Supervised selective kernel fusion for membrane protein prediction

Membrane protein prediction is a significant classification problem, requiring the integration of data derived from different sources such as protein sequences, gene expression, protein interactions etc. A generalized probabilistic approach for combining different data sources via supervised selective kernel fusion was proposed in our previous papers. It includes, as particular cases, SVM, Lasso SVM, Elastic Net SVM and others. In this paper we apply a further instantiation of this approach, the Supervised Selective Support Kernel SVM and demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves the top-rank position among the selective kernel fusion variants on benchmark data for membrane protein prediction. The method differs from the previous approaches in that it naturally derives a subset of “support kernels” (analogous to support objects within SVMs), thereby allowing the memory-efficient exclusion of significant numbers of irrelevant kernel matrixes from a decision rule in a manner particularly suited to membrane protein prediction

Neutral weak currents in pion electroproduction on the nucleon

Parity violating asymmetry in inclusive scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons by unpolarized protons with $\pi^0$ or $\pi^+$ meson production, is calculated as a function of the momentum transfer squared $Q^2$ and the total energy $W$ of the $\pi N$-system. This asymmetry, which is induced by the interference of the one-photon exchange amplitude with the parity-odd part of the $Z^0$-exchange amplitude, is calculated for the $\gamma^*(Z^*)+p\to N+\pi$ processes ($\gamma^*$ is a virtual photon and $Z^*$ a virtual Z-boson) considering the $\Delta$-contribution in the $s-$channel, the standard Born contributions and vector meson ($\rho$ and $\omega$) exchanges in the $t-$channel. Taking into account the known isotopic properties of the hadron electromagnetic and neutral currents, we show that the P-odd term is the sum of two contributions. The main term is model independent and it can be calculated exactly in terms of fundamental constants. It is found to be linear in $Q^2$. The second term is a relatively small correction which is determined by the isoscalar component of the electromagnetic current. Near threshold and in the $\Delta$-region, this isoscalar part is much smaller (in absolute value) than the isovector one: its contribution to the asymmetry depend on the polarization state (longitudinal or transverse) of the virtual photon.Comment: 30 pages 9 figure

β -decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclides in the A=100-110 mass region

β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclides in the A=100-110 mass region have been measured using an implantation station installed inside of the Summing NaI(Tl) (SuN) detector at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Accurate half-lives for these nuclides are important for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure, and nuclear technology. The half-lives from the present work are compared with previous measurements, showing overall good agreement

Comparison of Resting PD/PA with Fractional Flow Reserve Using a Monorail Pressure Catheter

Background: The RXi™ system (ACIST Medical Systems, MN, USA) is a new Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) technology utilising an ultrathinmonorail microcatheter (Navvus®; ACIST Medical Systems) with an optical pressure sensor located close to the distal catheter tip. FFR measurement using monorail microcatheter is comparable to the conventional pressure wires. However, the predictive value of resting distal coronary artery pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) on hyperemic FFR value in the real world practice is unknown. Objective: To explore the diagnostic accuracy of resting Pd/Pa in relation to hyperemic FFR using the monorail pressure catheter. Methods: Resting Pd/Pa and FFR were measured using monorail pressure catheter in 67 consecutive patients with intermediate coronary artery lesions (30% to 80% diameter stenoses) between 01-03-2016 to 17-01-2017. Of 121 studied lesions, 29 (23.97%) were excluded because of no hyperemic FFR due to postive resting Pd/Pa (n=17), severe or non-critical stenosis (n=11) and suboptimal acquisition (n=1), leaving 92 lesions for final analysis. Hyperemic FFR was induced with intracoronary adenosine. The selection of coronary wire and the dose of intracoronary nitroglycerine were at the operators’ discretions. Results: Bland-Altman plots showed a moderate degree of scatter between Pd/Pa and FFR value. On average, Pd/Pa exceeded FFR by 0.066 (-0.09 to +0.22). Receiver-operating characteristic curves of the resting Pd/Pa with FFR≤0.80 as the reference variable showed an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence intervals 0.680 to 0.881, pb0.001), with a diagnostic accuracy of 79.3% when the resting Pd/Pa was ≤0.86. Certain cutoff values of Pd/Pa can reliably predict whether hyperemic FFR was positive or negative (FFR cutoff≤0.80). Resting Pd/Pa value of N0.96 had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% and sensitivity of 100%; the resting Pd/Pa value of ≤0.82 had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and specificity of 98.3%. These were consistent regardless of coronary vessel, location of lesion or degree of diameter stenosis. Conclusions: Certain range of resting Pd/Pa measured by monorail pressure catheter had excellent NPV and sensitivity or excellent PPV and specificity to predict hyperemic FFR. Clinical outcome studies are required to determine whether the results might obviate the need for hyperemia in selected patients

