Volume 23, Issue 4
Towards an Automated Detection of Alcohol Dependence Using EEG Spectral Power Estimates391-402
Gleb V. Tcheslavski
Gleb V. Tcheslavski (2019) Towards an Automated Detection of Alcohol Dependence Using EEG Spectral Power Estimates, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 391-402, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000505
Abstract: The study utilized spectral power estimates evaluated from the Electroencephalogram (EEG) of alcoholics and control participants to attempt an automatic detection of individuals suffering alcohol dependence. Power estimates were obtained for non-overlapping consecutive EEG segments of 0.5-second duration while using a 5th order Burg Autoregressive estimator. EEG power was averaged within δ (1-4 Hz), θ (4-8 Hz), α1 (8-10 Hz), α2 (10-12 Hz), β1 (12-20 Hz), β2 (20-30 Hz), γ1 (30-40 Hz), and γ2 (40-50 Hz) rhythms and used as features in the "k nearest neighbors" classifier. A leave-one-out cross-validation procedure was implemented to evaluate the classification performance. The highest classification accuracy was observed for power estimates for α1 and α2 EEG rhythms. Depending on the number of neighbors included into classification, Sensitivity of the classifier was ranging between 90.91% and 98.70%, while Specificity was between 91.11% and 95.56% for these rhythms. Compared to other reported classification approaches, present work utilizes simpler and more robust data analysis techniques that, perhaps, may be preferred for practical applications. We conclude that it is possible to detect (with reasonably high accuracy) the individuals, who suffer alcohol dependence by analyzing their EEG.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence, Autoregressive spectral estimates, k-NN classifier, EEG
Efficient Filtering Framework for Electrocardiogram Denoising403-420
Tinouna Asma, Ghanai Mouna, Ouali Mohammed Assam, Chafaa Kheireddine
Tinouna Asma, Ghanai Mouna, Ouali Mohammed Assam, Chafaa Kheireddine (2019) Efficient Filtering Framework for Electrocardiogram Denoising, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 403-420, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000548
Abstract: A simple and efficient method to remove white Gaussian noises and physiological noises from electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is presented. It is based on simple tools usually used in digital signal processing like moving average filter, median filter, baseline drift removal and peak detection. We show by several simulations that the proposed algorithm outperforms significantly conventional median filter and moving average filter and can be considered as a valid concurrent to the standard wavelet-based method.

Keywords: ECG denoising, Median filter, Moving average filter, Statistical estimation, Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), Base wandering removal
Simulation Study of Microwave Heating with Nanoparticle Diffusion for Tumor Ablation421-434
Kazi Mahdi Mahmud, Md. Maruf Hossain Shuvo
Kazi Mahdi Mahmud, Md. Maruf Hossain Shuvo (2019) Simulation Study of Microwave Heating with Nanoparticle Diffusion for Tumor Ablation, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 421-434, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000583
Abstract: Microwave heating is one of the prominent treatment procedure that elevates body temperature using microwave energy to damage tumor cells. However, healthy tissues can also absorb microwave energy causing undesired damage. This research study focuses on optimizing the surrounding healthy tissue damage by diffusing magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in the tumor region. A rectangular liver tissue is modeled using Finite Element Methods (FEM) and then a half-elliptical shaped tumor is incorporated in the model. A coaxial antenna covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene catheter is inserted at the edge of the liver tissue. Then the magnetic NPs are diffused within the tumor region. The performance of microwave heating with and without nanoparticle diffusion is compared using the performance parameters: power dissipation density, temperature distribution, and resultant tissue necrosis. Simulation results show that the heating procedure coupled with ferromagnetic nanoparticle diffusion has approximately 14% less damage to the healthy tissue. The study also shows that 433/915 MHz frequency value provides 3% less damage to the healthy tissue than 2.45 GHz. Analyzing the performance of different nanoparticle we found that the ferromagnetic nanoparticle provides 15% and 5% less damage to the healthy tissue than gold and manganese iron oxide NPs respectively. The obtained result was also verified for kidney, breast, and lung tumor ablations to confirm the findings.

Keywords: Microwave hyperthermia, Magnetic nanoparticle, Tumor necrosis, Liver tumor ablation, Finite element analysis
Monitoring of Ecologic and Navigation Parameters435-446
Stanislav Simeonov, Asen Iliev
Stanislav Simeonov, Asen Iliev (2019) Monitoring of Ecologic and Navigation Parameters, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 435-446, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000589
Abstract: This work presents the approaches used in the process of design of a system with the purpose to transmit the measurements sampled at certain space coordinates along with the exact sampling position, biological data, provide information about certain events happening in the area of the interest. The aim is to obtain an optimal design solution in order to implement stable and reliable hardware platform based on the current design. This paper is the first of series of two papers that present the creation of a system from a conceptual design to working equipment.

