Visualization of High-Dimensional Point Clouds Using Their Density Distribution's Topology.

We present a novel method to visualize multidimensional point clouds. While conventional visualization techniques, like scatterplot matrices or parallel coordinates, have issues with either overplotting of entities or handling many dimensions, we abstract the data using topological methods before presenting it. We assume the input points to be samples of a random variable with a high-dimensional probability distribution which we approximate using kernel density estimates on a suitably reconstructed mesh. From the resulting scalar field we extract the join tree and present it as a topological landscape, a visualization metaphor that utilizes the human capability of understanding natural terrains. In this landscape, dense clusters of points show up as hills. The nesting of hills indicates the nesting of clusters. We augment the landscape with the data points to allow selection and inspection of single points and point sets. We also present optimizations to make our algorithm applicable to large data sets and to allow interactive adaption of our visualization to the kernel window width used in the density estimation.

Lipopolysaccharide and interferon gamma activate nuclear factor kappa B and induce cyclo-oxygenase-2 in equine vascular smooth muscle cells.

Equine endotoxaemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in horses caused by the interaction of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with cells such as macrophages and vascular smooth muscle. In this study we isolated equine vascular smooth muscle from a variety of vessels and stimulated it with LPS and human interferon (hIFN)-gamma. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) and Western blot analysis we show that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is readily expressed in equine vascular smooth muscle. Vascular smooth muscle cells produced prostaglandin E2 in response to LPS and hIFNgamma. Using similar approaches we saw very limited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in only one vascular smooth muscle preparation. LPS and IFNgamma caused translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NfkappaB) to the nucleus in equine cells suggesting the limited iNOS production seen in our cells is not due to deficits in this signal transduction pathway. These data suggest that in equine vascular smooth muscle COX-2 and NfkappaB are likely to play important roles in the pathogenesis of equine endotoxaemia.

Equine carpal articular cartilage fibronectin distribution associated with training, joint location and cartilage deterioration.

Processes involved in equine carpal osteochondral injury have not been established. In other species, fibronectin appears important in chondrocyte-matrix interactions, and levels are increased in osteoarthritis. This investigation aimed to (a) describe fibronectin immunoreactivity in the middle carpal joint of 2-year-old Thoroughbreds, (b) determine topographical variations, (c) compare strenuously trained (Group 1) or gently exercised horses (Group 2) and (d) describe sites with early osteoarthritis. Group 1 (n = 6) underwent a 19 week high intensity treadmill training programme. Group 2 (n = 6) underwent 40 min walking until euthanasia. Dorsal and palmar sites on radial, intermediate and third carpal articular surfaces were prepared. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a biotin-streptavidin/peroxidase method. Cross-reactivity of rabbit antihuman fibronectin antiserum with equine fibronectin was confirmed using Western blotting. Results showed: (a) fibronectin was present primarily in pericellular and interterritorial matrix locations, (b) dorsal sites had zonal immunoreactivity compared to palmar sites, (c) Group 1 dorsal radial carpal cartilage had increased superficial staining compared to Group 2 and (d) fibrillated cartilage showed increased intracellular and local matrical immunoreactivity (superficial zone). These findings suggest topographical and exercise-related variations in fibronectin distribution, and indicate equine fibronectin is localised at sites of cartilage degeneration and released into the matrix by chondrocytes in the local area.