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Modeling drug albumin binding affinity with e-state topological structure representation.

The binding affinity to human serum albumin for 94 drugs was modeled with topological descriptors of molecular structure, using as experimental data the HPLC chromatographic retention index [logk(HSA)] on immobilized albumin. The electrotopological state (E-State) along with the molecular connectivity chi indices provided the basis for a satisfactory model: r(2) = 0.77, s = 0.29, q(2) = 0.70, s(press) = 0.33. The 10% leave-group-out (LGO) cross-validation method yielded q(2) (= r(2)(press)) = 0.69. Further, the model was tested on a 10 compound external validation set, yielding a mean absolute error, MAE = 0.31; q(2) (= r(2)(press)) = 0.74. MDL QSAR software was used for setting up the data set, creation of combination descriptors, modeling, and database management. All the statistical tests indicate that the topological model is useful for property estimation. Internal and external validation methods were used, and the results indicate that the model is useful for prediction. Randomizations of the activity values also indicate statistically sound models are very different from random statistics. The model indicates that positive factors for binding affinity include electron accessibility and the number of aromatic rings, aliphatic CH groups (-CH(3), -CH(2)-, >CH-), halogens (fluorine and chlorine), and -OH groups. Five-membered heteroatomic rings present a negative factor, whereas six-membered heteroatomic rings present a positive factor. The specific information described can be used as an aid to the drug design process.

Albumins↗

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of Job Content Questionnaire: replication and extension in computer company employees.

In order to investigate the reliability and validity of selected scales from the Japanese version of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ, Karasek 1985), a survey was conducted of 1,126 employees of a computer company in Japan using a questionnaire including 31 items from the JCQ. Ten JCQ scales on psychological and physical demands were examined in 603 male and 84 female respondents. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for nine JCQ scales which consisted of two or more items ranged from 0.66 to 0.90 for males and from 0.64 to 0.88 for females. Item factor analysis for each scale indicated that the first factor explained 50 or more percent of item variation of decision authority, supervisor support, coworker support and Framingham physical exertion in males and females and of psychological demands in females. The skill discretion, decision authority and decision latitude significantly and positively correlated with age, years of employment and years of experience in males (p < 0.05). The decision authority significantly and positively correlated with age and years of experience in females (p < 0.05). Psychological demands, Framingham demand and physical exertion significantly and positively correlated with overtime in males and females (p < 0.05). Skill discretion, decision authority and decision latitude, psychological demands and Framingham demand were lowest in computer equipment operators; physical exertion and Framingham physical exertion were lowest in computer software engineers/technicians. It is suggested that these JCQ scales are reliable and valid instruments for assessing job stressors in computer company employees in Japan.

Adult↗

BACCardI--a tool for the validation of genomic assemblies, assisting genome finishing and intergenome comparison.

SUMMARY: We provide the graphical tool BACCardI for the construction of virtual clone maps from standard assembler output files or BLAST based sequence comparisons. This new tool has been applied to numerous genome projects to solve various problems including (a) validation of whole genome shotgun assemblies, (b) support for contig ordering in the finishing phase of a genome project, and (c) intergenome comparison between related strains when only one of the strains has been sequenced and a large insert library is available for the other. The BACCardI software can seamlessly interact with various sequence assembly packages. MOTIVATION: Genomic assemblies generated from sequence information need to be validated by independent methods such as physical maps. The time-consuming task of building physical maps can be circumvented by virtual clone maps derived from read pair information of large insert libraries.

Algorithms↗

In silico prediction of ADME and pharmacokinetics. Report of an expert meeting organised by COST B15.

The computational approach is one of the newest and fastest developing techniques in pharmacokinetics, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) evaluation, drug discovery and toxicity. However, to date, the software packages devoted to ADME prediction, especially of metabolism, have not yet been adequately validated and still require improvements to be effective. Most are 'open' systems, under constant evolution and able to incorporate rapidly, and often easily, new information from user or developer databases. Quantitative in silico predictions are now possible for several pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, particularly absorption and distribution. The emerging consensus is that the predictions are no worse than those made using in vitro tests, with the decisive advantage that much less investment in technology, resources and time is needed. In addition, and of critical importance, it is possible to screen virtual compounds. Some packages are able to handle thousands of molecules in a few hours. However, common experience shows that, in part at least for essentially irrational reasons, there is currently a lack of confidence in these approaches. An effort should be made by the software producers towards more transparency, in order to improve the confidence of their consumers. It seems highly probable that in silico approaches will evolve rapidly, as did in vitro methods during the last decade. Past experience with the latter should be helpful in avoiding repetition of similar errors and in taking the necessary steps to ensure effective implementation. A general concern is the lack of access to the large amounts of data on compounds no longer in development, but still kept secret by the pharmaceutical industry. Controlled access to these data could be particularly helpful in validating new in silico approaches.

