20 research outputs found
COSMIC: An Ethernet-based Commensal, Multimode Digital Backend on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
The primary goal of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is to
gain an understanding of the prevalence of technologically advanced beings
(organic or inorganic) in the Galaxy. One way to approach this is to look for
technosignatures: remotely detectable indicators of technology, such as
temporal or spectral electromagnetic emissions consistent with an artificial
source. With the new Commensal Open-Source Multimode Interferometer Cluster
(COSMIC) digital backend on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), we aim
to conduct a search for technosignatures that is significantly more
comprehensive, more sensitive, and more efficient than previously attempted.
The COSMIC system is currently operational on the VLA, recording data, and
designed with the flexibility to provide user-requested modes. This paper
describes the hardware system design, the current software pipeline, and plans
for future development.Comment: 30 pages, 17 figures. Accepted for publication in A
Adenovirus Endopeptidase Hydrolyses Human Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigens in Vitro but not ex Vivo
AbstractThe serpins SCCA1 and SCCA2 are highly expressed in the epithelium of the conducting airways, a common site of infection by group C adenoviruses, such as human adenovirus type 2 (Ad2). Based on the common location we examined a possible interaction between them. In vitro experiments with recombinant proteins showed that SCCA1 inhibited the viral protease in a dose-dependent manner. Both serpins were cleaved in a manner consistent with hydrolysis within their reactive site loop, without the formation of an SDS-resistant complex, as in the case of papain. Infection of SCCA1-expressing cells did not result in the cleavage of SCCA1, nor was the yield of infectious virus affected as compared to SCCA1-negative parental cells. This may be due to differential localization, the serpin being cytoplasmic and viral protease being nuclear. Surprisingly, however, virus infection, which tends to inhibit host protein synthesis, caused a significant increase in SCCA1 expression well into the late phase of infection
A Recent Update Of Schistomiasis Mansoni Endemicity Around Lake Rweru
Background: Schistosomiasis remains a global public health challenge
with an estimated 200 million cases reported each year. In Rwanda, the
prevalence of schistosomiasis was recently examined by a countrywide
mapping conducted by the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Control
Programme of the Rwandan Ministry of Health in partnership with The
Access Project. Unfortunately, that study failed to consider one area
of endemicity -- Lake Rweru, located in Bugesera District, Eastern
Province, Rwanda. This screening aimed to evaluate Lake Rweru and its
environs in order to determine next steps for disease control. Methods:
The lake’s shore inhabitants, including children and adults, were
invited to be screened for intestinal schistosomiasis. The stool
examination was performed by Kato-Katz technique. Results: A total of
270 children and adults were parasitologically screened. Fifty seven
(57) cases of schistosomiasis mansoni were confirmed (21.1%). The
highest proportion of S. mansoni infection was observed at Mazane
Island (30.1% of 93 island inhabitants screened). Conclusion: The
present results confirm that Lake Rweru is a significant source of S.
mansoni infection in the country. We recommend further future
investigations in order to know the true disease prevalence. While the
mass de-worming campaign against schistosomiasis in addition to
soil-transmitted helminthiasis is being regularly conducted by the
Ministry of Health in all endemic areas, the population surrounding
Lake Rweru should receive special attention.Contexte: La schistosomiase demeure un problème important de
santé publique globalement avec environ 200 millions de cas
rapportés chaque année. Au Rwanda, la situation de la
schistosomiase a été récemment mise à jour par une
cartographie nationale conduite par le Programme de ContrĂ´le des
Maladies Tropicales Négligées (MTN) du Ministère de la
Santé en collaboration avec The Access Project. Cependant, le lac
Rweru situé dans le District de Bugesera, Province de l’Est,
Rwanda, a été incorrectement manqué parmi les foyers les
plus endémiques. L’investigation visait à confirmer le
foyer afin de déterminer de prochaines étapes pour le
contrôle de l’infestation à Schistosoma mansoni.
MĂ©thodes: La population habitant aux alentours du lac Rweru
comprenant des enfants et des adultes a été invitée
Ă fournir leurs Ă©chantillons de selles en vue
d’être examinés pour la schistosomiase intestinale.
L’examen de selles a été réalisé par la
technique de Kato-Katz. RĂ©sultats: Un total de 270 individus (des
enfants et des adultes) ont été examinés
parasitologiquement. Cinquante-sept (57) cas de schistosomiase mansoni
ont été confirmés (21.1%). On a observé la
proportion la plus élevée de l’infection à S.
mansoni à l’île de Mazane (30.1% de 93 habitants
insulaires testés). Conclusion: Les résultats actuels
confirment que le lac Rweru est une source importante de S. mansoni
dans le pays. Nous recommandons des enquêtes postérieures
afin de connaître la vraie prévalence de la maladie dans
cette zone. Pendant que la campagne de déparasitage de masse
contre la schistosomiase en plus des géo-helminthiases est
régulièrement organisée par le Ministère de la
Santé dans toutes les zones endémiques, la population
environnant le lac Rweru devrait recevoir une attention
particulière
COSMIC: An Ethernet-based Commensal, Multimode Digital Backend on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
The primary goal of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is to gain an understanding of the prevalence of technologically advanced beings (organic or inorganic) in the Galaxy. One way to approach this is to look for technosignatures: remotely detectable indicators of technology, such as temporal or spectral electromagnetic emissions consistent with an artificial source. With the new Commensal Open-Source Multimode Interferometer Cluster (COSMIC) digital backend on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), we aim to conduct a search for technosignatures that is significantly more comprehensive, sensitive, and efficient than previously attempted. The COSMIC system is currently operational on the VLA, recording data and designed with the flexibility to provide user-requested modes. This paper describes the hardware system design, the current software pipeline, and plans for future development
Discovery and Structure-Based Optimization of Adenain Inhibitors
[Image: see text] The cysteine protease adenain is the essential protease of adenovirus and, as such, represents a promising target for the treatment of ocular and other adenoviral infections. Through a concise two-pronged hit discovery approach we identified tetrapeptide nitrile 1 and pyrimidine nitrile 2 as complementary starting points for adenain inhibition. These hits enabled the first high-resolution X-ray cocrystal structures of adenain with inhibitors bound and revealed the binding mode of 1 and 2. The screening hits were optimized by a structure-guided medicinal chemistry strategy into low nanomolar drug-like inhibitors of adenain