Keywords: Autonomous measurement system, Design consideration, Positioning system, Communication system, Biological sensors, Communication
Physiological Responses to Oxidative Stress of Different Chlorella vulgaris Isolates447-460
Dilyana Doneva, Juliana Ivanova, Lyudmila Kabaivanova
Dilyana Doneva, Juliana Ivanova, Lyudmila Kabaivanova (2019) Physiological Responses to Oxidative Stress of Different Chlorella vulgaris Isolates, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 447-460, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000594
Abstract: Oxidizing agents, notably hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are increasingly used in a number of applications. Their manner of action on algae was investigated in this work. Different concentrations of H2O2 and silver ions were applied to the algal cultures to follow the effect of their action in antarctic and mesophilic isolates of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris. Oxidative stress-induced physiological responses manifested by changes in the photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant enzymes were estimated. The algae from the antarctic region appeared to be less resistant to oxidative stress than their mesophilic counterparts, concerning growth after treatment with higher concentrations of the reagent. The increased concentration (0.05%) lead to raise of activity and isoenzyme number of catalase (CAT) in both C. vulgaris strains. The isoenzyme activity of peroxidase (POX) decreased and disappeared in the antarctic isolate. At the same time the highest concentration (0.08%) provoked restoration of POX activity in the mesophylic one. Decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was registered and this effect was more intensive in the moderate and fast mobile isoenzymes. Isoenzyme profile at 0.08% reagent concentration for the mesophylic isolate was similar with this at 0.05% for the antarctic isolate and a fourth isoenzyme appeared.

Keywords: Chlorella vulgaris, Antarctic, Oxidative stress, Photosynthesis, Enzyme profile
Design and Development of Medical Image Processing Experiment System Based on IDL Language461-468
Wei Xie
Wei Xie (2019) Design and Development of Medical Image Processing Experiment System Based on IDL Language, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 461-468, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000623
Abstract: This paper uses Interactive Data Language (IDL) as a development language to design and implement a lung tumor image processing system with a Client/Server (C/S) structure. During the development process, various business requirements related to the system have been analyzed and the system structure together with detailed business process were designed as a whole. In addition, we also established a database of patients’ lung tumor images to efficiently store and query Computed Tomography (CT) images of lung tumors at various stages of the patient and the images generated during the processing of the system. Finally, the paper elaborated the implementation of the IDL-based lung tumor image processing system, and conducted a performance test and experimental analysis of the system. The system consists of five functional modules: image preprocessing, image segmentation, image reconstruction, image measurement, and image management. This system can automatically calculate quantitative indicators in the delineated area. These features can be used for further tumor differentiation tests, tumor characterization, treatment monitoring, and prognosis assessment. The experimental results show that the system is effective, and also processing speed meets the real-time requirements, and has wide applicability, friendly human-computer interaction, convenient extensibility, good portability, and so on.

Keywords: IDL language, Medical image, Image processing, Modular programming
Research on Medical Device Software Development and Design Based on CMMI Model469-478
Yang Tang
Yang Tang (2019) Research on Medical Device Software Development and Design Based on CMMI Model, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 469-478, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000625
Abstract: In order to the problem of poor portability and confusion in management of medical device software, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is applied to optimize the design and development process of medical device software. IEC 62304 is used as a software development standard to improve the software process capability. Firstly, this paper makes a detailed comparison between medical device software and other application software. On this basis, the timing of CMMI implementation and the process of risk management improvement are studied and discussed. Then the interface framework of CMMI process area and IEC 62304 was obtained and the optimized flow of two domains in risk management was reasonably used in the evaluation process. The software portability based on CMMI has been significantly improved, and the management level is clear. The deviation rate of each stage is less than 10%. The simulation result shows that in the field of medical device software research and development, CMMI can be used and optimized, so as to improve software process capability.

Keywords: Medical device software, Capability maturity integration model, IEC 62304, Process area, Risk management
Calorimetric Markers for Inflammation in in vivo Experimental Models479-488
Avgustina Danailova, Sashka Krumova, Ivan Iliev, Lidia Gartcheva, Stefka G. Taneva, Svetla Todinova
Avgustina Danailova, Sashka Krumova, Ivan Iliev, Lidia Gartcheva, Stefka G. Taneva, Svetla Todinova (2019) Calorimetric Markers for Inflammation in in vivo Experimental Models, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 479-488, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000645
Abstract: In this work differential scanning calorimetry was applied to determine the specific calorimetric features of blood plasma proteome associated with immune response stimulation in experimental model (albino Wistar rats). The thermodynamic behavior of the blood plasma of male and female animals subjected to egg albumin (EA) treatment was investigated. The calorimetric profiles of blood plasma from EA treated rats exhibited reduced heat capacity of the albumin-assigned transition and up-shifted weighted average center of the thermogram as compared to healthy controls, the effect being more pronounced for male animals. Increase in the amplitude of the main transition at 70 oC was observed for female rats after EA treatment, which resulted in higher calorimetric enthalpy. Common feature of the thermograms of EA treated males and females was the broadening of the transitions above 75 oC and the appearance of exothermic transition above 90 oC due to protein aggregation. Our study clearly revealed gender-specific immune response in rats and contributes to better understanding of the correlation between the calorimetric features of blood plasma and the immunological conditions in the experimental animals.

