Modeling of gene regulatory networks with hybrid differential evolution and particle swarm optimization.

In the last decade, recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have attracted more efforts in inferring genetic regulatory networks (GRNs), using time series gene expression data from microarray experiments. This is critically important for revealing fundamental cellular processes, investigating gene functions, and understanding their relations. However, RNNs are well known for training difficulty. Traditional gradient descent-based methods are easily stuck in local minima and the computation of the derivatives is also not always possible. Here, the performance of three evolutionary-swarm computation technology-based methods, known as differential evolution (DE), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the hybrid of DE and PSO (DEPSO), in training RNNs is investigated. Furthermore, the gene networks are reconstructed via the identification of the gene interactions, which are explained through corresponding connection weight matrices. The experimental results on two data sets studied in this paper demonstrate that the DEPSO algorithm performs better in RNN training. Also, the RNN-based model can provide meaningful insight in capturing the nonlinear dynamics of genetic networks and revealing genetic regulatory interactions.     

Skull base surgery for malignancy: when not to operate

The purpose of this paper is to detail the contraindications for surgery, with curative intent for those patients who suffer from a head and neck malignancy that invades the intracranial space. This is based on a 30-year experience of over 250 patients. The most important contraindications are anatomical. Surgery is not done if the following structures are invaded: brain stem, eloquent portions of the cerebrum, superior sagittal sinus, both internal carotid arteries, both cavernous sinuses and certain vital bridging veins. Certain tumor factors are absolute but are occasionally relative contraindications: such as distant metastatic disease especially if multiple and at multiple anatomic sites. Some tumors that behave in a particularly virulent fashion that defy complete resection but are often difficult to predict preoperatively. Lack of patient medical fitness or absence of patient commitment to the operative procedure is make-up two serious contraindications to surgery. Presented at the 77th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 24–28 May 2006, Mannheim, Germany.     

Anaesthesia for Treacher Collins and Pierre Robin syndromes: A report of three cases

We present three patients with Treacher Collins or Pierre Robin syndromes who had historical and physical evidence of airway obstruction, difficulty feeding, and sleep disturbances. These preoperative findings correlated with difficult airway management intraoperatively. Based on this experience, we recommend that children with obstructive symptoms have laryngoscopy prior to anaesthetic induction. If the glottic opening is visualized, inhalational induction can proceed. If the glottic structures cannot be visualized, then the anaesthetist must choose between awake oral or nasal intubation, elective tracheostomy, or fiberoptic intubation. In all cases, a tracheostomy tray should be ready and a surgeon experienced in paediatric tracheostomy should be in attendance. After intubation, anaesthesia is best maintained with oxygen and a potent inhalational agent. Extubation should only be done with the patient fully awake and with emergency airway equipment immediately available. Postoperatively, these patients should be transferred to an intermediate care area or intensive care unit where they can be observed closely since delayed complications of airway obstruction are common in this group of patients.     

Academic,community and state mental health program collaboration: The Oregon experience

The authors review the relationship that has evolved over the years between the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University and Oregon's community and state mental health programs. They describe the compatibility that exists between the basic requirements of academic psychiatry departments and public mental health programs and demonstrate how these organizations have been able to fulfill one another's needs in Oregon. Specific examples of successful collaborations in the areas of education, administration, research, and service are presented to illustrate how relationships that have been designed to meet specific requirements of one organization can fulfill many requirements of both. Suggestions are provided for those organizations contemplating similar collaborative endeavors.     

An overview of head injury: Its consequences and rehabilitation

This article provides a broad overview of the consequences of head injury and approaches to its rehabilitation. Of necessity, no specific area is covered in depth. Sufficient references are provided, however, for the reader who desires further information in any of the areas discussed. It is hoped that, by providing this broad overview, the reader will develop a generalized picture of head injury rehabilitation. Furthermore, the article is designed for 'novices' in the field of head injury rehabilitation such as (1) the family/significant others of the injured persons—so they may begin to know what to expect and to plan for appropriate services; (2) the rehabilitation student—so he or she may be introduced to this emerging specialization and thereby make more informed career choices; and (3) perhaps most important, the newly hired, novice head injury practitioner. This article could form the nucleus of an orientation or in-service training programme for new employees who are not sufficiently knowledgeable in this specialization. In-service programmes are often a necessity for new employees (even on the graduate level) because of the recent, large increase in the number of facilities and programmes specializing in head injury rehabilitation, and because of the lack of available head injury rehabilitation education and training programmes.     

Effect of Short-Term Ethanol Feeding on Rat Testes as Assessed by 31P NMR Spectroscopy, 1H NMR Imaging, and Biochemical Methods

31P Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and 1H NMR imaging were used to examine the effect of short-term ethanol feeding on the rat testis. Weanling rats were pair-fed for 10 weeks either on ethanol containing liquid diet (36% ethanol of total calories) or a diet in which dextrimaltose was isocalorically substituted for the ethanol of the alcohol-containing diet. In vivo 31P NMR of the testes was used to determine the intratesticular pH and the relative concentrations of various phosphorus-containing metabolites. The integrity of the blood-testes barrier was evaluated using 1H NMR imaging following a gadolinium diethylene tetramine pentaacetic acid derivative (Gd-DTPA) administration as a vascular contrast agent. After the completion of NMR studies, the testis and the liver were freeze-clamped to allow for the assay of their adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) contents. Serum was assayed for its content of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alcohol and testosterone. Ethanol feeding resulted in the following: (a) a reduction in the body weight (p less than 0.05), (b) a reduction in the testicular phosphodiesters (PDE) PDE/ATP ratio (p less than 0.05), (c) an increased change in the testis image intensity difference between pre- and post-iv Gd-DTPA images, (c) a reduction in the testicular and hepatic content of ATP, and (d) increased serum levels of AST and ALT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)