30 s and retain the electrochemical environment regardless of unknown sample solutions Combination between the SSRE and the pH-IE commonly based on nanoporous Pt yielded a complete solid-state pH sensor that requires no internal filling solution The solid state pH sensing chip is simple and easy to fabricate so that it could be practically used for disposable purposes Moreover the solid-state pH sensor successfully functions in calibration-free mode in a variety of buffers and surfactant samplesThis work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. 2005-2001287), the Ministry of Knowledge Economy in Korea (09MC3310, Programmable Bio-CMOS Field Effect Transistors), the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by Korea Government (MOEHRD, Basic Research Promotion Fund) (KRF-2005-075-C00021), and the Nano/Bio Science & Technology Program (M10536090001- 05N3609-00110) of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Republic of Korea.Kim KB, 2010, APPL PHYS LETT, V96, DOI 10.1063/1.3389492SUSAN C, 2010, ANAL CHEM, V82, P878Guth U, 2009, J SOLID STATE ELECTR, V13, P27, DOI 10.1007/s10008-008-0574-7Han JW, 2009, JPN J APPL PHYS, V48, DOI 10.1143/JJAP.48.010205Park S, 2007, CHEM MATER, V19, P3373, DOI 10.1021/cm0710756Han JH, 2007, ELECTROANAL, V19, P786, DOI 10.1002/elan.200603772Kwon NH, 2007, ANALYST, V132, P906, DOI 10.1039/b706905gPark S, 2005, ANAL CHEM, V77, P7695, DOI 10.1021/ac050968jHa J, 2005, ANAL CHIM ACTA, V549, P59, DOI 10.1016/j.aca.2005.06.011Chun HG, 2005, ANAL CHEM, V77, P2490, DOI 10.1021/ac048535oVonau W, 2004, ELECTROCHIM ACTA, V49, P3745, DOI 10.1016/j.electacta.2004.02.048Marzouk SAM, 2003, ANAL CHEM, V75, P1258, DOI 10.1021/ac0261404Lee HJ, 1998, ANAL CHEM, V70, P3377Baur JE, 1998, J ELECTROANAL CHEM, V443, P208Suzuki H, 1998, SENSOR ACTUAT B-CHEM, V46, P104Nolan MA, 1997, ANAL CHEM, V69, P1244, DOI 10.1021/ac961020fShin JH, 1996, ANAL CHEM, V68, P3166

Bone regeneration potential of sub-microfibrous membranes with osteogenic induction of rBMSC for tissue engineering

Purpose: To examine the biocompatibility and osteoinductive potential of  sub-microfibrous membranes with cells in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Polylactic acid (PLA) and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) were blended at various volume ratios (PLA:PCL = 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 0:100) and each membrane form was prepared by electrospinning. Cell viability,  biocompatibility, and bone regeneration were measured.Results: The membranes from the PLA/PCL blends prepared by an electrospinning process showed a range of diameter distribution ranging from 1,580 to 550 nm. The cells of 100 % PCL membrane (smallest diameter) exhibited significantly higher adhesion and proliferation than those of the other membranes. Among the  membranes from PLA/PCL blends, PCL membrane showed weak inflammatory changes in the early stages of implantation without acute or chronic inflammation. PCL membranes with osteogenically-induced cells successfully stimulated new bone formation in a rate calvarial defect model.Conclusion: The results indicate that biodegradable PCL sub-microfibrous membrane produced by electrospinning process seems to have excellent biocompatibility, and may be used as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.Keywords: Biocompatibility, Hard tissue, Biomaterial availability, Bone remodeling, Polylactic acid, Poly-ε-caprolactone, Osteoinductive potential, Sub-microfibrous membrane

Adenosine A2A Receptor Agonist, Polydeoxyribonucleotide Treatment Improves Locomotor Function and Thermal Hyperalgesia Following Neuropathic Pain in Rats

Purpose Lithotomy position has been widely used in the various urologic surgery. Occasionally sensory and motor problems of the lower extremities are occurred due to the lithotomy position and these deficits may be related with sciatic nerve injury (SNI). Inflammatory process is a factor to induce functional impairment after SNI. Therefore, we evaluated the role of adenosine A2A receptor agonists, polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) showing anti-inflammatory effect on locomotor function following SNI in rats. Methods Sciatic nerve was compressed with surgical clips for 1 minute after exposing of right sciatic nerve. After 3 days of SNI, PDRN (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) was applied to the damaged area of sciatic nerve once daily for 10 days. Walking track analysis was conducted for locomotor function and plantar test was performed for thermal pain sensitivity. Level of cyclic adenosine-3´,5´-monophosphate (cAMP) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analysis was performed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, cAMP response element binding protein (CREP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunofluorescence for neurofilament was also conducted. Results Locomotor function was decreased and thermal pain sensitivity was increased by SNI. SNI enhanced proinflammatory cytokines’ production, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, while suppressed CREP phosphorylation and cAMP level. SNI also reduced the expression of VEGF and neurofilaments. However, treatment with PDRN inhibited proinflammatory cytokines’ production and upregulated CREP phosphorylation and cAMP expression. PDRN also enhanced the expression of VEGF and neurofilaments. As a result, PDRN improved locomotor function and alleviated thermal hyperalgesia after SNI. Conclusions PDRN has shown potential to be used as an effective treatment for neuropathic pain