An enhanced partial order curve comparison algorithm and its application to analyzing protein folding trajectories

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Understanding how proteins fold is essential to our quest in discovering how life works at the molecular level. Current computation power enables researchers to produce a huge amount of folding simulation data. Hence there is a pressing need to be able to interpret and identify novel folding features from them.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this paper, we model each folding trajectory as a multi-dimensional curve. We then develop an effective multiple curve comparison (MCC) algorithm, called the <it>enhanced partial order (EPO) </it>algorithm, to extract features from a set of diverse folding trajectories, including both successful and unsuccessful simulation runs. The EPO algorithm addresses several new challenges presented by comparing high dimensional curves coming from folding trajectories. A detailed case study on miniprotein Trp-cage <abbrgrp><abbr bid="B1">1</abbr></abbrgrp> demonstrates that our algorithm can detect similarities at rather low level, and extract biologically meaningful folding events.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The EPO algorithm is general and applicable to a wide range of applications. We demonstrate its generality and effectiveness by applying it to aligning multiple protein structures with low similarities. For user's convenience, we provide a web server for the algorithm at <url>http://db.cse.ohio-state.edu/EPO</url>.</p

The emerging role of magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy

Magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computed tomography are new imaging methods that have much to offer clinicians caring for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. In this article we briefly describe the clinical, pathophysiological and histological aspects of dilated cardiomyopathy. Then we discuss in detail the use of both imaging methods for measurement of chamber size, global and regional function, for myocardial tissue characterisation, including myocardial viability assessment, and determination of arrhythmogenic substrate, and their emerging role in cardiac resynchronisation therapy

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome among psychiatric patients who are under antidepressant or antipsychotic monotherapy

WOS: 000383390400009Objective: Several groups of medications, such as dopamine blockers, analgesics and antihistaminergics were associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Although case reports showed some significant relations, they have many methodological limitations such as co-medications or medical co-morbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients on antidepressant (AD) or antipsychotic (AP) monotherapy. Methods: One hundred and ninety-seven patients and 150 healthy controls were included in the study. RLS was diagnosed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria. The severity of RLS was evaluated according to IRLSSG rating scale. Participants diagnosed with RLS went under further neurological and psychiatric investigation for excluding secondary causes. Results: One hundred and twenty patients (60.9%) were on AD therapy, while 77 patients (39.1%) were on AP monotherapy. Thirty-two patients (16.2%) and seven controls (4.7%) were diagnosed with RLS according to IRLSSG criteria. The most frequent cause of RLS was quetiapine (28.5%) in the antipsychotic group and paroxetine (22.2%) in the antidepressant group. There was no statistically significant correlation between drug usage duration and RLS severity. Conclusion: AD or AP induced RLS is a common condition. ADs and APs should be considered as a cause for RLS when assesing RLS in psychiatric patients who are under treatment either of these medications