Keywords: Chronic inflammation, Animal model, Differential scanning calorimetry, Blood plasma, Egg albumin
Effects of Fatty Acids in Enzymatic Hydrolysate of Chicken Bones on Maillard Reaction489-498
Shuqian Li, Min Zhao, Yan Zheng, Le Yang, Xuedong Wang
Shuqian Li, Min Zhao, Yan Zheng, Le Yang, Xuedong Wang (2019) Effects of Fatty Acids in Enzymatic Hydrolysate of Chicken Bones on Maillard Reaction, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 489-498, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000724
Abstract: This paper attempts to develop a novel model to extract the hydrolysed proteins from chicken bones. Firstly, an effective model was set up to detect the degree of hydrolysis with papain by response surface method. Next, the fatty acids of Maillard reaction products were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). After that, the relationship between the fatty acids of Maillard reaction products and the substrate of Maillard reaction was analysed in details. The main research results are as follows: the top three influencing factors on enzyme hydrolysis degree were time (2.5 h), temperature (63 oC) and bone size (1.9 cm); a total of 19 types of free fatty acids were spotted in enzymatic hydrolysis, including 2.56% of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), 54.92% of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and 39.63% of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). It is concluded that more MUFAs in meat can enhance the special aroma of chicken in Maillard reaction.

Keywords: Chicken bones, Enzymatic hydrolysate, Fatty acids, Maillard reaction
Fermentation Kinetics of Potato Liquor499-510
Qiao Lin, Ting Li, Peihua Li, Hong Liu, Zhong Zhang
Qiao Lin, Ting Li, Peihua Li, Hong Liu, Zhong Zhang (2019) Fermentation Kinetics of Potato Liquor, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 499-510, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000725
Abstract: Potato liquor is mainly produced through cooking, fermenting and aging of potatoes, plus some corn, sorghum and duck wheat. In this paper, activated dry yeast is adopted for constant temperature fermentation, and kinetic models are set up based on logistic function for the yeast growth, alcohol formation and substrate consumption in the fermentation process. The number of yeast cells, alcohol content and sugar content of the fermentation broth were measured every other day. The kinetic features of each test parameter were analyzed through observation and results analysis. The research provides insights into the physiological features of relevant microorganisms, the growth rate of yeast, the optimal conditions for alcohol formation, and the relationship between related parameters. These results lay a solid basis for the control of fermentation technology.

Keywords: Potato, Liquor, Fermentation, Kinetic Model
Study on Biological Activity of Pinus Armandi Franch Seed Oil511-520
Jianxia Guo, Fang Chen, Jixia Ren, Xue Wen
Jianxia Guo, Fang Chen, Jixia Ren, Xue Wen (2019) Study on Biological Activity of Pinus Armandi Franch Seed Oil, Int J Bioautomation, 23 (4), 511-520, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2019.23.4.000742
Abstract: Pinus armandi franch is a unique specialty plant in China and its seed oil can be a nice resource of linoleic acid (LA) with a content of 63% of the total fatty acid. LA has many pharmaceutical applications and the absence of LA in the diet is chargeable for the generation and the development of different anomalous diseases. The hypolipidemic effect of Pinus armandi franch seed oil (PAFO) was studied in the work. Fifty rats were involved in the study with ten rats in each group. One group is normal, whereas the others were hypercholesterolemic. Hypolipidemic effects were investigated in both plasma and tissues. After 42 days of feeding, the arteriosclerosis index (AI) decreased by administration of PAFO in comparison with the control group fed with high-fat diet. In both normal and hypercholesterolemic condition plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols were reduced by feeding the rats with PAFO. However, the high-density lipoprotein levels increased with the administration of PAFO. It demonstrated PAFO could clear up cholesterol that could form deposits in the artery walls, promote fat metabolism, prevent metabolic disorders of lipoproteins.

Keywords: Pinus armandi franch, Seed oil, Linoleic acid, Hypolipidemic effect

Sponsored by National Science Fund of Bulgaria, Grant No KP-06-NP/9/2018

© 2019, BAS, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering