9 research outputs found
Automatic Detection of User Abilities through the SmartAbility Framework
This paper presents a proposed smartphone application for the unique SmartAbility Framework that
supports interaction with technology for people with reduced physical ability, through focusing on
the actions that they can perform independently. The Framework is a culmination of knowledge
obtained through previously conducted technology feasibility trials and controlled usability
evaluations involving the user community. The Framework is an example of ability-based design that
focuses on the abilities of users instead of their disabilities. The paper includes a summary of
Versions 1 and 2 of the Framework, including the results of a two-phased validation approach,
conducted at the UK Mobility Roadshow and via a focus group of domain experts. A holistic model
developed by adapting the House of Quality (HoQ) matrix of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
approach is also described. A systematic literature review of sensor technologies built into smart
devices establishes the capabilities of sensors in the Android and iOS operating systems. The review
defines a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as search terms used to elicit literature from
online repositories. The key contribution is the mapping of ability-based sensor technologies onto
the Framework, to enable the future implementation of a smartphone application. Through the
exploitation of the SmartAbility application, the Framework will increase technology amongst people
with reduced physical ability and provide a promotional tool for assistive technology manufacturers
Genomic analysis of chimeric human cytomegalovirus vaccine candidates derived from strains Towne and Toledo
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients and a major cause of congenital birth defects when acquired in utero. In the 1990s, four chimeric viruses were constructed by replacing genome segments of the high passage Towne strain with segments of the low passage Toledo strain, with the goal of obtaining live attenuated vaccine candidates that remained safe but were more immunogenic than the overly attenuated Towne vaccine. The chimeras were found to be safe when administered to HCMV-seronegative human volunteers, but to differ significantly in their ability to induce seroconversion. This suggests that chimera-specific genetic differences impacted the ability to replicate or persist in vivo and the consequent ability to induce an antibody response. To identify specific genomic breakpoints between Towne and Toledo sequences and establish whether spontaneous mutations or rearrangements had occurred during construction of the chimeras, complete genome sequences were determined. No major deletions or rearrangements were observed, although a number of unanticipated mutations were identified. However, no clear association emerged between the genetic content of the chimeras and the reported levels of vaccine-induced HCMV-specific humoral or cellular immune responses, suggesting that multiple genetic determinants are likely to impact immunogenicity. In addition to revealing the genome organization of the four vaccine candidates, this study provided an opportunity to probe the genetics of HCMV attenuation in humans. The results may be valuable in the future design of safe live or replication-defective vaccines that optimize immunogenicity and efficacy
Targeting mitochondrial metabolite transporters in Penicillium expansum for reducing patulin production
There is an increasing need of alternative treatments to control fungal infection and consequent mycotoxin accumulation in harvested fruits and vegetables. Indeed, only few biological targets of antifungal agents have been characterized and can be used for limiting fungal spread from decayed fruits/vegetables to surrounding healthy ones during storage. On this concern, a promising target of new antifungal treatments may be represented by mitochondrial proteins due to some species-specific functions played by mitochondria in fungal morphogenesis, drug resistance and virulence. One of the most studied mycotoxins is patulin produced by several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus genera. Patulin is toxic to many biological systems including bacteria, higher plants and animalia. Although precise biochemical mechanisms of patulin toxicity in humans are not completely clarified, its high presence in fresh and processed apple fruits and other apple-based products makes necessary developing a strategy for limiting its presence/accumulation. Patulin biosynthetic pathway consists of an enzymatic cascade, whose first step is represented by the synthesis of 6-methylsalicylic acid, obtained from the condensation of one acetyl-CoA molecule with three malonyl-CoA molecules. The most abundant acetyl-CoA precursor is represented by citrate produced by mitochondria. In the present investigation we report about the possibility to control patulin production through the inhibition of mitochondrial/peroxisome transporters involved in the export of acetyl-CoA precursors from mitochondria and/or peroxisomes, with specific reference to the predicted P. expansum mitochondrial Ctp1p, DTC, Sfc1p, Oac1p and peroxisomal PXN carriers
Targeting Penicillium expansum transporters with high affinity small molecules for reducing patulin production
Fruits and vegetables represent an important component of
a healthy diet. However, almost a third of all food crops
could be annually lost because of fungal pathogens. Further more, the increase in resistance phenomena in fungi pushed
the search of new molecules for controlling infections and
related mycotoxins. Some of the newly proposed small mol ecules target fungal proteins with transporter ability. How ever, most of mycotoxin-producing fungi, as patulin-pro ducer Penicillium expansum, have few proteins with a solved
structure to be used for identifying new inhibitors. Com putational approaches for protein function analyses might
help in overcoming the problem, by building 3D homology
models to be used in virtual screening of chemical libraries.
In the present investigation, on the basis of generated 3D
comparative models, it was possible to highlight approved
drugs/natural compounds/chemicals able to inhibit GMC
oxidoreductase and organic acid mitochondrial transporters
to control P. expansum growth and patulin production. In
particular, 1,2,3-BTA and tannic acid, predicted to inhibit
mitochondrial transporters, and meticrane and 6-hydroxy coumarin, predicted to inhibit GMC oxidoreductase, proved
to be efective in vitro and/or in vivo. A mixture of the iden tifed molecules could be used as disinfecting treatment in
fruit washing water and storage rooms to prevent fungal
infection and mycotoxin accumulation. Finally, the presented
study might be extended to the identifcation of high afnity
small molecules of species-specifc protein targets of other
pathogenic fungi for preventing pre- and postharvest losses
as well as for reducing the contamination by mycotoxins in
fruit and vegetables