Possibilistic and fuzzy clustering methods for robust analysis of non-precise data

This work focuses on robust clustering of data affected by imprecision. The imprecision is managed in terms of fuzzy sets. The clustering process is based on the fuzzy and possibilistic approaches. In both approaches the observations are assigned to the clusters by means of membership degrees. In fuzzy clustering the membership degrees express the degrees of sharing of the observations to the clusters. In contrast, in possibilistic clustering the membership degrees are degrees of typicality. These two sources of information are complementary because the former helps to discover the best fuzzy partition of the observations while the latter reflects how well the observations are described by the centroids and, therefore, is helpful to identify outliers. First, a fully possibilistic k-means clustering procedure is suggested. Then, in order to exploit the benefits of both the approaches, a joint possibilistic and fuzzy clustering method for fuzzy data is proposed. A selection procedure for choosing the parameters of the new clustering method is introduced. The effectiveness of the proposal is investigated by means of simulated and real-life data

A linear regression model with LR fuzzy random variables

In standard regression analysis the relationship between one (response) variable and a set of (explanatory) variables is investigated. In a classical framework the response is affected by probabilistic uncertainty (randomness) and, thus, treated as a random variable. However, the data can be also subjected to other kinds of uncertainty, such as imprecision, vagueness, etc. A possible way to manage all of these uncertainties is represented by the concept of fuzzy random variable (FRV). The most common class of FRVs is the LR family, which allows us to express every FRV in terms of three random variables, namely, the center, the left and the right spread. In this work, limiting our attention to the LR FRVs, we address the linear regression problem in presence of one or more imprecise random elements. The procedure for estimating the model parameters is discussed, and the statistical properties of the estimates are analyzed. Furthermore, in order to illustrate how the proposed model works in practice, the results of some case-studies are given

A survey of Gypsy and Copia LTR-retrotransposon superfamilies and lineages and their distinct dynamics in the Populus trichocarpa (L.) genome

In this work, we report a comprehensive study of long terminal repeat retrotransposons of Populus trichocarpa. Our research group studied the retrotransposon component of the poplar genome in 2012, isolating 1479 putative full-length elements. However, in that study, it was not possible to identify the superfamily to which the majority of isolated full-length elements belonged. Moreover, during recent years, the genome sequence of P. trichocarpa has been updated, deciphering thek sequences of a number of previously unresolved loci. In this work, we performed a complete scan of the updated version of the genome sequence to isolate full-length retrotransposons based on sequence and structural features. The new dataset showed a reduced number of elements (958), and 21 fulllength elements were discovered for the first time. The majority of retroelements belonged to the Gypsy superfamily (57%), while Copia elements amounted to 41.1% of the dataset. Fulllength elements were dispersed throughout the chromosomes. However, Gypsy and, to a lesser extent, Copia elements accumulated preferentially at putative centromeres. Gypsy elements were more active in retrotransposition than Copia elements, with the exception of during the past million years, in which Copia elements were the most active. Improved annotation procedures also allowed us to determine the specific lineages to which isolated elements belonged. The three Gypsy lineages, Athila, OGRE, and Chromovirus (in the decreasing order), were by far the most abundant. On the other hand, each identified Copia lineage represented less than 1 % of the genome. Significant differences in the insertion age were found among lineages, suggesting specific activation mechanisms. Moreover, different chromosomal regions were affected by retrotransposition in different ages. In all chromosomes, putative pericentromeric regions were filled with elements older than themean insertion age. Overall, results demonstrate structural and functional differences among plant retrotransposon lineages and further support the view of retrotransposons as a community of different organisms in the genome

A thermodynamic study on the interaction between RH-23 peptide and DMPC-based biomembrane models

Investigation of the interaction between drugs and biomembrane models, as a strategy to study and eventually improve drug/substrate interactions, is a crucial factor in preliminary screening. Synthesized peptides represent a source of potential anticancer and theragnostic drugs. In this study, we investigated the interaction of a novel synthesized peptide, called RH-23, with a simplified dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) model of the cellular membrane. The interaction of RH-23 with DMPC, organized either in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers, was assessed using thermodynamic techniques, namely differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and LB. The calorimetric evaluations showed that RH-23 inserted into MLVs, causing a stabilization of the phospholipid gel phase that increased with the molar fraction of RH-23. Interplay with LB monolayers revealed that RH-23 interacted with DMPC molecules. This work represents the first experimental thermodynamic study on the interaction between RH-23 and a simplified model of the lipid membrane, thus providing a basis for further evaluations of the effect of RH-23 on biological membranes and its therapeutic/diagnostic potential

