Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the New MALDI Matrix 4-Chloro- -Cyanocinnamic Acid

MALDI-TOF continues to be an important tool for many proteomic studies. Recently, a new rationally designed matrix 4-chloro-cyanocinnamic acid was introduced, which is reported to have superior performance as compared with the “gold standard” -cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA). In this study, the performance of this new matrix, using the Shimadzu Biotech Axima TOF (Shimadzu Biotech, Manchester, UK), was investigated. The overall sequence coverage as well as sensitivity of this matrix were compared with CHCA using standard protein tryptic digests. The performance of this matrix with labile peptides, such as phosphopeptides and 4-sulfophenyl isothiocynate-derivatized peptides, to facilitate de novo sequencing was also explored. This matrix was found to be better performing than CHCA in overall sensitivity and showed better sequence coverage at low-digest levels, partly as a result of less of a bias for arginine-containing peptides. It also showed as much as a tenfold improvement in sensitivity with labile peptides on standard stainless-steel targets. In addition, as a result of the much cooler nature of this matrix, labile peptides are readily seen intact with much less fragmentation in mass spectrometry (MS) mode. This matrix was also evaluated in the MS/MS fragmentation modes of post-source decay (PSD) and collisional-induced dissociation (CID). It was found that fragmentation occurs readily in CID, however as a result of the very cool nature of this new matrix, the PSD fragments were quite weak. This matrix promises to be an important addition to the already extensive array of MALDI matrices.
Pulmonary Vascular Input Impedance is a Combined Measure of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance and Stiffness and Predicts Clinical Outcomes Better than PVR Alone in Pediatric Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

, Abstract Background— Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is the current standard for evaluating reactivity in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, PVR measures only the mean component of right ventricular afterload and neglects pulsatile effects. We recently developed and validated an method to measure pulmonary vascular input impedance, which revealed excellent correlation between the zero-harmonic impedance value and PVR, and suggested a correlation between higher harmonic impedance values and pulmonary vascular stiffness (PVS). Here we show that input impedance can be measured routinely and easily in the catheterization laboratory, that impedance provides PVR and PVS from a single measurement, and that impedance is a better predictor of disease outcomes compared to PVR. Methods— Pressure and velocity waveforms within the main PA were measured during right-heart catheterization of patients with normal PA hemodynamics (n=14) and those with PAH undergoing reactivity evaluation (49 subjects; 95 conditions). A correction factor needed to transform velocity into flow was obtained by calibrating against cardiac output. Input impedance was obtained off-line by dividing Fourier-transformed pressure and flow waveforms. Results— Exceptional correlation was found between the indexed zero harmonic of impedance and indexed PVR ( y =1.095· x +1.381, R 2 =0.9620). Additionally, the modulus sum of the first two harmonics of impedance was found to Conclusions— Input impedance can be consistently and easily obtained from PW Doppler and a single catheter pressure measurement, provides comprehensive characterization of the main components of RV afterload, and better predicts patient outcomes compared to PVR alone. 3) correlate harmonic values of impedance against hemodynamically measured PVR and PVS; and 4) examine capabilities of impedance and PVR to predict 1-year outcomes for a sub-set of patients (n=25). 1) studying a larger number of patients; 2) providing explicit correlations between Z 0 and PVR, and between Z 1 +Z 2 and hemodynamically measured pulmonary vascular stiffness; 3) correlating the correction factor, required to “correct” Doppler-measured velocities and obtain instantaneous flow, to facilitate future use of this method; and 4) obtaining regressions of outcomes against impedance and PVR to show the clinical utility of impedance measurement. Results show impedance is a highly promising clinically realizable measurement for comprehensively evaluating pulmonary vascular function in patients with PAH.
BJRD16612 1..10

