Volume 11, Issue 4

The paper presents an overview of the current studies attempting to determine the genetic background of urinary incontinence (UI) problems. The overview referred to the adaptations of biomedical literature from Medline, life science journals, and online books were searched from the earliest date possible to March 2015. Genetic variability studies (mostly with the use of single nucleotide polymorphism) in the context of UI are discussed. The authors indicate the variability of polymorphic forms of proteins, whose modified function may be related to the observed phenotypic symptoms: UI. The paper includes a discussion of the varied level of gene expression and the issue of defective process of the development of the urinary system in the context of UI disorders. The literature does not present any general, unequivocal description of the relationship between the genetic background and phenotype as UI. It is suggested that the methods of integration of data from various techniques (e.g. high throughputs) in reference to social, demographic, and other data may be the way of the approach used for the effective description of the relationship between genetic background and observed UI.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases caused by malfunction of blood sugar regulatory processes and has been reported as related to 8.3% of adult population, i.e. nearly 400 million people worldwide. This paper provides a review of facts and principles important for understanding the regulation mechanisms and the role of insulin. The author relies on mathematical modeling of these mechanisms and provides few formulas and computer applications dedicated for use in diabetes. The modeling aims to find a correct dose of insulin as a response to a series of measurement results on glucose concentration. In conclusion, the author recommends selected methods for personal self-check of glucose level and stresses on the importance of regularly checking blood-related parameters.

Electroencephalography (EEG) has become more popular, and as a result, the market grows with new EEG products. The new EEG solutions offer higher mobility, easier application, and lower price. One of such devices that recently became popular is Emotiv EEG. It has been already tested in various applications concerning brain-computer interfaces, neuromarketing, language processing, and detection of the P-300 component, with a general result that it is capable of recording satisfying research data. However, no one has tested and described its usefulness in long-term research. This article presents experience from using Emotiv EEG in two research projects that involved 39 subjects for 22 sessions. Emotiv EEG has significant technical issues concerning the quality of its screw threads. Two complete and successful solutions to this problem are described.

This study presents the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for imaging and dimensional measurements of a trachea. An assessment of shape reproduction accuracy was based on a comparative method using one- and two-later models. It was found that dimensions determined from EBUS scans of digital models are overstated by 1.2–2.9 mm on average. Developed 2-D and 3-D models of tracheal structures facilitate the evaluation of dimensions and thickness distribution for tissue layers.

This paper presents opportunities of signal analysis using S-transform. Images of the module and the angle of S-transform show the results. These images may be used as models to compare with unknown signals and to detect patterns and anomalies, even in very sophisticated signals.

Anatomical structures are characterized by free surfaces, and most are in lobed and pseudo-spherical shapes. The aim of this article is to analyze selected procedures for accuracy assessment of the shape and dimensions of these structures using certified sphere and Ball Bar standards and to propose metrology parameters facilitating comparison of diagnostic devices. The spherical standard of various materials and Ball Bar standards with various distances between spheres centers can be a tool for evaluation of computed tomography metrology applications. Errors in geometry mapping can be identified on the basis of standardized control systems used in coordinate measuring techniques.

Background: While researching new algorithms for computer graphics, we focused on the ones that are useful in modeling biological formations. Iterated function systems (IFS) are commonly used to visualize fractals or 3D self-similar objects. Their main advantage is the brevity. In the simplest cases, it is enough to define the shape of the base module and the set of transformations to create a multimodular object. In the literature, models of shells, horns, and beaks are described. To model more complex formations, the modified method was introduced in which parameters of the transformation depend on the number of iteration. Methods: The presented method combines IFS with a new approach to modeling compound objects, which uses positioners. The positioner itself and its possible applications were described in papers that do not refer to IFS models. Results: We show here how to use positioners with IFS models, including branched ones (as models of the bronchial tree). The achieved models can be simplified or more accurate depending on the variant of the algorithm. Thanks to the positioners, these models have a continuous lateral surface regardless of used shape of cross-section. The algorithm is described along with the requirements for a base module. Conclusions: It is indicated that positioners simplify the work of a graphic designer. Obtained models of bronchial trees can be used (e.g. in 3D interactive visualizations for medicine students).

Parallel computing architectures are proven to significantly shorten computation time for different clustering algorithms. Nonetheless, some characteristics of the architecture limit the application of graphics processing units (GPUs) for biclustering task, whose function is to find focal similarities within the data. This might be one of the reasons why there have not been many biclustering algorithms proposed so far. In this article, we verify if there is any potential for application of complex biclustering calculations (CPU+GPU). We introduce minimax with Pearson correlation – a complex biclustering method. The algorithm utilizes Pearson’s correlation to determine similarity between rows of input matrix. We present two implementations of the algorithm, sequential and parallel, which are dedicated for heterogeneous environments. We verify the weak scaling efficiency to assess if a heterogeneous architecture may successfully shorten heavy biclustering computation time.

Modern clinical and sports medicine increasingly uses training and diagnostic equipment. They allow monitoring of the training process, cycle control, and evaluation of the basic parameters. These devices are used to carry out the training process for healthy people as well as for the rehabilitation of persons with impaired organ movement functions. The developed measurement properties allow defining many parameters and biomechanical functions. They can estimate the state of a particular biomechanical group and monitor its efficiency for a long period of time. The main aim of the research was to determine the impact of the type of load on the dynamic parameters during straightening of the knee joint. It compared parameters of the sick and healthy limbs under the influence of a particular load. The article presents the results of measurements of dynamic parameters of the knee joint. Measurements were obtained during the use of different types of loads for healthy people. The second part of the article concerns the comparison of functions in the sick and healthy limbs of the test person.

Anatomical model of fragment of lumbar spine and rod fixator with screw attachment were made. Numerical analyses (use of finite element method) were executed. Results show that stresses in the analyzed structure depend on the size of the fixator used. Authors suggest further research.