Petri-net-based 2D Design of DNA Walker Circuits

We consider localised DNA computation, where a DNA strand walks along a binary decision graph to compute a binary function. One of the challenges for the design of reliable walker circuits consists in leakage transitions, which occur when a walker jumps into another branch of the decision graph. We automatically identify leakage transitions, which allows for a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of circuit designs, design comparison, and design optimisation. The ability to identify leakage transitions is an important step in the process of optimising DNA circuit layouts where the aim is to minimise the computational error inherent in a circuit while minimising the area of the circuit. Our 2D modelling approach of DNA walker circuits relies on coloured stochastic Petri nets which enable functionality, topology and dimensionality all to be integrated in one two-dimensional model. Our modelling and analysis approach can be easily extended to 3-dimensional walker systems

A Novel Method to Verify Multilevel Computational Models of Biological Systems Using Multiscale Spatio-Temporal Meta Model Checking

Insights gained from multilevel computational models of biological systems can be translated into real-life applications only if the model correctness has been verified first. One of the most frequently employed in silico techniques for computational model verification is model checking. Traditional model checking approaches only consider the evolution of numeric values, such as concentrations, over time and are appropriate for computational models of small scale systems (e.g. intracellular networks). However for gaining a systems level understanding of how biological organisms function it is essential to consider more complex large scale biological systems (e.g. organs). Verifying computational models of such systems requires capturing both how numeric values and properties of (emergent) spatial structures (e.g. area of multicellular population) change over time and across multiple levels of organization, which are not considered by existing model checking approaches. To address this limitation we have developed a novel approximate probabilistic multiscale spatio-temporal meta model checking methodology for verifying multilevel computational models relative to specifications describing the desired/expected system behaviour. The methodology is generic and supports computational models encoded using various high-level modelling formalisms because it is defined relative to time series data and not the models used to generate it. In addition, the methodology can be automatically adapted to case study specific types of spatial structures and properties using the spatio-temporal meta model checking concept. To automate the computational model verification process we have implemented the model checking approach in the software tool Mule (http://mule.modelchecking.org). Its applicability is illustrated against four systems biology computational models previously published in the literature encoding the rat cardiovascular system dynamics, the uterine contractions of labour, the Xenopus laevis cell cycle and the acute inflammation of the gut and lung. Our methodology and software will enable computational biologists to efficiently develop reliable multilevel computational models of biological systems

EFFECTS OF ERYNGIUM PLANUM AND ERYNGIUM CAMPESTRE EXTRACTS ON LIGATURE-INDUCED RAT PERIODONTITIS

Eryngium planum and Eryngium campestre were used as remedies in several inflammatory disorders while local treatment was used for dental conditions like periodontitis, dental caries and toothache. The aim of the study was to study the antiinflammatory effect of topical Eryngium planum and Eryngium campestre treatment in a rat model of periodontitis. The 20% tincture were prepared by maceration with ethanol. The sterols content was assessed by a HPLC-MS method. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated on a rat ligature-induced periodontitis by the histopathological examination of periodontal biopsy and serum total nitrites and nitrates, total oxidative status, total antioxidant response and oxidative stress index. The tested hydroalcoholic extracts contained β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and cholesterol. The results provide evidence for the hypothesis that topical treatment with Eryngium planum and E. campestre extract in experimental rat periodontitis exerted anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the leucocytes infiltration and the nitro-oxidative stress

CELIOMESENTERIC AFFERENCE OF THE DORSOLUMBAR NEUROMERS IN HORSE

The frequent variability of the splanchnic branches in all species creates difficulties both in carrying out physiological experiments and, particularly, in interpreting the clinical data; given the need for an in depth study of the comparative physiology, this paper presents some specifications concerning the neuroglandular relations in the mesenteric area in horses. A total of 32 dissections were conducted on fresh, non-mummified corpses and were accompanied by comparative evaluations. The nervous formations were tracked up to the limit of visibility with the magnifying glass of 15 dioptres. To make possible the differentiation of the nervous fibres, the arteries were injected with a red dye. The ganglion formations were investigated with histological methods of differentiation. The dissection also revealed that the efferent fibres which approach the celiomesenteric plexus do not belong, as thought, only to the large and small splanchnic, but also to the lumbar splanchnic nerves which were regarded as being small accessory splanchnic nerves. According to these wrong data, the renosuprarenal plexus would only include abdominal splanchnic afferences and not also lumbar splanchnic afferences, as it actually happens. Speaking of horses, the data reveal the existence of peculiarities regarding the dorsolumbar efferences of the celiomesenteric plexus which detach in most cases from the interganglionar connectives and not directly from the paravertebral ganglia. Another observation is related to the existence of the renal nerves (one or two small fibres), nerves which detach from the abdominal splanchnic nerves which, crossing over the lateral side of the suprarenal gland seem to link it to the kidneys. The existence of postrenal nervous loops might provide evidence, if not on the ontogeny, at least on the way of postembryonic migration of this organ

Different effects of anti-TNF-alpha biologic drugs on the small bowel macroscopic inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background & Aims. Considering the ability of anti-TNF alpha drugs to lower the burden intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the similarity between IBD and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) regarding inflammatory intestinal involvement, we aimed to investigate the impact of anti-TNF alpha biologic therapy on subclinical intestinal inflammation in AS patients

Automatic validation of computational models using pseudo-3D spatio-temporal model checking

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Background: Computational models play an increasingly important role in systems biology for generating predictions and in synthetic biology as executable prototypes/designs. For real life (clinical) applications there is a need to scale up and build more complex spatio-temporal multiscale models; these could enable investigating how changes at small scales reflect at large scales and viceversa. Results generated by computational models can be applied to real life applications only if the models have been validated first. Traditional in silico model checking techniques only capture how non-dimensional properties (e.g. concentrations) evolve over time and are suitable for small scale systems (e.g. metabolic pathways). The validation of larger scale systems (e.g. multicellular populations) additionally requires capturing how spatial patterns and their properties change over time, which are not considered by traditional non-spatial approaches. Results: We developed and implemented a methodology for the automatic validation of computational models with respect to both their spatial and temporal properties. Stochastic biological systems are represented by abstract models which assume a linear structure of time and a pseudo-3D representation of space (2D space plus a density measure). Time series data generated by such models is provided as input to parameterised image processing modules which automatically detect and analyse spatial patterns (e.g. cell) and clusters of such patterns (e.g. cellular population). For capturing how spatial and numeric properties change over time the Probabilistic Bounded Linear Spatial Temporal Logic is introduced. Given a collection of time series data and a formal spatio-temporal specification the model checker Mudi (http://mudi.modelchecking.org) determines probabilistically if the formal specification holds for the computational model or not. Mudi is an approximate probabilistic model checking platform which enables users to choose between frequentist and Bayesian, estimate and statistical hypothesis testing based validation approaches. We illustrate the expressivity and efficiency of our approach based on two biological case studies namely phase variation patterning in bacterial colony growth and the chemotactic aggregation of cells. Conclusions: The formal methodology implemented in Mudi enables the validation of computational models against spatio-temporal logic properties and is a precursor to the development and validation of more complex multidimensional and multiscale models