Similarity based hierarchical clustering of physiological parameters for the identification of health states - a feasibility study.

This paper introduces a new unsupervised method for the clustering of physiological data into health states based on their similarity. We propose an iterative hierarchical clustering approach that combines health states according to a similarity constraint to new arbitrary health states. We applied our method to experimental data in which the physical strain of subjects was systematically varied.

Preclinical evaluation of inducible nitric oxide synthase lipoplex gene therapy for inhibition of stent-induced vascular neointimal lesion formation.

Several reports have established the concept of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene transfer for inhibiting smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation after vascular injury. To minimize potential risks associated with viral gene transfer, we developed a liposome-based gene transfer approach employing inducible NOS (iNOS) overexpression for inhibition of stent-induced neointimal lesion formation. Therapeutic lipoplexes were transferred to femoral or coronary arteries of Goettingen minipigs, using the Infiltrator local drug delivery device.