Efficacy of different protein descriptors in predicting protein functional families

10.1186/1471-2105-8-300BMC Bioinformatics8-BBMI

Magnetic resonance imaging of glutamate in neuroinflammation

AbstractInflammation in central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most severe diseases, and also plays an impellent role in some neurodegenerative diseases. Glutamate (Glu) has been considered relevant to the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation. In order to diagnose neuroinflammation incipiently and precisely, we review the pathobiological events in the early stages of neuroinflammation, the interactions between Glu and neuroinflammation, and two kinds of magnetic resonance techniques of imaging Glu (chemical exchange saturation transfer and magnetic resonance spectroscopy)

Influence of micron WC addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrafine WC–Co cemented carbides at the elevated temperature

In this paper, the influence of micron-grained WC additions with the different grain sizes on the microstructure and hardness of ultrafine WC–Co cemented carbides at the elevated temperature were investigated by the scanning electron microscope and mechanical properties test. The Vickers hardness and transverse rupture strength of hardmetals were measured at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 800 °C. The results show that the addition of micron-sized WC particles can lead to the increase of fracture toughness and slow the decreasing of hardness at the elevated temperature.Досліджено вплив добавок WC з зернами різних мікронних розмірів на мікроструктуру і твердість надтвердого WC–Co-сплаву при підвищеній температурі за допомогою скануючого електронного мікроскопу і проведено випробування його механічних властивостей. Твердість за Віккерсом і поперечну міцність на розрив твердих металів вимірювали у діапазоні від кімнатної температури до 800 °С. Результати показали, що добавка WС-частинок мікронних розмірів може призвести до збільшення тріщиностійкості і уповільнити зменшення твердості при підвищеній температурі.Исследовано влияние добавок WС с зернами различных микронных размеров на микроструктуру и твердость сверхтвердого WC–Co-сплава при повышенной температуре с помощью сканирующего электронного микроскопа и проведено испытание его механических свойств. Твердость по Виккерсу и поперечную прочность на разрыв твердых металлов измеряли в диапазоне от комнатной температуры до 800 °C. Результаты показали, что добавка WС-частиц микронных размеров может привести к увеличению трещиностойкости и замедлить уменьшение твердости при повышенной температуре

Dynamic radiography using a carbon-nanotube-based field-emission x-ray source

We report a dynamic radiography system with a carbon nanotube based field-emission microfocus x-ray source. The system can readily generate x-ray radiation with continuous variation of temporal resolution as short as nanoseconds. Its potential applications for dynamic x-ray imaging are demonstrated. The performance characteristics of this compact and versatile system are promising for noninvasive imaging in biomedical research and industrial inspection

A nanotube-based field emission x-ray source for microcomputed tomography

Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) is a noninvasive imaging tool commonly used to probe the internal structures of small animals for biomedical research and for the inspection of microelectronics. Here we report the development of a micro-CT scanner with a carbon nanotube- (CNT-) based microfocus x-ray source. The performance of the CNT x-ray source and the imaging capability of the micro-CT scanner were characterized

Three chromosome-scale Papaver genomes reveal punctuated patchwork evolution of the morphinan and noscapine biosynthesis pathway

Papaver species P. setigerum, P. rhoeas, and P. somniferum accumulates different levels of morphine and noscapine. Here, the authors report the improved genome assembly of P. somniferum and de novo assembly of the other two species, and reveal the evolution of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthetic pathway.For millions of years, plants evolve plenty of structurally diverse secondary metabolites (SM) to support their sessile lifestyles through continuous biochemical pathway innovation. While new genes commonly drive the evolution of plant SM pathway, how a full biosynthetic pathway evolves remains poorly understood. The evolution of pathway involves recruiting new genes along the reaction cascade forwardly, backwardly, or in a patchwork manner. With three chromosome-scale Papaver genome assemblies, we here reveal whole-genome duplications (WGDs) apparently accelerate chromosomal rearrangements with a nonrandom distribution towards SM optimization. A burst of structural variants involving fusions, translocations and duplications within 7.7 million years have assembled nine genes into the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids gene cluster, following a punctuated patchwork model. Biosynthetic gene copies and their total expression matter to morphinan production. Our results demonstrate how new genes have been recruited from a WGD-induced repertoire of unregulated enzymes with promiscuous reactivities to innovate efficient metabolic pathways with spatiotemporal constraint.Computer Science

Guidelines for chemotherapy of biliary tract and ampullary carcinomas

Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with large numbers of patients have been conducted to date in patients with biliary tract cancer, and standard chemotherapy has not been established yet. In this article we review previous studies and clinical trials regarding chemotherapy for unresectable biliary tract cancer, and we present guidelines for the appropriate use of chemotherapy in patients with biliary tract cancer. According to an RCT comparing chemotherapy and best supportive care for these patients, survival was significantly longer and quality of life was significantly better in the chemotherapy group than in the control group. Thus, chemotherapy for patients with biliary tract cancer seems to be a significant treatment of choice. However, chemotherapy for patients with biliary tract cancer should be indicated for those with unresectable, locally advanced disease or distant metastasis, or for those with recurrence after resection. That is why making the diagnosis of unresectable disease should be done with greatest care. As a rule, pathological diagnosis, including cytology or histopathological diagnosis, is preferable. Chemotherapy is recommended in patients with a good general condition, because in patients with general deterioration, such as those with a performance status of 2 or 3 or those with insufficient biliary decompression, the benefit of chemotherapy is limited. As chemotherapy for unresectable biliary tract cancer, the use of gemcitabine or tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium is recommended. As postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, no effective adjuvant therapy has been established at the present time. It is recommended that further clinical trials, especially large multi-institutional RCTs (phase III studies) using novel agents such as gemcitabine should be performed as soon as possible in order to establish a standard treatment

Multiwavelength studies of MHD waves in the solar chromosphere: An overview of recent results

The chromosphere is a thin layer of the solar atmosphere that bridges the relatively cool photosphere and the intensely heated transition region and corona. Compressible and incompressible waves propagating through the chromosphere can supply significant amounts of energy to the interface region and corona. In recent years an abundance of high-resolution observations from state-of-the-art facilities have provided new and exciting ways of disentangling the characteristics of oscillatory phenomena propagating through the dynamic chromosphere. Coupled with rapid advancements in magnetohydrodynamic wave theory, we are now in an ideal position to thoroughly investigate the role waves play in supplying energy to sustain chromospheric and coronal heating. Here, we review the recent progress made in characterising, categorising and interpreting oscillations manifesting in the solar chromosphere, with an impetus placed on their intrinsic energetics.Comment: 48 pages, 25 figures, accepted into Space Science Review