453 research outputs found

    Thermodynamical Properties and Quasi-localized Energy of the Stringy Dyonic Black Hole Solution

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    In this article, we calculate the heat flux passing through the horizon .TSrh. {\bf TS}|_{r_h} and the difference of energy between the Einstein and M{\o}ller prescription within the region M{\cal M}, in which is the region between outer horizon H+{\cal H}_+ and inner horizon H{\cal H}_-, for the modified GHS solution, KLOPP solution and CLH solution. The formula . E_{\rm Einstein}|_{\cal M} = . E_{\rm M{\o}ller}|_{\cal M} - \sum_{\partial {\cal M}} {\bf TS}$ is obeyed for the mGHS solution and the KLOPP solution, but not for the CLH solution. Also, we suggest a RN-like stringy dyonic black hole solution, which comes from the KLOPP solution under a dual transformation, and its thermodynamical properties are the same as the KLOPP solution

    Multiscale mechanobiology: mechanics at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels

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    Mechanical force is present in all aspects of living systems. It affects the conformation of molecules, the shape of cells, and the morphology of tissues. All of these are crucial in architecture-dependent biological functions. Nanoscience of advanced materials has provided knowledge and techniques that can be used to understand how mechanical force is involved in biological systems, as well as to open new avenues to tailor-made bio-mimetic materials with desirable properties. In this article, we describe models and show examples of how force is involved in molecular functioning, cell shape patterning, and tissue morphology

    Morus alba and active compound oxyresveratrol exert anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of leukocyte migration involving MEK/ERK signaling

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    Background: Morus alba has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases;however, the scientific basis for such usage and the mechanism of action are not well understood. This studyinvestigated the action of M. alba on leukocyte migration, one key step in inflammation.Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and cluster analyses of supercritical CO2 extractsof three Morus species were performed for chemotaxonomy-aided plant authentication. Phytochemistry andCXCR4-mediated chemotaxis assays were used to characterize the chemical and biological properties of M. albaand its active compound, oxyresveratrol. fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and Western blot analyses wereconducted to determine the mode of action of oxyresveratrol.Results: Chemotaxonomy was used to help authenticate M. alba. Chemotaxis-based isolation identifiedoxyresveratrol as an active component in M. alba. Phytochemical and chemotaxis assays showed that the crudeextract, ethyl acetate fraction and oxyresveratrol from M. alba suppressed cell migration of Jurkat T cells in responseto SDF-1. Mechanistic study indicated that oxyresveratrol diminished CXCR4-mediated T-cell migration via inhibitionof the MEK/ERK signaling cascade.Conclusions: A combination of GC-MS and cluster analysis techniques are applicable for authentication of theMorus species. Anti-inflammatory benefits of M. alba and its active compound, oxyresveratrol, may involve theinhibition of CXCR-4-mediated chemotaxis and MEK/ERK pathway in T and other immune cells

    The retroviral oncoprotein Tax targets the coiled-coil centrosomal protein TAX1BP2 to induce centrosome overduplication

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    Emerging evidence suggests that supernumerary centrosomes drive genome instability and oncogenesis. Human T-cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is etiologically associated with adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL). ATL cells are aneuploid, but the causes of aneuploidy are incompletely understood. Here, we show that centrosome amplification is frequent in HTLV-I-transformed cells and that this phenotype is caused by the viral Tax oncoprotein. We also show that the fraction of Tax protein that localizes to centrosomes interacts with TAX1BP2, a novel centrosomal protein composed almost entirely of coiled-coil domains. Overexpression of TAX1BP2 inhibited centrosome duplication, whereas depletion of TAX1BP2 by RNAi resulted in centrosome hyperamplification. Our findings suggest that the HTLV-I Tax oncoprotein targets TAX1BP2 causing genomic instability and aneuploidy. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group.postprin

    Pathologic gene network rewiring implicates PPP1R3A as a central regulator in pressure overload heart failure

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    Heart failure is a leading cause of mortality, yet our understanding of the genetic interactions underlying this disease remains incomplete. Here, we harvest 1352 healthy and failing human hearts directly from transplant center operating rooms, and obtain genome-wide genotyping and gene expression measurements for a subset of 313. We build failing and non-failing cardiac regulatory gene networks, revealing important regulators and cardiac expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). PPP1R3A emerges as a regulator whose network connectivity changes significantly between health and disease. RNA sequencing after PPP1R3A knockdown validates network-based predictions, and highlights metabolic pathway regulation associated with increased cardiomyocyte size and perturbed respiratory metabolism. Mice lacking PPP1R3A are protected against pressure-overload heart failure. We present a global gene interaction map of the human heart failure transition, identify previously unreported cardiac eQTLs, and demonstrate the discovery potential of disease-specific networks through the description of PPP1R3A as a central regulator in heart failure

    Antitumor Agents. 250. † Design and Synthesis of New Curcumin Analogues as Potential Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents

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    In a continuing study of curcumin analogs as potential drug candidates to treat prostate cancer at both androgen-dependent and androgen-refractory stages, we designed and synthesized over 40 new analogs classified into four series: monophenyl analogs (series A), heterocycle-containing analogs (series B), analogs bearing various substituents on the phenyl rings (series C) and analogs with various linkers (series D). These new compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against two human prostate cancer cell lines, androgen-dependent LNCaP and androgen-independent PC-3. Antiandrogenic activity was also evaluated in LNCaP cells and PC-3 cells transfected with wild-type androgen receptor. Ten compounds possessed potent cytotoxicity against both LNCaP and PC-3 cells; seven only against LNCaP; and one solely against PC-3. This study established an advanced structure-activity relationship (SAR), and these correlations will guide the further design of new curcumin analogs with better anti-prostate cancer activity

    A framework for increasing the value of predictive data-driven models by enriching problem domain characterization with novel features

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    The need to leverage knowledge through data mining has driven enterprises in a demand for more data. However, there is a gap between the availability of data and the application of extracted knowledge for improving decision support. In fact, more data do not necessarily imply better predictive data-driven marketing models, since it is often the case that the problem domain requires a deeper characterization. Aiming at such characterization, we propose a framework drawn on three feature selection strategies, where the goal is to unveil novel features that can effectively increase the value of data by providing a richer characterization of the problem domain. Such strategies involve encompassing context (e.g., social and economic variables), evaluating past history, and disaggregate the main problem into smaller but interesting subproblems. The framework is evaluated through an empirical analysis for a real bank telemarketing application, with the results proving the benefits of such approach, as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased with each stage, improving previous model in terms of predictive performance.The work of P. Cortez was supported by FCT within the Project Scope UID/CEC/00319/2013. The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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