Análise do trans e pós-operatório de indivíduos com diabetes melitus submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca

The objective of this study was to analyzing the presence of complications in diabetic and no diabetic patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This is a cross sectional analytical study. 50 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included and analyzed for the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus, each group contained 25 patients. Data collection was performed by analyzing the medical records. Among the surgical procedures were CABG 30 (60 %), TrVA 11 (22 %), TrVM 6 (12 %), CRM +TrVA  1 (2 %), TrVA + TrVM 1 (2 %) and TrVA +TrVP 1 (2%). The study population had an average age of 60,4 years old in the diabetic group and 56 years old in the group of non-diabetics. Regarding risk factors, the hypertension prevailed in the diabetic group 19 (76,0%). Regarding the postoperative complications it was observed a higher number of hemodynamic and respiratory complications between the immediate postoperative period until the third postoperative day in both groups. The conclusion of this study shows that there is no statistically significant difference among the variables, thus we find that diabetes mellitus alone was not an aggravating factor in trans and post-cardiac surgery.La investigación trata de analizar la presencia de complicaciones en los pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos sometidos a cirugía cardíaca. Estudio analítico de corte transversal. Se incluyeron 50 pacientes sometidos a cirugía cardíaca y se analizaron según la presencia o ausencia de diabetes mellitus, cada grupo contiene 25 pacientes. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante el análisis de la historia clínica del paciente. De los 30 procedimientos quirúrgicos fueron CABG (60 %), TRVA 11 (22%), TrVM 6 (12 %), CRM TRVA + 1 (2 %), TRVA TrVM + 1 (2 %) y TRVA TRVP + 1 (2%). La población del estudio tenía una edad media de 60,4 años en el grupo de diabéticos y 56 años en el grupo de no diabéticos. En cuanto a los factores de riesgo, la hipertensión 19 (76,0 %) tenía diferencias que prevalecen en el grupo de diabéticos. En cuanto a las complicaciones postoperatorias se observó un mayor número de complicaciones hemodinámicas y respiratorias entre el postoperatorio inmediato hasta el tercer día del postoperatorio en ambos grupos. A partir de las  respuestas se puede decir que no existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las variables, por lo tanto, llegamos a la conclusión de que la diabetes mellitus, solo, no fue un factor agravante de la cirugía trans y post- cardiaca.O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a presença de complicações em pacientes diabéticos e não diabéticos submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca. Estudo transversal, analítico. Foram incluídos 50 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca e analisados quanto a presença ou não de diabetes mellitus, contendo cada grupo 25 pacientes.  A coleta de dados realizou-se através de análise do prontuário do paciente. Dentre os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram CRM 30 (60%), TrVA 11 (22%), TrVM 6 (12%), CRM + TrVA 1 (2%), TrVA + TrVM 1 (2%) e TrVA + TrVP 1 (2%). A população estudada apresentou média de idade de 60,4 anos no grupo dos diabéticos e 56 anos no grupo dos não diabéticos. Em relação aos fatores de risco, a hipertensão arterial sistêmica prevaleceu no grupo de diabéticos 19 (76,0%). Em relação as complicações pós operatórias observou-se maior número de complicações hemodinâmicas e respiratórias entre o PO imediato até o 3º PO em ambos os grupos. Conclui-se que não há diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as variáveis analisadas, desta forma concluímos que a diabetes mellitus, isoladamente, não foi um fator agravante no trans e pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca

