Speeches:

1. Software Algorithm and Hardware Design for Real-Time Implementation of New Spectral Estimator 

Abstract:

Frequency analysis is important to biomedical engineering for the quantitation of medical signals and images. However, the most commonly used methods, the Fourier transform and the Wavelet transform, are composed of bases which lack biophysical meaning. The standard Fourier basis consists of a series of sinusoids, which rarely if ever convey the shape of repetitive patterns present in biomedical data. Similarly, the mother wavelet used for Wavelet analysis is selected from a library of candidate mother wavelets that has been developed over the past two decades and have no known biophysical meaning. Neither the Fourier transform nor the Wavelet transform is conducive to real-time calculation. This is due to the complex nature of their implementation and the need for a recalculation of most or all steps on each successive iteration. However, implementation of a real-time system for frequency analysis would enable content evolution to be evaluated at the maximum time resolution, i.e., every sample point.More...

2. Model of Bipolar Electrogram Fractionation and Conduction Block Associated with Activation Wavefront Direction at Infarct Border Zone Lateral Isthmus Boundaries

Abstract:

After myocardial infarction, an infarct border zone (IBZ) forms around the infarct region. The IBZ is an arrhythmogenic area where the electrical activation impulse slows and can travel along circuitous pathways. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a common heart arrhythmia, and is often caused by a double-loop reentrant circuit, in which two activation wavefronts propagate simultaneously around a common isthmus in the IBZ. It is possible to interrupt the circuit using radiofrequency catheter ablation during electrophysiologic study. However, correct targeting may be difficult due to the problem of identifying all arrhythmogenic regions responsible for the clinical tachycardias that occur in a particular patient, and because of hemodynamic compromise during VT, which precludes mapping of the heart surface. We have developed a method that can potentially be useful to detect arrhythmogenic regions from which VT can form, without the need for tachycardia induction or extensive electrophysiologic mapping.More...

Speech:

Novel Vaccination and Therapeutic Strategies for HIV

Speech:

Integrative cellular mechanobiology and biomechanics and the emergence of primary cilia as mechanosensors

Abstract:

Cellular mechanosensation is critical in diseases responsible for enormous human suffering including atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, cancer, and osteoporosis. Nonetheless, very little is understood about the molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction outside of a small number of specialized sensory cells. Primary cilia are solitary linear cellular extensions that extend from the surface of virtually all cells. For decades, the biologic function of these enigmatic structures was elusive, however, recent evidence suggests an emerging picture in which the primary cilium functions as a complex nexus where both physical and chemical extracellular signals are sensed and responses coordinated.More...

Speech:

Paradox of Immunosenescence and inflammation & Autoimmunity: Role of Dendritic Cells

Abstract:

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in T cell function, chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, poor response to vaccines, and increased susceptibility to infection as well as diseases associated with chronic inflammation. Both thymic involution and increased apoptosis of T cell subsets appear to contribute to T cell immunosenescence. Dendritic cells (DCs) in aging appears to be functionally impaired with regard to response to uptake of antigens, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, migration, priming of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and production of IFN-I and IFN-III, which contribute to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity in aging. In this presentation, I will discuss the molecular mechanisms of increased cell death in naïve and central memory T cells, and signaling mechanisms and epigenetic changes in DCs that contribute to chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, impaired T cell functions, poor response to vaccines, and increased susceptibility to infections in human aging.

Speech:

Genomics and the transformation of the clinical, chemical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Abstract:

Genomics can be defined as the use of molecular methods to interrogate the genome, the complete genetic make-up of a cell, individual or population (meta-genome). Over recent years, genomic insights have led to major progress in the clinical, chemical and pharmaceutical sciences that is reminiscent of the revolutionary progress made in those sciences at the end of the 18th century, accelerating over the first half of the last century and culminating in the establishment of the double-helical structure of DNA.More...

Speech:

Carbon-13 NMR Chemical Shift of OMe Group: Structural Significance for Methoxylated Aromatic Compounds

Abstract:

Phenolic substances, such as flavonoids, coumarins, lignans and cinnamic acids, isolated from a variety of plants, including fruits and vegetables. In many such substances, some of the phenolic hydroxyl groups are substituted, and O-methylation is often observed. The 13C NMR spectra of these compounds reflect that the chemical shift range 55-62 ppm is characteristic for OMe signals. The significance of OMe chemical shift in elucidating structures of phenolic compounds will be presented.