Adsorption↗

Multivariate voxel-based morphometry successfully differentiates schizophrenia patients from healthy controls.

Currently available laboratory procedures might provide additional information to psychiatric diagnostic systems for more valid classifications of mental disorders. To identify the correlative pattern of gray matter distribution that best discriminates schizophrenia patients from healthy subjects, we applied discriminant function analysis techniques using the multivariate linear model and the voxel-based morphometry. The first analysis was conducted to obtain a statistical model that classified 30 male healthy subjects and 30 male schizophrenia patients diagnosed according to current operational criteria. The second analysis was performed to prospectively validate the statistical model by successfully classifying a new cohort that consisted of 16 male healthy subjects and 16 male schizophrenia patients. Inferences about the structural relevance of the gray matter distribution could be made if the individual profile of pattern expression could be linked to the specific diagnosis of each subject. The result was that 90% of the subjects were correctly classified by the eigenimage, and the Jackknife approach revealed well above chance accuracy. The pattern of the eigenimage was characterized by positive loadings indicating gray matter decline in the patients in the lateral and medial prefrontal regions, insula, lateral temporal regions, medial temporal structures, and thalamus as well as the negative loadings reflecting gray matter increase in the patients in the putamen and cerebellum. When the eigenimage derived from the original cohort was applied to classify data from the second cohort, it correctly assigned more than 80% of the healthy subjects and schizophrenia patients. These findings suggest that the characteristic distribution of gray matter changes may be of diagnostic value for schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Validation of a new system for the automatic registration of behaviour in mice and rats.

A newly developed behaviour registration system, Laboratory Animal Behaviour Observation, Registration and Analysis System (LABORAS) for the automatic registration of different behavioural elements of mice and rats was validated. The LABORAS sensor platform records vibrations evoked by animal movements and the LABORAS software translates these into the corresponding behaviours. Data obtained by using LABORAS were compared with data from conventional observation methods (observations of videotapes by human observers). The results indicate that LABORAS is a reliable system for the automated registration of eating, drinking, grooming, climbing, resting and locomotion of mice during a prolonged period of time. In rats, grooming, locomotion and resting also met the pre-defined validation criteria. The system can reduce observation labour and time considerably.

Journal Article↗

Volume measurement of cerebral arteriovenous malformations from angiography.

We designed software for measuring the volume of cerebral arteriovenous malformations from angiography and validated it against prescription volumes in radiosurgery. We aimed to create a model for the risk for complications as a function of volume, based on established outcome prediction models for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, but without the need for dose planning. We created an application for computing the volume of cerebral arteriovenous malformations from the intersection of two X-ray cones in stereotactic space. Volume measurements were compared with prescription volumes from dose planning, in phantoms and in patients treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Previous studies of 1128 treated patients were used to calculate the risk for complication as a function of the nidus volume. In 63 patients volumes measured with either method correlated, R2 = 0.85. Volume as measured with the intersecting cone model (ICM) correlated with predicted Gamma Knife radiosurgery complication rate, R2 = 0.84. The ICM can thus be used for measurement of AVM volumes less than 10 cm3 from angiography. Outcome models from Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be applied, but with reduced exactness. Standardised AVM volume measurement is valuable for comparing outcome and for quantification of volume reduction after therapy, notably embolisation. Thus the optimal management plan may be selected in conjunction with diagnostic or therapeutic angiography.

Cerebral Angiography↗

Analytic webs support the synthesis of ecological data sets.

A wide variety of data sets produced by individual investigators are now synthesized to address ecological questions that span a range of spatial and temporal scales. It is important to facilitate such syntheses so that "consumers" of data sets can be confident that both input data sets and synthetic products are reliable. Necessary documentation to ensure the reliability and validation of data sets includes both familiar descriptive metadata and formal documentation of the scientific processes used (i.e., process metadata) to produce usable data sets from collections of raw data. Such documentation is complex and difficult to construct, so it is important to help "producers" create reliable data sets and to facilitate their creation of required metadata. We describe a formal representation, an "analytic web," that aids both producers and consumers of data sets by providing complete and precise definitions of scientific processes used to process raw and derived data sets. The formalisms used to define analytic webs are adaptations of those used in software engineering, and they provide a novel and effective support system for both the synthesis and the validation of ecological data sets. We illustrate the utility of an analytic web as an aid to producing synthetic data sets through a worked example: the synthesis of long-term measurements of whole-ecosystem carbon exchange. Analytic webs are also useful validation aids for consumers because they support the concurrent construction of a complete, Internet-accessible audit trail of the analytic processes used in the synthesis of the data sets. Finally we describe our early efforts to evaluate these ideas through the use of a prototype software tool, SciWalker. We indicate how this tool has been used to create analytic webs tailored to specific data-set synthesis and validation activities, and suggest extensions to it that will support additional forms of validation. The process metadata created by SciWalker is readily adapted for inclusion in Ecological Metadata Language (EML) files.

