The ParTriCluster Algorithm for Gene Expression Analysis

Analyzing gene expression patterns is becoming a highly relevant task in the Bioinformatics area. This analysis makes it possible to determine the behavior patterns of genes under various conditions, a fundamental information for treating diseases, among other applications. A recent advance in this area is the Tricluster algorithm, which is the first algorithm capable of determining 3D clusters (genes × samples × timestamps), that is, groups of genes that behave similarly across samples and timestamps. However, even though biological experiments collect an increasing amount of data to be analyzed and correlated, the triclustering problem remains a bottleneck due to its NP-Completeness, so its parallelization seems to be an essential step towards obtaining feasible solutions. In this work we propose and evaluate the implementation of a parallel version of the Tricluster algorithm using the filter-labeled-stream paradigm supported by the Anthill parallel programming environment. The results show that our parallelization scales well with the data size, being able to handle severe load imbalances that are inherent to the problem. Further more, the parallelization strategy is applicable to any depth-first searches.     

Nonopioid analgesics shorten the duration of postoperative ileus

Morphine inhibits propagating and stimulates nonpropagating colon contractions in monkeys and humans. The use of morphine or other opioids that inhibit propulsive contractions prolongs postoperative ileus. In contrast, ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal analgesic, has no effect on colon contractions in monkeys. In 14 patients having elective abdominal operations, bipolar electrodes were implanted on the right (n = 13) and left (n = 10) colon. Group A (n = 8) received ketorolac, 30 mg IM q6h, for pain relief. Group B (n = 6) needed supplemental morphine, 2-10 mg IV or IM, plus ketorolac to control their pain. Myoelectric activity was recorded from each subject on postop Days 1-5 and analyzed by computer for electrical control activity (ECA), short and long electrical response activity (ERA), and propagation of long ERA. There was a difference between the two groups in return of propagated long ERA bursts that correlated with clinical recovery from postoperative ileus. Postoperative analgesia with ketorolac resulted in faster resolution of ileus compared to morphine plus ketorolac because opioid-induced motor abnormalities in the colon were avoided.     

Network efficiency maximization exploiting WCDMA spectrum nature for enhancement of D2D underlaying communications

In this paper, devices to devices communications underlaying cellular network techniques are proposed as an alternative to maximize spectral efficiency. This gain is obtained by the reuse of spectrum when different links are simultaneously established using the same resources. The cost of this technique is additional interference in cellular networks. The techniques presented in this paper propose a coordinated power control mechanism to allow resource sharing with low impact on cellular subscribers. Solutions are addressed for both OFDMA and WCDMA networks taking into account the unique requirements of both networks. In both situations, WCDMA–OFDMA coexistence is exploited and analyzed, using the nature of WCDMA spectrum and its robustness against narrowband interference thereby improving the probability of obtaining the sharing of cellular resources. For OFDM networks, WCDMA is used for mitigating the interference of cellular users and to obtain considerable gain in probability of reuse. For WCDMA networks, OFDMA is used to obtain higher throughput using the side frequencies of the spectrum where the cellular signal power is lower compared to the central frequencies.     

Modeling of sporicidal effect of hydrogen peroxide in the sterilization of low density polyethylene film inoculated with Bacillus subtilis spores

The sporicidal effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the sterilization of low density polyethylene film (LDPE) was evaluated using a Central Composite Design (CCD). The effects of contact time (5-19s), bath temperature (23–70 °C) and concentration of H₂O₂ (0–35%) in an immersion bath were investigated. A 16 cm² film surface was evenly inoculated with 100 μL of the test microorganism Bacillus subtilis var. globigii ATCC9372 spores. The effective H₂O₂ sporicidal activity was demonstrated at concentrations from 18 to 35% and in a temperature range from 46 to 70 °C, resulting in 2–7 decimal reductions of B. subtilis spores. A quadratic mathematical model representative of the action of H₂O₂ on the B. subtilis spores was developed as a function of concentration, time and temperature. Test specimens sanitized with 28% H₂O₂ at 60 °C for 8 s showed 4 decimal reductions. In the same sterilization procedure, but extending the time to 16 s, this value increased to 7 decimal reductions, demonstrating the efficiency of H₂O₂ as a function of contact time. The sterilization system tested showed satisfactory performance in the sterilization of LDPE films, being capable of reaching up to 7 decimal reductions of the bacterial spore population.     

