Volume 28, Issue 2
Isolation and Characterization of the Lytic Enterococcus faecium Phage φEc-ZZ273-84
Hui Zheng, Xue Du, Honglan Huang, Hongyan Shi, Yanbo Sun, Jinghua Li
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.000826
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Hui Zheng, Xue Du, Honglan Huang, Hongyan Shi, Yanbo Sun, Jinghua Li (2024) Isolation and Characterization of the Lytic Enterococcus faecium Phage φEc-ZZ2, Int J Bioautomation, 28 (2), 73-84, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.000826
Abstract: Infections with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) have been increasingly reported, especially in immunocompromised patients. Bacteriophages (phages) are often considered as potential therapeutic candidates in treating infectious diseases. To search for therapeutic phages as antimicrobial agents for the treatment of Enterococcus faecium infections, eight E. faecium phages were isolated from the environments. One of these, phage φEc-ZZ2, which was capable of eliciting efficient lysis of E. faecium , was selected for analysis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed its resemblance to members of the family Siphoviridae, with a tail 200 nm long and an icosahedral head 45 nm in diameter. Phage φEc-ZZ2 exhibited rapid adsorption (> 99% adsorbed in 10 min), a short latency period of 20 min and a large burst size of 180 PFU/cell. Host range determination shows that φEc-ZZ2 has a relatively broader host range (specificity for 54.5% of tested E. faecium strains). Furthermore, when φEc-ZZ2 alone was incubated at different pH, the phage was stable over a wide pH range (5 to 9). These characteristics of φEc-ZZ2 will provide useful information for further research on the interaction between Enterococcus phages and their hosts. Moreover, in consideration of its pH stability and broader host range, φEc-ZZ2 may be a good candidate as a therapeutic/disinfectant agent to control nosocomial infections caused by E. faecium .

Keywords: Bacteriophage, Phage therapy, Enterococcus faecium
An Empirical Study on Cataract Multiclass Grading Assessment with Slit Lamp Bio-microscope Images Using Neural Network Models85-96
Likhitha D. Atada, S. Joshi Manisha, A. J. Dayananda
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.000959
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Likhitha D. Atada, S. Joshi Manisha, A. J. Dayananda (2024) An Empirical Study on Cataract Multiclass Grading Assessment with Slit Lamp Bio-microscope Images Using Neural Network Models, Int J Bioautomation, 28 (2), 85-96, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.000959
Abstract: Cataract, an age-related eye disease, poses a significant ophthalmological public health challenge in both developed and developing nations. Tailoring treatment or surgery plans helps accurately categorise the cataract's developmental stage. Precise cataract grading helps in diagnosing cataracts and subsequently scheduling surgical intervention. In this project endeavour, a solution is presented to automate the cataract grading process utilizing slit lamp bio-microscope data sets acquired through smartphones. This innovation is particularly valuable for novice practitioners and non-specialist doctors/experts who may struggle with proficiently interpreting cataract progression, leading to potential misdiagnoses. To address this challenge, a Neural Network model is harnessed to automatically predict the grade of cataracts. The study employs multi-class image classification models, including the Convolutional neural network (CNN) model, the Efficient Net B0 model, and the ResNet50 model, for this purpose. Notably, the ResNet50 model outperforms the other models in terms of accuracy and prediction capability for the provided data set. Achieving an accuracy rate of 0.8611, the ResNet50 model demonstrates superior performance in classifying cataract grades, after augmenting the data set with 544 images. This performance comparison establishes the ResNet50 model as the most robust choice among the considered models and data sets.

Keywords: Cataract grading, CNN model, Efficient net B0 model, Multi-class classification, ResNet50, Slit lamp Bio-microscope images
Comparison of Electromyographic Characteristics of Volleyball Players in Stop-jumps: An Analysis at Different Speeds97-106
Hua Zheng, Zengliang Cai, Changqing Li
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.000979
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Hua Zheng, Zengliang Cai, Changqing Li (2024) Comparison of Electromyographic Characteristics of Volleyball Players in Stop-jumps: An Analysis at Different Speeds, Int J Bioautomation, 28 (2), 97-106, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.000979
Abstract: The stop-jump is a crucial skill in volleyball, and analyzing its motion can greatly benefit the training of volleyball players. This paper analyzed 30 players from the volleyball team at Chongqing Normal University. To study the impact of running speed on lower limb muscle activity during stop-jumps, the players were randomly assigned the low-speed running group, the medium-speed running group, and the high-speed running group. Surface electromyography sensors were employed to collect electromyographic signals from the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius muscles of the players during the execution of the stop-jump. The electromyographic indicators were calculated using the surface electromyography system’s built-in program, including the root-mean-square (RMS) electromyographic value and integral electromyographic (IEMG) value. The former represents the effective discharge value of motor units, which depends on the electromyographic amplitude and is related to the number of recruited motor units. The latter represents the discharge capacity of motor units involved in muscle activity per unit of time, reflecting the degree of muscle activation during exercise. Then, statistical analysis was performed on these calculated indicators using SPSS software. It was found that the stop-jump comprised three distinct stages: stop, jump, and flight. Regardless of the stage, the results indicated that the higher the speed of running, the greater the electromyographic indexes of the muscle groups. Additionally, when comparing electromyographic indexes across different stages, it was observed that the index values gradually decreased with the progression of each stage.

Keywords: Volleyball, Stop-jump, Electromyographic signal, Running speed
Improved Speed of InterCriteria Analysis107-111
Alexander Marazov, Anthony Shannon
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.001002
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Alexander Marazov, Anthony Shannon (2024) Improved Speed of InterCriteria Analysis, Int J Bioautomation, 28 (2), 107-111, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2024.28.2.001002
Abstract: We will show that the computation of the intercriteria counters can be done in O(n log n) time (quasi-linear complexity). Up to this point, all implementations have used O(n2) operations, which does not allow processing of data over hundreds of thousands.

Keywords: InterCriteria analysis, Quasi-linear complexity

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