Expression Atlas update--a database of gene and transcript expression from microarray- and sequencing-based functional genomics experiments.

Expression Atlas (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/gxa) is a value-added database providing information about gene, protein and splice variant expression in different cell types, organism parts, developmental stages, diseases and other biological and experimental conditions. The database consists of selected high-quality microarray and RNA-sequencing experiments from ArrayExpress that have been manually curated, annotated with Experimental Factor Ontology terms and processed using standardized microarray and RNA-sequencing analysis methods. The new version of Expression Atlas introduces the concept of 'baseline' expression, i.e. gene and splice variant abundance levels in healthy or untreated conditions, such as tissues or cell types. Differential gene expression data benefit from an in-depth curation of experimental intent, resulting in biologically meaningful 'contrasts', i.e. instances of differential pairwise comparisons between two sets of biological replicates. Other novel aspects of Expression Atlas are its strict quality control of raw experimental data, up-to-date RNA-sequencing analysis methods, expression data at the level of gene sets, as well as genes and a more powerful search interface designed to maximize the biological value provided to the user

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

Measurement of spread-spectrum radio signals by means of wideband field probes

Field probes have been widely used, in the literature, for electromagnetic compatibility measurements and electromagnetic interference estimation. In the last two decades, these instruments have been exploited for open-space electric field exposure assessment, thanks to their ergonomics and capability to adapt to any scenario. This paper analyses the behaviour of field probes, in presence of digital spread-spectrum signals: OFDM (802.11a, 802.11g, 802.16x, DVB-x), W-CDMA (UMTS), DSSS (802.11b). The experiment was set-up in controlled environments, and the results were compared to referenced one, measured by means of bolometers or vector signal analysers. Some structural drawbacks were identified. Consequently, some conclusions about calibration needs were introduced

Field probes performance for the measurement of spread-spectrum radio signals

This letter describes results obtained from an experimental evaluation of field probes used to assess digitally modulated electromagnetic fields. Making use of an experimental setup specifically developed, a large number of devices with different characteristics were analyzed in the presence of three different spread-spectrum schemes: wideband code division multiple access [(W)CDMA], direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The measurement error caused by the modulation was investigated as a function of its main parameters: signal power, time variation, and occupied bandwidth

Experimental setup for the characterization of field probes performance in presence of digitally modulated radio signals

Field probes are widely used for radio-frequency electromagnetic-field exposure assessment. Nevertheless, several authors point out measurement uncertainties when the signal under test is digitally modulated. In this letter, the main drawbacks emerging from the use of probes to measure complex modulations are analyzed and discussed. Consequently, an experimental setup is introduced and investigated to verify probes performance and to allow an easy and usable evaluation of the uncertainty