1,2LUIGI CAMERA, MD, 1IMMACOLATA LICCARDO, MD, 1FEDERICA ROMANO, MD, 2RAFFAELE LIUZZI, PhD, 3ANTONIO RISPO, MD, PhD, 1MASSIMO IMBRIACO, MD, 3ANNA TESTA, MD, PhD, 4GAETANO LUGLIO, MD, 1SIMONA DE FRONZO, MD, 3FABIANA CASTIGLIONE, MD, 4LUIGI BUCCI, MD, and 1ARTURO BRUNETTI, MD Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Naples, Italy Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University “Federico ll”, Naples, Italy Section of Colo-rectal Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University “Federico ll”, Naples, Italy
Transforming Growth Factor– b –Induced Differentiation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells Is Inhibited by Fibroblast Growth Factor–2

basic ﬁbroblastgrowthfactor (FGF-2)playsan important (patho)physiological role. This study examines the effects of FGF-2 on the transforming growth factor– b (TGF- b )–stimulated differentiation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells in vitro . The differenti- ationofhumanASMcellsafterincubationwithTGF- b (100pM)and/ or FGF-2 (300 pM) for 48 hours was assessed by increases in contrac- tileproteinexpression,actin-cytoskeletonreorganization,enhance-ments in cell stiffness, and collagen remodeling. FGF-2 inhibited TGF- b –stimulated increases in transgelin (SM22) and calponin gene expression ( n ¼ 15, P , 0.01) in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal transduction–dependent manner. The abundance of ordered a –smooth muscle actin ( a -SMA) ﬁlaments formed in the presence of TGF- b were also reduced by FGF-2, as was the ratio of F-actin to G-actin ( n ¼ 8, P , 0.01). Furthermore, FGF-2 attenuated TGF- b –stimulated increases in ASM cell stiffness andtheASM-mediatedcontractionoflattices,composedofcollagen ﬁbrils ( n ¼ 5, P , 0.01). However, the TGF- b –stimulated production ofIL-6wasnotinﬂuencedbyFGF-2( n ¼ 4, P . 0.05),suggestingthat FGF-2 antagonism is selective for the regulation of ASM cell contrac- tile protein expression, organization, and function. Another mitogen, thrombin (0.3 U ml 2 1 ), exerted no effect on TGF- b –regulated contractileproteinexpression( n ¼ 8, P . 0.05), a -SMAorganization, ortheratioofF-actintoG-actin( n ¼ 4, P . 0.05),suggestingthatthe inhibitory effect of FGF-2 is dissociated from its mitogenic actions. The addition of FGF-2, 24 hours after TGF- b treatment, still reduced contractile protein expression, even when the TGF- b –receptor kinase inhibitor, SB431542 (10 m M), was added 1 hour before FGF-2. We conclude that the ASM cell differentiation promoted by TGF- b is antagonized by FGF-2. A better understanding of the mechanism of action for FGF-2 is necessary to develop a strategy for therapeutic exploitation in the treatment of asthma.
Microgrid System Energy Storage Capacity Optimization Considering Multiple Time Scale Uncertainty Coupling

In this paper, we propose an energy storage capacity optimization (ESCO) method for grid-connected microgrid systems (MSs) considering multiple time scale uncertainty coupling. First, an envelope model and a box uncertainty model are, respectively, employed to characterize the stochastic uncertainties and the forecasting error uncertainty of the renewable energy (RE) power supply and load demand. Based on the above two uncertainty characterization models, the energy balance ability indicator and the robustness coordination cost indicator are proposed, which are used to quantitatively analyze the MS energy balance state probability for different ESCO schemes and the economic cost of improving the robustness of the MS optimal operation, respectively. Then, an ESCO model, where the stochastic uncertainty and forecasting error uncertainty of the RE power supply and load demand are, respectively, considered in the long-time-scale investment decision of the energy storage capacity and the short-time-scale operation optimization of the energy storage system, is established, with the goal of realizing an MS that operates in a grid-friendly and economical manner. Furthermore, a new multi-objective compound differential evolution algorithm is designed to solve the energy storage capacity collaborative optimization model efficiently. Finally, simulations are conducted to verify the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed model and method.
Rapid Up-Regulation of 4 Integrin-mediated Leukocyte Adhesion by Transforming Growth Factor- 1

The 4 integrins ( 4 1 and 4 7) are cell surface heterodimers expressed mostly on leukocytes that mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. A characteristic feature of 4 integrins is that their adhesive activity can be subjected to rapid modulation during the process of cell migration. Herein, we show that transforming growth factor1 (TGF1) rapidly (0.5–5 min) and transiently up-regulated 4 integrin-dependent adhesion of different human leukocyte cell lines and human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) to their ligands vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and connecting segment-1/fibronectin. In addition, TGF1 enhanced the 4 integrin-mediated adhesion of PBLs to tumor necrosis factor–treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, indicating the stimulation of 4 1/VCAM-1 interaction. Although TGF1 rapidly activated the small GTPase RhoA and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, enhanced adhesion did not require activation of both signaling molecules. Instead, polymerization of actin cytoskeleton triggered by TGF1 was necessary for 4 integrin-dependent up-regulated adhesion, and elevation of intracellular cAMP opposed this up-regulation. Moreover, TGF1 further increased cell adhesion mediated by 4 integrins in response to the chemokine stromal cellderived factor-1 . These data suggest that TGF1 can potentially contribute to cell migration by dynamically regulating cell adhesion mediated by 4 integrins.
Itinerant electron metamagnetism in LaCo9Si4

