2,113 research outputs found
Apolipoprotein AIV gene variant S347 is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and lower plasma apolipoprotein AIV levels
The impact of common variants in the apolipoprotein gene cluster (APOC3-A4-A5) on prospective coronary heart disease (CHD) risk was examined in healthy UK men. Of the 2808 men followed over 9 years, 187 had a clinically defined CHD event. Examination of 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this group revealed that homozygotes for APOA4 S347 had significantly increased risk of CHD [hazard ratio (HR) of 2.07 (95%CI 1.04 to 4.12)], whereas men homozygous for APOC3 1100T were protected [HR 0.28 (95%CI 0.09 to 0.87)]. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, after entering all the variants and adjusting for established risk factors APOA4 T347S alone remained in the model. Using all nine SNPs, the highest risk-estimate haplotypes carried APOA4 S347 and rare alleles of the two flanking intergenic markers. The protective effect of APOC3 1100T could be explained by negative linkage disequilibrium with these alleles. To determine the association of APOA4 T347S with apoAIV levels, the relationship was examined in 1600 healthy young European men and women. S347 homozygotes had significantly lower apoAIV plasma levels (13.64±0.59 mg/dL) compared with carriers of the T347 allele (14.90±0.12 mg/dL) (P=0.035). These results demonstrate that genetic variation in and around APOA4, independent of the effects of triglyceride, is associated with risk of CHD and apoAIV levels, supporting an antiatherogenic role for apoAIV
Spin-based quantum information processing with semiconductor quantum dots and cavity QED
A quantum information processing scheme is proposed with semiconductor
quantum dots located in a high-Q single mode QED cavity. The spin degrees of
freedom of one excess conduction electron of the quantum dots are employed as
qubits. Excitonic states, which can be produced ultrafastly with optical
operation, are used as auxiliary states in the realization of quantum gates. We
show how properly tailored ultrafast laser pulses and Pauli-blocking effects,
can be used to achieve a universal encoded quantum computing.Comment: RevTex, 2 figure
Functional analysis of the interaction of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev nuclear export signal with its cofactors
AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev-mediated nuclear export of viral RNAs involves the interaction of its leucine-rich nuclear export sequence (NES) with nuclear cofactors. In yeast two-hybrid screens of a human lymph node derived cDNA expression library, we identified the human nucleoporin Nup98 as a highly specific and potent interactor of the Rev NES. Using an extensive panel of nuclear export positive and negative mutants of the functionally homologous NESs of the HIV-1 Rev, human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Rex, and equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) Rev proteins, physiologically significant interaction of hNup98 with the various NESs was demonstrated. Missense mutations in the yeast nuclear export factor Crm1p that abrogated Rev NES interaction with the XXFG repeat-containing nucleoporin, Rab/hRIP, had minimal effects on the interaction of GLFG repeat-containing hNup98. Functional analysis of Nup98 domains required for nuclear localization demonstrated that the entire ORF was required for efficient incorporation into the nuclear envelope. A putative nuclear localization signal was identified downstream of the GLFG repeat region. Whereas overexpression of both full-length Nup98 and the amino-terminal GLFG repeat region, but not the unique carboxy-terminal region, induced significant suppression of HIV unspliced RNA export, lower levels of exogenous Nup98 expression resulted in a relatively modest increase in unspliced RNA export. These results suggest a physiological role for hNup98 in modulating Rev-dependent RNA export during HIV infection
Comparative analyses of seven algorithms for copy number variant identification from single nucleotide polymorphism arrays
10.1093/nar/gkq040Nucleic Acids Research389e105-NARH
Grover search with pairs of trapped ions
The desired interference required for quantum computing may be modified by
the wave function oscillations for the implementation of quantum
algorithms[Phys.Rev.Lett.84(2000)1615]. To diminish such detrimental effect, we
propose a scheme with trapped ion-pairs being qubits and apply the scheme to
the Grover search. It can be found that our scheme can not only carry out a
full Grover search, but also meet the requirement for the scalable hot-ion
quantum computing. Moreover, the ion-pair qubits in our scheme are more robust
against the decoherence and the dissipation caused by the environment than
single-particle qubits proposed before.Comment: RevTe
Two-tape finite automata with quantum and classical states
{\it Two-way finite automata with quantum and classical states} (2QCFA) were
introduced by Ambainis and Watrous, and {\it two-way two-tape deterministic
