Knowledge acquisition for case-based reasoning systems

Case-based reasoning (CBR) is a simple idea: solve new problems by adapting old solutions to similar problems. The CBR approach offers several potential advantages over rule-based reasoning: rules are not combined blindly in a search for solutions, solutions can be explained in terms of concrete examples, and performance can improve automatically as new problems are solved and added to the case library. Moving CBR for the university research environment to the real world requires smooth interfaces for getting knowledge from experts. Described are the basic elements of an interface for acquiring three basic bodies of knowledge that any case-based reasoner requires: the case library of problems and their solutions, the analysis rules that flesh out input problem specifications so that relevant cases can be retrieved, and the adaptation rules that adjust old solutions to fit new problems

Does microplastic induce oxidative stress in marine invertebrates?

In the last decades the production of plastic increased continuously. Simultaneously, environmental pollution by plastic became a rising issue. Marine litter can have adverse effects on animals. Some species may get trapped in lost fishing nets or they may starve to death upon ingestion of plastic which may clog their digestive tracts. Degradation of plastic items generates a continuously increasing number of smaller-sized particles. Microplastic, finally ranging in the µm-size classes can have adverse effects on marine invertebrates upon ingestion. Most of these effects can be attributed to the cellular level. How can particles in the microscale harm organisms? In this study the ingestion of microplastic by marine invertebrates and, moreover, the possible transfer into cells of the digestive tract will be examined. As model species we chose the Atlantic ditch shrimp (Palaemon varians). This species inhabits coastal regions, estuaries, and brackish water systems which are most affected by anthropogenic pollution. Effects will be determined in the cells of the midgut gland of P. varians. Measuring the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a suitable method to detect cellular stress. Quantification of ROS-formation will be done by confocal laser scanning microscopy and the aid of the fluorogenic substrates Dihydroethidium (DHE) and 2’, 7’ - Dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA). The results will help to identify cellular reactions after exposure to microparticles and indicate the toxicological impact on cells and whole organisms

Susceptibilities of Mycobacterium marinum to Gatifloxacin, Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Linezolid, Moxifloxacin, Telithromycin, and Quinupristin-Dalfopristin (Synercid) Compared to Its Susceptibilities to Reference Macrolides and Quinolones.

The susceptibility pattern of Mycobacterium marinum was determined. Quinupristin-dalfopristin and telithromycin were less active than clarithromycin. Linezolid showed good antimicrobial activity at clinically achievable concentrations. Gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin displayed activities similar to those of ciprofloxacin. Gemifloxacin was less active. The Etest method showed variable agreement with the reference method

Human complement control and complement evasion by pathogenic microbes - Tipping the balance

Complement is a central homeotic system of mammals and represents the first defense line of innate immunity. The human complement system is aimed to maintain homeostasis by recognizing and removing damaged or modified self material, as well as infectious foreign microbes. However, pathogenic microbes also control and escape the host complement and immune attack. The increasing resistance of microbial pathogens to either antibiotics or antifungal drugs is a major health problem and is of global interest. Therefore the topic how pathogenic microbes escape human complement and immune control is of high and of central interest. Identifying and defining the action of proteins involved in this intense immune interaction and understanding how these proteins interact is of relevance to design new control strategies. In this review we summarize the complement system of the human host and how this cascade drives effector functions. In addition, we summarize how diverse pathogenic microbes control, modulate and block the complement response of their host. The characterization of pathogen derived virulence factors and complement escape proteins reveals patterns of multiplicity, diversity and redundancy among pathogen encoded proteins. Sequence variability of immune and also complement escape proteins is largely driven by antigenic diversity and adaptive immunity. However common complement escape principles are, emerging in terms of conserved binding repertoire for host regulators and evasion among the large variety of infectious microbes. These conserved and common escape features are relevant and they provide challenging options for new therapeutic approaches. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Ciprofloxacin enhances the stimulation of matrix metalloproteinase 3 expression by interleukin-1beta in human tendon-derived cells

To determine whether the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which can cause tendon pain and rupture in a proportion of treated patients, affects the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human tendon-derived cells in culture. Cell cultures were derived from 6 separate tendon explants, and were incubated in 6-well culture plates for 2 periods of 48 hours each, with ciprofloxacin (or DMSO in controls) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), alone and in combination. Samples of supernatant medium from the second 48-hour incubation were assayed for MMPs 1, 2, and 3 by Western blotting. RNA was extracted from the cells and assayed for MMP messenger RNA (mRNA) by semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, with normalization for GAPDH mRNA. Unstimulated tendon cells expressed low or undetectable levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3, and substantial levels of MMP-2. IL-1ß induced a substantial output of both MMP-1 and MMP-3 into cell supernatants, reflecting increases (typically 100-fold) in MMP mRNA, but had only minor effects on MMP-2 expression. Ciprofloxacin had no detectable effect on MMP output in unstimulated cells. Preincubation with ciprofloxacin potentiated IL-1ß–stimulated MMP-3 output, reflecting a similar effect on MMP-3 mRNA expression. Ciprofloxacin also potentiated IL-1ß–stimulated MMP-1 mRNA expression, but did not potentiate the output of MMP-1, and had no significant effects on MMP-2 mRNA expression or output. Ciprofloxacin can selectively enhance MMP expression in tendon-derived cells. Such effects might compromise tendon microstructure and integrity

Brahms Performance Practice in a New Context: The Bruce Hungerford Recorded Lessons with Carl Friedberg

A product of the student-teacher relationship between Australian pianist Bruce "Leonard" Hungerford (1922-1977) and German pedagogue Carl Friedberg (1872-1955) are fifteen recorded lessons of more than twenty hours from February 1951 through May 1952, now part of the Bruce Hungerford Collection at the International Piano Archives at Maryland (IPAM). These lessons yield a remarkable repository of insight into Brahms performance practice, as Friedberg was a student of Clara Schumann and protégé of Brahms. Part I, Chapter One: Bruce Hungerford and Carl Friedberg: Introduction and Context presents biographical surveys of the lives and careers of Hungerford and Friedberg. Chapter Two: The Recorded Lessons consists of the lessons' genesis and nature, repertoire, and aspects of interpretation, technique, and performance practice, as well as Friedberg's first-hand accounts of a number of musicians, conductors, and composers from Bach to Busoni. Chapter Three: Brahms Performance Practice presents Friedberg's personal history with Brahms as musician, composer, and conductor, and focuses on the Brahms repertoire covered in the lessons. Analysis and commentary regarding the significance of the lessons follow. Part II: The Transcription of the Hungerford-Friedberg Lessons consists of the transcription and accompanying indices of the recorded lessons. Appendix A: Hungerford Memorabilia contains a biography by Thomas Stanback, published interview, and discography. Appendix B: Friedberg Memorabilia contains performance reviews, recital dates and programs, and compositional oeuvre with discography. Appendix C: Hungerford-Friedberg Memorabilia presents reproductions of selected photographs, letters, and documents from the correspondence and scrapbooks of the Bruce Hungerford and Carl Friedberg Collections at IPAM