The strongly exchange enhanced Pauli paramagnet LaCo 9 Si 4 is found to exhibit an itinerant metamagnetic phase transition with indications for metamagnetic quantum criticality. Our investigation comprises magnetic, specific heat, and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements as well as ab initio electronic structure calculations. The critical field is about 3.5 T for H∥c and 6 T for H⊥c, which is the lowest value ever found for rare earth intermetallic compounds. In the ferromagnetic state there appears a moment of about 0.2 μ B /Co at the 16k Co-sites, but significantly smaller moments at the 4d and 16l Co-sites.
Determination of Transmembrane Peptide Orientation and Dynamics

The dynamics of membrane-spanning peptides have a strong affect on the solid-state NMR observables. We present a combined analysis of H-alanine quadrupolar splittings together with N/H dipolar couplings and N chemical shifts, using two models to treat the dynamics, for the systematic evaluation of transmembrane peptides based on the GWALP23 sequence (acetyl-GGALW(LA)6LWLAGA-amide). The results indicate that derivatives of GWALP23 incorporating diverse guest residues adopt a range of apparent tilt angles that span 5 –35 in lipid bilayer membranes. By comparing individual and combined analyses of specifically Hor N-labeled peptides incorporated in magnetically or mechanically aligned lipid bilayers, we examine the influence of data-set size/identity, and of explicitly modeled dynamics, on the deduced average orientations of the peptides. We conclude that peptides with small apparent tilt values (<~10 ) can be fitted by extensive families of solutions, which can be narrowed by incorporating additional N as well as H restraints. Conversely, peptides exhibiting larger tilt angles display more narrow distributions of tilt and rotation that can be fitted using smaller sets of experimental constraints or even with H or N data alone. Importantly, for peptides that tilt significantly more than 10 from the bilayer-normal, the contribution from rigid body dynamics can be approximated by a principal order parameter.
Low-complexity blind in-phase/quadrature imbalance compensation and field-programmable gate array realization for coherent receivers

Abstract. Receiver in-phase/quadrature (I / Q) imbalance caused by imperfect analog receiver front end can rapidly degrade system performance in a coherent optical transmission system. These imbalances, including I / Q gain and phase imbalance, become increasingly important when higher symbol rate, higher modulation order, and low roll-off pulse shape are used. Here, a low-complexity blind equalization algorithm, cascaded phase, and gain imbalance equalizers, is designed to mitigate these interferences. Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array hardware realization with 128-parallel processing units is performed to demonstrate the proposed algorithm in a 32-GBaud 16-quadrature amplitude modulation off-line transmission experiment. Based on the obtained results, the proposed blind I / Q imbalance compensation algorithm can provide very good compensation performance with low logic element consumption, which is more suitable for high order and high baud rate transmission system.
b 3-Adrenoceptor agonist stimulation of the Na þ , K þ-pump in rat skeletal muscle is mediated by b 2-rather than b 3-adrenoceptors

