Enabling reasoning on the web: Performing simulations of clinical situations

The transformation of a document-based medical guideline into a computer-based decision support is a time-consuming and error-prone activity. One way to alleviate this burden is by facilitating, as much as possible, the (semi)automatic implementation and further validation of the knowledge intensive tasks embedded within medical guidelines. This paper presents a bilingual (English and Spanish) “proof of concept” simulation framework and computational test-bed, called V.A.F. Framework, that takes advantages of both CommonKADS methodology and Semantic Web technologies (OWL, SWRL, and OWL-S) to enable experiments (simulations of clinical situations) that allow overcoming the main barriers to successfully express medical guidelines in an executable form compatible with Electronic Medical Records (EMRs).To demonstrate how higher integration between EMRs and evidence-based medicine can be accomplished, this paper focuses on the “Acute Red Eye”, a clinical ophthalmologic domain known by General Practitioners (GPs) that usually requires the intervention of ophthalmologists (specialised physicians), so medical referral guidelines as well as ophthalmology medical guidelines need to be codified and integrated with EMRs

Impaired Cognitive Function and Altered Hippocampal Synapse Morphology in Mice Lacking Lrrtm1, a Gene Associated with Schizophrenia

Recent genetic linkage analysis has shown that LRRTM1 (Leucine rich repeat transmembrane neuronal 1) is associated with schizophrenia. Here, we characterized Lrrtm1 knockout mice behaviorally and morphologically. Systematic behavioral analysis revealed reduced locomotor activity in the early dark phase, altered behavioral responses to novel environments (open-field box, light-dark box, elevated plus maze, and hole board), avoidance of approach to large inanimate objects, social discrimination deficit, and spatial memory deficit. Upon administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801, Lrrtm1 knockout mice showed both locomotive activities in the open-field box and responses to the inanimate object that were distinct from those of wild-type mice, suggesting that altered glutamatergic transmission underlay the behavioral abnormalities. Furthermore, administration of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine) rescued the abnormality in the elevated plus maze. Morphologically, the brains of Lrrtm1 knockout mice showed reduction in total hippocampus size and reduced synaptic density. The hippocampal synapses were characterized by elongated spines and diffusely distributed synaptic vesicles, indicating the role of Lrrtm1 in maintaining synaptic integrity. Although the pharmacobehavioral phenotype was not entirely characteristic of those of schizophrenia model animals, the impaired cognitive function may warrant the further study of LRRTM1 in relevance to schizophrenia

Fuel Moisture Differences in a Mixed Native and Non-Native Grassland: Implications for Fire Regimes

Non-native plants have far-reaching effects on many terrestrial ecosystems. There are several examples of non-native species altering fire regimes, either by increasing or decreasing the potential intensity and severity of fires. To investigate this phenomenon, we sampled fuel moisture content of four native grass species (Festuca californica Vasey, Danthonia californica Bol., Elymus glaucus Buckley, and Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn.) and four non-native grass species (Phalaris aquatica L., Cynosurus echinatus L., Arrhenatherum elatius [L.] J. Presl & C. Presl, and Anthoxanthum odoratum L.) in northern California grasslands across the 2012 growing season. No significant differences in moisture content were found between native and non-native groups (P = 0.337). Across all dates, moisture content of the eight grass species differed (P < 0.001). The non-native annual Cynosurus echinatus had the lowest moisture content in August (21 %), and fell well below ignition thresholds before the other grasses. Phalaris aquatica, an aggressive perennial non-native, had the highest moisture content for all months and differed significantly from all species for all dates (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that some non-native species have the capacity to alter fire behavior by either increasing or decreasing fire intensity and rate of spread. These findings reveal another way non-native species complicate restoration and management of fire-dependent ecosystems.USDA McIntire-Stennis Forestry Research Program; University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Competitive Grants progra

Breast cancer metastasis suppressor OTUD1 deubiquitinates SMAD7

The activation of TGF-β signaling has been implicated in cancer metastasis. Here, the authors show that OTUD1 suppresses metastasis by antagonizing the TGF-β pathway via the deubiquitination of SMAD7, and its loss correlates with poor prognosis in breast cancer

Manuscripta Medica Tom. I

Folios 61a-f are loose and not sown into the manuscript. Fol. 61r-62r (including ff. 61a-f) excerpt from <Index alter plantar. qvae in Horto academico Lugduno-Batavo | aluntur, conscriptis ab Hermanno Boerhaave | Lugdb: 1720. 4