Data Collection↗

Lumbar spine bone measurements in infants: whole-body vs lumbar spine dual X-ray absorptiometry scans.

Availability of software delineation of the lumbar spine region from infant whole-body (IWB) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan offers an opportunity to gain additional information at the lumbar spine without a separate scan, although the validity of this technique has never been tested. Lumbar spine measurements derived from IWB scans using software-delineated first to fourth lumbar vertebrae, and from specific infant spine (IS) scans, were determined in 111 infants using two pencil-beam densitometers. Intraoperator repeatability determined by reanalysis of 10 pairs of IWB and IS scans from each densitometer. Lumbar spine area, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density from IWB and IS scans were significantly correlated r = 0.68-0.95, p < 0.001 for all comparisons) but show poor agreement (Bland-Altman method) with one SD of the differences equal to 26-55% of the mean. Intraoperator reanalysis shows good agreement with one SD of the differences from IWB scans at <7% of the mean, and <2.9% from IS scans. Findings were the same for both densitometers. We conclude that lumbar spine bone measurements from IWB or IS scans are highly reproducible and significantly correlated but data from IWB scans cannot substitute for data from IS scans.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Extended cooperation in clinical studies through exchange of CDISC metadata between different study software solutions.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to analyze the possibility of an exchange of an entire clinical study between two different and independent study software solutions. The question addressed was whether a software-independent transfer of study metadata can be performed without programming efforts and with software routinely used for clinical research. METHODS: Study metadata was transferred with ODM standard (CDISC). Study software systems employed were MACRO (InferMed) and XTrial (XClinical). For the Proof of Concept, a test study was created with MACRO and exported as ODM. For modification and validation of the ODM export file XML-Spy (Altova) and ODM-Checker (XML4Pharma) were used. RESULTS: Through exchange of a complete clinical study between two different study software solutions, a Proof of Concept of the technical feasibility of a system-independent metadata exchange was conducted successfully. The interchange of study metadata between two different systems at different centers was performed with minimal expenditure. A small number of mistakes had to be corrected in order to generate a syntactically correct ODM file and a "vendor extension" had to be inserted. After these modifications, XTrial exhibited the study, including all data fields, correctly. However, the optical appearance of both CRFs (case report forms) was different. CONCLUSIONS: ODM can be used as an exchange format for clinical studies between different study software. Thus, new forms of cooperation through exchange of metadata seem possible, for example the joint creation of electronic study protocols or CRFs at different research centers. Although the ODM standard represents a clinical study completely, it contains no information about the representation of data fields in CRFs.

Algorithms↗

An approach to the validation of novel molecular markers of breast cancer via TMA-based FISH scanning.

Tissue microarrays (TMA) are valuable tools for validating results of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (ACGH) and other translational research applications requiring independent verification of genomic gains and losses by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). However, spatial orientation and accurate manual tracking of the TMA cores is challenging and prone to error. Image analysis combined with core tracking software, implemented via an automated FISH scanning workstation, represents a new approach to FISH and TMA-based validation of novel genomic changes discovered by ACGH in breast and other cancers. Automated large-scale tissue microarray validation FISH studies of genomic gains and losses identified by ACGH for breast cancer are feasible using an automated imaging scanner and tracking/classifying software. Furthermore, by leveraging the bifunctional fluorescent and chromogenic properties of the alkaline phosphatase chromogen fast red K and combining the technology with FISH, correlative and simultaneous phenotype/genotype studies may be enabled.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Modeling energy savings from urban shade trees: an assessment of the CITYgreen energy conservation module.

CITYgreen software has become a commonly used tool to quantify the benefits of urban shade trees. Despite its frequent use, little research has been conducted to validate results of the CITYgreen energy conservation module. The first objective of this study is to perform a familiar application of CITYgreen software to predict the potential energy savings contribution of existing tree canopies in residential neighborhoods during peak cooling summer months. Unlike previous studies utilizing CITYgreen, this study also seeks to assess the software's performance by comparing model results (i.e., predicted energy savings) with actual savings (i.e., savings derived directly from energy consumption data provided by the electric utility provider). Homeowners in an older neighborhood with established trees were found to use less energy for air-conditioning than homeowners in a recently developed site. Results from the assessment of model performance indicated that CITYgreen more accurately estimated the energy savings in the highly vegetated, older neighborhood.