New Perspectives on the Sustainable Employment of Chestnut Shells as Active Ingredient against Oral Mucositis: A First Screening

Oral mucositis (OM), a common side effect of oncological treatment, is an oral mucosal disorder characterized by painful ulcerations and increased risk of infection. The use of natural antioxidants to suppress the redox imbalance responsible for the OM condition has emerged as an interesting approach to prevent/treat OM. This study aims to explore the chestnut (Castana sativa) shells as potential active ingredient against OM. Therefore, chestnut shells were extracted at different temperatures (110–180 °C) by Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE), aiming to recover antioxidants. The extracts were also evaluated against microorganisms present in the oral cavity as well as on human oral cell lines (TR146 and HSC3). The highest phenolic content was obtained with the extraction temperature of 110 °C, exhibiting the best antioxidant/antiradical activities and scavenging efficiencies against HOCl (IC₅₀ = 4.47 μg/mL) and ROO^• (0.73 μmol TE/mg DW). High concentrations of phenolic acids (e.g., gallic and protocatechuic acids) and flavanoids (catechin, epicatechin and rutin) characterized the phenolic profile. The antimicrobial activity against several oral microorganisms present in the oral cavity during OM, such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia, was demonstrated. Finally, the effects on HSC3 and TR146 cell lines revealed that the extract prepared at 110 °C had the lowest IC₅₀ (1325.03 and 468.15 µg/mL, respectively). This study highlights the potential effects of chestnut shells on OM.     

Effect of RF magnetron sputtering parameters on the optimization of the discharge capacity of ternary lithium oxide thin films

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries has stimulated the investigation of new compounds in order to reduce the costs and the...     

Modulatory effects of yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) on the PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of yerba maté (YM) extract on the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐AKT signaling pathway in vivo. The mice were introduced to either standard‐ or high‐fat diet (HFD). After 8 weeks on an HFD, mice were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment conditions, water or yerba maté extract at 1.0 g/kg. After treatment, glucose blood level and hepatic insulin response were evaluated. Liver tissue was examined to determine the mRNA levels using the PI3K‐AKT PCR array. The nuclear translocation of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) was determined by an electrophoretic mobility‐shift assay. Our data demonstrated that yerba maté extract significantly decreased the final body weight, glucose blood levels, and insulin resistance of mice. Molecular analysis demonstrated that an HFD downregulated Akt2, Irs1, Irs2, Pi3kca, Pi3kcg, and Pdk1; after yerba maté treatment, the levels of those genes returned to baseline. In addition, an HFD upregulated Pepck and G6pc and increased FOXO1 nuclear translocation. The intervention downregulated these genes by decreasing FOXO1 nuclear translocation. The results obtained demonstrate for the first time the specific action of yerba maté on the PI3K‐AKT pathway, which contributed to the observed improvement in hepatic insulin signaling.     

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of permethrin in mice: Micronuclei analysis in peripheral blood erythrocytes

Pyrethroids such as permethrin are synthetic compounds widely used in the agriculture of many countries to combat plagues and in domestic products, such as acaricides. Not so long ago these chemicals were characterized as non‐toxic for non‐target organisms; however, recent studies have showed that these compounds could present toxic potential for many organisms. In this sense, this study presents genotoxic and mutagenic potential of permethrin administered intraperitoneally in mice under artificial conditions by the use of micronucleus assay in the peripheral blood of these animals. The mice were divided into five groups: group I = negative control (distilled water), group II = positive control (cyclophosphamide), group III = 30% of permethrin LD₅₀ (96 mg/kg), group IV = 50% of permethrin LD₅₀ (160 mg/kg), and group V = 80% of permethrin LD₅₀ (256 mg/kg). The peripheral blood was collected 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Results showed that all the tested permethrin dosages presented genotoxic and mutagenic effects 24 h after treatment, which would contradict the classification of this chemical product as moderately toxic, i.e., unable to cause damages to the cell DNA. Microsc. Res. Tech. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.