Cibercultura e currículo nômade : potencialidades para aprender geografia

Em tempos e espaços de aprendizagem ubíqua, a sala de aula torna-se um território multidimensional, fonte de saberes múltiplos, conectados, multifacetados e interativos, no qual o digital encontra-se arraigado no cotidiano dos nossos alunos. As reflexões e proposições sobre a relação de autoria de OAs através de e-práticas pedagógicas colocam a cibercultura na apropriação de saberes, ampliando os potenciais tecnológicos de aprendizagem, principalmente, por direcionar o conhecimento às práticas comuns do seu cotidiano, tecendo currículos nômades. Deste modo, a relação cibercultura, OAs e e-práticas cria potenciais com diferentes linguagens para mediar o processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Geografia. Experiência, vivência e territorialização de formas distintas e plurais de aprendizagem, a autoria como apropriação dos saberes são rasuras na escola.In times and spaces of learning, a classroom becomes a multidimensional territory, source of multiple knowledges, connected, multifaceted and interactive, without digital qualification is rooted without our students’ daily routine. As reflections and proposals on the autonomous relationship of OAs through pedagogical practices and practices, it is fundamental, by directing knowledge about the usual practices of their daily lives, weaving nomadic curricula. In this way, the relation cyberculture, OAs and e-practices creates potential with different languages for the process of teaching and learning Geography. Experience, experience and territorialization of distinct and plural forms of learning, the authorship as appropriation of the flavors are erasures in the school

Clinical Efficacy of A Nutraceutical Approach for the Management of Dyslipidemia in Metabolic Disorders: A One-Year Treatment With Armolipid Plus

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Different Erionite Species Bind Iron into the Structure: A Potential Explanation for Fibrous Erionite Toxicity

In this investigation, the crystal chemical characterization of one sample of woolly erionite-K (Lander County, NV, USA) was examined after suspension in a FeCl2 solution, in anaerobic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the chemical composition of erionite on its efficiency to bind iron. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) results showed that the sample bound Fe(II) through an ion-exchange mechanism mainly involving Ca. In addition, chemical and structural data indicated that Fe(II) is fixed at the Ca3 site, six-fold coordinated to water molecules. According to Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) sample surface area the amount of Fe(II) bound by the fibers was comparable with that retrieved for fibrous erionite-Na sample from Rome (OR, USA) for which the ion-exchange process mainly affected Na. This finding provides clear evidence of a strong tendency of Fe(II) to bind to the erionite structure. Furthermore, considering that the woolly erionite-K from Langer County differs markedly from erionite-Na from Rome in the extra-framework cation content, our observations indicate that the Fe binding efficiency is not significantly modulated by the chemical composition. Notably, Fe ion-exchanged and/or accumulated on the fiber surface can generate hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction, thus influencing the potential carcinogenicity of the different erionite species

Curcumin, Polydatin and Quercetin Synergistic Activity Protects from High-Glucose-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

none10noChronic hyperglycemia, the diagnostic biomarker of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), is a condition that fosters oxidative stress and proinflammatory signals, both involved in the promotion of cellular senescence. Senescent cells acquire a proinflammatory secretory phenotype, called SASP, exacerbating and perpetuating the detrimental effects of hyperglycemia. Bioactive compounds can exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the synergistic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the most extensively investigated natural compounds have not been confirmed yet in senescent cells and in hyperglycemic conditions. Here, we exposed young and replicative senescent HUVEC (yHUVEC and sHUVEC) to a high-glucose (HG) condition (45 mM) and treated them with Polydatin (POL), Curcumin (CUR) and Quercetin (QRC), alone or in combination (MIX), to mirror the anti-inflammatory component OxiDefTM contained in the novel nutraceutical GlicefenTM (Mivell, Italy). In both yHUVEC and sHUVEC, the MIX significantly decreased the expression levels of inflammatory markers, such as MCP-1, IL-1β and IL-8, and ROS production. Importantly, in sHUVEC, a synergistic effect of the MIX was observed, suggesting its senomorphic activity. Moreover, the MIX was able to reduce the expression level of RAGE, a receptor involved in the activation of proinflammatory signaling. Overall, our data suggest that the consumption of nutraceuticals containing different natural compounds could be an adjuvant supplement to counteract proinflammatory and pro-oxidative signals induced by both hyperglycemic and senescence conditions.openMatacchione, Giulia; Valli, Debora; Silvestrini, Andrea; Giuliani, Angelica; Sabbatinelli, Jacopo; Giordani, Chiara; Coppari, Sofia; Rippo, Maria Rita; Albertini, Maria Cristina; Olivieri, FabiolaMatacchione, Giulia; Valli, Debora; Silvestrini, Andrea; Giuliani, Angelica; Sabbatinelli, Jacopo; Giordani, Chiara; Coppari, Sofia; Rippo, Maria Rita; Albertini, Maria Cristina; Olivieri, Fabiol