Content evaluation and tool development for knowledge management system

Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms play vital roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. The motivation of the work reported here is thus to support research in this area, by investigating genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and the inter-relationships between them through provision of a platform (in-house biomedical resource (StatEpigen)) for data collation and analysis. StatEpigen is targeted initially to collating information on colon cancer and the basic aim of this project is to enhance, evaluate and ensure robustness of this resource. Elements involved in building towards a more comprehensive 'picture of needs' to date include: a comparative study of available epigenetic/epigenomic biomedical resources, manual augmentation of StatEpigen database resource and an in-depth analysis of a set of germline-mutated colon cancer genes from the phylogenetic perspective, to link resource provision to the experimental base and address key bioinformatics questions. Comparative study has confirmed the current importance of epigenetic studies and provided information on resources that may offer integration potential for StatEpigen. Manual data augmentatrion (15% contribution to the current datasource, URL: http://statepigen.sci-sym.dcu.ie/) permitted assessment of the data curation process itself, and also motivation and planning for some degree of future automation. The in-depth genetic analysis addresses a specific-research question relating to the suitability ofthe murine model as a reference organism for colon cancer in humans. Analysis of the mouse parallel (following 180MY of independent evolution) revealed that some genes can not be used as suitable cancer model for humans. This finding provided stimulus for developed analyses (e.g. through StatEpigen) of related epigenetic characteristics and genetic-epigenetic interactions that are influential in the initiation and progression of the disease. A future focus for StatEpigen includes exploitation ofthe data already gathered, as well as tool development for automation of the data augmentation process

Determination of the Frequency Response of an End Tidal CO2 Analyser

In a health care environment, mechanical ventilation is used to support patients during acute illness and surgery. Mechanical ventilation is the process by which the patient’s respiratory function is artificially supported using a respirator. During mechanical ventilation, it is necessary to ensure the adequacy of ventilation. The patient is thus monitored for several ventilatory parameters. The end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) is one of the primary monitoring parameters. EtCO2 is the partial pressure or maximal concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the end of an exhaled breath, which is expressed as a percentage of CO2 or mmHg . Capnography is the technique that graphs out expired CO2 as a function of time and measures EtCO2. The measuring device is called a capnometer and the waveform displayed by the capnograph is called capnogram

Measurement of the Frequency Response of Clinical Gas Analysers

A technique for the time and frequency response measurement of clinical CO2 analysers has been established. The time and frequency response of several analyser systems has been determined. This paper presents the case for the routine measurement of the dynamic performance of such systems in the context of their application in high-frequency ventilation schemes. The importance of these measurements has been demonstrated in the comparison of older and newer systems in the sense that older systems demonstrate significant deterioration in peiformance. In the context of the use of capnographs in life-support systems, it is essential to measure and monitor the dynamic peiformance of such systems to ensure the appropriate monitoring of ventilation schemes. All of the units so far analysed cannot be used for high-frequency and/or paediatric ventilation schemes of over 80 breaths per minute

Word Sense Disambiguation using WSD specific Wordnet of Polysemy Words

This paper presents a new model of WordNet that is used to disambiguate the correct sense of polysemy word based on the clue words. The related words for each sense of a polysemy word as well as single sense word are referred to as the clue words. The conventional WordNet organizes nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs together into sets of synonyms called synsets each expressing a different concept. In contrast to the structure of WordNet, we developed a new model of WordNet that organizes the different senses of polysemy words as well as the single sense words based on the clue words. These clue words for each sense of a polysemy word as well as for single sense word are used to disambiguate the correct meaning of the polysemy word in the given context using knowledge based Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) algorithms. The clue word can be a noun, verb, adjective or adverb

Dynamic Response Measurement of Clinical Gas Analysers

Capnographs are devices that use CO/sub 2/ from a patients' expired breath to monitor the cardiopulmonary status during anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation. The waveforms are called capnograms. Capnographs at present are routinely calibrated via a static calibration method only. There is no specific method of dynamically testing capnographs. Since capnograms are time varying, there is a definite requirement to evaluate the dynamic response of these systems. This paper presents a technique to determine the time and frequency response of capnographs using a custom built EtCO/sub 2/ simulator system. This system is computer controlled via a C program. A portable version of the simulator system has also been developed using a microprocessor. The waveforms obtained using the simulator system are recorded and image analysis is performed using Matlab to obtain the time and frequency responses of the capnographs. This paper explains the image analysis part of the technique in detail. Measurements of several types of capnograph systems proved that older capnographs usually do not satisfy the manufacturer quoted specifications for time and frequency response. Monitoring capnographs on a routine basis is thus important and is recommended. This new technique of time and frequency response measurement can be used as part of a quality control protocol for capnographs; for commissioning and routine monitoring as well as to verify manufacturer quoted specifications in new units

Vitamin D, Calcium, Parathyroid Hormone, and Sex Steroids in Bone Health and Effects of Aging

Bone health of the elderly is a major global health concern, since about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men suffer from bone loss and fractures, often called osteoporosis, in old age. Bone health is a complex issue affected by multiple hormones and minerals. Among all the hormones involved in bone health, calcitriol (also vitamin D), parathyroid, and sex hormones (especially estrogen) have been discussed in this review paper. We have discussed the metabolism of these hormones and their effects on bone health. Vitamin D can be obtained from diet or formed from 7-dehydrocholesterol found under the skin in the presence of sunlight. The active form, calcitriol, causes dimerization of vitamin D receptor and acts on the bones, intestine, and kidney to regulate the level of calcium in blood. Similarly, parathyroid hormone is secreted when the serum level of calcium is low. It helps regulate the level of blood calcium through calcitriol. Sex hormones regulate bone modeling at an early age and remodeling later in life. Loss of ovarian function and a decrement in the level of production of estrogen are marked by bone loss in elderly women. In the elderly, various changes in the calcium and vitamin D metabolism, such as decrease in the production of vitamin D, decrease in dietary vitamin D, decreased renal production, increased production of excretory products, decrease in the level of VDR, and decreased calcium absorption by the intestines, can lead to bone loss. When the elderly are diagnosed with osteoporosis, medications that directly target bone such as bisphosphonates, RANK ligand inhibitors, estrogen and estrogen analogues, estrogen receptor modulators, and parathyroid hormone receptor agonists are used. Additionally, calcium and vitamin D supplements are prescribed

WORD SENSE DISAMBIGUATION USING WSD SPECIFIC WORDNET OF POLYSEMY WORDS

ABSTRACT This paper presents a new model of WordNet that is used t