Cities↗

Bioelectric impedance vector distribution in peritoneal dialysis patients with different hydration status.

BACKGROUND: In continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), total body water (TBW) is estimated by functions of body weight, and by equations of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). These procedures may be biased with abnormal tissue hydration. We validated vector BIA (BIVA) patterns of hydration in CAPD patients, based on direct measurements of resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) (RXc graph) without knowledge of the body weight. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 200 adult CAPD patients from two groups: 149 patients (77 males and 72 females) without edema (BMI 24.3 kg/m2), and 51 (29 males and 22 females) with pitting edema (BMI 24.6 kg/m2). Single frequency (50 kHz), whole-body impedance vector was measured with both empty and filled peritoneal cavity. Vector distribution was compared with that from 726 healthy subjects, 1116 hemodialysis patients, and 50 nephrotic patients, all with a same BMI. The performance of BIVA was compared with indications of four anthropometry and four conventional BIA equations for TBW. RESULTS: TBW estimates from anthropometry (Watson, Hume and Weyers, Chertow, and Johansson formulas) were misleading, indicating the same hydration in edema. TBW estimates from BIA equations indicated a 10% excess TBW in edema. BIVA were very sensitive to fluid overload, as both R (by 10%) and Xc (by 40%) were reduced in patients with edema (regardless of peritoneal filling). The vector distribution of individual CAPD patients without edema was superposable to that of the healthy, gender-specific, reference population (50%, 75%, and 95% tolerance ellipses, RXc graph) and close to the hemodialysis, presession distribution. Vectors from patients with edema were displaced downward on the RXc graph, out of the 75% ellipse (88% sensitivity and 87% specificity), and close to vectors from nephrotic patients. CONCLUSION: CAPD prescription would keep or bring vectors of patients back into the 75% reference ellipse (border for progression from latent to apparent overhydration across the lower pole) regardless of body weight. Whether CAPD patients with vector within the target ellipse have better outcome needs longitudinal evaluation.

Adolescent↗

Unraveling the complex genetic landscape of OTOF-related hearing loss: a deep dive into cryptic variants and haplotype phasing.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic variants in OTOF are a major cause of auditory synaptopathy. However, challenges remain in interpreting OTOF variants, including difficulties in confirming haplotype phasing using traditional short-read sequencing (SRS) due to the large gene size, the potential incomplete penetrance of certain variants, and difficulties in assessing variants at non-canonical splice sites. This study aims to revisit the genetic landscape of OTOF variants in a Taiwanese non-syndromic auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) cohort using a combination of sequencing technologies, predictive tools, and experimental validations. METHODS: We performed SRS to analyze OTOF variants in 65 unrelated Taiwanese patients diagnosed with non-syndromic ANSD, complemented by long-read sequencing (LRS) for haplotype phasing. A prediction-to-validation pipeline was implemented to assess the pathogenicity of cryptic variants using SpliceAI software and minigene assays. RESULTS: Biallelic pathogenic OTOF variants were identified in 33 patients (50.8%), while monoallelic variants were found in five patients. Three novel variants, c.3864G&#x2009;>&#x2009;A (p.Ala1288&#x2009;=), c.4501G&#x2009;>&#x2009;A (p.Ala1501Thr), and c.5813&#x2009;+&#x2009;2T&#x2009;>&#x2009;C, were detected. The pathogenicity of two non-canonical mis-splicing variants, c.3894&#x2009;+&#x2009;5G&#x2009;>&#x2009;C and c.3864G&#x2009;>&#x2009;A (p.Ala1288&#x2009;=), was confirmed by minigene assays. LRS-based haplotype phasing revealed that the common missense variant c.5098G&#x2009;>&#x2009;C (p.Glu1700Gln) and the novel variant c.5975A&#x2009;>&#x2009;G (p.Lys1992Arg) are in cis and form a founder pathogenic allele in the Taiwanese population. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the genetic heterogeneity of DFNB9 and emphasizes the importance of population-specific variant interpretation. The integration of advanced sequencing technologies, predictive algorithms, and functional validation assays will improve the accuracy of molecular diagnosis and inform personalized treatment strategies for individuals with DFNB9.