Nutritional approaches to breaking the intergenerational cycle of obesity

The link between poor maternal nutrition and an increased burden of disease in subsequent generations has been widely demonstrated in both human and animal studies. Historically, the nutritional challenges experienced by pregnant and lactating women were largely those of insufficient calories and severe micronutrient deficiencies. More recently, however, Western societies have been confronted with a new nutritional challenge; that of maternal obesity and excessive maternal intake of calories, fat, and sugar. Exposure of the developing fetus and infant to this obesogenic environment results in an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disease later in life. Furthermore, increased caloric, fat, and sugar intake can occur in conjunction with micronutrient deficiency, which may further exacerbate these programming effects. In light of the current epidemic of obesity and metabolic disease, attention has now turned to identifying nutritional interventions for breaking this intergenerational obesity cycle. In this review, we discuss the approaches that have been explored to date and highlight the need for further research.Beverly S. Muhlhausler, Jessica R. Gugusheff, Zhi Yi Ong and Mini A. Vithayathi

Metabolomics in early life and the association with body composition at age 2 years

Funder: Danone Nutricia Research; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100015766Summary: Background and Objectives: Early life is a critical window for adiposity programming. Metabolic‐profile in early life may reflect this programming and correlate with later life adiposity. We investigated if metabolic‐profile at 3 months of age is predictive for body composition at 2 years and if there are differences between boys and girls and between infant feeding types. Methods: In 318 healthy term‐born infants, we determined body composition with skinfold measurements and abdominal ultrasound at 3 months and 2 years of age. High‐throughput‐metabolic‐profiling was performed on 3‐month‐blood‐samples. Using random‐forest‐machine‐learning‐models, we studied if the metabolic‐profile at 3 months can predict body composition outcomes at 2 years of age. Results: Plasma metabolite‐profile at 3 months was found to predict body composition at 2 years, based on truncal: peripheral‐fat‐skinfold‐ratio (T:P‐ratio), with a predictive value of 75.8%, sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 50%. Predictive value was higher in boys (Q2 = 0.322) than girls (Q2 = 0.117). Of the 15 metabolite variables most strongly associated with T:P‐ratio, 11 were also associated with visceral fat at 2 years of age. Conclusion: Several plasma metabolites (LysoPC(22:2), dimethylarginine and others) at 3 months associate with body composition outcome at 2 years. These results highlight the importance of the first months of life for adiposity programming

Prognostic Value of N-terminal B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Multicenter Study

Background: Several models have been developed to help the clinician in risk stratification for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS),such as the TIMI and GRACE risk scores. However, there is conflicting evidence for the prognostic value of NT-ProBNP in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objective: (1) To explore the association of NT-proBNP with 30-day clinical outcome in AMI patients. (2) To compare the prognostic value of NT-proBNP with TIMI and GRACE risk scores in AMI patients. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective observational study recruiting patients presented with AMI between 29-October-2015 and 14-January-2017, involving 1 cardiology referral centre and 4 non-cardiology hospitals. NT-proBNP level (Alere Triage®, US)was measured within 24 hours fromthe diagnosis of AMI. Patientswere followed-up for 1 month. Results: A total of 186 patients were recruited, 143 from tertiary cardiology centre and 43 from non-cardiology hospitals. Mean age was 54.7±10.0 years, 87.6% male and 64% were STEMI. The NT-proBNP level ranged from 60 to 16700pg/ml, with a median of 714pg/ml. Using the 75th centile as the cutoff, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for the 30-day cardiac related mortality was significantly higher for patient with NT-proBNP level of ≥1600pg/ml (6.4% vs. 0.7%, p=0.02). Cox-regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP level of ≥1600pg/ml was an independent predictor of 30-day cardiac related mortality, regardless of TIMI risk score, GRACE score, LV ejection fraction and study hospitals (HR 9.274, p=0.054, 95%CI 0.965, 89.161). Readmission for heart failure at 30-day was also higher for patient with NT-proBNP level of ≥1600pg/ml (HR 9.308, p=0.053, 95%CI 0.969, 89.492). NT-proBNP level was not associated with all-cause mortality, risk of readmission for ACS, arrhythmia and stroke (pN0.05). By adding 50 score to GRACE risk score for NT-proBNP level of ≥1600pg/ml, combination of GraceNT-proBNP scores of more than 200 appeared to be a better independent predictor for 30-day cardiac related mortality (HR:28.28, p=0.004, 95%CI 2.94, 272.1). ROC analysis showed that this new score had 75% sensitivity and 91.2% specificity in predicting 30-day cardiac related mortality (AUC 0.791, p=0.046). Conclusions: NT-proBNP is a useful point-of-care risk stratification biomarker in AMI. It can be combined to the current risk score model for better risk stratification in AMI patients

Miniband-related 1.4–1.8 μm luminescence of Ge/Si quantum dot superlattices

The luminescence properties of highly strained, Sb-doped Ge/Si multi-layer heterostructures with incorporated Ge quantum dots (QDs) are studied. Calculations of the electronic band structure and luminescence measurements prove the existence of an electron miniband within the columns of the QDs. Miniband formation results in a conversion of the indirect to a quasi-direct excitons takes place. The optical transitions between electron states within the miniband and hole states within QDs are responsible for an intense luminescence in the 1.4–1.8 µm range, which is maintained up to room temperature. At 300 K, a light emitting diode based on such Ge/Si QD superlattices demonstrates an external quantum efficiency of 0.04% at a wavelength of 1.55 µm