Abstract. In this work a new optimization method, called the heuristic Kalman algorithm (HKA), is presented. This new algorithm is proposed as an alternative approach for solving continuous, non-convex optimization problems. The principle of HKA is to explicitly consider the optimization problem as a measurement process designed to give an estimate of the optimum. A specific procedure, based on...

OBJECTIVE Plasma high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK) is cleaved in inflammatory diseases by kallikrein to HKa with release of bradykinin (BK). We postulated a direct link between HKa and cytokine/chemokine release. METHODS AND RESULTS HKa, but not BK, releases cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 from isolated human mononucl...

Introduction: Optimal coronal and sagittal component positioning is important in achieving a successful outcome following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Modalities to determine post-operative alignment include plain radiography and computer tomography (CT) imaging. This study aims to determine the accuracy and reliability of plain radiographs in measuring coronal and sagittal alignment followin...

An antibacterial metabolite extracted from Paenibacillus polymyxa HKA-15 showed strong inhibition against Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli strains CP-1-1 and M-5. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of crude extract against strains CP-1-1 and M-5 was found to be 1.7 mg/ml and 1.52 mg/ml, respectively. In UV-Vis range, the absorption peak of crude extract was maximum at 240 nm. The compoun...

Proteolytic cleavage of single-chain, high molecular weight kininogen (HK) by kallikrein releases the short-lived vasodilator bradykinin and leaves behind a two-chain, high molecular weight kininogen (HKa) reported to bind to the beta2-integrin Mac-1 (CR3, CD11b/CD18, alphaMbeta2) on neutrophils and exert antiadhesive properties by binding to the urokinase receptor (uPAR) and vitronectin. We de...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the geometry of the distal femur and the proximal tibia in the osteoarthritic knee using 3D reconstructive CT scan imaging. METHODS 449 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated surgically in our center with patient-specific technology total knee arthroplasty. Preoperatively, all the patients underwent a CT scan according to a standard prot...

BACKGROUND Our study aimed to investigate whether geometrical features (size, shape, or alignment parameters) of the femoral condyle affect the morphology of the trochlear groove. METHODS Computed tomography models of 195 femurs (97 and 98 knees from male and female subjects, respectively) were reconstructed into three-dimensional models and categorised into four types of trochlear groove mor...

An anti-cell adhesion globulin was purified from human plasma by heparin-affinity chromatography. The purified globulin inhibited spreading of osteosarcoma and melanoma cells on vitronectin, and of endothelial cells, platelets, and mononuclear blood cells on vitronectin or fibrinogen. It did not inhibit cell spreading on fibronectin. The protein had the strongest antiadhesive effect when preads...

High-molecular-weight kininogen (HK) and its domain 3 (D3) exhibit anticoagulant properties and inhibit platelet activation at low thrombin concentration in vitro. We hypothesized that the rapid occlusive thrombosis in HK-deficient (HKd) rats following endothelial injury of the aorta results from enhanced platelet aggregation by thrombin. The effects of D3 (G235-M357) or D3-derived peptides on ...