Structure-dynamics relationships in bursting neuronal networks revealed using a prediction framework.

The question of how the structure of a neuronal network affects its functionality has gained a lot of attention in neuroscience. However, the vast majority of the studies on structure-dynamics relationships consider few types of network structures and assess limited numbers of structural measures. In this in silico study, we employ a wide diversity of network topologies and search among many possibilities the aspects of structure that have the greatest effect on the network excitability.

Teleconsultation: changes in technology and costs over a 12-year period.

In our previous study, in 1997, we evaluated the cost of teleconsultations in a primary care centre compared with the cost of the conventional alternative, travelling to the hospital. The results showed that teleconsultations were cheaper than patient travel when the annual workload was more than 110 patients in ophthalmology and 115 patients in dermatology. Using the same method of analysis for 2009 data showed that cost savings would occur if the annual workload was 20 patients in ophthalmology and 17 patients in dermatology.

Information diversity in structure and dynamics of simulated neuronal networks.

Neuronal networks exhibit a wide diversity of structures, which contributes to the diversity of the dynamics therein. The presented work applies an information theoretic framework to simultaneously analyze structure and dynamics in neuronal networks. Information diversity within the structure and dynamics of a neuronal network is studied using the normalized compression distance.

Computational study of noise in a large signal transduction network.

Background: Biochemical systems are inherently noisy due to the discrete reaction events that occur in a random manner. Although noise is often perceived as a disturbing factor, the system might actually benefit from it. In order to understand the role of noise better, its quality must be studied in a quantitative manner.

Stochastic dynamic model for estimation of rate constants and their variances from noisy and heterogeneous PET measurements.

Tissue heterogeneity, radioactive decay and measurement noise are the main error sources in compartmental modeling used to estimate the physiologic rate constants of various radiopharmaceuticals from a dynamic PET study. We introduce a new approach to this problem by modeling the tissue heterogeneity with random rate constants in compartment models. In addition, the Poisson nature of the radioactive decay is included as a Poisson random variable in the measurement equations.

Developing Itô stochastic differential equation models for neuronal signal transduction pathways.

Mathematical modeling and simulation of dynamic biochemical systems are receiving considerable attention due to the increasing availability of experimental knowledge of complex intracellular functions. In addition to deterministic approaches, several stochastic approaches have been developed for simulating the time-series behavior of biochemical systems. The problem with stochastic approaches, however, is the larger computational time compared to deterministic approaches.

Telemedicine in ophthalmology.

Objectives: To give an overview of telemedical applications in ophthalmology and to provide background information on new tele-ophthalmological applications.

Methods: We carried out a literature review, a database search and an Internet search.

Results: According to published research, the cost-efficiency of telemedicine in ophthalmology has not been established.

Fundus imaging and the telemedical management of diabetes.

Diabetes is the major preventable form of blindness among people of working age in the Western world, despite the improvements in laser photocoagulation treatments. It is known that regular glycaemic control and annual retinal screening of people with diabetes can reduce its incidence. Effective treatment needs to be available but also screening methods which are simple to perform and cost-effective should be implemented.