Background and purpose: In cardiac muscle, BRL 37344, a selective b3-adrenoceptor agonist, activates the Na þ ,Kþ -pump via NO signalling. This study investigated whether BRL 37344 also activates the Naþ ,Kþ -pump via b3-adrenoceptors in skeletal muscle. Experimental approach: Isolated rat soleus muscles were incubated between 1 and 60 min in buffer. Intracellular Naþ ,Kþ content and Naþ ,Kþ -pump activity were measured using flame photometry and ouabain-suppressible 86Rbþ uptake, respectively. Additional muscles were mounted on force transducers and stimulated (60 Hz for 2 s) every 10 min. Key results: BRL 37344 (10-10 M) induced a concentrationand time-dependent reduction in intracellular Naþ , and increased ouabain-suppressible 86Rbþ uptake by up to 112%. BRL 37344-induced reductions in intracellular Naþ were blocked by the b1/b2-adrenoceptor antagonist, nadolol (10 -7 M), and the b2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551 (10 -10 M), but not by b3or b1-adrenoceptor antagonists, SR 59230A (10 -7 M) and CGP 20712A (10-10 M), respectively. Another b3-adrenoceptor agonist, CL 316,243, did not alter intracellular Na þ . BRL 37344-induced reductions in intracellular Naþ were not blocked by L-NAME, an NOS inhibitor, or ODQ, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. The NO donors, SNP and SNAP, did not alter intracellular Naþ . BRL 37344 rapidly recovered force in muscles depressed by high [Kþ ]o, an effect that was blocked by nadolol, but not L-NAME. Conclusions and implications: In rat soleus muscle, the b3-adrenoceptor agonist BRL 37344 stimulated the Na þ ,Kþ -pump via b2-adrenoceptors. A more selective b3-adrenoceptor agonist did not affect Na þ , Kþ homeostasis in skeletal muscle. NO did not seem to mediate Naþ ,Kþ -pump stimulation in skeletal muscle. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 635–646. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp. 0706896; published online 3 October 2006
Positive Iterative Deconvolution in Comparison to Richardson-Lucy Like Algorithms

Positive iterative deconvolution is an algorithm that applies non-linear constraints, conserves energy, and delivers stable results at high noise-levels. This is also true for Richardson-Lucy like algorithms which follow a statistical approach to the deconvolution problem. In two-dimensional computer experiments, star-like and planet-like objects are convolved with band-limited point-spread functions. Photon noise and read-out noise are applied to these images as well as to the pointspread functions being used for deconvolution. Why Richardson-Lucy like algorithms favor star-like objects and the difference in computational efforts are discussed.
NEW DIRECTIONS IN PROSTATE CANCER MANAGEMENT Clinical Experience With Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Localized prostate cancer can be treated effectively with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. The treatment options for metastatic prostate cancer are limited to hormonal therapy; hormone-refractory cancer is treated with taxane-based chemotherapy, which provides only a modest survival benefit. New treatments are needed. The gene for the initiation of prostate cancer has not been identified; however, gene therapy can involve tumor injection of a gene to kill cells, systemic gene delivery to target and kill metastases, or local gene expression intended to generate a systemic response. This review will provide an overview of the various strategies of cancer gene therapy, focusing on those that have gone to clinical trial, detailing clinical experience in prostate cancer patients. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(suppl 1):S20-S28]
Disturbance-Observer-Based Control for Dual-Stage Grid-Tied Photovoltaic System Under Unbalanced Grid Voltages

This paper presents the design and experimental validation of disturbance observer (DO)-based control for grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) inverters fed by a dc–dc boost converter considering unbalanced grid voltages. The control scheme uses multiples controllers that are developed based on employing DO technique along with a feedback-linearizing (FBL) control. The main controller is designed to regulate the active and reactive powers injected into the grid via controlling the grid-tied inverter. Under unbalanced grid voltages, the active and reactive power is composed of a dc component as well as an ac component that oscillates at twice the grid frequency. Therefore, the unknown perturbation, representing the mismatch between the nominal and actual system, can be treated as a sum of a constant offset and a sinusoidal disturbance. To ensure accurate control of the active/reactive power, a DO is designed to estimate the unknown perturbation, which is then canceled by a FBL control. By considering the control input limitation in the observer synthesis, an antiwindup compensator arises naturally in the control law, which attenuates the effect of the windup phenomenon during control saturation. Moreover, a simplified representation of the DO is proposed to facilitate real-time implementation. The proposed approach for the power control can be used in both balanced and unbalanced systems since it can reject constant and sinusoidal disturbances. Experimental tests were performed to investigate the ability of the proposed control scheme to achieve good transient and steady-state performances.
Nucleic Acids Research

ABSTRAC' The ability of an inverted repeat sequence (IRS) from the 3' end of the aPh gene from StreRtomvces fradiae to induce transcription termination in vivo has been examined. As a model system, a DNA fragment encoding the human interferon a 2 inserted in the Streptomyces plasmid pIJ702 was used. When the IRS was inserted downstream from this sequence and transcription assayed in StreRtomVces lividans, highly efficient ("90%) transcription termination was observed occurring immediately after the 3'terminus of the dyad. In contrast, gene constructions lacking the IRS transcribed longer mRNAs. Moreover, the IRS gave rise to increased amounts of the hIFN X 2 suggesting that the putative stem-loop structure stabilised the transcript.
Deficient Eosinophil Chemotaxis-Promoting Activity of Genetically Normal Mast Cells Transplanted into Subcutaneous Tissue of Mitf/Mitf Mice Comparison of the Activity and Mast Cell Distribution Pattern with Kit/Kit Mice