Humans↗

Validity of a three-dimensional public-domain system for contemporary endodontic research.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the limits and benefits of a visualization system based on public-domain software for contemporary three-dimensional (3-D) endodontic research purposes. Three-dimensional bio-models of six human teeth and of one bone-implant specimen were generated using cross-sectional imaging. To evaluate the overall performance in processing large data sets and in reproducing accurate 3-D morphology, slices with a thickness varying from 100 microm to 10 microm were cut. Auto-outlining and segmenting techniques were tested. The 3-D bio-models represented in accurate detail the different morphological aspects of the specimen. Voxel volumes of 0.116 x 10(-5) mm3 could be realized and were only restricted by the computer hardware limitations. The system is not limited to dental hard tissues. Hypomineralized material and soft tissues as well as bone- and allogeneic-implant material could be visualized. The method presented is valid and meets current requirements applying to endodontic research. The broad-based use of high-quality, public-domain software and the resulting exchange of experience help to manage resources and may contribute to enhancing the in-process quality of research.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

SESAM: a relational database for structure and sequence of macromolecules.

A system is described that provides ways of integrating data on protein structure, sequence, and survey results, with molecular graphics and molecular mechanics software. Its major component is the relational database SESAM, presently implemented under the commercial package SYBASE. By design, the database allows full integration--within the same data organization--of raw data on protein structure, sequence, ligands, and heterogroups, obtained from the Brookhaven Protein Databank, with pure sequence information available from other databanks such as SWISS-PROT. It contains in addition higher level descriptions of structural and topological properties, as well as survey results, obtained by executing specialized computer programs. Aside from the very useful attribute of closely combining structural and nonstructural information, other important features distinguish it from analogous systems developed elsewhere. It includes a molecular dictionary with complete description of geometric properties and energy parameters used in modeling and conformational energy calculations. Using this dictionary, structural data are validated by checking for localized inconsistencies in atomic coordinates, atomic symbols, chirality definitions, and flagging errors and incomplete entries. Because of both the dictionary and the validation procedures, SESAM can be readily interfaced with conventional molecular graphics and mechanics software packages, or with other specialized application programs. With the aid of appropriate interfaces, data access is sufficiently fast for SESAM to be interrogated interactively. Prototypes of user interfaces, as well as an interface with the molecular graphics package BRUGEL, are described and the power of the system is illustrated in applications such as homology-based protein modeling, computer-aided protein design, protein structure predictions, analysis of local structure motifs, and of relationships between protein sequence and structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

On the need for monitor unit calculations as part of a beam commissioning methodology for a radiation treatment planning system.

This paper illustrates the need for validating the calculation of monitor units as part of the process of commissioning a photon beam model in a radiation treatment planning system. Examples are provided in which this validation identified subtle errors, either in the dose model or in the implementation of the dose algorithm. These errors would not have been detected if the commissioning process only compared relative dose distributions. A set of beam configurations, with varying field sizes, source-to-skin distances, wedges, and blocking, were established to validate monitor unit calculations for two different beam models in two different radiation treatment planning systems. Monitor units calculated using the treatment planning systems were compared with monitor units calculated from point dose calculations from tissue-maximum ratio (TMR) tables. When discrepancies occurred, the dose models and the code were analyzed to identify the causes of the discrepancies. Discrepancies in monitor unit calculations were both significant (up to 5%) and systematic. Analysis of the dose computation software found: (1) a coordinate system transformation error, (2) mishandling of dose-spread arrays, (3) differences between dose calculations in the commissioning software and the planning software, and (4) shortcomings in modeling of head scatter. Corrections were made in the beam calculation software or in the data sets to overcome these discrepancies. Consequently, we recommend incorporating validation of monitor unit calculations as part of a photon beam commissioning process.

Algorithms↗

Redox potential measurement as a rapid method for microbiological testing and its validation for coliform determination.

The redox potential is one of the most complex indicators of the physiological state of microbial cultures and its measurement could be a useful tool for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the microbial contamination. During the bacterial growth, the redox potential of the medium decreases. The shape of the redox potential curve is characteristic on the type of microorganism, and the rate of the change (dE/dt) is proportional to the living cell concentration. Defining the time required to reach a significant change in redox potential as Time to Detection (TTD), similarly to the impedimetric measurements, a strict linear correlation could be established between the TTD and the logarithm of the initial concentration of microorganisms. On the base of this calibration curve, the determination of living cell concentration could be simplified. For the experiments, a computer-controlled multi-channel measuring system and software was developed by the authors. The redox potential measurement method was tested and validated for the determination of coliform bacteria. The results have proved the high efficiency and reliability of the new method.

Area Under Curve↗