Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5831/1510006
Noise Analysis of Gene Regulatory Networks Using Particle Filter
Haixin Wang and Dawit Aberra
Article Type: Original Article | First Published: October 03, 2015
One of the most important properties in gene expression is the stochasticity. Gene expression process is noisy and fluctuant. In this paper, the noise of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) using polynomial model and S-system model is analyzed by proposed approach on the basis of particle filter. The measurement noise and process noise are analyzed to test noise effects on the synthetic GRNs. The relation among Root Mean Square (RMS) error, measurement noise, and system noise covariance is analyzed....
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5726/1510022
Lupus-Associated Pancreatitis: Clinical Aspects
Maria Helena Favarato
Article Type: Review Article | First Published: September 28, 2015
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with several different clinical manifestations. Its annual incidence is about 5 cases per 100000 inhabitants. The prevalence is around 52 cases per 100000 inhabitants. The gastrointestinal tract may be affected, either by the disease itself or by adverse reactions of medications or by opportunistic infections. Although common, the incidence of gastrointestinal manifestations may be underestimated, as the symptoms m...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5726/1510021
Eosinophilic Fasciitis Treated with Tocilizumab: Demonstration of Efficacy after Withdrawal and Re-Challenge in a Patient
Glen T D Thomson, Janine L Johnston and Brent R J Thomson
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: September 28, 2015
A 41-year-old man presented with clinical features of eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) confirmed on biopsy. The patient responded to high-dose prednisone but subsequent steroid sparing medication including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, etanercept, golimumab and rituximab failed to deliver steroid sparing response. Tocilizumab provided rapid and sustained improvement in the patient's symptoms and signs. Withdrawal of tocilizumab resulted in a flare of the clinical manifestations of EF; retreatment...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5726/1510019
A MRI Assessment of the Response of Chronic, Occult, Synovial-Based Inflammation of Gout to Serum Urate Lowering Therapy
John D. Carter, Michelle Patelli, Scott R. Anderson, Neelesh Prakash, Ernesto J. Rodriquez and Louis R. Ricca
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: September 09, 2015
Clinical gout begins as an acute intermittent and intensely painful arthritis that can progress to a chronic, inflammatory, destructive condition. The initial episodes may last several days and are often followed by pain-free, inter-critical periods that may last months to years. Chronic gouty arthritis is manifested by shorter inter-critical periods, boney destructive changes and possible development of visible tophi. Advanced gout leads to chronic pain, decreased quality of life, and an increa...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5696/1410018
The Management of Mucositis of Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
CIFTCIOGLU Sule and EFE Emine
Article Type: Perspective | First Published: September 23, 2015
Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is used primarily for hematologic and lymphoid cancers but also for many other disorders. Autologous HSCT (in which stem cells are derived from the patient) is mainly used to treat chemosensitive malignancies. Allogeneic HSCT (in which the stem cells are derived from a donor) is often the preferred treatment option, particularly in patients with acute leukaemia. Oral complications are a significant cause of morbidity and potential mortality for chil...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5696/1410016
The Levels of PAI-1, Urokinase uPA, Thrombomodulin and TFPI in Essential Thrombocythemia
Oktay Bilgir, Ferda Bilgir, Mehmet Calan and Giray Bozkaya
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: September 05, 2015
Generally, ET is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by persistent peripheral thrombocytosis and abnormal megakaryocytic proliferation in the bone marrow. ET is a rare cause of thrombocytosis and may be associated with both venous and arterial thrombosis in 10-75% of cases, depending largely on the study and whether vasomotor symptoms are included in thrombotic manifestations....
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-567X/1510011
Exposure to HIV-1 Altered CCR7-Mediated Migration of Monocytes: Regulation by PGE2
Sandra C Cote, Stamatoula Pasvanis and Nancy Dumais
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: October 04, 2015
Transmission and pathogenesis of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1) are interconnected during all stages of the disease with cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Monocytes are constantly exposed or are targets of HIV-1 and their migratory behaviors are implicated in the dissemination of the infection throughout the host. Monocytes arising from quiescent and infected cells of the myeloid precursor lineage in bone marrow have been demonstrated as a source of residual HIV DNA....
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-567X/1510010
Codon Usage as a Possible Source of Sofosbuvir Genetic Resistance Bias in HCV Patients Infected with Different Genotypes
Carlos Campayo, Antonio Mas and Rosario Sabariegos
Article Type: Commentary | First Published: September 28, 2015
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for liver chronic infections that in a high percentage of cases lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the past, treatment consisted on a combination of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. However, since 2012 a new wave in treatment options appears with the new family of drugs targeting viral components, the so-called direct-acting antivirals. Now we have a battery of drugs directed against viral protease (NS3/4A), polymerase (NS5B), and viral ...