Despite the practical lack of mast cells in the skin tissue of WBB6F1-Kit /Kit, the skin tissue of WBB6F1Mitf /Mitf mi-vga9 mice contains one third of mast cells than that of WBB6F1/ mice. We attempted to investigate the function of the decreased but appreciable number of mast cells in the skin of WBB6F1-Mitf / Mitf mi-vga9 mice. The substance P (SP)-induced eosinophil infiltration was examined using air-bleb assay. The air-bleb membrane was composed of the subcutaneous connective tissue. Unexpectedly, we found that the air-bleb membranes formed in the back of WBB6F1Mitf /Mitf mi-vga9 mice contained no mast cells. The WBB6F1-Mitf /Mitf mi-vga9 mice showed impaired SP-induced eosinophil infiltration as observed in WBB6F1-Kit /Kit mice, indicating that mast cells detected in the dermis of WBB6F1-Mitf /Mitf mi-vga9 mice did not help SP-induced eosinophil infiltration. Subcutaneous transplantation of cultured mast cells from WBB6F1/ mice normalized SP-induced eosinophil infiltration in WBB6F1-Kit /Kit mice but not in WBB6F1-Mitf /Mitf mi-vga9 mice. The greater number and the more dispersed distribution pattern of mast cells that appeared in the subcutaneous connective tissue of WBB6F1-Kit /Kit mice after the transplantation appeared to explain the difference between WBB6F1-Kit /Kit and WBB6F1-Mitf /Mitf mi-vga9 mice. (Am J Pathol 2004, 165:1141–1150)
Transport Phenomena In Semiconductor Superlattices

In this work we discuss two different manifestations of electronic transport phenomena in semiconductor superlattices. In the first problem, we analyze recent experimental data of measurements of the Seebeck coefficient in InAlAs superlattices doped with ErAs nano-particles. Inspired by the known fact that a Schottky barrier develops at the ErAs-semiconductor interface, we formulate a phenomenological transport theory that explicitly considers the energy-dependent scattering on this barrier and determine its consequences on the transport properties. We show that in the miniband conduction regime, nano-particles can realize a filtering effect by increasing the scattering rates of the slow-moving carriers leading to an increased value of the Seebeck coefficient. The magnitude of the increment depends linearly on the Schottky barrier height and saturates for large values. Our results reproduce the approximately 20% increase in the value of the Seebeck coefficient observed experimentally. This model offers a physical, intuitive way for explaining the observed experimental behavior and allows a realistic quantitative estimate at the same time. In the second problem, the self-consistent density response of an electron system is studied in a two-dimensional (2D) lateral superlattice with spin orbit interaction (SOI). Under the effect of the lateral periodic potential, the single-electron 2D states are broadened into minibands that are spin-split by SOI. In the case of a single fully-occupied miniband, we calculate the long wavelength limit of the polariza-
Characterization of the Estradiol-Binding Site Structure of Human PDIp: Indispensable Role of the Hydrogen Bond between His278 and Estradiol 3-Hydroxyl Group

Estradiol (E2), a female sex hormone, has important biological functions. Human pancreasspecific protein disulfide isomerase (PDIp), a protein folding catalyst, was recently found to be able to bind E2. Here we report the characterization of its E2-binding site by using biochemical methods coupled with molecular modeling tools. Analysis of various truncated PDIp proteins showed that the b-b′ fragment contains an intact E2-binding site that has the same binding affinity as the full-length PDIp protein, with apparent Kd values of approximately 170 nM. Computational modeling and docking analyses revealed that the E2-binding site in the b-b′ fragment is located in a hydrophobic pocket composed mainly of the b′ domain and partially of the b domain. The hydrogen bond, formed between the 3-hydroxyl group of E2 (donor) and PDIp’s His278 (acceptor) is indispensable for its binding. By contrast, the 17β-hydroxyl group of E2 is of negligible importance for E2 binding. This binding model was jointly confirmed by a series of experiments, such as selective mutation of the binding site amino acid residues and selective modification of the ligand structures.