finite automata} (2TFA) were introduced by Rabin and Scott. In this paper we
study 2TFA and propose a new computing model called {\it two-way two-tape
finite automata with quantum and classical states} (2TQCFA). First, we give
efficient 2TFA algorithms for recognizing languages which can be recognized by
2QCFA. Second, we give efficient 2TQCFA algorithms to recognize several
languages whose status vis-a-vis 2QCFA have been posed as open questions, such
as . Third, we show that
can be recognized by {\it -tape
deterministic finite automata} (TFA). Finally, we introduce {\it
-tape automata with quantum and classical states} (TQCFA) and prove that
can be recognized by TQCFA.Comment: 25 page
Regulator of the mucoid phenotype A gene increases the virulent ability of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing serotype non-K1/K2 Klebsiella pneumonia
BackgroundTo determine whether the presence of a capsule regulator gene [i.e., regulator of mucoid phenotype A (rmpA) gene] contributes to virulence on extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) with serotype non-K1/K2 strains.MethodsTwenty-eight ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP isolates were collected from the Tri-Service General Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan). The impact of the virulent rmpA gene in different capsular polysaccharide serotypes on ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP isolates was studied by a neutrophil phagocytosis reaction, a serum bactericidal assay, and an animal survival model.ResultsResistance to broad spectrum antibiotics was more prevalent in ESBL-KP strains than in non-ESBL-KP strains (p < 0.01). The ESBL-KP strains had different molecular patterns from non-ESBL-KP strains, based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The frequency of serum-resistant isolates was the highest among ESBL-KP strains with rmpA (i.e., rmpA+) [71.4% (5/7)] than among of non-ESBL-KP rmpA+ strains [42.8% (6/14)], ESBL-KP strains without rmpA (rmpA−) [33.3% (7/21)], and non-ESBL-KP rmpA− strains [14.2% (2/14)]. The most significant increase in neutrophil resistance occurred in the ESBL-KP rmpA+ strains in comparison to the non-ESBL-KP rmpA+, ESBL-KP rmpA−, and non-ESBL-KP rmpA− strains (p < 0.01). The results of the animal survival model were compatible with the neutrophil phagocytosis reaction and serum bactericidal assay.ConclusionWe conclude that the pathogenic potential is greater in rmpA+ ESBL-KP strains than in rmpA– ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP strains
Regulation of L-Selectin–mediated Rolling through Receptor Dimerization
L-selectin binding activity for its ligand expressed by vascular endothelium is rapidly and transiently increased after leukocyte activation. To identify mechanisms for upregulation and assess how this influences leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions, cell-surface dimers of L-selectin were induced using the coumermycin–GyrB dimerization strategy for cross-linking L-selectin cytoplasmic domains in L-selectin cDNA-transfected lymphoblastoid cells. Coumermycin- induced L-selectin dimerization resulted in an approximately fourfold increase in binding of phosphomanan monoester core complex (PPME), a natural mimic of an L-selectin ligand, comparable to that observed after leukocyte activation. Moreover, L-selectin dimerization significantly increased (by ∼700%) the number of lymphocytes rolling on vascular endothelium under a broad range of physiological shear stresses, and significantly slowed their rolling velocities. Therefore, L-selectin dimerization may explain the rapid increase in ligand binding activity that occurs after leukocyte activation and may directly influence leukocyte migration to peripheral lymphoid tissues or to sites of inflammation. Inducible oligomerization may also be a common mechanism for rapidly upregulating the adhesive or ligand-binding function of other cell-surface receptors
Cement composites reinforced with surface modified coir fibers
An experimental investigation of coir mesh reinforced mortar (CMRM) is conducted using nonwoven coir mesh matting. The main parameters in this study are the fiber volume fraction (number of mesh layers) and fiber surface treatment with a wetting agent. The composites are subjected to the four-point bending test. The short-term mechanical properties of CMRM are discussed. Scanning electron micrograph analysis is used to observe the fiber—matrix interfacial characteristics. The results indicate that the addition of coir mesh to mortar significantly improves the composite post-cracking flexural stress, toughness, ductility, and toughness index, compared to plain mortar materials. The Albatex © FFC wetting agent (2-ethylhexanol) can effectively improve water absorption of coir fiber and enhance the fiber—matrix bonding strength. These coir mesh reinforced composites may be useful in civil engineering applications.<br /
Seven new mutations in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced-cytochrome b(5) reductase gene leading to methemoglobinemia type I
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